London UK - location/transport/hotel advice?

[medhead]

Later this year, May in fact, I get to go on a plane that doesn't fly between SYD and ADL. I'm going to GLA with a weekend in London on the way home. Apologies in advance as I'm not at all familiar with London and the various areas.

I've organised a hotel in St James/Westminister for the weekend (St Ermins) with my brother and his family who'll be over from the continent, and they go to Paris on the train on Monday. I still need to organise a hotel for the Monday night. I'm planning to have dinner with a couple of friends who land in London Monday morning from Oz. Now they are staying over in the Bayswater area (Princes Square). I've narrowed down to a couple of options, either stay in Crowne Plaza St James or get into a Travelodge (for price not amenities) over near paddington station, in preparation for getting to LHR on Tuesday.

What I don't know is how close these places are, sure I can look on a map but that doesn't really tell me anything. Is the St James area an easy travel distance from the Bayswater Area? Or would it be preferable to get over that way?

Related to this is getting to the airport the next morning, from what I've read here that means Paddington station. I've got plenty of time to get to LHR with a 9pm flight time. At this stage my friends are at a conference on the Tuesday so the day is mine. I don't really see a need to move closer to Paddington just for the purpose of getting to the airport. What sort of time would people recommend to starting heading to the airport?

As for my time in London, I don't think I have any particular things on the list. Usually with my brother we just wander around. I might like to see the globe, some of those ships, the east end - beer in the Queen Vic . I might even take myself out to drive an armoured vehicle or to the Imperial War museum when alone. Anyway, just interested in views about getting around as per above.

cheers

 

[amaroo]

Took the kids to the Imperial War museum in Jan and we all loved it. If you do go check out the Lord Ashton Gallery, VC & GC collection - very inspiring.

 

[alieninperth]

Hey medhead, it sounds like a great trip.

If you were to walk from St James to Bayswater it will take about 30 to 45 mins from memory, the quickest route will be around Liz's house (buckingham palace) and across hyde park. A lovely walk to do once or twice but I am not sure how often I would want to do it. If you do walk you will pass the memorial to Princess Diana, a nice water monument that keeps breaking down.

I would say the quickest way to get there would be the tube from St James' Park on the circle line to Notting Hill Gate and then walk from there (about 500m). the tube journey should take about 5-10 mins.

In terms of getting to the airport, I know a lot of people rave about the train from LHR to Paddington but I always used the tube, and again you can get it from St James' Park (District/circle line and then change at South Kensington/Glouster Park onto the Piccadilly Line). It doesnt take that much longer, it is a little bit cheaper, you get a free 'newspaper' and I didnt have to get across London to get to there (I lived in SE London where the tube doesnt exist). With a 9pm flight time I would probably want to be there about 7pm which would mean leaving about 6pm. It will be rush hour so it can be a bit crazy on the tube, although there should be a mass exodus at Victoria the stop after you get on. Be prepared for tutting and muttering if you have luggage.

If you are doing some overground travel transport for london (Home | Transport for London) has some great maps and are generally happy to help. you can also get some useful, and not so useful alternates, here (Geofftech - Tube - Silly Tube Maps) I like the realistic and its quicker to walk alternates.

Now things to do in London.

Over the weekend there are loads of tourists but I guess that is not going to be a problem for you.

I actually used to work in the Notting Hill/Baywater areas so they hold a very fond place in my memory. Saturdays are generally market days. My personal favourites are the Portobello Road market, it is just like the film, and in fact if you watch it before you go you will probably see some of the stall holders still working away. You can also go into the bookshop that the one in the film is based on. There is lots of tat but the colour and vibrancy of the place is amazing. Its about 1km long and runs pretty much the whole length of Portobello Road, from Notting Hill Gate down to Westbourne Park Grove. If you like coffee there is a great place on Portobello Rd that roasts its own beans (daily I believe) and will grind them for you. You can also sit in and watch the world go by with a great coffee and pastry.

If food is more of your thing then Borough Market near London Bridge Station is a must. they have stalls selling all kinds of edible delights. From general fruit and veg (from the growers) to pies, cured meats, cheeses (from Neals Cheese Yard), sandwiches. Friends of mine used to actually do their regular food shopping there so the prices are pretty reasonable.

The Globe is a great place to go and really quite cheap if you get a yardling ticket, GBP5 when I was there. The legs do begin to ache after a while and you are exposed to the elements which means you will get wet (no umberellas allowed and it is England).

If I can be so bold as to suggest a bit of an intinery for Saturday.
early doors ish get to Portobello Road, have a bit of breakky, from one of the many, many stalls.
Walk through the market to Westbourne Park Road, take a left and then left agin and walk to Ladbroke Grove station. Tube to Baker Street and change onto the Jubilee line to London Bridge.
Out of the station and into Borough Market for a look around and a feed. Steak sandwich and a pint, or a full cooked and a Guiness (the market porter pub is famously open early for the market worker as they will have been there is o'dark hundred, The Market Porter | Famous Public House in London's Borough Market | Market Taverns Ltd).
When you have finished there walk west along the river (the river is on your left) past the Globe (pick up your tickets) and then on to the Tate Modern.
A bit of a look around there and then across to St Pauls for a bit.
Back across the footbrigde to the Southbank and into the Globe for the show.
Post show meal and drinks at either the pubs along the southbank (or a pizza express next to the Globe).

Not a bad day if I do say so...

If it is beer that you want they I cannot recomment these website enough BITE # pubs and bars - beerintheevening.com and Pub guide to London pubs and other pubs in the UK. | Fancyapint?. These websites were invaluable when I lived in London. Here is the link to the ones around Notting Hill Find pub guide for notting hill. Read pub reviews in Fancyapint anything that has a 4+ pint rating is worth going to.

A few last words of advice, in additon to the usual passport/credit card/cash stuff.
1) stand on the right hand side of the escalators,
2) when you get off the escalator move away, do not stop and look around you,
3) don't talk to people on the bus/tube,
4) stand on the right hand side of the escalators,
5) don't just stop when walking down the street,
6) try the local beer, and I don't mean fizzy cr*p, both Fullers and Youngs are local brewers (large scale) and will have some tasty ales on offer (they will be flat and a little bit warmer that lager/pils but for my money are vastly better, there will also be some even smaller brewers and better beers available if you are a little bit adventurous. Normally of you ask to try a little bit they will allow you to, and lastly
7) stand on the right hand side of the escalators.

Oh yeah, have fun

 

[pagingjoan]

Hey medhead, it sounds like a great trip.

If you were to walk from St James to Bayswater it will take about 30 to 45 mins from memory, the quickest route will be around Liz's house (buckingham palace) and across hyde park. A lovely walk to do once or twice but I am not sure how often I would want to do it. If you do walk you will pass the memorial to Princess Diana, a nice water monument that keeps breaking down.

I would say the quickest way to get there would be the tube from St James' Park on the circle line to Notting Hill Gate and then walk from there (about 500m). the tube journey should take about 5-10 mins.

In terms of getting to the airport, I know a lot of people rave about the train from LHR to Paddington but I always used the tube, and again you can get it from St James' Park (District/circle line and then change at South Kensington/Glouster Park onto the Piccadilly Line). It doesnt take that much longer, it is a little bit cheaper, you get a free 'newspaper' and I didnt have to get across London to get to there (I lived in SE London where the tube doesnt exist). With a 9pm flight time I would probably want to be there about 7pm which would mean leaving about 6pm. It will be rush hour so it can be a bit crazy on the tube, although there should be a mass exodus at Victoria the stop after you get on. Be prepared for tutting and muttering if you have luggage.

If you are doing some overground travel transport for london (Home | Transport for London) has some great maps and are generally happy to help. you can also get some useful, and not so useful alternates, here (Geofftech - Tube - Silly Tube Maps) I like the realistic and its quicker to walk alternates.

Now things to do in London.

Over the weekend there are loads of tourists but I guess that is not going to be a problem for you.

I actually used to work in the Notting Hill/Baywater areas so they hold a very fond place in my memory. Saturdays are generally market days. My personal favourites are the Portobello Road market, it is just like the film, and in fact if you watch it before you go you will probably see some of the stall holders still working away. You can also go into the bookshop that the one in the film is based on. There is lots of tat but the colour and vibrancy of the place is amazing. Its about 1km long and runs pretty much the whole length of Portobello Road, from Notting Hill Gate down to Westbourne Park Grove. If you like coffee there is a great place on Portobello Rd that roasts its own beans (daily I believe) and will grind them for you. You can also sit in and watch the world go by with a great coffee and pastry.

If food is more of your thing then Borough Market near London Bridge Station is a must. they have stalls selling all kinds of edible delights. From general fruit and veg (from the growers) to pies, cured meats, cheeses (from Neals Cheese Yard), sandwiches. Friends of mine used to actually do their regular food shopping there so the prices are pretty reasonable.

The Globe is a great place to go and really quite cheap if you get a yardling ticket, GBP5 when I was there. The legs do begin to ache after a while and you are exposed to the elements which means you will get wet (no umberellas allowed and it is England).

If I can be so bold as to suggest a bit of an intinery for Saturday.
early doors ish get to Portobello Road, have a bit of breakky, from one of the many, many stalls.
Walk through the market to Westbourne Park Road, take a left and then left agin and walk to Ladbroke Grove station. Tube to Baker Street and change onto the Jubilee line to London Bridge.
Out of the station and into Borough Market for a look around and a feed. Steak sandwich and a pint, or a full cooked and a Guiness (the market porter pub is famously open early for the market worker as they will have been there is o'dark hundred, The Market Porter | Famous Public House in London's Borough Market | Market Taverns Ltd).
When you have finished there walk west along the river (the river is on your left) past the Globe (pick up your tickets) and then on to the Tate Modern.
A bit of a look around there and then across to St Pauls for a bit.
Back across the footbrigde to the Southbank and into the Globe for the show.
Post show meal and drinks at either the pubs along the southbank (or a pizza express next to the Globe).

Not a bad day if I do say so...

If it is beer that you want they I cannot recomment these website enough BITE # pubs and bars - beerintheevening.com and Pub guide to London pubs and other pubs in the UK. | Fancyapint?. These websites were invaluable when I lived in London. Here is the link to the ones around Notting Hill Find pub guide for notting hill. Read pub reviews in Fancyapint anything that has a 4+ pint rating is worth going to.

A few last words of advice, in additon to the usual passport/credit card/cash stuff.
1) stand on the left hand side of the escalators,
2) when you get off the escalator move away, do not stop and look around you,
3) don't talk to people on the bus/tube,
4) stand on the left hand side of the escalators,
5) don't just stop when walking down the street,
6) try the local beer, and I don't mean fizzy cr*p, both Fullers and Youngs are local brewers (large scale) and will have some tasty ales on offer (they will be flat and a little bit warmer that lager/pils but for my money are vastly better, there will also be some even smaller brewers and better beers available if you are a little bit adventurous. Normally of you ask to try a little bit they will allow you to, and lastly
7) stand on the left hand side of the escalators.

Oh yeah, have fun

Well, medhead, nothing left for you to waste your time planning, after alieninperth's amazing rundown.
Should go into a Sticky!

One thing I would add, should you have any time left over, is the Thames Clipper run down to Greenwich. If you start at Embankment, for example, it's a great way to see the river-scape (if that's a word) and quite a few of the sights. It gives you views of London that you miss completely if your travel is all on the Tube.

Enjoy your trip!
pj

 

[Moody]

I have only scanned the previous replies but I would make these two points :-

1. Whilst I use the Piccadilly Line myself to access Heathrow I would leave plenty of time and avoid rush hour if you can. They do have baggage areas on this tube line but they will often be full of bags or people when busy.
2. STAND ON THE RIGHT!!!!!!!! This seems counter-intuitive for a nation that drives on the left, but it seems to be their one accommodation for foreigners.

Oh - and if you want to do London on the cheap you can get a family room at the YHA near Kings Cross station. And it's got a 24-hour bar!

 

[alieninperth]

you are indeed correct, it is on the right. I have obviously been away too long. I will fix my post.

my post just reflects my tastes and memories of London, there are so many other things to do. I lived there for nearly 5 years and I did not see the changing of the guards, or the opening of parliment, or went on the eye.

the Proms are good fun as well but I think that you will miss them by a week or two.

Keep you mind open, your head up and enjoy the experience.

 

[medhead]

Thanks for all the information. Definitely great advice worthy of a sticky on London.

In terms of getting to and from the airport. I arrive from GLA at 17:40 so I will look to go the faster way into the city. I'm more than willingly to take the tube back as I have plenty of time. I might look at a 4pm departure, based on the advice here. Probably won't avoid peak hour, but probably better than 5 or 6 pm.

The escalator is a great tip, I was a bit worried with the initial keep to the left as my brother lives in Germany and is used to keeping right. But looks like it'll be fine.

I'm pretty much up for anything and I've enjoyed just randomly wandering around Budapest, Vienna (between conference session), Paris and Rome, always something interesting to find.

I'll check out the YHA, another friend is considering being in Europe at the time. Cheap digs and a bar might be the way to go with them, if we cross over in London. I sorted of discounted it for my nephews as they are a bit young.

Thanks again. Certainly looking forward to any other tips.

 

[Bali Belly]

Hey medhead, it sounds like a great trip.

If you were to walk from St James to Bayswater it will take about 30 to 45 mins from memory, the quickest route will be around Liz's house (buckingham palace) and across hyde park. A lovely walk to do once or twice but I am not sure how often I would want to do it. If you do walk you will pass the memorial to Princess Diana, a nice water monument that keeps breaking down.

I would say the quickest way to get there would be the tube from St James' Park on the circle line to Notting Hill Gate and then walk from there (about 500m). the tube journey should take about 5-10 mins.

In terms of getting to the airport, I know a lot of people rave about the train from LHR to Paddington but I always used the tube, and again you can get it from St James' Park (District/circle line and then change at South Kensington/Glouster Park onto the Piccadilly Line). It doesnt take that much longer, it is a little bit cheaper, you get a free 'newspaper' and I didnt have to get across London to get to there (I lived in SE London where the tube doesnt exist). With a 9pm flight time I would probably want to be there about 7pm which would mean leaving about 6pm. It will be rush hour so it can be a bit crazy on the tube, although there should be a mass exodus at Victoria the stop after you get on. Be prepared for tutting and muttering if you have luggage.

If you are doing some overground travel transport for london (Home | Transport for London) has some great maps and are generally happy to help. you can also get some useful, and not so useful alternates, here (Geofftech - Tube - Silly Tube Maps) I like the realistic and its quicker to walk alternates.

Now things to do in London.

Over the weekend there are loads of tourists but I guess that is not going to be a problem for you.

I actually used to work in the Notting Hill/Baywater areas so they hold a very fond place in my memory. Saturdays are generally market days. My personal favourites are the Portobello Road market, it is just like the film, and in fact if you watch it before you go you will probably see some of the stall holders still working away. You can also go into the bookshop that the one in the film is based on. There is lots of tat but the colour and vibrancy of the place is amazing. Its about 1km long and runs pretty much the whole length of Portobello Road, from Notting Hill Gate down to Westbourne Park Grove. If you like coffee there is a great place on Portobello Rd that roasts its own beans (daily I believe) and will grind them for you. You can also sit in and watch the world go by with a great coffee and pastry.

If food is more of your thing then Borough Market near London Bridge Station is a must. they have stalls selling all kinds of edible delights. From general fruit and veg (from the growers) to pies, cured meats, cheeses (from Neals Cheese Yard), sandwiches. Friends of mine used to actually do their regular food shopping there so the prices are pretty reasonable.

The Globe is a great place to go and really quite cheap if you get a yardling ticket, GBP5 when I was there. The legs do begin to ache after a while and you are exposed to the elements which means you will get wet (no umberellas allowed and it is England).

If I can be so bold as to suggest a bit of an intinery for Saturday.
early doors ish get to Portobello Road, have a bit of breakky, from one of the many, many stalls.
Walk through the market to Westbourne Park Road, take a left and then left agin and walk to Ladbroke Grove station. Tube to Baker Street and change onto the Jubilee line to London Bridge.
Out of the station and into Borough Market for a look around and a feed. Steak sandwich and a pint, or a full cooked and a Guiness (the market porter pub is famously open early for the market worker as they will have been there is o'dark hundred, The Market Porter | Famous Public House in London's Borough Market | Market Taverns Ltd).
When you have finished there walk west along the river (the river is on your left) past the Globe (pick up your tickets) and then on to the Tate Modern.
A bit of a look around there and then across to St Pauls for a bit.
Back across the footbrigde to the Southbank and into the Globe for the show.
Post show meal and drinks at either the pubs along the southbank (or a pizza express next to the Globe).

Not a bad day if I do say so...

If it is beer that you want they I cannot recomment these website enough BITE # pubs and bars - beerintheevening.com and Pub guide to London pubs and other pubs in the UK. | Fancyapint?. These websites were invaluable when I lived in London. Here is the link to the ones around Notting Hill Find pub guide for notting hill. Read pub reviews in Fancyapint anything that has a 4+ pint rating is worth going to.

A few last words of advice, in additon to the usual passport/credit card/cash stuff.
1) stand on the right hand side of the escalators,
2) when you get off the escalator move away, do not stop and look around you,
3) don't talk to people on the bus/tube,
4) stand on the right hand side of the escalators,
5) don't just stop when walking down the street,
6) try the local beer, and I don't mean fizzy cr*p, both Fullers and Youngs are local brewers (large scale) and will have some tasty ales on offer (they will be flat and a little bit warmer that lager/pils but for my money are vastly better, there will also be some even smaller brewers and better beers available if you are a little bit adventurous. Normally of you ask to try a little bit they will allow you to, and lastly
7) stand on the right hand side of the escalators.

Oh yeah, have fun

Great Advice I am also heading over to London in July but i am staying in Earls court so any feed back/help would be greatly taken
regards

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would be tempted to buy an Oyster card before you go. I didn't and ended up at the end of a very long line at one manned ticket booth at LHR. Don't arrive too early at GLA as the galleries lounge there is the size of Harry Potters broom cupboard but does have a special door for priority boarding to gate 19 ( flights to LHR).
Spot on with the Borough Markets, Cove tipped me off about those.

 

[amaroo]

Hey medhead, it sounds like a great trip.


I actually used to work in the Notting Hill/Baywater areas so they hold a very fond place in my memory. Saturdays are generally market days. You can also go into the bookshop that the one in the film is based on.

If you end up near the Notting Hill book shop I can recommend a Spanish restaurant about three doors away - absolute cracking food:mrgreen:

 

[ncm]

St James' is ~15 minutes by tube on the Circle Line. Stay on it one more stop past Notting Hill Gate and you'll actually get to Bayswater itself. Or it'll be ~£10 in a cab. There isn't too much in Bayswater (I lived there for 12 months) but it isn't far to Notting Hill which is much more vibrant and worth a visit if you are nearby. Bayswater is one stop to Paddington or a 15 minute walk. Numerous buses go between the two suburbs.

I would definitely suggest going on the London Eye. The views are amazing and it is easy to get to by public transport (or just keep walking along The Thames past the Tate Modern). The Imperial War Musuem is another must. I've been three times and it never gets boring (if that is your thing). Greenwich by Thames Clipper is worth a visit for the history and for the views of Canary Wharf and the o2 (Millenium Dome) on the journey past. Probably best to get the Clipper down and then the Jubilee Line back as it is much quicker. You can swing by Borough Market easily from there - try Monmouth Coffee for the best cup in London and one of the only places to rival any Melbourne coffee. Be prepared to queue though. The British Museum is also fantastic. It is free and has some amazing artefacts. The National Portrait Gallery at Trafalgar Square is also like that too. You can ride an old Routemaster bus (the iconic style with the open back) on route 15 from Trafalgar Square too. It passes a lot of landmarks and you can use your Oyster like any normal bus route. The Wallace Collection is a lovely little gallery in Marylebone and is also free. The Tate Gallery in Pimlico is another one if art is your thing. For pomp and ceremony definitely try to catch the Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace. Tours of the big sporting venues are always interesting as well (Lord's, Wimbledon, Wembley, Twickenham and now the Olympic site) but they are further out from the heart. You can definitely get to them if you want to though. There could be the possibility of a matinee theatre show too. You could definitely get a cheap ticket from any of the windows in Leicester Square. I could go on for pages and pages...

It's hard to fit London into a few days (I've been here 10 years and am still trying to see it all) but with some careful planning you can tick a lot of things off.

Advice for public transport - definitely get hold of an Oyster card if you can. Put £20 on it and travel to your heart's content. Depending on where you go (marked by Zones) you shouldn't really spend more than £10/day. The daily cost is limited to about that ,or even less if your first usage is after 9:30am which will classify the whole day as off-peak. Once you hit the daily limit then you can travel for free within those zones that you have previously used. If you travel into a different zone then your daily limit will go up to reflect travel in that zone. Definitely stand on the right of the escalators. If you stand on the left you're 100% in line for some kind of physical or verbal abuse. Definitely don't just stop in the street or in a walkway. There are 9 million people here so chances are someone will be right behind you. Cue more abuse.

For travelling to Heathrow - there is an alternative to the Heathrow Express from Paddington which is more like a normal commuter train. It is called the Heathrow Connect and is much cheaper, albeit a little slower. It usually stops 5 times and is still miles quicker than the tube from Central London. A 6pm train from Paddington will have you to LHR in plenty of time. You should be able to get a seat too as you'll be getting on an empty train, although you won't be able to use your Oyster Card. I wouldn't try the Picaddilly Line as it'll be rammed and you will get no favours trying to maneouvre luggage onto a crowded carriage. Heathrow Express often has discount codes too which can be found via Google and you should never pay full price if you look around enough.

Definitely try the local ales. Doom Bar (brewed by Sharp's in Cornwall) is a perennial favourite. Most pubs carry some of the cask ales and most are worth a try - just look for the big pump handles on the bar rather than the normal taps. The websites that alieninperth listed are good for finding pubs but they are so numerous that walking for 5 minutes will mean you stumble across one wherever you are in Central London.

Hope that helps. If you need any more info let me know. I've lived here for a while so I know the place pretty well.

 

[dajop]

In terms of getting to the airport, I know a lot of people rave about the train from LHR to Paddington but I always used the tube, and again you can get it from St James' Park (District/circle line and then change at South Kensington/Glouster Park onto the Piccadilly Line). It doesnt take that much longer, it is a little bit cheaper, you get a free 'newspaper' and I didnt have to get across London to get to there (I lived in SE London where the tube doesnt exist). With a 9pm flight time I would probably want to be there about 7pm which would mean leaving about 6pm. It will be rush hour so it can be a bit crazy on the tube, although there should be a mass exodus at Victoria the stop after you get on. Be prepared for tutting and muttering if you have luggage.

If you are doing some overground travel transport for london (Home | Transport for London)

The Transport for London website has a great journey planner - will give details on how to get from A to B. Including from the LHR (eg shows Heathrow Term 1 to St James Park taking 50-55 mins using Heathrow Express/Tube or 54-57 mins on Tube alone at the random time of day I chose. Wouldn't pay extra for Heathrow Express on the basis of this.) Also good to use to see what lines will be closed for trackwork on weekends !

 

[medhead]

Thanks for all the info. So much to absorbed. It's great stuff, as usual for AFF. I'd very much decided on the oyster card, great to know they can be prepurchased. Luckily I'll over have a limited time to enjoy the GLA lounge, conference finishes at 14:30, flight at 16:40 or so.

I vaguely recall enjoying the IWM at age 7, so high on the list. River cruise will be good and London eye of course.

If you end up near the Notting Hill book shop I can recommend a Spanish restaurant about three doors away - absolute cracking food:mrgreen:

I'll definitely put it on the list of possible, both my friends and my brother's family would enjoy it. what's the name of the place?

 

[amaroo]

Thanks for all the info. So much to absorbed. It's great stuff, as usual for AFF. I'd very much decided on the oyster card, great to know they can be prepurchased. Luckily I'll over have a limited time to enjoy the GLA lounge, conference finishes at 14:30, flight at 16:40 or so.

I vaguely recall enjoying the IWM at age 7, so high on the list. River cruise will be good and London eye of course.



I'll definitely put it on the list of possible, both my friends and my brother's family would enjoy it. what's the name of the place?

Miro, Notting Hill Tapas. 7 Blenheim Crescent, London T: 020 7792 0888

After 2 weeks traveling around Spain we left this lunch feeling it was as good as any meal we had in Madrid, Sevilla,Granada & Barcelona. Little family operation & as the spanish owner/cook said - I'm not a chef, I'm a cook.....well she could cook.

Great value for money - best & far and away the cheapest meal we had in London.

If you do go I would make a booking as it is only a small place.

 

[Flashback]

The escalator is a great tip, I was a bit worried with the initial keep to the left as my brother lives in Germany and is used to keeping right. But looks like it'll be fine.

Yep, I'm one of those people who will yell at you if you're on the wrong side of the escalator as I always run up/down them!

I would be tempted to buy an Oyster card before you go. I didn't and ended up at the end of a very long line at one manned ticket booth at LHR. Don't arrive too early at GLA as the galleries lounge there is the size of Harry Potters broom cupboard but does have a special door for priority boarding to gate 19 ( flights to LHR).
Spot on with the Borough Markets, Cove tipped me off about those.

You can buy them from the machine just before you go through the gate in to the station, no need for human contact now:!:

 

[JohnM]

I can recommend this hotel as a moderately-priced option 100 m from Paddington station: Cardiff Hotel - Excellent Bed and Breakfast in the heart of London, Hyde Park, London, Paddington, Bayswater, Edgeware Road, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, Heathrow, Express.

For something a bit more upmarket just around the corner about 250 m from the station: Hyde Park Hotels, 4 Star Quality Crown London Hotels in Hyde Park.

Even though it costs more, I prefer the Heathrow Express for ease of use so these hotels are very conveniently located for walking to Paddington with luggage. Also a (longish) walking distance to Notting Hill.

If your taste in wine & food and budget is up there a little, I religiously eat once each trip to London at The Enterprise in trendy Chelsea (not far from Harrod’s) The Enterprise. It is one of the original gastro pubs. They don’t take bookings but if you get there before about 6.30-7 pm, you’re usually good for a table.

Oyster card is the way to go for the tube. If you forget to keep right on the escalator, you’ll soon learn to .

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yep, I'm one of those people who will yell at you if you're on the wrong side of the escalator as I always run up/down them!



You can buy them from the machine just before you go through the gate in to the station, no need for human contact now:!:

Sadly not an option for me with my non-chip Amex

 

[fiscal]

Tips from a seasoned London visitor.
1. Oyster Card
2. London Pass. These are great for those who have not seen the major attractions, and want to navigate to the front of the queue. It is quite expensive for just one or two attractions, but you can cram a lot into one day if you don't saunter about, and that makes it much more affordable.
3. Walk. The tube is wonderful, except at peak times where modesty and private space go out the window. In a number of cases it is easier to walk than take the tube and then transfer to another line etc. So, take a road map, and see just how far it is, you will be surprised how much distance you can travel on foot.
4. Markets - Portabello Road - bit of a hike, but there is a nice Australian owned eatery/deli there on a side street that is great. Borough Markets outside of London Bridge is also a great place to visit for fresh produce.
5. Museums - all free except the London Transport (and sundry private collections), Imperial War Museum is good as well, only 5 minutes from Lambeth North Tube (There is also a Tune Hotel right outside this station for cheap accommodation).
6. London Walks walking tours - great value and full of information.
7. Highgate Victorian Cemetery tour - some famous names and great architecture.
8. The list could go on and on...
9. As mentioned before and worth repeating - keep to the right on escalators on the tube.
10. Final note, do not go into Harrods in fashionable torn jeans, as you will be ejected. Also do not take in a large rucksack type bag, or you may be required to pay them to look after it. In fact if I was you, I wouldn't bother going there....

 

[alieninperth]

4. Markets - Portabello Road - bit of a hike, but there is a nice Australian owned eatery/deli there on a side street that is great. Borough Markets outside of London Bridge is also a great place to visit for fresh produce.

I used to have lunch here quite regularly, Aussie husband (who does the serving, coffee etc) and and Italian wife (who does the cooking). The last time I spoke to them, about 5 years ago, they were talking about selling up and moving to AUS. Not sure if that ever eventuated though. Goldbourne Rd if I'm correct.

I should also add falafal king and the grain shop on portobello. I have yet to have falafal better than at falafal king and the grain shop did huge portions of healthy food for not very much. there is also a traditional pie and mash shop at the top end of the markets that is normally a bit quieter that the rest of the place.

 

[dajop]

7. Highgate Victorian Cemetery tour - some famous names and great architecture.

Did that last year, sounds a bit odd, but found it really interesting.