Things to see in London

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Wed May 18, 2005 6:54 am

I think this topic has been done before, apols if annoying.

OK, I'll be visiting London for one (1) whole day with my girlfriend in a couple of weeks. She's never been before and wants to see stuff. Hooray for tourists.
I've been to London for extended stays a half-dozen times but not once since...blimey, the year 2000. So the prospect of doing stuff in just one day is kinda bothering me a bit.
A fair amount of people here seem to know, live/work in London, so I was wondering if I could ask for some advice/opinions?
If one only has a day in the big smoke and wishes to show the missus nice stuff, where would one recommend?
She doesn't like heights and we're not interested in shopping, if that helps.

And here's what I'm actually more curious about; I recall the Underground as being excellent, cheap and easy to dive about all over the place. Has that changed? You hear terrible scary stories about the things Labour wants to do with it and similar plans have already cocked up your trains, so I'm a bit worried that the tubes now suck and therefore will cut down our dashing-about-like-ninnies options.

I know one day is crap, we might be able to get 2 out of it, but if there was one thing you had to recommend viewing...

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:57 am

KingMob wrote:I recall the Underground as being excellent, cheap and easy to dive about all over the place. Has that changed?

In my opinion, yes, unfortunately.
As one of the poor souls who has to use it everyday and loses 2 hours a day of his life to it, it's crowded, dirty, slow and pricey. But i might be biased.

Other things of interest in London though are:
The London "Eye" (not good if you don't like heights tho i suppose)
Big Ben
London Dungeons
The London Aquarium
London Zoo
Hyde Park (If the weather's good)
Greenwich (at a push)

Post by **Best First** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:40 am

Legion wrote: The London "Eye" (not good if you don't like heights tho i suppose)
The London Aquarium

i would certainly recommend those two.

You canbook advance tickets for the eye on t'internet which cust down on queing.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:14 am

might just be me, but I really like the Science Museum and the National History museam aswell..

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/

A really fun and hands on experience, lots to touch and fiddle with, if you like Science things.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/

Well its just got so much History! heh

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:05 pm

Yes, National History Museum! - dinosaur bones rock.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:22 pm

The Natural History museum is on the list, if even only for a flying visit at 5. It's my favourite touristy thing in London. The giant dinosaur is still in the main hall then? I once spent a whole day in there, 10am to 5pm. Amazing place.
The only other place we're def going is the Tower, on request of the missus. Bleh. I think she just wants to see the ravens.

Like the idea about Grenwich tho...I've been before and it was good - blazing sunshine helped a lot mind you - and I think that'd be the kind of trip she'd like to make.

Cheers for the suggestions, will think on this. And also look up the aquarium as I've never heard of it.

Post by **Best First** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:26 pm

its right next to the London Eye on the south bank - no far from Waterloo.

and it has Sharks! woo!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed May 18, 2005 5:27 pm

Next to the London Dungeons is Cynthia's Cyberbar where a robot will make you a cocktail. It's a bit pricey but worth it for the "Wow, that's amazing" factor.

The British Museum is also worth a look for all the Egyptian stuff there.

And of course, Camden markets are tops.

Jetfire · Post by **Jetfire** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:23 pm

Madame Tussauds is intresting as it's unique but not a first choice.

If your fitting laods of stuff into one day London Zoo isn't recomended as it's slightly out the way (If your using public transport) and takes a while to wander round.
It's good, but there are other Zoo's around the country and this isn't a particularly outstanding choice to get a good sample of London.

If you don't mide getting home late then there are always a load of good theatre shows and musicals to see in the west end. Many are fantastic and worth the journey itself.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:41 pm

ME!

If you're a Shakespeare fan, the best I've seen in my trip here was Henry IV at the National Theatre.

I didn't realize you lived in Glasgow. I was just in Edinburgh. I loved Scotland.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:59 pm

If you have any Scottish currency left, you can play a really fun game called "try to get English people to accept Scottish banknotes". It's hilarious. Incidentally, Scottish banknotes are NOT legal tender in England (strictly speaking they're not even legal tender in Scotland, "legal tender" having a very narrow definition) so it's up to the individual to decide whether to accept them or not. Fun fun fun!!!

Personally I never accepted them when working retail because
a) I have no idea how to tell whether they're forged or not and
b) winding up Scottish people is one of the most entertaining things ever. "Sorry mate, can't accept that. More than my job's worth. Have you got any proper money?"

Jetfire · Post by **Jetfire** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:11 pm

sprunkner wrote:ME!

If you're a Shakespeare fan, the best I've seen in my trip here was Henry IV at the National Theatre.

I didn't realize you lived in Glasgow. I was just in Edinburgh. I loved Scotland.

Well thats scewed. Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe. Glasgow tends to head on the otehr side of the scale. When I was there I swear I have never seen so many people without front teeth outside of a dole queue.

Pissin' Poonani · Post by **Pissin' Poonani** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:12 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:If you have any Scottish currency left, you can play a really fun game called "try to get English people to accept Scottish banknotes". It's hilarious. Incidentally, Scottish banknotes are NOT legal tender in England (strictly speaking they're not even legal tender in Scotland, "legal tender" having a very narrow definition) so it's up to the individual to decide whether to accept them or not. Fun fun fun!!!

Personally I never accepted them when working retail because
a) I have no idea how to tell whether they're forged or not and
b) winding up Scottish people is one of the most entertaining things ever. "Sorry mate, can't accept that. More than my job's worth. Have you got any proper money?"

I spent ages reading that QOTW last night.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:34 pm

Heh, I'm Emvee on there too

TransFans.co.uk

Things to see in London

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