London Next Week
 

We try not to over-plan these trips because we never end up doing half of what we thought we would.

So far for our three days/nights we have one dinner reservation at the Hawksmoor-Seven Dials; two shows: "The Play That Goes Wrong" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (yes, I am happy you were thrilled by "Matilda").

Will probably re-visit the Wallace Collection; am trying to decide between the Turner thing at the Tate vs. the Constable thing at the V+A.

I am going into Selfridge's where I have never been just to see if I can resist buying something (as in shoes) and to marvel at how some "stupid" American showed London how to shop!
The "new" thing will be a trip to Hampton Court and the "old" thing will be trying to find a place to eat either before or after those two shows and probably wishing we had made reservations!

Weather? I can only imagine but I will be bringing the trust down-filled jacket just in case; the umbrella goes without saying.

I just hope my "advanced age" doesn't preclude me from spending any money.

Your "advanced age" should encourage you to spend a bundle ! Who is the cute guy on your profile page ? He looks advanced but not of "advanced age".

That's what we oldsters are, aren't we, slow-walking money dispensers? Certainly not people.

What Bedar said! Please do a TR.

Bedar, thank you for the compliment and I will be sure to tell my husband you asked.

As to a trip report. You know I would like to do one since this trip combines London, Berlin, and Venice under slightly unusual circumstances.

However, it would contain really REALLY "ordinary" information and probably will not contain the word "yummy" at all.

I just hope my "advanced age" doesn't preclude me from spending any money.>

Well first thing in London I head for is the nearest Boots or stuch drug store to nab some codeine-aspirin for my old bones - helps after a day of rugged sightseeing. I enjoy Harrod's a lot - check out the Princess Di (and her bloke companion) Memorial and the central stairwell with a different surprise on every level - Egyptian motif of course.

Yes, Pal, I have seen that "memorial" and more than once. I like Harrods a lot but this trip I will confine my shopping to Selfridge's I think, out of curiosity more than anything.

Right now I'm researching places to eat breakfast near The Savoy besides IN The Savoy.

Have a great trip!

Sanderskn, thanks for that although getting it was not the reason I posted.

Hi DUKEY1,

Lucky you returning to London." Will probably re-visit the Wallace Collection." Excellent idea. Have you been to the COURTAULD GALLERY? Lovely and doable museum with a great collection of Impressionist art.

I am not a shopper. Been to London many times but not to Harrods, but I do enjoy Selfridges. Did you see the tv series about Selfridges? Really good.

In any case, enjoy and please give us a trip report...

Latedaytraveler,

No, I have not been to the Courtauld and was unaware of its existence but will check it out on Google. Thanks for making that suggestion.

I've always enjoyed visiting the Courtauld, and it's very close to the Savoy.

Selfridges is much improved under its relatively new, ethnically Canadian, management after 90 years of indifferent (at best) control by English businesses and a tired spendthrift American publicist decades past his personal sell-by date. Its worldwide competitors voted it "Best department store in the world" in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

To my mind, its most impressive feature - even for grown ups - is the men's jeans department on its first (in English) floor. Called "men's denim" (even Canadian shopkeepers do like to revert to their trade's jargon every now and then), it's one of the few sections in any department store I know of that does what Gordon Selfridge claimed he was doing (and didn't): offer a range of products for practically every possible customer.

So £8 jeans from Selfridges' sister company Primark sit next to £300 jobs from quaint little designers in Los Angeles or overhyped Milan-based "style gurus". It even offers size adjustments allowing grownup bodies to fit into a garment rarely suitable for those over 30.

Selfridge would turn in his grave to see how real retailers have made this once tired relic a store customers want to visit.

Selfridges also has wonderful windows - very innovative. There's usually something new every time you visit. You can walk to the Wallace collection from there, and take in Marylebone High Street as well.

We tried Hawksmoor - Air Street branch - last week. I liked the food, nice beetroot salad. Steaks were great too, but as usual in these places, far too big.

Breakfast near the Savoy? The Delauney.

Oh and do go see the poppies at the Tower. It's impressive.
In the morning around 9 am it's quiet enough to take pictures.

I love Selfridges and could spend days in there. Good luck in the shoe dept Dukey..last summer in the women's shoe dept I did NOT resist.

Dukey1, I for one always tend to schedule the shopping for the last day before departing. It's easier to figure out how much money you've got left and how much of it you're willing to spend. Not that I'm implying you won't be able to resist the temptation :-)
Hope you have a great time!!



Tulips, are the poppies still there? Do you have any idea for how long they're staying?

On the British Legion website it says they are there until the 11th November.
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/reme...es-in-the-moat

Once again, thoughtful recommendations which I appreciate. And I made a reservation for breakfast at the Delaunay for Thursday morning, too. Thanks, in particular for that rec.

We want this to be a relaxed three days and, fortunately, don't feel very compelled to do this or that. We also don't want that to morph into such laziness that prevents trying a few new things.

The poppies in the moat sound interesting, too.

Dukey - you might also enjoy Liberty's at the top of Regent street [a short bus ride from Selfridges] - which has a beautiful building as well as some gorgeous things to look at if not to buy.

and if design is your thing, Heal's opposite Goodge Street station on Tottenham Court Road is worth a visit.

Have a drink at The Ham Yard Hotel, the newest Firmdale hotel. Was there a couple of weeks ago and it is stunning.

Re the Ham Yard. Weekender, we looked at that possibility for our trip over in 2015 and for whatever reasons (location I suspect as much as anything) we decided to try the Haymarket instead.

In the past we have consistently stayed in the Covent Garden and despite my somewhat awkward discussion with the Front Desk manager about how dynamic currency conversion is NOT "the only way we can do this charge" we have continued to stay there.

But your suggestion is welcome and we probably should check the place out as we might just change our minds so I appreciate that input.

Annhig, thank you for suggesting Liberty as I don't believe I have ever set foot in there, either. In the past when I was in any sort of shopping mode I usually did it all along Jermyn Street, in Fortnum's (a place I love to go just to be IN there) and that sort of thing. I'm really not much of a shopper but it is always nice to see how merchandise is marketed elsewhere. Your recommendations are, as always, thoughtful and appreciated I can assure you despite my periodic cantankerous moods.

Dukey, cantankerous or not, if you like Fortnums, you'll love Liberty's.

You might even be tempted to buy something! [I always was].

At Liberty (was just there about 2 weeks ago) there is some amazing antique furniture upstairs including some Mackintosh pieces.

One wall unit (Liberty's own brand) was absolutely astonishing -- as good as anything at the V&A and I've not seen anything quite like it. At £18.000 it was just outside my travel budget (but seemed totally reasonably priced for what it was). My goodness it was gorgeous.

Plus the bldg itself is just so interesting -- I try to stop in most every London visit.

jj - they have some lovely things in there, but as you say, some may be just outside the budget [lol].

Usually I bought scarves, which I still have, though I did treat myself to a necklace once. they have some beautiful and unique pieces a bit like your wall unit, though a bit! cheaper.

Liberty's is marvellous - and so completely different to the other departmental stores. It is worth just going to look evven if you don't buy anything. Their fabric designs are superb.

All these additional comments are informative.

Liberty is quintessentially British. Selfridges is a more homeongenous and international (though still very good) department store. I would definitely check out the former over the latter. Great for own-branded stationary and small leather goods like wallets and diaries. They always have something quirky like mismatched teasets of antique china, old nutcrackers, toasting forks, some decent mid century furniture and a very good perfumery.

They are also famous for their Christmas department. Its upstairs now but I actually liked it better a few years back when it used to be the basement. One of the staff told me they got sent down there to work if they were naughty as it was always hellishly busy with dreadful crimbo muzac on a loop. Have some fab things like crackers with Liberty theming (peacock feathers etc) and great ornaments.

Is this becoming a shopping thread???? If it is, that's OK.

like life, it is what you make it, Dukey.

I was once propositioned in the basement of Liberty's.

"I was once propositioned in the basement of Liberty's."

That was you?

Well, somebody did describe the place as "quintessentially British."

Dukey, the "gentleman" who propositioned me was not, I think, British.

Let's get back on track here: Cocktails

Dean Street Townhouse is also worth a try.

Cocktails? Where did that come from? But, OK, and thanks for the suggestion although I suppose I should ask if those cocktails are artisanal or something else fabulous?

If you're into traditional for breakfast try Simpson's, just down the Strand from the Savoy...very good English breakfast in a beautiful historic dining room.

Love Jermyn St for shopping...and Liberty's also great. Try the Connaught also for drinks in a nice hotel bar, and the area around there is fun for walking.

Olivetti on Elizabeth Street is good for a casual Italian dinner and there is a very private bar upstairs that not a lot of people know about....Elizabeth Street has good shops also, and the Cubbit is good for food and drinks also

Have fun...wishing I was headed to London again!

Sorry...that bar is Joe's Bar above Olivocarne...one of his other resto's...but still on Elizabeth Street...oliveto and olivo are also on Elizabeth St and both are good too!