LONDON

SPRING & SUMMER GUIDE 2009

The best places to eat, sleep and play in London this spring and summer
With more than 20 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 31 million travelers visiting our site each month.

Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided.

INTRODUCTION
TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 31 million monthly visitors to produce a unique series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler, youll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to nd the best views. Be sure to check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com.

Youll find reviews for more than 270,000 hotels, 78,000 attractions and 469,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans.

Inside

LONDON
One of the worlds top destinations, London is a thriving, exciting city with a diverse cross-section of offerings, from pubs to palaces. You name it, London has it in abundance. The Romans, after their arrival in Britain in C.E. 43, rst put London on the map. Since then, London has been fought over, burned and bombed. Its become a center of commerce and court intrigue and developed into a city of culture, a place to which artists, writers and musicians ock. Today, Londons a cosmopolitan metropolis, home to more than seven million inhabitants of diverse nationalities and backgrounds, making it the most populous city in the European Union. While the spring can be ckle, with sun mixing with rain and clouds, summers are generally mild: perfect sightseeing weather. But dont pack away that umbrellathe sunny skies can be punctuated with thunderstorms. Winters see shorter days and cool temperatures. Keep that rain slicker handy! tripadvisor.com 2

PACKING TIPS
1. Avoid sore feet: Bring duct tape and put it on your heels. I dont care how good your shoes are or how tough your feet are, youre not used to walking seven to nine hours a day on concrete and cobblestones. Absent that, buy Savion Blister Plasters with Tea Tree Oil at Boots. Theyre smooshy and lovely.TripAdvisor Member, Allentown, Pa. 2. Dress well: While jeans are ne for sightseeing, theyre a no-no for a smart restaurant so bring something less casual for the evenings. TripAdvisor Member, London 3. Stay comfortable: Layers are the key. I wear some tanks under a shirt and always have a sweater to wear under a raincoat. Take a hat and small umbrella. And two pairs of shoes in case one needs to dry out.TripAdvisor Member, Cleveland, Ohio

Top

VIEWS
For unobstructed views of some London mustsees, take a ride on the river. I took a River Thames cruise from the Tower of London to Westminster Bridge. Along the banks of the Thames are the many landmarks of London. It was relaxing to sit and watch the sights pass by, including Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St. Pauls, the Globe Theatre, the London Eye, the Parliament Buildings and Big Ben.TripAdvisor Member, Vancouver, British Columbia
Thames Cruises, 020 77400400, http://www.citycruises.com

LONDONS BEST VIEWS

The British Airways London Eye, an elaborate Ferris wheel, sits across the River Thames from Big Ben. Twenty-ve people can t into one of 32 enclosed transparent pods and see for up to 25 miles. Loved it; this was one of the rst things I did on my trip to London. It was a great way to get an overview of the city and a rst look at some of the sights. TripAdvisor Member, Edmonton, Alberta
British Airways London Eye, Jubilee Gardens, 0870 990 8883, http://www.ba-londoneye.com

You absolutely cannot miss a trip to St. Pauls Cathedral. Its amazing to stand alongside the dome and gaze over London until it fades off into the haze of the horizon. Plus, what a place for pictures. TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey
St. Pauls Churchyard, 020 7236 4128

Where to

TOP 10 Attractions

PLAY

You absolutely cannot miss a trip to St. Pauls Cathedral.

1. Fat Tire Bike Tours London, Meet directly outside Queensway, 78 8233 8779 2. National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, 020 7747 2885 3. Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, 020 7416 5000 4. Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, 020 7930 6961 5. Shakespeares Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Southwark, 020 7902 1400

6. Tower of London, Tower Hill, 0870 756 6060 7. Sir John Soanes Museum, 13 Lincolns Inn Fields, Holborn, 020 7405 2107 8. Westminster Abbey, Broad Sanctuary, 020 7222 5152 9. London Walks, 020 7624 3978 10. Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, 020 7563 9500

FAMILIES
Weve been to science museums all over the U.S. and Europe and this is one of the best. The Science Museum is massive, with sections dedicated to aeronautics, medicine, space, computers, etc. TripAdvisor Member, Dublin, Ireland
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, 0870 870 4868

Arrive early to the Tower of London to miss the queues. Not only was the whole place lled with wonderful history but the guide added so much to the tour. TripAdvisor Member, St Louis, Mo.
Tower of London, Tower Hill, 0870 756 6060

Plan for lots of time at the Natural History Museum. From the actual building itself (look at the pillars to see birds and lizards carved into the stone) to the multitude of fantastic exhibits, you could spend a week there and still not see everything! TripAdvisor Member, Cardiff, U.K.
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, 020 7942 5011

ROMANCE
The undulating elds and scenic water gardens make Regents Park an oasis of calm in the city: a superbly maintained, huge open space with several small cafes. TripAdvisor Member, Lancaster, England
Regents Park, 020 7486 7905

the next best thing to time travel.

A visit to the maze, formal gardens and state apartments of Hampton Court Palace in Surrey is the next best thing to time travel.TripAdvisor Member, Phoenix, Ariz.
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, 0870 751 5175

St. Jamess Park is a lovely place to have a stroll any time of the year. With its British trees, statues and lake, its denitely Londons best park and a great place for views of Westminster and Buckingham Palace. A classic British setting. TripAdvisor Member, Bristol, U.K.
St. Jamess Park, Horse Guards Road, The Storeyard, 020 7930 1793

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com 3

Where to

PLAY
Tate Modern art gallery, also free, is housed in an old power plant. The art work is much more cutting edge than the Museum of Modern Art in New York. TripAdvisor Member, Amherst, Mass.
Tate Modern, Bankside, Southwark, 020 7887 8888

BUDGET
One of the nice things about London is how many of the museums are free! Not that youd mind paying to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the largest museums of applied arts in the world. If you like art, in all its forms, this is your museum.TripAdvisor Member, Valencia, Spain
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, 020 7942 2000

Hampstead Heath is a revelationlike a bit of the countryside brought to the city. Get your comfy shoes out for a nature stroll. What a hidden jewel!TripAdvisor Member, Spartanburg, S.C.
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead, 020 8348 9908

Much more cutting edge than the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
If you want to pretend youre the next David Beckham, then check out Hackney Marshes, which is quite famous for its 87 football pitches (the largest number in all of Europe in one place).TripAdvisor Member
Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road, Hackney, 020 8986 8615

ADVENTURE
Hyde Park provides a fantastic backdrop for all your sporting needs. Informal pickup games of rugby, cricket and football can be found all along the park, so show up and make some new friends. Tourists and locals ock to the Park to cycle, jog or blade along the Paths during the nice weather. You can also play tennis or try your hand at the putting course.TripAdvisor Member
Hyde Park, 020 7262 3474, 020 7723 2813

Just because youre in the city, your golf swing doesnt have to suffer. Urban Golf has come to London thanks to a state-of-the-art facility in Soho, where you can play over 50 of the most famous courses with the latest in golf simulators.TripAdvisor Member
Urban Golf Soho, 33 Great Pulteney St., 020 7434 4300

TripAdvisor members have posted more than 1,380,000 photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. Its almost like being there! Westminster Abbey is a magnicent monument, full of history and meaning. The Central Nave is splendorous with the laudable recovery of the High Altar. The shrine, chapels, tombs, organ, quire and cloisters enrich this royal symbol of London. TripAdvisor Member, Porto, Portugal
Westminster Abbey, Broad Sanctuary, 020 7222 5152

EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL
The British Museum houses the worlds greatest collection of international antiquities. You should plan to see only a small portion of the collections during your visitplan ahead and youll have a great time. TripAdvisor Member, Baltimore, Md.
British Museum, Great Russell Street, 020 7323 8299

Original London Walks is an excellent way to see London! The tours showed us parts of London we wouldnt have discovered on our own. All of the guides were great and were very knowledgeable.TripAdvisor Member, Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Original London Walks, 020 7624 3978

RELAXATION
Pamper yourself at Sanctuary spa. There are two different lounges, two swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, sauna and a steam room. My favorite treatments include a lomi-lomi signature treatment and a hot stone facial. Go with your friends or have some quality me time.TripAdvisor Member, London
The Sanctuary, 12 Floral St., Covent Garden, 0870 770 3350

nice authentic Elizabethan atmosphere

Shakespeares Globe Theatre is a replica of the original Globe where many of the Bards plays were rst staged. For nice authentic Elizabethan atmosphere and a cheaper alternative to a West End show, you must view a production here! TripAdvisor Member, London
Shakespeares Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Southwark, 020 7902 1400

Out of town, the Highgate Cemetery, where Karl Marx is buried, is beautiful, mysterious, yet surprisingly not spooky. TripAdvisor Member, Cleveland, Ohio
Highgate Cemetery, Swains Lane, Highgate, 020 8340 1834

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com 4

Whats the

TOUR

How to Get Around

Dont get clamped: Pay attention to parking signs. Otherwise your car could be clamped or towed away. Both incur heavy nes. TripAdvisor Member, London

Navigate like a local: Pick up a bus map from the visitors center or a tube station. The map is a generous fold-out kind with buses and tubes marked on itmost useful!TripAdvisor Member A Travelcard provides unlimited travel for the combination of zones purchased. If you want to save a bit of money, you can buy an offpeak pass which only works after 9:30 AM.TripAdvisor Member, London

WHERE
FAMILIES
Many of the chains are child friendly, but try something different from the usual fast food. Wagamama is a local chain of noodle houses perfect for larger groups. You can place an initial order and then if people are still hungry, order a few more dishes. TripAdvisor Member, Rhode Island
Wagamama, I Tavistock St., Covent Garden, 020 7836 3330. Additional locations throughout London.

to eat

Want more information on London? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly e-mail updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for London or any other destination you choose.

Pizza Express is a chain restaurant that is miles apart from Pizza Hut. Firstly, this is cultured dining, and also the Express makes real Italian pizza.TripAdvisor Member, London
Locations throughout London; its Dean St. restaurant has a unique jazz club downstairs. 10 Dean St., Soho, 020 7437 9595

Families will enjoy the casual atmosphere at Frankies Italian Bar & Grill, complete with brown paper tablecloths that the kids can draw on. Pizzas and grilled items will appeal to everyone in the family. TripAdvisor Member, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Frankies Italian Bar & Grill, 3 Yeomans Row, 020 7590 9999

ten out of ten.

Celebrate a special occasion at Julies, one of the most atmospheric restaurants in London.TripAdvisor Member, Hove, England Julies Restaurant & Bar, 135 Portland Road, Holland Park, 020 7229 8331 The ambience and ne food at The Ritzs dinner dance (which happens on Friday and Saturday nights) get a ten out of ten. TripAdvisor Member, Dublin, Ireland
The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, 020 7493 8181

ROMANCE
Wow your love with the spectacular views at The Belvedere in Holland Park, a beautiful, elegant room with a terrace, situated in one of Londons most beautiful parks.TripAdvisor Member, Berkshire, U.K.
Belvedere, Abbotsbury Road, Holland Park, 020 7602 1238

BUDGET
Local chain Giraffe is always a good deal, but if you eat between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weeknights, youll eat for even less. Certainly relaxed and unstuffy. Pacic fusion style foodburgers, sh and chicken grills feature. Yummy puddings and smoothies. Kids welcome.TripAdvisor Member, London
Giraffe, 7 Kensington High St., 020 7938 1221 Additional locations throughout London.

The Neals Yard Salad Bar in Covent Garden has a great take-away special. For ve pounds you get a choice of entree, choice of bread and a fruit drink made from fresh fruit. We shared one meal between two of us, which was plenty.TripAdvisor Member, Saskatchewan
Neals Yard Salad Bar, 2 Neals Yard, 020 7836 3233

Dont let the cafeteria-like setting at Spicy Food Plus throw you offthe food is great. Dirt cheap, delicious Indian food. This is actually my favorite place to eat in London.TripAdvisor Member
Spicy Food Plus, 83 Wilton Road, 020 7834 8068

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com

WHERE
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS
At Mildreds, a well-known Soho vegetarian caf, the food is good and inexpensive (but they dont take reservations). TripAdvisor Member, London.
Mildreds, 45 Lexington St., 020 7494 1634

to eat

I love the smell of the food at Food for Thought! Very informal place, cheap, great location near Covent Garden. Great place if you love vegetarian cuisine and wont mind sharing the table with strangers. TripAdvisor Member, Rome, Italy
Food for Thought, 31 Neal St., 020 7836 0239

The food at Eat and Two Veg was good. They have quite a lot of innovative meat substitutes; it was all very tasty. TripAdvisor Member, London
Eat and Two Veg, 50 Marylebone High St., 020 7258 8595

HIDDEN GEMS
Tucked away in Earls Court, in the alley behind Hogarth Road is the quaint Little French Restaurant, with lovely food at very low prices (three-course meal for 9.95).TripAdvisor Member, Sweden
The Little French Restaurant, 18 Hogarth Place, 020 7370 0366

Upscale Baltic serves Eastern European food with air. The sh was excellent. But you must enjoy it with a divine Baltic Spring martini.TripAdvisor Member, Salt Lake City, Utah
Baltic, 74 Blackfriars Road, 020 7928 1111

For a different dining experience, check out Bateaux London. Elegant glass and traditional boats give an unparalleled view of the city from a totally different perspective on the Thames. Who says you have to stay still to enjoy good food? TripAdvisor Member, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Bateaux London, Embankment Pier, 020 7695 1800

SPECIAL EVENTS
Dress up in your wildest costumes and get your griddle ready for the Great Spitalelds Pancake Race, a wacky charity run that has contestants scampering through the Old Truman Brewery, donning wild outts and ipping pancakes on the go. (February 24)
Great Spitalelds Pancake Race, Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 020 7375 0441, http://www.alternativearts.co.uk

You can stay in shape while supporting people in need by participating in the 3.5-mile Crisis Square Mile Run. Anyone over 18 may join this fund-raising event; the proceeds go toward supporting Crisis, a London charity for the homeless. (June 4)
Crisis Square Mile Run, Starts at Paternoster Square, 020 7426 3852, http://www.crisis.org.uk

Sip and sample your way through dozens of beers, ciders and perries from all over the U.K. and further abroad at the tasty London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival. (March 18 20)
London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival, Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, http://www.camranorthlondon.org.uk/ldbf

Pay your respects to the Queen on her birthday and witness the pomp and ceremony of Trooping the Colour, when the Household Cavalry parades on horseback through Horse Guards Parade to the music of the Massed Bands. Leading the troops is the Queen herself, as she salutes her public. (June 13)
Trooping the Colour, 020 7414 2479, http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk

Celebrate the anniversary of the death of Englands patron saint as well as the birth of its greatest bard on St. Georges Day, when Trafalgar Square comes to life with free performances and activities and the Globe Theatre hosts the annual Shakespeares Birthday Celebrations. (April 23)
St. Georges Day, Various locations, http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/stgeorge.jsp

Enjoy three weeks of free outdoor performances and cultural events in Trafalgar Square during the Trafalgar Square Festival. (August)
Trafalgar Square Festival, Trafalgar Square, 020 7983 4813

Focusing on cooperation and diversity, the Coin Street Festival includes such festivities as a Turkish Grand Bazaar, a Dutch market, Eastern European music performances, childrens workshops, street theater and much, much more. Best of all, its free! (Weekends from June July)
Coin Street Festival, South Bank Centre, 020 7928 8998, http://www.coinstreet.org

With many of the streets closed off to motor vehicles, London Freewheel provides the perfect opportunity for a Sunday bike ride. Cyclists can enter the ride from any of a number of hubs along the route and then join the crowd of riders toward St. Jamess Park, where theyll refuel on free sandwiches and entertainment. (September)
London Freewheel, Various locations, 020 7983 4100, http://www.london.gov.uk/freewheel

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com 6

Where to

STAY
The Sumner is a lovely hotel in one of the best London locations, especially for shopping. Our room was very clean, comfortable and spacious. There are local grocery shops very close by. The staff are very nice and helpful. TripAdvisor Member, Chester, U.K.
The Sumner Hotel, 54 Upper Berkeley St., Marble Arch, 020 7723 2244

FAMILIES
Parkcity offers great value for the money. I would stay here again because of the spacious room, the reasonable price in London terms and the pillows! Its in a quiet location and in a very safe neighborhood. TripAdvisor Member, Belgium
Parkcity, 18-30 Lexham Gardens, Kensington, 0870 765 7333

At The Renaissance Chancery Court, rooms are spacious, its close to Covent Garden and its very family friendly. To put it plainly, this hotel is absolutely magnicent. TripAdvisor Member, Sweden
The Renaissance Chancery Court, 252 High Holborn, 020 7829 9888

ROMANCE
We had a wonderful stay at the beautiful Draycott. The location is exceptional, the atmosphere feels very much at home. And the staff is just a dream!TripAdvisor Member, Paris, France
The Draycott Hotel, 26 Cadogan Gardens, 020 7730 6466

Have questions about London? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours. The Milestone is a beautiful hotel that has anticipated all the needs of its guests. We didnt have to ask for anything extra or have anything changed because it was truly perfect! TripAdvisor Member, Los Angeles, Calif.
The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, Kensington, 020 7917 1000

The Soho Hotel is newly renovated and has a whimsical style. You feel like youre staying in your chic designer friends home. The staff was friendlynot at all snobby. In fact, the hotel exuded a kind of affable approachability, the design not being too modern or stuffy. Location is very good, walking distance to most tourist destinations and shopping. TripAdvisor Member, Rome, Italy
The Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, 020 7559 3000

It was truly perfect!

BUDGET
With a quiet location, owners who go above and beyond to make your stay pleasant and phenomenal English breakfasts, the Bay Tree House B&B is literally home away from home. God save the Queen and the Bay Tree House!TripAdvisor Member, Monterrey, Mexico
Bay Tree House B&B, 59 Brookdale, New Southgate, 020 8351 2836

Melrose House is a reasonably priced place with a great breakfast. Eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, baked tomatoes, assorted breads with various spreads, fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted beverages. I discovered that I love English breakfasts. I couldnt help but have seconds maybe thirds. Comfortable, clean room. TripAdvisor Member, Heidelberg, Germany
Melrose House, 89 Lennard Road, 020 8776 8884

There is no better place to stay in London, in my opinion, than B and B In Barnes. And its very cheap, so you neednt spend a fortune.TripAdvisor Member, Westphalia, Germany
B and B In Barnes, 12 Leconeld Ave., Barnes, 020 8392 0605

When can I move in?

I honestly cannot fault the Sotel St James. This is the place you want to stay. Walking distance to Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly, etc. But I also dont think youd want to leave your bed as it is soooo comfortable. The staff are very friendly, and the hotel has the most beautiful entrance. When can I move in?TripAdvisor Member, London
Sotel St James, 6 Waterloo Place, 020 7747 2200

LUXURY
The Covent Garden Hotel is a wonderful little hotel located on a quiet street in a very convenient location. You forget you are in central London. We elected for the Bloomsbury Rooms and were NOT disappointed. TripAdvisor Member, Washington, D.C.
Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth St., 020 7806 1000

At the Chestereld Mayfair, a 2008 Travelers Choice winner for luxury hotels, the staff were attentive, polite and extremely helpful. It is a typically old-world hotel, situated on a quiet street. We found the location to be ideal for shopping, theaters, galleries and just about everything else, too!TripAdvisor Member, Amal, Italy
The Chestereld Mayfair, 35 Charles St., 020 7491 2622

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com

Where to

STAY
Hotel 41 is a gorgeous boutique hotel. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the room was beautiful, if slightly small. The location is perfect for sight seeingso close to Buckingham Palace you can see it. Denitely recommend staying here for a treat.TripAdvisor Member, Munich, Germany
Hotel 41, 41 Buckingham Palace Road, 020 7300 0041

HIDDEN GEMS
The sweet personnel at the Parkes Hotel have been able to make reality all of my dreams, with maximum professionalism but with the warmth that only people of great value know how to give you. The memory in London is cradled by the memory of the Parkes Hotelthe sweetness of London. TripAdvisor Member, Italy
Parkes Hotel, 41 Beaufort Gardens, 020 7581 9944

I felt chic as soon as I walked in. The three lobby spaces are beautifully decorated modern but not minimalist. Each evening I had a drink in the library and felt like I was staying in a modern English country house. Most importantly, the Knightsbridge Hotel felt very new and very clean. My room was small but beautiful. The location was perfect. The staff is young, friendly and tech savvy.TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y.
Knightsbridge Hotel, 10 Beaufort Gardens, 020 7584 6300

I felt chic as soon as I walked in.

About

TRIPADVISOR

TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 31 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 20 million reviews and opinions of 348,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 61,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever.

Edited/compiled by Vivienne Crow This brochure and its contents are copyright 2009, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. This brochure contains reviews, comments, photographs and other content regarding destinations, accommodations, airlines and other travel products and services submitted by users of tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings represent the opinions of such users. TripAdvisor does not sponsor or endorse any user content and therefore is not liable for any statements, representations or other information contained in such user content. Further, reference to any products, services, processes or other information of any third party does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of or afliation with, such third party by TripAdvisor. Such third parties are owned and operated by independent retailers or service providers, and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that you will be satised with their products, services, business practices or provided information. TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party.

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

tripadvisor.com 8