Trip to London

[Ellay]

Hi everyone,

I am taking DD to London for her 21st birthday this weekend. We leave Yorkshire on Thursday lunchtime, returning on Sunday afternoon, and are staying at the County Hall.

We plan to ride the London Eye, hopefully when the weather is clear, spend lots of time in Harrods and other major stores, and I have got a PS for the Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday evening (DD's Birthday). Hopefully I will be able to persuade her to do a bit of sightseeing too, although she's not so keen.

Can anyone give me their thoughts on where we may be able to have a nice evening meal on Thursday and Friday evenings, either in the shopping area, or near the hotel?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lynn

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Lynn,
How about Covent Garden? Has quite a buzz to it with streeet entertainment and a many restaurants to choose from - there's a huge list of restaurants on this site:

http://www.lollo.co.uk/covent-garden-restaurants/1581-0/

and we have often had Joe Allen's recommended to us - I think you may need to call to book on 0171 836 0651. The address is 13 Exeter Street (WC2).

The Rock Garden Cafe is very popular as it hasa terrace which gives a good view of any street entertainment nearby. They have a website on:

http://www.rockgarden.co.uk/6/index.htm

 

[WDWfan uk]

I've just had a couple of Covent Garden restaurants recommended to me :

Belgo Centraal
http://www.restaurant-guide.com/details/default.asp?rID=4679&ID=697&path=12,14,2395,697&cuiID=7

and Browns

http://www.browns-restaurants.com/location_pg/loc_cov.html

 

[Ellay]

Thanks for the information.
I've just had a look at Browns menu, and this looks perfect. Think we'll try that one after a day shopping on Friday. That just leaves Thursday, and there are plenty of options on the list you sent.

Thanks again.

Lynn

 

[WDWfan uk]

You are welcome - and do let us know what you thought

 

[Kell-Bell]

Hi Lynn

Just wanted to add something, I went up on the London Eye on Friday and it is amazing! We (my mum & me) took my Nan It was a suprise for her birthday. We were really lucky and had beautiful clear skies. The views are fantastic. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and that you have good weather.

Have a wonderful trip whatever you do.

 

[Ellay]

Kell-Bell,

Thanks for your good wishes. The London Eye experience will definitely be the worst part of our trip to London for me (and I hate shopping - the things we do for our kids!!!). I will probably spend the whole "flight" laid on the floor with my eyes shut! I am terrified of heights.

I'll let you know how we went on.

Lynn

 

[Kell-Bell]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, I'm terrified of heights too, but you honestly don't feel it, I said the same as you, that I would spend the whole event on the floor crying like a baby!! My mum is the same she gets scared cleaning the upstairs windows!! But honestly its fantastic before the nerves can even set in, your so amazed at the wonderful views etc you forget about the fear and the height.

Anyway I think I've rambled on enough!!

Good luck!

 

[Sue & Co.]

I really do not like heights but we did the London Eye in the summer and it's not like you're high at all. Really because you are inside the pod and it moves so slowly it doesn't seem high.

Sue

 

[Astrid]

My parents took my kids on the London Eye on Monday and they had a fantastic time : :bluebounce:

Only prob was that my son decided not to go on at the last minute, think he suffers from the same fear of heights as me!! Luckily he was able to stay with another lady who wouldn't go on so was in safe hands while his sister had the most fantastic trip and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

We really enjoyed the Hard Rock Cafe when we went there last. I also took them to Harrods and we went to the Ice Cream Parlour in there - a great experience (though not cheap!), with loads of delicious sundaes and other goodies to choose from.

Have a great stay in London! Sounds like you'll have a fantastic time!!

Astrid

 

[Ellay]

Thanks to you all for your good wishes.

I think I'll certainly give the London Eye a go. It's an experience not to be missed, but I'm not sure how I'll cope. Maybe my best bet is to go on first thing in the morning when I'm still half asleep and my senses not yet awake, or perhaps I need a few drinks first .

Did I also mention that I'm scared of the tube trains? Not scared enough that I won't get on them, but I really don't like the noise and the fact that they rattle around in those confined spaces. I guess I'm just a scaredy cat.

What I'm looking forward to is trying the Krispy Kreme donuts in Harrods - I'm easily pleased.

I'll let you know how we went on.

Lynn

 

[Ellay]

Hi,

London trip went very well. Managed to avoid the tube by taking taxis and buses. The bus service is brilliant and very cheap - £2 for a whole day!

Tried the Krispy Kreme donuts in Harrods - they were good and very moreish.

Went on the London Eye at 9.30 am on Saturday - lovely blue skies and sunshine. We'd bought the tickets the day before and were staying at County Hall, so literally out of the hotel door, round the corner and straight on the Eye - no queueing. The first blip was stepping off the platform onto the moving Eye - my stomach lurched. I sat down on the bench and stayed there for the whole flight. I managed to look out a few times, but dare not stand up. I couldn't even get out of the way when four lovely American ladies asked DD to take their photos - I had to lay on the bench. One of the ladies (a Kathleen Turner look-a-like) took our photo, sat down.

It was an experience, and I think I'd probably do it again, maybe try to be a bit braver next time.

Had an evening meal in Browns (thanks WDWfan for the recommendation), this was lovely - a very good atmosphere, friendly waitress and very good food. I had steak and guiness pie and orange marmalade tart - delicious. DD had chicken and salsa sandwich, which she said was lovely. She was too full for a pudding.

Saturday evening meal at Hard Rock - this was good too, despite waiting about an hour for a table, even with PS.

Highlight of the trip? seeing DD walking down Oxford Street in a pair of pink slippers that she'd just bought cos her shoes were killing her
and I've got photographic evidence in case she tries to deny it.

All in all it was a very good weekend.

Just one minor complaint - the breakfast in County Hall was £6.95 (set price), which is very good value for a full breakfast, but not so good if you just want a cup of tea and some toast.

Lynn

 

[BONZO]

Highlight of the trip? seeing DD walking down Oxford Street in a pair of pink slippers that she'd just bought cos her shoes were killing her

Nothing unusual there then! - LOL


Pics! - we want pics!

 

[Ellay]

I'm sorry, I don't know how to post pictures. I'll have a go if someon can send me details. DD would be mortified , but that's what mums are for isn't it, embarrassing their kids?

Lynn