London Off The Beaten Path Tips by sue_stone Top 5 Page for this destination

Underground Art

If you happen to be travelling on a District Line tube through Gloucester Road underground station, make sure you have a look out the window, or even get off the train and catch the next one.

Why? Well, so that you can see the art exhibition of course!

One of the stranger places I have seen an art exhibition, Gloucester Road tube station hosts four exhibitions per year on a disused platform on the District and Circle line.

Thousands of passengers each month travel past the exhibition, where you can see a range of work by both lesser known and well established artists.

I have heard of people making the journey to Gloucester Road just to see the exhibitions.

Screening Room at the Covent Garden Hotel

Covent Garden Hotel, a boutique Hotel in London's West End has it's own fully equipped state-of-the-art multi media screening room.

The cinema is pretty luxurious in design and has extremely comfortable leather seats

You can hire it for private screenings, or go along to some of their advertised screening nights.

We had a meal at the Hotel, and then enjoyed a screening of Gold Finger.

Covent Garden Hotel
10 Monmouth Street London WC2H 9HB

Nearest Tube: Covent Garden

Other Contact: Email: covent@firmdale.com

Phone: 020 7806 1000

Surprise - really good coffee in London!!!

We have possibly found the best coffee in London, hidden away in the 'burbs!

Munsons is a small cafe located off the beaten path in Ealing, West London.

They have a reputation in the area for having the best coffee in London - and it sure is good!!

They also serve fabulous home made cakes and delicious anti-pasto and sandwiches.

If you find yourself in this area of London, it is worth a stop .

Munsons
71a St. Marys Rd
Ealing
London
W5 5RG

Phone: 020 8840 4114

Train Spotters Unite!

Every few months the London Transport Museum Depot is open to the public for the weekend.

It is very interesting to see all the old buses and trains.

But, what is even more interesting is seeing the train spotters there with their note books jotting down train numbers!!

Located across the road from Acton Town tube station.

Other Contact: 118-120 Gunnersbury Lane, Lond

St Christopher's Place

When shopping on Oxford Street, take a break for a coffee or lunch in St Christopher's Place.

It is like an oasis from the throng of high street shoppers.

It is located just off Oxford Street and has one of the largest concentrations of pavement dining in central London.

The area is often used as a back drop for film shoots and apparently is a good place for celebrity spotting.

The coffee at Carluccio's comes recommended.

St Christopher's Place is close to Selfridges department store.

The nearest tube is Bond Street.

St Katherine's Dock

St Katherine's Dock is a re-developed dock located close to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

It was once a working dock, and is now an interesting waterside environment with a mixture of shops, restaurants, offices and apartments.

It is still used as a berth for yachts and motorboats.

Interesting place for a wander around and a drink/snack.

Other Contact: Nearest Tube: Tower Hill

Website: http://www.skdocks.co.uk/

Kew Bridge

Kew Bridge is an attractive stone bridge that spans the Thames River, joining Brentford/Chiswick with Kew.

The current bridge was built in 1903. It replaced a wooden bridge that was built back in 1759.

It is a beautiful bridge, and can be admired from the Thames footpath, which is a great place for a stroll along the River.

Nearest Tube: Kew Gardens - about 10-12 minutes walk
Nearest Train: Kew Bridge - about 2 minutes walk

Website: http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_bridges/kew_bridge1.htm

Day trip to Bath

If you fancy a day trip out of London, why not head for historic Bath.

Bath is a beautiful town located less than 2 hours drive west of London.

It is the perfect place to spend a day (or longer) roaming around the cobbled streets, visiting the famous bath spa and sampling some of Baths great cuisine.

For more details visit my Bath Page

Windsor Castle

If you fancy an easy day trip out of London, why not head to Windsor and visit the castle.

Windsor Castle is located 37kms west of London, and has been home to the Royals for over 900 years.

You can wander around the gardens and at certain times you can visit the state rooms.

The town of Windsor is also worth checking out and there are plenty of places to eat and get warm - especially if you go in January like we did!

You can catch the train from London Paddington to Windsor - it takes less than 1 hour (www.thetrainline.com) or it is also an easy drive.

Phone: 01753 868286

Website: http://www.royal.gov.uk

Short people only!??!

We were walking along the River Thames, In West London - from Kew Bridge to dinner at Chiswick.

There is a path that follows the Thames, with the river on one side and homes on the other.

Some of the houses along here are a little different - they have really short front doors!! There are steps up to the door - but it looks pretty crazy!

I guess it is because they are only about 2-3 metres from the water, and if the river floods then they won't get wet carpet....

Walk along the Thames Footpath, near Strand on the Green, Chiswick.

Nearest Tube: Gunnersbury
Nearest Train: Kew Bridge