Going to London in 2 weeks - what should I do?

[Jdvn1]

It'll be my first time across the Atlantic! I'll be there for about a week. What should I do while there that I probably haven't heard of?

And, what UK-specific travel tips might you have?

 

[Derren]

And, what UK-specific travel tips might you have?

Mind the gap.
(You will understand when you are there)

Some more serious things:

- Keep in mind that the cars drive on the left side. I nearly got driven over on my first day.
- Forget using the bus or taxis, sorry, cabs in the central area. The streets are much too choked for that and the bus stops are so close together that you can walk.
- When you want to visit Tussauds and go there by subway, do not take the first entrance you come across but keep walking to the next corner of the building. That one is for single persons and overlooked by most tourists resulting in a short queue.
- The beefeater tour at the tower is good.
- Don't forget about this new Shard thing when you use an older travel guide.
- Use a travel guide btw.
- Remember the stereotype of how Brits always form orderly lines? Forget it.
- After the flight you will have a bad jetlack. Try to adapt your sleeping schedule to GMT before the flight if possible
- Visit the Royal Observatory
- You won't find any original British food in central London anywhere. Good for your taste buds, bad if you want to try out if it is really that bad.
- When you are only used to planned US cities always have a navigation app or city map with you.
- Pray that they have renovated Heathrow and it isn't as confusing and time consuming then when I visited.
- Do not take the North/South line when there is a soccer or cricket game on the same day.
- Huge IMAX cinema.
-If you are into it you can visit all that Harry Potter locations (train station etc.)

Things not to do (not to take serious. At least not much):
- Make fun of soccer
- Compare soccer to football with the conclusion that it is inferior
- Mention that in international cups the Brits lost horribly for the last 4 years especially against Germany.

 

[Dioltach]

London is pretty much my favourite city in the world. Here's some things I've enjoyed:

- the London Eye. Get your tickets online; the fast track option is worthwhile during high season, but might be less relevant in February
- the Borough Market
- the British Museum
- the Tower of London
- one of the guided walks -- great fun!
- forget breakfast at your hotel: have a cup of coffee before you head into town and then find somewhere for a slap-up full English at a greasy spoon. I've had some good luck around St Pancras

 

[Derren]

- the London Eye. Get your tickets online; the fast track option is worthwhile during high season, but might be less relevant in February

If you are also watching that little movie about the eye before you enter and it has not changed then do not stand in the last row in the middle. Trust me.

 

[Morrus]

Don't do the London Eye. Go up the nearby OXO tower - same height, same view, and spend the £20+ per person on drinks up there in the bar/restaurant. Expensive drinks, but you were gonna spent it anyway on the Eye!

 

[sabrinathecat]

Forget cars. The tube system is excellent.
Like New York, there is a stand for cheap theater tickets for THat Day. Use that.
Get a hotel near where you want to spend the most time. Walk or take the underground.

Good luck.

 

[billd91]

Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk a lot. Fortunately, London is a pretty decent city for walking around.
When we were there in 2007, we went to the London Eye but found it was too busy (October timeframe) so we went to the nearby aquarium instead. And, wouldn't you know it, there was a big Star Wars exhibit in the hall right above it - and us big Star Wars fans! My guess is that exhibit is long gone, but keep your eyes peeled for things that won't be in any of the guidebooks. You find pretty awesome stuff that way.

 

[Derren]

Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk a lot. Fortunately, London is a pretty decent city for walking around.
When we were there in 2007, we went to the London Eye but found it was too busy (October timeframe) so we went to the nearby aquarium instead. And, wouldn't you know it, there was a big Star Wars exhibit in the hall right above it - and us big Star Wars fans! My guess is that exhibit is long gone, but keep your eyes peeled for things that won't be in any of the guidebooks. You find pretty awesome stuff that way.

Just don't rely on the service personal at the tourist information too much.
One guy told me that there was a parade in 2 days (practice for the real event with the Queen). I asked another one later and he had no idea what I was talking about. The colleague he called also has not heard a word. Guess what happened 2 days later and who couldn't go to see it (although I don't know if me as normal mortal would even been allowed to see it).

Speaking of parades, there is the traditional change of the (horse?) guard you can watch.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

For Geek shopping look up Forbidden Planet & Orcs Nest, both near to Leicester Square & Covent Garden.

Leicester Square also has the Official Half Price Ticket Booth if you want to try and see a London West End show without paying full price (very much subject to availability).

If you're going to be using public transport then get the London Underground map well ahead of time and look up where things are. Whilst you're there, get yourself an Oyster card each to get cheaper travel. It's a touch-in, touch-out system and works really well. More details at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx.

I'd also recommend the London Dungeon if you like slightly schlocky history full of gore and death.

What sort of things do you like to do, where are you thinking about going already?

(I live in London, BTW, so can offer direct help!)

 

[Jdvn1]

Thank you all for the recommendations! I'm going to look into the Oyster card, the West End show for the missus, the Beefeater tour, the British Museum, a bunch of other museums, and the Borough Market...

Mind the gap.

That's one I know! Would you say the travel guide is essential? I need to look into my phone options while I'm there. I was hoping to look up some stuff on the go (I'm told they're relatively inexpensive and my work might pay for it).

... keep your eyes peeled for things that won't be in any of the guidebooks. You find pretty awesome stuff that way.

I think that's good advice and often try to do the same.

Don't do the London Eye. Go up the nearby OXO tower - same height, same view, and spend the £20+ per person on drinks up there in the bar/restaurant. Expensive drinks, but you were gonna spent it anyway on the Eye!

This sounds like a great alternative. And my wife mentioned the other day she was nervous about going on the Eye. Are reservations necessary at most good restaurants?

What sort of things do you like to do, where are you thinking about going already?

The wife and I are definitely going to spend some time at some of the museums and typical tourist spots... but I don't really have a strong affinity for huge crowds and long lines, so I also like the do-as-the-locals sorts of things. I'll be getting together with a buddy who will probably take me to one or two of his favorite restaurants or pubs as I'm also a bit of a foodie. I can probably convince him to take me to a good geek shop too, though.

I should mention a bit more detail, maybe. My wife and I will be staying with a buddy in west Greenwich near Lewisham for a week before spending a week in a hotel in Reading for work (which is why I asked for general UK travel tips as well). My buddy has lived in London for 3 years or so and tends to work longish hours, so I'm not really planning on relying on him to take me around very much though he'll certainly have recommendations as well (he mentioned the window at St Martin in the Fields is cool and off the beaten path). I know we have some natives on here along with the travelers and thought it'd be a great resource. I'd like to find a couple of local or cute breakfast places to jump-start the morning exploration and maybe do a higher-end restaurant for a night or two.