London Things to Do Tips by flyingcaribou

Yes...they also do cappucino!
Great selection of scones with soup.
Scone with clotted cream and fresh strawberries.

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Directions: next to Kensington Palace

We were there on a Saturday (Dec 11th 2004) and they had kiosks set-up on both sides of the street; offering trinkets, toys, live Christmas trees, food, spices, antique jewelry,... Really nice atmosphere, very impressive mix of people. Streets lined with antique shops, restaurants, pubs, shops,...

We even found a travel bookstore (just like in the movie) in the area.

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Address: Portobello Road, W10/W11
Directions: Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Grove tubes
Website: http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/

Beautiful setting facing the London High Street under the protection of a glass conservatory that was refurbished in 1999.
Approximately 10 different teas available.

The girls had the Champagne glass, caviar and smoked salmon; I had the Port wine glass with the English cheese plate. Then it was followed by warm scones, clotted cream and jam. Then the French pastries followed.

There was a pianist playing in the background.

Some of the chairs had been replaced by comfy couches for you to lounge in.

We all really enjoyed this expensive interlude... you should at least try it once in your life.

There is a 12 % service charge automatically added to your bill.

My bill came to 30.00 GBP with the service charge.

Dress code: Smart Casual (so they say)

The girls told me they really enjoyed it but had preferred the High Tea at the Savoy.

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Address: Piccadilly Street
Directions: Meridien Hotel Piccadilly, near the theatre district.between Piccadilly and Regent Street

I had the opportunity to see a play at the Savoy (Blythe Spirit). It was renovated after being damaged because of a fire.

For more information on the theatre's history, you could refer to the www.fairmont.com/svy/savoytheatre. The historical details provided are the best I have found on the internet so far.

The theatre offers a beautiful example of Art Deco at it's best! Almost everything is covered in silverleaf. Even the seats are covered in a period style fabric. The attention to detail is quite remarquable.

The play itself was so-so but the ambiance created by this beautiful theatre made it a memorable experience. If you are interested in architecture, in art deco architecture, you should go to the Savoy!

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Address: The Strand, London, WC2R OET
Directions: London's theatre district. Charing Cross Tube Station
Website: www.fairmont.com/svy/savoytheatre

I was finally able to get a picture of Big Ben. After going to London so many times over the years, I finally decided to take pictures of what I have seen.

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Address: Parliament Square, SW1
Directions: Westminster tube
Website: http://www.parliament.uk

I really think it was worth the money!

We joined a walking tour of Camden Town. We simply showed-up at the Camden Tube station; a small group had gathered on a Saturday in Winter, 11:00 am was the time, in front of the Tube entrance. We were greeted by a man in charge of the tour for the day. His theatre background proved to be an asset as he was able to add a bit of a personal touch, a bit of spice to his comments on the different sights we got to see.

The tour must have lasted for approximately one and a half hours long. Every bit of it was interesting and informative. We ended the tour in the Camden Market and Camden Lock area. According to our tour guide, on the small pedestrian bridge that crosses over the canal, the railing has been damaged over time and grooves formed in places by the constant rubbing of the ropes pulling the barges through the canal. Some of the grooves were an inch or more deep in places.

It was great to discover a part of London I had never seen before. It made the city's past more alive as we were told tales of folly and eccentricities.

At first I thought it wouldn't be as enjoyable to do such a tour on a Winter day. We later learned it had been a good idea after all as we were better able to see the architectural details. There were no tree leaves left to hide architectural details away from sight. From the Camden Lock area you can easily spend a few hours at the Camden Market; even if you don't really care for shopping. The different mix of art, artifacts, antiques and fashion provide a more rounded picture of a city that is alive and well and still kicking!

If you are interested in doing more than one London Walk, Discount Walkabout Cards are also available and are either valid for 1 month for visitors or 3 months for UK residents. It will permit you to get a discount on your next walks. Only 5 GBP for each additional London Walk or 11 GBP for Explorer Days.

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Phone: 020 7624 3978
Directions: London Walks leaflets are available at the Café in the Crypt at St.Martin-in-the-fields, the old churh in Trafalgar Square. They are also available at the Royal Academy on Piccadilly, midway between Green Park Tube Stop and Piccadilly Circus.
Website: www.walks.com, www.jacktheripperwalk.com
Other Contact: 020 7624 9255

The London eye.

Next time I think I'll finally go up. For New year's eve you could book one of the pods for you and your better half, get a complimentary bottle of champagne and enjoy the view... The price was a bit too much for my budget...Sorry!

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Address: Waterloo, SE1
Directions: Waterloo tube
Website: www.londoneye.com

Although the tour is interesting, you can't help noticing the austere setting imposed on the people that have to live there. You get a quick glimpse of the Royal restrictions of Royal life. The curtains must be open...only just so much... It's like a palace for the Royal outsiders. Princess Diana ended up there at one point. The gardens and the park beyond seem to only be able to offer very little comfort to some of the house guests...

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Directions: Kensington
Website: www.royal.gov.uk/output/page563.asp
Other Contact: www.royalparks.gov

We walked for hours along the South Bank of the Thames. The area is well developped with large trees here and there, benches, buskers entertaining people, vendors with their sugar coated nuts warmed over a gas fire...You get to see many of the major points of interest of the city with the Thames in the forefront. It was interesting to see the Thames at low tide, discovering some of it's secrets...

We chose to walk from the London Eye. The area is very popular. It seemed challenging for the few who tried to jog through the crowds. I plan on going back and visiting more of the sights along the way... The Tate Modern, The Globe Theatre, The New City Hall,...

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Address: Waterloo, SE1
Directions: Waterloo tube
Website: http://www.southbanklondon.com/

It was a cold March day, on a Saturday. We took the bus to Camden Town. We then spent a few hours at the Camden Market and enjoyed the food and the shops. We then walked along the river from the Camden Lock past the Aviary, London Zoo, the really big houses along Regent Park, Little Venice, to Great Western Road. We then went West onto Westbourne Park Road until we reached Portobello road. We then went through Notting Hill, Earlscourt, Chelsea, dinner on Old Brompton Road and back to Victoria Station... quite a trek to say the least!

The walk along the Regents Canal and Grand Union Canal was the most interesting. As the canals generally run a bit lower than the city's ground level it was not as windy and we could enjoy the heat from the sun. We saw people kayaking down the water. Some were jogging along the canal. It was quiet and we rarely got to hear the city's busy streets in the background. Bicycles, skateboarding is not permitted. The area near Western Road was not as nice as we were following the noisy Westwook Harrow Road.

I plan on visiting the canals once again on my next visit to London. It was nice to discover another aspect of this great city.

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Directions: Camden Town and Chalk Farm tubes