If you coming to visit London to see Queen + Adam Lambert next week, @Lambretty has put together a great guide with tip/info/places to visit. Please enjoy!


SOME THINGS THAT MIGHT BE OF USE DURING YOUR STAY IN LONDON
 
First, for those staying in Hammersmith area:
HOW NOT TO GET ON THE WRONG TUBE (UNDERGROUND) TRAIN FROM HAMMERSMITH TO CENTRAL LONDON:
 
From Hammersmith, if you’re going into London, eg Westminster, you can get on any District Line (green on tube map) train that is ‘Eastbound’.
 
When you’re going back to Hammersmith on the District Line, take a ‘westbound’ train and make sure it’s NOT Circle line (yellow). Also make sure it terminates at Ealing Broadway or Richmond , NOT at Wimbledon or Olympia
 
If you’re near a Piccadilly line (dark blue) tube station ALL Westbound Piccadilly line trains go to Hammersmith no matter what they say as their final destination.
Depending on where they are staying in Hammersmith you might be nearer Barons Court station – to which all the above advice applies as it is also on both lines (but small and very crowded up till 9 or so in the morning)
 
Tubes are fine on Sundays in the centre, less frequent than in week but still good.  Only when you get outside Zone 3 or 4 would you see much difference and they are less crowded – however you should find the Piccadilly line more reliable; taxi will not be cheaper – probably about £25 from central London to Hammersmith at weekend, less during week.
 
Tube map: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf
 
 
THINGS TO DO
 
Other than all the obvious tourist sights  that everyone knows about (on a sunny day, don’t miss the Houses of Parliament from the opposite bank of the river), here are a few suggestions:
 
PARKS
There are lots of beautiful parks to go to (St James’ and Kensington Gardens are favourites),  but check access because parts *may* be closed off for the Olympics, meaning you’ll have to use different entrances.
Information here:
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/london-2012/the-2012-games-at-st-jamess-park-and-green-park/public-access-to-st-jamess-park-and-green-park-this-summer
 
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/london-2012/2012-olympic-and-paralympic-events-in-the-royal-parks
Click on links within site for specific park information.
 
If the weather is ok and you want a bit of a break from the centre then a walk on Hampstead Heath and look across City then maybe the Flask pub or a café in Hampstead and a walk round the streets off the Heath (lovely big old mansions)
 
 
COVENT GARDEN
 
Just soak up the wonderful atmosphere, pavement cafes, street entertainers etc
 
The following site details a nice walk taking it all in, and is excellent for other London walks:
http://www.londonwalks.libsyn.com/
 
RIVER THAMES
 
A walk by the Thames is a must, for people watching, nice cafes and restaurants and interesting small shops and galleries.
 
One of the nicest stretches in central London is along the South Bank. This site gives a good explanation but London Eye is marked in the wrong place (not  a problem since you can’t miss it!) : http://www.timeout.com/london/gallery/272/south-bank-walk
 
In general, anywhere from Tower Bridge to Westminster Bridge along the south side of the river is a delight on a nice day. Keep your eyes open, there is so much to see!
 
The walks across the river on the Hungerford and Millenium (pedestrian) bridges give you great views of different bits of London  but Westminster bridge and river bank probably the first option (you could cross on Westminster and walk back on Hungerford or better still the other way round – Hungerford bridge crosses near Embankment station.
 
In fact there are two “Hungerford” bridges ( they might actually be called jubilee bridges and are either side of a Railway bridge which is the Hungerford bridge) the views from both are lovely so you could cross on one and come back on the other – although they are very near each other the railway bridge hides the view to the east or west depending on which you are on.
 
If you’re short of time or energy  you can get a boat from Westminster pier to go east and see that whole stretch too – that could take you to Greenwich where the maritime museum is wonderful; usually the boat people tell you a fair bit about what you see
 
If you want a calmer stretch of river then the river between Kew Bridge (south side) and Ham House is lovely and pretty well unchanged since Tudor times; Ham house itself is a lovely house and it takes about 20 minutes to walk there from Richmond – longer from Kew but then you walk with Kew Gardens to your left and Syon House across the bank.
 
 
Other walks round London
http://www.londonwalks.libsyn.com/
 
 
MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
 
There are obviously loads of museums and art galleries, nearly all of them are free. 
 
One thing which is fab, also free,  but more of a trek and not well known is the Geffrye museum out east on the Kingsland road (tube – Old Street (exit 2), then bus 243 or 15 minute walk); it was a row of almshouses and now you walk down what would have been the front of the whole row and as you walk to your left is a series of rooms – each as it would have been in a different century. Closed on Mondays. Also has a nice café http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/ 
 
 
LONDON MARKETS
 
If you like markets then Borough market on a Thursday or Friday is fun (but it is mostly food so not really for souvenirs, more for atmosphere).
Otherwise, check links down side here http://www.londonmarkets.co.uk/ for all London markets.
 
FURTHER OUT
 
If you want to go a bit further out and for the trip to be worthwhile then Hampton Court remains one of the most amazing  places to spend a long half day.
 
EATING
 
Eating out is not cheap in London, unless you opt for the usual chain food places. But you’ll find a huge variety obviously. 
 
If you want a treat meal then try to get a lunch time table at the Portrait restaurant on 4th floor of National Portrait Gallery – lovely food and views (about £30 a head for 3 courses so not outrageous and worth it for food never mind views but you’ll need to book)
 
 
 
 
 

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