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London

Cool Britannia

by Kontesssa

A June 2000 travel journal

Last Updated: September 2, 2000

Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
8
Reviews

Accounts from a short but sweet five days in London.

Cool Britannia

Overview

The gorgeous buildings, the big city atmosphere of it all, the many restaurants and clubs.

Memorable moments - seeing the Houses of Parliament all lit up at night (how much more British can you get?), a sunny afternoon in Hyde Park, browsing through Harrods, feeling pathetically out of place in this ritzy department store, and later that day, happily but desperately shopping along Oxford Street, searching for a sweater.

Quick Tips:

Even if you're going in the summer, BRING A SWEATER because London weather, like Vancouver, is uh, rather temperamental. My day usually went like: chilly morning, sunny but windy afternoon, and an even chillier night.

Best Way To Get Around:

Lots of walking. But then on my second day, I 'discovered' the Tube and since then, it was Tube here, Tube there. Still, there's no better way to see a neighborhood than by WALKING it.

Leinster Inn

Hotel

Awesome location - the Leinster Inn is in a gorgeous neighborhood with pretty buildings, fairly residential, with lots of other hostels and B&Bs in the neighborhood. The Bayswater Tube station is a 5-10 minute stroll away. Management is fairly friendly, rowdy smoky public rooms filled with beer-guzzling travellers. Had a TV room, a small billiard table, internet computer (down when I was there), and a blah-ey breakfast is included as well. My room had red bunk beds, shower, sink, a terrace, and a good view of the private garden across the street. Major pet peeve - the toilets that were often dirty and - ick - CLOGGED.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

Leinster Inn
8-12 Leinster Square London, England

Yes, the Portobello Market of the Notting Hill (movie) fame. I was there on a Saturday, antiques and bric-a-brac day, as opposed to the usual fruit and veggie market. Got there early, around 9am, and crowds were pouring in. Had fun browsing the stalls - saw lots of knick-knacks, old books, old magazines, some fruits and veggies, and more knick-knacks. I didn't buy anything, but had a good time wandering around nevertheless.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road London, England W11

The British Museum was my FIRST ever real museum, and it was a good experience. Fairly crowded, but the place was huge. Admission is by donation; maps given away by the giftshop. The British Museum basically is the world's greatest civilizations on display. I particularly loved the Nereid Monument, the Elgin Marbles, the lapith/centaur metopes. It only needed a little imagination for it to be back on the pediment, back on the temple, and back in Greece (which, by the way, has been trying to get the Elgin Marbles back for years). Other highlights include the Rosetta stone and creepily fascinating mummies.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

British Museum
Great Russell Street London, England WC1B 3DG
+44 (207) 7323 8299

Hyde Park

Activity

We took an afternoon walk around London's most famous park. I love how this great city has so much green space, and Hyde Park is certainly my favorite park in all of Europe. Lots of nicely-tended green expanses for picnics or sunbathing. Smattering of chairs, but I think you have to pay a small fee for their use. Walked along the Serpentine, rested a bit at the many benches scattered throughout the path. Rented rowboats and paddled for about half an hour. Walked the length of Hyde Park, from Kensington area to Queensway. The walk turned a little less pedestrian friendly as we neared Queensway (ie. less marked paths, more cars) but it's still very doable. Overall, I think it's a great way to spend a sunny afternoon in London, and I'm not a big park/garden person!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

Hyde Park & Kensington Stables
63 Bathurst Mews & 11 Elvaston Mews London, England W2 & SW7
+44 20 7723 2813

Ministry is a good intro to the London house/techno scene. I've never been a big fan but I'm glad I went. Went with some people from my hostel. Checked out the Time Out guide for the DJ that night. The place is huge, and has different rooms all filled with GORGEOUS people. People dress up to the max here, making it an interesting (and sometimes intimidating!) crowd to say the least. Drinks were expensive, but hey, you get to drink it in THIS place!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt Street London, England SE1 6DP
+44 20 7378-6528

St. Paul's literally took my breath away. We approached it from the side, and as we were walking, I glanced up, and saw gasped at the magnificent dome. The sheer size of it already surprised me - I didn't expect it to be so BIG. And so beautiful. It's architecturally harmonious and balanced. From the inside, the dome is a beautiful matte gold color - it was VERY impressive. We got there late in the afternoon, when the cathedral was holding it's Evensong. It was definitely an experience - hearing the choir's angelic hymns in such an awe-inspiring place. A definite highlight.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kontesssa on September 2, 2000

St Paul's Cathedral
The Chapter House London, England EC4M 8AD
+44 (20 7) 236 4128

I LOVED walking in London. Streets are very active, very happening, lots of people, lots of cars, double-decker buses, and cute black cabs. It truly felt like a major modern powerhouse of a city. Yet there remains so many traces of the older London. The architecture, for example - the buildings are very beautiful, very grand. They seem to be from another time and age yet they fit modern London very well. London truly carries much of its history in its present self.

Definitely do some people-watching. Women looked as if they stepped out of fashion magazines. They're all funky and hip. And the men - even the men dressed so well!

About the Writer

Kontesssa
Kontesssa
Vancouver, British Columbia

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