NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm about to go on vacation and I'll be visiting London for a wek. Do any of you fine NSers have advice about what to visit and where to go?

Please, help me make this trip an memorable one.

1. Go do all the tourist stuff and get it over with. British Museum, Tower of London, etc. Make it quick.
2. Go to the theatre - there are good shows there, and it's not too expensive. Make a night of theatre each night. Not sure what's still there, but I saw Blue Man Group, Sinatra, and a couple of other shows when I was there.
3. Find out of the way places to eat. Avoid the places like Angus Steak House (it's crap - they have no idea what a steak is). You'll spend less money and eat better. There's an EXCELLENT dim sum place in Chinatown right next to the fire station - I highly recommend it.
4. Drink. I suggest you go to Drury Lane and check out the Lowlander. Dutch and Belgian beer - and it's got the best fried potatoes in the world. There are many good bars within easy walking distance in London.

Theres quite a few places (get ready for corny advert):

Do you like theatre? Well why don't you visit the West End to see some great shows?

Theatre not for you. How about shopping? Visit Oxford Street for that expensive look or go somewhere cheap and diverse like Camden market.

More of a history or art buff? Visit one of many museums from the Imperial War Museum to the Tate Modern.

Or enjoy many places such as Chinatown or Southhall home of the Indian Subcontinent community full of flavour and exotic things.

Enjoy Londons diversity.

go to the houses of parliment and check it out...
go and find a proper pub in the east end....eat loads of jellied eels , pie and mash ( or pie and peas) , get a proper kebab , have a ruby murrey ( a curry) there is also a great chinese restaurant in kensington near the royal albert hall ( all you can eat for a fiver ( five pounds) 36 chicken wings etc..larvley stuff as they say..visit the tower of london , go on the london eye go to harrods and visit buckingham palace.....it's all good

YOU GOT TO EAT JELLIED EELS THO...AWESOME

Don't forget the rare book stores near Leicester Square tube station.

Leave as soon as possible?

Get in a car and go to one of the national parks. Relax, chill out, get rained on, meet friendly people, get away from the filth and noise and pay less than a tenner for a pint.

Pah.

York/ Bristol/ Durham are all better cities.

As you're in London, though, find a "real" pub and drink local beer.

Thought I should post something a BIT more positive. Seriously, get out of London for at least part of your stay. Londoners tend to think that London IS Britain, but are mistaken.

Thinking of places which are not TOO far away....

Do a day in Oxford. Popular with the tourists for all the old colleges etc. Stay a night in the city, go to the Thai restaurant opposite Jongleurs comedy club, go across the road to the club when you've eaten. Alternatively there is a good indian opposite the police station.

My info on oxford is about 3 years out of date, but hopefully everything is still there.

Cambridge is similar but has its head up its arse and thinks its the centre of the universe.

I would suggest the lake district and other areas od natural beauty but you are never going to get that far.

London and the surrounding area can offer just about anything - except tropical beaches.

What are your interests, what type of thing do you like doing in your free time?

Pah.

York/ Bristol/ Durham are all better cities.

As you're in London, though, find a "real" pub and drink local beer.

You ever drunk local london beer? I could understand drinking local beer in yorkshire....

In London, drink belgian beer. Just mortgage your house first to afford any beer at all.

Thought I should post something a BIT more positive. Seriously, get out of London for at least part of your stay. Londoners tend to think that London IS Britain, but are mistaken.

Thinking of places which are not TOO far away....

Do a day in Oxford. Popular with the tourists for all the old colleges etc. Stay a night in the city, go to the Thai restaurant opposite Jongleurs comedy club, go across the road to the club when you've eaten. Alternatively there is a good indian opposite the police station.

My info on oxford is about 3 years out of date, but hopefully everything is still there.

Cambridge is similar but has its head up its arse and thinks its the centre of the universe.

I would suggest the lake district and other areas od natural beauty but you are never going to get that far.
I'm there for two weeks. One week for London and one week for other parts of the British Isles. Not sure what I'll visit though.

I plan at least one day in Cambridge.

You ever drunk local london beer? I could understand drinking local beer in yorkshire....

In London, drink belgian beer. Just mortgage your house first to afford any beer at all.
Young's and Fullers are both perfectly acceptable London beers.

London and the surrounding area can offer just about anything - except tropical beaches.

What are your interests, what type of thing do you like doing in your free time?
Darn... I was expecting sunny weather and tropical beaches. ;)

Seriously, I go there to meet a few online acquaintances, visit the touristy stuff and sample the local food and drink.

As such, I will be in pubs, I will try a few restaurant. You folks can recommend some of those.

The theatre seems interesting. I might see one show. Not more, though. I plan to do some shopping for gift to those back home.

Also, I plan to complain about the rain, tell everyone I meet that the England football team was a bunch of wankers who didn't play to win and make a general nuisance of myself like chanting for Manchester United in Liverpool and the contrary. Do you think I should take some medical insurance? :D

I'm there for two weeks. One week for London and one week for other parts of the British Isles. Not sure what I'll visit though.

I plan at least one day in Cambridge.

Unless you are a real culture vulture, and want to visit all of the galleries and museums, a week may be too long in London - It is so expensive that you have to have a good reason to stay there for more than a couple of days.

In those couple of days it is worth hopping on one of the tourist buses to see the main tourist attractions (Buck house, the Tower, St Pauls, Trafalgar Square etc.), going to one of the museums - depends on your interest, and investigating some of the now rather touristy markets (Camden Lock, Ladbroke Grove, for example)

If theatre is your interest, try the National Theatre on the South Bank rather than one of the West end theatre houses - better prices and nearly always better productions - good coffee too.

There may be some new things that I don't know about (I left the UK more than 8 years ago)

If you're in London then make sure you try out the famous echo in the British library reading room.

Also, I plan to complain about the rain, tell everyone I meet that the England football team was a bunch of wankers who didn't play to win and make a general nuisance of myself like chanting for Manchester United in Liverpool and the contrary. Do you think I should take some medical insurance? :D
Btw were in a heat wave at the moment.....

I plan at least one day in Cambridge.

I live in a smallish village half an hour away from Cambridge; it's a pretty good place. Personally I prefer Oxford but that's just me.

Just remember to always remind people that you're canadian... to the point of emphasising the pronounciation of 'about' and adding 'ay' onto the end of every sentance...

From my experiance (over many visits)... Londoners have tourists... even if the 'tourist' is a guy living 10miles away.... hes still an ousider...and he's gonna get abuse.

Not abuse as such.. just dont expect any politeness, any help etc...

But the art galleries and museums are nice to visit :)

Darn... I was expecting sunny weather and tropical beaches. ;)

Seriously, I go there to meet a few online acquaintances, visit the touristy stuff and sample the local food and drink.

As such, I will be in pubs, I will try a few restaurant. You folks can recommend some of those.

The theatre seems interesting. I might see one show. Not more, though. I plan to do some shopping for gift to those back home.

Also, I plan to complain about the rain, tell everyone I meet that the England football team was a bunch of wankers who didn't play to win and make a general nuisance of myself like chanting for Manchester United in Liverpool and the contrary. Do you think I should take some medical insurance? :D

Well we don’t have tropical beaches but we have got a heat wave at the moment (a very hot one)

Do tourist stuff like visit the London eye then don’t get on it when you see the prise. :D

Just remember to always remind people that you're canadian... to the point of emphasising the pronounciation of 'about' and adding 'ay' onto the end of every sentance...

From my experiance (over many visits)... Londoners have tourists... even if the 'tourist' is a guy living 10miles away.... hes still an ousider...and he's gonna get abuse.

Not abuse as such.. just dont expect any politeness, any help etc...

But the art galleries and museums are nice to visit :)

Try not to short change a cab driver or mention Gordon Ramsey.

In Piccadilly Circus there is a place called "The Trocodero" which is my favouritest place in the whole world.
I suggest you visit the Thames, maybe go on the London Eye (though maybe wait until the heatwave has ended, I shouldn't imagine it is much fun in this heat). Hampstead Heath to the North has bathing ponds...
There's a lot of really good nightclubs and things but you might need to go out of the city centre (try Old Street or Camden).
Also, you absolutely must visit Brick Lane to sample the national dish of Tikka Masala. The nearest tube to Brick Lane is Bethnal Green (on the central line) then catch the number 8 bus going towards Bank. Ask the driver to tell you when Brick Lane is. He might not... but he usually will.

Don't be afraid, Londoners are really very lovely (except when you stupid tourists look at your pigging maps in the middle of the Tube without pulling over or even looking over your shoulders to see if anyone is there) and quite helpful. That said, keep an eye on your bag and make sure you don't get in the way of people on their way to work. And stay on the right on the escalator if you aren't going to walk up or down!

Covent Garden is a tourist trap but rather lovely, get off at Holborn (Picaddilly or Central line) for the *Love Of God* not Covent Garden itself...
The walk is very lovely with many amazing shops. Once you've exhausted the possibilities of Covent Garden, keep walking up to Leicester Square. You may even see a premiere with all the red carpets and such.

If you're having a look around Britain, make sure you visit Cardiff. It's cheap, it's the capital of Wales (so lots of amenities and culture) and it is where Dr Who was filmed. Perfect! Plus, you'll get to see loads of signs written in Welsh, what's not to love? The main thing to bring back home as a gift is "Welsh Love Spoons" maaaarvelous!

I'm about to go on vacation and I'll be visiting London for a wek. Do any of you fine NSers have advice about what to visit and where to go?

Please, help me make this trip an memorable one.


Come look me up and I'll take you to some great drinking places, some great music places, some lesser know London attractions, come on down and I'll show you just how polite and nice us Londerners can be. Heheh okay well at least us South Easterners I wouldn't trust them North London lot, they speak funny you know!

Come look me up and I'll take you to some great drinking places, some great music places, some lesser know London attractions, come on down and I'll show you just how polite and nice us Londerners can be. Heheh okay well at least us South Easterners I wouldn't trust them North London lot, they speak funny you know!
Aye. I might just do that, guv'nor.

Thanks a lot. This is very helpful.

Keep 'em coming.

Aye. I might just do that, guv'nor.


Yeah do that! You're quite welcome.

DK covered my suggestions.

There is also the old ships that you can explore. HMS Victory and Belfast.

If you do the theater, look to the professional scalpers in their booths. Got excellent seats one year for Phantom and Miss Saigon. Also Mousetrap is something to see. Been playing for what 37 years now.....

DK covered my suggestions.

There is also the old ships that you can explore. HMS Victory and Belfast.

If you do the theater, look to the professional scalpers in their booths. Got excellent seats one year for Phantom and Miss Saigon. Also Mousetrap is something to see. Been playing for what 37 years now.....
Mousetrap? What is it about?

Avoid eating anywhere near Covent Garden or Piccadilly! Trust me I do pest control in London. Ignorance really IS bliss!

Natural History Museum is my favourite touristy bit - it's great and also it's completely free (rare thing in London!) and the science museum (they have a cat with 6 toes on each paw!).

Other cities that I prefer to London are Bath (beautiful Roman city) and Bristol. Londoners have a rude label, they're ok if you make the effort to talk to them (generally). I've always helped tourists (but then I live outside London and only commute there).

Madame Tussaurds was a big rip-off last time I went (about a month ago) v.expensive, small and crap (I loved it when I was little).

If you have a hangover, spend some time in the National Gallery.

If you're drunk, spend some time in the National Portrait Gallery. (it's around the corner to the right if you're facing the natl gallery from the middle of trafalgar square)

DK covered my suggestions.

There is also the old ships that you can explore. HMS Victory and Belfast.

If you do the theater, look to the professional scalpers in their booths. Got excellent seats one year for Phantom and Miss Saigon. Also Mousetrap is something to see. Been playing for what 37 years now.....
HMS Victory is a bit of stretch for a visitor to London.;)

Cutty Sark might be better. Plus it has the advantage of being in Greenwich, which has a whole lot of history and variety going for it, especially at the weekend, when the market's on.

Oh, and if you like theatre don't go to see the Mousetrap. Not unless you're into that whole postmodern ironic appreciation of woodern acting, unimaginative staging and crap scripts thang. In a heat wave in a theatre without air conditioning IIRC.

In Piccadilly Circus there is a place called "The Trocodero" which is my favouritest place in the whole world.
I suggest you visit the Thames, maybe go on the London Eye (though maybe wait until the heatwave has ended, I shouldn't imagine it is much fun in this heat). Hampstead Heath to the North has bathing ponds...
There's a lot of really good nightclubs and things but you might need to go out of the city centre (try Old Street or Camden).
Also, you absolutely must visit Brick Lane to sample the national dish of Tikka Masala. The nearest tube to Brick Lane is Bethnal Green (on the central line) then catch the number 8 bus going towards Bank. Ask the driver to tell you when Brick Lane is. He might not... but he usually will.

Don't be afraid, Londoners are really very lovely (except when you stupid tourists look at your pigging maps in the middle of the Tube without pulling over or even looking over your shoulders to see if anyone is there) and quite helpful. That said, keep an eye on your bag and make sure you don't get in the way of people on their way to work. And stay on the right on the escalator if you aren't going to walk up or down!

Covent Garden is a tourist trap but rather lovely, get off at Holborn (Picaddilly or Central line) for the *Love Of God* not Covent Garden itself...
The walk is very lovely with many amazing shops. Once you've exhausted the possibilities of Covent Garden, keep walking up to Leicester Square. You may even see a premiere with all the red carpets and such.

If you're having a look around Britain, make sure you visit Cardiff. It's cheap, it's the capital of Wales (so lots of amenities and culture) and it is where Dr Who was filmed. Perfect! Plus, you'll get to see loads of signs written in Welsh, what's not to love? The main thing to bring back home as a gift is "Welsh Love Spoons" maaaarvelous!


This last part is good advice, cardiff is a weird place.

Don't make the mistake I did of thinking the big red building that says "welsh assembly - public welcome" is an "Assembly of God" church or cathedral. It is their 'parliament.'

Be sure to go to the big aluminim tube they have as a national cardiff museum, you can smell what soldiers smelled like and what houses smelled like if you go in back to their "smell exhibits." No joke.

Enjoy London, it is so much fun!

HMS Victory is a bit of stretch for a visitor to London.;)

Cutty Sark might be better. Plus it has the advantage of being in Greenwich, which has a whole lot of history and variety going for it, especially at the weekend, when the market's on.

Oh, and if you like theatre don't go to see the Mousetrap. Not unless you're into that whole postmodern ironic appreciation of woodern acting, unimaginative staging and crap scripts thang. In a heat wave in a theatre without air conditioning IIRC.

Ahh Agatha Christy make you think too hard! :p

I'm about to go on vacation and I'll be visiting London for a wek. Do any of you fine NSers have advice about what to visit and where to go?

Please, help me make this trip an memorable one.

Two words: Camden Market. Just leave before the tube shuts.

Young's and Fullers are both perfectly acceptable London beers.

ROFLMFAO. Youngs is weak and flavourless but it has one advantage over Fullers, it doesn't taste like a Fuller has been tramping in it. Drink Stella Artois in London.

FYI- a "Fullers" job was to close the weave in wool clothe. This was done by trampling the cloth in stale urine. Fullers beer seems to be directly descended from the run off.

Fargozia']ROFLMFAO. Youngs is weak and flavourless but it has one advantage over Fullers, it doesn't taste like a Fuller has been tramping in it. Drink Stella Artois in London.

FYI- a "Fullers" job was to close the weave in wool clothe. This was done by trampling the cloth in stale urine. Fullers beer seems to be directly descended from the run off.

eww... I'm glad I don't drink

:eek:

Fargozia']ROFLMFAO. Youngs is weak and flavourless but it has one advantage over Fullers, it doesn't taste like a Fuller has been tramping in it. Drink Stella Artois in London.

FYI- a "Fullers" job was to close the weave in wool clothe. This was done by trampling the cloth in stale urine. Fullers beer seems to be directly descended from the run off.
As much as that sounds tempting, I think I rather try british beer. They might not taste good but at least I get the country flavor.

So what's wrong with Guiness? Is it the budweiser of britain? Do I look like an Ignoramus who can't make the difference between an Irish brew and an english one? Does it really matter as far as a Canadian who wants to taste different beers is concerned?

If you are leaving London for a week, (please make it 10 out of the 14 days), come to Glasgow. All the public museums are free and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum re-opens on the 11th July after a HUGE refurbishment which includes "Christ of St John on the Cross" by Salvador Dali. There is also the Burrell Collection (takes 2 days tbh) which also includes such works as "The Beggars Charity" and "The Thinker" (Rodin). If you fancy a walk in a park, Glasgow has more parkland per head tan anyother city in Europe. The Burrell sits in Pollok Park and I could recommend Kelvingrove Park if you go to the gallery. There is also a museum of modern art (GOMA) right at the city centre and a Museum of Religious Art by the Cathedral.

There is great food to be had. If you want Thai, the Lemon Grass restaurant by the UGC Cinema is a good place to go. There are lots of good Italian restaurants due to the large Italian population but avoid the one on Suchiehall St near the concert hall. Loads of great Curry houses. I can personally recommend Panjea on Kent Road by the Mitchell Library.

If you are into sport, there is Ibrox Stadium home of Rangers the team that holds 2 World Records (much to the chagrin of the unwashed sector of the city). :D

There are good transport links in the city and if you go to the Travel Information Office in St Enochs Square, they will give you the best advice on what tickets to buy to achieve your aims.

HTH

if any glaswegian offers you a kiss, decline the offer, politely

Firstly, ignore people telling you that London is so expensive. If you're not stupid you can quite easily find some cheap places - for example at the BT tower end of Tottenham Court Road (major road of London, has the Spearmint Rhino on it), there's a pub where pints range in price from £1.60 - £2, which is fairly average for the country.

Second - don't go on the London Eye. It's a rip-off, and there are plenty of other high places in central London that are free to get into.

Third - have your photo taken with a guard at Buckingham Palace. It's a law that all tourists must do this.

Fourth - go to Camden Market (but watch out for petty thieves). It's a bit crap now, but still cool.

Fifth - go to Sheffield instead.

Fargozia']<completely fails to mention McEwans 80/-> Drink Stella Artois in London.

<has a similar memory lapse about Belhaven 80/->
Which is what I do generally, in fact. When the pub hasn't got a halfway decent lager on tap.

Stella: it's wet, it's got alcohol in it, it doesn't taste of anything. What's to dislike?:p

Sheffield, dont go to sheffield, unless you want some cutlery...

Sheffield, dont go to sheffield, unless you want some cutlery...
And I suspect I should go to Chepstow, Wales instead, eh?

I'm about to go on vacation and I'll be visiting London for a wek. Do any of you fine NSers have advice about what to visit and where to go?

Please, help me make this trip an memorable one.

Visit somewhere 'real', instead of all the tourist locales, so that when you return to Canada you take a more modern and realistic view of Britain back with you. There are 60,000,000 people living on those isles, and everybody assumes that they all live in London.

As much as that sounds tempting, I think I rather try british beer. They might not taste good but at least I get the country flavor.

So what's wrong with Guiness? Is it the budweiser of britain? Do I look like an Ignoramus who can't make the difference between an Irish brew and an english one? Does it really matter as far as a Canadian who wants to taste different beers is concerned?

Guiness is in no way the Budweiser of Britain. It is mainly drank by old working class men who like to tell you how hard it was in their day.
It dosen't really matter what beers you try and your not expected to know tonnes about them, what ever you do just stay away from Carling.

As much as that sounds tempting, I think I rather try british beer. They might not taste good but at least I get the country flavor.

So what's wrong with Guiness? Is it the budweiser of britain? Do I look like an Ignoramus who can't make the difference between an Irish brew and an english one? Does it really matter as far as a Canadian who wants to taste different beers is concerned?
Nothing wrong with Guiness, though it's generally better in Dublin, and is not that much of a universal in England these days. Try to get it in a pub where they care for their beer - it's much better for being drawn properly.

If you do want to go for 'authentic' beer, check out the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) web site. They know their beer, and will list a load of good pubs in London and elsewhere.

Visit somewhere 'real', instead of all the tourist locales, so that when you return to Canada you take a more modern and realistic view of Britain back with you. There are 60,000,000 people living on those isles, and everybody assumes that they all live in London.
London does have a population over seven times greater than the next biggest city, and also has most of the important landmarks that appear again and again in our history. I'd say it's fair to spend four or five days of a two week holiday in London.

Sure, go to other places as well. It depends what you like. If you're a city person, check out Sheffield, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh. If you're more of a country person, try East Anglia, Devon, Somerset, Yorkshire and the Highlands of Scotland. But go to London. It's worth it.

Visit somewhere 'real', instead of all the tourist locales, so that when you return to Canada you take a more modern and realistic view of Britain back with you. There are 60,000,000 people living on those isles, and everybody assumes that they all live in London.
Perhaps some other time. I'm one week in London mainly because I know a lot of people in London from the internet and I'm scheduled to meet most of them. But the other week of my vacation is all about visiting the British Isles. Well, as much as I can.

if any glaswegian offers you a kiss, decline the offer, politely
And if a drunk Londoner is asking you loudly if, "You want some (because, he's got some, if you want some)", he is not inviting you to share his drinking experience by taking a sip from his glass.

Similarly the exhortation, "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough", is not an invitation to an ad hoc sexual dalliance.

(And nor is the question, "So, are you feeling tasty then?".)

Advice (http://www.visitlondon.com)

That link there will take you to a website for anyone who wants to visit london. Hope it helps.

And if a drunk Londoner is asking you loudly if, "You want some (because, he's got some, if you want some)", he is not inviting you to share his drinking experience by taking a sip from his glass.

Similarly the exhortation, "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough", is not an invitation to an ad hoc sexual dalliance.

(And nor is the question, "So, are you feeling tasty then?".)
Which brings me to my next question. Is there a website where I can find some basic slang I will encounter in London.

I'd hate to be on the recieving end of a fist instead of a pint.
I know that "Thank You" is replaced by "Cheers" and that "bollocks" sorta means "not true".

London does have a population over seven times greater than the next biggest city, and also has most of the important landmarks that appear again and again in our history. I'd say it's fair to spend four or five days of a two week holiday in London.


...none of which tell you anything about the people of Britain, just the facade that the tourist areas put up for foreigners.

Which brings me to my next question. Is there a website where I can find some basic slang I will encounter in London.

I'd hate to be on the recieving end of a fist instead of a pint.
I know that "Thank You" is replaced by "Cheers" and that "bollocks" sorta means "not true".

Here (http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/)

Ask and you shall receive

Here (http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/)

Ask and you shall receive
Cheers, mate.

Firstly, ignore people telling you that London is so expensive. If you're not stupid you can quite easily find some cheap places - for example at the BT tower end of Tottenham Court Road (major road of London, has the Spearmint Rhino on it), there's a pub where pints range in price from £1.60 - £2, which is fairly average for the country.
Do you mean The Court? Yeah, that's not too pricey. Tottenham Court Road as a whole is not as bad as you might expect, pricewise.

About the slang: don't worry. We all watch too much American TV, and you'll get on fine.

Chinatown is a must, as there are some good, inexpensive restaurants there. Most of the touristy stuff isn't that great, in my opinion, and I just find exploring London's nooks and crannies fascinating.

Above all, avoid the Tube unless you absolutely can't!

And I suspect I should go to Chepstow, Wales instead, eh?

of course, we have the welsh grand national, http://www.welsh-national.co.uk/

an old norman castle http://www.castlewales.com/chepstow.html which according to castle wales.com gets a 5 star rating

and (youve missed it this year) a yearly rock concert for local bands. Feeder have played here. Albieit before they were famous.

...none of which tell you anything about the people of Britain, just the facade that the tourist areas put up for foreigners.
Depends where you go. If you can't find out something about the people of Britain having spent 5 days in their capital city, you've probably spent your time in your hotel room with your eyes shut, your fingers in your ears, and shouting 'La la la la la la la la la la la la la'.

Which brings me to my next question. Is there a website where I can find some basic slang I will encounter in London.

I'd hate to be on the recieving end of a fist instead of a pint.
I know that "Thank You" is replaced by "Cheers" and that "bollocks" sorta means "not true".


Perhaps I can help you. I was in Brittain last summer for three weeks (in a small villiage near Winchester), and I got into quite a bit of trouble over saying perfectly ordinary things that apparently meant "other things" there. For starters, a fanny pack is not a little pouch clipped around there waist (It's a "femenine product."). If you know ASL (American Sign Language), what here means "unfair," there means bastard, so be careful. Additionally, "pants" means underwear (trousers are the replacement word), so never say (as I did), "It's so hot out today; thank goodness I'm not wearing pants!" You will get some very interesting stares. By the way, "bollocks," while literally translating to testicles, essentially means "bull sh-t." Another mistake I made was that, in America, one of the hand signals for "two" (not the one that can also mean "peace," but the other one) is actually telling someone to die and qualifies as flipping people off. I got some people very angry that way. As a final note, when I was there, a very attractive woman asked me if I thought she was "fit," and, so, thinking she needed a self-esteem boost (though, ordinarily, I wouldn't have been able to see why she would), I said to her, "Of course! You're in great physical condition! And you're really thin, so you've got nothing to worry about." When her friend started giggling, it alerted me I had done something wrong. As she then explained to me, fit means "hot," and, basically, she was asking me if I thought she was hot (I did, but I would never have said that to her face.). I should warn you that that one led to some level of awkwardness.

Do you mean The Court? Yeah, that's not too pricey. Tottenham Court Road as a whole is not as bad as you might expect, pricewise.


Above all, avoid the Tube unless you absolutely can't!
It's not The Court. I think it's called the Mortimer Arms. It's on the corner of TCR and Capper Street. TCR is quite a cool road, actually.

As for the Tube, it's fine to use. It costs £4 for a day ticket, assuming you just want to go around Zone 1, which you probably will most of the time. I love the thing - you can get to within 200 yards of almost anywhere you might care to go in London.

It's not The Court. I think it's called the Mortimer Arms. It's on the corner of TCR and Capper Street. TCR is quite a cool road, actually.
Ok - I've been there, I think. Can't really remember it. But you're right that, with a bit of sense, London isn't actually zomg money.

As for the Tube, it's fine to use. It costs £4 for a day ticket, assuming you just want to go around Zone 1, which you probably will most of the time. I love the thing - you can get to within 200 yards of almost anywhere you might care to go in London.
Yeah, but in this weather, it's like sitting in a kettle. If you use the Tube a lot in a day, it's worth it, but if it's just local, or just a few trips, the bus is generally cheaper/better - as much as anything, I think it's good to see London from the surface.

It's not The Court. I think it's called the Mortimer Arms. It's on the corner of TCR and Capper Street. TCR is quite a cool road, actually.

As for the Tube, it's fine to use. It costs £4 for a day ticket, assuming you just want to go around Zone 1, which you probably will most of the time. I love the thing - you can get to within 200 yards of almost anywhere you might care to go in London.
Got the tube covered. Bought a week long pass which my friend tell me costed me less than If I'd buy it in London on arrival for some weird reason.

Depends where you go. If you can't find out something about the people of Britain having spent 5 days in their capital city, you've probably spent your time in your hotel room with your eyes shut, your fingers in your ears, and shouting 'La la la la la la la la la la la la la'.

London has a culture all its own, which is not replicated beyond its borders, as do most cities. And staying in the tourist areas of London would deny him even that. You cannot learn about the British people by staying in London, any more than you can learn about the American people by staying in Los Angeles.

Got the tube covered. Bought a week long pass which my friend tell me costed me less than If I'd buy it in London on arrival for some weird reason.
On public transport, advance tickets are cheaper in Britain. *shrugs* Just the way it is.


London has a culture all its own, which is not replicated beyond its borders, as do most cities. And staying in the tourist areas of London would deny him even that. You cannot learn about the British people by staying in London, any more than you can learn about the American people by staying in Los Angeles.
Well, I didn't advise staying in the tourist areas. Go anywhere touristy and you'll find out nothing about the people.

The British are different wherever you go - people in London and people in Manchester are very very different - so you should go everywhere if you want to find out as much as possible about the British. But spend more time in London, because it has a higher population. Simple, really.

Cheers, mate.

Please... If proper Londoners hate anything more than the upper classes attempting to use their figures of spech (mockney), it's smart-arsed foreigners doing the same thing.

Just be yourself! It'll make a change to have a tourist who isn't from America, Spain or Japan.

Please... If proper Londoners hate anything more than the upper classes attempting to use their figures of spech (mockney), it's smart-arsed foreigners doing the same thing.

Just be yourself! It'll make a change to have a tourist who isn't from America, Spain or Japan.
Duly noted.

As a final note, when I was there, a very attractive woman asked me if I thought she was "fit," and, so, thinking she needed a self-esteem boost (though, ordinarily, I wouldn't have been able to see why she would), I said to her, "Of course! You're in great physical condition! And you're really thin, so you've got nothing to worry about." When her friend started giggling, it alerted me I had done something wrong. As she then explained to me, fit means "hot," and, basically, she was asking me if I thought she was hot (I did, but I would never have said that to her face.). I should warn you that that one led to some level of awkwardness.

Priceless!

Yeah, but in this weather, it's like sitting in a kettle. If you use the Tube a lot in a day, it's worth it, but if it's just local, or just a few trips, the bus is generally cheaper/better - as much as anything, I think it's good to see London from the surface.
I was on it this afternoon. It was fine.

I agree with I V - it's public transport how it should be.

I was on it this afternoon. It was fine.

I agree with I V - it's public transport how it should be.

Yup - I hate buses with a passion. Avoid the tube between 7.45-9.10 ish a.m or it's sardinesville!

OK, we just took two Canadians to London, and we went on the http://www.londoneye.com/ and even though it was hot out it was ok, but I do recomend going in the morning! We also went on one of the open top bus tours that go to all the major 'tourist' places, you pay £18 or so for 24 hours, then you can hop on and off these buses all over London (they run every 10 mins or so) and it includes a river cruise too, so you get to see the sights with a commentry and so you know what everything is, and London is a clean and friendly place for the most part. We ate in a fantastic italian Restaurant (O Sole Mio
35 Belgrave Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 2BB Tel. 0871 207 5178)

What kind of thing interests you? do you like old stuff? do you want to go visit stonehenge and things like that?

My Canadian boyfriend say that England has the worlds best beer, don't drink lager its shit, and he says go for CAMRA pubs as already recomended. Or if you want funky try Absolut IceBar in Heddon Street.

Just be a BIT careful with CAMRA.

The hardcore wing of CAMRA don't consider it to be real beer if it does not have twigs in it.

Otherwise they know what they are talking about. Having said that I am off to their webby to see what they say about black sheep....

I'm about to go on vacation and I'll be visiting London for a wek. Do any of you fine NSers have advice about what to visit and where to go?

Please, help me make this trip an memorable one.


Get a ticket to Whitby and Lealholme.


*<3 the North Riding*

Get a ticket to Whitby and Lealholme.


*<3 the North Riding*

oooo whitby.. i lurve whitby

*reminds self to visit grand mother in eston next month*

As much as that sounds tempting, I think I rather try british beer. They might not taste good but at least I get the country flavor.

So what's wrong with Guiness? Is it the budweiser of britain? Do I look like an Ignoramus who can't make the difference between an Irish brew and an english one? Does it really matter as far as a Canadian who wants to taste different beers is concerned?


Shit yeah do try British beer after all it is the best in the world, but don't I beg you don't drink London beer it tastes like shit. Try a nice northern beer, yes I admit it them Northeners make better beer than us Southeners.

oooo whitby.. i lurve whitby

*reminds self to visit grand mother in eston next month*


Fish and chips in Whitby.
Followed by icecream on the go.
Life is ganool!

:fluffle:

Fish and chips in Whitby.
Followed by icecream on the go.
Life is ganool!

:fluffle:

climbing the steps - and sitting near the wishbone to eat ya fish and chips - paddling in the water....

good times

I was never particually impressed by Whitby, although I only passed through it briefly many years ago.

If you going up North to Yorkshire though, go on the Moors Railway!

i was there at the beginning of last month with my best mate and her little girl (my god daughter).. we went to whitby & the stepping stone (i cant remember the name of the village that's in).. and laid out in the sun while the 5 year old played near the river with the bigger kids and another mum.. although i did manage to get a mud mark on my white linen skirt where i sat on the stones and stuck my feet in the water, and it STILL wont come out

not that any of this is relevant but i've had red sweets and i'm a rambling idiot when i've had them

Being the simple country bumpkin that I am, and hailing from north of the border, I find London a busy, slighlty confusing place. Everybody’s always walking the opposite direction from you on pavements. A-n-d y-o-u h-a-v-e t-o t-a-l-k r-e-a-l-ly s-l-o-w-l-y t-o b-e u-n-d-e-r-s-t-o-o-d. Frankly, its a relief to hear the Patter when I get back to Weegieland. But there is soooooooooooooooooooo much to do in London, I’m very jealous of the Londoner’s choice of museums/galleries. I love Tate: Modern.

A-n-d y-o-u h-a-v-e t-o t-a-l-k r-e-a-l-ly s-l-o-w-l-y t-o b-e u-n-d-e-r-s-t-o-o-d.
Unless you have a thick Glasweigian accent, I'm surprised you had trouble being understood. Scots are hardly the rarest thing to come across...

Scots are hardly the rarest thing to come across...
Aye, true-true. I’m commenting from experience only, mind. Maybe I was just served by some particularly sleepy waiters. Anyways, it didn’t detract from the visit, though London is a bit too grey for my liking.

Damn, I’m a grumpy old curmudgeon. Sounding like Paw Broon visiting the Big City for the first time, lol.

As much as that sounds tempting, I think I rather try british beer. They might not taste good but at least I get the country flavor.

So what's wrong with Guiness? Is it the budweiser of britain? Do I look like an Ignoramus who can't make the difference between an Irish brew and an english one? Does it really matter as far as a Canadian who wants to taste different beers is concerned?
Nowt wrong with British beer, just cheap London brews to be avoided. In your second week try some Yorkshire and Welsh ales. The Wychwoods are particularly sumptious, Oxford brewed I think. Not sure how easy non-London ales are to find in London.

As for what to do, a lot of museums and galleries are free (contribution box voluntary), Tate Modern is my favourite. The Mousetrap is great if you like Agatha Christie, I haven't finished reading the thread, I hope no one has divulged any details - you're not allowed, it's a very well kept and respected secret.

Come to Bristol! It's a friendly place! If you can get out to the countryside make sure you see Yorkshire (where I'm from :-p ) very green and lots of lovely little pubs with very good food.

A big thanks to everyone. It gives me a good idea of what to do.

Who knows, I might see some of you in 2-3 weeks.

OOOH! come to Sheffield! or try York
admittedly sheffiled aint that touristy - but we've got some good stuff, and it's a good stopping point for Derbyshire (Castleton, chatsworth ect.) and the peak district.
Try and get in a trip to masham and go to the blacksheep brewery - if you want a good travel book then try Bill Bryson - and invest in the 2006 good beer guide.

watch you pockets and bags when using the tube

I watched a young lad picking wallets out of backpacks on a packed platform - he was caught though - but very clever. keep you money close!

on the up side - kensington gardens are lovely, and a ride on the eye is worth it for the view - even though it is a little over priced

getting a pass for the hop on hop off busses is a good way to get about

...shopping ...mmm.. shopping in london .... *sigh*

climbing the steps - and sitting near the wishbone to eat ya fish and chips - paddling in the water....

good times


I have to admit to having been a bit winded after the 199 stairs.

Which reminds me: when in Whitby, try seeing all the Dracula attractions...

:fluffle:

I have to admit to having been a bit winded after the 199 stairs.

Which reminds me: when in Whitby, try seeing all the Dracula attractions...

:fluffle:

seen em

when i was in school we went on a school 'camping' trip to stainsacre - and how you camp on a 3 storey manor house i'll never know - but on one of the nights we were there we had a night time tour around whitby - and the tour guide was a total pervert and pinched my bum!... i was 13!

*throws up*

was a good tour though

seen em

when i was in school we went on a school 'camping' trip to stainsacre - and how you camp on a 3 storey manor house i'll never know - but on one of the nights we were there we had a night time tour around whitby - and the tour guide was a total pervert and pinched my bum!... i was 13!

*throws up*

was a good tour though

O.o on perverts.

Also also to be seen and searched for: a secluded bay ( path is open but on your own safety ) containing the ( remains ) of 3 rocky buttes known as the 3 Sisters.
One of 'em has pined away.

O.o on perverts.

Also also to be seen and searched for: a secluded bay ( path is open but on your own safety ) containing the ( remains ) of 3 rocky buttes known as the 3 Sisters.
One of 'em has pined away.

i'm sure i've been there too

... i lived in the area for 14 years... and we went up that way every bloody weekend (mum liked to be out of the house... all i did was sleep in the car :rolleyes: )

Being the simple country bumpkin that I am, and hailing from north of the border, I find London a busy, slighlty confusing place. Everybody’s always walking the opposite direction from you on pavements. A-n-d y-o-u h-a-v-e t-o t-a-l-k r-e-a-l-ly s-l-o-w-l-y t-o b-e u-n-d-e-r-s-t-o-o-d. Frankly, its a relief to hear the Patter when I get back to Weegieland. But there is soooooooooooooooooooo much to do in London, I’m very jealous of the Londoner’s choice of museums/galleries. I love Tate: Modern.

There's nothing wrong with firing weegie at Londoners at 2000mph, esp after they have called you a sweaty. They think that you're Rab C. Nesbitt and the next thing that is going to happen is a Glasgow Kiss. :p

Proud to be a weegie and a hun. :D

I don't know if someone already put this link, but I live here and find it very useful.

www.visitlondon.com