Going to London
- Thread starter Groof
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TheHollowNight
Member
Well it's fine if you've live there & know what it's like (I have no issue with Brixton myself) but for some tourists they might feel a bit uncomfortable at night.
What a load of toss. I lived there for 2 years & want to be back!
Alright, thanks guys. Wouldn't want to accidentally venture into some weird back alley and get murdered.
Though honestly I'm more worried about the hostel.
Johnlenham
Member
Well I dont live there but ive been coming up that way for over 2 years but fair point!
Moving to that area myself in a few weeks. Well Tooting>Brixton area anyway
Good to see this thread has been useful for more people than myself!
TheHollowNight
Member
I'm from the UK. I have moved around the country for work, currently in Newcastle, but I plan to move back there this year (or to Brighton fuck yeah).
Hostels are surprisingly good. Especially YHA. I stayed in one in Earls Court one time and it was fine.
I'll be staying at a place called Palmer's Lodge, had pretty nice reviews on Tripadvisor.
Nexus Zero
Member
Are you high? I've lived here for 6 years (originally from the countryside) and I doubt I'll be leaving before that's double digits.
OP: I agree with everyone who has said Camden for a night out. It's fun and my regular. The Blue's Kitchen or Black Heart are good bars, ending up at the Camden Head if you've been kicked out of everywhere else.
Don't make the mistake of every tourist and first time Londoner of going out in central (like the west end or whatever) without a plan. Worst and most probable case is you'll wander around lost in the shit weather and go home miserable, best case is you get drunk for extortionate fees in their shitty bars and clubs.
Hampstead Heath is a lovely park in north but like others have said, it is going to be shit weather so maybe if you get a clear day. If it snows, go to Primrose Hill with a bin bag and thank me later
While going to all the touristy central places like Oxford Street (for shopping) / Piccadilly Circus / Buckingham Palace / Covent Garden, pop along to Soho, theres some cool streets around there like Carnaby Street.
If you want to get a classic british indian meal head along to Brick Lane near Liverpool Street station, the place has a great alternative vibe to boot which is cool to see.
Also i'd suggest visiting Cambridge over Oxford if you've only got a day to spend, it's very pretty.
If you want to get a classic british indian meal head along to Brick Lane near Liverpool Street station, the place has a great alternative vibe to boot which is cool to see.
Also i'd suggest visiting Cambridge over Oxford if you've only got a day to spend, it's very pretty.
Haha that just doesn't happen in London, it's a large European city. Brixton is absolutely fine, I have family that live there so i've only been there as a visitor and i've always felt safe. The dodgy things that happen there are rarely random attacks but rather incidents between those in the community, tourists are generally ignored.
Professor Chaos
Member
Sorry OP, I'm just dropping by to be outraged at this slander against my ancient and noble home town.
I have never been to Oxford.
For Peckham, that's a nice way of saying 'it has a lot of black people'. haha
Really, where I'm from, Peckham isn't shit. Not the nicest place in the world and I wouldn't recommend it to somebody visiting for the first time and only staying for a week, but I dont think many people really know what proper 'trouble areas' are like if they think that's bad. And its actually a pretty cool little place, with its own little African/Caribbean flavour. Not to mention Frank's Bar, which is one of the strangest, yet coolest places to go and get a drink and hang out(its on top of an abandoned parking garage, hidden away completely unless you know about it, with a gorgeous view and good food and drinks).
Star Falcon
Member
Its more hilarious to see people who are expecting to be waited on with a smile and a bow get all antsy in there
Its a very workmanlike Chinese restaraunt, with what i can only guess are deliberate spoonerisms and bad manners to give even more character to the place. You will notice signs like 'Go Upstair' which always make me smile.
The waiters will simply ask you how many there are, point you to a table (often seating you with randomers) and give you a menu. They'll ask you what you want, give you your food and then give you a bill. No service charge expected ofcourse.
The food is great - for £4.80 you get a large plate of a meat of your choice on either boiled rice or noodles which is great for lunch. There is unlimited Jasmine Tea served too. If you can't use chopsticks you might get a little bit embarassed but spoons are available - just don't expect the waiter to be beaming ear to ear as they give it to you!
Hp sauce and a warm sausage roll from a proper butcher is food of the gods.
TheHollowNight
Member
Pahah. Well I'll confess, I've never been to Peckham myself, it was just one of those things everybody else tells you that it's rough. I'm sure it's fine living there, when you're part of the community, but like you say, probably not advised as a first time visit for a tourist.
Its more hilarious to see people who are expecting to be waited on with a smile and a bow get all antsy in there
I think I know the place! Yeah, it's great. Especially as someone who used to be in hospitality, it's funny to see them absolutely not give a shit. Me and my friends used to just go and order loads of stuff for the table and share, which is the best part of asian cuisine in my opinion.
I remember another place nearby I went to, a waiter was demonstrating to this super posh English family how to use chopsticks, for some reason I found that incredibly funny.
whatevermort
Member
Tate Modern, if you like art. Walk along the river - it's great. And Meat Market is very nice, but the best burger in london is at Patty & Bun. You'll queue, but it's worth it. (And order the Mister Miyagi, which is off menu - it's pork belly on top of a burger with spicy stuff and cheese, and it's making me drool just typing this.)
I thought Brighton was supposed to be terrible, has that changed or were you being cheeky?
TheHollowNight
Member
How dare you make me hungry like that!
Ok gotta go there the end of the month.
No! I wish I was being cheeky! I love Brighton!. Windy as shit though.
eudaemonic
Member
Subscribed. I have a goal of making it out there this year... some good tips.
I must be thinking of somewhere else that maybe starts with a B. My English geography ain't the best.
TheHollowNight
Member
Uhhh, Blackpool maybe?
(Sorry if this has already been posted.) Now, I'm far from a foodie, but Neds Noodles is very nice - and not too harsh on the wallet.
I used to think places like Peckham and Brixton were rough then I went to Chicago and discovered what rough neighbourhoods were actually like, London just doesn't have them.
TheHollowNight
Member
Yeah. In comparison to a lot of other cities around the world, it's probably pretty docile.
Don't forget to visit Diagon Alley.
Gringotts just got a cash machine installed outside.
Weasley's just got some cool stuff in (poo scented toilet roll)
Unfortunately Ollvanders is now a GAP.
On a more serious note.
Museums ... they are amazing in London, forget Tussaud's and all those places though.
Gringotts just got a cash machine installed outside.
Weasley's just got some cool stuff in (poo scented toilet roll)
Unfortunately Ollvanders is now a GAP.
On a more serious note.
Museums ... they are amazing in London, forget Tussaud's and all those places though.
Its more hilarious to see people who are expecting to be waited on with a smile and a bow get all antsy in there
Its a very workmanlike Chinese restaraunt, with what i can only guess are deliberate spoonerisms and bad manners to give even more character to the place. You will notice signs like 'Go Upstair' which always make me smile.
The waiters will simply ask you how many there are, point you to a table (often seating you with randomers) and give you a menu. They'll ask you what you want, give you your food and then give you a bill. No service charge expected ofcourse.
The food is great - for £4.80 you get a large plate of a meat of your choice on either boiled rice or noodles which is great for lunch. There is unlimited Jasmine Tea served too. If you can't use chopsticks you might get a little bit embarassed but spoons are available - just don't expect the waiter to be beaming ear to ear as they give it to you!
This is really right up my alley. Sounds like a fun time if you go in knowing what to expect. I'll try to fit this in!
Edit: Speaking of Asian food, anyone know of any good Korean restaurants?
Star Falcon
Member
I've been to a restaraunt called Bibigo on Great Malborough Street a few times for lunch which is pretty good. For £9 you get a 3 course meal which, whilst not massively filling, does the job and is really tasty. One of the best salads i've ever had in my life.
http://bibigouk.com/
There will be good restaurants around but Kimchee is the London chain restaurant for Korean fast food.
SloaneRangerSW1
Banned
Echo that
Napoleonthechimp
Member
Palmer's Lodge, Swiss Cottage?
It's okay. I don't particularly like the idea of sharing rooms with other people so I didn't really appreciate it. Also, it's a bit far from the main sites in central London so you'll be reliant on public transportation (tube - which closes at midnight, or maybe later now... I don't know) and night buses if you want to get back there late at night.
Yeah I'm not too hype on that either, but it's only during the night I figured. Seemed close enough to most things though and fairly cheap. You stayed there? How were the people/staff?
Napoleonthechimp
Member
I didn't really meet anyone outside of the reception. Other than that you have to pay a few £s for secure storage. However you get an electronic swipe card thingy which means you can come and go during your stay whenever you want.
During my stay there were a lot of younger foreign nationals (I'm British) but if you don't know anybody then you may find it easier to strike up conversations with people during breakfast or in the lounge area.
Have the nightbusses been mentioned yet? the tube ends service around midnight, even on weekends, so you'll have to use nightbusses to get around.
First time I had to use one, I was passed 3 times by a bus until I witnessed some bloke on the other side of the road stretching out his arm in an almost german way, which signaled the bus to stop.
(also, those suckers drive fast. I immediately knew where the inspiration for the "magic bus" in Harry Potter came from.
)
First time I had to use one, I was passed 3 times by a bus until I witnessed some bloke on the other side of the road stretching out his arm in an almost german way, which signaled the bus to stop.
(also, those suckers drive fast. I immediately knew where the inspiration for the "magic bus" in Harry Potter came from.
)Let's clear up a few things.
I'm from London, born and bred, lived here my entire life. True Londoner with a Cockney accent to match.
1) Brixton may have had riots 30 years ago but that place is lovely and safe.
2) Peckham and most of South London are also generally safe unless you're not from there and wanna act like you're badder than the boys & girls that are from there. I'm a North Londoner and we don't have much love for Saaaaffff (South) but on this occasion they're ok.
3) Tourists don't usually venture past Zone 2. Zone 1 is the City of London and West End and all the MAJOR London national train stations. Zone 2 will include Camden, Chelsea & Kensington, Elephant, Shoreditch and a couple of other places.
4) Nobody lives in Zone 1. Except for the rich and a few old community's here & there. My kids & their mother live in Zone 1. Nine generations of her family come from there.
5) 7 day Travelcards/Oysters can be bought by anybody inc tourists, without registration. You can even buy them direct from some ticket machines in stations. It's only 30 day and one year Oysters that must be registered with a UK address.
6) Chinatown is next to Leicester Square. West End.
Any other questions just ask.
I'm from London, born and bred, lived here my entire life. True Londoner with a Cockney accent to match.
1) Brixton may have had riots 30 years ago but that place is lovely and safe.
2) Peckham and most of South London are also generally safe unless you're not from there and wanna act like you're badder than the boys & girls that are from there. I'm a North Londoner and we don't have much love for Saaaaffff (South) but on this occasion they're ok.
3) Tourists don't usually venture past Zone 2. Zone 1 is the City of London and West End and all the MAJOR London national train stations. Zone 2 will include Camden, Chelsea & Kensington, Elephant, Shoreditch and a couple of other places.
4) Nobody lives in Zone 1. Except for the rich and a few old community's here & there. My kids & their mother live in Zone 1. Nine generations of her family come from there.
5) 7 day Travelcards/Oysters can be bought by anybody inc tourists, without registration. You can even buy them direct from some ticket machines in stations. It's only 30 day and one year Oysters that must be registered with a UK address.
6) Chinatown is next to Leicester Square. West End.
Any other questions just ask.
Johnlenham
Member
Have the nightbusses been mentioned yet? the tube ends service around midnight, even on weekends, so you'll have to use nightbusses to get around.
First time I had to use one, I was passed 3 times by a bus until I witnessed some bloke on the other side of the road stretching out his arm in an almost german way, which signaled the bus to stop.
(also, those suckers drive fast. I immediately knew where the inspiration for the "magic bus" in Harry Potter came from.
Yeah people usually put their arm out to get the guy to stop, otherwise If noone is getting off and no one signals he will sail on by.
Edit: isnt elephant and castle zone 1?
Jedeye Sniv
Banned
We went there during a GAF meet last year, was pretty funny to see them trying to deal with a dozen slightly pissed nerds. Good food though.
All the Londoners ITT need to come out to a GAF meet with us lot. Good times.
I always meant to but never got round to it. Will try next time providing I'm not working.
Oh you have to pay extra for storage? I thought every bed had a locker beneath it and I could just bring my own padlock or something. Would be nice to have some kind people to talk to there though.
Also thanks for the info about the night buses! Don't know how big of a deal that'll be, but it's good to know just in case!
cartoon_soldier
Member
Beat you! I am already in London.
If there is a clear day, visit "The Shard". Go before sunset and hang around to see the sun set.
If there is a clear day, visit "The Shard". Go before sunset and hang around to see the sun set.
This applies in just about every major city's public transport hubs.
I tend to have a pretty 360 degree focus when walking around new places. Nothing I love more than discover new things!Don't listen to everyone telling you not to look up as you wander around - if you only ever see the ground floor of the buildings in the centre you'll miss some incredible architecture. Worth more in terms of 'verticality' than 60 floors of identical glass structure but YMMV.
travisbickle
Member
If you like art there's lots of art. I think Jeremy Deller's work will be there by the end of the month.
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