Review: Five days in London pre cruise

[milolii]

Aloha!

 

We recently spent five days in London before our Mediterranean cruise. I want to thank many people on this board for their advice which helped me plan our trip. John Bull and Cotswold Eagle, to name a few.

 

We own a vacation rental home on the Big Island of Hawaii and advertise it on two vacation rental sites; I decided to look for a vacation rental in London using these sites. I found an absolutely lovely 2 bedroom flat in central London next door to the Park Plaza River Bank. If you exit the building and walk around to the front you are literally on the Albert Embankment with the river and can see the Victoria Tower. There is a bus stop right in front of the street on the riverside and it is an 8 minute walk to the Vauxhall tube station.

 

The flat has 2 bedrooms, each with a double bed; and one bathroom. There is also a kitchen with a table. A National Rail Station is close to the flat so you can hear the trains if the windows are open. From one of the bedrooms, you can actually see the Thames if you open the window. All of this is quite amazing for a reasonable price.

 

We arrived at Heathrow about 9 am. We cleared customs fairly quickly and found our driver from Just Airports waiting for us. He took us to the flat. We were early so we were able to drop our luggage as the cleaning was still in progress. We then took off to explore. We crossed the Lambert Bridge and walked to Westminster fairly easy. We they purchased a seven day pass at the Westminster tube station. We only needed the pass for 5 days, but that option was not available. This made the most sense at about 30 GSP each. We used this for the tube (Mind the Gap) and the buses. We did not need to stop and purchase any more tickets during our stay. We did have to show our passports to purchase the pass and remember to tap in and tap out

 

We had lunch at the Wharf restaurant on the South Bank and then walked all the way back to the flat to take a much needed nap. After a few hours of sleep, we walked to Vauxhall tube station where we found a Sainsbury store. We purchased a delightful cottage pie, some great English Cheddar cheese and fruit and crackers. We went back to the flat, enjoyed all of this and went to bed!!!

 

Thursday morning, we had tickets for the Big Bus Tour. Well, we had a bit of rain. We took the tour and hopped off for the Buckingham Palace changing of the guards tour included in our ticket. We had about an hour to kill. Phil was our tour guide who took us on a very brisk walking tour that ended up at Buckingham Palace. As Phil warned us there were indeed 25,000 people there with umbrellas. We actually did snap some excellent pictures, but none at the front Gate. My guess is you would need to get there very early to see the full show. If there is too much rain the ceremony may be cancelled. .

 

Later we met Cruising Canuck and her lovely daughter for lunch. We then continued on with our hop on hop off tour, hopping off at Lambert Bridge, a short walk to the flat.

That evening we had a Thames dinner cruise on the London Showboat. This was a great time. We had requested and got a table next to the window. The boat left from the Westminster Pier, went downriver and returned. A welcome drink and a half a carafe of wine per person was included in the price. We met several local people and had a great time.

 

The next day we had tickets for a Royal Day Out. We visited the Royal Mews, the Queens Gallery and Buckingham Palace. WOW! The Queens gallery features an exposition of the Tudor period with glorious portraits of King Henry VIII, Charles I and Elizabeth I among others.

 

The Royal Mews featured the magnificent carriages, horses and cars used by the Royal Family. The real star of the show is Buckingham Palace. HRH Prince Charles sends a welcome message as you enter the palace. The palace was simply spectacular. The celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year of her coronation was featured throughout the rooms. The tour us about 90 minutes, no restrooms, strollers must be folded, book in advance through the Royal Collection.

 

This evening we went on the London Eye. This was an amazing experience; again book in advance with skip the line tickets.

 

The next day, well, it rained. We visited the British Museum and Harrods. So did everyone else. Both were insanely crowded. At the British museum we focused in on the Greek marbles since we were visiting Athens on the cruise. We then left the crowds to visit Harrods. Quite frankly most of the store reeked of perfume. It was quite disgusting, so if you have allergies be aware.

 

That evening we had a delightful dinner at the Butler’s Warf, Chop House. Our table had a fantastic view of Tower Bridge, The Bridge actually opened while we were dinning. We then crossed the bridge to the Tower of London.

 

Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

 

This ceremony has taken place every night without fail for 600 plus years. Tickets are free, but limited and you must request them in advance. I submitted a request 4 or 5 months before our visit, offering several dates and was able to get them. Visit the web site for information on how to obtain them. Photography is not allowed until after the ceremony and you need to respect the dignity of the ceremony by honoring the rules the beefeaters outline before the beginning of the ceremony.

 

The ceremony begins promptly at 0930, so be on time. Pictures are allowed after the ceremony and then you are escorted out by the beefeater. There is a box near the exit to make donations.

 

The next day we visited the Tower of London as the weather had cleared by now. We

enjoyed a delightful tour by one of the Beefeaters and even saw Bob again. We then had lunch at the le Pont de La Tour, next to Butler’s Warf Chop House. This lunch was far more disappointing with extra charges on our bill. The food was mediocre and service poor.

 

We took a river cruise back to Westminster and walked back to our flat. We finished packing and took off for Venice the next morning for our Mediterranean Cruise on the NCL Spirit.

 

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[melody hounddog]

Wonderful review! Thanks so much for sharing.

 

The Thames river dinner cruise sounds interesting. What did they serve? Was the food good?

[Rowsby]

A great review....I've already printed it......!!

[milolii]

The London showboat was a lot of fun. The menu was a shrimp appetizer, soup, chicken ( very tender) with potatoes and vegetables and a desert. There was really too much food. We met quite a few Local folks and had a blast with them. They pointed out all the sites for us. The sites were beautiful at night. It was a great time. Just google London Showboat for more information.

 

 

 

 

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[tassietravellers]

Great review and thank you, I have printed it as well :)

We will be there for 8 nights in july next year and want to see as much as we can, we can come home to rest! :)

[Cotswold Eagle]

Great review, thanks. Always interesting to hear how people actually get on when they visit! The option of staying in an apartment is worth considering, clearly - the same is true of many cities - and one we perhaps don't mention here as much as we should.

 

I used to live and work close to where you stayed, and have an interest in the local history. By the way, it's Lambeth, not Lambert, although the locals may sound as if they are saying Lambert! You may be interested in this page (it's from someone's family history site, but focuses on the development of Lambeth from rural village to industrial slum, before the construction of the Albert Embankment swept a lot of it away). Some good maps and old pictures, especially of the Horse Ferry that operated where the Lambeth Bridge crosses the Thames (hence Horseferry Street on the north side approach).

 

http://partleton.co.uk/EarlyLambeth.htm

[milolii]

Thank you everyone for your nice comments. And to you Cotswold Eagle for that link to the historical photos and commentary. I really did enjoy that. How did you know I was a history buff? After years ( too many LOL) of studying American History, I am now fascinated with European history and especially English history. I will share it with my friend who also rented that flat last June. We really did like the area. We will stay there again. Hopefully we will get a chance to return!

 

It IS nice when folks share their experiences. We all learn so much! You see much of that with the actual cruises, but not as much with the pre cruise or post cruise land portions. I had such an amazing experience, I was compelled to share. It may help the next person.

 

Cheers!

 

 

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[Baseball fan]

Great review!

 

How was the Ceremony of the Keys? We had tickets last time in London but arrived with so much jetlag, could not make it that night. I want to do that next time in London.

 

Dena

[rocknroll]

Hi . . lovely review! Thanks so much. Could you tell us how to find information on renting the flat that you found so appealing. We will be traveling with another couple, and a two bedroom flat surely would save us money versus two hotel rooms. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[milolii]

Great review!

 

How was the Ceremony of the Keys? We had tickets last time in London but arrived with so much jetlag, could not make it that night. I want to do that next time in London.

 

Dena

 

We really enjoyed it. It was raining a bit. But we carried on as they say. We could take pictures afterwards. I got one with Bob, the Beefeater. The White Tower looked Magnificent at night. Next time d it on another night ,maybe you will not be so tired.

 

 

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[milolii]

Hi . . lovely review! Thanks so much. Could you tell us how to find information on renting the flat that you found so appealing. We will be traveling with another couple, and a two bedroom flat surely would save us money versus two hotel rooms. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks again.

 

You can email me at miloliihalehonu@yahoo.com. I do not think we are supposed to put websites here.

 

 

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[janina]

Enjoyed your review. Now I will definitely book in advance or tickets.

[librarylady19]

Heading to London (no cruise this trip ) in 10 days so I'm really enjoying your review. Any food recommendations - or pubs?

 

 

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[SteveH2508]

Heading to London (no cruise this trip ) in 10 days so I'm really enjoying your review. Any food recommendations - or pubs?

 

 

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Pubs - one of my favourite subjects!

 

The Harp, Chandos Place (near Trafalgar Square) http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/92/924/Harp/Covent_Garden

 

Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn (closed at weekends)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/15/1564/Ye_Old_Mitre/Holborn

 

The Grenadier, Belgravia (near Harrods)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/45/455/Grenadier/Belgravia

 

Gordons Wine Bar, Villiers St. (near Charing Cross)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/89/896/Gordons_Wine_Bar/Charing_Cross

 

All regularly quality checked by yours truly! ;)

 

Loads more good ones as well - depending on which area you are in.

[milolii]

Excellent post. I work in Quality control myself. Next time I am in London, I will have to perform some "validation" . We dropped in at the Rose as it was near the flat.

 

I really liked Butler Wharf's Chop House. The outstanding view of the Tower Bridge was awesome. We had a 3 course meal that was a special for 25 GBS. They also have a special for Sunday lunch.

 

 

 

 

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[librarylady19]

Pubs - one of my favourite subjects!

 

The Harp, Chandos Place (near Trafalgar Square) http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/92/924/Harp/Covent_Garden

 

Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn (closed at weekends)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/15/1564/Ye_Old_Mitre/Holborn

 

The Grenadier, Belgravia (near Harrods)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/45/455/Grenadier/Belgravia

 

Gordons Wine Bar, Villiers St. (near Charing Cross)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/89/896/Gordons_Wine_Bar/Charing_Cross

 

All regularly quality checked by yours truly! ;)

 

Loads more good ones as well - depending on which area you are in.

 

Wow. - thanks Steve! Several of these were on our list already - will add your recommendations too!

 

 

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