Going to London - Any Tips?

[Abe Sargent]

My first international flight and trip abroad will be to London on Dec 26 - Jan 2. Yes, that includes New Year's. Any ideas or tips on what to do, where to go, what to see, what not to do, and so forth?

-Anxiety

[Draft Dodger]

don't fuck Madonna. she's nasty.

[Peregrine]

It really depends what you're interested in. There are a ton of things to see and do there. I definitely recommend seeing St. Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum, though keep in mind there are probably special holiday hours and services so you may have some tricky scheduling to do.

[Coder]

That's not even remotely long enough stay to have time to check out all the important things.. :)

My personal favourite is the Cabinet War Rooms

http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/

I'm a history buff though, which is not everyone's cup of tea. But the CWR is basically the old offices used during WWII by the British High Command. Meeting rooms are restored to the way they looked during the war, Churchill's office and bedroom is restored etc.. HIGHLY recommended

Then there's obviously the British Museum, but it's huge.. you almost have to pick a certain era you're interested in and just do that. I've been there twice and I still haven't seen the whole thing.

Last time I was there I went to the Imperial War Museum. Also a very good museum displaying items from all wars since WWI. Excellent "Great War" exhibit when I was there.

The Tower is another marquee London tourist attraction. Fascinating history (it's almost 1000 years old) and you get to see the Crown Jewels on display.

Then of course there's Westminster Abbey, Oxford Street for shopping, Bond Street, Madame Tussaud, not to mention all the wonderful pubs... well.. London is huge..

Of the above, British Museum and Imperial War Museum has no entrance fee (though they accept donations), while Cabinet War Rooms cost £9 or something. The Tower costs >£10 (can't remember).

[Peregrine]

I'm with Coder that the CWR, Imperial War Museum, and British Museum are at the top of my list, but I'm a history buff too. Anxiety might be looking for different stuff.

[AlexB]

WED 28-DEC-05 Fulham v Aston Villa
SAT 31-DEC-05 Chelsea v Birmingham City
SAT 31-DEC-05 Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (best game of the three)

[3ric]

Hyde Park
Portobello Road
Camden Market
and the London Tower, seconded.

[ice4277]

I'm with Coder that the CWR, Imperial War Museum, and British Museum are at the top of my list, but I'm a history buff too. Anxiety might be looking for different stuff.
Ditto, I also enjoyed the Tower of London quite a bit. Make sure to do a little shopping, and try and take in a soccer game. I was there for about the same amount of time you are going to be and had an absolute blast.

[Dunleavy]

Hyde Park on a weekend is great to walk through, although that was in the summer. should be quite dark and cold by the time you go. it's a great city for meseum and they are almost all free. History and Science are right next to each other, the British meseum is vast. Pub good, fish and chips bad. the Millenium Wheel cost more then it should but i enjoyed it

[Passacaglia]

One tip: Take me with you!

[Mac Howard]

If you like the macabre : the London Dungeon!

http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/london-dungeon.htm

and even more macabre:

http://www.stadiumguide.com/stamfordbridge.htm ;)

[Critch]

Don't tip barstaff, they don't expect you to leave money on the bar.

[Castlerock]

The Cabinet War Rooms were great. I also liked the London Eye and the Tower of London was very interesting. I wasn't so impressed with the the Imperial War Museum. Also consider seeing a play at one of the world-class theaters.

Edit... and be sure to eat at the Pubs. Great fun.

[MTD]

Spend all your spare time in as many Pubs as possible. Its an atmosphere not well replicated anywhere else in the world.

[rkmsuf]

Put a little shrimp on the barbie for me!

[Sadalia]

Put a little shrimp on the barbie for me!

There are indeed plenty of Australian pubs in London. Avoid them.

[Galaxy]

Going for vacation? With family? Where will you be staying?

[Mac Howard]

There are indeed plenty of Australian pubs in London. Avoid them.

About half the 18-25 year old population of Australia complete their education as barmen/maids in London pubs :)

[Eaglesfan27]

I went when I was 21, and found the nightlife in this one area to be very lively. I wish I could remember the name of the area now. I also second the London Dungeon and the Tower of London. I was there for about two weeks, and I found that I still didn't have enough time to enjoy everything that London and the surrounding area had to offer. I had a blast and have fantasized about moving to London permeantly.

[Mac Howard]

Here's the definitive guide on what to do in London:

http://www.timeout.com/london/

[Honolulu_Blue]

Mind the gap.

[cartman]

The best thing about London is that everything is crammed together. Everything that you want to see is a short walk or short ride on the tube away. If you want to escape the city for a day, Stonehenge is only about an hour and a half west of London.

[rkmsuf]

Look kids. Big Ben, Parliament.

[johnnyshaka]

I was just there this summer...actually, the same time the bombings took place. Not fun.

But, we did enjoy ourselves, my wife and I, before the bombings took place. The highlights include The Tower of London, The London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and the Pubs.

[Castlerock]

Mind the gap.
Nice!

[Katon]

If you like the macabre : the London Dungeon!

http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/london-dungeon.htm

and even more macabre:

http://www.stadiumguide.com/stamfordbridge.htm ;)

Oh, come on, that's hardly macabre at all. Well, I suppose it is Birmingham visiting, but still . . .

[Abe Sargent]

Really great stuff to you all - THANKS! I really like the idea of the soccer game, and I already wanted to go to one....

To answer a few questions, I'm going to be staying at the St. James which is right downtown by the Victoria Station. I'm going with a special lady and I have no immediate family, so no wrries about spouses and children.

I like the pubs tip and the tip tip. Any other stuff like that would be greatly appreciated.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

WED 28-DEC-05 Fulham v Aston Villa
SAT 31-DEC-05 Chelsea v Birmingham City
SAT 31-DEC-05 Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (best game of the three)


Pardon my ignorance, but which team is home when it is listed as this?

How soon in advance can one purchase tickets?


-Anxiety

[atatange1]

Fulham, Chelsea, and Tottenham are London teams.

[Coder]

First team listed is the hometeam. I'm not positive, but I was under the impression that Chelsea is nearly always sold out, and if it's not it's outrageously expensive. A quick glance at their website reveals that Fulham is already selling tickets but Chelsea won't start selling until December 5th for the Birmingham-game, and when they do it's for members only. The Tottenham game starts selling to non-members on December 8th.

[tanglewood]

Chelsea and Spurs will be be very difficult ot get tickets to. Fulham, you probably wouldn't have too much of a problem as long as you bought them early.

As a London resident who feels it is the greatest city on earth, there is so much to do that lists are almost rendered obsolete. Of course do the museums (British, Natural History, Science and Imperial War are all free and astonishinginly good) and art gallerys (Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Barbican, V&A etc.), but also take time to just wonder around. Everywhere in central London is no more than half an hour away by tube or bus. Go and visit some Sunday markets in the East End or just wonder Covent Garden on a Friday evening. You could probably just turn up, buy that week's edition of Time Out (weekly entertainment/listing's magazine) and have a wonderful time just using that as a guide. Basicall, don't just restrict yourself to the traditional touristy stuff, you'll have a more satisfying time if you ake time to explore.

[AlexB]

Really great stuff to you all - THANKS! I really like the idea of the soccer game, and I already wanted to go to one....

To answer a few questions, I'm going to be staying at the St. James which is right downtown by the Victoria Station. I'm going with a special lady and I have no immediate family, so no wrries about spouses and children.

I like the pubs tip and the tip tip. Any other stuff like that would be greatly appreciated.

-Anxiety

1st tip: if you do go to a game, it's 'football' ;)

If you do go to the Tottenham Hotspur game, don't wear red (Arsenal) or black & white stripes (Newcastle). Similarly, although unlikely, don't wear claret & blue to Fulham! You're OK Chelsea v. Birmingham as they both wear blue.

We only tip in connection with food, or at bars where there is table service: you gotta earn your money over here - if the waiter is a pain in the ass, or the food was crap, we don't tip.

Remember to look right 1st when crossing the road :)

If you need a cab, you can only flag down the traditional London cabs - any standard cars liveried up can only be booked over the telephone or at the firm's office.

Try the English bitters - London Pride is a great beer, as are Caffreys and John Smith's if you prefer a properly cold pint.

[Super Ugly]

Well, our 24-hour licensing laws are about to kick in over here, so it look like you're just in time for the party. London's a lot of fun if you're prepared to spend a bit of money.

Brighton's worth a trip as well. It's less than an hour away by train, and there's a lot of stuff going on in a relatively small space. I went to university there, and I still make the trip down every new year. Cambridge is nice if you want to see a very different side of the UK (about 45 mins north of Lodnon on the train). It'll be cold, but I recommend going on a punt.

Contrary to what the previous poster says, though, avoid the John Smith's. Blagh. :)