Going to London, want some inside info!

[kathryn]

I'll be going to London for a long weekend at the beginning of November (an aquaintance of mine won a free trip with a travel group, and I jokingly said I'd be willing to go if she needed a travel companion. Two weeks later, she called and invited me! All paid except my trip to and from St Louis to catch the plane).

I've never been to England, and would like some info about what to bring. Is it usually cold this time of year? Cool but tolerable? Any suggestions?

 

[Shelbygirl]

You might want to check the Weather Channel web site. I monitored the site daily when I was getting ready to go to Italy last month, and it was pretty helpful in terms of hi and low temperatures.

I loved London. It was kind of dirty when I went (dirty buildings, I mean) but they were in the process of cleaning the buildings. There is so much to do in London, you might want to do some research so you have an idea of the things you want to see. Otherwise, it might be a bit overwhelming. I'm used to Philadlephia but find New York overwhelming if I don't I plan ahead, so perhaps I'm just a "city-wimp".

Have a great time!
Shelbygirl

 

[icklemoley]

I live an hour and a half from London and i would bring a coat! It is starting to get cold(er) this time of year and right now it's dark and raining!

London is a fab place to go, very busy and rainy! But they say nothing heals you like the London rain!

Have a great time and if you need anything else let me know.

Wayne.

 

[karate_chick]

Hi Kathryn

Congratulations! I bet you're really excited.

I live in the UK and unfortunately it can be quite cold in November and usually rains...in fact it's raining now (and has done for most of the summer) :-(

On the otherhand, we can have some sunny/frosty mornings - it really does depend. They have forecast that it should be getting a little bit colder over the coming months (no surprise there)!

If I were you, I'd definitely pack for rain and bring a few sweaters with you too.

Will you be over here for Bonfire night (5th)?

Hope you have a great time over here - there's plenty to see and do - pity about the weather though!
Andrea

 

[clareMc]

Kathryn:

I seriously doubt the weather in my home town will be any more cold, grey, dismal and depressing than it is here in Michigan. Dress for a Northern USA climate and you'll be fine.

Expect cloud cover and definitely take a small compact brolly (umbrella!) and rain jacket (waterproofs to me!). Keep these in your back pack at all times. British people never let the weather stop then from going out and doing stuff. I'd pack some jeans and a cardi or two and a winter coat: but I have to tell you, that's exactly what we are all wearing in Michigan where the sun has not shone for a week now. It's really not so different. In fact, British temperatures are never as extreme as they are in the US. London 'aint no Fargo, ND, thank God, and the close, compact nature of the city, thanks to the buildings, keeps it warmer than in the surrrounding countryside.

Where exactly will you be in London? Try and get in some theatre while you are there (the National has a variety of different performances each night), and the National Film Theatre (the NFT) on the South bank (South of the River thames) is the place for non-mainstream, art house and international cinema.

Places to shop and soak in the atmosphere: Covent Garden, Camden, King's Road, Oxford Street, etc.

London, dirty? I don't think so. It's a CITY: don't expect huge pastoral sweeping landscapes! Expect people, crowds, noise, and loads of cultural opportunities.

You have to go on the London Eye on the South bank, a huge ferris wheel affording views over London and along the river. Smashing! Try the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, the Tate Gallery, perhaps the V & A (Victoria & Albert Museum). What else?

Buy a copy of Time Out from Smiths (W H Smiths, newsagents and confectionary shop) as soon as you get there and it will tell you exhaustively what is on for the full week from movies to transvestite shows, to jazz clubs to La leche Club meetings!!!

What else can I tell you? Have a fabulous time!!!

Clare

 

[Shelbygirl]

Oh boy. I re-read my post and realized how rude the dirty comment sounded. Sorry about that. I didn't mean that the city itself was dirty, just that alot of the actual building facades appeared dirty (i.e. gray buildings/churches that were covered in black), due to auto pollution perhaps?. For some reason, it initally took me by surprise (I'm not sure why, actually). I recall there being several sites that were being powerwashed, and it was amazing the difference it made, before vs after.

In any event, have a great time. If you ever have the chance to spend more time there, London makes a great "home base". We spent about a week there and in addition to exploring the city, we took a couple day trips outside of London.

A company called TravelSmith sells some pretty good travel clothes. They sell light raincoats and jackets that fold up really small and don't weigh alot (or wrinkle much). They've got a lot of layered outfits too, which I find are good for travelling. Their stuff is kind of expensive, but comes very handy.

Have Fun,
Shelbygirl

 

[clareMc]

Shelbygirl:

I'm winking atcha! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Clare

 

[gelfling]

Hi Kathryn
I live on the West side of England but the weather is similar to that of London. London is warmer due to the way the city is constructed but it can also be a lot colder. As the others have said, dress for rain but prepare for the wind too! Our weather is unpredictable but it does look like this winter is going to be cold. Have a look at www.bbc.co.uk/weather for up-to-date forecasts.

I don't think London looks dirty but the air quality could be better. It is a great place to visit. There is something for everybody in London.
ATB,
- Lisa

 

[kathryn]

Thanks, all, for your advice and info.
On another note: any ideas for reducing or eliminating jet lag?

 

[mogambo]

Take melatonin. It is great. 3 mg an hour before you want to go to sleep. And go out and get as much natural light as you can as early in the morning as you can stomach it (6, 7, 8 am-10 am or so). You should be ok in 2 or 3 days.

 

[clareMc]

Kathryn:

most flights to London leave in the evening and spend the night over the Atlantic, so when you arrive, although it is 4 o'clock for you, it is a decent 10am for everyone else. They say to try and stay up according to the time of the zone you fly into and I always try this. This Summer is the only time I actually managed it, but I have to tell you, I nodded several times and felt like sh** most of the afternoon and evening before I could thankfully lay down my head. Usually I arrive about 10am, stay up 'til early afternoon, then take myself off with the little one for an afternoon nap for 3 hours. This helps me get through the evening and then I go to bed and sleep a regular night without any trouble at all. I never suffer protracted jet lag this way.

When you fly back to the US, it is much easier and you should not suffer any jet lag because you will be able to go to bed sooner.

I never take any "remedies" or medications for jet lag. I do not believe in them nor do I recommend them. I believe in sleep and a nice bath at each end. Jet lag is never a problem.

Clare