I'm off to London, got any tips?

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Dammit, just lost everything I'd typed Sigh, try again.
Was welcoming you to London, hope you have fun here. Lots of great things to see on stage so you won't be lacking in that department! Other cool things to see and do:

Camden - Get off at Camden Town on the Northern line and have fun in the most bohemian part of the city. There's great places to snack and shop, stuff to see and you should definitel visit the (flea) market and Cyberdog while there.

Drinks - The Seven Stars [http://fancyapint.com/Pub/london/the-seven-stars/192] in Holborn is a great pub. Opposite the Royal Justice courts, they have a cat called Tom Paine who wears a ruff Another fantastic place to get a drink is the London Stone pub [http://www.eerie-pubs.co.uk/london-stone], a goth bar with doors behind hidden bookshelves, a great ambience and they sell the Seven Deadly Sins, a different cocktail for each vice

Shopping - There's plenty in the west end to spend money on but most of it is tourist trap stuff. There's Forbidden Planet near Tottenham Court Road that sells lots of comic paraphernalia, Hamley's, toy store on Regent's Street and some large department stores in the form of Selfridges, on Oxford Street, that always has a themed Christmas shop-window display and Harrods in Knightsbridge. There are great flea markets on Sundays in the East End of London, a short walk from Aldgate East (distict line) station. Petticoat Lane, Brick Lane and Spittlefields are all nearby. There's also another Saturday market at Portobello Road [http://www.portobellomarket.org/].

Sights - There's a lot of historical landmarks around the city, many of which can be done together. Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, St. James' Palace, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey are just some. Further afield there's Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace (with the world famous hedge maze) and Kew Gardens, an amazing botanical centre, though it may be a little too cold for that now.

Arts - The National Gallery is on Trafalgar Square and always has some cool exhibits. It's free for all wings but they usually have a charge for their special exhibit. The Tate (and Tate Modern if modern art is your thing) are also worth a visit.

Other - I can't think of any particular restaurants to recommend, but there are some places well worth a visit. Covent Garden is a cool place too, like Camden in a way, but very lively and bustling and usually with lots of street performers. There's a Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park if you want to get festive, though in truth I've not heard much good things about it this year. Somerset House on The Strand, just off Trafalgar Square is fantastic at this time of year. They have outdoor ice skating, you can buy mulled wine and relax. Definitely worth a visit if you have a lady-friend with you.

Anything more you want to know just ask Hope you have a great time, a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

PS. What plays are you planning to catch?

 

[pierre666lol]

If youre looking for a good bar, go to the strand and visit Cellar Door; (its right by the lion king theatre) order "never trust a flamingo"; It's worth the trip every time.

 

[dontlooknow]

Last time I was down there, a friend took me to The Wellcome Collection [http://www.wellcomecollection.org/visit-us.aspx?gclid=CL6CidiznLQCFcbLtAodlV8A9w], which was the single most fascinating and disturbing experience I've had. It's definitely worth a visit, and - most importantly - it's free.

If you want to have some real fun, though, I'd pass on those southern fairies and get yourself to Yorkshire; The Wind in the Willows is on at the West Yorkshire Playhouse at the moment - now that's some proper theatre for you.

 

[Stasisesque]

Lots of fantastic suggestions here, I only have one thing to add: Visit Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. It's hundreds of years old, has bags of history, is cute as all hell, it's not cheap but nothing in London is cheap - and it's tucked down a little side alley.

Oh, and visit Petticoat Lane on a Sunday if you want to make the most of it.

 

[Demoli]

I love the natural history museum in Kensington, definitely worth a look.

When in the underground try to walk at a reasonable pace and ensure you have your ticket / oyster card ready before you get to the barriers. Do not under any circumstance faff about looking for it in front of the gate. Seems obvious but you'd be amazed how many people don't remember this.

If you're sightseeing, try to stay out of the general human traffic flow, as mentioned before London is a busy and fast place, and while we have that great British reserve, we do get pissed off with tourists who stand in the middle of the street getting in the way.

Other than that, have fun, Londoners are actually quite nice as long as you play by the rules

 

[219thedude]

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.

Sir, may I say that I am highly offended by you assertion that northerners, such as myself, are in any way inferior to you soft southern Jessies! The North is a very large, varied and often beautiful place full of fine upstanding chaps. Except for Liverpool, which goes without saying! Anyway, to keep my post somewhat on topic; if The North is like Fallout's Point Lookout (it isn't), then the South is like New Vegas; there's interesting stuff to do, but the people are (often) loud, irritating, unfriendly and rude. As a yankeedoodle, you may be struck by the latter two especially.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Oh and quick tips. If you plan to use public transport a lot, get an oyster card. You'll make back the £3 deposit very quickly. It's more convenient than cash, and the arseholes charge more for cash payments. Probably because they can't track your every movement (/take off tin foil hat). I believe you can get one at the ticket offices of almost any tube station.

Bring warm clothes. Assuming the world doesn't end on the 21st, the Winter solstice signals the start of Winter. It's cold, so dress warm. Hat, gloves, thick socks, layers, a wind-proof coat if you have one.

Things to avoid...hmmmm. Don't know what to say here. Most snazzy London bars and clubs are insanely priced. Don't be surprised if a round of drinks for a handful of friends can be £30-40+ ($55-65). Pubs are much more reasonable for drinks. Only places I would say to avoid I think it unlikely you'll be anywhere near, but really much of South London is best avoided.

 

[rofltehcat]

Don't forget to look right-left-right instead of left-right-left when crossing a road. x)

 

[Mr Companion]

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?

That Canadian thing is clever, I can't deny our mental sirens go off a little when an American shows up but when they say "Oh actually im a Canadian" its like OH so you are like us but with a bigger, even colder country ok pull up a chair. It probably doesn't help most of the Canadians I know are really nice but by chance most of the Americans I met were kinda wankers, not all of them of course its just bad luck.

Anyway good advice.

 

[Woodsey]

If you're on the escalators in the underground, stay on the right.

Don't walk slowly, for my own sanity.

Look at a tube map. They look like a bloody mess if you convince yourself that's what they're going to be, but if you actually look you can get it figured out in a couple of minutes and be fine from then on. (Obviously route planner apps make things easier, but it still helps a lot.)

Pubs beat clubs.

A lot of museums and stuff are free, some aren't.

 

[Gabanuka]

snip

If you're in the mood for museums we have some great ones.

The best are all pretty close together:
Natural History is you want to get your animals on
Science is probably the funniest if you aren't big on history
V&A is my favourite since its got a little bit of everything
National has mummies 'n shit


If you're going on the London Eye make sure its a clear day otherwise you wont see shit.
Unless you really care don't go to Buckingham Palace, it really isn't that great.
See a show if you have the money
Avoid South of the river
We drink. Hard. Do not try and out drink a Brit and God help you if its a Scot
Go to Chinatown, there's some damn good Chinese food there.
Our curries are much spicier than you will be used to.
If you're lost just look for the nearest pub. They should be able to help you.


Edit:

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.

Also don't call it a Subway, its a The Tube. If you ask people where the nearest Subway is you're gonna end up at a sandwich shop.

 

[Blunderboy]

Wrap up warm.

It will probably rain.

This.

But most of all, have an awesome time OP.

Seriously, I love London, though I couldn't live there.

Oh and avoid public transport like the plague between 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm.
Besides, walking will let you see more of the city.

 

[Glaciatedhands]

1. Zip your valuables
2. Stay away from the estates
3. Museums are great and you can get yourself a couple of days out just on the science museum
4. If you're in the busy areas of london, don't expect to catch the first train you see, You'll probably (during rush hour) be catching anywhere between the 3rd to 7th train that passes
5. Don't expect anyone to be polite when it comes to transportation, mainly the london underground, if they can get on, they will.
6. Learn how to understand accents, London is a huge boiling point of ethnicity and dialects so you'll be hearing a lot of different accents

 

[rodneyy]

as a few have said watch out for pickpockets. do your best to keep any money/phones behind a zip or button. dont keep all your money in one place, tourists are often targeted as they have all their money on them at all times often in a big block. so its fine to keep your money in your wallet but not all of it at once. if you open it up and there is £40 in it then onone will take a second look if you got £300 in there someone might take notice. do your best to be sutble is probally the best advice

 

[The Tibballs]

Don't drink the beer there, especially a beer called Fosters.
(http://denisesboringblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/s_fosters-lager.jpg)

 

[Bvenged]

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.

Sir, may I say that I am highly offended by you assertion that northerners, such as myself, are in any way inferior to you soft southern Jessies! The North is a very large, varied and often beautiful place full of fine upstanding chaps. Except for Liverpool, which goes without saying! Anyway, to keep my post somewhat on topic; if The North is like Fallout's Point Lookout (it isn't), then the South is like New Vegas; there's interesting stuff to do, but the people are (often) loud, irritating, unfriendly and rude. As a yankeedoodle, you may be struck by the latter two especially.

So, the north is (not) like point lookout, the south is (not) like New Vegas - we need to assert some Bethesda Softworks stereotyping to the rest of the isles!

Scotland, (not) like Skyrim, is full of booze-swollen cold farer's who speak perfect english with a strongly accented tongue. A land of mountains where the settlements host bloodthirsty menaces who make the roads dangerous as they rob you of your possessions to help fund their ale!

So yeah, to bring this a little more on-topic, don't go to Scotland without a broadsword and some health potions. The view is good up in the highlands, though.

 

[smithy_2045]

Learn how to play soccer.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Don't buy food from newsagents/ cornershops. It's probably terrible and sometimes out of date too. Vending machines are very overpriced too.

Visit museums and galleries, a lot of them are actually free.

Sadly a hell of a lot of people in London are not especially friendly, although not rude. So idle chit chat with a stranger probably won't be stellar.

I think it might start snowing really soon so wear grippy shoes, and wrap up warm.

 

[D-Class 198482]

if you can't find a hotel sleep in Bedlam

 

[Fudj]

Shawarma is just called Kebabs over here.....also yes its cold so wrap up.