| London Recommendations 09:26 - Oct 4 with 10394 views | slmrstid |
I'm going to delve into the hive mind of LFW here....
Me & Mrs SLM are heading to London for a week's break next week. We've both got some spare leave to use at work and have decided to spend a week in London as there's lots of little things we'd like to go and see/do in the city that we just never get time to do when only there for day trips like football etc.
We've done all the main touristy trail stuff many times so not really heading for that.
Things planned so far:-
- Greenwich Observatory (never been, both interested in it)
- Not bought tickets yet, but hoping to do a Hidden London tour at one of the underground stations - possibly Shepherds Bush - bit pricey but we find them fascinating
- Mrs SLM wants to go and see the Cross Bones graveyard after she learned about it on a Frank Turner song
- QPR Fans Forum (ahem...  )
- I'd like to go and see the QPR blue plaque that's at the church where we were founded but I'm not 100% sure where it is - can anyone help on that?
- We like the markets so planning on heading to Borough and Camden as we've never been there.
What other sort of little quirky things that are interesting, but generally hidden, or non-mainstream places to visit that you'd recommend?
Thanks! |  | | |  |
| London Recommendations on 13:27 - Oct 4 with 2126 views | lightwaterhoop |
| London Recommendations on 11:48 - Oct 4 by dmm |
If you're doing cemeteries, don't forget to pay your respects when at Highgate 
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And don't forget to pay your respects to the the countless millions of deaths that the followers of this man caused. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 13:42 - Oct 4 with 2071 views | southernR |
There's a fun walk under the Thames which takes you directly to the Cutty Sark. Hunterian Museum in Lincoln Inn Fields is free if you don't mind looking at body parts and it's an interesting location around Temple for a 10 min walk | | | |
| London Recommendations on 13:44 - Oct 4 with 2066 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| London Recommendations on 12:44 - Oct 4 by toboboly |
I got taken to Rules just prior to lockdown, the waiter was removed halfway through the meal and replaced (possibly fired), the food wasn't cooked properly and the drinks order was wrong 
Some other good food places;
- Westerns Laundry (Drayton Park)
- Parsons (fish - Covent Garden)
- Meat Liquor
- Blacklock |
I can't say I found Rules as good as I expected either.
Problem with restaurants that become venues to-go-to, as opposed restaurants to-go-to, they often disappoint. I went to Darjeeling Express in Covent Garden earlier this year, massively underwhelming and only served to confirm a suspicion: don't go to a place featured on Netflix.
This being said, never had a bad meal/experience at Langan's over the years. |  |
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| London Recommendations on 14:10 - Oct 4 with 2008 views | Logman |
My favourite restaurant is Lenos y Carbon, which is now in the parade on Elephant Road behind the demolished Elephant & Castle shopping centre. It's fairly basic Colombian cuisine but all the ingredients are authentic (platanos, frijoles, stews, rice, ribs) and cooked well - plus the portions are huge.
For somewhere to visit the Tate Modern never fails (free exhibitions on the 2nd and 4th floors) and there is a roof-top terrace from which you can see across London and re-charge the batteries. | | | |
| London Recommendations on 14:10 - Oct 4 with 2007 views | robith |
Gutted people haven't had a good time in Rules, admittedly I last went a while ago, but it was incredible when I went
Then again I've load of mates who will never go to Meat Liquor cos they all got food poisoning there when it first opened, so there's no accounting for the individual experience |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 14:33 - Oct 4 with 1970 views | CliveWilsonSaid |
| London Recommendations on 14:10 - Oct 4 by Logman |
My favourite restaurant is Lenos y Carbon, which is now in the parade on Elephant Road behind the demolished Elephant & Castle shopping centre. It's fairly basic Colombian cuisine but all the ingredients are authentic (platanos, frijoles, stews, rice, ribs) and cooked well - plus the portions are huge.
For somewhere to visit the Tate Modern never fails (free exhibitions on the 2nd and 4th floors) and there is a roof-top terrace from which you can see across London and re-charge the batteries. |
I didn’t know they’d demolished the shopping centre. Also the Coronet by the looks of it, I had some good nights out there. I must go down for a look sometime although I must say I find most of these new developments a bit depressing. [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 14:36]
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| London Recommendations on 15:17 - Oct 4 with 1883 views | toboboly |
| London Recommendations on 13:42 - Oct 4 by southernR |
There's a fun walk under the Thames which takes you directly to the Cutty Sark. Hunterian Museum in Lincoln Inn Fields is free if you don't mind looking at body parts and it's an interesting location around Temple for a 10 min walk |
I'm not sure the Hunterian has re-opened yet. It closed for refurbishment a few years ago.
Says 2023 it will re-open
https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums-and-archives/hunterian-museum/ |  |
| Sexy Asian dwarves wanted. |
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| London Recommendations on 15:21 - Oct 4 with 1882 views | 1MoreBrightonR |
Ignoring the political comments on the Marx grave, Highgate cemetery really is fascinating. also upvoting John soanes museum and Maltby Street if you're by Borough anyway. Borough has some nice produce shops but for street food, maltby street is much better. Agree on the Broadway market comments too, even though it annoys me a bit...still good for a wander, beer and bite to eat.
Postmans park if you happen to be near is an small hidden gem. | | | |
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| London Recommendations on 15:22 - Oct 4 with 1864 views | Boston |
| London Recommendations on 13:27 - Oct 4 by lightwaterhoop |
And don't forget to pay your respects to the the countless millions of deaths that the followers of this man caused. |
In the same graveyard you'll find a Helene Demuth, one of Mr Marx's servants. [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 15:45]
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| London Recommendations on 15:25 - Oct 4 with 1856 views | Boston |
No good greasy spoons left in London? | |
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| London Recommendations on 15:54 - Oct 4 with 1799 views | CliveWilsonSaid |
| London Recommendations on 15:25 - Oct 4 by Boston |
No good greasy spoons left in London? |
A lot less than there were. I hardly ever go out for a full english anymore but one I’ve enjoyed in the past is the Rosie Lea Cafe opposite East Putney Tube. It still seems to be going strong and even expanded into the shop next door.
An article from Time Out a few years ago with some more. Not sure if they’re all still going.
https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/londons-best-greasy-spoon-cafes
Another museum for the list is the Horniman Museum near Forest Hill. I’ve been past lots of times and never been inside but it’s meant to be great or so I’ve been told. | |
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| London Recommendations on 15:56 - Oct 4 with 1778 views | SheffieldHoop |
| London Recommendations on 15:25 - Oct 4 by Boston |
No good greasy spoons left in London? |
Some brilliant greasy spoons in the UB7 postcode area - Within the M25 but not exactly 'London' |  |
| "Someone despises me. That's their problem." Marcus Aurelius |
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| London Recommendations on 16:26 - Oct 4 with 1747 views | dmm |
| London Recommendations on 15:54 - Oct 4 by CliveWilsonSaid |
A lot less than there were. I hardly ever go out for a full english anymore but one I’ve enjoyed in the past is the Rosie Lea Cafe opposite East Putney Tube. It still seems to be going strong and even expanded into the shop next door.
An article from Time Out a few years ago with some more. Not sure if they’re all still going.
https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/londons-best-greasy-spoon-cafes
Another museum for the list is the Horniman Museum near Forest Hill. I’ve been past lots of times and never been inside but it’s meant to be great or so I’ve been told. |
The Horniman is a great little museum and is particularly child friendly. It is free but you have to play for access to the aquarium, the butterfly house and any special exhibitions. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 16:44 - Oct 4 with 1718 views | joe90 |
| London Recommendations on 15:54 - Oct 4 by CliveWilsonSaid |
A lot less than there were. I hardly ever go out for a full english anymore but one I’ve enjoyed in the past is the Rosie Lea Cafe opposite East Putney Tube. It still seems to be going strong and even expanded into the shop next door.
An article from Time Out a few years ago with some more. Not sure if they’re all still going.
https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/londons-best-greasy-spoon-cafes
Another museum for the list is the Horniman Museum near Forest Hill. I’ve been past lots of times and never been inside but it’s meant to be great or so I’ve been told. |
I can vouch for the Horniman. Great if you're in the area and have young kids. If not, I'd recommend having a quick look around followed by a walk through Sydneham Woods, finishing up at the Wood House Pub. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 16:45 - Oct 4 with 1717 views | nix |
If you're interested in design I recommend the V&A. I find the costume permanent exhibition fascinating: the work that went into the clothes. I'm not even a fashionista but they are a thing of beauty. Also the twentieth century design area has some of the most iconic design products you can find. The cafe is also worth a visit on its own. https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/va-cafe/
I second the Tate Modern for a visit. I would definitely do the walk from Waterloo along the South Bank to Tate Modern. Always buzzy around the South Bank with free outside exhibits and street performers. I think you can go for just a drink in the Tate Modern restaurant and the view is sublime. Alternatively the Skyline for lunch in the Festival Hall is a beautiful view if you can get a booth by the window. If you carry along down the south bank you can pass The Globe Theatre, the Mary Rose and then cross the river and stroll around the City, only a few minutes walk to St Paul's Cathedral. Another foodie possibility is the Real Greek by the river. Excellent, good value food. Apart from food and drink, both of these options are free, so a good value afternoon/day. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 16:48 - Oct 4 with 1710 views | Logman |
Yes, that cafe (the Rosie Lea) is great. You're spoilt for choice in there.
The funniest thing is that people are thronging to get in to Nando's next door for their over-rated scraps of chicken and yet in the cafe you have the freedom of your living room and everything is cooked to order. | | | |
| London Recommendations on 16:58 - Oct 4 with 1685 views | kernowhoop |
| London Recommendations on 11:50 - Oct 4 by robith |
Camden market is pretty dreadful these days, I'd swerve it.
Much smaller than Borough market, but Maltby Street Market is an absolute hidden treasure trove of food stalls, restaurants, bars etc on Saturday and Sundays. Likewise London Fields on a Saturday
It's not cheap, but everyone should have dinner at Rules at least once in their life. The first time I went and drank Guinness out of a silver tankard, I actually almost wept tears of joy.
Cocktails at Bar American in Brasserie Zedel will make you feel like you're in Casablanca
Noble Rot has one of the best wine lists in the world but they also do a set lunch of 2 courses for £18 or 3 for £22. Given their mains a la carte are £25-36, this is unreal value. Today you can get hake salad and a bavette steak for £18. Madness! The Lamb's Conduit Street one is better than the Soho one imo
There's obviously the Bermondsey beer mile, but there's a slightly more chill one near me in Blackhorse Road with like 5 or 6 really vibey breweries. Walk around Walthamstow Wetlands first to get a thirst on.
I know a couple of London's best and most interesting dim sum venues, but I'm not sharing them publicly
But I do have a few Google maps of restaurants, coffee shops, and wine caves reccs I can share by DM if you're interested [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 11:52]
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Can you also still get a great value meal at Zedel? | | | |
| London Recommendations on 18:02 - Oct 4 with 1626 views | hubble |
| London Recommendations on 12:58 - Oct 4 by dannyblue |
The Qpr plaque is on the building on the corner of fourth avenue and ilbert street. Nearest station probably Kensal Rise, but an easy walk or E bike ride from golborne Rd , Acklam village and portobello as others have recommended. |
I live pretty near the holy plaque and Queen's Park is the nearest station, it's less than 10 minute's walk. And from there you could walk down to the Harrow Road, over the Ha'penny steps footbridge across the Grand Union canal, under the brutalist wonder of Trellick Tower, along the still wonderful Golbourne Road to Portobello Road and then you've got a lovely stroll all the way down the Bella, with its many delights from the second-hand clothes stalls, the amazing variety of street food, great pubs (Finches is still very decent), the antiques market - something for everyone - up to Notting Hill Gate, then left along the Bayswater Road and into Hyde Park, where you can go in multiple directions to more fantastic walks - to Hyde Park corner, down the Mall, Green Park, up Piccadilly into Soho and then Covent Garden.... the world's your oyster!! |  |
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| London Recommendations on 19:08 - Oct 4 with 1569 views | TomS |
As a fellow tourist, I'll give you the benefit of my experience.
Make sure you get to Greenwich Observatory by 1pm, so you can set your watch to midday GMT when the Time Ball drops on the roof of the building. It's a bit of fun. We took the ferry from Tower Bridge to Greenwich.
For something different, book a tour of The Houses of Parliament. It's well worth it. Make a speech (under your breath) as you are brought through the House of Commons.
There are various guided walking tours, which are always informative and usually interesting. One that stood out for me was one starting in Blackfriars, then moving to the opposite side of the river and travelling along Bankside. You have The Globe, The Anchor, the Golden Hinde replica, and we finished up in another pub (whose name escapes me) with a Tudor courtyard.
If you have kids with you, I'd highly recommend The Natural History Museum. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 19:14 - Oct 4 with 1562 views | JimmyR |
| London Recommendations on 13:44 - Oct 4 by PlanetHonneywood |
I can't say I found Rules as good as I expected either.
Problem with restaurants that become venues to-go-to, as opposed restaurants to-go-to, they often disappoint. I went to Darjeeling Express in Covent Garden earlier this year, massively underwhelming and only served to confirm a suspicion: don't go to a place featured on Netflix.
This being said, never had a bad meal/experience at Langan's over the years. |
I’ll 2nd BlackRock- good value
Brasserie Zedel is really good too | | | |
| London Recommendations on 19:34 - Oct 4 with 1530 views | Superhoops2808 |
So I only skim read the replies... So if some were suggested apologies
But a trip on Elizabeth Line is good to say you have done it at least
In my opinion a trip to The Churchill War Rooms is a MUST as is the Imperial War Museum
And then on the corner of Lambeth Road and Hercules Road (just up the road) is a place called The Corner Cafe - Awesome breakfast/lunch (Brunch)
Whatever you do... Enjoy |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 19:56 - Oct 4 with 1501 views | PunteR |
Soho and Chinatown is still a great place for a shopping venture. Couple of record shops nearby which always makes my day. Phonica Records is decent for electronic music. |  |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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| London Recommendations on 20:31 - Oct 4 with 1457 views | robith |
| London Recommendations on 16:58 - Oct 4 by kernowhoop |
Can you also still get a great value meal at Zedel? |
Yeah £17.50 for a 3 course prix-fixe or like £25 for a larger menu that includes a glass of wine | | | |
| London Recommendations on 21:08 - Oct 4 with 1425 views | MrSheen |
| London Recommendations on 19:34 - Oct 4 by Superhoops2808 |
So I only skim read the replies... So if some were suggested apologies
But a trip on Elizabeth Line is good to say you have done it at least
In my opinion a trip to The Churchill War Rooms is a MUST as is the Imperial War Museum
And then on the corner of Lambeth Road and Hercules Road (just up the road) is a place called The Corner Cafe - Awesome breakfast/lunch (Brunch)
Whatever you do... Enjoy |
Lower Marsh on the south side of Waterloo is a real oddity, looks like it fell out of the 1950s. I used to go there to get my son’s flute serviced (ooh vicar). |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 22:13 - Oct 4 with 1381 views | joe90 |
| London Recommendations on 21:08 - Oct 4 by MrSheen |
Lower Marsh on the south side of Waterloo is a real oddity, looks like it fell out of the 1950s. I used to go there to get my son’s flute serviced (ooh vicar). |
Lower Marsh street is great and you’re right about it being an oddity.
Don’t think any of these places are still there but there use to be a fetish shop, a gay sauna, Christian Aid office and specialist book shop for rail enthusiast?! The scooter bar was also fun place to drink.
There are also some good pubs not far from there, my favourite being the Pineapple. | | | |
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