An open letter to all Englanders (London specifically)

[Moridin]

I am going to be traveling to London at the end of this month and just wanted to ask a few questions.
1) Where do I stay?? I booked my air tickets, planning on staying with a friend and he just emailed me and said he would be in Spain that week
So any thoughts on 'cheap' but 'nice' accomidations?
2) Since my time is limited (5 days), what do you consider to be the best sights and sounds of London? I know the obvious ones but it is great to get a 'local' perspective on the out-of-the-way sights.
3) How accessible are the 'outlying' areas (Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon?). I have traveled a lot in Europe, but never in the UK (okay a bit in Scotland). Should I rent a car or can I get to these places by bus/train?

Thank you all!

------------------

[Moridin]

Sorry about the double topic post! Damn thing said it timed out and kicked me back to the original 'post a new topic' and then posted again!

ZIROC--Can you delete this one??????

------------------

[Donut]

There is very little cheap accomodation in London. You might want to try the Youth Hostels. I think Yorick stayed at some while in London. if your time is limited try 'The London Eye' which is a huge wheel on the South Bank which gives brilliant views of London. I always recommend a boat trip from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich which goes past much of old London with a commentary. There are many tourist trips by open topped double decker bus which can be picked up anywhere in central London. I would only recommend this because you are short of time. You can take in so much of Central London on foot or use the tube

Stratford-upon-Avon can be reached by train in about two hours, similarly Stonehenge. If you only have five days it is probably not worth hiring a car.

If I might interject some humour. Windsor Castle, which is to the west of London close to Heathrow airport is now over 900 years old. Some years ago an American tourist was heard to comment 'What a beautiful castle, such a pity they built it so close to the airport!'

------------------
The Truth is in the Profile

[Stealthy]

Moridin I saw your post, but thought the others were in a better position to reply as I live in Scotland and have only been to London on short business trips. Hence the bump!

------------------

Charlie's S-Plan diet is no better than his invisibility potion!

If you want to see London, go on the Millenium wheel, the views from up there are fantastic (provided the weathers good. A boat trip down the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich is well worth the money, as you can see a fair bit from the river, and Greenwich is worth a look round. As for travelling out of London, I know from experience that you will spend most of your time travelling and that assumes the trains run well, which at the moment they aren't. Both Oxford and Cambridge are good places to visit too, easily reachable from London, Cambridge in about an hour.

If you are travelling a lot by tube (and only in zone 1) I reckon the most efficient way to buy tickets is to get a carnet (10 single zone 1 tickets for £11.50) roughly a £5 saving over standard fares.

Any other questions give me a shout, my email is in my profile. I was working in London August 00 - Jan 01 so my experiences are quite recent.

------------------

[Yorick]

Moridin
I´m afraid cheap and nice don´t work in a sentence about London accomodation.
The youth hostels are around 20 pounds ($60AUD) and aren´t the best but then we are talking about one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Outside London, B&Bs or even Pubs have good value accom. and includes a hearty English breakfast. Very cosy, very good. The Youth hostels are going to be the cheapest in London itself though, and you will meet other travellers and may even be able to arrange sharing transport etc.

The best thing when traveling around London is to get an all day pass for Zones 1 and two that costs about 4 pounds and gives you unlimited travel all day on busses/rail etc. Avoid the underground if you want to see London. The busses have better sights (obviously) and vibe. The underground is quite comprehensive if you need to get somewhere specific though.
I walked a lot. Walked and walked and walked. Or just jumped on a bus for a while and jumped off. Rear, open door exits are great!

Moridin. Never ever ever ever catch a black cab under ANY circumstances. If you must catch a cab, catch a mini-cab and negotiate a fixed price. I learnt the hard way.

The closer to Summer you are, the more necessary to book accom. ahead.
Stonehenge is near Salisbury and not very far by rail. There is a limited bus service from Salisbury out there. (Rad X where are you?)

If you are going to do a lot of rail travel throughout England you may want to look into a Britpass (cheaper outside England than in) it may save some money depending on what you want to do. Travel agents generally sell these.

Car rental is not too bad in the UK. Sixt are good value, but if you know exactly what you want to do and don´t need to be flexiable regarding car pick-up/drop-offs Easy rent-a-car on the net provide a very good car (Mercedes A) at a very cheap rate. Only the one car and no change in the booking is the bummer though. This can only be booked on the net.

Moridin I loved England. You´ll have a ball. Hope you´re ok man.

------------------
FAIR DINKUM!

[Donut]

Morodin - just to clarify one point about Yorick's advice. Black cabs are expensive, but if you want a mini-cab go to one of the many mini-cab offices or phone a mini-cab office and have them pick you up from your accomodation. NEVER accept a lift from someone who pulls up to you the street asking if you want a mini-cab. They are illegal, unlicensed and probably uninsured. They are dangerous and untraceable.

------------------
The Truth is in the Profile

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Donut: Morodin......NEVER accept a lift from someone who pulls up to you the street asking if you want a mini-cab. They are illegal, unlicensed and probably uninsured. They are dangerous and untraceable.

Especially if you are a pretty woman or a small child.

Nb. If you are a mini cab driver never pull up to the side of the road and ask a huge seven foot giant carrying a baseball bat or 'violin case' if he wants a mini-cab.

Seriously, this is good advice Donut and something I didn´t give much thought too. (Hangs head in shame)


------------------
FAIR DINKUM!

[Tobbin]

Originally posted by Moridin: Sorry about the double topic post! Damn thing said it timed out and kicked me back to the original 'post a new topic' and then posted again! ZIROC--Can you delete this one??????

Not meaning to sound rude, but when you post a message and decide that you don't really want it (or accidentally double-post), you can edit the message and click on the delete message button at the top. Be aware that if you delete the first message, you will delete the whole thread. Just to let you know.



------------------


Death Waits 4 U ALL

[Donut]

Yorick - I'm only 6 ft 2in & that was a cricket bat not a baseball bat

------------------
The Truth is in the Profile