Melaine

In the United States (Houston, Texas) there are a good number of nice Resale clothing shops and outlets. We are interested in picking up some light jackets and not paying full retail prices. Any suggestions you have used or been to that are fairly nice?

I have read about Camden Market. Can you tell us anything about it? Or others you may like for ethnic food, Unique shops?

We love outdoor markets that have veggies, fruit, jams, homemade breads. Where are they? We are staying at the Copthorne Tara Kensington, about 1/3 miles from the Kensington Palace and Gardens.

Where can we find the Best Fish and Chips? What is your favorite pub?

Oh yes, what about the Trip Cards and the Oyster Card. If we buy one, which one ???
Will we really get our money's worth do you think?

It won't be long now, we arrive in Dover on August 17 for a Princess Cruise to Ireland and Scotland...then back to London on the 25th of August, and will be there until mid-day on Aug. 30th, on our own free time...then that afternoon flying home to Texas.

Thanks for your suggestions.

One of the Gringa Amigas !!!!

stevelyon

Camden Market is more known for its atmosphere and ethnic cooked food stalls than anything else, it isn't like one of your American Shopping Malls. Borough Market is very similar and is as atmospheric.

There are some good posts here regarding Londond pubs - so do a search, I am not really in the know about these. Similarly, there are posts here on fish and chips - again I have no knowledge.

Good luck and have a great holiday.

Ackislander

Transport cards: figure out where and how often you want to go and ask the nice men at the window where they sell them. You can trust them to give you an honest answer as to which will be best for your needs.

Resale shops: there are charity shops _all over_ the UK. These are not consignment shops but more like Goodwill, though often more upscale. The tax laws favor shops with tenants over empty shops, so landlords have an incentive to give them good or no rent deals. Some shops have sad merchandise, some are full of great stuff, some have a few pieces of great stuff. We have had good luck with china, books, and outdoor clothing. I can't help with consignment shops.

Melaine

I appreciate the responses offered. I am still looking on various websites and have found some interesting attractions.

Generally, it's nice to receive recommendations from people who really know and not just bla bla bla from people trying to sell their stores and cafe's. Locals and others have some good info.

Again, thanks so much. Anyone else know anything about this? Hope so. More later.

jamikins

For markets try (note they arent really 2nd hand markets):

For clothes:

Petticoat Lane (at Liverpool St Station): http://www.alondonguide.com/petticoatlane.html

Spitalfields (also at Liverpool St Station):
http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/

Roman Road:
http://www.londontown.com/LondonInfo...d_Market/7459/

Cabbages & Frocks Market (food too):
http://www.cabbagesandfrocks.co.uk/

A bit of everything:

Brick Lane
http://www.visitbricklane.org/#/bric...ket/4537676886

Antiques:

Portobello Road
http://www.portobellomarket.org/

For food:

Borough Market:
http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Greenwich Market:
http://www.shopgreenwich.co.uk/greenwich-market/

White Cross Street:
http://www.inlondonguide.co.uk/londo...et-market.html

As for pubs, lots of good ones here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-london.cfm

Melaine

Jamikins,
Thanks so much for the list of shops. I know this was a bit of trouble for you to give me...thanks for the websites also. This was very nice of you to do and I greatly appreciate your helpfulness on this.

I will definitely look these up. I have added all to a paper list that I have. My friends will enjoy knowing about these also.

I have been watching the NBC Today Show every morning on our television...and almost feel I that I am in London already!!! It will be soon and I am really getting excited about our trip.

What does Blood Pudding taste like? I have been hearing so much about it. I may give it a try, but it does not sound very flavorful to me. Do you enjoy it?

More later...
Melaine

jamikins

My pleasure!

Here is another food market to try: http://www.exmouth-market.com/

jamikins

It's hard to find really good fish and chips in London, but the best I have had in a long time was at The Crown on Brewer St http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thec...rstreetlondon/

BikerScott

I like black pudding for breakfast, but it's probably a bit of an acquired taste...tastes sort of like a really rich sausage I guess, different texture than a regular sausage though.

I would say give it a go, don't think about how it's made, just enjoy it.

PalenQ

What used to be called the Spastics shop - I think name now changed to be more PC - Scope Charities - used to sell second-hand clothing sand on the web site seems to still do - seemed to have been in every High Street a few years back.

I always got a chuckle out of handicapped folks being called spastics, a term that would have been very awful to use in the States at least.

http://www.scope.org.uk/shop

Melaine

I just read the recent posts and am so happy to get this latest information. I just looked at the web site www.londontown.com and found it to be of much information. It had restaurants, attractions, great maps, and much more. Anyone, like myself, looking for all sorts of info. would do well to look there.

It's getting close to my departure date and we are all getting excited (except for thinking about packing luggage). I say this time I am not taking too much, and I hope it's true!

Planning a trip, I think, is one-half of the adventure.

More later - and thanks. If you all have any other comments I will be anxious to read them !

Melaine