Visiting London, England

[Ram427]

beer = room temp, is dark, and refered to as bitter and is mainly British
lager= chilled, mainly European - similar to Bud, Coors. Stella is originally from Belguim is good. Kronenburg is good also.

Food won't be a problem, you can get everything from anywhere in the world in London, most of the population will be Tourists. If you're really hungry there is always MacDonalds

If you're coming here in May, the National Kit car Show is held over the public holiday at Stoneleigh, about 2-3 hrs north of London.

There is always Brooklands (Museum-I've not been but been told that its good), or the Race Track which is the Worlds oldest purpose built race track- its not complete. These are at Weybridge (40 mins west of London). it just happens to be near Thames Ditton, home to a certain car factory from which Mr Shelby bought a few cars back in the sixties.

Have a good holiday.

Roger

[Mark IV]

Stop at any small pub in the countryside for lunch. A good meal and and a proper pint of bitters! I have had really good meals in "locals" and my wife who does not imbibe of the hops would have a meal and a glass of wine.

We stayed one night in the Cotswolds in a manor house hotel that has only six rooms (The "Greenway") and had a fabulous meal, fine wine and then retired to our room and ....well that's all you need to know!

I was on business to visit Autokraft and buy some AC Mk IVs so this was a business trip that was mostly pleasure!

Been back to Blighty several times since and I have never been disappointed.

Also, in London the "theatre" is good..we saw a "broadway" show for a decent price via the Concierge and had a great time. Loved intermission when they come down into the theatre to sell ice cream!!!!

[Sizzler]

I thought London was doing away with the double-decker buses, at least as part of their public transit system. Should be able to ride one as part of a tour group.

No tipping in London. You get your bill, you pay that amount, nothing more.

Canal zone is a nice walk in a nice residential neighborhood.

I didn't look up which tube station you're closest to, but some are better than others...some seem to always require a transfer to another line. I remember the Kensington stop near the V&A museum was one of the good stops to stay near, plus it was close to a very nice part of town (Lambo dealer right around the block, Morgan dealer tucked away down a nearby alley, pristine XKE's parked on the street...).

We took a train out to Bath, that was interesting. Don't really know you or what interests you. Personally, I skipped the tube and taxis and just walked around London, from Harrods to Selfridges. Your wife might like the Liberty store. Kew Gardens was nice, took a train out and a boat on the Thames back. Hampton Court was another nice tour, took a surprising amount of time to see, and again, was able to come back on the river...river travel really depends on the time of the year and/or weather. There is an incredible amount of new building/architecture along the river.

Greenwich was an interesting time, but again, it depends on the season since a lot of that was just being outside, though the clock museum was cool...

Eat Pasties in Windsor (downtown). Explore. Have fun.

[Wayne Maybury]

Sizzler

Is the gratuity already added to the bill or do the waiters just not expect any tips in the UK? We were in Miami Beach a few weeks ago and all the bar and restaurant bills have 15% added. Some waiters mention that, some do not hoping that you will give them an extra 15%.

My wife and I tend to walk a lot wherever we go so we certainly will be doing the same in London. It is beginning to sound like we should have booked for two weeks, not just one.

Wayne

[OneDs]

From a local:-

First post so Hi to all!

Generally if your in a classy (snobbish) enough of a place they will automatically add service charge to your bill, check when the bill comes normally 10%-15%.

Pubs and a like, tend to have an order and pay upfront at the till process to avoid any issues re tipping.

If you get great service outside of these types establishments and would like to tip I'm sure your waiter/ess would apprieciate it 10% would be fine.

However don't feel obliged to be taken for a ride just because your a tourist, if it doesn't measure up then have no qualms about not tipping. Taxi drivers no way, they charge the earth anyway. Hotel staff don't expect it from brits so why should you.

Stuff you have to see that hasn't been mentioned yet.
Natural History Museum, Even if you just check out the architecture (just across the street from the V&A museum)
The Science Museum is just round the corner also and has a great display of some old aircraft.
If your going to do St Pauls, then you might want to compare the Oratory which is just down the road from the V&A also, it's a smaller version of St Peter's Rome. Harrod's (think Bloomingdales) is just up from these places as well.

Camden Town Market is a bit ecelectic and a bit tatty & cheap now a days but still worth a visit and can be combined with a canal walk and a trip to London Zoo / Hyde Park.

With regard to the tube, unless the weather is poor and you don't mind doing it, then I would walk mostly. You'd be surpised the amount people who use the tube when walking can be just as quick or a little bit slower and you get to see so much more. The are so many stations so closely packed together in the "West End" (down town) and the city centre that getting down too and up from the platform then waiting for the next train that can sometimes be a bit of squash to get in, is an experience on it's own.

That said if you've got tired legs it's chucking it down and a reasonable distance to go it is great.

All the best any other q's I'll chip in.