Things to do in London on holiday

[BruceVC]

Sup All

 

On Friday I'm leaving for London for a week for a birthday holiday. My family has a flat in Chelsea and I'll be staying there for a week. I haven't been to the UK for a holiday in about 12 years so I'm obviously super excited. I am looking for ideas for things to see and do. I'm planning on doing all normal tourist things like the new War Museum, Madame Tussauds, Tower of London etc.

 

But any other suggestions for a good day trip would be appreciated

 

Thanks

[kirottu]

Being on holiday is no excuse to stop fighting the good fight. You should spend every moment informing locals about social justice issues.

[BruceVC]

Being on holiday is no excuse to stop fighting the good fight. You should spend every moment informing locals about social justice issues.

 

 

I can't agree more but I don't know how effective discussions in London around SJ issues will be with strangers? I don't really have the time to be very convincing

[Keyrock]

Being on holiday is no excuse to stop fighting the good fight. You should spend every moment informing locals about social justice issues.

You're just trying to get Brucie to get punched by a townie, aren't you?

[Kroney]

Here's something to do in London: When on the Tube, make sure you have your ticket before you try to exit through the barriers, as blocking off a gate whilst digging through your bag is the leading cause of violent death amongst tourists.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Kroney

[Malcador]

Oyster card is well for that, though some of the gates suck in that they take too long to close so you can tap out, heh.  As for what to do when in London : leave.  City is too crowded.

[Chairchucker]

You're within driving distance of Scotland. Go there, it's awesome.

[IndiraLightfoot]

Bring good walking shoes! London is a feet killer. I reckon, you should have a ride up that huge wheel on the Thames (unless you have vertigo). And Westminster Abbey is always nice (the wing flaps of history and all that). British Museum alone takes a whole day (don't miss the mummies and the Sutton Hoo finds). Pop into all kinds of shops and markets that interest you, loiter in parks with ice cream and lollies aplenty, feed the pigeons, shout out your social justice at Speaker's Corner, then end the day in a pub.

[Kroney]

You can spot which guys are from the larger colonies when they say things like "Scotland is within driving distance of London". Yes it is, as long as you don't plan on coming back the same day. Or seeing anything the same day, as it'll take you six or seven hours to get up there.

[IndiraLightfoot]

Yeah. For any Aussie, for instance, the British Isles feel just like, well, islands. I have driven Brisbane-Sydney, Sydney-Adelaide, Adelaide-Alice Springs, Alice Springs-Darwin, etc., quite a few times, so London-Hadrian's Wall, seems more like a high school excursion. There is a reason why I have more mileage on Qantas than on Australian highways, that's for sure.

[BruceVC]

Bring good walking shoes! London is a feet killer. I reckon, you should have a ride up that huge wheel on the Thames (unless you have vertigo). And Westminster Abbey is always nice (the wing flaps of history and all that). British Museum alone takes a whole day (don't miss the mummies and the Sutton Hoo finds). Pop into all kinds of shops and markets that interest you, loiter in parks with ice cream and lollies aplenty, feed the pigeons, shout out your social justice at Speaker's Corner, then end the day in a pub.

 

Those are good suggestions, thanks Indira. There are several English pubs that I plan to go to.

 

 

" shout out your social justice at Speaker's Corner"  .. 

[BruceVC]

You're within driving distance of Scotland. Go there, it's awesome.

 

I haven't ever been to Scotland and I would love to. But its unlikely I'll go this trip as there is so many things in London, and the surrounding area I plan to do

[Monte Carlo]

I live in London. I say go to a market and buy some food. Borough Market is for tourists, go to Spitalfields. They sell some cool stuff there. In Chelsea, my favourite pubs are the Antelope and the Phene. Chelsea Farmer's Market is good too. The South Bank is underrated, go to Gabriel's Wharf if it's a nice day.

 

The Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall is very interesting, people are surprised how cool it is. While you are there, check out the SA Embassy near Trafalgar Square and see where all the anti-apartheid fighting took place. Time it with the changing of the Guard and walk up to Buckingham Palace, theme it with a saunter to The Grenadier pub in Belgravia just around the corner.

 

If you are in Chelsea it would be a shame not to check out the National Army Museum on Hospital Road ('tis free) and concentrates on some unusual aspects of military life, not just weapons and uniforms. If you like very pretty girls carry on down the New King's Road into Fulham and have a drink outside The White Horse on Parson's Green in Fulham (take a bus down New King's Road).

 

As for food -

 

Indian - Southall (don't go near Brick Lane)

Persian - W14 / Olympia

Chinese - Soho (duh)

 

If you need anything else just ask.

[BruceVC]

I live in London. I say go to a market and buy some food. Borough Market is for tourists, go to Spitalfields. They sell some cool stuff there. In Chelsea, my favourite pubs are the Antelope and the Phene. Chelsea Farmer's Market is good too. The South Bank is underrated, go to Gabriel's Wharf if it's a nice day.

 

The Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall is very interesting, people are surprised how cool it is. While you are there, check out the SA Embassy near Trafalgar Square and see where all the anti-apartheid fighting took place. Time it with the changing of the Guard and walk up to Buckingham Palace, theme it with a saunter to The Grenadier pub in Belgravia just around the corner.

 

If you are in Chelsea it would be a shame not to check out the National Army Museum on Hospital Road ('tis free) and concentrates on some unusual aspects of military life, not just weapons and uniforms. If you like very pretty girls carry on down the New King's Road into Fulham and have a drink outside The White Horse on Parson's Green in Fulham (take a bus down New King's Road).

 

As for food -

 

Indian - Southall (don't go near Brick Lane)

Persian - W14 / Olympia

Chinese - Soho (duh)

 

If you need anything else just ask.

 

Those are some excellent suggestions, thanks Monte. Advice from people living in London is what I was hoping for because you have real and updated insight. I forgot about the whole market culture in London so I'll add those to my list

[HoonDing]

 

Being on holiday is no excuse to stop fighting the good fight. You should spend every moment informing locals about social justice issues.

 

 

I can't agree more but I don't know how effective discussions in London around SJ issues will be with strangers? I don't really have the time to be very convincing

 

Hyde Park soap box.

[Labadal]

Tell them Liverpool rocks.

[Blarghagh]

I suppose there's Thorpe Park which has a couple of fantastic B&M roller coasters. No other coasters come close.

[Walsingham]

If you're near Covent garden you could throw stones at my accountants. That'd put the wind up them.

 

All good advice so far. the only thing I'd avise is go seethe Bank of England buildings, and the Foreign Office. It's interesting to see how small they are.

[Kroney]

As another Londoner, I'd strongly advise avoiding Piccadilly Circus. If you've been there before, this'll be old news to you, but it's literally just a traffic junction. Westminster Bridge is a nightmare, you'd be better advised to approach the Houses from the south, and then walk back south and find another bridge to cross.

 

 

Yeah. For any Aussie, for instance, the British Isles feel just like, well, islands. I have driven Brisbane-Sydney, Sydney-Adelaide, Adelaide-Alice Springs, Alice Springs-Darwin, etc., quite a few times, so London-Hadrian's Wall, seems more like a high school excursion. There is a reason why I have more mileage on Qantas than on Australian highways, that's for sure.

 

 

It's the traffic, more than anything else. If it were a straight tank up a clear road it wouldn't be nearly so bad. Unfortunately the roads around London are a car park and the M1's always got roadworks. You could try going the other way and sit on the M6 car park for a while, I suppose. It takes more twice the time to get North of Birmingham than it does to get from there to Scotland.

Edited July 29, 2014 by Kroney

[Walsingham]

Amen to that. Get an above ground map, and just walk everywhere.

[Kroney]

There are some other interesting markets if you want to nosy at some less touristy areas. Brick Lane's cool if you like markets and don't mind hipsters. Camden market is rammed, but people seem to want to see it the once. Petticoat Lane's right near the City and is a far less tourist-heavy place. Sells a lot of ****, mind.

[BruceVC]

There are some other interesting markets if you want to nosy at some less touristy areas. Brick Lane's cool if you like markets and don't mind hipsters. Camden market is rammed, but people seem to want to see it the once. Petticoat Lane's right near the City and is a far less tourist-heavy place. Sells a lot of ****, mind.

 

I really enjoy visiting markets and partaking of all the good food and the general market vibe. So I'll keep those suggestions in mind

[Walsingham]

Another point: Londoners aren't English. They're Londonians.

[obyknven]

Another point: Londoners aren't English. They're Londonians.

 C.O in thread! :3

 

[Labadal]

Also, haggle with everyone and everything. If they seem disinterested, just walk away.