One day in London...

[MC Moot]

I have one day in London in October…fly in at 10 pm fly out at 6 pm the following day…haven’t been in London,other than flight layovers,for a dozen years…what would you do with a day in London?

[Lex Diamonds]

Go to Portobello Market/Brick Lane. Eat expensive versions of international street cuisine. Enjoy overpriced cocktails served in jamjars.

[Adam]

Can't believe I left London over a year ago now. Miss it.

What are you in to, which airport you flying in on?

[MC Moot]

I think I'd like to do a museum or a historic site and have a proper pub lunch...flying into Heathrow so Windsor Castle seems like an option...

[Lex Diamonds]

Windsor Castle could be a good bet. The more out in the countryside the better, pub-wise. Don't go to a JD Wetherspoon's pub except for the novelty of dirt cheap drinks and age 50+ career alcoholics.

[MC Moot]

Windsor Castle could be a good bet. The more out in the countryside the better, pub-wise. Don't go to a JD Wetherspoon's pub except for the novelty of dirt cheap drinks and age 50+ career alcoholics.

Yeah I think Windsor is likely it...theres a bus from Heathrow that runs to from every 1/2 hour...I hope I can still do this in October...cheers...(y)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_hlI93SGRA

[Adam]

To get transfers to-from Heathrow go for the Underground - most signs will point you towards the train which is an absolute rip off. Tube is a longer journey but about an 80% saving. Plus you can transfer to somewhere else easier.

Pubs: For somewhere not too busy and off the track - but not too much -then North/South of Vauxhall bridge is a good spot along with spending a bit of time staring at the Thames. It's a bit of a posh area in places but up and down the streets there are a few pub hidden gems. Tate Britain (different to Tate Modern and much better) is nearby to the North. Tubes are Vauxhall (south) and Millbrook (north).

Best park in London is Peckham Rye Park but quite far away from centre if you fancy a stroll somewhere nice that is Green or Regents Park. All parks in London are good though but I wanted to give Peckham Rye an honourable mention.

British Library is also amazing. They have a comic exhibition on at the moment but I think it closes in August. But the silence and the surrounding of books can bring about a calm in a person that no-where else in London can.

Another option if you don't mind a bit of walking is going on the Jubilee line to Bermondsey and walking west towards Tower Bridge and then to Park Market and Southwark and you will see loads of good pubs, markets to eat at, hipster shops (in that order) with interesting things to point your camera at along the way. Open top tour buses might be tempting but don't do that - a pair of good walking trainers and a topped up Oyster Card for travel you can get around London in a day. The normal buses are much better if you fancy an above ground tour. Not all tubes are super efficient - Jubilee and Northern Lines travel longer distances with fewer stops at faster speed. Time is often lost by taking a connection like on Bakerloo as the tube map looks like it shouldn't take that long yet it does.

Lex missed one thing about Weatherspoon's pubs - only use for their toilets. Somehow they spend more on cleaner nicer toilets that any other place. Staff won't care because they are on near minimum wage and too busy. Museums are also great for toilets too. They are all free but ask for donations; Londoners generally just ignore and walk in while tourist feel more obliged to pay so I'll leave that up to you.

Only cross roads when the green man is showing. Don't follow anyone else walking out on to the roads or you will get an angry van/cyclist/motorcyclist/taxi nearly hitting you. Stand on the right on escalators - even in non-tube areas including airports.

[MC Moot]

To get transfers to-from Heathrow go for the Underground - most signs will point you towards the train which is an absolute rip off. Tube is a longer journey but about an 80% saving. Plus you can transfer to somewhere else easier.

Pubs: For somewhere not too busy and off the track - but not too much -then North/South of Vauxhall bridge is a good spot along with spending a bit of time staring at the Thames. It's a bit of a posh area in places but up and down the streets there are a few pub hidden gems. Tate Britain (different to Tate Modern and much better) is nearby to the North. Tubes are Vauxhall (south) and Millbrook (north).

Best park in London is Peckham Rye Park but quite far away from centre if you fancy a stroll somewhere nice that is Green or Regents Park. All parks in London are good though but I wanted to give Peckham Rye an honourable mention.

British Library is also amazing. They have a comic exhibition on at the moment but I think it closes in August. But the silence and the surrounding of books can bring about a calm in a person that no-where else in London can.

Another option if you don't mind a bit of walking is going on the Jubilee line to Bermondsey and walking west towards Tower Bridge and then to Park Market and Southwark and you will see loads of good pubs, markets to eat at, hipster shops (in that order) with interesting things to point your camera at along the way. Open top tour buses might be tempting but don't do that - a pair of good walking trainers and a topped up Oyster Card for travel you can get around London in a day. The normal buses are much better if you fancy an above ground tour. Not all tubes are super efficient - Jubilee and Northern Lines travel longer distances with fewer stops at faster speed. Time is often lost by taking a connection like on Bakerloo as the tube map looks like it shouldn't take that long yet it does.

Lex missed one thing about Weatherspoon's pubs - only use for their toilets. Somehow they spend more on cleaner nicer toilets that any other place. Staff won't care because they are on near minimum wage and too busy. Museums are also great for toilets too. They are all free but ask for donations; Londoners generally just ignore and walk in while tourist feel more obliged to pay so I'll leave that up to you.

Only cross roads when the green man is showing. Don't follow anyone else walking out on to the roads or you will get an angry van/cyclist/motorcyclist/taxi nearly hitting you. Stand on the right on escalators - even in non-tube areas including airports.

Good stuff,thanks Adam!
(y)