London 2010

Favorite discoveries or tips:

Not sure how it would integrate into a guidebook, but we got burned by the deck chair charge in St. James Park. If I have known in advance we would have readily sat in the grass.

Leon in Colorado Springs, USA 11/06/2009

We like to travel off-season to avoid crowds, however we happened to hit the mid-term school holiday, so London was teeming with families and some of the sights were busier than I'd like. Perhaps you could include the major school holidays in your list of holidays and festivals.

Janelle Sanda in Fargo, ND USA 11/01/2009

We happened to be in London when Buckingham Palace was open to the public. Fantastic opportunity that only happens in August and September.

Laralyn Sasaki in Columbus, Oh USA 10/09/2009

I actually have 2 discoveries: 1. When we were watching changing guards at Buckingham Palace, we followed the guide book suggestion and watched the event by the Queen Victoria statue. We noticed there were policemen giving out violation tickets to tourists who were watching the event. We were not able to ask the police what it was about but we overheard it had something to do with packages (i.e. bags or backpacks) left on the ground (unattended) and the cops would give out the ticket. Can you confirm is that true? I was surprised by that because most tourists carry bags / backpacks and we usually leave them around our feet when we know we would be standing for a while. 2. I purchased my Eurostar tickets throught Rick Steves' website for my trip from London to Paris. When I booked the tickets, I thought I was departing from London. When I arrived at the train station, I found out my tickets were departing from Ashford and the station is 1/2 hour train ride away from London (2nd stop after London stop). The conductor let us board from London station (Bercy) without charging us extra. We were glad that we got the station an hour early because the train left 1/2 hour earlier that the time stated on my tickets. We would of miss the train. I think the website was not very clear where Ashford station was when I purchased the tickets. I assumed it was within London city limit.

Ada Wong in Chicago, IL USA 09/23/2009

Consider some hotels in the Bloomsbury neighborhood. It's convenient to many sights, quiet, and part of London where real people live. I have stayed at the Thanet on Bedford Place and the Morgan Hotel on Bloomsbury St. Both are not too expensive, clean, and well located.

Laura Wilson in Fredericksburg, TX USA 09/05/2009

Next Monday, I fly to London for nine nights. This is my fifth visit to London and my fourth where I will attend multiple West End performances, 7 of them this time. If you want to see a West End play or musical but want to wait until you arrive in London, by all means, go directly to the theatre and buy tickets at the box office. I much prefer the main floor (stalls) to the balconies and seats at the back of the main floor are usually available at 2/3 the cost of the top price tickets. If, however, you want good seats, order them online as far in advance of your arrival as possible (3 months or longer if you can). Buying tickets online is easy but getting the seats you want is complex. Here is how I went about it this time.

To determine what is scheduled at each theatre, go to www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk. This can be tedious as there are about 50 theatres to choose from but it is the best place to start. Don't order tickets here. For help in choosing plays and musicals, go to www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=287 for reviews. There is a handy "star" system similar to movie reviews in the USA. Don't order tickets here. For help in choosing your seats, go to www.theatremonkey.com, which has color-coded seating charts recommending the best (and worst) seats as well as the prices for seats. Don't order tickets here but go to "buying tickets online" at the individual theatre listings to determine how. This is critical becuase you should avoid Ticketmaster if you can. Their service fees are high but the biggest problem is that you can't choose your seat. They are chosen for you and they are almost always poor seats. If there is an alternative to Ticketmaster, the Theatre Monkey website will tell you what it is and you should definitely use that service. I did exactly that for all 7 of my tickets and I have excellent seats on the main floor near the center of the stage.

Phil Brazil in Seattle, WA USA 09/02/2009

Surprisingly, the gift shop at the Tower had the nicest and most reasonable selection of souvenirs and gifts.

Packing a small pair of binoculars proved useful for detail viewing the cathedrals.

At tube stations, be wary of signs for 'stairs' which might seem a short cut but--if the locals aren't taking them..there's a good reason, like 172 steps to the surface. Good exercise, but maybe not what you had in mind.

alice USA 08/14/2009

Found another pub in Bayswater you might want to add: The Bayswater Arms, just outside the tube station.

Vic S. in Idyllwild, CA USA 08/05/2009

Mad Max Tours from Bath: Full day stone circles and villages tour was great and our tour guide was funny. Small van with about 12-15 people total. Took the National Express Bus from Heathrow to Bath and back to London and it was a very painless experience--I recommend it (£19 one-way).

Joy in Dayton, OH USA 07/23/2009

London Marriott Hotel Kensington 147 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, SW5 0TH United Kingdom Phone: 44-207-973-1000 Fax: 44-207-370 1685

We realize you tend to recommend smaller, local hotels, but sometimes the American chain is the way to go! The hotel accommodated the 4 of us in one room, while most London hotels would have required we take 2 rooms since our elder child is 17; and we paid a bit extra to use the executive lounge, which offers free breakfast in the morning, as well as coffee, drinks, snacks, newspapers, tv, and computer usage all day long. (A terrific perk, esp. to check internet and e-mail and to get a little break from one another.) Location is great--3 blocks from 2 tube stops, near the V&A and History Museum, 10 minutes walk from Kensington HIgh Street and Kensington Gardens. Great service, spacious bathrooms (2 sinks!), comfortable beds, and an American-style electric outlet. (We booked the Jr. Suite--abt 500 sq. feet--for 289 GBP/night.)

ALSO recommend Kennard Hotel (11 Henrietta Street, Bath, BA2 6LL, 01225 310472, Mary and Giovanni Baiano, proprietors) A lovely small hotel on edge of city center in Bath--understated elegance, clean, well-appointed, terrific breakfast, lovely and helpful host/hostess. Would love to return for another stay!

Susan Hebble in Western Springs, IL USA 07/20/2009

While not a recommedation of Rick's, I would urge readers not to stay in an Easy Hotel.

pete card in santa cruz, ca USA 07/17/2009

Leadenhall Market. This is a covered market street that has alot of charming shops and restaurants. Old meat hooks still hang outside the shops. Open daily. Tube: Monument. Gracechurch Street.

Anderson in Portland, OR USA 06/04/2009

Effective May 17, 2009 there is a 3 pound deposit when you purchase an Oyster card for travelling on the tube. You can get a refund of this deposit by visiting a tube agent at Paddington station at the end of your trip

Ira Krauss in New Providence, nj USA 05/26/2009

Suggest you add that the British Library now has free wi-fi available throughout the location. You have to register your laptop as a user, but it's free and easy. We were able to check-in for our home flight while not losing sight-seeing time.

Lisa Romney in Alexandria, VA USA 05/17/2009

We traveled to London the 1st week of April. We found the Dot2Dot hotel shuttle online and booked when we arrived at Heathrow. It was only 19 pounds for a one-way trip and I think they knock off a pound or two when booking a round trip. We didn't have to wait long at all and the van was super comfortable for the ride. I think it held about 10 people and the driver actually pointed out areas and sights along the ride. We were picked up on time on return at our hotel and delivered to our airline terminal. It was absolutely the best way to go. It was much better than most shuttle services in the US like SuperShuttle.

Holly Nunn in Raleigh , NC USA 05/09/2009

Blades Hotel near Pimlico Tube Station on Belgrave (not listed in 2009 London Guidebook).

Nick Chavez in Grand Prairie, TX USA 04/30/2009

The ceremony of the keys was a great event to attend, although we were with mostly Americans and two British couples. While the Americans enjoyed the ceremony, the British poked fun at the soldier-quite interesting.

Catherine Conger in Greenville, SC USA 04/19/2009

Wait until after 9:30 to buy your allday pass on the tube/bus (5.60 vs 8.00 before 9:30). Also, consider riding the bus vs the tube. You will see much more of London by taking the bus and you don't have to do all the walking that the tube requires.

Greg in Lexington, KY USA 04/11/2009

I stayed at a hotel called base2stay that's about a block from the Premier Inn near Earl's Court station. For 120 pounds a night, it's clean with decent hotel staff. http://base2stay.com/

The other favorite was a pub called Sherlock Holmes, a block or so from Embankment station. There are perhaps a few more tourists that come through, but I saw a lot of locals there and they serve every traditional British meal from your guidebook there. I think this is the contact info: Address: 10-11, Northumberland St, London, WC2N 5DA Tel: 0871 917 0007

Grace in Seattle, WA USA 04/05/2009

Bath is a great sidetrip from London but I would advise anybody to take a train from London to Bath as opposed to bus. Get there quicker!

Andrew Goldman in Crystal Lake, IL USA 03/29/2009

The Down House, Darwin's home, a 20 minute train ride outside London, has now been re-opened by the National Trust. We visited on its opening day. Excellently remodeled with displays on Darwin's life and work. Good cafe and one can stroll the grounds. A Victoria station train takes you to the Orpington train station, where you can take a cab for 10 pounds to Down House. The receptionist in the Down House shop will call a cab for you when you return.

Jack M. Potter in Olympia, WA USA 02/16/2009

Really want to recommend the Blades Hotel in London. It gets good reviews because it deserves them! The most helpful staff we found on our trip to Europe. From singles to families they cater well and the location so close to Buckingham Palce etc is excellent. Their web page is www.blades-hotel.co.uk

Patrick Finlay in Toronto, Canada 02/14/2009

If you are going to be in London and want a good value, try the Historic Royal Palaces membership: www.hrp.org.uk. It includes admissions to Hampton Court, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, the Banqueting House, and Kew Palace over the course of a year, as well as 10% discounts on food and gifts at the palaces as well as a free book about the palaces. The price for two people for a full year of membership is 58.50 pounds. There are also family memberships and individual ones. Considering that a trip to the Tower is 27 pounds for two people, this pass is an excellent value and you get to use it for a whole year.

Also, make sure you let people know that they can read at the British Library, as long as they have a passport and go to reader services. Having a reader card means you can spend a rainy afternoon among the researchers at the library, reading a copy of your favorite book. The BL is also supposed to have free wireless by now -- a good idea if you're trying to plan parts of your trip on the fly.

lm in Goleta, CA USA 02/12/2009

We just returned from London and had a fantastic time...your book was great!

Couple of recommendations: 1. We read your Harry Potter London section, and wanted more for our kids. We used LondonTaxiTour.com (Carol is the lady we worked with and Gordon was our guide). This was a three-hour tour, and not only hit on some fantastic film locations, but the driver/guide was super and he showed us many additional things around central London as well. Highly recommended.

2. It was difficult for us to book a hotel that would sleep four people in the same room. We finally found the Holiday Inn at King's Cross that worked well with two double beds. This was about a 10-15 minute walk from the train/Tube station, so very convenient.

Randy Lynch in Stuttgart, Germany 01/01/2009

In researching the Oyster card, I found that you can actually purchase a pre-loaded Oyster card before you event get to London through Britrail or Visit Britain: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/visitortickets/5185.aspx

Although I am travelling solo this time, past experiences lead me to recommend this as an excellent tip for families travelling with small children, as it's never fun to have to figure out how to purchase Tube tickets when you--and your family!--are jetlagged and tired from travelling.

Also, I was surprised you had not included Pizza Express as an option for eating. It is a trendy yet affordable chain of pizza shops that make really great "artisan" pizzas, and are really great for anyone seeking comfort food: http://www.pizzaexpress.com

Alison Shea in New York, NY USA 11/29/2008

1) I like that you have a "London with Children" section. I would expressly add Kew Gardens (via boat) to your list of things to do with kids. You mention Thames boats cruises but don't identify a specific trip to Kew Gardens as a Day Trip idea. I don't think I'd take kids to Hampton Court.

2) A bike ride from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf and back is a great morning or afternoon outing for adults or adults with kids.

Michael Hambrook in Vancouver , BC Canada 09/25/2008

In your London 2008 book, you recommended Celtic Horizons run by Alan Price. We hired him for 4 days for a Heathrow pick-up, Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon tour. He was professional, punctual, informative and knowledgeable. When he found out our special interests, he added them to the tour. We got our money's worth and more. Thank you

Judy Spencer in Dublin, OH USA 09/25/2008

I bought tickets for "The Original Tour" sightseeing bus at the office just off Trafalgar Square. They would not give the "Rick" discount. They said that they don't do that anymore. However, those buying the tickets directly on the bus received the discount. So - buy the ticket directly from the bus driver to receive the discount. Be sure to get the Yellow "Live Guide" bus.

Maggie in Seattle, USA 08/26/2008

Another great day trip from London is Portsmouth. A great coastal town with a great naval history. I recommend the harbour tour for 5 pounds, to see the various war ships and battleships.

[Editor's Note: We include a chapter on Portsmouth in our England guidebook.]

Dayna Blankenship in Decatur, AL USA 07/22/2008

- Wonderful Tube maps in the front - ATM fees much lower than CC fees - Oyster card is great and can refund the deposit when you are leaving London - Include two hotels we stayed at: easyHotel (near Victoria station) http://info.easyhotel.com/gb/Victoria.html; and Generator London (near Russell Square) http://www.generatorhostels.com/london - Pret a Manger: pretty good lunch-type sandwich chain, with environmentally minded food items

Randy in San Francisco, CA USA 06/30/2008

My husband and I each have our own copies of Rick Steves' book when we travel to Europe. We did for Florence, Paris (2006 & 2007) and now London. That way, we can mark notes in our own books and be reading sections at our own speed as we tour a site. When we went to the National Portrait Gallery, a staff member saw us with our books and she said that Rick's books are so good that we didn't need the audio tour!

Lana in Richmond, TX USA 06/23/2008

The Rose and Crown Pub at 90-92 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London SW1 W8BU is a great find for an evening stop and for lunch. They also serve Asian quisine in the dinner hour, but we only had a post theatre snack. Lunch was great. Charming and delightful owner Bernie DeLaney is behind the bar most evenings. Originally from Ireland, she runs a great pub with good food reasonably prices. It became our favorite spot. If it's not in your London guide book, we think it should be. We were in London in May 2008 for a week and didn't have time beforehand to check your London Book. For other trips we use your books.

[We live in Seattle and use your Edmonds store regularly.]

Email us if you have questions because we leave for Europe on Wednesday.

Lan Mosher in Seattle, WA USA 06/20/2008

The extensive collection of self-guided walks and tours is fantastic! The museums in London, such as the National Gallery, the Tate, the V&A can be so overwhelming; the tours in the book don't babysit you, but they give you the tools you need to be able to navigate these museums and get the most out of the experience. No other guidebook offers anything like this.

Sue in Boston, MA USA 06/20/2008

London transit map. Immediately after getting through Heathrow customs, go to the wall of brochures ahead of you. They have a great, free map that shows the tube map on one side and the buses on the other side. It's a folded map that's big enough to read. Only the main bus routes are shown but there are a lot of them. The brochure rack also has ticket info for shows and stuff but I didn't find them too useful.

Vaughn Smith in Victoria, BC Canada 06/13/2008

Bus 423 leaves from Heathrow Terminal 5 for Old Bath Road and on to Hounslow. A convenient service to some of the Heathrow hotels. I stay at the Heathrow Lodge Motel on Old Bath Road; it is the first stop on this new bus line. From London the Piccadilly line now goes to T5, making this a convenient and less expensive way to access my hotel from London. I like to stay there the night before my flight so I can take the (free) shuttle directly from Heathrow Lodge to my Terminal. United leaves from T3. Windsor is a bus-ride (#81) and short train ride away from Old Bath Road; the five-minute train ride begins at Slough.

Swan in Napa, CA USA 05/27/2008

The Geffreye Museum was well worth a trip a bit out of the way. It focuses on furniture and domestic interiors of the British middle class. They have 11 rooms made to look like living rooms of specific years between 1600 and 1990. I am very into history, and it was great to see how the middle class lived. Anyone with an interest in design or furniture would also enjoy it. It also has a beautiful garden, and a lovely courtyard in the front. Rick suggests the Tube to Liverpool Station and then a bus, but I took the Tube to Old Street---the museum is a 15 minute walk from Old Street through the "artisty" area of Hoxton. Plus, the museum is free! Spring for the audioguide....it only costs a pound and has great information.

Alison in Chicago, IL USA 04/26/2008

Beirut Express (65 Old Brompton, South Kensington, London SW7 3JS; one of a few Maroush Restaurants around London, www.maroush.com) serves some of the best Moroccan/Middle Eastern cuisine you'll find just about anywhere. Full seating restaurant in the back, quick serve barstools and take-away in the front. Excellent presentation, fresh well-prepared and very tasty. The gratis dessert platter was a really nice treat to finish an outstanding meal. Oddono's Gelati Italiani (14 Bute Street, South Kensington, London SW7 3EX): Outstanding gelato, remarkably flavorful and fresh with great natural flavor. Worth the trouble and the calories! We went back 3 times! Monmouth Coffee Company in Borough Market (short walk from the Borough tube stop)has well earned the loyalty of it's devoted locals who meet here regularly and add to the ambience of this unusual coffee shop offering a cup of drip coffee so fresh and flavorful (if not the finest you've ever had!) that you will find it hard to not come back again. The pastries play a strong supporting role. The Grosvenor Kensington provided reasonable priced accomadations with the convenience of a South Kensington tube stop 100 meters away. We needed a triple which averaged less than £140/night (through a budget hotel website). Very spacious rooms with older finishes. Stay here for it's quiet convenience and affordability in a great location (not for upscale hotel amenities).

Paul Zwiebel in Littleton, CO USA 04/04/2008

Favorite Tip: Westminster Abbey has a beautiful Evensong Service at 5 PM and it's FREE (not $20). London Walks tours are terrific (David is excellent). Churchill's War Rooms are very interesting. Marks & Spencer Simply Food sandwiches are terrific. Hampton Court is wonderful. (Just take the Picadilly Line to the end). For half price theater Tickets go the "the booth" at Leichester Square. Skip the Tate Modern. Strange art.

Maryann in Sacramento, USA 03/31/2008

I have a further update to the comment below regarding the Terra Cotta warriors. First, thank you to the poster because it was thanks to you that I got there by 8:45 and got a ticket. However, I just barely got it. I was told at 9:00 that I probably wouldn't get in because I was too far back in the line, but if I wanted to wait for the 1 hour it would take for them to help everyone in front of me there was a small chance. I thought it would be worth the wait for the chance to see it, and luckily I was able to get in. I was told there were less than 10 left after my purchase. If you have your heart set on seeing them, you should probably arrive earlier than 8:45 to guarantee a ticket purchase. They are definitely worth it.

Cindy Henley in Eureka, CA USA 03/18/2008

Two different pubs let us share entrees for lunch. Food was good, portions were ample, and with the exchange rate so bad it really helps with the price. We (extended family group with 4 adults & 3 kids under 12) had 2 good meals at Walker's of Whitehall on Craig Court, right off Whitehall about a block from Trafalgar Square. The fish & chips was a disappointing but everything else was very good.

Rob Craig in Ellicott City, MD USA 03/15/2008

We just returned from a week in London and were able to see the "First Emperor - China's Terracotta Army" exhibit at the British Museum. It will only be there thru April 6th. 500 day-of tickets go on sale each morning at 9am. Arrive early and queue up outside the fence. We arrived at 9:15 and stood in line only to miss out by 20 tickets at 9:45. The next day, we arrived at 8:45 and had our tickets purchased by 9:15. If you're planning on taking a train trip while in London, go on line to the British Museum website and you can get a 20% discount voucher for the exhibit, by showing your train ticket when you purchase your exhibit tickets. Absolutely a must see!

Jan Robbins in Seattle, WA USA 02/25/2008

Travelodge is a great cheap place to stay! I signed up for their sale e-mails and paid £19 per night for their City Road location (their newest location which opened in October) and £49 for their Covent Garden location which was very convenient!

Karis in Cross Plains, WI USA 02/20/2008

After touring St. Paul's, my wife and I ducked into a small shop on the north side of the cathedral just outside the fence, called "Tea". It was by far the best cup of tea we had on the trip, and we found ourselves going back several times over the course of the week to re-experience it. It is a wonderful little place to unwind after climbing the stairs to the top of the dome!

Adam in Cary, NC USA 01/29/2008

A visit to the Canary Wharf area a wonderful escape from the maddening crowds. Dockyard Museum was very reasonably priced (free day we went) and extremely well done. Selfridge's bathrooms are the nicest in London. Le Suquet a quaint seafood restaurant $$ which we thoroughly enjoyed. Loved the Oyster weekly pass and it paid for itself in the first two days.

Helen Read in Calgary, AB Canada 01/03/2008

I highly recommend Citadines Holborn (I noticed another post for same). You can book online (and get some pretty good deals, plus you have the option to cancel if necessary 24 hours before your arrival date. Your credit card is not charged until arrival. Staff is friendly. It's v. convenient to theatre district and Covent Garden (walking distance) and almost across the street from the Holborn tube stop on the Piccadilly line, which means you can catch the tube at Heathrow and get off in Holborn about 50 minutes later. I've never had a problem checking in early. They have free high speed internet connections in the rooms, so if you are inclined to travel with a laptop, you're in business. There are chain super markets nearby, and what would a trip to London be without a trip to the Borough Market? With the kitchen in the room, you can prepare some pretty decent food.

I like taking the bus around the city on weekends (less traffic, so you get around pretty quickly and actually get to see something). The tube pass works on the bus as well! The only really slow spot for the bus is Oxford Street.

Sue Canavan in Quincy, MA USA 12/30/2007

Remember-those college ID cards aren't just for kids! I got one from the school where I am taking a graduate course before I left. I was 45, and it was accepted for the student discount without question at all the major sights. Every penny counts!

Beverly Smith in Purcellville, Va USA 11/12/2007

For getting to and from Heathrow we just used the Heathrow Connect from Paddington Station. It was fantastic. It runs every half hour (weekdays) and costs £6.90. Nice smooth ride and way better than the tube. Not as fast as the Heathrow Express but way cheaper.

Troy in Vancouver, BC Canada 10/13/2007

The London book was something we really used and found SO helpful. I'm loaning it to some friends who plan to go next year. Of course, I told them they should also buy the '08 version!

Nancy Mahoney in Springfield, OH USA 10/07/2007

Wow, the last 4 entries could have been written by me, (Highgate, Oyster Cards and Simply Foods, and the Prospect of Whitby). I have seen Highgate twice and yes, it is far up the Northern line but you won't ever forget it. Take the tour, worth the guide.

Oyster cards are a breeze, just load it up once and use it, use it, use it! You won't believe how many trips you can take before it runs out. Last May my husband and I did the Riverside Pub Crawl and went to the Whitby along with the Angel, Mayflower and Captain Kidd, and a few others. They all too are worth the ride, AND, their all within Zone 1-2.

For cheap eats go to Marks and Spencer Simply Foods. There's one inside Victoria Station and others around town. You won't believe the delicious food, drinks, good wines and deserts etc, that they have,. The pasta salads are out of this world. If your B & B or hotel has a little patio area it's the perfect way to end your day if going out again is too much after the days sightseeing. OK, now I'm getting "homesick" for London, damn!

Lauretta in Oakland, Ca USA 10/02/2007

Prospect of Whitby, 57 Wapping Wall, Wapping tube stop

This tavern dates back to 1520 and is well worth the tube ride out to see the tavern, town and the view of the river. A quick walk through the town and you feel that you are miles away from the bustle of London. A great idea for a lunch or dinner trip.

Beth Hutten in Winter Haven, FL USA 09/29/2007

The seven-day Oyster travel card works great for week-long visits. Costs around $44 but for the convenience its worth it. The Tube can be extremely crowded at peak times on weekdays due to the congestion charge levied on vehicles entering London. This seems to have convinced many Londoners to leave the car at home and take the public transit to work and back.

Those eating on a budget should consider the takeout sandwiches from Pret A Manger, Tesco's, Eat, or Marks and Spencer's Simply Food their best way to save money. The selection is good, drinks (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) are inexpensive, and there's even plastic silverware by the exit for a handy picnic.

For the money its hard to beat a pub walk with Original London Walks in the evening. If going out to the theater or a club is too expensive, but sitting in your room isn't an option, consider one of their lively walks. The guides are superb, the beer is good, and you meet like-minded travelers. I used Rick's museum tours (within his city guidebooks) extensively on this trip. If a two to three hour visit to a museum, rather than an all-day expedition, is your speed, use his book.

J.D. D'Amico in Sanford, FL USA 09/27/2007

Highgate Cemetery, near Waterlow Park off the Archway Tube stop, was a fascinating and gorgeous walk through two wings of a 150+ year old cemetery. Full of old falling down tombstones and monuments covered with ivy and creaky British volunteers. Classic. Although you can't romp all over people's graves (and should not) and must be respectful, nor can you view the West cemetery without a tour, it's well well worth the visit. http://highgate-cemetery.org

Grace Seidel in Seattle, WA USA 09/25/2007

Though expensive, getting tickets to a Premier League game was very worth it. Walked the mile from the tube with the rest of the footballer fans to a Tottenham Hotspurs games through a neighborhood that was very diverse and full of locals. A great non-touristy experience.

Aimee in Oakland, CA USA 08/26/2007

If you have a current college ID card - bring it. You can use it get discounted prices at most attractions. Although the concession is small, with the poor exchange rate, it really added up.

Alison in Arkadelphia, AR USA 08/21/2007

If you are going to be in London in early June, you really must look into attending the Queen's official birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour, or one of the dress rehearsals which occurs on the preceding two Saturdays. These events require you to apply for tickets in January or February, then a drawing is held to determine whether or not you get tickets. The official ceremony, and the final dress rehearsal, both require you to pay for tickets, and this is where it gets tricky. You have to pay for the tickets by check, drawn on a British bank, in pounds sterling. We enlisted the help of our landlady to accomplish this, and had to send our payment form in by Fed Ex, but it was well worth the trouble and expense.

People who are planning a June trip to London really need to know about this as it would be a shame to be in town one of those Saturdays and be relegated to watching the parade up the Mall after the ceremony simply because one did not know to apply for tickets in January or February.

Tom Key in Wichita Falls, TX USA 08/16/2007

We were in London for a short visit (we had been in England because of a singing gig I had farther north in the country.) We used the London guide for our two night stay in the city and were so happy to have it! We really liked the self-guided tour for the British Museum and were happy for the maps at the front of the book. We were also pleased to have info for where to go and check our email.

We were also able to see some of the lovely nooks and crannies of the city by walking the whole time. No Tube for us - just our feet. But we were able to catch some cute little churches, buildings, and other treasures. (I only recommend this for people who have super good shoes and can manage the intense walking.)

Jennifer Graf in Hellertown, PA USA 08/12/2007

If the weather's good, take a stroll along the South Bank of the Thames. If you want to make a day of it, take the tube to Westminster station and walk across the bridge whilst taking in views of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye. Walk past the street performers and the Carousel, and stop for a light lunch in Le Pain au Quotidien (to the side of Royal Festival Hall). If you keep walking, you'll eventually come to the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge, which is always fun to cross and gives you a fantastic view of St Paul's Cathedral. It's a lovely walk (if a bit long) and one Londoners seem to like too!

Linda Canada 07/20/2007

I must say we used the London guidebook like a bible. From hotel recommendation, transportation use, packing, restaurants, museum and gallery tours, to walks, every recommendation was right on, We had so much fun and a huge debt goes to the careful research and clear writing that you provide. Thanks so much !

Steve Roddy in Penn Valley, CA USA 07/03/2007

Trains from Gatwick Airport also go to handier stations than Victoria for many visitors. The trains may be packed with commuters at rush hour times, but are cheaper than the Gatwick Express. London Bridge - direct 30 minutes Blackfriars direct 38 minutes London City Thameslink direct 40 minutes Farringdon direct 43 minutes Kings Cross direct 47 minutes Waterloo with a change at Clapham Junction 47 minutes Other train connections are available by following the "to and from our airport" link at http://www.gatwickairport.com/

Chip IA USA 06/20/2007

LILLYWHITES! This was really a surprise. My husband is intrigued with all the different sports team jerseys in the UK. He was spotting a team store here and there and wouldn't buy a cheap one on the street. Our last night in London a local at the Pub said to try Lillywhites in Piccadilly Circus. I've seen that store for years but never knew it was probably the worlds biggest sports store, he went nuts. We got Football and Rugby shirts, really good ones fr an excellent price. It's worth it just to roam around. Oh, and if you need an extra suitcase to carry your souvenirs home in they have very reasonable ones as well.

Lauretta in Oakland, Ca USA 06/14/2007

Historic Pubs! We have been to London many times over the past 25 years and wanted to do something completely different this time. we researched all the older pubs in and around London and by far the best were 4 we visited in the Wapping/Rotherhilte area. (in Zone 2)

They are the Prospect of Whitby, Captain Kidd, Mayflower and Angel. They are a short walk from the tube stops and you will just soak up the history. Some are alongside the Thames and on a nice day you can just sit out back sipping on your brew and pretend you're way back in time. Do Go!

Lauretta in Oakland, Ca USA 06/13/2007

We visited the Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury in March 2007. It was terrific....I highly recommend a visit. In addition to interesting (and sad!) information about the fate of abandoned children in London, it has some great art, and a lot of information about Handel (who was a patron of the home for foundlings). Don't miss it.

Alison in Chicago, IL USA 06/07/2007

We stayed in Kensington and bus #9 which was recommended in the guide book saved our lives. One of us had some problems with a leg and of course it rained off and on during the trip. We used the bus just to get up and down the street to get from the tube stop to the hotel or returning from dinner. It was a great addition to the tube.

Brenda VanDerHeyden in Naples, FL USA 05/28/2007

Rick, I think it would be very helpful to note in your guidebooks that many hotels in the UK don't provide hand towels or face cloths. For personal hygiene reasons, tourists could then be encouraged to bring their own personal washing gear. We actually cut up a hand towel that I use to wrap my makeup mirror so it won't break in transit. We were able to create 4 face cloths out of it! Whew!

Diane in Mansfield, PA USA 05/25/2007

TRY THE BUS -- We just returned from a three week trip to England with over a week in London at the begining and end of the trip. We used the bus in London and have a much better feeling for the city by doing so. Most, if not all of the recommended sites can be reached by about 6 bus line, noted in Rick's guidebook. Also get the summary route map in any tube station. It really works and is an eye opener.

Jim Punches in Aptos, CA USA 05/24/2007

You only rate the British Museum of Natural History as a one star. We found it quite interesting esp the dinosaur exhibit and would suggest at least a 3 star rating esp for families with children

Maureen & Joe Schneider in Spokane, WA USA 05/23/2007

The hotel called Twenty Nevern Square.www.twentynevernsquare.co.uk The large buffet breakfast is included. Complimentary coffee or tea throughout the day & evening. No extra charge for room service. Free newspaper. The hotel is located near Earl's Court.Our room was small,but included a private terrace. The bathroom was large. The staff are very helpful.

Evelyn Clark in Montain View, Ca USA 05/21/2007

Sharon Quinn 201 Maple St. Grafton, Wi. 53024

sharon quinn in Grafton, Wi USA 05/18/2007

K & K Hotel near Earl's Court. Reasonably priced, outstanding full English breakfast buffet and really convenient.

lm in ny, ny USA 05/17/2007

very bad hotel Avoid stonebridge park hotel in north london - complete pit. The place - which likes to alternate the Stonebridge name with "Bridge park hotel" and just "hotel" on the building itself - has little/no running water and is in a dirty condition. Food is questionable -- undercooked meat in the free breakfast, the free tea came with whole milk, but the milk was left unrefridgerated and was room-temprature warm by the time we checked in. Also, talk there is a beer garden is false, no room outdoors, unless they plan on using the street. the staff left exposed wiring (live?) across the floor, old sinks against the walls, unhelpful staff - one made us wait for 10 minutes at midnight just because of a game he didn't want to miss. yeah, it's cheap, but its NOT worth it. btw: it is NO WHERE NEAR the stonebridge park Tube stop

will in bergeron, tx USA 05/08/2007

My very favorite London hotel - Comfort Inn Hyde Park - has recently closed for renovation, but I have stayed there at least once a year for the past eight years. The location is super, rooms small, but clean and well furnished, exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, etc. I paid only £45 a night last November and have paid less at times. There are several hotels in the Bayswater area, some closer to Notting Hill, and a number of really budget hotels in the Paddington area. All the ones at which I have looked are well run, clean, adequate rooms, etc. I believe they defintely more than meet the standards for budget hotels. All include ensuite bathrooms. A few have no elevators, but some do.

Judith Beck in Perkasie, PA USA 05/07/2007

The Thames Cruise to Greenwish was an EXCELLENT recommendation -- and if you show your Oyster card, you get an additional discount on your tickets. We learned this by chance, when my husband had his card in his hand as he reached for the money -- the lady at the counter said we could use it to get a discounted fare. Keep in mind that each traveler needs to have an Oyster card to get the discoutned fare.

Martina EF Horwitz in Chicago, IL USA 05/01/2007

Just got back from a theatre trip and discovered a great reataurant for dinner either before or after theatre- Standed In London, 417 The Strand, WC2, The food was well presented and delicious. Excellent selection of Italian & British dishes. Good prices for the location. Owner Marco Arquati is a great host a loads of fun. Highly recommended. www.strandedin.com

L.C. Anderson in Woodland, CA USA 04/06/2007

The Scarsdale Pub on Edwardes Square about 100 yards south of Kensington High Street.

Hank Thon in Roswell, GA USA 04/03/2007

St. David and Norfolk Hotel is a family run 2-3 star hotel with a warm clean friendly atmosphere one block from Paddington Station, withing walking distance to Hyde Park. Ensuite water closet with shower available. A delicious full English breakfast is included in the daily rate. Great pubs and a great bakery with fresh pastries and sandwiches are within a block. Being at the front steps to Paddington Station was key in our everyday travel to see the sights.

George Glines in Independence, KS USA 03/30/2007

Luna & Simone Hotel, 10 minutes walk from Victoria Station on Belgrave Road, is recently renovated, very clean and bright, and has great staff. Before we booked this B&B we also considered Winchester Hotel (both were the same price), but we were very glad we went with Luna & Simone when we visited Winchester and found it to be rather dark with low ceilings, and the room we were shown was much smaller than our room at Luna & Simone.

The large Sainsbury's by Victoria Station is a great place to buy pasties, chocolate, etc. for picnic lunches and snacks to get through the day.

Irving Jaye in Memphis, TN USA 03/22/2007

The Troia Restaurant across Belvedere from the Travel Inn at the London Eye. We had dined at the Troia on 3 previous London trips; but there's always the possibility that our favorite will have moved, changed hands, gone out of business. It's still there! Wonderful and affordable Mediterranean, middle eastern, Turkish, however you want to define it, food. Friendly helpful staff. Should be combined with an Aquarium, Eye, South Bank walk. Highly recommended.

Carla in San Francisco, CA USA 03/18/2007

There has been, over the years, much pro and con discussion about the Cherry Court Hotel in London. We decided to stay there on our latest trip because it was the cheapest. We understood the rooms were going to be tiny. My word, they certainly were. No one who does not pack lightly can stay there; there is no room for a large suitcase. However, once we got used to the tininess (think living in a ship's cabin and not a cruise ship), we rather liked it. You surely cannot lose anything in the room. The big pluses were the breakfast basket, much of which became part lunch and snacks for the day (3 kinds of fruit, oj, a sort of power bar, cookies, and of course, there was tea and a teakettle in the room); and the Patel family. They were helpful, friendly, accommodating. We promised them that when we arrived home, we would become vocal (or typed) Patel Partisans. And we are.

Carla in San Francisco, CA USA 03/18/2007

For people taking the Tube to Healthrow - Most people from the states fly in and out of Terminal 4; most of the trains going to Healthrow are marked as Healthrow Terminals 1,2, and 3. This is a description of the last station the train stops at, not a description of which terminals the train goes to. Take any train marked Healthrow - if you wait for a train marked Terminal 4 you could have a long wait.

Ed Butts in Newton , MA USA 03/15/2007

The tube was very easy to figure out and was the best way to get around London. We bought a 3-day pass before we got there. The only snag was that we couldn't start using it until 9:30am, so it's best to make sure you get the right one if you want an earlier start.

Anita Elder in Seattle, WA USA 03/03/2007

Visitors coming into Gatwick airport can often find half-off promotional codes for the Gatwick Express (GEX) to Victoria station. Search on Google for "Gatwick Express" and promo code. Purchase your tickets online at http://www.gatwickexpress.com and enter in your code to receive your 14.90 pound ticket for only 7.45. Given the exchange rate, it's a measurable savings.

Catherine in Charlotte, NC USA 03/01/2007

Leaving early from Heathrow - Try the Jury's Inn at Heathrow which is only 5 minutes from the Hatton Cross station on the London Underground (Piccadilly line) and a 5 minute hotel bus service from therminals 1-2&3. Modern hotel with good rooms and restaurant and web prices for advance planning - www.jurysdoyle.com

Bob Jaspar in Walnut Creek, CA USA 02/26/2007

Unfortunately the Abbey House in Kensington is closing (per Rod of the Abbey House). No additional details, but tried to book room for 7/07 and received this advice. This is unfortunate since Abbey House was such a pleasant accommodation.

Fred Nehrling in New Berlin, WI USA 02/24/2007

Hampstead: Quaint suburb only 5 miles from central London, with 40 acre heath (great nature walk), Kenwood House (on the heath and the best guide we had bar none- David). The second floor has a wonderful view of the skyline of London- just past the pond with the swans; Highgate Cemetery (old west side- just like the cemetery scene in Phantom of the Opera). We even found a bench in Hampstead with FDR and Churchill statues like the one on Bond Street in Mayfair.

Nancy Mulder in Minneapolis, MN USA 01/28/2007

I booked tickets for "The 39 Steps" and got a 2-for-1" admission at the Cabinet War Rooms through www.lastminute.com and it was a breeze. We also bought cheap "Les Mis" and "Mary Poppins" tickets at the box office on the morning of the show.

Beth AL USA 01/22/2007

We loved traveling the Underground, very convenient and easy to use, plus a lot of fun!

Lois Stober in Reinholds, PA USA 01/17/2007

If you are flying into Gatwick, take Southern Railway instead of the Gatwick Express. It's 5 pounds cheaper pluse you get tons of 2 for 1 deals. We literally saved hundreds of dollars!! Just visit the southern railway website and click on 2 for 1. You can print out all your coupons before you leave home. Then when visiting the attractions present your coupon. We got 2 for 1 entry into the Cabinet War Rooms, Tower of London, City Cruise (on the Thames), Westminster Abbey, etc. They have lots more attractions to choose from but we were only there for three days. Some attractions may ask you to present your train ticket with the coupon (I know that Tower of London did).

Karen in Columbus, IN USA 01/17/2007

Clockmaker's Museum This place is amazing! It's located in the Guildhall Library (Tube: Bank). Admission is free and you will most likely have the place to yourself. It's only one room, but plan on about an hour to see all the exhibits. Many of the timepieces date back to the 1600s.

Karen in Columbus, IN USA 01/17/2007

When going to the theater in London, the section of seats called the "Stalls" are the best.

Robin Oh USA 01/16/2007

Planning to go to London in March. While researching the Oyster Card, I found that you can get 2 for 1 deals on some attractions, musicals, and shows when you buy the tickets online and then show your Oyster Card upon admission. I just bought 2 dress circle tickets for Les Mis for 25 pounds each, which would normally cost 50 pounds apiece. What a great deal! The catch is the deal is only valid between Jan-March 31. Looking forward to the show!

Debbie in Austin, TX USA 01/15/2007

Our famly of seven took a trip to London during the thanksgiving holiday and stayed at the Premeir Travel Inn- County Hall right on the Thames river and Westminster Bridge. For 92 pounds a night for four people to a room, it was the PERFECT location and great facilities! Families need to check this out. We've stayed near Victoria Station before and found this location quite superior in every way. The family LOVED the Shakespeare Globe, Cabinet War Rooms, and we have to drag the kids away from the Imperial War Museum. London is worth visiting just for the Imperial War Museum alone, and it's free!!!

Smith Family in rancho cucamonga, CA USA 01/01/2007