Wetherspoons does for the pub what Starbucks does for the coffee shop e.g. removes all elements of character from the experience.
Horrible places in comparison to a real pub. O’Neill’s is a similar thing only gives you lots of identical “genuine” Irish pubs to visit.
If you have any interest in real pubs make sure you use something like the good pub guide so you can avoid the chain monstrosities.
Whatever you do, do NOT go to the Churchill Arms in Kensington Church Street! I was once served a totally spoiled ale there and when we complained we were told “It’s perfect. Nothing wrong with it”. My friend and I immediately left the premises and swore never to set foot there again. A promise I have kept for almost 20 years now.
That is quite a grudge 
Is it even still run by the same people?
I have a long memory.
When we came home we told another friend (who happens to be a bar owner) about it and he said he had seen an old man get the same “service” somewhere in London. He did not, like we, walk out, leaving the glass on the bar. He turned it upside down first.
We loved The Victoria on Strathearn Place. http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=4&itemid=317&task=View It was a few blocks from our hotel and we went there at least 3 times in 2 weeks.
I’d do a tour bus to get my bearings followed by one of the big museums, tower of london, buck palace and have lunch in a pub.
One practical thing : Don’t bother with an umbrella. Take a lightweight waterproof coat with a hood, that way you will be prepared for any weather and can use both hands for maps etc. This may sound trivial but you will be doing a fair amount of walking and London pavements (sidewalks) are a lot narrower than those in the US.
Also, I found this book invaluable for finding interesting pubs to visit: http://www.amazon.com/London-Pub-Ted-Bruning/dp/1847325084/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
I have the 2001 edition. There is also a 2009 edition but I don’t know how much they updated it, or if it is just a reprint.
I also did a lot of research here http://www.pubs.com/ on interesting pubs. That’s where we first learned about the Victoria. pubs.com - pubs Resources and Information.
For a really really good pub grub experience, “The Narrow” and “The Warrington” are both Gordon Ramsay pubs. Not that expensive but you do need to book. I’ve eaten at the Warrington and can recommend it.
Also seconding the Wolsey recommended above for tea, but also for breakfast - great great eggs benedict with mimosas (“bucks fizz” in English). Mmmm.
Don’t forget the CAMRA Good Beer Guide!
Seconding the Camra suggestion.
If you want to get out of London, Oxford and Cambridge are a short bus ride away. Oxford’s an hour, and IIRC, Cambridge is a slightly longer ride.
Buses to Oxford run on the hour, so you don’t have to curtail your day trip so much.
(if you do go to Oxford, go to the Turf Tavern)
I was just raising an eyebrow at the statement that “most pubs have the same menu” and must be catered centrally. This is, at best, sweeping generalisation, and misinformed by basing the statement on a small unrepresentative sample.
There is an enormous number of pubs in London of varying styles and varying food quality. Some are part of chains and get their food delivered to go straight into the microwave or deep fat fryer; but many are independent and their food will vary from gastro-pubs to traditional home cooked food to something ghastly from the cash and carry. Some will only do snacks like pies and toasties; some will do full three course meals.
And the name is Scougs, as it quite clearly says above my post, and I’m a girl.
Thank you 
Sorry to hear about the hover craft, RIP
Currently Washington DC area. However, I’ve lived in Western Europe for 12 years and have been to every country in W. Europe.
This is IMHO, :rolleyes:
Bangles and mash, bubbles and squeak, battered fish… oh boy. Get your dental work done before you go. Make sure to go to A PUB! Not that pub but this pub. Destination England for a pub! Whoop tiddy do! Don’t forget your brolly and mac. Oh and there’s a Special Family that are Special because… they were Born Special!
Pass.
(Pity the hovercraft went the way of the dodo… at least you can take the chunnel. For five Benjamins.)
ps- Otto and I agree on GB.
You are just being silly and trying to derail the thread, everyone else is answering in good faith and you know fine well that your opinions are purposefully inflammatory.
Any reason why you are doing this?
Fine, people get it. You have some sort of hatred of the country based on ‘whatever’. That’s cool, not everyone likes everything, but this low grade trolling is really embarrassing.
Be prepared for most of the London sites to be pay per view. I generally chaperone teenage girls when I am in London, but I really liked taking them to the Britain at War museum. I like it because it really gives a good feel of what it was like to live through WWII, which as US girls, was not something that even their grandparents had experienced.
I wasn’t expecting to like the Tower of London, but I did. It could be that we just had a really good Beefeater tour guide though. The Tate Modern was good if you like art. The Victoria and Albert is the best museum to go to if you have a diverse group; there is something for everyone there.
I think Pret is much better than Panera and would love for one to open near me even though it would be a disaster for my budget.
Oh you learned about GB from a cartoon. How cute.