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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

London

30 replies

janeite · 09/04/2009 19:57

Going to London tomorrow with dd1, 14. It is going to rain - a lot!

We're probably going to go to the V&A and do some shopping around Covent Garden and Oxford Street but does anybody have any more ideas for lovely things to do without getting soaked?

Tia

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 09/04/2009 19:58

I'd stick to Covent Garden for shopping, more shelter! Oxford St will be a nightmare.

What about going somewhere nice for tea and cakes? There are some lovely cafes in Soho.

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 20:22

Tea and cakes sounds fab. Any recs?

OP posts:
Molesworth · 09/04/2009 20:24

Patisserie Valerie on Old Compton Street?

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 20:31

Just had a google: thanks Molesworth - that looks like a possibility. Any more ideas folks please?

OP posts:
gardenermum1 · 09/04/2009 20:37

how about afternoon tea in a really posh hotel
One friend did the landmark and another the ritz - although you may not want anything so posh
Then how about Camden market - some teenagers really go for it - and lunch in a trendy/ alternative cafe
Otherwise how about Harvey Nichols or Harrods
All treats depending on what you fancy

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 20:40

Can't afford proper afternoon tea, unfortunately - although dd would love it.

She says she's had another of Camden and is 'not an Emo anymore' - rolls eyes!!

She has requested a trip to Harrods and also likes to go to Selfridges and Liberty to stroke the Vivienne Westwood stuff!

OP posts:
Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 21:41

Hopeful bump?

OP posts:
Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 21:58

Non?

It is going to rain all day!

Pretty please?

OP posts:
Molesworth · 09/04/2009 22:01

You could do Harrods and walk down Sloane Street, have afternoon tea, then Kings Road finishing at the Vivienne Westwood shop perhaps?

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:03

There is a Vivienne Westwood shop?????? Please, please tell me more!

OP posts:
jennylindinha · 09/04/2009 22:10

Afternoon tea £12.50 here and more places to check out on the website

Trying to think of things to do under cover... London Eye perhaps? Mind you if the weather is that bad then the view won't be so good!

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:13

Done the London Eye several times.

Any more good galleries/museums we could try?

Any more recs for lovely coffee shops, rather than full-on afternoon tea?

OP posts:
Molesworth · 09/04/2009 22:15

I think there are a few VW shops and her flagship store is in soho (iirc) but her original shop is still there at 430 Kings Road - it's got a mad clock on the front

glucose · 09/04/2009 22:17

I think the V Westwood is quite far down the Kings Rd??the cafe on top floor of Peter Jones is good, tea in Partridges is ok

Molesworth · 09/04/2009 22:18

Ottolenghi for the best cakes.

Paul (several branches around London) for the best French pastries.

Carluccio's for reasonably priced fab pasta.

Barrafina (Frith Street, Soho) for fab tapas.

Molesworth · 09/04/2009 22:19

Yes, the World's End VW shop is right at the bottom of Kings Rd. Probably too far out of the way - maybe better to go to the flagship store or look at her stuff in Harrods if you're going there anyway?

glucose · 09/04/2009 22:22

Cafe at British Museum use to be good

The Wallace Collection is ok, and behind Oxford street

there is a wallace & gromit feature at science museum (but your dd probably to grown up!)

i like the national portrait gallery, there will be lots of pictures of people dd will recognise, and she might learn about some she didn't know about, but i think the cafe at the national gallery is better - its next door - all in Trafalgar square (Charing Cross Tube)

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:24

Lovely - thanks ever so much all.

The Covent Garden branch of Paul looks good!

OP posts:
Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:26

We will deffo go to the Portrait Gallery, as dd likes the shop for fashion postcards!

OP posts:
glucose · 09/04/2009 22:26

Balans is nice for food - old compton st (again) and kensington high street - good for more run of the mill shops marks, gap, h&m etc and The Whole Foods Store is also in KHS - great place to eat and just wander around

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:34

Is Kensington High Street near the V&A?

OP posts:
glucose · 09/04/2009 22:43

yes Kensington High Street is near the V&A

From the V&A walk towards the science museum/imperial college (5 mins max) when you get to the end of the road (exhibition rd) you have Hyde Park opposite you & the Royal geographic sociey & the albert hall on your left, turn left and walk passed the front of the royal albert hall, with the statue of prince albert on a chair on the opposite side of the road. keep going for about another 5 mins and you end up in KHS. Or if its raining, hop on a bus.

You can also walk from Knightsbridge (Harrods Harvey Nicks etc) to KHS or from Knightsbridge to V&A very easily

Original poster
janeite · 09/04/2009 22:44

Fab! Thank you. I am terrible fo relying on the tube and not knowing where anything actually is!

OP posts:
Molesworth · 09/04/2009 22:45

There's a patisserie valerie on Kensington Church Street (just off Ken High St) AND an Ottolenghi up there too

jennylindinha · 09/04/2009 22:46

It's not far at all. You could walk it or get the numbers 9 or 10 from the top of Exhibition Road. They go along by the side of the park past Kensington Palace. The bus stop is outside the Royal College of Art, next to the Royal Albert Hall. Or else it is two stops on the circle line from South Kensingotn. (Can you tell I work in the area?)