Real London Travel Advice

[GarrAargHrumph]

The ice cream I had in Ireland was sad. But it really was sad. The gelato was fantastic there and in the UK. Cake as well. Whipped cream was fantastic. OMG the tea cakes. But the ice cream was... sad.

 

[manhn]

Well, buying the Harry Potter tickets directly from their website is a no-go. Sold out for the week I will be there. Oops. So, there is this tour group called Golden Tours. Anyone use them before? Reviews?

https://www.goldentours.com/warner-...arry-potter-tickets-with-return-bus-transport

 

[allezfred]

The ice cream I had in Ireland was sad. But it really was sad. The gelato was fantastic there and in the UK. Cake as well. Whipped cream was fantastic. OMG the tea cakes. But the ice cream was... sad.

Not to derail a thread about London, but how so?

 

[manhn]

I love cakes, especially cheesecakes. Not sure if London is renowned for that. Also, love chocolates. So, anything sweets related is not off topic.

 

[Vagabond]

I love cakes, especially cheesecakes. Not sure if London is renowned for that. Also, love chocolates. So, anything sweets related is not off topic.

Cakes, yes. Cheesecakes, not necessarily. But I am counting on you to do field research and report back.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Don't see this one mentioned so far, but this is a fun event, if one is into TV Show "Faulty Towers".
"Faulty Towers Dinner Experience"
http://www.torquaysuitetheatre.com/

Videos from guests:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28fOqNJdw6Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5xykLkK5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXYEaIxIIo0

 

[JasperBoy]

Well, buying the Harry Potter tickets directly from their website is a no-go. Sold out for the week I will be there. Oops. So, there is this tour group called Golden Tours. Anyone use them before? Reviews?

https://www.goldentours.com/warner-...arry-potter-tickets-with-return-bus-transport

Yes, I did that tour with my grandson a couple of years ago. Had to get to the Victoria Station HQ to catch the bus, and the trip through London was a bit rough. I liked the fact that we were driven right to the studio. We had lots of time at the studio, and were returned to Victoria Station.

 

[hanca]

Maybe if ice cream is not up to your high standard, what about trying a milkshake? There is a number of milkshake places where they specialise at milkshakes. It is ice cream based, you choose which chocolate bar you want them to use, and the taste is like a liquid ice cream (well, much better then the typical ice cream because this tastes like your favourite chocolate bar).

 

[antmanb]

I love cakes, especially cheesecakes. Not sure if London is renowned for that. Also, love chocolates. So, anything sweets related is not off topic.

I recommend this every time chocolate is mentioned but my favourite chocolate place is Hotel Chocolat. The chocolates are a bit pricey but they are worth every penny IMO, and if you don't want to buy a box they have smaller packs of six of the same type and you can mix and match those with small slabs of every flavour too. They're in pretty much every town and city, and there will be loads all over London.

I gather that they have been opening cafes too and a restaurant in London (Rabot 1745) I've never sampled it, but i'd definitely try a hot chocolate in a café (and let's face it its always cold enough here for hot chocolate!).

 

[manhn]

Oh, that white chocolate and nutmeg....

 

[cygnus]

Well, buying the Harry Potter tickets directly from their website is a no-go. Sold out for the week I will be there. Oops. So, there is this tour group called Golden Tours. Anyone use them before? Reviews?

https://www.goldentours.com/warner-...arry-potter-tickets-with-return-bus-transport

I used them a couple of years ago- it was fine. You got your bus ride out to the studios included with your ticket, and it was much easier than figuring out your own transit and shuttles. Maybe a bit more expensive than going on your own, but I tend to prize convenience and lack of hassle.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I was in London a few weeks ago after attending the World Championships in Helsinki.

If you're planning to see any live theatre, there is a discount tickets booth in Leicester Square worth checking out.
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/buy-tickets/tkts/

Also, there is an app called TodayTix which is really useful, too.
https://www.todaytix.com/shows/london

There are some great book stores along Charing Cross Road, but my personal favourite is Foyles.
http://www.foyles.co.uk/bookstore-charing-cross

 

[Hindernisse]

My two cents:

8. Best places to run? Hyde park, hands down

14. Best Place to Observe Hipsters: Shoreditch

20. Best Bookstore in London. Daunt Book Marylebone

 

[SandraMGfan]

Here you go!

1. Best Coffee in London: Monmouth Coffee - hands down. No fancy things there tho (no soya milk, macha tai, and all those…) this is fair-trade coffee place, with regular milk, one cup size. But the coffee is sourced directly and the best I’ve ever had.

8. Best places to run? Any of the parks, also check out the official walks/paths around town (Capital Ring, Thames Path, Green Chain Walk > they are all well-signed and you get to see some nice off the beaten track part of London)

10. I will likely do a lot of my runs along the Thames. Anything I should specifically stop for and check out? This is London, there is something to see everywhere in Central London, the path along the Thames will be packed with tourists, so if you do intend to proper run, start early - you might be luckier in your Chiswick neighbourhood.

11. I am intending to visit the Chelsea Flower Show. I am not much for nature, but it's apparently a big event in England, and it reminds me of a plotline from Downton Abbey. Also, my folks will be so jealous. But so expensive! Is getting tickets for 5:30pm to closing worth it? Also, good restaurant options nearby? Never been, but keep an eye on Groupon London

12. I intend to check out at least one Shakespearean play, and it appears to be Twelfth Night at the Globe. Tell me I'm crazy and I should see another Shakespearan play someone else in the City. Go for it. The Globe has £5 tix if you are willing to stand rather than seat!

13. I intend to see The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? starring Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo. I know nothing about the play, but I like the actors. Tell me I'm crazy and I should see something else starring famous people in the City. It’s not crazy but it will be pricey and most likely sold out. Best chance most likely will be on the day if there’s any return tickets, and directly at the theatre.

17. I am staying in Cheswick the entire time. Eight days in total. What type of transit pass should I get? Cheswick is out of zones 1 and 2, right? Get an Oyster card and top it up. It will cap automatically everyday based on the price of a day pass. Get the money left on it back at airport on your departure day.

18. I am intending to visit at least one of either Oxford or Cambridge. Which is the better choice? Will all the Oxford love, I have to chip in for Cambridge. With the Cam River, there’s just something about it. Be warned that May will be exam time in both towns, so access to the colleges might be reduced not to disturb the students. In either, I’d recommend a walking tour rather than the HOHO buses, tour guides are usually allowed access into the colleges.

19. I am wanting to visit the Harry Potter Studios. Anything of interest near it? Nada. Brilliant place, if you are a big HP fan, I would reco to plan 5-6Hr there > so many details to look at!

20. Best Bookstore in London. Mentioned already, Foyles, and Stanfords the travel bookstore.

One thing: We don't call our Tube lines by their colours *at all* - you'll get no luck asking for the green line or the blue line!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

If you have the time, you must visit the V & A museum in South Kensington (General Admission is free), the National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square (which is also free), and the London Transport Museum located in Covent Garden.

 

[manhn]

I notice that so many of the museums are free. That's great. And thanks, Sandra!

 

[JasperBoy]

I know you didn't ask about scenic walks, but I can't resist suggesting my favourite. Even on Mar 23, the day after the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge, we still enjoyed The Queen's Walk that goes along the south bank of the Thames from Lambeth Bridge to Tower Bridge.
You could run there, too, if you wished. There are lots of pubs on the route.

There are many things to see along the way, including the Globe and National Theatres. Plus there is the view of the London skyline from across the river. On Mar 23 every flag in London was at half mast, very touching.
Google The Queen's Walkway (or is it just Walk?) for a list of the many attractions, and plan to spend 4-5 hours wrapped up in the excitement of London seen from "the other side"

 

[manhn]

Oh, I will do that walk. That's the walk Bridget Jones does, right,

I also intend to run the Princess Diana route through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

 

[manhn]

Had an amazing time. Aside from British Airways fiasco, I will have fond memories of London.

In case you are planning a trip around these parts and can use the search function...

1. Best Coffee in London: A very important question for me. Any and all suggestions will likely be tried out by me.

1. Close-Up Cinema in Shoreditch.
2. Monmouth Coffee in The Borough.
3. Chateu Dessert in Chiswick.
4. Bonne Bouche in Maryleborne
5. Covent Garden Grind in Covent Garden
6. Rhythm & Brews in Chiswick
7. Coffeeology in Richmond
8. Pedlars General Store & Cafe in Notting Hill
9. Artisan Coffee in Chiswick
10. Monocle Cafe in Maryleborne

2. Best Scones in London:

Was much harder to find than anticipated. A lot of places don't even sell them and when they do, they have, ugh, raisins, in them. Yuck.

1. Chateu Dessert in Chiswick
2. Stamford Larder in Chiswick
3. Harrods
4. Gail's Bakery

3. Best Fish & Chips in London:

Ate at Fish & Chippery in Covent Garden. Really good. Kinda loved the seafood here. The shrimp at a Vietnamese place called Saigon Saigon was excellent/

4. Best Shepherd's Pie in London:

Not Shepherd's pie, but I had a wonderful meat pie at Battersea Pie Station in Covent Garden at the Market.

5. Best Ice Cream in London:

Actual ice cream:

1. Amorino in Covent Garden
2. Oddono's in Chiswick
3. Balthazar Kitchen in Covent Garden

Pastries and Cakes:

1. Ole & Steen in Richmond
2. Maitre Choux in South Kensington
3. Paul's in Covent Garden

6. Best Pie in London:

Had none.

7. I am doing a half marathon in Wimbledon Common on a Sunday morning. Best coffee in the area? Also, is the Wimbledon Museum a good place to check out?

Not a whole lot.

8. Best places to run?

The parks are nice, as is the Thames. But I am partial to Richmond, which features my favourite stretch of the Thames. My favourite park was Regency Park.

9. I am staying in Cheswick along High Road. Best Coffee.

High Road is my favourite street in all of London. So many great choices.

10. I will likely do a lot of my runs along the Thames. Anything I should specifically stop for and check out?

I thought the Battlesea Park and Power Station were neat.

11. I am intending to visit the Chelsea Flower Show. I am not much for nature, but it's apparently a big event in England, and it reminds me of a plotline from Downton Abbey. Also, my folks will be so jealous. But so expensive! Is getting tickets for 5:30pm to closing worth it? Also, good restaurant options nearby?

A very posh and expensive neighbourhood. South Kensington was more my style.

12. I intend to check out at least one Shakespearean play, and it appears to be Twelfth Night at the Globe. Tell me I'm crazy and I should see another Shakespearan play someone else in the City.

The Globe was a great experience. The play itself was pretty good, but nothing amazing.

13. I intend to see The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? starring Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo. I know nothing about the play, but I like the actors. Tell me I'm crazy and I should see something else starring famous people in the City.

Didn't see it.

14. Best Place to Observe Hipsters:

Shoreditch!

15. I intend to see one Opera at the Royal Opera House: either Don Carlo (but I can only see it on a Friday, but I was wanting to check out the Harry Potter Studios that day) or The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude / Tarantella / Strapless / Symphonic Dances. I am not familiar with the second opera. What figure skaters have skated to it?

I saw the latter. Only 4 pounds, but you stand on a railing the entire time. The building is magnificent.

16. Best Vietnamese in London:

I liked Saigon Saigon in Chiswick. Sông Quê Café in Pho Mile was alright.

I also had dim sum at Legendary Dumplings in Chinatown. Pretty good.

17. I am staying in Cheswick the entire time. Eight days in total. What type of transit pass should I get? Cheswick is out of zones 1 and 2, right?

I just got an Oyster Card and topped it up. I maxed out every single day.

18. I am intending to visit at least one of either Oxford or Cambridge. Which is the better choice?

I didn't go to either.

19. I am wanting to visit the Harry Potter Studios. Anything of interest near it?

NOPE.

20. Best Bookstore in London.

Loved Stanfords and their travel literature section!

Best Hot Chocolates:

1. Carpo in Piccadilly Circus
2. Hotel Chocolate in Euston
3. Maitre Choux

 

[Vagabond]

Rhythm & Brews in Chiswick

I love that name!

And from their website:

We are a vinyl cafe situated in leafy Chiswick, West London.

Our idea is simple - amazing coffee, great food and brilliant music. Come in, grab a coffee, pick a vinyl to listen to and we will add it to the playlist!

http://www.rhythmandbrews.co.uk/

 

[manhn]

It's a neat place near a lovely small park (Turnham Green) off High Road. Kinda new. There is a lovely mural of Amy Winehouse.

 

[manhn]

I recommend this every time chocolate is mentioned but my favourite chocolate place is Hotel Chocolat. The chocolates are a bit pricey but they are worth every penny IMO, and if you don't want to buy a box they have smaller packs of six of the same type and you can mix and match those with small slabs of every flavour too. They're in pretty much every town and city, and there will be loads all over London.

I gather that they have been opening cafes too and a restaurant in London (Rabot 1745) I've never sampled it, but i'd definitely try a hot chocolate in a café (and let's face it its always cold enough here for hot chocolate!).

I didn't try their chocolates, but their hot chocolates were great. Loved the place!