Visiting London in April 2009

Oh myyyyyy ... I know I've been lurking for a very long time, but I need some advice from the UK Litsters.

I will be in London for 5 days starting at the end of April and would appreciate any advice offered on what to see in my spare time. I have 3 relatively free days and the other two I'll be in rehearsals. As a Delegate to Various Voices 2009, I'll have a schedule to stick to; but I have built in a few days of my own personal time.

Suggestions on a what I absolutely must see while in London, please?

Esclava

Be careful of foods that sounds like desserts but really aren't - sweet bread, some puddings... ugh.

That's all I've got to offer.

London's a pretty big place, where are you stationed?

I would look up The New Untouchables. They throw some really cool mod parties, the ones I went to when I was there there were fucking great.

I'm not a Brit, but my list of London must-sees would be topped by the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms (actual site used as bunker/meeting place during WWII), and Westminster Abbey - with more famous dead people packed into the walls and floors than anywhere else on earth.

I highly recommend climbing to the top of St. Paul's for the view. If you're American, the apse of that cathedral will warm your cockles. Don't forget to look at the floor.

London is a magnificent city, obviously. Full of history and famous spots.

Even so, I'd say the best part about visiting central London is the people-watching. There's every shape, hue, shade, and tongue. I'd spend time on the Tube or walking the streets, just for this purpose. It's like wandering through a kaleidoscope of the earth.

the comedy store - midnight show.

A few very good links for what to do, how to save money, and buy tickets ahead of time:

http://www.visitlondon.com/

http://www.visitbritain.com/

http://www.offtolondon.com/index.html

http://www.raileurope.com/europe-tr...htseeing-and-tours/the-london-pass/index.html

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

https://www.rceltickets.com/profile.asp

http://www.ba-londoneye.com/ - If you want to go on the London Eye, buy a pass before you get there! You'll save LOTS of time!

Thank you!

I'll be arriving at Heathrow, singing at the Southbank Centre and staying with a host family near the Crystal Palace Park.

Now, I really have no idea where any of those locations lie other than to see them on Mapquest. But, I've asked my hostess, Nicola, to help me with public transport schedules and such (one of the requisites for the hosted accomodations is that they be accessible via public transportation).

I'll check out the links, plan my visit and enjoy every minute! Thanks so much to those who have contributed suggestions!

Esclava

Esclava said:

I'll be arriving at Heathrow, singing at the Southbank Centre and staying with a host family near the Crystal Palace Park.

Now, I really have no idea where any of those locations lie other than to see them on Mapquest. But, I've asked my hostess, Nicola, to help me with public transport schedules and such (one of the requisites for the hosted accomodations is that they be accessible via public transportation).

I'll check out the links, plan my visit and enjoy every minute! Thanks so much to those who have contributed suggestions!

Esclava

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southbank is right on the thames. a few famous landmarks are within easy walking distance.

For London attractions, places to eat & other stuff for those on a budget, check out this site. Most of the big museums like the British Museum and Victoria & Albert museum are free, though most people make a donation. The National Gallery is free. Check out TFL for 1 & 3 day tickets for tube (underground) travel as they work out far cheaper than paying for one-way journeys. You're required to travel off-peak (i.e. after 9.30am) but they're good value. The bus network is hopelessly confusing for tourists so I recommend you stick with the tube. Most news-stands sell little maps of central London with tube stops and pretty pictures of the main tourist attractions.

If you want to see the big attractions like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral or the London Dungeon, you'll find them quite expensive. Save your money for experiences like that and scrimp on everything else. The London Eye is great on a clear day as it is 135m (443ft) tall with a view over 40km (25m). It takes 30min to reach the top of the eye and then return to ground level. Shakespeare's Globe is on the South Bank, as is the Tate Modern art gallery and Southwark Cathedral.

Many historical landmarks like Buckingham Palace, St Paul's, Westminster Abbey and the Houses Of Parliament can be seen from the outside and an open top bus tour is an affordable way to go around town and take them in. The Big Bus Tour Tour has a hop-on, hop-off policy so you can buy one ticket and stop off as many times as you like to take pictures or grab some lunch. You can also have the commentary in a choice of languages if you wish.

For West End shows, go to the ticket booth in Leicester Square for the best prices on last minute tickets. You can even turn up to a theatre 20mins before curtain up and pay for standing room if your budget is really tight. Don't waste your cash on disreputable agents or touts, people pay hugely inflated prices and often wind up with useless forged tickets or the tout disappears with their money.

For unique shopping experiences check out Oxford Street & Regent Street for big name & designer stores, Covent Garden for boho trinkets and artsy things and Camden for funky fashion and so much more. Liberty is a wonderful department store in a beautiful Tudor building made from timbers taken from retired warships. Just the building alone is well worth a visit but it's an iconic store where many celebs and members of the royal family do their shopping.

Black cabs are pricey (they're not all black any more but the shape of the car is distinctive) so avoid them but they can be lifesavers late at night. Do not take unlicensed cabs as they are dangerous. All licensed cabs have a 'Hackney Carriage' plate on their rear bumper and the driver has an I.D. card with his registration number.

I'm sure your hostess can fill you in on most of this stuff. Have a great time & let me know if you fancy meeting a native at 'Coffee, Cake & Kink'

London is my kind of city!! I've been there several times, and always seems to come back.

I can recommend that you spend some time doing a guided walk of London. I did this tour the last time I was in London, and it was great!

I can also recomment www.walks.com. I've done several of their tours over the years and keep coming back to them.

Otherwise, just people watching on Trafalgar and Leicester Square is great.

Camden town is good fun.

Thank you for starting this thread and thank you to everyone who posted. i will be using all this info myself, thank you.

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=567534

You can use this thread as a resource as well.

JMohegan said:

I'm not a Brit, but my list of London must-sees would be topped by the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms (actual site used as bunker/meeting place during WWII), and Westminster Abbey - with more famous dead people packed into the walls and floors than anywhere else on earth.

I highly recommend climbing to the top of St. Paul's for the view. If you're American, the apse of that cathedral will warm your cockles. Don't forget to look at the floor.

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I am personally a fan of the Victoria and Albert Museum, but I have to second JM's recommendation of the War Rooms. Very moving and the very best money spent.

The fact that the war rooms were left intact as they left. There is nothing to compare (at least in the US).

Enjoy your trip!

~LB

jockdom said:

Camden town is good fun.

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I would agree here.

I would also agree with then open top bus tour. A good way to see everything.

Make sure you figure out the tube too... By far the best way to get around and see things.

LilyBart said:

I am personally a fan of the Victoria and Albert Museum, but I have to second JM's recommendation of the War Rooms. Very moving and the very best money spent.

The fact that the war rooms were left intact as they left. There is nothing to compare (at least in the US).

Enjoy your trip!

~LB

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Since the war rooms have been mentioned several times now, and probably too much for a short visit, but if you're one of those that liked the war rooms you would probably love Bletchley Park. That's were the German Enigma codes were broken. It's been kept just like it was during the war. http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/ Makes a great day trip; a little over an hour north of London by train in a beautiful park like setting.

Also if your taste leans toward modern art, the Tate Modern has an awesome collection, and is an easy walk to the London Eye.

LilyBart said:

I am personally a fan of the Victoria and Albert Museum, but I have to second JM's recommendation of the War Rooms. Very moving and the very best money spent.

The fact that the war rooms were left intact as they left. There is nothing to compare (at least in the US).

Enjoy your trip!

~LB

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The V&A's not my thing, but I have known multiple females who really adored it.

A-Heart-On said:

Since the war rooms have been mentioned several times now, and probably too much for a short visit, but if you're one of those that liked the war rooms you would probably love Bletchley Park. That's were the German Enigma codes were broken. It's been kept just like it was during the war. http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/ Makes a great day trip; a little over an hour north of London by train in a beautiful park like setting.

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I'm embarrassed to say I've never heard of it, but that looks incredibly cool.

Thanks for the tip - I'll definitely go there next time I cross the pond.

My favorite place to visit is Parliament in session.

intothewoods said:

My favorite place to visit is Parliament in session.

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Is it the room, the accents, the procedure, or something else?

A few worthwhile things within easy walking distance of where you'll be singing... (I worked for 15 years in that area, until last year, and there are some delights - most of them free)

Embankment gardens (watch the office workers getting an hour's worth of greenery and peace at lunchtime)

Gordon's wine bar (fabulous low-ceilinged vaults - watch office-wrokers having assignations)

Cleopatra's Needle

The London Eye (rather good!)

Waterloo Bridge (stunning views in both directions as you walk across it, especially at sunset or after dark)

The Hayward Gallery (always-changing modern art)

The Courtauld Gallery (late 19th/early 20th century art - lots of impressionism)

Somerset House courtyard (go after dark when the fountains are on and it's all lit - magical)


Some linkies re. the above -

http://www.opensquares.org/detail/VictoriaEmbkt.html

http://www.gordonswinebar.com/

http://www.travellondon.com/templates/attractions/cleopatra.html

http://www.londoneye.com/

http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_bridges/waterloo_bridge1.htm

http://www.haywardgallery.org.uk/

http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/index.shtml

http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/about_somerset_house/

JMohegan said:

Is it the room, the accents, the procedure, or something else?

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Not that you asked me , but for me its the palpable sense of tradition in the setting, in the way things happen, in the hallways.... You can practically TASTE it.

Cattypuss said:

Not that you asked me , but for me its the palpable sense of tradition in the setting, in the way things happen, in the hallways.... You can practically TASTE it.

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I would have, if you had written that post.

Thanks for the answer, that does sound like a great place to visit. I definitely don't get the same feeling watching Congress (U.S.) in session. Of course, it's not nearly that old!

Not QUITE the same as being there, lol, but this is a link to on-demand video (look for debates in the Commons or the Lords, not Committees etc) -

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Home.aspx