Neglect of London my home town

[emilymamu]

I was born in London and have lived here all my life, but find that I rarely take advantage of what it has to offer. I only wander into the parts I know and see the same tired places. Can anyone offer gems of knowledge, interesting things to do that enliven London? Thanks :)

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

It's difficult to respond to your post without knowing your interests. Are you, for example, looking for wonderful architecture or would exciting nightclubs be more your scene?

Here, anyway, are a few random suggestions:
1. Start walking where you used to take the bus or tube. I get into central London quite often and I always used to take the tube back to Liverpool Street so that I could catch a certain train. Recently, however, I've been walking from wherever I happen to be (Westminster, Waterloo, or wherever) back to Liverpool Street. I've deliberately not set myself a target time to be there. By doing this, I've found out loads about the history of London, admired some spectacular architecture and also discovered some great bars!

2. Buy a copy of 'Time Out' and pretend you're a tourist. Decide where you'd go if you were a first time visitor and ask yourself if you've ever actually been there. The major museums might come near the top of this list. If you're a 'big kid' at heart, then visit (or re-visit) the Science Museum. If you're interested in the history of fashion, then the V&A is unmissable. Also use 'Time Out' to take a look at all of the events which take place in London. If you've never been to the Comedy Store, now's the time to go.

[Buenchico]

3. Buy a Travelcard (or take advantage of the daily price-capping on your Oyster card) and explore some of the places that seem to offer potential. Somewhere like Kew Gardens might not seem to have immediate appeal to you but if you go on a sunny day (especially around this time of the year) I guarantee that you'll enjoy your visit. Also try visiting some of the places well off the main tourist routes. Personally, I just love Southall. The shops are predominantly run by members of the Asian community and there always seems to be a vibrant atmosphere about the place. (There are some really cheap places to eat as well).

4. Ask at one of the Transport for London information offices to see if they still produce their booklet about all of London's street markets. (If not, Foyles on Charing Cross road can sell you a book about them). Visit some of them and soak up the atmosphere.

5. This weekend, look out for a 42-tonne mechanical elephant!:
http://www.thesultanselephant.com/

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[raysparx]

What part do you live in emily? I know most of London pretty well,having been born there and travelled to all parts doing work,let us know and I will try my best to help. Ray

[vehelpfulguy]

Buy the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to London.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0756615461/qid=1146928741/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-5556990-9655648

Full of interesting places to go and things to do in London.

[emilymamu]

Thanks for your suggestions. I live in Lewisham in South London and would consider anything, be it historical, architectural, entertainment, good food. I would love to learn a secret, somewhere different and little known/rarely done.

[raysparx]

Hi emily, one of the nearest places I can think of to you is, The cutty sark at Greenwich, or there is a lovely pub behind Rotherhithe station called "the mayflower" well worth a visit, have you been to the monument by London bridge? or the London Dungeon? Going further over west walk from trafalgar square down to Buckingham palace,then onto Hyde Park/Kensington gardens,take a rowing boat out on the serpentine or go to Kensington High st walk along and into Holland Park,it is a beautiful peaceful park, if you go on a saturday you could then go onto, Portobello Road,which starts near Notting hill gate station, Or go to Holborn station, and when you come out just walk around looking up at the fantastic buildings in Holborn & old Holburn,near to there is the old curiosity shop,towards fleet street. Hampstead Heath is another great place,

If you want to e-mail me I will keep trying to think of places,maybe you have done the above places,please let me know, Take care. Ray

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