| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/21/2005 11:57:53 PM · #1 |
I just caught some time where I have nothing to do until July 5th so I might pick up a ticket to London tomorrow. (hope I don't need a visa?)
I have a bunch of friends who live there with open invites but I still might want to get a hotel room for convienience since it's a real last minute decision. At least...I'll get a room and play it by ear from there.
Any suggestions? Center of town? Easy access...plenty to do. Photo ops within waliking distance?
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 05:55:03 AM · #2 |
|
|
|
06/22/2005 06:10:29 AM · #3 |
my friend is over there at the moment, she has been to Stone Henge, Giants Causeway and more recently the Chelsea Flower Show. I am not sure how far you want to travel. I have heard that those places are fantastic.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 06:13:19 AM · #4 |
It's only 6? in the morning in the UK so I would keep bumping for the Brits if I were you;)
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 08:07:34 AM · #5 |
There's plenty to see in central London - the classic sights (St Pauls, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Gerkin, Buckingham Palace, etc), plus loads of museums and exhibits, Kew Gardens, the Thames river, and so on. If you're staying in or near the centre, then all of these places are just short Underground or bus journeys away. www.visitlondon.com is probably a good site to get some ideas from :o)
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 08:14:13 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Manic:
There's plenty to see in central London - the classic sights (St Pauls, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Gerkin, Buckingham Palace, etc), plus loads of museums and exhibits, Kew Gardens, the Thames river, and so on. If you're staying in or near the centre, then all of these places are just short Underground or bus journeys away. www.visitlondon.com is probably a good site to get some ideas from :o) |
You da MAN!!! Thanx and maybe we could hook up for a pint or two???
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 08:40:11 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Thanx and maybe we could hook up for a pint or two??? |
Depends on when you're gonna be here and for how long, but I'm sure we can arrange something :o)
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 08:57:57 AM · #8 |
New Ibis Hotel has opened just around the corner from me, on the East side of the City. £80 per night weekdays, £60 at weekends.
You will probably find a good deal by looking at some of the lawst minute hotel checkers (for which Google is your friend) - though I would recommend Trip Advisor for checking places out before confirming a booking.
Here is a list from the Ibis Hotel Webite, which I have added some comments for interesting photographic sites (for me):
Special touristic area BIG BEN (4.80km) - traditional photographic opp! also near the London Eye, which is a photo must-do.
Special touristic area COVENT GARDEN (4.80km) - market, street candids, street performers.
Special touristic area GREENWICH MERIDIEN (9.30km) pretty buildings, historical significance,
Special touristic area LEICESTER SQUARE (4.80km) shabby and horrible tourist trap
Special touristic area LLOYDS BUILDING (0.50km) gorgeous city building - best photographed at night, as lit up in many different colours
Special touristic area LONDON EYE (4.83km) - photo must-do opportunity - choose a clear day (weather is good here at the moment)
Special touristic area MILLENIUM DOME (9.30km) - nothing to see here, though interesting from the outside as a piece of architecture. Take a photo from the plane window as you go over the city towards the airport and save yourself a journey.
Special touristic area OXFORD STEET (4.80km) - shopping, not much to see, except perhaps some nice areas to the West (Bond Street) end, where there are nice shops and the surrounding areas are full of beautiful and expensive houses/converted houses.
Special touristic area PICADILLY CIRCUS (4.80km)
A bit like an underwhelming Times Square - a bit too close to Leicester Sq. for my liking.
Special touristic area SOHO (4.80km)
Interesting street life (and includes the red light district) - lots of creatives, film studios etc. trendy restaurants and pubs.
Special touristic area ST PAUL S CATHEDRAL (1.10km)
See it from the outside. have a look at the Millennium bridge adjoining it, and croiss over the bridge to the Tate modern (amazing modern art gallery - go inside to take photos of the turbine hall) - great views from the top floor restaurant area back towards St Pauls and the city, and from the millennium bridge in any direction.
Special touristic area TOWER BRIDGE (1.10km)
Great photo opportunities all round - classic angle is from the south west looking north. An easy walk from Tate Modern, past a couple of other interesting areas (Lord Mayor's new building, HMS Belfast, some attractive new office blocks).
Special touristic area TOWER OF LONDON (1.10km)
On the north side of Tower Bridge - expensive to get in, but key to London's history. Some nice views near the riverside.
Special touristic area WESTMINSTER ABBEY (4.80km)
Beautiful inside, and attractive outside. Next to the Houses of Parliament, so convenient.
Entertainment/Theatre district SHAKESPARESGLOBE (4.50km)
On South Bank in between London Eye and Tower Bridge - worth a look if there is an interesting play on.
Entertainment/Theatre district WEST END (6.44km)
Theatre stuff - often not pretty on the outside, and no photos on the inside.
Exhibition centre EXCEL EXHIBITION (8.10km)
Nothing to see here unless there is a specific event on that interests you.
If I had only a day or so, many of these major sites can be squeezed into an hour or so walking: start at Westminster Tube, see Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, walk across Westminster bridge to London Eye. Walk East down Thames walk past Globe, to Tate modern. Consider walking across Millennium bridge and seeing St Paul's. return to South Bank, walking east, past lots of tourist sites of varying degrees of quality, past HMS Belfast to Tower Bridge. Walk over Tower Bridge to Tower of London. Walk into city to see some of the more interesting city architecture, including Swiss Re building (the Gherkin), Lloyds building which are near each other. Consider making a reservation at Vertigo, the bar at the top of Tower 42 for the highest public space in which you can take photos (they have a strict reservations only requirement). Consider walking to Bank, for the Bank of England, Mansion House and the Royal Exchange buildings. If you have time still, you oud walk up to Gresham street and the Guildhall.
Other places to go walking for a long time are around Bloomsbury, the area in which the British Museum is based - you can take photos inside fairly freely of some amazing artefacts (Egyptian rooms are my particular favourite).
Message edited by author 2005-06-22 08:58:51.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 09:08:28 AM · #9 |
Wow...this sounds even better than Cleveland!!!
I've spent 3 or 4 days in London back in '85 but I didn't do much. This should be cool....though doing it so very last minute is unerving.
I figure I'll book a hotel for three nights and when I can contact my friends I can sort out other accomodations from there. I don't feel comfortable just poping in....I'm HERE!!!
Is £80 a lot for a room? I don't need to go cheap but I'm not excessive either. I will need a place where I have easy access to my "update button" of course. Make sure I keep my priorities straight.
Thanx for the info.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 09:17:48 AM · #10 |
I think that 60-100 is okay middle of the range. Ibis hotel I mentioned is merely new - not sure whether that is good or bad (clean, but with snags?)
//www.londonnights.com/
have a price checker.
These guys are a cheap hotel co. //www.travelodge.co.uk/
Search on Google - everyone wants to sell you a hotel room, so I am sure that you will find some places at your budget.
Or you could try
//www.couchsurfing.com/
for ultimate cheapness!
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 11:11:10 AM · #11 |
|
|
|
06/22/2005 11:15:51 AM · #12 |
I just booked my flight for 9:30 tonight....now I have to find accomodations for three nights.
I hope I don't have to check my camera.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 11:17:46 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I just booked my flight for 9:30 tonight....now I have to find accomodations for three nights.
I hope I don't have to check my camera. |
No, you shouldn't have to check your camera. Just pack it in a bag that meets the carryon requirements.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 11:49:26 AM · #14 |
Steve, enjoy London it's a great city! (I am slightly biased being a Londoner even if I do now live in Yorkshire).
Suggest South Kensington as an interesting are to visit (underground or Tube, as we call it here!but take some time to wander down by the Thames or even get down to Greenwich Village (easy train ride). If you like a good curry head for Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets just on the edge of the City. By the way the City is the square mile in the centre it doesn't refer to the whole of London!
Half price theatre tickets are available from a kiosk in Leicester Square. No real difficulty getting around on buses or tube or taxis but stick to the black cabs which you can hail from the kerb. And don't forget we drive on the left when you are crossig the street - I'd hate you to get squashed!
Have a wonderful time and report back
Pauline |
|
|
|
06/22/2005 12:22:53 PM · #15 |
thanks for the links in this thread.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 12:38:20 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Riponlady:
Suggest South Kensington |
true - National History museum, science museum both allow photography. Royal Albert Hall and V&A museum are both interesting too.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:15:41 PM · #17 |
Well, I'm leaving tonight and staying until July 1st. Might hit Paris in the middle somewhere and there's plenty of time for everything else. I'll be staying in Greenwich for the first three nights until I can coordinate other accomodations and I have a lunch date somewhere near Oxford.
I hear there's a heat wave pushing through. I hope not for too long.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:16:22 PM · #18 |
Hampton Court - It's only a short train ride out of the city.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:26:42 PM · #19 |
I was in London in april, and even if you have a week there you can't see everything ;)
it all depends what you are looking for.
some interesting places, you can even take pictures in most of them :)
National History Museum - extreemely big - Dinosours and more
The National Gallery - paintings and sculptures 1150-2000
National Portrait Gallery - portraits 1200-1950
Tate Modern - modern art 1700-2005, constantly changing
British Museum - history of england (london area) 800-2000
Royal Opera - open marketplace, live free opera shows. (usually practice)
Design Museum - the designs through time
Science Museum - lot of cool stuff
London Museum - extreemely big - greek, egyptian, roman and more
Butlers Wharf - a slum changed to millionairs yacht place.
Harrods - great architecture and decorations, but only for the rich to shop :)
Trafalgar Square. - nice place to relax and look at the people.
admittance is usually free, but a voluntary donation of £2 is recomended to keep admittance free :)
the Tower Bridge, and the Bridge from Tate is worth looking at, the Eye of London is a good place for Cityscape pictures, £15 admittance (expencive)
it all depends on where your interest lies, but I managed ALL those places in 2 days :) hard work..
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:44:41 PM · #20 |
I'm not much of a site seer but more of a walker-arounder and a people watcher. I actually prefer to do things that the locals do...very little touristy if possible.
If there are sidewalks, pubs, music, seats, pool tables and people I'll be pretty happy.
Message edited by author 2005-06-22 13:46:11.
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:51:40 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I'm not much of a site seer but more of a walker-arounder and a people watcher. I actually prefer to do things that the locals do...very little touristy if possible.
If there are sidewalks, pubs, music, seats, pool tables and people I'll be pretty happy. |
You'll be happy! Heatwave still going strong until weekend, then maybe thunderstorms
Steve |
|
|
|
06/22/2005 01:55:18 PM · #22 |
As you stated before, I don't think that 80 or 60 euros for a night at a hotel, specially in london, is expensive!
I work at a hotel in Curitiba, Brazil. It's more of a business type of tourism, city. And the rates in dollars go from US$ 78 up to 165. The hotel is considered the best one in curitiba!
So I say you have an affordable price. Is breakfast included? any other taxes?!? check it all out |
|
|
|
06/22/2005 02:00:27 PM · #23 |
Just sent you a PM
btw, try //www.georgianhousehotel.co.uk it's reasonably priced and central, thats where I used to stay. The rooms are small by US standars but you have an ethernet port in the room.
June
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 02:07:58 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I'm not much of a site seer but more of a walker-arounder and a people watcher. I actually prefer to do things that the locals do...very little touristy if possible.
If there are sidewalks, pubs, music, seats, pool tables and people I'll be pretty happy. |
There are plenty of all of these! Covent Garden is a must for people watching if a bit touristy now. Don't be worried about gong down to Docklands etc - some interesting pubs etc down by the river. Walk along the Embankment, buy a Time Out or similar to see what is going on music wise - lots of live music of different types in pubs which are cheaper to visit than clubs!
Greenwich is really interesting - the older village part anyway and the Park is beautiful. Blackheath village also quite nice and is just across the Heath from Greenwich Park. Avoid Woolwich, Plumstead and Kidbrooke areas - not particularly good for tourists alone! Also New Cross, Catford and Lewisham.
The arches near London Bridge Station used to be rather interesting. (Don't confuse London Bridge with Tower Bridge!)
The City is pretty much deserted after about 8pm but take a look around there during the day - a really varied scene.
Soho is the red light area but again has some great pubs and worth visiting as there are lots of small streets.
The weather seems to be set warm for the next few days (by British standards!) BUT Wimbledon Tennis is on so expect rain!!! You will love Oxford so save plenty memory for that! Just wandered around and go into places. They are used to tourists so you just plead ignorance if you're not supposed to be there! There is an open top tourist bus you can jump on and off at will and that gives you a good idea of the city and the commentary is pretty good. I learnt a lot from it and I'm British! Life is not cheap over here so avoid the tourist food fare. Pub bar food is usually good and less expensive, taxis can be expensive so use public transport if possible.
Enjoy!
Pauline
|
|
|
|
06/22/2005 02:09:43 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I'm not much of a site seer but more of a walker-arounder and a people watcher. |
I always like walking along the south bank, past the london eye to tower bridge, David Blaine has long gone but there are plenty of street performers and people to watch. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/19/2024 03:05:08 AM EDT.
