How to entertain a houseguest
My baby brother is arriving in Merry Olde England next week for a one-week visit, the jammy bastard. And while he's got a list of things he wants to do (Stonehenge being one, and the Tower of London being another), I thought I'd seek ideas from our loyal audience. What would you recommend, if you have been to London? What do you wish you could see, and do you have any regrets (i.e. overpriced venues, bad food, waking up next to Tony Blair)?
The lines are now open!
The lines are now open!
posted by Mrs. Werbenmanjensen at 9:44 PM
12 Comments:
For you Little Britain fans Sebastian wouldn't mind waking up next to Tony Blair.
But that's just a TV show.
Lego land is the place the majority of MK family would most like to see in Britain. I don't know if that helps any.
Having only been in Britain once, in 1984 ($1.35 per quid, gotta love Reaganomics! :-) ), I think I now am in a 'never been' category.
I'll answer in general: I'd like to see something that marked the sacrifice of the British during World War II, especially during the time when it was essentially them alone. I'd like to go to the theatre at least once. I think I'd like to visit Sir Winston's grave. And probably at least one other "activity" that would be less tourist-oriented, but leave open the chance of encounters with real people.
That vague enough?
We highly recommend a visit to the village of Battle. Also high on our list and easily reached by train is Canterbury and the tomb of Thomas a Becket. And, for someone interested in the theater (or theatre), there is no better place to visit than England what with Stratford, the Globe Theater and the East End.
I found it works well to get a Tube pass and just move around the loop, getting off and on at the various sights. It helps to bring a lot of pounds, too, since they charge at every venue.
Warwick Castle is an easy train ride from London, and not too far from Stratford on Avon. Superb intact castle that has jousting events, archery and travelling minstrels all in medieval getup. Hampton Court (Elizabethan palace) is closer to home and offers similar actors in period costumes. Google their websites and see what events are on when your guest arrives.
Thought I'd save you the trouble with the links. These are truly great places to visit. Take a picnic. The food is ok but may be a little pricey for a US guest. Hope he reads this and then he can look for himself.
http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/warwick2004/index.asp
http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/
Gary,
If you want to see sacrifice during WWII, another great place to go is the Cabinet War Rooms. Just an amazing step back in time. When you come, we'll go.
Then we'll go see Adam Smith's grave!
We really liked Stratford-upon-Avon (I can recommend a great B&B there and be sure to see a Royal Shakespeare Play) and Warwick Castle. Stonehenge was great also. In London itself, be sure to skip Madame Tussaud's. I enjoyed our "city walk" where we saw several old churches, ate at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub, and visited St. Paul's Cathedral. Of course, sadly, Dicken's World hadn't opened yet when we were there, but I'm sure it's wonderful! Of course, the best part of a trip to London is a visit with the W's!
Oh! the steak and kidney pudding at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. To die for! The same recipe that they've used for 300 years. Yum Yum! American visitors there are slightly reluctant to try it at first, but once they do! Highly recommended.
I decided against steak and kidney pudding. It just didn't sound delicious. I did, however, try the bangers and mash and found them to be tasty, although not healthful!
Are you saying the only good conservative economist is a dead one? :-)
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