ATTN: People Who Enjoy London

[Documad]

I am going to London in May. I used to visit fairly often and my brother used to live just west, but it's been TEN YEARS since my last time. There are a few things that I need to see (Tate Modern), and a few things I don't ever want to see again (Stonehenge).

My friend has never been to the UK and I'm a bit frustrated that she doesn't have anything that she's always longed to see or do in London (how can that be!!!). I've crossed a million crazy things off my list over the years. Thank god she's not interested in the royals. Sadly she likes shopping, so we will spend some time apart.

We are going to try and hit a number of cities in a rapid manner, but I'm trying to get a handle on what we should do in London. Can anyone suggest somethings in London that you absolutely should see or do?

She's still thinking that she can keep to a budget. :rollseyes:

She loves plays and musicals so any recommendation on that end would be appreciated too, but we will certainly hit the half price ticket booth. If it's a musical, the cheesier the better. That sort of thing we should book in advance.

If we stay near Russell Square will there be cafes nearby and will there be people walking on the street at night?

Is there a ticket broker that you would recommend if we decide to try and get into a sold out show or concert? I most certainly want to hear some music, but she's not a fan.

thanks for your attention

[THRILLHO]

Originally Posted by Documad

I am going to London in May. I used to visit fairly often and my brother used to live just west, but it's been TEN YEARS since my last time. There are a few things that I need to see (Tate Modern), and a few things I don't ever want to see again (Stonehenge).

My friend has never been to the UK and I'm a bit frustrated that she doesn't have anything that she's always longed to see or do in London (how can that be!!!). I've crossed a million crazy things off my list over the years. Thank god she's not interested in the royals. Sadly she likes shopping, so we will spend some time apart.

We are going to try and hit a number of cities in a rapid manner, but I'm trying to get a handle on what we should do in London. Can anyone suggest somethings in London that you absolutely should see or do?

She's still thinking that she can keep to a budget. :rollseyes:

She loves plays and musicals so any recommendation on that end would be appreciated too, but we will certainly hit the half price ticket booth. If it's a musical, the cheesier the better. That sort of thing we should book in advance.

If we stay near Russell Square will there be cafes nearby and will there be people walking on the street at night?

Is there a ticket broker that you would recommend if we decide to try and get into a sold out show or concert? I most certainly want to hear some music, but she's not a fan.

thanks for your attention

Russell Square or Earl's Court get my vote as foreigner havens.

[ms.peachy]

Well, first of all, if you are here in May, you can come see my brand new baby


Staying in the Russell Square area means you will be quite conveniently centrally located - much of the stuff you'd want to do is within walking distance. Another alternative to consider for you might be The Piccadilly Hotel, a backpacker's hostel right off of Piccadilly Circus and in lively Soho. It's no frills but it's clean and cheap(ish) - I've met people who have stayed there who found it quite decent - and it's in a fun part of town with loads of pubs, clubs, cafes, drag queens, organic food stores, porn shops and designer boutiques. It's walking distance to all of the main theatres, Trafalgar Square, main shopping areas, St. James Park and Buckingham Palace, and within easy transport reach of all the main museums, and much more.

Off the top of my head, a few places well worth visiting:
Borough Market (Fri & Sat only; come hungry)
Thames Barrier ( a great boat ride on a nice day)
Kew Gardens (will be gorgeous that time of year)
Gordon's Wine Bar (a legend in its own right)
Highgate Cemetary (see Karl Marx's giant head!)
The Cork & Bottle Wine Bar (best friggin' hamburgers in London, I promise you)
Sir John Soane's Museum
Camden Market, esp Cyberdog in the Stables Market (mind the pickpockets though)
A walk along Regent's Canal to Little Venice

I'm sure I will think of lots of other things between now and then too - I'll try and put my mind to things that otherwise as a tourist you might not find on your own

[Medellia]

When in May are you going, Doc? I'm (hopefully) going late April/early May.

[jabumbo]

picadilly circus sucks, it has no elephants

[Parkey]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

Well, first of all, if you are here in May, you can come see my brand new baby


Staying in the Russell Square area means you will be quite conveniently centrally located - much of the stuff you'd want to do is within walking distance. Another alternative to consider for you might be The Piccadilly Hotel, a backpacker's hostel right off of Piccadilly Circus and in lively Soho. It's no frills but it's clean and cheap(ish) - I've met people who have stayed there who found it quite decent - and it's in a fun part of town with loads of pubs, clubs, cafes, drag queens, organic food stores, porn shops and designer boutiques. It's walking distance to all of the main theatres, Trafalgar Square, main shopping areas, St. James Park and Buckingham Palace, and within easy transport reach of all the main museums, and much more.

Off the top of my head, a few places well worth visiting:
Borough Market (Fri & Sat only; come hungry)
Thames Barrier ( a great boat ride on a nice day)
Kew Gardens (will be gorgeous that time of year)
Gordon's Wine Bar (a legend in its own right)
Highgate Cemetary (see Karl Marx's giant head!)
The Cork & Bottle Wine Bar (best friggin' hamburgers in London, I promise you)
Sir John Soane's Museum
Camden Market, esp Cyberdog in the Stables Market (mind the pickpockets though)
A walk along Regent's Canal to Little Venice

I'm sure I will think of lots of other things between now and then too - I'll try and put my mind to things that otherwise as a tourist you might not find on your own

She knows her onions! When you go to Borough Market (which is a MUST) you can wander down to the Tate Modern or up to the Design Museum. They're both worth a look.

[Beckalina]

Originally Posted by jabumbo

picadilly circus sucks, it has no elephants

you should have went to elephant and castle for that.


oooh and, I am sure you've probably been before, documad, but you should go to london zoo, you can walk amoungsat the monkeys, who doesn't want to do that?

[Documad]

Originally Posted by Medellia

When in May are you going, Doc? I'm (hopefully) going late April/early May.

The last half of May. I refused to go in the summer because I've always had to go in August before. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it not being August. I would have liked to have gone even earlier in the spring but I have family issues and my friend is taking classes.

Are you going to London, or other places within Britain as well?

I would like to say at this time that you can call it Great Britain all you like, but when you're trying to research in US book stores, the books tend to be on "England" vs. "Scotland". I haven't seen any on poor Wales by itself, so they must jam it in the few books on "Great Britain".

[Documad]

Originally Posted by Beckalina

you should have went to elephant and castle for that.


oooh and, I am sure you've probably been before, documad, but you should go to london zoo, you can walk amoungsat the monkeys, who doesn't want to do that?

Funny thing is that I went to the zoo on my very first trip because the friend I was with insisted on it. We were young, shy gals, and some guy outside the zoo put parrots on our shoulders and demanded 10 pounds and in exchange he promised to mail us the photos. We both coughed up the money (young Documad was a whole different person) and our addresses. Then we giggled throughout the rest of our trip through Europe about how we were complete suckers and we would never see the photos. About 4 months later, the photos came and that's the only photo I have of me and my friend together on that marvelous trip. And everytime I see a guy with a similar hook, I smile wistfully.

[Documad]

Originally Posted by Parkey

She knows her onions! When you go to Borough Market (which is a MUST) you can wander down to the Tate Modern or up to the Design Museum. They're both worth a look.

I am going to the Tate Modern for sure because it wasn't there before. I had never heard of the Design Museum, but I just checked out their website and I am definitely going. That appears to be right up my alley. Bless you.


Ms. Peachy: You have loads of good ideas that would never have occurred to me. Thanks for that. Anything else you come up with will be much appreciated. I usually pack a lot of stuff into my touristy travels, although we're trying to schedule enough time to relax now and then.



NEW QUESTIONS:

My friend has always wanted to have the high English tea. She has tried to talk me into it in English hotels in every big US city we've visited together. Because it's her only strong interest, we should probably do it and do it up right. Is that just the silliest thing ever? Is there someplace cool to do it, or someplace so uncool it's actually cool?

I've also spent most of this afternoon looking at travel books because we have to buy our plane tickets soon. We both have this tendency to think Britain is smaller than it is and we're not on a coach tour where they take you on a whirlwind tour of the "important" places, so no matter how long we stay we will never cover as much ground as we would like. She kind of wants to go to Scotland, and I'd love to go to Edinburgh again, but I don't want to spend 4-5 hours on the train to just get there and spend a night or two and take a train back. I'd rather rent a car and drive south and west because I don't think it would feel like I'm in England if you can't stop in small towns and get out, and how do you not walk through a big old manor or castle? Plus I'm a huge history nut, so I want to stumble into places of historical interest without telling her it's a history tour. That would be hard to do without renting a car.

That's more a rant than a question, but thanks for listening.

[Parkey]

Here's a couple of good sites to look for castles and that kind of shit; between them they own most of it!

National Trust

English Heritage

Why don't you hire a car and drive to Edinburgh? That way you could go through loads of cool places on your way up (Peak District, the Lakes, Nottingham, Manchester etc.) and still see a bit of Scotland. The UK if far more interesting London up than London down, if you get what I mean. The South of England (between London and the coast) can be pretty dull...

[b-grrrlie]

I used to live near Highgate Cemetary. There was a vampire grave in the old side, but that part of the cemetary wasn't easily accessible. Some friends of mine found it tho when they were taking publicity shots for their band.
I remember there used to be a ticket office by Leicester Square where you could get really cheap tickets to musicals on the same night, I remember I saw Bump boys and dinettes, with Gary Holton and Carlene Carter.

[Freebasser]

I don't know how anyone can like Edinburgh. It's fucking twee and the prices are sky-high.

Continue to trail the beaten path.

[Medellia]

Originally Posted by Documad

Are you going to London, or other places within Britain as well?

Probably just London.

[fucktopgirl]

Is it true that in london(england)its always raining,,,i mean do you see the sun??

[Freebasser]

Yes, and we all go round drinking tea all day long while talking about the Queen.

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by Freebasser

Yes, and we all go round drinking tea all day long while talking about the Queen.

Don't forget that also the men all wear bowler hats and carry long black umbrellas, and street urchins scurry around offering to "shine your shoes for tuppence, guv'nor".

[voltanapricot]

I was going to post just that, with a GAVNAH though.

[voltanapricot]

Originally Posted by Documad

She loves plays and musicals so any recommendation on that end would be appreciated too, but we will certainly hit the half price ticket booth. If it's a musical, the cheesier the better. That sort of thing we should book in advance.

Cheesy you say? I'd recommend Fame at the Aldwych Theatre. When I saw it last year I loved it so much and my arms nearly dropped off from clapping so hard, an excellent production.

Kew Gardens as suggested are indead beautiful, well from what I could see through watery eyes as I have hayfever, heh.

[fucktopgirl]

Originally Posted by Freebasser

Yes, and we all go round drinking tea all day long while talking about the Queen.

yea, that what i though!I heard that the Quenn like to shoot herself with heroin!?MAybe its just a myth!

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by fucktopgirl

yea, that what i though!I heard that the Quenn like to shoot herself with heroin!?MAybe its just a myth!

Well, it's no less plausible than a lot of other stuff you seem to believe, so go with it.

[Planetary]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

Don't forget that also the men all wear bowler hats and carry long black umbrellas, and street urchins scurry around offering to "shine your shoes for tuppence, guv'nor".

don't fotget the chimney sweeps

[fucktopgirl]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

Well, it's no less plausible than a lot of other stuff you seem to believe, so go with it.

haha,i heard the Queen trow big party and everybody snort hero and cocain,then after they make big orgy.I heard too that she enjoy sado-maso sex!!

i hope i dont offense you,citizen of england, and your beloved Queen!
Well she is kinda of our Queen too in canada ,anyway her face is still on our money!!

[paul jones]

some of my friends have gone to see Mogwai in London tonight

[Medellia]

Originally Posted by Planetary

don't fotget the chimney sweeps

Oooh, do they dance on the rooftops? I bet they dance.

[Nadia]

how about madame toussauds? it's lame, i know... but maybe your friend would like to see it.
or "london dungeons" (or what do they call it?)

[medler]

I suggest you head to tiny back streets for proper english tea. The older the lady behind the counter the better!

Also, go and see "We Will Rock You" in the west end. You'll find there are dozens of cheap ticket brokers in that area. My bro saw we will rock you a couple of days ago and he said it was awesome. It helps if you are die hard Queen fans - as we are!

You'd probably like covent garden at that time of year because there are always really talented street entertainers doing live shows, all they ask for is a couple of quid at the end.

Coming from London I would suggest you head outwards towards some royal parks, like Richmond park - where there are wild deer! Also try out Hampton Court, it's Henry VIII's gaffe and it is pretty dope (he had 6 wives he know!).

Of course you have to see tower bridge, big ben etc. but also check out places like Kensington where all the rich people hang out (I saw Michael Jackson about a month ago coming out of the Dorchester and Frank Bruno sat in front of me on the bus!).

You must check out places like Soho and esp. camden if you like hemp related things (basically, drugs) and underground music, there are some world-class record shops. If you need any more ideas just gimme a shout!

btw Madame Tussaud's is also brill (expensive though) and the dungeon part of it will make your stomach turn! It will be the only opportunity you'll have to get your photo taken with the queen.

ABOVE ALL ELSE YOU MUST GO TO THE LONDON EYE. It's really cool and you can see my bedroom from it!!

[Documad]

Originally Posted by Parkey

Why don't you hire a car and drive to Edinburgh? That way you could go through loads of cool places on your way up (Peak District, the Lakes, Nottingham, Manchester etc.) and still see a bit of Scotland. The UK if far more interesting London up than London down, if you get what I mean. The South of England (between London and the coast) can be pretty dull...

You got me thinking and after a few hours at the library, we're probably driving to Edinburgh and taking the plane home from there. My friend really wants to go to Edinburgh and a couple of places near there. I thought I'd done everything already, but I realize that I only saw part of the lake district and I hope it will be better in May than it was in August. I like some of the other logical places on the way. I want to go to Blenheim Palace, which will fill several roles.

We need to sketch in some kind of itinerary before buying plane tickets this week.

Originally Posted by Freebasser

I don't know how anyone can like Edinburgh. It's fucking twee and the prices are sky-high.

Continue to trail the beaten path.

Hey, I'm a tourist for christ's sake! And sometimes the path was beaten for a reason. We're splitting up in London, but we need to agree on where we're driving the car. Every single book recommends the castle and it's my friend's first trip of this sort so she picked it!

You had to say "twee" didn't you? I love cheese and kitsch if it's ironic. I loved Graceland and the Madonna Hotel for about 30 minutes. But twee is just painful. All I remember of Edinburgh is the graveyard for police dogs and the fact that I ate at the only restaurant my mom ever selected on a trip (she still talks about it ). In fact, can't seem to remember anything I did in Scotland except buy a sweater (still wear it 12 years later).

What in the hell do you recommend that's off the beaten path?

[Documad]

Originally Posted by medler

I suggest you head to tiny back streets for proper english tea. The older the lady behind the counter the better!

Some places where I live started doing scones and "English" tea at fancy converted houses. People hold baby showers at them. The only thing "English" is the china. Their clotted cream is ridiculous.

I had the best scone of my life at a farmhouse near the Lake District. The wife gave me the recipe, but there must be something about our ingredients or my skill because I can't come close.

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by Nadia

how about madame toussauds? it's lame, i know... but maybe your friend would like to see it.
or "london dungeons" (or what do they call it?)

Oh no, oh no, oh no. Unless you are 12 years old, I urge avoiding both of these at all costs.