Staying in London

[andyb]

Hi all,

My wife wants me to take her to London for the weekend so I'm in need of some ideas about what to do and where to stay. So far I have a ride on the london eye, tower of london and a show. Any ideas that are slightly different from the usual tourist places?

Ideas of where to stay would be good too, I plan on driving up and hope to stay at a hotel or something just outside London and get the tube in each day as I don't want to spend a fortune.

Thanks for any help :)

[metalmonkey]

The only thing with taking the tube is too check where you take it from and see if that tube line is open. Some w/ends up to half the tube lines are closed its a real pain trying to get anywhere.

There are some good bars on the along the embankment that look out over the river, they are nice to go to. A lot of the musumes are free here. It does depend on what you like doing really.

[ceeshaw]

Andy, have a look at timeout: http://www.timeout.com/london/
The girls usually love places like Covent Garden and Oxford Street (for the shopping... my idea of hell). The embankment is pretty cool, too.
Gordon's Wine Bar is different... quite well known so could be touristy - not your typical wine bar, but a tiny cellar. Hard to describe, worth a look: http://www.gordonswinebar.com/default.
Camden's there. Lots of good pubs n plenty of freaky folk to look at. Hey, maybe you wanna get a Tattoo while you're there? ;-)
http://www.camdenlock.net/camden.html
British Museum, Natural History Museum, National Portrait Gallery... yes they're touristy, but everyone wants to see them for a reason. (And they're free).
Enjoy

[Milky Bar Kid]

Me and my pal went down and stayed with her sister at the end of April last year. We did the usual touristy things but the best thing we did was a Rib Raft cruise. Basically on a rib raft, nice an tame showing you the sights whilst in the area with the speed limits then BLASTS you out to the barrier and does a few doughnuts and stuff, good fun.

[CoolGirl]

Ideas of where to stay would be good too, I plan on driving up and hope to stay at a hotel or something just outside London and get the tube in each day as I don't want to spend a fortune.


Believe it or not, you might actually be better off staying in a Travelodge or Premier Inn - there are a few of them in the centre of town now (eg Kings Cross, Shaftesbury Avenue, City Road) and much less hassle than long tube journeys (and yes, the weekend engin eering works are a pain, use the bus which will give you the added bonus of a view).

[andyb]

Thanks guys. I'll get looking around. MBK: That Rib Raft sounds like our kind of thing :)

[Treacle]

Yer I second what MBK has said. I done it with these guys flyingfishtours.co.uk an awsome trip. Also well worth checking out the tfl website for all your travel. O and don't forget to pop by and say hello to us down in Frith St in Soho. ;-)

[jacksuzukisv650]

stay in the claredon hotel in blakheath villege then get a train staight to london you can see greenwicch and see whats left of cutty sark

[Fizzy Fish]

If the weather's good, take a walk in one of the parks - the pretty flowers will all be coming out soon and you can get points for being romantic ;)

Regent's Park has lots of flowers, or maybe St James's Park, which is right next to Buckingham Palace/horseguards and near to the London Eye as well.

For somewhere a bit out of central London, try Kew Gardens or Hampton Court.

[Viney]

Not sure when you are coming down, but something that i will definitly do this year is the Westminster - Hampton court boat trip. Do one way, then jump on the train to come back. It only runs certain times of the year hence the start of the post!

Any boat trip is cool along the river. You could to a Charing cross - Greenwich round trip.

[Littlepeahead]

I can recommend the Lord's Tour - sure your wife would love that! (OK, maybe not but since I work there I always book mates on it for free).

The Danubius hotel it right opposite Lord's near Regent's park - worth checking for deals on Late Rooms and Last Minute. It's a decent enough hotel, I stay there for work quite often. That may not sound central but it is a short bus ride frrom the West End and only 10 minutes walk from Baker Street. Buses are often the best option at the weekend and more fun than the tube anyway.

You can also stroll from the hotel up the Regents canal to Camden one way and Little Venice the other. Past the Zoo on the way.

Avenue Q is a bit different to the ususal shows, quite rude, very funny, we loved it. Go on Friday and come and see us just up the road in Frifth street afterwards.

[G]

My girlfriend has just been dwon for the weekend and stayed at the rembrant hotel in knightsbridge.

The hotel has free parking too and is within zone 1 so an all day travel card is much cheaper. The hotel was a little over £150 for the night but once you factor in parking savings etc it's not to bad. Has a pool and health spa too. And all you can eat full English breakfast.

She went to see they jersey boys at the palladium I think it was... Said it was amazing, but don't buy the £22 cd at the end as you can get it for £5 from hmv.

[metalmonkey]

Dude when you thinking off coming down I might be able to help out...

[barwel1992]

no idea bout hotels but try and take her to see billy eliot aparently its amazing acording to my girl friend

[BernardBikerchick]

stay at mine i bake cakes and do a mean brekkie and i'm fabulous and so theres ya answer !!!!! he he he he he he

go to soho ! your life will be complete then ! xx