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Please Advise a First-time London Visitor

DuckQuack'sEcho said:
...(my daughter) who lives at Belsize Park and is married to a pom (Welshman, actually but what's the difference, really ;) ).
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Ooh! :eek: Don't let him catch you saying that! :p

DuckQuack'sEcho said:
...(Has anyone ever travelled with Emirate Airlines? I've always been loyal to QANTAS but their policies over the past ten years or so have really crapped me off. We are travelling in three stages - Brisbane to Singapore - overnight stay - Singapore to Dubai - overnight stay - Dubai to Heathrow. Same on the way back. Is Emirate a third world airline? Should I be worried?
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Nah. As airlines go, it's a good one. I even got upgraded to Business Class when I was flying to my friend's wedding in Pakistan.

What's the best and cheapest method of travel to get from Heathrow to Belsize Park? My daughter takes the tube (train?) from Heathrow to Paddington then a taxi to her home but suggests this might be problematic for this senile old dodderer and his inexperienced son.
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If you're a single traveller, buying a single train ticket, and you know where you're going, then it might be worth it to catch the train for what you save. But if there's two of you and you have to buy two tickets on the Heathrow express, I reckon you might as well get a taxi and be done with it. It'll save you the stress and probably won't be that much more expensive. I'm guessing here, about the cost, as it's a few years since I got a cab back from Heathrow; sometimes I'd catch the Heathrow Express but sometimes caught a cab, the main advantage is that depending on the time of day, you can avoid a heck of a lot of road traffic by catching the train. If your flight lands in rush hour, you might be better off getting the train into central London to avoid sitting in a traffic jam.)
 
Heatrow Connect trains take about 10 minutes longer to get into Paddington than the Heathrow Express and are about half the price I think. Not sure how frequent they are though.
 
I've not flown with emirates, but my family do quite frequently, and they don't have any complaints - and trust me, if they did, I'd know about it! I think they prefer to fly emirates than other airlines.
 
I thought Steeles was fairly genteel as well - in the early 90s it was a total teenage hangout, but that all got out of hand so they started booking jazz bands etc.

Further down the hill is Camden Market - which is worth wandering through, particularly on the weekend.

As you go down the Hill, Steeles is on the right. If you carry on down to Chalk farm road, then back up the other side... across a little bridge, then you're into Primrose Hill (a fairly short street called Regents Park Rd)... there are a couple of pubs there where rock stars occaisionally hang out in.

At the end of Regents Park Rd is Primrose Hill the park - Primrose Hill has a good view of London... and it's where the final scene of War of the Worlds when all the aliens conked it was originally located.

At the bottom of Primrose Hill park, across the Rd is Regents Park - you can lean against the railings and do the final scene from Withnail and I. The Wolves are still there.

This is all really close together - Belsize Park is a really good location.

If you change the view to hybrid and zoom out a bit...
http://local.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.skqchfgzmb7w_primrose hill___ shows you where things are etc. Steeles is on Haverstock Hill.
 
I've sussed out fish 'n chips suggestions in another thread. Faulkner's on Kingsland Road, Dalston is my current choice. For my authentic pork pie, I'm going to try Pieminister in Southwork.

Thanks, U75, for your helpful suggestions.

What brand names should I look for in a 'real' ale?
 
DuckQuack'sEcho said:
I've sussed out fish 'n chips suggestions in another thread. Faulkner's on Kingsland Road, Dalston is my current choice. For my authentic pork pie, I'm going to try Pieminister in Southwork.

Thanks, U75, for your helpful suggestions.

What brand names should I look for in a 'real' ale?
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real ale? a massive thread, if you get the chance check out the wenlock arms, in islington N1, a great selection of ales

depends what pubs you go to, i'd try greene king, adnams, abbots, if you spot them...or the market porter in borough, also a good selection, try the harveys:cool:

pork pies? there's a shop called A GOLDS, i think, close to shoreditch market (which is close to Liverpool Street Station in the city.
 
DuckQuack'sEcho said:
What brand names should I look for in a 'real' ale?
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Pretty much anything that comes from a pump that looks like this:

anker_blond_real_ale.jpg


There are literally hundreds of different brews from various breweries. Naturally enough, the ones from London-based breweries like Young's and Fuller's are among the most common in London itself. Fuller's London Pride is a nice pint, as is Young's Bombardier, but every brewery does a range of beers and plenty of smaller and non-local breweries sell their ales in London pubs. There is a huge real ale thread somewhere on the boards, with u75's real ale connoisseurs swapping tips and tasting experiences.

Greenwich is worth a visit when you're in London. It's an impressive sort of place, with a lot of historic buildings and some nice pubs. I'd particularly recommend The Gypsy Moth, The Yacht and The Cutty Sark, all of which will do you an excellent (though expensive) pint of proper beer.
 
Belsize Park is one of the most beautiful areas of London, check out Primrose Hill for a stunning view of the city, which is a short walk away.

I just hosted some family in London and they had a fantastic time doing all of the touristy stuff, we didn't sit down for a week! I highly rate the London Eye, the hop-on hop-off touristy buses (cheesy, but a great way to get around the entire city, I think it's about £15 per person for an entire day).

The London Parks are beautiful..I highly recommend a journey on the river operated by transport for London, if you want to go to Greenwich you can get there by boat much quicker from the embankment. It's a bit more pricey than the tube, but fantastic views.

The North Sea fish and chips near King's Cross is supposed to be very good, although expensive.

Walk down Brick Lane for the experience, even if you don't want to eat there. It really is quite bizarre having people barter with you for dinner!

There's so much to do here, it's great. Hope you have a good trip! :)
 
Here's my advice for sightseeing London.

- Buy Time Out Magazine. It is the best source of info for what's happening the week you're there. From theatre, music, comedy, films, events, museums etc etc...all the info is current.

- Use an Oyster Card on tubes/buses. It is paperless and cheaper.

- Get a bus tour. Hop-on, Hop Off. Go see Buckingham palace, Houses Of Parliament, Hyde Park, Oxford/Regent St, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square wherever they go now is all worth a visit.

- Go to the Tate Modern! Its a walk away from Shakespeare's Globe, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Wobbly Millenium Bridge (now fixed).

- Go to Tower Bridge and the Tower Of London. At the Tower Of London you can catch a River Cruise along the River Thames (with guided tour of the River and it's famous landmarks / history) via Canary Wharf to Grenwich.

- At Grenwich you can wonder round the park, go see the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark. Maybe while there go have a pub lunch and a pint. Then get the return boat back to Tower bridge or go further down to Warterloo Pier and do the London Eye.

- Soho is worth a wonder round on an afternoon. Interesting funky shops, bars, cafe's etc. Good nightlife too. Home to Chinatown. And walking distance to Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Picadilly Circus.

- Go see the parks if you have time. It won't exactly be sunbathing weather but Regents Park is close and very beautiful and Hyde Park has the boating lake, Kensington Palace, the Diana Memorial Fountain and can be walked diagonally from Marble Arch to High Street Kensington which is also close to Knightsbridge (home to Harrods).

- Not my cup of tea, but if you like theatre do to the West End and see a play or musical. The West End is arguably the best theatre district in the world outside Broadway.

- Go see the weekend markets. Spitalfields and Portabello Market are pretty cool. Camden Market is also good for a more hippy/rock/punk vibe.

Can't think of anything else. Get a Guide Book and Time Out. Download a Tube Map Sorted.

THE GOLDEN RULE!!!
Stand on the right of the escalator when travelling in the tube ;)
 
Get an Oyster Card when you arrive; get the HEx, it costs but it's worth it if you're just off a long-haul; Greenwich is lovely but a bit touristy IMV but then, you are tourists!

And you can start drinking at any time of the day when you're on holiday :D
 
- At Grenwich you can wonder round the park, go see the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark. Maybe while there go have a pub lunch and a pint. Then get the return boat back to Tower bridge or go further down to Warterloo Pier and do the London Eye.
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And the Maritime Museum and the markets if your there on a sunday.
 
- Not my cup of tea, but if you like theatre do to the West End and see a play or musical. The West End is arguably the best theatre district in the world outside Broadway.
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American friend tells me its bigger and better than Broadway?
 
No, it's the same or somewhat smaller, and the chairs are much less comfortable. But, recent shows I've seen in the West End have been excellent, and I'm kind of of the opinion that that stuff is a little passe. Spamalot was very funny, money well spent.
 
I wouldn't know which is better. I didn't bother with a Broadway Musical in NYC but the West End does get more visitors per year than Broadway.
 
Belsize Park is indeed a posh part London. People strut around with from bistro to bistro with a well heeled self confidence. Walk up the hill to Hampstead and people seem even better groomed as they stumble from delicatessant to designer boutique, deciding how next to squander whatever considerable wedge they have garnered from the exploitation of the masses. An excellent place for Sunday lunch in nice pubs with confy sofas.

Head downhill from Belsize Park and you rapidly enter the demi-monde that is Camden Town. With the slightly edgy ambience that abounds in areas where the stock in trade of local hustlers is whichever narcotic experience is currently in vogue. Like Brixton, but with less sirens, Camden is a mecca for yoof-ful indulgence of allsorts.

All of this variety in walking distance, you really have landed in a good spot.

I have flown Emirates many times. It is top notch.
 
I'm so jealous DQE!

Hope you have a great trip :)

And to anybody :p How can I buy an urban75 t-shirt? Ta muchly in advance.
 
RenegadeDog said:
But if I'm visiting London for a week, it's not possible? And also not possible to get an Oyster card without a London address?

:mad:

What a stupid system.
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Apparently if it's only for a short period of time you can use an actual oyster.
 
nick1181 said:
Apparently if it's only for a short period of time you can use an actual oyster.
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But from what I can make out, I can't just turn up at a station and get an Oyster card. I've got to order it online first, and need an address to get it sent to. The address is no problem (I can get someone I know to pick it up and bring it to the airport) but I no longer have a UK credit card so will be unable to pay online. What a stupid system.
 
RenegadeDog said:
But from what I can make out, I can't just turn up at a station and get an Oyster card. I've got to order it online first, and need an address to get it sent to. The address is no problem (I can get someone I know to pick it up and bring it to the airport) but I no longer have a UK credit card so will be unable to pay online. What a stupid system.
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You can get an oyster without a UK address (or any address), I don't think they even charge the deposit anymore - you can just pick them up at any station. If you live in London or need an expensive travelcard it's worth registering on-line as it means you can get the money transferred onto a new card but you don't have to. You can top it up at the ticket machines using cash or card and you can put weekly travelcards etc on it too. Much as there're things about tfl that piss me off, the oyster card is the most practical, simple ticketing system I've come across in any of the countries I've been to.
 
Cid said:
You can get an oyster without a UK address (or any address), I don't think they even charge the deposit anymore - you can just pick them up at any station. If you live in London or need an expensive travelcard it's worth registering on-line as it means you can get the money transferred onto a new card but you don't have to. You can top it up at the ticket machines using cash or card and you can put weekly travelcards etc on it too. Much as there're things about tfl that piss me off, the oyster card is the most practical, simple ticketing system I've come across in any of the countries I've been to.
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Ah OK - it's a relief to hear that. The website is very poorly designed IMO (I even took a questionnaire on there asking questions about the website, and I couldn't finish the bloody thing as it was full of errors).

So it is possible for me to just turn up at heathrow, get oyster cards for mrs RD and I on the spot and get a one week travelcard put on each one?
 
Should be fine, yeah. Never got an Oyster card from an airport before mind you, but Heathrow's on the Piccadily so should be ok.
 
RenegadeDog said:
Ah OK - it's a relief to hear that. The website is very poorly designed IMO (I even took a questionnaire on there asking questions about the website, and I couldn't finish the bloody thing as it was full of errors).

So it is possible for me to just turn up at heathrow, get oyster cards for mrs RD and I on the spot and get a one week travelcard put on each one?
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not a problem, easy as pie :)
 
Roadkill said:
Young's Bombardier
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I think you'll find that Bombardier is a product of the Wells brewery, Bedford, which although now the new home of Youngs since the merger of the two organisations and the sad demise of the Ram brewery, Wandsworth, has a proud tradition all of its own! :p

ETA: Young's own excellent bitter and special ale remain excellent brews in their own right :)
 
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