Look into Heathrow Connect for a not-too-expensive, but fast route into London (Paddington Station) from Heathrow.  Once there, an economical way to get around the city is to buy the One Day Travelcard for zones 1 & 2.  It's good for unlimited travel on the tube and buses throughout those 2 zones, plus one-third off river taxis in that area.  It costs around 6 pounds for the off-peak ticket, and around 8 pounds for the peak-time ticket, so is pretty good for a manic whirlwind tour. The tube lets you get around faster to the various parts of town that other people have suggested, and the bus is a good way to still look around when you think you just can't walk another step.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Park your luggage and take the tube (Piccadilly Line I think) into London.  With a few hours I would recommend Leicester Square (possibly take in a theatre production), go out to Hampstead and walk around Hampstead Heath, go to the V&A Museum, the Tate Gallery, or just walk along the Thames Embankment.

Posted Dec 21, 2010

If you've been to London before: Hit the markets - depending on the day.  Notting Hill, Shoreditch, Borough Market.  There are tons.  

If you haven't been before: then it's a good idea to use that time to get a basic layout of the city for future visits.  Open top bus tours are a way to do that...our take a walking tour.   Plus... I think www.visitbritain.com has an app for that. 

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Hey!  London's awesome!  I agree with Jurek, check out a market - I always loved Borough.  But it depends on the day - each market has different days. 

If you're a museum person, the British museum is awesome. 

You could check out some Shakespeare at the globe theatre - it's pretty cheap if you don't mind standing. 

Also, I would definitely recommend going east.  Borough Market is east, as well as Spitalfields market near Liverpool st station.  You've got all the Indian food you could ever eat on Brick lane.  After a flight, you might want some coffee as well.  http://www.marketcoffeehouse.com/  Market Coffee house is pretty fab.  Walking along the river can be fun too.  There's often little stalls selling this and that and lots of good people watching. 

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Get the tube to kensington south and go to the Victoria and Albert museum. Amazing collections. Grogeous building and a great cafe. Or go to Leicester square and the national portrait gallery. They have a few portraits of the current royal family and diana. All famous. You'll recognize them. They also normally have a photography exhibit and then get lunch or high tea at the cafe. It's in a room on the roof so you have a view over London. If yiu have a minute to soar walk to covent garden and people watch and see the live street theater. Great fun. Enjoy blighty. Tanyia

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Whenever we have a short time in a city, we like to do the "Just because" things. Being that I'm a huge Beatles fan, I recommend making your way to see Abbey Road Studios and the famous zebra crosswalk (From their Abbey Road album cover). The crosswalk is right outside of the studio. It's located in the neighborhood of St. John's Wood. The neighborhood itself is really nice as well. I remember thoroughly enjoying our walk through its quaint, tree lined streets. There are also a few nice neighborhood pubs. In addition, there is the Marylebone Cricket Club (Lords Cricket Ground), and the St. John's Church Gardens.

For Abbey Road Studios, exit the Warwick  Avenue Tube Station, make your way up St. John's Wood Rd and then a left onto Grove End Rd until it crosses Abbey Road. The studio and crosswalk is located at 3 Abbey Road. Here's a map...

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=il

Posted Dec 21, 2010

Depending on what is the timing for your layover but some options can be a hop on, hop off bus if this is your frist time and you want to get a taste of the city from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, to Tower of London or a cruise down the Thames to see Big Ben and the London Eye from the water.  Finally you can also catch a show if time permits. 

Posted Dec 21, 2010

Courtney:

   Depending on what time you arrive in London and at which airport, my recommendations are one of these:

1)  See the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  It is a total must see...spectacular.

2)  Take a direct train from the airport to Windsor Castle.  It is well worth the trip.  Enjoy the tour, then enjoy a pint and traditional English lunch at one of the many public houses near the castle.

3)  Well, one more.  if you want a taste of Texas right in the heart of London, visit the Texas Embassy...one great place to dine & enjoy.  Look it up...great story behind the building housing it.

Very Happy Travels  (I hope you plan to climb Mt. K)

Lance Johnson / Oklahoma City

Posted Dec 21, 2010

Heathrow express to Paddington -- after you've checked your luggage to the next flight -- then taxi or tube to Westminster. Almost all the best sightseeing you'll need (from the palace to Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden) is within a square half mile or so of that Tube station. 

For some more ideas, please check out my new book for iPad: Around The World In 18 Days - london was the second to last stop! http://www.AroundTheWorldBook.com

Posted Dec 22, 2010

if you have never been to London before, i would recommend the Big Red Bus Tour or something comparable so you can take in a lot in a short time.  If you want to spend some time at one place, I would suggest the Tower of London, which is very cool, or St. Paul's Cathedral.  Both are really interesting and you can do them in an hour or two. 

Posted Dec 23, 2010

I really enjoy London, great place to just wander, the theatre district is fun to wander around, of course there are the double decker bus tours that will give you a quick view of the best sights of the city and dont forget to have a pint at a pub, although there really aren't local pubs in "downtown" London. Have fun

Posted Dec 26, 2010

Definitely do a tour of the city, since you have time, but additionally, I would recommend tea at the top of the National Portrait Gallery.  It's a beautiful view.

Posted Dec 28, 2010

Twelve hours might sound a lot, but truly is not. You must allow sufficient time to clear customs and immigration is each direction. And then is the travel time to the city from your airport. I have journeyed through all three of London's international airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stanstead), and each is ~60 minutes away from tourist central. So factor that time into your calculations, as Mark Patterson noted earlier.

Purchase online, and in advance, a 1 day Oyster or Travel Card (2 distinct items), so that you can get about London efficiently, quickly. I prefer the Travel Card because it includes Zone 6, which includes free (well, pre-paid) travel to/from Heathrow. (Crucial only if you arrive/depart from Heathrow.) And when you purchase the Travel Card, you can also purchase a 1 day London Pass, which will gain you free admittance to many worthy sites. Moreover, it offers its own admission line, such as the Tower, where the lines could be long enough that you consume your available time waiting to get in! Not so with the London Pass.

Everybody has their favorite sites; the benefit to London is that, weather permitting, the core tourist spots are within easy walking/tube stop from one another. I enjoy the walk along the Embankment, crossing the Millennium Bridge that is a straight shot between the Tate Modern and St Paul's Cathedral (a must-see that alone requires a minimum of 1 hour!). Allow 2-3 hours for the Tower, especially if you take the free and worthwhile tour with a Beefeater. And allow time to ogle the Crown Jewels, where another line awaits.

Mosey up to Trafalgar Square, and visit the free National Portrait Gallery. Rachel Jackson's suggestion tea while there is excellent. Few tourists know about this place, so it is a quiet break, with fantastic views.

Speaking of views, ignore the Eye, and instead make the trek to the Tower Bridge. The views are almost as good, but the history lessons of the bridge and London are fantastic. Oh, and the London Pass includes access to the Tower Bridge. (Confirm, as their included attractions update frequently.

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace does not occur everyday and only 1x/day; check online in advance if it is scheduled during your brief stop. A second option is the changing of the Mounted Guard. Best seats for that little known item are atop the Wellington Arch. Bring your camera.

Gosh, I could continue. The Churchill War Rooms (NOT the Churchill War Experience!), the underground bunkers a few feet from #10 Downing that housed the British government during the darkest hours of the bombing by the Luftwaffe (WW2). This site will consume hours; I was there 2 months ago with a person who should have been in and out quickly, but lingered for hours. 

Harrods (over-hyped, not worth your limited time) and Fortnum & Mason, if you want to check out the local shopping scene at two high-end retailers. Hungry but running out of time? Stop in at wagamama. Yum!

I returned only 2 months ago from my umpteenth visit to London, but all these spots have me hankering to return. Any spare room in your luggage? :-)

Posted Dec 29, 2010

David is correct. 12 hours when factoring in train (e.g. Gatwick Express or tube from Heathrow) time you won't have a ton of time in the city. Actually his advice is great, so I have little to add. If the timing works out and one of their tours appeals, I do recommend London Walks walking tours (www.walks.com). They have a tour for all tastes including a cool one in the evening along the south Thames called "The Along the Thames Pub Walk" wanders between progressively older pubs and past the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. While they meet and finish on time, this may be too much time to commit given limited time in the city. As mentioned by others there are great museums (I favor the British Museum), great markets, etc. Have fun Courtney.

Posted Dec 30, 2010

Yes 12 hours is enough time to hop on the tube and if you do nothing more than wander around the west end and gawk at the  buildings and statues.   Trafalgar Square,  St James Park,

The backyard of Number 10 Downing Street. Near Piccadilly Circus there is a tour place that you can sign up for a walking tour.  Get John as your guide he is very knowledgeable 

Whatever you do do not sit in Heathrow for  12 hours 

Posted Jan 01, 2011

Take the tube to Knightsbridge or Kensington and walk around west London to get a feel of the place, maybe have a stroll in Hyde Park if the weather is nice, or check out the Victoria and Albert Museum and/or the Natural History Museum. If you feel confident on time and the tube is running smoothly you could ride straight into Covent Garden and walk around central London for a while. If you do, don't miss lunch or coffee in Neal's Yard in Covent Garden. Have fun!

Posted Jan 02, 2011

If you are flying into Heathrow, another nice option that time of year is to go to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. They lie a bit west of London so are fairly close to Heathrow. And just walking around, doing a bit of people-watching, etc., will more than fill the time. It would also be a nice respite before you land in East Africa.

Do NOT underestimate the time it may take you to transit/clear customs both leaving and returning to the airport!!.And be sure that you have pre-arranged that plan when you check any bags at your initial departure. With security concerns, if you and your bags don't 'match' itineraries, it may be enough to put a stop to your plan to leave the airport or cause all sorts of problems clearing immigration/customs. A 'short stay' will likely raise alarms and may be more trouble than it is worth. (Sad, but true...)

Posted Jan 03, 2011

If you're there on a weekend, hit the outdoor antique markets by tube.  Otherwise, go to Harrod's.  It's a truly amazing place to shop and window shop.

Posted Jan 04, 2011

Take the "tube" and go see the British Museum--it's Egyptian artifacts are secondary only to Egypt itself.  Don't miss seeing Westminster Abbey and the Victoria Albert Museum either. 

Posted Jan 06, 2011

Take either the Tube or Paddington Express in.  Tube takes longer but is cheaper, Paddington Express is quicker but is more expensive.  I prefer taking the tube in as it drops you off in the middle of London.  The tube from Heathrow is the Piccadilly Line, which goes through Central London.  Knightsbridge (Harrods), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Circus, Regents St), Leicester Square (Leicester Square), Covent Garden (Covent Garden, Transportation Museum, excellent Mexican food-Cafe Pacifico).  Also you can easily transfer to other lines and reach Parliament (Westminster), Buckingham Palace (Victoria), Tower Bridge (Tower).

Posted Jan 06, 2011

I was there in November. Assuming you arrive to Heathrow, you can take the Piccadilly line from the terminal to Central London. It takes about 45 minutes to arrive to Piccadily Circus, or get off just before at Green Park to see Buckingham Palace. From there the typical London tourist stuff are walking distance. 

Probably getting a day pass for the tube for Zone 5 (about 13 pounds?) is the most cost effective way to get around. Other people suggested the market on Notting Hill I do not think it is worth it on your first visit.

Posted Jan 07, 2011

Lots of good answers here!  But 12 hours is not as much time as you think, and the tube into the city can take an hour each way plus you need to allow for time to get through security and transfer between terminals.  You really only have about six or seven hours to play with if you leave the airport.  Take the Paddington Express and from there buy a 1-day travel card for zones 1 & 2, then take the tube from Paddington anywhere you like really.  I'd recommend a trip to St. Paul;s and then a short walk across the river to the Tate Modern, but Trafalgar Square is also fun with the Portrait Museum and St. Martins right there, too.  Just watch your time.  And your pockets.  

Posted Jan 07, 2011

I'd suggest you hit Piccadilly & Trafalgar areas - they're close by one another and contain many iconic London landmarks. Given that you'll only have a few hours, this will maximize your time and the area is easy to walk around. Covent Garden should have loads of great street entertainment in the summer too, so that may be worth your while. Piccadilly is directly on the line from Heathrow and easy to get to from Gatwick. There are two great tea options in Trafalgar Square - the National Portrait Gallery and the crypt at St Martin's (my favorite, because I like the old churches).

Posted Jan 13, 2011

You didn't mention if you were arriving into Heathrow or Gatwick but if its Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Connect for about $50 US R/T.  Its a 15 minute ride from there to Paddington Station in London and from there you can pick up a cab to take you to Trafalgar Sq.  From there, you can walk to Piccadilly, the Strand, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Leister Sq. 

You can also take the tube into central London but that will take abit longer than 15 minutes and cabs are horrendously expensive.

Posted Jan 17, 2011

I was just there last week, and the Tate Modern is really wonderful. Just take the Heathrow Express into Paddington, and then take the underground from there to St. Pauls or Southwark. It's a wonderful museum, and you can do it in a few hours. 

Posted Jan 17, 2011

Depends what you're into. Take the heathrow express or the Piccadilly line into the city. If you want tourist stuff, get off at Westminster and wander down the South Bank to Tate Modern. You'll take in Big Ben, the London Eye and the river sights. If you're thirsty, there's a cool little place called Scootercaffe in Waterloo. A bit off the wall with crazy decorations and a few cats, they serve amazing hot chocolate. Just turn away from the London Eye and walk through the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel to Lower Marsh Street to get there. If you have time, you can keep going down the river to Borough Market.

If you want something a bit different, get a taste of the culture in London and head over to brick Lane near Liverpool Street or Bethnal Green. This is best on a Sunday. Stop in 1001 Cafe and go upstairs for a tea. Lots of markets and interesting street art and photo ops around the area.

If you want shopping on the high street, head to Oxford Circus and walk down to Carnaby Street area as well, off Regent Street. Stop in Sacred Cafe on Ganton Street and head down to the basement with a savoury muffin and relax tea when you're ready to escape the crowds.

Posted Feb 17, 2011