Day trip to London ..what to see?

[notonmylife]

I live in Newcastle and haven't been to London in over 10 years.
I'm desperate for a day trip.
I've worked out I will have 7 hours in London.
What places shall I visit ?
I was thinking Buckingham palace (I've never been)
How do I get there? Is Victoria the closest station?
I will be arriving into kings cross.
Also I need to do a bit of shopping.
Is oxford street the best place?
What else can I cram in 7 hours?

[SquirmOfEels]

Victoria is the closest main station to Buckingham Palace, but if you're coming down from Kings Cross I'd get off the tube at Green Park and walk across the park because it's a much nicer route.

Check that what you want to do is open, and book in advance (most places are doing timed tickets only)

For shopping near there, I'd walk back across Green Park and then do Piccadilly (Fortnums, Burlington Arcade, Harchards), maybe Jermyn Street, and Regent Street (Libertys), or up New Bond Street

I'd picnic in one of the parks for lunch. I'm pretty sure the loos in the Royal Parks are open (20p pieces for the turnstiles, they were standing open earlier in lockdown but I'm not sure now)

[katy1213]

Oxford Street is horrid, grubby and a complete waste of time. Much nicer shops round the back of Kings X/Granary SQuare area - or Marylebone is nice for browsing. Lots of places to eat but sadly the Granary Square fountains are switched off at present. It does rather depend on what sort of shopping you want to do. Oxford Street has big M&S, Selfridges (expensive) and John Lewis - and the rest is rubbish! Regent Street probably better for clothes shopping but there's nothing you won't have in Newcastle. (Liberty's is nice but expensive.)
You could do a nice sightseeing walk from Buckingham Palace, up through the park to Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall to Houses of Parliament and the river etc
All the museums are open if you book in advance. (V&A a bit dreary when I visited recently and only the ground floor is open.)
What about the Tower of London? Although that's a big chunk out of seven hours. Or a river trip? Westminster to the Tower is nice. Or a bus ride? Don't bother with those expensive tourist buses - you can hop on and off ordinary buses for an hour on one fare.
Walk along South Bank is nice, too - always plenty going on and you could get a glimpse of the Globe Theatre.
If you're coming early in the week, Boris's eat out to help out keeps giving me pleasant surprises. Paid £1 for iced coffee yesterday in Leon - so I helped out a bit more and had cake! And a pizza lunch in the sunshine was cheaper than buying one in Tesco.

[Tavannach]

AFAIK the Changing of the Guard has been suspended but if you just want to see Buckingham Palace you could walk along the Mall to Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square afterwards. The National Gallery is open but you have to book tickets even for the free events. The National Portrait Gallery is still closed. From Trafalgar Square it's a short stroll to Leicester Square and Regent Street. Also worth considering the Southbank and Hyde Park. Oxford Street is cheaper than Marylebone or King's Place, and Selfridges window displays are usually - but not always - world class and worth a look. John Lewis, Topshop, Primark and M&S all have flagship stores there. When you're planning your trip check what's open cos it's still a bit random. Oyster cards no longer refund the deposit so best to use contactless for the tube and buses - TFL's website for info and journey planner.

[notonmylife]

Thanks everyone.
Stupid question but with contactless for the tube how does it work?
Do you just tap at the entrance?
How do they know where you got off ?
I will be on my own that day ..where do you recommend for food?

[beautifulxdisasters]

Re contactless: Tube you tap off again at the end, buses you don't!

[Hairthrowaway]

You tap in and tap out, that’s how they know where you get off. If something goes wrong and you get charged an incomplete journey fare, just contact them to get it rectified. I’ve been able to sort it out myself on their website.

It’s hard to recommend food tbh. London has a lot of restaurants. What area will you be in by the time you want to eat at and what do you fancy? Do you have any restaurants you want to tick off your bucket list?

[notonmylife]

The areas will probably be around Knightsbridge /Leicester Square/Covent garden area.
I'm thinking of staying overnight to give myself more time.
I've looked on booking.com and hotels are cheap at the minute.

[BeaUnder]

I would absolutely stay 1 or 2 nights if you can.

Write a list of the things you want to do the most and start planning from there.

[Peridodo]

We loved the Tower of London, if that’s your kind of thing I’d highly recommend it.