Notes:
Download City Mapper!
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/citymapper-ultimate-real-time/id469463298?mt=8
From the Airport:
-Cabs will cost you like 60 + pounds, uber will cost significantly less ( but might no longer be operating in London)
-You can take the underground for around 5 pounds from Heathrow your place- just plug in the hotel address into city mapper- and it will tell you!
-You can also take the “heathrow express” it’s a faster train that will cost about 15 pounds but only take like 15 minutes to get to central London. *City mapper also shows you which lines to take if you wanted to do this and it has the estimated cost for an Uber, and the Heathrow express.
*once you are out of customs- the main area will have free wifi, if you need to use that, I suggest taking a second and refreshing, pulling up directions, and checking any media/ messages before heading out.
Transportation:
-Once near the underground- you will see kiosks to purchase oyster cards (their name for the metro card)—go to the teller (actual human working at the booth) to get an oyster card- each person should get an oyster card and put 12 or so pounds on it to start- from then on you can use the kiosk to “top up” it will take cash, coin, or card (all pounds obviously) (this card works for the bus system, tube aka underground subway, and the overground)
-Don’t feel the need to get an all encompassing pass- the tube has a maximum amount it will charge you per day (if using an oyster card) – do not purchase individual tickets at the kiosk- because it will cost more/ take more time. ( you have the option to put money or “top up” your oyster card or buy tickets for the train that are paper- the paper ones are the more expensive option)
-Once you have an Oyster card ready, go to the stalls- enter one that has a green light- and pop the oyster card on the sensor (the card can be in a case or the back of your wallet- do keep your credit cards and all that away from your oyster card- because it will interfere if they are next to each other). Once it scans a little light will flash green and the turn stall will open- follow the signs to the Piccadilly line. **Do note you have to scan your card (just like you did to get in) on the way out. If you do not scan on entry and exit- you will be charged several pounds on top of the fare!
-You can rent a Sanderson cycle bicycle- ride as much as your want for 24 hours- for one small fee- but you have to check bikes back into one of the cycle stations every 30 minutes. – great way to explore Hyde park! There is an app- but not really necessary
The Train:
So it kind of depends on if you purchase your tickets in advance or not- you can use the credit card you purchased them with to pick them up at a kiosk at the train station- if you purchase online-
There are several major train stations- and navigating them can vary, but all will be linked to the tube system- so getting to your train station should not be an issue.
You do not have to be at a train station early like you would an airport, there is no limit of what you can take on (within reason) , and they do not announce which platform your train will leave from until 15 minute prior-it will show on a giant electronic board- like airports use
Be mindful of fast trains and slower trains- (a train leaving at a different time could have twice as many stops- and could take much longer than a different train from the same station on the same day) – check train times prior-
You will have to present your ticket on the train- a man will come by and scan them after the train has taken off.
Usually if you miss one train, you can just hop on the next
You can request a reserved seat- but not necessary unless it’s a long journey
There are usually a few first class cabins- then the rest are fair game unless they have a reserved marker on them.
Feel free to take any drinks or food with you, and there will be above seat storage as well as a place to put larger luggage
Do note- that seats will face both directions – if you get car sick, make not of which direction the train will be going before picking a seat!
Things to note about London:
-When riding on an escalator stand on the right side – pass on the left
-Look both ways before crossing- they drive on the opposite side of the street which sounds obvious, but after nearly being hit by numerous busses myself I feel obligated to include that tip!
- most people keep to themselves are not talkative on the tube- don’t expect strangers to converse on the transport system-
- you have to tap in and out on the tube but you only have to tap in on the bus-
- citymapper is your best friend- with up to date train and bus times, routes, and lets you know when delays are happening
- every Sunday the pubs have a “Sunday roast” where they have traditional roast and potatoes for sale from lunch to the late afternoon.
- have some coins on hand- they make you pay to use public restrooms.
- ask for tap water- or you will be charged for water
- tipping / service charges are less than US- often they are included- 10% to 12%- check to see if it is included
- you have to ask for you check- (I waited around for hours because I did not know this….)
- They bring the card machine to your table- because Europeans do not trust people taking their cards away from the table
- they check your signature with your credit card every time-
- coriander= cilantro
-flat white= smaller latte with less milk
-Corgette = zucchini
Places to check out:
Borough market-
it’s south of the River Thames close to London Bridge | Great food- tons of vendors and fun just to walk around Borough Market in Southwark is the capital’s oldest food market,
popular coffee shop called Monmouth coffee- http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/our-shops/the-borough
around the corner is this cute alley way with umbrellas everywhere
there is also Sir Francis Drakes boat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind )
If you follow the River Thames left you will pass Millennium bridge (across the bridge you see St Paul’s Cathedral), The Globe Theater- http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/, Tate Modern Museum, and numerous other sites. If you continue on this path it leads you to Southbank- you will eventually get to the London Eye and great views of parliament and Big Ben! (Wonderful way to spend a few hours if you have the time and like to walk!)
Camden-
Camden market- Find all sorts of eclectic stuff here-
FOOD MARKET is the bomb – everything from mac and cheese food stalls to thai food
Music/ hip/ Amy Winehouse used to hang out here- if that helps explain
It’s on the canal – nice to walk a bit along the canal
St John’s wood- is nice to walk around through to primrose hill and Camden if you are seeing Abby road. (slower paced, more suburban, but really nice to escape the hustle and bustle and take a look around)
Shoreditch/ Hoxton -
hipsters// ArTsY// essentially East Austin
Boxpark- (like container bar in Austin but a shopping mall version)
Brick Lane- Famous for Indian and Asian Food! Also has some good vintage , record shops, and hipster coffee shops – and an awesome chocolate bar- Dark Sugars Cocoa House
Jack the ripper tour? –
Ace hotel lobby for drinks or working from home
Hoi Polloi – Ace hotel restaurant
Cereal Killer Café- brick lane- all kinds of cereals and milks- hipster
Boundary- rooftop bar and dining- (go for drinks!)
J+A Café- cute irish café- great for lunch
Galleries, shopping, and great people watching! Also a great area to go out- if you are feeling 22!
Columbia Street Flower Market - only open on Sundays- beautiful cheap flowers, and so much fun to walk around and enjoy the day! live music, trinkets, and excellent people watching)
OPEN SUNDAYS ONLY 8:30 – 4:30PM
6 The Courtyard, Ezra St.
London E2 7RH
Bishopsgate:
Duck and Waffle – in heron tower- great view and open 24 hours- make a reservation!
Sushi Samba- 360 view
Not far from tower bridge, london bridge, the Shard, ect.
St Dunstan-in-the-East - St Dunstan in the East Church Garden, | St Dunstan's Hill, London EC4 | Tube stations: Cannon Street and Bank. (nothing too special, but a nice place to stop and read for a few minutes- hidden away and a bit of calm in a very hectic city)
The Strand:
Somerset house london- Museum, Beautiful Grounds, Cafe & Ice Skating during the winter ( Outdoor Movies in the summer!)
Fleet Street-
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese- really old pub
Also, If you find yourself near holborn or Chancery Lane - head down leather lane to prufrock. It's a coffee shop, but it has the BEST AVACADO TOAST. Not kidding.
Notting Hill:
I lived here- 1 st lukes court st lukes road w11 1da (Check out St Lukes Mews if nearby: it has the cutest mews houses in London and one of the famous scenes from Love Actually – cue cards with kiera knightly)
Portobello road market- one of the more famous street markets- worth seeing on a Saturday- made famous from the movie- ( Local Tip- keep on going down portobello until you get to Golborne Road - that’s where some of the more local spots/ antiques are to be found)
Churchill Arms- pub- with a thai restaurant inside- covered in flowers on the outside, and churchill memorabilia on the inside- this should be fairly close to where you are staying in Kensington.
The yellow door- kinda hidden bar that is outfitted like a flat- has different events each day of the week- http://www.thelittleyellowdoor.co.uk/ -This unusual Notting Hill bar pop-up restaurant is set out like a flat, where you can mingle with others or find a cosy corner for cocktails, bar food, or a friday dinner. The volume is turned up on Satruday’s with a house party.
Ottolenghi- great place for lunches or pastries- Jerusalem food. ( ONE OF MY FAVORITES)
Farm Girl café- cute healthy- Australian food – morning or lunch
Granger and co- several across the city- great brunch- Australian food
Goode and Wright- on Portobello-
Daylesford Organic- healthy- cute market too- on Westbourne grove- cute street with shopping
202 Café- elegant café within a clothing boutique – really cute- line is forever on weekends-
Pizza East- (they have locations East as well) all part of the soho house group- great pizza- nicer and more upscale
Eclectic diner- also soho house- American diner but nicer- and connected to the electric theater-
Tons of Italian restaurants
Beach blanket Babylon- interesting for cocktails
continental pantry- quick drink
Window shop up and down ledbury road and Westbourne grove
Walk around and look at the brightly colored houses- Hillgate is perfect for this! If you have extra time take a walk down Holland Park from Hillgate. Cutest park with a kyoto garden, cafe, and plenty of greenspace.
Pubs:
Soho/ Mayfair/ West End:
Kingly court- it’s a food and bar “food court” of sorts located in an alcove next to the famous Carnaby shopping street
Cahoots- underground war bunker turned kitschy 1940’s themed tube stop- crazy cocktails and really fun atmosphere- book in advance
Nothing but blues bar – just a dive blues bar-
Senior Ceviche – great restaurant
The Breakfast Club- breakfast food all day- line out the door on weekends
***Home Slice Pizza- The pizzas are HUGE and fun vibe- usually a wait- so if you go head the the area early to put your name down and give them your cell #- and go grab a drink in the area.
Neil’s Yard- Home slice is in this colorful alley way between Covent garden and Monmouth street- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal%27s_Yard
Covent garden/ seven dials- big shopping district- next to all the shops- they have a shake shack here #holla
Patty & Bun- burgers- good- casual-
Dishoom – Indian restaurant- but so good- usually have to wait in line for 30 plus minutes
The Blind Pig- http://www.socialeatinghouse.com/ upstairs of the social eating house (never been- but heard it’s a great restaurant) no sign for it- but look under the vintage ‘Optician’ sign for the blindfolded hog doorknocker – fancy cocktails-
West end- where the theater district is- can get cheap tickets day of- from TKTS stand- just like NYC
Sketch- for tea- or drinks! the bathrooms have the cool white pods!) ( MUST DO!!)
Fortnum and Mason- tea and treats near the ritz – grand staircase covered in flowers.
Bond street- Shopping if you're feeling fancyyy
Nopi- restaurant version of ottolenghi! - www.ottolenghi.co.uk/ -
Bob Bob Ricard – Press for Champagne! Place - Uniformed staff serve Russian-inspired Modern British menu and cocktails in cool art deco surrounds.
Andina – Peruvian
Toi & Moi café- breakfast!
Liberty of London – department store with William morris prints- ( my favorite- made from two old ships- really worth checking out!) ( Might have christmas displays up!)
Selfridges- best department store in the world- check out their food court as well.
Walk down Saville road- ( famous tailoring with fancy shops)
More window shopping on bond street-
Baker street is where Sherlock homes is based, and you can walk from this to regent park ( and through regent park- up to primrose hill for a great view of the city)
A great you walk : Start at baker street down to Marylebone- down to oxford circus and then down to Piccadilly circus-
Monocle Café- 18 Chiltern Street, London
Battersea/ Clapham
Bunga Bunga- kitschy Italian- but with karaoke ( they kick people off if they are bad with Xfactor x’s that light up) http://bungabunga-london.com/
Clapham- and Brixton- where Electric Avenue is- home of David Bowie
Pop Brixton- food truck market-
I don’t know much about this area- but the south is really fun and cool to check out when you have more time.
Kensington/ Chelsea:
HYDE PARK- run, bike, see Kensington palace, grab a coffee or have a picnic. ( Serpentine Bar & Kitchen is a great place to grab a coffee and look over the pond- grab a rental bike and go throughout the park stopping at the peter pan statue ( winning london), Italian Water Gardens, marble arch, and all the hidden little spots along the way. )
GOAT- restaurant
South Kensington tube stop- has a ton of cute café’s right by it- creperie is great and roots and bulbs is great for a quick healthy bite!
Museum district- V&A- Victoria and Albert museum- art museum- outside has holes from where it was bombed in WW2!
Harrods- ritzy department store- food hall- iconic
Harvey Nichols- department store
The Ivy- Chelsea garden
Parent Trap house! - 23 Egerton Terrace, Kensington, London, England, UK
Kensington Rooftop garden - http://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/the-roof-gardens
Tourist spots to hit:
Kew Gardens- one of my favorite spots & located in Richmond
British Museum- Has the Rosetta Stone
National Gallery- Art museum with Monet, and so many others!
Royal Academy of Art-
Churchill War rooms- if you care about WW2 this is neat to see
London Eye
Tower of London- can see the crown jewels if you pay extra ( Try to book a night tour if possible where you can see them lock up the tower in the “Ceremony of The Keys”. this tradition is over 700 years old- done at the exact same time every night! )
Buckingham palace - check out st james park next to it too!
Big Ben and parliament (they do not call it big ben here & it’s currently under construction)
Saint Paul’s cathedral - also take note of The Temple Church (a late 12th-century church in the City of London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters.)
Westminster Abby- go to a service, they have multiple ones a day and you do not have to pay if you are there to attend a service.
The shard- tallest building in Europe
Abby Road- Beatles
Piccadilly Circus - touristy and Times Square-ish
Trafalgar’s square - go visit Ben Franklin’s House!
There is an Alexander Fleming museum- where he discovered penicillin- https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/who-we-are/fleming-museum
Shopping: Oxford Street, Regents Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square,
