I'm planning a trip to London next week, between 7 and 10 days of intense tourism by myself, and I would like suggestions.
My current plans include arriving at Stansted and taking the train, a not-really-cheap hotel and travel by tube and bus but predominantly on foot; my top priorities are major art and science museums and book, record, game etc. or unusual stores; I'll give a fair amount of time to churches and architecturally significant buildings (also as an excuse to walk around), skipping most "novelty" or historical museums and landmarks as well as cruises, guided tours and the like.
Do you have any interesting place or event to recommend or other advice? Also, what neighbourhoods are overly expensive, dangerous, too tourist-infested, or suitable for finding a restaurant?
Visiting London next week - tourist advice
-
CStarFlare
- Posts: 3022
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:41 am
Re: Visiting London next week - tourist advice
I was in London back in January, loved it. I didn't get to do any gaming-related things, but I did enjoy walking around and taking it all in. I very much enjoyed the tour of the Houses of Parliament for some reason, though it was a guided tour. The Tower of London was less interesting, but I'd take the time to at least visit the area even if you don't pay to go in.
My base was down near Paddington Station and the Marble Arch, so I spent a lot of time wandering around that area. I loved the food available in the area (I mostly stuck with the ethnic restaurants since I don't have access to such things here) and rolled into a few pubs that I enjoyed, and I never felt unsafe at any time of the day. (I can be a little oblivious, though
)
There's a record shop in the area called Sister Ray that was the major goal of my first day in town. Fun place to look around and they seemed to have a good selection, but I wasn't in a position to transport vinyl back home so I didn't pay too much attention to their prices. On my last night I saw the Book of Mormon and saw a bit of the West End. Once I saw it I wanted to spend more time there... but I had plans to meet someone after, so I didn't have much of a chance.
I only spent ~4 full days in London so you've got a lot more time to kill, but I only planned three or four things to do and just wandered the city following whatever caught my eye. Loved every second of it.
My base was down near Paddington Station and the Marble Arch, so I spent a lot of time wandering around that area. I loved the food available in the area (I mostly stuck with the ethnic restaurants since I don't have access to such things here) and rolled into a few pubs that I enjoyed, and I never felt unsafe at any time of the day. (I can be a little oblivious, though
) There's a record shop in the area called Sister Ray that was the major goal of my first day in town. Fun place to look around and they seemed to have a good selection, but I wasn't in a position to transport vinyl back home so I didn't pay too much attention to their prices. On my last night I saw the Book of Mormon and saw a bit of the West End. Once I saw it I wanted to spend more time there... but I had plans to meet someone after, so I didn't have much of a chance.
I only spent ~4 full days in London so you've got a lot more time to kill, but I only planned three or four things to do and just wandered the city following whatever caught my eye. Loved every second of it.