london trip report
Feb 19th, 2008, 01:20 PM
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london trip report
Just back form the trip of a lifetime to London.
Went with friend (both of us late 40s) to visit my college daughter studying for semester. Have travelled quite often to "The Continent", but only a childhood visit to London. What was I waiting for-all the fun of Europe and they speak my language! Its almost like cheating!
Many thanks to all whose posts I read and who answered my questions. Advice for anyone sweating it out beforehand, let me just assure you-its such an easy town to get a handle on! With a game plan that can be thrown out the window, you are in for the trip of your life.
Accomodations-
Stayed with LondonGuestSuites at 7 Gloucester Road and loved the flat idea and the amazing proximatey to Gloucester Road tube-this is how we decided what flat to pick. The lines that cross there get you anywhere you want to go almost directly or with one easy switch. G Road is noisy at night and if you wanted to sleep in the am, this might not be the flat for you. But we LOVED South Ken neighborhood. Used the great Waitrose extensively and lived each morning at Cafe Deco splitting mushroom/cheese croissants. Did have unsettling visit by a broker with keys into our flat, but we were assured that all keys were collected after that. Flat had wireless which was great when my daughter brought laptop.
Day 1-
Arrived BA (after Virgin canceled our flight, but rebooked us) and were taken to flat in prearranged ride. After checking in with flat hostess, we explored our lovely neighborhood on foot and enjoyed the 50 degree sunny day. Dinner that night at Boxwood Cafe. Amazing artichoke soup and richest ribeye ever tasted. Will say the service was off beginning to end and not up to the price paid. Food and decor excellent though.
Day 2-
Up and out to Leicester Square to TKTS booth-bought 39 Steps with no idea except billed Best New Musical. Advice-read the many reviews of shows before you go and have several you are ready to pick. Quick stop in Internet Cafe and also bought used cell phone that was tricked up to work. (40 pounds for phone and minutes-more minutes than I needed). Soup at the bar in lovely glass lined Portrait Gallery top floor and then a run through of the Tudor Gallery. Loved all the school children in their uniforms! Dash down along park to see front of Buck Palace and then back to my daughter's amazing school building just off National Gallery. Soaked up an hour of art at National Gallery and then walked over to Wolseley for tea. Just loved it! "Buzzy" was the word used to describe it in review and that is right on. Also nice as one of my daughter's friends was not dressed up and it seemed fine there. Can't take pictures inside as I guess they get many celebs, but got a snap in of daughter and friend's first tea before I realized. Girls depart and we decide to try for drink at The Ritz-why not, right? Well, its Valentine's Day at 5:30 and they are closely monitoring their drinks tables at the Rivoli Bar. I was very pleasant and was granted a table for an hour which is all we wanted. The vibe oozed power as the maitre d fawned over various guests. Cool to watch. 39 Steps-it was comedy so lots of site gags, etc. and just not the best choice for me. Loved intimate theater and the supporting actors were Timon and Pumba from Lion King-great. VERY tired anyway, so just as well.
Day 3-
Up and out with another fabulous heated croissant in hand to V& A Museum. Enjoyed Fashion Exhibit, the very creepy Castings Room and the Great Bed of Ware. Met daughter at box office of History Boys as she gets half price tickets. Only taxi ride down to Westminster Abbey. Highlight was engaging one of the male docents who regaled us with stories of how the Abbey is packed with bleachers for funerals and coronations. Also confided that the Queen's guards were in last week sweeping the place which means something is up-a Royal Wedding perhaps?? Could not get over that Mary and Elizabeth are buried together as well! Across the street and up to Churchill War Rooms. It is immediately obvious why this is so highly recommended! Wonderful for one and all. Then up to Lanesborough for tea. If the Ritz was over the top and perhaps a bit pretentious (for good reason), The Lanesborough is smooth as butter. This will be my fantasy hotel destination, for sure. Tea perfect in every way, except next time I will ask to sit on couch. Off to History Boys-we LOVED it!
Day 4-
Borough Market-what a great way to break up a trip. Can't recommend this enough either. Had Wild Boar Sausage sandwich, truffles, hot mulled wine, sweets and anything else in my path. Packed as all get out in the exterior stalls, but interior not bad. Over to tour at The Globe-our docent was fab and loved every minute. Last minute decision to do London Walks Pub Walk (I am calling it a Crawl as its the closest I will ever get!) We did not realize that Hampstead Pub was a bit out of town and made it just in nick of time. Coldest night in London all year, but still a great way multi generationally to pass the evening. Would love to go back in spring time during the day and see the gardens etc.
Day 5-
Last day had been reserved for trip to Windsor, but we had not done a lick of shopping so readjusted! Took college kids to Cafe at Harrods-well priced sandwiches in cafe setting. TopShop big hit and we did not even spend time in the basement area-saw it too late! Other highlight of trip for me was visit to Liberty of London. WOW! All dark panels and hushed and lovely! Purchase is my first VAT refund! Mecca!
So that's it-not a great writer and I am sure there are lots of uncaught typos, but if this helps anyone as I was helped I will be happy.
Went with friend (both of us late 40s) to visit my college daughter studying for semester. Have travelled quite often to "The Continent", but only a childhood visit to London. What was I waiting for-all the fun of Europe and they speak my language! Its almost like cheating!
Many thanks to all whose posts I read and who answered my questions. Advice for anyone sweating it out beforehand, let me just assure you-its such an easy town to get a handle on! With a game plan that can be thrown out the window, you are in for the trip of your life.
Accomodations-
Stayed with LondonGuestSuites at 7 Gloucester Road and loved the flat idea and the amazing proximatey to Gloucester Road tube-this is how we decided what flat to pick. The lines that cross there get you anywhere you want to go almost directly or with one easy switch. G Road is noisy at night and if you wanted to sleep in the am, this might not be the flat for you. But we LOVED South Ken neighborhood. Used the great Waitrose extensively and lived each morning at Cafe Deco splitting mushroom/cheese croissants. Did have unsettling visit by a broker with keys into our flat, but we were assured that all keys were collected after that. Flat had wireless which was great when my daughter brought laptop.
Day 1-
Arrived BA (after Virgin canceled our flight, but rebooked us) and were taken to flat in prearranged ride. After checking in with flat hostess, we explored our lovely neighborhood on foot and enjoyed the 50 degree sunny day. Dinner that night at Boxwood Cafe. Amazing artichoke soup and richest ribeye ever tasted. Will say the service was off beginning to end and not up to the price paid. Food and decor excellent though.
Day 2-
Up and out to Leicester Square to TKTS booth-bought 39 Steps with no idea except billed Best New Musical. Advice-read the many reviews of shows before you go and have several you are ready to pick. Quick stop in Internet Cafe and also bought used cell phone that was tricked up to work. (40 pounds for phone and minutes-more minutes than I needed). Soup at the bar in lovely glass lined Portrait Gallery top floor and then a run through of the Tudor Gallery. Loved all the school children in their uniforms! Dash down along park to see front of Buck Palace and then back to my daughter's amazing school building just off National Gallery. Soaked up an hour of art at National Gallery and then walked over to Wolseley for tea. Just loved it! "Buzzy" was the word used to describe it in review and that is right on. Also nice as one of my daughter's friends was not dressed up and it seemed fine there. Can't take pictures inside as I guess they get many celebs, but got a snap in of daughter and friend's first tea before I realized. Girls depart and we decide to try for drink at The Ritz-why not, right? Well, its Valentine's Day at 5:30 and they are closely monitoring their drinks tables at the Rivoli Bar. I was very pleasant and was granted a table for an hour which is all we wanted. The vibe oozed power as the maitre d fawned over various guests. Cool to watch. 39 Steps-it was comedy so lots of site gags, etc. and just not the best choice for me. Loved intimate theater and the supporting actors were Timon and Pumba from Lion King-great. VERY tired anyway, so just as well.
Day 3-
Up and out with another fabulous heated croissant in hand to V& A Museum. Enjoyed Fashion Exhibit, the very creepy Castings Room and the Great Bed of Ware. Met daughter at box office of History Boys as she gets half price tickets. Only taxi ride down to Westminster Abbey. Highlight was engaging one of the male docents who regaled us with stories of how the Abbey is packed with bleachers for funerals and coronations. Also confided that the Queen's guards were in last week sweeping the place which means something is up-a Royal Wedding perhaps?? Could not get over that Mary and Elizabeth are buried together as well! Across the street and up to Churchill War Rooms. It is immediately obvious why this is so highly recommended! Wonderful for one and all. Then up to Lanesborough for tea. If the Ritz was over the top and perhaps a bit pretentious (for good reason), The Lanesborough is smooth as butter. This will be my fantasy hotel destination, for sure. Tea perfect in every way, except next time I will ask to sit on couch. Off to History Boys-we LOVED it!
Day 4-
Borough Market-what a great way to break up a trip. Can't recommend this enough either. Had Wild Boar Sausage sandwich, truffles, hot mulled wine, sweets and anything else in my path. Packed as all get out in the exterior stalls, but interior not bad. Over to tour at The Globe-our docent was fab and loved every minute. Last minute decision to do London Walks Pub Walk (I am calling it a Crawl as its the closest I will ever get!) We did not realize that Hampstead Pub was a bit out of town and made it just in nick of time. Coldest night in London all year, but still a great way multi generationally to pass the evening. Would love to go back in spring time during the day and see the gardens etc.
Day 5-
Last day had been reserved for trip to Windsor, but we had not done a lick of shopping so readjusted! Took college kids to Cafe at Harrods-well priced sandwiches in cafe setting. TopShop big hit and we did not even spend time in the basement area-saw it too late! Other highlight of trip for me was visit to Liberty of London. WOW! All dark panels and hushed and lovely! Purchase is my first VAT refund! Mecca!
So that's it-not a great writer and I am sure there are lots of uncaught typos, but if this helps anyone as I was helped I will be happy.
Feb 19th, 2008, 02:19 PM
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Sally-ND's program is a beautiful building just around the corner from the National Gallery. Used to be a Club according to my daughter.
Cmcfong-You will have a ball. The basement of TopShop appeared the most high end-not sure. The atmosphere is amazing-they are doing manicures and brow shaping right in the middle of the floors! Really a carnival. I would say it is more expensive than the "cheap" spots such as Primark and H&M, but still approachable! You might think of the Borough Market if she likes to eat-its a feast for the eyes. Churchill War Rooms brings everything they study in school alive. What fun for you!
Cmcfong-You will have a ball. The basement of TopShop appeared the most high end-not sure. The atmosphere is amazing-they are doing manicures and brow shaping right in the middle of the floors! Really a carnival. I would say it is more expensive than the "cheap" spots such as Primark and H&M, but still approachable! You might think of the Borough Market if she likes to eat-its a feast for the eyes. Churchill War Rooms brings everything they study in school alive. What fun for you!
Feb 20th, 2008, 07:29 AM
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We had a very slow start that morning as my daughter was not feeling well. Our intention was to arrive late morning, but instead it was abut 12:30-peak time! However, I was not traveling with little ones, so it was little matter. It seemed much more manageable once we made our way into the main area, which is hard to see when you approach the Market. My daughter commented that the crowd had been nothing like this on her weekday visit, so good to keep in mind.
Feb 20th, 2008, 11:31 AM
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Tamryn that's good to know. In working out our itinerary I haven't been able to work in getting there first thing as everyone suggests. Instead we're going to see the Tower of London first (that was a valuable tip I learned last trip - no line to see the jewels!) and then walk across to the market.
