London

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
> 
> I'm heading to London in September for a brief (too brief, really, 
but I 
> have to fit it into school holidays) holiday, and I am trying to 
work out 
> where to base myself. I just thought I'd ask people who might know 
the place 
> better than I do (a lot of people) and who are better travelled 
than I am 
> (also a lot of people) if they have any suggestions as to what 
areas I 
> should look at as being a decent place to lay my head at night.
> 
> I intend to be using public transport to get around (particularly 
the 
> underground) and I will probably want to hit some of 
the 'stereotypical' 
> tourist sites - Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum 
(also 
> open to any other suggestions people might have on this point). I 
also want 
> to do a 'Jack the Ripper' walk one night.
> 
> Basically I'm asking, what areas are reasonably central (in terms 
of 
> accessing public transport), and have a reasonable choice in terms 
of 
> accomodation options. Cost is not a major concern, but on the other 
hand nor 
> is luxury - I just want somewhere decent to sleep at night, I'm not 
planning 
> on spending much more time than that at any hotel.

Geoff:
In transport terms, a Travelcard is ideal for geting around as it 
gives you access to bus, underground and surface rail. it's done on a 
zonal basis, Zone 1 being in the centre with a series of progressive 
rings out to Zone 6.

In some ways, I think that being on the south side is the best as 
there is quite a dense network of surface rail connections into 
Waterloo, Victoria and Charing Cross plus the Northern line and 
Victoria Line (tubes). Somewhere just off the main central area - 
Clapham, Stockwell or that sort of area might be worth exploring for 
B&B.

There are a number of nodes for tourists. You will find that 
Trafalgar Square is a good centre with Whitehall leading off it 
towards the Cenotaph, Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street and 
Parliament Square, Big Ben and such like while from the square, it is 
also easy access through Admiralty Arch into The Mall and down to 
Buckingham Palace. If you like walking, coming in from Victoria 
Station past Buckingham Palce up to Trafalgar Square, along to 
Parliament Sqaure returning directly via Victoria Street could give 
you a pretty good day.

The Tower of London and the Monument are further east.

That's just a few thoughts - there are lots of good guides and 
transport information is readily available.

Whatever, I hope you will have a good trip. September is often a good 
month weather wise....

Geoff