Chelsea Flower Show
November 19, 2005 12:23 PM Subscribe
My Significant Other and I are taking my awesome 73 year old mother to the Chelsea Flower show in London (May 23-27).
The first week, May 20-28, is mostly for my mother. But week two, May 29-June 5, are for me and the SO.
We will be staying at the Chesterfield Mayfair. What are the things I could do during week one in London for my mom? My mother is actually pretty active and adventurous for a 73 year old, so some things that require a little physical activity are fine. But, she IS 73, so sedate activities will be relished as well. Where’s a great place to have high tea? Also, my mom loves beer. It would be great to take her to a local pub for a pint. What’s a place near our hotel that we could frequent? Also, I would love to take her for a drive to see the Cotswald Cottages, where is that at? Is it within driving distance of London? Aside from that, What sights should we see? And I mean the sights most tourists wouldn’t know about. Like, I read in WikiTravel about a Friday night skate in London, where a crowd gathers and skates down certain streets. Is this true?
For week 2, my SO and I want to do some cycling, and maybe spend some time in the English countryside. We like to kayak and hike as well. Where should we go? What should we do?
Lastly, what are some great restaurants? For all levels of food, from gourmet to fish and chips?
The first week, May 20-28, is mostly for my mother. But week two, May 29-June 5, are for me and the SO.
We will be staying at the Chesterfield Mayfair. What are the things I could do during week one in London for my mom? My mother is actually pretty active and adventurous for a 73 year old, so some things that require a little physical activity are fine. But, she IS 73, so sedate activities will be relished as well. Where’s a great place to have high tea? Also, my mom loves beer. It would be great to take her to a local pub for a pint. What’s a place near our hotel that we could frequent? Also, I would love to take her for a drive to see the Cotswald Cottages, where is that at? Is it within driving distance of London? Aside from that, What sights should we see? And I mean the sights most tourists wouldn’t know about. Like, I read in WikiTravel about a Friday night skate in London, where a crowd gathers and skates down certain streets. Is this true?
For week 2, my SO and I want to do some cycling, and maybe spend some time in the English countryside. We like to kayak and hike as well. Where should we go? What should we do?
Lastly, what are some great restaurants? For all levels of food, from gourmet to fish and chips?
The classic place for afternoon tea in London is at The Ritz. The best way to find a good pub is to wander around an area you like the feel of until you stumble across a pub you like the look of. The Cotswolds are a couple of hours drive from London up the A40. Burford is the hub for English quaintness. There is skating in the winter in the courtyard of Somerset House, but probably not in
May. North Wales is good for Kayaking and Scotland is best for hiking.
Maybe best getting a food guide for restaurants...
posted by gravelshoes at 2:47 PM on November 19, 2005
May. North Wales is good for Kayaking and Scotland is best for hiking.
Maybe best getting a food guide for restaurants...
posted by gravelshoes at 2:47 PM on November 19, 2005
Response by poster: tnai, gravelshoes, DrtyBlvd,
Thank you. I've spent hours exploring the links you provided. And, thank you for pointing me in the right direction. It's so appreciated.
posted by generic230 at 5:14 PM on November 19, 2005
Thank you. I've spent hours exploring the links you provided. And, thank you for pointing me in the right direction. It's so appreciated.
posted by generic230 at 5:14 PM on November 19, 2005
I think your mum would like a drink in the Audley
41-43 Mount Street W1K 2RX.
I hope you have your tickets sorted for Chelsea, it is very, very busy. Is it one of those things she has set her heart on? because she may not find it very confortable. This is what it is really lke
London is too busy so jump on train to Bath (90mins), see the Circus, the Roman Baths, and have tea in The Pump Rooms. Have a drink in the Lemon Tree. You can easily get from Bath to the Cotsworlds in a hire car (1hr) or to Stonehenge (45mins). If your mum like trees then try Westonbirt Arboretum (45mins).
From Bath you could get into Wales for your walking & cayaking. Return the hire car to Bath, train to London, and just cross the platform and Heathrow express back to airport. There is no point driving back to London to just fly out.
Have a look here: national trust . You can buy a seven day NT Touring Pass that is great value. Your mother will see more about gardening at a National Trust house than at the RHS Show.
Try to never just walk up and buy a train ticket. They are much cheaper if bought a bit in advance.
posted by priorpark17 at 12:31 AM on November 20, 2005
41-43 Mount Street W1K 2RX.
I hope you have your tickets sorted for Chelsea, it is very, very busy. Is it one of those things she has set her heart on? because she may not find it very confortable. This is what it is really lke
London is too busy so jump on train to Bath (90mins), see the Circus, the Roman Baths, and have tea in The Pump Rooms. Have a drink in the Lemon Tree. You can easily get from Bath to the Cotsworlds in a hire car (1hr) or to Stonehenge (45mins). If your mum like trees then try Westonbirt Arboretum (45mins).
From Bath you could get into Wales for your walking & cayaking. Return the hire car to Bath, train to London, and just cross the platform and Heathrow express back to airport. There is no point driving back to London to just fly out.
Have a look here: national trust . You can buy a seven day NT Touring Pass that is great value. Your mother will see more about gardening at a National Trust house than at the RHS Show.
Try to never just walk up and buy a train ticket. They are much cheaper if bought a bit in advance.
posted by priorpark17 at 12:31 AM on November 20, 2005
If you are staying in London and want to do gardens, you really should visit the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley. It's probably about 30-45 minutes drive away. Pics at Flickr.
posted by chill at 3:39 AM on November 20, 2005
posted by chill at 3:39 AM on November 20, 2005
No-one has mentioned the London Eye yet. I went a couple of weeks ago, and while I thought it would be touristy kitcsh, it was actually a lot of fun.
If you like Shakespeare, I would also suggest seeing something (it doesnt matter what) at the Globe Theatre. It's a great experience. Their schedule comes out in January.
For restaurants - what kind of food do you like?
posted by darsh at 6:03 AM on November 20, 2005
If you like Shakespeare, I would also suggest seeing something (it doesnt matter what) at the Globe Theatre. It's a great experience. Their schedule comes out in January.
For restaurants - what kind of food do you like?
posted by darsh at 6:03 AM on November 20, 2005
Bear in mind that while sightseeing in London can be as leisurely as you want to make it, travelling around London is always very tiring. Keep your travelling to a minimum. If you are planning a day out, pick one area of London -- e.g. Bloomsbury (for the British Museum), South Kensington (for the Victoria & Albert Museum) -- and aim to spend the whole day there. Avoid the main thoroughfares, particularly Oxford Street, which can get very crowded. If you are using public transport, take the bus rather than the tube, and avoid the rush-hours (8-9 am, 5-6 pm). Don't count on being able to find a taxi when you need one, particularly late at night.
If your mother likes gardens, go to the National Gardens Scheme website and order a copy of the 'Yellow Book', which lists privately-owned gardens that are open to the public. Last year, for example, Lambeth Palace (the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence, with one of the oldest and largest private gardens in London) was open on 23 April, 21 May and 23 July. If you're lucky, it might be open again next year while you're in London.
You're lucky to be staying somewhere so central, and there are plenty of things you can do within walking distance of your hotel. Take a stroll up Bond Street and see if there's anything interesting on view at Sotheby's (you might even be able to watch a sale in progress); see what's on at the Royal Academy; or have afternoon tea at Fortnums (probably less tourist-y than the Ritz).
posted by verstegan at 8:41 AM on November 20, 2005
If your mother likes gardens, go to the National Gardens Scheme website and order a copy of the 'Yellow Book', which lists privately-owned gardens that are open to the public. Last year, for example, Lambeth Palace (the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence, with one of the oldest and largest private gardens in London) was open on 23 April, 21 May and 23 July. If you're lucky, it might be open again next year while you're in London.
You're lucky to be staying somewhere so central, and there are plenty of things you can do within walking distance of your hotel. Take a stroll up Bond Street and see if there's anything interesting on view at Sotheby's (you might even be able to watch a sale in progress); see what's on at the Royal Academy; or have afternoon tea at Fortnums (probably less tourist-y than the Ritz).
posted by verstegan at 8:41 AM on November 20, 2005
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for week 1, i assume, since you are going to cfs, you and your mother have an interest in plants, so i think a trip to kew would be good on one of your days.
for week 2, you could go to the lake district or snowdonia national park. plenty of outdoors stuff and english countryside.
posted by tnai at 1:12 PM on November 19, 2005