London Weekend for GF's Birthday

[Blown2CV]

Just go down on Friday do you get proper first class on the train with proper food, and without loads of scum and kids running around. Go shopping in Mayfair, maybe Burlington arcade. Book in to a 5* on lastminute.com, or maybe somewhere quirky like the rookery in Farringdon. Wander a park, take in some art. Have a few nice cocktails and some small tapas. Splash out on an expensive meal (not the Oxo) and arrange a booth at a well chosen bar for afterwards. Lie in the next day, some brunch or afternoon tea, head home. That's my go to anyway.

[Jarcy]

16plates said:

Very interesting points!

Just spent the last half hour on the justpark.com website, looks superb. £30 for a space right in Mayfair, 5min stroll from the hotel I like.

However.. how does one deal with the congestion charge? Do i phone ahead and register my car or do i just drive and they send me a bill or what? I like the freedom of having the car, that way we can arrive and leave and detour as we wish, rather than
worrying about train times to and from the city.

Think we will have to visit the shard! Everyone seems to rave about it.

Thanks again guys.

Yes, don't be afraid of driving to London on a weekend. There are many secure underground car parks which are near £20/day if you look for deals and book in advance. Or you can park for free in certain places - I sometimes park in the area between Victoria and Pimlico, which still has free street parking at weekends. Then either a leisurely stroll through St James' Park to Mayfair, or jump in a cab if you have suitcases.

For shopping, and hanging out, I love the area around Covent Garden, Seven Dials etc. Boutique shops as well as the higher end high street stores. Punch and Judy for a beer (if you can get in!), or chill out in a cafe and people-watch.

I can recommend the Shard for views. I've eaten in Searcy's Gherkin restaurant which was fab and a fantastic views, but thought it was a members only club..?

[Jarcy]

And if you want something a bit alternative to a West End show, I can highly recommend the Black Cat Cabaret. Very opulent and decadent! They put on shows at the Hotel Cafe Royal on Regent Street - an easy walk, very close to your hotel.

[16plates]

Thanks guys, loads to go on. Actual trip won't be until mid July but want to book as much as I can now.

Hotel; Chesterfield Mayfair
Transport; Car, justpark.com for parking spot.

I intend to park the car on the Friday afternoon and go back to in Sunday afternoon and leave the city, not bothering driving around the city other than when we arrive and leave.

Much appreciated all, will look into all your suggestions for entertainment and food/drink, cheers.

[85Carrera]

The Ginstitute gets booked up months in advance, particularly for weekends, as I found to my cost recently so if you want to go there get onto them asap

[audidoody]

Forget the car in central London. Uber will be cheaper than car parks and more convenient.

[truck71]

16plates said:

Thanks guys, loads to go on. Actual trip won't be until mid July but want to book as much as I can now.

Hotel; Chesterfield Mayfair
Transport; Car, justpark.com for parking spot.

I intend to park the car on the Friday afternoon and go back to in Sunday afternoon and leave the city, not bothering driving around the city other than when we arrive and leave.

Much appreciated all, will look into all your suggestions for entertainment and food/drink, cheers.

Erm, not sure what time in the afternoon you're intending on "parking the car" but London on a Friday is horrendous, the afternoon particularly so.

[z4RRSchris]

shard is gash for eating, sushi samba you won't get a table.

stick to Mayfair. can do all the shopping, eating and drinking you like. you'll be bankrupt by the end but that's all part of the fun.

shopping,
Mayfair mews for afternoon drink
back to hotel for a quick shag and get ready
Connaught for a drink
Mayfair restaurant of choice
get on the booze after

day 2 nice brekkie
go to the spa at the corintha for a few hours
get outta London

Edited by z4RRSchris on Monday 15th June 13:42

[16plates]

z4RRSchris said:

shard is gash for eating, sushi samba you won't get a table.

stick to Mayfair. can do all the shopping, eating and drinking you like. you'll be bankrupt by the end but that's all part of the fun.

shopping,
Mayfair mews for afternoon drink
back to hotel for a quick shag and get ready
Connaught for a drink
Mayfair restaurant of choice
get on the booze after

day 2 nice brekkie
go to the spa at the corintha for a few hours
get outta London

Edited by z4RRSchris on Monday 15th June 13:42

Love it, my kinda planning. Noted!

[Guvernator]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Would agree with this. If you are trying to get into London any time after 2pm on Friday be prepared for the journey from hell. You could probably walk from Exeter quicker!

[16plates]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Also Noted... I'll look into travel arrangements again. Train is ridiculous but if it's as mental as you suggest I agree it may be worth it...

[matt3001]

Blown2CV said:

Nobu
Cahoots

Don't go to Nobu.

Roka / Umu / Zuma are the best Japanese places in town.

Fish Market at New St or Pont de la Tour are other great places too.

[16plates]

Just to update for anyone interested...

Had a cracking weekend, went for the below;

Travel; Train. Plymouth - London Paddington. I wanted to drive but everyone told me not to bother so thought i'd travel first class on the train to ease my pain. Decent trip, 3 and a bit hours each way but pretty chilled out and plenty space for my big legs.

Hotel: The Arch. 5*, just by Marble Arch, was superb, would highly reccomend.

Entertainment: Went to see The Book Of Mormon on Friday night Saturday, we shopped... Mayfair, Bond St, Oxford St, Regent St, Hatton Garden (will come back to that), think we done the lot. She went for a Mulberry Handbag in the end, expensive but she loves it so i won't grumble too much. Sunday we just had some brunch and a wander then got the train home early afternoon.

Food: We were short on time on Friday Night due to the theatre so just grabbed a post theatre bite and bottle of wine at Jamies Italian, it was handy and had space for us available so went in... it was OK, not fine dining or anything special but good, quick grub, nice surroundings, good service etc.

Saturday night i'd booked Coya to eat... WOW. Unreal. We went for the tasting menu, what an experience, great service, great place, great food, can't reccomend it highly enough. Expensive at over £270 for two of us with wine but probably my best dining experience to date.

Only bum note was Hatton Garden, think i'd got the wrong end of the stick by assuming it was the place to go to look for jewellery? We arrived to find indians selling no box or papers rolex watches in stty glass cabinets in cheap shops, along with dodgy looking gold and tat. Not impressed. There was a few nice shops further up the street but none filled me with the confidence to part with decent money for a necklace should the GF find one she wanted. Fortunately she felt the same and nothing took her fancy so we ditched it.



Overall though, a superb weekend. Thanks for the suggestions all.


Brilliant weekend.