Questions for the UK-ish folks

[Guest]

ABG and I have friends who visit London every year, and next year they've invited us to come along. Last time I was there (in 2004) we only had a few days in London, so I'm looking forward to it.

Right now we are trying to figure out when it would be best to go. Definately looking at fall/winter (last time I was there it was September, and I apparently brough 10 days of hot, sunny weather with me. It didn't rain until I was on the plane home. It never even got CHILLY.) So I'm checking with those who might know for when would be best

1) to avoid most touristy things. I live in tourist land. I try not to act like one when I travel. I don't want to be around a lot of them.

2) to catch nifty events (in the art/literature/music/history way) upcoming in the next twelvemonth or so? I'm all about books, museums, and really old buildings where people did interesting stuff. Not so much into bars, pubs, clubs, etc. (I'm completely boring).

I'm hoping we can swing 10 days there. We'll be traveling about -- there's too much I haven't seen -- but if anything is going to happen, I need to start planning NOW. Any advice? (No, not that kind, about TRAVEL )

 

[minsue]

How far are you willing to travel outside London? There's a loverly cottage with these two odd women in it that very few tourists get to see.....

 

[matriarch]

The problem is.......you're saying avoid 'touristy' things....but going to London?

I recommend you check out the websites for:

Tate Gallery
Tate Modern
National Gallery
Museum of Natural History
Victoria and Albert Museum
British Museum
Royal Academy

....and see what they have on, special events/exhibitions at what times, and maybe fit your timetable around that?

Also, the theatres, Opera Houses (Convent Garden and English National Opera, which is just of Trafalgar Square, which is also the home of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and within easy walking distance of The Mall which will take you down to Buckingham Palace, and right beside St. James' Park, which is a delightful place to wander and sit - picnics and all that.

From Trafalgar Square you can also wander down Whitehall to Westminster Bridge. You will pass Horse Guards Parade and see the guards on duty. Also go past the Government Officers, Downing Street (home of PM), and to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It's worth it, just for the history in that small area

There are a great many websites you can visit to find out what's on, when, and use them to help out your timetable.

Enjoy.

 

[Just-Legal]

Come to Yorkshire, we have pretty countryside, and a rather mad Yorkshirewoman...

.. and Mat can attest to that

 

[Guest]

The problem is.......you're saying avoid 'touristy' things....but going to London?

I recommend you check out the websites for:

Tate Gallery
Tate Modern
National Gallery
Museum of Natural History
Victoria and Albert Museum
British Museum
Royal Academy

....and see what they have on, special events/exhibitions at what times, and maybe fit your timetable around that?

Also, the theatres, Opera Houses (Convent Garden and English National Opera, which is just of Trafalgar Square, which is also the home of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and within easy walking distance of The Mall which will take you down to Buckingham Palace, and right beside St. James' Park, which is a delightful place to wander and sit - picnics and all that.

From Trafalgar Square you can also wander down Whitehall to Westminster Bridge. You will pass Horse Guards Parade and see the guards on duty. Also go past the Government Officers, Downing Street (home of PM), and to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It's worth it, just for the history in that small area

There are a great many websites you can visit to find out what's on, when, and use them to help out your timetable.

Enjoy.

The friends we will be going with go to London for book buying, thus we will be scampering through used book stalls and stores looking for hidden treasure. As for traveling around -- all depends on how much time we can put aside for the trip. I love those British trains, and will happily ride those most anywhere.

I intend to check the websites and so forth, but I've found the best things happening are things that people who live there know about, and people outside don't happen across very often. Thus, the point of my asking When one wants expert advice, one asks experts

 

[TheEarl]

If you're coming anywhere near the South-West, I'd be more than happy to see you.

The Earl

 

[oggbashan]

The friends we will be going with go to London for book buying, thus we will be scampering through used book stalls and stores looking for hidden treasure. As for traveling around -- all depends on how much time we can put aside for the trip. I love those British trains, and will happily ride those most anywhere.

I intend to check the websites and so forth, but I've found the best things happening are things that people who live there know about, and people outside don't happen across very often. Thus, the point of my asking When one wants expert advice, one asks experts

Book buying? Charing Cross Road and the side roads around are still good for book dealers but pricey.

Time Out magazine gives events in London weekly. There are so many events on any night that you couldn't see more than a few.

The London street markets are worth a visit. Camden Passage in Islington (Tube to Angel) is close to the Almedia theatre and there are other theatrical events nearby including Sadlers Wells in Rosebery Avenue.

Do not dismiss the pubs. So many of them host live acts from stand-up comics to jazz and pop and you could see so much that tourists don't see. The Cheshire Cheese off Fleet Street was frequented by Doctor Johnson. The Blackfriars near Blackfriars Station has amazing art work throughout. There is a galleried Inn in Southwark that is still as it was in Shakespeare's time.

Brick Lane is an experience for curries and Asian culture - much livelier than the over-touted Chinatown of Soho.

The Tower of London may be touristy but they present history through live drama and the Yeoman Warders (NOT Beefeaters) are a mine of information. Imagine standing where Sir Walter Raleigh and Lady Jane Grey were executed.

Covent Garden has street entertainment and interesting small shops.

A guided tour of the City of London costs little and shows so much. I could spend a week in London and not leave the City although Bunhill Fields just North of the City has the graves of Daniel Defoe and Blake. Opposite is John Wesley's house and museum.

The Museum of London has many events. The National Portrait Gallery, close to Charing Cross Road, has famous faces from English history. I could spend hours looking at the portrait of the Bronte Sisters - the real thing, not a reproduction.

Just walking around London streets looking for Blue Plaques (So and So lived here...) can be fun.

I enjoy the Cast Court of the Victoria and Albert Museum. They are only plaster casts but you can see Michelangelo's David, full size and up close, and Trajan's Column in better condition than the real one in Rome.

I could go on and on.

Og