Help needed in London!

[muffinpatronus.livejournal.com]

Hello, lovely Hogwartians! I have a question (or three) for you! <3

In two weeks I'm going to London with my dad for six days and I'm having a hard time finding stuff to do (plus I'm a bit lazy so I give up easily...). We're thinking of spending one of the days in Oxford, and a day shopping/going to the cinema/messing around randomly/London Eye (maybe) and so on, but we don't have much to do the other days...

So, I was wondering if some of you live in or have been in London a lot and could tell me fun things to do or see? Is there some sort of museum of London history? Other museums worth visiting? Any happenings we shouldn't miss? We're going to stay in a hotel near Hyde Park, by the way, if that helps..? XD Also, anything that's not typically "tourist-y" would be fantastic!

Thank you!
Muffin the Puffian

Comments

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

The markets! Camden Market, Covent Garden. They're pretty neat.

We have tons of museums and art galleries, a fair few are free entry as well. I love our science museum but that's just me.

We have some really nice parks XD

There's like a million and one things to do, what type of things do you like doing?

[delorispea.livejournal.com]

I totally second Covent Garden Market and then maybe the seeing a show?

I lived for like 3 hrs in Covent Garden Market before I went to see the Lion King which is directly behind it, and omg, it was amazing! It's great on a Sunday.

[fauxkaren.livejournal.com]

When I studied in London, my uni was like right next to Covent Garden. I spent waaaay too much time and money there.

[fauxkaren.livejournal.com]

I lived in London for a year, so I've got a few suggestions. There's a museum on the city of London near St. Paul's. It was decent enough, but it was also under construction when I was there. Other museums worth visiting depend on what you're interested in. I'm a huge art nerd and London has some great art museums (Tate Britain, Tate Modern, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and Sommerset House Gallery). I also would recommend going to Westminster Abbey if you're interested in gothic architecture or English history. A lot of old kings and queens are buried there along with famous writers. The British Museum is cool if you're into ancient cultures. And the British Library is neat if you like old manuscripts.

IMO, the London Eye is a waste of money. You can get an awesome view of London for cheaper by climbing to the top of St. Paul's.

And for shopping, go to Oxford Street! And shop at Selfridges. It's my favorite London department store. If you have cash to spend, doing brunch at Harvey Nichols is fun too. Another food related thing to do is to go to afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace. Another fun thing to do is to see a musical. Les Miserables is my all time favorite musical. I saw it four times when I was living in London.

Oxford is a neat city, but Windsor is another really easy day trip from London, if you're interested in that.

ETA: Oh! And I also loved Borough Market. It's near London Bridge. And I can't believe I forgot to mention the Tower of London. Seeing the crown jewels is neat and there's some interesting stuff there if you like medieval and early modern English history.

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

Ah! Can't believe I forgot Borough market. I'd say head up to the east london markets, they're cool, but maybe too untouristy and a bit rough.

But yes, the others are all nice inner city ones.

Also, Brighton's a nice day trip! You get to see a sea-side city :D

[discipuladc.livejournal.com]

Camden Town, Kensal Green and High Gate Cemeteries, Dead & Buried and Slimelight goth clubs, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Sherlock Holmes Museum, London Eye, Garlic & Shots, that eatery in the crypt of church off of Trafalger Sq, the British Museum, the British Library, the V&A, Westminster Abbey . . .

I loved just walking around, looking at architecture, popping into pubs & shops, but of course, it all depends on your tastes.

[exoticrooftile.livejournal.com]

I agree with the covent garden, but I would strongly suggest going by night rather than (or as well as by day). It’s a really unique experience, with the street performers. You never know what you’re going to get, but there’s always at least one thing that catches your eye. Last time I went there was a string quartet following random passers by around playing at them (including one guy who was running after other tourists with his chello, and still keeping time! Skill!)

Museums wise, The V&A. There is no better museum I know of anywhere, although of course this is just my personal preference. I can spend literally the whole day in it. Also, check what exhibitions are on at the British Museum and possibly the British Library. Both of these are free entry to general areas, but if you want to see a special exhibition then that charges. However, to my mind, they are always worth it.

I suppose as a London tourist, you can’t say you’ve properly done it until you’ve travelled on a red double decker bus, or visited the Tower of London/Houses of Parliament. Both of these are good trips imo, but very touristy/school trips. And of course, there’s always a wander down the South Bank.

Umm, stay away from places like Bond Street, Oxford Street etc. They are just ridiculously expensive for what they are.

To be honest, you could have a fabulous day in London simply by taking the tube somewhere central, or of interest (eg St james’ Park), and just going for a wander. There’s so much to do, you don’t necessarily have to plan to fill all of your days.

[smilingplatypus.livejournal.com]

Since this is a Harry Potter community I'll refrain from going into history nut mode...

But don't forget to visit Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station!

[xmagicworks.livejournal.com]

What about musicals? I don't know if you're interested in them, but I saw and absolutely loved We Will Rock You when I went there in... 2006 I think.

[nursedarry.livejournal.com]

Why Oxford? *lives there*

[shanima.livejournal.com]

Oxford is preeety ^^

*Lives in London*

I'd recommend Oxford Street (even if you don't buy much), Covent Garden and Leicester Square <3 and just walking along the Thames is pretty awesome.

If you want museums, there's the British Museum. The Science Museum, Natural History Museum and V&A are all close together and all good. If you're remotely interested in art, the Tate Modern is free and has some really good stuff.

Hyde Park and Regents Park are the best parks, I think, and Regent's Park has an art/sculpture thing going on at the moment. It's really cool.

There's actually no end of things to do in LDN =D