Borough Market's great, but is hellishly busy at weekend's now, one of the most popular tourist attractions in London with all that means. Go on it's new opening day instead, Thursday. You can actually move. Also avoid the always mobbed pub the Market Porter and have a pint in the much better Wheatsheaf instead.
http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=250Or nip over the road to the ancient, historic George Inn.
http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=187(Some of the info on these web pages are out of date BYW. The Floral hall portico from the old Covent Garden market IS now here. You can buy the best coffee in London from the joint opposite it).
If you hadn't been coming in the middle of a freezing winter I'd have recommended a boat trip to Greenwich, followed by a stroll through the slightly creepy foot tunnel to take in the views of Wren/Hawksmore's Naval Hospital. Back over the river again and up the Observatory hill for one of the best views of the city, then along the river for a pint in the gorgeous Cutty Sark pub, which also does great fish and chips. As you are heading the Dome to see the Tut show, you'll be in this area anyway.
The great churches are must sees too. They are both a bit pricey, so it's best to do 'em one trip at a time. Westminster Abbey has the history and all the gothic trappings. St. Paul's has the astounding dome and the fabulous views from the top, if you've got the puff to climb up there. Or else, since you mention the area round Victoria, take the lift to the top of Westminster Cathedral for some more great views. You'll also be taking in a Hitchcock film location (a murder scene in FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, one of Goebbels's fave British films!) and it's far cheaper than it's more famous big two.
One of my fave neglected buildings here is the Duke of Wellington's mansion at Hyde Park Corner. The Canova statue of Napoleon will have you laughing out loud and is worth the price of admission alone (it's so pompous that even the little Corsican was embarrassed when he saw it). If you are interested in history the house must see, and the moving Royal Artillery memorial is just across the road. It's all near Victoria station too. It's not an area I know that well, so I'm afraid I can't recommend an eating place.
A good freebee off the tourist trail is the vast Kensal Green cemetery. As seen in the films THEATER OF BLOOD and the opening scene of SECRETS AND LIES. Packed with eminent dead Victorians and some pretty elaborate tombs, and with creepy catacombs opened to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
http://www.kensalgreencemetery.com/index.htmlTry and check out the Citte of York in Holborn some time. A true Victorian Palace of drink with my fave pub interior in all London. It's a Sam Smith's too, so you don't pay London prices...
http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=160People will tell you to have a curry on Brick Lane, and you can't go too wrong there, but the best I've had in London is near me, the Indian Ocean on Holloway Road.
http://www.myvillage.com/islington/rest ... aurant.htmAs Rab C. once slurred it so well, “Some place the London, boy!”
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:58 pm
