London
Jun 2nd, 2017, 06:19 PM
#3
Probably more has been written about London than any other city on Earth -- do you have a guide book?
There are hundreds of 'musts', day trips, hints, etc. So give us some idea what you are looking for . . .
There are hundreds of 'musts', day trips, hints, etc. So give us some idea what you are looking for . . .
Jun 3rd, 2017, 02:30 AM
#4
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Are there small cities worth a train ride to browse around eat shop etc my wife and I love to bring back small antique unusual stuff must have 6 sets of China i.e. Coffee,sugar/creamer from France. we plan on going to the portobello Rd market on Saturday guidebooks galore what I am looking for is has anyone been there and found a surprise that wasn't in a guidebook? Those type of things for us are the real treasure of the trip. We plan on doing the usual big sees like everyone else.
Jun 3rd, 2017, 05:23 AM
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Hi, Cliff09.
RE: A POSSIBLE COTSWOLDS DAY TRIP
I've not done many day trips from London, but I was just recommending a nice tour into the Cotswolds, called the Secret Cottage Tour. It's a nice way to see several lovely Cotswolds village in one day. You take the train from London into Moreton-in-Marsh, the tour mini van meets you at the train station (a small train station, so it's not difficult to see who would be coming to meet you), and after the tour, they drop you back at the train station in time for a train back to the city.
During the tour, you visit the towns/villages, and make 2-3 stops at a fabulous thatched cottage for tea and cakes, and wine and snacks, and so many amazing treats. (You won't likely need dinner afterwards.) This was such a nice day for me--even on a rainy day.
Here's the website:
https://www.cotswoldtourismtours.co.uk
Could be a nice way for you and your wife to spend a day. No chance for antique shopping, though.
RE: OTHER VILLAGES AN EASY TRAIN RIDE/HAMPSHIRE?
Maybe someone can chime in on a village on an easy train ride from London that can offer some nice shopping, cafes, etc. I wonder if Hampshire might not be a nice place for you.
Notting Hill is really crowded if you don't get there first thing in the a.m., so bring your patience and some energy bars/water in case you don't choose to sit down somewhere.
RE: TOURS IN LONDON (History, Architecture, Jack the Ripper, etc.)
In London, look into a London Walk or an Old Map Walk. I've been on several (of the London Walks), and I think they're always wonderful.
http://www.walks.com
https://londontrails.wordpress.com
RE: CHELSEA NEIGHBORHOOD
In London, you may want to venture into the Chelsea neighborhood. There's a wonderful historic house once lived in by Thomas and Jane Carlyle, now a National Trust Property, and the docents there are wonderful.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carlyles-house
The Chelsea Physic Garden is a fascinating place to visit--but take the free tour for some information on the history, or it'll just be a pretty garden.
Also, the magnificent Royal Hospital Chelsea has an incredible history, and the docents are veterans, full of stories. I loved visiting here.
You're sure to have a wonderful time in England. Have a great time planning!
RE: A POSSIBLE COTSWOLDS DAY TRIP
I've not done many day trips from London, but I was just recommending a nice tour into the Cotswolds, called the Secret Cottage Tour. It's a nice way to see several lovely Cotswolds village in one day. You take the train from London into Moreton-in-Marsh, the tour mini van meets you at the train station (a small train station, so it's not difficult to see who would be coming to meet you), and after the tour, they drop you back at the train station in time for a train back to the city.
During the tour, you visit the towns/villages, and make 2-3 stops at a fabulous thatched cottage for tea and cakes, and wine and snacks, and so many amazing treats. (You won't likely need dinner afterwards.) This was such a nice day for me--even on a rainy day.
Here's the website:
https://www.cotswoldtourismtours.co.uk
Could be a nice way for you and your wife to spend a day. No chance for antique shopping, though.
RE: OTHER VILLAGES AN EASY TRAIN RIDE/HAMPSHIRE?
Maybe someone can chime in on a village on an easy train ride from London that can offer some nice shopping, cafes, etc. I wonder if Hampshire might not be a nice place for you.
Notting Hill is really crowded if you don't get there first thing in the a.m., so bring your patience and some energy bars/water in case you don't choose to sit down somewhere.
RE: TOURS IN LONDON (History, Architecture, Jack the Ripper, etc.)
In London, look into a London Walk or an Old Map Walk. I've been on several (of the London Walks), and I think they're always wonderful.
http://www.walks.com
https://londontrails.wordpress.com
RE: CHELSEA NEIGHBORHOOD
In London, you may want to venture into the Chelsea neighborhood. There's a wonderful historic house once lived in by Thomas and Jane Carlyle, now a National Trust Property, and the docents there are wonderful.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carlyles-house
The Chelsea Physic Garden is a fascinating place to visit--but take the free tour for some information on the history, or it'll just be a pretty garden.
Also, the magnificent Royal Hospital Chelsea has an incredible history, and the docents are veterans, full of stories. I loved visiting here.
You're sure to have a wonderful time in England. Have a great time planning!
Jun 3rd, 2017, 06:11 AM
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If you only have a week, plan to see the "usual big sees" (which could use more than a week), AND want to browse and shop, I would not think you would have time for any day trips. There are, of course, many day trips to choose from (like Oxford, Winchester, Bath,) and several half-day excursions (like Hampton Court, Windsor) but not sure if any of those would meet your criteria for browsing and shopping--I'm not a shopper, so can't speak to that.
There are so many different neighborhoods and shopping venues and markets in London, that if your goal is just shopping, maybe you don't need to leave the city.
As to surprises--well, if I told you, they wouldn't be surprises! Ha! You will most likely find some on your own, as you wander around. Some of my favorite smaller and delightful sites/sights still show up in some guidebooks, but they aren't the usual must-sees ("surprises" like Postman's Park, or the walk along Chelsea Embankment, or a concert in St. Martin's in the Fields, or the bookshops of Cecil Court, or the statue of Roosevelt and Churchill you can sit on in New Bond Street, or the memorial in St. Dunstan in the East, or the quiet in smaller neighborhood churches, or being on Tower Bridge when it opened to let a ship go by, or hearing Big Ben's bongs at sundown, or ...)
Congrats on 30 years!
Also, where are you staying? Exploring the neighborhood around your room is necessary but could also be full of surprises and things you want to see and do, depending on where you are.
Come up with a list of what you think you definitely want to see, divide them up so that there aren't more than probably 3 major venues per day, group them by neighborhood, and allow plenty of time for travel/transport and of course the browsing and eating!
There are so many different neighborhoods and shopping venues and markets in London, that if your goal is just shopping, maybe you don't need to leave the city.
As to surprises--well, if I told you, they wouldn't be surprises! Ha! You will most likely find some on your own, as you wander around. Some of my favorite smaller and delightful sites/sights still show up in some guidebooks, but they aren't the usual must-sees ("surprises" like Postman's Park, or the walk along Chelsea Embankment, or a concert in St. Martin's in the Fields, or the bookshops of Cecil Court, or the statue of Roosevelt and Churchill you can sit on in New Bond Street, or the memorial in St. Dunstan in the East, or the quiet in smaller neighborhood churches, or being on Tower Bridge when it opened to let a ship go by, or hearing Big Ben's bongs at sundown, or ...)
Congrats on 30 years!
Also, where are you staying? Exploring the neighborhood around your room is necessary but could also be full of surprises and things you want to see and do, depending on where you are.
Come up with a list of what you think you definitely want to see, divide them up so that there aren't more than probably 3 major venues per day, group them by neighborhood, and allow plenty of time for travel/transport and of course the browsing and eating!
Jun 3rd, 2017, 11:02 AM
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What's a "big see"? Seriously, that has no meaning.
Check the Fodor's itinerary pages and figure out what you want to see. PalenQ may pop on this thread and natter on about a wax museum and fake dungeon as "big sees" because the Brits themselves are daft enough to visit those, thereby proving Barnum's first law.
And make use of the 2for1 vouchers on www.daysoutguide.co.uk. Click my name, I've blathered on about this often here, including the somewhat esoteric instructions. There are two of you, and many a "big see" will be covered by the vouchers. Beats paying two retail entries for the Tower, Hampton Court, etc.
Check the Fodor's itinerary pages and figure out what you want to see. PalenQ may pop on this thread and natter on about a wax museum and fake dungeon as "big sees" because the Brits themselves are daft enough to visit those, thereby proving Barnum's first law.
And make use of the 2for1 vouchers on www.daysoutguide.co.uk. Click my name, I've blathered on about this often here, including the somewhat esoteric instructions. There are two of you, and many a "big see" will be covered by the vouchers. Beats paying two retail entries for the Tower, Hampton Court, etc.
Jun 3rd, 2017, 12:57 PM
#8
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A small "surprise" I guess: we recently took a train from London to Guildford then a taxi to the Watts Gallery. This was an excursion that I hadn't read about before.
We loved the gallery, the setting, a little shop and restaurant, and a walk to the Artists' Village and the Watts Cemetery. The area where these things were was woodsy and quaint and there were farms, too. On the way back to the Guildford station we took the bus. All pretty convenient and a fun adventure.
Didn't see any antique shops but had a really pleasant visit.
We loved the gallery, the setting, a little shop and restaurant, and a walk to the Artists' Village and the Watts Cemetery. The area where these things were was woodsy and quaint and there were farms, too. On the way back to the Guildford station we took the bus. All pretty convenient and a fun adventure.
Didn't see any antique shops but had a really pleasant visit.
Jun 3rd, 2017, 01:16 PM
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If you tell your interests people might have better suggestions. For example a must see for me in London is the British Museum and National Gallery. For others, museums are not their thing and they'd much rather see other sites.
Jun 3rd, 2017, 01:30 PM
#10
I think it pays big benefits to do one's own homework. I generally stay in London a week at a time before running off into the countryside and have things left still on my lists from years ago. There are just so many things of interest, if you have specific ones it's likely the only way you'll find them.
Jun 4th, 2017, 02:51 PM
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We have been to many big cities in Europe and absolutely love it but we also find a day to get out in the countryside.Dont you think it's the unexpected experiences that are the best on a trip? Even if we could take a train out for lunch and back would be nice. Doing the Buckingham Palace tour, British Museum, Portobello Rd market. Etc.
Jun 4th, 2017, 03:02 PM
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check out Camden Lock market on weekends too - not that far from Portobello Rd - day trip to Cambridge or Oxford - check out the colleges and two nice regional towns. Oxford would be my choice but it is hard to say which is nicer - a toss-up really.
can' t see how long you are going for - if several days Bath and of course Salisbury and Stonhenge are both sweet -Bath to me one of the nicest cities in Britain - Salisbury is neat too - especially the cathedral and close area. Windor is close to London and besides the castle is a thriving regional town. Tony Eton a village across the Thames of course has Eton College to peer around.
There are a zillion towns ringing London -the Tube or Overground (commuter rail) goes to some -more for your just have a meal and shop thingy. Richmond and Kingston are neat. Greenwich is a trip and has many antique stores and a large indoor market with bric-a-bac.
Endless possibilities!
For lots on trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk - fares and booking your own - www.seat61.com - great info on various fares- www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
can' t see how long you are going for - if several days Bath and of course Salisbury and Stonhenge are both sweet -Bath to me one of the nicest cities in Britain - Salisbury is neat too - especially the cathedral and close area. Windor is close to London and besides the castle is a thriving regional town. Tony Eton a village across the Thames of course has Eton College to peer around.
There are a zillion towns ringing London -the Tube or Overground (commuter rail) goes to some -more for your just have a meal and shop thingy. Richmond and Kingston are neat. Greenwich is a trip and has many antique stores and a large indoor market with bric-a-bac.
Endless possibilities!
For lots on trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk - fares and booking your own - www.seat61.com - great info on various fares- www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Jun 4th, 2017, 03:43 PM
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http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-path-gems.cfm
a thread I started several years ago - many other contributed - as you are looking for things off the beaten path.
For something rarely in guidebooks check out Crystal Palace - a neighborhood in southeast London with a large lovely park of the same name and foundations of the original Crystal Palace - a huge blass edifice erected for some World's Fair in 1800s and subsequently moved to this location. And a regular neighborhood and town area.
a thread I started several years ago - many other contributed - as you are looking for things off the beaten path.
For something rarely in guidebooks check out Crystal Palace - a neighborhood in southeast London with a large lovely park of the same name and foundations of the original Crystal Palace - a huge blass edifice erected for some World's Fair in 1800s and subsequently moved to this location. And a regular neighborhood and town area.
Jun 4th, 2017, 04:12 PM
#14
"Don't you think it's the unexpected experiences that are the best on a trip?"
Yes, when they are best. But "unexpected" doesn't, of course" guarantee best. Which is why it's important to me to work hard to ensure I have loads of things on a list, to do when the spirit moves me, that I 'm pretty sure I'll love. Most of which no one here would tell me about because of the specificity of my interests. I'm certainly not alone in this. I must find them myself. But then I love the hunt.
On long trips I have the luxury of courting the unexpected, but usually I find it does take unplanned time, sometimes lots of it spent wandering, or sitting in one place when an unexpected person shows up and tells me about something I must do that comes up in a leisurely conversation. Running about on a fixed itinerary generally leaves little time for that sort of serendipitous good fortune to play out. Usually. In my experience. I have stories.
Yes, when they are best. But "unexpected" doesn't, of course" guarantee best. Which is why it's important to me to work hard to ensure I have loads of things on a list, to do when the spirit moves me, that I 'm pretty sure I'll love. Most of which no one here would tell me about because of the specificity of my interests. I'm certainly not alone in this. I must find them myself. But then I love the hunt.
On long trips I have the luxury of courting the unexpected, but usually I find it does take unplanned time, sometimes lots of it spent wandering, or sitting in one place when an unexpected person shows up and tells me about something I must do that comes up in a leisurely conversation. Running about on a fixed itinerary generally leaves little time for that sort of serendipitous good fortune to play out. Usually. In my experience. I have stories.
Jun 7th, 2017, 12:26 AM
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Three daytrip ideas:
I went with two of my kids to Hampton Court. Incredible castle from two different eras. Also, we thought it really was not that busy for a nice June day.
My husband and other son went to Bletchley Park to see the Enigma machine and learn all about it. They love tek stuff--if you don't, then forget this idea.
One place I've been meaning to go --and still didn't get to--is Greenwich, which also might be something for you to look into. The sailing aspect and the timekeeping all sounded fascinating. Google it.
I went with two of my kids to Hampton Court. Incredible castle from two different eras. Also, we thought it really was not that busy for a nice June day.
My husband and other son went to Bletchley Park to see the Enigma machine and learn all about it. They love tek stuff--if you don't, then forget this idea.
One place I've been meaning to go --and still didn't get to--is Greenwich, which also might be something for you to look into. The sailing aspect and the timekeeping all sounded fascinating. Google it.
Jun 7th, 2017, 10:13 AM
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The London Transport Museum at Covent Garden is great for kids and adults too - lots of hands-on stuff and a slew of old trams, trolley buses and iconic old double-deckers.Kids go free:
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/?gclid=Cj...waAq6hEALw_wcB
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/?gclid=Cj...waAq6hEALw_wcB
Jun 7th, 2017, 01:33 PM
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Since you like antique shops, the Greenwich idea sounds like it might fit you well. Take a boat one way, or both, if you have the time. Lots of antique shops, and an interesting town. Pick a nice place for lunch.
Jun 7th, 2017, 02:12 PM
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PalenQ may pop on this thread and natter on about a wax museum and fake dungeon as "big sees" because the Brits themselves are daft enough to visit those, thereby proving Barnum's first law.>
You're calling zillions of Brits suckers ("there's a sucker born every minute")? That's an ugly American to me.
Wow! And BTW Barnum never said that!
And we are talking about Madame Tussauds and the London Dungeon- top rated sites for those sucker Brits.
You're calling zillions of Brits suckers ("there's a sucker born every minute")? That's an ugly American to me.
Wow! And BTW Barnum never said that!
And we are talking about Madame Tussauds and the London Dungeon- top rated sites for those sucker Brits.
