I love pub gigs, but I got really annoyed by the layout of halibuts.com . So I've built a map allowing for filtering of all live music in london by distance, time, genre.

Figured some people here might get some value from it too.
Go out and support your local artists <3. Not self promotion, as I've got no financial stake in you using the site. I'll keep it up until halibuts blocks me or the server gets overloaded.

GigMap

Will be travelling around Green Park South Kensington area tomorrow with my son on public transport. Should I use a pram? He’s walking but sometimes he likes to wonder off on his own as well.

Edit: Thanks everybody! I will likely just do the Tube. I was concerned about going through a massive security line if I went in the “regular” entrance. That’s what happens at LAX if you don’t use the exterior Delta One entrance.

Hello- I was fortunate enough to snag a Delta One ticket home to the US from LHR, which allows me to be dropped off at the Virgin Atlantic first class exterior entrance. Problem: No walkups, you have to arrive by car. My inconvenience: I always take the Tube when in London and loathe the idea of hiring a car to return to LHR from Marylebone (I'm a cheap b****, and that seems to be 80-90 Pounds). Chat GPT suggested I take the Tube to Hatton Cross and then an Uber to the Virgin Atlantic Lounge entrance. Does this seem ridiculous? I am also not a fan of Uber (kind of weirds me out to get in a stranger's car by myself). Anyone think of another way? Is there anywhere in that general area that cabs just queue?

I found a ticket to Tower of London for $19.59 on Thrillophilia. Attaching a screen shot in the message. Has anyone used this before? It seems too good to be true so I am skeptical on this deal.

Hi all, I'll be in London from 12 December to 3 January, based in Canary Wharf. I'm happy to travel across the city for something worthwhile, and I'd welcome good spots near Canary Wharf too.
I've been to London before and have done the V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Tate Modern. On my list this time are Tate Britain, the Wallace Collection, Serpentine North Gallery, Frameless, and MODO for the David Hockney swimming pools exhibition. I'd love suggestions for lesser-known galleries and exhibitions running over this period that I haven't thought of.

Recommendations welcome on:
Restaurants: worth-booking-ahead places and good under-the-radar ones
Drinks: cocktail bars, wine bars, proper pubs
Art and museums: exhibitions on over that window, big or small
Shows: theatre, music, comedy, ballet, opera

Anything specific to the Christmas, New Year, and early January period

Tips on what closes or books out over the holidays would also help. Thanks xx

if i tap in from woolwich, elizabeth line travel everywhere to all other stations but without tapping out..and come back to woolwich and tap out in like 4 hours
Does it cost me anything?

I’m flying to London on Friday for a concert at Wembley Arena. Flying into Gatwick airport was the only available option but I know it’s further away.

I will also have to get the train back after the concert as my return flight is early Saturday morning (need to be at the airport at around 5am). My understanding is that trains run quite late after shows so it shouldn’t be an issue?

What really confuses me is the tube, the ticket makes it seem so complicated! For this journey do I need to buy a ticket in advance or do I have to just tap my card? It seems it’s a 1.5 hour journey with 3 changes… do I have to get the tube at a specific time or is it any? Probably really stupid questions but I’m very unfamiliar with london

Traveling from California so I wanna know how cold it usually is around this time of the year so I can properly prepare. Going to be there from 15-23.

I'm hoping to go to Crufts and combine it with a trip to London. To save a travel day, I would like to fly into one city and out of the other. I'm wondering if there's a strong argument for putting one half of the trip first, or if I should decide based on whatever works best with scheduling my time off.

I am visiting London mid-week for 3 days/2 nights in December and want to have a very Christmassy experience. We will be flying from Glasgow so can get early flights in and late fights home to maximize the time. What are the best things to do....? We will need day activities as well as evening. I haven't decided where to stay yet but I am familiar with London and the tube so options for any location are welcome. We would love a Christmas party or Christmas dinner while there too. I am not looking for anything stereotypical London - I specifically would like a Christmas experience please. We will be there Tue Dec 15 and leave Dec 17. Thanks in advance

I have two options in mind for a three day trip to London late November: one in Penywern Road (2 mins away from Earl's Court station) and one in Black Prince Road (10-15 min from Vauxhall station). Will spend most of the time in Central London wandering and doing some shopping.
Female solo traveller, been to London before. In terms of late arrival, which neighbourhood would be better?
PS: Thanks everybody for the feedback, seems EC wins by large.

Hello all,

I am traveling to London for work in mid November and only have two short days either side as my own time. With over 24 hours of travel to get to/from London, I am really keen to maximise my precious free time. Wishing it was longer but that's company time for you!

I have been to London previously so ticked off a lot of the big tourist items. I also think I might be stressed trying to squash in anything major when I don't even have two full days. Therefore I am hoping to spend my time walking in lovely areas and shopping for my family.

What I would love help with is suggestions of areas/shops I can walk around to pick up some gifts. I am hoping there will be some Christmas lights and decorations around too. Ideally the stores will have special Christmas items, interesting trinkets, small toys, trendy homewares etc that I can stock up on while enjoying the atmosphere of London.

I am staying in Baywater, happy to catch the tube but would love recommendations of general areas that are worth a wander! My two free days are a Sunday and Saturday.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Travelling solo to London again this December. Last year I did the capsule hotel at Picadilly. However, it was too hot since the air-conditioning was rubbish, couldn't charge my earphones and phone at the same time, etc.

I'd like to have a more private experience this time without paying £300+ for 2 nights. Anyone got any recommendations?

I'm flying to London from the US in late November, staying for about 3 days and then taking the Eurostar to Paris.

Figuring out where to stay to maximize convenience, safety, and experiencing London character.

Only thing planned is some time at the British Museum, Churchill War Rooms, and a West End production, if I can get tickets.

Am considering staying in Farringdon, Kings Cross near Saint Pancras, or Covent Garden area.

It will be my third time in London, so I'm not going to be chasing down tourist spots. I'm looking to mosly relax, wander the streets and soak in the vibe.

What do you all recommend for an area to stay? Does not have to be one of the three areas mentioned.

Edit: Budget is US$270 / £200 per night if possible

Hello All,

I am travelling to London during the November end and it’s the very first time I am visiting there. Need some recommendations for hotels and stays please. I am looking for a range of 400£ pounds max for 4 days of stay. Have no preferences but love to have a small kitchen so I can cook for myself rather than spending much on food outside, looking for an hotel or Airbnb. If any good recommendations available please do let me know. Thanks in advance.

First trip to London for partner and myself this December. We’re in London for 4 nights and want to do 2 afternoon teas. We have reservations for 1st night at the Peter Pan afternoon tea at the Shard, reservations for the third night at Claridge’s festive afternoon tea and then reservations for London’s Ritz festive afternoon tea on the fourth night. We definitely want to do two afternoon teas, but don’t know which two to keep. Which afternoon tea would you drop?

It's my families first time visiting (not mine, but I digress) and my wife wants to see the big sites (esp. Buc. Palace) while my kid wants to do Harry Potter world and Legoland Windsor. I'd like for us to get to the natural history and the science museum as well.

We're looking at March 15 or 16 flying in for 6-8 days.

I know it's a slightly wet month and it will probably be a bit chilly, so good clothes, footwear and maybe even some gloves if necessary.

I guess I'm wondering if it's enough time? I was considering staying either around Paddington or Kings Cross while in town and then grabbing a new hotel in Winsdor for Legoland. I'd really appreciate some input from people more experienced in the area and with these various attractions, please and thanks!

I have a short trip in mid-November to London - first time. This is my bare-bones list - hoping to fill in with some other things time permitting.  Please let me know if the timing is feasible - I think these things are in the same area in a day.  General structure is breakfast at the hotel; out and about 10 am to 4pm ish; rest at the hotel; out for dinner and maybe one other thing.  Also asking for any suggestions for a casual place to get tea (sandwich, scone, dessert, tea) please.  Breakfast is included at the hotel.  Lunch and dinner - I’ll browse some restaurant reviews before I go and bookmark some places. I’m not interested in making reservations so timing can be flexible.  Main goals are the O2 concert and the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibit.  Anything else is bonus.  Thanks !

Day 1: Overnight flight from the US;  7 am arrival Heathrow Airport; drop bags at hotel in Southwark; walk Borough Market and see the Golden Hinde; 12pm hotel check in; afternoon - Imperial War Museum, Bankside stroll; evening - dinner near the hotel; call it a day.  

Day 2: 10 am Cutty Sark; lunch and Greenwich Market; National Maritime Museum or Queen’s House; late afternoon evening - event at O2. 

Day 3: 9 am Tower of London -I don’t want to commit to this due to the event the night before - are tix a must in advance?  Lunch; 1pm HMS Belfast (tickets booked); late afternoon walk along the south bank towards Tower Bridge; hotel before or after dinner; Tate Modern (evening hours); Millennium bridge walk 

Day 4: 10 am King’s Gallery booked for the Queen Elizabeth II exhibit; afterwards Buckingham Palace exterior, St James Park; lunch; shopping and / or Clockmaker’s museum; hotel before or after dinner; evening shopping in Soho

Day 5 - flight home 

We booked a somewhat last minute vacation to Paris and London over Christmas. This is our first trip to both. We are in Paris first, then are taking the Eurostar to London Dec 29. We leave to fly home on Jan 1. Of course hotels are exhorbitantly expensive over NYE. We are a family of three, with a teen. I am debating the following and would love advice:

1. Spending more for a large room, or two connecting rooms, in London proper. Probably £400-550 a night, which is on the high end of what we are looking for. And it looks like slim pickings for those prices...most "nice" hotels are more like £500-1000+ a night. Are most rooms with a bed + sofa bed tiny?

2. Our teen loves Ted Lasso, so I have been looking at the 1-2 hotels in Richmond. Probably £225-350 a night. Would we regret being further out from the city?

3. Airbnb. This is at the bottom of my list, but the idea of more space for the same price as a downtown hotel is appealing. I suppose I just need someone to convince me this is OK, or not ok?

We don't mind spending some time of trains, and we also don't mind having a quiet spot to come home to at the end of a long day. It seems like our teen could take off and explore Richmond without us if he wishes, which we enjoys doing.

I am having analysis paralysis and with the trip coming up quickly PLUS the holiday, I am worried that anything that might work will be sold out.

If anyone has recommendations on potential hotels that have large rooms for us, great. Preferably around £375 a night or less, but up to £500 a night for a great place is ok.

My 12-year-old would love to see a football match while we're in London in March of 2027. Premier league is out of our price range but I'm wondering if there's any amateur or university matches we can snag tickets for? I don't know if there's a single site I should check or if I should just start looking at university websites?

Hi,

I am from Malaysia and last travelled to London back in 2018, 2019 and had exchanged a few 50 pounds at local money charger - they're paper notes where the rear is Matthew Boulton and James Watt and the front has the signature of Chris Salmon.

The post office shows a picture not of Chris Salmons signature but of another chief cashier:
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/banknote-exchange

Question: Does the chief cashier matter for the exchange at post office? Or as long as the back of the notes is Matthew Boulton and James Watt is sufficient?

I am aware I can do it at the bank of england but i hear one has to be there really early as the queues can get quite long.

Appreciate your advice - thanks!

my wife and i are already booked for the tower of london raven experience, tour and closing ceremony. i cant find any info anywhere on if im allowed to leave after the tour and come back for the closing or do i have to stay at the tower all day until the ceremony at 930 ?

i had read that if im a "member" i can, but also cant find that specific info anywhere.

Can anyone confirm ? thank you

Hello! We are working on narrowing down our options for a trip in June for my mom (active 75+), my sister and I (either side of 50) where we plan to do the touristy things and see 2-3 shows. Here are the options my mom's travel agent has presented - we are "hotel is for sleeping" types, so just need clean, safe accommodations, so the main factor I am considering in location is getting back to whichever hotel after shows (I've tagged the various theaters we are currently interested in, as well as other sites) is my biggest area of concern. Tube travel will be used heavily. Are there any thoughts on this list of hotels or locations? I am drawn to the two by Russell Square - a doubletree and holiday inn, but am also wondering if Waterloo would be more accessible than Earl's Court/Kensington/ Paddington? This will be my first time in London and so I don't quite know the scale for planning.

Thank you!

I’ve lived in London for the past 5 years but never spent New Year’s here. I have guests visiting for it and I’m looking for suggestions for places to eat / spots to view the fireworks.

I'm visiting London in late November for 6 nights. I want some feedback on if my days are realistic, if I'm trying to fit too much in, and for the lighter days, what else I can add. I’m coming from the NYC area (Jersey City), not shy about walking/navigating mass transit. 

Here's what I'm considering so far. Some things are booked or have specific times, while others are still flexible.

Day 1: Arrive

• Land at Heathrow around 9 AM and take the Heathrow Express to Paddington.
• Drop off bags at my hotel in Paddington.
• Don’t take a nap.
• Find a pub? Maybe some shopping?
• Dinner at Trishna.

Day 2 

• 10 AM: British Museum. (Tickets bought)
• Indian afternoon tea at Colonel Saab in Holborn.
• Visit Sir John Soane's Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum, and the Foundling Museum.
• Dinner at Cora Pearl.

I'm not sure if all three museums plus the British Museum would be too much for one day.

Day 3 

• 10:30 AM: Kensington Palace.
• Lunch at Maggie Jones's?
• 4 PM: Spencer House state rooms.
• Dinner/Evening, unsure

Day 4 

• Visit the V&A and Natural History Museum.
• Lunch at Three Darlings.
• Banksy Limitless? 
• Dinner at NOPI by Ottolenghi

Day 5

• 11 AM: Churchill War Rooms.
• Lunch at Noble Rot.
• ???
• Dinner at Fallow.
• 7:30 PM: See Hay Fever.

I know the timing may be tight with the theater, so I think this day could be organized better.

Day 6

• Brunch at The Buttery
• 1:30 PM: Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
• Dinner at Corenucopia by Clare Smyth

I think I need more to do here.

Day 7 - Head to the airport.