London Weekend - what to do, any ideas?

ChinUp_2

where are the best markets to visit in london at the weekend?

Ruth_honey

ChinUp wrote: »

where are the best markets to visit in london at the weekend?

Can't help you too much with that, as the only market I've been to recently is Camden. This website might be worth a look, though. http://www.londonmarkets.co.uk/

ChinUp_2

I think I'm too late to get an Oyster card if I'm right in thinking you have to get one before you go? I go on Friday morning, is there a quick way to get one? Thanks.

kb36

ChinUp wrote: »

where are the best markets to visit in london at the weekend?

Spitalfields on a Sunday as both shops and stalls
http://www.visitspitalfields.com/
Borough if you are a bit of a foodie - loads of nice produce to try and great atmosphere
Both will give you a real taste of London life!

You can get an Oyster card at any outlet/ station displaying the logo... you're not too late


For free theatre check out the Scoop by City Hall - performances throughout the summer of Medea see www.morelondon.co.uk/events_details.asp?ID=58

Travelex at the National theatre do £10.00 tickets and a variety of shows can be found for all tastes - just seen already been mentioned

cardiffforthefacup

Greenwich market on a saturday, would not go back to cambden as it is fashionable so gets so crowded you can't get past people or else you get burned with peoples cigarettes, would recommend Portobello road though on a saturday, but make sure you have enough time to get through it all as it is massive, lots of second hand designer and one off creations, boot sale style stuff, food, antiques and some nice jewellery stalls there worth a look. If you look on any of the train websites you will see lots of two for one offers you can use in london.

kai666

ChinUp wrote: »

I think I'm too late to get an Oyster card if I'm right in thinking you have to get one before you go? I go on Friday morning, is there a quick way to get one? Thanks.

Most stations sell them from vending machines now, just buy them when you arrive

minerva_windsong

If you don't immediately need to go to your hotel when you get to London it may be worth finding the nearest tourist information centre to the station, they should be able to sell you an Oyster card.

Greenwich Market is amazing, go go go! I'd also recommend Covent Garden Market but that's probably because I'm biased and love that bit of London.

If you're into history or art I believe most London museums and galleries, including most if not all of the big name ones are now free to enter.

HTH

anna42hmr

minerva_windsong wrote: »

If you're into history or art I believe most London museums and galleries, including most if not all of the big name ones are now free to enter.

HTH

yeah they are, national gallery, portrait gallery, the victoria and albert museum etc are free (www.londonforfree.co.uk) though they may charge if they have special exhibitions on (but only if you want to go to that bit)

another good tip, if you are looking for somewhere realativly inexpensive for a snack etc, some of the galleries have nice resturants/cafe areas, we went to the one last weekend when i was down in london and had a lovely lunch at the national gallery resturant.

As for markets i love Portobello Road market on a saturday (i think its saturday from memory! its definatly a weekend one) and covent garden market which i thinks on most days.

Also if you are going any where near the london eye, you can have a nice walk along the river (there is also one of the tate galleries here, a dali gallery etc, and even cross the bridge and walk to the houses of parliament.


and when you ask for an oyster card, ask for a pay as you go oyster (as some travel cards can be loaded onto oysters also). at the end of the trip you either hand them back and get the deposit and remaining credit back, or do what i do and keep hold of it for the next time. I have 2 oysters, one for me and one for whoever i happen to travel down to london with (go several times a year for the theatre etc) another advantage, saves ques everyday to buy a travel card lol.

*manda*

Also check the tfl website before you go as there are lots of engineering works on the tubes at the moment particularly the jubilee line so you may want to check the planned works that weekend.

Definitely get an oyster- just ask the man at the station for it- really simple to use, saves time and money.

Markets- Camden is great but can get busy. Was a little disappointed with Petticoat lane last time I went but that was a while ago. Also agree about the river walk- personally we get off the tube/train at waterloo and walk right through Covent Garden- it's a lovely walk and you see the eye, parliament, trafalgar sq, the mall, downing street etc all on the way. There is also a wetherspoons on the mall for cheap food/drinks as a half way house!

anna42hmr

*manda* wrote: »

Markets- Camden is great but can get busy. Was a little disappointed with Petticoat lane last time I went but that was a while ago. Also agree about the river walk- personally we get off the tube/train at waterloo and walk right through Covent Garden- it's a lovely walk and you see the eye, parliament, trafalgar sq, the mall, downing street etc all on the way. There is also a wetherspoons on the mall for cheap food/drinks as a half way house!

Lol

all bar the weatherspoons we a similar walk to that a couple weeks ago lol went on a duck tour and afterwards ended up walking over one of the bridges (cant remember which one, but its a couple down from the millenium wheel), walked to covent garden and then on to seven dials area of cov garden in time to see a matinee show at the donmar (dolls house with gillian anderson, christopher eccleston, tara fitzgerald etc) then on to shaftsbury avenue to the rainforest cafe

last weekend we had a nice walk from victoria coach station, to buckingham palace, watched the soldiers leaving after changing guard (was really busy as buckingham palace has just opened for the season) down the mall, past the parks and then on to the Haymarket area to watch ian mckellen, patrick stewart, simon callow, and ronald pick up in waiting for godot at the theatre royal haymarket and to have a look at the corot to monet exhibition at the national gallery.

going back in a few weeks time to watch another play (streetcar named desire with rachel weiz and daniella naridinie etc) at the donmar warehouse