Calling Londoners

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid

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Aug 2, 2005
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Hi Londoners,

Mrs Orchid and I are due to arrive in London for a short weekend appointment next month. We're arriving at London City Airport.

Any advice on the best way to get into the city itself? I remember the last time (about 10 years ago - the year Kevin Spacy was doing The Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic, which is why we were down) there was a bus service to a nearby tube station but I don't see any details online.

We need to get to the NW3 area.
 
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Desert Orchid said:
Hi Londoners,

Mrs Orchid and I are due to arrive in London for a short weekend appointment next month. We're arriving at London City Airport.

Any advice on the best way to get into the city itself? I remember the last time (about 10 years ago - the year Kevin Spacy was doing The Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic, which is why we were down) there was a bus service to a nearby tube station but I don't see any details online.

We need to get to the NW3 area.
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http://www.londoncityairport.com/visitingtheairport/page/publictransport
 
The dlr was extended since your last visit. Very quick into bank or tower hill. Bank is best for interchanges
 
Hampstead or Belize park?

Think whereabouts. The stations are spread around the area a bit.

Northern line out of bank will take you to hampstead tube or belsize

But a sortof more interesting alternative is dlr from airport ( one change) to Stratford and then the excellent london overground service to Hampstead Heath or gospel oak. You will see the Olympic park etc and som vistas over London
 
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I am on the clickety to London with the family as I write; we're staying in Bayswater for a few days of mid-term R&R and sightseeing.
 
Funny area bayswater. One area of London where i have no contacts or have any business in. Not over keen.

If I was coming to london as a visitor I would most definitely stay south bank area. More relaxed feel and the whole stretch from Bermondsey to vauxhall has been transformed. I cycle round London a lot and the streets just south of river are fascinating. Plus Tate, shard, globe, borough market, wheel, iwm, festival hall... List goes on. There's more in area alone than in most cities.

Shoreditch is fascinating area too.
 
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Dlr not tube.. Get it right

Bank then northern to belsize park ... Easy

Very nice area belsize park too
 
clivex said:
Funny area bayswater. One area of London where i have no contacts or have any business in. Not over keen.

If I was coming to london as a visitor I would most definitely stay south bank area. More relaxed feel and the whole stretch from Bermondsey to vauxhall has been transformed. I cycle round London a lot and the streets just south of river are fascinating. Plus Tate, shard, globe, borough market, wheel, iwm, festival hall... List goes on. There's more in area alone than in most cities.

Shoreditch is fascinating area too.
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The regenerated Spitalfields has been recommended for a few hours tooling about, Clive - what do you reckon?
 
Grasshopper said:
I am on the clickety to London with the family as I write; we're staying in Bayswater for a few days of mid-term R&R and sightseeing.
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Somerset House in Aldwych by Waterloo Bridge is a hidden treasure worth visiting Grassy - The Fountains go on tomorrow (Thursday) http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/events/fountains and there's a free guided tour on Thursdays https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/events/guided-tours
You can then cross over Waterloo bridge turn left along the South Bank visit the Tate Modern http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/344410-tate-modern

Cross the Thames over The Millennium Bridge to St Pauls Cathedral and Spitafields is close by http://www.urban75.org/london/millennium.html
 
Good points Swedish

But after Tate modern I would head down that fascinating walk past the globe towards borough market which is an absolute gem. Also get superb views of the shard

Spitalfields is quite special grass. You really get a sense of old trading London and the place is absolutely buzzing. Especially on Sundays

Walk length of brick lane. Whitechapel gallery is a great place to start. One of my favourite places. As you go up brick lane you will see it change from banglatown to the trendy but very vibrant shoreditch end. But all along the route there are surprises if you look around

Take in the side streets too and at the top end of brick lane make sure you have a salt beef bagel. There's a long but fast moving queue but believe me hey are fantastic

For fish and chips, poppies in spitalfields is an institution and well up to the hype

One thing you will notice is how many coffee shops. It's the way it is down here now and absolutely try any independent in the area rather than a chain. Competition is fierce

Also it's a short walk into the city and I would certainy take a close look at the cheesegrater skyscraper which is opposite lloyds building and near the gherkin. It's a superb building


Every chance I'll be cycling round area Sunday. Never ever tire of going into town
 
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Go for a nice swim with your missis in the LIDO swimming baths in Hampstead Heath.
Don't go to Hampstead Heath too late at night, there's a lot of people hiding in bushes and behind trees' :D

Seriously, have a good time.:)
 
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Thanks all - will see what the boss is prepared to add to the itinerary, but good chance Brick Lane will make it, as the missus loved the place when she lived down here (many moons ago).

Can't believe how sweet the weather is here. It's only early-April, and it's as warm as the best summer's day you'd get in Edinburgh - you lucky bas*tards.
 
Bloody hell grass. It's not all that today. Week ago it was 22c

Mind you much as I really like Edinburgh it is a bit chilly ..



Baby polar bear to mother polar bear

Why am I a polar bear mum?

Why do you want to know?

Cos I'm fcking freezing!
 
Would recommend the Jack the Ripper tours - just go to Tower Tube Station and there are several to choose from outside. You pay at the end (normally a suggested donation of £7-10 each) and you do walk down Brick Lane. Best done at dusk or even dark - try this http://www.jack-the-ripper-tours.com/about-tour from Tower Tube or Aldgate East here http://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/

Cant help too much as I am strictly a West London lass - get nosebleeds going over the River :)

Make sure you get an Oyster Card before you leave the Airport - prices on public transport (shudder) is much cheaper than paying in cash (and on some bus routes you cant even use that!) Click here to pre order https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0005.do (sent by post if you have the time) and more info here http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/help-centre/oyster-card-help.html
 
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Ballydoyle said:
Make sure you get an Oyster Card before you leave the Airport - prices on public transport (shudder) is much cheaper than paying in cash (and on some bus routes you cant even use that!)
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That's caught my attention, Bd!
What's the kind of difference in fare I can expect with/out the Oyster Card?
 
Desert Orchid said:
That's caught my attention, Bd!
What's the kind of difference in fare I can expect with/out the Oyster Card?
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For example - London City Airport (DLR) to Hampstead Underground

OysterPeak: £3.20Monday to Friday from 0630 to 0930 and from 1600 to 1900.
Off Peak: £2.70At all other times including public holidays.

Cash

£4.70At any time.


Whilst that may not sound much for one journey it soon adds up over a weekend!!


Plus its sooooo much quicker to get around rather than trying to find the right cash or wait for change that the driver wont have :)
 
Cheers, Ballydoyle.

I think I'll invest in a couple of Oyster Cards. I understand they last for ever?

(I've got 4 Disneyland Florida passes in my drawer upstairs that must be 15 years old! We said we'd go back some time soon...)
 
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