As some of you wil have read else where on here the wife has become a brit and we're applying for a passport right now. We'll have to go down london for her to swear alligence back to the phils and to get another passport. As I've never taken her to london before (because I can't stand the place!) I've got no idea where to stay or what to see. i'm toying with 4 night 5 days down there so we can see a fair wack of stuff and hopefully never set foot in the place again!! I did look briefly into lastminute.com secert hotels deal thing. So anyone any suggestions of where to stay and what to see. I think we'll travel by train which I believe you can get some 2 for 1 deals on some atractions.
Can't stand the place either and I work there three days a week! It isn't going to be cheap! A flight to the Philippines and a week with the outlaws would probably be cheaper! Train deals are an art form, like flights to the Phils, only if anything worse - but plan well in advance! In my case I took the now- ex but then-newish wife to London a few days after the death of Diana Spencer and, she having suffered my rude remarks about the "over the top" nature of Filipino funerals for years, when we confronted the mountain of rotting flowers outside Buck House, she well and truly got her revenge! The best idea I had was a trip on one of those open top buses that leave from Marble Arch. I'd plan to take in a show if I were you.
Fairly bad timing on your part then eh?! Alot of people i work with say about taking in a show but to be honest I've never really seen the attraction to it. I'm not even sure the wife would either to be honest but I'll ask her. Thanks for the idea.
I took my wife to London just over a year ago. I drove to Luton and stayed in a hotel then we got the train in each day for a couple of days. Luton isnt so good but we didnt spend any time there except overnight. This kept the hotel costs down. Just a half hour train ride into London from Luton. We went on the London Eye, visited Madam Tussauds, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, top end of Downing Street, Horse Guards Parade and Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. The wife loved it. Also had a yomp down Oxford Street. Manila calling.... If you like museums then there are some very good ones in London.
I'm also a fully paid-up member of that "I hate London club". I've taken my wife down many times, and I've the tourist guide for the visiting extended family many times too. Yes Stu, be assured it's shockingly expensive. I have a regular tourist routine. I'll share it just out of interest. I always buy either a Travelcard day pass or if we're staying for a few days I'll get an Oyster Card. Take a look here to see what suits you best. If you don't, you'll be in danger of what is commonly known as 'daylight robbery' Anyway, my regular route is by tube to Hyde Park Corner then a short stroll on the edge of Green Park to Buckingham Palace. Do the usual then another short stroll back through the other edge of Green Park towards the station of the same name. Here you'll find all those crappy postcards and souvenirs, plus plenty of tour buses of the 'Hop-on-Hop-off' variety. Now some of these will include a river cruise. But they're all pretty good with on-board tour guide and a nice commentary. Hopping off and on can sometimes be a bit of a wait and queue depending on how busy it is. It really depends what you want to do, often we'll just stay on board. Beware, these tours are eye-wateringly expensive but you get to see a lot of London and good views of ALL the famous places and sights. Often, that trip to Buckingham Palace and Tour Bus with river cruise can take quite some time, especially if your also wandering around as you hop on and off. If you include snacks, coffee stops, Lunch and/or a dinner and also take in a nice show that'll be a long day gone. (and at least one credit card maxed out) Don't know if you wife would be interested in something like Mama Mia? There's something called The London Pass which is an all-in tourist pass. It's not cheap, but sometimes they do good promo's. It depends how long you'll be spending there. If it's just a couple of days it many not not be the best valuebut take a look here to judge take a look here to judge Madame Tussauds has always been a popular venue for my lot. They do some very good combination ticket price when you book online. They include Madame Tussauds itself plus London Eye, The London Dungeon, and Sea-Life. Personally I've only combined with the London Eye. Often you can get the VIP tickets which really do fast-track you and cut out all that time spent in a queue. The London Eye is actually very good.Some amazing views. Take a look here at the possibilites The Philippine Embassy is now very conveniently located close to Piccadilly Circus Tube station. Easy few minutes walk.There's some nice shopping nearby and plenty of places to eat. Dare I mention Oxford Street? Stu, do your research and book as much as you can with online discounts etc. London Hotel prices will make you cry. That's gonna take quite some time to sort out. You might think about all the smaller places around Marble Arch area. Good luck
Yes, we booked combo tickets online in advance. This worked out cheaper and we got processed quicker on arrival. We didn't book the Tower of London in advance. When we got there the queues were huge so we, unfortunately, decided to give it a miss. BTW a walk down Pall Mall is good . We noticed you can hire bikes reasonably cheaply, though we didnt. I imagine that on a good day, cycling around certain areas might be a good way to get about.
Undoubtedly the most popular thing I ever did with the ex was to get tickets to "My Fair Lady". Horribly expensive but she loved it.
Well done for finding a call box that still had a phone in it, wasn't covered in calling cards for prostitutes, or having a tramp asleep in it!! Good idea about having a hotel out of town though, worth thinking about.
Haha. Its a long time since I have been in there. Last time I was in there was in the early 70's. Used to buy lunch in there with luncheon vouchers. Also bought the Eagles "One of These Nights" album in there.
There are a load of them in the square next to Houses of Parliament. They are a kind of feature now. All been spruced up and gleaming.
Fantastic info there, thanks mate. I'll look through those links etc over the next day or day to try to get an idea in my feeble mind about all the options. Just thinking here would it be worth having a city guide section on here? So for each city folk have visited we can start a concise list of worth while attractions / hotels / resturants etc?
Tower of london is actually one of things I wouldn't mind going to see. We've seen the scottish crown jewels in edinberg castle and so wouldn't mind seeing the proper ones in london!!
Just looking at those oyster cards. It says if your there for 3-4 days to put £30 on them, does that sound about right? I'm assuming you need one each.
I'll ask thewife but I fail to see the attraction of a show myself, prehaps I'm not cultured enough!!
I take it that was on vinyl? Didn't they used to have a dress code in harrods. I've heard stories of folk getting turned away at the doors before. I looked at the Ritz the other year cos I thought it'd be quite cool to have afternoon tea there! It is £57 per person!!!!!!!!! and thats just for the basic. http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/menus-en.html
I honestly cant remember what I wore in those days. I worked next door for about 6 to 9 months for an oil company called Burmah Oil, who owned Castrol (then owned by Maggie Thatchers husband).
