Things to do in London

[Netwacky87]

Hi Guys,

 

Me and the missis is goin down to London (Greenwich way) in the next couple of weeks for a weekend, just for a nice getaway as we have both been very busy lately and not had enough "us" time

 

Anybody know any good things to do in London? Was thinking about organising a speed boat tour around the thames and stuff like that but anybody have any other suggestions? Was poss thinking Show, museum, art galleries...

 

Mart

Edited November 4, 2012 by Netwacky87
added weekend

[laserblazer]

I don't know about speedboats but if you are staying in Grweenwich, I'd strongly recommend using the river to get to or from Westminster. You see a lot of old London from the Thames. As a tecchie, you would love the Science Museum but it might not suit your other half.

[Netwacky87]

Oh cool! Science museum! thats a good idea! Hey, if I might have to sit through the Dirty Dancing stage show, she can do the techie bit! lol

[elsiegee40]

Thames RIB Experience and London Duck Tour are very good, but very chilly at this time of year... they're also quite noisy and not exactly easy for holding conversations! I've done both and enjoyed them. Getting the River Bus | Transport for London from Greenwich into the city would probably be more comfortable to see the sights from the river.

 

The London Eye is an obvious one for seeing the views.

 

If you want a good view and a good meal, book a table at the Portrait Restaurant - Searcys at National Portrait Gallery. It's on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery (free admission) with brilliant views across the roof tops towards Trafalgar Square and the London Eye. We go there regularly and it makes a good pre-theatre meal as this is in the West End between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. But you must book as it gets very busy!

 

The museums and galleries are all good, it depends on your tastes as to which you choose. Of course there's Regent Street and Oxford Street for shopping... afternoon tea at Liberty is good

 

Also, check out what's on at The O2 while you're in the area.

Edited November 4, 2012 by elsiegee40

[Netwacky87]

Oh Cool! Thanks @elsiegee40 - Very helpful, that RIB experience was the one I was looking at. The portrait restraunt sounds great! I think Oxford or regent street is just a given I think Thanks! very helpful!

[6Foot2]

Not too familiar with London myself. Here are a few links that might give you some ideas:

 

Link 1: Free London - Free events & attractions - Free things to do - Time Out London

 

Link 2: Londonist

 

Link 3: Horniman Museum and Gardens

 

An inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.

 

Link 4: Welcome to SECRET LONDON / A guide to London

[elsiegee40]

The Horniman Museum is bit quirky and probably a bit out of the way for mmoseley. It's on the South Circular in a not particularly salubrious part of Forest Hill... the house we rented when we first moved to London was just round the corner from it.

 

@mmoseley I'm happy to help... Mr gee40 and I go up to London regularly and he usually has to treat me as he's been working abroad for most of the last two and a half years (currently in India); I've been putting up with a lot! Let me know if there's anything else you want to know!

[elsiegee40]

If Mrs moseley is into shopping, there's also the big Westfield - Stratford shopping centre which easy to get to from Greenwich. There are loads of restaurants there too. Unfortunately the Olympic Park is closed, but you can glimpse the stadium from John Lewis and the food hall on the top floor.

 

Personally though, I think it lacks something on going into the West End for a special occasion.

[6Foot2]

The Horniman Museum is bit quirky and probably a bit out of the way for mmoseley. It's on the South Circular in a not particularly salubrious part of Forest Hill...

 

From the description it seemed interesting: Something a little different from your regular museum visit. Wasn't aware of the locale consideration though.

[elsiegee40]

From the description it seemed interesting: Something a little different from your regular museum visit. Wasn't aware of the locale consideration though.

I've nothing against it... it's quirkiness is good and I quite enjoyed going there. It's just not my choice for a a place to be taken to on a bonding trip with the hubby

[Netwacky87]

Thanks guys! Looking forward to goin! Cant wait! Thanks for all the suggestions

[featured_spectre]

@Domino and @Ric_ are worth doing...... and they may also know a few good places to go to also!

[jmak]

+1 for the riverbus (Greenwich Clipper). Greenwich used to be a day trip for us when we lived in London, but the Clipper makes it much quicker.

 

You should check out Greenwich Market as you're there anyway. Slightly touristy, but lots of good food to try at the weekend. Also the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Observatory are free and well worth a look as you're in the area.

 

You can get off the Clipper at the South Bank and there's always lots going on around that area - as well as the Eye which is good on a clear day.

 

For brownie points, I've always done well with afternoon tea in a posh hotel like the Ritz.

 

I have to say though that @elsiegee40 has obviously got impeccable taste - couldn't fault any of her suggestions. V jealous of the meal in the Portrait Gallery - I've only managed coffee and cakes there and the views are great.

 

Very jealous of the whole thing actually. We booked a weekend in spring, but baby-sitting fell through so we had a weekend in London with the kids. Great, but not quite the same.....

 

Enjoy

[hit]

one thats always missed is the Bank of England museum, completely free, some of it as boring as hell but you do get to hold a bloody big gold bar in your hand (even though it's in a glass box you cant get it out of)

 

Anyway, as a completly free walk around, I take visitors on this route (about 4 miles walking + tubes and buses):

Start at Green Park underground, walk through green park to Buckingham Palace

Walk through St James' Park towards Parliament Square, see big ben etc.

Then either walk up Whithall and see Horseguards and Downing Street or along the river a bit

Up to Trafalgar Square (for National and National Portrait Galleries)

Walk up to Leicester Square, grab a Hagen Daz

Walk up through Soho or Regent Street to Oxford Street

Get a bus (or tube) into the City (St Pauls) for the cathedral, then a short walk down Cheapside to the Bank of England

Go over the Millenium Bridge for the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre

 

Day done!

[Netwacky87]

I like all of these! Can fill my weekend no problem. The missis's brother works in Parliament, so I think part of day 1 will be a tour of there! that will be interesting! thanks again guys!

[m25man]

You appear to have got plenty of great ideas already,

 

But they seem to have missed, queuing for an hour or more in the rain outside Madame Tussaud's or the Planetarium.

The London Eye is good but can also have impossible queues so book this online in advance or you may be disappointed.

 

Living and working in London myself, I would just add - keep all of your valuables out of sight, beware of the pick pocketing gangs working the tube stations, get used to paying £2.50 for a 220ml bottle of cola and paying way over the odds for mediocre food and appalling service in the majority of Londons attractions.

 

Then there is the transport, considering it was Sunday today and it took me 2.5 Hrs to drive about 7 miles across London from Shepards Bush to Stratford at 6pm, you are advised to avoid any type of transport that has wheels, unless of course it's a Boris Bike.

These bikes are often used by visitors as a fast track way of getting NHS emergency treatment either after being run off the road by a Somali Taxidriver into an unlit 10m deep excavation for Crossrail or riding them late at night without protective clothing after a dozen tequila slammers and a bottle of cava.

 

The tube system is excellent (when its working) of recent the weekends are full of line and station suspensions so check the TFL website.

We do now have free wifi on many Tube stations so you can now use your Smartphone or Tablets in around 100 or so crime hotspots.

 

In the run up to Christmas, Oxford Street is always a good place to have your mobile snatched from your hand whilst walking along the road so tethering your phone to your hand by a cord is preferable than by Bluetooth to your iPad.

Its just as well we have about 90 Mobile Phones shops in and around the vacinity for you to get a replacement should yours be stolen and of course there is always the chance of a ringside seat and first hand view of a violent assault or even a stabbing in broad daylight at one of the adjacent sports clothing stores!

 

If staying in a Central London Hotel don't forget some F1 style earplugs as these will help block out the constant whine of the traffic and persistent sound of Sirens and Alarms going off.

 

Welcome to London, without your tourism our economy would be well and truly sunk!

[Netwacky87]

...Something tells me you dont like London? lol Birmingham is just the same (in parts!) Lol Gotta love the smell of petrol fumes in the morning!

[hit]

@m25man A bit harsh, but indeed do stay to the well lit streets in the West End and tfl.gov.uk is your friend at weekends for station closures.

[elsiegee40]

I agree that's a bit harsh. It is advisable to book attractions up front on the internet to save queueing, I agree.

 

In over 25 years working in and visiting London, I have never felt unsafe in the main areas even when alone (and I'm female) Only last January I made my way back alone to Charing Cross, walking and on the underground, from wherever we edugeeks ate after BETT at about 11pm... No problem.

 

Of course you need to be cautious about pickpockets and flashing your wallet or smart phone, but it's no worse than anywhere else in the UK. Put your wallet and phone in an inside pocket and carry your handbag in front of you.

[m25man]

@m25man A bit harsh,

 

Harsh! I never even got started, I've lived here all my life and watched it rot like a Fiat stuck in the sand on a windy beach!

 

I can think of a hundred cities in this world I'd rather live in, even Bogota seems attractive nowadays.

[Netwacky87]

carry your handbag in front of you.

 

I'll rememeber that one lol I have never liked London, just because its crowded (understandably as it in the Capital) but just using common sense, that always seems to work!

[sidewinder]

If you want a drink with a view, head here - Bar | PARAMOUNT

 

It's on the 32nd floor of Centrepoint and the views were absolutely incredible, went last night. You do have to book in advance even for drinks (but it's free) and cocktails cost about £11 each but are really, really good

[HMCTech]

A friend and I went to the o2 a couple of weeks ago so decided to head down to the Olympic Park before the show we were seeing. Waste of time it was all fenced off still so I guess it will be a while before all of that's opened up. We also took the Ski Lift across the Thames, that was a 30 minute queue for a trip over some building sites. The return journey however was during the sun setting at it was spectacular.

[witch]

I was going to mention the cable car ride - it is great!

Whilst the speedboat ride etc is fun, you cant beat taking a boat up the Thames. Make sure you get one with a commentary and you will learn so much about the buildings around. Greenwich itself is lovely - obviously there is the observatory, the museum and the Cutty Sark but the actual town is very cute with interesting little shops and markets.

Just an aside - I've never felt any more unsafe in London than anywhere else.

[Netwacky87]

Thanks @witch - and to everyone, we are due to go a week Friday so i'll report back on what we did and saw etc. The cable car ride sounds great, specially at sunset...lil softy that I am! Staying with some friends in London so accomadation is free and the train from Brum to London is £6 there and £9 back...Cant compalin at that!