Recommendations for those heading to London...
Key:
Recommended
Neutral
Lame/Disgusting
Tourist Sites
Tate Modern – Skip the Tate Britain (the British don’t do art very well), the Tate Modern is the MoMA of Europe and well worth the visit
National Portrait Gallery – Unless you like looking at hundreds of portraits of dead aristocracy this waste of time should be avoided completely
National Gallery – Although impressive, it would be my second pick (Tate Modern wins!) if I was to go to only one art museum in London
Buckingham Palace – Rarely can visitors get into the actual Palace, the changing of the guards is disappointing pageantry.
Tower Bridge – Almost everyone thinks THIS is London Bridge, but in reality, the Tower Bridge is more spectacular than the lame-looking London Bridge.
London Bridge – I wish it fell down, and then this piece of concrete would be more interesting. This is actually the 3rd London Bridge, the first, as you may have heard…fell down. The 2nd is in Lake Havasu City, Arizona because some crazy American millionaire is, indeed, crazy. This is the 3rd, end of story.
Museum of London – Lame. If you go around seeing stuff in London, you wouldn’t have to go to this museum. Besides the history of London was fairly well described in
Victoria & Albert Museum – A must see! Britian’s collection of the world’s cultural treasures after nearly 600 years of global rule.
The British Museum – Also impressive, similar to the V&A, but I would see the V&A first, over the BM
Tower of London – executioner’s paradise and full of the world’s largest gemstones and things. Get your money’s worth by poking fun at the Beefeaters and taking pictures. But not too much fun…
Hyde Park (and Hyde Park corner) – save this for Sunday morning when all the crazies come out to speak about their crazy ideas. This is the only spot that the monarchy decreed is was okay to not face persecution from slander laws including disparaging remarks about the monarchy.
Architectural Highlights
· London City Hall
· Westminster Abbey
· St. Paul’s Cathedral
· London Eye
· Royal Albert Hall
· Shakespeare’s The Globe Theatre
· Parliament (w/ special guest: Big Ben)
The Essential Triangle
· Leicester Square
· Covent Garden
· Trafalgar Square
The Essence of London Activities
High Tea – There’s really only two places to do this proper: The Ritz and The Lanesborough.
Yo! Sushi – Tokyo-style conveyor belt wraps deliciousness around you; you pay per plate by color of the plate after you’re full
Nightclubs – While I only heard about incredible stories of China White, wikitravel also suggests Café de Paris, China White, Funky Buddha, Mahiki, Number One Leicester Square, and Paper. If you are into house like I am, then it is an absolute MUST that you visit, the original and premier house venue: The Ministry of Sound!!!
Take a double decker bus at night, sit on the 2nd floor in the front – that is, if there aren’t other drunk American tourists/students there already!
Shop on High Street – now you’re a baller baby!
Foods to try (for non-vegetarians)
Bangers n’ mash
Fish n’ chips
Yorkshire Pudding
Shepard’s Pie
Cornish Pastie
Foods to try (from grocery store)
· Twinnings tea
· Digestives
· Marmite
Beers to try
· Fuller’s London Pride (The Bud of London)
· Carling
· Boddington’s
· Guinness (It’s NOT like the one in America! It’s MUCH better!)
· Kronenburg 1664 (technically French, but still a staple)
· Magner’s Cider – for the girls, but give it a go
Old School Pubs
· The George Inn
· Jerusalem Tavern
· Ye Olde Mitre
· The French House
· The Coach and Horses
Useful notes
Take the Tube from Heathrow into the city; not a taxi – cabs will take just as long and will cost you 3x more
Beer is served at room temperature – it takes some getting used to, but it’s England, you know, old school
For cheap food check out a local grocer
Waitrose – high end = Whole Foods
Sainsbury’s – moderate = IGA, Giant, Stop n’ Shop, Shaw’s
Tesco – low end = Seven Eleven
Final Thought – I lived in London for four months and still never made it to all of the places I want to go. Even though this list is only the tip of the iceberg…it should give you a feel for the crème-de-la-crème of London during a smaller stint.
Enjoy and May God Save The Queen!
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