what should i do about my trip to london?

Question

I have been planning a trip to London, England for a few months now. I was supposed to go w/ a long-time friend. However, he has cancelled at the last minute (what a headache)! Anyway, since the trip is just in 2 or 3 months, hardly anyone can get the extra cash in time to go w/ me. So I've decided not to let that keep me from going. I'm a 20 yr old female...and I just want to spend some time travelling, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do, ways to meet ppl while I'm there, etc..?? Trust me..I have my head on strait...and I am very precautious, but at the same time...I'd like to have a good time. I've looked into tour groups, but they don't seem to intrest me that much. I want to shop...possible stay around Soho. Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations on what all I could do. It's London! There has to be something! haha Thanks!

Answer 1

First some budget and safety tips.

Holiday Inn Hotels are really good value and tend to include breakfast. You can have a really hearty meal and take some muffins etc out with you for lunch. Alternatively there are many Tesco Metro stores, Marks and Spencer Just Food and Boots where you can get a sandwich and a drink deal for a couple of pounds. Many Pizza and Chinese restraunts do a fixed price buffet also. If you want to see shows at the theatre try Lastminute.com they have tickets for a tenner and other special offers.

As for safety it's the same as all other large cities. Stay in the tourist areas in the evening and if you feel uncomfortable in a strange area, hail a cab. There are a few dodgy places south and east of central London but nothiing for you to worry about. Keep your money safe on your person in a money belt or neck purse.

Now for the nice part.

There's lots to see.and visit. Here's a brief list of the main attractions.

Palaces - Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace. All of these are open to visitors.

Museums and Galleries - Natural History Museum, Science Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, The Tate and Tate Modern, British Museum, Imperial War Museum.

Famous Buildings and Monuments etc - The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Whitehall and Downing Street, Clarence House, St James Palace, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Marble Arch, Monument, Tower Bridge, London Eye.

Churches - Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, St Clement Dane, Temple Church, Saint Martin in the field.

There's such a lot to see I can't possibly list them all here. I'd recommend an Eyewitness Travel Guide as they're very comprehensive and include attractions, opening times, photos and maps.

Try the website for The Original London Walks as they do loads of guided tours around the city, They're very cheap and you can take Jack the Ripper, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, Charles Dickens, Museum and Ghost walks. They are very good indeed and you get to see the places lots of tourists don't eve know about.

Travel by tube or bus, It's cheaper than by taxi and very convenient. You can get travel cards from your nearest tube station.

The main shopping streets are Oxford and Regent Street. You can try New Bond Street for Designer labels. Camden for alternative clothing. There's a big mall in Brent Cross also.

As for food, there are places to eat everywhere. China Town in Soho is good and Brick Lane for Indian Food in particular.

There are lots of public parks and green areas in London. I'd recommend lunch al fresco if it's fine.

Answer 2

I am an 33 y/o American, living here in England w/ my fiance. I have travelled to london quite a few times, although we live outside of london. I would highly recommend getting a tube pass and good map of the city. The subway-( the tube) is safe and reasonably priced and all of the staff are helpfull- they are used to tourist being lost. If you take one of the iconic london black cabs expect to pay quite a bit. I would recommend a open top bus tour first this gives you a great view of the city then if there is something that you really want to see you can take the tube back to it. I would also recomend a Thames boat tour- same thing- you can see quite a bit of the city from the river. There are also some great museums. If at all possible take a bus tour out to Stonehedge, it is really something to see and there are tons of tours leaving daily from london. Shopping is expensive here, last I checked the GBP was about 1 to every 1.8 dollar. that is almost double the price of what it would cost in the US. And it is a bit deceiving, you go to the French connection shop and buy a T-shirt for 25GBP, and your thinking 25 that's not so bad, until you do the conversion and that is almost 50 dollars for a t-shirt. That took me a long time to get used to because the prices looked the same as in the US, until you do the conversion. Also there is a large leather goods tax- so dont buy shoes here unless you really want them! My next tip is to wear really comfy shoes- there is lots of walking in London. Also it is not standard to tip in restaurants/bars unless service was really exceptional. Last tip when you are in a restaurant and order a soda- coke/pepsi they charge you per glass- no free refills here. I once had a 30GBP drink tab w/ no alcoholic drinks, was just really thirsty. Also the drinking age here is 18, I see that your 20- you should take advantage of the pubs. Some great pubs in Leicester Square. Some excellent nightlife also. Do some searching on the web for clubs/pubs near where you decide to stay. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Answer 3

Hi, Here's what I always pass along!
Wow...you're in for a treat! Wear good walking shoes because London is a superb walking city. Bring a good map of the city and begin. Be a happy tourist and first hop on one of the major red double decker tour buses which afford you a perfect overview of London and you can "hop on and off" as often as you please...some for two days! I love www.theoriginaltour.com ! Highlights (see www.londonwalks.com): National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Tate Modern Museum, London Eye, Covent Gardens (great shops n restaurants), St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, see a play!, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Tower of London.
Know London has many beautiful parks which can be your oasis when needing a rest. Kensington Gardens in one of the world's wealthiest areas - See Princess Di's Kensington Palace and shop Kensington High St. and wander up Church St. for boutiques and such. Nearby: Royal Albert Hall, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum. Hyde Park connects to Kensington Gardens. Explore Chelsea for boutiques as well. St. James Park - beautiful, sole restaurant inside. Green Park - high tea at the Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, Picadilly Circus (think Times Square). Shopping streets: Oxford, Bond, check for weekly markets...BUY "TIMEOUT LONDON" weekly magazine. Boat trip on the Thames - a must. Don't forget - you can take the EUROSTAR Chunnel train to Brussels or Paris for day trips (2.5 hrs +/- each way!) Hope this helps. Have a fantastic time! :)

Answer 4

I was there a year ago to see My then prospected 'fiance'", and he picked me up from heathrow. Imade all the necessesary precautions, if he had not picked Me up. I got a ton of imfo about trains, and B&B's to stay in. It is VERY EXPENSIVE to stay in London, or even near. I'm talking the cheepest..$300/night. Take Victoria's Street train and get some imfo there.They might have some rooms to stay at. The Pubs are beautiful and the buses and trains are so clean You can eat off the floors.Probably cheeper than the restaurants lol A bagel and tea -$15-18.00.. and it goes up from there.There are many great things to do from seeing The "London Eye", to the changing of the Guard @ Buck-
ingham Palace. Also double everything ($1.00's)
Have fun

Answer 5

There is so much to do and time will ofcourse go fast. Get some good ideas at http://www.londonvacationguide.com

Good Luck