Three Friends Tour London

Windsor Castle

Attraction | "Just a Cozy Weekend Retreat...HA!"

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We were told that Queen Elizabeth prefers to spend her weekends at Windsor Castle, I can see why. This family home is set in the lovely country side. Not just a castle, this palace incorpurates a village of shops and eateries, too. From the parking lot we had a long walk up the hill to castle. It was startling to discover the architecture was very similiar to that of the Tower of London. Made sorting my pictures out a little more difficult. Near the top of the hill we saw the Coronation Train. Used by Elizabeth II to ride into London for her coronation, it travels at about 9mph. Out guide says that must have been frustrating for her as she has a reputation for having a lead foot when she drives. No p...Read More

We were told that Queen Elizabeth prefers to spend her weekends at Windsor Castle, I can see why. This family home is set in the lovely country side. Not just a castle, this palace incorpurates a village of shops and eateries, too. From the parking lot we had a long walk up the hill to castle. It was startling to discover the architecture was very similiar to that of the Tower of London. Made sorting my pictures out a little more difficult. Near the top of the hill we saw the Coronation Train. Used by Elizabeth II to ride into London for her coronation, it travels at about 9mph. Out guide says that must have been frustrating for her as she has a reputation for having a lead foot when she drives. No photography was allowed inside. I wish I could have taken a picture of one object. A large (6'+) vase managed to survive the fire of 1992 that devestated the St. George's Hall. We saw many beautiful rooms, parlors, dining rooms, audience halls among them. Look up, look down! Everywhere there was something to marvel at. Look out the windows, too. You will see the lovely rolling countryside. Outside we walked by the Registry. It was here that Prince Charles and Camilla exchanged marriage vows. Before leaving the complex we stopped for a peak in the St. George's Hall to see the restoration. A peak doesn't do it we wandered all over marvelling at the windows, sculpture. St. George's Chapel is the site of the annual ceremony of the Order of the Garter. Looking up you can see the colorful heraldic banners that represent each member of the order. This group is the highest order of chivalry in the land. Awesome building. While there are small gift royal sactioned shops available inside the wall we hurried to the bus parking lot so we wouldn't miss our ride. We were able to buy deli food for lunch and Marilyn finally found her long sought after souvenir. If I had it to do again, I would still linger in St. George's Hall and skip the quality shops. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2025

Windsor Castle
Windsor
Berkshire, England SR4 1NJ
+44 1753 869 898

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Tower of London

Attraction | "Triumph, Terror and Tourists"

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William the Conqueror celebrated his triumph (1066) by starting the series of buildings that became known as The Tower of London. My preconcieved vision of this place was based on many old black and white movies I watched at a child...dark, wet and scarey. Surprise! The buildings are really built of white materials and one of the main sections is even called The White Tower. Over the centuries this place did take on the reputation for terror. Two little Princes who should have inheirited the crown, went missing while staying here. Two of Henry the VIII's wives lost their heads here. Lady Jane Grey also died here of head displacement. This was a stop on our whole city tour. I strongly advise that you c...Read More

William the Conqueror celebrated his triumph (1066) by starting the series of buildings that became known as The Tower of London. My preconcieved vision of this place was based on many old black and white movies I watched at a child...dark, wet and scarey. Surprise! The buildings are really built of white materials and one of the main sections is even called The White Tower. Over the centuries this place did take on the reputation for terror. Two little Princes who should have inheirited the crown, went missing while staying here. Two of Henry the VIII's wives lost their heads here. Lady Jane Grey also died here of head displacement. This was a stop on our whole city tour. I strongly advise that you come here on your own time schedule. And bring along a snack. We stood in line for a very long time to see the crown jewels. Glad I got to see them, the amount of gold and precious stones was startling, giving them a not quite real look. There is a moving sidewalk in front of the cases of jewels to keep the crowd moving at a steady pace. Be prepared to pay full attention, there are no do-overs. One advantage to being on a guided tour was that our guide was buddy-buddy with one of the Beefeaters. This Royal guard walked along with us and chatted for awhile. We also learned about The Ravens. These seven birds are attached to a legend. It says that if these birds desert the Tower, the kingdom will fall. That explains why the poor birdies all have one clipped wing. They aren't going anywhere! We weren't allowed enough time to visit any of the other historic buildings in the complex, but at least had 20 minutes to shop and make the long walk back to the bus parking. When we entered the building we could look down on the Traitor's gate. Boats would bring in prisoners by this entrance. If a person entered this way, they rarely left. Looking downriver we could see the magnificent Tower Bridge. Yes, I would come back here spending much more time with a side trip to the bridge. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 11, 2025

Tower of London
Tower Hill
London, England EC3N 4AB
+44 (207) 709 0765

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Westminster Abbey

Attraction | "Steeped in history, a joy to the eye."

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Part of our whole city tour of London was the Westminster Abbey. I would have gladly sped by the tour of Kensington and Chelsea former residences of Liz Taylor and John Wayne and spent more time at the Abbey. We had an excellant quide who walked along holding a folded umbrella skyward we wouldn't loose him in the crowd. And we had a crowd. Unfortunately in the room with the tombs for Elizabeth I and Mary (strange how they ended up together) we were packed in so tight movement became impossible. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Photography was only allowed outside and in The Cloisters. That was an excellant place to study the architecture. Inside we saw the poppy ringed grave of the unknown soldier fro...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 10, 2025

Westminster Abbey
20 Dean's Yard
London, England SW1P 3PA
+44 (20) 7222 5152

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The Sussex Pub

Restaurant | "Real pub food, but what's with the flowers."

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We knew it was a pub because it said so on the sign. But somehow our pre-concieved thoughts of a pub imaged a dark hole in the wall with scruffy old men nursing a pint. This place had walls of windows on two sides...lots of light...and lots of flowers, too. The furnishings inside were dark, cozy, comfortable seating. We settled into a table and asked the group next to us for directions on how to order. Found out they were from Australia and just as ignorant of the ways of London as we were. Found out you place your order at the bar and pay for it there, then find a seat. When the food is ready they find you. I had traditional Fish n' chips and loved it. Marilyn tried a cheeseburger with egg on top. I...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 10, 2025

The Sussex Pub
20, Upper St. Martin's Lane
London, England
+44 020 78361834

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West End of London

Attraction | "New and Historical in the West End"

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Our trip to London was short so we packed it full of adventures. We could always sleep on the train to Paris.On the night of our arrival we took an English cab to the West End Theater District. Our driver took us in what was a direct route for Londoners, but when you are used to the street grid system of the MidWest, it seemed that he was taking us on a sight-seeing tour. The streets of London are laid out in a pattern that only a drunken spider could make. We loved our ride! He dropped us in front of The Prince Edward Theater. Newly restored, the interior is a magnificent concoction on maroon plush and gilded wood. Our seats were close to front and center, comfortable and perfect for acoustics...Read More

Our trip to London was short so we packed it full of adventures. We could always sleep on the train to Paris.
On the night of our arrival we took an English cab to the West End Theater District. Our driver took us in what was a direct route for Londoners, but when you are used to the street grid system of the MidWest, it seemed that he was taking us on a sight-seeing tour. The streets of London are laid out in a pattern that only a drunken spider could make. We loved our ride! He dropped us in front of The Prince Edward Theater. Newly restored, the interior is a magnificent concoction on maroon plush and gilded wood. Our seats were close to front and center, comfortable and perfect for acoustics. So what English production did we fly so many miles to see?...Shakespear?...Andrew Llyod Weber?....no we saw "Jersey Boys"! The production was very well done. Only one of the boys failed to master the Jersey accent. His acting and singing were so good we forgave him that flaw.Music was straight out of our youth, the opening chords would touch off excitement. I had the opportunity to chat with the man next to me during intermission. Except for service people, this was the only real Brit I talked with. Glad I had that chance. Upon exiting the theater we found ourselves in street glutted with pedestrians, all in a party mood. Confused as to how to find a taxi, I stopped a real London Bobbie and asked directions. He was most helpful and as hansome as John John Kennedy was. We caught a taxi, our driver was stone silent the whole ride. That was a bit strange since we three were still bubbling over with the excitement of the play. "Oh, What a Night!"
The next day our round the city tour-bus tour stopped at Covent Gardens for lunch. This too is part of the West End Theater District. I remember from "My Fair Lady" this was the first place Proffesor Higgins observed Liza Doolittle after he left a play. We had a fast lunch and then prowled the shops and found an antique mall. Here I bought my husband a Victorian diner table bell. He had asked for something old and that qualified.
In the late afternoon, our accomodating bus tour guide let us off at Trafalgar Square. From here we browsed the streets looking at landmarks such as Admiral Nelson's monument, St. Martins in the Fields Church, and a variety of shops and pubs. We bought a pub supper and then searched out our next theater, St. Martin's Theater. We had tickets to see Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". This is the world's longest running stage production. The theater isn't as elegant as our first outing, in fact it was reminecent of a small town old high school auditorium with creaky floorboards and sight-destroying columns. I am embarrassed to say I fought sleep during the first act. So did Sarah. Thank heavens Marilyn was able to fill us in during intermission. Sarah also treated us to ice cream and that helped keep us alert for the exciting conclusion to the play. At the end of the play the audience is asked to swear never to reveal the ending. Ha! We, who nodded off, will not reveal the begining either!
Our cab ride home to the hotel was fun. The Cabbie was amusing and very interested in America. He asked us many questions. He also changed lanes with amazing speed and agility. He did take almost the exact same route as our other two cabbies, so now I am sure they weren't trying to run up the fare. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 10, 2025

West End of London

London, England

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Fortnum & Mason

Attraction | "Have Hamper Will Ship"

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Since our trip to London was of short duration, I researched on line ahead of time to find the most fun places to shop. I selected Fortnum & Masons for the gift hampers and unusual foods, next I selected Liberty house because of the line of fabrics they carried. In the neighborhood of our hotel was the enormous Westfield mall where we did find a discount ticket vendor for play tickets and a functioning ATM. The halls are wide and shops tony, but still I felt uncomfortable here because of the swarms of teenagers. The lady at the ticket counter warned my friend Sarah to guard her open purse carefully.We set aside one day to shop, walk the streets of London and enjoy a typical London lunch. Bet...Read More

Since our trip to London was of short duration, I researched on line ahead of time to find the most fun places to shop. I selected Fortnum & Masons for the gift hampers and unusual foods, next I selected Liberty house because of the line of fabrics they carried. In the neighborhood of our hotel was the enormous Westfield mall where we did find a discount ticket vendor for play tickets and a functioning ATM. The halls are wide and shops tony, but still I felt uncomfortable here because of the swarms of teenagers. The lady at the ticket counter warned my friend Sarah to guard her open purse carefully.
We set aside one day to shop, walk the streets of London and enjoy a typical London lunch. Between destinations we really enjoyed spontaneous adventures. Our cabbietook us to Fortnum & Masons, but told us we were too early for the shops to be open. We didn't mind. We had a beverage break at a deli, sitting at outside tables where we could observe the double-decker buses, London cabs, and lots of pedestrians go by. Near-by souvenir shops fullfilled our trinket and postcard needs. Venturing off the street we admired the courtyard fountains and giant rabbit sculpture at the Royal Academy of Art. Other novelties to us were the red phone booths and the mailboxes, both different from what we have at home. Fortunately the streets department paints signs at the pedestrian crossovers that say "Look Left". If they hadn't been there our American brains would have allowed us to step out in front of the fast moving traffic. By the way London drivers are not timid, they jump curbs to change lanes and go very fast.
In our stroll around the area, we turned one corner and the sight of the Liberty House up ahead, made me gasp. It is a lovely Tudor style building, that has been rebuilt after a major fire 1925. Liberty House has been in business since 1875 and is known for its typical English fabrics in use in upholstry, clothing, table linens and other decor. I bought a length of fabric designed by William Morris and recently rereleased. This is the most expensive piece of yard goods I have ever bought at 20 pounds per meter. I also bought linen tea towels, and a tea mug. The building itself is a treasure. The elevator was lined with linenfold paneling. The center of the building had an atrium open up all levels to the skylights, the railings were sturdy carved wood panels.
Fortnum & Mason's is near by and looks much different. Stone exterior with a fresh produce grocery on the ground floor, this is billed as the grocery for the Royals. Our goal here was to have lunch and buy a hamper, fill it with goodies and have it mailed home. How smart we are! And we were proud to hear that a few months after our visit, Prince William bought a hamper filled with delicacies for his bride Kate. What fun the three of us had going from floor to floor looking for items to fill our hampers. I bought a fairley large one and filled it with birthday gifts for my husband, Christmas tree ornaments, English toffees, tins of biscuits, tea towel, and a wonderful tea presentation chest that has divisions to house 12 kinds of tea bags.
We took a break from filling the hampers to have lunch at the last seating in Fortnum & Mason's Fountain Restaurant. How elegant the tables and setting were, and a three piece soft jazz band played for our entertainment. Marilyn and Sarah ordered Fish n' Chips and swear it was the best version of that dish ever. Our friend Jennifer had suggested trying the Welsh Rarebit, which I did and it was very tasty and filling. Yes we would shop and lunch here again. The only downside to the experience was when we returned to Iowa and our hampers arrived...two of us recieved additional and excessive shipping charges from DSL.
The rest of the day we walked and walked and walked. Looking for one particular item with no luck. We did see the famous Piccadilly Circus, Green Park a huge treed park with elegant gates, and we took a ride in a pedi-cab up to Carnaby Street where we continued our search for that elusive item. What a day! What fun! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 9, 2025

Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly
London, England W1A 1ER
+44 20 7734 8040

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Hilton Kensington

Hotel | "I had to sleep with my suitcase."

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I loved the lobby. I liked the gift shop. I had excellant service from the consierge. The restaurant served an amazing breakfast and a very good evening meal. My room had everything I needed...except elbow room. I had a single room that had a stunning view of a brick wall. After I unpacked my suitcase and carry-on into the bathroom and hall closet I discovered there was nowhere to put the empties. My empty carry-on took permanent residence on the only easy chair and I had to share the bed with the empty check-through bag. Frankly, I spent so little time in the room, it wasn't that much of a problem. My two friends shared a nice room with a view of the boulevard and a lot more floor room. I have heard ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 8, 2025

Hilton Kensington
179-199 Holland Park Avenue
London, England
+44 (207) 603-3355

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London Journals

Three Friends Tour London

Windsor Castle

Tower of London

Westminster Abbey

The Sussex Pub

West End of London

Fortnum & Mason

Hilton Kensington

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