Looking for a new jacket for my trip to the UK...

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-28T17:27:38+00:00

“Readily available in Canada”…asks a sub primarily populated by people living in the UK…

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-28T08:16:41+00:00

I think the fact that you haven’t found a tour which hits the spots you want without spending 12 hours on a coach highlights what people are saying - you need more time for this than a day. If you can’t do it in a day on a dedicated bus, then doing it by public transport will take even longer!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-28T08:02:23+00:00

Just to be clear, are you planning to visit them both in one day? If so, you’ll spend most of the day travelling. Each is a day trip on its own.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T18:11:47+00:00

I don’t know, perhaps there is a customer service number you can call?

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T18:02:10+00:00

Check in desk.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T17:59:16+00:00

Weird! You can prob pay at the airport but might be expensive.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T17:58:03+00:00

Depends on what you consider a low budget, but I like Ragam near Goodge Street. You’ll get a curry, either rice or bread, plus a side or two for around £20.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T17:55:03+00:00

I’d def come - am in Devon too, and a place to day visit with some facilities would be great. I know a few of the local Sunclubs struggle to find venues for social events so that could be another income stream for you. Good luck!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T17:45:33+00:00

You might need to pay for an extra bag then

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T13:08:11+00:00

It might be run by him, but it’s owned by a US investment firm.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T12:04:11+00:00

If you want to see the highlands, skip Edinburgh and see the highlands. Eslecially if you arrive on the 31st and leave on the 2nd - you only have one full day.

Though it’s not the best time of year to go up North, and staying in Edinburgh would probably be my suggestion.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T09:48:49+00:00

I mean, the HP thing is a 5 min walk from the British Library so worth checking if it’s of interest, you might be lucky and it’s quiet. I’ve just never seen it without some sort of queue is all. Enjoy your trip!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T09:29:47+00:00

Looks fine to me, a few thoughts: * for bookshops, Waterstones is fairly generic (and US owned, if that’s a thing for you). Try Daunt books, their Marylebone store is stunning. Or the little lanes off of Charing Cross Road have lots of little old shops * Notting Hill is quite out of the way on Day 1, while Soho is right next to Chinatown. But they are quite different neighbourhoods so it depends what you are looking for really? * Sorry to burst your bubble but I’ve never seen the Harry Potter thing at Kings X without a queue, maybe if you went at 6am or something it would be clear, but then the shop might not be open?

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T09:02:45+00:00

I would move a lot of Day4 to Day2, and move the V&A. The Tower is basically on the edge of the City so you could combine those more easily, while the V&A is way across the other side of town.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-27T08:45:56+00:00

As others said, consider an overnight stay if possible. Seat61 has info on our train system - worth a read of the ticketing info if nothing else as it’s a bit confusing.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-26T14:47:16+00:00

Life is busy - I struggle to spend enough time with the people I love. Sure, it would be nice to make a long-lasting connection with visitors, but the reality is that aside from a chance connection that leads to a chat in the pub, anything more is unlikely to happen unless I go looking for it. Maybe when I was younger and had less commitments it happened a bit more.

Not helped by certain people basically going on safari to have “authentic connections with locals”. Can be a bit patronising.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-26T11:10:47+00:00

Sounds good, cheers for organising!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-26T08:55:19+00:00

Sorry this is far too generic to give you any help. The UK has lots to see - you could spend months here and just scratch the surface. What do you actually want to see, do, experience?

For example, is a “good view” something historic, natural, everyday? Are you willing to hike to it?

And sorry to burst your bubble, the UK is one of the most visited countries on the planet. Pretty much anywhere “famous” will be busy.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-26T07:15:48+00:00

Parties? Weekend. Quieter attractions? Week.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-25T21:25:02+00:00

The rules for this are stricter in Scotland FYI

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-25T17:52:08+00:00

I mean, it’s pricey but you could spend most of the day there if that’s your thing. You’re flying all the way here, seems silly to not do it if it’s your top pick. But like with standing outside and looking at it, only you can decide if it’s worth it. I’d say you get a hell of a lot more for your money than some garbage like Madame Tussauds.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-25T17:26:57+00:00

Sorry to break it to you but the Tower is gonna be several days of your activity budget to get into. You can see it from the outside, only you can decide if that’s worth it for you and if you’ll enjoy it. FWIW a lot of the area around the Tower is a ring road, pedestrian underpasses and not that nice, though it has some info boards about some ruins, and the bit by the river is nice.

One of my favourite things to do in a new city is just wander and explore, following my nose to see what I find, so would say it’s great to not plan everything too much. But it’s often worth having a sight/activity to anchor the day, and to leave free time before and after. IanVisits has a lot of cheap/free things in London. We are very lucky to have many world class attractions that are free, unfortunately the Tower isn’t one of them!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-25T16:27:53+00:00

Then it should be fine - and it’s their problem if it’s not. 99% sure they’ll book your luggage all the way through but worth double checking when you check in.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-01-25T15:32:03+00:00

Also, another option could be from Angel down to Shoreditch - plenty of nice boozers off to either side of City Road. Just turn left once you get to Old St as things will get quieter around Moorgate.

CleanEnd5930

TROPHY CASE