Random Observation/Comment #137: Whenever I think of London, I think of Shanghai Knights with Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan. I’m always afraid that I’ll meet a very good looking girl with ugly teeth there. Do they just have bad dental plans? *shutters* Poor dental hygiene is a deal breaker. I’ve also learned from this movie that I should never touch those red coat guards with the beavers on their head. I hope they get to shoot something after they switch shifts – I know I would if I had to deal with those annoying tourists. Even though I’m sympathetic for their pent up rage, I will probably take a lot of funny pictures and harass the crap out of them.
General Research:
- Currency: GBP = approx. 1.47 USD (2/8/2009)
- Transportation
- London Underground/Tube
- Oyster card – 3 GBP deposit – prepay mode requires a credit card with PIN so probably not useful
- Weekly Travelcard – buy within the zones you purchase
- Probably compact like NYC so many places are walkable
- From London Heathrow (LHR) take the London Underground (Piccadilly Line) to Zones 1-6. 2-3.50 GBP
- A few good map websites:
- Bus – sure, but living in Long Island, I’ve gotten the sensation that if you take a bus, you’re automatically poor. Experience from NYC shows that the bus is for the more experienced commuters. I rather just “subway it” or walk everywhere.
- London Underground/Tube
- Main attractions
- Free museums (suggested donations)
- Tate Modern
- Tate Britain
- British Museum
- National Gallery
- National Portrait Gallery
- Free/popular Parks
- St James Park* – nice pictures posted
- Hyde Park
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- House of Parliament
- Buckingham Palace* – make fun of guards
- Trafalgar Square* – quick place to drop by and take a picture
- London Eye* – observation wheel for pictures, but 15 GBP and usually requires 1-3 hour queue. Better to buy tickets online for discount and avoid lines. Specific times are assigned
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Regent’s Park* – Royal park
- Hyde Park* – another recommended royal park
- Piccadilly Circus* – The Times Square of London
- Free museums (suggested donations)
- Shopping areas
- Covent Garden
- Soho
- Oxford Street
- Pubs and Bars – see the bar crawl map from Frommers
Optimized Days:
- Day 1: Westminster Landmarks
- Take Tube to Knightsbridge station from Piccadilly line
- Change of guards at Buckingham Palace at 11:30AM
- St. James’ Park (head East)
- Imperial War Museum – Cabinet War Rooms
- Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, and “Big Ben”
- Cross Westminster Bridge to the Waterloo station
- Day 2: London Eye and Museums
- Take train to Russell Square
- British Museum
- Walk South to National Gallery
- Piccadilly Circus (in afternoon) to the West in Trafalgar Square
- See Westminster Bridge at night
- British Airways London Eye (think about reserving online)
- Day 3
- Tate Modern near Southwark station (walk North)
- St Paul’s Cathedral (continue North)
- Tower of London (walk East)
- Tower Bridge
- Walk West towards Tower Bridge Station
- Day 4
- Kensington Palace and garden from High St. Kensington stop
- St George’s Chapel
- Hyde Park (head East)
- Head west to Victoria and Albert Museum
- Royal Albert Hall
- Walk East
- Bulgrave Square
- Piccadilly Circus (at night)
- Day 5 – Window-shopping?
- Oxford Street
- New & Old Bond Streets
- Burlington Arcade
- Day 6
- Petticoat Lane
- Camden Market
- Shopping on Portobello Road
- Beauchamp Place for window-shopping
Resources:
~See Lemons go to London