#269843 - 16/11/2005 15:23
London Tips
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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I have a trip scheduled to London in February, and I'm in the process of figuring out what I want to see while I'm there. Assuming I have only 1 day allocated for sightseeing, what are the must see places that I should add to my list?
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#269844 - 16/11/2005 15:47
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 18/01/2000
Posts: 5683
Loc: London, UK
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The London Eye. That way you get to see (the outside of) everything else.
As long as the weather's good, of course.
_________________________
-- roger
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#269845 - 16/11/2005 16:06
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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I know it sounds cheesey, but the open bus tours are pretty good. My girlfriend and I took those tours in several European cities (to start us off on the site-seeing), and the London tour was the best. But that's also because we were lucky to get a good tour guide. He was pretty funny, with a dry sense of humor, whereas others are probably just going through the motions.
* side note *
If anyone takes an open bus tour of Berlin, don't take the German/English one. Our tour guide spent about 80% of the time speaking in German, and always at the best times. She made the English speakers on our bus completely miss the Berlin Wall.
Edited by Dignan (16/11/2005 16:56)
_________________________
Matt
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#269846 - 16/11/2005 16:55
Re: London Tips
[Re: Dignan]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1914
Loc: London
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The river tours are great, an excellent and alternative way to see London, you can get off at places like Tower of London, Greenwich, Kew, Hampton Court etc.
The Jazz Cafe in Camden is my favourite place to see bands, they have "an eclectic mix" of jazz/soul/dance/latin acts. It's tiny and you can get as close to the stage as you want, also got a fairly decent restaurant overlooking the stage.
There's a good cheap(ish) Japanese restaurant chain in London called Wagamama, worth checking out for high qualuty fast food and the excellent Sapporo beer.
If you want cheap and decent Indian food the best places I know are Tayyabs in Fieldgate Street, and Mirch Masala in Commercial Rd (both Whitechapel) neither sell alcohol but you can bring your own (I think)
There's a good Indonesian restaurant called Melati in Brewer St (nr Picadilly Circus)
The best shawarma in London is at Maroush in Edgware Rd
Cafe Mandola in westbourne Grove is an excellent Sudanese restaurant.
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#269847 - 16/11/2005 17:01
Re: London Tips
[Re: tahir]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1914
Loc: London
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If you've only got a day I might croos to the south side at Westminster, that's where the London Eye is, it's also got the South Bank Centre, which hosts all sorts of events, this is not far from Tate Modern, you can carry on walking down to Tower Bridge via Bermondsey, have lunch at one three different Conran restaurants go to the Design Museum, cross over for the Tower, and walk back through the city, possibly via Whitechapel or St Katherines Dock (I recommend the Mala Indian restaurant).
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#269848 - 16/11/2005 17:03
Re: London Tips
[Re: tahir]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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The London Eye is definately on my list. I'd also like to ride on a double-decker bus, just to have the experience. I don't really want to freeze my butt off all day, so I'm trying to determine if I would rather purchase a day pass for the tube (which I hear includes bus fare, as well). I also hear good things about the river cruise, so I'll have to determine whether it fits into my schedule. I'm a bit of a shutter bug, so I'd really like to hit some pretty famous stuff throughout the day. I'm not much of an eater (or drinker), so restaurants are a low priority. The Japanese restaurant sounds good, though. Keep in mind that I live in the Middle East, so I've got shawarma running out of my ears.  Thanks for the tips. Keep them coming.
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#269849 - 16/11/2005 17:14
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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I had a tour of the emergency health services and hospital followed by an impromptu self-learning bus tour. I wouldn't recommend it.
The Tate Britain was nice. You apparently shouldn't expect they'll be open their posted hours, though.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
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#269850 - 16/11/2005 17:15
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1914
Loc: London
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There's still some bits of old Jack The Ripper London left (Spitalfields), nice walk from Liverpool St. Alternatively if you're a walker then walking from the West End to there will give you loads of photo opportunitires, British Museum, St Pauls, the Lloyds building, Leadenhall St Market, the Gherkin etc
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#269851 - 16/11/2005 17:18
Re: London Tips
[Re: tahir]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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Quote:
There's a good cheap(ish) Japanese restaurant chain in London called Wagamama, worth checking out for high qualuty fast food and the excellent Sapporo beer.
It isn't actually Japanese considering the guy that started it was Chinese and the cooks are whatever random nationality applied for the job Saying that, the food is not too bad. I eat at one every so often with friends etc...
If you want pretentious Chinese Dim Sum then go to Yauatcha over in Soho which was also started by the same guy. I've been a few times and the food is good but expensive. It's got a Michelin star if that counts...
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#269852 - 16/11/2005 17:23
Re: London Tips
[Re: tman]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1914
Loc: London
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Quote:
It isn't actually Japanese considering the guy that started it was Chinese and the cooks are whatever random nationality applied for the job
There aren't many Indian "Indian" restaurants around either anyway the man says he's not here for our nosh (talking of which there's still a few pie and mash shops around).
Another different view of London is walking down the Grand Union canal, some good photo opportunities there too, get on at Camden go east to Limehouse or west as far as you like.
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#269853 - 16/11/2005 17:33
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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Are you going to be using the tube/bus on more than one day? If so then you should get one of the Oyster contactless smartcards and do prepay as it will cheaper. There is a £3 deposit on the card but I assume you can get that back if you return it.
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#269854 - 16/11/2005 19:30
Re: London Tips
[Re: tman]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Mk2a RioCar 120Gb - now sold to the owner of my old car
Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#269855 - 16/11/2005 20:15
Re: London Tips
[Re: furtive]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 16/04/2002
Posts: 2011
Loc: Yorkshire UK
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Incredible that nothing in 60 years has replaced a rebuild of a 6 wheel drive US truck, like the jeep, these things are in use all around the world. There are military historians that think that the small lock held up the Invasion of Italy: Critics are a breed, no tabloid ever employed an adulator! This, designed, curiously by a yacht designer, figured large in the success of D-day. I've just got back from west Wales where the DUKW drivers trained for that day!
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Politics and Ideology: Not my bag
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#269856 - 17/11/2005 13:48
Re: London Tips
[Re: boxer]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Ok, I've compiled my short list of things to see (and take pictures of) over the course of a day.
- Buckingham Palace
- Marble Arch
- Piccadilly Circus
- Trafalgar Square
- Parliament/Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- London Eye
- Globe Theater
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- Madame Tussaud's*
- Sherlock Holmes' house*
* Depends on how much time I have.
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#269857 - 17/11/2005 13:56
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
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Quote:
Trafalgar Square
When in Trafalgar Square, don't let that column thing in the middle distract you from the real attraction: visiting, set into the centre of the north wall of the square, the British Standard Inch.
Peter
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#269858 - 17/11/2005 14:08
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Quote:
Sherlock Holmes' house*
Erm, he's a fictional character. 221B Baker Street formed part of what was Abbey National Bank's HQ (they even employed someone to open and reply to letters addressed to 22B Baker Street.
The building is currently being converted into luxury appartments.
There is a museum nearby though.
_________________________
Mk2a RioCar 120Gb - now sold to the owner of my old car
Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#269859 - 17/11/2005 14:55
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
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Get a big dish of beef chow mein!-Zeke
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WWFSMD?
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#269860 - 17/11/2005 15:35
Re: London Tips
[Re: furtive]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14493
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
There is a museum nearby though.
This one:
Edited by mlord (17/11/2005 15:36)
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#269861 - 17/11/2005 17:58
Re: London Tips
[Re: mlord]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Right. That's the idea. The museum will do.
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#269862 - 17/11/2005 18:42
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Look, kids: Big Ben ... Parliament.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
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#269864 - 18/11/2005 01:00
Re: London Tips
[Re: BartDG]
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Quote:
Look, kids: Big Ben ... Parliament.
Yaaaay... 
Look out for the round-abouts if you rent a car. They require some tricky maneuvering.
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#269865 - 18/11/2005 02:22
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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member
Registered: 06/04/2000
Posts: 158
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Then for sure, with that list, you want to get one of the jump-on-jump-off tour bus services. I think they go to every place you've mentioned, or close enough you can walk (eg Sherlock Holmes souvenir shop is approx 5 mins walk from Madame Tussauds). The walk-up cost is GBP 20 for an adult, I'm sure there will be discount coupons to be found in the tourist brochures. They also offer a river boat cruise as a no-cost option for part of the trip. Regards Mark
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#269866 - 18/11/2005 05:43
Re: London Tips
[Re: wfaulk]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Quote:
Look, kids: Big Ben ... Parliament.
Good thing I'm not taking my kids!.
I just want pictures.
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#269867 - 18/11/2005 05:44
Re: London Tips
[Re: ]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Quote:
Look out for the round-abouts if you rent a car. They require some tricky maneuvering.
I don't anticipate having to rent a car, but we have roundabouts here in the Middle East, although they just call them "circles".
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#269868 - 18/11/2005 05:53
Re: London Tips
[Re: MarkH]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Quote:
Then for sure, with that list, you want to get one of the jump-on-jump-off tour bus services.
I've looked into that bus service, and I think that is probably what I will do. I think the red route will do nicely, and if I have time, I'll just hop the tube up to Madame Tussaud's.
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#269869 - 18/11/2005 08:48
Re: London Tips
[Re: ]
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old hand
Registered: 14/04/2002
Posts: 1172
Loc: Hants, UK
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Look, kids: Big Ben ... Parliament.
Yaaaay...
Look out for the round-abouts if you rent a car. They require some tricky maneuvering.
Especially this one!
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#269870 - 18/11/2005 09:01
Re: London Tips
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 18/01/2000
Posts: 5683
Loc: London, UK
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Quote:
I don't anticipate having to rent a car
If you're in London, the last thing you want to do is drive. Public transport (buses, tubes and black cabs) is plentiful and relatively cheap.
_________________________
-- roger
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#269871 - 18/11/2005 09:22
Re: London Tips
[Re: Roger]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Quote:
If you're in London, the last thing you want to do is drive
Indeed
*pats 2 cars both of which spend most of their lives stationary*
Edited by Roger (18/11/2005 10:32)
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#269872 - 18/11/2005 10:33
Re: London Tips
[Re: furtive]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 18/01/2000
Posts: 5683
Loc: London, UK
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Quote:
*pats 2 cars both of which spend most of their lives stationary*
Yeah, mine's not moved for about a week now.
Quote:
Edited by Roger (18/11/2005 12:32)
(to fix an open quote block)
_________________________
-- roger
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#269873 - 18/11/2005 10:48
Re: London Tips
[Re: Roger]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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My MX5 hasn't moved for about a month. I started it the other day and the battery was nearly dead 
_________________________
Mk2a RioCar 120Gb - now sold to the owner of my old car
Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#269874 - 18/11/2005 14:29
Re: London Tips
[Re: ]
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veteran
Registered: 25/04/2000
Posts: 1525
Loc: Arizona
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Look, kids: Big Ben ... Parliament.
Yaaaay...
Look out for the round-abouts if you rent a car. They require some tricky maneuvering.
I found driving in the UK to be a lot easier than I was expecting. Roundabouts aren't really that difficult, once you understand what is going on. The thing I had the most trouble with was shifting with my left hand (the motion was just 'different' - made it easy to miss a gear the first couple of days and I punched the glass with my right hand more than a few times when going for the shifter), and parking in those tiny spots was an area of concern.
I didn't drive in London at all though (in my two trips to the UK so far, the closest I've been to London has been Heathrow then off to Basingstoke). If I spent any time there, I'd definately avoid driving 
- Tim
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#269875 - 18/11/2005 14:42
Re: London Tips
[Re: Tim]
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old hand
Registered: 14/04/2002
Posts: 1172
Loc: Hants, UK
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Quote:
If I spent any time there, I'd definately avoid driving
Avoid Basingstoke too!
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#269876 - 18/11/2005 16:12
Re: London Tips
[Re: g_attrill]
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veteran
Registered: 25/04/2000
Posts: 1525
Loc: Arizona
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Quote:
Quote:
If I spent any time there, I'd definately avoid driving
Avoid Basingstoke too!
I don't know how to get to our office there, and the guy I travel with only knows one way to get to the office I have no delusions about being able to drive there. Swindon and Bristol weren't bad though - and driving on the Motorways is fairly painless 
- Tim
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