London Travel Answers

Difficult to say if you have been there before and done all the bog-standard tourist places. A walk up Primrose Hill will give you a good view for taking photographs. When I get round to it, I'll post one on here. Camden Lock, with its market - which used to be a good place for buying bootleg records back in the day - is not far away. From Camden Town you can walk up Kentish Town Road, to give more of a feel of non-tourist London, to Archway tube station, from where you can walk up Highgate Hill past the little (and worn) statue of Dick Whittington's cat. From there to Hampstead Heath and across to Golders Green from where you can get the tube back to your starting point ... Oh and I'd recommend you-tubing a copy of the Madness song 'Driving In My Car' to give you an idea of the turf ...

Good suggestions, Paul. I went to school in North London (and I particularly appreciate the cultural reference, as Suggs from Madness went to Finchley Catholic High, which was the brother school to my own), so I know that area pretty well. Camden Lock market is a very good idea, and we do plan to do this with the kids as part of a day at London Zoo, with a trip on the Regent's Canal and Little Venice, which was one of the trips that my Mum used to take us on every summer holidays. I know Central London pretty well as I went to university there (which of course doesn't mean that I havenn't overlooked some gems) but don't know West, East or South London too well, so I suspect that we might end favouring something in that direction?

Greenwich. Years ago, I had a day to spend in London (between red-eyes en route to JNB, as it happened) and someone on VT tipped me off to this. There is the geeky pleasure of the Observatory museum, the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, the Naval College rooms (more interesting than it sounds), a nice big park, and Greenwich Market for lunch. It helps to have a nice day, because the views from up the hill in the park near the observatory are great, but it can be a rainy-day place too. I got there via tube/DLR but you can take a boat too.

Cathy, I suppose that I should have browsed through your London Page first before replying. For West London all I can think of is Ealing Common, though there is nothing really there and the only significant landmark to me in West London is the Lucozade sign as you approach from the M4. South of the river, I guess you have been to the Tate Modern - Bankside Power Station as was - and across the no-longer wobbly bridge to get there. There is the South Bank Gallery of course as well, but assuming the weather is decent, art galleries can be put off to another time. The most obvious thing of all to do would be to break the bank for a day and go to the tennis at Wimbledon. Oh, re the Madness video, did you notice the Fun Boy Three trying to hitch a lift back to Coventry? :)

Cathy, firstly can you be more specific about your actual dates? I will be back in London on 3rd July and would love to show you and the "official spousal unit" as I heard another VTer delightfully describe his wife round whatever part of London you fancy if the dates suit. Whether we meet up or not, I would strongly recommend a walk round the inner East End, a place that Jo104 and I organised a treasure hunt for VTer's round a couple of years ago. You can easily get to Tower Hill tube from the Northern Line if you are in North London, just change at Bank. How does this sound for an itinerary? Walk down past the Tower of London, which I am sure you have seen and head East. You will find St. Katharines Dock, a hugely historical site with a delightful modern marina now. Walking past the new and very moving monument to the civilian war dead of the Second World War, and some great photo ops of Tower Bridge, we'll go to the Town of Ramsgate pub (I know the guv'nor, no surprise) where the "hanging" Judge Jeffreysw used to watch his pirate victims drowned in the Thames and he hmself was eventually captured by a mob whilst disguised as a Germqan seaman en route for Hamburg (bit if a nod to your German ancestry there.) Carrying on a little we'll see the home of the Thames Division of the Metropolitan police who were the first organised police force in the world. Carrying on past Brewhouse Lane wher the fictional character Sharpe (by Bernard Cornwell) was brought up and on to the Turner's Old Star pub where the world famous painter Turner lived under an alias whilst painting the river. A short walk past the old Tobacco Dock brings us to perhaps the most unusual Hawksmoor Church still extant. Thre is a new church built insde the walls of the o9ld one which was baombed in the last war. A fascinating place. Then into Cable Street passing the mural commemorating the "battle of Cable street 1936". A quick walk tkes us to the ace where an alleged murderer was interred at a crossroads in early 1812, he having committed suicide in prison. If you want, I can take you round Watney Market, the site of the Sidney Street seige etc. and to the Blnd Beggar pub where the Krays shot George Cornell. Otherwise we can jut double back past the oldest existing music hyall in the UK, anothyer Blitz memorial, the old Royal Mint and back to the start point. These are only a few bits and pieces, there is much more I can show you in what I consider "my manor!" Interested? If your dates allow, we'll get it together, if not I can supply you with a route if you like. Hope this assists, fergy.

You've done Kenwood house, I see. Can't think of much in North London: Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood & the Geffrye Museum in East London, Leighton House in Kensington....if you were sout of the river I'd sugst Dulwich picture galley or the Horniman Museum..but you aren't, so I won't. The RAF museum at Hendon is fab if you like aircraft, but a bit of a minority interest.

Somewhere no one knows - Rotherhithe. Angiebabe and myself went there last year (Canada Water on the Jubilee Line). Fascinating - a large old renovated dock area and then the Thames Path back towards Tower Bridge. There is a city farm there too which looks intersting and shopping (not very exciting though) at Surrey Quays. I have photos here on VT. And of course Hampstead and Highgate as on shown on my VT pages here.

Bugger Fergy, we fly out on the afternoon of 3 July! I very much like the idea of starting at the Tower and heading east - I know the Tower and Tower Bridge, but then there's a big gaping gap in my knowledge until I get to Greenwich. All that riverside history sounds fascinating, and if there's a recommended hostelry or two en route, it would be churlish not to give them our business ... ;) The prospect of Rotherhithe is also a very interesting one. Would that be trying to do too much?

Cathy, you know so much about London and have helped me with tips, I hardly dare suggesting anything to you. But I'll try. Have you looked into the London Walks? They offer walks to unknown places, at least unknown to me. This February I did a very interesting walk along the Thames, to Brunel's Thames Tunnel. It was fascinating. I had never heard of this tunnel before. Or do want to go back on your old school route and see the chewing gum paintings?

Hi Christine What a wonderful suggestion! Isambard Kingdom Brunel is one of my heroes, and although I had a dim recollection of this tunnel, it hadn't occurred to me to visit it! Maybe this might be one to do with the kids, or is it too adult? Regards Cathy

"Ealing ..... though there is nothing really there" We always made for Walpole Park on Mattock Lane Close to the old Ealing film Studios. Pitzhanger Manor is a small listed building in the Park and worth a visit. The Park is also the venue for the annual Ealing Summer Festival with special events running from the end of June until the middle of August. Something for all tastes and interests from blues to opera and comedy to drama including special acts & events for kids. You can feast away all day choosing from an amazing variety of ethnic food from mobile stalls. Afterwards wander over the road to browse in the excellent Oxfam Bookshop on the Green and have a coffee in Carluccio's.

There were some children and the tour guide only said their parents should look after them and help them if necessary. Strollers could be parked at the museum, but your children are too old for a stroller of course.That's something I like about the London Walks, they always try to make them interesting for old and young alike.

If IKB is one of your heroes you should take God's Wonderful Railway down to scenic Brizzle & see the SS Gert Biggun. As a special bonus, the skin of water on which she 'floats' is currently replaced with lime green jelly. Art, allegedly.

Hi, I think Horniman museum in forest Hill is great, so is Imperial War Museum (which is closer to central London, just south of the river in Lambeth). Re West London, I'm sure you've walked around Portobello Market - interesting buildings' colours & funky stores. Borough Market in Southwark is great for nice bites and some exotic stuff, like ostrich burgers, unusual beers (Utopia), etc.

If you end up in Southwark, then the Tea Museum is definitely worth a visit and they serve very nice afternoon teas. This might be of interest: http://www.thecharterhouse.org/ It's on my list of things to do but so far, not realised. Also, have you been to the Bridewell Theatre? They do lunch time shows, lasts about an hour and take your own packed lunch. Also do theatre in the evening, sometimes. Denis Severs house? I am sure I will come up with some other random suggs - it's a nice day here and is too nice to stay indoors!

Have you been to Hampton Court Palace its got lovely grounds and a very tricky maze. I also recommend a walk along parts of the Thames.WE did that last year ending up a\t the Houses of Parliament but on the opposite side. I think we started from near Somerset House. Two things I plan to do but have not yet done so don't really know if they are good are not is have a look at Little Venice an area with canals and houses boats and visit the Langham Hotel which I believe offers tours of its art nouveau features.

Little Venice can be hit and miss. I agree well worth a visit but when we there is March there were hardly any canal boats there and the ones that are parked up are rather run down (near Paddington station). What about Docklands - we always stay in Docklands and that is a fascinating area for just strolling around - the shopping centre is good and there is a good Docklands museum.

I don't think anybody mentioned these 2 in my brief look through of the answers you've received so here goes: 1) You could start out the day or take a break during the day at the Cafe in St Martin of the Fields Crypt. We had lunch on our first trip back in 2008 with 2 lovely ladies beneath us. I forget their names but I did take their picture - www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.... 2) Didn't make this one but it was recommended by DABS whose London pages you need to check out - Sir John Soane's Museum near Lincoln Fields. Off the subject but did the kids go to Harry Potter movies? - They just opened up the studio tour about 6 weeks ago. Expensive, but the kids might enjoy it if they did see the movies

Hello again Cathy, shame the dates don't work out. Ritherhithe is eminently doable in addition to the Wapping / river walk. The tunnel mentioned by IKB although actually finished by his son, I believe, is still functioning as oart of the Underground system although it is slightly confusing now as it is called the London Overground. You can walk along from the Tower, get the Undergro9und / overground one stop to Rotherhithe and have a look round there then either retrace your steps or get a bus or Tube back to central London and then North to where you are staying. If you want a detailed run through Wapping, please let me know via e-mail, I can probably find the old Treasure Hunt notes which may asssist.

The Rotherhithe tunnel was started by Marc Brunel, & finished about twenty years after the start by IKB, (who was nearly killed during an inundation of the works during the first phase of constructuion). I've never really done this one, although I have used the underground station at Wapping & taken a train to New Cross, using the tunnel.

Yes if you want to try Rotherhithe you could get the Overground from several north London stations - Hampstead, Gospel Oak, Highbury and Islington etc - would save time and its an intersting journey too on brand new trains.

as you say the kids will be not with you,then an odds ins and outs will be Fuller's brewery tour http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=134 or a wine tour and tastings http://www.vinopolis.co.uk/ public transport is easy with an oyster card , and I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes so visit his house museum http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/ as something else to do its a lovely town, and my gang always enjoy it. hope it helps

You say you've never been South do you mean you'd entertain going proper SOuth? (or saarf as it should be pronounced!) If you would the consider Crystal Palace Park. * Go hunting for dinosaurs, Designed and sculted by Bejamin Waterhouse Hawkins with the help of founder of the Natural History Musuem and coiner of the term "Dinosaur" Sir Richard Owen. * Visit the ruins of the Victorian Great Exhibition building The Crystal Palace, were now the entire area gets its name. Sadly only the terrace, a few of the statues and the steps remain. There's a Crystal Palace musuem documenting the history of the area and The Crystal Palace from its design by Paxton, the exhibition in Hyde park and it's relocation. It may only be open at the weekends though so it would be something worth checking. * See the spot were Michael Caine utter the immortal line "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" * Get lost in the biggest maze in London. * Visit the farm, free admission. Closed Wednesdays I think. * The site of the first ever FA Cup Final * Crystal Palace Concert Bowl hold regular outdoor concerts throught the summer. Overall it's an amazing park to spend a day or afternoon, one to rival all others in London. Once you're done in the park, you can visit some of John Paxton architecture that hasn't burnt down, The Dulwhich Woodhouse, Paxton's former home, now turn Young's owned pub. It's about 25 minutes from Victoria with departing trains every 20 minutes.

My word, now we're venturing into the seriously exotic - good thing I'll have my passport with me ;) That's a really interesting idea. To my shame, in my student days, I lived for nearly a year in Balham (well before it was gentrified) but don't recall venturing far beyond Clapham (except when I'd missed the last Tube and had to catch the night bus) and Brixton (to buy cheap goat meat for curries). It's true - youth really is wasted on the young! Tempting thought ... I shall ponder this, and thanks for a brillaint suggestion!

As you say Cathy, Colin's suggestion is a realy good one. Apart from venturing along the Southbank for a bit or possibly Greenwich, most travellers totally ignore South of the river which is a shame as there is a shedload of stuff to see and do down there. I know some of the local councils do try and promote what they have but without much apparent success. Just as one suggestion, a litle further out in SE London is Eltham Palace which I thoroughly recommend. It is worth at least half a day, you can walk from the train station (or get a bus if you are on a travelcard) and there are reasonable conenctions to either central London or other parts of the Southeast of the city like Greenwich as already mentioned. If you go to Greenwich you can walk up through the Park with the Observatory, Rangers House etc., all worth visiting and go up to Blackheath, another place much ignored by travellers. I'll stop now as I could go on all day about things to do in London, it really is a favourite subject of mine. Incidentally Cathy, did I imagine it or was it you that got the London Encyclopaedia? Far too heavy to carry I know but well worth using to help planning.

Just some feedback to all who offered such imaginative feedback to this posting. The Golden Wedding anniversary was a riproaring success and so the day after which we hoped that we'd have to explore disappeared amid the overspill celebrations and kids with gyppy tummies as a result of festive overindulgence! Anyway, we managed to salvage a couple of hours to ourselves on the Sunday afternoon. It wasn't long enough to venture far afield, so I took Markus on a short tour of some of my favourite places on the northern fringe of London: Waltham Abbey (where they have managed to mislay King Harold), Waltham Cross (to see the Eleanor Cross), Hadley Highstone (for the monument that commemorates the Battle of Barnet, which was the final battle of the War of the Roses) and High Barnet (believe it or not, the highest point on the Great North Road between London and York). Thanks again for your advice and generosity! Regards Cathy

Glad you had such a successful time! You managed to visit places to which I have never been or, indeed, thought about. So I have added them to my 'to do' list.

Well, I was brought up and went to school on the fringes of North London and spent my first 18 months after university working for Thames Water along the Lea Valley, so this is my former stomping ground. Watch this space for the resultant tips! ;)

glad you had a good time, and thanks for the report back. Cheers

Thank you for these tips.I've just added them to London folder. I'm glad to hear you had a good time, despite the gyppy tummies. That's a new word for me, but I can well imagine what it means.