As an asside to my earlier post, I was wondering what my wife should see while in England nest week. She'll be staying near Oxford Circus station.

Thanks

Dependant on the weather - get on to one of the many open topped tourist buses. Potted history commentary and the ability to hop on and off at the sites that appeal.

Believe a ticket is valid for two days transport....no parking worries, non of the delights of the metro ('Underground')- its got a lot going for it!

FallowBuck will doubtless chime in - though his interpretation of great things to see will probably include all the 'Best' English gun makers!

Rgds Ian

on a clear and sunny day the London eye maybe worth a ride?

Most of the principle attractions are within a mile and a half of Oxford Circus, so if she's in shape, she can just walk.

The principle book stores are near Soho, quite close by; Foyles has a remarkably good selection. Regent's park is probably the best in London and is also nearby. The buildings which ring it are nice to walk along.

Beyond (easy) walking distance is Greenwich, which has the Observatory, a Maritime Museum, and the lovely Old Naval College (the Chapel and the old Dining Hall are well worth a look). From there you can walk under the Thames and hoof it around the Docklands, which is the new area of London with tall buildings of modern styles.

Wren's buildings (St. Paul, Hospital) are worth a look. An older cathedral is Southwark, just over London Bridge.

A Tube day pass will get you nearly everywhere you'll want to go for not too much money, but get a decent folding map so you can find your way between stations. The Tube can be a bit frustrating at times. Stations marked as joined can be a gloomy block or two underground apart.

Warn her that street signs aren't always easy to find. Also, if a street makes more than a 2 deg change in heading, it will be renamed. Platforms in the tube are also not always well marked. Get used to it.

Cambridge and Oxford are both easily reached by train for a day's outing.

I think some of England's best attractions are in the countryside, well outside London, but a car is needed for those, and I doubt that's in the plans.

Fellas, thanks for the info!

The chef

Calgary,

There's probably more to do than you have time to see. The Isle of Dogs, is just full of boring bankers,(I know I'm one of them!!) bars and restaurants. In the summer it is a nice place to go for lunch. It's worth a visit but the walk from Grenwich is through a urine smelling tunnel into a rather rough part of the east end, (Mudchute and Island Gardens). Go have a look either via the Doclands light railway or a taxi. Lunch or dinner at Ubon is very good if you like sushi. It';s not cheap ut the Yellowtail Sashimi and the Black Cod are famous for a reason!!

Oxford Circus is indeed well suited for the Best Gunmakers, and Farlows, all within 10-20 mins walk. Shops are all over the place but do some research on the eating establishments as some are really naff overcharging tourists.

St Pauls, the Tower Of London/Tower Bridge, the palaces etc, are all on the route for the open top bus. It is indeed the best way to see the sights of London. Wrap up though as it's a bit colder at the moment.

If you want a tour of the countryside and a look at the deer park then let me know. I'm organising someting for KimR when he comes over for the AR shoting weekend so I can put you in touch with a couple of people.

If your visit coincides with any of the gun Auctions let me know as I'll be there with Dig, so we could grab a beer.

Good luck on the holidays,
FB