Suggestions for a trip to London - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 04:07:46 am
content: I will be in England for a week. The first few days are occupied with one day of work, and 3 days in Pagham and the Goodwood Revival, then I have some extra days for sightseeing. Many people have made suggestions such as the war museum and such. I was curious if there were any technical or historical tech type places to visit. One of the days I will take one of those bus tours to Bath or something like that. Is there anything at Oxford worth seeing?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 08:02:23 am
content: I was in London a year ago. Many people mentioned places to visit but I found it difficult to get everywhere I wanted to in a few days. I am an atheist, but a visit to the Abbey is still a must for the long and profound history of the place. If you can find fish and chips with normal mushy peas, that is worth the effort too. WTF is with mushy peas with mint?!!!!!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 08:18:58 am
content: Bletchley park would be my choice for you.http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Bletchley+Park/@51.9976597,-0.7406863,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xab6c668894377f73

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 08:37:54 am
content: The Science museum is a must, if you can tolerate the insolent schoolkids.The natural history museum if you are interested in the natural world.The British museum if you are interested in anthropology. Egyptology etc.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:16:19 am
content: I second a visit to the science museum. The 'cabinet war rooms' are also interesting (if it still exists). Don't bother with Madame Tussauds.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:35:01 am
content: For gods sake dont do the tourist in London thing, get outside of London. London is a shit hole to be polite, full of tourists and a mess, go to Brighton or some other place. Trust me I had a Canadian G/F once who did the London thing, she came over just to see me and it was as boring as watching leaves fall of the tree's as she ran around taking pictures and trying to not be a tourist. Henley on Thames is quaint too. I did learn about a coin they call a Loonie or such, looks like our £2 one by all accounts.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:45:08 am
content: The Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Get there via a boat trip on the Thames from central London, and you will see a lot of history.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:48:47 am
content: I like London, it's one of the best cities in the world. Science, V&A, Natural History and British museums are all worth a visit. Tate, Tate modern and the National gallery are all worth a visit if you like art.A stroll along the south bank from Blackfriars to Westminster bridge is also good. If you can get in, then a stroll through the Temple Gardens is wonderful.There are a dozen hotels on Cartright Gardens, all of a similar standard which offer reasonable access to London without being overly expensive or posh, but the facilities are all fairly basic.If you want to eat cheaply, then head East, but if your budget allows then there are plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving excellent food. Have at least one curry, but you must have popadoms with lime pickle to start.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:53:57 am
content: The museums and the Globe Theatre got my family's votes.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:55:36 am
content: Michelin Restaurantsmust remember to offer KJDS less for his kit, he is obviously making too much.Stay of the underground or put your wallet and jewelery in your underwear on a chain.

author: ManCave
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:56:58 am
content: Depends on what you like. There is just about anything you fancy.I like the RAF Aircraft museum, you can visit that for half a day and then you have half day for something else. Science museum, definitely!Natural history museum is amazing but only if you like nature and historyIf art is your thing British museum, National Gallery or one of the Tate galleries are definitely worth a visit. If you like unusual art, Saatchi Gallery is the place and usualy small and short exhibitions in Saatchi.I definitely second Bath. Much nicer than Oxford. Don't bother with Stonehenge (although on the way to bath, I don't think it's worth visiting.If you write what sort of thing you'd like to see, I'm sure people here can come up with something better suited for you than just general suggestions.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:58:01 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on September 07, 2015, 09:55:36 amDo you mean those steak houses that seem to serve rubber?

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 10:01:58 am
content: Quote from: coppice on September 07, 2015, 09:58:01 amYeah, probably owned by our mate G.Ramsey. I hope our OP doesn't try any jellied eels,they are gross and a real acquired taste, the pie mash n mushy peas are ok though.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 10:05:34 am
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on September 07, 2015, 07:57:26 am+ 1I've never been but I'd love to visit knowing what went on there!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 10:24:59 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 07, 2015, 04:07:46 amCambridge is prettier and more compact than Oxford, and is more "technical".Best places in Oxford: the Pitt-Rivers Museum for an eclectic ethnographic selection including real shrunken heads and worrying surgical instruments. Outside Oxford is the Pendon Museum, with stunning scenic and railway models.Bath is much like Cambridge, arguably prettier. See the Roman Baths, but realise the "Bath Waters" in the pump room areveryheavily filtered nowadays; when I was a kid it was impossible tyo drink as much as an eggcup!To get to Bath, Oxford or Cambridge, I would go by train, e.g. 90 minutes to Bath, departure every 30 minutes. Book ticket in advance to get a decent pricewww.thetrainline.com

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 10:31:27 am
content: Quote from: coppice on September 07, 2015, 09:58:01 amOne thing I'd definitely avoid in London is a steak house, unless you're doing Hawksmore or Langhams. Given the choice of a scots named place in a tourist hotspot, or eating from a kebab house in a back street or near a railways station you'll get far better food from the kebab house.Bookatable gives access to good offers from decent restaurants.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:04:05 am
content: Just go home as soon as you've finished working. There's nothing worth seeing or doing in the country at all.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:52:09 am
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on September 07, 2015, 11:04:05 amWell articulated, well said, and for once some is completely factual.

author: alanb
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 12:32:46 pm
content: If your flying in via Heathrow this may be worth a visithttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/this-is-why-i've-not-had-much-time-for-videos-recently/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 12:38:37 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 07, 2015, 09:48:47 amNow don't push it! I'd pick Paris or Rome over London any day. And then there are many other cities before I'd get to London. Then again London has many things to see and visit; it is not the least attractive city on my list.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 12:56:49 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 07, 2015, 12:38:37 pmI've been to Rome once, on a Sunday. It was shut.i like Paris, had some fabulous times there, and it too is a great city, but I still prefer London.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 01:04:38 pm
content: Contactmikeselectricstuffand/orKJDSand/orAuroraand ask if can visit thier Labs. Not sure if they are in London tough...A nice talk with the EE UK Dragons in a cool Lab... I prefer that than a nice monument.Another dream I have is to visitSeanBLab... but it is in SA... not in UK.Ohhh... I forgotTopLoser, his magic store could be VERY interesting...

author: sca
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 01:05:45 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 07, 2015, 10:24:59 amGiven that this is an engineering forum, it's probably best to point out that the best view of Oxford is to be had from the top of the Thom Building - the main building of the Engineering Department.It's the only place where you can't see the Thom Building...sca

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 02:38:15 pm
content: Quote from: sca on September 07, 2015, 01:05:45 pmIn that case the BT tower if it still stands and a parachute sounds good

author: SundayProgrammer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 02:46:27 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 07, 2015, 10:05:34 amJust visited there two weeks ago. Don't forget Colossus!Axel.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 08:14:57 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 07, 2015, 12:56:49 pmVisit Rome for only one dayI needed a couple of days on foot to see most of it. They have some pretty impressive stuff over there. The Romans where also great engineers: for example the roof of the Pantheon is a 2000 year old concrete dome!

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 08:33:17 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 07, 2015, 08:14:57 pmI'm sure there's plenty to see, however it took me an hour of being directed down many dark alleys to buy a packet of cigarettes. All the tabacs had shut halfway through the evening. It just shocked me at how it was nowhere near the 24 hour city that I expect from a major metropolis. We did have a look round the Parthenon the following morning which is an impressive ruin, but we were on a tight time schedule. I'm sure there's plenty there that is great, it's just that I didn't expect to be in a massive queue with a collection of pimps and other dodgy characters just to buy cigarettes. No sign of nightlife either. I'm all for a bit of culture during the day, but cometh the night, I want some real life and found that it didn't exist on a Sunday night.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:32:00 pm
content: QuoteYou were at a "cold spot" then.It sounds like my 2 days in Paris...Not knowing where to go sucks !

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 09:36:32 pm
content: There is always a visit at a maplin store...http://www.maplin.co.uk/store/st-pauls?lat=51.5002&long=-0.1262&q=londonand if you are into reading, get into a couple of bookstores...there is a little bit more "publishing" over there than Over here going on.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 10:42:40 pm
content: Quote from: DimitriP on September 07, 2015, 09:32:00 pmI first went to Paris when I was 19, with my cousin who had an office there.More recently I've been with the then girlfriend who had lived there for years before moving away. Fabulous restaurants full of locals well of the beaten track and some very interesting clubs.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:08:11 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on September 07, 2015, 09:35:01 amQuote from: Deathwish on September 07, 2015, 09:55:36 amGood grief!Of course London is full of tourists, but that doesn't mean you have to follow them.Also, the Underground is hardly a no-go zone. Granted, it is vastly overcrowded, but IMHO you are more likely to get your pockets picked on busy streets where people can leg it and disappear into the crowds.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:09:06 pm
content: My vote is Colossushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computerHow could any forum member not want to see it?Edit: Here is the Colossus in action (notice the scope)Quote from: Halcyon on September 07, 2015, 10:05:34 am+2 Watch as many films as you can before you goOperation Mincemeat, the Timewatch Special, Codebreakers: Bletchley Park's Lost Heroes, The Imitation Game.fromhttp://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/content/about/FilmandTV.rhtmSeems like the British used to like to destroy the people and things that helped them win the war.If stuck in London see if you can find "Seven Days To Noon"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042949/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1I bet there are some Sherlock Holmes tours. How can you not go to Baker Street? Not sure if you can get into the Black Museum or not?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_MuseumMaybe download some Black Museum radio shows to get in the mood? (learn how the British used to kill each other)There are Sherlock Holmes audiobooks that you probably can get at a library.If you really want to live dangerously, visit the County of Midsomer, the most dangerous place in England.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsomer_MurdersIf you can get to the Southwest corner this might be nice to visit:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Isaacwhere this is filmed:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_MartinNo. 13 from here (WARNING - very many pop up ads)http://whatculture.com/offbeat/15-unique-things-london-wont-find-trip-advisor.php(I think London is the best place in the world to get an umbrella? )Disclosure: I have not been to any of these places. Just my wish list.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:24:38 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 07, 2015, 04:07:46 amA few web sites for general background reading and less touristy possibilities:http://londonist.com/http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/One or two technical/historical ideas:Tower bridge/engine rooms:http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/plan/Water and steam museum:http://www.waterandsteam.org.uk/More purely historical:Museum of London:http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/And in Bath:Museum of Bath at Work:http://www.bath-at-work.org.uk/

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2015, 11:35:39 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on September 07, 2015, 11:08:11 pmI used to have to travel from Flint in wales to Aldershot in Hampshire every week twice a week, everytime I went there I saw BTP ( British Transport Police ) arresting some sleaze for picking pockets / bags on the underground between Euston and Waterloo. It really is rife. Even more so now with all the less than savoury eastern europeans living on the streets etc. That does not mean I think they are all the same but there are plenty of that sort there.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 12:10:00 am
content: Suggestion: start a new section called "Tours"Members here can do better than tour guides

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 12:29:00 am
content: Quote from: IanB on September 07, 2015, 11:08:11 pmI've lived in Central London for 25 years and take the tube pretty much on a daily basis, you'd be nuts to want to drive anywhere unless you really know where you're going and are prepared to pay the congestion charge and parking, if you can find a convenient spot. Never been pick pocketed on the tube or anywhere else in London, which beats the one day I spent in Rome when I was on their metro.I live five minutes' walk from the Natural History, V&A and Science museums, but I did live literally next door to the V&A for 12 years, they were my next door neighbour. Yes, there are tourists. Avoiding school holiday times and going on weekdays is a good idea if you want to avoid kids.Bletchley Park is a simple 1 hour train ride away, and is three minutes' walk from Bletchley station. There is the National Museum of Computing there and the code breaking museum on the same site, although separately run.Food-wise, well that is my speciality, and I have a reasonably mature waistline to prove it. If I ever move out of London that will be the thing I will miss most. It depends what floats your boat really. A friend and I once did every Michelin starred restaurant in London in a year, that was pretty much one a week. But there are also some really interesting open air food markets that pop up specialising in all manner of ethnic foods where you'll be comatosed for the rest of the afternoon sleeping off an enormous four quid wrap.As well as Hawksmore, Goodmans is another reasonable steak place. Avoid any steak joint with "Aberdeen" or "Angus" in the name, they are tourist traps.If you are reasonably mobile and the weather's not bad, you can walk Central London but bring comfy shoes like running shoes, not that you need to run, they are just very good for long walks. Shopping wise, Londoners tend to avoid Oxford Street, but it seems to be a Mecca for many visitors. I suppose it is the choice on offer, but don't expect bargains. I'll warn you now though that the retail shopping experience in London is pretty miserable because of the shop assistants' attitude and sheer volume of people. Unlike thirty years ago, there just isn't any tech shopping anymore, which used to be Edgware Road for parts and until only recently Tottenham Court Road for gadgets. Harrods is probably worth a look if you only choose one place to shop."When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life" so said Samuel Johnson, and IMHO it's probably true.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 12:54:30 am
content: I have to admit to being a courier driver once for De La Rues, I used to drive to Burlington Arcade and park up there then visit the local office and do the round of the banks on the underground , I hated driving through London. One of my best memories is of a female friend I once had who lived there someplace, I say someplace because I truly forget where it was, it was in the late 70's, I recall the name white conduit or conduit street or such and it being a nightmare for me to get too by car but there was an ale and pie shop there with green tiles all over, now that was my favourite place then.

author: madalf71
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 01:57:34 am
content: Blend in with the locals and the pick pockets will leave you alone. Riding the Tube rocks....buses are great, but give the top deck a miss if you've had a few pints.The most tech places I had a chance to visit were......Tower Bridge, check the schedule as they still open it.....I missed it last timeHMS Belfast moored nearby, there's fair bit on magnetic mines as Belfast was damaged by one.Greenwich, don't forget to get a photo on the zero meridian. I ticked off a guide during the navigation tour when I asked why they had not mentio ed Omega Stations. And as already mentioned, take the Thames tour.Imperial war musuem, great displays, not a lot of tech.I've not been to Bletchky Park, however it's number 1 on my next visit list.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 04:57:18 am
content: Ok. wrote down several things. I will be spending three days staying at Pagham near Bognor Regis and going to Goodwood. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are free. I defiantly want to go to Bletchley Park. To get a glimpse of old world england and country vilages and such would you say take a trip to Bath, Cambridge, or Oxford?

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 05:08:53 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:57:18 amOxford is a dirty industrial city. Cambridge and Bath are attractive, but not exactly village like. Try a drive around the Woodstock area, in the Cotswolds, if you want to see picturesque English villages.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 05:09:55 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:57:18 amBath:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CotswoldsBath isn't quite in the Cotswolds, but there are similarly picturesque villages and landscapes in the area around Bath as well. (Note: you'll need a car. Public transport won't cut it.)

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 06:08:50 am
content: Yes to a Travel group on the forum. Maybe a country/city subheading or posts titles? There could be travel tips, e.g. how to fit that hard to pass up bargain piece of test gear into your luggage!I will be getting to the UK in December (best weather for it) for a holiday. We will be going to Cambridge/Duxford (Imperial War Museum), Bletchey Park, then down to Bath area and driving to Edinburgh via York, dumping the car then back to London by train for 3-4 days before Eurostarring it out of there.Better half keeps asking what I'd like to see, engineering wise, so I'm watching this thread with interest, unlike the bl@@dy exchange rate.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 06:21:51 am
content: Quote from: IanB on September 08, 2015, 05:09:55 amIts nice around Bath and Wells, but if its picturesque villages you are after a route through the Cotswolds and the Vale of Evesham up to Malvern is hard to beat. From the Malvern Hills you can see far in every direction. Its a really nice place to visit. Electronics wise, Malvern has been an important place. A lot of the pioneering work in things like LCD technology happened at the Royal Radar Establishment there. I have no idea if there are any tourist spots related to that, but it might be interesting to find out.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 07:26:20 am
content: Quote from: aargee on September 08, 2015, 06:08:50 amDuxford is definitely worth a visit if you're into aviation. I flew in there a few months ago in my 1966 Cherokee, it still runs an active strip - you get to go to the museum for free if you fly in! Choc full of warbirds and civil aircraft.Edinburgh is an excellent choice too. Again, it's pretty walkable everywhere, but unlike London it's hilly particularly in the old town (around the castle).Edit: you should be aware that both Edinburgh and Cambridge are very anti-car, and plan accordingly. You might be able to drive into Edinburgh, but finding a spot to park is another kettle of fish. Cambridge just doesn't want cars at all, and parking closer in is expensive, it even makes London look reasonable.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 08:25:27 am
content: Yep - we were pre warned about those! We're staying outside Cambridge and doing the bus into town. Edinburgh we have a B&B in the city with parking included. A bit sad when the primary search term for accommodation is "free parking".London... Is the Ferris wheel thing worth it? Wouldn't have minded seeing thishttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Post_Office_Railwaybut it's not ready for the public.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 09:22:37 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:57:18 amIf you are driving, Castle Combe is near Bath. You've seen it in many movies. Ditto Lacock, particularly in TV series.Not too far from Oxford is Bibury.Get a 1:50000 Ordnance Survey map, and go along "yellow roads" in valleys. OS maps give you this information:http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=384524&y=177396&z=120http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=411500&y=206500&z=120http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=391500&y=168500&z=120

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 09:24:04 am
content: I enjoyed the London Eye (big ferris wheel). It was put up with the intention of it only being there a year for the millenium and is still busy now, so remains popular fifteen years on.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 09:53:44 am
content: I'd avoid London - you'd probably get caught up in a riot.As for the rest of the the country, that's probably best avoided also. The traditional food is terrible, the weather is dismal all year round and worst of all the women don't wash:http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/majority-of-uk-women-dont-bath-or-shower-10065854.html

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 10:27:26 am
content: Bognor Regis !, hmm well stay away from anyone with the surname Irelan-Hill, their all my relatives and a thoroughly bad lot , they all live along the south coast, Bognor, Yapton, Arundel, Chichester, Brighton, Worthing.........

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 10:58:55 am
content: Quote from: GK on September 08, 2015, 09:53:44 amThere we go, bloody Aussies stereotyping the Poms again, I am trying to be offended, but failing miserably on that score!Yes, the weather is rubbish. Have a brolly at hand at all times. But on the other hand we don't have man eating spiders, crocodiles or any particularly fearsome snakes. They're probably afraid of the smelly women.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 11:00:42 am
content: Quote from: GK on September 08, 2015, 09:53:44 amBe fair. Its not like they need to wash the sweat off daily.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 11:30:52 am
content: Somewhat misleading title , it actually saysMajority of UK women don't bathe or take a shower DAILY

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 12:59:44 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on September 08, 2015, 10:58:55 amWe don't have that many fearsome snakes either. The spiders have eaten most of them!If you want a good laugh at the Aussie stereotyping the Brit, grab a copy of "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie" and be horrified. We reckon it's hilariously bonza.

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 02:10:29 pm
content: Quote from: DimitriP on September 07, 2015, 09:32:00 pmTake a cab: bring me to the party please !

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 02:11:46 pm
content: Quote from: GK on September 08, 2015, 09:53:44 amI had a complete other expierience on all that things. Or maybe my standards are different.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 02:59:49 pm
content: Quote from: GK on September 08, 2015, 09:53:44 amI used to think that too so the first time I visited London for a week I ate at McDonalds for lunch and dinner to be safe (I have not eaten a McD hamburger ever since) and got really scared when I had spend several days in England for work many years later. Turns out you can have a decent meal at about any random pub! Its just the weird eating habits of the English. One of the English I had to work with left home without breakfast so we went to a pub before work around 8:30 in the morning. What he ordered turned out to be a large plate covered with a big steak and lots of fries. I ordered a salad-ish something and poked around in it a bit to pretend I was eating.Quote from: Galenbo on September 08, 2015, 02:10:29 pmThat reminds of a taxi driver in Copenhagen. He took a coworker and me to the red-light district of Copenhagen (dunno why; we didn't ask and the place didn't even look like a red-light district). After we told him we lived close to Amsterdam he said sorry and was so kind not to charge the detour.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 04:47:03 pm
content: I will be relying on public transportation for the whole trip. I have been looking into Cotswold bus tours. May be the best option for that.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 05:14:00 pm
content: Well I hope you enjoy it all. Watching Inspector Morse and the Wolvercote tongue on youtube could give you some ideas

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 05:27:55 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:47:03 pmIf you find yourself in the Cotswolds, the Mechanical Music Museumhttp://www.mechanicalmusic.co.uk/is worth a visit. What makes it a bit different is that it isn't just a static display of various old mechanical music players, they will demonstrate a lot of them.If you are in London, the food hall in Harrods is pretty amazing. Also, you won't be far from the (already mentioned) Science Museum and it's next door neighbour Natural History museum.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 10:23:15 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:47:03 pmYou will probably find thishttp://www.traveline.infouseful, since it integrates different transportation options.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 12:38:02 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:47:03 pmAs a foreigner, public transport in the UK is brilliant. Not necessarily on-time, but relatively cheap, pretty clean and will get you where you need to go. After all, it's a teeny little continent, so it's not hard to get anywhere really.My brother lived there for about 7 years, and I used to fly in for weekend boozers (I was in the middle east). My routine was get off the plane at Gatwick (Heathrow is awful), catch the bus or overlander and wind up in Chelsea. Straight to the nearest Greasy Spoon for a 5 quid fry up and bland coffee, and then off to wherever I was staying (couch surfing mostly).Now my outlaws live up north (Ayr) and I'm back in Aus, so it's a longer ride to get there but Heathrow is still awful. English cooked breakfasts are something to behold, but as an American you might have trouble with the Bacon (too much pig and not enough chemicals). The beer is generally warm, but considerably less "cats piss" like than American beer (and a lot stronger).The blokes and birds outside of the center of London are considerably more friendly than most you'll come across *in* the center of London. Central Londoners are a breed of their own, but at least they're not French.Nice place to visit, wouldn't want to live there. Julie Andrews said it best when she said "I love Britain, it's my birthplace and my home but it desperately needs a roof". Plan to be there sometime in the 4 days of summer

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 04:12:07 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on September 09, 2015, 12:38:02 pmThis is very true, but I think you find the same in central Paris and New York too. I am not certain why it is. Generally, inhabitants become quite isolated despite being in one of the most densely populated areas of the planet. I do try to give the time of day and make an effort with the neighbours, but it is an uphill struggle, everyone does tend to keep themselves to themselves.As I mentioned before, the shopping experience is far from enjoyable in Central London, particularly on Oxford Street, due to the attitude of staff and sheer number of people. I can't think of a more miserable place I've ever been for shopping, so I simply don't go there except for very occasional trips to Selfridges or M&S, and I choose my visiting times carefully.I will, however, gladly offer directions when I see someone holding a map or is clearly lost, but as often as not my offer of help is rejected. I am a bit unique in that regard, most locals won't bother.SWMBO is French, we all have our crosses to bear, and I think the feeling's reciprocated in that respect ;-)

author: kosmonooit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2015, 06:20:17 pm
content: Ditto to the Science Museum, if you are interested in S&T. I spent a year at Imperial next door and spent a lot of time there... the V2 Rocket is very interesting, Apollo capsule, the analog computers, ... they have a new digital computer section now I think. 17c experiment apparatus where they put "nature on the rack to reveal her secrets"And yeah always good value-for-money food in a pub, even if you cant stand the beer although I found a 1/2 pint of Guinness went down well with food, any time of the day. Hope you know your footie otherwise you wont have anything to talk to the poms about.There used to be some great bookshops in Charing Cross road, don't know if they are still there, but you can easily spend a few hours browsing.Nightlife: clubbing! You can make a weekend of it.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2015, 06:22:00 pm
content: Quote from: kosmonooit on September 12, 2015, 06:20:17 pmThat would explain my problems with that London :/

author: Stupid Beard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2015, 07:08:38 pm
content: I was running along the A286 earlier, and there was some fairly heavy northbound traffic with an unusually high number of old sports cars. At this time of year that usually means the revival is on.It reminded me of this thread, so I hope calexian is having a good time and doesn't get too caked in mud when it inevitably pisses it down tomorrow

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2015, 11:37:02 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on September 08, 2015, 04:57:18 amAll those places have old world english villages around them. As does Bognor, where you're staying - it's a worn out seaside town but it's on the edge of the south downs. I'd recommend visiting Arundel if you want to see english privilege and prettiness at first hand.Most english cities are a bit crummy, Some are dreadful. But the countryside in between is pretty much all good - even the flat bits to the east are spectacular in some ways. Of the three above, I think you have them in the right order - Bath is (mostly) lovely, Cambridge and Oxford have their good points. If you want a good museum in Cambridge, the obscure Whipple Museum of the History of Science is worth a visit. Even the tourist hotspots of York, Bath, Edinburgh are pretty good if you avoid the tour companies. London takes hard work to find the good bits, but they are there. Burgers (gourmet, not the mcdonalds sort) are a bit of a thing in London at the moment. I think my favorites are Hache in Shoreditch but plenty of others are good. East end (techs, hipster) is more interesting than west end (theatre, last century's fashion) or docklands (money). Central to west for architecture but lots of gems in the renovated docks. Greenwich is a delight.Come and visit the london hackspace if you're in london on a tuesday evening. Other times are possible but tuesday is easier.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 09:59:09 pm
content: How did the trip go?

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 12:39:13 pm
content: This thread got me thinking the other day about what makes Londoners tut, so here's a list. Clearly we're a miserable, impatient lot.Pedestrians (yes, walking is a mode of transport in London)o Walking two or more abreast on a busy, narrow footpatho Stopping unexpectedly in the middle of the footpatho Slowing down for any reason and not getting out of the wayo Walking at anything less than a brisk walko Spitting, since when was this acceptable?o Chewing gum disposed of on the street for others to step onOn the tube...o Not letting people off the train first before getting ono Not understanding the basic concept of a queue to get onto a traino Listening to loud music through headphones, beware of scissors on your headphone cord if you doo Eating or drinking, but particularly hot or otherwise smelly foodo Not moving down carriages away from the dooro Not removing back packs and putting them on the floor on a busy traino Chewing gum thoughtfully left under seat arms, or indeed anywhere elseHow to tell a Londonero Concerted brisk walk everywhere, no exceptionso Never talks to anyone else on the train even if they get on with the same people on the same carriage every day for the past four decadeso Not visited Oxford Street for many years (famed as both a shopping mecca and the world's most miserable shopping experience at the same time)o Knows exactly where to stand on the platform to get a seat and/or to be closest to the station exit on arrivalo Evolved elbow technique to stop non-Londoners from pushing in front at queues at trains, buses, or indeed anywhere elseo Tuts an awful lot

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 12:44:25 pm
content: o Stops to look at a map immediately after stepping off an escalator...

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 12:58:53 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on September 28, 2015, 12:44:25 pmYes, or indeed anything else that makes someone think it's a reasonable idea to stop directly at the end of an escalator. TUT!

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 01:02:40 pm
content: Standing on the left on an escalator

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 01:08:19 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on September 28, 2015, 12:44:25 pmThey would only stop for a fraction of a second, before experiencing sudden involuntary acceleration.I'd also addo repeatedly asking whichnumberunderground platform to get to Waterloo (etc), ignoring the useful response e.g. "Bakerloo southbound".

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 01:10:13 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 28, 2015, 01:02:40 pmSchoolboy error!

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 04:18:42 am
content: The trip went well. Honestly it would be far too laborious to go into a complete debriefing here, but I do have a few observations.First a few negative observations.The first and most striking thing I noticed about london in particular is the extreme gap between the rich and poor. you could say I am a libertarian but even I had trouble digesting the vulgar displays of people with more money than sense. I thought I had seen it on display in New York and LA but they don't come close to what I saw there. Next i could not help but notice how tuned out most people were. I don't believe your average Londoner ever actually looks around at anything or anybody over the course of a day, and when you bring them out of their near coma state to point out something, such as get out of the way of that dangerous thing, or could you move over and let me pass, you get a look akin to something one may have when you wake them with a bucket of Ice water. Additionally people appear to be incapable of performing any sort of sensible act. For example when asking a clerk at a store where something may be, rather than just admit they do not know they will tell you with certainty where to go, but are in actuality sending you to some random place. The attitude of if its not in my area of responsibility then i do not care, or even want to know about it. To be honest I found the French and Eastern European immigrants who work all of the regular jobs to be much better company. Enough complaining.There were a few things I really enjoyed. First and foremost is the feeling of being safe. At no point during my trip did I ever feel an level of concern for where I was. Even in areas locals had deemed as dodgy or unsafe I did not feel in any way concerned. God forbid if real crime ever took hold there. I don't think people would know how to react. The public transportation was great. I rode the tube everywhere and took the train to Bletchley. Additionally everything is very close there. Only on one occasion did I need to take a cab and that was because we were far too late for the tube and busses would have had several transfers that we did not want to deal with.The CountryThe country there is much the same as the country everywhere else in the northern hemisphere. Friendly people who actually like talking to Americans to find out if we are really as crazy as they think. Most conversations ending with "You gents are nowhere near what we thought you would be. You are normal" or something to that effect. We went to the Goodwood Revival and had a great time. It came and went so fast. We recieved good treatment as we were there with news media credentials as we were filming interviews. We stayed in a beautiful beach house in Pagham and watched a bunch of movies. You have not lived until you have watched some fast and furious movies with Adam Carolla in the room. The rest of the crew came back to the U.S. but i remained for an additional 3 days to explore London more. I could have spent an additional two weeks to explore more of england but work would not allow it. I stayed in Kensington just a stones throw from the Earls Court station which made it easy to get wherever i needed to go. I saw St Pancrass station, tower of london, tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, talked along the Thames, Churchills war rooms, and walked in the rain from Westminster Abbey to 10 Downing St through the park to Buckingham Palace and through Victoria Station. I also went to High Street Kensington to see the rich Arab wives and daughters clearing out the shelves of everything and everything they can grab. Seriously money means nothing to some people over there. What must it be like in Dubai?Oh yeah.. And the food is terrible there... I know its a Cliché but its a well deserved one.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 05:25:18 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on October 01, 2015, 04:18:42 amThanks for spending the time to let us know. This has been a fun post - thanks

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:19:23 pm
content: The shopping experience I know only too well. I refuse to be pointed in the general direction, like I haven't even bothered looking, they must go with me and show me.You were only a 10 or 15 minute walk from me.Regarding the food, well yes, heard that before, an Aussie buddy of mine from Perth made the assertion to me about 15 years ago that there was no decent food in London. We spent the next year going to every Michelin starred restaurant in London, his view completely changed. Next time I will help you on that score to avoid the tourist traps, if which there are many. You might not believe it now, but once you know where to go, and where to avoid, dining in London is right up there if you know where to go, and avoid Conciege suggestions: they're generally on the payroll in one firm or another. What I would say though is that once you're outside Central London, the pickings are generally pretty lean in respect of finding really good dining opportunities.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:07:44 pm
content: Without comment:https://www.facebook.com/iScottFL/posts/10207706696650031

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:17:23 pm
content: I'll be visiting London for a few days at the end of oktober. Lets see what my kids think of food in pub!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:31:19 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 06, 2015, 02:17:23 pmNo surprises: it can vary from superb to not good.In places where there are plenty of customers or there is a captive audience, they don't bother too hard. In places where there are fewer customers, they try hard; try to find such "gastropubs".Avoid places with very long menus, and have a look at what others are eating.Use your common sense.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:43:20 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 06, 2015, 02:07:44 pmThat was awesome. My wife loved it too (she's a Scot).

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:47:23 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 06, 2015, 02:17:23 pmI miss bitterballen

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 02:59:25 pm
content: How old are the kids?I'd say pub food can be hit and miss myself, unless you know somewhere reasonably well that's been recommended. A lot of pubs are part of chains and they have menus made down to a price and lowest common denominator, where an untrained monkey only has to operate a microwave and a deep fat fryer.Also be aware that some pubs are drinking pubs rather than offering food beyond a bag of crisps (aka chips) or pork scratchings. It's not always obvious which are which, and kids probably wouldn't be very welcome if it 's a "proper boozer" like that. The obvious sign is that there's a menu or chalk board outside indicating food's served.There are even a very few pubs with Michelin stars.Probably a reasonable crowd pleaser for both kids and adults alike is the Pizza Express chain. There are a few reasonable pretenders, like ASK for example. Avoid anything that has "Aberdeen" or "Angus" and suggests you might find a steak in there, it'll be a disappointing tourist trap. Finding decent fish and chips in London is surprisingly extraordinarily difficult, so much so that I wouldn't even bother searching it out let alone taking pot luck. Anywhere that offers it on the menu along with a pot pourri of burgers, pizza and all manner of other items probably isn't going to offer a good plate of fish and chips.Depending exactly where you're staying and what sort of thing you're after I might be able to offer you a suggestion one way or the other.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 04:39:50 pm
content: My kids are teenagers and having fish & chips is on their wish list. A lot Howardlong and tggzzz wrote is also true for Amsterdam but sometimes you just can't avoid the tourist traps. I don't know yet in which part of London we will be staying. SWMBO has to find some hotels first.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 04:51:55 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on October 06, 2015, 02:59:25 pmI'm biassed but for fish and chips you want to be in Yorkshire. Also avoid it like the plague in almost every coastal town, no matter which country or county of the UK you're in. The vast majority of coastal chippies paradoxically seem to have the worse fish going.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 04:59:57 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 06, 2015, 04:39:50 pm... and some hotels you can affordYou might consider staying on the edge of London and commuting on the train (not the tube, that's too noisy).Poor fish and chips can be disgusting, good fish and chips is OK. You need to realise that it is traditional quick-and-simple street food that isn't nutritionally disastrous. It is the UK equivalent of a hamburger. It used to be eaten out of newspapers, protected by asmallflap of greaseproof paper, with the obvious consequence. Some restaurants serve it, for reasons that passeth all understanding - avoid!You could do worse than pick up a copy of "The Good Food Guide". Its main focus is restaurants, but there are some pubs. It is updated yearly, so get one that is a year or so old. I guess, without knowing, thatwww.amazon.co.uk/Good-Pub-Guide-2016/dp/1785030329might be useful. TimeOut magazine used to be useful; I don't know what the website is like now.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 07:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on October 06, 2015, 04:51:55 pmNot biased at all IMHO! I lived up norf for about a decade, there's no doubt the fish and chips are better.There was, until about five years ago, a fish and chip shop in Notting Hill/Holland Park borders that was the only one I've ever been to that I recommended around West London. it was a destination place, you'd make a special journey to go there. It was taken over and turned into a "proper" Greek restaurant, they still sold fish and chips, but only because of their past reputation, which regualrs realised pretty quickly was now lost.If you're unlucky enough to be on Oxford Street, possibly to experience the worst shopping experience on the planet, there is a silver lining. The Golden Hind is nearby, rather an institution in its own right, is probably the best proper fish and chips experience in Central London.The City/East London, there is Happy Days on Middlesex Street, a street where also daily there is some excellent street food for lunch, mostly ethnic, large portions, we call it coma food, you want to sleep for the rest of the afternoon.