Is London worth a visit?

[bloomberrys]

I have been to London once in 40 years.
I haven't been in 20 years.
Is it worth a visit ?
Thinking of going for 2 nights at the weekend.
Thinking of going to see wicked at the Apollo then the Sunday doing touristy things.
Is it worth a visit ?

😂

Depends what you like doing.
Some people travel to London to "do" Oxford Street or the Westfield Malls - when really there isn't any different shops you find in most towns and cities.
So that's not worth doing.
Some tourist places aren't London specific - that's just where they are (places like the London Aquarium for example) and again you could do the same thing in one of the aquariums in the UK.
@bloomberrys what's your thing ?
What do you like?

What kind of things did/do you enjoy when visiting other UK cities?

Yes, London is great, I went for a few days in June, hadn't been in a couple of years. The Sky Garden, on the top of the Walkie Talkie was new to me, amazing views over London and free, though you need to book ahead.

I think you need to pace yourself - maybe one day to wander around the City, amazing bulidings, and I recommend Evensong in St Pauls, and you could take the Uber boat along the Thames, great way to see everything and on the second day, maybe focus on Bloomsbury/ British Museum.

Masses to do, great restaurants, galleries, museums, lovely parks, lots of shopping - definately something to interest everyone.

I'd miss Wicked and see London - and Operation Mincemeat instead. 😁

The Sky Garden needs to be booked. I love the Tube and there are various tours available. So many possibilities.

I wouldn’t travel to london for Wicked because you can see great theatre all over the country on tour / at screenings. In fact I’ve stopped travelling from London up to Stratford on Avon since good screenings became the norm.

But London overall is incomparable. Tell us what you’re into and we will help you plan an itinerary OP.

Although I was enjoying the ‘nothing to see here’ fun. It would have been great if the Daily Fail had believed that one.

Well wicked is actually for my partner.
She really wants to see it
So I was going to surprise her

Well I did want to do a little touristy day
My partner loves museum's
I love shopping and cocktails

Just wandering and people watching is worth going for.

We go a couple of times a year and so far this year have done Camden Market, British Library, Natural History Museum, Borough Market (food). A restaurant that has cheese plates on a conveyor belt (like Sushi), Japanese pancake restaurant, V&A, Docklands Museum etc etc. It's endless.

I wouldn't bother going to a show as most of them tour eventually anyway.

No, it's not worth it assuming you like hiking across moors.

Right, so it also depends if you feel that’s worth it for a weekend away. Some people love a train journey. I’m not one of them 😂

do you have an idea of what you’d like to do? The Van Gogh is starting this week I think - I believe it’s previously unseen work but not a large exhibition.

my cousin skipped her usual visit this summer as the hotels were about £200 but it must have calmed down by now.

I think there’s a big replica 17th century warship coming in this week, they’re opening Tower Bridge for it and it will be docked at St Katherine’s. Also lots of classical music on at the South Bank - I mean more than usual, for a festival.

I would do two nights not one that's not enough time.

I've lived in London for 16 years and still find it wonderful and exciting

@bloomberrys ok a sensible suggestion for you.
Battersea Power station has been converted into a posh shopping centre and has lots of fancy restaurants/bars in the area.
It also contains a branch of The Lego Store which will have the new Lego Wicked sets (released Oct 1st).
Museums.... obviously there's loads. What does your partner enjoy?
For example I like the V+A but find the Science Museum mostly dull.

Well it's one of the most incredible cities on the planet so I'd say yes overall it's definitely worth a visit!

It’s fabulous, OP. It’s had a lot of investment in that time partic compared to other areas of the UK. You will see a big change.

People from all over the world save and spend thousands of pounds to go to London on a once in a lifetime trip. I am still in disbelief you feel the need to ask if it’s worth visiting.

I grew up in London and 45 years later am still wholly in love with it and could never be bored or move out. I know it can be intimidating and expensive, but if you plan it, you’ll see some amazing things. Absolutely worth the time and cost to come for a few days and nights, and truly wouldn’t bother with Wicked either!

As long as you are OK with 'busy' and aren't going to die with shock at how much things cost then you'll have a fab time. Wicked is a great show and is close to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc so you can do a spot of sightseeing on your way.

My tips for anyone visiting is to avoid Leicester Square and book something like the Sky Garden in advance for a free high up view of London. There's so much to do that I think most people would agree it's definitely worth a visit.

Hey OP, if you need ideas about breaking down the visit into sections, watch 'suitcase monkey' on YouTube. He has loads of ideas on markets, streets, museums, cafes, and restaurants, including canal walks, all set on different videos, which are not very long, so you don't get bored quickly. As a pp said, one night may not be enough.

It will be a shock of you're not used to big cities. Fair bit of poverty in certain areas like any big city 😔

Thanks everyone
We normally go to the likes of Manchester/liverpool /edinburgh

@Brownstains what makes London "London"?

Op in the kindest possible way, ask a silly question……..

@bloomberrys I'm not entirely sure what Brownstains is meaning (I can probably guess ....) but to me the things that make London "London" are things like -
The London Underground
Red Buses
Buckingham Palace and the surrounding area like St James's Park/The Mall etc
The museum area of Science/Natural History/V+A plus nearby Kensington Gardens - Albert Memorial, Round Pond, finding the Peter Pan statue
Embankment
Greenwich with it's amazing buildings
Old buildings being saved and converted (Tate Modern, Battersea)
And..... possibly loads more.
All still there in London. They haven't gone away 🙂
Oh....and Cockneys. There's still plenty and still have traditions.