Time for final planning for Scuba Ben’s trip to the Tower of London.
I have tickets for three people (plus myself) to the Tower’s Ceremony of the Keys on Saturday, May 29; meet at the Tower by 9:15. Who wants to join me for this?
After that ends at about 10:15, let’s go pub hopping! Who wants to join a pub crawl?
On Sunday, May 30, I’m going to the Attack the Tower! special event. Who wants to come study seige warfare and reenact the French Taunter scene?
I’ll put myself forward for a ticket, as well as SciFiSam. She’s not on the Dope no more due to not having a credit card, but we were discussing this on Saturday, and she’s up for it, although it might be the Attack bit we were on about, I was 4-5 pints up at the time.
I’ll resurrect the NADS thread on this, Ben, go to the link I posted above and get yourself an EZboard account too, its free and easy etc.
9.15 in the morning are we talking? Pubs don’t open until 11am, but that leaves us time to get a big arse breakfast before hitting the pubs. I think you’ll find most folk won’t be up and about til at least 2pm though.
Clarification… 21.15, or 9:15 PM to us Yanks. Sorry about the confusion.
And I’ll go check out the NADS thread later today. Thanks, Paul!
Aha! in which case you want people to be out before the 21.15 start. Most pubs shut at 23.00 too, but we can find somewhere open after that if we head back up towards the west end. depends on what time in the afternoon you want to kick off, then people can be gathered.
Let me have a word with Sam.
The limiting factor here is that the Ceremony of the Keys runs from 21.30 to 22.05. I’m allowing time on the front end for people to get to the Tower; the Yeoman Warders will not admit any late arrivals.
I wasn’t aware that the pubs shut down at 23.00. So let’s redo the schedule a bit. How about this?
Sounds like a good plan. Sam would indeed like a ticket, if thats all good with you. Whereabouts are you staying Ben? Would probably be best to meet around London Bridge I reckon, the Towers not that far away, or in the City. If I get on to garius, theres a fair few pubs he knows around there in the city or Fleet st sort of way.
Mansion house, Fenchurch st or Monument are the nearest stations.
We still up for Stonehenge? I’ve changed my plans around a bit, I will still be going to Stonehenge on the 28th, but instead of going straight to the mainland after that I will not be leaving until the next morning. I can do Stonehenge or most anything in London the 28th.
Paul, I’m staying at (IIRC) the Novotel Tower of London, which is right around the corner from the Tower. If I were any closer I’d have to stay in one of the Tower’s cells. 
Edward, I’m available starting around midday on the 28th. If that’s a good time for you, then I’m still up for Stonehenge.
The afternoon sounds good to me. What time does your plane land? I don’t mind spending hours in the area. 
Does the Attack the Tower Event require a special ticket, or is it included in the normal entry? I’m hoping to come, but it depends on one or two other things getting sorted.
Wow. I’m in Maryland too, and also planning a trip to Stonehenge and the Tower of London. Unfortunately, not until the end of June, first week of July.
As far as I can tell, the event is included with the normal entry to the Tower.
Edward, I’ll check my plane schedule and let you know.
well i’ve just checked and i get paid the friday before.
count me in.
What time do folk want to meet up on Saturday then, and where?
Garius knows the area better than I do round there, but i’m calling for Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese again. That was pretty cool last time around.
Problem is that 90% of the places round here don’t open on a Saturday.
I’ve a sneaking suspicion that whilst the The Cheshire Cheese opens, it only opens the restaurant bit and a couple of the smaller bars if that.
The George may be open, i’m not sure - but its not exactly the most impressive pub in existence.
What about the Prinny Lou?
Okay the London Pub Authority (LDA)* - an internationally approved and recognised body** - has reached its decision. Details are below.
Meeting Location: The Princess Louise, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BW
Description: The Princess Louise is a 19th century Victorian pub which still retains a great deal of its original interior, mainly because its location in what was one of the seedier parts of the West End ensured that it always remained at the bottom of the brewery’s redecoration list. It is now a Grade II listed Building, and its legendary men’s toilets actually have a seperate Grade II listed status! Its now owned by Sam Smiths, which means the beer is good as well as cheap.
Directions: Leave Holborn tube station by the exit directly opposite the escalators. Cross Kingsway (the road directly in front of you) and walk down High Holborn. You will pass a Sainsburys on your left, a Natwest bank and finally a HSBC bank. The Princess Louise will then be on your left and looks like this. A map of its location can be found here.
Meeting Time: 1400hrs London Time
Contacts: paulberserker (glasses, northern) will be there from 1400hrs, as will I (no glasses, southern).*** My mobile number is available on request to people who want it just in case. If so drop me an email.
The Plan: Pretty open at the moment, but we’ll probably hang around the Prinny Lou for a while then head down towards the tower via the tube.
*me and paulberserker
**seriously. Ask Wendell Wagner, Morgyn or Knowed Out if you want references.
***Actually i’ll probably do my usual trick and saunter in about 15 minutes late. Apologies in advance.
Thanks garius and paulberserker for putting together the pub-hopping plan. This is going to be a very fun trip!
I’m sending you my cell phone number. My phone worked in Paris, it should work just fine in London.
I’ll meet up with people at the pub probably in the late afternoon, depending mainly on how my sightseeing goes. I look forward to meeting the London Dopers on Saturday!
Also, I’ve gotten set up with the NADS board, and I’ll post a “hi” message there later today.
Edward the Head, my plane lands at 8:30 am on Friday. I figure I’ll be ready to head out to Stonehenge around noon, from my hotel by Tower Bridge. I’m sending you also my cell phone number, and I’ll give you a call when I reach the hotel.