| Tips and photos of London tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and London locals. London Map |
 | London Tourist Traps | Tips 1 - 10 of 500 |  |
 so many shows to see! by capitalstar
I have worked in the theatre and seen that the public have been sold tickets for the wrong day, the wrong show (true!), the wrong theatre, a sold-out show, and even a disabled patron was sold a ticket to a show where there was no wheelchair access in the auditorium.
Some of these ticket merchants are greedy and downright cruel.
The best thing I would advise any theatregoer in London would be to buy a ticket from the theatre you're planning to go see a show at, or if you really want that bargain seat, we now have a TKTS booth located in Leceister Square (like the one in NY's Times Square), which is the official London half-price ticket booth.
Recommended ticket offers are found on these wonderful websites too...
http://www.whatsonstage.com
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
http://www.londontheatre.co.uk (more info here about the TKTS booth!)
Also get there early at the theatre - I'd say no less than 15-20 mins before curtain-up, as some shows have a 20 minute wait time before they'll let you into the auditorium if you're late (once the show has started). Even being just 5 minutes late could cause you a wait for up to 20 mins. It does depend on the show/theatre - but bear that in mind anyway if you go and see a show ;)
Enjoy your night out a the theatre - oh and if you are from the USA, a small tip - you have to pay for Playbills here! *sigh* :) Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Save your pounds & pences by cybergenic
Marks & Spencer is located at
107-115 Longacre
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9NT
Go to the Marks & Spencer In-Store Bureaux De Change.
The Bureaux De Change just happens to be in the Lingerie department. :) Leave a Comment
|
Petticoat Lane market in London is the one I'm referring to. Early every Sunday morning, come rain or shine, tour busses disgorge hordes of tourists in search of bargains. Actually, what they are in search of generally is an idealised London market full of "colourful cockney characters" a la Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins.
Sorry, it's not going to happen.
Very few of the stallholders now are Londoners, and the goods on offer are just shoddy tat. It used to be good years ago, but not now.
It is generally overcrowded and plagued by pickpockets and beggars most of the time.
I live near there and, believe me, I know what I'm talking about.
Do not carry a handbag or shoulder bag - it's an invitation to thieves.
Do not set anything down by your feet to look at the stalls or whatever, it'll go walkabout.
If you are carrying a wallet or purse (pocketbook in the US?) keep it in a front or inside pocket.
Do not eat anything from the hot dog / burger stalls on the periphery of the market. they are unlicensed and a recipe for food poisoning.
Portobello or Greenwich markets are probably better bets. Camden market is OK, but gets terribly crowded on Sundays.
Best of all, about five minutes walk away is the Spitalfields covered market, which is great. See my Off the beaten Path page for details.
At any market, all the above tips apply. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Get off and walk! by Mariajoy
If you have to do the bus sightseeing thing - at least have some idea prior to the tour of what you are looking at. I get the impression the guide says "take a photo..........NOW!" and everyone does - without really knowing much about the sight they are seeing.
There is a tour bus company who allow passengers to hop on and off at lots of different stops - this seems like a good idea.
The Original Tour Leave a Comment
|
Quite simply, London is a magnificent city to visit. But like any place, it has its share of tacky places that are a waste of your precious vacation time and money.
What to avoid in London:
Madame Tussauds Waxworks-One of the most popular attractions in London. It hosts around 2 million guests a year. The queues waiting to get in and the extortionist entrance fee (14.95 pounds/person) are horrifying. Just to look at a bunch of mannequins!
Harrods-The legendary (and snobbish)department store that ranks high on most visitors lists. People usually go just to say they went and of course buy the cheapest thing they can find (which is nearly impossible) just to get a famous green and gold bag. Oh, and they have a ridiculous dress code rule too.
Leicester Square-Ground zero of tacky overpriced tourist London. Nothing but expensive crummy cinemas showing bloated Hollywood garbage, gaudy neon lights, kitschy souvenier stalls, and LOTS of pickpockets! Avoid.
London Dungeon-Teens LOVE this place, all others beware. Even I fell for this one. A series of gory tableaux detailing in lovely graphic detail all manners of torture, pillaging, eye gougings, eviscerations, impalings, murders, ect. Live caged rats and costumed actors add to the atmosphere. Expensive, long queues and too nasty for young children and too juvenile for the over 30 crowd.
The illegal mini cabs-AVOID at all costs. The official Black cabs of London may be expensive but the drivers are legal, have been through "The Knowledge" and are legitimate drivers.
The Changing of the Guard-at Bucky Palace- Boring!
Oh yeah, a tip in re: to eating. Never been, but AVOID AT ALL COSTS the nasty chain Aberdeen/Angus Steak House. They are all over London (if they're still in business that is) and are legendary for the horrid food and service and ghastly decor. No Londoner would ever set foot in one.
Kids love Madame Tussauds and London Dungeon so at least arrive early to avoid the horrible queues so you can get in and just do it.
Skip Harrods and visit Harvey Nichols or Selfridges, two other less famous dept. stores you might like better.
I liked someone elses suggestion that instead of The London Dungeon, take the kids to The Tower of London, which is the real deal and full of history. Yeah its touristy but in a good way. Its fascinating. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by ginte
You can find it in all souvenir shops, in small shops in many streets, bigger stations and also at the tourist information offices. Leave a Comment
|
 Tower of London attracts BIG
crowds. by ZanieOR
I couldn't believe the crowd that gathered near the inside gate to listen to the Beefeater talk and lead his tour.
After the tour, the touist mob dispersed and spread out, so it didn't seem so packed, but there were still a lot of people there.
Do like I did. Climb some stairs and get a photograph of the crowd, so you had proof of how many tourists had gathered!
Who said tourist traps are no fun! Leave a Comment
|
There are a couple of companies running these tours - Big Bus and Original London bus tours where you pay a fee for a ticket that lasts 24 hours.
The current price is around 20 pounds so not cheap for something that can be achieved via a 5.20 Transport (Tube & Bus) day pass.
During the winter months your HOHO bus pass extends to 48 hours so you can see quite a bit if you can stand the cold weather. The bus companies will provide plastic poncho's to help combat the rain if the weather report is not favourable.
If you only have one day in London and just want to see as many things as possible then these tours may actually be of benefit to you. If you do get a ticket make sure you get on early and take the included Thames cruise and maybe the Buckingham Palace changing of the guard. My mother really enjoyed both of these options.
Last time here it rained a bit so the open top buses were not a very good option at all!!
.
Do a bit of planning and use a combination of the Tube & Double Deaker buses. You will get to specific places on the tube and a view from the bus if that's what you are after.
Last time here I took the #14 bus through the middle of London (between Tottenham Court Rd and Harrods) as an alternative so got the view though the trip took a very long time due to the traffic!! The cost will be only 25% of the cost of the HOHO bus though no commentary. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Prospect of Whitby, Wapping,
london by planxty
I was very much in two minds as to whether to include this as a general tip or a tourist trap - it's the Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping.
Certainly, it has a very long a interesting history, the interior is very "Olde Worlde" including a pewter bar top. It is said that Judge Jeffreys, the Hanging Judge much despised by the populace in the 17th century was a regular here, and was captured prior to bing taken to the nearby Tower of London and executed.
The bar has great views over the river and a small balcony to stand on (it has been known to collapse in the past!). Sounds great.
The reason I have included it as a tourist trap is that is, by definition, what it is. In the evenings, especially in the summer, you can't get near the bar for the busloads of tourists that have been deposited there for an hour or so. If you are happy trying to have a quiet drink with camera flashes going off everywhere, this may be the place for you, but it's not my thing. I live within ten minutes walk of the place and very rarely use it.
The food, expecially in the upstairs restaurant, is expensive.
Go early in the day, early afternoon isn't too crowded.
Either the Town of Ramsgate pub about 15 minutes walk away in Wapping High Street, or, for a real East End local, try Turners Old Star at 14 Watts Street, London, E1W 2QG. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Cross but don't make me cross by scottishvisitor
Be careful ........... there are 2 crossings here.....but only 1 famous...........
Have your camera ready & don't cross when traffic is approaching.
Go see the Beatles at the Rock Circus or Wax Museum Leave a Comment
|
More London Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,785 - Photos: 1,485 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,601 - Photos: 13,273 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,386 - Photos: 1,178 | Transportation
Tips: 1,999 - Photos: 1,570 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,976 - Photos: 3,301 | Shopping
Tips: 1,048 - Photos: 1,155 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,608 - Photos: 2,059 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 500 - Photos: 346 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 709 - Photos: 412 | Local Customs
Tips: 728 - Photos: 671 | Packing Lists
Tips: 293 - Photos: 127 | Sports Travel
Tips: 228 - Photos: 339 | General Tips
Tips: 2,331 - Photos: 2,298 | Flights
Tips: 167 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
More London Travel Deals Piccadilly Backpackers
Cheap Backpackers Hostel in London Beds from £12 per night! Hotels Deals
Great Hotel Deals & Packages at Marriott's Official Site. Book Now. Radisson Edwardian
Radisson Edwardian Luxury Offers! Great Dollar Rates - Book online Sponsored Links - Victor Hotel London
51 Belgrave Road, London - Boulevard Hotel
10 Norfolk Place Bayswater, London - Holiday Inn Express London - Hammersmith
124 King Street, London - Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes London
108 Baker Street, London - Huttons Hotel
53 - 57 Belgrave Road, London - Four Seasons Canary Wharf
46 Westferry Circus, London - Thorverton Arms Bed & Breakfast
Thorverton Near Exeter, London - Marriott Slough Windsor
Ditton Rd Langley, London - Abbey Lodge Hotel
51 Grange Park Ealing, London - The Rama Hotel
43 Belgrave Rd, London - Harrington Court
13 Harrington Rd South Kensington, London - Falcon Hotel
1A Spring St Paddington, London - Wake Up London
1 Queens Gardens, London - Clarendon
34-37 Bedford Place Bloomsbury, London - Crestfield Hotel
3-4 Crestfield Street, London
|
