FabSwingers.com forum: London

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

We have a 2 day break in London booked in August and want to see as much as is sensibly possible! ... Any suggestions as to what is a 'must see' in the capital?

Cheers

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By *dam_TinaCouple
over a year ago

Hampshire

What do you like ? History ? Clubs ? Shopping ?

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Which part of London are you staying?

Do you want to do the touristy things or do you want to do the off-the-beaten track sort of things?

Do you have a limitless budget or do you have to keep within a spending limit? London is expensive. Knowing what you would like to do helps reduce that a bit as you can plan.

Personally, I'd do all the free things, the walks and the cheaper fringe things. Plus, get a deal on a show and then you have covered a whole range of the London experience.

Look at the Londonist to find some of the quirkier things to do locally too.

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By *ingersnthumbsMan
over a year ago

London

My flat!

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

"We have a 2 day break in London booked in August and want to see as much as is sensibly possible! ... Any suggestions as to what is a 'must see' in the capital?

Cheers

Ooh give my love to old 'Choocksbry', I used to live up near Corse Lawn!

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

Where going next week for the same reason.

Where going to do the museums, tower of London, river cruise, take in a couple of shows and just see what else when we get there

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By *heScotandthegirlCouple
over a year ago

London & Edinburgh

Definitely a river cruise...

Love the Southbank.

Most of the museums are free. A bus tour is pricy but if you're only there for a short time covers the basics.

Just avoid Leicester Square!

Depends whether you want to see the tourist London or explore a bit further out, Shoreditch etc.

Rubyx

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Where going next week for the same reason.

Where going to do the museums, tower of London, river cruise, take in a couple of shows and just see what else when we get there

A trip down the River is always a good one and you don't have to do the cruises, which cost more, as you can just jump on the Clipper and pick a place to go. Don't forget to get an Oyster card as the buses are now cashless.

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

"Where going next week for the same reason.

Where going to do the museums, tower of London, river cruise, take in a couple of shows and just see what else when we get there

"
yes its just a Normal trip on the river. I don't pay for buses but where going to get me an oyster card as soon as we get there, jay has one.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

National History Museum. Marvel at the dinosaurs.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Plenty of galleries and museums but they are time consuming. Plenty of buildings to stare at : Buckingham Palace; Houses of Parliament; St Pauls. At weekends you could get long queues into museums and packed restaurants. I would look at a map and plan a route from West to East,crossing the bridges from North of river to South. On the south bank near the Eye is a carousel and street entertainers. You can end up at a pie and mash shop

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go there.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tooting bec lido, Feltham high street, Southall meat market, Shepherds Bush green and the barometer thingy, Chiswick roundabout, muswell hill coop,

Cockfosters tube station.

All these places a must for any tourist

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If the weather's ok, the open-top bus tours can be a great way of seeing a lot of stuff whilst keeping your arse planted

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

You need to fix that.

The Natural History museum also have one of the loveliest and most interesting exteriors. Then wander along the road to the V&A and have lunch in the restaurant there and soak up the atmosphere. Or, my favourite gallery/museum restaurant is the National Portrait Gallery - a view looking at the top of Nelson's Column.

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By *hyllyphyllyMan
over a year ago

Bradford

I too am off to London next month for 5 days, with a friend and her daughter, so will be monitoring this topic

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

You need to fix that.

See, if only i knew all that. I may just put in a few hours more at work and have a little trip of London soon.

Now, i can't do that on my own can i?

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

You need to fix that.

See, if only i knew all that. I may just put in a few hours more at work and have a little trip of London soon.

Now, i can't do that on my own can i?

You could but why don't you have one of your non-London friends go with you and explore together?

You could start at London Bridge, look up at the Shard, cross the road and mooch around Borough Market having little tastes of the food, walk along the River and stop at one of the pubs for a drink and go to Tate Modern. Then catch the Clipper to Greenwich, see a show at the O2 and then take the Emirate cable car back over the River and you are back in East London. A perfect day.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks so far .. we are stopping in Blackfriars and certainly don't have an endless budget!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Covent Garden is fun. Lots is street entertainers and shops and bars.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Thanks so far .. we are stopping in Blackfriars and certainly don't have an endless budget!!

Blackfriars is a very good location for everything along the River. You also have St Brides close by so you can see a more professional am/dram show or music if something is on.

You can walk to Somerset House and into the City and there are lots of free things to do if you look for them. Do look at the Londonist.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As others have said, it depends what you're into. I've been recently and always enjoy South Bank, Natural History - I love the building itself, as much as the exhibits. If you enjoy shopping there is Harrods, Hamleys, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason plus lots lots more. A London show is always brill & catch a matinee so you can go out for dinner afterwards. Oh afternoon Tea at The Ritz or similar is a lovely experience too.

I still have a "to do" list - V&A & Tate Modern are at the top of that for my next visit.

Look online for deals for shows & tours etc, as you can get some great discounts that way. Although just walking round and soaking up London is free & fun.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Worth getting a Oyster card and travel everywhere by tube. The Diversity of London is vast but Oxford Street/Knightsbridge and Portobello Road Market is great for shopping.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Little Venice is lovely. Hyde Park and Victoria Park are a few of my fovorites too x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just remember that the buses don't take cash anymore so make sure you have either an oyster card or travel card for the day.

Have fun!

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Just remember that the buses don't take cash anymore so make sure you have either an oyster card or travel card for the day.

Have fun!"

If you pick the right routes you can travel across London and see so much for under £2 a trip.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thanks so far .. we are stopping in Blackfriars and certainly don't have an endless budget!!

Ideal location. Bring your walking shoes and pop over Blackfriars bridge and walk along the southbank. One of the best pub crawls can be had along there.

Check to see if anything is on at the globe.

Half price ticket office for theatre tickets in Leicester square is very good.

Shoreditch and spitalfields are the places where the trendy Londoners hang out of an evening.

Time out will give you a list of pubs with bands playing for free.

And remember to tip the black cabs well.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

...and if you get stuck. I have a seven seater for a whole forumite trip to London.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"...and if you get stuck. I have a seven seater for a whole forumite trip to London.

Don't go stealing work from the Polks now.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"...and if you get stuck. I have a seven seater for a whole forumite trip to London.

Oi.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"...and if you get stuck. I have a seven seater for a whole forumite trip to London.

Oi. "

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

"Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

You need to fix that.

See, if only i knew all that. I may just put in a few hours more at work and have a little trip of London soon.

Now, i can't do that on my own can i?

You could but why don't you have one of your non-London friends go with you and explore together?

Yes, that's one of my favourite walks, not forgetting a trip across the wibbly wobbly bridge! (even though it doesn't wobble anymore I love calling it that!)

It costs about £25 quid to view from the top of the Shard but there is a bar/restaurant on 32nd floor you can just go for a drink and a peep.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Come near my part of town for food. We have some nice restaurants around.

Tower of London and stuff is nice. Not too far from me but i rarely get the chance to go their.

But National History Museum is the place i'd really want to visit - they got the Mammoths! And i really want to see them. So, that may be a good place to go.

Maybe shopping round Knightsbridge?

Stuff like that. I say all this - but, i've lived in London my whole life but barely seen London. So, go for it and have a fab time.

You need to fix that.

See, if only i knew all that. I may just put in a few hours more at work and have a little trip of London soon.

Now, i can't do that on my own can i?

You could but why don't you have one of your non-London friends go with you and explore together?

Yes, that's one of my favourite walks, not forgetting a trip across the wibbly wobbly bridge! (even though it doesn't wobble anymore I love calling it that!)

It costs about £25 quid to view from the top of the Shard but there is a bar/restaurant on 32nd floor you can just go for a drink and a peep."

Start at St Paul's then and walk across the Wobbly Bridge. Tate Modern and reverse the journey to Borough Market. Drink at the Shard. Find a pier and take the Clipper etc.

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By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

"Covent Garden is fun. Lots is street entertainers and shops and bars. "
yeap and great places their to eat and people watch!

... Market too

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

"Covent Garden is fun. Lots is street entertainers and shops and bars. yeap and great places their to eat and people watch!

... Market too "

Yes, a great place for lunch, I used to have proper 'dates' there, haha!! Seems like a long time ago haha....

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By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

London Dungeon.. If that your thing? . Then right close is the 'Golden Hind' dry docked ship in all its glory... short walk away is the 'clink' museum ... Really depends what sort of stuff interests you? ... Trip to Greenwich always a good choice too, market,shops, bars , park , Maritime museum, cutty sark and boat trip up the Thames to tower bridge.....

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

If your going to Greenwich on a Sunday try the jazz brunch at the novatel if they still have them

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By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

"Covent Garden is fun. Lots is street entertainers and shops and bars. yeap and great places their to eat and people watch!

... Market too

Yes, a great place for lunch, I used to have proper 'dates' there, haha!! Seems like a long time ago haha...."

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"London Dungeon.. If that your thing? . Then right close is the 'Golden Hind' dry docked ship in all its glory... short walk away is the 'clink' museum ... Really depends what sort of stuff interests you? ... Trip to Greenwich always a good choice too, market,shops, bars , park , Maritime museum, cutty sark and boat trip up the Thames to tower bridge.....

The London dungeon has now moved to near the London eye , right next to the sea life London aquarium.

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By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

The London dungeon has now moved to near the London eye , right next to the sea life London aquarium. "
oh my! didn't know it had moved ... Obvi a while since I there last

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By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

If feeling really energetic , you could also hire out a pair of ' Boris Bikes' !!

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By *aro7Man
over a year ago

wickford

Novatel,,,,,,ibis,,,,,,,or the mad hatter?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Im a Londoner and I always enjoy going to Canary Wharf/West India Quay. It's pretty much the closest London gets to somewhere like New York lol (One friend from the midlands, when he first saw it described it as looking like Gotham City in The Dark Knight lol). Plus it's really small so you could look around the whole place in about an hour or so.

Then go one stop on the jubilee line to the O2 arena which is a nice place and you don't even have to see a show, it's just an impressive place to check out. and the emirates air line right next to it gives the 2nd best view of London (1st being The London Eye)

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

Brick Lane for food. The oldest Salt beef shops at one end, at the other an assortment of international food stalls.

Natural history museum, British museum, or the British library. All 3 if you can.

Either book theatre tickets in advance, or go online while wandering. I saw We will Rock You just before it closed. Went into the theatre, tickets were £75 each. Went to the British museum, looked online as I was wandering around and got the same tickets for £47.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think you guys should take a walk along tower bridge and then come round mine for a curry or a nice cup of tea/coffee.

Maybe i'd just order in some takeaway - don't want to cause any food poisonings lol.

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