Packing for London - Advice

MissOwl

I leave for London for two weeks on Tuesday! It's work the whole time - I'm taking 100 first-quarter freshman with me (and other adults) so we'll be sightseeing and touring the whole time. It's going to be awesome. I'm a little nervous though. I think I have most of my stuff together, but I haven't packed for more than 4-5 days in two years so I feel like I'm forgetting stuff.

What do you recommend that I pack/don't pack? Advice welcome!

GApeachOH

Okay. I went to London for Christmas. It was very cold and rainy, and it tends to be that way this time of year. Take extra socks and underwear and take comfy pants. Your thighs will rub together and chafe. I don't care what they say, it does.

Also, pack stool softeners. You will more than likely get constipated. It happens.

Pack extra gloves, scarves, and ear muffs. It's a different kind of cold than here.

Also, make sure you go on the London Eye, go to the London Zoo and the London Aquarium. Give East Putney a hello from me.

Mae sure to watch the Changing of the Guards at noon at Her Majesty's Palace. Keep in mind, if the flag is flying, she is in. If it is not flying, she is not in.

Go to the Tower of London and visit a Beef Eater.  Ask about the significance of the crows there.

Visit EVERY single science museum and do ALL of the kids hands-on stuff.

The art museums are amazing too...

Take the Tube, and watch the gap!

Buy some Cadbury Milka Chocolate Dots for me! Eat Cadbury chocolate in general- Flake, Aero, etc. YUM!!!

Better yet, just take me. I can get you around pretty easily still.

tiffanydaniels

I am like a crazy packer, typically a week before i make a list of everything i think i will need, seriously a big long list, and then i check it twice (lol) and then i sort everything into stacks and recount them before putting them into my bag! I am crazy.

I always over pack extra shirts, pants, sweatshirts, camera, camera charger, everything you could possibly need to do your hair with, lots of undies and socks (can never have enough)

I love the Stool Softners!!! ha ha ha!

kdaywedding

You're going to love London! I wish I could go back! I studied there for 6.5 weeks in college. Asside from what everyone else already said, make sure you take good walking shoes. I made the mistake of wearing balet flat around on a heavy walking day and I had to stop and buy bandaids for the backs of my heals. Probably a common sense mistake, but just thought I'd share just in case.

Make sure to take enough money. The dollar is so weak. Everything there is about twice as much as it would cost in the States. At first when I was there I kept converting everything to dollars in my head, but then I had to stop because it was crazy to think that I was spending $4 on a botlle of water.

Definitely go see a play!!! They're amazing. You should at least try to go see Marry Poppins because the theater is where the play was first performed and the set is amazing. I also saw Blue Man Group while I was there. Tickets are fairly priced and there's several theaters so there's always a show you can go see. If I remember correctly you can get student discounts too. 

Also, usually on the weekends they have red carpet events for movie premiers. When i was there I got to see keanu (sp?) reeves and Sandra Bullock.

Have fun!

GApeachOH

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-columbus_packing-london-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:112Discussion:9d3ad14a-064c-4db7-bf92-5a1ab8a27546Post:61e627d5-dc7b-4336-9632-e6220e2920dd">Re: Packing for London - Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]You're going to love London! I wish I could go back! I studied there for 6.5 weeks in college. Asside from what everyone else already said, make sure you take good walking shoes. I made the mistake of wearing balet flat around on a heavy walking day and I had to stop and buy bandaids for the backs of my heals. Probably a common sense mistake, but just thought I'd share just in case. <strong>Make sure to take enough money. The dollar is so weak. Everything there is about twice as much as it would cost in the States. At first when I was there I kept converting everything to dollars in my head, but then I had to stop because it was crazy to think that I was spending $4 on a botlle of water.</strong> Definitely go see a play!!! They're amazing. You should at least try to go see Marry Poppins because the theater is where the play was first performed and the set is amazing. I also saw Blue Man Group while I was there. Tickets are fairly priced and there's several theaters so there's always a show you can go see. If I remember correctly you can get student discounts too.  Also, usually on the weekends they have red carpet events for movie premiers. When i was there I got to see keanu (sp?) reeves and Sandra Bullock. Have fun!
Posted by kdaywedding[/QUOTE]<div>
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</div><div>This for absolute sure!</div><div>And, maybe Melatonin to make sure you sleep some. Definitely take a nap when you land before you do anything else and make sure your kiddlings do too. Jet lag will be the end of you!

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MissOwl

you ladies are awesome! 

tiff, i'm the same way. i've had a mega-list for over a week now and a pile of things to take in my room. 

peach, thanks for the notes. very helpful!

kday, i totally agree about the theatre scene in london. amazing!

Creyo

bring extra batteries for your camera. Also, make sure to have them on you. You don't want to be caught up in a once in a lifetime moment and have your camera die!

MissOwl

thanks for the help ladies! i'm all packed and ready to go. working tomorrow, then headed to the UK on tuesday! can't wait.

CFM102012

Make sure you and all the kids cover your purses/bags etc as you're walking along and especially when you go on the tube. Better yet, don't keep your wallet in your purse. Pickpockets are a really big problem.

Do all the things that Peach mentioned.  If you can, at least talk to a cabbie about the process of becoming a cabbie.  

Have fun and a safe trip!

P.S- I'm so jealous, I went several years ago with my college marching band and have wanted to go back ever since.

jnkreager

I was gone all weekend so it looks like you already have everything covered, but I just wanted to say-- HAVE FUN!!

(oh and I brought a long a big satchel for sight seeing days.  it was really nice to have a huge bag to bring along an umbrella- get one of those ones that folds up really small- maps, band-aids, etc.  plus that way you won't have to hold a purse all day long.)