Tell me what you love about London.
Oct 18th, 2015, 08:28 PM
#1
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Tell me what you love about London.
I have been to London 15 years ago. I made a day trip to Canterbury and to Bath.what I did in London, Churchill war Rooms, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, KensingtonPalace and the London Eye.. Shopping at Herrods and Oxford street. Also , Greenwich was nice.
There is a lot of London I didn't see and did very little dining
Tell me what you love about London. Site, museum, church, shop, restaurant, food, street, neighborhood.
Recommendations on time of year to visit? Anything that you love and someone else might love....tell me about it.
There is a lot of London I didn't see and did very little dining
Tell me what you love about London. Site, museum, church, shop, restaurant, food, street, neighborhood.
Recommendations on time of year to visit? Anything that you love and someone else might love....tell me about it.
Oct 18th, 2015, 09:32 PM
#2
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Plays and concerts. We go every day, sometime twice a day when we are there. We never buy tickets ahead. We look at everything available when we get there and buy tickets the first day for the whole time.
Lunches and dinner meals served in some of the churches. Good, fresh food, interesting environment, good price.
Canal boat ride
Camden Market
Globe theatre
Lunches and dinner meals served in some of the churches. Good, fresh food, interesting environment, good price.
Canal boat ride
Camden Market
Globe theatre
Oct 18th, 2015, 10:50 PM
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There's no time central London's not chockfull of people or when foreign languages don't dominate central London, though the overwhelming majority of their speakers aren't tourists.
But - though some bits of London's transport system are now getting air conditioning - London's weather in July and August can be ghastly, and London really doesn't handle hot weather well. And most things that matter in big cities - decent plays, interesting concerts and so on - generally tail off when most people are away.
So September to June's better, when London overall obviously gets more crowded: though naive tourists think London's fullest in July-Aug, the tube's at its least crowded and theatre and restaurant bookings easiest to make in midsummer.
Parks and garden squares are mostly green year-round, and the art of London gardening is keeping interest over the winter, though by North American standards, we don't really get winters. Snowdrop drifts in central London usually start being visible from about Candelmas (Feb 2), and the spring sequence of new blossoms goes on from there.
But mellowest from mid-Sep to late Oct, and most burgeoning from mid-April to mid-June.
But - though some bits of London's transport system are now getting air conditioning - London's weather in July and August can be ghastly, and London really doesn't handle hot weather well. And most things that matter in big cities - decent plays, interesting concerts and so on - generally tail off when most people are away.
So September to June's better, when London overall obviously gets more crowded: though naive tourists think London's fullest in July-Aug, the tube's at its least crowded and theatre and restaurant bookings easiest to make in midsummer.
Parks and garden squares are mostly green year-round, and the art of London gardening is keeping interest over the winter, though by North American standards, we don't really get winters. Snowdrop drifts in central London usually start being visible from about Candelmas (Feb 2), and the spring sequence of new blossoms goes on from there.
But mellowest from mid-Sep to late Oct, and most burgeoning from mid-April to mid-June.
Oct 18th, 2015, 11:41 PM
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I love London and this is why
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7636964726324/
Definitely plan half a day at the Tower.
Www.walks.com for some great walks.
Borough Market is fun for lunch during the week but I avoid it at all costs on the weekends due to over crowding.
Cocktails in Hoxton and Shoreditch.
Spitalfields area is fun, and close to Brick Lane and the cool east end graffiti.
Just a few ideas to get you going...
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7636964726324/
Definitely plan half a day at the Tower.
Www.walks.com for some great walks.
Borough Market is fun for lunch during the week but I avoid it at all costs on the weekends due to over crowding.
Cocktails in Hoxton and Shoreditch.
Spitalfields area is fun, and close to Brick Lane and the cool east end graffiti.
Just a few ideas to get you going...
Oct 19th, 2015, 04:19 AM
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London is one of my favorite cities and I prefer visiting in either May or October - the former if possible since the days are much longer. Weather is usually pleasant and the tourist mobs are ot at their worst (although there are a ot of people always).
Some of my favorite place you did not list are:
Museum of London - great for a historic overview
British Museum and Library (magna carta)
V&A Museum
National Portrait Gallery (and of course, National Gallery)
Definitely make time to see at least one show
If only one day trip make it Hampton Court Palace which has incredible recreations of life in Tudor Times as well as a great building and a wonderful maze (Windsor Castle is very imposing but not nearly a lively)
Some of my favorite place you did not list are:
Museum of London - great for a historic overview
British Museum and Library (magna carta)
V&A Museum
National Portrait Gallery (and of course, National Gallery)
Definitely make time to see at least one show
If only one day trip make it Hampton Court Palace which has incredible recreations of life in Tudor Times as well as a great building and a wonderful maze (Windsor Castle is very imposing but not nearly a lively)
Oct 19th, 2015, 04:19 AM
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London was made for autumn - misty mornings and evenings in the parks, falling leaves and red buses reflected in puddles.
This time round you need to do one of the foodie markets as suggested above, maybe some vietnamese grub in Hoxton if you are there anyway for Jamikins cocktails, V&A museum, St Dunstan in the East, shop in Liberty or Harvey Nics (maybe Regents Park road or Hampstead if you want somewhere a bit quieter to mooch). A play at the South Bank, exhibition at Somerset House (check to see what's on).
This time round you need to do one of the foodie markets as suggested above, maybe some vietnamese grub in Hoxton if you are there anyway for Jamikins cocktails, V&A museum, St Dunstan in the East, shop in Liberty or Harvey Nics (maybe Regents Park road or Hampstead if you want somewhere a bit quieter to mooch). A play at the South Bank, exhibition at Somerset House (check to see what's on).
Oct 19th, 2015, 06:04 AM
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I love London and have been there 6 times, planning a 7th. Maybe because I read all the Agatha Christie books, but I just love all things British. I'm into theatre so of course I love that about London. The iconic sites (Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Parliment, Westminster Abbey). I love having tea - the ceremony of it although it is very overpriced- it is quite good at places like Fortnam and Mason Fountain restaurant and I got ncie scones at Muffin Man.
There are some very elegant hotels you would like - the Savoy, Hotel 41, St Pancras (and many more from very modern to very old British). Shopping is good.
I've taken the train to Bath and a one day bus trip to the Cotswolds, have been to Windsor. And of course some of the museums - V & A, British Museum.
I dont' think London is beautiful like Paris, but I keep returning...
There are some very elegant hotels you would like - the Savoy, Hotel 41, St Pancras (and many more from very modern to very old British). Shopping is good.
I've taken the train to Bath and a one day bus trip to the Cotswolds, have been to Windsor. And of course some of the museums - V & A, British Museum.
I dont' think London is beautiful like Paris, but I keep returning...
Oct 19th, 2015, 07:23 AM
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One of my favorite cities. I have been there twice in March and once each in August and September. I know there are lots of things I have still not seen.
So easy to get around on the tube so you can just go anywhere and see anything.
I also took the boat to Greenwich and that was fun.
A day trip to Windsor castle is very interesting and I did a Stonehenge and Bath trip the second time I went.
The last time I spent a week solo and stayed in town. Did a couple of plays and waked around the antique stalls at Portobello market.
So easy to get around on the tube so you can just go anywhere and see anything.
I also took the boat to Greenwich and that was fun.
A day trip to Windsor castle is very interesting and I did a Stonehenge and Bath trip the second time I went.
The last time I spent a week solo and stayed in town. Did a couple of plays and waked around the antique stalls at Portobello market.
Oct 19th, 2015, 08:04 AM
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London is one of my favourite cities! Here are a few highlights from our last trip (Sept 2013) to this fantastic city:
> Staying in the neighbourhood of Belgravia
> Attending live theatre & concerts - a lunch-time concert at St Martin-in-the-Field Church
> National Portrait Gallery
> British Library
> Kew Royal Botanical Gardens
So much to see/do in & around London! We will be back for sure!
> Staying in the neighbourhood of Belgravia
> Attending live theatre & concerts - a lunch-time concert at St Martin-in-the-Field Church
> National Portrait Gallery
> British Library
> Kew Royal Botanical Gardens
So much to see/do in & around London! We will be back for sure!
Oct 19th, 2015, 08:18 AM
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Some of my favorite things in London:
The British Museum - I've probably spent two or three whole days there over a number of trips, and there is always more to see.
The Tower of London - so much history!
Concerts in churches like St. Martin in the Fields
Theatre!
Kew Gardens
The Tate
There are many small museums that are real treasures.
The British Museum - I've probably spent two or three whole days there over a number of trips, and there is always more to see.
The Tower of London - so much history!
Concerts in churches like St. Martin in the Fields
Theatre!
Kew Gardens
The Tate
There are many small museums that are real treasures.
Oct 19th, 2015, 08:51 AM
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Things I love about London:
The British Library's Treasures Room.
The Museum of London
The pubs
Parliament and Westminster Abbey
The weather when we went in September and being able to visit Buckingham Palace's State Rooms
The "free" museums--National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, British Museum, V & A, etc. You can go in for a few minutes or a lifetime...
I did not love July 2015 in London because it was very hot and crowded. I much preferred September, weather-wise.
The British Library's Treasures Room.
The Museum of London
The pubs
Parliament and Westminster Abbey
The weather when we went in September and being able to visit Buckingham Palace's State Rooms
The "free" museums--National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, British Museum, V & A, etc. You can go in for a few minutes or a lifetime...
I did not love July 2015 in London because it was very hot and crowded. I much preferred September, weather-wise.
Oct 19th, 2015, 12:11 PM
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Wonderful info. It has been abou 15 years since I was there but it sounds like Fall would be great time to go, so thanks for that.
I saw Janisj recommend Hampton Court palace and it sounds great. I am definitely interested in Borough Market and I know my last trip didn't even scratch the surface of what London has to offer. Will have to check out Sky Garden (would not even know about it without my Fodors friends)!
Great responses and suggestions everyone. I appreciate it and would love to see more
I saw Janisj recommend Hampton Court palace and it sounds great. I am definitely interested in Borough Market and I know my last trip didn't even scratch the surface of what London has to offer. Will have to check out Sky Garden (would not even know about it without my Fodors friends)!
Great responses and suggestions everyone. I appreciate it and would love to see more
Oct 19th, 2015, 01:36 PM
#16
I love seeing place names that I have read about all during my life starting with Winnie the Pooh as a young child.This is an everyday occurance when I'm there and I love that.
I love walking around the various neighborhoods too.
I love walking around the various neighborhoods too.
Oct 19th, 2015, 02:07 PM
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Everything mentioned above. I've made ten trips and still want more.
I love browsing in the bookstores and having afternoon tea at a Richoux tea shop (less expensive than the big hotels). If you want a lovely tea experience, try the Maids of Honour Tea Shop across the road from Kew Gardens. It's said to date from the time of Henry VIII.
I like walking in the parks, going to the theater, taking London Walks with the local guides, going to the Globe Theater, seeing the Dickens Museum (I'm an English major), the Cabinet War Rooms, the War Museum, and visiting the old churches such as St. Bartholomew the Great and St. Etheldreda’s. If you run out of things to do (joke), see the John Soames, the Geffrye, and the Sherlock Holmes Museums.
We have made day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, Stonehenge, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick Castle, Hever Castle, Rye, Canterbury, and Salisbury.
I'm sure you have heard the famous Samuel Johnson quote, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."
I love browsing in the bookstores and having afternoon tea at a Richoux tea shop (less expensive than the big hotels). If you want a lovely tea experience, try the Maids of Honour Tea Shop across the road from Kew Gardens. It's said to date from the time of Henry VIII.
I like walking in the parks, going to the theater, taking London Walks with the local guides, going to the Globe Theater, seeing the Dickens Museum (I'm an English major), the Cabinet War Rooms, the War Museum, and visiting the old churches such as St. Bartholomew the Great and St. Etheldreda’s. If you run out of things to do (joke), see the John Soames, the Geffrye, and the Sherlock Holmes Museums.
We have made day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, Stonehenge, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick Castle, Hever Castle, Rye, Canterbury, and Salisbury.
I'm sure you have heard the famous Samuel Johnson quote, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."
Oct 19th, 2015, 02:11 PM
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Sorry. I also love the obvious churches of Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's, and we have really liked an Indian restaurant on Cromwell Street called the Delhi Brasserie,which has good food and is less expensive than the better known ones.
Oct 19th, 2015, 02:21 PM
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Hi DENISEA,
So you are thinking about visiting London, eh? Good. Keep in mind, it is not Paris. I agree with VICKY who said:
"I dont' think London is beautiful like Paris, but I keep returning... " I have gone several times in the past few years and will return in June - my favorite month with beautiful gardens and longer daylight hours to explore. I have about three trip reports of my London jaunts if you are so inclined.
Keep in mind, I am traveling solo, not a shopper or into fine dining although those pleasures can certainly be indulged in London.
I am a history buff so I love those WWI and WWII commemorative sites, along with all the other statuary along Whitehall and the Strand.
Let me suggest a few venues which I think you would really enjoy:
THE WALLACE COLLECTION - free museum, fabulous house with 18 century French accents, great cafe and gift shop, and very near SELFRIDGES for more shopping
http://www.wallacecollection.org/
THE SILVER VAULTS
http://silvervaultslondon.com/
BOAT RIDE ON REGENT'S CANAL - Start in Toney Maida Vale and end at campy Camden Town
http://www.camdenguide.co.uk/visit/canalwalk.htm
PORTRAIT RESTAURANT atop the Portrait Gallery for a great view of London
http://www.npg.org.uk/visit/shop-eat...restaurant.php
TOUR OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY - in addition to the TREASURES ROOM, I found the escorted tour very informative
http://www.bl.uk/
I also try to catch free lectures at the LSE or similar sites. There are tons of talks in the city.
Also LONDONWALKS, especially the pub crawls, are fun too
There's so much more. I just can't stop going back.
Looking forward to your trip report from London....
So you are thinking about visiting London, eh? Good. Keep in mind, it is not Paris. I agree with VICKY who said:
"I dont' think London is beautiful like Paris, but I keep returning... " I have gone several times in the past few years and will return in June - my favorite month with beautiful gardens and longer daylight hours to explore. I have about three trip reports of my London jaunts if you are so inclined.
Keep in mind, I am traveling solo, not a shopper or into fine dining although those pleasures can certainly be indulged in London.
I am a history buff so I love those WWI and WWII commemorative sites, along with all the other statuary along Whitehall and the Strand.
Let me suggest a few venues which I think you would really enjoy:
THE WALLACE COLLECTION - free museum, fabulous house with 18 century French accents, great cafe and gift shop, and very near SELFRIDGES for more shopping
http://www.wallacecollection.org/
THE SILVER VAULTS
http://silvervaultslondon.com/
BOAT RIDE ON REGENT'S CANAL - Start in Toney Maida Vale and end at campy Camden Town
http://www.camdenguide.co.uk/visit/canalwalk.htm
PORTRAIT RESTAURANT atop the Portrait Gallery for a great view of London
http://www.npg.org.uk/visit/shop-eat...restaurant.php
TOUR OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY - in addition to the TREASURES ROOM, I found the escorted tour very informative
http://www.bl.uk/
I also try to catch free lectures at the LSE or similar sites. There are tons of talks in the city.
Also LONDONWALKS, especially the pub crawls, are fun too
There's so much more. I just can't stop going back.
Looking forward to your trip report from London....
