Anna, <BR>For something out of the ordinary and certainly something no American visiting London would expect might be a visit to Little Venice adjacent to the Warwick Avenue tube station on the Bakerloo line. Little Venice and the Regent's canal is certainly out of the ordinary. Another advantage in visiting the area is "Crockers" at 24 Aberdeen Place near Little Venice. It's one of London's few and finest surviving gin palaces (shades of Hogarth!). Also in the area is the Warrington at 93 Warrington Crescent, a beautiful pub/restaurant featuring Thai cuisine. The whole area is charming; residential with lovely town houses, well worth a visit.

I agree that the pubs, double decker buses, high tea things sound very British. I live in DC and of course we have pubs here, mainly Irish, but it's not quite the same. This isn't for London exactly and I don't know of an exact venue, but I would think it very nice to have a tour of some grand mansion with beautiful English gardens--sort of like that old Churchill place outside London, forget its name. For something out of the ordinary and English, I would like to meet Prince Charles, I think he's a real scream. Could you arrange that?

Hey Anna.., another sporting event, not sure if your visitors or even you play.., but a round of golf at a famous London area course would always make me happy!

Second about golfing near London, Last year I arranged for some golf fans to play at Royal Blackwell golf course (supposed the oldest in U,K, reportedly Henry the eithth played there also). So far, they still rave about the experience.

Anna, on my first trip to England my cousin took me on a nighttime driving tour of the city. On such a short trip, and with everyone chiming in with so many absolute "musts," this is a good way to take your guests around. It frees daytime hours for activities you can't do at night; if you make it an after-dinner excursion the traffic is lighter; and Parliament, Big Ben and many other must-see sights are even more gorgeous at night anyway! I've done this not only in London but also in Bangkok, and it's a great way to steal some time on a short trip. <BR> <BR>Assuming they fit in with your guests' interests, I'd second the votes for Covent Garden and St. Paul's and add votes for the Tower tour and a concert at St. Martin In The Fields if there's a good one; eating at the Cafe in the Crypt is great fun, too. The changing of the guard didn't do a thing for me, but I guess I'm in the minority there. <BR> <BR>There's WAY too much to do and see in such a short time, so you really can't go wrong--whatever you do is bound to leave them hungry for a return trip! Have a great time playing tour guide, and I hope they return the favorite when you get to go to DC!

depending on ur guests' tastes, tickets to a play at the globe theater might be a good idea--even the 5-pound standing-room tkts, not only bc most people in shakespeare's time attended plays that way, but also bc i hear many people leave before the ending after getting a taste. my mom was very disappointed at not being able to see macbeth there (it sold out on opening night). also, almost everyone in the behind-the-scenes tour of the globe the day i went was american (and dressed in black, for some reason).

I too am english and here are a few of the things that I have taken foreign visitors to with excellent results:- <BR> <BR>1) Bushey deer park near hampton court, easy to get to and very beautiful with fabulous deer in it, not as well known as it should be <BR> <BR>2) Kenwood house on hampstead heath, fabulous house with great paintings on the heath with fabulous views of london (I cheat a bit and get a post card from the tate of constable's famous paintings from the haeth and play spot the diffrence) <BR> <BR>3) somerset house. Just brilliant. Wonderful art in a wonerful setting and not too well known yet (but it will be!) <BR> <BR>4) Wimbledobn village, literally a village in london with the common behind, you can go horse riding and the 16trh century pubs all have good food. I recommend the crooked billet and cazenove house is a country house hotel in london, have adrink in the piano bar. <BR> <BR>5) Highgate cemetary, or if its the right day (check time out)Kensal Green, go when the catacombs are open, spooky indeed! <BR> <BR>6) Kew/chiswick/strand on the green to twickenham, along the thames, lots of pubs, great views and quiet <BR> <BR>I hope this helps <BR> <BR>DAvid <BR>Who clearly cannot type <BR> <BR>6) MAyfair and especially shepherds market (no not for that!). Very much what americans think london is like <BR> <BR> <BR>

Are other Brits allowed to suugest or just Americans? <BR> <BR>I hope thisbhasnt been mentioned as I am at work so I have just skimmed teh thread, but how about a night at the Dog Races. <BR> <BR>Many of my colleagues go of an evening, and it's a very english thing... <BR> <BR>And perhaps more down to earth than the horse racing and less expensive and they would meet some real brits rather than the more internation feel of horse races..? <BR> <BR>Just an idea. <BR> <BR>Punting is good idea, I think someone mentioned it. <BR> <BR>Also depending on ages, a few markets, pick from Camden, Spitalfields, Notting Hill/ Portabello Road etc... <BR> <BR>

Hi Kavey - of course other Brits are allowed, I just thought Americans would have a different idea of Britishness and I was interested to know what it was. I love your idea of going to the dog races. I've never been in London, though - where do your colleagues go? <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, so much of their time has now been booked up in meetings (some going on into the evening - huh!), but we should have 3 free evenings, one of which we will use to go on the Eye - and probably a walk along the South Bank of the Thames to Tower Bridge. <BR> <BR>Thanks everyone for your help - I won't be able to use many of your suggestions, but they've really helped get me thinking.

The best laid plans of mice and men..... <BR> <BR>Well, no-one can say I didn't try! They arrived last Monday am and, not surprisingly, were too tired to go out Monday night. <BR> <BR>Tuesday, I'd organised a surprise - a trip on the London Eye. They had no idea we were going on it until I picked up the tickets just before we joined the queue. When I produced a disposable camera each from my bag, they were over the moon. That was definitely the highlight of the week, despite the atrocious weather. Then we got soaked walking to a Turkish restaurant nearby, but the food more than made up for that. We didn't do the also planned stroll along the Thames - it was just too wet. <BR> <BR>Wednesday we worked late (boo), but we did take them out to lunch in a 14th century country pub (we went to our Bracknell office for the day), which was also a popular choice. <BR> <BR>Thursday we had a beer in a fairly traditional pub, followed by a big team dinner in a place called Porters in Covent Garden. Very bangers and mash and steak and kidney pudding. Again, a popular choice. <BR> <BR>Friday afternoon and Saturday they were free, and it seems both had friends in London who they met up with and did their own thing. <BR> <BR>They had a great time, but I didn't get a chance to use any of your suggestions. Never mind, I'm sure there'll be a next time. Thanks again for all your help.

Take them to a Football match, piss on the backs of those seated in front of you because you can't get to a W.C. and then riot after said match. <BR> <BR>

just sounded cool...

Hi Anna; <BR> <BR>Sounds like everyone has given you good ideas - Could I impose on you for the name of the Indian restaurant in Southall? We will arriving next week, and my husband's mouth is already watering at the thought of the Indian restaurants...where we live it is a two hour drive to the nearest curry.

Anna, <BR> <BR>What a great host you were! I really like the disposable camera idea. I frequently entertain out of town business guests for our company here in the SF bay area and will definately incorporate that into my bag of tricks!