1st Visit to London. Looking for Feedback on My Itinerary.
Jun 10th, 2019, 09:28 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
En route to V & A you could stop by Harrods and see one of the world's most famous department stores:
https://www.google.com/search?q=harr...iw=944&bih=539
https://www.google.com/search?q=harr...iw=944&bih=539
Jun 10th, 2019, 09:35 AM
#22
Harrods is naff. I much prefer Liberty, Dover Street Market or Fenwick's. Lor, I would even prefer Cos or Zara over Harrods.
If you would ever find yourself in Chelsea, maybe at the Saatchi Gallery, you could check out Phat Phuc for pho and pork buns. Good and cheap.
Thin🎾
If you would ever find yourself in Chelsea, maybe at the Saatchi Gallery, you could check out Phat Phuc for pho and pork buns. Good and cheap.
Thin🎾
Jun 10th, 2019, 09:41 AM
#23
En route to V & A you could stop by Harrods and see one of the world's most famous department stores:
https://www.libertylondon.com/
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/
Jun 10th, 2019, 11:50 AM
#24
Harrod's is truly awful if one is just curious. REALLY - people who visited a decade or two ago have no idea. The entire ground floor and food halls are crammed with lookie loo tourists gawking at people actually trying to buy £1000 wallets, £4000 handbags, and £500 scarves and (literally) clogging the aisles in the food halls. If one actually wants to buy something in the Food Halls then its a matter of elbowing past the same lookie loo's to get service. Really ghastly. The tourists stick mainly to the Food Halls, ground floor perfumes and leather accessories . . . and the Harrods souvenir shop which is enormous.
If one heads up stairs into the designer salons and (actually quite interesting) art gallery, you lose the crowds -- but . . . no, don't visit Harrods just to look. If I am in the market for high end/designer accessories, I sure wouldn't do it at Harrods.
If one heads up stairs into the designer salons and (actually quite interesting) art gallery, you lose the crowds -- but . . . no, don't visit Harrods just to look. If I am in the market for high end/designer accessories, I sure wouldn't do it at Harrods.
Jun 10th, 2019, 12:26 PM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Harrods and the building itself is an iconic London landmark - could pop in for a look - last I knew the Egyptian Staircase is still there -
https://londonist.com/london/videos/egyptian-escalator-harrods - check out the historic Egyptian Staircase video.
And to me too that is well worth a quick look. You come for the edifice and Egyptian Staircase and food halls - only mentioned it because it is quite near the V & A, making a quick pop in possible. Yes, just being sold by the Egyptian and even the outside of the building is an architectural gem.
Enough said - if looking for shopping heed janis and others advice but to see an iconic piece of London a quick pop in is nice but I would not go out of my way to go there now, according to recent reports like janis' that say the store, just sold, is kind of in a sorting out process.
https://londonist.com/london/videos/egyptian-escalator-harrods - check out the historic Egyptian Staircase video.
And to me too that is well worth a quick look. You come for the edifice and Egyptian Staircase and food halls - only mentioned it because it is quite near the V & A, making a quick pop in possible. Yes, just being sold by the Egyptian and even the outside of the building is an architectural gem.
Enough said - if looking for shopping heed janis and others advice but to see an iconic piece of London a quick pop in is nice but I would not go out of my way to go there now, according to recent reports like janis' that say the store, just sold, is kind of in a sorting out process.
Jun 10th, 2019, 12:53 PM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1st Visit to London. Looking for Feedback on My Itinerary.
Wow, thanks for all the info. I agree with the sentiment about eating in food halls, not usually a fan. However, my interest was piqued by Maitaitom's mouthwatering description of the cheese toastie ;-) We are making some tweaks to the schedule. I am thinking about Monday, visiting Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms and Buckingham Palace (probably only the state rooms). Since they all sell timed entry tickets, I'm hoping to get a feel for how long to allow in each venue. Thank you for your input.
Jun 10th, 2019, 12:59 PM
#27
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Harrod's is truly awful if one is just curious. REALLY - people who visited a decade or two ago have no idea. The entire ground floor and food halls are crammed with lookie loo tourists gawking at people actually trying to buy £1000 wallets, £4000 handbags, and £500 scarves and (literally) clogging the aisles in the food halls. If one actually wants to buy something in the Food Halls then its a matter of elbowing past the same lookie loo's to get service. Really ghastly. The tourists stick mainly to the Food Halls, ground floor perfumes and leather accessories . . . and the Harrods souvenir shop which is enormous.
If one heads up stairs into the designer salons and (actually quite interesting) art gallery, you lose the crowds -- but . . . no, don't visit Harrods just to look. If I am in the market for high end/designer accessories, I sure wouldn't do it at Harrods.
If one heads up stairs into the designer salons and (actually quite interesting) art gallery, you lose the crowds -- but . . . no, don't visit Harrods just to look. If I am in the market for high end/designer accessories, I sure wouldn't do it at Harrods.
Jun 10th, 2019, 01:32 PM
#28
>>I thought their business model was to display items that nobody ever buys like £25,000 dog collars and £5000 gold golf tees. Price tags prominent because that's the interesting part for people. From tourists, illicit ohhs and ahhs and "OMG - that dog collar costs £25,000. Wow imagine what it must be like to be rich!". Tourist then goes into the Harrods souvenir shop and buys a Harrods tote bag or fanny pack/bum bag for £35. <<
Actually price tags are almost NEVER visible. Except of court in the Harrod's souvenir shop where they are prominent. But walk through all the leathers, costume jewelry, fine jewelry etc etc . . . you have to speak with an associate to get the price.
>>Since they all sell timed entry tickets, I'm hoping to get a feel for how long to allow in each venue. Thank you for your input<<
Count on about 2 hours for each one - none takes exactly 2 hours but with the walks between etc a good rule of thumb would be to figure 2 hours per. The gift shop at the palace may is also large - depends on how much sales resistance you have
Actually price tags are almost NEVER visible. Except of court in the Harrod's souvenir shop where they are prominent. But walk through all the leathers, costume jewelry, fine jewelry etc etc . . . you have to speak with an associate to get the price.
>>Since they all sell timed entry tickets, I'm hoping to get a feel for how long to allow in each venue. Thank you for your input<<
Count on about 2 hours for each one - none takes exactly 2 hours but with the walks between etc a good rule of thumb would be to figure 2 hours per. The gift shop at the palace may is also large - depends on how much sales resistance you have
Jun 10th, 2019, 01:50 PM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about enough of Harrods - though yes some folks like to nab a Harrods bag to take back home! Again I only mentioned because it was a few blocks from V&A Museum so easy to pop into just to say you were in Harrods!
At St Paul's I enjoyed going up into the dome for views of the church far below and venturing out onto the wide walkways that circle the dome - but there are as you can see some tight squeezes going up!
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...h=539&dpr=1.75
At St Paul's I enjoyed going up into the dome for views of the church far below and venturing out onto the wide walkways that circle the dome - but there are as you can see some tight squeezes going up!
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...h=539&dpr=1.75
Jun 10th, 2019, 02:03 PM
#31
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Temporary Closure of the Whispering Gallery
04 April 2019
The Cathedral is deeply saddened at the death of a man here on Monday 1st April.
The Whispering Gallery is a safe place to visit with a high safety barrier in place, and many millions of people have visited it over the years.
Continuing to ensure the safety of all our visitors, whatever the reason they are here, is paramount and we have been reviewing this carefully over the past few days. This includes the safety of those on the Cathedral floor. We have therefore today taken the hard decision to temporarily close the Whispering Gallery whilst we assess whether there are any further safety measures that could be put in place.
The Stone and Golden Galleries will remain open.
But I was not talking about the Whispering Gallery which gives you a view of the cathedral far below but the Stone and Golden Galleries which remain open and these were what I was talking about to get outside from high-up over London.
So to say the Dome is closed is simply not true, according to St Paul's itself.
And again it's an exhilarating experience to climb the dome IMO though not for those afraid of heights..
04 April 2019
The Cathedral is deeply saddened at the death of a man here on Monday 1st April.
The Whispering Gallery is a safe place to visit with a high safety barrier in place, and many millions of people have visited it over the years.
Continuing to ensure the safety of all our visitors, whatever the reason they are here, is paramount and we have been reviewing this carefully over the past few days. This includes the safety of those on the Cathedral floor. We have therefore today taken the hard decision to temporarily close the Whispering Gallery whilst we assess whether there are any further safety measures that could be put in place.
The Stone and Golden Galleries will remain open.
But I was not talking about the Whispering Gallery which gives you a view of the cathedral far below but the Stone and Golden Galleries which remain open and these were what I was talking about to get outside from high-up over London.
So to say the Dome is closed is simply not true, according to St Paul's itself.
And again it's an exhilarating experience to climb the dome IMO though not for those afraid of heights..
Last edited by PalenQ; Jun 10th, 2019 at 02:11 PM.
Jun 10th, 2019, 02:48 PM
#33
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last word was to correct your misinformation. Back to practical info for OP.
Book your trains from York to London ASAP at www.nationalrail.co.uk for cheaper prices - much cheaper than walk-up fares and limited number of discounted tickets makes booking early smart. And yes get an Oyster Card that gives you the cheapest tickets on TfL (Transport for London) tubes or buses - say capping off at Travel Card prices if used a lot during a certain period.
And you can easily get 2 for 1 entry tickets at most paying sights. The catch? You have to have a rail ticket to London and back out - easy t do between two London stations - can save a lot. But many top attractions are also free.
Kew Gardens for example you can buy a rail ticket to and use it. Hampton Court Palace - Henry VIII's Versailles could easily be combined with Kew Gardens. Hampton is really neat - great presentations in rooms and lovely area on Thames.
https://www.londontoolkit.com/whatto...ard_2for1.html
Book your trains from York to London ASAP at www.nationalrail.co.uk for cheaper prices - much cheaper than walk-up fares and limited number of discounted tickets makes booking early smart. And yes get an Oyster Card that gives you the cheapest tickets on TfL (Transport for London) tubes or buses - say capping off at Travel Card prices if used a lot during a certain period.
And you can easily get 2 for 1 entry tickets at most paying sights. The catch? You have to have a rail ticket to London and back out - easy t do between two London stations - can save a lot. But many top attractions are also free.
Kew Gardens for example you can buy a rail ticket to and use it. Hampton Court Palace - Henry VIII's Versailles could easily be combined with Kew Gardens. Hampton is really neat - great presentations in rooms and lovely area on Thames.
https://www.londontoolkit.com/whatto...ard_2for1.html
Last edited by PalenQ; Jun 10th, 2019 at 03:14 PM.
Jun 10th, 2019, 06:56 PM
#34
There is a M/S Food across the street from Green Park Tube station on Picadilly and a Sainsbury's on nearby Stratton St.
Posh people shop at Whole Foods, M/S Food and Sainsbury's. Poor people shop at Tesco and Aldi. However, I find some really good Medoc at Tesco Express for 9 quid.
Since you are staying in Mayfair, take a walk around Mount St --some really great shops like Goyard and many beautiful buildings. Helene Darroze is now at the Connaught. She closed up her restaurant in Paris.
Thin🎪
Posh people shop at Whole Foods, M/S Food and Sainsbury's. Poor people shop at Tesco and Aldi. However, I find some really good Medoc at Tesco Express for 9 quid.
Since you are staying in Mayfair, take a walk around Mount St --some really great shops like Goyard and many beautiful buildings. Helene Darroze is now at the Connaught. She closed up her restaurant in Paris.
Thin🎪
Jun 10th, 2019, 10:23 PM
#36
>>The catch? You have to have a rail ticket to London and back out <<
Pal's info re the 2for1's is incorrect. But I'll leave it to others to explain things. If I do it, he'll just come back to dispute things and start another argument . . .
Pal's info re the 2for1's is incorrect. But I'll leave it to others to explain things. If I do it, he'll just come back to dispute things and start another argument . . .
Jun 11th, 2019, 04:07 AM
#37
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, maybe I am just too posh, but I don't like to queue up for food. People in NYC queue up for Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, and whilst the hamburger there is good as far as fast-food burgers go, I would not stand 20 minutes for one.
Now, Hide is a place I would visit.
Thin🍷
Now, Hide is a place I would visit.
Thin🍷
Jun 11th, 2019, 04:14 AM
#38
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long to spend in Westminster Abbey - we popped in right before Churchill War rooms and only had an hour which was not long enough. For me, an hour and a half would work. Churchill War Rooms - there are a lot of displays with narration that you can listen to . It depends on how interested you really are. I think we spent between and hour and a half and two hours there. Both will depend on how long you like to stay and take it in. I would go to Westminster when it opens and then hit the war rooms after that.
Jun 11th, 2019, 04:31 AM
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
London Travelcard qualification for 2 for 1
Travelcard with Rail logo on(bottom left corner)
If you don't have a train ticket, then the Travelcard London public transport pass is the way to qualify for the promotion. Nearly every visitor to London will have to buy a Travelcard or Oyster public transport pass to get around. The question of which, Travelcard or Oyster is very complex - but the savings you can make using a Travelcard with 2 for 1 admissions will far outweigh any savings of Oyster over Travelcards just for the transport.
However, not any old Travelcard will do to qualify for 2 for 1, the key requirement is you must purchase from the railways, (not from the Underground).
- To qualify you must purchase the Travelcard from a railway station in London. Such Travelcards have the rail logo on it like the image right.
- Travelcards bought from any other outlet are not valid. Oyster Cards are not valid either.
- You can buy Travelcards from the ticket offices of the following mainline rail station ticket offices: Paddington, Marylebone, Euston, St Pancras, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo and Victoria. Travelcards sold at airports and underground stations or other agents including on-line are not valid for 2 for 1.
- Travelcards can be bought for 1 day, 1 week or 1 month durations. Full details are at our Travelcard page. If you buy a 7 day or a 1 month Travelcard you will need a railway photo card. This will be issued by the railway ticket office free of charge but you must bring along a passport size photo.
Jun 11th, 2019, 06:33 AM
#40
You may want to read my trip report .
The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
