London Travel Tips. Getting around, Food, Sayings...and anything else

[dcm]

I would highly recommend a tour of Parliament. Can be organised online.

 

[Mal]

I would highly recommend a tour of Parliament. Can be organised online.

Indeed. Still to do that, should organise a tour.

My flatmate is heavily involved in uk politics, so snagging a ticket should be easier than common folk. Plus I might be able to access the bar (seriously subsidised drinks anyone?)

 

[Pollywaffle]

Indeed. Still to do that, should organise a tour.

The tour of parliament is definitely worth it.

Mal, if you're residing in London, get a tour of Big Ben. That's definitely something few people get to do.

 

[Mal]

The tour of parliament is definitely worth it.

Mal, if you're residing in London, get a tour of Big Ben. That's definitely something few people get to do.

Thanks. Has been on my to do list.. but like watching a tower bridge opening is one of those things that keeps slipping...

 

[dcm]

Close to Lodon, I would suggest Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. Depending on how long they are in London, if they are looking for some day trips further afield (Brighton, Winchester, Salisbury etc), Brit Rail's London Plus Pass is good value but needs to be organised before departure from Australia.

 

[Mal]

Oh. And off peak fares start at 9.30, so if planning on travel, sleeping in a bit could save some money. More info on fares etc on the tfl website I mentioned earlier.

 

[blu]

LHR T5 - BA Galleries/Spa.

 

[cgichard]

My flatmate is heavily involved in uk politics, so snagging a ticket should be easier than common folk. Plus I might be able to access the bar (seriously subsidised drinks anyone?)

If the weather ever becomes warmer, ask for strawberries and cream tea on the terrace of the House (overlooking the Thames). That used to be the really posh invite to offer.

 

[mella2007]

Mal would you like to write the doc up for me?

No fear...both you and Anatol have been given a credit with the copy and paste I did on some of it! hehhe

 

[Mal]

Mal would you like to write the doc up for me?

No fear...both you and Anatol have been given a credit with the copy and paste I did on some of it! hehhe

Feel free to flick me a draft.. will review it for you!

 

[Mal]

Forgot to add.. never order "a (beer name) " in a pub, for some reason over here when I do that more often than not I end up with a half pint (not very masculine!) . This was discussed at a recent event and the best I could come up with is "a fosters" gets merged together to mean "half fosters". Strange but true.

Oh and if doing a splash'n'run at a pub, they tend to appreciate you asking first if it OK or buy a drink.

 

[cgichard]

A propos of pickpockets etc., it might be worth a warning to watch your luggage / briefcase / handbag if you put it on the ground while making a phone call from an open kiosk. An acquaintance of mine had his briefcase stolen from just behind his feet when he was making a phone call from a phone kiosk at Heathrow. Obviously a greater a risk at an airport, but the warning could be valid anywhere in the world, not just in London.

 

[Ewing]

Great thread.

I'll be visiting London for the first time next February. While it's still a long way out, at least I can start getting ideas now

 

[ms1]

Can anyone comment on the Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross area? I've found a hotel literally a couple of minutes from Euston station.
Is it considered a good area? Safe? Close to the action?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Can anyone comment on the Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross area? I've found a hotel literally a couple of minutes from Euston station.
Is it considered a good area? Safe? Close to the action?

Yep, stayed at Hilton Euston a few times - fine to walk around, even felt safe walking to the tube. Euston itself can have the odd vagrant though.

 

[OATEK]

Can anyone comment on the Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross area? I've found a hotel literally a couple of minutes from Euston station.
Is it considered a good area? Safe? Close to the action?

I am booked into the St Pancras Hotel in September, which is right next to the Eurostar terminal and also the British Library. I have been given very good reviews from other travellers. The platform bar in the Hotel has a great view over the terminal if you are looking for somewhere for a lunch or evening meal, and you can always duck into the British Library on the other side of the hotel for a glimpse of Magna Carta.

 

[Mal]

Can anyone comment on the Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross area? I've found a hotel literally a couple of minutes from Euston station.
Is it considered a good area? Safe? Close to the action?

Central. Good train and tube services nearby. I'd say it's as safe as most other central London areas. There are homeless/vagrants etc around Kings Cross area, but you will see them everywhere else too - and generally they just beg or sleep.

 

[AIRwin]

Your guide should even cover pre-arrival into London, eg which window seats (left or right of aircraft) on the flight there would offer the best view of the city skyline as it approaches for landing (particularly LHR)? I'll be interested as I'm flying into LHR in August and arriving during the day time... Anyone knows?

 

[alieninperth]

I seem to recall from living in central/SE London that approaches come over the city along the river. It would depend on what you wanted to see as to which side you sat at. This map (http://www.heathrowairport.com/stat...nloads/PDF/westerly-arrivals-map-2011_LHR.pdf) would seem to indicate that all flights would approach from the West, but would hold to the north or South. Based on this I would sit on the right side of the plane.

 

[AIRwin]

Cheers! That's what I thought... Too bad the bulkhead seats I've manaqed to secure are on the left (A and B). Oh well, I'll just have to hope the pax on the other side change their flights between now and August.