I run walking tours in London and take people to the Changing of the Guard most weeks, so here's what I tell friends:

• Check it's actually on. It doesn't happen every day, and it can be cancelled in heavy rain, sometimes only decided that morning. The Household Division website has the official calendar.
• The action starts before 11. Soldiers form up from around 10 AM at St James's Palace and Wellington Barracks, then march to Buckingham Palace.
• Don't fight for the palace railings unless you're there very early. Even then you only see one part of it.
• The Mall or Marlborough Road are better for close-up photos of the guards and band marching past, and less of a crush.
• The Victoria Memorial steps give a raised view, but fill up fast.
• Make a morning of it. St James's Park (look for the pelicans), Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square and Westminster are all a short walk away.

Happy to answer questions if anyone's going this week!

We are travelling to the UK for Christmas and New Year with maximum time in London. We are in London from 18 - 27 December, Edinburgh from 27 - 1 Jan and back to London and back to home on the 2nd. We have been here before, but that was in summer. Please let me know what to expect weather-wise, budget-wise, what to pack, where to eat(budget-friendly), travelling within the city etc. I heard that most restaurants would be closed on the 25th, even if we book them early. We want to do an afternoon tea experience, some thrift shopping, walking and exploring the city.

Please le know.

TIA

Hi, I'm planning a 4 night trip to London for next August. It will just be my 8 year old daugther and I. I was about to book Premier Inn County Hall location, but then read numerous reviews warning about an issue with antisocial behaviour outside the hotel, namely motorcycle street racing from 11pm to 2 or 4 am every night during the summer months.

This has really put me off booking the hotel as we are both light sleepers. The location is perfect for our itinerary otherwise, and the price is very good if I book now.

Any knowledge of this being an ongoing issue? Or a recommendation for another Premier Inn location in Zone 1 would be greatly appreciated.

We are flying into Heathrow, plan is to attend Wicked and The Lion King (Kids week tickets) visit the NHM and Science Museum and do the Paddington Bear experience.

Thank you!

Hi all,
My family of four will be traveling to London for 10 days in November and attending the Arsenal WFC game at 2:30pm on Sunday 11/22. Is it feasible to try to do Sunday Roast somewhere either before or after? I'm assuming after will work best for us with the adjustment to the time change - we are coming from California. What time should we try to make a reservation for and anywhere you would suggest? Thanks!

I know this question has been answered before but my question is little different. I will be transferring from Gatwick to Heathrow airpot in December and the other way in Janury. I am flying from USA. My question is I am trying to book National exoress but it asks me if I getting in at South Terminal or North Terminal. How do I know or does that really make a difference?

I’m from Mexico, specifically a place with a very warm climate, so I’m not used to cold weather. I’ll be traveling to London in January and staying for three months, and I’m trying to figure out what kind of clothing I’ll need.
I’m considering buying The North Face Antora 3-in-1 jacket, but I’m not sure if it will be warm enough for the UK winter, especially in January and February, when I’ll first arrive.
I also plan to buy thermal base layers to wear underneath, along with regular sweaters and other layers.
For those who live in the UK or have experience with this jacket, do you think it would be a good option for the weather in London? Would the 3-in-1 jacket combined with thermal underwear and layers be enough, or would I need something warmer?
I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks!

Hi, I just joined and haven't looked through older posts sorry if there is something similar.

I'm looking to book a trip to London / Liverpool / Dublin for end of February. Kids are younger aged 7 and 4x2 (twins). We are coming from Canada. Looking at a couple days in London and then train to Liverpool to see a EPL match and since airfare is cheap there fly over to Dublin for a night or twos stay in a castle.

Is it worth it to take a young family in the end of winter? What best practice for families traveling over there? Is airbnb worth it? I saw something called aparthotel is this the better route?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for any help.

Is there a place in central London where one could get some boxing paraphernalia and souvenirs? If not, does anyone know if and where I could get a poster from the Dubois v Wardley 2 fight from yesterday, didn't see a lot of them around.

Hi, I’m off to London next week and was just wondering - mainly because they still sell the items on the website, do they still have items physically in the museum shop?

Does anyone know a good store that can do custom embroidery on a clothing item with a short turnaround time?

Hey all,

Planning a little Christmas getaway to your city and I am looking to rope my good sport of a wife into a cultural activity surrounding some sports.

I am more of a rugby union man than football, but am mostly in it for the spectacle (I am not a devoted fan of anyone other than Arsenal, and God knows I do not have the money for those tickets).

I am in town Dec 23-29th and have looked a bit into West Ham's schedule and some of the rugby union teams around, but I was hoping some local knowledge could point out any hidden gems of grounds and team culture that would be fun to take in.

Anything in the top 2 or 3 leagues would be good. And grounds within London proper to save on long rides to the game.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Cheers from Canada.

Hello. We’re planning our second trip to London next September. When we were there in 2022, we had a nice afternoon tea at Brown’s Brattiserie, and enjoyed a Sunday roast at Hawksmoor seven dials. We would like to have an afternoon tea and Sunday roast again, good quality but around the same moderate price point. Would you recommend different restaurants this time, and if so, what would you recommend? Or we could certainly repeat what we did last time, have these restaurants held up in their reputation? Thanks.

I am looking for recommendations for a pub or a bar in London, which is ideal for a night out to get to know some people. I am travelling with a friend, who’s been single for a bit and I think the goal would be to set her up or at least to get her into a conversation with a man. So if there are any recommendations for easy going bars, with social and chatty people, I’d be very thankful.

Are there any thrift stores in London? Coming from the USA we have the goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Planning my first UK trip from 24 Dec to 4 Jan with a total budget of 2000 Gbp. Looking to explore London, Edinburgh, and possibly other places.

Is Edinburgh better than London for New Year’s Eve? What itinerary would you recommend to make the most of Christmas and New Year on this budget?

Hi. I am looking for a traditional afternoon tea in a quiet setting. It will be during a weekday. Many popular spots are too crowded and noisy for my taste. It has to be a traditional afternoon tea service. No "interesting" fusions, please. Any recs?

I’m travelling with a relative tomorrow who is going to be using a wheelchair (ambulatory) and gets seizures when she’s overstimulated. Our accessible options seem to be getting the circle line eastbound to Victoria from Liverpool Street station and then getting a bus, or getting buses the entire way. Any advice would be appreciated to avoid crowds and lots of noise. Thanks!

I visited a pub in the 70's called Dirty Dick. It had a mummified cat nailed to the wall above the bar, visitor cards & notes pinned to the wall from people cross the world. I remember I wrote my name on the wall. Does that pub still exist?

Hi, will be travelling mid november with my wife and 7month old, how will it be taking the tube on a sunday morning with luggage/pram and infant ? Thanks for your time :)

I’m in London and surrounding from November 3-14.
I will be visiting family, some sightseeing and going to a football match.

What should I bring as a coat? I’m 54F, stylish, but value comfort! I live in northern Canada, so I am assuming not a parka like here at home.

Thank you!

Hello!!! I'm currently planning a trip itinerary for myself and a friend to London for this upcoming December, coming from a city that does not celebrate as much as London I just want to do as much festive activities as possible! does anyone have any recommendations? I've already noted down all of the must dos like borough market, covent garden, notting hill, Christmas lights, etc. I want to mention that we aren't fans of watching plays or any shows :( but are happy to any suggestions either way! Is there also any cute Christmas themed and vegetarian restaurants/pubs/afternoon teas that are on the affordable side that we should hit? We are open to any food places as I eat meat and my friend just needs a vegetarian option on the menu. We are also planning to stay around the Soho area but definitely open to travel anywhere around London or even a bit further!

Thank you for any recommendations you may leave! p.s I know its a bit early to be planning a December trip but the next few months are going to be so incredibly busy for us that we have to start now haha :))

Hi all! I have booked a solo trip (F 30)for late feb-early March, with a primary focus on theatre/west-end for the travel. I am also a queer woman from a small Canadian city looking to some shops/bars/drag shows/burelsque/ whatever to get up to while I’m there. It’s easy to find mainstream theatre stuff, but not as sure where to look for LGBTQ+ activities of interest :) thanks in advance!

Hi! Going to London 23-27 next week with my boyfriend, it's our first couple's trip and I'm super excited!

We're students and London has so much to offer for free culturally, so I am searching for things that may cost money but are worth the experience, but I'm being very picky because we don't have a huge budget ahah! There's so much to do! I love books, cinema, music, food, and London is so rich!! So anything from food spots, unique souvenirs, and experiences! For example, we were wondering if the electric cinema is worth it. The London eye is a big no no, too expensive for the experience. But we though about cable cars, more economic

Might go to Richmond too!