Hi All

I picked up a short-notice Lion hunt in Zambia with the DuPlooys and when all the airline stuff settled, it looks like I have 12 hours in London. What kind of stuff does a hunter do in a 12 hour layover in a reasonably gun-unfriendly place like that? I would really hate to just sit in Heathrow terminal for 12 hours, but with guns it seems that's my best choice!

Any voices of experience out there?

Charles Butler

I sat in the airline lounge, read my book, and ate and drank what they had out there. I suppose you could go out and come back but I am a bit paranoid.

I did 9 hrs in that airport. Not much to do but drink, eat and sleep on benches. And watch out, they charge trophy fees on beer.

I would think you could check your guns to the next destination and then arrange a city tour or the like.

My sister, brother-in-law and I did just what Phoenixdawg suggested, checked all of our luggage including gun cases through to the final destination. At this point we then rented a locker at the airport to store our excess carry-on items and went on a tour of the town.

However, this being our first trip over to Africa, (speaking for myself at least), in retrospect I SHOULD have just kicked back and rested at the airport.
I was too keyed up to sleep on the plane ride over to London.
We first went to Natural History museum and was greatly disappointed. So we decided to go sightseeing .... 3 hours into our tour my focus and edge wore off ... I just started nodding off on the top of the double decker bus. My brother-in-law would punch me and say "Tower of London" I would wake up snap a photo and go back to sleep, He would punch me and say "Big Ben"..... I would wake up snap a photo ..."Buckingham Palace"... All of the landmarks evoked the same routine from me. We went to Herrods........ no hunting items ... so just more junk to me, I didn't even get a souvenir!

The main excitement for me was when I was nearly ran down while crossing the street.... YES, I was looking the wrong way when I stepped out onto the street from between two cars. Those jokers driving on the wrong side of the road NEARLY got me. However, that close call was enough to wake me up and get me to pay attention to the direction of traffic at least.

I really had absolutely no interest in London whatsoever (even though thats where my ancestors originate from).... just a necessary part of the trip to get to my month of hunting in AFRICA!

I had 12 hr layover in Paris a few years ago on the way to Joburg. took my carry on bag( with my camera), hopped on the metro train there in the terminal( took about 20 minutes to go through customs and immigration), and went into downtown Paris for a day of sightseeing. rode the metro back to the airport and continued on. if i am not mistaken, Heathrow has rail connections into downtown London and a similar daytrip should be just as simple.

If you decide to stay at the airport - which I would do in London - you might see if you can get access to one of the business lounges.

Some charge a few dollars, and it is very well worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
If you decide to stay at the airport - which I would do in London - you might see if you can get access to one of the business lounges.

Some charge a few dollars, and it is very well worth it.

Much better than the main waiting areas.

when i did my day trip into Paris, i had slept 7 hrs on th plane( a 10+ hr. flight from Houston) and felt fine when we arrived in Paris at 0900. otherwise i would pay for access to a business departure lounge and kick back there.

2 years ago when visiting Nitrox in Australia, I spent quite a few hours in Heathrow. No idling time at all, there are plenty of nice shopping boots and my wife even lacked time to buy plenty of garments for the whole family, from Barbour, Burberys, Aqua sputum and such...
Perhaps You can shop for next Christmas...

Why not post on the European hunting forum and ask if some Brit AR member is kind enough to have You a tour in London?

Charles,

Jean may have a great idea.

Mark

A couple of years ago, we had a lay over in London of about 12 hours on our way to Paris w/ BA. We took the train downtown, got on a double decker bus and road around the town, got back to the RR station, caught the train back to the airport and continued on our journey.

I cannot remember what we did with our bags; I thing we left them with BA but we could have put them in a locker too. I was shocked at how badly London, which was my favorite capital in the 60's, had faired in 40 years. Kudude

To get the most out of London - like most big cities I suppose - you really have to know what sort of thing you want to do and more importantly what sort of "vibe" you want. Most of the cooler, quirkier bits are well off the tourist route. Having said that, the hop o, hop off sight seeing double deckers are a good way to see the sights in a short time.
The thing with London is that all that is buzzing and hip and the stuff that makes it an exciting city, is the complete opposite to the start of any hunting trip!! As a bit of a country boy I enjoyed the odd trip there, but never really identified with the place.
However - here are a few things that might appeal to the discerning gentleman...
Imperial War Museum - one of the best military museums I've ever been to.
Shopping around Jermyn Street - shop here are aimed at the man who likes the finer things in life - (incl. hunting!) Fine cigars, shirts, shoes,razors and a Berreta shop which I remember had a collection of safari/Capstick etc books.
Horseguards is not far. The soldiers on guard are real and not just for show. If you are very lucky you might see a tourist doing something stupid like poke them. Watch the reaction. I saw a tourist go where he should not at Windsor Castle. The soldier sprang to attention, levelled his rifle/bayonet at port at the bloke, and shouted at him to bet back. The guardsman would have stuck him given the chance. Very funny, and made me proud to be in the army.
Vinopolis - wine museum. Tour and taste. Mmmm.

Don't go to Harrods - overblown store selling overpriced stuff.

Carnaby Street is equally a waste of time. If Kudude went there having been there in the 60s, he would have been crushed. Sorry, mate.

Soho - all cleaned up, almost all the little brothels shut down. Just "shows" where you will be fleeced. (Hey, you were all wondering!!!) And sex shops, and the centre of things gay.
Although there is an amazing liquor store on Old Compton Street which has every liqeur to to man, and in miniature bottles too. Handy for picnic cocktails!

Or Holland and Holland - one place where you could turn up in your safari gear - they'd be all over you like a rash!

Have a think about that...

I did that trip two years ago. The 12hr. layover was a drag but I got through it. Friends tried to convince me to go into town and see the sights (I've never been there) but since I was carrying several thousand dollars on my person I was too chickenshit! Sat around in the airport, slept in the lounge, ate, drank... Actually wasn't as bad as it sounds if you're an infrequent traveler like me. I enjoy watching people and there were plenty to keep me busy!

Thanks for all the responses guys!

Looks like its not as bad as I thought, although anything between me and Simba is a problem right now....

When recommending a British forumite to have You visit London, I think Gabriel Boghosian is the among the best friend You can ever pick there.
A young neat barrister, full of humor, cultured, knowing plenty of things and always good-humoured.
A guy You'll never forget : g_boghossian@yahoo.com
try Your chance.
None the less, most of the Brits on this forum are neat.

Charles,

Assuming your plane is on time and you really do have 12 hours on your hands, going into London will depend on what day of the week it is. Most shops close on Sunday and many, many by one pm on Saturday.

So, you arrive, luggage checked through and humping a reasonable weight carry-on. You go thorugh immigration, straight through customs (green lane) and follow the signs to the Paddington Express (about 25 pounds for a round trip ticket). Half hour later you are wondering which underground to take to get to gunshop row: it's about one mile from Purdey on South Audley street, east past Boss to H&H on Bruton St, just before New Bond St. You can take a 50 yard detour south at Berkeley Square to Maggs bookstore if you've high end hunting/exploration first editions in mind before arriving at Bruton St.

You are walking distance to St. James where Berry Bros. & Rudd will sell you potables (they have a shop at the airport in terminal 3 that is duty free). William Evans used to be across the street, but do I remember that they bellied up???

Then maybe tube over to the Tower of London after a light lunch almost anywhere, and get back to Paddington station to Heathrow and the not-as-bad-as-the-USA-nuisance of checking back in. Lot easier if you already have your boarding card for the onward flight as you go straight to security/immigration.

Regards, Tim

Tim has nailed it.

It has been many years since I had a lay over in London. I did pretty much what Tim recommends. I grabbed to Tube into town, went to Purdy's and Holland & Holland. Grabed a cab to cruise by Buckingham Palace and strolled through St. James Park. Had lunch at The Cheashire Cheese (Rebuild after the great fire in 1671 or whenever) and back to Heathrow. Memorable day, for sure.

Take the tube to downtown and walk around. Wear a baseball cap and western boots and try and strike up a converstion with strangers.





Ask people where is a good fish n chips place. Find a bobbie and ask him "Where is that big clock?"

call girls are available in london just got back from fishin

who is you ph while hunting. just got back from Zambia hunting with Alister Norton at Johnny's place. When are you going?
I am so jealous... We saw lots and lots of lion tracks

Actually, Alister is scheduled to be my PH.

Leaving in mid-october so it will be hot as blazes, but the game should be well concentrated.

Please tell him hello for me and good hunting

Good luck on your lion. I'll be there next July chasing cats.

After reading the hunt report of fellow AR member 450/400, my wife and I are going to spend the day at the West London Shooting School.

Here is a link to his excellent report:

450/400's Hunt Report