A couple of years ago I visited
New York and to be honest it was overwhelming. Even with the aid of a good
guide there was so much to do and see that the only places I actually got to visit were the touristy bits like the
World Trade Centre and the various
department stores. I wish I'd had a
New Yorker show me around town or, at least, a list of places they'd
recommend visiting.
I live in
London and have done all my life. Here's just of a few of the places I'd
recommend a
tourist visits. Some are
popular with tourists, some are not.
Tate Modern - A wonderful building full of wonderful
art. Puts your faith back into
modern art and
Britain. The ill-fated
Millenium Bridge stands outside. Maybe it'll be
open some time soon?
www.tate.org.uk/modern/
Nearest Tube Station: Southwark (
Jubilee Line)
Admission fee: Free (all donations gratefully received)
Ronnie Scott's - A
jazz cafe in
Soho. Every time I go I'm amazed and delighted by the
talented musicians who play here.
Nearest Tube Station:
Leicester Square (
Northern and
Piccadilly Lines)
Tickets: £5-£20 depending on act
The 5th Floor, Harvey Nicholl's - Straight out of
Absolutely Fabulous. A
pricey but outstanding resturant.
Nearest Tube Station: Knightsbridge (
Piccadilly Line)
Avrage 3-course meal: £30-£50 excluding drinks
Cyberdog - A small clothes label, with stores in
Covent Garden and
Camden. I love their clothes, everything is
bright and
fun.
www.cyberdog.co.uk
Nearest Tube Station: Covent Garden (
Piccadilly Line)
Clothes: Roughly £20 for a t-shirt to £150+ for some of their wilder creations.
Fabric - One of
London's '
Super Clubs'. Some wonderful
dance music is played here.
Nearest Tube Station: Farringdon (
Bakerloo,
Hammersmith & City and
Metropolitan Lines)
Ticket prices: £12-£25 depending on acts
Solid Sunday, The Mean Fiddler - Quite a way off the beaten track in
Neesden but if you enjoy
house music then this is one to visit. Very popular with
Australians and
Kiwis, the place has an absolutely amazing
atmosphere.
Nearest Tube Station: Willesden Junction (
Bakerloo Line)
Prices: £3 before 5pm, £5 after.
Victoria and Albert Museum - Probably my favourite
museum in
London, situated in
Kensington near the
Natural History and
Science Museums. Full of stuff the
British stole from other countries when we were busy doing that
empire thing.
Nearest Tube Station: South Kensington (
Circle & District and
Piccadilly Lines)
Admission Fee: Free
London is a
big place and these are only my personal favourites. Ask around and you might find somewhere a bit more interesting than
Buckingham Palace to visit.