What to do in London?

[SLO-BOB]

I'm taking my daughter to see a concert (Kings of Leon) in London in July as a high school graduation gift. We're seeing KOL at the Apollo Hammersmith. Other than that, I have no idea what to do. We'll spend about a week there. She's a huge music fan- Sex Pistols, The Clash, etc. so I'de like to do something involving the music scene. I'm trying to avoid the usual tourista type stuff, but still take in some U.K. culture. Recommendations?

[Dottore]

Buy a Time-Out guide to London where you live - or from Amazon. Best guide to London IMHO - and very good on the music scene, which is of course incredible in London.

[dbrisson]

Covenant Gardden is the club pub area, very good nightlife.

[scottmandue]

I hear they have some nice castles if you and your daughter are into that sort of thing (there is one with my family name on it).

I want to go the UK and do a beer tour (seriously)... and see my castle.

[Halm]

If nothing else, do the Tower of London tour. It had to be one of the most enjoyable 1/2 days in London we had prior to going to Goodwood.

[Flatbutt1]

+1 on Covent Garden, street actors,music, all kinds of characters, quite safe too,traditional Bobbis everywnhere.

Windsor Castle rocks big time! You can get a nice lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Trafalgar Square.

She can do some serious shopping in Petticoat Lane, its a huge outdoor market. And take her to see the cute, teenage guard at the Royal Stables. I think they put the poor kid out there just for the teeny boppers.

[K. Roman]

Your daughter sounds very cool. Take her to the record shop called Rough Trade. Cool punk/rock record shop out there.
http://www.roughtrade.com/site/
Also a must is 430 King's Road, in Chelsea London which is were the original SEX shop was located. Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren started that shop and that is were the Pistols started. It is a very fashionable area, and there are prolly some punk kids still around out there.

Have Fun!

[Flatbutt1]

I just remembered Piccadilly Circus at night. She'll see and hear students from all over Europe there just hanging out and talking.

[widgeon13]

+1 to all of the above. London is a great city for any age, enjoy your trip.

[rouxroux]

Greenwich Park, the observatory, Cutty Sark..(plus a great view)!

[K. Roman]

Another good thing to do is to take her to Selfridges. It's got to be the best Dept. Store I've ever been to. They have clothes she would definitely like and also have vintage audio!!!

[MFAFF]

Slo,

Second the 480 Kings Road trip...also try Picasso's Cafe on the Kings Road...a real period hang out... food is good too...its one of my breakfast places as my office is just down the road.

Vienne Westwood's workshop is just over the river in Battersea, just off Hester Road...she's there most days..a surprising place.

For fashion then Oxford Street is a trip as is Carnaby Street...a bit of a theme park now...but interesting none the less.

Certainly going to the Apollo is a history trip in itself....if she really is into music then a trip to the Abbey Road studios, on Abbey Road is essential, as is a photo on the zebra crossing.

Depending on how brave you are, not your daughter, then Soho by night is an experience.....as is a trip to parts of Hoxton, City Road etc as the new 'hip, trendy and very now London....its gradually moving east.

If its culture you want...try the Tower of London, the Tate Modern, and other museums and galleries. A trip on the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel of an evening reveals the City at its best, followed by a stroll along the south bank.

But most of all enjoy a city where you can walk and not get done for jay walking...muggings are done with manners and you will be robbed at the cash desk in the stores...

[Steve PH]

A couple of slightly left field suggestions...

If your daughters into the fashions that go with punk and rock etc, then the Camden markets are definitely worth a look around.

http://www.camdenlock.net/camdenmap/map.html

And the small music stores that line Denmark St (nick named Tin Pan Alley) are well worth checking out.

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-0.12902&GridN=51.51555&lon=-0.12902&lat=51.51555&place=Denmark%20Street%2C%20LONDON%2C%20WC2&db=GB&scale=5000&search_result=Denmark%20Street%2C%20LONDON%2C%20WC 2&lang=&db=GB&keepicon=true

[SLO-BOB]

Gentlemen, THANK YOU so much for the EXCELLENT insights!

My wife chides me because a car forum has become my "ready reference" for practically any topic. However, she agrees-you guys are always spot on.

Another London question- How best to get around? I wouldn't mind renting a car (a vintage mini if possible ) but I don't want to get hung up in traffic all the time if a better alternative is available.

[Joeaksa]

Last time I was in London got together with Mfaff, and he works in Kensington, a very nice part of the city. Love just walking around the town.

Joe

[Flatbutt1]

Slo, don't bother driving in the city limits, it has world class traffic!! The red open top double deckers offer all day passes that are really worth the money. You can get on off as many times as you want at any point along their extensive route.

Any experience driving on the left with reversed controls? Its wierd bro.

[K. Roman]

Also the cab experience is pretty amazing...these guys know every road. It's unbelievable. Rent a car when you go to Windsor to see how the royals live. Cute little town too.

[widgeon13]

don't rent a car, take the tube. It's a great experience, easiest way to get around and very inexpensive.

Harrod's is a fun time to go shopping, you can find almost anything that's legal, the food area always amazed me.

[MFAFF]

Slo,

Public transport is the best solution... the Tube or bus and cabs as needed..

Driving is easy...parking a real pain...

Get yourself an Oyster card...one each and a few pounds on it and you get much cheaper public transport...the three pounds it costs to buy are saved in a day or so.. the Tube fare is £2 rather than £3 per trip and it maxes out a £5.00 per day or so.. it makes sense.

Camden is 'interesting' but the days of really radical clothes etc is passe... its still a fun place...I live about 2mins walk from Camden Lock... avoid the place at night... try the week end during the day...

[SLO-BOB]

Just wanted to thank you all again for the tips. We had a FANTASTIC time in London and Paris. We pretty much covered all of your suggestions.

Kings of Leon concert at the Apollo Hammersmith. What it lacked in viewing was made up for in acoustics. First concert I didn't need earplugs.



One of our many "Tube" adventures.



A view from the "Eye".



London was cool, but Paris was amazing.