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Recommendations for London?

HannahC

So, in case somebody missed my long and thorough search of an outfit in the last weeks , I am going to be in the UK next week. I looked at my schedule, and, while it is indeed hectic, I do have Saturday and a good part of Sunday free to wander in London. Since the last time I was there was four years ago, and it was a very brief visit, I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for me. Naturally, I rely on you, shopping experts, to tell me which shops are a must to visit in London (although, of course, if you have other suggestions, it is great as well).
So far, I am planning three museums: Tate Britain, Tate Modern, and Victoria&Albert. I am also definitely planning a visit to Harrods, for their oysters' bar (mmm ...). Oh, and of course I won't miss a chance to visit a real Bravissimo store! Apparently, they have one in Oxford as well, not just in London! I might visit in on Saturday morning, before heading to London. I also had on my list a visit to a Clarks store (love their shoes, boots, and sandals! so comfy!). I was thinking that there is a flagship Doc Martens store in London (I visited it 14 years ago), but I guess not anymore ... Any other not-to-miss shopping/cultural/eating/fun destinations?
Thanks!

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15 replies

Latest reply was from HannahC

Louise

Veteran

A river ferry along the thames.

Oxford street has most of our british stores somewhere along it.

If you get chance try to catch a show- i know Oliver is out at the moment not sure if sound of music is still on that was good last year x

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Where do I start!

A show at West End, Indian food, shoe shopping (MUST do shoe shopping), Hyde Park, Covent Garden, Regent street, High Tea, Notting Hill. That should keep you going.

HannahC

Loulou - I'll definitely check about the sound of music. The tickets online are far too expensive, but I think they should be cheaper on the day of the show (this is at least what I remember). Thanks!

Angie - oooh, high tea! What a great idea! Thanks! Which place do you recommend for high tea? Shoe shopping is definitely on my list. Besides Clarks, is there any other great brand I should be looking for? Unfortunately I don't like Indian food

Dawn

(website)

I was in London with my boyfriend last September for three days. I didn't manage to get to either of the Tate museums but I went to the V&A. There were two really cool exhibitions on jewellery and fashion through the ages. We only had three hours to spend there and it is so huge that we probably only saw a fifth of the exhibitions.

The British Museum is quite cool if you're interested in history- again ridiculously huge. After being there for five hours, we only got to some of the exhibitions. The National Portraits gallery is really interesting- all the movers and shakers in British history and their portraits. It opens with Hans Holbein the Younger's portraits of Henry VIII's court and finishes with a photograph of Kate Moss. There were a couple of other interesting things like the War Rooms, HMS Belfast and the Science Museum.

A walk around Hyde Park is a must as is a walk around, St. James' Park is quite nice too. There also is a nice walk by the Thames starting from Westminister Bridge and ending at Tower Bridge.

Enjoy London, it's an amazing city.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'd hit the following shoe stoes: Berties, Russel & Bromley, Faith and Office. But any shoe store is worth a squizz.

I loved High Tea at the Claridges Hotel, but there is a 4 month waiting list . Perhaps that’s changed?

HannahC

Tassajara -
I too find the British museum overwhelming, this is why it is not on my list this time Thanks for reminding me of the National Portraits Gallery, I might include it, I remember it was very interesting indeed! There is also the National Gallery, but it is also overwhelming ... Thanks!!

Angie -
Oh, so many shoes! So much fun! And all have branches in Oxford street (I checked in Google)! I am afraid my luggage on the way back will not fit into the weight requirements Thanks!! And I checked several locations for the high tea, and my mouth was watering just from the descriptions. I will try The Claridges Hotel, but if it is fully booked, I am sure I will find something else almost equally delicious. Do they allow entrance with multiple shoe shopping bags, I wonder ...

Thanks so much everybody! Now I have to go back to preparing all these lectures

Mellllls

Veteran

Catching a show is an absolute must!! Buying same day tickets works very well--I was first in line to buy Cats tickets a few years back . I was able to buy Andrew Lloyd Weber's seats to the show at the regular same day ticket price. The box office is required to hold his reserved seats until the day of the show in case he chooses to attend. When he calls in to say he's not coming, the box office gives them to the first people in line at that time. Amazing experience!

Also, the Tower of London had a great jewelry exhibit....this was years ago though so I would double-check before I go.

HannahC

Mells - Cats is an awesome show, isn't it? Truly unbelievable. I saw it 14 years ago, it took my breath away, it was so perfect. Wow, you sat in Andrew Lloyd Weber seats!! Amazing!

I also saw "Les Miserables" the other time I was in London, but that time I had seats too far away, so it made less of impression on me. I will definitely try to buy a ticket when I am there. Pity "Oliver" is not on during this weekend I will try to get a ticket to "Fanthom of the Opera", and if not, both "sound of music" and "Mamma Mia" should be great.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hmm Shelley's used to be "the" place to get docs from, didn't it? I remember buying my first pair there many, many moons ago!! The store was massive!!

What about Camden markets too? Love!

shiny

Veteran

It's been a really long time since I was in London (hmmm... 10 years?) but my favorite memories are:

1) Portobello market - antique hunting. Not that I bought anything. It was just fun to explore and people watch.

2) Tower of London - I'm a sucker for history.

3) Canterbury Cathedral - not quite in London, but a fav.

4) Harrod's for the best blue cheese in the world

5) Some vintage store that I can't remember the name, or even where it was... but wow it really put "vintage" into perspective.... (just as Portobello put "antique" into perspective, LOL). It was an amazing store and I think I lost a whole day there, playing dress up. I didn't buy anything but it was still fun. I did learn I'm a 1940s gal.

Kari

Veteran

How fun! HannahC, You already have a great list of recommendations, but here are a few little things to add that I really enjoyed.

The Orangery at Kensington Gardens is a nice, pretty place to have high tea. Great tea sandwiches, too. Walking around Hyde Park is nice before or afterwards (weather permitting.) http://www.hrp.org.uk/kensingt.....rants.aspx

There is a very fun public market (Borough Market) that was fun for shopping for food or just walking around and trying interesting samples: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

I'm a literature nerd (was an English Lit major in college) and I also enjoyed walking around the Archives section of the British Library to view original copies of classic manuscripts.

Travel safely and enjoy your trip!

HannahC

Shiny, Kari, thanks so much for the suggestions!

I am so overstressed now, with the flight tomorrow and nothing ready (work-wise). But maybe it is not going to be a miserable trip after all!

anne

Veteran

Hannah,
Just wanted to say have a lovely time! I wish I had spent longer in London as an adult than 3 days when I was 22!

ChristineB

I hope you have a wonderful time. Dh & I spent a week in London in the fall of 2007 & I ADORED the city. We're definitely going back someday.

I didn't any shopping while we were there - too many things to see. The V&A was by far my favorite museum. We also got cheap tickets to 2 shows from the TKTS booth on the moring of the show. They were amazing.

I love history & just loved how old everything was. An old building in my city is anything over 100 years. Oh, and the Tower of London is wonderful. That's where the Crown Jewels are displayed. Amazing.

Again, have a great time!

HannahC

Thanks so much, Anne! I imagine I will be exhausted, but I will absolutely have a lovely time nevertheless! I also went to London for the first time when I was 22 - for a week!

Christine, thanks for the tips! I love V&A too, I visit it every time I am in London. And I indeed have catching a show on my list too, I will try to buy a ticket in the morning. Pity I only have a day and a half there (from Sat morning to Sunday afternoon). I will try to make the most of it.