In lieu of the London Eye (insert hard eye roll, here), I suggest the Skygarden @ 20 Fenchurch (the building that they call ‘the Eraser’) where you get full 360 degree view of London from a garden in the sky – https://skygarden.london/plan-your-visit. Tours run Monday-Saturday 9:30-4p. Time allocated 2-4 hours (depending upon the tour). View of St Paul’s from the Tate Modern Why Should You Disobey Rick Steves in … | I love the Tate Modern too, but have never been on a walking tour of the East End – that sounds so interesting! My favorite part of the National Gallery is the photography exhibit in the Portrait Gallery. You can pick up an Oyster Card at any ticket machine for the Tube. If I have to list all the best things to visit in London, I could write a book So I agree, disobeying guide books is sometimes a good thing! But there are fruit/veg stalls, curry stands, bakeries, pate, olives, sandwiches, coffee, wine beer, smoothies and on and on. … It's the easiest and best experience if you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android. Shoreditch has a few very cool high-end hotels that have been re-purposed from historical buildings (like The Brewery) and it also has budget chain hotels (like PointA) that are hipper and more comfortable than you might imagine. They rotate collections frequently so it’s a new museum every time you visit. The market is open Monday-Saturday but has more stalls Wednesday-Saturday. Time allotted 2-3 hours. This is my favorite of all of these historical sites. Just as well as I think I would have differed with him on a few things too, esp the stuffy aristocrat portraits. London is full of life, and much of that life comes from tourists. But, I find that with a lot of the city pass cards, you really have to hustle around to get your value out of them. Venice Audio Tours The Rick Steves London at a Glance guide offers a list of 20 sites that warrant 2-3 triangles. Time allotted: 1.5-2 hours. On the bright side, the pass does include the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can kill the afternoon strolling the bookshops, boutiques, photography galleries, tea shops and mini gardens that line the main drag. Thank you! I too love Rick Steves and guidebooks are a great jumping off point, but sometimes you need to strike out on your own! I followed Rick Steve’s guidelines in Italy but totally forgot about him in London. But the itinerary then goes off script to suggest a nearby neighborhood that is worth exploring. Rhine Audio Tours, London Audio Tours Our daughter put us onto this and glad she did – never would have thought of it otherwise. Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. When you are finished there, there are also some really cool London bookshops in nearby Russell Square. see our FAQ. Stay up to date by subscribing to the Wayfaring Views Newsletter. Blog, Europe, Favorite Itineraries, Popular, Street Art England, Itinerary, Lodging, Museum-Culture, Rick Steves, United Kingdom. Plus lots of free time to explore on your own. | If you are visiting Mon-Sat, then go to BOXpark. If you are into Shakespeare: The Globe Theater. The pageantry starts at 11am Time allotted: 1.5 hours. The Tower shows you London’s medieval side with suits of armour and the crown jewels. If you are a history buff: The Tower of London. 1 VHS Rick Steves Best of Travels in Europe Great Britain (2001) Hosted by PBS's Rick Steves! spend several days, just in Shoreditch. Time allotment: 2-3 hours. Many US carriers have dreadful international plans, but if you own your phone outright, you can have it unlocked. I like the Rick Steves’ travel guides. | Download map, British Library Tour Have you spent much time walking around the City of London? Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 20,000 travelers to Europe annually. Listen or Download Time allocated: 1 hour. But I’m also a well-traveled woman who has learned the hard way that confining yourself to seeing only the “must see” tourist sites is a sure-fire way to miss out on getting to know a place. Our free self-guided walking tours cover Europe's most fascinating destinations. Using it, you will pay only £2.90 per tube ride which, even with transfers, is cheaper and more point-to-point than a HoHo bus. Listen or Download The most recent guide to London is excellent. London Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . | 13:00 Grab a picnic, catch a boat at Tower Pier, and relax with lunch on the Thames while cruising … Assisi Audio Tours Time allocated: 2-3 hours. The Westminster Area is very central for accessing all of London and the neighborhood has a lot of hotel space at a variety of price points. After you’re done eating everything, waddle over to The Shard. This is another great source – http://historylondon.org/category/city-of-london/. There is a security check but the line moves quickly. They offer very practical, budget friendly advice for how to navigate a city and prioritize its various sites. I love the walking tours and handy tips. Thanks. I have visited and liked most of London’s top tourist sites, but they are heavily focused on British history and won’t give you much insight into modern London. I also wondered if there are any type of cruises that go from Edinburgh around and include a stop in London and end up i Dublin, a short 3 day type thing. Rick Steves London 2020 - Ebook written by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw. The museum is open everyday 10am-5:30pm. Time allocated: 1-2 hours. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are SO many things to do there, it would be impossible to see everything in a lifetime. Inside Rick Steves London 2020 you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring London Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Trafalgar … Lisbon Audio Tours, ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Check reviews in the South Bank at Trip Advisor or book on Booking.com. Download map, British Museum Tour Doing London this way will get you out of the museums and into the streets to explore London’s on-the-ground culture. subscribing to the Wayfaring Views Newsletter, http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/signs-of-old-lombard-street, http://historylondon.org/category/city-of-london/, https://wayfaringviews.com/embrace-urban-strolling-be-flaneur/, The 29 Most Beautiful Libraries in the World: Indulge Your Library Lust, 29 Murals in Nashville: A Practical Guide to Mind-Blowing Art. If you like street art: Shoreditch has a world class street art scene. Dare to disobey the Rick Steves guide with this itinerary for three days in London. It’s much cheaper to pre book trains when possible. (This article contains affiliate links. I need to get back to Dublin to fly back to the US and, if I have one more day, wonder if its enough time to go outside of London and see the East Grinstead area, Bath or other such outskirts, or if its too much to fit in. Thanks for sharing. This quick nine-stop walk gives you a whirlwind tour as well as a practical orientation to London in about an hour. Twinings tea store is a good experience and they have some special events. The exhibits are free and open from Monday-Thursday 9:30a-8p, Friday 9:30-6p, Saturday 9:30-5p, Sunday 11a-5p. Sevilla Walking Tours: Go with Rick Steves recommendations! For the morning of day one, think about your personal interests and then pick two of the historical sites listed below. I often use them when in Europe. They feature contemporary art with innovative pieces made of found objects and paintings with modern and edgy themes. It includes the Hop on Hop Off bus, but I’m not a fan of them. The pass is only a good deal if you are going to hit up 4-5 of the major historical sites per day. Entrance is free and they also offer a variety of free and paid special tours. It’s where 1750’s period living meets performance art. Any Rick Steves guidebook stack-ranks the tourist sites according to a prioritized system: three triangles represent a must do, two are kinda-do and so on. The gallery is free. Thanks so much for this suggestion. You can attend performances or take a tour (£17.00 for adult tickets.) Download individual tours, below, as mp3s or podcasts. It’s a street foodie haven made of old shipping containers. The garden is located four blocks south of the shopping drag on the Thames. Refreshing perspective. Great post on alternative ways to see London. Buckingham Palace changing of the guard. Leadenhall Market is a gorgeous Victorian market tucked away in the shadow of the Lloyd’s of London building (Harry Potter fans might recognize it). And I am happy to report that many of the happiest tourists I’ve seen are taking full advantage of my London and Britain guidebooks. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, So the following itinerary for three days in London acknowledges the importance of these historical sites, but also suggest other nearby offerings that will get you wandering the streets of today’s London. Included in Rick Steves Pocket London: Sights: the National Portrait Gallery, Courtauld Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Bankside Walk Walks and Tours: the Westminster Walk, Westminster Abbey Tour, National Gallery Tour, West End Walk, British Museum Tour, British Library Tour, The City Walk, St. Paul's Cathedral Tour, and Tower of London Tour Admission is FREE but you must get timed entry tickets prior (although there might be a few walk-up tickets available on slow day). Listen or Download A great article! It includes free entry to some of those sites + the Beefeater gin distillery tour. Great post. Tour of Parliament. Have fun and report back to me here or on social media when you return, I’d love to hear about your trip. • Purchase and review the Rick Steves London guide book.• Check out some other bloggers who know London like this London Bridge tour or these free attractions from the Trusted Traveler and these another quirky tours. Check out my post on how to find it or think about taking either a quick 2 hour tour or a more immersive 4 hour private photography tour. Download map, Historic London: "The City" Walk Time allotted: 45 minutes. You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in London. Salzburg Audio Tours Ireland: Dublin City Walk 2 — O'Connell Street. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. This is so helpful! So check out the pass and make sure it covers what you want to see. If you wake up early and speed walk through at least five of the top historical sites over three days, then the £110 3-day pass may be worth it for you. Check Virgin Trains for the schedule. Westminster Abbey. Don’t have data? | For day two, of your three day London itinerary, focus on the City and South Bank. Just wandering in a city can bring you to the greatest places and can bring you the best experiences. The garden is open Monday-Friday 11am-6pm. Entrance is free and you can use the SmARTify app for a virtual tour while you are there. For a unique “treat” (especially if you are a Rumpole or “Witness for the Prosecution” fan), catch a trial at Old Bailey. Three Days in London- An Alternative Itinerary to the Rick Steves Guide. Read More: If you are really interested in London’s history, then also check out my tour of the East End and its immigrant history. Get some. Work up your hunger doing two or three of the above options and then head over to Borough market to satiate it. We had the Private Da Vinci Code Tour with Malcolm, the Montmartre with Mary Ellen, and Marais II with Jonathan. Chelsea is just one quick tube stop west of Westminster from Victoria station to Sloan Square. For instance, the signs of old Lombard Street – http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/signs-of-old-lombard-street. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.). There is a long shopping and dining street along King’s road. I believe the train is only ~1.5 hours from London. Time allotted: 45 minutes. ). It’s not strictly in Westminster but rather a bit north, on Trafalger Square. Because, you are going to need some gin if you exhaust yourself with that kind of itinerary. So, if you got an an early start,you could have a whole day there. Check reviews on Trip Advisor or book at Booking.com. Carol Guttery is the founder of Wayfaring Views, and is a travel writer, photographer, and philanthropy consultant. Westminster Abbey: Should've listened to Rick Steves - See 24,158 traveler reviews, 9,839 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. If you love beer: Spend your evening crawling all of the great pubs around Brick Lane and Shoreditch High Street. Rick Steves' Europe. So, I urge you check out this full list of things to do there. Siena Audio Tours Milan Audio Tours I’m saving this for my next trip. The market has used goods, crafts and great street food- say YES to falafel! Dare to disobey the Rick Steves guide with this itinerary for three days in London. This guide will show you some of the typical historical sites but also get you out into the streets to experience a modern side of the city. Westminster has been the royal coronation church for 950 years and its architecture and treasures represent layers and layers of British history. Well- I do eyeball their guides as I do find them useful, especially for practical tips like how to do laundry. The theater is a replica of the original theater that previewed Shakespeare’s works. The following itinerary suggests doing 2-3 of the above Rick Steves’ pics per day, based upon your personal interests. This list has a lot of indoor activities so is particularly good to do in the winter. You can get around much faster using the tube or normal city buses. I second the recommendation of London Walks. Time allotted 1.5 hours. Learn the rules, as it were, and then break them! Entrance is free. Listen or Download And the city buses are double-decker, so you can sit on the upper level for views. No signup or install needed. Very practical and one of a few that not trying to selling “London Pass”. The £17.00 ticket includes a guided tour of the galleries and multimedia guides. It’s a living, thriving neighborhood full of cool street art, street food, markets and weird museums. Madrid Audio Tours Required fields are marked *. Colonial Britain looted the finest ancient artifacts from throughout the Empire and it’s all on display at the British Museum. I also love old churches, especially since they often host concerts–last time I was there, St. Martin-in-the-Fields had some beautiful music! You should mention the importance of using a VPN when on public wifi in BOLD. The Tower is open Sunday-Monday 10a-5:30p, Tuesday-Saturday 9a-5:30p. Time allotted: 1-1/2 hours. wife and i will be in london 4 days this september.we are considering a 3 or 4 day london pass,any thoughts? For ancient history buffs: The British Museum. Download map, Dublin City Walk 2: O'Connell Street My personal favorite is Neal’s Dairy Yard because they age and sell the finest cheese in England. For your third day in London, combine some ancient history with something modern and edgy. If you are a huge foodie, check out this post on more food halls. Thanks- I’m trying to help people see a broader London than just the Royal sites. Time allotted 1.5-2 hours. Abbey tours are 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9am-1pm. I’m going to London soon and will check this out. Rick Steves' Europe. Your email address will not be published. During your week-long stay in London, your Rick Steves guide will lead you on a magical history tour along the Thames and through the Tower, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, historic neighborhoods, and plenty of priceless art — and even take you on a train trip to Windsor Castle. Any sure? By grouping these sites by neighborhood and adding in some neighborhood strolls, you will be able to maximize your time in London and truly get to know the city. Rick Steves Pocket London works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to London. Just use Google maps to help you figure out the best bus route. I will be coming from the Edinburgh area. I just can’t say enough about Rick Steves tours! Tickets are £27.50 (cheaper if booked in advance). I use surfshark ever since, but there are plenty of other vpn to choose from. British Museum Tour … If you are into modern art: Stop into the Saatchi Gallery. I would do them all again, but plan to do Spain and southern Italy in the near future! It's not the only walking tour company by any means but it has a lot going for it. My Account. Edinburgh Audio Tours Learn how to save time and money on the Tube, and how to avoid the mobs at the Changing of the Guard. It’s called flaneuring and I wrote a whole post about it- https://wayfaringviews.com/embrace-urban-strolling-be-flaneur/, Your email address will not be published. NOW I KNOW why I have been working so hard to fit in neighborhood walks. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on London. Been on 5 Rick Steves tours (London, Paris, Rome, Ireland and Venice, Florence, Rome). A great and useful article. There are lots of good restaurants that have afternoon tea as well. I liked the East End so much that I would like to stay there next time I visit. I’ve been six times and every time I go, I uncover something new. I’m not aware of a 3-day cruise around the British Isles, but there probably are some. They are open 10a-6pm everyday and until 10p on Friday and Saturday. I always get way too distracted by the million other cool things there are to do! We … Time allotted: 2 hours. They are open every day 9:30am-7pm. Details & Specs Title: Rick Steves London 2018 Format: Paperback Product dimensions: 614 pages, 8.12 X 4.62 X 0.75 in Shipping dimensions: 614 pages, 8.12 X 4.62 X 0.75 in Published: 19 décembre 2017 Publisher: Avalon Publishing Language: English The buses in London also accept the Oyster card and their double decker design will give you great views of the city as you drive by. | I love wandering around cities. What may you suggest about your post that you simply made a few days in the past? London is a huuuuuge city with far more to do than even the Rick Steves London list. Love Borough Market! Download map, St. Paul's Cathedral Tour This pure royal theater is free but crowded so get there early to get a good spot. But, as your time is limited, I’ll give you a few suggestions here: If you are a foodie: Go on a Sunday for the street market on Brick lane. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket London is smaller than the complete guidebook and in full color (but still offers our best sightseeing advice and a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours, plus a … Get the entire package in the Rick Steves Audio Europe … London was founded in 43 AD, so the city is absolutely stuffed with historical sites and more than half of Rick Steves’ London pics fall into this category. fantastic issues altogether, you just received a new reader. 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During your three day London itinerary: //www.atlasobscura.com/places/signs-of-old-lombard-street m not a fan rick steves london walking tour them ll make a small.. To BOXpark orientation to London in for good measure Audio tours: get the Audio Europe app for money End. The Cathedral offers a visual history of England ’ s medieval side with of. Of good restaurants that have afternoon tea as well in ( or near ) the area!