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Post by andromedadench on Nov 11, 2017 16:20:51 GMT
@xanderl Thank you for your suggestions and tips. Yes, I wanted to see Follies but tickets are a problem. Don't have an American Express. I recently downloaded the TodayTix app but it keeps giving me bad seats for advance purchase, last row of the stalls for several shows. Maybe closer to the date or on the day better seats become available? The £10 off is great though! Try NT's Friday Rush tickets. I'm sure you can find all the details on the NT's site, but essentially you need to log on the Friday before the week you're interested in, at 13.00 British time, and then swiftly snatch a £15 ticket. Also, I'm not from London, but I don't think you should really worry about venturing away from WE in the evenings. Menier Chocolate Factory is an intimate MT venue, and they'll be showing Barnum. Not sure what the Almeida or the Hamstead Theatre will have on during your stay, but both are lovely venues, too. As a fellow tourist, I'd suggest exploring as much as you can, since there's always something interesting to bump into. Oh, and go see a panto if you haven't before, as that's something you can't see on Broadway. The British forum-members are better qualified to suggest which one sounds the best this year, I've only been to the Hackney Empire's one, and I thoroughly loved the experience (plus, it's another pretty off-WE venue). |
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Post by shady23 on Nov 11, 2017 17:57:53 GMT
Book a visit to the Sky Garden. It's a garden and cafe based at the top of a skyscraper, it's free to visit and you get amazing views across London.
Edit- just seen it's been mentioned but worth mentioning again.
Also the Emirates cable cars that run from the O2 arena are fun and very reasonably priced.
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111 posts
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Post by andromedadench on Nov 11, 2017 19:01:24 GMT
Other touristy London activities I've particularly enjoyed (off the top of my head): - walk along the Regents canal, usually between Little Venice/the Regent's Park and Camden Lock - walk along the Thames in Chiswick and Hammersmith or in Wapping and Limehouse - a visit to Highgate cemetery (both the guided tour around the West part and the free visit to the East part); other 6 big Victorian cemeteries like Kensal Green, Brompton, Abney Park etc. are all amusingly gothic (and free to visit) - getting lost in/around the Barbican. It's one of my favourite places in London. Just make sure to allow for plenty of time to find your bearings. The only place in London I've found more impossible to find my way out of is V&A - they seem to have entire floors that disappear and re-materialise again - but I also recommend their theatre section - Saturday/Sunday markets even though they've become more or less uniform. If you happen to be in Greenwich on a Saturday, do pop down to Deptford, their flea market is quite a sight to behold. Broadway Market (also on the Regent's canal) is quite nice, too. The top part of the Portobello market can be somewhat interesting - aside from the Skygarden, the top-floor bar at the Tate modern also has a nice view over the river and the city, and so does the One New Change building/shopping centre near St Paul's. So do various parks and hilltops around London - Alexandra Palace, Richmond Park and various parks across South London - Roof Gardens rooftop bar on Kensington High Street is fun and free to visit during the daytime Probably a million things more I can't think of at the moment. You'll have to go back for repeat visits (and so will I). In addition to thatremonkey's, the websites I've found useful are londonist.com, hidden-london.com, www.secret-london.co.uk, www.visitlondon.com and www.coolplaces.co.uk |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 20:45:59 GMT
Talking of the Barbican - the Royal Shakespeare Company are doing their season of the Roman plays there while you're in London. Julius Caesar, Anthony and Cleopatra and Titus Andronicus will be on while you're here.
Mixed reviews of these to be honest. Not selling brilliantly - reports on the RSC thread here indicate you'll be able to get day seats for £10 if you turn up on the day, and TodayTix are doing £10 rush tickets.
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Post by Flim Flam on Nov 11, 2017 22:28:05 GMT
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Post by Elle on Nov 12, 2017 13:19:01 GMT
Wow, there are enough good idea's here to fill several London trips! Many of these I wouldn't have found myself just on Google. I appreciate you guys taking the time to reply and making me feel welcome on this board. TallPaul Everybody's Talking About Jamie seems like a great show and it's now on my list to see. Will try to get tickets closer to the date. Had overlooked this show so a great recommendation. @emicardiff Great tips and I would definitely like to see some Christmas markets. Thank you very much andromedadench for all your great suggestions, the links and for explaining how I can still get tickets for Follies. I had heard of a Panto before but didn't really know what it was. You're right, it would be good to also see things that I can't on Broadway. Thank you shady23 . The Sky Garden seems very popular and a must do. Had no idea there were cable cars in London, how cool! @xanderl Amazing that it's possible to see a play for just £10! Flim Flam Thank you, that looks very interesting. 👍 |
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 12, 2017 18:23:42 GMT
I don't think anyone else had yet mentioned the Christmas lights at Kew Gardens. We went last year & were so impressed that we're going back again this year. There are photos on the website www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas-at-kew that give an idea of the illuminations. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 20:35:42 GMT
Another area that hasn't been mentioned is a walk around the Olympic Park in Stratford - a wander from Westfield shopping centre past the Olympic stadium and down alongside the river is lovely. Not sure if the boat tours have finished for the winter or if they're running them all year round. Just avoid Saturday afternoons in case there's a football match in the stadium! Another lovely river walk is doing any or all of the stretch that takes you through Camden, Regent's Park and Little Venice.
For a completely free panoramic view of London that you don't have to book, head up Primrose Hill, climb up to the Observatory in Greenwich Park (if it's not closed off there is a part of the meridian line outside the perimeter fence at the top of the hill that you can stand either side without having to pay the admission fee!) or head to Hampstead Heath - all perfect for a bit of peace and quiet away from the chaos of inner Central London.
I saw you were put off by the prices of afternoon tea - you can get a cheaper version that isn't the full works in many cafes - e.g. it will only be scones and possibly cake or sandwiches rather than all 3. My favourite is in the lovely Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin in the Fields church in Trafalgar Square - highly recommended.
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Post by lynette on Nov 12, 2017 20:41:53 GMT
Elle, welcome to the Board and welcome to London. Keep us posted and keep checking in for advice. And tell us what you do and what you like.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 21:02:01 GMT
I used to enjoy going to the TKTS Booth in the middle of Leicester Square to queue up and see what day seats they have.
There are also the big museums (if you do not know). British Museum, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, National Gallery (all free).
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Post by Elle on Nov 13, 2017 12:30:38 GMT
Dawnstar Thank you, the Kew Gardens look lovely! @posterj Those are great suggestions, thank you very much. The Café in the Crypt looks like an interesting place and not a café that I would have found myself I think. The menu is very affordable, I will go check it out. In general for the fancy places the cream tea seems to be a better option than the full afternoon tea. I'm most interested in the scones anyway. 😄 lynette Thank you! I'm looking forward to the trip. Thanks @time4t . I'm sure I will be buying a ticket at TKTS at some point during my trip. Used to get many of my tickets in NYC there. It's wonderful that the museums in London are free, which means that so many more people can visit them and learn. I will pick a few to go to for sure.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Nov 13, 2017 13:31:49 GMT
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Post by Elle on Nov 13, 2017 14:10:33 GMT
Thank you londonmzfitz , that looks interesting. 👍 I arrive in London on December 15th and starting with 42nd Street that night. I'm excited to see that show as the reviews seem to be excellent. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Nov 13, 2017 14:15:14 GMT
I've sent an email to a friend about this, she missed Simon Callow reading this last Christmas (I loved it) ... I've seen it's being recorded live, presume for radio. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 13, 2017 17:22:38 GMT
Wow, there are enough good idea's here to fill several London trips! Many of these I wouldn't have found myself just on Google. I appreciate you guys taking the time to reply and making me feel welcome on this board. TallPaul Everybody's Talking About Jamie seems like a great show and it's now on my list to see. Will try to get tickets closer to the date. Had overlooked this show so a great recommendation. @emicardiff Great tips and I would definitely like to see some Christmas markets. Thank you very much andromedadench for all your great suggestions, the links and for explaining how I can still get tickets for Follies. I had heard of a Panto before but didn't really know what it was. You're right, it would be good to also see things that I can't on Broadway. Thank you shady23 . The Sky Garden seems very popular and a must do. Had no idea there were cable cars in London, how cool! @xanderl Amazing that it's possible to see a play for just £10! Flim Flam Thank you, that looks very interesting. 👍 Okay as you say you have enough information to fill several trips. Think now it is prudent to consillitate the information you have and see how we can help you further and make your trip more effective, say you wanted to see Everyone is Talking About Jamie at the Apollo, then I would suggest taking a walk behind the theatre and check out Soho, which is one of my favoirite places in London, or opposite the theatre is Chinatown, two great tourist attractions. this can be done more effectively in London, than New York as the theatre is more spread out. Say I was in New York and said I want to visit Macys, then I am sure you would say visit Empire State Building, as they are next to each other and is more efficient doing the two together, than visit separately. If you coming over to maximise the amount of theatre you are seeing, West End does Tuesday and Wednesday matinee, check out Theatremonkey show time guide for a great timetable. |
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Post by hulmeman on Nov 13, 2017 19:09:37 GMT
Sorry to be boring, but a reminder to please stay safe. You are obviously at home in big cities, but don't let your guard down, but still have fun!!
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Post by Elle on Nov 14, 2017 13:54:23 GMT
londonmzfitz At first I didn't recognize Simon Callow but now I remember him. He's a very good actor. Thank you Phantom of London . I agree, that is indeed the way to do it. To find sights close together in one area. I will definitely be visiting Soho and Chinatown. I need to check that timetable because I had seen some Wednesday matinees but not Tuesday ones. It's great that there are matinees on many days. I do want to see as many shows as possible. @theatremonkey Thanks, I will be consulting the guide for sure. Thank you hulmeman , I agree with you. My motto is to not be afraid but to be careful. When I plan things safety is always at the back of my mind. As a woman traveling alone you have to take that aspect into consideration and be smart about it.
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Post by Mr Snow on Nov 14, 2017 15:41:44 GMT
If you have time, it's worth popping in to the Sir John Soane's Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields, part of a square of fine houses near Holborn tube station (it's a bit tucked away but it'll be signposted). It's free to visit (but closed Mondays and Tuesdays) - it's the historic house / museum of a collector and has been left almost unaltered for nearly 200 years - very atmospheric and like stepping back in time. Great recommendation above. Go at dusk as its lit by (fake?) candles and so atmospheric in winter. If you have a strong stomach visit the Royal College of Surgeons Museum directly opposite in the very elegant Lincolns inn Fields. Some to the instruments are truly bizarre. And if you can find a partner and want to promote a little romance, then how about going Ice Skating in the Quad of Somerset House? Another one I don’t think mentioned above. Is walk through either the Temple or Grays Inn (approx. north and south of Lincolns Inn Fields) Wonderfully atmospheric and I belive the Tempest was first performed in the latter? For free theatre you can while away an hour in either The Old Bailey or the Royal Courts of Justice . Also strongly back Emicardiff’s suggestion of walking the river along the South Bank from opposite the houses of Parliament to shad Thames (beyond Tower Bridge). If no time for that then there’s great views from Harvey Nicks Restaurant at the top of the Oxo Tower on this route. A boat trip to Greenwich is another great day out. If you want to get round faster use a Boris Bike? You did say you were here for a year, didn’t you? |
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Post by Elle on Nov 15, 2017 9:00:47 GMT
Mr Snow Thank you, more great suggestions to add to the list. Somerset House seems to have a lot to offer. I live outside of the U.K and will be visiting London for a week. 😊
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 15, 2017 15:48:31 GMT
You did say you were here for a year, didn’t you? , Mr Snow was using irony. It's what we do in Britain! The West End has matinees every day apart from Mondays and Fridays, including Sunday. (Though as Theatremonkey has already pointed out, schedules can, and do, change in the period around Christmas, so do check his site nearer the time.) If you are going to be using public transport in London, and assuming you don't have a UK issued contactless debit card, then it will make financial sense for you to get an Oyster card. You can pre-order from home if you prefer, but it's probably easier (and certainly cheaper) just to get one when you arrive in London. |
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Post by crowblack on Nov 15, 2017 20:29:08 GMT
If you have a strong stomach visit the Royal College of Surgeons Museum directly opposite in the very elegant Lincolns inn Fields. Some to the instruments are truly bizarre. Sadly, the Royal College of Surgeons Museum (aka The Hunterian), which is on the other side of the square, is currently closed for refurbishment which will apparently be for several years! It's a real shame, because it's astonishing - they have Jonathan Wilde's skeleton - he was hanged at Tyburn, Babbage's brain, the Irish Giant, bits of Auk and Dodo, Winnie the Pooh's skull (really! Winnie was a bear in a London zoo), and the most amazing but frankly harrowing collection of preserved specimens, human and every other creature you can think of. |
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Post by Tibidabo on Nov 15, 2017 21:15:07 GMT
Sadly, the Royal College of Surgeons Museum (aka The Hunterian), which is on the other side of the square, is currently closed for refurbishment Anyone after grisly should try the Kings College London Gordon Museum where there are 8000 pathological specimens, many housed in canopic jars, that may be too graphic for some. Enthralling, however, for those who are interested in the history of medicine. |
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Post by Elle on Nov 16, 2017 11:15:26 GMT
TallPaul I do enjoy the British humour! 😄 Ah yes, the Oyster card. The most important thing to buy on arrival I believe. crowblack, Thank you for the info. You make it sound real fascinating. Tibidabo Thank you, good to know. Compared to other cities where you have to buy some museum tickets in advance the free entrance gives so much more freedom in the schedule, it's great. Seems also a good way to escape the cold and more money left for theatre tix!
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Post by crowblack on Nov 16, 2017 23:42:05 GMT
those who are interested in the history of medicine. The 'Medicine Man' room on the floor above the cafe floor of the Wellcome Collection, opposite Euston station, is very interesting too - I often nip in to kill time before getting the train back up North. It's a mixture of medical stuff and other curiosities, such as a guillotine blade, folk medicine masks and the like. |
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Post by crowblack on Nov 17, 2017 14:32:59 GMT
and what does your analyst say about that particular habit, crowblack Oh, you should see our house! A friend suggested yesterday I supplement my income with Kabeiroi-style tours. |
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