A walk through Kensington Garden along the path dedicated to Princess Dianna.
Some hints for first time visitors to London:
1) We speak the same language (almost) but do not expect London to be just like the United States only older. It is not. If you want hamburger go to Los Angeles. If you want to have Shepherd's Beef Pie head over to Rathburn Street in Soho.
2) You cannot see it all. Make a list and prioritize it. The British Museum is wonderful. You can give it a morning and then walk down to Trafalgar and visit the National Gallery. With lunch and tea that will take a day. While you are there, you will be close to the Theatres, so have a nice dinner and catch a play. "The Mousetrap" it is still playing at St. Martins.
3) The Hop On Hop Off Bus is great. Take it all the way around the circles without getting off as a great introduction. Make sure it has a live narration not a recording. It includes a boat tour on the Thames. Good overview.
4) Do not miss the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Hint about the Tower: it opens at 10 so get there at 9:45 a.m. and get your tickets. Get in line and when it opens go directly across to the Crown Jewels. You will not have to wait. Then work your way back to the front gate.
5) Do not go shopping on Oxford Street - there are the same shops in other, less crowded places, but if you have time visit Harrods Department Store and especially see the food court.
6) My favorite museum is the Victoria and Albert. It is a nice place to have lunch, as well. Easy bus ride out there. In fact, always take the bus. You will see more than on the Underground.
7) If you are a reader make sure you visit Kings Cross Station for Harry Potter and then walk down to the house of Charles Dickens ( they are close).
8) A worthwhile adventure is to take the bus to the Albert Memorial and walk the trail through Kensington Gardens. These were once the Royal hunting grounds. You can catch a bus back on the other side.
9) If you have flown into New York and taken the cab to a hotel in near Central Park, you will be surprised at how far out (and how long it takes) to go from Heathrow to a hotel near the University of London. Give yourself time. { There is a fast train that goes from LHR to Paddington Station and then you can take a cab reasonably to most places in the center. You can also take the Piccadilly Line on the Underground into the city for far less money. If you carry lots of luggage, forget the Underground.}
10) Stick with the South African wines if you are a wine drinker. It is a bargain. Otherwise, remember that beer and whiskey are the drugs of choice in England (although gin is very popular too).
9) If you have flown into New York and taken the cab to a hotel in near Central Park, you will be surprised at how far out (and how long it takes) to go from Heathrow to a hotel near the University of London. Give yourself time. { There is a fast train that goes from LHR to Paddington Station and then you can take a cab reasonably to most places in the center. You can also take the Piccadilly Line on the Underground into the city for far less money. If you carry lots of luggage, forget the Underground.}
10) Stick with the South African wines if you are a wine drinker. It is a bargain. Otherwise, remember that beer and whiskey are the drugs of choice in England (although gin is very popular too).
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