What to do in London

[PeterStoba]

I'm coming to London next weekend (Sunday - Tuesday) and was wondering if there were any suggestions for things to do?

Obviously I'll be checking out the Shard, 20 Fenchurch etc as I've been watching them for months! I also want to do a bit of the usual tourist stuff (Madame Tussauds, Dungeon, London Eye etc...) but my girlfriend wants the usual London stuff like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge etc...

Are we best just getting a travel card and jumping on and off the tube all day?

Any suggestions for any nice places to eat (breakfast especially) in the Euston/Farringdon area?

Thanks!

[PadArch]

Forget Madame tussauds and dungeon imho. Complete waste of time. Euston is a shitty place to try and get a good breakfast tbh. You're better of going up the road to islington or camden or going southwest to nearby fitzrovia. They do have some good and cheap south Indian restaurants on Drummond street (nearby to euston) though (diwana). Near to farringdon at st John st you have the st John restaurant. Bit pricey but good value if you're into that kind of food

[Loathing]

I agree regarding Tussauds & Dungeon: avoid.

What are you interests? I've been living in London for 20 years and I'm still not bored.

I would recommend South Kensington and one of the Museums there (V&A is my preference); then I'd stroll the streets Knightsbridge-wards, clock Harrods and a few other shops, One Hyde Park, Mandarin Oriental (Bar Bouloud is great within the MO); then stroll towards Picadilly/Mayfair/St James's, maybe step into the RA or browse Bond Street/Savile Row/Jermyn Street; then maybe Pall Mall & St James's Palace towards Trafalgar Sq, where I'd step into the NG/NPG for a while; and then I'd go down Whitehall past the Govt. buildings up to Parliament Sq &c. (and probably eat at "roux at parliament square").

On another day, I'd definitely spend a full day at the BM.

If you're into your scrapers, I suppose a trip to the City is order -- just get off at Bank and wander around. And perhaps a trip to CW if that floats your boat?

[Brummyboy92]

Ye I am in London this coming weekend and I really want to avoid all the touristy crap, I have near enough done it all now. I loved Camden last time I was here, however is there anywhere else like Camden I can go to? Also is the Cutty Sark and surrounding area any good? I am also looking for somewhere with a good view of London, done the London Eye so is there anything different? Thanks.

[Peckhamdamo]

Greenwich park a short but steep walk from Cutty Sark has great views! Also does Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill in North London.

[BelgiumKanarie]

Changing of the guards

[JimB]

Originally Posted by Loathing

I agree regarding Tussauds & Dungeon: avoid.

What are you interests? I've been living in London for 20 years and I'm still not bored.

I would recommend South Kensington and one of the Museums there (V&A is my preference); then I'd stroll the streets Knightsbridge-wards, clock Harrods and a few other shops, One Hyde Park, Mandarin Oriental (Bar Bouloud is great within the MO); then stroll towards Picadilly/Mayfair/St James's, maybe step into the RA or browse Bond Street/Savile Row/Jermyn Street; then maybe Pall Mall & St James's Palace towards Trafalgar Sq, where I'd step into the NG/NPG for a while; and then I'd go down Whitehall past the Govt. buildings up to Parliament Sq &c. (and probably eat at "roux at parliament square").

On another day, I'd definitely spend a full day at the BM.

If you're into your scrapers, I suppose a trip to the City is order -- just get off at Bank and wander around. And perhaps a trip to CW if that floats your boat?

Translation for those who are baffled by acronyms and don't know London:

V&A - Victoria & Albert Museum
RA - Royal Academy
NG - National Gallery
NPG - National Portrait Gallery
BM - British Museum
CW - Canary Wharf

[LDN_EUROPE]

For people who feel they have 'done' the centre, try Hampstead (including Parliament Hill for the view) in the north and in the South West try Wimbledon Village and Richmond. In the South East try Greenwich (including Greenwich Park for the view).

For parks you might not have thought of try Battersea Park.

For a different gallery from usual try the Saatchi Gallery, King's Road.

For a great pub with a river view for a BBQ or meal try The Ship in Wandsworth Town.

For breakfast/brunch try Brew (45 Northcote Road, Clapham).

I still think the V&A and also The British Museum are unmissable.

[PadArch]

If you've never been to London the key sites in my opinion are trafalgar sq, Waterloo bridge (ideally see the view from each side), monument, fleet street up to st Paul's, covent garden, Lombard street around to leadenhall street area.

[anthonySE1]

Wrap up warm, keep your wallet safe, avoid the casinos, and remember, whatever you buy will be half price on the 26th December.

[Loathing]

Waterloo Bridge is a good call for the views. I'd highly recommend stepping into Somerset House (right next to the bridge on the north side of the Thames): by far the most impressive & important building of its period in England.

[Orionol]

I remember 2 years ago, when our class had a schooltrip to London (beautiful city, I really love London). We saw the Kew Garden (beautiful, but only for those who like plants etc.), British Museum (no entry cost, things from all around the world), Shakespeare Globe, Tate Modern, Swedish Embassy (we had to go there, to get informed about UK and the Swedish community in UK). At the free time (away from teachers), we went to Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, Harrolds etc.(It was christmas decorated)

We also partied, London has a nice nightlife.

I strongly recommend you to see these places (well except the embassy).

[Crash_N]

Originally Posted by PeterStoba

I'm coming to London next weekend (Sunday - Tuesday) and was wondering if there were any suggestions for things to do?

Obviously I'll be checking out the Shard, 20 Fenchurch etc as I've been watching them for months! I also want to do a bit of the usual tourist stuff (Madame Tussauds, Dungeon, London Eye etc...) but my girlfriend wants the usual London stuff like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge etc...

Are we best just getting a travel card and jumping on and off the tube all day?

Any suggestions for any nice places to eat (breakfast especially) in the Euston/Farringdon area?

Thanks!

As for the touring of the usual landmarks and museums, you should get a 3-day London Card, I think you can buy it at any major railway station.
And definitely get a travel card, it'll save you a lot of money if you're there just for a couple of days and are mostly in Zone 1.

[levaniX]

When I was in London, i didn;t visit such tourist traps as Dungeon and Madame Tussaunds.
They cost lots of money, by the way, and it's just overrated.

I'd recommend you to visit royal parks, Birtish Museum, Museum of London, which is very amazing. Also, it'd be nice to visit The City in the weekend, don't visit it in working days, there are too much people during that time, while in the weekend The City of London is literally EMPTY, but amazing. My favourite district, btw

Go to the Monument(there's no lifts, and you should walk these 300-400 steps on the staircase), there are much better views of London than from London Eye.

And here's the question for locals:
Is there still some kind of "Western-moviesh" amusement park on South Bank near London Eye?
I was thrilled when i took a ride.

[Citizen4O1]

This is occasionally missed in a number of tourist rotations:



It's a shame you won't have an opportunity to see the food market, which happens on Thursdays, but it's still great nonetheless. If you're into opera, the Royal Opera House is just next door and has very affordable seating.

[LDN_EUROPE]

If you want a view, go here: http://sushisamba.com/location/london/gallery

[Brummyboy92]

Thanks for advice guys, The Monument sounds good to me, is it open seven days a week?

[PeterStoba]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Originally Posted by PadArch

Forget Madame tussauds and dungeon imho. Complete waste of time. Euston is a shitty place to try and get a good breakfast tbh. You're better of going up the road to islington or camden or going southwest to nearby fitzrovia. They do have some good and cheap south Indian restaurants on Drummond street (nearby to euston) though (diwana). Near to farringdon at st John st you have the st John restaurant. Bit pricey but good value if you're into that kind of food

Already booked the tickets for those, got a combination ticket, too late.

Thanks, I'll try some places in those areas rather than Euston. Indian is good, thank you.

Originally Posted by Loathing

I agree regarding Tussauds & Dungeon: avoid.

What are you interests? I've been living in London for 20 years and I'm still not bored.

I would recommend South Kensington and one of the Museums there (V&A is my preference); then I'd stroll the streets Knightsbridge-wards, clock Harrods and a few other shops, One Hyde Park, Mandarin Oriental (Bar Bouloud is great within the MO); then stroll towards Picadilly/Mayfair/St James's, maybe step into the RA or browse Bond Street/Savile Row/Jermyn Street; then maybe Pall Mall & St James's Palace towards Trafalgar Sq, where I'd step into the NG/NPG for a while; and then I'd go down Whitehall past the Govt. buildings up to Parliament Sq &c. (and probably eat at "roux at parliament square").

On another day, I'd definitely spend a full day at the BM.

If you're into your scrapers, I suppose a trip to the City is order -- just get off at Bank and wander around. And perhaps a trip to CW if that floats your boat?

Thank a lot, that was just what I needed, a proper list!

Originally Posted by BelgiumKanarie

Changing of the guards

Will check that out, thanks.

Originally Posted by JimB

Translation for those who are baffled by acronyms and don't know London:

V&A - Victoria & Albert Museum
RA - Royal Academy
NG - National Gallery
NPG - National Portrait Gallery
BM - British Museum
CW - Canary Wharf

Haha thanks, I worked most of them out.

Originally Posted by LDN_EUROPE

For people who feel they have 'done' the centre, try Hampstead (including Parliament Hill for the view) in the north and in the South West try Wimbledon Village and Richmond. In the South East try Greenwich (including Greenwich Park for the view).

For parks you might not have thought of try Battersea Park.

For a different gallery from usual try the Saatchi Gallery, King's Road.

For a great pub with a river view for a BBQ or meal try The Ship in Wandsworth Town.

For breakfast/brunch try Brew (45 Northcote Road, Clapham).

I still think the V&A and also The British Museum are unmissable.

Thanks for the park and food recommendations!

Originally Posted by PadArch

If you've never been to London the key sites in my opinion are trafalgar sq, Waterloo bridge (ideally see the view from each side), monument, fleet street up to st Paul's, covent garden, Lombard street around to leadenhall street area.

Great list, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by anthonySE1

Wrap up warm, keep your wallet safe, avoid the casinos, and remember, whatever you buy will be half price on the 26th December.

I like the last bit best, I'll remind her of that

Originally Posted by Loathing

Waterloo Bridge is a good call for the views. I'd highly recommend stepping into Somerset House (right next to the bridge on the north side of the Thames): by far the most impressive & important building of its period in England.

I'll try and check it out, thanks.

Originally Posted by Crash_N

As for the touring of the usual landmarks and museums, you should get a 3-day London Card, I think you can buy it at any major railway station.
And definitely get a travel card, it'll save you a lot of money if you're there just for a couple of days and are mostly in Zone 1.

What is a 3-day London Card? I google'd but couldn't find anything specific? I'll grab the travel cards when we get off at Euston, I think I can do that, right?

Originally Posted by levaniX

When I was in London, i didn;t visit such tourist traps as Dungeon and Madame Tussaunds.
They cost lots of money, by the way, and it's just overrated.

I'd recommend you to visit royal parks, Birtish Museum, Museum of London, which is very amazing. Also, it'd be nice to visit The City in the weekend, don't visit it in working days, there are too much people during that time, while in the weekend The City of London is literally EMPTY, but amazing. My favourite district, btw

Go to the Monument(there's no lifts, and you should walk these 300-400 steps on the staircase), there are much better views of London than from London Eye.

And here's the question for locals:
Is there still some kind of "Western-moviesh" amusement park on South Bank near London Eye?
I was thrilled when i took a ride.

Thanks, I'll try and do the city on Sunday and the museums on the Monday and Tuesday!

Originally Posted by Citizen4O1

This is occasionally missed in a number of tourist rotations:

It's a shame you won't have an opportunity to see the food market, which happens on Thursdays, but it's still great nonetheless. If you're into opera, the Royal Opera House is just next door and has very affordable seating.

The food market looks great, you're right, shame I'll miss that. No opera though, thanks.

[tsweaver]

Originally Posted by levaniX

And here's the question for locals:
Is there still some kind of "Western-moviesh" amusement park on South Bank near London Eye?
I was thrilled when i took a ride.

That was only there during the olympics i think, though the same/similar (+more) rides are now in Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, again free entry. Pretty tacky compared to the interesting western-themed one but I'm sure nice for families and couples.

still, the rides never disappoint me

[Crash_N]

Originally Posted by PeterStoba

What is a 3-day London Card? I google'd but couldn't find anything specific? I'll grab the travel cards when we get off at Euston, I think I can do that, right?

Sorry, London Pass

http://www.londonpass.com/?aid=17&gc...FQEd3godRC8Agg