UK Trip, Good News Need General Advice

[dimag333]

So I am thinking, sunday night after some rest Camden Lock for dinner and drinks (train in cab out?)

Monday is all work so nothing there unless I am taken out by the manufacturer.

Tuesday, train into london maybe to a tourist style tour, big ben, parliament, any museums around there type of thing (cab out?)

Wed early, eurostart to paris all day, tourist spots (eiffeil tower, napoleon tomb, etc)

Thursday until late afternoon paris, food in paris, eurostar back to a hotel hopefully either in or close to heathrow

Friday afternoon home

[dimag333]

other things I would like to see as being a huge Burgess fan is anything from clockwork orange, if you guys think something would be easy to see let me know, I am an american enamored with floyd and burgess

[Beat Poet]

One thing I'd just say in Paris is to watch out for pickpockets, hustlers and scammers. They will just not leave you alone around the big tourist spots!

[gingataff]

If you are using public transport make sure you get an Oyster card (covers buses, underground and some trains) you can charge it up with money at any tube station and it's much cheaper than buying tickets each time you travel.
At least it was last time I lived in London.
Visitor Oyster Card | Home Page

Edit: Oops, just noticed Whitecat already mentioned Oyster. But I think it's worth repeating

[scruffydog]

I think you can still just buy a 'one day travel card'...'All zones'.. and keep that with you for the day.
Camden at night is not like going down there on a sunny day when all the stalls and shops are open....

[dimag333]

yeah I noticed that Camden closes at ilk 6pm, looks like I will be finding somewhere else to eat

[stella645]

Originally Posted by dimag333

yeah I noticed that Camden closes at ilk 6pm, looks like I will be finding somewhere else to eat

Only the market stalls will close....plenty of places will be open for food & drink & it'll be pretty lively until late.

[Beat Poet]

Camden's usually pretty buzzing at its extremities, at Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent, where a load of venues are. Though yeah, it's eerie in the market/lock area when it's completely dead, after all that activity during the day.

[dimag333]

I am guessing that once I arrive via public transportation everything is within walking distance down there?

[Beat Poet]

In the Camden area, yeah, you'll get around on foot no trouble. Just don't stand around on the street in one spot for too long or you'll be asked if you're looking for drugs

[scruffydog]

Originally Posted by dimag333

I am guessing that once I arrive via public transportation everything is within walking distance down there?

There are Bars in the evening in Camden....but you kind of miss the best stuff at night.
(posted some snaps of Camden)
I would say if you just got one shot for a few hours in Town...go to Ronnie Scotts in Frith St.
It's a little more commercialised there now..the last gig i saw there was Jimmy Webb!
In years gone by it might have been Elvin Jones for two weeks straight....two sets each night with a support act in between!
Now they have a much more varied selection of acts from across the board..often only for one night or a week at most.
But it will allow you to stroll through the west end and into Soho which is more interesting in the evening.
You can eat at Ronnie's but there are lots of options around there.
And getting a cab should be easier..or a black taxi if you are feeling posh.

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by Whitecat

...wander all the way down the South Bank to Tower Bridge, you won't get bored!

This route is a great taste of London with many sites of interest and great views...also it's within walking distance of the West End (Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Soho. etc.). Battersea Power Station is a taxi/bus/ferry ride away and if viewed from the north side of the River Thames then it's a shortish walk up to Sloane Square and the Kings Road in Chelsea.
In the daytime London is a superb city for leisurely walking and some areas (e.g. Covent Garden to Soho) have a great nightime ambience.
Have a great time!

[Beat Poet]

Shoreditch, Hoxton and Dalston are also buzzing if you're into the whole "scene" thing.

[dimag333]

Change of plans, no Paris, anyone suggest I stay in the country for a day or 2 or should i just use my mile to stay in a nice hotel in London

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by dimag333

Change of plans, no Paris, anyone suggest I stay in the country for a day or 2 or should i just use my mile to stay in a nice hotel in London

Lot's of interesting places a train ride away but also much to do in London. A lot depends on what you enjoy doing.
You could make it to the coast on a round trip...also the train is quite comfortable and gives a great view of the countryside. I used to travel to Brighton - takes about 1/2 hour from London...or further afield to Bath (2 hours) or Wales (3 hours). Brighton is pretty good for a day trip...great shops (inc. music stores), bars, restaurants, beach, good vibe. Bath is more historic (Olde England) but also has a good vibe (bit more upmarket touristy) and good shops (inc. music stores) and riverside pubs/cafes. If you want some wild coastline and long quiet beaches then the Gower Peninsula in Wales is great...nice scenery, long walks, less high-density modern culture but great pubs and restaurants.

[nigel saunders]

clockwork orange locations but I don't think its going to work with your itinerary
Film locations for A Clockwork Orange (1971)
have a good trip!

[Jimbob131313]

Bring a lot of money. Then double the amount you brought with you and you should have a great time.

[dimag333]

I actually looked into the clockwork orange stuff, thinking about it, I have the milk bar photo in my studio, as far as cash, it is on the company dime and I live currently in one of the most expensive parts of the world, so it would not shock me too much. It cost $12 USD to cross a bridge today one way

[chrisso]

Another vote for Bath as relatively easy to get to (train) and gobsmacking for visuals, with both some nice Roman buildings and Georgian.

I would avoid staying in Elstree if you can swing it. There is no advantage, and it's just way ouuuuut.
I'm not such a fan of Camden. It's ok.
If time is limited i would concentrate on the West End - tons of choice for eating in Soho, Covent Garden. Plenty to do and see.
I also agree with Whitecat on the South bank recommendation. Again, plenty to do and see. Tate Modern, London Eye etc...
I often stay on the South bank, cheap and cheerful, and just about walking distance to many places including Covent Garden.
* Choose your eating wisely* The majority of eating in London is poor quality and expensive. However, there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes, and some are great value too.
Go on personal recommendation, maybe from other Gearslutz.

You wont want to spend more than 10 minutes ogling Battersea Power Station.
You can walk there from the more accessible Kings Road. There is a tube stop at Sloane Square (top of Kings Road). Admittedly it's a bit of a hike (20 - 30 mins?), but Chelsea and the Kings Road isn't a bad area to check out, especially for family.
The Kings Road is a mecca for shoppers and has more decent cafes and restaurants.

[dimag333]

I am staying in Elstreet since that is where the local amplifier company is putting me up for the article I am doing, I will be there for 3 days, I am thinking bath sounds good

[chrisso]

Yes, I guessed that was the case.
Maybe find a chain hotel that would suit for the rest of your time. Something central.

[dimag333]

there is a hotel that is right on the river, it is expensive but I am thinking that is where I want to be, seems like it is right in the middle of all the tourist stuff

[Arthur Stone]

Agree with previous posts that it's better find accomodation in Bath if possible; reasons...good vibe in town and easy access. There are plenty of nice places to stay just outside of Bath but you may need access to a car...or a taxi cab. There are buses and trains too but the logistics can be a bit of a hassle.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by dimag333

there is a hotel that is right on the river, it is expensive but I am thinking that is where I want to be, seems like it is right in the middle of all the tourist stuff

I often stay here, which is cheap and cheerful (although not that cheap really):
Premier Inn London County Hall Hotel UK

It's clean and quiet, and full of tourists and business people, not party animals.
The area is pretty safe, right next to the London Eye and across the river from parliament. About 15 minutes walk to Covent Garden and Soho.
Right next door is a proper (more expensive) hotel:
London Marriott Hotel County Hall facts | London Marriott Hotel County Hall details | London

[dimag333]

cool I wonder if they will take my airline miles!

[LX3]

I'd recommend heading to the Hoxton/Old Street/Brick Lane areas for at least one night out.

I know it's "hipster" central, but I think it's more genuine and entertaining than the West End (i.e. Leicester Square / Soho), and you'll find better gigs and more interesting people. Quite a large proportion of music industry folk are hanging around East London, while the West End is predominantly out-of-towners and tourists. (Not that there's anything wrong with being either one of those).

If you're looking for gigs, research venues like The Lexington (more Angel than Old Street), The Old Blue Last, Cargo, 93 Feet East, XOYO, Village Underground.

Camden's good, with a bunch of well-known gig venues (Jazz Cafe, Koko, Underworld, Dingwalls, Proud Galleries, Blues Kitchen and a few pub venues - depends what you like)... but it mostly seems to turn to stone around 11pm in the week.

Soho's still worth a look around, but don't get too fixated on the West End or you'll miss out on a whole other scene.

PS Best view of Battersea Power Station is probably from the river, during the day. Trying to get right up to it is a bit futile, and there's not a lot else to look at around there.

PPS if you do find yourself in the West End, and fancy a friendly dive night out with decent live music, your best bet is probably Ain't Nothin' But The Blues in Kingly Street.

[dimag333]

Ok so we are going to stay all week in London, no paris. Here is the hotels I was looking at the last 2 days, any opinions on areas or hotels?
parkcity
astors hotel
st ermins
chraring cross
the trafalgar

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by dimag333

Ok so we are going to stay all week in London, no paris. Here is the hotels I was looking at the last 2 days, any opinions on areas or hotels?
parkcity
astors hotel
st ermins
chraring cross
the trafalgar

I'm not familiar with any of the hotels but personally if I had to choose I'd go for the hotels near Trafalgar Square as it's central (walking distance) for most London locations and travel links...that said all the hotels are in nice locations...probably a bit busier in the centre. Hopefully someone with local knowledge of the hotels calibre will chip in.

[dimag333]

this is the place I booked, fYI
Luxury 4 Star Hotel, Boutique London Hotel – Rubens at the Palace Hotel London

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by dimag333

this is the place I booked, fYI
Luxury 4 Star Hotel, Boutique London Hotel – Rubens at the Palace Hotel London

That looks like a good spot - lovely architecture and some great walks through the parks, but still in easy reach of places of interest. Have a great stay