Our Greater London Megathread

Jorah · 11-07-2012 7:25pm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The DLR is the Docklands Light Railway, which is mainly in east london.

A one day Travel card is just that, return ticket to London and unlimited Tube and Bus use (You might even be able to use the Riverbus as well). When you buy a ticket at a train station, it will be one of the options when you put in your destination.

Almost got nabbed yesterday for not paying to get on the DLR lol.

schemingbohemia · 12-07-2012 11:03am

Jorah wrote: »

Almost got nabbed yesterday for not paying to get on the DLR lol.

Yeah that's hilarious :rolleyes: why not just pay your fare and not be a muppet?

Opinicus · 13-07-2012 9:10am

So there's a group of us heading over to the Olympics at the end of the month. We are staying in St. Albans (friend of a friend has a second home there). Looking online it seems the best way to get into the city centre is by train. We'll be heading to the Excel Venue for some events.

Anyone have any suggestions to make travelling easier for the week? Both getting into the city and moving around it?
Thanks.

Marcusm · 13-07-2012 9:24am

Opinicus wrote: »

So there's a group of us heading over to the Olympics at the end of the month. We are staying in St. Albans (friend of a friend has a second home there). Looking online it seems the best way to get into the city centre is by train. We'll be heading to the Excel Venue for some events.

Anyone have any suggestions to make travelling easier for the week? Both getting into the city and moving around it?
Thanks.

Depending on the time if day, official advice woud be to avoid London Bridge which is a pity as it would be the most logical for your journeys. Think about interchanging fromFirst Capital Connet (from St A) to London Overgroundat West Hampstead. The stations are 100m apart but might give you quieter routing to Stratford. From there, can access via DR to Excel, Jubilee to O2 (North Greenwich Arena) or stay in situ for main Olympic site.

TfL journey planne is pretty handy.

Opinicus · 13-07-2012 9:54am

Marcusm wrote: »

TfL journey planne is pretty handy.

That is awesome! Thanks very much, haven't seen it before. Perfect for a bunch of culchies like us heading to the big smoke!

Opinicus · 18-07-2012 8:50am

Are there storage lockers in any of the train/bus stations? Just wondering cos on the day we are travelling we might want to drop our bags for a few hours

Brianderunner · 18-07-2012 9:52am

Opinicus wrote: »

Are there storage lockers in any of the train/bus stations? Just wondering cos on the day we are travelling we might want to drop our bags for a few hours

There is in Victoria anyway, beside platform 8 ish (middle of the station essentially). It's £7.50 to leave a bag in and it has to be security screened first. The biggest stations have them i think.

Louche Lad · 18-07-2012 10:26am

Opinicus wrote: »

Are there storage lockers in any of the train/bus stations? Just wondering cos on the day we are travelling we might want to drop our bags for a few hours

At many of the major train stations they're operated by the Excess Baggage Company: http://www.left-baggage.co.uk/locations.php

Opinicus · 18-07-2012 12:19pm

Thanks guys. Worth the small cost to save dragging it around all day

mystic86 · 19-07-2012 1:09am

Hi,

Can somebody recommend an Irish bar that will be showing the Kerry v Tyrone game (on TV3) on Saturday, in the Waterloo area or surrounding areas (I'll be finished at BFI Imax in Waterloo around 3 and the games throws in at 5).

Thanks

Opinicus · 19-07-2012 1:16am

mystic86 wrote: »

(I'll be finished at BFI Imax in Waterloo around 3 and the games throws in at 5).

You going to see TDKR in IMAX too? A few of us are heading over for the olympics and have tickets booked for it.

mystic86 · 19-07-2012 1:17am

Opinicus wrote: »

You going to see TDKR in IMAX too? A few of us are heading over for the olympics and have tickets booked for it.

Yup, when ye going to see it? Any idea of Irish bars in Waterloo-ish area?

Opinicus · 19-07-2012 8:56am

mystic86 wrote: »

Yup, when ye going to see it? Any idea of Irish bars in Waterloo-ish area?

We have tickets for the Sunday 29th night time screening. It was the only one left with decent seats when I was booking. Can't wait. So tempting to go to the cinema here but I must be strong!:D

No idea on the bar front sorry. If the worst comes to the worst you can probably watch the match on aertv.ie as long as you can find good wifi (hotel maybe), I wouldn't fancy the data roaming charges otherwise.

Lapin · 19-07-2012 12:31pm

Can't think of any pubs around Waterloo that might be showing the match but there are a few a 10 minute walk (or short cab ride) across the river in Covent Garden that might.

Try The Harp in Chandos Place, or further up the street in Maiden Lane is The Porterhouse. Ring them in advance as they mightn't have it either but may be able to let you know of other pubs in the area that do. (Assuming the person you talk to has actually heard of Kerry or Tyrone !)

You'll have plenty of time to get the tube from Waterloo to Kilburn. A five minute walk from here is The Kingdom and they will definitely have it with a good atmosphere.

Louche Lad · 19-07-2012 12:50pm

Lapin wrote: »

Try The Harp in Chandos Place

Alhough the Harp is an excellent pub for real ale (I've been there many a time), they'll definitely not be showing it as there's no TV.

Lapin · 19-07-2012 1:12pm

Cheers Louche. I was only in there once.
Agree about the ale, keep meaning to call back.

Just thinkng about it now, I'm not sure if the Porterhouse has a tv either, but as I said, someone there might know somewhere else in the area showing the match. The Kingdom is a dead cert though.

Fratton Fred · 19-07-2012 4:48pm

The Porterhouse has tv's and puts the RTE coverage on so they might show it.

TigerTim · 19-07-2012 5:29pm

Hi All,

Going to London at end of October. Any recommendations on reasonable hotel rates fairly close to city centre for 2 adults & 3 kids.

Thanks,

T.

Jorah · 22-07-2012 8:48pm

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Yeah that's hilarious :rolleyes: why not just pay your fare and not be a muppet?

I was only going one stop.

Lapin · 27-07-2012 3:37pm

mystic86 wrote: »

Hi,

Can somebody recommend an Irish bar that will be showing the Kerry v Tyrone game (on TV3) on Saturday, in the Waterloo area or surrounding areas (I'll be finished at BFI Imax in Waterloo around 3 and the games throws in at 5).

Thanks

How did you get on ?

Did you find a place to watch the game ?

paddylonglegs · 12-08-2012 12:55pm

Planning an anniversary trip in London. Stayed at The G in Galway last year and loved the high-end style with a bit of fun and quirkiness to it. I know the G might be called a boutique hotel, but I consider boutique to be just another word for tiny. We prefer the larger anonymous hotels as the small ones can be just a bit too personal.

Any recommendations for a similar style hotel in London? Would be nice to be close to London centre but its not too much of an issue. While we're there we'll be lookign out for decent restaurants and probably go to the theatre. I'd also like to nerd up on some history and art galleries

Thanks all

Kento · 12-08-2012 4:04pm

I'm going to London on Tuesday and want to see Wicked the musical in the Apollo Victoria. I've heard you can get cheap tickets on the day of the performance in the West End. Is this risky? Would I be better off just getting the tickets from ticketmaster in advance or would it be relatively easy to get them on the day? Any advice appreciated!

Lapin · 13-08-2012 6:00pm

If the show is on Tuesday, you have a much better chance of getting tickets on the actual day than you would on a weekend.

Here is a reply I gave to a similar thread recently. I hope its is of help.

Try
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co....-tickets/tkts/

Failing that, there is a green kiosk on the corner of Coventry St and Whitcombe street outside Pret A Manger and opposite KFC, McDonalds and the new M&M Store that sells last minute tickets for West End Shows.

Its about half way between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square and only a couple of minutes walk from either of those tube stations.

I got tickets there a couple of times and never had a problem although I have heard some negative stories but I don't know how true they are.

Here is a handy guide to places selling tickets for West End Shows.
Shop around and don't allow yourself to get ripped off.

Enjoy the show !

Fratton Fred · 15-08-2012 11:51pm

High end? London?

Err, the Ritz, The Dorchester?

High end in London doesn't come cheap.

mikemac1 · 15-08-2012 11:55pm

History and art, you seem to be into culture

If I were you I'd say at the newly opened St Pancreas Renaissance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Pancras_Renaissance_London_Hotel

It was an old hotel but shut down in the 1930's and was used as offices until they reopened last year

It's unusual, some rooms are on two floors, the bar is a pretty much like a railway terminal, corrugated glass roof
They took the best parts of the old railway hotel and kept them.

Quirky and interesting

But yeah, as said above top end London hotels don't come cheap, expect to pay at least 180 sterling a night here

zagmund · 16-08-2012 12:05am

You know London's a bit bigger than Galway, right ? As Fred indicates, the higher end of 'high end' in London could set you back an average *annual* industrial wage for a weekend. You may need to give some indication of budget. How much is too much per night ? £1,000, £500, £250. That will give people an idea of what to pitch.

Leading Hotels of the World - www.lhw.com - will give you some pointers. We ate at Browns as part of a package including tickets to an exhibition around the corner in the Royal Academy - http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/events/, so there's your culture bit right there. The hotel itself didn't look like my sort of place to stay, but the restaurant was lovely and the food was delicious.

We stayed at the Langham on Portland Street - great location, expensive place, but we got a deal which involved a free room for the kids over mid-term so that made it a little better. They have a lovely lobby/lounge/dining room where you can happily spend an afternoon drinking in the atmosphere.

z

zagmund · 16-08-2012 12:13am

We didn't stay at it, but the Marriott County Hall looks relatively quirky yet part of a chain. The hotel (and another one that I can't remember the name of) as well as apartments you can rent are located in the old London county Council chamber buildings.

We stayed across the road in the Park Plaza which was fine, but not great for an anniversary sort of place.

z

Fratton Fred · 16-08-2012 12:16am

I've been to an office in the old county hall and the hotel looks quite posh but quirky. Handy for gatwick as well.

I can't think of any overly romantic type hotels in London itself. They are usually out in the country, like the complete angler in Marlow.

The Hilton at Paddington might be worth a shout, handy for heathrow, nice rooms and a bit quirky.

schemingbohemia · 21-08-2012 4:50pm

TigerTim wrote: »

Hi All,

Going to London at end of October. Any recommendations on reasonable hotel rates fairly close to city centre for 2 adults & 3 kids.

Thanks,

T.

I don't know if they do family rooms but I'm just back from London and got a great rate at the Copthorne Tara hotel just off High Street Kensington - thought it was great, very handy for our needs, there's a tube station 3 minutes walk from the front of the hotel. We paid £80 a night so very happy with that, sure you'd pay that in Travelodge or Premier Inn.

NeitherJohn · 22-08-2012 4:45pm

Hi all.

Will be booking flights to London soon for a 27th-31st Dec stay.

I've been looking at the combination ticket for Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, London Eye and London Dungeon, hopefully on the 28th.

Will be taking in the the London Science Museum as well on the 29th. We will probably fill the 30th, before flying back to Cork with London Zoo (have tried booking that online but it won't let me select dates beyond November 4th, perhaps it'll come available later!)

All of the attractions on the 28th are within the Jubilee Line of the Tube from some cursory Googling. London Science Museum is a bit out of the way of those 4 as is London Zoo but they are all within 30 mins or so of the Jubilee Line by public transport. I assume an Oyster card is a must with all the travelling I will be doing.

I suppose in essence I would be grateful for recommendations of hotels that are close to the places I'll be visiting. Access to public transport that would take me to and from Heathrow would also be appreciated! We have a budget of 500 euro for the 4 night hotel stay!

Thanks for your help!

Brianderunner · 22-08-2012 5:25pm

NeitherJohn wrote: »

Hi all.

Will be booking flights to London soon for a 27th-31st Dec stay.

I've been looking at the combination ticket for Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, London Eye and London Dungeon, hopefully on the 28th.

Will be taking in the the London Science Museum as well on the 29th. We will probably fill the 30th, before flying back to Cork with London Zoo (have tried booking that online but it won't let me select dates beyond November 4th, perhaps it'll come available later!)

All of the attractions on the 28th are within the Jubilee Line of the Tube from some cursory Googling. London Science Museum is a bit out of the way of those 4 as is London Zoo but they are all within 30 mins or so of the Jubilee Line by public transport. I assume an Oyster card is a must with all the travelling I will be doing.

I suppose in essence I would be grateful for recommendations of hotels that are close to the places I'll be visiting. Access to public transport that would take me to and from Heathrow would also be appreciated! We have a budget of 500 euro for the 4 night hotel stay!

Thanks for your help!

No need to be so reliant on the jubilee line. Switching tubes is relatively simple. Science museum is best found from South Kensington tube on the Piccadilly line/Circle line.

Northern line serves you just as well tbh, i know a good hotel called Hampstead Britannia, about 8 mins walk from chalk farm tube station (which is on the northern line). My parents stay there when they visit me and it falls within your budget. From here London Zoo is 10 mins walk away, and its a nice 20 walk through regents park from there to Madame Tussauds. Embankent or Waterloo on the northern line will take you close to the london eye and the sealife place (which are beside each other). Beside that hotel you also have Primrose Hill, which is a great viewing spot.

Oyster card is the way to go alright. One other thing, you should check out Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park if you're over then, its well worth a visit.

NeitherJohn · 22-08-2012 5:32pm

You're a legend. Thanks a million! That'll make planning things a lot easier. Thanks for that Winter Wonderland suggestion, sounds enjoyable.

Would I be right in saying then that I take the Tube to Kings Cross and change there to Chalk Farm?

Brianderunner · 22-08-2012 5:35pm

NeitherJohn wrote: »

You're a legend. Thanks a million! That'll make planning things a lot easier. Thanks for that Winter Wonderland suggestion, sounds enjoyable.

Would I be right in saying then that I take the Tube to Kings Cross and change there to Chalk Farm?

No problem. Nope tube to Leicester Square then change to the northern line northbound in the direction of Edgware. Tfl website is best for planning journeys.

zagmund · 22-08-2012 11:32pm

Slightly complicated plan here, and I would welcome any input.

The one constraint that we have is that we need to be on a kayak at Chelsea at 0715 on Saturday 15th September. Long story, I'll tell you another time . . .

Given the ungodly hour we plan on staying in one of the few hotels nearby - either Jurys or the Wyndham, depending on how much we want to splash out.

The problem now is getting there. Mrs Zag was going to fly to LCY and get across from there, but the TfL journey planner is setting out routes at about 50-60 minutes long, involving the Central Line to Notting Hill Gate, or the Picadilly Line at Green Park (my absolute un-favourite station to change lines). It doesn't seem to show connections with the District Line at Westminster and then Earls Court to Parsons Green which should be shorter. Am I missing something ?

Alternatively, to save ourselves a lot of hassle, is there somewhere easier to get to, which is within striking distance of Chelsea Harbour by taxi at that hour of the morning ?

The other option is simply to head in to central London, do stuff, and then head out to the hotel later. That might make it more bearable.

z

kindalen · 23-08-2012 8:22am

Maybe there are upgrading lines that morning? Or maybe try changing stops by one or two stations, could just be a glitch.

Rascasse · 23-08-2012 8:35am

Yeah if you check the engineering works for the 15th you will see there is no Jubilee, no Circle and only partial District line.

Edit: Re suggestion for somewhere else to get to - you could try DLR & tube to Sloane Sq. just down the Kings Rd from Chelsea.

zagmund · 23-08-2012 9:06am

Thanks for that. I realised after I posted that I wasn't clear about the days. Getting from the airport to Chelsea is Friday, so I wasn't expecting engineering on a week day.

I'll check out Sloane Square - thanks.

z

coylemj · 23-08-2012 12:25pm

As with car SatNavs, all automated routing algorithms have their quirks/glitches/bugs and the route proposed needs to be treated with a healthy degree of scepticism.

schemingbohemia · 23-08-2012 2:53pm

NeitherJohn wrote: »

You're a legend. Thanks a million! That'll make planning things a lot easier. Thanks for that Winter Wonderland suggestion, sounds enjoyable.

Would I be right in saying then that I take the Tube to Kings Cross and change there to Chalk Farm?

You should check with London Zoo that they're actually open that week and also the other attractions.

Not to burst your bubble but a mate of mine went to London Zoo back in May and wasn't impressed, thought Dublin Zoo was much better and London Zoo is seriously expensive.

NeitherJohn · 23-08-2012 3:03pm

I've checked and they're all open every day of the year except Christmas Day. I think the Museum is closed on Boxing day as well but it's open every other day.

Thanks for the heads up on the Zoo. I was only looking for something to fill the last day. We might head towards Tower Bridge that day instead so!

Lapin · 24-08-2012 5:31pm

If you can stretch it to an extra night, the New Years Eve firework display is well worth seeing.

While you're out at the Science Museum, you should visit The Natural History Museum too. Its just around the corner. Incredible place.

Its years since I was in Madame Tussauds and I found it very overated, although The Planetaruim next door is worth a look.

Alternatives to London Zoo are Chessington, Thorpe Park and Legoland theme parks. All within easy reach of London with plenty in each to fill a day.

mtjm · 27-08-2012 9:50pm

Want to go over within next couple months, getting cheap flights no problem but hotels, so far find one or two for about over €200 any cheaper even say €100 for 2 nights it's a weekend booking going over on Friday leaving on Sunday

Prometheus · 29-08-2012 7:57am

Can anyone tell me what is the cheapest way to travel to London and return on the same day. Thanks

Lapin · 29-08-2012 9:25am

Petca4 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what is the cheapest way to travel to London and return on the same day. Thanks

There is no copperfastened cheapest way.

It involves a bit of homework when booking flights to find what is cheapest on a given day although Ryanair usually win out, but not always.

The earlier you book in advance the better most of the time.

Don't limit your search to one airport or airline. You'll often find it might be cheaper to fly into Luton with Ryanair and use Gatwick with Aer Lingus or Ryanair for the return leg.

Don't forget to weigh up the costs of travelling from the airport into Central London. If an Aer Lingus flight to Heathrow costs €20 more than a Ryanair flight to anywhere, take it. The extra cost is cancelled out by savings made from travelling from Luton, Gatwick or Stansted.

I do this trip regularly (going this Friday) and find in most cases Ryanair to Luton works out marginally better, but Luton also suits me for the part of London I go to.

Flights to Heathrow and London City airport are always more expensive than the other 3 airports.

Aer Arann use Southend but I wouldn't find this practical for a day trip.

Prometheus · 29-08-2012 9:41am

Thanks for that.

Lapin wrote: »

There is no copperfastened cheapest way.

It involves a bit of homework when booking flights to find what is cheapest on a given day although Ryanair usually win out, but not always.

The earlier you book in advance the better most of the time.

Don't limit your search to one airport or airline. You'll often find it might be cheaper to fly into Luton with Ryanair and use Gatwick with Aer Lingus or Ryanair for the return leg.

Don't forget to weigh up the costs of travelling from the airport into Central London. If an Aer Lingus flight to Heathrow costs €20 more than a Ryanair flight to anywhere, take it. The extra cost is cancelled out by savings made from travelling from Luton, Gatwick or Stansted.

I do this trip regularly (going this Friday) and find in most cases Ryanair to Luton works out marginally better, but Luton also suits me for the part of London I go to.

Flights to Heathrow and London City airport are always more expensive than the other 3 airports.

Aer Arann use Southend but I wouldn't find this practical for a day trip.

grimm2005 · 29-08-2012 10:29am

You could consider using www.airbnb.com to book a short term apartment rental.

Used it before for a trip to Chicago, had a whole apartment to ourselves for 2 weeks at a far cheaper price then any hotel.

schemingbohemia · 29-08-2012 11:04am

Another option I've used recently is to fly into Birmingham and get the train down, if you time it right it doesn't take much longer than flying into Gatwick or Heathrow.

You also have to be lucky with trainfares but I got a return from the airport to Euston for less than €20 and that was on one of the fast trains.
Use www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk to buy your train tickets.

From getting out of the plane you can be at the train station in 15 minutes so it's a lot quicker than in Gatwick or Heathrow.

Might be a bit of hassle for a day trip but can be worth it depending on flight costs to London.

Also depends really on where in London you want to go if it's just a "flying" visit.

Fratton Fred · 30-08-2012 9:25am

You could also get the 9pm stena ferry from roslare and sail rail to Paddington. This gets you there at about 7:30am, but with little sleep.

The late ryanair flights from luton and gatwick are usually cheap, or you can sail rail home on the 2am ferry.

Shane732 · 10-09-2012 8:45pm

Could someone tell me why hotels prices in London have absolutely rocketed in London?

I booked 3 nights in the Sofitel St. James Place for about €800 in April.

Looking at reasonably high end 5 star in London now the cost appears to be well over €400 per night. For example the Sofitel is coming in at around €430. Others like the Corinthia Hotel are €500 + per night. Why so?

I don't mind paying a premium for a good 5* hotel but the prices quoted above are from standard rooms in these hotels. Upgrading rooms add another chunk to the cost.

Irish 5* hotels will set you back anything from €180 - €250 per night. It looks like London is double that at the moment.

Am I missing something?

Louche Lad · 10-09-2012 8:57pm

The many NAMA-owned hotels in Ireland, with their reduced prices, must be a factor in the lowering of the relative rates.

Also, the exchange rate: the pound has been getting stronger against the euro this year.

However, I have heard anecdotal evidence, plus a news story (I forget where), saying that rental prices in London have been shooting up. Possibly it's the Olympics effect, but there does seem to be a general upward trend.

Our Greater London Megathread

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