Episode 13 – Trip report: A fun-filled family adventure in London

In episode 13 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, our guest is Cheryl Ridpath Conway who has recently returned with her family from a whirlwind 5½ day trip to London. Cheryl created a fun-filled itinerary for her family which included some of London’s most popular attractions such as the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, a day trip outside the capital, a photoshoot, a visit to Harry Potter Studios plus 2 walking tours.

Cheryl chats through how she prepared for their visit and designed an itinerary which suited her family’s interests after deciding to head to London with only 6 weeks to prepare.

Find out about their experiences visiting London in 2022 including reflections on the places they visited, tours they took, where they stayed, how they got around, best experiences and tips to help you make the most of your visit.

So, plug in your headphones and prepare to ace your London trip planning!

Click the blue button below to listen:

Episode 13 – Show Notes

Trip report: A fun-filled family adventure to London

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Background to the family trip to London, how long they spent and why they decided to visit London

• An overview of their 5½ day London itinerary

• How Cheryl planned the trip after deciding to visit with only 6 weeks to prepare

• Information about their daily itinerary including places visited

• Choosing a day trip from London and the advantages of taking a private driver-guide to visit Bath, Stonehenge and the Cotswolds

• Their family photoshoot

• Favourite places visited as a family (and Cheryl’s top 3 choices)

• How they got around London

• Which area of London they chose for accommodation

• Cheryl’s thoughts about Borough Market, the Tower of London and her favourite the Churchill War Rooms

• View from the Shard versus the view from the London Eye

• Walking tours taken during their visit – Harry Potter walking tour and a Jack the Ripper tour

• How much the family enjoyed a tour at the Globe theatre

• Cheryl’s number 1 tip for anyone planning to visit London for the first time

Places mentioned in this episode include

• Churchill War Rooms > Explore the secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill lived and worked during WWII

• The London Eye > Observation wheel located on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

• The Shard > The tallest building in the UK

• Big Ben > Nickname for the clock located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster

• Westminster Abbey > Gothic Abbey of the Anglican Church

• Borough Market > One of London’s most popular and historic food markets with eateries and fresh produce

• Covent Garden > A shopping and entertainment hub in London’s West End

• Tower of London > Historic castle on the banks of the River Thames

• Harry Potter Studios > Walkthrough exhibition and studio tour

• Stonehenge > Neolithic stone circle located in Wiltshire

• Bath > UNESCO World Heritage city

• Castle Combe in the Cotswolds > Quaint Cotswold village

• Abbey Road > Road in north London and location of famous music studios and the zebra crossing featured on the Beatles Abbey Road album