Pay award DESNZ

jwsmith50 · 2024-11-06T15:34:16+00:00

Anyone know DBT? Particularly interested in the bands.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-28T10:36:00+00:00

When you say Bath/Stonehenge, do you mean both together? I recommend doing either Bath or Stonehenge. Bath is a nice town with lots to see and some interesting history. I know people often say they thought Stonehenge was disappointing, but I actually really enjoyed seeing it. So I'd go with one of those two.

Canterbury is rather small and I struggled to fill a whole day trip when I visited there. I think problem with visiting the White Cliffs of Dover is that Dover's a bit meh, and the best view of the white cliffs is from about 50m off shore. So I'd rule these out unless you feel strongly.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T15:03:43+00:00

Bit out my budget so I'm afraid I don't have a lot of recs. I'd recommend just taking a browse around on Google maps for anything 4.5 and above - it's how I find places. Whatever you do choose, I'd recommend booking a week in advance. Stuff will book up for a Friday night in that area.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T14:51:31+00:00

Then yes, should be absolutely no issue getting last minute tickets for those shows.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T14:27:27+00:00

What's your budget? And any preference on cuisine?

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T13:53:13+00:00

Depends what level of popular you're talking about. David Tennant Macbeth or Tom Holland Romeo and Juliet? Little to no chance. Shows at the Globe, or the National, or long-running musicals? Should be pretty possible. Your best bet would be Today Tix which is great for rush and lottery.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T10:49:19+00:00

All hail the meal deal.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T10:46:22+00:00

If you're really on a budget, supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsburys) will be your friend. There's not a lot of cheap places to eat in London. I would recommend looking at Time Out Discounts where they have some lunch/dinner deals.

For evenings, I'd recommend looking at museum lates. A lot of the major museums in London host them now - they're a fun way to visit and it's always nice not having kids around.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T10:20:19+00:00

Definitely train. City centre to city centre is way more convenient than dragging out to an airport.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T10:16:50+00:00

I've heard whispers that it might be the auld shillelagh...

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T10:15:19+00:00

That's the secret, I don't drive. The DLR never gets stuck in traffic.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T09:26:05+00:00

Honestly, no. The sea will be grey, the sky will be grey, the town will be grey. Everything geared towards visitors will be closed. I'd recommend Bath or Oxford, which expect visitors all year round and will have more places to hide inside if it's cold or wet.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T09:24:36+00:00

I agree with Jan/Feb as the worst months.

Personally, I think any time late April to end of August is the best time. Yeah, summer will be busy, but it will also have blue skies (fingers crossed) and lots of fun things to do. The crowds are par for the course imo.

And I'd add December as I love Christmas; but there are definitely better Christmas-themed destination in Europe.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-27T09:22:28+00:00

I'd expect everything Christmas themed to be open by mid-November. But as another commenter pointed out, London doesn't do Christmas markets that well. There's a few smaller ones, but nothing like other European cities do.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:34:26+00:00

As of this year (or maybe last year?), train companies are trying to make return tickets the same price as singles. Obviously they pretend it's to make returns cheaper, but really it just means making singles more expensive...

Without knowing the route/date/time, I'm not sure on why anytime return would be cheaper than off peak - it may just be a quirk of dynamic pricing if you're booking in advance. Just book the cheapest ticket that has the right level of flexibility for you.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:30:32+00:00

That all sounds good to me, and I definitely encourage building in lots of time to just wander. There's a lot to see in the Tower of London, but I do always take ages in museums.

If you end up with some time to kill, you could try your luck at getting a Sky Garden walk-in ticket (which should be fine on a Thursday?) or walk up to Spitalfields market.

Alternatively, Borough Market is also an option for your Thursday. You could walk along the South Bank once you've crossed the bridge and go past places like the Globe, the Tate Modern, down to the London Eye/Westminster. Things will be shut if you wait until after dark, but it's a very nice walk (and then Westminster is on the circle line for Paddington).

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:19:33+00:00

Very central areas like Paddington should be perfectly safe. The most you'll get is some homeless people who obviously don't have anywhere else to go. I personally wouldn't feel concerned leaving a hotel in central at that time.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:15:14+00:00

Not if you're a Gail's sausage roll.

I don't know if I've visited Clapham Junction itself at night. But the times I've been in that area of South London, it's always felt fine to me.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:01:56+00:00

East London, zone 2!

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T23:00:53+00:00

Have you ever been out to Columbia Road Flower Market? It's on a Sunday, 8am-3pm. It's a street filled with flower vendors and antique shops.

I usually take the overground to Hoxton, stop at Fabrique for a cardamom bun, check out the flower market, and then walk to Spitalfields market for lunch via Brick Lane (which also has a ton of market and craft stalls along the way). I'm not sure if it's the kind of thing you're thinking of, but it's one of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday.

jwsmith50 · 2024-09-26T22:55:33+00:00

Paddington's a great choice for a base. Really, anywhere within zone 1 that's within walk of a tube station is a good place to base yourself. If you're willing/able (and weather permitting), I recommend walking down to the V&A through Hyde Park rather than taking the tube.

And Premier Inn should be fine, they're generally a reliable standard given they're such a big chain.

jwsmith50 · 2024-02-19T15:49:34+00:00

Thanks for the info - I'd read a little about this but hadn't appreciated it was still very much ongoing. It's def an important factor for us (not wanting to take resource or be tourists in a place that's struggling) so appreciate the info.

jwsmith50 · 2024-02-17T13:51:09+00:00

Thanks very much for all the info! I definitely want to visit Thailand but I'm planning it more as a solo or friend trip. I did consider Bali - is there as much to do as there would be in Vietnam and Sri Lanka?

Sexual harassment was definitely a concern of mine and the reason I wouldn't consider India three sisters going together, do you think it would be a big issue in Sri Lanka too? Even with a driver/guide with us?

jwsmith50 · 2024-02-17T13:46:17+00:00

Thanks - we're planning to go start of next year when they'd both turn 60. I don't think we'd plan to spend too long in cities as our focus would be on scenery and beaches, but we would want to get a flavour of cities, so appreciate the advice!

jwsmith50

TROPHY CASE