What to do in London this weekend?

barriejohn69

Hi All

Myself and the wife are getting to London at 12.30 Friday lunchtime and leaving 10.30 Sunday Morning. The only thing we have booked is a show Friday night. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Regents Park.

We dont want to go to Oxford Street as we never buy anything there but I quite fancy going to Camden Lock and maybe on a river cruise. I have also heard people say there are nice bars on the south bank but have no idea where this would be.

Any help or other ideas are appreciated.

Lemmy_Caution

If you want to do a river cruise there are plenty of cruises starting from Westminster Pier. You could cruise down to Hampton Court Palace. The Captain does a little commentary (as an extra) as you go along, and you can drop some money in the hat at the end to show your appreciation. I would suggest that going as far as Kew Bridge is far enough. There you can get out, go north of the bridge and walk back a bit along the side of the Thames (about 400 metres) and you will find 3 very nice Thames side pubs; The City Barge, The Bulls Head, and The Bell And Crown. If you have a valid Travelcard with you, you will get a 1/3 off the fare.

nikflo

covent garden is always nice at the weekends, lots of street entertainers and some of it is under cover which is handy as i think rain is forecasted this weekend.

sarah_elton

Are you travelling into London by train?

If so, most train operators give away 2for1 vouchers to London attractions - you can find the vouchers on their website, just print them out. You also have to show your train ticket at the attraction to prove you travelled by train. If your operator does the vouchers browse the list to see if anything takes your fancy, but yes do bear in the mind the weather forecast!

Are you looking for shopping, museums, galleries, tours, attractions...?

You can pick up a London Planner from mainline train stations and tourist info places - it's the official monthly London guide which will have some ideas in it. It usually has some vouchers in it as well.

Mum_of_3_3

barriejohn69 wrote: »

Hi All
I have also heard people say there are nice bars on the south bank but have no idea where this would be.
Any help or other ideas are appreciated.

http://www.southbanklondon.com/
http://www.footprintguides.com/London/Bankside-and-Southwark.php

I would get off at Westminster cross the bridge and walk along the wide riverfront and you will pass by the London Eye, the Tate Modern (free entry I think?!), the Oxo Tower, the Globe Theatre and eventually end up near the Golden Hind.

You can see the sights on the Northside such as Somerset House, St Pauls, Tower Bridge, Portcullis House, Westminster & City of London School (new & old). There's a plaque somewhere along the route which helpfully tells you which building is which.

I found the further I got from the London Eye the less comercial & the nicer it was.

When we've walked along here there's also a huge fabulous second-hand book stall underneath one of the bridges.

I'm always entranced by the Southbank/Bankside.

Hope this all helps

M_o_3

EDIT: PS You will also pass the Millenium Bridge (the one that wobbled when people walked over it ) and if you cross over there you can get to St Paul's easily.