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Think I am going on a 1 week trip to London. Help
- Thread starter TheFlow
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oo do tell
set this picture as your desktop and mobile background now to get you in the spirit of things
you say you like food so here's some recs
make sure to go to Five Guys, or failing that TGI Fridays...some of London's finest local eateries
if you go to a Pret A Manger first, the rule is to keep going to them, and only them, during your entire visit...if you go to an Eat first, avoid Pret...if you go to a Greggs first you're probably better off getting the first train from Euston to The North
burgers come in one size, with one type of bun - brioche, I hope you like brioche burger buns
Boots may look like a standard purveyor of sunscreen at first glance, but you can save some money there by getting a sandwich, a drink and a pack of crisps for what is known as a "meal deal"
for the finest fish and chips, visit a Nicholsons pub or a Wetherspoons...both have the best fish and chips in the whole of London
Yo! Sushi (or is it Yo Sushi!?) has only the finest and freshest fish caught straight out the Thames under Waterloo Bridge
enjoy your culinary voyage through London OP!
o man I love sushi.
but yea you guys I am a Florida guy so I love some good fried fish. Can't wait to try real fish and chips
so what do you like so far and where have you been and stuff.
I am going no matter what, but it is good to keep my expectations in check.
The Elite
BOSS
If you do Tower of London make sure to get a tour with a Beefeater. That was fantastic. One of the highlights of my UK trip.
As for the Jack the Ripper tour. We took one that used a handheld projector in the tour to show us pictures of the bodies. Really creepy, but great.
Other than that I actually recommend taking one of the bus tours. It's not bad to get a lay of the land. You will be sitting for a long time. Traffic is terrible. You can hop off and on the bus so you can just get off if something interest you.
I have been travelling across the country so I only have four days here then back to Westhoughton in the north before returning home.
Avoid the Sherlock Holmes museum. There is not much to it.
I managed to huddle the Golden Tour bus guy down to 20 pounds for a day on the hop on off bus tour.
I might actually try the bus tour, but what the hell is a beefeater? we have a sandwich called that where I am from lol. Jack the ripper sounds cool but that is if I have nothing planned once settles.
so fucking awesome. I hope you come back and post your final thoughts and stuff here or make a thread.
oh man I wanna go(swansea fan myself) but I don't think anyone in my group would be willing to go with me for that
Mr. Bad Example
Neo Member
December is out-of-season for the Globe, unfortunately, although you can still do tours of the theater and exhibition. That time of year, they're doing shows at the recently-opened Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which is a recreation of an indoor Jacobean theater lit entirely by candlelight. Check it out if you're at all interested in that kind of thing.
Googledotcom666
Banned
Think of it as visiting any city like New York and expect that kind of thing 
Plenty to see and do
Plenty to see and do
frankie_baby
Member
Pizza hut here was great 25 -30 years ago when it was new and pretty classy but its crap now, nowadays people only go for the all you can eat lunch buffet
The Elite
BOSS
A Beefeater is a nickname for a Yoemen Wanderer (I think) who serves her majesty. At the Tower of London they act as tour guides. They actually have to serve at least 23 years of military service before they can apply for the role. The one we got was incredibly funny and informative. It's such a great tour and the Tower of London has a few hours worth of content to it.
I will try to make a thread when I get back.
I have been to:
Manchester
Liverpool
Blackpool
Bristol
Cardiff
Stonehenge
Bath
London
All in the past two weeks. All by train.
The British Underground is really easy to get the hang of. Don't let the crazy map fool you. I found it easier than New York.
Might go to Forbidden Planet tomorrow. A popular comic book store.
OP, how important is good food for you? I can recommend places.
You don't want to end up in a random café, and ask for a Full English while you're perplexed, wondering why the pork tastes like turkey...
Get an Oyster card. Don't eat while you're IN the tourist parts of Westminster.
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And spend a whole day in South Kensington (Natural history, and V&A) --
Go Kensington Gardens and do the Princess of Wales Walk (Diana) towards Hyde Park Corner, then exit towards Knightsbridge and head into Harrods, then head inside the V&A.
You don't want to end up in a random café, and ask for a Full English while you're perplexed, wondering why the pork tastes like turkey...
Get an Oyster card. Don't eat while you're IN the tourist parts of Westminster.
---
And spend a whole day in South Kensington (Natural history, and V&A) --
Go Kensington Gardens and do the Princess of Wales Walk (Diana) towards Hyde Park Corner, then exit towards Knightsbridge and head into Harrods, then head inside the V&A.
Oh man I didn't think of comic book stores. Will definitely add forbidden planet to my list of places to go
do they allow pictures?
majority of my money is going to foods and drink. I don't plan to shop. only will pay for the tours and transportation.
15 Euro or less sounds about right for me when it comes to breakfast, brunch, and lunch stuff. and food vendors. Dinner stuff i don't mind getting into the 20 euro range.
do keep in mind that I am going to be doing a lot of traveling around with my sis while there so of course we are going to do the sibling thing and share/trade food.
British Museum is ass... But if you must be around that area, then when you're dome, get Leicester Square and Piccadilly out of your system. Walk through China Town (I don't recommend eating there), and if you're with someone who loves to eat sweets and deserts, eat in the Rainforest Café... Sure it's for kids, but it's amazing.
The Elite
BOSS
Piccadilly Circus seems like Times Square madness. I am going to pass through but I do t think I want to spend time there.
northead
Member
Here, you've been given the one advice you actually needed. You can come and simply enjoy the rest.
Barnaby_Jones
Member
I am very sorry. I am glad you went to some decent places to wash the taste out though.
Hit up the Lake District if we ever have enough good weather to enjoy it. It is quiet but the landscape is rather nice. There's a great chippy in Bowness I think and there's a fantastic ice cream shop in Ambleside if I remember right. If they're still in business of course.
frankie_baby
Member
I did a holiday to London with my mrs and our little boy for a few days a couple of years ago and then again this year, went to Chinatown both times different restaurants, had a pretty much identical meal, 2 years ago came 2 about 50 quid, this year nearly 100
frankie_baby
Member
lots of xmas lights though and xmas lights beat daylight any day
Yes, I took gads of pictures.
In what world is the British Museum ass? It's probably the most impressive collection of artefacts in the world and it's wonderfully curated as well. Out of the eight or nine exhibits I walked through all but one were excellent. I could spend two full days there!
20 Euro for dinner. Okay below is an exhaustive list of some places I would recommend and some I would avoid.
Brunch, Snack:
- Wasabi (Japanesey fast-food, delish)
- Chopstix (Chinese fast-food, very westernised)
- Bill's (Good for Breakfast and Lunch, find this everywhere, try the porridge for breakfast)
- Just about any Kebab shop you see. It's essentially London street food.
- Pret, Costa, Eat. (a little pricey coffee shop sort, but you can't go wrong here for a bite)
- Chicken Cottage, etc. (you will see many chicken shops, very cheap, alright)
Worth a Visit:
- Baileys (Fulham) http://www.baileysfulham.com/our-menu/ <-- not too far from South Ken, a bus or few stops. This is the best Fish and Chip shop, good prices too. They sell real cod. (beware of places that sell the cheaper pollock)
- Chosen Bun (Fulham) https://www.chosenbun.com/ <-- People will say Honest Burger, but this is where I take dates and literally every friend. IMO, it's the fucking best. Pricey but chips are free if you collect.
- Snowflake http://www.snowflakegelato.co.uk/ <-- you won't find this on tripadvisor, but this is the best ice cream in London atm. Right next to South Ken station (for the museums)
- Po Cha (Waterloo) It's a Korean place, but if you want Korean food, go here. Not Kimchee.
Avoid!!:
- Random cafes that sell a FULL ENGLISH but somehow are halal. If you want a turkey sausage and turkey bacon, suit yourself...
- Passtire Valerie, Claridge's -- they look nice, take pictures, but please don't waste your money here...
- Random pizza places
Because it's not worth its salt when put up against V&A or Natural History. So many people I would show around have been to British Museum but not those two.
I've been to all of these dozens of times (maybe more) growing up in London, and it's the British Museum that has never been good after the first time. I think that speaks for it's relative quality. It's also near Holborn and Tottenham Court Road -- and PACKED full of tourists more so than the South Ken ones.
I live in Blackpool now =(
It really sucks. There's no redeeming quality of this area at all, but it's where I must be to pick myself up because of uni problems (going to Salford now, so it's an improvement to where I was...)
Good shit thank you. And trust me I am not a big pizza guy. Last thing I will ever do is fly to London to eat a bunch of pizza.
I will definitely be going to quite a few of the places you listed. I am a big guy who likes to eat. I am talking along the lines of 5-6 meals here.
MudoSkills
Volcano High Alumnus (Cum Laude)
Edit: Link just seems to take you to a purchase page.
Google Time Out + whatever sort of food you're interested in + London
Google Time Out + whatever sort of food you're interested in + London
jellies_two
Member
Oh I forgot, if you did in fact visit Fulham and this is not the same day you visit South Kensington, then you can enjoy Bishop's Park (enter from Putney Bridge, opposite side of the high street) even in December. There's a walled garden there that shits on the walled gardens I saw in Ireland. It's funded by a trust and is a local's little known secret.
Putney also has one dope af High Steet. As well as Mascalzone having good wood-baked pizza (used to be my ex' fav restaurant in London, but the pasta isn't as good anymore, pizza is still dope though).
It's possible to grab a burger or fish and chips first in Fulham Broadway then take one bus.
~
Please understand that you can't use cash on buses. You must have an oyster card (or contactless card). When you use an Oyster card, you don't have to worry about getting tickets etc. If you spend a certain amount it'll cap it (not sure what to, maybe around £7?).
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Visiting the House of Parliament (tour) is a thing. I don't know how much tickets cost but that's one of the cooler things. I would have recommended Kew Gardens but I don't think it fits for just a week visit.
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I once took an American on a walk from Sloane Square (Chelsea) all the way to Fulham Boardway, walking down King's Road turning off Parson's Green. It's about an hour's worth of walking. I'm not recommending it, but just saying the option is there.
Putney also has one dope af High Steet. As well as Mascalzone having good wood-baked pizza (used to be my ex' fav restaurant in London, but the pasta isn't as good anymore, pizza is still dope though).
It's possible to grab a burger or fish and chips first in Fulham Broadway then take one bus.
~
Please understand that you can't use cash on buses. You must have an oyster card (or contactless card). When you use an Oyster card, you don't have to worry about getting tickets etc. If you spend a certain amount it'll cap it (not sure what to, maybe around £7?).
--
Visiting the House of Parliament (tour) is a thing. I don't know how much tickets cost but that's one of the cooler things. I would have recommended Kew Gardens but I don't think it fits for just a week visit.
--
I once took an American on a walk from Sloane Square (Chelsea) all the way to Fulham Boardway, walking down King's Road turning off Parson's Green. It's about an hour's worth of walking. I'm not recommending it, but just saying the option is there.
I'm reading through the Hellblazer story "Haunted" at the moment and the World's End pub from it is still in Camden, which is itself a pretty interesting place to go.
I personally think the London Dungeon is good for this sort of thing too. Sweeny Todd, Ripper and Fawkes all in one.
EdwardTeach
Member
set this picture as your desktop and mobile background now to get you in the spirit of things
you say you like food so here's some recs
make sure to go to Five Guys, or failing that TGI Fridays...some of London's finest local eateries
if you go to a Pret A Manger first, the rule is to keep going to them, and only them, during your entire visit...if you go to an Eat first, avoid Pret...if you go to a Greggs first you're probably better off getting the first train from Euston to The North
burgers come in one size, with one type of bun - brioche, I hope you like brioche burger buns
Boots may look like a standard purveyor of sunscreen at first glance, but you can save some money there by getting a sandwich, a drink and a pack of crisps for what is known as a "meal deal"
for the finest fish and chips, visit a Nicholsons pub or a Wetherspoons...both have the best fish and chips in the whole of London
Yo! Sushi (or is it Yo Sushi!?) has only the finest and freshest fish caught straight out the Thames under Waterloo Bridge
enjoy your culinary voyage through London OP!
This man is pulling your leg, do not listen to him!
If you are interested in try some "Indian" food I reccomend going to Tayyabs (Or Needo Grill) in whitechapel for some really exceptional pakistani food. Get a mixed grill starter.
Oh and please... please don't tip... ever... Even if the credit card machine asks "do you wanna tip?" -- unless you're in TGI Friday's, don't do it.
Especially in Asian restaurants, where the waiter won't get it (even the service charge).
Another thing is that tax is always included in the prices. If you do any shopping, ask for tax refund form (though that's obvious). VAT is like 20% here, so you can get quite a bit back.
If OP falls for that it would be great to hear his impressions lol.
OP, if you MUST eat Sushi, I've worked in a bunch of Japanese restaurants.
~ Eat Tokyo is cheap and does okay for Sushi
~ Nobu is a FUCKING RIP OFF
~ I know a bunch of expensive places (like Yashin) where I have worked a little, but honestly you shouldn't be looking for dope Sushi in London...
Avoid the fuck out of the following:
~ Wagamama
~ Yo! Sushi
~ Benihana (I don't work here anymore, but man did every American feel like scum. If you wanna blow your money then by all means...)
Especially in Asian restaurants, where the waiter won't get it (even the service charge).
Another thing is that tax is always included in the prices. If you do any shopping, ask for tax refund form (though that's obvious). VAT is like 20% here, so you can get quite a bit back.
If OP falls for that it would be great to hear his impressions lol.
OP, if you MUST eat Sushi, I've worked in a bunch of Japanese restaurants.
~ Eat Tokyo is cheap and does okay for Sushi
~ Nobu is a FUCKING RIP OFF
~ I know a bunch of expensive places (like Yashin) where I have worked a little, but honestly you shouldn't be looking for dope Sushi in London...
Avoid the fuck out of the following:
~ Wagamama
~ Yo! Sushi
~ Benihana (I don't work here anymore, but man did every American feel like scum. If you wanna blow your money then by all means...)
Damnnnnnn you don't play around.
I am going to try everything they have just to compare to my home state. but yea Eat Tokyo sounds up my alley since I am all about stuffing my face with american style rolls
You're likely to go to the Soho branch, which is fine, but it will be packed and they won't take reservations. Be prepared to wait about 20 minutes to sit down. Holborn branch is better, but is like £2 more expensive per head. The boss goes to the fish market himself every Sunday. It's one of the few places where BFF-chan acknowledges it as being good Japanese food.
Like, they microwave the black cod but you'd be hard pressed to find it anything tastier that isn't 50 times the price (Nobu is shit).
A couple of pics from when I used to work there:
~
that looks greatYou're likely to go to the Soho branch, which is fine, but it will be packed and they won't take reservations. Be prepared to wait about 20 minutes to sit down. Holborn branch is better, but is like £2 more expensive per head. The boss goes to the fish market himself every Sunday. It's one of the few places where BFF-chan acknowledges it as being good Japanese food.
Like, they microwave the black cod but you'd be hard pressed to find it anything tastier that isn't 50 times the price (Nobu is shit).
A couple of pics from when I used to work there:
~
A 1 day alternative itinerary from what's already been mentioned:
- take a river boat (can pay by oyster) from central London, down the Thames to Greenwich.
- (weekend only) eat at the market buy some souvenirs (probably the best non-touristy place to do so) and wander around the town centre
- go up the hill at Greenwich park for a view of the city
- visit the prime meridian while you're up there and the astronomy centre
- go back down the hill to the maritime museum
- take the foot path under the Thames to canary wharf
- skate at canary wharf (ice rink in December). It's banker central but actually not bad at night.
- DLR (tube) back to central.
Possibly not the best on a cold, wet day but most of the time the weather will just be overcast and gloomy
- take a river boat (can pay by oyster) from central London, down the Thames to Greenwich.
- (weekend only) eat at the market buy some souvenirs (probably the best non-touristy place to do so) and wander around the town centre
- go up the hill at Greenwich park for a view of the city
- visit the prime meridian while you're up there and the astronomy centre
- go back down the hill to the maritime museum
- take the foot path under the Thames to canary wharf
- skate at canary wharf (ice rink in December). It's banker central but actually not bad at night.
- DLR (tube) back to central.
Possibly not the best on a cold, wet day but most of the time the weather will just be overcast and gloomy
=( but I just moved from London... can we make one when I finish Uni?
Barnaby_Jones
Member
Salford? I studied there a few years back and it's a lot better than it was.
As long as you stay far far away from the real depths of Salford, it's actually a pretty nice place to live. I'm considering moving back there in a year or so tbf
I went to school in Salford... between the ages of 12 and 14. It's only fate that I have to spend two more years here. I'll be eating BARMS again (ffs lol)
But honestly... I was going to London Met originally. Trash in every sense of the word, so much that SFE has an arrangement where I'm good for additional loans.
It's Networking so MediaCity is dope for it.
Regardless ~ I miss London already. I really hope OP updates this thread with pictures like I did with my Ireland thread.
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