Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Our Greater London Megathread

1…89111314…58

Comments

  • #502
    metrovelvet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭metrovelvet


    Can I get on a London bus with a buggy? Im not even going to try dealing with the tube.

    Also- Im planning my visit around my morning return dash to the airport, which means I cant be too far from Liverpool station to get the train back to Stanstead.

    I was thinking of staying around Victoria or Kensington. Which one is more convenient and more gentrified?


  • #503
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    metrovelvet wrote: »
    Can I get on a London bus with a buggy? Im not even going to try dealing with the tube.

    Also- Im planning my visit around my morning return dash to the airport, which means I cant be too far from Liverpool station to get the train back to Stanstead.

    I was thinking of staying around Victoria or Kensington. Which one is more convenient and more gentrified?

    Firstly, I would stay in Kensington, easy choice imo. Any specific part in Kensington, I can give you some more advice, Kensington is a lot nicer anyway :)

    The tube is not as bad as you might think, obviously rush hour can be much more tricky to negotiate but not impossible, the tube is so frequent, I find the back carriages can be that bit quieter.

    If its Stanstead or Luton, I would go with Stanstead, have you checked out Heathrow though? bmi British Midland and Aer Lingus


  • #504
    metrovelvet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭metrovelvet


    http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONKEN/london-kensington-earls-court

    I was going to stay here.

    As for the underground, I just cant carry a three year old and a stroller down all those steps so Im going to stick to buses and cabs.

    I already booked flights to stanstead. I'll have to get a cab from the hotel to liverpool when its time to leave. Can you get a normal train from stanstead or do you have to take the express?

    Much appreciated.


  • #505
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    It is much cheaper to get into London from Gatwick, unless you do the coach, which takes a lot longer.


  • #506
    Esto Fidelis
    Registered Users Posts: 208 ✭✭Esto Fidelis


    Hi,

    I am looking for a bit of help, i am flying into Gatwick. I will be staying in the St Giles Hotel Tottenham Court. I have seen there is a tube station in Tottenham Court. Can you help with offering advise getting from Gatwick to the hotel, it does not have to be the quickest option as long as it does not take all day as long as it is a reasonable price. Also any advice on traveling around while there, are there tourist discount cards or similar. We will be there for 4 days and would like to see as much as we can. Also any reccomendations on places to go and a bit of nite life and so on would be great. Thanks in advance.


  • #507
    bamboozler
    Registered Users Posts: 118 ✭✭bamboozler


    you need to pay £3 deposit and £2 credit initially for card, so £5 to start wit. you can top by as much as you want at the oyster top up points or in the shops who top the oyster.

    in general i would say kensington would be better than canary wharf.
    i know from people who stayed in canary wharf they felt it was very much out of the way and bit too quiet to stay in.
    kensington is a more upmarket part of london and is nearer to central london with better transport links


  • #508
    Cunning Alias
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 782 ✭✭✭Cunning Alias


    Iv organized a trip to london for 2 days for my mum and sisters. We are going to see Wicked on the night we are there and the day after the girls are going to go clothes shopping.

    While they are off shopping I was thinking of catching a Matinee of another musical. The tickets are pretty expensive at this stage and I was wondering if it would be worth my while waiting till I am there and getting a ticket at the last minute.

    Since I will be on my own, I am guessing I should be able to get a decent seat. Will I be able to get it at a reduced price, since I will be getting it right before the show?


  • #509
    bamboozler
    Registered Users Posts: 118 ✭✭bamboozler


    you are automatically capped. you just buy the card and i'd put another few £ credit on top of the £2 already. the amount depending how long your there. its very easy to top up again and check you credit so no need to put too much on it. the deposit is a write off anyway, hassles gettin money back and i just reuse same card when im over anyway.

    ive had my oyster for few years now and use it to stay over for weekend or day trips for Arsenal matches. I normally jus top it up to £15 on it to start with and jus check in station or in the top up shops outside every once while how much credit ive left. normally does me for weekend and hav some leftover for my next trip.

    ive never used the £7.20 in one day unless i forgot to scan back out my oyster but depends how much you're in and out of tube. peak times are only from mon to fri and between times 0630 - 0930 and 1600-1900. therefore if you there for the saturday sunday should be cheaper at £5.60 cap for zone 1-2.


    main advice would be to make sure you scan in and out of the tube stations. most have physical barriers but some smaller ones you have to remember to scan yourself on a scanner attached to the wall on your way out. If ya dont they charge maximum fare for the day as a penalty.


  • #510
    PrettyBoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,213 ✭✭✭PrettyBoy


    Looking to rent an apartment in London for four nights, 8 of us staying. Preferably somewhere central enough. Any recommended websites I should look at?


  • Advertisement
  • #511
    shano_88
    Registered Users Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭shano_88


    http://www.clinkhostels.com/

    Anyone have any experience with this hostel? Going over to London in a few weeks on a lads weekend trip so basically only want a place to get a few hours sleep and have a wash.


  • #512
    urranger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 136 ✭✭urranger


    Hi
    Willl be in London on 22 Feb and am flying out of Stansted on 23rd morning. Looking for a late bar to spend a few hours supping beer before getting a bus to airport. Looking for somewhere near Liverpool St or Baker St that opens till around 3 am
    anyone???????????


  • #513
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    urranger wrote: »
    Hi
    Willl be in London on 22 Feb and am flying out of Stansted on 23rd morning. Looking for a late bar to spend a few hours supping beer before getting a bus to airport. Looking for somewhere near Liverpool St or Baker St that opens till around 3 am
    anyone???????????

    Liverpool St might be a bit dead as pubs in the square mile tend to close early. There are several pubs at Baker Street though. Your best bet is to check out WWW.beerintheevening.com and see what is recommended.


  • #514
    who the fug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    Liverpool St might be a bit dead as pubs in the square mile tend to close early. There are several pubs at Baker Street though. Your best bet is to check out WWW.beerintheevening.com and see what is recommended.

    The actual pub in the Station did apply for a 24 hour license, wether they stay open or not is a different matter


  • #515
    GalwayGunner
    Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭GalwayGunner


    Hey folks,

    Heading to London next month with the girlfriend and have been instructed to find somewhere 'nice' to stay....which from what I can understand means:

    "sure you do only need one kidney anyway, right?"

    Can anyone recommend a 'nice' hotel around central London (Covent Garden..ish preferably) for around £100 to £150(max) per night?????

    Cheers all.


  • #516
    Savman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,323 ✭✭✭Savman


    Try Premier Inns.


  • Advertisement
  • #517
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    GalwayGunner wrote: »
    Hey folks,

    Heading to London next month with the girlfriend and have been instructed to find somewhere 'nice' to stay....which from what I can understand means:

    "sure you do only need one kidney anyway, right?"

    Can anyone recommend a 'nice' hotel around central London (Covent Garden..ish preferably) for around £100 to £150(max) per night?????

    Cheers all.

    Is it that she wants to be walking distance to Covent Garden or just close by transport wise. If its the latter have a look at below link, direct tube from Gloucester Road to Covent Garden- 10 mins. Also Harrods is direct from here two stops(3-4 mins)

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=59595655&highlight=kensington+forum#post59595655


  • #518
    paul75
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭paul75


    Hello,
    I'm heading to London midweek on business (to watch a football match) but need to catch an early flight out of Heathrow the following day.
    Can anyone recommend a cheap hotel close to Heathrow or close to the piccadilly tube stops near heathrow??


  • #519
    catho_monster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭catho_monster


    http://easyhotel.com/

    They've got a hotel out in Heathrow. I've staying a couple of times in their hotels in London and was always impressed with what I got for the price.

    Small rooms, but clean, secure, no frills.

    edit: seems you may need a taxi from the hotel to the airport tho.


  • #520
    paul75
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭paul75


    catho_monster wrote: »
    http://easyhotel.com/

    They've got a hotel out in Heathrow. I've staying a couple of times in their hotels in London and was always impressed with what I got for the price.

    Small rooms, but clean, secure, no frills.

    edit: seems you may need a taxi from the hotel to the airport tho.

    Thanks catho_monster. Managed to find an IBIS hotel pretty close for around the same price - 45 europes


  • #521
    faceman
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,648 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    If you had to get from Gatwick Airport to the Kensington area of London, outside of rush, is the Gatwick Express plus Tube the best route or is there a direct bus from Gatwick?


  • Advertisement
  • #522
    who the fug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    faceman wrote: »
    If you had to get from Gatwick Airport to the Kensington area of London, outside of rush, is the Gatwick Express plus Tube the best route or is there a direct bus from Gatwick?

    Yes, cheaper option is to take a stopping train into Victoria then transfer on to the tube.

    For get about the bus, traffic will be a pain


  • #523
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    faceman wrote: »
    If you had to get from Gatwick Airport to the Kensington area of London, outside of rush, is the Gatwick Express plus Tube the best route or is there a direct bus from Gatwick?

    As said Gatwick express to Victoria and then tube West bound Circle(yellow line) or District(Green Line) both on same platform towards Kensington, unless you are going to High Street Kensington tube station, in which case Circle Line tube train only.


  • #524
    Bread Bath
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Bread Bath


    paul75 wrote: »
    Hello,
    I'm heading to London midweek on business (to watch a football match) but need to catch an early flight out of Heathrow the following day.
    Can anyone recommend a cheap hotel close to Heathrow or close to the piccadilly tube stops near heathrow??

    If you're looking for a hotel near Piccadilly, TubeHotels.com is good for finding places near tube stations, and it works with Heathrow as well. While it's nothing too fancy, I had a very pleasant stay in the Regent Palace Hotel with my girlfriend a few years ago, and it was nice and cheap considering it was in the middle of Piccadilly Circus.
    Hope that helps!


  • #525
    dcuhightach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭dcuhightach




    Hi all,

    My friends and I are planning a short break away to London(hope to leave on a Thursday and return Sunday, sometime in June). Anyway, we dont really know much about the area as it is sooo big so we really need some location sites. We would love somewhere that is cheap, preferably >€200, if possible. We are looking to stay some where that is close to main shopping areas, the wax museum, close to clubs and pubs i.e lively and possibly a football stadium. I know it's alot to ask but your advice would truly be great!

    Look forward to hearing from you all, Cheers :cool:


  • #526
    delaney001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 431 ✭✭delaney001


    Hey, Im heading to london in 3 weeks time, going on a friday and back on a sunday. Mainly just going to see the sites and see london itself as ive never been.
    Want to try and stay in a hotel, my girlfriend and I. I'm a student so my budget is probably €150 for the 2 nights, or less preferably. If thats at all possible could someone suggest somewhere not too far from the main shopping/sites/restaurant/pubs areas (ive no idea what the main areas are).
    Thanks


  • #527
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    For the two posters above, have a look at the below link, price may be slightly above your budgets but have a look.

    Your budgets are kind of tight for London imo especially as you are looking to stay in Central London and somewhere reasonable.

    As regards the area to stay, I would look at Kensington, it is in zone 1, and you are 10-15 mins by tube from all the shopping areas, places of interest. You are also close to most of the football stadiums, closest stadiums in Kensington would be Chelsea, Fulham and QPR, but all other stadiums are near enough by tube.

    If the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum is too expensive, you can check out the second link which is for the Premier Inn. Also in the Kensington area, I don't know anything about the hotel itself, but is a well known brand.

    Any questions feel free to ask :)


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=59595655&highlight=kensington+forum#post59595655

    http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONKEN/london-kensington-earls-court


  • #528
    Ste-
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,751 ✭✭✭Ste-


    Just wondering about Nike Town. Say you make an appointment then make up your runners do they then post them out to you or can you collect them ?


  • #529
    Hunnybunny100
    Registered Users Posts: 31 ✭Hunnybunny100


    Hi there
    Can anyone recommend a hotel near Wembley Stadium, (hopefully within walking distance). Doesnt need to be anything fancy, just cheap and cheerful.
    Thanks


  • #530
    Dero123
    Registered Users Posts: 325 ✭✭Dero123


    Hunnybunny100 wrote: »
    Hi there
    Can anyone recommend a hotel near Wembley Stadium, (hopefully within walking distance). Doesnt need to be anything fancy, just cheap and cheerful.
    Thanks

    Try Wembley Plaza think it's a Hilton Hotel, was at an exhibition with work last year in the Wembley Arena was only a 5mins walk away, stadium is there as well. We flew into Heathrow and got the tube around London.


  • #531
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    There is a quality inn as well. No idea what it is like, I've only ever used the outside temporary bar they put up for big games.

    It is right next to wembley park tube and 5 minutes walk to the stadium.

    There is nothing around wembley though, personally I would stay in the west end and get the tube to wembley.

    There is a travelodge at marylebone station (direct overland rail services to wembley stadium) that sounds quite good.


  • Advertisement
  • #532
    point7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭point7


    GalwayGunner wrote: »
    Hey folks,

    Heading to London next month with the girlfriend and have been instructed to find somewhere 'nice' to stay....which from what I can understand means:

    "sure you do only need one kidney anyway, right?"

    Can anyone recommend a 'nice' hotel around central London (Covent Garden..ish preferably) for around £100 to £150(max) per night?????

    Cheers all.

    This reply is for others too looking for central accommodation & general info. London is full of hotels - check tripadvisor for reviews. However tried and tested is Park Plaza County Hall in Waterloo http://www.parkplaza.com/london-hotel-gb-se1-7ry/gbcounty -my folks stayed there when visiting me in London...

    ...it's by Waterloo Station, which is beside the Eye, across from Westminster & Big Ben. If you cross over to Embankment (10 min, if even) walk, you're in Covent Garden.

    Waterloo has trains to Gatwick (I think, if not change at Clapham Junction) 30 mins to Gatwick anyway. Cheaper than the Gatwick Express

    Walk along Southbank towards London Bridge and you have the Tate Modern, Shakespeares Globe & Borough Market. Head over London Bridge, towards the Square Mile / The City... up off Bishopsgate (Liverpool St Stn), you have Spitalfields Market (lovely on a Sunday) - and head towards Commercial Rd and inbetween Brick Lane (famous for curries) and there's an electic scene. Basically Shoreditch.

    However Covent Garden is good for shopping (although packed with tourists, natch) - walk from there (5 min) to China Town which is cheap for eating out, and also behind Leicester Square... after that head up into Soho (lots of eating places also), which has good bars / pubs - mostly people from media / television scene hang out there and it's also got a good gay scene. Oxford St then runs over that.

    Heaps of restaurants are running voucher offers in London - one of the most popular is Pizza Express & Strada (always meeting the girls for wine and pizza!) - good to check them out if you're on a budget - and don't be embarrassed to use the voucher - everyone is!

    Toptable.co.uk also has offers for restaurants, when you book through them. Have had the opportunity to eat in some lovely places as a result.

    Hope this helps!

    7x


  • #533
    RunHomerRun
    Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭RunHomerRun


    Hi,

    7 of us flying to Luton next month,
    Will need a taxi / minibus from Luton to central London.

    I've seen a few taxi firms on the luton airport website, but would prefer boardsies experiences.

    Can anyone recommend a good minibus / taxi company?

    Thanks.


  • #534
    londonbus
    Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭londonbus


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    There is a quality inn as well. No idea what it is like, I've only ever used the outside temporary bar they put up for big games.

    It is right next to wembley park tube and 5 minutes walk to the stadium.

    There is nothing around wembley though, personally I would stay in the west end and get the tube to wembley.

    There is a travelodge at marylebone station (direct overland rail services to wembley stadium) that sounds quite good.

    Erm - there's a Premier Inn right by the tube:

    http://www.premierinn.com/en/checkHotel/WEMPTI/london-wembley-stadium

    and there's a Quality Hotel 5 mins from the Arena:

    http://www.qualityhotel-wembley.co.uk/


  • #535
    LCRC_BAX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 293 ✭✭LCRC_BAX


    Hi,

    We are going to London on a family trip this weekend and I would be grateful of any ideas for activities that would be suitable for everyone. Basically there are 9 of us all adults & my sis is a disabled girl who would get tired with lots of walking. I know London quite well having spent a summer working there 8 years ago & many trips in between but thinking of good group activities is tough. Musicals are ruled out as the ladies have been to most of them and the lads aren't interested. We have thought of the following as possibilities, any feedback / info on these would be great too;
    • London Zoo
    • Tower of London tour
    • London Eye
    • Imperial War Museum
    • Boat trip on Thames
    • Early morning markets

    Thanks!


  • #536
    corigi
    Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭corigi


    Hey Guys,

    We off to London on a stag this weekend.Could anyone recommend some decent pubs/clubs to visit?Some pubs with live Music be great or places were we can have a bit of a laugh nothing posh?

    We staying in Vauxhall but anywhere within 10miles or so be fine.Cheers in advance.


  • #537
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Ste- wrote: »
    Just wondering about Nike Town. Say you make an appointment then make up your runners do they then post them out to you or can you collect them ?

    Don't know about collection, but we had to get ours sent to a UK address as they wouldn't send them to Ireland.

    I would definitely recommend it though, you feel like a celeb and get to design your own runners.


  • #538
    RunHomerRun
    Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭RunHomerRun


    Any recommendations for taxi?


  • #539
    keysersoze0330
    Registered Users Posts: 2,051 ✭✭✭keysersoze0330


    RunHomerRun wrote: »
    Any recommendations for taxi?

    No recommendations for taxi, but myself and the better half got a taxi from luton to london and it cost £90. There is a congestion charge added to your fare in London and traffic was absolutely mental. At a standstill for ages while meter ran before my eyes.

    As there is a group of you this is different and will work out cheaper, but i would advise you organise it beforehand, getting a quote and enquire about this charge to make sure its included. Otherwise i think its 20-25 mins by train/ shuttle.

    Good luck.


  • #540
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    There is also easybus into baker street and Victoria as well.


  • Advertisement
  • #541
    harvester of sorrow
    Registered Users Posts: 832 ✭✭✭harvester of sorrow


    Hi all,
    Looking to take the girlfriend to London for 3/4 nights in july,looking for something nice 4 or 5* with a spa,any recomendations?...She'll probobally look to do a bit of shopping as well so somewhere within easy comute of the shopping malls or centres is as plus..
    Thanks in advance....


  • #542
    tommy21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Hey all - have been wading my way through this megathread, currently at page 5. I have gotten great ideas from people (thank to OpenRoad and others in particular), and plenty of accomodation links to follow up on. I just wondered had anyone experienced a decent hotel of late they would recommend? I am planning to take my girlfriend as a surprise for 4 nights early May, budget max of 120-150 per night, and as long as we can get to London fairly easily within 15-20 mins (Kensington comes to mind as Openroad recommend in post 90-something), it does not have to be central.

    The poster above me asks about a hotel with spa - not a bad idea either if anyone know of somewhere half-way decent.

    In meantime I continue to work my way through thread!
    cheers


  • #543
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭PH4T


    Would London be a good city to have a stag in June?


  • #544
    powerstar
    Registered Users Posts: 133 ✭✭powerstar


    Hi All, I have to book a ticket from london to dublin. This is my first time in london, I am going to London from Manchester,But my return journey to Dublin which airport should I use?

    Ticket prices to Dublin from Luton, Gatwick , Stansted are same with Ryanair. Which airport is easy and cheaper to reach from Central london. I heard Stansted train costs more. So, Please advise me which airport best to Dublin.

    Thanks


  • #545
    zagmund
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭zagmund


    There's more to life than money.

    Start off on the basis of where you are going to be in London and then you can determine which is the best airport. You might save a few £ by going to one airport with a cheap flight but blow an hour and a half and more than your flight savings getting there by train.

    They all have trains from 'central' London and on that basis they are all equal, so in reality ease of getting to the train station that serves your particular airport should be the deciding factor if the flights all cost the same.

    So, starting point . . . where will you be leaving from in London ? I note it's your first time, so be aware that getting from one side to the other can take a huge amount of time even on the tube, so your location really is key.

    z


  • #546
    ScouseMouse
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭ScouseMouse


    I flew with cityjet into london city and was surprised. Check it out.


  • Advertisement
  • #547
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    I would usually say gatwick, but check heathrow as well, sometimes Aer lingus and BMI have pretty low prices.

    None of the airports are particularly difficult, although luton is a bit fiddly because you have to get a bus from the station.


  • #548
    who the fug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I would usually say gatwick, but check heathrow as well, sometimes Aer lingus and BMI have pretty low prices.

    None of the airports are particularly difficult, although luton is a bit fiddly because you have to get a bus from the station.

    Re Luton didn't they put a loop up to the airport ?


  • #549
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    who the fug wrote: »
    Re Luton didn't they put a loop up to the airport ?

    There is luton airport parkway, but it is about a 5 minute bus ride from the terminal.


  • #550
    who the fug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    There is luton airport parkway, but it is about a 5 minute bus ride from the terminal.

    I do love the joined up thinking we have in London


  • #551
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    who the fug wrote: »
    I do love the joined up thinking we have in London

    Luton is the wrong side of Watford though, it's the north :D


  • Advertisement
Advertisement