Any American's Going to Glastonbury?

[Dave Letorey]

Three of us are flying out from Orlando, Florida for Glastonbury!!! We can't wait!!!

[ukslim]

Do Americans have diplomatic immunity from the Punctuation Police on here?

[ukslim]

You'll have an absolute blast, just remember that Somerset in summer is probably colder - at night - than Florida is at any point of the year

[Craig_G]

Try and get yourselves to Borough Market (near Tower Bridge), lovely place.

[Runner]

I was going to mention it, but I thought it may cause offence. And Americans have guns

Slightly geeky/fogey London highlights:

• The Tower Bridge tour - well worth the money - you get to walk through the top part, and look at the steam engines that used to power the raising mechanism.

• British Museum - free! - worth it for the architecture alone

• Science Museum - ditto

• Tate Modern - not free, but has some ace stuff unless you're one of those 'modern art, I could have made that' types.

[Runner]

Incidently, I work on the river and overlooking Borough Market. Lunch is always a choice of steak, ostrich, wild board, etc....

[Sam Crawley]

[*]The Tower Bridge tour - well worth the money - you get to walk through the top part, and look at the steam engines that used to power the raising mechanism.

[xxscousaxx]

i am not american, but i certainly will be come half 10 saturday nite!!! althou only 4 an hour and a half!!!

[The Nal]

i am not american, but i certainly will be come half 10 saturday nite!!! althou only 4 an hour and a half!!!

[missyb75]

Thanks for all the tips on the must-see's in London. Much appreciated. I wish I could bring the heat of Florida with me. Although it might be a bit too hot! 90F+ Degrees here this past weekend, so around 32C. We are all very excited! :angry: Sitting at work now and thinking wish it was time to leave already.

[Dave The Owl]

Here's a few more suggestions for your time in London (something I posted on a different forum to one of your compatriots who's having a holiday over here!)

(you won't manage to do all this by the way - so don't try!)

Starting with the touristy things:

Buckingham Palace, Green Park, The Mall, Downing Street, Whitehall, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben - all within a short walk of each other so can be easily seen in an afternoon. On a Sunday the Mall is pedestrianised.

Walk from London Bridge to Tower Bridge, coffee or a bite to each at the outside restaurants on Butlers Wharf, then cross Tower Bridge to the Tower of London

The London Eye - if it's a clear day!!

Try a couple of Museums and Gallery's if that's your sort of thing - many are free (e.g. Natural History, British, Science, Imperial War). My favourite is actually the London Transport Museum, but you have to pay for that!

Take a trip on the Thames - doesn't have to be a "tourist" boat - there's loads of river services that are just as interesting: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/river-guide.pdf As a general rule for getting about London buy an Oystercard, or if here for a few days a weekly travel card http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Visit Covent Garden market - there's a nice pub in the piazza called The Cove that has a balcony overlooking the market - nice for a drink whilst watching the entertainment below

Explore Soho - loads of interesting little shops and cafes - just wander the area bordered by Shaftsbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Regent Street and Oxford Street - this includes Carnaby Street, Wardour Street and loads of others!

Try some of the out of town areas, such as Greenwich or Hampstead Village and Heath. If you want to experience the diversity of London try Camden or Brick Lane & Spitalfields Market.

Go to a gig - even if there's not a band you want to see try out one of the smaller venues such as the 100 Club, Borderline, Water Rats or Dublin Castle.

Finally, as a general rule you can do far more on foot that you'd expect, and it's a great way of really seeing the city.

As for pubs, just try anything that looks interesting. If it's rubbish, move on!! If you do want a couple of recommendations try the Pillars of Hercules on Greek Street (Soho) or the Lamb and Flag on Rose Street (Covent Garden).

[missyb75]

please come back and tell us what you think after the festival..

i know its not mine or anything but i get immensely proud when i hear of people having a great time at glastonbury :angry:

[missyb75]

Here's a few more suggestions for your time in London (something I posted on a different forum to one of your compatriots who's having a holiday over here!)

(you won't manage to do all this by the way - so don't try!)

Starting with the touristy things:

Buckingham Palace, Green Park, The Mall, Downing Street, Whitehall, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben - all within a short walk of each other so can be easily seen in an afternoon. On a Sunday the Mall is pedestrianised.

Walk from London Bridge to Tower Bridge, coffee or a bite to each at the outside restaurants on Butlers Wharf, then cross Tower Bridge to the Tower of London

The London Eye - if it's a clear day!!

Try a couple of Museums and Gallery's if that's your sort of thing - many are free (e.g. Natural History, British, Science, Imperial War). My favourite is actually the London Transport Museum, but you have to pay for that!

Take a trip on the Thames - doesn't have to be a "tourist" boat - there's loads of river services that are just as interesting: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/river-guide.pdf As a general rule for getting about London buy an Oystercard, or if here for a few days a weekly travel card http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Visit Covent Garden market - there's a nice pub in the piazza called The Cove that has a balcony overlooking the market - nice for a drink whilst watching the entertainment below

Explore Soho - loads of interesting little shops and cafes - just wander the area bordered by Shaftsbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Regent Street and Oxford Street - this includes Carnaby Street, Wardour Street and loads of others!

Try some of the out of town areas, such as Greenwich or Hampstead Village and Heath. If you want to experience the diversity of London try Camden or Brick Lane & Spitalfields Market.

Go to a gig - even if there's not a band you want to see try out one of the smaller venues such as the 100 Club, Borderline, Water Rats or Dublin Castle.

Finally, as a general rule you can do far more on foot that you'd expect, and it's a great way of really seeing the city.

As for pubs, just try anything that looks interesting. If it's rubbish, move on!! If you do want a couple of recommendations try the Pillars of Hercules on Greek Street (Soho) or the Lamb and Flag on Rose Street (Covent Garden).

[bombfrog]

On another note, has anybody been to any festivals in the US?

We're thinking of doing a roadtrip in 2011 round as many states as we can and I'd absolutely love to do something like Coachella or Lollapalooza along the way.

[beergut100]

Hope you have a great festival x x

I still feel a bit awful towards and American guy I met in the Reggae Cafe a few years back early

one morning.

He sat next to me and obviously wanted to chat, but I had been up all night and just wanted to drink tea and go to bed !!!

He was really chatty and friendly and I should have reciprocated.

:angry:

[disasterplan]

Go via Bristol and check out the Banksy exhibition.

[The Cat]

Three of us are flying out from Orlando, Florida for Glastonbury!!! We can't wait!!!

[finner]

Aghhhh! Can't help mentioning the random apostrophe since it's in the thread title. Anyway, have a great time. You won't regret coming all this way.

[paulo999]

On another note, has anybody been to any festivals in the US?

We're thinking of doing a roadtrip in 2011 round as many states as we can and I'd absolutely love to do something like Coachella or Lollapalooza along the way.

[JameSemajj]

It's weird really, i actually really enjoy positive feedback from tourists visiting England like Glastonbury. Even though england is very diverse, and kinda messed up at the moment, i'm still an Immensily proud citizen.. Let us know how you find it! you'll have a special time there! :angry:

[paulo999]

Getting myself back on topic... Dave the owl's list above is excellent.

The only thing I'd add/stress is that if you are in London for anything more than a brief moment, do get an Oyster card to avoid the intentionally punitive prices for cash fares. You can get one at any Tube station, and load them with cash to pay for each journey. The system is intelligent, so if you take so many journeys in a day that would mean a day pass would be cheaper, the you will only be charged the day pass price.

[Johnthebar]

I was going to mention it, but I thought it may cause offence. And Americans have guns

[missyb75]

It's weird really, i actually really enjoy positive feedback from tourists visiting England like Glastonbury. Even though england is very diverse, and kinda messed up at the moment, i'm still an Immensily proud citizen.. Let us know how you find it! you'll have a special time there!

[missyb75]

Aghhhh! Can't help mentioning the random apostrophe since it's in the thread title. Anyway, have a great time. You won't regret coming all this way.

[Runner]

If you want to do something a bit different a trip to Highgate Cemetery is great. The west side is a completely over the top Victorian cemetery with really ornate sculptures, massive tombs and crypts. The cemetery is an historically listed park and is in a state of 'managed neglect' so it's really atmospheric. They only let you in that side of the cemetery on one of their daily tours.