Just spent the weekend in london....

London is a beautiful city, and has some of the best museums in Europe if not the world. All the museums are free. Transport can be pricey if you don't book yonks in advance or have an Oyster card. Food in touristy places costs a fortune, but thats true in most cities.

Londoners are wonderful and, crucially, know how to stand to the right on an escalator. I'm a Londoner, I'm adorable and I stand to the right. Ask my granny, she'll tell you.

LordSutch

Incedentilly Candie, re the Borismaster, which camp are you in?
http://d1ptninktvvbva.cloudfront.net/www.boriswatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130713_135145.jpg

Love em, or hate em?

Elessar

I really want to visit London for a weekend soon - is it good for solo travellers? Anyone any experiences of doing a few days in London solo?

Boris didn't do nearly as much as he could have (or promised). Some improvements on the tube, no real difference in law and order, air quality has slightly improved but no real improvement in the local housing crisis. I also have a problem with him playing up to his bumbling, pally image. Anyway, he's history and it was time. Just not a Tory fan generally either.

It'll be interesting to see how Khan gets on, but I think he's going to get a lot of undeserved criticism off the bat just because he's Muslim, given the climate.

Mint Sauce

Candie wrote: »

London is a beautiful city, and has some of the best museums in Europe if not the world. All the museums are free. Transport can be pricey if you don't book yonks in advance or have an Oyster card. Food in touristy places costs a fortune, but thats true in most cities.

Londoners are wonderful and, crucially, know how to stand to the right on an escalator. I'm a Londoner, I'm adorable and I stand to the right. Ask my granny, she'll tell you.

They're polite, until someone stands on the left! I'm from London originally, amd will go straight into Londoner mode when using Public Transport, I will wait till you get off the tube/train before I get on. I will give up my seat on buses, tubes, and trains. I will have my Oyster Card ready long before I reach the barriers. But if you are standing on the left, I will say excuse me, I will give a friendly tap on the shoulder, but I wont slow down.

Such a shame that a number of stations are experimenting on getting rid of the age old rule/tradition.

Elessar

Elessar wrote: »

I really want to visit London for a weekend soon - is it good for solo travellers? Anyone any experiences of doing a few days in London solo?

If you're into seeing the sights and checking out the galleries and museums, its a fantastic place for a solo trip. There's so much to do, free of charge, if you're into those things.

Mint Sauce

Candie wrote: »

Boris didn't do nearly as much as he could have (or promised). Some improvements on the tube, no real difference in law and order, air quality has slightly improved but no real improvement in the local housing crisis. I also have a problem with him playing up to his bumbling, pally image. Anyway, he's history and it was time. Just not a Tory fan generally either.

It'll be interesting to see how Khan gets on, but I think he's going to get a lot of undeserved criticism off the bat just because he's Muslim, given the climate.

I quite liked Boris, until he started supporting the Britexit, now not sure what to make of him. The cable car was one of his weaker moments though.

LordSutch

Anybody want to come back on 53?

Personally I love em, specially since Ken got rid of the originals.

Mint Sauce

LordSutch wrote: »

Anybody want to come back on 53?

Personally I love em, specially since Ken got rid of the originals.

The 14 was my local one.

wolfmoon87

LordSutch wrote: »

Next visit will definately involve going to the Globe to see a production, any production. The London Eye will also feature, as well as a trip up the Shard, and hopefully (just hopefully) a proper curry in brick lane if the wife allows (she hates curry) so it might be a solo run )

I also love travelling on the Tube, and more recently the Borismasters!

Tip: Unless you're dead-set on going to The Shard, I'd recommend going to the Sky Garden instead.
It's opposite The Shard, and it's free! You just need to book in advance.

Car99

Tilikum wrote: »

And do you know what the best thing about the city was?

It wasn't the beautiful sunny weather, it wasn't the amazing transport system, nor was it the very polite people I met everywhere I went.

It was the fact the whole beard/man bun thing has already gone over there.

My three year old girl always asks me when she sees one " why does the man have a Balerina bun" . Cracks me up.

LordSutch

LordSutch wrote: »

Incedentilly Candie, re the Borismaster, which camp are you in?
http://d1ptninktvvbva.cloudfront.net/www.boriswatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130713_135145.jpg

Love em, or hate em?

I never answered you!

LOVE!

namloc1980

smash wrote: »

It cost me twice as much to get from Stansted to London city centre than it cost me to get from Dublin to London!

Think you are getting the wrong tickets tbh. You can get the Stansted Express train for £8 each way to Liverpool Street. And you could've used your contactless debit card on the tube. Bit of preparation goes a long way.

The Backwards Man

I haven't been in London as a touristy type sightseeing person since I was in my teens, been a few times working but it was just in and out wham bam thank you Mam. Too many relations about the place and if they heard I was about town I'd have to visit the bastards. Actually ran into one of them in Southwark of a Friday morning and put on a funny accent and pretended I wasn't me. Got away with it too.

maudgonner

The Backwards Man wrote: »

been a few times working but it was just in and out wham bam thank you Mam.

Oh my God, you're Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo! It makes so much sense now...

The Backwards Man

maudgonner wrote: »

Oh my God, you're Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo! It makes so much sense now...

Well, I've emptied quite a few loads in places varying from Camden Town and Erith to Godalming in my time, I have to admit.:P

Shint0

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I haven't been in London as a touristy type sightseeing person since I was in my teens, been a few times working but it was just in and out wham bam thank you Mam. Too many relations about the place and if they heard I was about town I'd have to visit the bastards. Actually ran into one of them in Southwark of a Friday morning and put on a funny accent and pretended I wasn't me. Got away with it too.

I just snorted through my nose laughing at that. The Incognito Backwards Man.

You're right. London can have a very different feel if your're there for non-tourist related stuff.

KingBrian2

Been to London a few years ago. Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace lovely places, people very nice.

nacho libre

I have found Londoners to be polite for the most part, except when in Brixton, on a Saturday night:pac:, where i have been threatened with having acid thrown in my face, and being shot on another occasion. I also met fellow Irish people in Brixton - much to their surprise.
to counterbalance the crappy times, i remember being lost late at night, when i was new in London town, and a woman, who i stopped to ask for directions, insisted on driving me the five miles home. She said it was too late to get the tube, and i was her good deed for the day, after she had a bad day. She refused my offer of money afterwards for the lift.

mfceiling

I worked there for a couple of months a few years back.
Most local pubs (Wimbledon) did dinners for less than a fiver. One sports bar did a 12 inch pizza and a pint for a fiver.
Oyster card was a must.

Came home and went to work in Galway. Stopped outside a bar to look at the food menu on the first night. The cheapest dinner choice was €14.95...

Elessar

Elessar wrote: »

I really want to visit London for a weekend soon - is it good for solo travellers? Anyone any experiences of doing a few days in London solo?

I decided to do my first solo trip to London. Not too far away, speak the same language etc.
I went for four days & had a brilliant time, I could've done another four!
Now I didn't sample the night life, as a woman alone, I didn't feel comfortable, but tbh I think you could do it, next time I might.
I met people so much friendlier than I expected & I was invited out so the next time I would.
There's so much to see & do, totally recommended for single travellers

The_B_Man

Anyone know the best way to get from Gatwick to waterloo in the morning?

Pinch Flat

The_B_Man wrote: »

Anyone know the best way to get from Gatwick to waterloo in the morning?

Train from Gatwick to Victoria (then tube to Waterloo) or change at Clapham Junction direct to Waterloo. Options on link below.

Book tickets at https://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable and pick up at the ticket dispensers in Gatwick - located on the right as you head for the train station.

Tilikum

The_B_Man wrote: »

Anyone know the best way to get from Gatwick to waterloo in the morning?

Download the app 'city mapper'. You put in your location & destination and it will tell you the quickest way. Buses, tubes & trains. When you route picked hit the star button and it will save it for you, allowing you to use it offline. It's an amazing app. It will also tell you how long it will take and how much it will cost.

Also make sure you buy an 'oyster card'. It's just a prepaid travel card. You can buy them in most shops or stations. £5 deposit but you get that back when you want to return it. The card allows for cheaper travel.

This Fat Girl Runs

Elessar wrote:

I really want to visit London for a weekend soon - is it good for solo travellers? Anyone any experiences of doing a few days in London solo?

I'm in London right now on my own. Having a blast! I'm staying in an airbnb apartment so I don't have to eat out.

I've been to London more times than I can count. One of my favourite cities to visit, especially on my own.

London is too expensive go to Manchester a great city.

Shint0

mariaalice wrote: »

London is too expensive go to Manchester a great city.

Have to say I really didn't feel comfortable in Manchester. It's the one place out of anywhere I've been that I was glad to get out of. Was supposed to stay for three days and left after the first.

MRnotlob606

London is full of **** castles

The_Kew_Tour

Love England but hate London.

Pure Rat race

FTA69

London is a fantastic place to visit but many tourists simply land in the city centre and stay solely in Zone 1 for days. The West End and city centre is a largely homogenous commercial zone and the vast majority of pubs and businesses are identikit chain outfits and in general prices are sky high.

If people use the Tube more and get out of the immediate city centre there is wealth of interesting places to see, neighbourhoods to visit and stuff to do that won't cost you the earth. Prices are indeed high but people spending twelve quid on a Tube tickets is just the result of not doing a small bit of research before they go.

LordSutch

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Love England but hate London.

Pure Rat race

I understand where you're coming from, but I love London all the same 'in small doses'.

Keane2baMused

Brighton is a great place. Bloody expensive also but has a good buzz about it.

Only problem is a bit of heat and all the chavs from the city arrive in their flocks.

tayto lover

Tilikum wrote: »

I was actually shocked at how polite people were.

People in Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Derry etc are just as polite.
Try looking at the positives at home instead of the negatives.

LordSutch

What negativity did he say about the people of Dublin, Belfast, Galway etc?

FTA69

FTA69 wrote: »

London is a fantastic place to visit but many tourists simply land in the city centre and stay solely in Zone 1 for days. The West End and city centre is a largely homogenous commercial zone and the vast majority of pubs and businesses are identikit chain outfits and in general prices are sky high.

If people use the Tube more and get out of the immediate city centre there is wealth of interesting places to see, neighbourhoods to visit and stuff to do that won't cost you the earth. Prices are indeed high but people spending twelve quid on a Tube tickets is just the result of not doing a small bit of research before they go.

Yeah I second that there is lots of free stuff to do if you search it out, I love the Geffrye Museum and its free. Go to a Marks and Spencer and get the making of a picnic and take away coffee, they will have free plastic forks and napkins if you ask. We did that on a fabulous sunny day and eat the food in the gardens of a little church which had benches. If you search it out you will find cheap food for example go to Greggs for Breakfast. If you a foodie go to the borough market and eat from the stalls, after you have paid

Dr Crayfish

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Love England but hate London.

Pure Rat race

Do you like Kew Gardens? It's lovely on a sunny day, although a bit ruined by the constant planes flying low to Heathrow

Dr Crayfish

Kew Gardens just reminded me of this old chestnut

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctG3mHQkA_o

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Just encountered a ginger with a douchebag knot and a pubey beard.
Can we sticky this thread in a public place in real life??

Mint Sauce

FTA69 wrote: »

London is a fantastic place to visit but many tourists simply land in the city centre and stay solely in Zone 1 for days. The West End and city centre is a largely homogenous commercial zone and the vast majority of pubs and businesses are identikit chain outfits and in general prices are sky high.

If people use the Tube more and get out of the immediate city centre there is wealth of interesting places to see, neighbourhoods to visit and stuff to do that won't cost you the earth. Prices are indeed high but people spending twelve quid on a Tube tickets is just the result of not doing a small bit of research before they go.

District Line out to Richmond, and explore Richmond Park, or out to Wimbledon. Northern Line to Camden, and visit the Markets. Central or DLR to Stratford and see the Olympic Park. Or get out of London altogether and take Southern Rail from Victoria to Brighton for the day. Plenty more than that as well.

Dr Crayfish

Hastings is lovely too and a short train ride. Oh Merry England, how I miss thee...

circadian

NIMAN wrote: »

I must have went to a different London to you.

I thinkhe was in London, Ontario. Those Canadians are well known for being polite.

circadian

tayto lover wrote: »

People in Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Derry etc are just as polite.
Try looking at the positives at home instead of the negatives.

You talkin about us Derry folk? Ye startin? Huh? Huh?

Oh wait. Polite. Aye we are, so we are.

tayto lover

circadian wrote: »

You talkin about us Derry folk? Ye startin? Huh? Huh?

Oh wait. Polite. Aye we are, so we are.

Nearly put you out of your rhythm there

nacho libre

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Do you like Kew Gardens? It's lovely on a sunny day, although a bit ruined by the constant planes flying low to Heathrow

I was just about to mention Kew Gardens. It's a great spot indeed. Hampstead Heath and the area around Alexandra Castle are nice too.

smurgen

An amazing place for a weekend.the worst place I've lived and worked in though.very hard to make decent money there and the tube becomes absolutely soul destroying.the monotony of the boroughs would also drive you la la-sainsbury, tesco express, boots- repeat ad infinitum.

Vic_08

s15r330 wrote: »

Was thinking of going to Salisbury (Stonehenge) by train, 2 hour trip, 166 pounds return for 2!! Needless to say we gave it a miss.

The correct fare for a day return London to Salisbury is £38.60

People saying everything in London is too expensive are just people that haven't bothered doing any planning.

There are dozens of free museums.

Most of the main paid attractions can be got on a 2 for 1 offer with any valid train ticket (cheapest is about £3)

Travel costs can be greatly reduced by using Oyster or your contactless credit/debit card (Irish ones will work) and if you are sightseeing then using only buses instead of the tube will cost £4.50 for a days unlimited travel.

Vic_08

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Train from Gatwick to Victoria (then tube to Waterloo) or change at Clapham Junction direct to Waterloo. Options on link below.

Book tickets at https://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable and pick up at the ticket dispensers in Gatwick - located on the right as you head for the train station.

Please don't use that website, or encourage others to do so.

They sell the same range of tickets as are available on all train company websites but they add a booking fee on top.

For Gatwick-London the cheapest fares (Gatwick-London Bridge on Thameslink is the cheapest route) are not discounted for advance booking anyway so can be bought at the ticket office at the same price.

JIdontknow

Vic_08 wrote: »

Please don't use that website, or encourage others to do so.

They sell the same range of tickets as are available on all train company websites but they add a booking fee on top.

For Gatwick-London the cheapest fares (Gatwick-London Bridge on Thameslink is the cheapest route) are not discounted for advance booking anyway so can be bought at the ticket office at the same price.

When I visited, and inquired about tickets from Gatwick to Victoria, turned out two single tickets (Including the daily travel pass on it, cost £21.50 total for the two singles) worked out cheaper than a return ticket (£30 I believe). Also the single day ticket zone 1-6 is £12.10, and zones 1-9 is £12.90. A single journey ticket was I think £6.00

Pinch Flat

Vic_08 wrote: »

Please don't use that website, or encourage others to do so.

They sell the same range of tickets as are available on all train company websites but they add a booking fee on top.

For Gatwick-London the cheapest fares (Gatwick-London Bridge on Thameslink is the cheapest route) are not discounted for advance booking anyway so can be bought at the ticket office at the same price.

Fair point, but I checked and the booking fee is 75p. I would consider this a reasonable premium for someone who's not familiar with all the various operators and wants to get from A to B with a pre-booked ticket and as little hassle as possible. There were massive queues when we got to Gatwick for the ticket office, pre-booked train tickets were collected in a fraction of that time.

HensVassal

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Depends on what you're doing in London.
I live here are there is great value to be had with the exceptions of:

1. Hotels and accommodation is general is very expensive.
2. Transport is pricy but it is very good.
3. Certain tourist attractions are massively expensive, however most museums and art galleries are free. Better value if you book in advance and get special offers.

Prices of food/drink:

If you know where to go and what to do then you can get very good value.

1. Want a curry then you can go to Brick Lane. If you have a group of people 4+ then you can haggle starters, main and wine for about £10-12 a head.

2. A normal price of beer ranges from £4 -£5 (5-6.30 euro). Same as Dublin if not cheaper. £5+ would be rare, 4.60 would be normal.

3. Plenty of pubs offer great deals for food and drink. Pub beside my house is buy one mean get one free. Means about 4.50 per great dinner. Or Pint and meal for 8.50

Yup.....8.95 for a chicken Madras in Balti House Brick Lane.