# What Would You Do As A Tourist in London? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411 "2017-08-22T22:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/21 "2017-08-23T14:44:49Z")
Westminster Abbey; lots of famous people entombed there. Kew Gardens. Stroll across Abbey Lane. The weekend markets. Find a good fish and chip store. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/22 "2017-08-23T14:46:26Z")
Look right ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/23 "2017-08-23T14:58:09Z")
I’ve been thinking about a trip to the UK for a while Tower of London British Museum Kew gardens Pubs then back to the Tower of London, it seems like a fascinating place (BTW I’m in the same boat in a way. I’ve lived near Washington DC for more than a decade, and never been inside the white house or congress, nor to the top of the Washington Monument.) ---
**Author:** ![Weirofhermiston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e274bd/32.png) [@Weirofhermiston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirofhermiston)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/24 "2017-08-23T15:55:51Z")
Take a look round [Eltham Palace](http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/). I lived in South London for more than thirty years and only discovered this gem shortly before I left (in fairness, it hadn’t been open all that time). Bit of a journey to get there but well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/25 "2017-08-23T16:45:44Z")
> [@Trancephalic](#): > > Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors. No…too easy… Well, I was going to say, personally, visit the [Hunterian Museum](http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hunterian-museum)…but it seems, doing a little checking, it’s going to be closed until late 2020 for renovations. ☹ I’d also try and get some Jellied Eels. I can’t seem to find them for sale _anywhere_ on this continent. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/26 "2017-08-23T18:02:51Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > Look right Or, actually, both ways. There are too many one way streets and pedestrian islands in the middle of streets for me to only look one way in London. Suburban roads, that’s another story. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/27 "2017-08-23T18:23:17Z")
> [@Trancephalic](#): > > Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors. Few things here actually make me laugh out loud, but this sure did. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/28 "2017-08-23T18:58:22Z")
Another vote for Kew Gardens. The huge Victorian greenhouse ([Palm House](https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/attractions/palm-house)) alone is worth the price of admission. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/29 "2017-08-23T19:28:55Z")
I was in the UK for two weeks about 15 years ago. > [@spjork](#): > > I guess I take for granted that I can visit the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham palace, et al, when I have the time, just as I suppose most New Yorkers think the Statue of Liberty is always going to be there waiting for them and they can go some day-- just not today. I hit all three of those spots. I visited the Tower, saw the Crown Jewels (I had to buy a reference book as photography is not permitted), explored the museum there, and took lots of pictures of the ravens and the Yeoman Warders. At Parliament, I met three young travelers from South Korea who joined me as we sat in on the House of Commons. It was like C-Span, but with British accents - democracy at its finest! Later that night, we went down to Soho for Chinese food. I was gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein. The following day we met up at Buckingham Palace to observe the Changing of the Guard. It’s not enough just to go there; you have to see the Changing. > [@spjork](#): > > So maybe I should ask those of you not in England what it is you would do if you had a day in London? Because I’d like to stop only living in but seeing this city I’ve come to call my home. Other things I did, not counting a weekend jaunt to Edinburgh:[ul][_]Ride in the London Eye (Try both on a clear day and at night!)[_]Visit the Tate Museum of Modern Art[_]See the National Portrait Gallery[_]Explore the British Museum[_]Take in all the exhibits at the Victoria and Albert Museum[_]See importatnt documents (such as one copy of the Magna Carta) at the British Library[_]Explore the Imperial War Museum[_]Cross the Thames using Tower Bridge[_]Visit Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral[_]Check out the Salvador Dali Exhibit (Is it still there, near Westminster Bridge?)[_]Explore Piccadilly Circus[_]Go shopping at Harrod’s[_]Stop by Games Workshop Hammersmith (Is it still there? I heard it closed), wherein was displayed the entire Ultramarines chapter[_]Eat cheese enchiladas at the Texas Embassy[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/30 "2017-08-23T19:41:59Z")
Add to your list a few we visited the last time we were there - Kensington Palace - A treat for the Diana fans. Apsley House - The 9th Duke of Wellington still lives there (sometimes) behind that big door. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/31 "2017-08-23T19:49:12Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > I’d also try and get some Jellied Eels. I can’t seem to find them for sale _anywhere_ on this continent. What would have been the point of fighting the Revolutionary War if we were going to let in jellied eels? Also: Amazon UK hasn’t yet killed off Foyles, and their Charing Cross Road flagship bookshop is well worth a visit for any book lover. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/32 "2017-08-23T19:56:08Z")
One of the things I really liked doing was catching a waterbus from Little Venice to Camden Lock Market. Goes past the Zoo, too. Also, while all the museums are nice, I have a soft spot for the Museum of London. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/33 "2017-08-23T20:08:42Z")
Do an audio tour of the British Museum. My biggest regret from my time in London was never doing an audio tour of it, only walking through it myself. One that hasn’t been mentioned, and was honestly one of my favorite things I did: Do a Jack the Ripper walking tour! It’s a nighttime tour that takes you through the actual streets and corners where Jack did his slaying, with some cool stories told the entire time. Can’t recommend it enough. ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/34 "2017-08-23T20:26:34Z")
Speaking as someone who’s lived in the city for nearly two decades, the attraction that the locals most take for granted and so miss out on is the Tower of London. We generally lump it in with things - like avoidably being in Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus, or being in Madame Tussaud’s _at all_ - that only tourists would do. Now the Tower is undeniably expensive and has its cheesy-tourist-trap aspects, but it’s a big site with lots of different things to see (of varying interest) that could easily soak up a day if you’re inclined. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/35 "2017-08-23T20:42:56Z")
I would irritate the locals by constantly saying things like “That Jag-u-ar has a lot of alu-mini-um in it.” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/36 "2017-08-23T20:48:06Z")
Find a Pub, have a pint or two and play darts with the locals. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/37 "2017-08-23T20:52:34Z")
I’m not really a fan of big cities so I’d go to the countryside and visit the little village that is my namesake. Then probably ride a sheep. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/38 "2017-08-23T21:26:41Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I would irritate the locals by constantly saying things like “That Jag-u-ar has a lot of alu-mini-um in it.” I hope you’d be careful or you might find yourself locked up in a boot. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/39 "2017-08-23T21:43:05Z")
Go to Greenwich Observatory, not to see the observatory but to climb the hill where you can see the skyline of London. Go to the ExCeL Centre just to see how large it is. Go to the Tate Britain to see my favorite painting in the world, _Ophelia_ by John Everett Millais. Go to the Museum of Curiosities. Walk around to the rear of Buckingham Palace, which looks like a prison because of the dirty old brick wall with a barbed wire fence over it: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=%213m2%212sen%214v0%216m8%211m7%211swo4k70_J5OH0rvjMGWGyOw%212m2%211d51.4982052%212d-0.1464407%213f329.19%214f8.659%215f0.75 Go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street. leftfield6 writes: \> I’m going to be there the first week of September. I’m going to be taking day trips into London during most of September, so anybody want to have a Dopefest? ---
**Author:** ![Muscleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Muscleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muscleman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411/40 "2017-08-23T21:43:44Z")
I will go there on december! any suggestions? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-as-a-tourist-in-london/794411.md?page=3)