Travel Help....

[CA Rosie]

I've approached some of the ladies on this, now I need to get the gents perspective.

My sister and I will be traveling to the UK sometime at the beginning of December next year. What is there to do over there that most tourists would pass by? More than likely we'll be staying somewhere in London (any suggestions).

Of course there are the typical touristy things to see.. ie... Big Ben, The Tower of London... Is there anything else that you would suggest.

Any info would be great,
Kirsten aka CA Rosie

 

[moustache]

Ahh yes...

I've approached some of the ladies on this, now I need to get the gents perspective.

My sister and I will be traveling to the UK sometime at the beginning of December next year. What is there to do over there that most tourists would pass by? More than likely we'll be staying somewhere in London (any suggestions).

Of course there are the typical touristy things to see.. ie... Big Ben, The Tower of London... Is there anything else that you would suggest.

Any info would be great,
Kirsten aka CA Rosie

No doubt there are many Londoners and Brits residing on this forum.They will have a very different input i'm sure.
But having spent many months of my life in the UK,i could offer some tidbits.
As for places to stay: Sooo many choices.My wife and always stay at a delightful B and B/hotel in Sussex Gardens called Balmoral Hotel.It is one block from the Paddington Station and sits amidst many shoppes and restaurants.
Price was very good last year(i believe around 50 pounds Sterling per night for two-paying cash,no credit)And a delightful breakfast.
Here is a link:
http://www.balmoralhousehotel.co.uk/

But there are so many hotels,the sky is the limit.

As for places to visit:here again.So much to do.
We adore the clothes shoppes and vintage stores.Also going to Jermyn St/St James district where we can browse the windows and view those tailored suites and dresses so far out of reach!

Museums are always fun in London.We enjoy all of them.

Look into taking the coach/bus out of London though.Green line offers some really inexpensive fares.
My wife and i went to Cardiff,Wales for only 1 pound each way!!!And what a day.Castles,etc.Same with Oxford,Cambridge and others.Great day trips out.

Just a few thoughts.

JD in Vancouver,Wa

 

["Doc" Devereux]

If you're interested in clothing, I'd recommend a trip to the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington.

As for sights worth seeing, might I suggest Gordon's Wine Bar (pretty much unchanged since it opened in 1890, in the cellar of a house once occupied by Rudyard Kipling and Samuel Pepys - although not simultaneously), the Adelphi just around the corner (an incredible example of Art Deco architecture), the Savoy Hotel a little further up the Strand and Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair, Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner (the Duke of Wellington museum and home to a complete 19th century table setting for banquets in solid silver, as well as artefacts of the first Duke and a certain General Bonaparte), Simpsons-in-the-Strand (watch the booths at the side for all sorts of quiet governmental wheeler-dealing, especially at lunchtime), Saint Paul's Cathedral (for sung evensong at five o'clock) and the many others that my fellow Britons (and sundry loungers who've been here) will undoubtedly suggest. The odds are that I'll think of a few more as well.

London's been here for about two thousand years now. You'd need a lifetime to see it, and even then you'll miss stuff.

 

[moustache]

[QUOTE="Doc" Devereux]
London's been here for about two thousand years now. You'd need a lifetime to see it, and even then you'll miss stuff.[/QUOTE]


Well put!!! So much to see.We have hardly scratched the surface of London alone!!!We hope to go back again soon as well.
The V and A is a delightful time warp in fashion.Thanks for mentioning it.

JD

 

[CA Rosie]

Travel Help...

Thank you both for your ideas and wealth of information. Unfortunately I have to split my sight seeing with my sister who is not at all into the "vintage" way of life. So I'm trying to find non-vintage things to do while there.

 

[moustache]

No problem!!

Thank you both for your ideas and wealth of information. Unfortunately I have to split my sight seeing with my sister who is not at all into the "vintage" way of life. So I'm trying to find non-vintage things to do while there.

There will be no problems there as London has EVERYTHING!!!!
Whatever her hobbies or interests,she will find it there.

JD

 

[Elaina]

The Torture exhibit at the tower is really interesting. A pass by Scotland yard is ok, there's Jack the Ripper tours where you can walk where he did...I'm a little on the strange side, and these aren't for everybody.

Other then that, when I went I did things most people would not do. Got into a lot of trouble (so I'm going to actually stop here on that.)

 

[John in Covina]

Beer and Ale?

I don't know if either of you happen to enjoy a beer now and again but the entire UK is dotted with some of the most fabulous pubs this side of Heaven. The tradition of beer and ale making is still working, often in spite of the mega brewers. Anyway some of the most traditional brewing methodes and styles are still available in the UK and they have pubs that are dedicated to serving that beer or ale the way it is supposed to be served, like with pull taps, wooden kegs and proper cellar temperatures.

if it may be of interest you might like to contact CAMRA for their guide books and see if there is a festival worth visiting. CAMRA stands for the Campaign for Real Ale or something like that and they are keen on old styles and high standards.

Visit them here:
http://www.camra.org.uk/

 

[John in Covina]

An article to read

Although from a few years back, this Cigar Aficionado article might help with some ideas:
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,193,00.html

 

[moustache]

Ooooo

I don't know if either of you happen to enjoy a beer now and again but the entire UK is dotted with some of the most fabulous pubs this side of Heaven. The tradition of beer and ale making is still working, often in spite of the mega brewers. Anyway some of the most traditional brewing methodes and styles are still available in the UK and they have pubs that are dedicated to serving that beer or ale the way it is supposed to be served, like with pull taps, wooden kegs and proper cellar temperatures.

if it may be of interest you might like to contact CAMRA for their guide books and see if there is a festival worth visiting. CAMRA stands for the Campaign for Real Ale or something like that and they are keen on old styles and high standards.

Visit them here:
http://www.camra.org.uk/

Now you have the taste buds anxious John!!!!
I have spent more time in UK pubs(ALL OVER the UK!)than i should have but enjoyed 95% of them.
You are correct about the campaign for real ale.Same goes with "scrumpy", or real farmhouse cider.
The London pubs can be a delight,but i prefer a country pub where those partaking of the delights inside are the locals and not just bankers and brokers from The City.
Especially the Yorkshire Dales.One of my favourite places in the world.

The only thing that i would change is the price of said beer.I have been visiting the UK for many years and it always goes up.Now a decent pint will set you back 2 pounds 50 p.At the exchange rate,thats almost $5 per pint!
Even our micro brews in the NW are around $3.
Maybe i'm just too poor to travel anymorelol lol


JD

 

[John in Covina]

In LA a pub or restaurant doing microbrews in their line up will usually be $6-8 and more for something heavy or special. Not always but more often than not. I got a second morgage to buy the next round.

$5 seems like a happy hour pint!

 

[Salv]

The Duck Tour is a novel way to see the city. WW2 amphibious DUKWs have been converted to buses that tour the Westminster area by road then take to the the river for a short trip between Lambeth and Waterloo bridges.

There are lots of very interesting markets to visit:

• Greenwich Market in south-east London has collectables, antiques, and arts & crafts on Thursday and Friday, and arts & crafts on Saturday and Sunday. There are also some vintage clothes shops in Greenwich worth looking in.
• Portobello Road in Notting Hill in west London on Saturday for antiques, vintage clothes and new clothes by young designers. There are some excellent places to stop for a quick meal at the Portobelo Green end - Sausage & Mash cafe, Garcia's Spanish cafe (next to Garcia's Spanish deli).
• The various markets at Camden in north London on Saturday and Sunday for vintage and new clothes.
• Spitalfields in east London, with the nearby shops in Brick Lane and Columbia Road on Sunday.

if you want to eat in the English equivalent of the classic American diner you could try the New Picadilly just off Picadilly Circus,

or the Regency in Pimlico

 

[Salv]

What sort of music do you like Kirsten? There are countless live music venues in London, from tiny rooms to mega-size venues, and the club scene is as strong as ever with almost every type of musical specialty catered for.

Current underground favourite The Bethnal Green Working Men's Club has burlesque nights, tango nights, 1930's jazz influenced nights and parties with a soundtrack of ".. indie rock & Roll, Classics, Rockabilly & Oddball delights."

The 100 Club on Oxford Street has regular jazz, swing, blues and R&B gigs with swing dance lessons on some evenings. According to their website:

The Clubs heritage is legendary and has seen performances from acts as diverse as The Sex Pistols, Muddy Waters, Hugh Masekela, Lee Konitz, Oasis, Lonnie Donnegan, Jimmy McGriff and Travis to The Clash,The White Stripes, Yank Lawson, Sinead O'Conner, Nico, Chris Barber and Beverly Knight, to name but a few. Artists like The Rolling Stones, Joe Strummer, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, The Handsome Family and Squarepusher have performed here long after becoming established.

There's also Hula Boogie which sounds like it might be a good night out.

The fabulous Tiki bar, 'South London Pacific' is the the setting for a night of floor stomping, music from the 1930's 1940's and 1950's, played by our resident DJs and the best new and established DJs specialising in vintage sounds.

Oh, and make sure you pick up a copy of Time Out magazine as soon as you arrive.

 

[Miss Sis]

Even if your sister doesn't go for vintage, Portobello Market (Tube: Notting Hill Gate) is a must. There is so much to see, but go on a Friday or Saturday as then all the stalls and shops are open. Also, don't think of rushing it - it is big and crowded! Trying to hurry is a recipe to get all het up and annoyed.

There are antiques, collectables, modern fashion from young designers as well as pubs, cafes, little restaurants, so plenty to see.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'll be there in January and I'm taking notes....

So what's a good place at which to eat in London?

 

[Tango Yankee]

If you're interested in theatre

Check out the Half Price ticket booth in Leichester Square. There's lots of "half price" ticket shops and sidewalk sellers but my experience is that the permanent booth in the square is the best bet. Get there early to get the best seats and best shows available. I've seen plays that I hadn't heard of and thoroughly enjoyed myself by buying tickets there when on a day trip to London.

Oh, yes... I lived in Sawtry, Hunts, Cambridgshire (south of Peterborough off the A-1) for four years 1998-2002 while stationed at RAF Molesworth.

Get yourself a pocket version of the London A-Z map book. It was my bible when there. It has listings of places to go as well as being a very good map book.

Cheers,
Tom

 

["Doc" Devereux]

I'll be there in January and I'm taking notes....

So what's a good place at which to eat in London?

What do you want to eat? There's a lot of very good food here, despite the disparaging comments all-too-frequently made about British cuisine.

 

[moustache]

Hmmmm

I'll be there in January and I'm taking notes....

So what's a good place at which to eat in London?

That depends Matt.What do you like??There are so many Indian and Middle Eastern resturaunts that you will go crazy just trying to choose.If you want inexpensive(as the UK is a bit high priced)then find a good pub that serves traditional fare.Finding a pub won't be toughlol lol
Pret a manger are good for sandwiches and drinks on the go.And reasonably priced.We shopped at a Safeway near Edgware Rd and Sussex Gardens quite often.The deli was very well priced.And of course some of the fish and chip shoppes.
Don't waste your time at any fast food places as they are too expensive and the food is just as bad as here.

JD

 

[Tomasso]

I second Doc's mention of the Savoy, specifically the American Bar, Classic Golden Era.:eusa_clap