The wife and I have decided to try booking a last minute trip (available dates: 3/13-3/20). A few Ags mentioned London. Is it realistic to try booking that type of trip last minute? Neither of us have been to London before. If doable, I'd appreciate any insights (Where to stay, things to do, places to eat, etc). We would either fly out of DFW or IAH and both have direct flights. Appreciate any info you guys can give!!

Definitely doable. Hotels in London are expensive and might be more expensive less than a month out.

Things you may need to buy tickets in advance:

1. Shows (West End)
2. Certain attractions (Harry Potter Studio Tour - likely already sold out)

easily doable. Also, lots of museums in London are free so no tickets needed.

101 free things to do in London

Lived in London the last 5 years. You'll be ok on the shows for the most part. I would recommend booking out things like the Abbey or Tower of London right now.

The other thing is if you guys are big food people and like going to nicer restaurants, you absolutely need to start thinking about that now in London. Bookings at the best places really start disappearing at least 2 weeks in advance and I'd wager the most sought out places are already fully booked now for something 3 weeks from now.

In terms of where to stay recs, if you can swing it, stay in Mayfair. It will be expensive but it is central, super nice and all the nicest restaurants and bars are in the area. My favorite meals I've had in that area fairly recently are Gymkhana, Humo and La Petie Maison.

We booked a last minute trip for our family (mid Jan and we went Feb 7-14). My husband went for work and I was solo with our kids. We did not stay in London proper so we had no issues with dining without reservations. All the food we had was incredible. We only prebooked two attractions: Tower of London and Harry Potter. We went to Tower of London our first full day and overslept, missing our entry window by an hour and we still had no issue getting in.
We walked a lot and viewed the main icons from outside. We did Southwark Cathedral at the recommendation of another thread on here and it was great. We also were able to go to the Imperial War Museum and Windsor Castle for the changing of the guard. This was my favorite part of the entire trip. Get there early for the best viewing spot!

Was going to mention that Windsor is fantastic, and the best possible place to see changing of the guard (just make sure you go the days they are actually changing!)

We go to London regularly as our daughter and SIL live there.

There are some smaller museums that are real gems - The Wallace Collection (including an entire section of one of the best collections of arms and Armour you can find). John Soames House - really interesting architectural study. Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields - very interesting place - almost cannot describe because it's so unique.

I love just walking around London - shopping, hitting pubs, etc. Hit some of the food markets. Borough Market is famous (and crowded) but there are others as well.

If you go to Greenwich take the Uber Boat at least one way if not both (buy tickets on your uber app (cheaper)). Every city should be seen from the water - so even if you don't get off - take an Uber boat ride or some other Thames cruise.

MAROON said:

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Was going to mention that Windsor is fantastic, and the best possible place to see changing of the guard (just make sure you go the days they are actually changing!)

We go to London regularly as our daughter and SIL live there.

There are some smaller museums that are real gems - The Wallace Collection (including an entire section of one of the best collections of arms and Armour you can find). John Soames House - really interesting architectural study. Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields - very interesting place - almost cannot describe because it's so unique.

I love just walking around London - shopping, hitting pubs, etc. Hit some of the food markets. Borough Market is famous (and crowded) but there are others as well.

If you go to Greenwich take the Uber Boat at least one way if not both (buy tickets on your uber app (cheaper)). Every city should be seen from the water - so even if you don't get off - take an Uber boat ride or some other Thames cruise.

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Yes on the last point and I'd say to add to that, do it at night. London from view of the Thames at night is stunning. Specifically… my favorite at night is the Blackfriars Bridge.

Good to hear as we are staying near Blackfriar's in June.

I'll second staying in Mayfair. Stayed at The Churchilll twice, great if you're a Hyatt member and can use points. Plenty to do nearby, Nobu is next door if that's your thing. Wife loved being central where nothing was too long a ride or walk to get to, especially when it's raining. Shopping a couple blocks away. Blackfriars is great too for proximity to variety of things. Just a great city to walk around and enjoy. Being Texan started a conversation everywhere we went and met a lot of fun people that way.

Stayed a lot of places in London but we loved St Ermin's - Marriott Autograph collection - around the corner from Westminster and Buckingham Palace.

two hotels i've really liked in London:

The Standard (next to St. Pancras station)
Chateau Denmark

borough market is really cool. yeah, it gets crowded, but it's manageable. don't waste your time trying the viral chocolate strawberries. i think camden market OK but is a lot worse in terms of crowds and kinda not worth it.

the british museum is cool, but it is absolutely massive. you need to either be OK with seeing only a little bit in a few hours, or spend the entire day if you want any chance at seeing it all (probably still can't). so prioritize the sections you want to see if you go.

the transport museum was kinda cool, lots of families there though.

Research metro passes (Oyster card) and plan to use the Metro. London is really spread out and while walking about is fun, you'll save lots of time if you use the Metro. Plus its really easy with google maps.

I think some have already mentioned the Tower of London. I'm not a big tour fan, but this is great. The guided tour is full of good information, led by the Beefeaters who are generally punny/funny and easy going. Highly recommend.

The British Museum was a surprise hit for us. They've got the Rosetta Stone and a ton of great stuff they picked up through their colonization travels.

The Churchill War Rooms museum is really great and convenient to the main sites.

If you have time to spare, Warwick Castle (its a 1.5 hour train ride from London) is a great place to visit. You get to scour the entire castle site and its really scenic.

Some restaurants we've enjoyed:

Veeraswamy near Picadilly Circus. Its a very upscale indian restaurant and whether you think you like indian food or not, this place is great.
Dishoom - indian food with several locations. More casual and fun vibe than Veeraswamy and lower price point.

The Good Earth - Chinese with a great roast/peking duck.

The Porchester - English pub with a great sunday roast. I think its only worth going for the sunday roast.

Chet's in Shepher'd Bush area. Modern and hip Thai place with easy access via metro from the main parts of London.

Gordon's Wine Bar on Villiers just up the road from the Embankment metro stop. There's a patio level section and then a section below ground in an old metro tube. This is a wine bar but they also have a menu to order some breads/meats/cheeses. Really great vibe (dark, candle lit, sloping ceilng) and great wines.

ASK Italian on Park. Not some high toned, destination place. But if you need a break, they've got good italian food at a reasonable price (especially considering the location).

Burrough Market - we've had several meals here and I'd recommend the Paella (it'll be easy to find).

The Grenadier - A pub tucked behind a bunch of Embassies in Belgrave just south of Hyde Park. We didn't eat here but enjoyed several pints.

you don't need an oyster card if you have contactless pay on your credit/debit cards. just tap and go.

exactly - don't use Oyster cards IF EVERYONE has their own contactless payment card (must be different cards - I think). When my wife and I are in London she uses one credit card and I use another. Just tap and go - never have to wait in line for an oyster card.

sts7049 said:

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you don't need an oyster card if you have contactless pay on your credit/debit cards. just tap and go.

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This is great to know. When travelling with kids, is the oyster card still needed if they don't have phones?

Appreciate all of the great information! Has anyone stayed at The Trafalgar St. James London (Curio Collection by Hilton)?

everyone does need an individual card to tap in/out. i dont know how it works for kids though to be honest.

Contactless and mobile pay as you go - Transport for London

Kids ride free. When we were there a couple of years ago the instructions were to use the handicap gates that stay open longer and just have them follow you through.

If you can set up Apple pay or the android equivalent on each phone, do that. Even the street cart guy for a bottle of water uses that technology.

Oh, and an airbnb in Maida Vale for the win on where to stay.

Easily doable. Recommend staying in vicinity of Paddington Station if you are flying into Heathrow because there is the LHR to Paddington (Heathrow Express) that offers a direct airport to city centre trip (and vice versa) every 15 minutes. Each way is only about 15-20 minutes. From Paddington you can use the tube system to go anywhere in the city.

Greener Acres said:

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Research metro passes (Oyster card) and plan to use the Metro. London is really spread out and while walking about is fun, you'll save lots of time if you use the Metro. Plus it's really easy with google maps.

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Nope. Sorry.

Citymapper is better and more up to date pretty much always vs Google Maps and you don't need an oyster card. Set up one credit card on your phone for transport mode in your phone and utilize contactless on it. It manages your daily and weekly caps for you just like an Oyster card so you are guaranteed to pay the least amount possible and it is way less of a hassle generally.

Greener Acres said:

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sts7049 said:

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you don't need an oyster card if you have contactless pay on your credit/debit cards. just tap and go.

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This is great to know. When travelling with kids, is the oyster card still needed if they don't have phones?

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Kids do need oyster cards for certain routes. My kids both had ones. Under 12 (I think) you don't need one just go through the gates with the parent. If over that THEN an oyster for them makes sense because rates a bit cheaper for them.

Adults though? Not necessary at all.