OT- London advice wanted. Making first trip for Lions game!
I know the board has some UK posters and travelers so I'm curious where to go and potentially stay. Nearly everyone we've spoken to so far has said to stay near the Notting Hill train station. Is that a good area to stay, party, get to Wembley, etc. or are there better ideas/areas?
Any advice would be appreciated!
I stayed in that exact spot years ago for a similar guys long weekend and it was easy to get around. I don't know about proximity to Wembley. Recall Soho being a fun place to be at night. Go Lions. I'm jealous.
Mind the gap!
dang double post
No advice but I'm jealous as well.
I'm looking at it like it is my Lions Super Bowl trip. At least I know this game will happen. Haha
April 17th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
Depending on what you all want to see other than the game, I would stay near Hyde Park (Hyde Park Corner to be exact) as you are walking distance to so many historic London attractions and the Tube can take you anywhere.
But was looking into it... and I agree with your recommendation in terms of historic sights. Last three years have stayed near Tower Hill station, South Bank (Southwark Tube) and Blackfriars. All have plusses and minuses, but tube system is so good you can stay anywhere.
I could think of things I'd rather see at Wembley than an NFL game, but it still sounds kinda fun. Would love to hear what the crowd is like.
Have been to London on vacation the last three years with my college (Michigan! Harbaugh!!) son, and going back again in a few months. A long weekend is going to be a little hard, because you'll likely lose a lot of your first day there working on the time change (I have advice on that also). Notting Hill is trendy, yes, but there are lots of other areas depending on what you're trying to achieve. I noted after the first trip that since I'm only in my room to sleep, no point in wasting money on a five star. If you think you'll do the same -- stay at a Premier Inn... huge chain in the UK, very cheap compared to a Marriott, safe and clean, almost all have bar/restaurant and helpful staff. Last year we stayed at the Premier Inn Blackfriars, which is right at Blackfriars tube station, and convenient to Fleet Street and Central London (oh, and the Blackfriars Pub is an interesting place as well). Do not miss Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street -- one of the oldest pubs anywhere, and "wicked cool" Make time to sit at a bar on the Thames -- I recommend the South Bank for people (female, LOL) watching... have a couple of suggestions. Study the tube map and you can stay anywhere and get to Wembley in a snap -- tube is reliable and very convenient (I don't think we have anything to compare in the US). To be honest, London breakfasts are expensive and suck (they're great people, but they don't know what bacon is); grab a bagel or pastries at a Tesco for 50p and eat while you're walking. There are basically three big chains that run most of the pubs... you can memorize the menus and beer selections -- try each one! Would be happy to provide more suggestions/advice....
So if there are any more specifics you can add I'm all ears(eyes.) thanks!
Long day and tired so I have to get back with you on the actual names of two pubs on the Thames that will give you plenty of innocent trouble.... will seriously try to remember to do that tomorrow. Last time out my son got wasted and I learned that he is a loud, but innoffensive, drunk. Definitely go with the Premier Inns... because all you'll be doing is sleeping it off. A lot of good pubs around Leicester Square and Covent Garden (on the Picadilly line... and yes... when you get on that line from Heathrow and they say ... "this is a Picadilly line to Cockfosters," you will laugh your ass off, and it never gets old). Send me an email at [email protected], will be happy to provide you with whatever advice i can.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:52 PM ^
Good plan. Maybe I'm an uncultured swine, but when I went to London, the time my family and I spent at historical sites was pretty boring. We went through a tour of a castle and I have no recollection of what was in that damn building. The only cool part was seeing the changing of the guards and making one guard smile (we weren't obnoxious). Madame Tussauds was also pretty cool even though I'm not a museum guy. Next time I go I'll stick with your plan. I really want to visit some pubs since I was too young the first time.
April 17th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Their bacon is what we would call 'Canadian bacon'. They refer to our bacon as 'fat with little or no pork'.
Personally, I like their breakfasts overall. You'll get eggs, 'Canadian bacon', sausage, stewed tomatoes, toast, sauteed mushrooms and...wait for it...baked beans. Yes, baked beans. My only complaint ever was that the sausage was bland. There was one brand of sausage from Lincolnshire that was spicy, but most hotels didn't serve it, but you could get it to cook at home from the grocery market.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:01 PM ^
I was there for a month last July/August (right after Wimbledon). My company couldn't find a hotel for anything remotely reasonable. I stayed in Guildford (I can drive on the wrong side of the road and know the proper rules of traffic circles so I was the driver and we just parked the car most of the time there). Guildford is on the South West line and took the train in every morning. Between 30 and 45 minutes to Waterloo station depending on how many stops.
London is the smallest big city you will ever stay in. Everything was super accessible from anywhere. The commute on the train was nice to catch up on the minutiae of stuff like email. The coolest thing about Guildford is after leaving town, you're immediately in the rolling foothills of the countryside. Think of driving west out of A2, and the concrete immediately fades into green like going down Huron River Drive past Barton Hills.
My British colleagues were all HUGE NFL fans and I was talking the other football to them. They exclaimed the world has gone made that the Brits are into the NFL and Americans know soccer better than most Brits do now these days. As far as partying goes, there's something on every street.
One of the more interesting things was seeing bands of women walking around in sashes. I chatted with some of them and apparently that means they're celebrating a bachelorette party. Some of these groups were really wild and they love Americans.
My nightlife consisted of lots of back alley side streets north of the Thames from Charing Cross to Monument. Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square are just a maddening crush of people.
Perhaps my post isn't as specific as you want but I was there for a month and every single day was a new experience. Just have fun and don't be afraid to go off the beaten path.
The wandering "hen parties" are hilarious... they get even wilder outside London -- York is notorious for them, as is Cardiff. You can sit in an outside bar and watch the processions, drink beer and laugh your ass off!!!
Or be asked to go along with them... I think the OP said he was married but meeting women in London was really nice. If I get a chance to transfer over there, I'm gone.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:17 PM ^
100%. Working right now on setting up an office of my company in the UK. Might not be able to move... but maybe spend a lot more time there....
Beside the obvious tourist attractions, I'd reccomend visiting the London Fire Monument- My English friend took me there when I visited and I have to say it was by far my favorite. You get some awesome views of the city! You could also check out the O2 and the nearby cable car lift that gives you some good views of London as well. Most importantly enjoy- London is my favorite European city!
Renting a flat might save you a little money and you could eat some meals there, which we found to be cheaper than eating every meal out. London is just crazy expensive. We used AirBNB, which was good. Others swear by VRBO. Sometimes they have the same listings.
My son and I are considering a flat rental for this year's trip. Definitely good value... and sometimes advantages you wouldn't expect. For example... you get used to traveling light and doing laundry when you're in the US, so you can go a couple weeks on a carry on. Not in the UK!! Hotels don't have laundry rooms... just expensive dry cleaning services (seriously, 12 pounds to wash and press a t-shirt???). I know, just a little thing... but seriously!!!
April 16th, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
Also, you then get to go to a British grocery store and pick from all the hilariously named breakfast cereals, like Frosties and Shreddies.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:32 PM ^
No shit!!! I found a laundry near my hotel and it was 20 pounds to wash and dry two fucking loads.
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I also figured the police in London would be jerks for some reason before I got there, but they were all very friendly and helpful. McDonalds is cool to go to once just for the experience and see the difference from American McDonald's. For a tourist attraction , I highly recommend paying for a tour of Wimbledon. The tubes go just a few
Blocks away from there.
Five Guys opened in London last summer... in Covent Garden. Lines around the block!! London cops are great! They are what you'd like cops to be (and they hate carrying guns).
junior year at mich visited my then-girlfriend who was at the school of economics. that was back when air plane travel was new (okay, not that long ago) so my knowledge of trendy places is nil. however, there was one thing in particular that might appeal to you and my guess is that it still goes on today. we joined up with a local pub on pool/dart night, and were included in the 'tournament' with the local, opposing pub. it was fun, pretty intense, and truly a slice of life that i still remember 30+ yrs later. get hammered if you want, but a couple of pints, wonderful conversations and some memorable competition in an activity we just don't really do here in america was for me a more worthwhile investment of time.
no matter what, have fun and go lions. and go blue, no matter what you do.
The Borough Market is a good place for eats. They have food stalls with all sorts of things, from burgers to paella to sausages and pasties.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^
If you're staying in Notting Hill (which is in Kensington And Chelsea), I think a typical room - pretty basic, that is - is probably a $250 / night proposition on average, or at least it was the last time I was there. Plenty of nice hotels in that area though and as other have alluded to, you'd have no trouble getting almost anywhere. Wembley is in Brent, I think, which isn't terribly far from Kensington (just north of there) so the haul to the stadium shouldn't be too bad.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:13 PM ^
I agree with you on the rates in that area. I'm trying to send him elsewhere... Chelsea is a ridiculous high-rent district (no surprise that Chelsea supporters are wealthier than any other EPL team). Pre-pay at a Premier Inn elsewhere, and, with the current favorable exchange rate, he can probably get it down to $125 a night or less....
April 16th, 2015 at 10:09 PM ^
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April 16th, 2015 at 10:25 PM ^
15-20 minutes on the Heathrow Express vs. an hour on the tube?? Did that last year and will never go back. Very good advice.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:25 PM ^
I worked in france and brazil for several years a piece. Youll have much higher standards for women when you return to the usa.
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April 16th, 2015 at 10:46 PM ^
Hear hear... I have lived and studied in France, Italy, and England, and lived in Japan. Women there, not saying I dated everyone I ever came across -- I'm talking about personal and professional relationships as well... but women I have come across outside of the US have mastered how to be strong, independent, self-confident, beautiful without conforming to the media's image of what a woman should be, and intelligent, without being a bitch. American women could learn a thing or two.
France, I was in Tours, was amazing. Generally some of the best people on the planet.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:52 PM ^
As others have mentioned, you can get around easily via the tube. I don't know if Oyster cards are still the way to go or if it's a deal for just a weekend, but when I was there several years ago, that's what we bought and used to pay for the tube. I assume you're flying into Heathrow. Take the train into the city. You have to go into a pub. Doesn't really matter which one. Just be aware that unlike most US bars, they typically don't have wait staff going around to tables. You have to go up to the bar to order, and unless you hate fish, you really should get fish and chips at least once. They don't serve some pre-packaged breaded, formed concoction from chopped fish. It's actual fish filets and they typically serve it with a side of mushy peas, or sometimes your choice of mushy or not.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:04 PM ^
and I'd recommend staying near Earl's Court. It's an area with a lot of American hotels that are reasonably priced (by British standards). It won't be a hassle to get to Wembley from there (via Tube). It's safe, affordable food, decent amount of stuff to do there, and it's a 20-30 minute Tube ride from the heart of the city.
It terms of things to do... the markets are great (Borough, Portobello Road, Brick Lane, Dalston, etc.), the parks are exquisite (the Heath, Regent's, Green are my favorite), and the museums are world-class (Tate Modern, V&A, British). So much to do, not enough time.
Enjoy the best city in the World!
My favorite hotel in London is the K+K Hotel George, just steps away from the Earl's Court Tube stop off the Picadilly line (i.e. direct from Heathrow with no changes). There is a pub nearby (The Kings Head) which actually has amazing food, not to mention the ale. Basically everything is easily accesible with an Oyster Card and a decent Tube map. I LOVE London! Oh and btw- the admission to Westminster Abbey is totally worth it, even if you are not a history buff the place is fascinating.
You really need to stay at least a week- if you are already going for a long weekend, PLEASE extend your stay, trust me.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:07 PM ^
April 16th, 2015 at 11:11 PM ^
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