London - Sightseeing etc...

Dont bother with harrods, its crap, i havent even given it a capital letter.

Dont do madam tusuads

Try the big bus company who do a great tour on an open double decker, you can pick them up anywhere and a single ticket it will allow you to drop off at any of the attractions, and jump on the next bus coming for free.
I work in London and was hugely surprised at this, thats a tip for all those in London as well,

Rich xx

Cheers Rich!

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

they can indeed. you can even get a souvenir one with pretty pictures on it cos tourists tend to go for that sort of thing best just to go to the ticket window at the tube station nearest to where you're staying, explain your situation and they'll come up with the best option for you.

there are often special offers for attractions, etc for people travelling with Oyster cards: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/oysteroffers/

some more useful travel stuff incl maps and info specifically geared up for visitors to London can be found here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/

I'm actually off to see the King Tut exhibition myself next week - looks pretty good. I'd agree that the Eye is worth a visit (on a good weather day though), also check out Parliament and St James' Park/Buck Palace are a short walk away.

TBH it depends on what you're into really - try the Visit London and Time Out London websites for more ideas.

hope you enjoy your stay!

Don't they charge you 3.50 for the oyster card though?? May be better off with a travelcard if it's just for a day or 2.

I would recommend what everyone has already suggested during the day but also for the evening if you're about....

- Absolut vodka ice bar. You have to book this in advance, but I really liked it. You a get a cocktail in the ticket price and get to hang out in a bar where everything is made of ice (including the glass). Plus when You come out, London feels like a hot country!

- Trafalgar Hilton has great roof terrace bar that overlooks Trafalgar square and give great views over London. Free to get in and they even offer blankets if it is quite cold

- Kensington Roof Gardens. Ok, this is a little expensive but I have never been to a nicer bar/restaurant in London. On Kensington High street and features a whole block of roof gardens. Can go for drinks or dinner, but it really is something else -> http://www.roofgardens.com/

- Samuel Smith's pubs in Soho - The Glasshouse Stores on brewer st, john snow on broadwick street etc. They sell there own brand of booze, but have nice 'pub' feel about them and you can still buy a pint for under 2 quid!

- Soho in general - great for a whole load of bars, pubs restaurants and coffee shops and home, of course, to the soho massive!


I could go on forever actually

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Don't they charge you 3.50 for the oyster card though?? May be better off with a travelcard if it's just for a day or 2.

if you return the Oystercard to the ticket office after you've made your last tube journey they will refund your £3.50

Found it may be cheaper to get the train at around 70quid return for 2 people straight to london so next question, anyone know of some decent hotels pref near some of the attractions, or areas to stay away from?

Found millions of websites which differ so much on cost etc for hotels, so are there any you guys/gals can recommend which you have used before?

Cheers!!

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

if you return the Oystercard to the ticket office after you've made your last tube journey they will refund your £3.50

Cool!, I didnt know that!

Suppose it would depend on what floats your boat but I've been to stay in London a few times and done different trips on each one:

- Tourist sites: museums, art galleries, aquarium, harrods, leicester square etc. etc.

- Theatre: spent a week with my girlfriend seeing the best shows in town every night and visiting the best restaurants before/after for a glitzy trip (that doesn't mean lots of money btw, you can get tickets on the day dead cheap, and most restaurants have a pre-theatre menu which gives you 3 courses @ some of the best places in London for £15 a head sometimes!!)

- Relax: head out to a few 'experiences' that don't really count as attractions per se but are well worth seeing nonetheless and give a 'vibe' of London rather than the usual Madame Tussauds. In this I would include Highgate Cemetary (West is more interesting than East IIRC), Notting Hill market, Camden Town, Speaker's Corner on a Sunday etc. etc.

Hope that provides some food for thought.

YEah thats good info, thanks matey!

Keep em' coming people!!

[Ch00]

have a look at http://www.lastminute.com they have lots of late hotel deals and the like

ch00

get yourself under the south side of waterloo bridge that will show you what london is about a real eye opener at night