I'm off to London

Don't try and do a whole museum/gallery in a day - just pick a small bit - you'll enjoy it much more.

Thanks for the good advice thus far. A couple more questions:

Who carries boxcloth braces in London? I imagine that T&A might. Any other suspects?

What might a 41-year-old and his 38-year-old brother consider doing once the sun sets? Obviously, we're not as young as we used to be, and still might be recovering from our Hadrian's Wall hike. But it would still be nice to do something out of the ordinary. My brother might have some suggestions. He's been to London before while on tour with his band (he's one-half of the Stars of the Lid duo).

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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What might a 41-year-old and his 38-year-old brother consider doing once the sun sets? Obviously, we're not as young as we used to be, and still might be recovering from our Hadrian's Wall hike. But it would still be nice to do something out of the ordinary. My brother might have some suggestions. He's been to London before while on tour with his band (he's one-half of the Stars of the Lid duo).

It's not particularly creative advice, but I like nothing more than having a good meal and finding a local pub for a couple pints. In the past few years, London's become a much better restaurant town, so a good meal is easy enough to find. And while I've heard people complain that there are no good pubs in London, overall I find the atmosphere better and the beers tastier than in bars back home, particularly in pubs in some of the less central neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by cwh812

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Go to a Spurs match!! COYS!!
that's the good stuff. I definitely plan on taking in some good EPL soccer if I ever go to England.

Originally Posted by zbromer

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It's not particularly creative advice, but I like nothing more than having a good meal and finding a local pub for a couple pints. In the past few years, London's become a much better restaurant town, so a good meal is easy enough to find. And while I've heard people complain that there are no good pubs in London, overall I find the atmosphere better and the beers tastier than in bars back home, particularly in pubs in some of the less central neighborhoods.

Good idea, but we may be "pubbed out" by then. We'll be stopping in about every pub we can find either on or near Hadrian's Wall Path, drinking our way across England. In fact, our last stop on the trail is at the King's Arms in Bowness-on-Solway.

Check out the bar at the Mandarin Oriental (preferably on a Thursday or Friday night)

If you can spare 2 hrs and 45 minutes, get:
- the train from Euston to Northampton (1 hour)
- taxi to John Lobb (5 minutes)
- 40 minutes at Lobbs to try on and buy shoes at approx £240 per pair. Rejects but you really can't tell the difference.
- taxi back to railway station (5 minutes)
- train to London (1 hour)

If you leave Euston at 08:00 you can be back by 10:45 and ready to head to Jermyn Street. If you're into tweeds, try Cordings on Piccadilly first, then cross the street to Jermyn Street. Check out the Beretta shop on St. James, across from Swain Adney Brigg. Then a quick hop back across Piccadilly, up Old Bond Street for lunch at Cecconis on Burlington Gardens
http://www.cecconis.co.uk/restaurants.php?r=CEC#1***1

Just saw you prefer vegetarian. Can't comment on the V options at Cecconis.

Don't know if you have a hotel sorted. If you prefer smaller boutique style hotels stay at the Covent Garden Hotel. http://www.firmdale.com/index.php?page_id=9

Really nice shops around this area also.

For the wife; a pair of Christian Louboutains: approx £300-£450 per pair. But think of what you'll have saved on the Lobbs:
Christian Louboutin
23 Motcomb St
London, SW1X 8LB, United Kingdom
0207 2456510

5 minutes walk from Knightsbridge Tube station. Go here on your way to the Mandarin Oriental!
They have another store at 17 Mount St, London, Greater London, W1K 2RJ, 020 7491 0033 which is near Bond Street.

Or if you're not keen on spending that much, some ladies shirts from T.M. Lewin (Jermyn Street, or a bag from Mulberry (New Bond Street).

For your daughter: What is she into? My daugher is 12, so I always check with her before buying. God forbid that you would buy something totally uncool.

Sorry for the non-stop shopping, but you can sleep when you're on the plane.

Enjoy. PM me if you want any more suggestions

A

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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Good idea, but we may be "pubbed out" by then. We'll be stopping in about every pub we can find either on or near Hadrian's Wall Path, drinking our way across England. In fact, our last stop on the trail is at the King's Arms in Bowness-on-Solway.

The pubs are better in the country than in the city anyway. It's fun going to those small English towns where there's only a church and a pub. On our drive back from Northampton to London last year, we stumbled upon a pub with a Confederate flag flying out front. We stopped inside, and the proprietors told us they had recently had a country-Western themed wedding and never took down the decoration.

I don't see any mention about going for a quick pint!!

You have to go to Winston Churchill/War Rooms museum. Also the imperial war museum is pretty nice, although a bit off the beaten path. Tate Modern and National Gallery are definitely top choices, and each one shouldn't take more than 3 hours? Same for the British Museum, perhaps a bit more time there. My approach to museums in London has always been to do about half, re-energize with tea and scones or some wine, and finish it up.

Originally Posted by Britexpat

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I don't see any mention about going for a quick pint!!

well duh!

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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What might a 41-year-old and his 38-year-old brother consider doing once the sun sets? Obviously, we're not as young as we used to be, and still might be recovering from our Hadrian's Wall hike. But it would still be nice to do something out of the ordinary. My brother might have some suggestions. He's been to London before while on tour with his band (he's one-half of the Stars of the Lid duo).

That's an easy one. You're spoilt for choice. If you're interested in the theatre, try hitting the London tourist office on Regent Street. They have steeply discounted tickets, usually half price, for same-day performances. During the week, you can occaisonally get excellent seats for some of the top shows.

For something a bit more louche, go to the Chelsea Ram for drinks, and possibly dinner, as the food is both reasonably edible and reasonably priced. Then go round the corner to the 606 Club for one of the most interesting jazz venues in London. While I'm not sure, you might have to buy food there in order to drink. I think the food is better at the Chelsea Ram, though.

For something to do at night you could try Ronnie Scotts jazz club, yeah I am sure people will tell you it's too commercial now and all that sort of crap, but its still a really fun night out if you are even slightly into Jazz.
The drinks are pretty expensive, and if you think about the entrance fee as a restraunt cover then its pretty expensive too, but if you think of it as entry to a concert its pretty cheap. I have never eaten there, the food looks alright and they serve till 1 or so, the cocktails are terrific although they make your wallet hurt.
http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/


Also go to Fortnum & Masons, and Liberty, the most fun of the department stores, ok Liberty does not have much you would probably want to buy in it any more, but it's pretty cool inside and Fortnums is great.

Instead of Trufitt or Trumpers for a shave, I would recommend Taylor of Old Bond Street. I prefer their shaving products (esp. the Eton College scent), too. They are located on Jermyn St.

http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/

Chunnel to Paris, then back.


- B

The hike along Hadrian's wall sounds incredible, VG. I hadn't considered it, but maybe I will now. Hope you take many pics, and make sure to pick out a good umbrella (i.e., whangee).