Sign in with Facebook
So, why is the fence there?
sunshine and music beside the Thames
Broadgate Ice Rink
British Museum
We have tickets on Eurostar to Paris for early afternoon but would like to leave earlier. The tickets are nonrefundable/nonchangeable but we were wondering if we went tot he station early if there would be a possibility of being able to leave on an earlier train if there is availability.
You can always arrive there and ask. But remember that the cheap tickets are for specific trains which aren't busy and that's why they are offered cheap. If you change your train times you may end up paying the max fare. Eurostar staff are generally quite customer friendly but it will be the computer that makes the decision not the person behind the desk.
The conditions under which you bought your tickets are that they are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. I very much doubt that staff would be able to let you use them on another train: they would be breaking the terms of the contract which you made with Eurostar.
The cheaper tickets are limited in availability, and it is very unlikely that any cheaper fares would remain on the day of departure, especially on the more popular morning trains.
You might be able to get seats, but I am pretty certain you would have to pay the standard fare.
It is worth a try. We were going from London to Paris and arrived very early as we always do for trains and planes and they put us on an earlier train. What the others have said is correct but Eurostar must have had an unexpected vacancy. Marg
Just out of curiosity, did you have the cheapest tickets?
We did have a special . We did not ask to change. They offered. Marg
Then it possibly is worth just turning up, as long as the OP is happy to give up the time.
Another tack but plane tickets. Was talking to guy in Australia yesterday who fronts up a day early and pretends there is a mistake that he should be flying the earlier day and if they have a space they put him on.And this has happened a few times and he had even booked the cheapest flight timewise (in Australia some flights are cheaper at "bad" times). But if I tried it I would come a cropper!
See the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. Window shop at Harrods. Take in the Victoria & Albert Museum, or the Dulwich Art Gallery. Walk along the Embankment. Watch the pigeons in Trafalgar Square. Go to Covent Garden--the market and the opera house (you can afford a seat 'in the gods'!).
Just outside the Festival Hall, at 1st exterior level, I stumbled against the statue of Nelson Mandela, created in 1985 by the artist Ian Walters.
It was terrible to find out that the original statue had been the victim of brutalisation and finally had been put on fire.
This new statue replaces it.
At the bottom you can read this inscription:
"The Struggle Is My Life" Nelson Mandela. Gaoled 5th August 1962. Sentenced to life imprisonment 12th June 1964 for his actions against apartheid. Erected by the Greater London Council. Unveiled by Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress 28th October 1985.
Later on was added the following text:
Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years imprisonment 11th February 1990. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 19th December 1993. Inaugurated President of the Republic of South Africa and its Government of National Unity 10th May 1994.
Field Marshal Earl Haig (1861-1928), commander in chief of the British army 1915-1918 at the Western front.
He was blamed for the many casualties during 1916-1917, but is appointed to be responsible for the final counter-offensive in 1918, followed by the victory for the Allies.
Earl Douglas Haig was the son of a rich whiskey distiller. He studied at Oxford, took part in the Boer War (1899 - 1902) and at the end of 1915, at the age of 58 he was appointed to go to the war at the West front. Despite his long career and experience, the trench war was a quite different (and hard) way of warfare.
In 1916 at Verdun he lost 700 000 men in 5 months time due to an offensive of the Germans.
He then tried to force an opening into the front at the Somme. It would become the bloodiest battle ever : more English soldiers died then did in any previous war. It earned Haig the title 'Butcher of the Somme', because he unnecessarily sent thousands of British troops to their deaths…..
And that is the reason why I wrote this tip in blood red. I had comments a part of the info (about the war fare) is not a 100 % correct. I hope to find some time to check it out.
Here one observes the male, let us call him Will, wooing the female (see Nightlife Tips).
She waves her hand signifying lack of interest with a painted smile on her face.
Better luck next time mate!
A case on wheels is much better than carrying bags or backpacks. If you must use the latter please be aware of the people around you when you turn around. I have been knocked sideways by many tourists with ridiculously large backpacks who spin around to talk to their friend. Be prepared for all weathers. You'll need a good, comfortable pair of shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking. I'd say wear layers rather than one thick jumper/coat that you will have to keep taking off and putting on again. It can get very cold, but then change and be warm (it is always hot on the tube too), so it's much easier to remove/put on a couple of thin layers. Take an umbrella and a rain coat. Our weather isn't always great so be prepared for a shower or two. Also, if you plan on visiting Harrods make sure you follow their dress code. It prohibits: "...ripped jeans, high cut Bermuda or beach shorts, swim wear, athletic singlets, cycling shorts, flip flops or thong sandals, dirty or unkempt clothing." Furthermore "Any extremes of personal presentation are prohibited as are bare feet and exposed midriffs." You will only need to bring the essential prescription medicines. You can get the regular medical items in any supermarket, Boots or Superdrug (which are both high street chains). There's plenty to take photos of so come ready. A tube map and a street map. Although many Londoners will happily stop to offer help to lost tourists, some are too busy (or too rude) to help. Also, one of a commuter's top annoyances are tourist congregated around the tube maps blocking the way to the escalators, or tourists stood in the middle of the pavement searching on their map, so although they are good to have, please step aside when you stop to use it, so you are not stopping everyone else too.
Latest London hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Comments