MorrisrownSal Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Hey fellas.... I have been to London for 18 hours on business 20 years ago.... I am going with my wife and two of my kids (18 and 22) over Christmas week... we have four full days there. I figured we would see Windsor castle one day... And maybe an organized tour of London including Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms, and the Tower? That would leave two free days. On one of them I would like to organize some music type interests? Thoughts? The Abby Road Street Selfie? Thoughts? Thanks guys in advance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Hmm... How about Hendrix's London home? https://handelhendrix.org/plan-your-visit/whats-here/hendrix-flat/ This is a good site for seeing whats going on https://www.timeout.com/london The natural history museum is awesome too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J185cat Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Maybe drop by the original Hardrock Cafe and take a tour of their vault. Got a picture of me holding a Flying V that Hendrix once owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Hainsworth Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 How about Covent Garden, great atmosphere and cafes and amazing buskers. Enjoy your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Taking a guitar? Hit an open mic. Check lemonrock.com It's not music-related, but if you're into that sort of thing, the Imperial War Museum is darn nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 I hope you have a wonderful time and that you enjoy your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad2001 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Catch a show in SoHo if you can (I saw Amy Winehouse there before she hit the big time, SRO). When I get back there I will revisit the British Museum, it truly is one of the World's great museums. Use the tube to get around, it's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Hey fellas.... I have been to London for 18 hours on business 20 years ago.... I am going with my wife and two of my kids (18 and 22) over Christmas week... we have four full days there. I figured we would see Windsor castle one day... And maybe an organized tour of London including Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms, and the Tower? That would leave two free days. On one of them I would like to organize some music type interests? Thoughts? The Abby Road Street Selfie? Thoughts? Thanks guys in advance... Abbey Road, to get there by public transport; you could take the Underground train/London's subway to St. John's Wood (also is the name of the Underground station). Upon exit, walk straight out of the station; cross the road, and continue walking along the bend and at the end of that road, you're there. The studio and that zebra crossing should be on your right. You could probably park in a near by church yard if you're renting a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 London has a tradition of Christmas lights... So if you want, you could check those out. They're on Regents Street, and Regents Street's off Piccadilly Circus, and you could get to Piccadilly Circus either through Soho or Shaftsbury Avenue. Night time shopping is fun though stores close around 9 pm. Your family should so check out Harrod's Department Store in Knightsbridge (like the other side of Hyde Park). If you have time, I'd always recommend to any guitar enthusiast Denmark Street on the other side of Soho off Charring Cross Road. It's a Region 2 for DVD / PAL system using country, have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 British things around Christmas (in London) include Father Christmas's grotto at Harrod's. The Regents Street Christmas Lights. A confectionery probably safe for TSA travel known as Christmas Pudding May contain alcohol but all the actual alcohol should be burnt out in the making of this, idk. Don't think it'll get you drunk, around Christmas, there should be loads on the market. We don't do popcorn sewn tree decorations or eggnog I'm afraid. We do have a cake you can try/buy though... Called a Christmas Cake (should go well with a cup of English tea/like hot black tea, milk and sugar), oh and these small cup sized pies called Mince Pies, these too are also only on the market during Christmas, but they're good. That big Christmas Tree at Trafalgar Square by Leicester Square (where Nelson's Column is) is a gift from Oslo, Norway every year. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted September 29, 2018 Author Share Posted September 29, 2018 Wow. Thanks you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Denmark Street as someone suggested is a must. So is Abbey Road and Savile Row 2, , , or is it 3. . Last time I was in London we visited the Churchill War Rooms - indeed worth a couple of hours. But D. Street and a report here above all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Btw. what's really important to notice and constantly remember is the left-side driving. We don't wanna see a Board-member flat under a double-decker bus. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 The in joke about these is that the jokes are bad, but that's part of the experience. Christmas Crackers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcrLV_jAVZo UK @ Christmas Time It's like a little friendly competition, like pulling a chicken's wishbone after eating it (the chicken, not the Christmas Cracker, do not eat the Chirstmas Cracker). It's a bit of old loo roll nicely wrapped up with a little toy/thing and a joke and a colourful paper crown.' I doubt these are TSA approved because of the minute amount of explosive in them but are a cheap UK Christmas family thing to do, so while you guys are here, IDK, pop into a supermarket while you're here, buy a box of these and have at it/go nuts. I know Kinder Eggs are a US no no because of the toy, but I don't think a Christmas Cracker toy could land you in any trouble in the US. You're usually meant to only pull them on Christmas Day, but if your family won't be in town for actual Christmas Day, you still can buy them in the festive season and enjoy them regardless on your trip. The only thing you'd be missing/have to look forward to if you're in London on Christmas Day is; small shops open, much TV Christmas Specials, and of course, the Queen's Recorded Speech on State Television - so, not much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 The in joke about these is that the jokes are bad, but that's part of the experience. Christmas Crackers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcrLV_jAVZo UK @ Christmas Time It's like a little friendly competition, like pulling a chicken's wishbone after eating it (the chicken, not the Christmas Cracker, do not eat the Chirstmas Cracker). lOVE crackers, , , and indoor fireworks, , , not to mention serpentines and 'guirlandes' . . It all work as if it was specially designed for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 lOVE crackers, , , and indoor fireworks, , , not to mention serpentines and 'guirlandes' . . It all work as if it was specially designed for me. Dude, your Christmas Crackers sound scary lol. Like pull the cracker and I won't be able to play the guitar no more because it exploded on me... IDK. Maybe I read that wrong lol... They're fun, and a part of Christmas (in London). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Everyone has their own ways of celebrating the holidays. These are just of some the foods and activities we like around Christmas in London (and up and down the country). Don't even get me started on Christmas in Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Christmas tradition in the UK - UK doesn't have Thanksgiving, so as far as drinking holidays go in the UK, this is it. Also, in London, the nightclubs are busy around then but none of them are open on actual Christmas Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J185cat Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 One more thing I could recommend not necessarily music related. My wife and I did a Pub walking tour. You could probably design your own but it was neat getting the local history, The Black Friar was really neat. By time the night was over I was kinda bouncing around the Tube walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 If you want, this could be novel, and will be family orientated for your family visiting London for the holidays... Not The West End, but something like that.... It's called Pantomine affectionately known as 'Panto'. Pantomine is a British tradition that will no doubt be all over London. Think; UK and Australian soap stars and sometimes some Hollywood actor, doing a production of Aladdin somewhere. These will be all around London too, so while in town, why not check out a Panto? ... I found a website. https://www.atgtickets.com/pantomimes/ FYI... Wimbledon's in London so... There's like two there that seems to be on in London this year (the rest are far away) but, y'know... Just saying, if you're looking for London shows, Wimbledon's in London and IMO, the website should tell people that; so I count 2 they have. Another edit... https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/theatre/pantomime/christmas-theatre-and-pantomime All of these are a yes in terms of viable options for a family to see while in London for the holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Ooo, It's not Pantomine but I found it on the link I linked in the post above, but - that looks fun [Christmas Festival At The Royal Albert Hall]. Live Christmas Music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Wow. Thanks you all! Thank you for choosing London :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Ohh man... Don't go to a pantomime.. They were already old fashioned when I was growing up in the 80s.. Nothing but cliché... Theres just so many better things to do than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Christmas tradition in the UK - UK doesn't have Thanksgiving, so as far as drinking holidays go in the UK, this is it. Also, in London, the nightclubs are busy around then but none of them are open on actual Christmas Day. First time I was in London was during the summer of 1975. Soon 3 16 year old lads drank gin and hit town - and when I say gin it means loads. After a cab-ride from Kensington we landed in a discotheque called Hatches in the center of town. It was late and I was extremely close to bein' run over by a car when leaving that place - thanx my guardian angel again. But the trouble with London is that bars close when I'm ready to go out. No kidding. And who wanna wind up sitting solo in a cellar-strip-club in Soho. Eeeh, well I did once - in '89. What a mess. After a while 2 guys who worked there came over to my booth and sat by my table - then asked me to empty my pockets, , , which I did. Extraordinary humiliating and scary as the dancer was off stage and we were the only people left in the naked room. The pressure was immense and my mind worked like a typhoon to keep calm, , , and to avoid fetching values every time I dived into a new pocket. But chewing-gum, tobacco, coins, random papers, 'talismen' came up. Luckily I got out of there unharmed, but what the h... were they thinking. . But talking 'bout pubs, there is another peculiar experience from the second summer I and 5 friends visited the place in 1976. On nothing else than Piccadilly Circus was a secret bar. This location had no facade and the entrance was just a simple slightly hidden door, which led downstairs to a even simpler bar. No theme, no items on the walls, no cosyness or real atmosphere, no nothing 'cept hard wooden furniture and lots of beer - also on the stone floor, which was plain sailing wet. Never the less we sat down and fell into conversation with a few guests there - the girls in our company were rather attractive. But that address, , , and then that totally anonymous water-hole, rustic as something from a Charles Dickens book !?. I still don't get it. Wonder if anyone from over there would know this place. Probably not - it was for the Dickensian in-crowd only, , , and our 3 chicks made the bold 'inviter' act. . Oh, London, you old wonderful and dangerous lady - will we ever meet again. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWAG Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Ohh man... Don't go to a pantomime.. They were already old fashioned when I was growing up in the 80s.. Nothing but cliché... Theres just so many better things to do than that. I'm not going to lie... I have never been to one (yet). They look family friendly, and a heck of a lot more affordable than some of the big West End shows; but they're British (tourists might dig it), they're seasonal for the holidays, might find it novel (personally), IDK. It's like The West End but it's really not, it's Pantomime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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