London trip

[floridaorange]

We have some plans to see stonehenge, Bath, Cotswold, Windsor.

But in London specifically looking hotel & restaurant suggestions - non super touristy things.

We have 6 days.

(our Yellowstone trip is just a week away, pics to follow )

[2000cs]

I’ve stayed in several hotels and inns in London. Really depends on where you want to be located, then choose the accommodations to your liking. I liked the Grosvenor (I think that was it) near Mayfair when I was doing business in that area. Butler, smoking/scotch room, all the old English experience. I may have been the only yank there. I’ve also stayed in rooms in some of the older buildings with the bath down the hall and limited A/C. Very different experience but no less enjoyable in its own way. And I’ve stayed at the Hilton near Hyde Park (I think) and that was like a Hilton anywhere. But each was chosen based on where my days were concentrated, which makes walking, cabs or the hop on hop off bus convenient. Its a major city like NYC or Tokyo so there are many, many choices.

[P1]

I wouldn't get excited about food in London.

[Redd]

Piggy backing on this thread. Are there are any good car-related things to do in the UK (not limited to just London). Somewhere good to rent a car and drive, for example.

[M5Rick]

Hampton Court Palace is worth a visit also if you're in that neck of the woods.

[floridaorange]

Can't thank you enough Soul_Glo super helpful info!

[floridaorange]

What cities accessible by train outside of London are worth going to?

I've never been to London, I have been to Paris and Rome. I see several cities close to 2 hours away by high speed train.

[M_Six]

Oxford is pretty cool. Obviously a big university town.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskHMpwBh

Salisbury has a cool cathedral and some nice downtown shopping. Canterbury is historically significant and also has a cathedral.

[floridaorange]

*Edit, I meant "countries." Or do you think we should stay in England? Don't want to miss the opportunity to visit another neighboring country.

[M_Six]

With only 6 days and the places you've already mentioned you're going to visit, you're not going to have much more time.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

*Edit, I meant "countries." Or do you think we should stay in England?

If you're already across the pond and don't go drive a few laps at the 'ring, it's a wasted trip.....

[Markr]

I would recommend a train ride to Bath from London, it is about 90 minutes out of Paddington by train, and is pretty much all walkable.

There are some decent shops, the Spa itself, some nice architecture and from a food perspective, quite a few nice places. For Indian food we like Bandook and there is also The Ivy for more French influenced food. They also do a great Fish and Chips and for dessert we like their apple tarte with flaming calvados.

It is only about 15 miles from us, so it is our local city to visit (15 minutes for me by train or a 40 minute drive!)

[floridaorange]

Thank you for those recommendations - we will be going to Bath for sure.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

We have some plans to see stonehenge, Bath, Cotswold, Windsor.

But in London specifically looking hotel & restaurant suggestions - non super touristy things.

We have 6 days.

(our Yellowstone trip is just a week away, pics to follow )

Consider visiting their Aviation museum and also Churchill’s hang out,
Chartwell, as I recall. So much to see…

[kscarrol]

If you like Indian food, try Amaya in Knightsbridge. Has a Michelin star, great food…

Imperial War Museum and Churchill’s war rooms are also worth a visit. If you have kids, the London Transport Museum near Covent Gardens and the Science Museum is right around the corner from the Natural History Museum.

[M_Six]

When are you going, btw? We were in London in July 2019 and it was hot. We did *a lot* of walking around London and were surprised when we ducked into some of the museums to cool off that they were not air conditioned.

[kscarrol]

What Mark said, AC in the UK is not as common as it is in the US so if there during warmer months, make sure you hotel has it…

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

What Mark said, AC in the UK is not as common as it is in the US so if there during warmer months, make sure you hotel has it…

We were in Oxford in September on another trip and it was unusually warm. The hotel we stayed at did not have a/c and the fan in the room was noisy as hell. Plus, we must have been near their boiler room or something because our room temp was north of 80F at night. We couldn't wait to move on from that place.

[floridaorange]

November

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

November

I can categorically state that a/c will not be a consideration for you then.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I can categorically state that a/c will not be a consideration for you then.

I was there for the USA Thanksgiving weekend once. Surprising how the gulf stream moderates the temperatures in the UK. Also surprising to see that it gets dark around 3:30 PM because the UK is so far north.....




.

[Hadden14]

Highly, highly, recommend checking out the British Museum while you are there. The amount of history stuffed into one building is mind blowing.

Also, we found the stereotype of English food being bland to be completely off. Even the bar food (although pretty much all the bars have identical menus) was above average.

Enjoy! It is my favorite city I have visited.