London this weekend
Discussion
My OH fancies a visit to the big smoke this weekend to do a bit of shopping, site-seeing etc. We've found what looks to be a nice hotel ( http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk) for a reasonable price, but I'm just after a few hints really to make our weekend relatively stress free and pretty good fun.
Now I've not been into London it's self for quite a few years so I'm not too sure what's best to do when we get there, I was thinking the usual Madam Tussauds, maybe the Tate as I've never been and somewhere nice for dinner. Any suggestions on what is a 'must do'?
More importantly is getting to the hotel, we will be travelling from the South Coast and I was thinking of parking in Richmond and getting the train in, but the OH isn't too keen on lugging her stuff on the train and wants to drive into town and park near the hotel! I'm assuming traffic and parking will be a bloody nightmare?!
We haven't booked anything yet and are pretty flexible, but at the moment we are thinking of going up Sunday morning and leaving Monday.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Now I've not been into London it's self for quite a few years so I'm not too sure what's best to do when we get there, I was thinking the usual Madam Tussauds, maybe the Tate as I've never been and somewhere nice for dinner. Any suggestions on what is a 'must do'?
More importantly is getting to the hotel, we will be travelling from the South Coast and I was thinking of parking in Richmond and getting the train in, but the OH isn't too keen on lugging her stuff on the train and wants to drive into town and park near the hotel! I'm assuming traffic and parking will be a bloody nightmare?!
We haven't booked anything yet and are pretty flexible, but at the moment we are thinking of going up Sunday morning and leaving Monday.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by matc on Friday 30th April 09:40
Quite a lot of car parks but bloody expensive around there.
Things to do - London Eye? Can then walk to Tate Modern, Shakespeare's globe
If you get a chance get the Hotel concierge to book you into the Bar at Tower 42 - great views of London - highest bar in London.
Meals? If its sunny lots of restaurants down by Tower Bridge - range of them and prices. Avoid the OXO Tower (no pun intended) its s
t, but great views
Things to do - London Eye? Can then walk to Tate Modern, Shakespeare's globe
If you get a chance get the Hotel concierge to book you into the Bar at Tower 42 - great views of London - highest bar in London.
Meals? If its sunny lots of restaurants down by Tower Bridge - range of them and prices. Avoid the OXO Tower (no pun intended) its s
t, but great viewsDrive straight in. Most of the shops don't open till 11.00 or 12.00 on a Sunday so traffic shouldn't be too bad early on the Sunday.
Parking will also be free (check the signs clearly) on pay and display bays and most single yellow lines (avoid being close to a junction or over a dropped kerb!)on the Sunday and then just pay for the time you are there on the Monday. Will probably work out to be cheaper than the tube for the two of you on the two days.
ETA, As it's Bank Holiday Monday, parking might also be free, check on the relevant boroughs website.
Parking will also be free (check the signs clearly) on pay and display bays and most single yellow lines (avoid being close to a junction or over a dropped kerb!)on the Sunday and then just pay for the time you are there on the Monday. Will probably work out to be cheaper than the tube for the two of you on the two days.
ETA, As it's Bank Holiday Monday, parking might also be free, check on the relevant boroughs website.
Edited by mgtony on Friday 30th April 10:14
Good choice of hotel, its a greatly location and for its location and size I always think its quite reasonably priced.
If I was driving all the way into town I'd just get valet parking, I think you'd be wise to get the tube though, its no distance at all from green park tube.
I always reccomend the saatchi gallery because its fun, free and I tend to find even people who have no interest in art like it too.
I would imagine madame tussauds will be mobbed this weekend and like wise any other family type sights so i'd tend to avoid them.
Tower bridge instead of the eye might be a good idea, very interesting and the views are just as good. Nowhere near as busy as the eye either.
Theres lots of threads on here for london restaurants so have a search, just over the road from the mayfair is Nobu though if you like your sushi.
If I was driving all the way into town I'd just get valet parking, I think you'd be wise to get the tube though, its no distance at all from green park tube.
I always reccomend the saatchi gallery because its fun, free and I tend to find even people who have no interest in art like it too.
I would imagine madame tussauds will be mobbed this weekend and like wise any other family type sights so i'd tend to avoid them.
Tower bridge instead of the eye might be a good idea, very interesting and the views are just as good. Nowhere near as busy as the eye either.
Theres lots of threads on here for london restaurants so have a search, just over the road from the mayfair is Nobu though if you like your sushi.
I worked in London for over 20 years - and stayed regularly in hotels too. Recently I was pretty amazed at the quality of deals through lastminute.com. I'd never used them before and used the 'mystery hotel' feature - I used this a couple of times and got some amazing deals. So that's worth a shot. If you end up in a 5 star hotel, many will have their own parking too.....
Don't forget the congestion charge rip off that you'll need to pay on Monday.
Isn't Monday a Bank Holiday? You shouldn't have to pay the congestion charge.
I often drive in to work at weekends, it really is very quiet on Sunday mornings and shouldn't be any bother to find street parking as long as you don't leave it too late.
I often drive in to work at weekends, it really is very quiet on Sunday mornings and shouldn't be any bother to find street parking as long as you don't leave it too late.
Edited by DJFish on Friday 30th April 18:42
matc said:
My OH fancies a visit to the big smoke this weekend to do a bit of shopping, site-seeing etc. We've found what looks to be a nice hotel ( http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk) for a reasonable price, but I'm just after a few hints really to make our weekend relatively stress free and pretty good fun.
Now I've not been into London it's self for quite a few years so I'm not too sure what's best to do when we get there, I was thinking the usual Madam Tussauds, maybe the Tate as I've never been and somewhere nice for dinner. Any suggestions on what is a 'must do'?
More importantly is getting to the hotel, we will be travelling from the South Coast and I was thinking of parking in Richmond and getting the train in, but the OH isn't too keen on lugging her stuff on the train and wants to drive into town and park near the hotel! I'm assuming traffic and parking will be a bloody nightmare?!
We haven't booked anything yet and are pretty flexible, but at the moment we are thinking of going up Sunday morning and leaving Monday.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
the hotel website tells you this about parking:Now I've not been into London it's self for quite a few years so I'm not too sure what's best to do when we get there, I was thinking the usual Madam Tussauds, maybe the Tate as I've never been and somewhere nice for dinner. Any suggestions on what is a 'must do'?
More importantly is getting to the hotel, we will be travelling from the South Coast and I was thinking of parking in Richmond and getting the train in, but the OH isn't too keen on lugging her stuff on the train and wants to drive into town and park near the hotel! I'm assuming traffic and parking will be a bloody nightmare?!
We haven't booked anything yet and are pretty flexible, but at the moment we are thinking of going up Sunday morning and leaving Monday.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by matc on Friday 30th April 09:40
Parking
The nearest NCP car park located in Carrington Street with an exclusive offer for guests who self car park or choose valet car parking.
Self Parking at The May Fair Hotel
The May Fair Hotel is pleased to introduce a Self Parking option and delighted to offer staying guests a discounted NCP 24 Hour Price of £20.00. The self parking price is available when guests self park and collect their car at the local NCP Car Park located on Carrington Street.
On arrival:
Guests must park at the local NCP Car Park located at Carrington Street.
Driving instructions to the Carrington Street NCP please visit www.ncp.co.uk for further details.
Should you require assistance with your luggage, arrive outside the hotel before parking and remain in your vehicle where the Doorman will assist with your luggage.
Please be advised that the hotel is situated in a ticketed area patrolled by Westminster Council and the hotel is not liable for any ticket you may incur whilst waiting for a Doorman.
If you do not require assistance with your luggage you can park your car directly at the NCP on Carrington Street.
Walking distance from the NCP on Carrington Street to the hotel is approximately 10 minutes.
On entry to the Car Park please retain the parking ticket issued.
Once you have checked into the hotel please ask the Concierge for a Self-Parking ticket, which allows the discounted rate to be calculated when you retrieve your car on departure from the NCP Car Park.
On departure:
Insert your ticket issued on entry to the car park into the pay machine.
Immediately after, insert the Self - Parking Ticket where your discount will be applied.
Pay as normal and collect your car.
Please note, the hotel management does not accept liability for loss and/or damage to the car or contents.
DJFish said:
Isn't Monday a Bank Holiday? You shouldn't have to pay the congestion charge.
I often drive in to work at weekends, it really is very quiet on Sunday mornings and shouldn't be any bother to find street parking as long as you don't leave it too late.
D'uh! Good point. Sorry.I often drive in to work at weekends, it really is very quiet on Sunday mornings and shouldn't be any bother to find street parking as long as you don't leave it too late.
Jonny671 said:
Science Museum - Very good fun!
As noted.. All but 2 of the lines on the Underground have maintenance this weekend so avoid them.
I had some amusement putting politically incorrect messages into the computer re man made climate change on that big display wheel thingy.As noted.. All but 2 of the lines on the Underground have maintenance this weekend so avoid them.
How about a tour of Broadcasting House? http://www.bbc.co.uk/tours/bh_london.shtml
When we went the radio drama we made was a hoot.
And if it's the same when I went I did a Test Match commentary, and a weather forecast, the Welsh members present weren't impressed about my delivery of the forecast and suitability for sheep... errrr... husbandry.
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