London info...

[winxp-master]

A couple of m8`s have expressed interest in seeing some of London, i know nothing of the place.

It would be in the car and probably a travelodge/b&b etc, for a fri+sat night... travel down on Friday, see some sights on Saturday and home Sunday (August BH weekend). I'd tag along just for a small outing even in a car, it's something to do i suppose

So, i was thinking the outskirts of London and get the train in, save on accommodation prices was my thoughts... any suggestions? Is it better to go into London itself or the outkirts? We'd need to be able to leave the car parked for the weekend as we don't want to drive into London but use public transport.

Any advice (or indeed abuse) welcome

[sean]

You can park at our consolidation centre by city airport if that helps? Security guard present so it will be ok

[Cabby]

I'm often driving people who've got great weekend deals centrally Craig.....often including the theatre.
Have a google.
Lot of Travel Lodge type places in great locations.

Lessons learnt from 'London Calling' rideouts indicate that it's hard to do the proper tour on the bike 'cos you have to stop too much and you can't do it all in one trip anyway, so have a decent speed rideout along the river and over the bridges etc.
A separate outing during the weekend on foot and boat and tube will be rewarding and you can dress comfortably for it.
There's a few on here that walk around often....you can be a 'Mud Man' for a few hours!......keep an eye on the tide though mate!
Dead at the mo' so who knows.....(lots of road closures though)

Have fun........

http://knowledgeoflondon.com/london.html

[Boris]

Ooo It's a big scary place with cars and everything so don't give away the fact that you are not local by pointing at them as they drive past. This isn't Redcar you know.

One little known fact about London is the excellent taxi system they have... Basically you hail one in the normal manner but once inside you tell the diver that you are a visitor to his fine city and would like to invoke "Tourist rates". That way he is obliged to take you from The Tower of London to Buckingham Palace (or the equivalent distance) for the sum of one Guinea (£1.05) Don't listen to him if he complains or denies this rate exists. It's just him trying to rip off the tourist. Sit firm and stick to your guns. If all else fails demand he summons a bobby on his wireless radio. When the Bobby arrives you must address him as "My Man". The Bobby will then remind the driver of his responsibilities and then act as your tourist guide for your journey.

You will probably be fine though if you tell the driver you have a friend called Cabby. I'm sure they will know each other.

[Whealie]

Greenwich has new travelodges and Holiday In Express and Novatel etc. That means you can go into town via train or on the boat, or into Docklands via the DLR. You can stay in town until as late as you like as night buses will get you back throughout the night, or there's Greenwich itself and Blackheath Village in walking distance. Not sure of the parking siutation but you can always leave the car at mine and pick it up when you leave (I'm about a mile away).

[Chad]

dont bother its a **** hole

[winxp-master]

Thanks guys, wil look into it... Sean,Chris, if needs be i'll ring you, thanks

Chad - excellent

[Whealie]

Seriously, if in London go by boat, get the train, go on the DLR, go top deck on a London Bus, get the Overland and get a London Black Taxi (we know someone on the forum), all of which is an experience. I'd even say walk or drive under a Thames tunnel (you can walk under one in Greenwich) and maybe get the cable car back (I've not even done that myself yet).

Visit some paid-for expensive tourist attractions and visit some free (voluntary contribution) places such as the street entertainers in Covent Garden. Try some different beers, walk the Thames (even if only London Bridge to the London Eye). There's loads of free history you can see - Greenwich is full of it. even Deptford, just up the river, has a shed-load.

Let me know when you are coming and I'll take you on a magical mystery tour if I can.

We can badger SohoEasy for the best place for coffee in central London too.

[winxp-master]

Thanks Chris, i'll let you know.

[Recycler]

Go to the Nag's Head on Whitechapel Road - just up from Aldgate East underground. Let's just say it's a pub with no windows and there's lots to see but you wont get ripped off......