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How to spend a day and a half in London, centered around Tottenham Court Rd

How to spend a day and a half in London, centered around Tottenham Court Rd

Old Jun 10th, 2008, 07:58 AM
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rex
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How to spend a day and a half in London, centered around Tottenham Court Rd

Hi - - seeking last minute advice here for our middle daughter - - she is flying to London tonight, arriving Wed afternoon, with the eventual plan to meet up with the rest of Friday morning. She has been to London before, but 10 years ago (at age 14) and only briefly. Went to Tower Bridge, the Globe, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace and Windsor back then. Interests are fashion, modern art/culture (plans to go to the Tate, goes to LACMA often when she is at home). Has a friend's flat to stay in; Not afraid to walk or use the Tube.

Maybe wants to go tea at a relatively upscale place if her friend would be willing to take the time to go with her. Otherwise, she might be alone for the workday hours.

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance for all replies... and...

Best wishes,

Rex
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 08:03 AM
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Hi rex-

I imagine she's not limiting herself to the surrounding area of Tottenham Court Road, right?

I'd say V&A for arts and crafts and fashion

Make sure she goes to Tate Modern, not Tate (Britain) for modern art.

For tea, perhaps Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly?
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 08:04 AM
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What does your sprog like?

TCR is smack bang in the middle. At one end you have the west end, to one side Bloomsbury to the other fitzrovia.

There are three tube station in the st TCR itself, Goodge st and Warren St.

There's also buses to all parts.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 08:17 AM
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Also, have her get the Oyster PAYG when she arrives and load it with £10-15. This will be the most economical way for her to get around during the 1.5 days.

To get from Tottenham Court Rd to V&A, instead of the tube, she can take Bus #14 from Tottenham Court Rd station (or anywhere along Gower St). It's more interesting to take the bus than riding the underground.

Where she's staying is not far from British Museum - definitely worthwhile to visit since she hasn't been before.

So my suggestion would be:
Wednesday - settle in at her friend's flat, quick nap(?), British Museum

Thursday - V&A in AM, an early tea, then Tate Modern.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 12:41 PM
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Thanks for the replies so far. Yes, she intgended to go to the Tate Modern. And what about shopping suggestions for a petite and fairly hip/trendy Los Angelena - - works at a big agency "in the biz", located in Beverly Hills (and in London)

??

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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 04:34 PM
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Rex, she will be right there at Oxford Street with its crowds of shops and shoppers. Liberty of London is on nearby Regent Street. If she goes to the V&A, that is in walking distance of Harrods. Old Bond Street, across from Fortnum & Mason's, has lovely shops. (If she is the chocolate lover, tell her to check out Carbonnel et Walker on Old Bond.)

If her friend isn't able to go to tea with her, there is a Richoux tea shop on South Audley Street at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street. It is not as upscale as the hotel tearooms, but neither is it as expensive; and she would be comfortable there by herself.

Do write a trip report when you return.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 05:47 PM
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I appreciate the terrific reply, Carolyn. It's nice to count you among the dear friends this forum has afforded me.

Our trip is pretty much all Sicily, by the way. The stop in England for 24 hours (the rest of us... only our middle daughter is arriving a bit ahead of the rest of us). We arrive Friday morning, and intend to stay at a B&B about 20 mi south of Cambridge - - to take the 6 am nonstop flight from Stansted to Palermo. We figured we would rather start a day fresh in Sicily, rather than get there mid-afternoon following 15 hrs of trans-atlantic travel.

At the risk of bragging excessively, I'm pretty proud that we have been able to continue taking "big splash" family vacations - - even though we are now well into the empty nest phase of life. When our first daughter graduatedfrom high school, in 1998, we planned the "trip of a lifetime" - - our "last hurrah" thinking that it might never be possible again, as they grew up, and away.

Ten years later - - this is our _fifth_ "last hurrah" - - our first with the son-in-law's parents (the son-in-law did go with us on number 3 and number 4, but this is his first to Europe).

I'm not sure what kind of trip report I will write - - I do hope we can "keep up with the times" and post at least a little bit of YouTube footage this time. Never did that before!

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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 12:43 AM
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And what about shopping suggestions for a petite and fairly hip/trendy Los Angelena - - works at a big agency "in the biz", located in Beverly Hills (and in London)>>>

She might enjoy poking around Camden Town. It's full of clothes shops etc.

It's a short bus ride from TCR (from memory the 24).

There's a row of shops in Notting hill that do second hand and vintage designer clothes etc that she might also like.
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 02:01 AM
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Oxford Street is not great, to be honest. It is crowded with people and buses and taxis and the shops at the TCR end are bland.
I'd advise her to have a quick mooch around Charlotte Street, where there are a few galleries and lots of restaurants and bars. For shopping, I'd recommend Regent Street, which is about a ten-fifteen minute walk from TCR station, and Carnaby Street, a few minutes' walk down from Oxford Circus station. Liberty is a good bet, as is Selfridges, which is about twenty minutes' walk or a bit more from TCR station.
If she wants a nice tea, she could try Maison Bertaud just off Old Compton Street in Soho. It is quaint, slightly dilapidated and not at all ritzy. The quiche and cakes are good and the tea does not come in bags! If she fancies a little snifter, she could pop next door to the Coach and Horses, a real old-fashioned boozer.
If she likes photography, I'd recommend the National Porrait Gallery, which is free. It's just off Trafalgar Square. If it's a nice day, a stroll around St James's Park or Green Park would be nice, too.
Camden is rather grotty and full of teens and wannabe teens.
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 04:18 AM
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Liberty do an afternoon tea that undercuts a lot of the posh hotels. And if middle daughter likes fashion she will love the womens clothing dept and accessories there.... Or maybe an ice cream at Fortnums Parlour Restaurant if the weather is nice.

Artwise, I like the Photographers Gallery (very near Leicester Sqaure tube) which is FREE and has a great gift shop too.



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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 04:24 AM
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PS A general recommendation for anyone visiting Londonbr />
The Time Out '1001 things to do in London' is one of the best city guides I have seen in years.

It has some really unusual ideas such as 'evening bat viewing tours' of Highgate Cemetery (!), the gardens behind the law courts, speedboat rides on the Thames etc. It also has a list of best afternoon teas (which comes up repeatedly on Fodors) with prices and editor/staff picks.
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 12:21 PM
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Sloane Square and King's Road is heaven for a fashionista. It's where the designer shops are. The people-watching is choice too. It's a must-see for your daughter, easily accessible by tube and not too far from the V&A.

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