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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Awesome quintessentially British things in London

41 replies

wheresmymojo · 22/01/2023 08:37

We're having a 'girl's women's day out' in London in the summer.

Inspired by watching The Crown and all the pomp and ceremony around the changing of monarchs a few of us have decided to book a tour around Buckingham Palace.

We'll also be watching the changing of the guards.

We're only in Surrey/Hampshire so can stay all day and into the evening (though not late).

What other quintessentially British things can we do that aren't extortionately overpriced?

We thought of afternoon tea but all the recommended ones are £65pp and having done the Ritz before I don't honestly think it's worth the money.

Any thoughts on what you'd recommend instead?

OP posts:

Original poster

wheresmymojo · 22/01/2023 10:17

Omgwhatthehell · 22/01/2023 09:14

If you really fancy afternoon tea then The Wolseley does a really good one which is cheaper.
Just had a look and it has gone up in price but is still under £40.
It’s a really lovely treat, but not as £££ as the Ritz, Savoy or Dorchester etc!

Thanks, this and F&M mooching (and possibly the amazing ice cream sundaes I've seen they do in 'The Parlour')

OP posts:

Omgwhatthehell · 22/01/2023 11:42

Ooh yes! I’ve never tried the F&M ice creams but they look incredible. And it’s always nice to just wander around in there.

@ElizabethinherGermanGarden makes a great point about the cream tea at The Wolseley. You could just get that and leave room for ice cream.

MattDamon · 22/01/2023 11:57

Jack the Ripper walk. Usually ends with a drink in a pub. www.walks.com/our-walks/jack-the-ripper-walking-tour/

Tower Bridge viewing gallery. www.towerbridge.org.uk/whats-inside

Coffeesnob11 · 22/01/2023 12:02

Harrods food hall mooch
Afternoon tea on a bus
Walk the southbank between Westminster and the tate modern

Vitriolinsanity · 22/01/2023 16:46

I was going to suggest the Jack the Ripper tour.

Pick up the riverboat at the Tower and go the Greenwich on Sunday.

The bar in the Ned is great on Saturday afternoon.

Borough Market

The V and A.

Divebar2021 · 22/01/2023 16:52

Fortnums is the home of the Knickerbockerglory so maybe that rather than a cream tea.

midsomermurderess · 04/02/2023 18:38

Queue for a bus.

Abracadabra12345 · 04/02/2023 18:45

Soonenough · 22/01/2023 09:04

Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace. Took American friends there and they loved the experience. So did I as they were not places that choose to go to. Plan on going to the Tower of London next time, Crown Jewels , ravens , etc.

I cannot tell you how much my dd and I loved the Tower of London...Amazing place

MyOldCaravan · 04/02/2023 18:55

Get into a fight in a Wetherspoons.
Moan about the weather.

midsomermurderess · 04/02/2023 18:58

A takeaway and a fight and a handjob in a bus shelter: The Great British Night Out (courtesy of Ben Swain).

deplorabelle · 04/02/2023 21:12

Go to Speedy's cafe as featured in Sherlock. It's a real cafe. When we went there were a couple of people dressed up in deerstalkers one of them wasn't eleven years old who looked awesome

DaisyCornflowerBlue · 04/02/2023 21:28

E. Pellici Caff in Bethnal Green.
Manze's pie and mash in Tower Bridge Road.
The Red Phone Box in Whitehall
Shout obscenities at the Houses of Parliament from the Square (and meet Steve Bray, Mr Brexit).
Pose next to Millicent Fawcett Statue, again in Parliament Square.
Join a protest. There's usually one going on somewhere.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/02/2023 21:29

Not read the whole thread but really recommend Hampton Palace. Absolutely wonderful.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 04/02/2023 21:30

wheresmymojo · 22/01/2023 08:40

I'm feeling a mooch around Liberty's might be something we'd all like so adding that to the list...

Liberty…. Not Libertys … enjoy your day out 💐

Crumpetdisappointment · 04/02/2023 23:46

deplorabelle · 04/02/2023 21:12

Go to Speedy's cafe as featured in Sherlock. It's a real cafe. When we went there were a couple of people dressed up in deerstalkers one of them wasn't eleven years old who looked awesome

that sounds fantastic!

did the Jack the Ripper and Fortnum & Masons this week after reading this thread

JennyWreny · 05/02/2023 17:18

Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London is a lovely thing to do. You have to be quick to get tickets on the day they are released. Seems they are available on the first of the month for the following month.

www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/ceremony-of-the-keys/#gs.ol6ldl

as pp mentioned Sky garden have free tickets for trip to 35th floor (I think). We try to book tickets at sunset or during times when Tower Bridge is going to be opening as you can see it from Sky Garden.

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