Last Minute trip to London
 

HI: <BR> <BR>We are going to London the end of this Month and I am looking for suggestions on cheap eats, good restaurants and day trips. My husband wants to visit St. Andrews in Scottland, what do you think? Any help is appreciated.

Well, I guess it depends how long you're going for and how much you want to spend....Having been to London numerous times, I've gotta say - the sights, the theatre, and the shopping is memorable - but I can't really say that for the food....I've stayed at a nice little B & B called the Kensington right around the corner from Harrods' - highly recommended.....free breakfast, big room (rarity in London)- the hotel was tiny but better than ANY of the biggies I've stayed at in London....Just because the lobby is beautiful in London - says NOTHING for the room.....If money isn't an issue, stay at the Grovenor........TOTALLY wonderful - AWESOME pool.....

How long have you got here? If you only have a week, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied. If you still want to go to St Andrews, then think about booking ahead for rail or plane tickets. You could fly to E'burgh with one of the budget airlines like easyJet or go or Ryanair or British Midland, or sometimes B A has good fares. Trains can be cheap. At the moment, there are deals to be had for just £30 return from London-E'burgh-London. I am not sure if the Aberdeen train stops at St Andrews. <BR>Visit www.thetrainlinke.co.uk or www.gner.co.uk (G N E R is the train operator on that route) for fares and info. London Kings Cross is the starting station. I think www.gner.co.uk will get you the ultra-cheap deals. I M O, rail travel, taking about 4-4.5 hours is longer than plane travel, but at least it is on the ground and also city centre to city centre.

Kim - you've been eating in the wrong places - <BR> <BR>there are plenty of oppurtunities to eat as well in London as anywhere else in Europe - <BR> <BR>but if you stick to the tourist steak n'kidney pie type places then sure you'll probably get rubbish <BR> <BR>remember for an individual establishment tourists are here today gone tommorrow - look for the places where the locals eat. <BR>

Best fish -n- chips place is Geale's in Kensington. Definitely check it out. Fresh fish and great chips.

My favorite "cheaper" places which are still very "in" are the Belgo Belgian places --especially Belgo Central real close to Covent Garden tube station, and the Wagamama shops, super contemporary Japanese noodle shops --there are several. The other really good deals are some of the top restaurants near the theatre district for pre-theatre specials. Great old restaurant Rules is super pricey, but pre theatre you choose any appetizer, any main course, and any dessert for a fixed price -- I think about $30.00 now, but ordered off the menu would be about double that -- and at Rules they don't restrict you to a special menu --you choose from the whole thing. It's wonderful dining in spectacular setting for a reasonable price. <BR>Going to St. Andrews in February?? Pack your arctic clothes. We nearly froze there in June one year. And the trip would take two full days of travel coming and going, how much time do you have??

Hi-- <BR>Day trip ideas, 1. Greenwich, take the tube and Light Rail(covered in zone 1 and 2 pass)spend the day and take the boat back to Big Ben. With the Dome now open, I'd do that in the am, then see the Observatory, Cutty Sark or Maritine Museum. 2. Warrick Castle, London Walks and other companies offer an all day tour but it's just as easy to do on your own using the Train. 3. Bath, easy day trip using the Train, Great Roman Baths, Georgian City, and Sally Lunn's Buns! Happy Trails!

Fodors <BR> <BR>I have a note on disk about cheap meals in Lndon which may be if use, and I am copying it to you now. <BR> <BR>To visit St Andrews without loss of time on travelling you can prebook an Apex return sleeper ticket at 99 pounds a person from London Euston to Edinburgh, sleep through until 0755 on the train, leave on a buffet car train at 0810, and reach Leuchars at 0912. There you find a bus waiting to take you in half an hour to St Andrews. The phone number for credit card booking is ++44 8457 55 00 33. You need to book now, as Apex places get bought out fairly early. <BR> <BR>Day trips are many. Victoria station for Rochester, Canterbury and Dover, Kings Cross for Cambridge, Maryleborne for Stratford, Paddington for Oxford or Bath, Waterloo for Hampton Court, Windsor, or Salisbury with a bus to Stonehenge. Times and fares are on http://thetrainline.com. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Britain. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thank you all for the wonderful information. I appreciate it since this was a spur of the moment trip and I couldn't plan it out like I usually do.

We're off to LOndon in mid-March too! <BR>My question is whether there is a reservation website for the "millenium eye"? [the big ferris wheel" I just read it's sold out for this month, and I sure would like a ride next month!

s fowler: <BR> <BR>Here is a web site for more information: <BR>http://www.british-airways.com/londoneye/ <BR> <BR>It opens to the public in March. And the number to make reservations is 0870 500 0600. <BR> <BR>I just figured we would be able to walk up and take a ride next week, Guess not. Oh well. I hope you have a wonderful trip. <BR> <BR>