Reid

Following up to Susan Wachob

    >Actually, Speaker's Corner is really quite interesting- but I think
    >people only gather there to speak on Sundays. Does anyone know?

Sunday morning IIRC
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Wasdale, Thames path, London, landscapes "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Reid

Following up to Mahesha

    >13-London Dungeon

are you sure?

    >We are going to stay in a hotel in Slough(litte far from London).

convenient for Windsor Castle, a little inconvenient for London,
a good place to get a curry!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Wasdale, Thames path, London, landscapes "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Deep Freud Moors

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:32:51 +0000, Reid <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >Following up to Susan Wachob
    >>Actually, Speaker's Corner is really quite interesting- but I think
    >>people only gather there to speak on Sundays. Does anyone know?
    >Sunday morning IIRC

It peaks around 2 pm, and finishes up around 5.
---
DFM

St

On 23 Nov 2003 11:50:43 -0800, [email protected] (Mahesha) wrote:

    >Hi Everybody,
    >First of all, Thanks everyone who responded to my earlier questions
    >about transportation in London.
    >Now I do need some advice on planning the sightseeing in London.
    >we(me & my wife) will be reaching London on 27th Dec around 10.00 a.m
    >and leaving on 29th Dec around 6.00 p.m. So, we have 1 full day and
    >two half days to see as much as possible.
    >We are still debating on whether to take a)Big bus tour or b)3 day
    >London Pass. c)Take a travel card
    >This is our first trip to London and hence would be comfortable taking
    >the Big bus tour as they have the guides to tell us the big picture.
    >Here are the places we want to visit.
    >1-Buckingham Palace
    >2-Westminster Abbey
    >3-Tower Bridge
    >4-Tower of London
    >5-Big Ben
    >6-British Museum
    >7-Hyde Park
    >8-St Paul Cathedral
    >9-Covent Garden
    >10-Trafalgar Square
    >11-London Eye
    >12-Windsor Castle
    >13-London Dungeon
    >14-Tate Modern

Camden Lock isn't on this list?!?!! You have to go to Camden -
especially seeing as you're there on a Saturday!

St

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:37:14 +0000 (UTC), [email protected]
wrote:

    >In article <[email protected] >,
    >[email protected] (Mahesha) wrote:
    >> we(me & my wife) will be reaching London on 27th Dec around 10.00 a.m
    >> and leaving on 29th Dec around 6.00 p.m. So, we have 1 full day and
    >> two half days to see as much as possible.
    >> Wm are still debating on whether to take a)Big bus tour or b)3 day
    >> London Pass. c)Take a travel card
    >> This is our first trip to London and hence would be comfortable taking
    >> the Big bus tour as they have the guides to tell us the big picture.
    >> Here are the places we want to visit.
    >>
    >> 1-Buckingham Palace
    >> 2-Westminster Abbey
    >> 3-Tower Bridge
    >> 4-Tower of London
    >> 5-Big Ben
    >> 6-British Museum
    >> 7-Hyde Park
    >> 8-St Paul Cathedral
    >> 9-Covent Garden
    >> 10-Trafalgar Square
    >> 11-London Eye
    >> 12-Windsor Castle
    >> 13-London Dungeon
    >> 14-Tate Modern
    >In the short time you have available, I would suggest you visit
    >Westminster Abbey (you can also see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
    >from close by), either St. Paul's Cathedral or the London Eye (for the
    >views), and either the British Museum or the Tower of London.
    >Be aware that despite its name, the British Museum is not particularly
    >about British artefacts - if you want a dose of English history you will
    >be better off at the Tower.
    >Windsor Castle is a bit out of London and realistically will eat up a
    >whole day. Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden are just places - if you're
    >going to the theatre in the evening you can easily see them both in a
    >spare hour before!

Wouldn't be difficult to walk up to Strand and Trafalgar Square from
Westminster Abbey...

barney

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
(st) wrote:

    > On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:37:14 +0000 (UTC), [email protected]
    > wrote:
    > >In the short time you have available, I would suggest you visit
    > >Westminster Abbey (you can also see the Houses of Parliament and Big
    > Ben >from close by), either St. Paul's Cathedral or the London Eye (for
    > the >views), and either the British Museum or the Tower of London.
    > >
    > >Be aware that despite its name, the British Museum is not particularly
    > >about British artefacts - if you want a dose of English history you
    > will >be better off at the Tower.
    > >
    > >Windsor Castle is a bit out of London and realistically will eat up a
    > >whole day. Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden are just places - if
    > you're >going to the theatre in the evening you can easily see them
    > both in a >spare hour before!
    >
    > Wouldn't be difficult to walk up to Strand and Trafalgar Square from
    > Westminster Abbey...

Perfectly true, of course (and any riverside walk in London is likely to
be a good one, especially at sunset -- it's particularly then that one
realises what is so easily forgotten about London, that it's a truly
beautiful city on the rare occasions one can get a long perspective).

Having said that, if they wanted a city-centre walk between their must-see
sights I would suggest St. Paul's to Trafalgar Square; maybe only because
I just-remember Fleet Street in the last throes of its newspaper glory,
but also because that way they'll get the Law Courts, surely one of the
best Victorian building complexes in England (for that matter, anywhere).
And Victorian confidence is a large part of what the London heritage is
about...

Reid

Following up to [email protected]

    >Perfectly true, of course (and any riverside walk in London is likely to
    >be a good one, especially at sunset -- it's particularly then that one
    >realises what is so easily forgotten about London, that it's a truly
    >beautiful city on the rare occasions one can get a long perspective).
    >Having said that, if they wanted a city-centre walk between their must-see
    >sights I would suggest St. Paul's to Trafalgar Square; maybe only because
    >I just-remember Fleet Street in the last throes of its newspaper glory,
    >but also because that way they'll get the Law Courts, surely one of the
    >best Victorian building complexes in England

I would second both those suggestions as the best London walks.
Along the Thames, up through the law courts and up to Buck House.
Photos below:-
--
Mike Reid
London & London walks inc. Thames path
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
(see website for email address)

Vicky

In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > Perfectly true, of course (and any riverside walk in London is likely to
    > be a good one, especially at sunset -- it's particularly then that one
    > realises what is so easily forgotten about London, that it's a truly
    > beautiful city on the rare occasions one can get a long perspective).
    >
    > Having said that, if they wanted a city-centre walk between their must-see
    > sights I would suggest St. Paul's to Trafalgar Square; maybe only because
    > I just-remember Fleet Street in the last throes of its newspaper glory,
    > but also because that way they'll get the Law Courts, surely one of the
    > best Victorian building complexes in England (for that matter, anywhere).
    > And Victorian confidence is a large part of what the London heritage is
    > about...

Are the Law Courts the same as the Temple Inns? Sorry, I am always
confused about the different Inns of Courts and the actual courts as
they're referred to in the U.S. I had the privilege of visiting the
Inner Temple and actually got to go into the dining hall. Quite
amazing! I was on a group tour (with other law students) but the guide
said on a quiet afternoon, the guards might let one or two visitors in
to see the dining hall if there aren't any events planned.

Aside from walking along the Thames, one of my favorite walk is walking
across the Waterloo Bridge from north to south. On a nice day during
sunset, the view is truly spectacular - with Westminster on one side
and St. Paul on the other. I loved the walk so much I'd often walk
from Russell Square (where I was living) to Waterloo station instead of
taking the tube, just to cross the bridge and see the view again!



--Vicky

Reid

Following up to Vicky

    >Are the Law Courts the same as the Temple Inns?

Inner Temple and Inns of Court are the terms IIRC, beyond that I
get hazy! I think the law courts are the actual courts and the
inns are where the lawyers reside between the courts and the
river (I think).

    >Sorry, I am always
    >confused about the different Inns of Courts and the actual courts as
    >they're referred to in the U.S. I had the privilege of visiting the
    >Inner Temple and actually got to go into the dining hall. Quite
    >amazing! I was on a group tour (with other law students) but the guide
    >said on a quiet afternoon, the guards might let one or two visitors in
    >to see the dining hall if there aren't any events planned.
    >Aside from walking along the Thames, one of my favorite walk is walking
    >across the Waterloo Bridge from north to south. On a nice day during
    >sunset, the view is truly spectacular - with Westminster on one side
    >and St. Paul on the other. I loved the walk so much I'd often walk
    >from Russell Square (where I was living) to Waterloo station instead of
    >taking the tube, just to cross the bridge and see the view again!

heres a picture from the bridge that's a bit unusual, taken
Remembrance day. You will see the eye is lit in red not blue.
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/london312.htm"
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking-food-photos, Wasdale, Thames, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
and for Spain at "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

barney

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Reid) wrote:

    > Following up to Vicky
    >
    > >Are the Law Courts the same as the Temple Inns?
    >
    > Inner Temple and Inns of Court are the terms IIRC, beyond that I
    > get hazy! I think the law courts are the actual courts and the
    > inns are where the lawyers reside between the courts and the
    > river (I think).

The law courts (Royal Courts of Justice) are on Fleet Street. Scattered
around the general area are the Inns of Court - Temple, Lincoln's Inn,
Gray's Inn and maybe there are others I can't recall. They still function
as offices for barristers (English word for lawyers who appear in the
higher courts, and not to be confused with baristas .

I don't think the river comes into it, as Gray's Inn (for example) is some
way north of the courts.

Lil

It definitely depends on what Mahesha and his wife wants to see...If
Mahesha and his wife wants to see something quintessentially English
or something that is full of English history and unique, I would
suggest Hampton Court instead of Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
Speaking as someone who went to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court and
spent full afternoons there, I must confess that I got more of a kick
out of Hampton Court, which covers the Tudors and the Stuarts. In the
Windsor Castle tour, you are escorted throught the few rooms that are
open to public, and then left to wander over the grounds to a chapel
on the grounds--forgot the name....IMHO, Hampton Court is much more
interesting because you're allowed to wander about on your own at your
own pace. Not to mention, the architectural development of the palace
is very much in evidence...

Considering that Mahesha and his wife have such a limited time,
perhaps they should consider what they want to do--whether they want
to experience a few uniquely English things, or just hit as many of
the sights as possible. If the latter, I would do a hop-on-hop off
bus tour, which will drive them round so they can see Buckingham
Palace, House of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster
Abbey in one day. Westminster Abbey should not take more than a few
hours, and the Tower of London's good for a few hours in the morning.
BTW, there is a combined Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace
ticket which is a bit cheaper than if you bought both individually.
If Mahesha and his wife were planning to do more of the British
Heritage sights, e.g. Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court
Palace, the Tower of London, it may be worthwhile investigating if he
and his wife can safe money on the admission by investing in a British
Heritage pass which could allow them free or discounted admission on
the sights.

If time permits, it may be worth considering a daytrip to Dover to
Dover Castle and the "white cliffs of Dover." (Dover Castle is pretty
neat--parts of the complex contains buildings which are at least a
thousand years old--the Pharos and the King's Keep, and they have
underground tunnels where they took care of the wounded during WWII.)

IMHO, the most memorable sights for me were:

Dover Castle
Hampton Court Palace
Tower of London
British Museum
Westminster Abbey
Kensington Palace and Kensington Park
Windsor Castle

FWIW....

Lil


National Gallery

the Roman Baths at Bath



"azgpsguy" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > "Mahesha" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hi Everybody,
    > > First of all, Thanks everyone who responded to my earlier questions
    > > about transportation in London.
    > > Now I do need some advice on planning the sightseeing in London.
    > > we(me & my wife) will be reaching London on 27th Dec around 10.00 a.m
    > > and leaving on 29th Dec around 6.00 p.m. So, we have 1 full day and
    > > two half days to see as much as possible.
    > > We are still debating on whether to take a)Big bus tour or b)3 day
    > > London Pass. c)Take a travel card
    > > This is our first trip to London and hence would be comfortable taking
    > > the Big bus tour as they have the guides to tell us the big picture.
    > > Here are the places we want to visit.
    > >
    > > 1-Buckingham Palace
    > > 2-Westminster Abbey
    > > 3-Tower Bridge
    > > 4-Tower of London
    > > 5-Big Ben
    > > 6-British Museum
    > > 7-Hyde Park
    > > 8-St Paul Cathedral
    > > 9-Covent Garden
    > > 10-Trafalgar Square
    > > 11-London Eye
    > > 12-Windsor Castle
    > > 13-London Dungeon
    > > 14-Tate Modern
    > >
    > > I do not know which of these places need a entrance fee and how much
    > > time each of these takes to cover.
    > > It would be great if someone could give me a headsup on this. I would
    > > have loved to include a musical or theater. I don't think its
    > > possible this time.Also pls let me know which of the places above
    > > aren't worth visiting so we can skip. Pls do include if I've missed
    > > any must sees..
    > > We are going to stay in a hotel in Slough(litte far from London).
    > >
    > > Thanks in advance ,
    > > Mahesha
    >
    > My wife and I just got back from London last week. We spent 7 days there and
    > just barely got in all the sights you listed. I would definitely suggest
    > that you book the Big Bus Tour. They will take you right by most of the
    > locations that you have listed and you can hop off to see them up close then
    > catch the next bus. The changing og the guard is only every other day right
    > now, weather permitting. The Big Bus Company has a walking tour that takes
    > you to both St. James Palace where the Changing of the Guard starts and you
    > follow them to Buckingham Palace. The walking tour takes about 2 hours and
    > cover about 1 1/2 miles. Just as a note, we also took the Original Bus Tour
    > and the Big Bus Tours are much better seem to have more busses running and
    > better guides.Tickets for both companies include a 20 minute boat tour on
    > the Thames, which was fun.
    > Another thing that you need to think of is that it is getting dark in London
    > at about 4 pm right now which will limit the amount of time that you have to
    > sightsee.
    >
    > My choices to see in the time frame you have is as follows:
    >
    > Buckingham Palace
    > Tower of London ( worth seeing allow at least two hours) (you can catch the
    > boat tour here which drops you off at Parliament Square and not far from the
    > London Eye)
    > Parliament Square ( which includes Big Ben, Westminster Abby, and St.
    > Margaret's Church)
    >
    > British Museum ( two hours minimum, but you could spend days there to see
    > everything)
    >
    > St. Pauls Cathedral

Ron Audet

"Lil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
. In the
    > Windsor Castle tour, you are escorted throught the few rooms that are
    > open to public, and then left to wander over the grounds to a chapel
    > on the grounds--forgot the name....IMHO

You give some excellent advice, and I do not disagree with you. But don't
underestimate the importance of St. George's Chapel at Windsor, one of the
most important places in England for its royal connections. It was founded
in 1348, and the present building dates from 1475. The chapel contains the
graves of many members of royalty, including Henry VI, Edward IV and Queen
Elizabeth Woodville, George III, George IV, Willilam IV, Edward VII and
Queen Alexandra, George V and Queen Mary, George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the
Queen Mother), and Princess Margaret among many others. Since 1805 it has
been the primary burial place for the English royal family. Architecturally,
too, it is a fascinating place, with a wonderful fan-vaulted ceiling.

I love Hampton Court, but Windsor should not be missed either.

Ron

Lil

Thanks for reminding me about the name of the chapel on the Windsor
Castle grounds...

At the risk of sounding philistine, I liked the architecture of St.
George's Chapel, but I saw it after Westminster Abbey--I guess
visiting the tombs of Shakespeare, Churchill, Brooke, Milton, etc.
meant more to me than that of some mere member of English royalty....

Lil

"Ron Audet" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] t>...
    > "Lil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > . In the
    > > Windsor Castle tour, you are escorted throught the few rooms that are
    > > open to public, and then left to wander over the grounds to a chapel
    > > on the grounds--forgot the name....IMHO
    >
    > You give some excellent advice, and I do not disagree with you. But don't
    > underestimate the importance of St. George's Chapel at Windsor, one of the
    > most important places in England for its royal connections. It was founded
    > in 1348, and the present building dates from 1475. The chapel contains the
    > graves of many members of royalty, including Henry VI, Edward IV and Queen
    > Elizabeth Woodville, George III, George IV, Willilam IV, Edward VII and
    > Queen Alexandra, George V and Queen Mary, George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the
    > Queen Mother), and Princess Margaret among many others. Since 1805 it has
    > been the primary burial place for the English royal family. Architecturally,
    > too, it is a fascinating place, with a wonderful fan-vaulted ceiling.
    >
    > I love Hampton Court, but Windsor should not be missed either.
    >
    > Ron

barney

In article <[email protected] >,
[email protected] (Lil) wrote:

    > At the risk of sounding philistine, I liked the architecture of St.
    > George's Chapel, but I saw it after Westminster Abbey--I guess
    > visiting the tombs of Shakespeare, Churchill, Brooke, Milton, etc.
    > meant more to me than that of some mere member of English royalty....

A far from philistine view...