Guide to London for visitors

First topic message reminder :

Edit - KRD - made this one a global in the lead up to the Olympics
With the Olympics nearly upon us, I thought it'd be nice to compose a guide for those visiting London written by 606 members in London. If everyone joining this thread from the big Smoke could give examples of the following, we'll get a great guide very quickly:

1) your favourite London Landmark
2) your secret bargain eatery
3) your favourite drinking spot
4) your favourite leisurely London activity
5) the best nearby place/activity outside of London
6) your tip for where tonwatch sport (live or on tv) in London
7) your favourite local dish
8) your favourite London musician/venue/ club/ music-y thing
9) your favourite beverage and where to get it (if different to 3)
10) anything I've missed

I'll add mine later today but let's help visitors to the biggest sporting stage!

Just tell the beggars' you are a student and thus have no money, only rapidly increasing debt and gradually decreasing job prospects.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Just tell the beggars' you are a student and thus have no money, only rapidly increasing debt and gradually decreasing job prospects.

In Nederland, beggars/swervers/bums, speak 4 or 5 languages and will take any currency. Really pishes me off.

Kiwireddevil wrote:This one's worth a read. http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/how-be-london-local-10-tips-faking-it-970492

#7 is one reason I've maintained my Kiwi accent "Sorry, I'm a tourist, no UK bank account"

Awesome, innit.

reckoner wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:This one's worth a read. http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/how-be-london-local-10-tips-faking-it-970492

#7 is one reason I've maintained my Kiwi accent "Sorry, I'm a tourist, no UK bank account"

Awesome, innit.

The day I start saying "innit" is the day I know it's time to move countries again

Kiwireddevil wrote:

reckoner wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:This one's worth a read. http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/how-be-london-local-10-tips-faking-it-970492

#7 is one reason I've maintained my Kiwi accent "Sorry, I'm a tourist, no UK bank account"

Awesome, innit.

The day I start saying "innit" is the day I know it's time to move countries again

I've started saying "blimey" on occasion which is quite disturbing.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

reckoner wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:This one's worth a read. http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/how-be-london-local-10-tips-faking-it-970492

#7 is one reason I've maintained my Kiwi accent "Sorry, I'm a tourist, no UK bank account"

Awesome, innit.

The day I start saying "innit" is the day I know it's time to move countries again

Whatevs. Innit?

Much as I hate OMGI speak (Oh My God Innit) it does have the virtue of being succinct.

I'm not sure how I missed this article before today, but here goes.


1 The Tower of London. Fascinating place.

2 Any of The Stock Pots. Diana's Diner (Endell St). Wong Kei's (Wardour St) - be prepared to be sat next to complete strangers, and staffed with famously abrupt waiters.

3 Too many to chose from, but for a tourist The Horniman at Hayes on The South Bank would be a good bet.

4 A stroll round Richmond Park, exiting by The Dysart Arms

5 Grim's Dyke hotel. Just so quintessentially English. Here...
http://www.grimsdyke.com/

5b Or a pub crawl around St. Albans.

6 (as per kiwird) The Wheatsheaf, Haven Lane, Ealing. There will be a few Saturday mornings spent in there for The Championship games, starting on 18th Aug, and the legendary breakfast (not cheap, but it is the 'mutt's nuts'). The area to the right as you walk in is officially 'Rugby Corner'.

7 Not local food, but the Mexican lunch buffet at Chiquito's, Leicester Sq. is very good (if the place is still going). Or seek out some of the Indian clubs in NW London e.g. The Regency in Queensbury, or Malibu in Edgware. The food is very different to your usual High St curry house. And on that note, Drummond St. Euston beats Brick Lane hands down for quality.

8 Don't really have one - my last gig was Alice Cooper at the Astoria, 13 years ago

9 Dark Star, Hop Head - The Harp, Chandos Place (nr Charing Cross stn).

10 The view from the top of Primrose Hill.

Enjoy!

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:I'm not sure how I missed this article before today, but here goes.


3 Too many to chose from, but for a tourist The Horniman at Hayes on The South Bank would be a good bet.

Funnily enough I was there just last night for the first time, definitely recommend for tourists during the Olympics as HMS Belfast is lit up all multi-coloured, the views to Tower Bridge (which is lit up red white and blue) and the Olympic Rings are fab, and you have the City in all its glory across the way.

Yeah, TH - it's a nice spot alright.