London sites not to be missed

Old Jan 23rd, 2000, 02:43 PM
  #21  
Edson
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Some good memories from London: Westminster Abbey, evensong at St Paul's Cathedral, watching "The Mousetrap" at St. Martin's Theatre, St. Martin-in-the-Fields crypt (nice restaurant), National Gallery (the audio guide is a must), the Tower of London, the Museum of London (everything about London's history) and the most beautiful park of all: Regent's Park, especially Queen Mary's Garden (roses of every color you can imagine). If you think of a day-out, try Hampton Court, Bath or Canterbury. Have fun !
 
Old Jan 25th, 2000, 07:06 AM
  #22  
S.C. DIXON
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Want something really unique? I just posted this advice to someone else but check out HIGHGATE CEMETERY (Archway tubestop, I think). This is the burial ground for very rich and very eccentric Victorians and it is a marvel. It is HUGE, with something like a quarter of a million tombs, graves and crypts. There are two sides, the newer east side (Karl Marx, among other luminaries is buried here) and the older, vastly more interesting west side. The operation is run by volenteers, THE FRIENDS OF HIGHGATE, so the hours and tours are erratic. Look in a good guide book (EYEWITNESS/LONDON)and try to locate a phone #.

Monuments range from a life-sized, carved mastiff to a full size, marble piano. Many are handcrafted by the finest artists of their day from all over the globe. There is even a sunken row of Egyptian style crypts. It's not something that everyone has seen and you won't be disappointed. Winter hours are limited to only the weekend, I think.The vegetation alone is something worth seeing.

On a different note, don't forget the flea market on Portabello Road every Saturday afternoon. This is the area of the recent romanic Julia Roberts/Hugh Grant film, NOTTING HILL.I believe that Notting Hill is the tube stop you'll be wanting, as well.
 
Old Jan 26th, 2000, 04:34 AM
  #23  
carolyn
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I enjoyed a tour of The Globe theater and the Dickens House, as well as tea at Maids of Honour across from Kew Gardens. It is supposed to have been there since Henry VIII. We also saw Blood Brothers which is an excellent play and a commentary on the class system.
 
Old Jan 26th, 2000, 03:56 PM
  #24  
Linda
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How about afternoon tea? I had never tasted clotted cream before going to London, and being a dairy lover, that experience alone was worth the price of the plane ticket!

Also, if you're a budget traveler like me, afternoon tea may be the only time you will see the inside of the finer London hotels. I went to the Lanesborough, since their dress code is not as strict - they recommend business casual - while the Ritz or Claridge's require a jacket and tie(my boyfriend refuses to wear a jacket).

The service was great, and the whole experience was dainty and fun. Also, it's a great way to wind down after a busy day of shopping or sightseeing.
 
Old Jan 26th, 2000, 07:03 PM
  #25  
Alex
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I'm planning my second trip (of hopefully many more) to London and I'm taking my dad who's never been. I saw quite a bit on my first trip, but there are things I definitely want to see again. Among them: Sir John Soane's House, The British Museum, Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, and a stroll through the South Bank section. The Globe was a nice surprise and it made me love Shakespeare even more. DO GO TO THE THEATRE! London is better than New York when it comes to prices. Just go to the box office and often you can get great seats at around $20-$25 a person. But most of all, walk around, read Hello! magazine over a cup of tea at Pret a Manger and enjoy. London is one of my favorite places in the whole world.
 
Old Jan 27th, 2000, 05:59 AM
  #26  
Debbie
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Pvo-I would add(if time permits) doing a brassrubbing at Westminster Abbey,spending Sunday afternoon in St. James Park(next to Buckingham Palace) renting a lawn chair to people watch and read The Times,going to the London Transport Museum(Convent Garden tube stop,going up and walking through the Tower Bridge after seeing the Tower of London. One of my favorite day trips out of London is Warwick Castle(beautiful grounds,kept up really well and lots of interesting things to see(its near Straford-which is way too touristy). There is a great book out that is called something like "22 day trips out of London". It gives train/bus routes,time allotments,etc. Really informative.I loaned my copy out otherwise I would give you the author,etc.Enjoy London-one of my favorites! Debbie
 
Old Jan 27th, 2000, 05:59 AM
  #27  
pc
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Alex - Pret A Manger was my absolute FAVORITE place to go every morning before we took off to tour London - it's so funny that you mentioned it! My usual was a Cafe Mocha and one of those incredibly delicious pretzels....heavenly!
 
Old Jan 27th, 2000, 12:34 PM
  #28  
Alex
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Pret a Manger rocks!!! It's the best place to get a cheap lunch in London. My boyfriend and I lived off of Tomato and Brie sandwiches with Salt and Vinegar Crisps.
 
Old Jan 27th, 2000, 06:08 PM
  #29  
julie
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Well, you simply can't see London in a week, but it depends on your tastes..we always love to go to Westminster for "evensong" which is most every evening, and be sure to go to St. Martin in the Fields, for a wonderful concert most every evening, go to Covent garden, to see the sights, etc.
 
Old Jan 28th, 2000, 05:59 AM
  #30  
Lanny Morry
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While you are St. Paul's climbing to the top of the tower as some have recommended, also go down the other way too. For those who are fascinated with history and the greats of the past The Crypts at St. Pauls are awesome -- far superior to Westminster. You have everyone there from Christopher Wren to The Iron Duke to artists and poets, great politicans etc. It is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day or for that matter a very hot one as the crypts are pleasantly cool on a hot London day!

 
Old Jan 28th, 2000, 10:06 AM
  #31  
rand
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OK where is this Pret a Manger? Is it a new chain? A tomato and brie sandwich sounds so much more appealing than beans on chips.
 
Old Jan 30th, 2000, 03:40 PM
  #32  
Alex
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Pret a Manger is a sandwich chain and there are tons of them all over Central London.
 

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