FAO Buenchico

[Im a BusyBee]

Can you help me....we are off to London again soon, staying 3 nights near tower bridge. We've never been to that area before i wondered if you can particularly recommend anything to do, see or places to eat. We have nothing at all planned as yet. I ask you because you have given me very good advise in the past and we've been more than impressed with your recommendations. many thanks.

[jno]

You're next to St Katherine's Dock and Tower Bridge, both of which are worth a visit (you can go up in the towers of the bridge), and of course the Tower of London. Southwark cathedral is worth a look - Shakespeare's brother is buried there - older than St Paul's though not as big or famous. The London Dungeon is nearby if you like that sort of thing. But because you're in the City of London you'll find the area a bit dead after dark - it's mostly offices, few homes or shopping areas. (Hays Galleria shops on the south side of the river are attractive but close fairly early.) But it's not far by bus or tube to the West End, which is livelier.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post)

Hello again.

The area around Tower Bridge doesn't have that many attractions which leap into my mind, but that hardly matters because the whole of central London is within a few minutes ride on the Tube.

In the immediate area, the main tourist attraction is obviously the Tower of London:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/
It's quite pricey and it wouldn't feature in my own list of the best places to go in London, but it might appeal to you.

For me, HMS Belfast (which is anchored, on the south side of the Thames, close to Tower Bridge) is far more interesting:
http://hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk/
OK, I'm a fella' and such things are often viewed as being principally of interest to 'big boys' but I think that you'd enjoy it. (Wear 'sensible shoes' and be prepared to climb up and down a few short ladders).

If you're looking for some classy bars and restaurants in that area, try St Katharine's Docks. (On the northern side of the Thames, immediately east of Tower Bridge).

Alternatively, there are some less expensive places to eat at Hay's Galleria:
http://www.haysgalleria.co.uk/
(On the South Bank, just past where HMS Belfast is).

Heading further west, Tate Modern is on the South Bank:
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/
(Admission is free so, even if you're not really into modern art, it's worth a look).

[Buenchico]

A short walk across the (no longer very wobbly) Millennium Bridge will take you to St Paul's Cathedral:
http://www.stpauls.co.uk/
(in my opinion it's over-priced but you might want to visit it).

Beyond those areas, you're really into the main central part of tourist London, with hundreds of possible things to see and do. My own favourites include the National Portrait Gallery. (Immediately to the rear of the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square). It's often ignored by people who visit the National Gallery, which is a pity because it's well worth a visit. (It's not just stuffy old portraits of people you've never heard of. There is, for example, a superb photography section):
http://www.npg.org.uk/

That reminds me that the Photographers Gallery has always been a favourite haunt of mine. It's near to Oxford Circus. (Free admission. The caf� serves excellent coffee!):
http://www.photonet.org.uk/

My favourite place for cheap, but really good, food has to be Bistro 1:
http://www.bistro1.co.uk/
(I use the Covent Garden branch, on Southampton Street but the others will be just as good).

Lastly, if you've not been to the South Kensingtom museums recently, they're all free and all well worth visiting. The Science Museum is great for 'big kids':
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
The Natural History Museum has stunning architecture (and moving dinosaurs!):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
The V&A is the museum which gets few

[Buenchico]

. fewest visitors but it often provides an oasis of peace and quiet. It's absolutely wonderful. (Check out the fashion collection):
http://www.vam.ac.uk/

Chris

(I hate it when AB cuts off the end of a post without warning! If you've already visited most of the places I've suggested, post again and I'll see what new ideas I can come up with).