Quote:
Originally Posted by MRCboicgy
If you fly into LCY, you might just want to try and find a hotel near the Docklands area there, where the airport is. Hotels can be considerably cheaper in that area than closer to city center, unless there is a large event going on at the Convention Centre next door. Many of those hotels are newer, which is good as they offer free WiFi and other amenities that some of the more tired old hotels won't have (and let's admit it, there is almost nothing as bad as a tired British hotel).
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I'm going to veto this, avoid Docklands/Canary Wharf/Canada Water. It's a sterile and dead area, basically London's modern CBD, and you might as well enjoy an area that gives you a different experience and offers more atmosphere.
As for what to do, explore. There is so much to do in London and it has something for everyone, even just learning the city and what it has to offer is an experience. As such, the best advice I can give you is: i) a few examples of the things I like to do; and ii) getting lost in London is the best way to find yourself in London.
Some of the places I enjoy the most:
- Borough Market :: A great place to grab some streetfood on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. So many great smells and tastes on the weekend. Once you finish at the market, you can cross the Thames and you'll be near St. Paul's and other historic sites.
- Spitalfield Market (Saturdays & Sundays Only) :: Don't worry about not being able to find a gift for friends and fam, you'll deffo find something here for them and possibly your tummy as well. Also, Brick Lane is not far away.
- Soho :: While most tourists are getting in each other's way on Oxford Street, head slightly south and enjoy the maze of treats. I like to grab a pint at a Guinness bar on Carlisle Street, The Toucan, and a slice from a small pizza shop on the southwest corner of Carlisle and Dean Street. There are a few historic buildings in the nearby Soho Square and closer to Foyles bookshop.
- Football Grounds :: The atmosphere inside is special but the match-day experience outside the ground is also something. If you can't catch a match, you could take a tour of one or more of the stadiums. Craven Cottage is an old ground and might pique your historical interest.
My list could go on but I'll let others share as they might have some places that better align with your tastes. Have fun mate!