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Mimglow
Canada
1354 Posts |
 Posted - 03/06/2004 : 13:30:03
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Hello all!
Monday morning I leave for London. While in London I'll see Tottenham-Newcastle.
Any travellers to London offering tips for the rookie Londoner would be most appreciated!  |
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canadiankick97
Sheffield
United Kingdom
1141 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 14:31:27
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| I've been to London four times. I went looking for Highbury and I couldn't find it. |
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Vancouver Fan
Burnaby
Canada
1335 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 14:42:42
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For food of the ethnic variety checkout the many choices in the Bayswater area.There is something for everyone.It is pretty hip but not too trendy.One of the best fish and chips places is Sea Shell near Regents Park.
For entertainment of the non football variety find out what is playing at the Royal Albert Hall.Even if it doesn't meet your taste it is a beautiful venue just to be in.
You must also visit St.Pauls Cathedral,Tower of London,Tower Bridge,Covent Gardens,Trafalgar Square,and Picadilly Circus especially at night.You'd think it was New Years eve every night.The Natural History Museum is definitely worth the 6 pounds.Have your picture taken with Pele,Beckham,or Cantona at Madame Tussauds.
If you're going with your wife or girlfriend take a relaxing walk through the gardens at Kensington Palace.St.James Park offers a similar experience.
Then there are the pubs.You really can't go wrong with any of them.
Have fun.I hope you have at least a week. |
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Mimglow
Ottawa
Canada
1354 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 15:03:34
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| I'm going for a week and it turns out my hotel is in the Kensington-Bayswater area! Yay for me! |
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Vancouver Fan
Burnaby
Canada
1335 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 19:33:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Mimglow
I'm going for a week and it turns out my hotel is in the Kensington-Bayswater area! Yay for me!
I stayed at the Bayswater Inn last time I went.I was quite excited as we walked through the neighbourhood and then saw the hotel just before our check in.All the hotels in this area looked really nice.The exterior and lobby of our hotel lead me to believe that we had got a really good deal.Well as it turned out our room was quite the opposite of what I had thought.They put us in the basement in a dark dingy room that stunk of cigarettes and was a death trap if there was ever a fire.The occupant in the room next to ours smoked and hacked all night long.When I complained and asked for a different room the unhelpful staff told us there were no other rooms available.
Seeing Arsenal v Panathinaikos at Wembley and Everton v Wimbledon at Selhurst Park made up for the bad hotel experience. |
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matthew
Moose Jaw
Canada
1787 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 21:28:28
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Give yourself at least two hours to get to White Heart Lane. It took me forever on the train and I gave myself lots of time to soak up the atmosphere. I went to a night game and there was no wasting time getting back. They had two trains waiting to take people out of North London and I got the feeling had I not been on one of those two trains I would have been calling for a cab. I walked straight from the ground to the train and I didn't even make the first one. There's not a bad seat in the house at WHL however. Great stadium. I wouldn't even bother going to the club shop before a match, the line to get in the place was 30 deep.
If you like Japanese food and chic design, wagamama is really good eating, very hip and reasonably priced (by London standards). Get a Time Out. Very handy.
Lillywhites in Picadilly Circus (it's opposite the McDonalds and the big neon signs) had some really, really nice deals on soccer stuff. I got my brother a Newscastle third jersey dirt cheap. Also Soccer Scene on Carnaby Street (home of the swinging fashion district of the 60s I'm told) was the best soccer shop I've ever been to. If you're looking for something weird, they might have it. Little pricier though. Staff was very helpful (even if the one guy was eager to talk my ear off about NFL football).
On top of Vancouver Fan's excellent suggestions; I really liked the Tate Modern. It's an amazing modern art museum if you're into that sort of thing. Also Shakespeare's Globe is really impressive. I don't think they're in season yet. But check to be sure, if they are you can be a groundling for five pounds. The tour by itself is pretty cool, it's just a beautiful building (not the original, but a re-creation made entirely of wood) and it's open air, so bring an umbrella if you're going to see a show.
Picadilly at night is great. Soho at night (a mere couple of blocks away) not so great.
Have fun.
cheers,
matthew |
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Blue and White Army
Vancouver
Canada
2619 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2004 : 22:13:52
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quote:
Originally posted by matthew
Soho at night (a mere couple of blocks away) not so great.
Bit of a ghetto, then? |
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canadiankick97
Sheffield
United Kingdom
1141 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2004 : 10:16:12
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| Soho has always been known for gang-fighting and other things of that sort. |
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Blue and White Army
Vancouver
Canada
2619 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2004 : 11:29:23
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quote:
Originally posted by canadiankick97
Soho has always been known for gang-fighting and other things of that sort.
Sounds safer than a Millwall match!  |
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matthew
Moose Jaw
Canada
1787 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2004 : 16:39:43
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quote:
Bit of a ghetto, then?
In addition to the table dancing clubs (a must to avoid I read) and sex shops I was aggressive propositioned by a pimp (all of the craziness happened after you left G-L) who didn't believe I didn't want to pay him to get laid. I was just looking for a nice dance club to get drunk in. It was only a few dodgy blocks really.
I hear South London is the part of London to avoid, but I was basically north of the Themes the whole time, so I can't really say. Felt safe the whole time too actually.
cheers,
matthew |
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sstackho
Toronto
Canada
2399 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2004 : 18:33:48
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"Oh South London is wonderful!
Oh South London is wonderfullll...
It's full of tits, fanny and Palace...
Oh South London is wonderful!"
Good advice all around here, but I'm of the impression it's very safe everywhere. There are some small seedy red-light areas in central London, but I don't even think that's too unsafe. Oh, but a friend has a funny story of stepping into a strip club, then deciding to leave and not being allowed to leave until he paid the admission charge of something like 100 pounds. Not recommended!
Can I recommend that you eat at least one battered sausage. May sound gross, but it really quite lovely.
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matthew
Moose Jaw
Canada
1787 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2004 : 20:01:39
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quote:
Originally posted by sstackho
I'm of the impression it's very safe everywhere. There are some small seedy red-light areas in central London, but I don't even think that's too unsafe. Oh, but a friend has a funny story of stepping into a strip club, then deciding to leave and not being allowed to leave until he paid the admission charge of something like 100 pounds. Not recommended!
Yeah that's exactly what the part of Soho I was in was like. There were decent clubs, Picadilly Circus, Gwenyth Paltrow and some big deal movie opening (I didn't see her, but you could tell something was going on) and a red light district all within a few blocks.
I didn't feel in danger, there were just some shady characters around the red light district (duh). I felt like everyone on the street is trying to swindle you. Girls yelling at you to come talk to them, the aforementioned pimp, guys passing out flyers for escorts, that sort of thing. That 100 pound story sounds about right. It was an interesting 10 minute walk anyway.
Have fun Mimglow!
cheers,
matthew |
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Mimglow
Ottawa
Canada
1354 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2004 : 14:28:18
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| Thanks for the advice everyone, we had a great time! |
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bubbles
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2004 : 00:39:36
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quote:
Originally posted by canadiankick97
I've been to London four times. I went looking for Highbury and I couldn't find it.
You couldnt find ARSENAL on a tube map ? Its the only team with a station named after it. Only Spurs is bit inaccessible by tube, the rest are within short walks of stations. |
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canadiankick97
Sheffield
United Kingdom
1141 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2004 : 17:10:38
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No, I got off at Arsenal on the Piccadilly line. The exit to Highbury Stadium was closed so I tried to walk around but couldn't find it. I actually saw it from a train to Edinburgh as we were making our way out of King's Cross.
It's really southeast London to worry about. On the East London line tube is what I found to be the worst area. There's a station on there called Canada Water too, but I don't know what that's about. London's safe though... I wouldn't worry about walking through those areas during the day for instance.
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bubbles
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 00:11:20
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You were very close then, if you exit Arsenal Station via that long tunnel (which apparently you couldnt), walk past the newspaper vendor and across the road, there's the entrance to the old 'North Bank', maybe 50 metres from the tube exit if memory serves me correctly.
The further along the District or Hammersmith Lines to the east you go the worse it gets, yes definately... Personally thou, I dont fear much in London , most violent crime is gang related no matter where you are in the city, but as the signs warn, watch for pickpockets everywhere.
quote:
Originally posted by canadiankick97
No, I got off at Arsenal on the Piccadilly line. The exit to Highbury Stadium was closed so I tried to walk around but couldn't find it. I actually saw it from a train to Edinburgh as we were making our way out of King's Cross.
It's really southeast London to worry about. On the East London line tube is what I found to be the worst area. There's a station on there called Canada Water too, but I don't know what that's about. London's safe though... I wouldn't worry about walking through those areas during the day for instance.
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amacpher
NYC
USA
3480 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 11:38:50
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quote:
Originally posted by canadiankick97
No, I got off at Arsenal on the Piccadilly line. The exit to Highbury Stadium was closed so I tried to walk around but couldn't find it. I actually saw it from a train to Edinburgh as we were making our way out of King's Cross.
Unless you had a ticket already in your hand, how were you planning on getting in anyway? They must have like a 5-year wait for tickets! Well, unless you wanna pay like $200 to a scalper! |
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Gordon
Saskatoon
Canada
2547 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 12:02:08
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quote:
Originally posted by amacpher
Unless you had a ticket already in your hand, how were you planning on getting in anyway? They must have like a 5-year wait for tickets! Well, unless you wanna pay like $200 to a scalper!
If the Highbury exit was closed, there wasn't a game on to attend. Shame though about the waiting list. In 1978 you could walk up and get decent tickets in either stand. This was true of pretty much every team in London. If Arsenal were away, me and some buddies would just decide which of the London games were most desireable and go to the stadium. Always got in. |
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amacpher
NYC
USA
3480 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 12:09:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Gordon
If the Highbury exit was closed, there wasn't a game on to attend. Shame though about the waiting list. In 1978 you could walk up and get decent tickets in either stand. This was true of pretty much every team in London. If Arsenal were away, me and some buddies would just decide which of the London games were most desireable and go to the stadium. Always got in.
Well, now you can decide which of the Nationwide London games is most desirable and go to the stadium.  Not quite the same though. But once Ashburton Grove opens up things will be a little better! |
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bubbles
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2004 : 00:38:33
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Ive been to Arsenal Stadium on non game night, used the Highbury exit and there was no game on but there were few players coming and going. I just used the same exit all the locals used on their way home from work, after all it is surrounded by houses at every angle. The club shop is open every day in normal business hours and they probably do tours (Ive been on a couple stadium tours in london thou not Arsenal, hopped the fence at Stamford Bridge and made my own tour there, even mooned the shed) As for tickets, theres always a way if your willing.... In 1978 how many could you squeeze into the north bank (complete with the 'fresh' scent of stale beer , newsprint and urine) compared to now ?
quote:
Originally posted by Gordon
quote:
Originally posted by amacpher
Unless you had a ticket already in your hand, how were you planning on getting in anyway? They must have like a 5-year wait for tickets! Well, unless you wanna pay like $200 to a scalper!
If the Highbury exit was closed, there wasn't a game on to attend. Shame though about the waiting list. In 1978 you could walk up and get decent tickets in either stand. This was true of pretty much every team in London. If Arsenal were away, me and some buddies would just decide which of the London games were most desireable and go to the stadium. Always got in.
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Gordon
Saskatoon
Canada
2547 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2004 : 08:58:48
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quote:
Originally posted by bubbles
Ive been to Arsenal Stadium on non game night, used the Highbury exit and there was no game on but there were few players coming and going. I just used the same exit all the locals used on their way home from work, after all it is surrounded by houses at every angle. The club shop is open every day in normal business hours and they probably do tours (Ive been on a couple stadium tours in london thou not Arsenal, hopped the fence at Stamford Bridge and made my own tour there, even mooned the shed) As for tickets, theres always a way if your willing.... In 1978 how many could you squeeze into the north bank (complete with the 'fresh' scent of stale beer , newsprint and urine) compared to now ?
Afraid I can't remember numbers. There were of course, terraces behind both goals. It looked to me like you could get 3-4000 in each terrace. IIRC, one terrace was designated for away supporters. Terrace seats were 50p, sidelines were 1.00 and 1.50 (don't know how to make the pound sterling sign). There may have been more pricey seats not available to the walkup crowd, but 1.50 bought a lower 'bowl (sorry, using arena jargon here) somewhere between the 18yard box and half. We always ended up in the terraces at stadiums other than Highbury but never had the experience at Highbury, although Highbury's terrace subculture was quite mild compared to say, Chelsea. |
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bubbles
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2004 : 15:54:49
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I remember when they made the stadia all seater shortly after the taylor report, a photo of the new stand being built during the season (Clock end or north bank, I dont recall which ) They had erected a giant facia to hide the construction and had painted spectators onto it as if it were being used (the right trick photography during a match would have led you to believe there were actually fans in those seats) The joke at the time of course being they were louder than the average finsbury court boys....
I never saw the chelsea 'shed' during its hey day but I have witnessed a few incidents in the old 'chicken run' a few miles to the east... |
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Topic |
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Going to London
