Help me get excited about London

[MissusTexas]

We leave next Friday for London. We're seeing 2 Olympic events, the Palace, and WB Studios but I haven't planned anything else.

I just can't seem to get excited about this trip for some reason, and neither H or I have ever been there, but the thought of how crowded it will be makes me wonder if it will really feel like a vacation. I'll also be 20 weeks pregnant so I'm hoping I'm not too uncomfortable on the plane ride.

I guess this turned into a ridiculous whine post, but it bothers me that I am not as excited as I should be since this is an opportunity of a lifetime.

So, what do YOU love about London? We're there for 5 days, so is there anything that is DO NOT MISS? We're not really museum people.

[aurora]

I don't like big cities as a rule, but enjoyed my long weekend in London a lot more than I thought I would. It was like walking through the pages of my history class. We especially enjoyed the British Museum - it would take a full week to do it thoroughly, but we caught the most important highlights for us in a day. A British friend described it to me as the repository for everything the Brits stole when they ruled the world.

I also enjoyed the Tower of London a lot (take the free guided tour). And, Westminster Abbey was ridiculously crowded but much more interesting than I expected.

...

and, now I just went back and read that you're not really museum people. I should finish reading posts before I reply. Ah, well--I'll leave it up anyway in case it inspires anything.

[mdgirl]

The shopping is really good and you'll have direct access to a huge assortment of Cadbury stuff that's not widely available here!

[frlcb]

Jul 23, 2012 17:29:04 GMT -5 mdgirl said:

The shopping is really good and you'll have direct access to a huge assortment of Cadbury stuff that's not widely available here!

Agree with this! I will be honest, this will probably not be a good introduction to London. It will be crowded and it will be crazy and it won't be what London is like when they aren't having the Olympics. London is an awesome city and has so much to offer.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

I'd be excited for the bountiful and delicious Indian food, awesome British accents, spacious taxis, and shopping. I know you said you're not museum people, but the British Museum should not be missed.

[zookeepersuzy]

We just got back from London/Windsor yesterday. (we stayed in Windsor with family and day tripped into London when we wanted) Unfortunately, some of the things I would recommend in London have been closed/altered until after the olympics. I know you said you don't like museums, but do you enjoy nerdy tours? We toured the BBC Television Studio building and I thought that was a lot of fun, but I'm a huge nerd & I totally geeked out at all the Dr. Who stuff. www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/televisioncentre.shtml If this interests you at all I would go now b/c the building just sold and they'll be moving.

I also enjoyed our ride on the Thames Clipper www.thamesclippers.com/ because it went past things that I wanted to see, but didn't have the energy to actually visit/tour. (tower bridge, london eye, canary warf.. I wanted to see tower bridge with the olympic rings on it, and I think the best view is from the water.)


If you want a day trip, Windsor Castle is pretty and the town is cute and has some good food and shopping. It takes about 1hr from London on the train. I really enjoyed a boat trip we took with French Brothers in Windsor www.boat-trips.co.uk/ up the river. (we took a 2hr cruise, but they also have one that is 40 mins) Windsor does get crowded on the weekends, but week days aren't so bad. We had lunch at www.gilbeygroup.com/eton/ on Sunday & it was fantastic.

There's an app for london 2012 that might help you plan around events/crowding. (It helped us avoid going places where the torch was expected that day)

London has never really been my favorite city, but I enjoy it more each time I go b/c I don't "have" to do any of the "must do" attractions anymore. Just do what sounds fun/interesting to you and skip the rest, you will have more fun even if you don't make it to any/all of the iconic locations.

[hz80408]

We loved the Borough Market (open Thurs-Sun; go hungry!) rec'd by this board. The archtitecture of Natural History museum was gorgeous (and it's free); we loved just hopping on a city double decker bus and riding around to get a better view than taking the tube (plus each bus stop has maps that are very easy to understand and navigate).

[noodleoo]

Ooh, I can't wait to hear how the WB studios is! Will yo post about it when you get back? We go to London in October and I'm mildly excited. We chose it because we thought it would be cool and I'm sure it will be! Just relax and enjoy the break from real life. Maybe research a few things outside the city in case it is too crowded for your taste.

[MissusTexas]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Thinking about getting out of the city stresses me out, but maybe some other time because I'd love to go to Bath and Windsor.

I'll post a report here when I get back

[zookeepersuzy]

Jul 24, 2012 18:35:39 GMT -5 MissusTexas said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

Thinking about getting out of the city stresses me out, but maybe some other time because I'd love to go to Bath and Windsor.

I'll post a report here when I get back

don't stress about the trains, they're super easy. The national rail app is actually really good. I used it to research routes when I had wifi & took a screen shot so I could see where/when to change and what platform I needed to get to for the next leg of my trip. There's direct routes to both cities though so you wouldn't even have to change trains. Much cheaper if you can book in advance, and if you book online you might be able to reserve a seat which would be good if you plan to travel during rush hour.


have a great time!

[Susie]

I haven't been to London, but attending the Olympics in person is pretty spectacular. I went in 1996 in Atlanta. I'd be really stoked to be going again.

[hz80408]

Also worth noting, if you DO decide to take the trains to Bath, Windsor, etc, like pp said, those are National Rail lines. If you ask the attendent at the NR station or look around, they have a coupon booklet, which will get you buy one, get one free tickets for sites like Tower of London and London Eye (the coupons for those too right there will save you at least $35 GBP).

You have to have a National Rail ticket when using the coupon at the site; so this is only valid if you take National Rail at somepoint

[gt7301b]

I went to the Olympics when they were in Atlanta and it is one of the coolest experiences of my life. (And I have been on 11 International vacations)

The crowds really weren't as bad as we thought they were going to be.....and if you look at the events on TV most of the prelims don't even look sold out.

[mrsukyankee]

I get not wanting to pay for water, though the tap water is fine in London and Amsterdam. You will not need a fan - right now our high is 68F which is the norm - its not worth the space it will take up. It's easy to find normal OTC meds in both places (and some of them are better - like codine in our normal paracetamol in London). I would definitely carry both and umbrella and sun glasses at all times as the weather is very changeable and have layers.

Travel is easy in London, much more so than almost any other place I've been or lived in. And right now they have tons of people around to help.

I would definitely go to Borough Market, and, if you are a meat eater, find the choritizo stall - amazing sandwiches! It is only open Thur to Sat. And go on a London Walk (www.walks.com). I have lived here for 8 years and still go on one or two every year. They are that good and I learn something new every time.

To find out what is going on the week you are here, check out Timeout London (http://www.timeout.com/london/). Or you can buy a coy of the magazine when you get here. For meals, you can find good places with reviews on www.toptable.co.uk. That way you don't get stuck in tourist traps and bad food.

Most of all, have a great time!

[MissusTexas]

Thanks, that is all very helpful!!

[gt7301b]

There was an article in the WSJ today that said the rest of the city is pretty much dead as all the locals have left town or are working from home. Like I mentioned before this was my experience when we went to the Olympics in Atlanta.

If you still don't want to go know you can overnight me your tickets

[MissusTexas]

Jul 31, 2012 9:01:29 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

There was an article in the WSJ today that said the rest of the city is pretty much dead as all the locals have left town or are working from home. Like I mentioned before this was my experience when we went to the Olympics in Atlanta.

If you still don't want to go know you can overnight me your tickets

HA! No. Now that the Olympics have started and I've been watching the opening ceremonies and events I have gotten really pumped about it... it just took a week before leaving to do so!

[mrsukyankee]

It really is quiet in central London compared to normal. I was walking down Oxford St, which is normally jammed in the summer and it was just comfortably busy. I think you'll be fine! And have fun at your events - the venues are amazing and the atmosphere is beyond words!