I feel as if I’m pretty well traveled, even throughout Europe (Italy, Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Prague, etc,) but I’ve never been to London. So I’m excited to FINALLY be taking my first trip to London. This was booked with the BA “mistake” fare almost a year ago. Feels like it’s been forever.
We’re going to be there for about 9 days. I wanted to take the train to Paris for a few days, but the wife wants to save France for a different trip. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in one city for 9 days before, so I’m hoping she changes her mind mid-way through. We’ll be at the Hyatt Regency Churchill the whole time.
If you have any tips or a recommendation on a place to eat, let me know.
Oh, and doughnuts from St. John. That’s where Renee Erickson got her inspiration for General Porpoise.
Borough Market. Any of the Ottolenghi cafes/restaurants.
We randomly found Borough Market while we were out Pokemon hunting. Unfortunately got there when it was closing, but did pick up some cheese and salami.
I did Bath and Stonehenge tour using this groupon https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/premium-tours-ltd-31. It was definitely worth it. New groupon uk users get 10 gbp off their 1st orders too.
Ted, we did that too, but did it through Viator (got a stop at Windsor castle.) It was definitely worth it for us.
If you’ve got time you could take the i7 train down to Brighton to checkout the beach and pier. Another distinct place to visit is the Royal Pavilion. The trains run every half hour and the trip is maybe little over an hour, lots of nice hillsides and greenery along the way.
Definitely didn’t expect to find it in London, but probably the best pizza I’ve ever had at Homeslice.
Whoa now, I think Rome may have a say in this. I guess it depends on what type of pizza you like – thin crust, deep dish, etc.
Still can’t believe BA charges for seat assignments on paid Business fares.
Yeah one of the most ridiculous airline fees.
There is a HUGE food hall Sundays, the Brick Lane market. There are probably 50 stalls, and it’s all indoors. The Borough Market is cool too, but a little upscale for us, it’s the oldest market in London I believe.
Yeah we were able to stop in Borough Market. Pretty cool area, but we got there as they were closing so didn’t really explore much of it.
Bummer. Did you check out Brick Lane market?
Have been there multiple times in the past few years. Here is a random list of things (in addition to everything you will read in the guidebooks):
* Al Arez for Lebanese food–very affordable, in the heart of the Arab district
* Be sure to eat Indian somewhere too. (Lots of them in the touristy areas, I’m afraid, but at least these are not off the beaten path)
* Get in line at 945 ish for first row 15 GBP tickets to “The Curious Incident…” play. See TheatreMonkey website
* go to top of One New Change shopping center for great free view of St Pauls and surroundings
* Victoria and Albert Museum for funky, eclectic stuff—not your ordinary museum—great room for lunch too
* Winston Churchill war museum/bunkers
* Avoid all the chain restaurants unless desperate. London is (over)filled with these, unfortunately.
* See a Fulham soccer match at Craven Cottage—right on the Thames–if you are there on the 10th
* Want an interesting experience shopping at a store that out-Walmart’s Walmart? Pop into Primark.
* I would not leave England. Not worth it, when there is so much to see in England. Instead, rent a car (not scary at all to drive on left side, after about an hour) and go to Cotswolds, Stonehenge and maybe Wales. Rick Steves has loads of ideas.
Vinh, definitely checkout the London boroughs market for some good street eats. Had some wonderful duck confit on my honeymoon last year.
Stephen, yeah we did stop by there. Good stuff.
There are a lot of places in England that you can get to with a short train ride. Oxford has a bunch of nonstop ~<1 hr options from Paddington. That's worth a day trip. Very pretty campus. I think that you can even get up to Manchester in a couple of hours (though I like Manchester, but not sure it's a must see if you're already in London).
It is really easy to get to Paris, though. And when we were there, you could get a good deal on one of their business class type fares. I think it's called Leisure Plus, but not positive I'm remembering correctly.
Wait, but you've been to Paris before. Go to Edinburgh. Or go up north and rent a car and see the Lake District. Or the Yorkshire Dales. England is lovely and looks different to anywhere else I've been. If you get stir crazy, see more of the country.
Wife wanted to save France for another trip, else I would have wanted to go.
Maybe a quick flight to Dublin for a dinner trip? 🙂 Have a good trip!
Never even occurred to me Mark. I think I’ll save Dublin for another time though.
The wife and I are making our first trip there in July…pretty pumped. Aer Lingus from Boston.