Showing a mate London
Discussion
I have an old mate from home (oooop North) visiting me in London on Friday and I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do.
There's an overwhelming amount of things to do - narrowing then down is quite a challenge. The only thing I know for certain is that it will needs to involved drinking and eating, maybe some sight seeing..
So, only requirements are - for Friday night best start in the City (as that's where I work and then onto wherever, maybe East?).
Live in South London, so was thinking a blast round Borough market Sat morning before finding a decent boozer.
Looking for some inspiration!
There's an overwhelming amount of things to do - narrowing then down is quite a challenge. The only thing I know for certain is that it will needs to involved drinking and eating, maybe some sight seeing..
So, only requirements are - for Friday night best start in the City (as that's where I work and then onto wherever, maybe East?).
Live in South London, so was thinking a blast round Borough market Sat morning before finding a decent boozer.
Looking for some inspiration!
I took one of our Russian girls for an evening guided trip around. We started at Westminster tube station, looked at the Houses of Parliament, walked across the bridge and did the Eye, followed by walk back to the northern side of the Thames, across Trafalgar Square and then Leicester Square and for dinner in China Town. Tube home from Picadilly Circus.
Total time about 3 hours
Total time about 3 hours
Not being funny, but even for us what work in London at least some if the time, a sightseeing bus is a fun way to learn and see stuff.
"Duck Tours" still going?
Also, I keep meaning to do Museum of London since an acquaintenance (who is most definitely not into culture and museums) raved about it.
People watching from downstairs in Covent Garden?
Cheap, last minute theatre tickets?
Brick Lane - although the better places aren't in Brick Lane, like the one that claims to be the oldest, just off Mansell Street....
"Duck Tours" still going?
Also, I keep meaning to do Museum of London since an acquaintenance (who is most definitely not into culture and museums) raved about it.
People watching from downstairs in Covent Garden?
Cheap, last minute theatre tickets?
Brick Lane - although the better places aren't in Brick Lane, like the one that claims to be the oldest, just off Mansell Street....
If it was me I'd start with a couple of drinks at the Ship on Hart Street, a proper old school timewarp boozer near Fenchurch Street station. Then wander down to the Halal on Alie Street, one of the oldest (maybe even the very first) curry houses in London, better food than most of Brick Lane and the most characterfully down-at-heel restaurant I've known.
Then back up to Tower Hill for a chaser or two in the Liberty Bounds (about the only thing still open by then) and for tourist points a blurry wander round the Tower when it's lit up and pretty and you don't have to walk at 0.4mph seeing nothing but the back of tourists' heads.
Hard to top Borough Market for food and a boozer. Rake is there and interesting if you're into beer and it's open on a weekend - can't remember if it is or not. The Grapes on Narrow Street near Limehouse is good for a weekend drink as well, idiosyncratic and very London. (There's a balcony with a boat dock out the back.) Walking along the Jubilee Walkway from Borough sort of area down to the South Bank is good as well, it's about 45 minutes on a weekday (slower at weekends, although maybe not this time of year) and you get to see a fair few sights including the wonderfully 1950s Royal Festival Hall while realising how small central London is. From there you're at Waterloo so can go a short tube hop to anywhere, although I'd most likely end up either in the V&A Museum or at Denmark Street looking at things I shouldn't be buying in the guitar shops.
Disclaimer: the above may be a rather seedy, spit/sawdust and alcoholic view of London. I know, modern international city and all that, but I love it for all the old-fashioned, on-its-uppers make do and mend bits that still remain.
Then back up to Tower Hill for a chaser or two in the Liberty Bounds (about the only thing still open by then) and for tourist points a blurry wander round the Tower when it's lit up and pretty and you don't have to walk at 0.4mph seeing nothing but the back of tourists' heads.
Hard to top Borough Market for food and a boozer. Rake is there and interesting if you're into beer and it's open on a weekend - can't remember if it is or not. The Grapes on Narrow Street near Limehouse is good for a weekend drink as well, idiosyncratic and very London. (There's a balcony with a boat dock out the back.) Walking along the Jubilee Walkway from Borough sort of area down to the South Bank is good as well, it's about 45 minutes on a weekday (slower at weekends, although maybe not this time of year) and you get to see a fair few sights including the wonderfully 1950s Royal Festival Hall while realising how small central London is. From there you're at Waterloo so can go a short tube hop to anywhere, although I'd most likely end up either in the V&A Museum or at Denmark Street looking at things I shouldn't be buying in the guitar shops.
Disclaimer: the above may be a rather seedy, spit/sawdust and alcoholic view of London. I know, modern international city and all that, but I love it for all the old-fashioned, on-its-uppers make do and mend bits that still remain.
Puggit said:
I took one of our Russian girls for an evening guided trip around. We started at Westminster tube station, looked at the Houses of Parliament, walked across the bridge and did the Eye, followed by walk back to the northern side of the Thames, across Trafalgar Square and then Leicester Square and for dinner in China Town. Tube home from Picadilly Circus.
Total time about 3 hours
Did it work?Total time about 3 hours
I always enjoy doing the top deck of a sight-seeing bus. It gives you a wonderful sense of geography that you don't get on tube/train. It is quite expensive at around £22, but you can hop on/off all day and do all the main areas whilst getting a Birdseye view of the place seeing stuff you don't notice walking about or in taxi. Whenever I have done this (usually with a girl,romantic-always works) wrapped up warm in winter we are nearly the only people on the roof.. fun and easy...
Pothole said:
Puggit said:
I took one of our Russian girls for an evening guided trip around. We started at Westminster tube station, looked at the Houses of Parliament, walked across the bridge and did the Eye, followed by walk back to the northern side of the Thames, across Trafalgar Square and then Leicester Square and for dinner in China Town. Tube home from Picadilly Circus.
Total time about 3 hours
Did it work?Total time about 3 hours
Cool things to do
Highgate Cemetery, victorian tombs are well cool
Take in a view of London from Primrose Hill, then make for a local pub to do some celeb spotting.
Take in a view from the top of St Pauls, thats very good, then go to the Jerusalem Tavern
Live comedy, take your pick, there is something everywhere.
Live music, take your pick, there is something everywhere.
The karting by London City airport is pretty damn cool
Restaurants, so many, not sure where to start. Buy time out - last really good place I ate before I left was Barrica in Soho (tapas), lots of good tapas places...
Museum of Brands in Notting hill, make for a local pub afterwards.
Galleries - Tate modern, Britain?
Boat trip up the thames.
Highgate Cemetery, victorian tombs are well cool
Take in a view of London from Primrose Hill, then make for a local pub to do some celeb spotting.
Take in a view from the top of St Pauls, thats very good, then go to the Jerusalem Tavern
Live comedy, take your pick, there is something everywhere.
Live music, take your pick, there is something everywhere.
The karting by London City airport is pretty damn cool
Restaurants, so many, not sure where to start. Buy time out - last really good place I ate before I left was Barrica in Soho (tapas), lots of good tapas places...
Museum of Brands in Notting hill, make for a local pub afterwards.
Galleries - Tate modern, Britain?
Boat trip up the thames.
billzeebub said:
I always enjoy doing the top deck of a sight-seeing bus...quite expensive at around £22
The number 15 bus route takes in a lot of the 'must see' tourist places, passes close to the city and you can use a travelcard. There's a shorter 'heritage' version of the route that uses Routemasters, but I'd imagine it'll be a lot busier. Personally, I'd get off in Trafalgar Square, go for one in the New Chandos which always used to be an ok pub and then continue in Covent Garden. If you're feeling more energetic you could stay on until Piccadilly Circus so he sees that, then walk back to Covent Garden through the west end. There should be plenty going on on a Friday night.
Puggit said:
Pothole said:
Puggit said:
I took one of our Russian girls for an evening guided trip around. We started at Westminster tube station, looked at the Houses of Parliament, walked across the bridge and did the Eye, followed by walk back to the northern side of the Thames, across Trafalgar Square and then Leicester Square and for dinner in China Town. Tube home from Picadilly Circus.
Total time about 3 hours
Did it work?Total time about 3 hours
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