Master Thread: London/ England [Archive]

singerwife

08-29-2005, 02:38 PM

I second making the trip up to Edinburgh, but do not try to save $ and take the bus...bad idea. Take the train instead. Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House, Princes Street Gardens....there's much to do in the city. I'd also recommend one of the walking ghost tours--sounds cheesy, but it's not. It's a neat way to see the nooks and crannies of the city.

For England, there's SO MUCH. If you've never been, go to London's West End and stand in line for el cheapo matinee theater tickets. Touristy, but you have to do it. Get some felafel from a middle eastern street vendor...or maybe hot roasted chestnuts. Fish and chips, too.

London's Portobello Road has great shopping. Actually, all of London is wonderful. Expensive, but good.

Make a trip to Bath...the architecture is amazing. And to Winchester to see the cathedral and grab a pint of something...I think the Old Vine is still there, if so, it's a terrific pub. Salisbury too, amazing blue stained glass cathedral and near Stonehenge, too.

If you dig Shakespeare, definitely go up to Stratford on Avon and watch the swans in the river.

That's all I can think of for now. England is a beautiful country...have fun!

funky$meg

08-29-2005, 02:43 PM

Thanks, ladies!

I'm definitely going to have to check out Edinburg since it's gotten such glowing praise...I am also planning at least two weekend trips to London...is it easy to navigate the public transportation in London? I'm a bit concerned I'll end up totally lost at some point :o

dionysia

08-29-2005, 02:46 PM

The Tube/Underground is really easy to navigate.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/

While in London, if you are a museum person, I highly recommend the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. If you like walks, take a London Walk (www.walks.com).

And be sure to have a pint (or two!)! :)

Di

Freckles

08-29-2005, 02:53 PM

I studied abroad there for a year, and I absolutely had the time of my life. Since you will be there for an extended time definitely try to fit in a 2-4 day trip to Edinburgh and/or Paris...there are just so many beautiful spots that are close you must see as much as you can manage. And rail travel is so easy and pleasant.

As far as England, I would suggest time spent in Bath---so pretty, Roman Baths are there to tour, great town shops, a bit touristy, but not overly so. The Pump Room is a great place for High Tea. And there is the Jane Austen museum there. You can see Stonehenge on the way to Bath{an hour of your time}. Oxford is so quaint, but very historic and grand in some manners as well. The architecture is wonderful. The Randolph Hotel is the legend in Oxford, but a bit pricey, but it would be worth it in my opinion. High Tea there is fabu as well. The various Oxford Colleges are so grand and worth visiting. Great little shops, restaurants, and bars. The Trout Inn---restaurant on the water with delicious food and great Pimms. The King's Arms is a great pub with yummy food and cool vibe. I spent my time in Oxford, so if you want more specific info I can give lots of recommendations.
Southern Part of England~Cornwall or Devon offer beautiful beaches. Cornwall is very dramatic, and Devon is more quaint, but the southern region is so different from the rest of the country. Worth 2-3 days of time just enjoying your time there. Stratford-upon-Avon great literary spot if you are so interested. You can visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s birthplace, and Holy Trinity Church where he is buried, as well one of the Shakespeare's theatres.

London LOVE the city. It has so much to offer. Great site http://www.londontown.com/
My favorites:
The London Eye
Piccadilly Circus
Harrods
Globe Theatre take in a Shakespeare play
Trafalgar Square
Madam Tussauds/London Planetarium
Wander around Hyde Park and/or Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market ---great unique finds in terms of shopping

Hope this gives you some ideas. London is my favorite city. Have a fabulous time!

ETA: Transporation is simple, affordable, and clean there. The tube, the buses, and even the cabs are all great. :)

Amuse Bouche

08-29-2005, 04:53 PM

If you go to London there's a student hostel in Holland Park -- as in right in the middle of the Park -- which is a fun neighborhood - very close to High Street Kensington and Notting Hill.

I fourth? fifth? The recs for Edinburgh.

I'd also go to Oxford -- it's a beautiful city, and it's worth seeing the university. The surrounding countryside is also just gorgeous -- it's worth taking a bus to Woodstock to see Blenheim, and there a bunch of cute villages nearby -- I particularly like Burford, which is about a 30 minute bus ride outside Oxford.

funky$meg

08-30-2005, 11:02 AM

Wow! I knew I came to the right place for England advice! :D

Has anyone been to the London Backpackers Hostel? It's on Queen's Parade...
Also, did anyone use a Brit Rail pass while over there? I hear it's cheap if you purchase it before you leave, but are there certain limitations for where you can go? The website is a bit confusing!

TIA!

snapdragon

08-30-2005, 12:34 PM

A place that you have to go to is York. It is so beautiful. They have the yorkminster there and you can go underground and see the foundations of the civilisations that predated Christianity. It is really cool to see the layers of the various streets and foundations. Definately worth a trip to :D

singerwife

08-31-2005, 07:37 AM

Also, did anyone use a Brit Rail pass while over there? I hear it's cheap if you purchase it before you leave, but are there certain limitations for where you can go? The website is a bit confusing!

TIA!

I lived in England as an undergrad...yikes, ten years ago, so this might be a little dated. My recollection of the BritRail pass was that you couldn't use it on busy commuter trips, but otherwise it was pretty open if you stayed within the number of trips allowed. I didn't buy it though...I opted for the deal where you could get a student ID at the train station and then buy your tickets as needed at a heavy discount (40-50%?). Not sure if that's still an option...again, this was ten years ago.

thedoorchick

09-24-2005, 06:16 AM

I just found out that I am going to be in London on business for most of October and November (possibly into December as well). I have been to London before, but it's been about 20 years. I do not know my day to day schedule yet, but it's unlikely I'll be working a ton of overtime, so I will be able to enjoy being there and seeing some things.

So, I have a couple of questions:

1. What things should I try to do or see while I'm there? I'm thinking more of neighborhoods to explore and unusual things to see, not so much the usual tourist attractions. Last time I was there, we had 3 days and I've seen Westminster Abbey, the crown jewels, and other "usual" things, not that I'd mind seeing them again, but I'd like to really experience the city since I'll be there awhile.

2. What are some ways to spend a day or two in other European cities for not a lot of money? I did find that Easyjet has fares to several places for 80-150 pounds round-trip. Is that the best bet? Or maybe to cross the English channel and take the train? We really can't afford for me to do a lot of gallivanting around, but at the same time, this is not an opportunity I'm likely to get again.

boilermaker

09-25-2005, 08:01 AM

I can't help you at all with the London questions, but my sister lives in Manchester England and they take Ryan Air for a lot of their weekend getaways. Similar prices to Easyjet.

What a great oppotunity, I hope you do get to take advantage of it!!

mrsfromage

09-25-2005, 12:14 PM

Depending on your age sometimes you can get bargain prices for travel (w/out having to be a student). I would buy a Let's Go Europe and check out their suggestions since they should have a lot of budget picks. We found the Let's Go restaurants to be really good.

Also London has wonderful parks (free!) and the museums may have free days/nights once a week.

Brandy

09-26-2005, 09:06 AM

Most musuems are free. I went to: National Gallery, British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum

Other attractions I liked: Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, IKEA (lol we don't have one here), London Troncadero, Oxford Circus (crazy shopping!), Tower of London, Harrods, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens.

Off the road things: Notting Hill (the market is fun, any market is), walking tours, bus tour (you can find websites to do your own or go on a group one), pub crawl, Hampstead High Street, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Covent Gardens.

Have fun!

bookworm

09-26-2005, 02:18 PM

I recommend London Walks (http://london.walks.com/). You get to see neighborhoods you might not get to, and learn history/stories you'd never get from Fodor's.

The Camden Market is worth seeing (I believe you can still buy manic panic hair dye and every shade of Doc Marten). From there you can get a canal boat and see Little Venice (definitely off the beaten path, and worth a visit).

I also like Shepard's Market (not that I've ever seen a market there), sort of behind Park Lane. I believe it's red-light at night, but it's charming during the day.

I assume you'll be staying there for at least a few of the weekends? It's nice to visit Greenwich on a Sunday (and probably a Saturday as well, but I always think of it as a Sunday activity)--there is a pub called the Trafalgar that does Sunday lunch, and it has a view of the Thames. There are boats, but if it's cold you can get the train from Charing Cross.

There is a lot of great theatre, obviously. The half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square generally has all but the most in-demand shows. You can also pick up Time Out to get listings for some of the off-West End or fringe shows--they can be much less expensive. If you must see a movie (so expensive, I pretty much can't stand it, but sometimes you are just in a movie mood) there is a theatre just off of Leicester Square that shows not-new movies. The Prince something, maybe? It's in an alley (well, a large one) on the right as you walk towards Piccadilly.

Last I checked (awhile ago), the chunnel was more expensive than the cheap flights between European cities. For a budget guide, pick up Let's Go!--I haven't done the backpacking-around-Europe-thing in awhile, but I picked up my brother's copy recently and it made me want to ;). I believe the really cheap trips are to get BritRail or a bus to Dover, then take the ferry to Calais, and go from there.

If you don't mind tour buses, there are a few that do day trips from London. I think the one I've been on is Frames-Rickards, or something like that. They can be a little annoying, but when you have limited time and transportation, it's nice to be able to see Bath/Stonehenge/Salisbury cathedral all in one day (for example).

Wow, I think that's enough rambling from me. I'm sure being away from home for that long will be a hardship, but I'm so jealous of the opportunity!

Guinness

09-26-2005, 02:48 PM

I lived in London for 3 months one summer and it was one of the best experiences I have had. There are tons of things to do that people have mentioned - markets, museums etc. I will tell you though I had the best time getting out of work and going to find 1/2 price theater tickets. I went to 2-3 a week I am sure. I also visited lots of restaraunts, bars, and pubs by myself and met lots of people that way. It really is a very friendly city and I highly recommend just getting out there after work and letting things take on their own direction. Have fun!!

Amuse Bouche

09-26-2005, 03:36 PM

I'll second the recommendation for London walks. Also try to see some theater while you're there -- London theater is amazing. I think it's especially worth it to try to go to a show at the Globe.

I love the National Portrait Gallery, and the audio tour is a must -- you get to hear a lot of the voices of the people in the portraits.

I also really loved the British Library -- they have an exhibit of important documents like the death warrant of the Earl of Norfolk signed by Elizabeth I or the original lyrics to Yesterday hand written by Paul McCartney. If you're a big history nerd like I am, that's really cool.

I'd go to Evensong at St. Pauls, too.

London is just a great city for wandering -- put on a pair of comfortable shoes and just start walking -- Mayfair, Belgravia, Notting Hill, Kensington Gardens, Soho -- they're just worth exploring.

There are a few great trips from London that are easy to do in a day -- Bath, Oxford and the Cotswolds (you can get some local buses from Oxford to some towns -- I recommend the town of Burford, which is about 30 minutes from Oxford), Hampton Court, Canterbury.

I'd definitely spend a weekend in Edinburgh -- it's gorgeous, and easy to get to from London by train or plane. Paris is easy by the Chunnel, too.

tlew12778

09-27-2005, 09:49 AM

When I am in London my GFs and I hang out a lot around Notting Hill. We just stroll or even into the mall (yep, there's a mall there!). There's also Portobello Market on the weekends.

Last time I was there we went shopping around Convent Garden. That's really nice bc there are tons of small shops and markets. Often there are musicians from the Royal Opera playing on the street (well in the courtyard) for spare cash. There's also a great book shop there called Banana Books where you can get stuff for as little as 99p! Actually here's a link (http://boards.weddingchannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=476615&start=50&tstart=0) to my old journal where you will find a recap of all the stuff I did in London last time I was there. It's on the bottom of the page.

You can find an awesome list of all the low-budget airlines on www.whichbudget.com. You just stick in your departure city or your destination and it will give you the links of all the airlines that fly those routes. I personally favor easyjet, but I have also flown Ryanair, Myair, and Volareweb. I know others that have flow Hapsag-lloyd, German Wings, Windjet and a few others that aren't coming to mind now. Don't worry! They're safe!

~Lucy

09-28-2005, 04:54 PM

We just got back from a week in London and had a great time. Wear comfortable shoes because it is definitely a walking city. The only trip we took out of the city was a bus ride to Windsor to see the castle, which was incredible. The town on Windsor was fun to walk around as well and the prices were much more reasonable than London.

Keep in mind that the US dollar is crap in the UK right now. The exchange rate was around $1.96 to one pound when we were there. The £50 ($100) cab ride to our hotel and £55 ($110) breakfast that followed taught us very quickly to watch the cost of everything.

We saw The Lion King at the Lyceum, which was amazing. We bought the tickets the day of the show (on a Wednesday) and had great seats. We were told by the concierge that Friday or Saturday night seats are more difficult to get.

Our hotel was right on Knightsbridge so almost everything was within walking distance... Buckingham Palace was 10 minutes away, Big Ben about 1/2 hour. I think my favorite thing was to see the queen's White Collection.

We went to Harrod's a couple of times, one trip included a wonderful dinner in the food section. If you've never been to their department stores, you just need to see them. Harrod's is seven floors of food, housewares, clothes, restaurants, shoes, furniture, etc. It's pretty amazing. The clothing is like shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus, but that's beside the point.

One of the most amazing dinners we had was at a place called the Spaghetti House. I think there are nine of them altogether, but they have wonderful Italian food. The prices weren't bad, either.

We had panini sandwiches at a number of places for lunch and, I must say, I've never had a better sandwich in my life! They were so yummy!

The one thing we did that was definitely not worth the money was to walk through the Dali museum. We've been to the one in St Petersburg, FL, which had nearly 100 original oil paintings. The one in London had mostly prints with a few original watercolors and some statues. It was quite a disapointment.

Enjoy your trip! It should be a blast!

Larissa

02-06-2006, 07:36 PM

I'm having a wedding in London and one of my good friends is going over to for the week. He's pretty laid back, to the point where he really won't do much if he isn't given an idea of what might be cool. I'm attempting to come up with suggestions of stuff for us to do together as well as things he can do on his own while I'm busy with wedding BS.

If you were going to London for a week what would be the top things you'd want to do?

Red'sGirl

02-06-2006, 08:05 PM

London is one of my favorite places.

First, let me say that I'm kind of a history dork, so this is my favorite place. WESTMINSTER ABBEY - across from Parliament and Big Ben. I love it because it's where all of Englands Kings and Queens are buried - in great sarcophagus' (sp?). You can actually look at King Richard's (the Lionhearted) wooden box, and the ornate casings of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth the 1st (who is in Queen Mary's - not of Scots, casing, because they were half sisters, and whole families are buried together there. Anyhow, there are authors and famous Brits buried there, like Edward Lear and Jane Austen, to Winston Churchill. Plus, you can see where they do the coronations.

Also, I liked the Tower of England tour. It's the most ornate bridge (much better than the London Bridge), and you see where people like Anne Bolyn where beheaded. BUT the best, is you see the Crown Jewels. Very nice.

So there. I also just enjoy walking around London, from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Castle, etc.

Hope you have fun.

Smiley124

02-06-2006, 11:05 PM

If you go to St. Paul's Cathedral you can climb all the way to the very tippy top and look out over the city - so cool! I second the Tower of England... Also, if you want to go to the world's largest department store, Harrod's is a must see... I also loved Trafalgar's Square but I don't think vendor's sell bird food there anymore. I don't care how gross or dirty anyone thinks it is, but having pigeons land on my head and arms was one of the coolest things I've done (and made for some great/fun pics). I can't remember how far it is, maybe a couple hours, but check out Stonehenge if you get a chance. I could go on and on -- there are so many cool things!!! It's a pretty long flight, so pick up a guide book and go through to see what else might interest you. Besides Canada, England (specifically London) is the only place I've ever been outside of the U.S. and I had a BLAST!!!! Enjoy!

tlew12778

02-07-2006, 02:29 AM

Shopping in convent garden and thereabouts but you said it's a guy so maybe not. There's the market there with lots of interesting jewelry, plus a bunch of small shops to find interesting stuff.

tlew12778

02-07-2006, 02:30 AM

Oh actually I would hand him a Time Out London and let him pick what he wants to do!

bookworm

02-07-2006, 05:44 AM

The Time Out suggestion is good (my first stop off the tube when I arrive is the newsagent to pick up the current issue :) ). If he likes history at all, I recommend the Cabinet War Rooms, between Westminster and St. James. If he can stand a group, London Walks (http://london.walks.com/) is a great way to explore some neighborhoods he might not otherwise see. I also recommend a good wander through Covent Garden/Soho/Mayfair--it's not usually too cold, even at this time of year.

nawsgirl

02-07-2006, 08:21 PM

Madame Tussaud's, that Dungeon museum that I can't remember the name of, I second the Cabinet war rooms followed by a nice walk in St. James Park...

tinkerbelljenny

02-08-2006, 12:33 AM

We did everything Red'sGirl suggested and totally recommend all of it especially WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

We also went to Madame Tussaud's and had a great time. We also took one of those tourist buses around the city.

Went to Harrod's too but didn't really care for it.

lil_geek

02-08-2006, 11:45 AM

We were in London for a few days last year.

The first day we did a big bus tour. You get the pass for 24 hours and can hope on/off where you want. It may have been a little pricy, but we liked it because we got to see where things were. We took it from near Victoria Station, up to the Tower of London. The tower was our favorite thing!!

Crown Jewels, etc. were really neat there.

Included in our Bus trip was a 'cruise' from the Tower, back over to where the London Eye is. We did that too.

Then we walked across thr bridge, brefifly looked at the parliement building and Westminster.

The next day we walked back and did Westminster Abbey, checked out the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace (VERY cool! You get to see the corronation carriage, and all the carriages used in the commonwealth)

If you get him to that general area and just tell him to walk around, there is a TON to do without even going into things!

thompso2

02-08-2006, 06:23 PM

My DH and I spent a week in London last September (I've been there before, but he'd only passed through). Among the highlights were: a play at the Globe theatre, Windsor Castle, Tower of London, the London Eye, Kew Garden, the London Zoo, the Wetlands Centre... (We got a London Pass (http://www.londonpass.com) that got us into tons of attractions--everything but the play at the Globe and the London Eye--so it felt like we saw just about everything there was to see. ;))

lawgirl4

02-22-2006, 11:36 AM

eat at Wagamama's!!! It's a great japanese noodle chain.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of my favorites... as is the British Museum - so many famous pieces there.

trestlegirl

02-24-2006, 04:08 PM

It's a lot of fun just to wander around London and see what you can see...I would just get a map and start walking! But maybe that won't work if your friend is not likely to go out on his own.

Last time I was there, the best thing I did was take a boat ride down to Greenwich. You can literally stand on the GMT line, and there's an observatory and a little museum. I am a science nerd, I was fascinated. The village itself is really cool too, lots of good shops and restaurants.

The Tate Modern is awesome. I was staying with a friend who lived a few blocks away, so we stopped in nearly every day!

And I'll second the recommendation for the British Museum - you could spend months in there and not see everything!

I also have a strange affinity for the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park...I don't know why exactly, but I always go to see it when I'm there.

Blondeinabmw

03-08-2006, 12:35 PM

Walk, walk, walk!

We went to the Tate Modern later in the afternoon and after touring the museum, we strolled across the Millennium Bridge at sunset. It was on New Year's Day, so a huge Christmas Tree was set up just in front of St. Paul's at the base of the Bridge. Walking across the Thames with the view of all of London, that tree and the magnificent dome was one of my most treasured travel experiences!

Fortnum and Mason is a really fun department store. Not so huge and crowded as Harrods. Any of the shopping at Oxford Circus and around Piccadilly is great! Carnaby Street is a little gem for shopping too.

Eat some Indian food for me. Mmmmmm! Avoid Italian food unless it is at the ever-present Cafe Uno chain. That's the only palatable Italian restaurant in the city, I think. There is a pretty strong, not as talked-about presence of South African restaurants too. I encourage you to try one - it's incredibly spicy - seriously hot - but very, very good.

It's totally touristy and not too cheap, but the London Eye is pretty neat. It doesn't suck up all of your day either. Make advance "flight" reservations online.

We took a day trip to Windsor and Oxford. It was an easy drive in the rental car and we really enjoyed Windsor Castle. It's perhaps the closest you can get to royalty! Unfortunately the chapel was closed while we were visiting, but I hear it is fantastic.

I was disappointed with the tower tour. I'm a HUGE history nut - I think I've ready everything about the War of the Roses that was ever written. I felt that the dark history of the tower campus was completely glossed over and polished up for the tourists enjoyment. The crown jewels are interesting, but they put you on conveyor belts so you don't linger. If you want to see something again, you have to stand in the long line again!

Buy water at the grocery stores, not in the restaurants. It'll cost upwards of £5 for a litre bottle in a restaurant. We were so dehydrated and spent a fortune on water eating out! The waiters thought we were nuts when we ordered 4 bottles for a table of 4 people.

Change your money at the ATM machines, not ahead of time or at the airport.
Keep coins on you for the pay toilets in the train and underground stations! I think they are about 20p, but they are always clean!

kemaji

03-08-2006, 01:16 PM

The Tate Modern is one of my favorite museums ever. I was going to suggest the ethnic food like Indian or Greek. Find your neighborhood pub and hang out for a couple evenings. Buy half priced theatre tickets for one of the shows. Go to the British Museum. Take a walk through Kensington Gardens.

magrat

03-10-2006, 12:43 PM

It'll cost upwards of £5 for a litre bottle in a restaurant.

Just ask for tap water in restaurants. And I second the Wagamamas suggestion, there are quite a few of them around. The Museum of London is really good and often overlooked. It's in the City, just get off at the St. Paul's stop, it's just a couple blocks north. The Imperial War Museum is another overlooked one that's really good. If the weather is nice, buy lunch in Harrod's Food Hall (don't forget dessert!) and have lunch in Hyde Park. For cheap lunches just go to the grocery store (Tescos and Sainsbury's are the biggest chains) or at Boots, they all do sandwiches, wraps and sushi meal deals, it's where Londoners get lunch. Slightly better but more expensive sandwich/wrap chain is Pret a Manger, fantastic. Lots of restaurants do pre-theatre meals, you order from a set menu and it's way cheaper, you just have to arrive before 6 I think (not a problem for me, in the midwest we're used to eating way earlier than they do in the UK). Have a meal in Chinatown, it's way different from the Chinese food you're used to, more authentic.

LeslieandPaul

04-04-2006, 03:33 AM

I don't know if I'm too late to jump in here, but since I'm in England right now (left London 3 days ago), thought I'd put in my 2 cents.
We saw Buckingham Palace (walked by), Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, Hyde Park (and the outside of the Kensington Palace) and the Tate Modern. I could do without the Tate Modern again, but all the rest was really cool. We also went to the Science Museum and the Natural History musuem, both of which are awesome (but they're HUGE). We're going back to London in 3 weeks and we're going to see St. Paul's (although we did see it from the outside) and the British Museum and National Gallery.
Be prepared to walk a lot! And buy a pass for the underground-it's worth the5 pounds.

daener

04-06-2006, 06:23 PM

Count me in on the dine at wagamama's suggestion!!! This is one of my favorite restaurants not the planet...I can't recommend it highly enough if you love noodles and Asian food!!

For museums, the British Museum and the National Gallery are two of my favorites. And I absolutely LOVE going to the Tower of London. I just can't get enough of that place...dorky, but true. Last visit we went to the Imperial War Museum and it was amazing. I was dragged there by DH but ended up loving it.

Harrods is always an experience.

I highly recommend going to the theater. You can get half-price tickets in Leicester Square for shows the same day.

jnettie

04-07-2006, 11:01 AM

that Dungeon museum that I can't remember the name of,
The Clink! If you like cheeze tourist traps, you'll LOVE The Clink! It's near the Globe Theatre. DH and I found it while we were waiting for showtime at the Globe. Bring a camera and spend as much time as you can taking silly pictures of yourself with bad maniquins on the Rack.

Oh, and the Globe Theatre is EXCELENT! It's the best Shakespeare you'll ever see. Ever. Get a seat in the back row of the benches (can't remember what those sections are called) if you need a seat with a back, or pay only 5 pounds to stand in the Yard. You're body will hurt, but you get a completely different type of show! Worth is for the theater geek.

Larissa

06-13-2006, 04:55 AM

We're boring. Every time that we're in London we go to the same places to eat & drink. I think we need to branch out a bit. I'm not looking for any type of food in particular (although we are both veggies), just great food that doesn't cost too much.

Please list your favorite places and approx location.

bookworm

06-13-2006, 05:09 AM

2 that I like that are good for veggies...

1. Sofra, in Shepherd's Market (Mayfair) for Turkish. The one in Covent Garden is not nearly as good.

2. Medea, on the King's Road (I think Fulham? SW6, anyway). Pretty good moroccan food, lots of cushions.

tlew12778

06-13-2006, 05:27 AM

I totally love New World in Chinatown. Fab dim sum and cheap. I have also tried dim sum at Royal China (bayswater location) but didn't really like it. No idea what's up with the line to get it... the food at New World is better and the service is faster.

There's a place in Islington called La Trouvaille which has a FABULOUS braised pear dessert. I mean, it's been 1.5 years since I had it and I still remember it. But it's French so I don't know how much Veg stuff they have.

I have also heard really good things about Tiger Lil's but you have to reserve in advance. I didn't know that (Time Out did not mention that little fact) and couldn't get in when we tried (so we ended up at the french place). It's near Islington somewhere bc we ended up walking to the french place.

tlew12778

06-13-2006, 05:28 AM

Oh yeah and the food at Oxo Cafe is really good but soooo expensive. I think I paid like 25GBP a head for brunch!

trestlegirl

06-14-2006, 02:56 PM

I'll second the recommendation for Oxo Cafe, but, yeah, $$$$!!!

Last time I was in London I ate at Tas, which I thought was really good, not too terribly expensive, and lots of veggie options. I guess they have a couple of locations, I ate at the one in Southwark.

http://www.tasrestaurant.com/index.asp

There are several cute and tasty cafes around the Borough Market. Not to mention the fabulous cheese shops!!

thedoorchick

06-15-2006, 01:12 PM

I didn't find a lot of food that I liked while in London, but there is a great pub in Kensington that I went to I think 4 times in several weeks there. I believe it's called the Scarsdale pub. I had the best hamburger I have ever tasted there, and also some amazing walnut-gorgonzola ravioli.

I can't wait to go back.

daener

06-17-2006, 09:27 AM

My favorite place in London is a noodle shop called Wagamama. They're all over the UK, and their food is so, so yummy!!

jeepgirl

12-19-2006, 10:27 PM

Hey all,

My honey and I are leaving for London in less than a week. He's only been there in his childhood (SO has family there) and I've never been. Where should we go? Suggestions?

Thanks,

~ j.

bookworm

12-20-2006, 05:15 AM

Oh, gosh....there is so much you could do. What do you like? I'll throw out a few ideas.

I go to London for theatre weekends, so for me my thing to do is arrive on a matinee day, pick up a copy of Time Out to see what's playing, and hit the half-price booth in Leicester Square.

Then I wander around Soho and Chinatown, both of which are right there. Or you can walk up to Covent Garden, which is now mostly shops, but they often have some quite talented musicians (often opera singers) performing on the lower level, and there is a good place to have a glass of wine, sit outside (wear a coat!) and listen to them.

For historical stuff, I think the Tower of London is a must-do. Yes, it's a Major Tourist Attraction, but there is so much history. Take a tour with a beefeater--most of them are quite theatrical, the tours are free (tip them a couple of pounds), and you get some good stories. I actually think the crown jewels are over-rated, but they are there so you really should see them.

For a more contemporary historical perspective, I highly recommend the Cabinet War Rooms, down Whitehall near Big Ben. This was Churchill's command center during WW2, and there are battle maps on the walls and things. I found it fascinating.

For Big Important Churches, I'd choose Westminster Abbey over St. Paul's, but if you have time, see both. Down by Westminster/the War Rooms, is St. James Park, which is very nice. If you like birds they have a ton of them (I actually do not like birds at all, but still like the park).

I haven't organized this well geographically... the Tower is in the old city, which is east of the west end, which is where the theatres and Buckingham palace are. The old city also has the museum of the City of London, which is cool if you like Really Old Things, as it has part of the original Roman wall. St. Paul's is in the city.

Further west from the west end are a couple of shopping areas--Kensington High Street is a mix of big department stores, high end boutiques, and there used to be a somewhat-funky little market inside a building. Probably not worth making a special trip. Right near Kensington is Knightsbridge, home of Harrods. I find Harrods completely overwhelming, but the food hall is amazing. They have all kinds of random things. Some people recommend Harrods for afternoon tea, but if you're going to do tea (and I think you should!), I prefer Fortnum & Mason (on Piccadilly) or, for a splurge, Brown's Hotel.

A bit past Kensington is Portobello Road market, which used to be The Place To Go Anitiquing. Last time I was there it seemed to be your usual market junk, but not bad for a wander. Get the tube to Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove.

Um, what else. If it's your first visit, and you arrive in the morning and are exhausted, it's not a bad idea to take a little sightseeing tour. It can help orient you (and give you something to do while you're falling over from tiredness), and let you see some things that you really just go by and say "ok, I've seen it" (like Buckingham Palace).

I've written a book, so if you have specific interests (theatre, musuems--I haven't even touched on museums but there are so many!, historical stuff, etc.) just say so.

I do have to plug London Walks (http://www.walks.com/). I have an aversion to being herded around in a group, but some of these have been really excellent--a 2-hour walking tour of a particular neighborhood, where you learn and see a lot you'd never pick up on your own.

I hope at least some of this is helpful. Have a wonderful time!

jeepgirl

12-20-2006, 05:57 AM

Bookworm - what a GREAT post! I am going to print it out, share it with my boyfriend, and take it along with us!!! Yes, this is my first time to London and, although I've bought a "guidebook" there is NOTHING like personal recommendations. I REALLY appreciate the time you took to write out what you did. THANK YOU!

lil_geek

12-20-2006, 09:07 AM

We did the 'Big Bus Tour' when we first got to London. It was a bit expensive... but gives a good overall view (you go past westminster/trafalger square/Harrods(?)/St.Pauls/Tower of London/Eye.... and (when we went) there was a 'cruise' from the Tower of London to the Eye.

Tower of London was DH's and my favorite thing (we got the headsets since DH's hearing isn't great... not as comical but we were able to pick up more then if we had just walked around)

The cool/fun thing about the bus tour is you can hop on and off for 24 hours... so we started at 3pm when we got there and did a circut, then the next day we got back on, took it to the Tower, did that, then hopped back on and took it elsewhere.

kdotp

12-20-2006, 09:39 AM

DH and I went last year for a week over New Year's. I think bookworm has some awesome suggestions -- I second the walking tours! One thing we discovered last year, though, was that it got dark early (even a little earlier than here -- like around 4:30) and quite a few places closed early during the winter. It definitely would have helped to actually plan and make reservations for supper a few nights instead of waiting until 7 or later to decide where we were going to eat (and then not finding/agreeing on anything).

As for museums, we went to the British Museum and the V&A, both of which we enjoyed immensely. We attempted two different mornings to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham, but it was canceled both times. I would have really liked to been able to see that.

If you want to do the London Eye, call ahead and buy tickets. The wait for tickets/to ride was 3+ hours long when we tried to go, and we ended up not doing it at all.

Harrods is something to experience, but they were having their semi-annual sale and it was PACKED! We barely made it around the first floor before we decided there were just too many people. Just something to keep in mind.

If you do get any guidebooks, check the copyright to ensure it's current. I didn't, and the one we got was out-of-date. It led to many, many arguments and disappointments throughout the week (it also didn't help I was 30w pg and highly emotional :p ). And make sure you have comfortable shoes!

lil_geek

12-20-2006, 10:07 AM

If you want to do the London Eye, call ahead and buy tickets. The wait for tickets/to ride was 3+ hours long when we tried to go, and we ended up not doing it at all.

We did it on a weekday in October and walked right on!

jeepgirl

12-20-2006, 10:15 AM

lil_geek and kdotp - thanks SO much for the suggestions! I think I'll just print out this whole thread before we leave and let my honey read it too, before we make up our minds where all we want to go. THANK YOU!

trestlegirl

12-20-2006, 10:20 AM

ooooh, I love London! You'll have so much fun.

I'm not a big tour fan - I prefer to have a map, a vague idea of what I want to see, and then walk, knowing that I'll find other cool stuff along the way.

I like to wander around on Bond Street/Oxford Street, it's fun to shop, and even better to people watch. It will be all decorated and pretty this time of year. I also recommend Selfridges (which is on Oxford street) over Harrod's these days. Much nicer.

The British Museum is an absolute must. They have everything that Britain ever pillaged from the empire - it's incredible. The Victoria and Albert is also really interesting. If you like modern art, go to the Tate Modern. It's a cool building and a very manageble, small museum.

I love to visit the Borough Market - it's London's oldest food market, part open air and part regular shops. There are some great little restaurants. And FANTASTIC cheese shops!!!!

For some strange reason I also like to go to Kensington Garden to see the Peter Pan statue. I go every time I'm there...the gardens are pretty too!

The best thing that I did last time I was in London was take a ferry down the Thames to Greenwich. The ferry leaves from a dock right near Westminster Abbey, takes about an hour to get to Greenwich. The town is fun to walk around in with neat shops, and then you can go to the royal observatory and museum to learn about Greewich Mean Time. If you go, be sure to be there after dark so that you can see the laser beam that marks the prime meridian shooting off into the city. It's so cool! (well, I thought it was cool, but I'm kinda nerdy!)

Have a great trip. Don't forget your brolly!!

kdotp

12-20-2006, 10:24 AM

We did it on a weekday in October and walked right on!
It might have been because we were there over the Christmas/New Year's holiday (around the same time of year the OP will be there), I'm sure lots of tourists/people home for the holiday added to the wait.

Something that was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience was celebrating New Year's Eve in Trafalgar Square. Maybe not quite as exciting as Times Square in NYC, but still really, really cool.

bookworm

12-20-2006, 02:53 PM

Glad to help :). I love London...

2 comments on the above suggestions:

If you do the boat from Westminster to Greenwich (I believe you can also pick one up at Embankment or Tower Bridge), there is a pub in Greenwich called the Trafalgar that used to be quite good (I haven't been in a few years). It's right by the river. I like the boat ride, assuming the weather is decent. The views are great--you get a good shot of Cleopatra's Needle, St. Paul's, Tower Bridge, and the Globe Theatre (among other things). You can either get another boat back or get BritRail from Greenwich station (an easy walk from the dock), which will take you back to London Bridge, Waterloo, or Charing Cross stations (depending on the time of day) where you can pick up the tube again.

The New Year's Eve in Trafalgar Square thing... if you would enjoy Times Square, you may also like this. Tons of people, most of them drunk, many of them pushing. There was a time I might have enjoyed this ;), but the time I was there I was not in the right mindset and it was just hell on earth. I'm not suggesting you skip it--a lot of people have a lot of fun!--just that you know what you're getting in to, b/c if you get caught in the crowd it can be hard to get out.

kdotp

12-20-2006, 03:45 PM

The New Year's Eve in Trafalgar Square thing... if you would enjoy Times Square, you may also like this. Tons of people, most of them drunk, many of them pushing. There was a time I might have enjoyed this ;), but the time I was there I was not in the right mindset and it was just hell on earth. I'm not suggesting you skip it--a lot of people have a lot of fun!--just that you know what you're getting in to, b/c if you get caught in the crowd it can be hard to get out.

True. I was massively pg last year and couldn't even properly celebrate! Not to mention it took us at least a good 90 minutes to walk from Trafalgar to Victoria Station to catch a tube back to Queensway (the closest open tube station to our hotel). But it was definitely memorable and I am glad we did it.

Here's a pic of fireworks over the Thames I took from Trafalgar square. We didn't have a clear view of the river, but even over the buildings it was a neat sight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/London070s.jpg

Rosebud

03-26-2007, 11:22 PM

Merging a couple of threads to create a London/ England master thread. Please post your tips & questions regarding travel to England here!

:)

Another thread that has some information about London neighborhoods and hotels:
Where to Go-- Help me Decide (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31322)

Some other websites with helpful info:
Top 10 FREE Things to Do in London (http://golondon.about.com/od/thingstodoinlondon/tp/free_London.htm)
London Sightseeing Itineraries and City Walks (http://www.londontourist.org/itinerary.html)
Side Trips from London (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/0055010011.html)
More Suggested Itineraries (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/0055010007.html)
London shows, concerts, films and festivals (http://www.timeout.com/london/)

Rosebud

03-26-2007, 11:24 PM

Saw a good article at travelandleisure.com about some fun new shops in London. Sharing...

Modern English

London's best new shops are quintessentially English: impeccably turned out, utterly style-conscious, and more than a little bit tongue-in-cheek. Here, six of our favorites for shoes, clothes, bags, and more. Article continues HERE (http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/modern-english/)

Rosebud

03-27-2007, 11:12 AM

A recent article about London from the New York Times:

36 Hours in London
Full Article (http://travel.nytimes.com//2006/12/31/travel/31hours.html)

A few excerpts:

After a yearlong renovation, the bar at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane (44-20-7629-8888, www.thedorchester.com) reopened in July, and was quickly cited as the home of London's best hotel-bar martini by The Times of London.

Evenings are a great time to take in the Tate Modern (44-20-7887-8888, www.tate.org.uk/modern; free admission), which is open until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. The galleries are less crowded — meaning you don't have to elbow your way through other spectators to get a decent look at such works as Francis Bacon's “Reclining Woman” — and there are evening talks, films and events throughout the year. Last admission to the galleries is at 9:15 p.m.

The ethnic melting pot that is London means that the city is awash in top-notch cuisine from throughout the world. In the up-and-coming area of Clerkenwell, the Spanish-Moorish restaurant Moro (34-36 Exmouth Market, 44-20-7833-8336; www.moro.co.uk) is drawing crowds of fashionably dressed trendsetters from around the city for dishes like chestnut and chorizo soup, and charcoal-grilled bream with winter tabbouleh and pistachio sauce. Dinner runs about £80 for two, including wine.

Another restaurant they recommend:

Le Boudin Blanc (5 Trebeck Street, 44-20-7499-3292)

Hotels they recommend:

Athenaeum (116 Piccadilly, 44-207-499-3464; www.athenaeumhotel.com)
The Pelham, (15 Cromwell Place, 44-20-7589-8288; www.firmdalehotels.com),
One Aldwych (1 Aldwych, 44-20-7300-1000; www.onealdwych.co.uk)

justHB

03-27-2007, 11:48 AM

It might have been because we were there over the Christmas/New Year's holiday (around the same time of year the OP will be there), I'm sure lots of tourists/people home for the holiday added to the wait. We are still trying to figure out what to do for our Christmas vacation this year and while London has been bumped from its #1 position, it's not entirely off the table. A couple of people have told me that London will be *dead* during that time of year and that so many things will be closed that it's not worth the trip. I find that highly unlikely, but they seemed pretty adamant in their claims. Did you find that to be the case? What was your overall impression of spending time there during the holidays? Are side trips to Bath and Stratford-Upon-Avon out of the question?

kdotp

03-27-2007, 05:17 PM

We are still trying to figure out what to do for our Christmas vacation this year and while London has been bumped from its #1 position, it's not entirely off the table. A couple of people have told me that London will be *dead* during that time of year and that so many things will be closed that it's not worth the trip. I find that highly unlikely, but they seemed pretty adamant in their claims. Did you find that to be the case? What was your overall impression of spending time there during the holidays? Are side trips to Bath and Stratford-Upon-Avon out of the question?
I wouldn't say things were *dead* but I'm sure it wasn't as busy as it is in the summer. We still had plenty of things to see and do and we were there from 27 December 2005 - 3 January 2006. In some ways, it was nicer to not have to beat out the summer crowds and the weather was better there than back home in Iowa (about 40-45 F with one or two sunny days).

If you're interested in shopping at all, there were huge holiday sales at many major stores (Harrod's January sale was a madhouse, but if I hadn't been massively pg, I wouldn't have minded as much). The museums were all open, though some had shorter winter hours, and we managed to get half-price tickets in Leicester Square for The Producers.

I can't comment on day trips, but I don't see why you couldn't do one -- I'd just check on whether the places you want to go are open at that time.

I think our biggest problems were the lack of planning on our part (and a good guidebook, which was my fault) and the fact I was exhausted most of the time. If we would have organized our days better with regards to where we were going and made more of an effort to make reservations for dinner, it would have been a better trip.

HeatherFL

03-28-2007, 07:27 AM

Rosebud

03-28-2007, 10:13 AM

Rosebud Thanks for the thread and the hotel recommendations. I booked at the place where your boss stayed and loved. (A lot of other places are booked up!) I'm looking forward to it. It helped a lot to know you knew someone with such a great experience! Thanks again. :)

Oh good-- you booked The Athenaeum! I hope you love it there. Have a wonderful time in London and be sure to take lots of pics for us! :)

justHB

03-31-2007, 08:07 PM

It seems like booking an airfare/hotel vacation through something like Travelocity or Expedia is the most economical route, which makes me feel a little bit like I'm going to miss out on some of the more quaint hotels, but for cost savings, I guess I can make do. Has anyone ever stayed at a k+k hotel (it's a brand w/hotels in various cities throughout Europe)? Their St. George hotel is an option and the online pics look decent. Here in the U.S. I hate staying at the Radisson, but it looks like the London properties are alright. Thoughts?

I've done a lot of research on Paris, but hardly any on London. If you had to recommend your top 3 neighborhoods to stay in, what would they be and why? Can anyone tell me about the Earl's Court neighborhood?

scubasam

03-31-2007, 09:49 PM

I can't comment on K+K Hotels or the Earl's Court neighborhood but as I'm going to London next week, I can say why I chose to stay in the Victoria area. I've been to London several times but have always stayed w/ family in Putney/Wandsworth which is a lovely area (and they live on a boat on the Thames which is so fabulous!) but am not able to stay there this time as they've rented it out and live in Vancouver BC now. So, this is my first time staying in a hotel in London. I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I personally would rather spend more on shopping than accommodations but still wanted something nice. Normally I'm all about spending money on a really nice hotel but b/c the room rates (and exchange rate!) are so crazy in London I just can't bring myself to do it.

I chose the Hamilton Hotel (now a BW as I saw this week while checking my res) in Victoria because 1) it is w/in short walking distance to Victoria Station which is one of the major stations to travel in/out of from the airports (direct train to V.S. from Gatwick) and 2) Victoria is very centrally located to all the major attractions (Westminster, Buckingham, Trafalgar, etc.) & places I like to shop/hang out in (Covent Garden, Kensington, Oxford, etc.). Also, this trip I'm planning a day trip to Windsor Castle and there is a bus that goes to Windsor direct from Victoria. I am not big on having to rely on the tube as I so heavily did staying in Putney (some days it would literally take almost 2 hours to get to some of the attractions) so I want to be in a place that requires short tube rides to the places I want to go or that I can easily walk to wherever.

So, I think it's all about your personal preferences. I'm sure that Earl's Court is nice - it has a major convention centre so must have many amenities. It's just a matter of mapping out what sites you want to see most and because it's such a huge city, choose an area that's convenient to those things or be prepared to rely on the tube's schedule.

Also wanted to comment about taking sidetrips to Stratford, etc. during the winter. I'm not sure how different holiday schedules are for buses, trains, admissions, etc. because I haven't been over Christmas but most often when I'm in England I'm there in the Nov-Apr timeframe due to the lower airfares and it's obviously not high tourist season - we've had no problems traveling/seeing those areas due to the time of year. Stratford is one of my fave cities - it's lovely!

HeatherFL

04-01-2007, 07:07 AM

I think they changed their name to Best Western Victoria Palace. scubasam how long will *** be in London? Perhaps I'll see *** there. ;)

ETA: justHB I just go where Rosebud tells me to! ;) LOL she knows all the great places! (I'm still jonesing for Relais & Chateau in France!)

I'm staying in the Picadilly area. The hotel writes: "in the heart of the West End of Central London and so well-placed for leisure and business." There ** a lot in walking distance and everything else seems a short trip away via the tube or a cab.

I hear that Berkley Square ** a good location too also near Green Park.
:)

~H.

scubasam

04-01-2007, 11:29 AM

Heather - I'm there just a couple days (April 9-12) before heading to Poland and then am back on April 20th but that's only for a 4-5 hour layover at Heathrow. I sooo wish I could be there longer!

When are *** going? It'd be fun to run into a fellow cc'er in Harrods. ;)

Good choice on staying in Picadilly! Definitely close to everything!

Geranium

04-01-2007, 02:24 PM

We're leaving for London next week for a six week stay. I'm having a really hard time trying to decide what jacket to pack. My husband is over in England right now and although he said today was warmer, I guess last week was cold and windy.
Can *** describe what ***'re taking for coats/jackets?

Heather, the last time we stayed in London we were in the St. James neighborhood right next to Piccadilly. I was alone during the day with a stroller and was able to walk to most of the museums and parks easily. ***'ll love the location, my husband said all the daffodils were out this week:)

justHB

04-01-2007, 10:54 PM

Okay, another question -

I see a lot of guided tours to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. I want to see these places, but I tend to loathe guided tours. Is it feasible to rent a car in London, spend the day out and about, and return the car the same day? Are there companies that specialize in this sort of service? I've seen a lot of self-driving tours, but they're all multiple day.

bookworm

04-02-2007, 08:50 AM

I hate staying at the Radisson, but it looks like the London properties are alright. Thoughts?

I've stayed at the one at Heathrow when I got bumped from a flight, and it was fine. I'm staying at the one in Leicester Square next week, so I can let you know how that is. We chose it for location--I'm going with my mom, and she likes to be able to walk back to the hotel post-theatre instead of getting on the tube.

I'm sure you can rent a car in London, but I've never done it (I hate driving, and the other-side-of-the-road thing scares me). There are also companies that will do private tours (essentially just a car and driver)--I'm trying to remember the name of one I knew, and I'll edit if I think of it.

kdotp

04-02-2007, 09:25 AM

If I remember my London geography right, Earl's Court is on the edge of Kensington, which is a nicer area.

When we were there 18 months ago, we relied on the tube as our main source of transporatation and didn't have any issues (and that was during the tube strike AND having the station closest to our hotel closed for renovations which meant we walked to either Queensway or Notting Hill Gate to board.) I don't think we even ever took a cab. Because I'd lived there for a summer in college, I was extremely comfortable with the tube and bus system and that was my preferred mode of transporatation. I'd even ordered week-long travel passes to use knowing that's how we would get around (but they didn't get to us before we left, grrrr...).

The hotel we stayed at was part of the package deal. It was on the northwest side of Hyde Park and was not the greatest (think Motel 6 but smaller) but, it surved its purpose because mostly we just slept and got ready there.

As far as renting a car and driving, I have a friend who did that while she lived over there to do day trips and had no issues, but I don't know who she went through.

geranium
I would pack a spring coat (something waterproof) and then another, lighter one like a denim jacket or blazer. The weather will be similar to what you're used to in MN for spring; it could be warm and 70 one day and rainy and 40 the next (in otherwords, it could do anything...)

HeatherFL

04-02-2007, 09:31 AM

scubasam I land at 8am on the 12th. Darn, you'll just be heading out! I head to France on the 16th then go back home on the 19th. Have a safe trip!

Geranium Thank you for the feedback! Being from Florida, I have a feeling I'll be cold up there! I think the average highs are 54 degrees F for this time of the year, but they say that it can be unpredictable...I'm taking a leather jacket, a light casual jacket (that can be rolled up and put into my backpack if I don't need it ) and a long sort of dressy coat-I'll need it for my time in France because that part of my trip is business. I'll be packing a lot of sweaters too. When I start out in the mornings I tend to be cold, but then by the afternoon from all the walking around I warm up so I usually only need the sweater and/or a light coat. Hope this helps!

justHB I was wondering the same thing. I'm wanting to go to the same places and there are a bunch of tours from London, but I'm also not a huge "tour bus" fan. I did do a tour in Belgium where they pretty much drove you to the places, gave a you a brief history and then "set you free" for hours until you met up again then headed to the next place. That's a bit better to me than having to stay with a group the entire time.

~H.

Dunja

04-02-2007, 10:27 AM

I lived in the UK for over a year, and I never would've dared drive there. I probably would've broken down in tears at the first roundabout :)

The thing is, it's terribly easy to get almost anywhere with a train, if you want to look at a specific *place* The trouble begins when you want to look at a specific *area*. I've taken the train up to Bath, and to Windsor, and it is no trouble at all. But I never did manage to go to Cornwall or the Lake District or any other "area", because you can't explore the countryside from a train compartment... As for Stonehenge, there is a train station nearby, but not all that close, so you'd have to catch a bus to the actual site. We never got to around to that - seemed like an awful lot of bother.

Amuse Bouche

04-02-2007, 11:35 AM

I haven't been to Windsor Castle, but when we were students living in London we visited both Bath and Stonehenge. We took the train to the city in question (Bath and Salisbury) and there's a bus that goes out to Stonehenge. Bath is totally walkable -- I don't think you'd either want or need a car. The bus out to Stonehenge isn't a tour per se -- I think they run every hour or so, and they let you off at the visitor's center, and you can explore Stonehenge at your leisure (there's an audioguide) and catch the next bus. Salisbury itself is also totally walkable. I suspect there's some similar train or train/bus combo for Windsor Castle.

There are a few places that are really difficult to see without a car -- like the Cotswolds -- but most of England - particularly Southern England - is very doable without a car, and the train system is excellent. It also tends to be more affordable, since the trains are reasonably priced, and gas is so freaking expensive.

scubasam

04-02-2007, 01:51 PM

I'm not a fan of guided tours either. There is a bus directly from Victoria Station to Windsor Castle - it takes about an hour to get there and you're totally on your own in Windsor to explore the town and/or castle. I plan to do that trip so I can post about it later if you want. You can also take a train from a couple different London stations too. Driving in/around London is a nightmare so I'd definitely suggest bus, tube or train. We have also done side trips to Bath, Yorkshire, Coventry, Manchester, etc. (but some places as previously said are a bit more difficult) on either bus or train which is really easy to do from London. Bus tends to be cheaper than trains for longer trips.

Here is one option for doing Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge all together:

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/windsor_bath_stonehenge.htm

This site has info (at the bottom of the page about bus/train routes to Windsor from London)

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=34

What to wear - I plan on taking a light jacket and doing layers. Except for the times that I've been in Feb/early Mar when it's pretty cold and windy and a heavy jacket is a must, the light jacket w/ maybe a hoodie or light sweater underneath works great. Although, London weather is very similar to our weather here in Seattle so it won't be too shocking for me. ;)

Heather - We truly will just miss each other as my flight out on the 12th is at 7am! We'll have to plan that better next time! ;) I hope you have a great trip and that you love London! For as much as I read on these travel boards that you travel, I'm so surprised you haven't done London yet - I look forward to reading your review!

HeatherFL

04-02-2007, 03:56 PM

Jen Yeah, my ex-husband LOVES London, so maybe that's why I avoided it until now LOL! ;) I am definitely looking forward to it and very excited! The Raileurope tour you posted is really reasonable in comparison to the guided tours! Thanks for the link!

Geranium

04-02-2007, 05:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the packing advice. I have a much better idea of what to take:)

justHB, We're renting our car from National. I had my husband ask around at his office to see if anyone knew of a company that specializes in same day rental but his coworkers just suggested trying to bargain with the standard rental places. I've always taken the train to Windsor because it is such a short, easy trip. The train station in Bath is central but it is also really easy to drive and park. If you drive, there are some great country-style restaurants on the way in to town, beautiful scenery too. I've not been to Stonehenge but it is kind of a running joke at DH's workplace that the bus tour is awful, very long and drawn out. I think it is worth seeing but from what I heard, visitors can no longer get very close to the monument which is kind of a disappointment. I am terrified to drive in the U.K. but DH LOVES driving on the wrong side:rolleyes: I think even if you had to rent overnight, driving on your day trips would provide a lot more flexibility.

I'm going to check this thread often while we're there to get ideas for things to do, please remember to post feedback and stories. Hope everyone has a great time:)

Smurfy

04-03-2007, 04:26 PM

justHB

04-03-2007, 05:08 PM

I'm really comfortable with public transportation systems, so now that I know there's trains/buses that can access most of what we want to see, I feel much better. I do want to visit Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds, so we'll likely see about renting a car for those trips. There are also companies that will do private tours (essentially just a car and driver)--I'm trying to remember the name of one I knew, and I'll edit if I think of it.
I thought about this, but then we still have a driver to worry about having to spend the day with. I'm terribly anti-social when it comes to my vacations.

HeatherFL

04-04-2007, 12:21 PM

Because I'm traveling with work gear for the France leg of my trip, I won't be able to take the train to my hotel from the airport. Does anyone have the name of a good car service in London? I've contacted the hotel and they haven't gotten back to me yet. I don't want to rely on a taxi. Thanks!

HeatherFL

04-04-2007, 01:39 PM

One more question. :) For those of you who liked London Walks, which tours did you take? There are so many to choose from!

Thanks!

~H.

kdotp

04-04-2007, 03:29 PM

One more question. :) For those of you who liked London Walks, which tours did you take? There are so many to choose from!

Thanks!

~H.
I went on a Jack The Ripper walking tour in 1999, and it was very cool. Our guide had authored a history on JtR, so he was very knowledgeable. It also helped that the weather that afternoon had turned kind of stormy -- it added a lot to the ambiance of the tour (though, not the most fun in which to walk!).

bookworm

04-04-2007, 04:06 PM

One more question. :) For those of you who liked London Walks, which tours did you take? There are so many to choose from!

Funny you should ask--I was going through them last night to try to figure out which ones I haven't done yet. I remember liking
Old Mayfair
Legal and Illegal London
Little Venice
Shakespeare's London

My mom did NOT like "Spies and Spycatchers" (I didn't go), which is too bad, because it sounds good. She also said the one about the Blitz was mostly standing around St. Paul's.

jajacobsen

04-04-2007, 04:40 PM

Heather, I don't know if you have planned for it but you may enjoy some shopping. Not necessarily Harrods, because although lovely, its a little cliche.

For fun fashions like you se all the girls on the street wearing - Mis Sixty or Top shop. For quality items - Selfridges. For a real splurge, check out the Paul Smith store in Notting Hill. I could definitely see you in one of his suits. (i have one - and it is literally the best peice of clothing I own. It cost more than my wedding dress and I wear it for every interview). A stroll down Oxford Street might be really fun.

HeatherFL

04-05-2007, 06:36 AM

kdotp, bookworm and Amanda Thanks so much for the feedback. That helps to narrow it down!

Amanda Thanks for the shopping tips. I definitely want to get some in. :D I would *SO* LOVE to get a Paul Smith suit! Todd got a beautiful PS sweater in Spain, but the store only had men's clothes. I'm sure it was a good thing for my wallet, but I am allowing myself a splurge (or two ;) ). So many chocies! Thanks again!

~H.

HeatherFL

04-12-2007, 06:12 AM

Rosebud I just wanted to come in and write I am already loving the Athenaeum!!! AWESOME location! I am SOOO close to everything! My room isn't ready yet so I can't write on that as of now, BUT they kept apologizing (even though I got here hours before check-in time) and sent me into their Garden Room for some tea and 'biscuits' on the house, then down to the spa to do a polish change and hand massage-again on the house ...then gave me free Internet access. LOL the doorman keeps calling me Lady Heather.

The weather is perfect too. <sigh> I already love London!

Thanks again!

~H.

HeatherFL

04-12-2007, 06:21 AM

P.S. Before I forget! I had a **GREAT** chauffeur from Gatwick. The prices were the most reasonable of all the quotes I got. He had no one else to pick up after me so he toured me all around London for about two and a half hours after picking me up. A very nice guy. When I tried to tip him, he refused! His name is Kadie and his email is info@dialachauffeur.com. Telephone: 0845 270 7169 and mobile 07946 313 047. Dial A Chauffeur Website (http://www.dialachauffeur.com). Also, if you click on 'Information,' it has a bunch of links to hotels, restaurants, attractions and so on.

~H.

kdotp

04-12-2007, 09:10 AM

Wow, Heather it sounds like you're having a great time and you just got there! I'm so jealous. ;)

shoegal

05-21-2007, 09:32 PM

I have been itching to go to London for about ten years now. When is a good time to go? Where to stay? What to see? I have only been outside of America once, so I am a newbie to international travel. I had planned on going in 08 but a good friend is getting married in the British Virgin Islands next year so it looks like I may have to push this off for another year.

FYI--I travel to NYC and DC often and normally eat my way through both cities. So I would like to do the same in London. I would also like to incorporate the touristy spots with some of the lesser known, off the beaten path sites.

TIA!

Amy

Rosebud

05-22-2007, 07:15 PM

Amy- There are some really good hotel, sightseeing and dining recommendations further back in this thread. Since your trip is still a little ways off, I'd recommend reading this thread and also checking out Fodors.com, Frommers.com and Tripadvisor.com for more suggestions on creating a London itinerary.

One thing to keep in mind is how terrible the exchange rate is right now. I was just in N. Ireland (which also uses the pound) and the exchange is 2 dollars to every pound. It definitely affected where we stayed and which restaurants we chose. Hopefully the exchange will be better by the time you travel.

Good luck! :)

HeatherFL

05-22-2007, 08:21 PM

Yep, by the time I left London it was $2.06 for One Pound Sterling. NUTS!

Picadilly is a great area to stay. It will depend on your budget, and what type of accommodations you prefer, though. But honestly, I loved London so much I would have slept on a bench in Hyde Park to stay there LOL!

~H.

Rosebud

05-31-2007, 12:10 PM

A friend of mine is interested in going to London in October, with a side trip into the English countryside. She'd like to go someplace where there are castles, but doesn't want to drive. Anyone have a suggestion of an area that might work for her? I don't know much about areas outside London.

I'm trying to send her the Loire Valley in France instead, since that sounds like exactly what she's looking for. Is there an English equivalent?

jajacobsen

06-01-2007, 08:55 AM

She would probably like Warwick Castle. It is about 1.5 hours oiutside of Londona nd and is a picture perfect castle. It is reachable by train. It is also easily combined with Stratford Upon Avon (Shakespeare's home) as a LONG dauy trip or a two day trip. Stratford is a very picturesque tudor style city.

Rosebud

06-01-2007, 10:44 AM

Thanks-- I'll pass along the recommendation! They're going to do 3-4 days in London and 2 days outside London, I think.

hokiegirl

06-19-2007, 08:46 AM

Anyone have recommendations on an Indian restaurant in London? Thanks!

Rosebud

06-20-2007, 01:12 PM

hokiegirl- I found this thread on Chowhound (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/341390) about Indian restaurants in London. Might give you some ideas. Gayot (http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/bestof/london_indian.html) also has a list of 10 Best Indian Restaurants in London.

kdotp

06-20-2007, 03:15 PM

Anyone have recommendations on an Indian restaurant in London? Thanks!

While there are really Indian restaurants all over London, Brick Lane in the East End has quite a few in one area. I went to one when I was there in '99. It was my first encounter with Indian food, and from what I remember, it was fabulous. But, I was also there on a date with a super cute Kiwi, so I was more focused on him than the food! :o

hokiegirl

06-26-2007, 07:40 AM

Fantastic! Thanks for the indian restaurants.
This is sort of odd question, but does anyone know if the dress code at the UK clubs are a lot differnt from the ones in the US? Our friends want to take us to Fifty since they have a babysitter and not sure what to pack?

vee05

06-26-2007, 08:30 AM

Indian Restaurants people have recommended for our upcoming trip is Chowki & Vama .

Quick question: what would you pack clothes and shoes wise for a 5 day trip? I am going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, going to a couple of wimbledon games, go to a couple of clubs and just relax.

tlew12778

06-26-2007, 12:32 PM

I'd take a good pair of walking shoes, maybe sneakers "just in case", and a pair of strappy sandals. It's only 5 days so you won't need tons.

jajacobsen

06-26-2007, 01:13 PM

When I lived there (2001-2004) I found that people dressed up more for clubs - definitely sparklier. I would think that sightseeing clothes would be very casual and comfy whereas dinner or clubs would be dressier. The attire at Wibledon will be dressier than is normal for American sports matches.

boilermaker

05-14-2008, 12:24 PM

Just giving this a bump. I'm heading to Manchester England for 5 days next month. Short trip I know, but I would like to make the most out of it. I saw that Liverpool is relatively close, so I think we will spend a day there. Anybody have any good recommendations for a day there? Or any other day trips from Manchester?

jajacobsen

05-14-2008, 12:39 PM

You could easily drive to the potteries area (Stoke on Trent) of Staffordhire. Just about 45 min - 1 hr. south of Manchester. Wedgwod has a particularly good factory tour and activities and Spode has a great dscount shop. Also, lots of small potteries like Burgess Doring and Leigh (Burleigh) and Churchill.

Will you have a rental car? It is easier to drive there and dot between poteries than to try to take a train or bus.

Will you be there for work or pleasure? If working, how many free days?

I lived very close to there for several years. What are your interests? Will it just be you or a group? Of a group or family, what are the ages.

Where are you staying? Near the airport or in the city center?

boilermaker

05-14-2008, 12:54 PM

Awesome J. I am going to visit my sister, so I'm sure she has some idea of things to do. But I like to plan too :) The potteries sound really neat. And who couldn't use some Wedgewood and Spode?

So to answer your questions, we will have her car so driving is easy. It is all pleasure, so we can do prob 2 day trips then spend the other 3 days in Manchester. I'll be staying at her house, which is not exactly in Manchester but I can't recall the name of the town. Her husband works in Manchester and takes the train to work, so I don't think they are too far from the city.

There are so many things I like to do, I don't know how to narrow it down. I could spend a day in a museum and be happy. Or hiking in the woods. Or shopping. I'm a pretty easy to please person. My sister will be 6 months pg at the time though, so I think we will need to keep things somewhat lower on the activity level.

jajacobsen

05-14-2008, 01:12 PM

OK so horseback riding is probably out - LOL!

A long, but good, day trip might be to take teh train to York. By car, the drive is very long but there are trains direct from Manchester and they are high speed. The ticket will be less than gas. York is very old and historic and very doable for a a day aof sightseeing. http://www.york-england.com/

Tour York Minster, the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe: http://www.yorkminster.org/

Shop in the Shambles: http://www.insideyork.co.uk/shambles

And step back in time to Roman Days at the Jorvik Centre: http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/

By car,

there would be races at Uttoxeter: http://www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk/

Potteries: http://www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk/ (http://www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk/)

particularly Wedwood: http://www.wedgwood.com/

And if you are any kind of football (soccer ) fan, you have to go to the Stadium where Manchester United (ManU) play!

Your sister will have some ideas as well. Have a great trip. June is a lovely time to go.