Clueless About London-Suggestions Needed
Oct 12th, 2005, 08:02 PM
#21
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Check out London Walks! We did the Pub walk one evening and it was a lot of fun. It's not a "drinking" tour, per se (although you do have an opportunity to stop and hoist a pint a couple of times), but you learn about history of the areas you walk through and the "culture" of the pub. It is a blast.
(Same advise for when you are in Paris...Paris Walks are a fun and easy way to get a good tour with interesting tid bits of history.0
(Same advise for when you are in Paris...Paris Walks are a fun and easy way to get a good tour with interesting tid bits of history.0
Oct 12th, 2005, 11:29 PM
#22
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I second the suggestion for the Regents Park Open Air Theatre; we've seen some great plays and musicals there. They usually do a Shakespeare comedy and a tragedy.
There's always a musical as well, this year a Gilbert & Sullivan.
There's always a musical as well, this year a Gilbert & Sullivan.
Oct 12th, 2005, 11:53 PM
#23
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Hi again,
Had just remembered my favourite hotel in London - have stayed there a couple of times now and enjoyed it every time. The rooms were lovely, and it is so convenient for all the sights in London. Very safe, too. Staff were very helpful and the hot and cold breakfast buffet was gorgeous, I could have stayed in there and eaten for ages, ha ha. It is called the Rubens at the Palace. Expedia features it at:
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll...m=f&shtl=1
I don't know the cost, because I don't know what dates you're going but when I was there it was about £120 per room per night ($200). Just a thought.
Enjoy,
Rachel
Had just remembered my favourite hotel in London - have stayed there a couple of times now and enjoyed it every time. The rooms were lovely, and it is so convenient for all the sights in London. Very safe, too. Staff were very helpful and the hot and cold breakfast buffet was gorgeous, I could have stayed in there and eaten for ages, ha ha. It is called the Rubens at the Palace. Expedia features it at:
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll...m=f&shtl=1
I don't know the cost, because I don't know what dates you're going but when I was there it was about £120 per room per night ($200). Just a thought.
Enjoy,
Rachel
Oct 13th, 2005, 07:46 PM
#24
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My goodness....take a day away and you guys just outdid yourselves! Thank you for all of the info. I have spent the better part of the day and evening designing a new web site and it is late so I promise to read all of the posts in the morning and respond.
Thank you again, you wonderful Fodorites!!!!
Thank you again, you wonderful Fodorites!!!!
Oct 14th, 2005, 05:49 AM
#25
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Coastergirl....THANK YOU!!!! The Rubens is perfect and right in the price range we want to be in. Location is superb. I will be emailing you shortly.
Tuscanlifeedit & Tulips...Good suggestion on the Regents Park Theater. Do you know if they have plays in September? I will try and check out their web site.
Everyone else...We will be traveling in September and will be in London for two days, a Friday and a Saturday, leaving Sunday morning for Paris. AS for what we like to do...I think we will definitely do the hop on/hop off bus for an overview the first day and we are thinking of seeing a play one of the nights.
Other than that, I believe we will just do an overview and a walk-by of major sights such as Buckingham Palace. This is what I did this past spring in Paris and it worked out great.
And as for Mom....she's a shopper. *hee hee* Please don't tell her I said that or she won't buy me anything! *JK*
Mostly we enjoy just seeing everything....buildings, people, sights. We are not too fussy and easy to please. And to be honest, this is the first kind of trip we are taking like this without spouses. Mom has been married for 47 years and I have been married for 26 years (and add a year for next year!)....so this is going to be a real experience!
Thank you again all! (You have now officially become too many to point out individually, but I do so appreciate ALL of your posts!)
Tuscanlifeedit & Tulips...Good suggestion on the Regents Park Theater. Do you know if they have plays in September? I will try and check out their web site.
Everyone else...We will be traveling in September and will be in London for two days, a Friday and a Saturday, leaving Sunday morning for Paris. AS for what we like to do...I think we will definitely do the hop on/hop off bus for an overview the first day and we are thinking of seeing a play one of the nights.
Other than that, I believe we will just do an overview and a walk-by of major sights such as Buckingham Palace. This is what I did this past spring in Paris and it worked out great.
And as for Mom....she's a shopper. *hee hee* Please don't tell her I said that or she won't buy me anything! *JK*
Mostly we enjoy just seeing everything....buildings, people, sights. We are not too fussy and easy to please. And to be honest, this is the first kind of trip we are taking like this without spouses. Mom has been married for 47 years and I have been married for 26 years (and add a year for next year!)....so this is going to be a real experience!
Thank you again all! (You have now officially become too many to point out individually, but I do so appreciate ALL of your posts!)
Oct 14th, 2005, 09:25 AM
#27
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www.visitlondon.com is an informative site run by the London Tourist Board i believe. Check it out!
Oct 14th, 2005, 09:34 AM
#28
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I've just started researching for a possible trip to London next year too. Invest in a couple of good guidebooks to help pinpoint what's of most interest to you. I went to the bookstore yesterday and came home with DK EYEWITNESS TOP 10-LONDON, ACCESS LONDON and LONDON FOR DUMMIES. All three served me very well when we visited Paris last month (the PARIS editions of these, I mean. LOL) The DK is good to carry with you, as it's narrow and compact enough to slip into a purse or daybag. Also, has good laminated maps of London and the metro.
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:34 AM
#29
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CatFancier...I love the DK Series. I have them for Paris and have just ordered them for London. I have the Top 10's as well. By far, the best travel books I have bought to date and believe me, I have bought TONS!Whenever I get depressed I buy a travel book and begin to plan a "trip" there. Eventually, I go. Great therapy! *LOL*
Oct 16th, 2005, 12:01 PM
#30
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Hi Dejais!
Sorry to hear that! I just read the address back to myself and it seems fine..
[email protected]
(not.com.....)
Maybe you could try again? If it still doesn't work I have another address: [email protected] - hope one of them works!
Rach x
Sorry to hear that! I just read the address back to myself and it seems fine..
[email protected]
(not.com.....)
Maybe you could try again? If it still doesn't work I have another address: [email protected] - hope one of them works!
Rach x
Oct 16th, 2005, 01:55 PM
#31
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Dejais
London is the kind of city where you will never be short of things to do and see and it is totally possible to just walk and walk and take in the amazing sights. If as you say, you don't end up seeing or visiting any major tourist attractions, you won't be bored window shopping.
Most galleries and museums are free - the V&A, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery and so on.
I am not sure how much tickets for West End shows are, as I don't go to the theatre that often, but I know there are stands in Leicester Sq where you can get cheap last minute deals.
I do think the jump off and on bus thing is a good way to see London. I've done these kinds of tours in a few different cities and am not always impressed but always take visitors to London on these because you see all the major sites and buildings. Plus some of them also add in a free cruise on the river Thames. This is a great way to see London's architecture from a different perspective.
Thought I wouldn't like the London Eye but that's great too. Excellent views of London and as there are not too many tall buildings here, it's one of the only ways you'll see London from such a height. There have also been talks of this structure being taken down, so try and go on it if you can.
The parks in London are fabulous. You can stroll around Hyde Park, Green Park and Regents Park if you are staying in central London. If north, you can visit hampstead heath which is gorgeous.
I agree Westminster is a nice part of the city to stay. It is expensive though. You could also try the Clerkenwell area, which is a very historical part of the city but not very well known to travellers. there are a few nice hotels there, wonderful restaurants and it's only 5-10 mins bus trip to the West End.
If I was coming to London for the first time ever but knowing what I know now, here's what I'd definitely do:
1. Take the 38 bus (one of the only routemaster's - buses you can jump off and on at back - left in London) from Victoria Station all the way to Angel tube Station. it's a great scenic journey, taking you past Hyde Park Corner, up Picadilly to Leicester Square and then along Shaftsbury Avenue to Charing Cross road.
2. Grab coffee on Picadilly and sit in Green Park before strolling to Buckingham Palace to watch changing of the guard.
3. Check out the second hand book stalls on the South Bank, in front of the Royal Festival Hall.
4. Climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral - the whispering gallery.
5. Spend an hour or two enjoying Rothko at the Tate Modern
6. Spend a few more hours just taking in the space of Tate Modern
7. Walk from the Royal Festival Hall all the way along the South Bank of the Thames to Tower Bridge.
8. Take the tube to Hampstead village, window shop and then spend the afternoon in Hampstead Heath reading the papers.
9. Eat dinner at any one of the superb restaurants or gastro pubs in the Clerkenwell area.
10. Have a pint in Soho.
London is the kind of city where you will never be short of things to do and see and it is totally possible to just walk and walk and take in the amazing sights. If as you say, you don't end up seeing or visiting any major tourist attractions, you won't be bored window shopping.
Most galleries and museums are free - the V&A, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery and so on.
I am not sure how much tickets for West End shows are, as I don't go to the theatre that often, but I know there are stands in Leicester Sq where you can get cheap last minute deals.
I do think the jump off and on bus thing is a good way to see London. I've done these kinds of tours in a few different cities and am not always impressed but always take visitors to London on these because you see all the major sites and buildings. Plus some of them also add in a free cruise on the river Thames. This is a great way to see London's architecture from a different perspective.
Thought I wouldn't like the London Eye but that's great too. Excellent views of London and as there are not too many tall buildings here, it's one of the only ways you'll see London from such a height. There have also been talks of this structure being taken down, so try and go on it if you can.
The parks in London are fabulous. You can stroll around Hyde Park, Green Park and Regents Park if you are staying in central London. If north, you can visit hampstead heath which is gorgeous.
I agree Westminster is a nice part of the city to stay. It is expensive though. You could also try the Clerkenwell area, which is a very historical part of the city but not very well known to travellers. there are a few nice hotels there, wonderful restaurants and it's only 5-10 mins bus trip to the West End.
If I was coming to London for the first time ever but knowing what I know now, here's what I'd definitely do:
1. Take the 38 bus (one of the only routemaster's - buses you can jump off and on at back - left in London) from Victoria Station all the way to Angel tube Station. it's a great scenic journey, taking you past Hyde Park Corner, up Picadilly to Leicester Square and then along Shaftsbury Avenue to Charing Cross road.
2. Grab coffee on Picadilly and sit in Green Park before strolling to Buckingham Palace to watch changing of the guard.
3. Check out the second hand book stalls on the South Bank, in front of the Royal Festival Hall.
4. Climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral - the whispering gallery.
5. Spend an hour or two enjoying Rothko at the Tate Modern
6. Spend a few more hours just taking in the space of Tate Modern
7. Walk from the Royal Festival Hall all the way along the South Bank of the Thames to Tower Bridge.
8. Take the tube to Hampstead village, window shop and then spend the afternoon in Hampstead Heath reading the papers.
9. Eat dinner at any one of the superb restaurants or gastro pubs in the Clerkenwell area.
10. Have a pint in Soho.
Oct 17th, 2005, 07:00 AM
#32
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Ben_e_fit....Excellent summary of things to do in London. Thank you for taking the time to post.
Coastergirl....Oh duh....obviously I put the "m" in com. So American! Sorry. Will re-email.
Coastergirl....Oh duh....obviously I put the "m" in com. So American! Sorry. Will re-email.
