London,first visit

catkins

The London Eye is well worth a visit. If you like markets, Portebello Road and Camden Lock are two of the best. I also like walking along the South Bank.

If you like curry go to Brick Lane which also has Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields nearby.

There is a theatre ticket hut in Leicester Square with half price tickets. I got tickets earlier this year for Chicago (which is brilliant) and had seats 3 rows from the front for £45 for two instead of £45 each!!!

Whatever you do I hope you enjoy yourselves. I was born in London and lived there for 40 years. I don't live too far away now but I do miss everything being "on my doorstep"

jessleski

If you need to travel, you will probably only need to travel centrally - you can get an off-peak zones 1-2 travel card for £4.70. Since you're staying centrally though it might be just as easy to get buses which are cheaper. A one-day bus pass costs £3 and can be bought at tube ticket offices and touchscreen ticket machines and at some bus stops. Have fun!

ka7e

Another great bus route centred on Victoria Bus/Underground Station is the No 11. Goes past all the central big tourist attractions! If you get a travel card you can hop on and off as many times as you like :T



Route: 11

Fulham Broadway / Town Hall

Tyrawley Road

Rumbold Road

Lots Road / King's Road

Edith Grove

Chelsea / World's End

Chelsea / Beaufort Street

Old Church Street

Kings College

Chelsea Old Town Hall

Markham Street

Duke Of York's Barracks

Sloane Square Station

Chelsea Bridge Road (keep a look out for the Chelsea pensioners!)

Ebury Arms

Victoria Coach Station

Eccleston Bridge

Victoria

Westminster Cathedral (London Eye visible across the river on the South Bank...cross Westminster Bridge for IMAX, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre,London TV Centre, BBC etc)

Westminster City Hall

New Scotland Yard (well, it's the back of.....solitary armed policeman on patrol...looks lonely)

Westminster Abbey

Parliament Square

Horse Guards Parade

Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross

Southampton Street

Aldwych

Aldwych / Law Courts (as seen any night of the week on the news)

Fetter Lane

Shoe Lane / Reuters

Ludgate Circus / Ludgate Hill

St.Pauls Cathedral (you can get off here and walk across the road and cross the river on the Wobbly Bridge to Tate Modern, Globe Theatre)

Mansion House Station

Bank / Temple Of Mithras

Bank Station

Nat West Tower

Liverpool Street Station

Casual

Hey Trafalgar-

Another good website is https://www.2for1entry.co.uk as it covers most of the big sights and events. I think you have to buy a train ticket but you can buy the cleapest for a quid or so and then make huge savings - some of the attractions like Madam Tussauds etc are £20+ each!!

My favourite place to eat in London is really special. In Trafalgar(!) Square there is a beautiful church called St Martin In The Fields and the Crypt (down stairs) serves wonderful food. All homemade, reasonably priced and a fantastic atmosphere. It literally is the crypt so it's all plaques and brass fittings and lots of floor inscriptions. Plus, you don't get many 'tourists' in there so it's a lovely place to escape! They also often have bands or music playing to give it a fantastic atmosphere.

P.S. Oh, and you have to go to Harrods Food Hall. Just walk through and marvel!

HTH
Casual

trafalgar_2

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to do this for me ....................it's very much appreciated
any more tips/ advice are most welcome

vicstar_2

I would definitely agree that the London Eye is well worth a trip. Just taking a walk along the Thames is also well worthwhile - the South Bank in particular is an interesting walk and you often come across little book markets etc.. as you go.

I think it is also worth a trip to Greenwich - maybe combine this with a trip on one of the riverboats - which has lots of little antiques markets and a really nice "vibe"!

Also, take a look at this site http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/everyones-london/index_flash.asp which contains details of half price and other entrance offers if you travel by tube/bus to get to the attraction. I live in London and have used these offers before to visit places I might otherwise feel were too expensive.

Enjoy your trip!

Vic

ysoskint

The Natural History Museum is fab in itself, but also at the moment has the ice rink out side! Enjoy your trip!

se999

If you're feeling fit and want a great view try the monument to the Fire of London. It's relatively cheap too.

http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/TowerBridge/English/Placestovisit/content/themonument.htm

It's easy to find as it's near Monument tube station.

punamulta

ask for the local fare on the tour buses , they claim the tax rebate as if they were normal buses, so have to charge normal fares to those in the know.

if you are in a group of 3 - 5 people and don't have travel cards a black cab can be cheaper than the bus or tube around town as they no longer charge for extra passengers.

MylesBetter

Hi Trafalgar

For a good central hotel the only site is https://www.londontown.com click on hotels. Touch lucky and you can get a 5* double room for £98 (£49 each).

Recommend THE BIG BUS COMPANY to see the sites for £20 (£18 if bought online) cannot be beat.

Instead of getting hotel breakfast go to Fortnums & Masons fountain restaurant for the same price as a hotel breakfast you get a far better deal and fayre.

If travelling from the NW book VIRGIN train tickets now as you can get 1st class returns for £54 (you buy 2 VIRGIN Value 1st Tickets for £27 each). if you travel Monday to Friday the value is outstanding. But you must book 14 dys in advance.

Recommend Ronnie Scotts for a night out as over Xmas George Melly is in residence for 2 weeks excellent!!

If you get a Mayfair Hotel recommend the area in Mayfair known as Shepherds Market which is an excellent area for bars and bistros away from the madding crowds of London but right on Piccadilly.

Enjoy