Britain/United Kingdom/England/First Time in London

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/26/2009


Question
Hi!  My fiance and I will be heading over to the UK for the first time for our honeymoon.  Our final destination is a cruise aroudn the British Isles, but we will be staying in London for a couple of days before the cruise embarks.  We are thinking about staying in the Quality Crown Hotel near the Paddington Station.  We are trying to find 'must see' things in the short time we will have there.  We aren't too interested in art museums, but are interested in the culture of that part of the world, and the history of London and great restaurants.  Also, since we are spending quite a bit on the cruise, we would like to try to limit our spending before hand.  Any cheap or free sights you can recommend?  Also any restaurants we must try??

Thank you!

Answer
Sandra, hi - and thanks for your questions!

Let's deal with your hotel first.

Take a look at the reviews here and note that the hotel is rated 500th in London.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d195221-Reviews-Quality_Crown_Ho...

Also look at another hotel, like base2stay, which is rated 13th, and compare the reviews and prices:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d189735-Reviews-Base2stay_kensin...

For the history of London, the fabulous "Museum of London"

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk

is one my favourite museums (in the world!).

Most of London is actually free - all museums have free entrance - it would make sense to search Google for "London Museums" and see what interests you - I'd be very happy to help further, with more details from you of your likes.

All the major sites, Tower Bridge, Parliament, Leicester and Trafalgar Squares and many hundreds more are open 24 hours with plenty to see - and there's thousands of years of history all around you anywhere in the City!.

For eating, every possible cuisine in the world is available in London, so please give me some idea of your budget and likes and I'll be very happy to help.

Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Alun Hill, MCIJ

http://www.ShortEuropeBreaks.co.uk

Britain/United Kingdom/England

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alun Hill MCIJ

Expertise

As a full time, UK based, travel journalist, I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places. Visitors for both business and pleasure are welcome to ask questions. I almost always travel by public transport, so questions on rail, air and coach / bus travel are also very welcome. I also regularly write about and use the "Eurostar" rail service between London and Continental Europe - which uses a tunnel under the English Channel - so I am able to help with any questions there, too.

Experience

I'm a full time, UK based, travel journalist. I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places for my readers. I have been writing about, filming and reporting from UK tourism destinations for over 12 years. I cover both "business" and "pleasure" trips for my readers.

Organizations
I am a member of the "Chartered Institute of Journalists" (the world's oldest professional body for journalists), the "British Association of Journalists" and "The International Travel Writers Alliance". I hold a full UK Press Card, issued by the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard, London.

Publications
National and local press in UK. Local and National TV in the UK and Europe (Germany, Hungary), reporting on travel and tourism in the UK.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.