OT: Headed to London for the first time with my wife...

Dawgbite

Heisman
Nov 1, 2011
9,593
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McDonald’s will be the best food you eat there. Although I do like the fish and chips but I’ll stand by my initial statement.
 
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lazlow

Senior
Jul 9, 2009
1,233
557
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Never been, but it is at the very top of my wife's and my bucket list, along with Scotland.
Was there 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the end of June. 3 days in Dublin / 3 in Edinburgh. To make it sports related I was in Milnes (Road St.) watching the Scotland/Morocco game....every muther17er in that pub stood-up and sung the Scottish NA including me. Edinburgh Castle was increible as was Roslyn Chapel. Pub food in both cities, simply off the charts. Can't wait to go back...want to see Glasgow
 

Duggar Hall Desk

All-Conference
Mar 2, 2008
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I will second the recommendations for the Churchill War Rooms, Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey. The London Eye is pretty cool (my then-16-year old loved it) if no one has a fear of heights. The Tube and the off/on buses are the best way to move around the city. Get tickets ahead of time for anything you can, especially the British Museum. Last time we were there, we ate at The Red Lion pub and had fantastic fish and chips. British food gets a bad rap, and maybe it's deserved outside of pub food. As for restaurants, there are plenty of non-UK style restaurants to be found (I've had fabulous Italian and Asian food in London). Chinatown is great to wander through.
I love London, but like any major city, be prepared for high prices.
 
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Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
18,447
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Last time I was in the UK, most places didn't supply wash cloths. I stayed at a Hilton in London and they supplied them, but none of the BNBs.
Underrated post

Always good to have a towel with you.

Y’all are hoopy froods, right?

Lots of good advice here. The Imperial War Museum and Churchill’s War Room were amazing when I was there with my fellow Southern Miss students in ‘94

We became so much of a presence that a local restaurant prepared sweetened iced tea for us….

When I go back, my first tourist destination will be the British Museum because that’s the one place I didn’t go to in the four weeks I was in London…
 
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L4Dawg

All-American
Oct 27, 2016
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Underrated post

Always good to have a towel with you.

Y’all are hoopy froods, right?

Lots of good advice here. The Imperial War Museum and Churchill’s War Room were amazing when I was there with my fellow Southern Miss students in ‘94

We became so much of a presence that a local restaurant prepared sweetened iced tea for us….

When I go back, my first tourist destination will be the British Museum because that’s the one place I didn’t go to in the four weeks I was in London…
I've never made it to the British Museum or the "Churchill" War Rooms. I want to go to the British Museum. It will be top of the list If I ever go back to London. I'm a massive admirer of Churchill but I have no interest in the war rooms. My understanding is he spent almost no time there. Our last few trips to the UK we have spent little time in London though. We like getting out to the small towns, small cities, and the countryside.
 

Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
18,447
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I've never made it to the British Museum or the "Churchill" War Rooms. I want to go to the British Museum. It will be top of the list If I ever go back to London. I'm a massive admirer of Churchill but I have no interest in the war rooms. My understanding is he spent almost no time there. Our last few trips to the UK we have spent little time in London though. We like getting out to the small towns, small cities, and the countryside.
Yep. Churchill didn’t spend much time in the War Rooms. He delegated authority as he was PM at the time and it’s common practice for National Leaders to not attend them.

The class emphasized the WW2 Anglo-American alliance since we were there in ‘94 just after the 50th anniversary of D-Day. We went to some smaller towns, Duxford notably, and spent a few days in Normandy…
 

DerHntr

All-Conference
Sep 18, 2007
16,051
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The London recommendations seem about right. I second the day trip to Oxford and Cambridge. Touring the campuses and the towns is super interesting.
 

MTNDawg.sixpack

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2007
156
11
18
We did this exact trip last year with our kids. Even hit a game at Tottenham. Went from London to Edinburgh to Skye to Cotswolds and back out of London. If you go to Stonehenge, go to their website and book an after hours tour. It is the only way to go inside the stone circle now. Very cool. Will DM you our loose itinerary.
 

dawgman42

All-American
Jul 24, 2007
6,196
6,212
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I will second the recommendations for the Churchill War Rooms, Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey. The London Eye is pretty cool (my then-16-year old loved it) if no one has a fear of heights. The Tube and the off/on buses are the best way to move around the city. Get tickets ahead of time for anything you can, especially the British Museum. Last time we were there, we ate at The Red Lion pub and had fantastic fish and chips. British food gets a bad rap, and maybe it's deserved outside of pub food. As for restaurants, there are plenty of non-UK style restaurants to be found (I've had fabulous Italian and Asian food in London). Chinatown is great to wander through.
I love London, but like any major city, be prepared for high prices.
The Brits 17ing love Italian food. It literally was everywhere. We ate at two different Italian places and they were awesome.
 

L4Dawg

All-American
Oct 27, 2016
11,560
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Yep. Churchill didn’t spend much time in the War Rooms. He delegated authority as he was PM at the time and it’s common practice for National Leaders to not attend them.

The class emphasized the WW2 Anglo-American alliance since we were there in ‘94 just after the 50th anniversary of D-Day. We went to some smaller towns, Duxford notably, and spent a few days in Normandy…
Duxford is awesome.
 
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dog99walker

All-Conference
Jul 16, 2021
1,688
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Don’t neglect to catch a West End show. Less expensive than Broadway and it’s my favorite thing about London.
 

BigMotherTucker

Sophomore
Aug 20, 2006
6,802
192
63
And 3 boys (16, 20, and 22). Any suggestions for non-touristy restaurants and must-sees? Doing some of the usual...Tower of London, Harry Potter Studios, Westminster Abbey, etc. The Churchill War Rooms was suggested by several people, and we are doing that as well. We are a soccer family and will be at the Brentford vs. Frankfurt friendly tomorrow and then the Brentford vs. Tottenham Premier League season opener on August 22. A bucket list item for sure... beyond excited. Thanks in advance!
Churchill War Room was awesome. We did a Thames tour. It was good. Big Ben, parllement. We took a bus tour to Stonehenge, it was really good.
 
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lowdawg

Redshirt
Sep 3, 2012
33
14
8
Go eat your way through amazing food at Borough Market and if there on Saturday do the Portebello Rd Market in Notting Hill. So much to see and do and antiques older than the US
 
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jlove20

Redshirt
Sep 18, 2017
118
32
28
Been a few times to London; and I would suggest (for a first time) the British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone, The National Gallery & Trafalager Square, Tower of London for the Crown Jewels and the Beefeater tour, and Westminster Abbey.

The food is food. Knoops hot chocolate is good. Harrod’s food floor is always a fun browse and a good place to pick up some scones for the walk.
 
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BigBully

Freshman
Feb 27, 2008
270
71
28
Just got back from 2 weeks in the UK and Scotland. Spent 4 days in London, then rented a car and traveled through the UK and ended up in Edinburgh.

As folks have already suggested, do the Hop On Hop Off bus early in your trip. It’s a great way to explore the city and find things you may like to do as a follow up. The tour we did had a Thames River Cruise which was interesting.

Also, hit up the museums, they’re free. Also, do the Churchill War Room and the Buckingham Place tour.

We also did a walking tour with an extremely knowledgeable guide which gave a lot of history about the city and specific buildings.

Also, the USD sucks against the British Pound, so get ready for that.
 
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L4Dawg

All-American
Oct 27, 2016
11,560
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Just got back from 2 weeks in the UK and Scotland. Spent 4 days in London, then rented a car and traveled through the UK and ended up in Edinburgh.

As folks have already suggested, do the Hop On Hop Off bus early in your trip. It’s a great way to explore the city and find things you may like to do as a follow up. The tour we did had a Thames River Cruise which was interesting.

Also, hit up the museums, they’re free. Also, do the Churchill War Room and the Buckingham Place tour.

We also did a walking tour with an extremely knowledgeable guide which gave a lot of history about the city and specific buildings.

Also, the USD sucks against the British Pound, so get ready for that.
The pound is at $1.34 right now. The first time we went it was $1.61.
 
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Boosh

Junior
Sep 14, 2017
253
292
63
British Museum, London Bridge, etc.
Food is mostly bland, not much spice.
Go to the Shard if you want a nice enjoyable dinner out with the wife that has the city as backdrop. The restrooms there are crazy.
 

Swede39

Junior
Jan 29, 2016
361
365
63
And 3 boys (16, 20, and 22). Any suggestions for non-touristy restaurants and must-sees? Doing some of the usual...Tower of London, Harry Potter Studios, Westminster Abbey, etc. The Churchill War Rooms was suggested by several people, and we are doing that as well. We are a soccer family and will be at the Brentford vs. Frankfurt friendly tomorrow and then the Brentford vs. Tottenham Premier League season opener on August 22. A bucket list item for sure... beyond excited. Thanks in advance!
The wife and I went 3 years ago and really enjoyed it.
-I scheduled a speed boat ride (Thames Rockets) on the same day we landed to help us stay awake and avoid jet lag. It was actually pretty fun although a little touristy. You learn the history of some of the major buildings from the river.
-St. Paul's Cathedral was pretty awesome
-For lunch - there's a bunch of food trucks around the Kerb Gherkin if you're into good street food from different countries
-If you're into Harry Potter, check out Leadenhall Market. That's where they filmed a lot of Diagon Alley from
-We did a walking and drinking tour which was cool. Drink some beers, learn some history, and hang out where Churchill did (Drink London is the company)
-Wesminster Abbey was also pretty phenomenal
-Churchill War Rooms were cool

Dinner wise we went all out and made sure my wallet was empty every night so that was fun. With that said, Fat Duck was a once in a lifetime dinner.
 

HeCannotGo

Junior
Feb 23, 2011
310
370
63
At the Tower of London, get there when it opens and go straight to the crown jewels. Then come back and see the rest of it. This gives you the chance to see the crown jewels with less of a crowd.

St Paul's Cathedral is great; climb the dome as others have suggested.

I'm not a fan of guided tours, but we did a tour of Parliament that was really good.
 

DawgInThe256

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2011
1,553
1,367
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Second the British Museum and the Harry Potter Studios if anyone is a HP fan. It's been several years, but I enjoyed the Jack the Ripper walking tour. If you're a Beatles fan, the walking tour led by Richard Porter is good.
 

golferdog

Senior
Jan 1, 2024
1,203
941
113
Go eat your way through amazing food at Borough Market and if there on Saturday do the Portebello Rd Market in Notting Hill. So much to see and do and antiques older than the US
Agree, Borough Market is great for food (something for everyone) and Notting Hill is a good area to walk around.
 

thekimmer

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2012
8,706
2,727
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And 3 boys (16, 20, and 22). Any suggestions for non-touristy restaurants and must-sees? Doing some of the usual...Tower of London, Harry Potter Studios, Westminster Abbey, etc. The Churchill War Rooms was suggested by several people, and we are doing that as well. We are a soccer family and will be at the Brentford vs. Frankfurt friendly tomorrow and then the Brentford vs. Tottenham Premier League season opener on August 22. A bucket list item for sure... beyond excited. Thanks in advance!
British Museum is tops in my book but plan on an entire day then will not see it all. If you are there before end of Sept touring Buckingham Palace is good and is only open in the summer. I would recommend a trip to Windsor Castle which is nearby. Tower of London is a must see as well. Westminster Abbey is a great place to visit. No recommendation on restaurants.
 
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