London Must Sees (circa 2012)

[decodelighted]

I have a trip coming up and thought I'd ask if anyone has any recent ABSOLUTELY MUST DO THAT suggestions for someone who hasn't been in about a decade. Really won't have too much time to tour, as I'm primarily working - but I will have one weekend w/some time available.

On my wish list so far:

* seeing the play "Constellations" if I can confirm the ticket I tried to buy
* Columbia Road (either the Winter Market on Wed night or Flower Market on Sunday am)
* Portobello Road on Saturday am early
* Tate Modern + riverboat to other Tate?
* Department store Xmas window shopping
* general hop on/hop off bus tour right when I get there

(I've previously done the Royal stuff & London Eye & Tower of London)

THANKS FOR ANY RECOMMENDATIONS!!!!!!

 

[JuneRose]

I live in London and I really like what you've got on your list so far -Columbia Road Flower Market is really lovely and there are loads of nice cafes around there too. I would recommend Portobello road on a Thursday (or Friday) though -the weekends are just crazy busy and there aren't as many real stalls- it's more geared towards tourists at the weekend.

Have you been to Liberty? It's so much fun to walk around and is full of beautiful things. From Liberty you could cross Regents Street and walk down Bond Street & old Bond Street and window shop some AMAZING jewellery. I would walk all the way down Old Bond Street until you get to the Burlington Arcade Lots of amazing window displays full of OECs and vintage Cartier/Tiffany etc

 

[rosetta]

I love Burlington Arcade. I really enjoyed going to the Hollywood costume collections at the V&A museum. Tons of costumes from the movies, like charlie chaplin''s suit from the little tramp and marilyn monroe's famous floaty dress.

Even if you don't pay to see the exhibit (tickets are timed and booked in advance, it's really popular) go and see the jewels at the V&A for free. I love the Londonderry collection, there's an emerald parure to die for and wonderful pieces by houses like Cartier. Plus you can stay there for hours without being shooed along

 

[JewelFreak]

Oh, definitely Bond St., New & Old, and Burlington Arcade. The jewelry will have you floating along 5' off the ground. V&A is worth as much time as you can give it. Re department stores, Harrods is always fun. If you're interested in antique silver, the Silver Vaults are as good for that as Burl. Arcade is for jewelry. If you like books, Foyle's is a wonderland.

--- Laurie

 

[Circe]

Alfie's Antique Market and Grey's Antique Market: the Angel Islington street market is eh, but there's the most amazing Art Nouveau jewelry store right there.

 

[Rhea]

We just went to the flower market today and loved it! I haven't been for nearly a year and had forgotten how wonderful it is. It's very crowded so I'd get there first thing.

I'm a big fan of Portobello Road market as well. They have some great vintage clothing dealers and fabrics.

Other things - V&A museum which has a great British ballgowns collection right now (cost £10), but also has a large fashion collection in their free section.
The river boat, the Thames Clipper, not the tourist one. Mom and I went on it in the summer and it was great! It might be a bit cold now, but the river is a great way to see some of London's pretty buildings. We got on at Embankment and went East past the Parliament, St. Paul's, the Tower of London, Carney Wharf, Greenwich, and ended at the Emirates air line where we crossed the river. Both the river boat and the emirates line give great views of London.
Borough Market - the food market near London Bridge. It's packed with great goodies this time of year!

 

[Rhea]

Alfie's Antique Market and Grey's Antique Market: the Angel Islington street market is eh, but there's the most amazing Art Nouveau jewelry store right there.

Oh! I know the place, it was like being in heaven! There's also a place right near there with the most amazing suffragette jewelery.

 

[Rhea]

I live in London and I really like what you've got on your list so far -Columbia Road Flower Market is really lovely and there are loads of nice cafes around there too.

June, can you recommend cafes around Columbia Road? We were looking for a brunch place this morning and miserably failed. I'd like to know that area better!

 

[JuneRose]

I live in London and I really like what you've got on your list so far -Columbia Road Flower Market is really lovely and there are loads of nice cafes around there too.

June, can you recommend cafes around Columbia Road? We were looking for a brunch place this morning and miserably failed. I'd like to know that area better!

Lily Vanilli is really nice! There's also a restaurant called Laxeiro I like.

 

[decodelighted]

You guys are the BEST!!!!! I know it's short notice but Is anyone up for a mini-PS meet up, uh, next weekend sometime? I'm might get lonely!

 

[Maisie]

I live in London and I really like what you've got on your list so far -Columbia Road Flower Market is really lovely and there are loads of nice cafes around there too. I would recommend Portobello road on a Thursday (or Friday) though -the weekends are just crazy busy and there aren't as many real stalls- it's more geared towards tourists at the weekend.

Have you been to Liberty? It's so much fun to walk around and is full of beautiful things. From Liberty you could cross Regents Street and walk down Bond Street & old Bond Street and window shop some AMAZING jewellery. I would walk all the way down Old Bond Street until you get to the Burlington Arcade Lots of amazing window displays full of OECs and vintage Cartier/Tiffany etc

I didn't know you live in London! I'm just up the road near Bedford

 

[JewelFreak]

Oh, Maisie, I LOVE Bedford! What a lovely place. Don't want to threadjack, but had to pipe up. Wish I could join y'all.

--- Laurie

 

[JuneRose]

You guys are the BEST!!!!! I know it's short notice but Is anyone up for a mini-PS meet up, uh, next weekend sometime? I'm might get lonely!

Oh no I am in Oxford next weekend!! Sorry I can't make it -I don't think there's ever been a London meet-up!

 

[JuneRose]

I live in London and I really like what you've got on your list so far -Columbia Road Flower Market is really lovely and there are loads of nice cafes around there too. I would recommend Portobello road on a Thursday (or Friday) though -the weekends are just crazy busy and there aren't as many real stalls- it's more geared towards tourists at the weekend.

Have you been to Liberty? It's so much fun to walk around and is full of beautiful things. From Liberty you could cross Regents Street and walk down Bond Street & old Bond Street and window shop some AMAZING jewellery. I would walk all the way down Old Bond Street until you get to the Burlington Arcade Lots of amazing window displays full of OECs and vintage Cartier/Tiffany etc

I didn't know you live in London! I'm just up the road near Bedford

Hey Maisie! I had no idea you were so close!

 

[decodelighted]

You guys are the BEST!!!!! I know it's short notice but Is anyone up for a mini-PS meet up, uh, next weekend sometime? I'm might get lonely!

Oh no I am in Oxford next weekend!! Sorry I can't make it -I don't think there's ever been a London meet-up!

Oh well! Will be in good shape will all the wonderful suggestions.

 

[cellardoor433]

If you are in the Notting Hill area, try The Ledbury for lunch/dinner. We went there earlier this year and loved it.

 

[rosetta]

You guys are the BEST!!!!! I know it's short notice but Is anyone up for a mini-PS meet up, uh, next weekend sometime? I'm might get lonely!

Aw man, I wish I could meet up. But I've got horrible strep throat and I definitely don't want to make you sick!

 

[Rhea]

You guys are the BEST!!!!! I know it's short notice but Is anyone up for a mini-PS meet up, uh, next weekend sometime? I'm might get lonely!

Aw man, I wish I could meet up. But I've got horrible strep throat and I definitely don't want to make you sick!

I don't think there's ever been a London meet up! I wish I could, but I'm on the mend myself so not very mobile at the moment.

Maisie, I thought you were in Scotland for some reason! I didn't realise that there were so many of us Londoners!