Going to Britain to drop some tourist $$ on our British friends- any advice? (yeah another vanity!)

my own sense of paranoia | 10/17/2004 | lawgirl

[lawgirl]

I am going to be taking a vacation with a few friends to London and Bristol, England, before the election and I wanted to get some Freeper ideas on where to eat and what to see.

I was intially very worried about travelling abroad before the election, but then I realized- that's what the terrorists want! So forget them- I am going to drop some tourist dollars on our faithful British friends! I have never been out of this country so I am a little bit freaked, so I thought I'd ask for some input from other well traveled and/or British FReepers.

I am going for a long weekend basically- spending two days in Bristol (and that time is mostly planned out but I will have some time to shop if anyone has suggestions) and an afternoon, night and morning in London. Does anyone have any ideas about the best way to see London in a few hours? Bus tours, etc? And I am also looking for a good English pub to snag some lunch.

I'd love to hear anyone's stories about their trips to Britain, helpful cultural references, etc. Any travel tips would be very appreciated as well. I really don't want to broadcast "Hey! Here's an American!" We are flying into Heathrow and taking the train from Paddington into Bristol.

JimRob- I hope you'll forgive the vanity!

[lawgirl]

I would LOVE to do a Beatles tour! I have heard such good things about the British people- I can't wait to talk to them. I hope we give them a good impression of Americans as well. :)

[lawgirl]

I can't wait to eat Fish and Chips. And I heard there are no ice cubes in the drinks??

[investigateworld]

Lucky You!. DO talk with everyone, ignore the so called aloofness. Do not leave a package/suitcase and ask someone to watch it for you (they still have IRA concerns) Never make fun of the Royal Family, regardless of what everyone else is doing. The "Tube" is great. If you are a smoker and bring out a pack of smokes offer same to your neighbor or persons closest to you. Even if your not a smoker, bring a cartoon of cig's, and if someone does you an extraordinary favor, give them a pack, it will make their whole day (everyone barters there).

[Veto!]

If it's not raining, you can see quite a lot of London in a half day from the top deck of a tourist bus. A good guide can jam centuries of history into one fascinating afternoon. Once you have the overview under your belt, you'll know which sites and attractions to head straight for on your next trip.

Sightseeing buses leave from Hyde Park and from good hotels all the time. You might call the local London American Express office and ask for their suggestion for the best sightseeing trip. When I was in Rome for a month, I took an American Express-arranged weekend bus trip to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri, and it was just marvelous.

Secret: If you ride inside a tour bus, ride in the front window seat across from the driver. Best possible view, access to driver in case you have questions.

Have fun!

[lawgirl]

Even if your not a smoker, bring a cartoon of cig's, and if someone does you an extraordinary favor, give them a pack, it will make their whole day (everyone barters there).

This is fascinating advice!! really!! Hmm. wish I was going to Kentucky - when I lived there, smokes were MUCH cheaper than here in the people's republic of wisconsin! LOL! did you have an experience making fun of the Royal Family?

[lawgirl]

Veto that is fabulous advice. We had talked about doing a bus tour- we'll have to check with our concierge to see where the nearest one is!

[DoctorMichael]

The TOWER OF LONDON is not to be missed!

This was one my more memorable stops on the tourist circuit in London. Provide at least 3 hours (either a full morning or afternoon) to do this site. Besides all the history there (beheadings, the Tower, The Chapel, The Castle, etc., etc. {Take the Guided Tour!!}) you'll be touring a bona fide medieval castle built on an original Roman fort dating to the 60 AD. Also, the Crown Jewels are housed there. An amazing slice of history!

Buckingham Palace, The National Gallery near the Picadilly Circus is neat, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament......

If I were to buy something on a trip there I'd get some domestically made sweaters (Shetland Wool?).

One thing I haven't seen yet.........Stonehenge!

[Taylor42]

Something I forgot to add. In central London there's a place called Leicester Square. It has a booth that sells same day tickets for the theather, half price.

Also pickup a London AZ book. It the best collection of maps to the city.

Also also, look for the walking tours. They have many different subjects from Roman London to Jack the ripper.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I was there a number of years ago, and stayed at The Bear in Woodstock.

If you have the time, spend a night, have the squab if available.

Incredible.

[lawgirl]

I have had a couple of people say tower of london- we'll have to check it out! And sweaters-hmm christmas might be taken care of early this year! Thanks for the great input!

[sharktrager]

One tip.

Pack plenty of clean underwear.

[cephalopod]

I was there about 6 weeks ago. Enjoyed it very much, so much history. Bring money.
Check out London Walks. Inexpensive walking tours, very interesting with great guides.
http://london.walks.com/
I also enjoyed Grenwich very much.

[risk]

You have to see Welsh and Scot castles, such as Harlech and Stirling. See Hadrian's Wall.

[Moonmad27]

History buff here - after all my trips to England, I would always recommend Stonehenge, Windsor, British Museum, and Harrods (what a combination!). Dittos to those who said Bath. Since time is short, a bus tour of London is a good idea so you can at least say you saw Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, etc!

[lawgirl]

That is beautiful!! And what is a squab?

[investigateworld]

RE: Making fun of the Royal Family.
Not since I was 8 years old. My mother was a war bride from WW2, The "Royals" are sort of the glue that binds. I suspect your only regret will be that it was too short.
I've been there 3Xs and haven't done a 10th of what I want.
The British Museum had original songs, written by Lennon et al, but they rotate displays. AND always take a raincoat everywhere.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

The TOWER OF LONDON is well worth the time. Give half a day to it. It's worth the time..

Make use of the Underground. It's an easy subway to use. Herrods (sp?) is worth the time, at least my Mom and sister thought so..

[Capriole]

Addendum. I have heard some tales of Americans getting hassled in the UK for being American. Certainly there are a lot of people there who aren't above shafting you as a rich American. And do not mistake courtesy for personal liking; we Americans, being naturally friendly and without pretense, always suppose that if people are extremely courteous this is a personal compliment. It is not. The British, particularly the upper and upper-middle classes, have a great natural gift for administering a subtle verbal stab between the ribs couched in perfectly unexceptionable words.

If any British person ever criticizes my country, its policies, its people, or its president, I respond in the way they understand best: with icy courtesy. I turn to them slowly, survey them with unveiled contempt for the count of five, and then say in frozen but excruciatingly clear tones, "I do beg your pardon, but I don't recall soliciting your opinion on the matter." Then I turn away with an expression of cold distaste on my face.

Losing one's temper, acting outraged, launching into a diatribe, or otherwise showing emotion just makes you the loser. It's kind of like Japan in that way.

[Final Authority]

Their idea of an ice cube is a cubic centimeter of ice. These days though one can get a cold drink. It just may take a bit of assertiveness to get the message across.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Buy the Green Michelin Guide Book for the UK(the tire folks), it's the best there is to tell you every attraction in every town. It lists them by importance, gives a history, when it's open and how to get there.

Best spots outside of London are, Bath, Windemire (the lakes), Edinburgh, and the Highlands.