Sir T Fireball Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I saw a thread about advice for folks visiting Europe and thought I might take the liberty of starting one myself.I have recently been asked by a nice American chappy some general questions about where to visit, where to stay, transportation and general 'tourist' tips in advance of his forthcoming visit to our shores. :) As these are mainly subjective issues, I thought I'd throw it open to you guys and then give him a link to the thread. (might even get a new member out of it DD :P )Over to you nice people........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilch Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Take out a bank loan before visiting... that way with the price of things he should be able to do thing's!Seriously though...Visit Devon... Some beuatiful scenery and places to go, becky fall's, river dart, some nice villages and nice village pub's (I know the latter bit very well ;) )Also some time in london, but that isnt my cup of tea, but still some nice things to do... Millenium Eye etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Tell him to get OUT of London and see the real Britain. From personal experience, Staffordshire takes some beating. There is wild and wonderful Cannock Chase. The potteries in Stoke on Trent, where he can visit and see pots being made and can make purchases in the pottery makers shops. Yorkshire is a beautiful county with the dales, and also Derbyshire.Thats just for starters, others will doubtless add a lot more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Totally agree about the Dales. Also, depending on how long they are visiting what about the Lake district, the Grampians and Highlands of Scotland. The Isles and, oh so much more of England. This sceptred Isle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Totally agree about the Dales. Also, depending on how long they are visiting what about the Lake district, the Grampians and Highlands of Scotland. The Isles and, oh so much more of England. This sceptred Isle.Doug you will get in trouble. From the wording of your posting, it looks as though you are including parts of Scotland as England's sceptred Isle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 They will be based in London I believe. Any known tours etc that anyone has taken or can vouch for? They will not be hiring a car and will be reliant upon pubic transport :rolleyes: What are weekly travel permits like these days, expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 and Highlands of Scotland.We're going there on friday. :wohoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Sorry to all the Scottish out there. Such beautiful country that I came all over lyrical again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 They will be based in London I believe. Any known tours etc that anyone has taken or can vouch for? They will not be hiring a car and will be reliant upon pubic transport :rolleyes: What are weekly travel permits like these days, expensive?What a pity that is, it's like visiting Los Angeles and expecting to see the real USA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 This sceptred Isle.The Isle maybe sceptred but London is septic. I should certainly try to influence you friend to see the real country and not just the artificially generated rip-off morass that London has become. You should also warn of the rip-off nature of all our tourist industry. I used to think that the old seaside landlady saying about "We've got to live in the winter when you've gone" was funny, but it has been taken over by the whole of the tourist industry and altered slightly to "We've got to live in luxury for providing atrocious service and bad value." There are some extremely beautiful bits of these island still unspoiled and welcoming, but, by and large ,the usual thing seems to have happened. Much of it has been spoiled by improving it for tourism, and the cost has had to be recouped. Tell you friend not to go by car because a) he will not be able to find enough money for out fuel prices, B) he will not be able to make any sense of our road conditions and law enforcement and c) when he gets to wherever he is going he will not be able to find a parking space and even if he does he will not have enough money with him to pay the exhorbitant charges levied throughout the country.We have found it cheaper for the last ten or twelve years to take the ferry over to the continent and do our touring over there. The people generally are very friendly but their politicians are just like ours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 On a more positive note, I have done a bit of googling for you, which you have probably already done yourself, but never mind.This site is interesting, but I don't know how up to date it ishttp://www.soon.org.uk/britlond.htmI'm sure Tankus may be able to give you a bit more info and I do know that one of our members has his own website and forum devoted to Londoners... just can't remember the address of it right now but will get back to you on that one. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 It goes without saying that many of the major tourist attractions are in London (or close by) so it is understandable that they would want to base themselves here :) Any Londoners in here with some suggestions? All these bumkins are trying to push nature walks and potato picking weekends :Dedit: Ta Nellie :wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 All these bumkins are trying to push nature walks and potato picking weekends :Dedit: Ta Nellie :wub:Certainly sounds more interesting then city traffic and wallet picking. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Nellie, I agree that travelling round London is pretty easy. The problem with London is the prices for just about everything else. I was last in London several long years ago, and the price of a pint of bitter was well over the £2-00 mark then, it's probably nearer to £3 now. I can get good Midlands brewed bitter in pubs for round about £2 a pint NOW, several years down the line, and the cost in clubs is WELL below that. Last night I played bowls at a working mens club, and payed £1-27 for a pint. Everything else in London is a rip off, there is a posting in another thread on this site quoting 83P per litre for petrol on one area. A little money spent on getting away from the over hyped, over populated, polluted and mucky South East, is well spent. The people in the rest of the country are more likely to give you a friendly welcome. They are also less likely to put their hands in your pocket, as long as you stay away from tourist traps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 All these bumkins are trying to push nature walks and potato picking weekends :Dedit: Ta Nellie :wub:Certainly sounds more interesting then city traffic and wallet picking. :rolleyes: Excellent point, what could be better than a nice walk in beautiful countryside. Not everyone wants to ride round the smoke in grubby taxis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Fact: They WILL be staying in London for a week. It will be their base.If all I can get here is moans about the cost of living in London, then I guess I'll take my request for help elsewhere. :rolleyes: Thanks to those of you that were helpfull though :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 It's sad to read so many uncomplimentary remarks about London Sir T. I lived there for 18 years until moving in 1986. I found it a beautiful city to live/work in, vibrant and exciting. Each day was like a new adventure.I'm so out of touch with what is happening there at the moment and also the cost of living but would think it no worse than any of our large city's.Transport will definitely be better by bus and the cheapest option too. With the daily/weekly bus pass you can jump on and off different routes as you wish without paying extra.The West end of London is full of excitement to someone visiting for the first time. Soho with it's nightlife and pavement café's is a "Must see" for the tourist with most places open till the small hours of the morning and some open right through till dawn. The theatres, cinemas and night clubs. [Ronnie Scotts]. Smithfield market where there is a pub open 24 hours and serves excellent food as well.Buckingham Palace has to be high on the list of places to see along with horse guards parade, Kensington gardens, Hyde park and Oxford street. The tower of London with the crown jewels and it's Ravens, Tower bridge.Take an evening trip down the river with an on board meal/drinks and music from a live band, see all the bridges lit up in their splendour. Magic!Go to the City of London, visit St. Paul's and the whispering gallery, Thread needle street with the bank of England. Back to the west-end with Trafalgar square then downing street the House's of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and on to Knightsbridge [Harrods]. Kensington and through to Knotting hill with it's markets. Don't forget Petticoat lane as well back over in the east side of London.These are just a few things off the top of my head, there is so much more to see and much that I can't bring instantly to mind but maybe Tankus will bring you up to date with many more suggestions. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Fact: They WILL be staying in London for a week. It will be their base.If all I can get here is moans about the cost of living in London, then I guess I'll take my request for help elsewhere. :rolleyes: Thanks to those of you that were helpfull though :)Sorry if you have been offended because several of us do not consider London to be typical England. I still maintain that this is the case. We have all offered alternative suggestions to life in a big city, and who knows the people concerned may well prefer that. I have visited California several times, and found Yosemite, the redwood forests, the Mojave Desert, and the Pacific coastline to be by far the areas best features. Los Angeles did not feature at all as far as we were concerned, although San Francisco was very interesting as was Alcatraz. I would certainly NOT recommend visitors to spend all their time in Los Angeles, any more than I would recommend visitors to England to spend too long in London. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ellas Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Fact: They WILL be staying in London for a week. It will be their base.If all I can get here is moans about the cost of living in London, then I guess I'll take my request for help elsewhere. :rolleyes: Thanks to those of you that were helpfull though :)yeah gotta agree with Sir T Fireball everyone seems to be trying to push there own region,what about madboy hes a londoner maybe he can suggest a few good places to visit in and around london. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Visit a tourist information shop (i) shedloads of freebee info, maps, things to do etc...A 24 hour pass on an open decked double decker tour bus is a good one (£11.50 pp) They go around all the major attractions , and you can hop on and off , with entry discounts to some to some of the attractions ......If ever I go to a foreign city .....I do one , Its a good way to find out where all the best sites are. Don't bother with Tussuad's its naff and a wallet ripper.....My favs with friends and family staying up from Wales .....Boat trip down the Thames , Do it on the day you get a tour bus pass , it can be included in the price , works out cheaper.Getting around London ....Get a passport picture go to the local tube station and get a zone 1/2 week pass (about £14 methinks) unlimited transport on buses and tubes within central; london for the week , otherwise its £2.oo each per journey per person which is monster all the museums if on a budgetMuseum of London (free) Well worth a nose , if you only visit one Kensington Museums ( Science ,Life, geological and Albert)British (just about every country in the world that we've robbed )Hendon RAF Imperial War ( near Elephant and Castle) (it sounds dry but they've spent millions revamping it with themed experiences Theres a good one in Shoreditch , which has the History of living rooms (a sort of medieval Ikea from the Romans to the 70's ,Its also next to the museum of childhood...London dungeons (Tussuad's again , but its better )Docklands light railway ( with the zone 1/2 pass to the foot tunnel and Greenwich (Cutty Sark, Admiralty /Queen Anne museum/ royal observatory museum and a nice park for a picnic) Battersea park , just reopened £11m makeover , picnic time again , Eating out can be expensive Chinese restaurants just off China town (£6 give you a plate ,eat as much as you like buffets ) Gerrard street there is a few , have to go mid day .The New World Chinese restaurant Opp the fire station on shaftsbury Av , bit more expensive , but consider one of the best Dim sum's outside Hong Kong , get there before 12,am otherwise you will cue for a table as its chock full of Chinese expect £20 per head and you are stuffed (non alcoholic drinks ) Stuff like sharks fin in chile , snails in garlic and ginger, etc , the atmosphere and quality in there is excellent .Totally avoid Angus /scottish/aberdeen steak houses day out ...Train to Hampton court palace Train to Stratford upon Avon or Bath on the Shakespeare trail (A USA fav , check the 1 day bus package tours at the hotel)All of Djohns choicesCheaper theatre tickets if bought on the night from the discount clearance booths around Leicester square ......I saw the Mousetrap for £18 and the Phantom of the Opera for £25 ...Its not really my scene , but I enjoyed them both , Particularly The Phantom ....NB check seating positions , make sure its in the middle and front ) Cinemas in the day are £5 (Leicester square Cannon multiplex) ...£12 in the evening Trafalgar Squre for a kodak moment and the national ,sainsbury, and portrait galleries...(all free) The Tate modern (free) then walk across the ex wobbley bridge to St Pauls ( no photos there its all scafolded for a refurb .) (you have to pay to get in the St Pauls and Westminster cathrdral , but I think its only a few quid , not been in there for a while . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 On a more positive note, I have done a bit of googling for you, which you have probably already done yourself, but never mind.This site is interesting, but I don't know how up to date it ishttp://www.soon.org.uk/britlond.htmI'm sure Tankus may be able to give you a bit more info and I do know that one of our members has his own website and forum devoted to Londoners... just can't remember the address of it right now but will get back to you on that one. :)I think the site you are thinking of Nellie is www.barryoneoff.co.uk. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Yup that's the one, thanks Gandalf. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Tell 'em to start at 'The Approach', a pub in Bethnal Green. Should develop into an interesting holiday. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drovers Dog Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 :P Hey, Mr. T, I remember something like this before!!If any of you people wanted to come to AussieLand, I would be very happy to put you up for the night! Just so you could go further, later with less Expense!As long as I trusted you!Is this what you mean, Sir T?To explain, I learnt a lot about about the Filipino Culture, just by living in their house! What a wonderful way to learn, and even better, how you would learn, it can be so Wonderfull! :wub: :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Yup that's the one, thanks Gandalf. :DNo problem at all for a fair maiden in distress :wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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