help with London

[aimeekitty]

Help for newb London Tourist? :)

So Mitch and I got plane tickets to go to London(!)
we'll be there starting Christmas Day for about a week.

but then I realized that maybe it will be impossible to find food and find something to do on Christmas day and also Boxing Day (the day after christmas). Thoughts?
I heard that stores typically have sales at least starting on the 27th, so... if we can find enough to do for the 25th and 26th, we should be ok, right? Is there anything we can do, tourist-wise, that would be open? (maybe something we can look at from the outside?)

are grocery stores in the UK open on Christmas Day? lol. will we starve?

Suggestions welcome on things we should "Definitely Do" on our trip.
We'll be confined to London, mostly, due to time constraints. I've never been to the UK, so I'd like to do some of the typical tourist stuff. We also like good food and good shopping.

to ply you with treats in exchange:


from "School Reunion" Sarah Jane, the Doctor and Rose:

Comments

[merrycalliope.livejournal.com]

<3 Sarah.

[tubbysnuggles.livejournal.com]

Wow, christmas day and boxing day... might put a damper on what's open for sure... but as far as what to see, if it's open:

Westminster Abbey
The British Museum (the rosetta stone is there, if memory serves. THEEEE rosetta stone. **FANGIRL!**)
The Tower of London and the bridge
Big Ben

[kattykinns.livejournal.com]

I'm probably not much help as I haven't been down to London in ages but I'll try anyway :D

I can tell you that everywhere will pretty much be closed Xmas day so if you want a yummy Xmas dinner I suggest you book a restaurant somewhere NOW!! because it will be near impossible to get a reservation the closer to December you get (random link I found) also be prepared because it'll probably be expensive :/

On boxing day I'm guessing that Harrods, Selfridges, Hamleys (the bigger stores will be open) it might be mad crazy I know in Manchester as soon as the sales start it's complete mayhem! XD but I'm sure they'll be something for you to do even if it's just checking out the sights Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The Eye etc.

Can't think of anything else... I hope I've been of some help to you XD

[jigglykat.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised what you're able to fit in during a week (though with the holidays, I'm not so sure). I went to London last October with my mom and we went ALL over. We even took a couple of bus tours out of London to Stonehenge and Bath and stuff like that. My summary of the trip (with pictures) is here:

http://jigglykat.livejournal.com/137890.html#cutid1

I'd recommend Tower of London, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's.

[mognetcentral.livejournal.com]

My must-see list is in that other post, but as for X'mas/Boxing Day, yes most things are closed. The best thing to do, unless you have family or friends to stay with, would be to book a coach tour. Lots of them run special X'mas tours and they include meals. My friend and I went on a one day tour of Windsor/Stonehedge/Bath, but there are extended ones too that span multiple days. I also remember there being some cruises along the Thames that include Christmas dinner (lunch), and those sound fun.

[dlgr.livejournal.com]

aw man my friend and I will just miss you, prolly...we're arriving the 3rd of Jan and leaving the...11th? Yeah, something like that. She's been to London MANY times and she gave me a booklet w/ all the places we're going to.

Sales = most definitely will be going on. Go to the Harrods (http://www.harrods.com/harrodsstore/). 300 departments spread out on seven floors. 'Nuff said. lol!! And yeah outta this book she marked "MUST SEE" = museums like The Natl' Gallery, British Museum and St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, definitely The Eye ((DW S1E01 Reference!! XD!))..and maybe Madame Tussauds (wax museum)?? lol!! She also said stay in SoHo...not only is it a fun and cute shopping district ((she spends THOUSANDS on clothes every trip, she's insane!! lol!!)), but it's across the street from Chinatown and there's Fish n' Chip places all over London, so I'm excited. XD! hahah!

hope that helps? 6^^;! hahah

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Hm I do remember wandering around on both days in the morning and finding nothing was open that day @_@ But later on some pubs and restaurants will open up so I think you might be okay. Also try to stock up a little on breakfast foods if you don't like the heavier English breakfasts if where you're staying doesn't accommodate to the foreign traveler.

If you haven't already, I recommend the Edward Lear for a great B&B in the heart of the city with breakfast provided each morn before 9am and it's only a stop away on the Tube from the great shopping and eating :D Also you'll probably love Covent Garden as it has a similiar feel to Santa Monica 3rd St (more authentic obviously).

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

Go to Earl's Court Station on the Underground. Right outside one of the entrances out on the street (I forget which one) is a old fashioned, genuine Police Box. I think it's actually in service, but I'm not honestly sure.

Also, if you need a comics fix while you're there, I can recommend:

Gosh! Comics
30 Great Russel St.
Bloomsbury
London WC1B 3N2

(Opposite the British Museum, a small but well represented friendly local comics shop)

and

Forbidden Planet
179 Shaftsbury Ave
Covent Garden
London WC2H 8JR

Much larger, lots o' stuff (more than just comics... Doctor Who toys, for a start, and an EE-NOR-MUSS collection of Big Finish and BBC Radio audio dramas-- perfect for the trip back).

But yeah: Earl's Court Station.

[dlgr.livejournal.com]

oh yeah...I forgot about Forbidden Planet....Fp = <3<3<3!!!! Also, check to see if there's any nearby Doctor Who Exhibits. **nods**

[franknberry.livejournal.com]

oh wow Forbidden Planet!
I spent WAY too much money there when I was in London in '02.. meeemmmmmoorrriiieeessss..

[radiotrash.livejournal.com]

Madame Tussauds (http://www.madametussauds.com/London/)! You wouldn't think a wax museum was fun but it is.

London *squee*

[janiaskywalker.livejournal.com]

If you are stuck with outside things for a few days, I recommend Trafalgar Square, Big Ben & Parliament, Hyde Park, London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

Also even if the little shops are closed, take pictures on Baker Street [Lit Nerd]. Definitely go to the British National Museum and the Tower, no touristy trip is complete without going there.

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Oooh, London at Christmas time!!!! Niiiiice!

[withinity.livejournal.com]

I used to go every year for Christmas when I was growing up. There are HUGE sales on boxing day, you practically have to fight people in the shops but it's great.

Other things to do.... go to the half-price ticket booth and get theatre tickets.

I used to like the London Dungeon when I was younger but I'm not sure if it would appeal to adults. This is my favourite London Museum though:
http://www.cabaret.co.uk/

Also go to Camden Market if your stay overlaps a week-end.
http://www.camdenlock.net/

This church also has a small market and a cafe in the crypt, and music performances:
http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/

And if you like toys, go to Hamley's on a day when there aren't likely to be as many bratlings.

And go to the Harrod's food hall to stock up on snacks to bring back to your hotel.

[deledrius.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to figure out how you can watch Doctor Who, and yet still think that visiting London for Christmas is at all safe.

^_^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

maybe I'm hoping for the appearance of a blue box!

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

I know there is a blue box in Grosvenor Square near the American Embassy. I haven't been there in ages, but I'll be in London this weekend, I can check and see if it's still there.

[rory-aka-spike.livejournal.com]

I live in London and some pubs will open Christmas day, as for sites, most will close as big public holiday, some small shops like Spar convenience stores and similar will open but non of the big shops, there will be some bus tours on and there is plenty to see even if everything shut, Boxing day will be better, some of the stores may start their sales, but prob wont open until 11/12 as still a holiday, tho varies from store to store also not all the sites for tourists will be open, but some may. If your looking for food on Xmas day most places that are open, resturants etc will be pre-booked for the Christmas meal, so if your staying in a hotel, id see if you can book a meal there, will be traditional turkey Roast and all the trimming, plus other options.. also if you want to see a blue originl police box there is one outside Earl's Court tube station, def worth some pics as your a Dr Who fan also there is a Dr Who Exhibition, but not sure if it will still be around then and you have to book your place, so here is link for future ref just incase is http://www.doctorwhoexhibition.com/earls.html ^_^

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Dr.Who exhibit! My husband and I will most likely try to do that this weekend! :)

[rory-aka-spike.livejournal.com]

Not a prob, happy to help ^_^

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Everyone has given you excellent advice, especially about booking for a Christmas Day dinner now!

I'll have off that week, so would be more than happy to meet you in London one day you are there. I strongly suggest visiting The British Museum for everything! And Victoria & Albert museum, mostly for the costumes and the Japanese artifacts (kimono).

If you want some Japanese-ness on this trip, a visit to Piccadilly Square's Japan Centre and then to Minamoto Kitchoan for some wagashi. However, you'll have far more access to Japanese stuff where you live.

I would also suggest a visit to Covent Garden. The Transport Museum is a gem. But there are some fantastic tea shops around if you look! ;)

A posh British thing to do would be to take tea at the Ritz, The Dorchester or several other large hotels. I've done tea at the Dorchester and it was lovely. Do be prepared to pay ££ for it, but it's certainly worth the experience.

Sadly Buckingham Palace and other Royal houses will not be open to the public during your stay as they are only open for the summer. But certainly worth a visit for photo-ops.

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

I went to London in 1997 with a student ambassador program (People to People (http://www.peopletopeople.com/)) and I believe still have the agenda-- if I can remember, I'll make a PDF and email it to you. We saw most of the major "tourist" locations. I also have brochures from various locations and things and possibly a list of places I stayed.

Just off the top of my head here are "touristy" locations:
*The Tate art gallery
*The Tower of London (and the Crown Jewels-- so perfect, you'd think they were fake!)
*Tower Bridge (if you can get on a ferry to see it, it's way awesome-er.)
*The "New" Globe Theater
*The "New" London Bridge
*Trafalgar Square
*Piccadilly Circus (Just down the street from the Hard Rock cafe and-- I don't know if it's still there-- Planet Hollywood.
*Buckingham Palace-- The changing of the guard actually starts at this other castle... I cannot remember where exactly. (Helpful, I know)
*Westminster Abbey-- the architecture is gorgeous and you might be able to do some brass rubbings (assuming they still do that)
*Big Ben's Bell Tower (Just a note, the "natives" really hate when the tower is referred to as Big Ben-- it's the bell, not the tower with the name).
*Cleopatra's Needle (at least, I think that's what it's called)

Other things you ought to know:
*Lots of places in Europe charge to use public restrooms. Keep a few English Pence on hand for bathroom use in London.
*The main "breakfast-type-food" is bread. Be prepared to eat a lot of bread in the morning.
*They do have conversion stations all over the city-- they can change travelers' cheques for you-- I recommend taking quite a bit of cash since most places have a 20-Pound minimum if you want to charge it. So if you just wanted a few postcards or something small, you won't have to spend 20 Pounds everywhere.

That's all I can remember off the top of my head. I'll try to get you more information...

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Guard changes usually finish at Whitehall. If it's Horseguards, then they start at Whitehall. IMO, Horseguards are more interesting to watch. But, it has been many years since I've watched all of that. If you live here, you tend only to do it when you've got visitors. :)

What do you mean by a £20 minimum? Places in the UK have £5 minimum if anything. Most places don't even care. But if buying postcards, you should most likely pay cash anyways since most of those type of vendors don't take cards. Maybe things have changed a little in 11 years. ;)