OT Things to do in London

[ARW]

Forgetting the usual big visitor attractions what have you visited that is worthwhile?

[alan_m]

And if you intend to visit any of the big visitor attractions get your tickets on-line in advance. Cheaper and you avoid many of the queues.

[Jeff Layman]

Although it is a physically very big attraction, it's not one commonly thought of - and that's the Thames Barrier. If you are into engineering on a large scale, and happen to be in London during one of its monthly test closures, it is an amazing sight to see it close and the Thames lose all its water if it's low tide.

[ARW]

No intentions of visiting the big ones this time.

I am looking for something different.

[nothanks]

HMS Belfast is worth a visit, likewise the Globe theatre (do they count as "big"?)

[Peter Parry]

Bazalgette's pumping station at Crossness.

monument to the art of plumbing and design.

Check opening times though.

[Robin]

'gis a clue - eg when? with g/f? with kid(s)? with car/van?

Anyhow, a few random examples:

a. Crossness Pumping Station - but closed until end March

b. tour of St Pancras Station (and afterwards you could enjoy the breathtaking Champagne Bar - or at least the breathtaking prices)

c. pie and mash (and a side of jellied eels) - though mostly off the beaten track. Eg Tony's Pie & Mash shop in Waltham Abbey (made famous by Beckham) is well out of town

There's Goddard's in Greenwich - that's on the tourist trail but in winter not so busy

d. a Brunel and Beer tour - you start at Rotherhithe (perhaps with an opener at the Mayflower) before visiting the Brunel museum; then take the train through his tunnel - the first ever under a river - to Wapping; if time and appetite admits go East to the Prospect of Whitby; then back West along the riverside road to the Town of Ramsgate and then St Katherine's Dock.

[Robin]

sorry I did not ack. you'd already suggested Crossness: I started typing and then posted before seeing this

[Tim+]

If you like big working steam engines (although do check dates/times for steaming).

Same area and also full of wonderful old working machines (in this case, automatic musical machines of all descriptions).

The old museum was a bit of a nightmare electrically, dunno about the new one but the machines run off of a variety of different power supplies. Might interest you.

Tim

[michael adams]

So which word or word in the six word phrase - "Forgetting the usual big visitor attractions" are you having the greatest difficulty with ?

michael adams

...

[Pamela]

On 21:11 29 Jan 2019, ARW [e-mail]> wrote in news:rk34E.262106$ [e-mail]:

Watch a criminal trial from the public gallery at the Old Bailey. These cases are currently being heard:

I haven't been for a while but, unless it has changed, they don't allow bags and provide no lockers.

[James Stewart]

get shot or stabbed by black people?....

[Nick Odell]

Have breakfast at the Pueblito Paisa cafe next to Seven Sisters tube. Then visit the Latin American market behind it. You didn't know there was a Latin quarter in London? You do now.

Nick

[bill.shitner]

J J Fox- London's oldest tobacconist, with an upstairs lounge for chuffing on stogies. Nespresso coffee machine laid on at no cost.

Bill.

[Harry Bloomfield]

ARW formulated the question :

M1 or A1 north, as quickly as possible?

[Brian Gaff]

It depends on what you are interested in really, I'd say. Brian

[The Natural Philosopher]

The road out?

[Davidm]

London Silver Vaults - just off Chancery Lane

Drapers Hall

[Tim Watts]

are different - amphibious vehicle trundles around and then sails down the Thames. But it does drop by the usual places so the novelty is in the transport.

are interesting (Whitehall, central).

Post Office railway:

Free high views at:

https://skygarden.london/ (need to book ticket though, but free) - top of the Walkie-Scortchy.

Also (limited views but quick and free): One New Change - get up on the roof. Next to St Pauls.

Geffrye Museum is supposed to be good - much is closed for development, but the restored Almshouse is open

Random stuff: House is very unusual:

The engine room under Tower Bridge are interesting.

HMS Belfast is a must of you like crawling all over a battleship.

There's a top notch burger joint that's quieter than most, being slightly hidden, in Clink Street (which also contains Clink Prison museum): Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The Golden Hind ship is nearby.

[Robin]

Please note the tours are _not_ amphibious currently.