any advice for london trip

after reading all the helpful comments from the post on San Diego I figured i'd ask if any of you girls have been to london.
We are going on Aug 17 th hotel & all that is booked but we didn't have too much time to look into fun stuff to do, eat or see so if anyone has advice please let me know. thanks!

I went years ago back when I was in jr. high so I dont remember alot of details but one place you have to go is Picadily Circus. It's basically like London's version of Times Square. I loved my hotel but you got that covered already. Oh definitly take a day trip to Stonehedge. You stop at other little towns on your way there and everything is so interesting.

I'll keep picking at my brain for some more things...

I love London - such a romantic city

My favorite things there are:

Harrods is a must! London has AMAZINGGGG shopping lol and you can literally spend all day at Harrods, Londons most famous upscale department store. They have everything from fine jewelery, shoes, furniture, the most delicious pizza, and yes even adorable puppies!

Buckingham Palace, The tower of London (which is where you can see the crown jewels), and the London Eye are also all beautiful must sees! We did the red bus tour and got to see all the main attractions this way. Taking a taxi is pretty expensive there and their underground from what I recall was so confusing.

Hyde Park is the biggest park in London and its so beautiful to just take a stroll there.

In the evening you can hang out at Trafalgar Square. Its a fun area with lots of theaters, bars, and cafes.

I lived in London... There is SO MUCH to do..

I'll write some proper advice when I get a chance

we went in 2004 and lets see if I can remember it all.

Definety go to Hyde park and walk around its beautiful.
Piccadilly is really fun too. Kinda like TImes square with and english twist.

Tower of London
Harrod's
If you can squeeze in a play
Big Ben
The London Eye
Buckingham Palace.
Windsor Palace

Get a Rick Steves book on London. We got that for our HM and he was spot on with what was good and what you could skip

HTH

sorry if this is long!! i worked there for a bit..

definitely check out covent garden.. lots of cute shops, restaurants and pubs.. punch and judy is and outdoor/indoor bar.. its in the middle of the square(at the time the building was white) (http://www.coventgardenlife.com/places.asp?PlaceID=102)

check out a show while you are there.. you can pick up cheap tickets the day of(similar to how you can here) they have booths and you can price around for the cheapest tix. or get them at lastminute.com...someone at work just got back from there and booked a package deal of dinner and a show and saw wicked..

theres a popular cute chain like restaurant - noodle house - called wagamama (http://www.wagamama.com/locations/home/)

also a belgium restaurant that has huge picnic like tables set up and you just dine on mussels and belgium beer.. good fun.. Belgo Centraal..

Head over to brick lane for Indian food. the restaurant owners approach you - come eat here - and offer a free small bottle of wine.. do some barganining with them and get a free appetizer or wine and dine there.. the tube stop there is Liverpool Street or Aldgate East..

Def check out the london eye.. if you like art go to the Tate museum.. hang out in hyde park.. see buckingham palace.. travalgar square.. all the main sites.. the hop on hop off bus is good for that.. take a stroll along the thames river by the Big Ben/parliament.. tower of london.. stroll through piccadilly circus..

notting hill has a street market so its cute to check that out as well but just check the days the market is open so you know its going on..

being that the trip and food will be pricey.. you can pick up a pre-made sandwich or salad at marks and spencers - its actually good and sometimes cheaper and convenient if your on the run or want to just sit in the park and eat.. selfridges is a good dept store..

you can take the tube to oxford circus and stroll down oxford street towards piccadilly circus and do lots of shopping/window shopping..

the tube(their subway) is easy to follow and get around.. and they always have employees standing by to help you out.. unlike here! they sell day cards too..

If you find yourself near a book store.. pick up a time out london.. they'll have good reviews on whats going on during the month..

have a great time!!

hth!

If you have a day to spare, hop a bus to Bath Spa. Its about a 2 hour bus ride but totally worth it. Such a gorgeous little city. Second most visited city in the UK.

You can visit the Roman Baths & the Royal Crescent & walk a round the city center, which has huge Gregorian Abbeys & strolling 15th century musicians. You can take a hot air balloon over the countryside.....One of my favorite places in the world.

Bath

You can also take a bus ride to Stonehedge.

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Posted by carolinebr

If you have a day to spare, hop a bus to Bath Spa. Its about a 2 hour bus ride but totally worth it. Such a gorgeous little city. Second most visited city in the UK.

You can visit the Roman Baths & the Royal Crescent & walk a round the city center, which has huge Gregorian Abbeys & strolling 15th century musicians. You can take a hot air balloon over the countryside.....One of my favorite places in the world.

Bath

You can also take a bus ride to Stonehedge.

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seconded. bath is an easy day trip and you can see the whole city in one day... it's BEAUTIFUL.

Portobello Road in London has a great street fair on the wknds

Camden market has a more 'east village' street fair.. it's a little seedy over there though..

covent garden is really nice

Tower of London is a MUST...

If you can, research some pub crawls in the southbank area... I went on one and we started in a pub where canterbury tales started... a LOT of history in that section.. Take the tube to southwalk and you'll learn about the great fire of london in the 1600s..

Also check out the Whitechapel area.
there are a lot of great walking tours
for example

To be honest, I would only go to picadilly circus, lesicester & trafalger square once... its very much like times square and who really wants to see that when you live in nyc... you know?

You see a LOT more history south of the thames.

If I think of anymore more, I'll add on

I love London! You are going to have a wonderful time. You've already gotten some really great advice so here are a couple things:

For shopping definitely go to Selfridges Dept Store,
Whistles (It's a london based dress shop. ADORABLE stuff!),
Top Shop (The UK's answer to H & M , good prices and amazingly good quality.)

If you like Indian / South Asian food have it here because it's as good as you will get outside of South Asia. I like Chowki. It's in the West End so if you go see any shows it's a quick walk.

eat indian food!! best i've ever had was in london.

Hey I lived there too for a few months and have a lot of advice to offer!!! Its been a few years but hopefully this helps!

I definitely liked the London eye...its the biggest ferris wheel in the world! But you in an enlcosed capsule with 20 people...its a must do! And if you are over by Big Ben get a crepe on the stree they are awesome!

Definietly check out Hyde Park and Kensington Palace where Princess Diana lived! Also right behind the palace is a little tea place...loved it there!

Shopping - Oxford Street is fun and bit like 5th Ave (love top shop) and lovvvved Covent Gardens! You must check out Covent Garden!

Museums - I went to all of them but lovvved the Tate modern the best!


Other sites: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard! Also Hampton Court Palace is a day trip and GORGEOUS! (Where king henry the 8th lived).

Also the tube (subway system) is not hard at all to follow. Similar to NY but I think its even easier!

Also - I second Wagamama!!!

Have a blast!!!

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Posted by milana

I love London - such a romantic city

My favorite things there are:

Harrods is a must! London has AMAZINGGGG shopping lol and you can literally spend all day at Harrods, Londons most famous upscale department store. They have everything from fine jewelery, shoes, furniture, the most delicious pizza, and yes even adorable puppies!

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I second this, my bf was born in England I can def ask her more specifics on where else to go if you would like. Lucky that you are going. Have a blast.

Thanks so much for all the tips - it makes my planning so much easier now that I have some destinations to look into. we really just always wanted to go there but didn't know why or what to see so you girls are a big help

i bet his stupid policemen website doesn't help him like my liweddings