Tourism review
Now that our first visitors have come and gone (bye, Oldest Kid!), and we've had a chance to be out and about a lot in London, I can do some honest early rating of some of the best things we saw during OK's visit:
1. Stonehenge: Hands-down the best thing we saw, particularly getting to walk among the stones. The coach tour was quite delightful, with a very entertaining and knowledgeable guide, and we got to see Bath (and the Roman baths therein), Lacock, and then get a good prep for our visit to walk among the stones.
2. Westminster Abbey: We stayed for Evensong last Friday, which, although it was an extra-credit prayer service, was , beautiful, moving and spiritual. The Abbey itself, as Mrs. W (or perhaps OK's Oldest Kid) put it, is a bit of an indoor cemetery, but when you look down and notice that you're standing on Oliver Cromwell, for example, it gives you a tremendous sense of the span of history.
3. St. Paul's Cathedral: Again, a bit of an indoor cemetery, but it gives you a good sense of the span of history. Also, the leg-abusing climb up to (and descent from) the Golden Gallery is worth the effort.
5. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Order a pint, and look past the electric light bulbs, and you see a place that looks much like it would have in Samuel Johnson's day.
6. Portobello Road Market: An amazing scene. I picked up an authentic Panama hat for 2 pounds and a guayabera shirt for 20 pounds (which have been essential in our current span of weather). What more can you say? Mr. OK said we didn't even get to the hundreds of stalls of antiques in our time at Portobello Street (he stayed extra).
7. Lindy Hopping in Hammersmith: OK and Mr. OK are avid lindy-hoppers, while Mrs. W and I are casual swing dancers. The beginners' class had us try some rather advanced stuff, while even accomplished lindy hoppers like the OKs were befuddled by some of the things the intermediate class was trying. But after that, the music was hot (although the venue was hotter without a/c).
8. Madame Tussaud's: I have to admit that it was my second time to Madame T's in two weeks. This is the sort of thing that doesn't thrill me, but it's quite popular with the kids and with celebrity hounds, so it's certainly worth the trip. I like the historical/world figures room more than I like the celebrity rooms, but that's just me. One note: If you do come, pick a day when you absolutely want to do it and buy tickets in advance, because an hour is a long time to wait in line to go in. Skip the "Chamber Live" unless you really really like haunted houses.
9. Regent's Park: Unlike my beloved Hampstead Heath, it's more manicured and garden-like, where the Heath is wild and untamed. But they have outdoor theatre there, along with tennis courts, historic houses and the like. Mrs. W plays softball here on Monday nights (she has been meaning to post on that).
The OKs did their share of other things that they might too want to report on in the comments sections here. They went to Stratford-upon-Avon where they saw a production of Antony and Cleopatra with--wow--Patrick Stewart. They also seemed to like Warwick Castle near Stratford, which is owned by the Tussaud Group (which also owns the London Eye and probably all the historic properties in England that aren't run by English Heritage or the National Trust).
I'd like to invite the entire OK family to submit their own reviews of the trip. Either email them to me and I'll post them or offer them in the comments below.
1. Stonehenge: Hands-down the best thing we saw, particularly getting to walk among the stones. The coach tour was quite delightful, with a very entertaining and knowledgeable guide, and we got to see Bath (and the Roman baths therein), Lacock, and then get a good prep for our visit to walk among the stones.
2. Westminster Abbey: We stayed for Evensong last Friday, which, although it was an extra-credit prayer service, was , beautiful, moving and spiritual. The Abbey itself, as Mrs. W (or perhaps OK's Oldest Kid) put it, is a bit of an indoor cemetery, but when you look down and notice that you're standing on Oliver Cromwell, for example, it gives you a tremendous sense of the span of history.
3. St. Paul's Cathedral: Again, a bit of an indoor cemetery, but it gives you a good sense of the span of history. Also, the leg-abusing climb up to (and descent from) the Golden Gallery is worth the effort.
5. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Order a pint, and look past the electric light bulbs, and you see a place that looks much like it would have in Samuel Johnson's day.
6. Portobello Road Market: An amazing scene. I picked up an authentic Panama hat for 2 pounds and a guayabera shirt for 20 pounds (which have been essential in our current span of weather). What more can you say? Mr. OK said we didn't even get to the hundreds of stalls of antiques in our time at Portobello Street (he stayed extra).
7. Lindy Hopping in Hammersmith: OK and Mr. OK are avid lindy-hoppers, while Mrs. W and I are casual swing dancers. The beginners' class had us try some rather advanced stuff, while even accomplished lindy hoppers like the OKs were befuddled by some of the things the intermediate class was trying. But after that, the music was hot (although the venue was hotter without a/c).
8. Madame Tussaud's: I have to admit that it was my second time to Madame T's in two weeks. This is the sort of thing that doesn't thrill me, but it's quite popular with the kids and with celebrity hounds, so it's certainly worth the trip. I like the historical/world figures room more than I like the celebrity rooms, but that's just me. One note: If you do come, pick a day when you absolutely want to do it and buy tickets in advance, because an hour is a long time to wait in line to go in. Skip the "Chamber Live" unless you really really like haunted houses.
9. Regent's Park: Unlike my beloved Hampstead Heath, it's more manicured and garden-like, where the Heath is wild and untamed. But they have outdoor theatre there, along with tennis courts, historic houses and the like. Mrs. W plays softball here on Monday nights (she has been meaning to post on that).
The OKs did their share of other things that they might too want to report on in the comments sections here. They went to Stratford-upon-Avon where they saw a production of Antony and Cleopatra with--wow--Patrick Stewart. They also seemed to like Warwick Castle near Stratford, which is owned by the Tussaud Group (which also owns the London Eye and probably all the historic properties in England that aren't run by English Heritage or the National Trust).
I'd like to invite the entire OK family to submit their own reviews of the trip. Either email them to me and I'll post them or offer them in the comments below.
posted by Smitty Werbenmanjensen at 10:35 AM
7 Comments:
Dang. Forgot to mention the production of Guys and Dolls we saw. Only Sinatra can be Sinatra, only Brando can be Brando, but this guy playing Nicely Nicely Johnson was totally channelling Stubby Kaye.
Shoot. I also forgot to mention the British Museum and the British Library, which were also highlights. A separate post is in order for those, I suppose.
We've been to London at least half a dozen times and each time have visited the British Museum. We still haven't covered the whole thing, so yes, I think it does merit it's very own entry.
ql in ny
Enjoying the footie Smitty? Or should I not mention that? Still, better luck with Italy ;)
You assume I'm cheering for the U.S., kitkat. ;)
Thanks for your commentary; that will be very useful when Stephanie and I arrive next month. Westminster Abbey is pretty much the only thing I've seen on your list (though I think Stephanie saw Stonehenge during a college visit). More on our plans soon.
Hmm. How'd I miss no. 4. It must have been where I was supposed to put in the British Museum or something.
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