Daughter going to London???

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Teresa44
Teresa44 Member Posts: 56
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
My daughter is leaving on July 14 for a 3-week study abroad program in London at Westminster University. She will then be staying an extra 10 days with a friend to do some sightseeing. She will be taking a class for college called Britian at War (1940). She is such a history buff. She is really going to enjoy this class.

She is so excited because she will get to take a Tour of Parliment.

Any suggestions on other things that she must see!!! Or travel to?

She will be a Senior in college this fall.

Any comments about London life?

God Answers Prayers

Teresa44
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Comments

  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited June 2007
    Don't just stay in the city- have her see the beautiful English country side.
    I spent a summer in Sandwich, Kent and it was one of the most lovely places I have ever been. It is about a half hour from Canterbury where the Cathedral is.

    I will be excited to see what our UK sisters suggest!

    I hope she has a wonderful time!

    Love,
    g
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  • Diana_B
    Diana_B Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2007

    I wonder if she knows about Churchill's secret bunker? They revealed it about 5 or 6 years ago. Apparently everything is still intact. It sounds utterly fascinating to me.

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  • sherloc
    sherloc Member Posts: 1,047
    edited June 2007
    O my gosh I want to go with her. Think she has room in her suitcase. I'm a major history buff too.
    My bestest friend in the world is from England. She says it aint all London. Just like California aint all Hollywood.
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  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited June 2007
    With three weeks she will have a close itinerary pre-planned by the program she is going through but she will have weekends to do whatever she wants.
    Did she have a good orientation meeting? The program will have side trips within the program the students can choose from.
    The Oyster pass is a must for the Tube.
    Be prepared that everything is very expensive there.
    An ATM card is a must. You will get the rate of exchange between Euro's and the US dollar.
    Some places don't take Euro's so that's why the ATM is a must.
    Also a phone card or she may be able to rent a cell through the University for the three weeks.

    The extra 10 days. . . Have her plan her trips offered thru the University during the 10 days. She'll get great prices for travel thru the program. Or she can wing it.

    She'll have a wonderful experience.
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited June 2007
    Ditto on the extra money she will need! It's way more than one would have thought, just to ride the tube.
    Personally I got caught up in the flea markets -- they make our antique stores look like flea markets.
    And Ditto -- get out of London, get to Paris, and hit the UK countryside.
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  • Valsul
    Valsul Member Posts: 160
    edited June 2007
    The currency for the UK is the Pound Sterling (£) - we didn't join the Euro club. The exchange rate at the moment is 2 dollars to the pound.

    Yes, the Oyster card for the tube is the best way about, but see what discounts the programme organisers have arranged.

    Some of our most beautiful cities are outside London - mostly the old cathedral cities and county towns, such as York, Chester, Lichfield, Canterbury and of course the dreaming spires of Oxford and Cambridge, the big University towns. Chocolate box villages such as those in the Cotswolds, Broadway and Chipping Camden are so pretty.

    London itself just drips history. From the Tower of London which was built by William the Conqueror and its ravens and the Warders who are still dressed in Mediaeval costume, to Westminster Abbey and the famous people who are buried there (including Poets' Corner.

    If she is interested in WW2, yes, Churchill's bunker, and also a trip to Liverpool where the bunker "The Western Approaches" looked after the UK's interests regarding the Atlantic - mainly trade from the US to keep Europe supplied during U-boat blockades etc.

    Believe me she will love it. London buzzes with life and history so she is going to a great place.

    Big hugs
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited June 2007
    Quick, can anyone recommend a couple of great historical books or movies for her to read or see that will offer some instant overview of London and the surrounding area.
    You know, a "cliff notes" of the famous places she will be seeing?
    Or even some of the famous paintings she should look for in the art museums. (my daughter is away or I'd get a list from her-my art history expert)
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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited June 2007

    My husband likes to eat Indian when he goes to London.

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  • Valsul
    Valsul Member Posts: 160
    edited June 2007
    The following link is a good one for the detail of what's on offer.

    http://www.londontourist.org/art.html

    Dorling and Kindersley (DK) books are always good - I used one for New York City and it even told me that the Staten Island ferry is free - things like that are always useful! - and gives recommended walks to take in the most of what's to see. If you can't get one where you are DD can get one as soon as she lands at the airport.

    The historical books, well I shall think on this one and post later today.

    Big hug
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  • jo50
    jo50 Member Posts: 75
    edited June 2007

    I'm from England originally (29 years ago mind you!) but go back every year. I'd recommend the Imperial War Museum (South of the river) if she's a history buff and studying WW2. Also for trips out of London, my favourite place in the whole world is Dorset (South West coast - history, beauty, and great cream teas), but a couple of days going to Bath via Oxford and the Cotswolds would be a great introduction to the countryside. And yes ditto on the scary costs - not only the horrible exchange rate, but just high prices. We were back in March and I was shocked that the shortest tube ride had gone up to 4 pounds! It was cheaper for Dad, husband and I to take a taxi - and that doesn't seem right for a city that's trying to control environmental pollution. However, you can always find more economical ways to travel - restaurants are expensive, but most pubs have great food at an easier price. Hope she has a great time. Jo

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited June 2007

    London Walks is a great way to have a guide for special places and they are usually a great group of folks and not too expensive.

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited June 2007
    We spent some time last summer in the Cotswolds and Oxford...
    neat places...

    image

    image
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  • ginger2345
    ginger2345 Member Posts: 517
    edited June 2007

    I've been to quite a few museums in Europe and the British Museum tops the list. It's a must!!

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited June 2007

    OMG, the Elgin Marbles!

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  • Teresa44
    Teresa44 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2007
    Thanks Ladies for all the input. Please feel free to write more if something else comes to mind. Here is a list of some of the things that CEA has planned for them.

    Afternoon at Tate Modern with traditional English tea
    An excursion to Oxford
    Afternoon picnic in St. James Park
    Excursion to Brighton
    Afternoon tour of Parliament
    Guided tour of the National Gallery
    Boat ride with meal on the Thanes River
    Changing of the Guard

    This will all be done during the first 3 weeks plus she and several students are planning a trip to Paris on one of the weekends.

    The last 10 days of her visit, a friend will be flying over to join her and they will revisit some of these places plus some new ones. She also has a friend that lives in Brighton and will stay with him a few days.

    She has already prepared about the cost of the tube and other transportation. She is purchasing some type of transportation ticket for a certain price that she can use for that entire month. It is like $250.00 but it will probably be worth it.

    I know that she is going to the Imperial Museum and would love to go to Liverpool. She is a Beatles fanatic!!!!

    What is the Elgin Marbles?

    Thanks so much for all your information. I know she appreciates it too.

    God Answers Prayers

    Teresa44
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited July 2007

    Marbles at the British Museum, she'll see them on the first floor. Have her look them up on the net and read about them before she goes.

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  • Catherine
    Catherine Member Posts: 305
    edited July 2007
    I lived in London for two years. Definitely see the Imperial War Museum. Also check out the Tower of London, Hampden Court, Windsor Castle, Madame Tussaud's (wax museum), the London Zoo. I'd also take a trip to Stratford on Avon (Shakespeare country).

    Public transportation is wonderful there, particularly in London itself. Our family had a car, but we only drove it to take trips to places in the countryside during the week-ends.

    We lived in St. John's Wood (about one block from Lord's Cricket Ground) and close to Regent's Park.

    Catherine

    P.S. If you go to the Imperial War Museum, Captain Bligh's home is on the way!

    Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a pub that Dickens used to frequent. Portobello Road has a great antiques market where you can find practically anything.
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  • Teresa44
    Teresa44 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2007
    Everyone is giving her so many places that she needs to see and I know a lot of them are on her agenda. We appreciate all the input from all of you.

    If anything else pops in mind, please let me know.

    God Answers Prayers

    Teresa44
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  • Teresa44
    Teresa44 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2007
    My daughter is there in London and is loving it. She may not want to come home. She seems to be very busy and is trying to get in everything that she can. She said that she is going to Amsterdam for 3 days with the university. It will only cost $300.00. I told her to go and enjoy!!! She is loving her "Britian at War" class and this week is studying about all the propaganda that went along with the war.

    Yesterday, she went to see Big Ben, London Tower and several other places. To learn more about her trip, go to
    britishbanana.blogspot.com She is trying to post some each day and hopefully will get some pictures up soon.

    God Answers Prayers

    Teresa44
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  • Catherine
    Catherine Member Posts: 305
    edited July 2007
    That sounds wonderful. I'll check out the website.

    I love London so much. We actually met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when we took the oceanliner, "The United States" over there. Churchill died while we were there and we went to the funeral procession.

    They have such great plays there and there's always so much to do. I may visit London with a friend next year. Keep your fingers crossed!

    Catherine
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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited July 2007
    I loved the "Jack the Ripper Tour". If she can get to Blenheim Castle, well worth it. That is the place Winston Churchill was born.

    London, last time of course, we went on the London Eye. Saw tons of plays. Do this, for sure. So different than ours, so much better, small theaters with close viewing. AND, they sell ice cream bars and candy during intermission.

    Kensington Palace Tour, many of the Queen's dresses, Of course Westminster Abbey, I touched Queen Elizabeth's First's casket.

    Biggest thrill, watching the Changing of the Guards and Windsor Castle.

    Oh, Greenwich too. It is on a lot of day tours. You ride a boat up the Thames and get to see the brass marker laid in the ground were time is counted from. Greenwich Mean Time. Thrilling, as well as many nautical sites and a great museum.

    The Victoria & Albert Museum is wonderful, the Royal Mews, where the gold coaches are kept. Bath, is super, it is a town that has the original Roman Bath still intact. Stonehenge, Stratford Upon Avon. Oh my, I love London.

    I would live there if I could.

    Hugs, Shirlann
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