I'm off to London, got any tips?

[Superlative]

I'm headed to London with my Uni and I was wondering if there were any tips or tricks i might need, want to do, or generally keep in mind. The trip though my Uni is based on theature so i will be catching a lot of plays.

I'll also be apart of a delegation thats meeting to chat things out between my school and the University of East London so if you go there, i may be dropping by.

So Brits, anything i should know, do or avoid ahead of time?

 

[Dags90]

I guess I would say, avoid getting shanked by a pack of teenagers. From what I've gleaned from sensationalist British tabloids, pretty much all teenagers are an immediate danger in the UK.

Also, hoodies have a much more negative public perception in Britland.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Keep your hands in your pockets, don't make eye contact, keep moving, don't drink the water, beware the ides of March; a Serbian man will approach you under the shadow of Westminster wearing a red carnation, be sure you are not followed, he will give you the briefcase. Twenty-two thousand pounds have been anonymously transferred to your account, the rest will be transferred upon completion. The irritated scalp is normal, do not attempt to remove the implant.

We will be in touch.

 

[Adromeq]

For the Love of jiminy, when on the Escalators keep to the right!

Other than that, the underground is really easy once you get the hang of all the pretty colours, and don't go south of the rive for any reason.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Yes... walk briskly...(!) -_- London is a fast moving city so either move it or get out the way! Oh, and if you intend to go around the West End, walk... you don't need to take the Tube from Leicester Square to Covent Garden! *silly tourists* =P

Still, there's plenty to see, best start from South Ken and work your way east...

 

[DudeistBelieve]

I'm headed to London with my Uni and I was wondering if there were any tips or tricks i might need, want to do, or generally keep in mind. The trip though my Uni is based on theature so i will be catching a lot of plays.

I'll also be apart of a delegation thats meeting to chat things out between my school and the University of East London so if you go there, i may be dropping by.

So Brits, anything i should know, do or avoid ahead of time?

If anyone asks, you're Canadian.

If a bunch of terrorist storm your hotel, point a gun in your face and ask if you're American, remember the phrase "Ich Bin Deutch." It might save your life.

And try not to embarrass us over there. I mean, it's not like we have a good reputation in other countries but lets try to avoid making it worse, K?

 

[DudeistBelieve]

if some really helpful homeless looking guy in the west end offers to take your photo with a disposable camera and then send you the photos for 10 pounds hes suprisingly not lying. i paid him for the help and directions and got the photos in the mail a couple of months later

Huh.

It's nice when the homeless are honest, good folk.

 

[Blunderman]

Visit the O2, eat at Zizzi's (have a bottle of the house red), go into any pub and ask for a Czech lager with a tub of chips covered in malt vinegar, grab a Starbucks in Greenwhich and walk along the Thames, or grab a Starbucks from London Bridge and walk along the Thames, get a travel card for the zones you need (1-4, I'd wager); public transportation will get you absolutely anywhere, DLR, underground, overground and trains are your best bet for longer distance travelling. If you want to see the city, walk rather than take the bus. There are maps on almost every street corner in the centre of London. If you do take the bus, say thank you to the driver when you step off.

Most of the crime that takes place is gang-related, and even if you frequently visit places like Camden, Brixton, Tottenham and Hackney, it's very rare. I live in South East London and it's perfectly fine.

Remember that cars drive on the wrong side of the road and that jaywalking isn't illegal (if you go to somewhere like Oxford or Piccadilly Circus, you'll see people navigating traffic).

All in all, it's a beautiful city with tons to do and tons to see. Spending the evening at the pub or a restaurant is a big part of the local culture and what people do to enjoy themselves. If you walk along the south side of the river near Tower Bridge, you'll find many beautiful pubs right by the water. The view is gorgeous at night. I'd recommend either Zizzi's or Pizza Express (don't let the name fool you, it's a nice place) around those parts.

Also, there's an enormous M&M's shop at Leicester Square.

 

[Rawne1980]

Wrap up warm.

It will probably rain.

 

[Scarim Coral]

If you going to use the subway alot, make sure to put alot of cash into the wallet thing you use throughout the subway. You can easily get those wallet at any entrance to the subway.

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

I guess I would say, avoid getting shanked by a pack of teenagers. From what I've gleaned from sensationalist British tabloids, pretty much all teenagers are an immediate danger in the UK.

Also, hoodies have a much more negative public perception in Britland.

Also note that you have at least a 3000% chance of being attacked by a binge drinker/drug gang/immigrant(who will also give you cancer that lowers the value of your house) and end up in hospital, where you will be left on the floor for 6 months until the doctor accidentally removes your lungs and heart. Surprisingly, you will then die of MRSA. This is all Gospel truth, as written in the Daily Mail.

Slight correction though, hoodies have to be paired with tracksuit bottoms and Reebok Classics to get the full hoodie effect, middle class kids going through their metal/skater etc phase needn't worry too much. Basically as long as you don't look like a "chav" it's unlikely to get you any negative attention (just don't go into shops with your hood up)


There's a thing called an oyster card that you put money on and then use on public transport that makes everything much cheaper. If you're there for a bit then get one, otherwise it's frighteningly expensive to get around.

As a general rule trying to talk to strangers is likely to get you ignored. Otherwise just the normal precautions for a large western city.

Other than that I can't really help much, I lived there for 25 years but as a resident you generally don't consider anything particularly tourist worthy.

 

[fix-the-spade]

So Brits, anything i should know, do or avoid ahead of time?

Visit the museums and galleries! They're mostly free so you can walk right in.

 

[Padwolf]

Don't ever buy anything from a corner shop or newsagent there, it's way overpriced. Always buy your drinks and snacks from the big named places like Sainsburys, Tescos and M&S.

If you are there for more than a day I highly recommend picking up an Oyster card. They are a card you put money on to use for all forms of public transport, it's also cheaper.

Keep in mind that when in central London most of the time you won't need to use the tube, you can walk to most places, it won't be a long walk and it will be more scenic and save you a lot of money.

There is also a lot of things you can do for free around London, quite few museums are free, the art galleries, there are some gardens that are open to the public. Hyde Park is also lovely and is great to spend a day there.

Don't wander down to the South West. Tooting and Streatham are dumps and you may or may not get mugged or stabbed there. Wimbledon is lovely though and has a great theatre. In Wimbledon there is a lovely place called Cannizaro Park which is gorgeous.

 

[Dragoon]

Firstly make sure you have pretty secure pockets and watch your bags, tourists are pickpockets favorite targets especially in the busy areas. This one may seem a bit disgusting but it's true, your snot will have a black tinge to it for a bit due to the city population especially if you go on the tube. Speaking of the tube try to use it as much as possible and walk although it may be best to avoid the tube at rush hour times (about 7-8am and 5-6pm)

Next places to go. I'd say if you can definitely get yourself to Camden Market, there are some amazing stalls there and your bound to find something you're interested in but you definitely have to watch for pickpockets there due to it being so busy. If you're into art the Tate Modern is worth checking out, I'm not a big fan of modern art but you maybe. The national history and the museum of science are definitely worth going to, wish I could have spent more time there when I went there's just so much to see.

The London Dungeons are also pretty good for some lighthearted fun and there's also the typical things to go see like the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. For food I'd definitely suggest going to the Hard Rock Cafe, it has amazing food and loads of interesting things from famous musicians and actors displayed around the place.

 

[Bvenged]

I guess I would say, avoid getting shanked by a pack of teenagers. From what I've gleaned from sensationalist British tabloids, pretty much all teenagers are an immediate danger in the UK.

Also, hoodies have a much more negative public perception in Britland.

That's a bit extreme and completely off the mark.

- Due to our large numbers of dangerous teenagers going 'round in packs and shanking everybody, the general consensus is that hoodies are a positive thing... because the hoodie wearers are that general consensus of wild teenagers. I swear they're in abundance over here!

Back to reality...

There aren't as many malevolent teenagers in the UK any more, but drugs are on the rise. Stick to the popular tourist areas in London and you'll be fine. To be honest, you'll be fine wherever you go. But don't go for a day trip up't north England, they're all in-bread and eat people; it looks like like fallout 3's Point Lookout up there, but the people are more disfigured.

Back to reality, again!

You'll likely be in West London for plays, very nice place indeed. I'll leave the rest for people from London, I'm technically not even in the same country and I've only been there once or twice by car.

 

[someonehairy-ish]

Just see and do as much as you can while you're there, it's a brilliant city. Crime in most areas really isn't a very big issue, but keep an eye on any rucksacks or whatever and don't put stuff in back pockets. That's about it.

 

[Chrono212]

i will be catching a lot of plays.

Which ones?

Actually, if you're in the area, the Southbank Centre (near Waterloo train and Tube) has a Christmas market all week and a food market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Also in that area is the Houses of Parliment, Big Ben, the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall and, drumroll, the National Theatre.

You should get a pay-as-you-go Oyster card. Oyster cards are used on all public transport for all journeys as opposed to buying paper tickets for single journeys.
You must touch in and touch out otherwise you'll be charged the maximum amount.
This does not include busses, they're a flat rate.

If you're out in the West End beware of pickpockets, especially during theatre times where things are very crowded.

Having said that, take in the atmosphere and act as you would at home and if you don't know, just ask.
It's not a bad thing that you're visiting, regardless of stereotypes.

Make a point that you're a tourist and want to learn.

Sources: I live in London.

 

[Wadders]

Go to the British Museum!

It's free, huge, and full of all the cool shit we stole from other countries when we owned them, well worth a look. Also get to the Tower and have a look round there if you can. Bearing in mind neither of these will be of much interest if you're not interested in history, obviously.

Other than that take warm clothes, it can be pretty chilly here