London Calling

€uroMeinke · 12-10-2006, 05:01 PM

Today we booked our flight to London. We'll be there March 13 through the 21st Staying at a B&B in Belgravia - near Victoria Station.

Neither of us have ever been there before, so were excited and eager to hear what some of you UK veterans might recommend. Tell us what sights, sounds, eats, and atmosphere you think we ought to consider. We're there for 8 days, and we're planning on really getting to know the city.

Cheers,

€

innerSpaceman · 12-10-2006, 05:10 PM

Yay! I'd heard thru the grapevine that you two were pining for an adventurous getaway. Congratulations on jumping in with both feet and venturing across the pond to Jolly Old.

I have no recommendations to give, since I've never been. But I can't wait to hear all about it, post. And I'm very happy and excited for you guys.

Hip Hip, and all that rot.

BarTopDancer · 12-10-2006, 05:18 PM

Congratulations on making this journey! Our resident car expert has been there several times.

mousepod · 12-10-2006, 05:25 PM

H & I will come up with a bunch of suggestions... but the first and best one I can think of is to grab Time Out London the minute you get off the plane. It is hands down the best guide to where to go and what to do every week.

Not Afraid · 12-10-2006, 06:16 PM

I can't believe we're actually going! I've now dedicated myself to books and maps and internet research when I can get it. I bought a small journal that I can copy key information into and, now that flight and hotel ressies are made, we can start planning our days.

The early list of things to do:

Tate(s) (and the Tate to Tate boat)
Highgate Cemetery
British Museum
A Show - Probably Mary Poppins
Westminster Abby
Tower of London
Saint Paul's
Saatchi Gallery
White Cube
London Eye (weather permitting)

Other things that may make the list:
Kew Gardens (or another park area)
National Gallery
Victoria & Albert
London Zoo
Royal Observatory
A palace or two, perhaps.

I have half of mind to look up my old friend Maia Norman, now wife of Damien Hirst, but they're probably miles away at their Gothic Manor.

I've wanted to go to England for YEARS!

UvaGirl · 12-10-2006, 06:31 PM

Cool! you've got three of my favourite places on your list: The Tate Modern, St Paul's and Westminster Abbey. Definitely check out the National Gallery if you have time too - it's wonderful. If the weather is okay, you can walk from St Paul's over the Millennium Bridge to the tate Modern, which is fun. A day trip to Windsor is always a good time too

MickeyLumbo · 12-10-2006, 07:05 PM

agreed. Windsor is a must see. a wonderful country inn serves the best scones and high

if that can't fit into the schedule, try to at least get to some tiny little village pub in the countryside somewhere. a pint of guiness and a game of darts you will not forget!

stop by Harrod's. at least to see the amazing lower level food department, oh, and take the lift.

avoid the LIVE sex shows in sojo. a friend of a friend of mine says they get you in, lock the door, and after you get a £175 check for a

and pleasant conversation with a "companion" expect you to pay up.

there is no show.

er, i mean

Gemini Cricket · 12-10-2006, 06:51 PM

Westminster Abbey
Tower of London
National Gallery
Portrait Gallery
Tait Museum
Covent Garden
Hampton Court Castle
Leister Square
Trafalgar Square
Victoria & Albert
Madame Trousseau's Wax Museum - for kitch factor
Take one of the ghost tours of london
Tower Bridge
Buckingham Palace - changing of the guards, all that
Harrod's - see the Diana memorial... it's cheesy!
Diana Memorial Fountain
Kensington Palace
Go see a show with someone famous in it. Ian Holm, Dame Judi, Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart etc often star in productions in the theatre district...

I'd go see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang instead of Poppins... if you just had to see one.

mousepod · 12-10-2006, 07:02 PM

Since my favorite record store (Beano's in Croydon) is closing. I'd make sure that €uro gets to spend some time at Music and Video Exchange at 38 Notting Hill Gate.

Also, remember that London, like NYC or Tokyo, is a living city. While tourist attractions and museums are mainstays and "musts", you should also try to get out and do lots of nighttime stuff - get yourself to where the action is...

Ghoulish Delight · 12-10-2006, 08:15 PM

For a theater visit, be sure to take advantage of the half-price ticket booth in Trafalgar square. Good seats are always available, dirt cheap.

If you have time for day trips, Bath is fascinating, as well as Stratford and, of course, Stonehenge.

If you'd like to go to the tower, get there early, the lines get atrocious.

For a good meal at a swanky hotel, check out The Carvery buffet at the Strand Palace Hotel. Mmmm.

12-10-2006, 05:01 PM	#1
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	London Calling Today we booked our flight to London. We'll be there March 13 through the 21st Staying at a B&B in Belgravia - near Victoria Station. Neither of us have ever been there before, so were excited and eager to hear what some of you UK veterans might recommend. Tell us what sights, sounds, eats, and atmosphere you think we ought to consider. We're there for 8 days, and we're planning on really getting to know the city. Cheers, € __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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12-10-2006, 05:10 PM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Yay! I'd heard thru the grapevine that you two were pining for an adventurous getaway. Congratulations on jumping in with both feet and venturing across the pond to Jolly Old. I have no recommendations to give, since I've never been. But I can't wait to hear all about it, post. And I'm very happy and excited for you guys. Hip Hip, and all that rot.
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2006, 05:18 PM	#3
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Congratulations on making this journey! Our resident car expert has been there several times. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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12-10-2006, 05:25 PM	#4
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	H & I will come up with a bunch of suggestions... but the first and best one I can think of is to grab Time Out London the minute you get off the plane. It is hands down the best guide to where to go and what to do every week. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2006, 06:16 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I can't believe we're actually going! I've now dedicated myself to books and maps and internet research when I can get it. I bought a small journal that I can copy key information into and, now that flight and hotel ressies are made, we can start planning our days. The early list of things to do: Tate(s) (and the Tate to Tate boat) Highgate Cemetery British Museum A Show - Probably Mary Poppins Westminster Abby Tower of London Saint Paul's Saatchi Gallery White Cube London Eye (weather permitting) Other things that may make the list: Kew Gardens (or another park area) National Gallery Victoria & Albert London Zoo Royal Observatory A palace or two, perhaps. I have half of mind to look up my old friend Maia Norman, now wife of Damien Hirst, but they're probably miles away at their Gothic Manor. I've wanted to go to England for YEARS!
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2006, 06:31 PM	#6
UvaGirl Somewhere beyond the sea Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 396	Cool! you've got three of my favourite places on your list: The Tate Modern, St Paul's and Westminster Abbey. Definitely check out the National Gallery if you have time too - it's wonderful. If the weather is okay, you can walk from St Paul's over the Millennium Bridge to the tate Modern, which is fun. A day trip to Windsor is always a good time too __________________ Cause I'm a train wreck Waiting to happen Waiting for someone to come pick me up off the tracks
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12-10-2006, 07:05 PM	#7
MickeyLumbo thankfully grateful Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: shangrila Posts: 1,388	agreed. Windsor is a must see. a wonderful country inn serves the best scones and high if that can't fit into the schedule, try to at least get to some tiny little village pub in the countryside somewhere. a pint of guiness and a game of darts you will not forget! stop by Harrod's. at least to see the amazing lower level food department, oh, and take the lift. avoid the LIVE sex shows in sojo. a friend of a friend of mine says they get you in, lock the door, and after you get a £175 check for a and pleasant conversation with a "companion" expect you to pay up. there is no show. er, i mean __________________
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12-10-2006, 06:51 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Westminster Abbey Tower of London National Gallery Portrait Gallery Tait Museum Covent Garden Hampton Court Castle Leister Square Trafalgar Square Victoria & Albert Madame Trousseau's Wax Museum - for kitch factor Take one of the ghost tours of london Tower Bridge Buckingham Palace - changing of the guards, all that Harrod's - see the Diana memorial... it's cheesy! Diana Memorial Fountain Kensington Palace Go see a show with someone famous in it. Ian Holm, Dame Judi, Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart etc often star in productions in the theatre district... I'd go see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang instead of Poppins... if you just had to see one.
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2006, 07:02 PM	#9
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Since my favorite record store (Beano's in Croydon) is closing. I'd make sure that €uro gets to spend some time at Music and Video Exchange at 38 Notting Hill Gate. Also, remember that London, like NYC or Tokyo, is a living city. While tourist attractions and museums are mainstays and "musts", you should also try to get out and do lots of nighttime stuff - get yourself to where the action is... __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2006, 08:15 PM	#10
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	For a theater visit, be sure to take advantage of the half-price ticket booth in Trafalgar square. Good seats are always available, dirt cheap. If you have time for day trips, Bath is fascinating, as well as Stratford and, of course, Stonehenge. If you'd like to go to the tower, get there early, the lines get atrocious. For a good meal at a swanky hotel, check out The Carvery buffet at the Strand Palace Hotel. Mmmm. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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