Miss PJ and I have just booked to go to London for a new nights during the first week in April (Easter hols).
We arranged it through the website www.show-and-stay.com. It cost us about £280 each, which includes 3 nights in the 4 star Radisson Grafton hotel, theatre tickets for the show 'Wicked' in the West End (her choice..) and return rail tickets to get there and back (think it's about 5 and half hours on the train from here)
Is this a good price or have we been done? To be honest, I feel it's a bit hefty but Miss PJ, who has done this sort of thing before, assures me it's a good price.

Also, I've never been to London, so any advice re what to do/what to avoid would be appreciated.

Cheers.

If your staying for 4 days I suggest you each get an Oyster card...these will save you a fortune on travel.

Go to an underground ticket office...request two cards - you will be charged £6 (refundable on return of cards) - ask for say...£10 to be put onto each card (or less if you don't think you'll use the tube or bus that often...you can top it up anytime if need be anyway).

You will be equiped to travel on any buses or underground trains with a simple swipe of your card over the yellow disc at tube entrances or as you get on the bus. Remember to always swipe out at the other end of your journey on the tube though!

For cheap yet fairly decent, home cooked, grub in the West End visit the West End Kitchen - this little gem of a haunt can be found by facing the smaller of the two Odean theatres in Leicester Square turning right out of the square and taking the next right (if my memory serves me correctly).:good:

If that is full then the Stock Pot is just up the way and equally as cheap and cheerful.

Miss PJ and I have just booked to go to London for a new nights during the first week in April (Easter hols).
We arranged it through the website www.show-and-stay.com. It cost us about £280 each, which includes 3 nights in the 4 star Radisson Grafton hotel, theatre tickets for the show 'Wicked' in the West End (her choice..) and return rail tickets to get there and back (think it's about 5 and half hours on the train from here)
Is this a good price or have we been done? To be honest, I feel it's a bit hefty but Miss PJ, who has done this sort of thing before, assures me it's a good price.


I couldn't get your link to work, so I haven't seen the deal that Miss PJ has booked but IMO it sounds like a fair price. Off the top of my head, I would imagine your train tickets would be around £100 each, the theatre tickets will be about £40/£50 each and a 4 star hotel would be about £100/£150 per night for a double.

Miss PJ and I have just booked to go to London for a new nights during the first week in April (Easter hols).
We arranged it through the website www.show-and-stay.com (http://www.show-and-stay.com). It cost us about £280 each, which includes 3 nights in the 4 star Radisson Grafton hotel, theatre tickets for the show 'Wicked' in the West End (her choice..) and return rail tickets to get there and back (think it's about 5 and half hours on the train from here)
Is this a good price or have we been done? To be honest, I feel it's a bit hefty but Miss PJ, who has done this sort of thing before, assures me it's a good price.

Also, I've never been to London, so any advice re what to do/what to avoid would be appreciated.

Cheers.

ooooh it's about time we had another meet isn't it!

see you in the Shakespeare Tavern at midday on the Saturday!!!!

seriously - enjoy - it is THE GREATEST CITY ON EARTH imho anyway!
do all the touristy things and don't feel geeky doing 'em either!!!

If that's the Radisson Grafton hotel (Edwardian) that's a bl00dy good price IMHO. Just check out the prices in the bar and restaurant in the hotel to get an idea. Although the rooms can be a little small so might be worth being cheeky when you get there and asking if there's any chance of an upgrade.

You can get an oyster (Check out the Oyster thread in the coffee lounge) but where you are you can walk alot of the way and as you'll only be in zone one and undoubtably travelling after 9:30am a Zone One travel card each morning should do.

Do the Eye if you can and take a trip down the Thames if the tides up and in. Don't do Mdme Tossards even if it is close by. Do take a walk in one of the London Parks because they are lovely at that time of the year. London is greener than you think. Look at it from Google's eye and you can spot it in the strangest of places.

Do walk as much as you can. The differing sights etc are far more interesting than sweating it out on a noisy underground and the buses well they just sit in the traffic.

Avoid Oxford Street east of Regents street as it's a dump (and KH is known to have hung out in these parts before now - need I say more). Head west young man, head west. Knightsbridge is good as is High St Ken. Bond St is good to gawp and star spot. (please don't acknowledge anything less than A list as b- list 'celebs' clutter the place up and make it look cheap and tacky in thier orangeness - I say this as someone who worked in Bond Street opposite Prada and above Versace) While down there stroll the 'Arcades' like Burlington etc as they are just quintisentially Old London

Given your passion for an arguement...try Speakers Corner. It's still there and thriving (Can't remember best days to go tho')

If do you end up at Marble Arch/Mayfair and fancy a coffee/beer/glass of wine, check out Fino's Wine Cellar in North Row, London W1. Sit outside as the dusk comes in with a Peroni/Coffee/Pinot Grig, some olives, bread and oils and just enjoy the wonderfull staff. The foods pretty good and quite reasonable compared to other Fino offerings.

Clubbing moves with the modes so I couldn't help as I haven't been 'clubbing' for a while...Also Bimmin expensive.

Camden whilst an essential must do is NOT and I repeat NOT the Camden it used to be. Do go but I'm sorry you missed it's glory years before commercialisation and sanitization.

Try and do some of our great buildings/galleries/museums/Lapdancing venues. Unfortunately tourism these days seems to revolve around shopping.

Pick a fight with a Bouncer...They are big softies really and their bark is worse than thier bite. Wear a backpack and walking Mac and have guidebook/map in hand at all times so as not to standout like a tourist. Bombings only occur on days with a Y in them so feel free to go about your business in a frightened manner.

Have a great time and don't worry....theres no chance of bumping into me as I'll still be residing in sunny Doha!

Miss PJ and I have just booked to go to London for a new nights during the first week in April (Easter hols).
We arranged it through the website www.show-and-stay.com. It cost us about £280 each, which includes 3 nights in the 4 star Radisson Grafton hotel, theatre tickets for the show 'Wicked' in the West End (her choice..) and return rail tickets to get there and back (think it's about 5 and half hours on the train from here)
Is this a good price or have we been done? To be honest, I feel it's a bit hefty but Miss PJ, who has done this sort of thing before, assures me it's a good price.

Also, I've never been to London, so any advice re what to do/what to avoid would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Hello PJ,

We have a great capital city. Magnificient to walk around so its a good idea to get yourself a street guide. If you must travel about you will see more on a bus. But the best way to see LONDON is to walk a lot. I particularly like Covent Garden and your girlfriend may like the lovely selection of wine bars and coffee shops. I would say a Thames cruise is a must and also a ride on the London eye at Grenwich.

Most of the times when I've gone through I've stayed at the Bedford Hotel which is part of a group and the cost of staying has been reasonable and because its been done through a travel agent the accomodation has always been excellent. The Bedford Hotel is classed as Russell Square and is one stop on the tube from Kings Cross. So you are immediately in the centre of London.

Enjoy your break.

Maureen
Northern angel.

Mo,

He's already got the hotel covered in the deal (read the whole post) and thank you so much for re-itterating what I (As a Londoner) had already suggested eg walking, the Eye, a river boat trip.

Oh and why would Miss PJ like the shops and coffee shops etc more than Mr PJ????

............. and The Eye isn't at Greenwich, it's on the south bank of the Thames.

Disagree about Toussaud's though, Slip. I think it's worth a visit if they've got time. You can get combined Eye and Toussaud's ticket deals, which give you fast-track into Toussaud's so you don't have to queue with all the students.

Walk along the Thames on the south bank, past HMS Belfast, stop for a coffee in Hays Galleria, cross over Tower Bridge, walk through the grounds of The Tower of London and see where they used to drag out all the bodies (entry tickets are £15 pp and you'd probably need to book them in advance, but I wouldn't bother - you get a real feel for the place from the outside). Around St Paul's is nice, too. Lots of cobbled streets still in evidence. Cross over the Wobbly (Millennium) Bridge to the Tate Modern (currently offering rides on some flume-type slides which is cunningly disguised as art, apparently). Walk back along the south bank to the London Aquarium (seen one fish, you've seen them all), but some nice things to look at on the way. Cross back over the Thames to Westminster (Big Ben and Westminster Abbey). Oh, the list is endless.

Wear flat shoes and enjoy!!!!

Oh, so many things to see and so little time. Canary Wharf is worth a look at too. Get the London Docklands Railway from near to The Tower (I think).

... or you can get the Tate Boat from Tate Modern to the Tate (or vice versa):)

If you want to go shopping, (or window shopping) avoid Harrods and Harvey Nicks. Selfridges and Liberty are much better. From Selfridges, you can cut down South Molton Street, down Bond Street (as per Slip's advice) and through to Piccadilly where you can splash out on afternoon tea in Fortnums.

Then walk up to Piccadilly Circus and have a wander round theatreland and China Town. Waxy O'Connors is worth a look and a pint. It's round the back of the Trocadero somewhere.

Does anyone know if Wong Kei's is still on the go? Rudest waiters ever, but good for a laugh.

Have fun whatever you do!

Wanky Wonkies is still going (Unfortunately)

You may have noticed that Both Patsy, Fee & I have all offered solutions avoiding public transport...

CAMDEN WITHOUT BEING A DANISH TOURIST

You can walk to Camden from your hotel through Regents Park..Go via the boating pond - go on, have a row - tres romantique - Enter the park from the Gt Portland St Gate. turn left towards the pond keeping west (head for the mosque). After a row cut across towards the Zoo exit with the Zoo on your right, cross the road and walk along the canal towards Camden (East).

Get there later in the day spending the whole afternoon there and for an experience, splash out and have a bite to eat in the gargantuan Gilgamesh - have to see it to believe it - http://www.gilgameshbar.com/ I've only poked my head in and not been to eat but then again I live 3 miles up the road so sods law says I probably never will...

At about 7-8pm on the Saturday, have a beer in the Elephants Head or if you like Gothicy try the Devonshire......Be prepared but don't be afraid of either venue....just remember it's an image and a life style. I personally go to the Elephants Head cos Oph has friends and family who are parts of the furniture there...

Go home very late after a few bevvies via Park Street in Camden where you will find the fabled Dublin Castle or head up towards Chalk Farm for the Bar Fly (Assuming you like the odd bit off riotous music and studenty DeJa Vu). Theres the Underworld but that's a bit hit & miss. 70's Disco nights always a goodun though. I suggest you avoid the Worlds End on the junction as it's full of tourists.



Well that's three days covered..........Patsy's River Ramble, Fee's Shopaholic Fix & the best way to DO Camden without being too much of a tourist

- go on, have a row -
Is that row as in oar in the rowlocks, or row as in knee to the bo-llocks?

May I just point out that I knew Tussaud's didn't look right and now realise that I spelt it wrong - several times.

My humble apologies.

Jaysus, the Won Kei is still going is it? Was there in the eighties a few times [took my folks there when they came over to visit me in London - took Dad a week to get over the waiters :laugh:]

The lads have it covered PJ - am jealous as hell as I miss London [not to live in again, just as a visitor] and hope you have a fab time. Say hello to Soho for me..used to work there... heady days, most memories of which have been erased by years of rehab and therapy.

enjoy!

Say hello to Soho for me..used to work there...

Explains a lot...... :whistling:

A big thanks to everyone for the advice.

I have to admit, London has never really appealed to me before but the more I hear about it the more excited I am about going (you've all sold it very well - well done!)

I'm just hoping the weather's good when we go. The weather up here can be a bit hit and miss in April but surely it should be ok in London - shouldn't it???

Blimey PJ, with the amount of suggestions on this thread you should of booked 4 weeks, not a few days :wink_kiss

Have a wonderful time. Im sure you will, and as Slipper said, London is very green and the parks are beautiful. I loved nothing better than sitting on a bench in a park ..... watching the world go by. I wouldn't take up his suggestion of a lapdancing bar though .... perhaps Miss. PJ wouldnt like it :bag:

If you dont get it all done, then i suggest another visit in Autumn :thumbsup:

Enjoy yourselves.

So Peej,

When do you venture down to the smoke?

Have you set out an itinery yet?

So Peej,

When do you venture down to the smoke?

Have you set out an itinery yet?
Leaving tomorrow morning. Looks like we're arriving right in the middle of the good weather :thumbsup:
I've left the itinerary up to Miss PJ (she likes that sort of thing...) but have made sure I've passed on all the good advice in this thread.

I actually have another question regarding these Oyster cards. I know this is now the most popular way of travelling around London but was looking on a website and saw that you can still get an all day underground ticket for around £7 - would we be better buying one of these each day or do you still think an oyster card is the way to go?

Also, what is London's policy on drinking alcohol outside in the parks etc? I know you can do this in Edinburgh but not Glasgow (although everybody does when the weather's good). So is it allowed down there or will we get arrested if we crack open a tinny in the park??

Also, what is London's policy on drinking alcohol outside in the parks etc? I know you can do this in Edinburgh but not Glasgow (although everybody does when the weather's good). So is it allowed down there or will we get arrested if we crack open a tinny in the park??

We have public houses and wine bars in London PJ.

I dont think they sell tinnies, whatever they are, but a pint of beer will cost about three English pounds and about 4 pounds for a glass of white wine for the laydees!

Dont forget to change your money in Scotland as the exchange rate will be better than doing it when you get here.

HTH.

We have public houses and wine bars in London PJ.

Really? Oh, I'm very excited now! :applause:

Dont forget to change your money in Scotland as the exchange rate will be better than doing it when you get here.
HTH.


Actually not such a silly idea given that the Jock notes often aren't accepted down in England. Suggest you go to hole in the wall when you get here to ensure you have 'English' notes

as for the drinking on park benches...

You can take the man out of Scotland but you can't take Scotland out of the man eh?!

Lets just say that if you wish to sit on a park bench boozing the night away you're bound to be joined by some fellow country men and women

4 pounds for a glass of white wine for the laydees!



£4 for a glass of vino :huh: Blimey, London prices eh. I feel robbed if i pay £2.80 around here.

You can take the man out of Scotland but you can't take Scotland out of the man eh?!
You certainly can't! :drinking:

PJ ... I hope you and miss PJ have a wonderful weekend :thumbsup:

Well, I'm back and I had a wonderful time. Did all the touristy things, including a lot of the stuff you guys advised in this thread. London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, a west end show, Hyde Park, Oxford St, Carnaby St..... etc. Look out for the photos in the photo section soon!

Glad you had a good time PJ!

get them photos up asap!

Glad you had a good time PJ!

get them photos up asap!

Pics of you on park bench with can of tennents Super brew in hand

Pics of you on park bench with can of tennents Super brew in hand
Did you see her too?

Glad you had a good time PJ. Did you get searched at customs?

Glad you had a good time PJ. Did you get searched at customs?
Yes. However, it was pretty busy at the customs so this guy, who I assume was one of the high ranking security guards, gave us an address to go to their security office in Soho and said they would do the search there to save time. We were a little taken aback when it turned out to be a full internal but they were all ever so nice and let us go after about an hour.

Yes. However, it was pretty busy at the customs so this guy, who I assume was one of the high ranking security guards, gave us an address to go to their security office in Soho and said they would do the search there to save time. We were a little taken aback when it turned out to be a full internal but they were all ever so nice and let us go after about an hour.


Was that the Old Compton Street branch?
Did he call himself Admiral Duncan?

Was that the Old Compton Street branch?
Did he call himself Admiral Duncan?
Oh they wouldn't give us their names. For security reasons, they said.
Why, do you know them Slipper? Give them my regards :)

Did you find the cludgie in the cupboard in your hotel room?

Pure magic, they are.

So??

Is there a tale to be told or did you spend the whole time in the hotel and theatre?

I heard rumours of pictures

Do they have anything to do with the pedant brigade, Slipper? :huh:

I heard rumours of pictures
Yes, they're coming - just as soon as I find the lead to connect my camera to the computer.....

Do they have anything to do with the pedant brigade, Slipper? :huh:

or pædant



I dunno. You slip one finger and look what comes out of the closet :ranting:

Yes, they're coming - just as soon as I find the lead to connect my camera to the computer.....
Still searching....