London with 2 teenage girls ...Cheap eats and trendy shopping suggestions?
Aug 16th, 2004, 12:56 PM
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London with 2 teenage girls ...Cheap eats and trendy shopping suggestions?
I am leaving for london on Saturday with my 15 and 17 year old daughters. They LOVE to shop and want the latest fashions which they will be tired of in about 6 months. They are very fussy eaters and while I will assume I could eat McDonalds everyday ... any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are staying in Sloane Square. We have no set itinerary but plan on a day trip to Lacock Abbey in western England (they are big Harry Potter fans). Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.
Aug 16th, 2004, 01:27 PM
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Mellie, here's a fairly recent thread titled
London sights with best teen interest
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34477411
It has some info on shopping and eating too. Top Shop and H & M are clothing stores exactly as you describe. Kings Road and Camden Market are also good ideas. For eating, if they like thin crust pizza and/or salads I can recommend Pizza Express and ASK, 2 Italian chains that have quite decent food. The Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants are excellent there too.
If you do a google search for Harry Potter AND london you should find some websites with HP tours and/or locations to visist on your own if interested.
London sights with best teen interest
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34477411
It has some info on shopping and eating too. Top Shop and H & M are clothing stores exactly as you describe. Kings Road and Camden Market are also good ideas. For eating, if they like thin crust pizza and/or salads I can recommend Pizza Express and ASK, 2 Italian chains that have quite decent food. The Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants are excellent there too.
If you do a google search for Harry Potter AND london you should find some websites with HP tours and/or locations to visist on your own if interested.
Aug 16th, 2004, 01:35 PM
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Message: I am leaving for london on Saturday with my 15 and 17 year old daughters. They LOVE to shop and want the latest fashions which they will be tired of in about 6 months. They are very fussy eaters and while I will assume I could eat McDonalds everyday ... any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are staying in Sloane Square. We have no set itinerary but plan on a day trip to Lacock Abbey in western England (they are big Harry Potter fans). Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.
At a newsagents shop in your arrival airport you should buy not only the events magazine Time out but also the little spiral-bound A to Z street atlas and guide for central London, about 4 pounds 25 pence, as the following notes get into back streets.
Shopping for fashion was discussed on this forum early this month. If I look for high fashion, I get these
Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park or Royal Oak tube stations
Paul Smith - beautiful store in Westbourne Grove area
Ray Harris. Designer clothes. Tue-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm 73 Westbourne Park Road W2 (020-7221 8052). Bags, for example, cost from around 85.
Heidi Klein, Westbourne Grove; a one-stop shop for anything you need on holiday, from bikini to fake tan.
Sloane Square
Peter Jones, SW1. Upmarket department store for bright young things.
Conran store for great designs in furniture and household articles. 81 Fulham Road.
Knightsbrisge: Harrods (rich and solid ladies) and Harvey Nichols (younger set)
Now some good pub meals near your hotel
The Anglesea Arms, 15 Sellwood Terrace, Chelsea, SW7. Phone 7373 7960. South Kensington tube. Thai lunches Tuesday and Wednesday, English lunches other five days and English suppers daily. Children welcome throughout. Good for visits to South Kensington Museums -- though in fact there are plenty of fairly cheap ethnic restaurants beside and opposite South Kensington station.
The Coopers Arms, 87 Flood Street, Chelsea, SW3. Phone 7376 3120. Full lunches and suppers daily. From October there will be full suppers too. Children welcome to full meals, but not sat at bar snacks. Tube to Sloane Square and bus along the Kings Road. Good for visits to the National Amy Museum.
The Nags Head, 53 Kinnerton Street, and the Wilton Arms, 71 Kinnerton Street. Both of these Belgravia pubs have evening meals. Knightsbridge tube station. Children are welcome in summer only outdoors at a street table.
You could ask your hotel to phone Parliament to learn whether Westminster Hall is open to the public, and if so when. It is part of Parliament, and the great gothic hammer-beam roof is among England?s best, perhaps among Europe s best. Not Laycock Abbey, of course, but full of history, of glory, and of importance in the growth of liberty.
Would they please write to me or to us if I can help further ? For example, has either a hobby, taste or interest that they might follow up in London. You are all welcome to London.
[email protected]
At a newsagents shop in your arrival airport you should buy not only the events magazine Time out but also the little spiral-bound A to Z street atlas and guide for central London, about 4 pounds 25 pence, as the following notes get into back streets.
Shopping for fashion was discussed on this forum early this month. If I look for high fashion, I get these
Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park or Royal Oak tube stations
Paul Smith - beautiful store in Westbourne Grove area
Ray Harris. Designer clothes. Tue-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm 73 Westbourne Park Road W2 (020-7221 8052). Bags, for example, cost from around 85.
Heidi Klein, Westbourne Grove; a one-stop shop for anything you need on holiday, from bikini to fake tan.
Sloane Square
Peter Jones, SW1. Upmarket department store for bright young things.
Conran store for great designs in furniture and household articles. 81 Fulham Road.
Knightsbrisge: Harrods (rich and solid ladies) and Harvey Nichols (younger set)
Now some good pub meals near your hotel
The Anglesea Arms, 15 Sellwood Terrace, Chelsea, SW7. Phone 7373 7960. South Kensington tube. Thai lunches Tuesday and Wednesday, English lunches other five days and English suppers daily. Children welcome throughout. Good for visits to South Kensington Museums -- though in fact there are plenty of fairly cheap ethnic restaurants beside and opposite South Kensington station.
The Coopers Arms, 87 Flood Street, Chelsea, SW3. Phone 7376 3120. Full lunches and suppers daily. From October there will be full suppers too. Children welcome to full meals, but not sat at bar snacks. Tube to Sloane Square and bus along the Kings Road. Good for visits to the National Amy Museum.
The Nags Head, 53 Kinnerton Street, and the Wilton Arms, 71 Kinnerton Street. Both of these Belgravia pubs have evening meals. Knightsbridge tube station. Children are welcome in summer only outdoors at a street table.
You could ask your hotel to phone Parliament to learn whether Westminster Hall is open to the public, and if so when. It is part of Parliament, and the great gothic hammer-beam roof is among England?s best, perhaps among Europe s best. Not Laycock Abbey, of course, but full of history, of glory, and of importance in the growth of liberty.
Would they please write to me or to us if I can help further ? For example, has either a hobby, taste or interest that they might follow up in London. You are all welcome to London.
[email protected]
Aug 16th, 2004, 04:31 PM
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Thank you! Thank you! to all who replied. I did see the thread on shopping in London, but the stores mentioned seemed a little high end. My girls have been known to wear an item one time, so they know I won't spend a lot on their clothes.
Aug 16th, 2004, 06:01 PM
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Mellie, would they like to shop for music? I prefer the HMV store on Oxford Street. There are two, actually, and I like the one near the Bond Street tube stop. There's also a Virgin store at Tottenham Court Road. Marks and Spencer has a nice line of house brand shower gels and lotions. If they prefer American-style food, the Garfunkle's chain will probably suit them. I 'd agree with Pizza Express and any of the pasta places.
Aug 16th, 2004, 06:19 PM
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Even the "low end" shopping is pretty pricey in London, especially taking exchange rates into consideration, so be prepared for some sticker shock.
As mentioned, markets would have some bargains, as well as H&M (although there are outlets in the US); your girls will be sure to like TopShop - it's THE trendy spot - visit the huge flagship store on Oxford Street. Don't miss Accessorize (actually, you can't miss it - they're on every street it seems!). Lush for fun bath stuff. And if they like toiletries and drugstore makeup, Boots is great, especially the bigger ones like on Kensington High Street. All these are about as reasonable price-wise as you can get in that very expensive city.
I leave on Friday - we may end up at some of the same shops! You will have so much fun - that's a great age to be going to London.
As mentioned, markets would have some bargains, as well as H&M (although there are outlets in the US); your girls will be sure to like TopShop - it's THE trendy spot - visit the huge flagship store on Oxford Street. Don't miss Accessorize (actually, you can't miss it - they're on every street it seems!). Lush for fun bath stuff. And if they like toiletries and drugstore makeup, Boots is great, especially the bigger ones like on Kensington High Street. All these are about as reasonable price-wise as you can get in that very expensive city.
I leave on Friday - we may end up at some of the same shops! You will have so much fun - that's a great age to be going to London.
Aug 16th, 2004, 06:47 PM
#10
Another vote for TopShop on Oxford Street. Actually, just have them walk down Oxford Street between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road; there's a ton of cheap clothing shops. As much as I used to like Carnaby Street, it's now overpriced and dreary 
.
Food: Pizza Express.
. Food: Pizza Express.
Aug 17th, 2004, 05:02 AM
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Well, you're in the right spot for shopping. Sloane Square is at the start of the King's Road - a whole street of fashion stores used by trendy types. It's not designer stuff, but not bargian basement either, but your kids will love the "vibe". Many a super model has been talent spotted walking up and down, so if your kids are tall and gorgeous they'll love the posing.
TopShop is THE bargain/latest fashion store - the one on Oxford Street (next to Nike Town, Oxford Circus) is apparently the largest single brand fashion store in the world, and has it's own resident DJ, nail bar, you name it. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Posh Spice have all professed their love for TopShop. It specialises in throwaway fashion for hungry teenagers - the latest styles straight off the catwalks but generally poor quality - but who cares, you're only going to wear it for 3 months anyway.
Camden market at the weekends is FULL of teenagers and students - your kids will love it, you'll probably hate it.
TopShop is THE bargain/latest fashion store - the one on Oxford Street (next to Nike Town, Oxford Circus) is apparently the largest single brand fashion store in the world, and has it's own resident DJ, nail bar, you name it. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Posh Spice have all professed their love for TopShop. It specialises in throwaway fashion for hungry teenagers - the latest styles straight off the catwalks but generally poor quality - but who cares, you're only going to wear it for 3 months anyway.
Camden market at the weekends is FULL of teenagers and students - your kids will love it, you'll probably hate it.
Aug 17th, 2004, 05:07 AM
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Forgot to add, while you're visiting TopShop on Oxford Street, make sure you also swing by Zara, Mango and H&M - all good cheap trendy stuff. My teenage relatives love all these stores.
They'll also like Notting Hill (Portobello Road) the clothes shops, not the antique market.
Also Neal Street in Covent Garden for surfer fashions/trainers/sunglasses etc. (think Aussie beach gear).
Knightsbridge and Bond Street are for oldies with cash, so not their thing at all.
They'll also like Notting Hill (Portobello Road) the clothes shops, not the antique market.
Also Neal Street in Covent Garden for surfer fashions/trainers/sunglasses etc. (think Aussie beach gear).
Knightsbridge and Bond Street are for oldies with cash, so not their thing at all.
Aug 17th, 2004, 10:55 AM
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Dind't read through all the responses so forgive me if I repeat.
We just returned from London and didn't want to drop too much cash on food, here's what I liked
Wagamama-popular chain of noodle shops with communal tables throughout London, entree cost was about L7 per person
www.wagamama.com
West Cornwall Pasty Co.-another chain with takeaway pasties-pastry filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, etc., about L2-3 each
http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/
Pizza Express-chain of pizza places serving wood oven pizzas, about L8 per person http://www.pizzaexpress.co.uk/indexf.htm
You can also find cheap takeaway for fish and chips, kebabs (kind of like gyros), sandwiches. A friend of mine suggested Benjy's but we never did try it.
As to what teenage girls might enjoy, I'd suggest going to the Camden Market for shopping, here's a good website
http://www.camdenlock.net/markets.html
Also Kensington Palace has a dress collection from Elizabeth II and Princess Diana they might enjoy, if they like castles and you are up for a daytrip, Warwick Castle about 1 1/2 hours outside London was one of the best I've been to (can also do on an organized daytrip combined w/Oxford and Stratford), the summer opening of Buckingham Palace was interesting and some of the London Walks like Jack the Ripper or the Ghost ones might appeal to younger folks.
We just returned from London and didn't want to drop too much cash on food, here's what I liked
Wagamama-popular chain of noodle shops with communal tables throughout London, entree cost was about L7 per person
www.wagamama.com
West Cornwall Pasty Co.-another chain with takeaway pasties-pastry filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, etc., about L2-3 each
http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/
Pizza Express-chain of pizza places serving wood oven pizzas, about L8 per person http://www.pizzaexpress.co.uk/indexf.htm
You can also find cheap takeaway for fish and chips, kebabs (kind of like gyros), sandwiches. A friend of mine suggested Benjy's but we never did try it.
As to what teenage girls might enjoy, I'd suggest going to the Camden Market for shopping, here's a good website
http://www.camdenlock.net/markets.html
Also Kensington Palace has a dress collection from Elizabeth II and Princess Diana they might enjoy, if they like castles and you are up for a daytrip, Warwick Castle about 1 1/2 hours outside London was one of the best I've been to (can also do on an organized daytrip combined w/Oxford and Stratford), the summer opening of Buckingham Palace was interesting and some of the London Walks like Jack the Ripper or the Ghost ones might appeal to younger folks.
Aug 17th, 2004, 11:32 AM
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Selfridges dept. store (& their Miss Selfridges section on the ground floor), followed by lunch somewhere along St. Christopher's Court (crepes, sandwiches, pizza, Thai, Turkish). Be sure to hit the pedestrianized section of St. Christopher's -- *not* the bit along the street (you'll see).
HTH
HTH
