London Tourist Trap Tips by JulesH

Feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square used to be the thing to do. Unfortunately, pigeons have become something of a pest in London as they flocked in and bred like amoeba after getting all the free food which used to be sold in little plastic pots for 10p (or tuppence a bag in the oversentimentalised Mary Poppins song!) Having to spend thousands on cleaning the pigeon poo off Nelson's column was enough to get the Skyrats an eviction order from Westminster Council, and now pigeon feeding is not socially acceptable behaviour. The only people who do it are mad old tramp ladies and tourists who don't know any better. Don't get me wrong, I'd never harm a pigeon, but they are disease ridden vermin and shouldn't be encouraged. Notice the spiky bits of white plastic attached to the ledges of buildings. No-one likes being pooed on!

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At Least Do This: Look, but don't feed them!
Alternative: If you like birds, theres always the Barnes Wetlands Centre near Hammersmith.

If you want to avoid looking like a tourist, don't use the chocolate vending machines on tube platforms! They will probably steal your money and draw lots of attention to you! :)

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At Least Do This: If the machine does steal your money, don't rattle the drawer and thump the machine as you will be mistaken for a mad drunk person and will probably get arrested by the Transport Police!
Alternative: Buy your chocolate from a shop like everyone else.

Many visitors to London head for London's Leicester Square because they've heard so much about it. This is where the film premieres are held, but be warned, that doesn't make it a classy area. The A listers certainly don't hang around here afterwards.

As far as food goes, the area houses the standard run of chain burger and Mexican restaurants, Planet Hollywood, TGI Fridays and Chiquitos as well as some awful Italian restaurants and indeterminate bistros with plastic tablecloths and fake hedges outside pretending to be "value for money" but I guarantee will have you leaving with the feeling that London cuisine has little to offer. The final insult to your gastronomic senses, not just in Leicester Square, but across central London are the Aberdeen Angus Steak Houses with their drab interiors, ancient velvet seats and poor service, not to mention awful food!

The square itself is underwhelming with the only point of interest being a small statue of Charlie Chaplin in the gardens themselves. Hardly worth the trip when there are so many better places to be in London.

There is a casino in Leicester Square now, which depending on your interests could be a reason to go there, but my recommendation is, only go to Leicester Square if you have definite plans there, and . Wandering aimlessly here will make you stand out as a tourist and make you vulnerable to pickpockets and muggers, which although they are not exactly rife here will choose a likely looking target in this tourist focussed area. Don't be a victim and take extra care of your possessions in this area.

Finally, don't go clubbing here. It's dire, expensive and you'll probably get into a fight.

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At Least Do This: You might be lucky enough to see celebrities arriving for a film premier here as all the large cinemas are in Leicester Square. If you find yourself in Leicester Square and need somewhere to eat, try Leicester Square Bar and Restaurant attached to the Radisson Edwardian hotel at the south side of the Square, 3 - 6 St Martins Street, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7HL. This is a restaurant specialising in seafood with a modern ambience and pleasant service. (Book online through www.toptable.co.uk)
Alternative: Chinatown and Soho are close by to the north of Leicester Square and offer a far more vibrant and