Swanlake
member
Reged: 24/09/2009
Posts: 75
Loc: Lancashire
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Hi ladies
My hubby and I are coming dowm to London to see Jersey Boys. Has anyone seen it, and is it good ? Also we will have a full day on the Saturday there. Obviously shopping is top of my list but Hubby wants to go to a couple of Museums. Not my cup of tea at all. Does anyone know of any museums which are not full of stuffy old bits of history, and that I might actually enjoy. 
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Swanlake
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Bonnie1
member
Reged: 02/08/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi
How about the Wallace Collection? Mainly art but lots of other things too in a beautiful house about 10 mins walk from OXFORD ST! Collection given to the nation on condition it was not split up.
You could split up and meet him there for lunch (good food) or have a wander too.
Have a great day!
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scarpantoni
member
Reged: 22/07/2009
Posts: 1084
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Hello SwanLake
My OH and I are off to London in November and we plan ot visit Churchills bunker and his war rooms ... have a look on the internet for details.
Followed by a super afternoon cream tea at the Landmark hotel ( piono and palm trees and mezzaine shops ) lovely !! opposite Marlyebone Stn. They also do amazing champagne brunches on a sunday ( 5+) star hotel.
Have a great time.
Scarp xx
Scarp xx
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Gillygirl
member
Reged: 06/07/2009
Posts: 295
Loc: south east
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Hi Swanlake,
Unable to help with museums but can only say you will love Jersey Boys - a real feel good, toe tapping show.
Have fun in London, its my favourite.
gillx
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susieblue
member
Reged: 16/03/2008
Posts: 1438
Loc: Devon
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Why don't you make sure you have a mobile phone each and then you can go shopping, he can go to the museums and you can meet up later?
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Alice23
member
Reged: 21/09/2009
Posts: 179
Loc: In Wonderland
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Hi Scarp ,SwanLake, Bonnie,
My all time favourite hotel we stay at the Landmark whenever
we go to London. The Spa treatments are wonderful. As for
museums my OH likes the Imperial War Museum because he
is very interested in history and there you can also see
the Holocaust exhibition - which is traumatic but very interesting. I also like to visit the National Portrait Gallery.
The Wallace collection sounds really interesting too must put
that on my list for when I'm next at the Landmark.
Have a great time
Alice
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1302
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I agree with Alice that the Imperial War Museum is actually brilliant - not just full of weapons by any means. Although you can walk through the fuselage of Lancaster bomber and listen to a real-life recording of the crew's conversation while out on a raid .. fascinating .. the Holocaust section is obviously very moving and upsetting but so worth seeing. You can't see everything in a day so we plan to go back to the spy exhibition soon
There's an interesting show on at the National Portrait Gallery at the moment : From the Beatles to Bowie - loads of photos of all the big singers and bands in the 60s .. really fun.
My OH saw The Jersey Boys and loved it btw. I'm sure you'll have a great weekend
Mags
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Mochashosh
member
Reged: 16/02/2009
Posts: 271
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Hi Swanlake
Don't knock museums too easily; some of them can be good. The Imperial War is very well laid out, and plenty of different kinds of exhibitions.
If you don't like looking at paintings/ceramics/armor, the Wallace may not be for you, though I like it a lot. The Natural History and Science museums have some good interactives and are both free.
It all depends what you're into. What is it that you like doing? There is so much going on in London that if you tell us what you like, there will be something exciting for you to do if you have really set your heart against museums (although as I say, don't necessarily knock them as museums have changed a lot in the last 20 years).
The Landmark hotel is right near me, and the atrium is a beautiful location for tea, but if you prefer something more central, Richoux and Harvey Nicks are good as well.
Have fun!
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Swanlake
member
Reged: 24/09/2009
Posts: 75
Loc: Lancashire
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Thanks everyone. You have persuaded me to try the Imperial War Museum - sounds really interesting. We have one up here in Manchester and I have to admit that I found it really good, not too stuffy. Will give it a try.
Swanlake
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Swanlake
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Mochashosh
member
Reged: 16/02/2009
Posts: 271
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They have a 'Terrible Trenches' exhibition based on the 'Horrible Histories' series at the moment. Probably aimed at kids, but might be fun. The exhibition on evacuees is also nicely done.
The Holocaust section is quite well done, but prepare to be upset. I applied for a job there but didn't get it. It was a mixed blessing, because I would have been perfect for the job, but I think it would have been hard going.
The area is not huge for attractions, but there is a small market in The Cut by Waterloo Station, and some small art galleries, and you are only a bus ride away from the Festival Hall, and National Theatre, where there is bound to be something on, e.g. a lunchtime concert. If you can, get yourself onto a backstage tour of the National Theatre. I recommend it.
Have a great day, whatever you decide.
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1302
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Hi Swanlake, I've been to the Manchester one when I used to live there. It's an interesting building isn't it - you probably know it's based on the shape of a shattered sphere, to symbolise the way war damages the world - it's quite good but the London one is much, much better. Nice home-made cakes in the coffeeshop too - worth a visit!
Will you come back on the forum and let us know how you enjoyed your weekend?
Mags
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Swanlake
member
Reged: 24/09/2009
Posts: 75
Loc: Lancashire
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Thanks for that Scottish Mags. I wonder if you are the same Mags that I know. She lives in Edinburgh which is also the site of my favourite restaurant in Great Britain - Fishers on the Shore at Leith. Have you eaten there ?
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 3667
Loc: Suffolk,
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How about a trip on the London Eye? Then a wander across Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Whitehall, etc....
then lunch...
and a bit of shopping at Covent Garden
Compromise!
..wisp
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tuzanne
member
Reged: 17/07/2009
Posts: 436
Loc: Essex
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I suppose it depends on how many times you are going to visit London. If it is not that often why waste it on shopping, you can do that in Manchester. The shops are not that different in London and you would either have to go back to hotel to take purchases back or carry them to theatre with you.
I would do something that you can't do anywhere else. London Eye is good idea, but make sure you book in advance on internet as it is popular. I think they also do a combined ticket with a Thames cruise.
Madam Tussauds is fun to visit. We had a family visit to MT last Christmas when we were going to see a show, and had great fun taking pictures of ourselves with Johnny Deep or Robbie Willams. At the time we went they did a spoof on Big Brother and my mum, daughter and I had great fun sitting on the BB chair talking to BB. We ended up with a fun DVD to treasure and laugh at forever.
I have heard that Churchills bunker and his war rooms is very good, although we have never got around to going there. My OH wants to go to this one too. I think that visiting a large London Museum would take too long to do on just a day when you have to go to a show afterwards. If you OH likes history what about the Tower of London.
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 3667
Loc: Suffolk,
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Did the London Eye 2 weeks ago, and booked in advance. You don't need to now, it busy, but not packed. At this time of year, you might decide to consider the weather, fortunately we were lucky. (Soory Tuzanne, not trying to correct you, When I did it 2 years ago you HAD to book, I was surprised this time it was so easy)
Madane Tussauds is great, and if you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers you can save a fortune if you trade them in first.
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1302
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Hi Swanlake
I used to live in Edinburgh years and years ago but I'm in London now
Yes, Fishers is great; also like A Room In Leith
Whereabouts in Edinburgh is your friend .. the other Mags?
Mags
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RunGirl
member
Reged: 11/01/2008
Posts: 1336
Loc: South East London
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Jersey Boys is a great show - you will love it.
I would echo what others have said about museums; most of the museums have great interactive exhibitions now which are fun for both adults and children. The Victoria and Albert is always nice to visit, if you are staying in the West.
All the Christmas lights are up now (not seen them yet) so the West End will have a Christmassy feel which will be lovely. If the weather is nice - perhaps clear and cold - why not take a boat up the river in either direction from Westminster Pier; it's very enjoyable and a great way to see the city. Have fun!
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smaureen
member
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 112
Loc: North East Wales
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I am having a weekend in London at the end of the month to go to the Royal Albert Hall. So I shall bear all these suggestions in mind for somewhere to visit during the day.
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Swanlake
member
Reged: 24/09/2009
Posts: 75
Loc: Lancashire
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Mags works for British Telecom and lives near Craigmillar. Thanks for the other restaurant, we will give that one a whirl when we are next in Edinburgh. You are so lucky to live in such a lovely City.
Swanlake
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JulieJ
member
Reged: 29/12/2008
Posts: 549
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Anyone with teenage boys - I recommend the London Rib Experience - you board from where the London Eye is, and are in a big rib boat, and they do a 'James Bond' and bomb you down the river doing huge fast curves and stuff. Amazingly, though you all wear waterproofs they hand out, you don't get wet! Costs a lot though - over £30 I think, so maybe for special treats only. There's a website if you key in 'London Rib'.
Best, Julie
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