Notes about my visit to London Oct-Nov 2023
Overview
Port Southhampton
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
London from East to West and North:
PROTIP: Get a Osyter card for the Tube (subway) and buses. Use it (instead of a VISA card) to get free rides after five rides the same day. Get a refund on the card when you leave.
### East 1. <a target="_blank" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/u25bv8szQBQhhEqq5">MAP</a>: The <strong>Royal Observatory Greenwich</strong> is on a tall hill five miles from central London -- a great panarama photo of the city. For £18
* Take the train to the line to the Greenwhich station to walk to the largest sundial in the world <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Royal+Observatory+Sundial/@51.4778053,-0.0043694,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x48760334958b69c9:0x80dbff3f65214305!8m2!3d51.477802!4d-0.0017945!16s%2Fg%2F11t5t1312c?entry=ttu">MAP</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq-1Zq7gKZB/">Instagram video</a>.
* Walk up the steep hill to the Observatory.
* Outside, stand on the Prime Meridian line (0° longitude) for a photo of your feet pointing to on both sides of the line, and visit the museum.
* In the building, marvel at the
* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/see-do/exhibitions-events/turner-and-the-sea">Turner and the Sea</a> exhibit.
* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186338-d187601-Reviews-Greenwich-London_England.html">TripAdvisor: Greenwich</a>
* Walk down to the Old Royal Naval College for the Greenwich station on the ___ line.
* National Maritime Museum
* FOOD: The Golden Chippy</a> at 62 Greenwich High Road is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d5244301-Reviews-The_Golden_Chippy-London_England.html">top-rated</a> for fish and chips
* <strong>Cutty Sark</strong> is a 19th-century tea clipper ship museum and restaurant. 1. O2 arena 1. NIGHT: ABBA Experience stadium
### London Bridge: 1. Residence Inn by Marriott London Bridge 1. Borough (Farmers) Market 1. FOOD: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqNFwH8gkg8/">Bar Douro</a> Portuguese cuisine near London Bridge 1. Shakespeare's Globe theater
### SoHo West End (Theater District): 1. London Eye (overrated tourist trap) 1. WEST across Westminster bridge for photo
### Whitehall 1. Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) & Parliament of Westminster 1. NORTH to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq-O7TBgKaO/">Instagram video: Sherlock Holmes Pub and apartment upstairs</a>, near Trafalgar Square 1. Trafalgar Square (TUB STOP) 1. NORTH to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckq1g1QgLeE/">Instagram videeo: Chintown</a> red lanturns 1. NORTH to <a target="_blank" href="https://islamicworld.britishmuseum.org/">British Museum</a> (TUB STOP). Its <a target="_blank" href="https://islamicworld.britishmuseum.org/">Albukhary Gallery of the Islamic World</a> is the largest collection of Islamic art in the world.
### Mayfair (Southbound): 1. WEST to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvR3bfFAFJy/">Instagram video: Selfridges</a> off Portnum Street station
- https://thewaroftheworldsimmersive.com
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Instagram: “Little Ben” London by Victoria stations
Knightsbridge:
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Harrod’s
South
- Buckingham Palace
Heathrow airport
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PROTIP: Book a Fastrack through Security through your airline. It’s £12.50, but worth it to avoid the long lines.
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PROTIP: Exchange your money at a Post Office, which doesn’t charge transaction fees.
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PROTIP: Find out what Terminal you are flying out of. A different terminal for a different city on the same airline. There are four terminals, and they are not connected. You can take a free bus between terminals, but that takes 20 minutes.
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Book ahead for the Heathrow Express from London (£5.50 instead of 25).
- OpenTable.com Afternoon Teas in London:British Museum, Claridges, Harrods, The Ritz
blackberrycars.com
- https://www.londonpass.com/london-attractions/tea-and-tattle.html