Ztalker Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hello there! I've recently booked a 4-day vacation to London. The arrangement includes a subway-pass which can be used the whole day. The problem is...where to go? There are no tours included or anything. We (the group I'm going with) just want to find out on our own. So...are there anything we should definately see? Are there any cool clubs or pubs? (Which brings another problem...most clubs I found online are 21+...which I aren't...) Any suggestions? Advice? Do or don'ts? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Hoon Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hyde Park is very pretty I went to the British Museum as well when I went last year...'twas okay, but not as exciting as I'd imagined I think I would have enjoyed the Museum of Natural History more, but alas, no time. I watched a couple of musicals in London; Lion King and Les Miserables. Both were absolutely lovely, but Lion King will really put a dent in your pocket, since good seats come at about 60 pounds each:/ Still, I would say that it's well worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mur'phon Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Haven't been in london in ages, but here goes. Don't: Eat british food, there is a reason foreign resturants are everywhere. Do: Visit the london dungeon, since you are >21 it should be one of the better museums, just remember to be there when it opens, otherwise you'll be queing(sp?) for most of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavlos Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 So...are there anything we should definately see? The Palace of Westminster is definitely worth a trip. You can also go into the gallery and watch a debate... or you could the last time I went there. Prime Minister's Questions is no where near as fun now that we have clunking Gordon as PM but it's still worth seeing politicians rip each other apart . I think I read somewhere that if you leave the doors open then there's quite a nice piece of symbolism to be had: the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons can be seen from the Queen's Throne in the House of Lords. It just serves to reinforce the idea that the commons are in charge and that the Queen is simply there because she isn't making a nuisance of herself. The British Museum allows you to survey all of the stuff the British nicked from other countries. The Natural History Museum has about 70 million items on display so you can be prepared to lose an entire day there . Ooh! And you must go to the Globe Theatre and watch some Shakespeare. Even if you don't like Shakespeare, you must go. It's the law... My advice is to spend your first day wandering and getting to know the city rather than doing lots of touristy things. Then pick out the things that you saw that you'd like to try out/look at in more detail. The quickest way to survey London would, of course, be the London Eye. It's sort of become London's modern landmark -- the equivalent of Paris' Tour Eiffel. Word to the wise: a subway is something that goes underneath a road from one side to the other. You want the tube . I couldn't help with clubs/bars because I don't live anywhere near London. Now if you visited Liverpool, my local city (just across the water), it might be different . I'm still miffed that the wiki article uses a picture of the business district rather than the Three Graces. Every city has skyscrapers... the Graces are unique to Liverpool. Edit: Don't: Eat british food' date=' there is a reason foreign resturants are everywhere.[/quote'] Britain has so many different cultures and there's no real national identity so far as food goes, so I don't think you can really say "don't eat British food". It just doesn't work as a generalisation. London's one of the most multicultural cities out there so you're bound to find something to eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mur'phon Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 When I say british food I mean the stuff that the NF members "proudly" eat, not what people actually eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I always wanted to see the Tower of London myself. And I agree with Pavlos that you should go to the Globe, because I love Shakespeare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthJebus05 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 [sing]Winchester Cathedral[/sing] Just because theres a good song about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 British food?? are you kidding!! If I was there, I wouldnt need a tour group... many galleries and museums. I guess you could go to the globe if you are interested in such things. Im over shakespeare meself, but the building itself would be interesting. Have a poke around on places like Flickr... there might be some interesting things to put on your list mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Don* Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 This reminds me of the time when I was stuck in London cause of the Heathrow Airport Strike back in 2005. I got to stay in London for free and was able to see the major sights free of cost (curteousy of the airline that I was traveling on). Anyways, I suggest that u visit Palace of Westminster and the British Museum. Those were the main places that I liked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 ooh, and if you are a student of the Jack The Ripper murders of 1888, make sure you go on the Ripper Walk Tour in Whitechapel, esp at night! If you saw the movie 'From Hell' w Johnny Depp, thats what it was about(although much exaggerated factwise) - the evil that was of Victorian London was done pretty well though mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balderdash Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 ^ You should read the graphic novel of that if you haven't already man. It rules... everything that Alan Moore writes does, matter of fact. Ztalker, if you like jazz/soul/hip-hop music I suggest the Jazz Cafe in Camden Town. Probably my fave bar in the capital... very cool atmosphere. Camden Town is probably my favourite place for a night out in general. And there's the market nearby, too. The bigger clubs are always good too if you don't mind paying a small fortune for drinks. As for sightseeing and attractions... I would encourage you to avoid some of the more obvious places. Buckingham Palace is very underwhelming, and I've heard the London Eye is not all that great. The houses of parliament are just like they are on TV, but by all means go see them just to say you've done it. If you can get into a session of parliament, like Pavlos said, it'll make it worth tghe trip for sure. There are plenty of good museums. And definitely do plenty of shopping. Even if you're not usually into shopping (I'm not) there's plenty to see along Oxford Street, and there's Harrods which, as you may or may not know, is one of the worlds biggest department stores. And avoiding British food is probably a good idea, I hate to say. Even our fast food is probably worse than you're used to in the states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztalker Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Thanks for the responses! I am a fan of the From Hell movie with Johhny Depp and the documentarie about 'The Ripper.' I'll look the places you allk have mentioned up. Again, big thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerbieZ Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 How odd, i too have just booked a four day vacation in London. Were gonna do all the touristy crap, the London eye, London Dungeons, bit of shopping, see some of the sights like saint pauls cathedral, tower bridge etc. I'm also going to sample the local ale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavlos Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Buckingham Palace is very underwhelming Not to mention that it's one of the ugliest boxes to be built outside of the 1960s and 70s... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 ^ You should read the graphic novel of that if you haven't already man. It rules... everything that Alan Moore writes does, matter of fact. I wouldnt be able to call myself a 'Ripperologist' if I couldnt say I had that book before Johnny Depp even thought he could have pulled off the accent...and Abberline an opium addict!! He was a watchmaker FFS!! spend a few hours on this site, and you will be well on your way to your BA in Ripperology awesome site http://www.casebook.org heres some info on the ripper walk tour itself http://www.jack-the-ripper-walk.co.uk/ good luck on the tour >>take some pics!! esp Mitre Square mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pho3nix Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Pro tip: Drink lots of beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mur'phon Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 ^^When in rome, do as the romans. When in London................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 heres some info on the ripper walk tour itself http://www.jack-the-ripper-walk.co.uk/ I went on that walk, it's good Don't go to the Tower of London, and if you do, flip 'em the finger and shout "MURDERING SACKS OF S***!!!" As it is where William Wallace was tortured and executed...Doesn't sit well with anyone in Scotland, or so it should with anyone who values Freedom over a ridiculous monarchy/tiranny. And you must go to Camden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztalker Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Allright...I think I got enough things to do in London in the daytime But what are the...better clubs out there? I have searched around, but almost none of the clubs states the age needed to enter on their site. I did find 'Movida' but it seems a but to...'rich and famousy' for me. Is there anything around that's more...fun and 'warm?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 as for clubs, depends what youre into really Because I dont mind some drum'n'bass and dubstep, I'd mosey down to Fabric. Though depending on what night you go on, will get to experience different type of music, not just dnb. Apart from that, Im not into niteclubs much I'd rather go watch Liverpool play at Anfield!! mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth InSidious Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I went on that walk, it's good Don't go to the Tower of London, and if you do, flip 'em the finger and shout "MURDERING SACKS OF S***!!!" As it is where William Wallace was tortured and executed...Doesn't sit well with anyone in Scotland, or so it should with anyone who values Freedom over a ridiculous monarchy/tiranny. And you must go to Camden. Of course, because ONLY William Wallace - that _brave_ anti-monarchist (wot with being a king himself...), was ever killed in the Tower of London, you have the right to demand it be shut down. And of course, no Scottish person has ever tried to be 'tyrannical' - the '45, Bonnie Prince Charlie and all that was nothing of the sort, I suppose. This schtick from you is no longer old, NS, it's tiresome. @ZT: In London, don't miss out on Westminster Cathedral or the Brompton Oratory - both are well worth a visit. Also - Arundel Castle is well worth a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue Nine Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 But Braveheart was an awesome movie! Seriously folks, calm down. He's just asking for some advice on where to go in London and I'm pretty sure he doesn't want his thread turned into some nationalistic pissing contest. So all that stops right here and now, k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balderdash Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Not to mention that it's one of the ugliest boxes to be built outside of the 1960s and 70s...Yup. @ZT: In London, don't miss out on Westminster CathedralI was just there earlier today actually. It is indeed an amazing piece of architecture. I wasn't there for worship though. My friend's halls of residence are just next door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 nationalistic pissing contest. Wow they should have those at the Olympics @ Ztalker: If you can, get to one of the Speaker's Corners around London, I went to the one in Hyde Park once and it was great fun, the debates range from the stupidest trivialities to the most serious political, social and cultural talks. If you've got an opinion and are tired of using message boards to vent them, there's your chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztalker Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 Allright! I'll be heading for the UK tomorrow. If there is a string of strange accidents in London, you know who to blame Thanks for all the tips, and I'll see you guys in a few days! ~Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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