LonCon3 Touristy Thread: Where Those Who Wish to Sightsee Can Get Organized

[deleted01]

I'd always drive to places like Stonehenge (can't even imagine the headache and expense involved with getting public transport there!), but yeah, no car in London. I'll suffer the Tube with everyone else :p

How are people planning on getting to the Harry Potter studio?

[Mo Sneachd]

I'd like to join the British Museum group if I may :)

I realise this is not really standard touristy stuff, but if anybody is interested in any of the medical history-related museums, I'll probably head to the Hunterian Museum and the Old Operating Theatre.

There is an abundance of medical history-related museums in London - http://www.medicalmuseums.org/ -, and the major two (the Wellcome Collection (http://www.wellcomecollection.org/) and the Hunterian Museum (https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums/hunterian) are free, as is the Science Museum (http://www.medicalmuseums.org/Science-Museum/) which features an excellent historical section and a medical wing done by the Wellcome. The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret (http://www.thegarret.org.uk/index.htm) charges 6,50 (5 concession), and there is a talk on medicinal herlbs on Sundays and a 'historic surgery display' on Saturdays. All are easily reachable by tube (Holborn for the Hunterian, Euston for the Wellcome, London Bridge for the Operating Theatre, and South Kensington for the Science Museum).

[sorry for the info spam, I go into automatic academic tour guide mode sometimes.]

[SamanthaofHodorsfield]

How are people planning on getting to the Harry Potter studio?

Which ever is cheapest, I suppose. I know there is a coach directly to it, but I don't know how that compares price wise to getting the train or whatever.

[karaddin]

Driving in London is a total PITA. Driving around London is slightly better but only if you have very, very low expectations.

The UK is the only place I've known my Dad to have an accident in the last 20 years. He got clipped when poking out of a side lane where the buildings came up to the road and was trying to get far enough out to see. I hate driving!

Drac - the train to a station near Stonehenge and then a bus from there seemed like it wasn't too bad at all. It's a major tourist attraction, they sort these things out these days *nod* :P

[Alex.]

Ha - Driving in London is most certainly not the same as driving in the rest of the UK! London is a special little place when it comes to driving...

I'd like to join the British Museum group if I may :)

I realise this is not really standard touristy stuff, but if anybody is interested in any of the medical history-related museums, I'll probably head to the Hunterian Museum and the Old Operating Theatre.

There is an abundance of medical history-related museums in London - http://www.medicalmuseums.org/ -, and the major two (the Wellcome Collection (http://www.wellcomecollection.org/)%C2'>

[sorry for the info spam, I go into automatic academic tour guide mode sometimes.]

The Wellcome Collection is superb, highly recommended, as is the Science Museum.

[deleted01]

The UK is the only place I've known my Dad to have an accident in the last 20 years. He got clipped when poking out of a side lane where the buildings came up to the road and was trying to get far enough out to see. I hate driving!

Drac - the train to a station near Stonehenge and then a bus from there seemed like it wasn't too bad at all. It's a major tourist attraction, they sort these things out these days *nod* :P

Eh, they wanted like £40 for the train from Plymouth to Bath, which is a couple of hours, so I imagined the worst :p

Samantha - I believe they do a bus service from Watford Junction too. We drove to the studio from where my mum lives in Letchworth, but as you'll be coming from London a direct coach would probably be the best idea :) I saw they do luxury cars too - for over £200, mind :p

[karaddin]

Oh I focused on the headache part and ignored expense. I'm travelling from Australia! The whole trip is so expensive I don't take minor expenses like that into account :p if it was a trip to a place a couple of hours away it would be a different story.

[Perrianne Lurie]

I realise this is not really standard touristy stuff, but if anybody is interested in any of the medical history-related museums, I'll probably head to the Hunterian Museum and the Old Operating Theatre.

There is an abundance of medical history-related museums in London - http://www.medicalmuseums.org/ -, and the major two (the Wellcome Collection (http://www.wellcomecollection.org/)%C2'>

You left out the John Snow Pub, named after the father of epidemiology, who removed the handle from the Broad Street pump (which was just outside the current location of the pub), ending the cholera epidemic. I think there's a little "museum" upstairs about the life of John Snow. It's not "our" Jon Snow, but...

If I expected to have any time, I'd be happy to accompany you on your medical tour, but, alas, by the time I get to my hotel on Tuesday, it'll probably be too late to do much of anything (except a brief visit to the pub, where I can't even drink the beer!)

[Perrianne Lurie]

If I expected to have any time, I'd be happy to accompany you on your medical tour, but, alas, by the time I get to my hotel on Tuesday, it'll probably be too late to do much of anything (except a brief visit to the pub, where I can't even drink the beer!)

That should be WEDNESDAY.

[Alytha]

I'd join an expedition to the British Museum, and the Globe. I've been at the Globe for A Midsummer Night's Dream, standing space in the yard, in the streaming rain. It was awesome. (not sarcastic). Seats sell out rather quickly as far as I remember, so if you don't want to stand, don't wait too long to book.

[Arataniello]

For Oxford, I would usually use the train - Paddington to Oxford takes about an hour on the correct service (examples here)

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/PAD/OXF/160814/0745/dep

There are several couches that run from London to Oxford, been a while since I used them, but I know they exist. Journey takes longer (1.5 hours roughly) and most leave from London Victoria area (either Victoria bus station or a bus stand on the nearby streets). This is one of the services, there are prrobably others -

http://x90.oxfordbus.co.uk/timetables-fares/x90-oxford-london#map

[Fragile Bird]

I'd like to join the British Museum group if I may :)

The more the merrier!

I will definitely be going up to Oxford one day (not sure yet which day, although most likely Saturday) and would be happy to take along anyone who wants to go - once in Oxford you would be on your own, as I have to see my shoemaker, tailor, etc etc (yes, really).

I will have to see the Con schedule, otherwise I might go up on Wednesday with brook and what's-her-name, as long as I can get back to join Dracarya at an event she wants to attend at 6:30 pm.

It would be nice to do some touristy stuff as I'm rarely down in London for leisure.

I would like to do the Harry Potter Experience if other people are heading that way, it would be awesome to have some company.

And if people are that way inclined, the British Museum is worth a look, though it would be a very quick, whistlestop tour of selected parts as it's HUGE!

The more the merrier!

I am definitely planning to do the Harry Potter studio tour. Waiting for the WorldCon programming schedule to decide which day would be best.

I assume there would be wheelchairs available, if you need to be pushed around? We don't want you to hurt yourself, or get too tired. :)

It's about an hour on the train from Paddington station. We never even considered driving, Brook doesn't have her license and I *hate* driving places I don't already know, so we are very much public transport types. Planning to go on Weds 13th, the only full non con day we have in London - are you there yet for that?

I arrive Monday morning, the 11th.

I think if you don't mind I'll be heading to these three things too. :) Been to the British Museum lots of times but still not half done (and still haven't found the Japanese section!)

Driving in London is a total PITA. Driving around London is slightly better but only if you have very, very low expectations.

The more the merrier! :D

If the driving weren't on the wrong side for me, I'd drive. Living in a city like Toronto (I am amazed at how many out-of-towners fear our traffic!) I'd drive if it was left hand drive. :(

[Fragile Bird]

I know Dracarya wants to go to an authors event on Wednesday the 13th, featuring Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie, Peter V. Brett and Myke cole, a panel with a Q&A and a signing session afterwards.

But Dracs, looking at what you linked on fb, I see there's a fee? Have you checked to see if they will all be at Worldcon, which you have already paid for, and there are huge autograph sessions three or four times a day.

[deleted01]

I know Dracarya wants to go to an authors event on Wednesday the 13th, featuring Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie, Peter V. Brett and Myke cole, a panel with a Q&A and a signing session afterwards.

But Dracs, looking at what you linked on fb, I see there's a fee? Have you checked to see if they will all be at Worldcon, which you have already paid for, and there are huge autograph sessions three or four times a day.

Whaaat, it was free last time I checked! I'll get on to this. I spoke to the person in charge of it, asking for an interview, so I'll have a chat with him. Press pass please? :p

Eta: I checked, and the website says it's free. It's being held at Kensington Waterstones. I don't believe Mark Lawrence will be at WorldCon, Abercrombie will, but not sure about the others. It's obviously a smaller event, which makes getting an interview easier!

Linky for anyone who's interested: http://fantasy-faction.com/2014/fantasy-factions-grim-gathering-in-london-august-13th-2014-630pm

[deleted01]

Damn 503.

[deleted01]

And again, sorry!

[Arataniello]

If it has not been pointed out before, the weekend of WorldCon is also the weekend of the fifth and final test in the England vs India Test series.

The test match starts on Friday (one day later than usual), which means that Monday and Tuesday would be the culmination of the game.

Folk may be interested (you know who you are).

Thi is cricket , by the way, we are talking about.

Can you imagine if a whole group of us turned up, with some costumes - sure to get a mention on Test Match Special.

[Zoë Sumra]

If it has not been pointed out before, the weekend of WorldCon is also the weekend of the fifth and final test in the England vs India Test series.

The test match starts on Friday (one day later than usual), which means that Monday and Tuesday would be the culmination of the game.

Folk may be interested (you know who you are).

Thi is cricket , by the way, we are talking about.

Can you imagine if a whole group of us turned up, with some costumes - sure to get a mention on Test Match Special.

Ooh. I've got the Tuesday free. Hadn't thought of going to the Oval, being a Lord's gal, but if they don't sell the final day tickets in advance...

[Arataniello]

http://www.seatwave.com/england-vs-india-cricket-tickets/the-oval-tickets/19-august-2014/perf/890059

A few left. Although do not know if this is a legitimate ticket agent for ECB.

I am flying home on Tuesday, a pity.

[Alex.]

You left out the John Snow Pub, named after the father of epidemiology, who removed the handle from the Broad Street pump (which was just outside the current location of the pub), ending the cholera epidemic. I think there's a little "museum" upstairs about the life of John Snow.

The John Snow is a Top Class Boozer