American Invading UK...help needed!

[TiffinyKC]

Sorry to crash in on the UK board, but I thought this might be the perfect place to post as I am looking for some travel advice.

While I love going to WDW I am just starting to plan my first trip to the UK for this comming Summer. I am just hoping to get some opinions of things that I have to see, aside from the huge things like St. Pauls, BA Eye, et cetera. This time (I hope there will be many more visits in the future) I plan to see mostly London with diversions to Bath and to see Stonehenge. I only plan to stay 4 or 5 days.

Also, where is a good area to stay? I am thinking about Mayfair, but I'm ignorant in the geography, trying to learn though. What hotels would you recommend?

Any help at all would be appreciated, I've been wanting to see England for ages and I think that I've waited long enough, I want to go while I'm still young.

Thanks for any response that you're willing to give!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Try and do a London bus tour, there are various routes which take in various sights. Tower of London is a must, boat trip up to Greenwich and the Maritime museum is very pleasant travelling under Tower Bridge. So much to do, we have been a number of times and still find lots to do. We are going for the weekend next week and plan on doing a lot of free stuff. Going up Westminster cathedral (not Abbey) and you are supposed to be able to see in Buckingham Palace gardens from the top, want to go to the top of the OXO tower also. Hamley and Harrods, of course. Enjoy planning. We are staying in the Bloomsbury area which is supposedly central. Not stayed in a hotel in London before we usually use the caravan half an hours tube ride out of the centre.

 

[Booknut]

Hi ya

You will love London, its one of my favourite places and has been my home for the last 10 years.

It's impossible to see all London has to offer in 5 years much less 5 days but if you want my opinion these are the things you should try to get to see:

1. London Eye - great views that never end in any direction!
2. Tower of London/Crown Jewels
3. St Paul's Cathedral/Westminster Abbey
4. Buckingham Palace/Kensington Palace
5. National Gallery/Tate
6. Houses of Parliament/Big Ben
7. Camden Town (especially good on a Saturday)

If I was you I would take one of the tour buses for your first day to help get a feel for the place and see a lot of the big touristy things. You could do half those things above on the first day using the hop on/hop off buses. They cost around £16 a day. Here is a link: http://www.theoriginaltour.com/

Camden Town has some really cool market stalls and shops and pubs. It's easy to get to on the underground too. You'll definitely get some different souvenirs there to take back home than the usual stuff

Covent Garden is also pretty cool, its in the heart of London and has a lot of our theatres and some great restaurants and pubs too.

I would also very highly recommend doing a walking tour, especially if you have any specific interests like art or history or architecture. You could even try a Jack the Ripper tour (try to get Donald, he's brilliant) I love London's dark and spooky side

As for hotels I wish I could say they are all brilliant here but they aren't...but most are adequate and clean which is better than nothing You have to pay a lot of money for a nice hotel. Mayfair is OK for hotels, Bloomsbury is OK too. Try www.tripadvisor.com for people's reviews on any hotels you are thinking of staying in.

Anyway, if you have any specific questions just ask or send me a PM. And don't forget to wave on your tour bus when you're on Fleet Street...i'll keep my eye out for your tour bus from my office!

Eloise

 

[TiffinyKC]

Thanks, great advice. Also, what's the deal with this tax system (VAT right?). Do you really pay that much in taxes? Good Lord!

 

[Booknut]

VAT is included in the prices you see, its not added on at the till like tax is in America. And you should be able to claim back the tax on items you buy once you go back home (I think, i'd look that up though!).

 

[TiffinyKC]

OK...so your tax is already included in the price, that's good to know. Is that everywhere or just some places? I'll look into that about getting the taxes back, that's interesting.

 

[TiffinyKC]

Sorry to keep up with the questions, but is it a reasonable drive to Bath from London? And I definately would like to see Stonehenge while I am there. How long of a drive would you say that it is from London? Is Bath even worth it? I've heard that it shouldn't be missed, is that the case?