My friends and I are going to london and we are out of ideas for original things to do. We already know to hit up the muesums, but what is there for ORIGINAL things? Anyone whos been there or knows some places where we can do fun things that we couldn't do anywhere elnse! THANKS!!!

Brianna: Here's something my sister, myself, and my 15-year old niece really enjoyed. Go to the Vidal Sasson School at 53 Davies Mews, WI and get a fabulous haircut by advanced students for a measly 15 pounds. (In 3/2001) I have never had a more precise or stylish cut anywhere in my life. Plus they serve you tea and give you neck massages.

Hi Brianna,<BR><BR>how about going on a couple of walks? There is a company called London Walks which organises several daily walks around the city. The most popular one's are the Ghost walks and the Jack the Ripper walk. They all last about 2 hours and cost &pound;5 per person. I thoroughly recommend them, the guides are very knowledgable and entertaining. For more info on these try www.walks.com<BR><BR>Other ideas are:<BR><BR>The London Eye.<BR> <BR>Camden Market, one of London's best markets.<BR><BR>take a train or boat trip out to Hampton Court and visit the palace and it's maze/gardens. <BR><BR>Hope you find some of these useful!<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay here in London.<BR><BR>Regards, Andy

Oh, just thought of another!<BR><BR>Frog Tours do a guided tour round central London in an amphibious vehicle which includes a 30 minute "cruise" along the Thames. A guided tour with a difference!!!

Bonnie , what a great idea. We always go to Gray's antique center which is right in front of Vidal Sasson's ...but I didn't know you could get a haircut there. it's on myb list for my next trip!!<BR><BR>Thanks so much

JOdy: If you like the Vidal Sasson idea, you might also like to check out the London College of Fashion at 20 John Princes St, W1 (off Oxford St.) You can make appts. with their students for beauty treatments of all kinds at greatly reduced rates. Just call a few hours in advance Mon-Fri. ph: 020-7514-7400

Brianna<BR><BR>You've had some great ideas already but for original (and unique to London) how about some of the followingBR><BR>1. Rickshaw ride to Brick Lane - stop and have a curry (an English institution)<BR><BR>2. Catch the Docklands Light Rail (or Noddy train as I call it) to Greenwich -stand on the line that separates East and West - there's a great market there too<BR><BR>3. Go to the top of the Monument (a monument to the Great Fire of London) for a great view of London. Find out more about the Great Fire that burnt down most of the old city of London at the Museum of London <BR><BR>4. Visit the shop "Lush" in Covent Garden for fancy soaps/perfumes etc<BR><BR>5. Walk along Carnaby Street birthplace of trendy 60s London. Go to Yo Sushi on Poland Street - japanese food on conveyer belts<BR><BR>6. Go for a backstage tour at the BBC for an insight into a British institution or even better apply to watch a TV show<BR><BR>7. Hire a boat on a lazy summer's day at the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park - you'll never believe you are in the centre of London<BR><BR>8. Go-karting at Londons Docklands<BR><BR>9. Greyhound racing at Walthamstow stadium <BR><BR>10. Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood and for a real taste of old London try a pie and mash shop nearby<BR><BR>11. Do a tour of music sites famous in London - if you like the Beatles there are special walks including the famous pedestrian crossing in Abbey Road<BR><BR>12. Go to a nightclub - if you like 70s and 80s music consider the "House of Fun" night at the Forum in Kentish Town<BR><BR>Whatever I'm sure you'll have a real fun time over here - if you can't think of anything else to do just hop on a red bus and see where you end up!!<BR><BR>Happy travels<BR>Andrew

Pick up the latest issue of TimeOut (hits the newsstands on Thursdays) to see listings of concerts, clubs, theatre, and special events.<BR><BR>Don't miss Camden Market. Not an original destination (you'll find that hundreds of others have discovered it, too) but it's definitely cool.

If the day is hot and you want to cool off, consider visiting all the famous buried in the crypts of St. Paul's Cathedral. That's the church where Charles and Di got married, so cool to see to start with, but the crypts are unbelievable!<BR>

Don't miss the Cabinet War rooms. This is where Churchhill and his advisors planned strategy underground during WW2. A fascinating tour.

Question for Bonnie: Do you have to make an appointment at the Vidal Sasson School or do they just take walk-ins?

Regarding the greyhound races---my husband went when he was working in London and his (native)coworkers were quite alarmed to hear he had gone---they said it was a rough crowd in a rough area. That was a few years ago, so maybe things have changed.

Over greyhound racing I agree that Walthamstow Stadium is not in the best of areas (although safe enough - it's actually near Chingford) but you can now watch it indoors in executive boxes and get decent food. I mentioned it as an original and different thing to do in London<BR><BR>

Hi Jane - We didn't call in advance, but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to check in. I think you should get there right when they open in the mornings. There was a whole group of English ladies already there when we arrived. M-F @ 10:00AM - ph:020/7629-4635