Why should we go to London?
 

I've been traveling to Europe my whole life but have never been to the UK. I don't know why, exactly, but it's just never called out to me. I do, however, have an interest in seeing the small town outside of London where my great, great, great....grandfather lived before coming to America in 1642. So we now find ourselves with a trip planned to Europe in late August and a few days free where we can go wherever we want. For some reason, this time, we're thinking of London. I'd be interested in hearing from Fodorites what they like best about traveling to London? Why should we go? What shouldn't we miss seeing? In what locale should we stay? What's your favorite thing to do?

My favorite things about London include theatre, history, architecture, art, music. I really enjoy London Walks. My favorite location to stay is probably Bloomsbury or Covent Garden.

It's really hard to summarize, so I'd suggest getting a good London guidebook. If you want something leaning towards young and hip, get the Time Out London. If you want lots of details, get DK Eyewitness London.

Dont bother, if you have to ask i dont thnk you will get 'London' might be a bit parochial for you.

Wow, London is amazing. I dont know how to convince you, but if you look in a London travel guide and still arent intersted, then dont feel like you need too...vacations are about what you are interested int! We have no great pull to go to Spain...so whatever you love you should go to see that.

Saying that, we moved to London because we love it so much...

Thanks WillTravel - you've "gotten" what I was trying to ask. JimSteel - perhaps my question came off as a challenge but it's really a genuine question. I agree with jamikins that you should only go where your interests lie - but interests can change and develop over time and I'm trying to expand my horizons.

My favourites - Tower of London, Borough Market, Westeminter..the city...so many things...

I, too, agree that you should go where your interests lie. The wonderful thing about London is that there is something there for every interest. It is the most fascinating city with so much to see and do. You could keep busy in London for weeks. The city I love most is Paris but London is probably the city with the most to experience. You should go because it is a truly great city and I am sure you will love it.

London is a phenominal world city. The same language and familiar pictures make it seem less exotic. I agree with Willtravel in regards to things to do.

It is similar to New York in that everyone that goes there sees things that seem so famililiar to us because it is filmed and woven into our lives through art , movies, books etc...

I recommend the hop on off buses to get an over all picture with lots of trivia and history given. The river boat and London eye are a great perspective of London.

Then when you are burned out of touring...look up Timeout's 101 things to do in London before you die. You will find something interesting in that. I suggest Shakespeare in Regents park in August, great setting, less tourists. Theater, Theater Theater! Tate Modern...Shopping not Harrod's but Knightsbridge followed by a walk through Hyde Park or Sloane Square with lunch somewhere fun! For couture, St James.

I really wouldn't bother.

What's the point of going somewhere you're not very interested in?

I wouldn't waste time going to - say - Beijing unless there was something there I'd wanted to see or experience. I can't imagine how being told by a stranger it's the greatest city in the universe would change my mind.

I CAN imagine how being told something by someone I trusted might influence me. But the world's been stuffed with praise of London for 400 years. It clearly han't influenced you: why should any of us waste time offering more views?

FWIW, I'd say exactly the same thing if the question referred to Rome or New York.

I'm not a big fan of London. I used to think that people who like Boston, San Francisco and Barcelona like London, and people who like Paris, Rome, Los Angeles and Madrid don't. But I guess that's too simplistic. ;)

About the only place I really like in London in the British Museum. But I like Londoners (who can be pretty sarcastic about their home town!)

Do you have to make up your mind now? Why don't you go to the small town where your grandfather lived and ask people there if you should go to London, or just decide on your own then if it interests you? Even in late August, you can always find late rooms. Or take a day trip from a town close in.

I should have made that anti-London list to include NYC.

Hmmm, I love Paris AND London, so not sure where that puts me in the scheme of things.

Well, I said i *used to think." ;-)

I should add I like the Thames too.

It's not my favorite city. I do like other cities in England in general, and I also like the countryside a lot, but not London.

There are great places that are strictly part of London, but feel outside it, like Hampstead Heath. Richmond is, I think, technically not in London, but it's great. St. Albans is a really interesting town. That's just a few - I need to increase my knowledge of greater London for sure.

What is the name of the little town? We did the same thing- spent a couple of days in London and then went to Much Hadham,about an hour outside London, where my g-g-g-g-granparents came from. It was a lovely trip.

What do you like to do in other large cities? Do you enjoy history, art, theatre, museums?

Personally, I adored London. The Tower of London brings life to some of the history I've read about for years, the theatre was fun and a new experience for me. I could spend hours going back to Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral though I've been to each once already. The Ceremony of Keys at the Tower is a 700+ year old ceremony that is great fun to go and witness. If you like art, there are many huge art galleries. Hampton Court Palace, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover Castle are all fun options for day trips out of town.

Don't forget that there's more to the UK than just London. Edinburgh was fun and I loved Scotland.

Don't go to London because it's something that you think you *should* do, go or not depending on your interests. Flip through a guide book, or go through some of the trip reports and itineraries on here and google the places mentioned.

well interestng...my favourite city in europe is Paris, but we live in London...been here almost 3 years and there is no place I;d rather be...so much history...so much to see...

It is one of the most exciting/interesting/historic cities on Earth.

But since you seem to have some sort of preconceived dislike -- I'd give it a pass . . . . .

after many trips to London, a City I have enjoyed, I now think of it as a means to get to Northern England and Scotland. I recommend that you give it a visit.

I am one of those who was underwhelmed by London. I was interested in some of the historical sites, but otherwise just could not warm up to it. I don't know why. I adore Florence, for example, which is another place you have to "get into". It may be because I am not terribly interested in big cities. (I live near SF and it's not a matter of being intimidated or anything.) I like Rome because of its historical riches, but otherwise not.

I am interested in your ancestor's small town!! My ancestor came to CT in 1636 from Nottingham, and I would love to see that. So maybe a day or so in London and then off to your ancestral home?

I didn't feel a pull towards London either, but I've gone about 3 times now because I've got family in the UK and will be going back over a couple times this year. Every time I visit London I like it more and more. I didn't fall in love with it instantly the way I did with Paris, and it doesn't give me the same warm glow that Florence and Rome did. But I am growing to love London.

<i>Why should we go?</i> Because it's a world capital. Worst case scenario- you won't fall in love, will have just an okay time and won't return. But you will have had a new experience at least. And chances are you will like London a lot more than that.

<i>What shouldn't we miss seeing?</i> Like others have said, it depends on your interests- food, history, art, literature, architecture, theater, ballet, opera, the list is endless. Read some trip reports here and pick up a guidebook and see what looks good.

<i>In what locale should we stay?</i> Again depends on your taste and comfort level, and budget of course. Bloomsbury, Mayfair, South Kensington, and around Westminster or Trafalgar Square are all very popular areas to stay. I loved staying at the Holiday Inn Camden Lock, which is near Camden Town station.

<i>What's your favorite thing to do?</i> My favourite things to do are walking and people watching. I love the mix of old and new architecture, the pace of the city, the fact there is always something interesting to see no matter where you are or what you're doing. The Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery and the British Library are two of my favourite places to visit.

Wow - reading all of your responses affirms why I love interacting with folks on this forum. We might not all agree but we all love travel and it's so fun to read what everyone thinks is fun, interesting, etc. Reading the pros and cons, I think I'm leaning in favor of trying something new. Thanks for all of your suggestions - Apres_Londee, you nailed it!

By the way, the town is Finchingfield in Essex. I am fortunate to have a great uncle that wrote an extensive geneaology that goes way back. My ancestor was born in 1620 and came to MA in 1640 and had 12 sons. I'm descended from one of those.

In other cities, we love to people watch, go to good restaurants, experience history through castles, cathedrals, etc., and just generally get a feel for the local culture. Sounds like London would be a good place for that!

So glad you decided to give London a chance! I really do think it has something for everyone!

For what it's worth, I went right off Paris after my first few visits as a teenager, and didn't really start to feel right there until well on into my 50s (and even then, I realise it's some parts rather than others - I still feel a certain gloom in the 8th and 16th arrondissements). So there's nothing wrong in not "getting" a place, or in changing your mind. I hope you find something that makes you feel welcome - heaven knows, there is enough variety to make it possible.

Finchingfield is a very pretty village in "real" (i.e., rural northern Essex). Looks like the simplest way is to take the train from Liverpool St station to Chelmsford (about 30 - 40 minutes) and this bus from there:

http://www.regalbusways.com/Timetables/16-01.09.08.pdf

You might need to check with the bus company in advance - I'm never sure about rural bus timetables.

http://www.regalbusways.com

Ooh Finchingfield - you'll love it there (I defy anyone not to!. It's only a little village though, not a town.Very 'quaint' and a big draw for tourists as it is pretty and 'old-worldy'. Go on a Sunday and you'll often find the local Morris Men dancing and boozing it up outside the pub on the green. It's also quite a popular biker stop-over point. Nice place for a couple of hours, but not much there other than pretty old buildings, a windmill, a couple of tea shops, and a river/village green, so you don't need masses of time.

Nice people too - one lady suggested we park on her private drive when we were hunting for a space (the village does get parked up pretty badly in summer).

If London really doesn't appeal, you could do a tour of East Anglia - north Essex and Suffolk. Not the top of the list for most tourists but lots of interesting places to go and see. Lots of historic sites.

Many of the museums are free of charge, so you can have a lot of culture and history without having to pay much money (as London is quite expensive in general). Also visit the flee markets...