TAM London News and Info Thread

[Mojo]

I was thinking of sausage from a particular butcher in Brampton (and probably some time in the 1980s).

 

[supercorgi]

Anyone else plotting side events around TAM London? I'll be coming down from Newcastle so I'd love to squeeze as much in during that trip as possible.

Well I've never been to England before so if I come, I'll be making a vacation of it. Would love pointers on the "must see" things in London. I KNOW I have to go to the British Museum - not sure how many days I should allow for that. I've always wanted to see the Elgin Marbles.

Plan on going up to York for a while (great Viking museum) and drive around the countryside and walk part of Hadrian's wall. I was also thinking of going down to Bath for a few days. I guess I have to see Stonehenge but I've had people tell me that the ring at Avebury is more impressive since you can actually walk around the stones.

My big interests are ancient and medieval history. Any good castles in any of those vicinities?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Well I've never been to England before so if I come, I'll be making a vacation of it. Would love pointers on the "must see" things in London. I KNOW I have to go to the British Museum - not sure how many days I should allow for that. I've always wanted to see the Elgin Marbles.

One day - minimum. The place is huge and is packed with stuff.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

Well I've never been to England before so if I come, I'll be making a vacation of it. Would love pointers on the "must see" things in London. I KNOW I have to go to the British Museum - not sure how many days I should allow for that. I've always wanted to see the Elgin Marbles.

Plan on going up to York for a while (great Viking museum) and drive around the countryside and walk part of Hadrian's wall. I was also thinking of going down to Bath for a few days. I guess I have to see Stonehenge but I've had people tell me that the ring at Avebury is more impressive since you can actually walk around the stones.

My big interests are ancient and medieval history. Any good castles in any of those vicinities?

If you do get up to Northumberland for Hadrian's Wall, there are loads of castles up that way: Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Lindisfarne (but you need to check the tides for that one) etc:

http://northumberland-cam.com/castles/index.htm

 

[Darat]

Well I've never been to England before so if I come, I'll be making a vacation of it. Would love pointers on the "must see" things in London. I KNOW I have to go to the British Museum - not sure how many days I should allow for that. I've always wanted to see the Elgin Marbles.

Plan on going up to York for a while (great Viking museum) and drive around the countryside and walk part of Hadrian's wall. I was also thinking of going down to Bath for a few days. I guess I have to see Stonehenge but I've had people tell me that the ring at Avebury is more impressive since you can actually walk around the stones.

My big interests are ancient and medieval history. Any good castles in any of those vicinities?

If you want to walk on Hadrian's wall and like castles then you need to go to the most beautiful country in the UK - Northumberland, it just happens to have more castles than any other country and you can walk on Hadrian's wall: http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

 

[BillC]

If anyone is interested in seeing Avebury, I'm thinking of mountain-biking along part of The Ridgeway. This 10,000-year old track runs close to Avebury, in addition to other ancient monuments such as Silbury Hill (as old as the pyramids), Wayland's Smithy and Uffington White Horse.

 

[supercorgi]

If anyone is interested in seeing Avebury, I'm thinking of mountain-biking along part of The Ridgeway. This 10,000-year old track runs close to Avebury, in addition to other ancient monuments such as Silbury Hill (as old as the pyramids), Wayland's Smithy and Uffington White Horse.

Want to go to Avebury but not up for mountain-biking. I have a recumbent trike which can break down into 2 suitcases but with the extra fees for extra luggage, I won't be bringing it. I'm just going to have to learn to drive on the wrong side of the street!

 

[supercorgi]

If you want to walk on Hadrian's wall and like castles then you need to go to the most beautiful country in the UK - Northumberland, it just happens to have more castles than any other country and you can walk on Hadrian's wallI: http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

Norman castles? Anything later I'm not so much interested in them. 1066 - Normans vs. Celts -- sorry for the Celts but I'd love to see some Norman castles. I participate in a medieval re-enactment society and in that society, my character is an Anglo-Norman lady. I'd love to see some construction from that time period.

 

[supercorgi]

If you do get up to Northumberland for Hadrian's Wall, there are loads of castles up that way: Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Lindisfarne (but you need to check the tides for that one) etc:

http://northumberland-cam.com/castles/index.htm

Ah didn't know Lindisfarne had a castle. I'm only familiar with the famous monastary and the beautiful gospels that have survived. Right now I'm watching this History Channel show on Barbarians: Vikings and they're talking about the invasion of Lindisfarne.

 

[supercorgi]

One day - minimum. The place is huge and is packed with stuff.

A day an a 1/2? Two days? I don't want to spend a huge amount of time in London since it's so expensive but I want to see the prime sights. Been to the Met in NYC, the Smithsonian, the Lourve, and the National Archeology Museum in Athens -- only things left are the British Museum and the Cairo Egyptian Museum (although I'd still love to go to the Hermitage). (So many places to see - so little time and money )

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

A day an a 1/2? Two days? I don't want to spend a huge amount of time in London since it's so expensive but I want to see the prime sights. Been to the Met in NYC, the Smithsonian, the Lourve, and the National Archeology Museum in Athens -- only things left are the British Museum and the Cairo Egyptian Museum (although I'd still love to go to the Hermitage). (So many places to see - so little time and money )

Add Westminster Abbey and St. Pauls. Take the tour at WA and go to the top of StP's.

And the Tate Modern too.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

Some of the Northumberland castles were originally Norman, but have been substantially added to/altered/renovated over the intervening centuries. This site gives a bit more detail on dates etc:

http://www.touruk.co.uk/castles/castles_in_northu.htm

And this site has a nice timeline on Alnwick castle:
http://www.alnwickcastle.com/history.php

 

[Big Les]

I'd love to make this. Maybe if I combine it with a trip to see my partner's family in Essex.

 

[yngve]

I know it's a bit early, but I thought I might organise a meal out somewhere on the Friday- I was thinking of somewhere near the city (mainly because I've booked a budget hotel room nearby, and I work in the area)

Anyone up for an east end curry house? Hows about sausage and mash?

The city seems strangely quiet at the moment, cant for the life of me think why..

I'm all for it, exellent initiative!

 

[H3LL]

London?

Strange choice.

I always thought Biggleswade was the sceptical hub of the UK and Europe?






.

 

[H3LL]

My big interests are ancient and medieval history. Any good castles in any of those vicinities?

Warwick Castle is a must see. (Sort of on the way to York - ish)

You might perhaps have to turn your brain off for some of the activities (but they're still great fun) and there is enough serious stuff to see at one of our better medieval castles.


BTW, we drive on the left. Being from Mass., roundabouts (Rotaries) should be less confusing than for many of your fellow Americans. Also watch out for the Gap bats on the underground in London. They usually warn you if they are around.

 

[CrikeyBobs]

On the topic of London Underground, while it is very convenient for getting around central London, you miss out on so much. Just arm yourself with an A-Z guide and walk. Many journeys are not as far as you might think. I haven't used LU for over a year and rather enjoy (weather permitting) taking in the sights as I power walk my way from A to B.

 

[Phlebas]

Is there already talk about a pilgrimage to Darwin's house and I missed it?

If we get over there with enough time, I may make a run down to Caterbury Cathedral. I love that place. Studied Becket a lot when I was first getting into history.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Is there already talk about a pilgrimage to Darwin's house and I missed it?

He won't be home.

 

[tkingdoll]

On the topic of London Underground, while it is very convenient for getting around central London, you miss out on so much. Just arm yourself with an A-Z guide and walk. Many journeys are not as far as you might think. I haven't used LU for over a year and rather enjoy (weather permitting) taking in the sights as I power walk my way from A to B.

This is a very good point. The Underground is fantastic for getting somewhere fast, but if you have time and a map, it's really great to walk, London is always surprising.

Also, if it's not rush hour, buses offer a good way to see the sights and learn the layout of the city.

One mistake I made when I first came here was to assume the Underground map/layout bore some resemblance to its overground counterpart. That is not the case. Two adjacent Tube stops are not necessarily in easy walking distance.