London-Stay? DO? GO?
 

I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to London area for 7 days(most likely in the fall) It will be just me so slightly roughing it is not a problem. Tourist things are OK but I like to explore off the beaten track. What should I do? Where can I stay cheaply? What should I see? Should I go somewhere else in Europe for a day or two (Where, how?) Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Go to the Mall, Harrods and if you have the time go to Paris via the Chunnel. Does anyone know how much it cost? Never done it.

Go to Paris and take the Euro tunnel

We go to London a lot. Never tire of the city. Depending on what you fancy, I would suggest that you stay somewhere in Soho (see map) and you can walk to almost anywhere, get a traveler's pass on the tube, and run around all the museums, can get late day tickets near Picadilly Circus (where the entire world mill about during the evening), see some plays (we say "Chicago" in January - it was great! go to Tiddydolls for an authentic english meal, go to the pubs, to Harrods, the Wax museum, and the British Museum harbors most of the Parthenon, not to be missed I think. Many ethnic restaurants and cheep hotels in Soho, not fancy but clean. Go see the crown jewels, the Churchill underground museum, go to Evensong at Westminister Cathedral, take the tube to Hyde park and listen to them quarrel, see the queen, go to Tralfagar Square to feed the pidgeons, etc. etc. Brits are friendly, if a bit reserved at first, and they know how to "que" or wait your turn. Go to Saint Pauls, then to St Martins in the Field for a concert, see a street fair, changing of the guard. Take an umbrella.
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Malcolm: .....London is a great city on your own or with company. I just got back last week and stayed at a small hotel near Paddington station (just around the corner actually, very handy) - The hotel name is Albatross and it's on Talbot Square , just off of Sussex Gardens. Grand , it was not , but clean and quiet ,,,tv in the room , as well as a shower and a sink (toilet was down the hall, but it was fine) ...Anyway , the price was 35 pounds ,,,(!!) ,including breakfast and VAT ,,,,,it's a steal . The staff were very friendly and I'd stay there again in a minute . Phone (71) 706-8300 . Address:13 Talbot Square, Sussex Gardens .....As for suggestions ,,,,The Royal Academy of Arts (Piccadilly - kitty corner from Fortnum and Mason) has a beautiful restaurant , murals on the walls,,,great people watching and the food is very nice. I also love to go to Fortnum and Mason and sit at the counter at the Fountain restaurant and watch things from "behind the scenes " ,,,,the ice cream there is delicious . You can't go wrong walking through the parks,,,,,Hyde and then into Kensington Gardens,,,,great place to sit and read and watch the world go by . Enjoy your trip!