London Calling
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- JerseyRaindog0
Take in a cheap movie at the Prince Charles theatre just off Leicester Square. Take a walk down Berwick Street for the market, Sister Ray Records (if it's still there), Reckless Records and Selectadisc. The Tate Modern is actually worth a visit as is the V&A, British Museum (with the new extension). See what's on at the ICA, South Bank centre etc etc.
- scribbler0
You have to go to Tate Modern, National Gallery and defo British Museum. Also Serpentine Gallery, not sure what will be on but great walk in the park and you'll get to walk by The Albert Hall which is pretty neat.
Markets – check out Borough Market for fabulous foody stuff on a saturday, pop into the Market Tavern, great pub with lots of Ales. Could do Camden but I personally hate the place but I'm sure you'll enjoy it and it's one of the famous London markets.
I guess if you're gonna do abit of touristy stuff go on The London Eye, you'll see most stuff from that.
Hang around the Southbank and go check out the Hayward Galley, have a nice coffee in the Festival Hall.
If you get some nice weather (you might be lucky) you should hunt out some Royal Parks, St James just by Buck Palace (OK but near lots of touristy stuff), Hyde Park with speakers corner, can be quite amusing and Greenwich (bit further out but worth the visit)
Only get the tube once to experience it (Jubilee is probably the best line with the best stations, London Underground gave the same brief to loads of different architects, each station designed by a different one, Canary Wharf and Westminster are the best) try and get the bus everywhere, you'll get to see loads more stuff and maybe even a boat trip? If you go to Greenwich get the boat.
- Forget Borough on a Saturday, rendered totally impassible by tourists, go on Friday instead.contra
- vespa0
Take the boat that goes between Tate Britain & Tate Modern. I've never done it but I've been meaning to forever. There's a Constructivist exhibition at the Tate Modern starting just before your arrival date that looks interesting. Go up to the bar on the top floor, it has a lovely view of London. Take a walk along the Southbank afterwards...
What are you into? Bands? Clubs? What kind of music do you like?
London can be all things to all people but it will help people give better advice if they know what you like.
- olli1010
All good advice so far.
Couple of my faves:
1: Go to Waterloo station, check out the London eye and then walk down South Bank to Tate Modern (having lunch on the way). Then cross the Millennium Bridge and head up to either St. Paul's or down to The Tower Of London.
2: Head on up to Camden on a saturday afternoon and enjoy the hordes of 16 year old punk rock skateboarders
3: Take the tube out to Richmond and enjoy a lovely day shopping or by the river, then head down to the riverside and grab the water taxi and take it back along the Thames to Waterloo (Festival Pier)
4: Get out of London. Go to Victoria station and grab a train down to Brighton (45 mins - 1hr) and be amazed.
- Leigh0
Check out Shunt lounge.
Hidden in the underbelly of London Bridge Station
- CincodeMayo0
Awesome advice guys (and gals). I definitely had the Tate on my list, as well as the London Eye. I was looking at markets too and Borough sounds great. I'm a foody so that's awesome. I'll definitely check out those pubs and record shops too. As for music, lately I've been into some Brit stuff...Bloc Party, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys (mainly stuff along those lines). Would love to see a good concert while I'm out there. Anything to do at the O2 Dome? Is Madame Toussaud's worth it? I know those are kinda touristy...I'm definitely into the museum stuff (although I'd prefer really cool galleries if you guys know of any). Also, is Arsenal the closest team to go to a game? Would love to check out a football match if there are some while I'm there. Thanks again!
- i wouldn't bother with the O2 unless there's something really amazing on. it's a pain in the hoop to get to.paraselene
- check out listings for the roundhouse, koko... vespa may be able to give you some other venue recommendations.paraselene
- CincodeMayo0
Oh, and one more thing...someone suggested getting a guide. Any good recs? I know the NFT one just came out but I haven't seen any great reviews on it. Frommers? Zagat? Time Out? I'll probably order online but I can't figure out what's good...
- The TimeOut London guide book is probably the bestflashbender
- paraselene0
i guess i'll stop making endless notes and just post already.
borough is fantastic, but can be very crowded on a saturday, but it's open on fridays too, so if you can go on friday i think it's much nicer. just next to the market is the southwark cathedral, which is one of london's oldest and has been built upon and built upon over the centuries.
another great foodie market (but also with some bric a brac, clothing and retail shops) is broadway market in hackney. it only runs on saturdays. on sunday mornings there's the columbia road flower market. depending on time of year and economic gloom index, it can be relatively manageable or insanely crowded.
good luck!
- CincodeMayo0
What's the deal with bringing stuff I buy along with food stuff back to the states? Do I need to claim them? Do I just fill up my suitcase and check it under the plane?
Also looking for more things to do over there...help me out!
- you aren't allowed to bring any food stuff into the states as far as i knowskt
- flashbender0
last weekend I took the river ferry from embankment pier to greenwich. You get a fantastic view along the river and it is only like £3 if you have an oyster card.
At greenwich you can see the prime meridian and world clock and the national maritime museum among other things. Then you can go through the foot path underneath the Thames to isle of dog and get on the DLR.
If you're lucky you can get the front seat and pretend you're driving the train. wooo! That'll take you to Bank station and you're back in the proper city.
There is also a nice market in Greenwich that you can check out http://www.greenwichmarket.net
as for food, it varies. have a look here:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ukcu…
- CincodeMayo0
Thanks flashbender...really good tips. I'm gonna check those out.
skt - I don't think you're "technically" supposed to bring anything back into the states, but I know people do. If you carry it on, I'm sure it's taken away, but if you pack it in your bags, I'm not sure they check or hassle you. Anyone know for sure? My mother went to Cannes and London a couple months ago and although they took anything she carried on, her luggage contained spices (that easily could've been mistaken for pot), spanish olives and some other items that easily made it through.
- you'll be alright. i once got caught by dogs with a catalan sausage down my boot.paraselene
- the worst they will do is take it away from you.paraselene
- flashbender0
from the us emabssy's site:
What kind of food products can I bring to the U.S.?
Food, Plant, and Animal Products
General List of Approved ProductsThis list covers products from all areas except Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bamboo - dried poles only
Beads made of seeds - (but not jequirity beans)
Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods
Candies, confectionery, chocolates
Cheeses - fully cured hard cheese only
Coconuts - (but husks or milk must be removed)
Coffee - roasted beans only
Dried foods - including polished rice, beans, and tea
Fish
Flower bulbs (*)
Flowers (*)
Fruits - canned or dried products only
Herbarium plants - (but not witchweed)
Herbs - dried, for medicinal use
Mushrooms
Nuts - (but not chestnuts or acorns or nuts with outer husks)
Sauces - canned or processed
Seaweed
Seeds - (but not avocado, bamboo, barberry, coconuts, corn, cotton, currant, elm, hibiscus, lentil, mahonia, mango, pearl millet, potato, rice, sorghum, and wheat)
Shamrocks - without root or soil
Soup and soup mixes - (but not those containing meat)
Spices - dried (but not curry leaves)
Straw animals, hats, baskets, and other souvenirs - (but not items stuffed with straw)
Vegetables - canned or processed* Check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at www.aphis.usda.gov regarding Plant Protection and Quarantine Permits . A phytosanitary certificate is required for propagative material.
- Sweet. Thanks!CincodeMayo
- *loads up on rootless, soil-free shamrocksboobs
- flavorful0
Can some one please find the Frisky Dingo clip where Killface kills the cab driver and then goes, 'London Calling!' hahaha m losing it just thinking about it.
- nocomply0
I was just there for the first time myself about 3 weeks ago. It was pretty awesome but felt very American compared to the other places I visited in Europe. If you're a castle nut like myself the Tower of London is not to be missed. Good Chinese food in China Town too.
You and other stalkers alike can check out my photos here:
http://flickr.com/photos/downfor…
- bigO0
After the touristy stuff if you have time:
Have a curry on brick lane
Portobello market on Friday
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday wimbledon dog track (only one left in london)
Dogging in Lewisham.happy days.
- CincodeMayo0
Leaving tomorrow for London. Any last minute going-ons or things I should check out? Restaurants, shops, galleries, concerts, bars, whatever...
- isakosmo0
come to see me dj at cargo on saturday 28th. benji b and moodymann headline. par-teeeee!
- Fariska0
my gf mom had the extreme luck to see the tower bridge in action when she went visiting.
Anyway: Spitalfield, sunday up and backyard market on sunday.
Go to liverpool st. station and then follow the stream to brick lane.
- kelpie0
agitating gang members on the late night buses is a great giggle I hear - give that a bash and post about it as soon as you can use your fingers again