BootsnAll Travel Community

The Best of London (a different list)

The following is a tentative list of the best of London (compiled through personal research done on the internet). Here are the results. If you live in London, or consider yourself an expert on the city please add, or edit items to the list. It's in desperate need of a local's personal knowledge. Once complete, it should help visitors to London know exactly where to find what they need and want. PLEASE only respond to this thread if you're interested in helping to edit or contribute items to the list. Thank you.

GENERAL:
london bridge/lifting schedule (see the bridge lift to make way for boats underneath) - special times only.
westminister abbey is free between 6-8pm wednesday or during free organ recitals
st pauls cathedral is free after 430 or during Choral Evensong
buckingham palace changing of the guard vs whitehall changing horseguard (which is better, and easier to photograph)?
what are the best royal parks in london?

also...
temple area
guild hall
no 11 bus ride for a view of the sites
Neal's Yard near Covent Garden

FOOD:
whitechapel area for arab food
tooting for indian food
bricklane currey
free food at Hare Krishna Temple at 10 Soho Street 1230-100 mon-sat
borough market food
cheapest supermarkets: Aldi/Lidl, and Asda/Tesco

VIEWS:
view from highgate
view from primerose hill near
regents park
Woolwich free ferry view
Oxo tower view, South Bank centre Waterloo station
Greenwich observatory view
Thames Flood Gates view
Brockwell Park view
sunset at south side of hampstead heath
sunset at waterloo bridge

ETC...
easyeverything internet cafe (best internet cafe)
get VAT refund form if shopping in UK (when you leave the country the tax should be awarded back to you).


CRITERIA for LIST:
-memorable/dramatic scenery & landscape photography. Where to find the best (viewpoints, city views, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)?
-the unique outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and amazing views.
-lovely/charming streets, cute villages, and magnificent/attractive architecture
-authentic/unforgettable "local" travel experiences (i.e. non-typical, interesting/special experiences (full of original character), and unique only to the local area)).
-the best freebies
-and/or anything else off-the beaten path.

Thanks again...