Linda Allen

I have been reading the posts on this site and am very impressed by all the quality advice being shared. I have a couple of questions for my upcoming London trip that someone may be able to help me with.<BR><BR>1. Has anyone stayed at the Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt hotel? Comments? How are the bathrooms? I can't function without my own bathtub!<BR><BR>2. We are going from 4/3/2003 to 4/11/2003, what is the weather generally like? Will any of the flowers be coming out yet? I have my umbrella ready, too.<BR><BR>3. I have been doing research for months, but I still can decide between visiting Windsor or Warwick castle. I love anything authentic and historic, which is best?<BR><BR>4. Has anyone been to Rules restaurant? We want to take in &quot;traditional British&quot; cooking and this was recommended. Any thoughts?<BR><BR>5. We are staying at the Radisson Vanderbilt, which is close to the Gloucester tube stop. Any recommendations for local restaurants in the South Kensington area? Is Maggie Jones' still open? I noticed it was not in the latest guidebook, but was listed in my 1999 edition.<BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can give.

Lynn

Linda - I can help you on a couple of your questions.<BR><BR>1. I had dinner at Maggie Jones in December, 2003 and enjoyed it very much. Be sure and call for reservations - it is a small place and it fills up. <BR><BR>2. I haven't been to Warwick Castle, but have been to Windsor and loved it. In fact, this was my fourth trip to London and I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before. There are so many things to see, however, that I'll just have to keep going again and again. If you do go to Windsor, allow plenty of time to see the town, in addition to the castle.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time in London. I haven't been in April, so can't comment on the weather - but taking your umbrella is a good idea, I'm sure!

JC

<BR>2.As everyone will tell you,the weather could be quite unpredictable,with layers clothes and raingears,you shall be all right.<BR><BR>In early April, there shall be some late daffodils and hyacinthes left, tulips and primroses will start to bloom. If it didn't turn too warm in March,the cherry blossoms in Regent's Park will be worth a detour. In Kew Gardens,camellias will be about gone,but azaleas and rhododendrons shall be flowering. But,not matter where,there will be soft green gresses in all parks and gardens.

kitty

I would recommend seeing Windsor for your first visit. I've seen both and liked them but the majesty of Windsor is awe-inspiring. Plus you get to see the church in Windsor which is beautiful and full of history. It is a much shorter trip than going to Warwick. <BR><BR>I also recommend Hampton Court for a royal residence close to London but is rich in historical detail. It is much more rustic so you get to see a different kind of royal residence from Windsor. <BR>

daneille

Hi Linda, just in response to your question Warwick vs Windsor Castle I haven't been to Warwick but Windsor is amazing and very beautiful. Queen Mary's Dolls House is a must see and apart from the town of Windsor you can also walk down to the village of ETON which is also lovely and the Castle is an amazing backdrop on this town.

janis

You've gotten good answers so far.<BR><BR>Warwick is truly unique and world class. I have been there many times and am frequently taking new visitors there. They all love it.<BR><BR>I am giving this background just to explain I have no bias against Warwick (I LOVE IT). But for a first trip and with all the things you would have to give up seeing in London to have an entire day/evening for Warwick, I usually recommend a 1/2 day+ trip to EITHER Windsor or Hampton Court Palace. Forget Warwick on this first trip - you can look forward to it next time. The logistics for HCP or Windsor are easier and both are so close to London that you could do them justice and still see something in London in the late afternoon and a play that night.<BR>

Linda Allen

Thanks for all the great information!

Steve

Have been to Warwick and Windsor and liked them both very much. I do think that Warwick is more interesting as they have do a good job recreating life back in the middle ages and also have other neat features such as dungeons, medievel kitchens, etc. However, I agree with the above posters - if are staying in London, Windsor is much more convenient. If time was an issue I would recommend Hampton Court over either Windsor or Warwick.<BR>Have been twice to Rules - it is a very nice old traditional British restaurant.<BR>We found the prices reasonably back in the early 90's but have heard it is much more expensive now. There are some good restaurants near Gloucester Road tube station. We were there last month and ate twice at both Black &amp; Blue and La Sala Romana. They are both on Gloucester Road across street from tube. Excellent food and reasonable prices.

amanda

I ate at Rules 2 years ago - we got the pre-theatre specials - a bit more reasonable. Very nice and good food - I enjoyed it. Made reservations at their website.<BR><BR><BR>

Marlo

Haven't been to Windsor but was not<BR>impressed with Warwick. Highly recommend<BR>Hampton Court.

Ben Haines

<BR>I am afraid I do not know about hotels in London.<BR><BR>For weather, you can use http://www.worldclimate.com/, then enter first your own city, and then London. Average temperature in London in April is 9.8 Centigrade or 49.6 Fahrenheit. Average rainfall is 1.7 inches, and the poets write of April showers. Chaucer says &quot;? April with her showers sweet, the drought of March hath pierced to the root?&quot; and promises you spring growth, &quot;When Zephirus with his sweet breath Inspired has in every copse and heath The tender crops&quot;<BR>Whan that Aprille, with hise shoures soote,<BR>The droghte of March hath perced to the roote<BR>And bathed every veyne in swich licour,<BR>Of which vertu engendred is the flour;<BR>Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth<BR>Inspired hath in every holt and heeth<BR>The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne<BR>Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,<BR>And smale foweles maken melodye,<BR>That slepen al the nyght with open eye-<BR>So priketh hem Nature in hir corages-<BR>Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages.<BR><BR>So take his advice, and your brolly, and look out for primroses, pansies, harebells, and other early blossom. You will not see another harbinger of spring as you walk, because we grow our rhubarb in our back gardens, not our front.<BR><BR>Windsor is real: the Queen and her consort live there for some seasons, and the Knights of St George use their glorious chapel. A mile's walk takes you to the intriguing village and college of Eton. Warwick has become pretty bogus since Mme Tussaud's took it over, with waxwork figures and easy explanations for children. But our most authentic castle near London is Dover, used in defence of the realm from the Romans to the end of the Cold War. It is 100 minutes by train from Charing Cross or Victoria: the Victoria Line has the better views on the way (In this case, if I dare contradict Lady Bracknell, The line, sir, is material).<BR><BR>I am afraid I have not been to Rules, but I have it in mind, because as Amanda says they offer a pre-theatre full meal at some unlikely hour such as 5.30, for about &pound;25. For other traditional British cooking at reasonable cost I eat in pubs, and to the e-mail copy of this message I am attaching a note on pub meals I like. I have just phoned Maggie Jones: they are open, well, and full this evening.<BR><BR>A detail: to me, Gloucester has a railway station, while Gloucester Road has a tube station. In this matter British and American usage differ.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to England<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR><BR><BR>

xx

Enjoy the last post very much.

ukfiona

I definitely wouldn't spend the extra time to get up to Warwick - Windsor is much quicker to get to, and great not only for the Castle, but has plenty more to keep you amused for the day. It is very compact and pleasant to walk around. Consider eating at Bel &amp; the Dragon (just by the bridge across to Eton) or Brown's.

ben_haines_london

A month ago I hired a bicycle, at ten euros a day. Convenient.<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

ben_haines_london

A gremlin is in the works. In Paris I hired a bicycle: in London I own one.<BR><BR>Ben Haines

Scarlett

<BR>Bravo! Mr Haines

rhkkmk

i've got to put my two cents in...its WINDSOR...by far the best in every way..remeber its where the queen is almost every week end so its not all that bad and beautiful after the fire renovations...<BR><BR>warwick is ok but nothing special..i find the theatrics a bit much however...<BR>each castle is interesting in its own way but windsor, the town and the park with its many royal associations is simply the best...hampton is a second choice..<BR><BR>restaurants: we like Sea Shells on Lisom Grove, north of marble arch as i remember...take a cab...the best fish anyplace...not fancy and moderate in price...<BR>italien is good and cheap in london as are indian restaurants....food is generally very expensive in london and medium in quality unless you are talking hug bucks, or make that pounds...<BR>don't expect a lot from english hotels again except the clairidges of this world...generally the rooms are small and not fabulous and bathrooms are basic, usually with a tub however...

Kaneohe

Hi Linda,<BR>I'm going to piggy-back a couple of related questions onto your post...<BR><BR>Are tours of Windsor Castle offered year-round?<BR>How long does the tour last?<BR>How much does the tour cost?<BR><BR>Mahalo and cheers,<BR>Kaneohe

Patrick

One thing to watch, always make sure you check a few days ahead to be sure that Windsor Castle is open. A couple of years ago we made the trip out to discover it closed for some special event. I don't think that happens a lot, but it does happen.

Patrick

Sorry, I forgot to answer your other questions, Kaneohe. I'm not totally sure if they close part of the year.<BR>The best way to do the tour is renting an audio tour. Our admission price to Windsor was 10.50 pounds and the audio tour was an additional 2.95. We spent about an hour or a little more inside the castle, plus watched part of the changing of the guard (I really find those things boring, sorry) and visited the chapel. I suppose we were inside the grounds a total of about 2 hours or a little more. We got the cheap rail tickets out by going just after 9:30, did the castle in the morning, had lunch in Eton and spent a little of the afternoon walking around, but were back in London by about 3:00