| London Recommendations 09:26 - Oct 4 with 11188 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 22:26 - Oct 4 with 1905 views | thame_hoops |
If you go to Kings Cross, check out cold drops yard. Lots of lovely bars and restaurants, my favourite wine bar is Porte Noir, Idris Elba co-owns it
Edit get the train to Marleybone and walk up to the regents canal on Lisson Grove. Walk to King’s Cross along the canal it’s a couple of miles, but stop off in Primrose Hill, Camden, then King’s Cross [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 22:28]
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| London Recommendations on 07:26 - Oct 5 with 1823 views | distortR |
| London Recommendations on 09:46 - Oct 4 by essextaxiboy |
John Constable grave at Hampstead , a walk on the common and some nice pubs and shops ?
Camden Lock for a street food lunch .
Walk up Primrose Hill in the evening , might hear the lions roaring . [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 9:49]
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another one for primrose hill. I really enjoyed the Horniman museum, the walrus, and the story behind it, is one of my favourite things in life!
Should add,if you go to camden you can take in All Ages Records, London's premier punk and hardcore (Not that sort, Woking) shop. Camden market not for me, though.
Me and Karl did the bridges walk advocated by Stowmarket, really enjoyed it.
Great thread, I'm taking notes for my next visit, thanks all!
[Post edited 5 Oct 2022 7:49]
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| London Recommendations on 07:53 - Oct 5 with 1788 views | SydneyRs |
| 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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The gammons not smashed it up yet? After all, he apparently represents everyone to the left of HItler level right wing tendencies, according to social media anyway. | | | |
| London Recommendations on 08:55 - Oct 5 with 1747 views | MrSheen |
| London Recommendations on 22:13 - Oct 4 by joe90 |
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. |
Had a quick look on Google Maps. No sign of the Sauna, but there is a food stall called Salty Loins. Close enough. |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 08:58 - Oct 5 with 1742 views | Ned_Kennedys |
| London Recommendations on 15:21 - Oct 4 by 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. |
Book a guided tour in Highgate West Cemetery: getting the background stories of some of the residents is fascinating and they take you into the catacombs. The oversized Marx is in the East Cemetery.
Bradley’s Spanish Bar in a small side street by Tottenham Court Road is my go to drinking hole: some times their classic jukebox is on free vend which is nice. [Post edited 5 Oct 2022 9:01]
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| London Recommendations on 09:05 - Oct 5 with 1721 views | londonscottish |
Other things that spring to mind;
There are the remains of a Roman amphitheatre under the Guildhall on Gresham St. Well worth a look and free.
If you like your cemeteries, you can do a tour of the underground parts of the Kensal Rise one. I've never done but I've been told it's good.
Having a drink up high is always good. I've done the bar on top of of Tower 42 and the view (SW over the city, Westminster and the SW) is great. They Shard's good, if pricey. I haven't tried the Sky Garden yet but it's on my list. |  |
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| London Recommendations on 09:28 - Oct 5 with 1706 views | robith |
| London Recommendations on 08:58 - Oct 5 by Ned_Kennedys |
Book a guided tour in Highgate West Cemetery: getting the background stories of some of the residents is fascinating and they take you into the catacombs. The oversized Marx is in the East Cemetery.
Bradley’s Spanish Bar in a small side street by Tottenham Court Road is my go to drinking hole: some times their classic jukebox is on free vend which is nice. [Post edited 5 Oct 2022 9:01]
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Don't tell people about Bradleys brother, it's too busy as it is! |  | | |
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| London Recommendations on 09:56 - Oct 5 with 1682 views | toboboly |
| London Recommendations on 09:28 - Oct 5 by robith |
Don't tell people about Bradleys brother, it's too busy as it is! |
Tbf 3 people in the upper bar is a mosh pit. We always used to drink in the street. |  |
| Sexy Asian dwarves wanted. |
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| London Recommendations on 10:05 - Oct 5 with 1680 views | ngbqpr |
| London Recommendations on 19:56 - Oct 4 by 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. |
Sounds of the Universe for me :)
Reckless still great for second hand, plus old school 'grumpy record shop staff' |  |
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| London Recommendations on 10:09 - Oct 5 with 1672 views | ngbqpr |
| London Recommendations on 16:45 - Oct 4 by 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. |
Agree with the South Bank buzz...and if you like some decent grub while listening to some very fine DJs on an ace sound system, go to Spiritland at the Festival Hall. | |
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| London Recommendations on 10:19 - Oct 5 with 1667 views | robith |
| London Recommendations on 22:26 - Oct 4 by thame_hoops |
If you go to Kings Cross, check out cold drops yard. Lots of lovely bars and restaurants, my favourite wine bar is Porte Noir, Idris Elba co-owns it
Edit get the train to Marleybone and walk up to the regents canal on Lisson Grove. Walk to King’s Cross along the canal it’s a couple of miles, but stop off in Primrose Hill, Camden, then King’s Cross [Post edited 4 Oct 2022 22:28]
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Coal Drops is one of the few developments in London that is actually quite cool.
Like it's full of high end stuff like a lot of the rest of the city, but it still has a cool vibe and looks interesting, not some Ballard style dystopia *glares at Stratford* | | | |
| London Recommendations on 10:33 - Oct 5 with 1645 views | zicoshoops |
The London Silver Vaults, in Chancery Lane.
All of the 25 plus shops are underground.
Well worth a look.
The largest retail collection of Silver in the world.
The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square.
What’s going on?
We should be told
Sort it out | | | |
| London Recommendations on 11:38 - Oct 5 with 1590 views | slmrstid |
Thank you everyone who has contributed to this - really appreciated. Some places I've been to before, others look great and will try to check them out. Can't guarantee I can do all of them, but really appreciate it! | | | |
| London Recommendations on 12:03 - Oct 5 with 1575 views | queensparker |
| London Recommendations on 15:25 - Oct 4 by Boston |
No good greasy spoons left in London? |
The one outside Kensal Rise station is still going strong and part of my weekend routine - could even be a good pre-match feed if you don’t mind a bit of a trek to the ground |  | | |
| London Recommendations on 12:07 - Oct 5 with 1572 views | MrSheen |
| London Recommendations on 10:33 - Oct 5 by zicoshoops |
The London Silver Vaults, in Chancery Lane.
All of the 25 plus shops are underground.
Well worth a look.
The largest retail collection of Silver in the world.
The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square.
What’s going on?
We should be told
Sort it out |
Silver Vaults is wonderful, bought Mrs S her 25th anniversary present there. Goldsmiths Hall off Cheapside have some great displays too.
Very disappointed with the Wallace Collection. Some nice paintings, pottery and old armour, but no sign of Lee, Rod or Danny. | | | |
| London Recommendations on 13:09 - Oct 5 with 1549 views | hantssi |
| London Recommendations on 16:45 - Oct 4 by 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. |
Another recommendation for the V&A, went there for the first time in August, it’s my wife’s favourite museum, she used to be a dress maker and made some of the costumes for Grace Jones in A View to a Kill
What about checking out the opening of the refurbed Battersea Power Station, it looks amazing and they’ve left some of the old features in there!
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/05/battersea-power-station-set-for | | | |
| London Recommendations on 00:56 - Oct 6 with 1444 views | NewBee |
| London Recommendations on 16:58 - Oct 4 by kernowhoop |
Can you also still get a great value meal at Zedel? |
Their prices do look to have gone up a bit compared with a couple of years ago, but that's from a very low base and besides, is entirely understandable these days:
https://www.brasseriezedel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Brasserie-Zedel-Menu.p
The menu has always been chosen to make inexpensive ingredients look/taste good - no harm in that imo, and still seems good vfm for me.
As for Robith's original recommendation focusing on cocktails in the American Bar (very smart, btw), thats not really my thing, but I love the place for the location (just off Piccadilly), the room (spectacular) and the serice (exemplary). The fact that the food is also v.good, if not innovative, tops it off for me - a real fave.
While Richoux is another smart, not-too-expensive place in similar vein (though much smaller), which I've just discovered further along Piccadilly, towards the Green Park end:
https://www.richoux.co.uk/ | | | |
| London Recommendations on 07:42 - Oct 6 with 1349 views | PunteR |
| London Recommendations on 10:09 - Oct 5 by ngbqpr |
Agree with the South Bank buzz...and if you like some decent grub while listening to some very fine DJs on an ace sound system, go to Spiritland at the Festival Hall. |
Spiritland is now a Saturday night destination for me and the missus. :) |  |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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and out of the blue we found Jeremy Beadles grave which was much more profound for me than Marx. 