I booked the last of the travel arrangements for a trip to London this in a couple of weeks. It isn't my first time there, but I also know that the last time I went I spent far too much time drinking and not enough time enjoying England. Anyone have any recommendations on what my husband and I can do for our trip?

We have already decided to spend a day going up to Cambridge. (Taking the train to Cambridge is also a great excuse to visit Kings Cross and platform 9 3/4! ) Other than that, seeing a show in the West End and probably Tower of London, we are pretty flexible.

3/14/2011 9:50:13 PM

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3/14/2011 10:12:14 PM

^ Some of the ideas brought up there do look interesting....although my fear of heights will prevent us from going on the London Eye. I also agree with everyone who said that Stonehenge is cool in theory, but actually going isn't worth the time when time is limited. Sigh.

Any other recommendations not mentioned in a thread that is over 2 years old?

3/14/2011 10:33:38 PM

I read an article last week that said that the world's most expensive and little shown painting, a Picasso, is on display at the Tate Modern. I hear the inside of Westminster Abbey is stunning. If you make the obligatory trip to Stonehenge, visit the Magna Carta inside the Salisbury Cathedral.

MIND THE GAP

3/14/2011 11:28:56 PM

I have been to London and surrounding areas many times and here are my quick recommendations:
Tower of London
Ride the London Eye
Spend time in Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace
Go to Harrod's (especially the food market)
See Wicked and The Mousetrap
Go to Windsor Castle
See Stonehenge (it never gets old for me, but everyone should see it at least once)
St. Paul's Cathedral and Westmister Abby
British Museum
Ride the bus to Oxford, go boating (punting) on the Thames and eat at the Eagle and Child

3/15/2011 12:06:28 PM

Hi! Write for entrance to the Ceremony of the Keys if you have time. That is a pretty unique experience at the Tower of London. The Beefeater guide was great, but disturbed by Italian tourists chit-chatting during the formalities. Don't make the guy in Bearskin hat angry. He must have been 7 ft tall without the hat and he carries a weapon. Anyway, it was interesting and something everybody doesn't get to do. I think I found the address with a google search on the Ceremony of the Keys in 2003. Good luck!

3/16/2011 12:06:06 PM

Go and see Dover castle, I think it was my favorite part of London.

Also, go see Trafalgar square (if you haven't), but go with a book or someone who knows a lot about Admiral Nelson. A buddy of mine (a huge history buff) made that area one of the most interesting in London proper because he knew the stories about the tall ass statue and all the scenes carved in it. There's also a big art museum behind it that's fuckin sweet.

From my experience, the Eye is both entirely over priced and too crowded, you have to wait forever to get on (in June at least). But in the same place you can buy tickets to do that you can buy tickets to do a tour of London tower (I think is what it's called) and see the defacto torture museum, I wish I had done that.

Also, take the underground outside of London proper and go drinkin in some of the more obscure areas around it. There are some hilarious fuckers who will chat up Americans no problem. I think the comment I got the most was surprise that I wasn't a huge American fatass. That cracked me up a lot




Also, go see the changing of the guard. Shit is hilarious.

[Edited on March 16, 2011 at 2:17 PM. Reason : ]

3/16/2011 2:16:35 PM

bttt

Going to London over Christmas. 12/22 to 12/28. Any suggestions/recommendations? I've never been to England.

[Edited on December 1, 2011 at 4:39 PM. Reason : f]

12/1/2011 4:39:01 PM

Quote :

"British Museum"

That was one of the few things I really enjoyed in London. That place is amazing.

If you had time I'd say a day trip out to Bath. That was also a lot of fun.

12/2/2011 8:32:06 AM

Go to a soccer game. Here are the London based (in the top two divisions) clubs' home games in the period you'll be there.

Spurs v. Chelsea at White Hart Lane, 12/22
Fulham v. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, 12/26
Arsenal v. Wolves at Emirates Stadium, 12/26
Millwall v. Portsmouth at The Den, 12/26

[Edited on December 2, 2011 at 8:50 AM. Reason : .]

12/2/2011 8:50:20 AM

^ Would love to go to a soccer game. Will have to look into that. I also plan to at least pop by the All England Club ... even though I'd rather be there during Wimbledon. It's on my bucket list.

I know we're seeing the Nutcracker, going to Piccadilly Circus and shopping at Harrod's. This was a huge surprise, so now I'm scrambling to research more. I don't really know that much about the city. Getting a crash course now.

12/2/2011 10:04:23 AM

Make your reservations for Christmas dinner NOW, a lot of places might be booked up already, you should be able to find a near-by pub that's not fully booked though. You'll also probably need reservations for dinner on Boxing Day too.

12/2/2011 10:12:38 AM

Yeah, same for tickets to a game on Boxing Day

12/2/2011 10:30:48 AM

We're doing Christmas dinner at our hotel, The Columbia Hotel by Paddington Station and Hyde Park. Very close to a lot of beautiful scenery.

Was not familiar with Boxing Day. Very interesting.

[Edited on December 2, 2011 at 10:32 AM. Reason : d]

12/2/2011 10:31:51 AM