Suggestions Invited from UK / Scotland Members

Nick-H

rural pubs in UK are generally nicer than urban, although you'll find nicer London pubs by the river and in places like Hampstead.

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

The_Londoner

There are thousands of Pubs in London.. It depends what you're looking for.. many Pubs nowadays are chains and so you go to one, you've been to them all. There few old pubs that you will enjoy. There is one on Bayswater Road, Near Marble Arch called The Swan.. It's century old pub and you'll enjoy the atmosphere there. I remember there is a guy there every evening playing piano and loads of old London singsongs and gets crowd going. Saying that, I haven't been there for a while.

__________________
Idle mind is a Devil's workshop.

The_Londoner

Try Pubs.com

Groovemeister

London wise - I'd skip Oxford St. It really is a pretty run of the mill shopping street which doesn't deserve anything like the reputation it has. If you really feel like you must see it - use one of your museum days and go to the British Museum then wonder down Oxford St. afterwards as it's very close.

My favourite pub in London is the Trafalgar on the river in Greenwich - though that's a fair way out of town if you are based centrally and have limited time.

Nick-H

Oxford St is OK for specifics like some of the old-established department stores, eg John Lewis, Selfridge and a couple of others.

John Lewis offers one of the nicest shopping experiences in London.

However, everything else GM says about it is true; it is generally an over-crowded dump. You can go there on a Saturday afternoon, especially if it is anywhere near Christmas, to experience almost the same crowd density as a busy Indian shopping street

Better to take a different turning out of Oxford Circus tube, and walk down Regent Street. Liberty is one of the most fantastic shops in London. You have to make sure you discover the old part of the building, with all its old oak woodwork; it is worth seeing. Prices are fantastic too! Treat it as a visit to an art gallery (many of their own-design fabrics and stuff more than qualify) rather than a shop .

Continue walking on down Regent St to Piccadilly Circus; then you can, at least say that you've seen it! Then head for Chinatown to get a totally different cultural flavour.

The London Eye is an experience worth having for a (literally) overview of London. Yes, it is expensive, but I think it is worthwhile.

I only discovered that I really love London Zoo after I'd moved to India! If I'd realised how good it is decades ago I'd have joined up for an annual pass!

Most visitors from India demand directions to Madam Tussaudes (is that how you spell it) the minute they get off the plane. In fact I've only seen it because my music teacher asked me to take a visiting dancer there. The Zoo is better!

They usually also want to see Tower Bridge (and usually think it is called 'London' Bridge, which is another, and very ordinary, bridge, and another story!). Tower Bridge and the adjacent Tower of London probably are worth a look yes. I think the Tower is quite expensive to get into, and you have to pay even more to see the Crown Jewels, but if you are interested in the castle architecture, and a display of the implements Brits used to kill each other with over the centuries, then take a look.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is a wonderful, vast, treasure trove. You can see Tipu's mechanical musical tiger.

The Natural History Museum is a very beautiful building, but to me, a natural history museum should be full of miles of cases full of beetles and butterflies, stuff, stuff, and more stuff, not interactive get-the-kids involved displays. The dinosaurs is good, though!

karuna

Quick note for the Museum of London by the Barbican
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk
Lots of stuff on the Great Fire- scared the life out of me as a kid. Don't think it's as well known as the other museums so might not be as busy.

Never done one, but I've heard great things about walking tours in London:
http://www.walks.com/Homepage/Timetable/default.aspx

The Secret London and Hidden London tours are the most interesting to me, but there's plenty to be going on with if that doesn't appeal.

ETA: Pubs in Cardiff. Depends what you're looking for. I'll stick to city centre:
It's worth a visit to the Prince of Wales (on St Mary's street)- it's a chain pub but used to be a theatre so it's quite spectacular. We tend to stick to the more traditional pubs- the Goat Major on the high street (used to be the Bluebell), The Queen's Vaults on Queen St (very small). Floyd's bar is nice- it's on the High St above Floyd's clothing shop. You need to ring the bell to get in.
But I still say drive out to the Vale of Glamorgan and have a drink at the Plough and Harrow in Monk Nash. It's great. Oh, also The Blue Anchor at Aberthaw- it's over 600 years old.

__________________
Indiamike mod squad's odd bod.
I've lost my equilibrium and my car keys and my pride ~ Tom Waits

[Indian Mona Lisa by Dinesh; can't find original uploader to credit in full.]

anu_k

If you are planning to travel by train in London, you can make use of 2 for 1 offer for a number of sights including Madame Tussauds, London Zoo, Lords Tour (if u r into cricket), Tower of London etc.

I will shamelessly promote it as I have used it on many occasions when showing visitors around london and saved lots. It is simple to use as you just print of the vouchers and present it along with your train ticket.

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

London eye at night is just lovely.

Khandoma

Re. Pubs ( I'm not English, but Gourmet I sure am) : I would keep away from the "heritage" pubs, mentioned as "historical" on the Pubs websites and travel guides. I've tried a lot of them and was always disappointed by the drinks, food and driven away by horrendous service - I left once before my food came, and once without paying (didn't realize until I was out on the street I promise - was so infuriated at being treated like a wad of notes with the gift of speech). You can however just drop inside to visit, gawk at the old fixtures and many rooms and underground levels.

Re. Steak : My friend, you're going to Scotland ! Unless things have changed a lot in 10 years, that is the place to have steak. And smoked salmon, too. In London my favourite place for a fantastic roastbeef is Simpson's on the Strand (address is 100, Strand) but it really is expensive. However, should you and Mrs P. want to experience an "Old English" place as seen in movies, and great food and a lot of atmosphere, this is one of the best bets I think. The place is a former chess club, don't miss the carpet on your way in. (You'll need a jacket and tie). Otherwise, sadly enough, I can't afford steak in London restaurants. I favour the classic and gastro pub food - and Chinese and Indian food, of course ! (Want any details on that, PM me).

I second Karuna on the "Walking Tours". I thought guided tours were for old ladies and Japanese tourists until I embarked for two hours of absolute delight with two very gifted guys. My first was the classic "Jack the Ripper" tour, and I've been taking one every year now for 5 years. "Secret London" is excellent. Great way to dive into the small alleys and the local life. And they do mention the good pubs on the way, too !

Have fun !

__________________
Khandoma
Visit my India photo gallery on IndiaMike

puchoo

WE are doing Jack the Ripper as well...decided on it last night..had a bit of a tough time figuring which one to go in for given that there are like 10 companies offering it...

Also decided on a musical -w ill catch Buddy Holly and one more , im still a bit unsure on this but the Mrs says its an experience in itself...

While i am reasonably familiar with London im not with Edingburgh , Glasgow, Cardiff and Inverness...and advice on etiquette here? Something to keep in mind..its gonna be a bit hard for me to keep in mind that one should tip taxi drivers every time (Indian's just the opposite) but anything else ?

TIps- whats the expected amount at any place? Would this apply in Pubs as well..say tipping the bar tender etc?

Question on Edinburgh: We are planing to do the Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile and visit the Royal Yatch Britannia. What we're not sure about is whether the Holyroodhouse Palace is worth a visit or not. Please advice. Any other "must-do" in Edinburgh?

Question on Inverness: We have from about noon till the end of the day to spend within Inverness. Is there anything within Inverness that we should definitely do? Otherwise just planning to walk about and absorb the place.

The next day we are planning to do a tour of the Loch Ness and Isle of Skye. Only tour we're managed to find is Puffin Express which is GBP 30 per head. Any other tours which are open to individual travellers and reasonably priced??

Apologies to the Mods: This is Mrs P writing, and have just been told that multiple posts are a no-no.

__________________
Cheers!
Sidharth

Indiamike Mod team............the new kid on the block!

puchoo.wordpress.com

Uncle_Martin

Depends on what sort of person you want to be. You are never likely to see these people again.

Taxi Drivers, waiters/esses will hope for a tip. If in doubt with a Taxi Driver round up to the nearest fiver (short distance) or tenner (longer journey) or flip about 10%. Remember in the UK only toffs, drunks and ladies of purchasable virtue use taxis nudge nudge (only joking)

A useful heuristic is to watch the locals, and follow their (bad) example.

Barmen might hope for one but it is not normal to tip for drinks. If you want to be really nice and you have been chatting or getting good advice from the person serving you you could add an 'and one for yourself' to your next order and allow the bar person to pretend to have a drink on you whilst pocketing the cash, but this would be an exception. If consuming pub grub in the bar area it is not normal to tip outside London. What the 'cockneys' do is beyond my understanding but hey It is also 'bad form' to tip the owner unless you are visiting a stately home and fancy a bit of fun, as it might make then somewhat

My daughters, who have both waitressed after the introduction of the minimum wage, said that the level of tips had fallen. They waitressed in the sort of eateries visited by the middle majority. Always leave your tip as cash, don't use the tip within the credit card bill facility as the bosses will pocket this. If my daughters got £5 from a £100+ bill they regarded this as a good deal. Good tippers, of whom there were few, left about 10% rounded up, bad tippers left the small change, Italian style. If you want to be nice take the bill without the drinks element and leave about 10%, rounded up, in cash. If the service is below par then adjust down, if it is good adjust up.

If you want people to believe you to be rich and possess more money than sense then leave 12.5% + rounded up.

Watch the locals, and follow their (bad) example. If in doubt or panicked by an etiquette attack, think between 10 & 12.5 % and people who complain deserve their disappointment, and you don't need to leave tips for the room service.

However, should a bell hop stand looking as though they want to shake you down for a tip, they may hover and cough, just be and say "nasty cough you got there pal, I wouldn't bet on the gee-gees" (horse racing) "today if I were you"

Should you feel embarrassed, admit you've lost and hand over a £1 or £2 coin.

dzibead

I third karuna and Khandoma on the walking tours in London. By the way, I did a night-time Jack the Ripper tour and it scared the c**p out of me. I was totally creeped out (but in a good way way. )

Pubs? London:
"The Prospect of Whitby" in Wapping - old Thames-side pub
"The Olde Mitre Tavern" in Ely Court, down a tiny alleyway between between No. 8 and No. 9 Hatton Garden - charming

Edinburgh:
Café Royal Bar in West Register Street - elegant
Sandy Bell’s in Forrest Road - great folk music scene
The Hebrides in Market Street - - also good folk music
Bannerman’s in Cowgate - used to be good, but not sure if it still is... haven't been there in a long time ...atmospheric location, though

In Edinburgh, don't miss Robert Cresser's Brush Shop in Victoria Street! A brisk walk up to Arthur's Seat will get some fresh air into your lungs and give you a panoramic view over the city, and just walking around both the Old Town and the New Town are fun - definitely wander off The Royal Mile into the other streets in the Old Town.

Inverness? You might consider a day trip to Culloden - evocative (well, to me, anyway) site of the battle where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the English. Even if you aren't a history buff, that's probably a better option than just walking around Inverness "absorbing" it because IMHO the town of Inverness is just sort of "meh".

One question: you said "the next day" (after Inverness) you plan to do a tour of Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye - I hope "the next day" is just the start of the tour and that you aren't expecting to cover Loch Ness and Skye in one day

kristinm

I remember doing a fabulous walking tour of Edinburgh at night which went around all the Bourke and Hare places and haunted lanes and all those tiny atmospheric cobbled streets... Edinburgh is a very atmospheric city...

dzibead

Yep, parts of Edinburgh are pretty spooky even in broad daylight!

Uncle_Martin

Somewhat but ...

At the risk of being pedantic you neglect the role of the Lowland Regiments, the MacKays, the Duke of Argyle (the other highland big cheese) and his Campbell Militia. One of my wife's business partners is an academic expert on the clearances, lowland as well as highland, and tries very hard to clarify this misconception. The Jacobite uprising was much more complex than that, being both a Scottish civil war and an intra clan battle in addition to being an aspect of a wider European war and arguably the last act of the so called 'Glorious Revolution of 1688'.

dzibead

True, I was just being sloppy. Continuing OT, did you ever see this film? http://www.mnsi.net/~pwatkins/culloden.htm