wych
BIG THING
Mercury Girl
Posts: 353
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Post by wych on Jan 13, 2007 18:42:43 GMT -5
I've never been to London but I'm going in March for a week. Does anyone that has been there or lives there suggest must-see's and must-do's and must-avoids?
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Post by Graecia13 on Jan 13, 2007 19:05:57 GMT -5
Advice from one tourist to another: For a great view of the city -- The London Eye If you like English history and/or literature, or just want to soak up some atmosphere -- Westminster Abbey (there's also a very good pub nearby there if you want to experience pub food - I don't remember the name, but ask any of the yeoman guard where they eat lunch and they'll point you to it). Plus, the first thing you see when you get off the Tube there is Big Ben. Good shopping, theatre, and restaurants around Oxford Street and Tottenham Court. There are some great walking tours, depending on your interests, which are a fun way to see different parts of the city, and are very cheap -- www.walks.com/. The Jack the Ripper walk is the most famous tour, and a lot of fun. Have a great time! I'm very jealous! |
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Post by marksbird on Jan 13, 2007 19:09:55 GMT -5
Hey Wych...if you are looking to do some touristy stuff I would say to look at evan evans tours. I used them when family came over and although there may be several blue hairs hangin' about you won't be disappointed. Also, if you are wanting to get to Stonehenge this might be a good option since they are a couch tour. Evan EvansWhat are you wanting to do? |
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Post by GeordieLass on Jan 13, 2007 19:13:36 GMT -5
Don't live there but since I was there last week:
- bring an umbrella!!!!!
- make sure you keep valuables well hidden. All the warnings will have you believe every other person is a pickpocket. It's probably the same anywhere.
- it's worth going for a walk down by the Thames at sunset/when it's dark. Looks nicest then with the lights reflecting off the water (*runs from the Londoners*)
- Go and check out the markets. I went to Borough Market (near London Bridge) which was facinating and was where part of Bridget Jones was filmed. Look out for the best chocolate brownies (ever!) and rediculously expensive fish and chips. Leadenhall market is also really nice and was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. It's near bank/momument tube stations or a short walk from Borough Market (can you tell I walked it?).
- The London Aquarium is nice as long as you don't mind kids trying to shove you out of the way to see the sharks.
- Primrose Hill has a great viewpoint if you want to look over London.
- Go and see a show in the West End.
- Covent Garden is quite fun (especially watching the street entertainers)
- There's also the really obvious tourist places (Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Oxford Street, Downing Street, Horseguards, Harrods, NottingHill, etc...).
- It's worth wandering away from the main toursit areas though and you'll find some really nice buildings and places you otherwise would miss.
I'll add anything else if I think of it.
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Post by Whine Whine on Jan 13, 2007 19:16:14 GMT -5
The Victoria & Albert Museum is a must.
I loved Highgate Cemetery and Hampstead Heath, too.
The National Gallery, the Tate and Tate Modern... The British Museum is huge so you can check these places online and see what you would like to see. I think they're all free, except for special exhibitions.
I haven't been there in 3 years but I'm going next week so if I discover anything new and interesting I'll let you know. ;D
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Post by marksbird on Jan 13, 2007 19:16:30 GMT -5
Be sure to spend loads of time in Camden Town....you'll LOVE it!! Camden MarketIf you want to see one of the oldest ceremonies to date get Aubs or Sarah to request tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys. It is traditional royal stuff so if you don't want that sort of thing don't bother. Not many know of it and it is pretty cool to see it considering the history behind it. |
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Post by speedbunny on Jan 13, 2007 19:54:30 GMT -5
This tickles me. She thinks she'll have time to do stuff between the getting drunk and sobering up. Let me just laugh to myself for a little while longer!
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Post by marksbird on Jan 13, 2007 20:06:21 GMT -5
That's exactly what I thought....but I figured she wanted to do some stuff while you were out of town  but somehow I figured not. ha! Go to wagamama's.....just because I want to and can't.  |
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wych
BIG THING
Mercury Girl
Posts: 353
|
Post by wych on Jan 13, 2007 21:24:05 GMT -5
This tickles me. She thinks she'll have time to do stuff between the getting drunk and sobering up. Let me just laugh to myself for a little while longer! HEY! I can get drunk and walk and be touristy at the same time! I just need a couple pics of me and Big Ben to prove I was really there and not just imagining it  |
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Post by speedbunny on Jan 13, 2007 21:41:40 GMT -5
Actually, I leave a few days after Wych arrives  I think you get here on the Fri 9th, or is it Sat 10th? And I leave on the 13th? Where I live is halfway between London and Cambridge, so I definitely recommend a day in Cambridge as well. Your main expense is gonna be train & bus fares (£14.50 every day you want to go into London), but it still works out cheaper than staying in a hostel! And if you're arriving on the 10th, what time, I'll try and get out to Heathrow to meet ya... So many questions |
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but somehow I figured not. ha!
I think you get here on the Fri 9th, or is it Sat 10th? And I leave on the 13th? Where I live is halfway between London and Cambridge, so I definitely recommend a day in Cambridge as well. Your main expense is gonna be train & bus fares (£14.50 every day you want to go into London), but it still works out cheaper than staying in a hostel! And if you're arriving on the 10th, what time, I'll try and get out to Heathrow to meet ya...