Visiting London Next Month

Wow, how time has flown! I could swear I only just booked my flight but that was already three months ago, and November 1st is creeping sooner and sooner! I'm taking a trip to London (with a side trip to Paris for a couple of days) next month! Yay! Why do I mention this? For a couple of reasons:

First, I'm looking for suggestions of ways to amuse myself for a few weekdays while the friend I'll be staying with is at work. I did a decent amount of the obvious stuff (hop-on-hop-off bus tour, boat ride up the Thames, Tate Modern, British Library) while I was across the pond last August, and (perhaps most importantly) I've already got my tickets booked to see Fulham play Reading. I'd love recommendations for less obvious stuff, though, things one might miss on a surface pass but would like to see the second time around. Ideally I'd like to have a few different options in mind depending on what the weather is like (dry or wet - I can deal with cold); one thing I'm definitely considering is a picnic lunch in a park somewhere towards the outer part of the city (suggestions as to a good park very much welcome). I'd also love ideas of local food to try (pie and mash with jellied eels is already on the list).

SECOND (everyone still with me?), as long as I'm going to be over there and heading to the Cottage for a match, I'd love to meet some more of the folks on here and put faces to names (GBFC, WHITEwitch, Team_of_McBrides, I'm looking at you). I had a great time having pregame drinks with Mike and VonBilly last summer, and I figure, the more the merrier! :rock:

 

I think while your friends are at work, you should just go to the pub and drink a few pints, go back, nap, and then wait for your friends to come home and to grab a bite and hit the pubs. But I'm sure you are looking for more insight than that.

 

If all I wanted to do was drink all day, I'd be perfectly capable of doing that here!

(Not that it doesn't sound appealing, of course.)

 

A Cottage tour

Wandering around Harvey Nick's and Herrod's can be entertaining

A Womble hunt on Wimbledon Commons

 

Yup, buy me a beer!

See you soon man and I'll give the heads up to White Witch...Katy says hi.

 

When I lived in London a few years ago, I lived right next to Holland Park, which I thought was lovely. Great walking paths, plenty of picnic area, and reasonably close to Kensington High Street (for shopping, eating, and tube stop).

There are even a few footie pitches in the park in case you want to get in the Fulham mood by practicing your dribbling skillz.

 

jmh, great to read that you will be making the hop across the pond. I've loved my time in London and there are still so many things that I want to see and do here as well. You've probably already done all of the touristy things in the past, but I'm still looking for those gems that are off the beaten path.

I will be at the Reading match as well. So, hopefully I will run into you and everyone else at one of the pubs before the match.

Safe travels.

 

Hi jhm,

Glad to see you are coming across again. I would love to meet for a pre-game beer. I am planning to be at the Reading game in the Hammersmith End.

If you are looking for parks then Wimbledon common is OK, but Richmond park is beautiful. I would suggest a picnic at the Isabella Plantations and a visit to Hampton Court Palace.

I really enjoy the Imperial War Museum, and HMS Victory (and harbour tour) in Portsmouth - it is about an hour on the train from central London.

Are you still going to be in London around the 5th? If so it will be Bonfire night, a good display and buring of a guy followed up by some mulled wine is recommended.

 

So I guess that there is a fair amount of people from FUSA going to the Reading match on Nov. 3rd. What pub is everyone stopping by for some pre-match drinks?

 

I second that. Checkout the WWI bunker, spooked the hell out of me. Also its free.

 

Awesome - thanks for the input, everyone!

CincyFulham - a Cottage tour sound like a great play... but what's a "womble hunt"?

Mike - I think a beer could be arranged; give my regards to Katy.

Jelly - I haven't played since I was 8, so I don't really think I have any dribbling skillz.

T_o_M - You're absolutely right that off the beaten path is what I'm looking for. If you come up with anything along those lines, let me know.

GBFC - Great suggestions. Richmond Park sounds like exactly what I'm looking for; I don't really have time to go out into the countryside but a big park outside the city sounds perfect. And yes, I'll be there on Bonfire night. I've heard it's a fun time.

Spencer - Thanks for the War Museum mention.

Re. pre-match drinks: I vote yes. I've heard good things about the Bricklayer's Arms, but I had a great time at the Golden Lion last time as well. Anyplace with good beer and good company is fine by me.

 

Josh, here are the list of details for the Cottage Tours...but doesn't look like they have one while you are here:

Tours start at 11.45am with Lunch at 1pm.

Dates for tours and lunches 2007/08

28th October
11th November

 

Has anyone taken the Cottage Tour before? I've been to the ground a few times, but a tour could be interesting.

Just wondering if it is worth it.

 

Sold.

I'll look into tour times and hopefully it works into the schedule. Wisdom and reason shines through once again.

 

Hmm... I'm still going to be there on 11/11, I don't fly out until the day after that. Interesting possibility, thanks for the info.