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Headed to London for the first time in 25 years

Headed to London for the first time in 25 years

Old Aug 11, 2017, 9:51 pm
  #16  
 
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Originally Posted by Tisbutascratch
But sitting upstairs in the front of the bus is still enjoyable. You see many things that you wouldn't see otherwise.
We saved the bus rides for the end of the day, when we were on the way back to hotel and not in a hurry. Twice we still ended up getting off the bus and getting to our destination faster on foot.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 2:46 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Ber2dca
Oh boy, it's changed a bit in those 25 years.
Physcially a bit, but the cultural and culinary change has been overwhelming, and totally for the better.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 4:12 am
  #18  
 
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Originally Posted by Swanhunter
Physcially a bit
Well the skyline has changed dramatically. Arguably in a positive way in the east, but the area around St Paul's is now sadly dominated by the absolutely hideous Walkie Talkie.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 4:50 am
  #19  
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Are you sure you mean the Walkie Talkie? It's a mile away from St Paul's. I agree with you that it's ugly though!
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 5:04 am
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Originally Posted by LondonElite
Are you sure you mean the Walkie Talkie? It's a mile away from St Paul's. I agree with you that it's ugly though!
I guess what I mean is a lot of sightlines looking east from around there are now dominated by that monstrosity, as well as various other viewpoints from other parts of London. It really stands out quite literally like a sore thumb.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 5:48 am
  #21  
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I'm also not particularly crazy about the Shard.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 6:50 am
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Originally Posted by LondonElite
I'm also not particularly crazy about the Shard.
I agree. Giles Coren wrote a brilliant, scathing piece on it when it was built. Here's an extract:

Originally Posted by Giles Coren
Antagonists of the Shard, and there are a few, have likened it to a great priapic phallus. But they flatter it. This particular Qatari erection, poked hard into the belly of our land, has nothing in common with the natural phallus, stiffened with the resolve of lust for the consummation of desire between two consenting adults. It is the loveless, artificial, Viagra-stiffened old tool of a corpulent foreign businessman nailing some poor derelict to a brothel mattress to assuage the boredom of a business trip to London. And when the drugs wear off, it’s going to prove a terrible flop.
However my antagonism towards it has eased as it has, unfortunately but inevitably, become an iconic part of the face of London.

Whereas the Walkie Talkie isn't even iconic; it's merely an out-of-place, ugly lump.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 7:52 am
  #23  
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Originally Posted by lmwong1977
Your user profile lists your location as Boston - so think CharlieCard for the Oyster.

Must dos depend on your interests, but I think the Tower is worth doing especially if your daughter has never been. They spiffed up the Crown Jewels display a few years ago for The Queen's diamond jubilee too. Make sure you join a Beefeater guided tour as it includes a visit to the chapel where three of Henry VIII's wives are buried.

Unfortunately, Buckingham Palace is pretty much closed for tours in October. You can still see it from outside the gates and watch the changing of the guards though. I personally like watching the horse guards instead - no gates there.

I try to see a show when I'm in London. You probably know about the TKTS booths for the West End shows. I think tickets for the Royal National Theatre are separate from that. If you're really into Shakespeare - there's also The Globe - they added another theater a few years ago.

The Tate Modern also expanded a few years ago so it has even more galleries. The Natural History museum just moved the blue whale skeleton to the central hall which they redid - museums are good for a rainy day.

The hotel will probably have a paper map of major attractions nearby. I like these paper maps just in case the phone battery dies.
Thank you for the Charlie Card reference. That was what I was thinking, but I am glad you clarified.

I am so disappointed about Buckingham Palace! Is it closed completely? (off to google).

And I can never see the Crown Jewels enough so that's a must for sure! The Natural History museum will be fun for us as well.

I have the TKTS app - a show would be awesome.

From what I'm reading, museums are free and it costs money to go in churches?
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 8:22 am
  #24  
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Churches are free!
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 9:13 am
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Originally Posted by LondonElite
Churches are free!
If you're attending service. Otherwise a donation is recommended

We stayed in a serviced apartment across the street from Borough Market last month. Very convenient for food . Easy access to London Tower Station for trains and buses. We actually used the RV1 bus quite a lot for going to Covent Garden shows.

Ticket machines will accept credit cards, and you can purchase you Oyster cards there when you arrive in Heathrow. If you have time, you can pre-purchase a visitor Oyster Card https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-informatio...or-oyster-card

I second getting the CityMapper app, it's amazing! Here's a link to the iPhone app Citymapper - Transit Navigation by Citymapper Limited
https://appsto.re/us/ce3-B.i

The nice thing about our location was that we were so close to the Shard, it was unnoticeable.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 9:33 am
  #26  
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Originally Posted by frankmu

Ticket machines will accept credit cards, and you can purchase you Oyster cards there when you arrive in Heathrow. If you have time, you can pre-purchase a visitor Oyster Card https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-informatio...or-oyster-card

I second getting the CityMapper app, it's amazing! Here's a link to the iPhone app Citymapper - Transit Navigation by Citymapper Limited
https://appsto.re/us/ce3-B.i
Thank you! I might pre-purchase the Oyster card just so I'll have it already. Do you think 6 weeks is a good enough lead time? It didn't say how long in advance you'd need to order it.

Also, for 2 of of us traveling together at all times, do I need one Oyster card or two?

I didn't see any special offers that I thought we would use - although it did say in one place 25% off TKTS west-end plays (which is something we would use) but on the Visitor link, there was no mention of that.

What is the best way to get into town from LHR? To, say, King's Cross if I choose the St. Pancras Hotel, as an example. Can I use the Oyster card for that or is LHR too far away?
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 10:35 am
  #27  
 
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Originally Posted by Graciecatt
Thank you! I might pre-purchase the Oyster card just so I'll have it already. Do you think 6 weeks is a good enough lead time? It didn't say how long in advance you'd need to order it.
Ours arrived in less than a week (UK -> US shipping)

Originally Posted by Graciecatt
Also, for 2 of of us traveling together at all times, do I need one Oyster card or two?
Two
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 12:20 pm
  #28  
 
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What is the best way to get into town from LHR? To, say, King's Cross if I choose the St. Pancras Hotel, as an example. Can I use the Oyster card for that or is LHR too far away?
Yes you can. You can use Oyster at every station on the map here. (This is the one I linked to in your other thread - I'd suggest a Mod merge them are they are about the same trip.)

LHR-King's Cross is easy, straight on the Piccadilly Line. Takes an hour from T5/T4, slightly less from T2/3.

You could instead take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and Tube from there which is a bit quicker, but not worth the extra cost for the journey to St Pancras. Oyster is not valid on the Heathrow Express.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 1:09 pm
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If you enjoy theater, I highly recommend the Almeida Theatre in Islington (almeida.co.uk). They have a new production in October. From King's Cross, you can get to the Almeida via the Tube and a short walk or by bus (check the Citymapper.)

If your stay includes Sunday, I suggest enjoying a Sunday Roast at a local pub.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 7:49 pm
  #30  
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I am leaning towards the St. Pancras and checked out the lounge availability in the Marriott Master Thread of Open/Closed Lounges.

What does this mean?

London / St. Pancras Renaissance / OPEN;....... Upgrades to Chamber rooms are not available for free, but can be upgraded for 75GBP+VAT charge/night;.....

Does this mean I can update my booked room to a Chamber room for only 75GBP/night? Do I just call Marriott Reservations? Do I have to contact the hotel directly?
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