Not just another sightseeing in London question
October 5, 2015 9:00 AM Subscribe
Every time my mother comes to London, we do things I want to do. What would SHE want to do?
The trip to London is in late October. My mother and I have very different tastes in food, sightseeing, etc. The last time we were in London, we did the things I like to do -- walks, good gastropubs, museums, etc. Her tastes are different, and this time I want HER to have fun.
Here are things she likes to do at home:
1. Bargain shop -- I mean, really bargain shop. Like outlets and Big Lots. Some secondhand but not vintage. She is frugal, so London shopping generally has not worked, unless you have ideas?
2. She loves television -- often reality shows (Real Housewives, etc.) Probably nothing she can do with that here, but just to give you an idea. We did go to Selfridges when she was here last which she enjoyed -- mostly because of the show "Mr. Selfridge." We had a nice expensive lunch at the top that she enjoyed too.
3. She likes to eat out, but we have very different tastes. At home she eats a lot of Olive Garden, Maggiano's, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. She likes stews and maybe fish and chips? She's not entirely unadventurous -- she does like one Indian place in our town, but she'll order the "safest" mildest dish.
4. She does NOT like to walk. She is not into nature. She has a bad knee from a car accident and is out of shape right now, and all the walking last time really got to her. I am willing to fork over money for Uber.
5. She does not like the cold. Nothing I can do about this, but this cuts out outdoors stuff.
6. She does like houses and interiors, and how the other half lives. So maybe a gorgeous house open to the public?
7. We'll be in East London, not that great for the Tube, but again, willing to fork over for an Uber.
8. Theatre might work if there are any ideas? She struggles to understand English accents though -- took her to Matilda last time, and to be honest, even I struggled to understand.
9. Oh, she likes nice pastries. Last time we went to Gail's and had Chelsea buns and tea, and she loved that.
So: what sights/restaurants/places might she like?
She's a really great person and I want her to have a good time! I don't need her to think that London is a terrific city -- it's just not her kind of place in general, to be honest, and she likes the small town that she lives in -- but I do want her to go home happy.
Thanks!
The trip to London is in late October. My mother and I have very different tastes in food, sightseeing, etc. The last time we were in London, we did the things I like to do -- walks, good gastropubs, museums, etc. Her tastes are different, and this time I want HER to have fun.
Here are things she likes to do at home:
1. Bargain shop -- I mean, really bargain shop. Like outlets and Big Lots. Some secondhand but not vintage. She is frugal, so London shopping generally has not worked, unless you have ideas?
2. She loves television -- often reality shows (Real Housewives, etc.) Probably nothing she can do with that here, but just to give you an idea. We did go to Selfridges when she was here last which she enjoyed -- mostly because of the show "Mr. Selfridge." We had a nice expensive lunch at the top that she enjoyed too.
3. She likes to eat out, but we have very different tastes. At home she eats a lot of Olive Garden, Maggiano's, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. She likes stews and maybe fish and chips? She's not entirely unadventurous -- she does like one Indian place in our town, but she'll order the "safest" mildest dish.
4. She does NOT like to walk. She is not into nature. She has a bad knee from a car accident and is out of shape right now, and all the walking last time really got to her. I am willing to fork over money for Uber.
5. She does not like the cold. Nothing I can do about this, but this cuts out outdoors stuff.
6. She does like houses and interiors, and how the other half lives. So maybe a gorgeous house open to the public?
7. We'll be in East London, not that great for the Tube, but again, willing to fork over for an Uber.
8. Theatre might work if there are any ideas? She struggles to understand English accents though -- took her to Matilda last time, and to be honest, even I struggled to understand.
9. Oh, she likes nice pastries. Last time we went to Gail's and had Chelsea buns and tea, and she loved that.
So: what sights/restaurants/places might she like?
She's a really great person and I want her to have a good time! I don't need her to think that London is a terrific city -- it's just not her kind of place in general, to be honest, and she likes the small town that she lives in -- but I do want her to go home happy.
Thanks!
There's nothing wrong with doing the things she liked previously (Selfridges, Gails).
As for theatre, I found that seeing things that didn't originate in the West End were somewhat more accessible (I'm an American).
posted by Etrigan at 9:15 AM on October 5, 2015
As for theatre, I found that seeing things that didn't originate in the West End were somewhat more accessible (I'm an American).
posted by Etrigan at 9:15 AM on October 5, 2015
Some house tours/small museums that might appeal: Sir John Soane's Museum, Erno Goldfinger House, Carlyle's House, Leighton House Museum, Dennis Severs' House, 575 Wandsworth Road, Fenton House, Sutton House.
posted by srednivashtar at 9:17 AM on October 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by srednivashtar at 9:17 AM on October 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Get her into Great British Bake-Off and buy a selection of pastries to try while watching.
posted by babelfish at 9:18 AM on October 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by babelfish at 9:18 AM on October 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
Bargain shops - Primark, Matalan, TK Maxx
Places to eat similar to what she likes but are still pretty good - Strada, Jamie Oliver's, Pizza Express (google for a voucher, there's usually always one on the go), a Patisserie Valerie for the pastries.
For lunch, I honestly think she'd like Pret or Eat, they do pretty good soups/stews.
Doesn't like to walk - What's wrong the tube? Get an Oyster card and you're good to go! Buses and overground too! And the overground services East London pretty decently.
Houses and interiors - Dennis Severs House (it's "art" but it's also fun because it feels like you're snooping and it's only 3 floors so not a lot of walking, although, stairs), The Geffrye Museum with its period rooms might tickle her fancy - and it's in Hoxton so super easy for you in East London.
Have you guys seen Lion King? It's word for word like the movie so you won't miss much and the set is fantastic. Otherwise, check out a show that's specifically "American" in nature. For example Legally Blonde (but alas no longer showing). Book of Mormon is another example but probably not going to go over well with your mom. I don't know if Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time will have British accents but I heard that's great.
posted by like_neon at 9:30 AM on October 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Places to eat similar to what she likes but are still pretty good - Strada, Jamie Oliver's, Pizza Express (google for a voucher, there's usually always one on the go), a Patisserie Valerie for the pastries.
For lunch, I honestly think she'd like Pret or Eat, they do pretty good soups/stews.
Doesn't like to walk - What's wrong the tube? Get an Oyster card and you're good to go! Buses and overground too! And the overground services East London pretty decently.
Houses and interiors - Dennis Severs House (it's "art" but it's also fun because it feels like you're snooping and it's only 3 floors so not a lot of walking, although, stairs), The Geffrye Museum with its period rooms might tickle her fancy - and it's in Hoxton so super easy for you in East London.
Have you guys seen Lion King? It's word for word like the movie so you won't miss much and the set is fantastic. Otherwise, check out a show that's specifically "American" in nature. For example Legally Blonde (but alas no longer showing). Book of Mormon is another example but probably not going to go over well with your mom. I don't know if Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time will have British accents but I heard that's great.
posted by like_neon at 9:30 AM on October 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
For bargain shopping: charity shops? I find them so pleasant in London because they tend to be (relatively) curated, as opposed to American thrift stores that jam the racks with anything and everything. I also can spend ridiculous amounts of time at Waitrose or Sainsbury's, just looking at all the similar-but-different foods, variations on American candy bar brands, etc.
If your trip spans a Sunday, definitely go to a pub for Sunday roast--it'll be a quintessentially English thing and it sounds like she might like pub food.
Would she be interested in one of those hop-on, hop-off tour buses? A river cruise?
posted by mama casserole at 9:33 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
If your trip spans a Sunday, definitely go to a pub for Sunday roast--it'll be a quintessentially English thing and it sounds like she might like pub food.
Would she be interested in one of those hop-on, hop-off tour buses? A river cruise?
posted by mama casserole at 9:33 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
6. She does like houses and interiors
She might prefer the V&A over other museums, since it emphasizes decorative arts.
posted by puddledork at 9:51 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
She might prefer the V&A over other museums, since it emphasizes decorative arts.
posted by puddledork at 9:51 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bargains - Petticoat Lane Market is possibly interesting?
East London the Geffrye Museum is interesting - a museum of interior design during different eras.
National Trust houses are everywhere in the UK (but not so much in London) I would suggest hiring a car for a day and driving out to some stately homes.
For food I would recommend Canteen, which is kind of like those US chains.
posted by mary8nne at 10:13 AM on October 5, 2015
East London the Geffrye Museum is interesting - a museum of interior design during different eras.
National Trust houses are everywhere in the UK (but not so much in London) I would suggest hiring a car for a day and driving out to some stately homes.
For food I would recommend Canteen, which is kind of like those US chains.
posted by mary8nne at 10:13 AM on October 5, 2015
a gorgeous house open to the public?
Soanes museum will likely interest her. It's super worthwhile. The V&A also has a nice cafe and you could probably spend an entire day there AND eat not every adventurous (but still quite good) food in their cafe and end it up with coffee and one of their really delicious cakes/pastries. How does she feel about libraries and historical stuff? There's a lot going on at the British Library and their Treasures exhibit is neat and has a lot of cool historical stuff in it.
posted by jessamyn at 10:33 AM on October 5, 2015
Soanes museum will likely interest her. It's super worthwhile. The V&A also has a nice cafe and you could probably spend an entire day there AND eat not every adventurous (but still quite good) food in their cafe and end it up with coffee and one of their really delicious cakes/pastries. How does she feel about libraries and historical stuff? There's a lot going on at the British Library and their Treasures exhibit is neat and has a lot of cool historical stuff in it.
posted by jessamyn at 10:33 AM on October 5, 2015
I think Apsley House is interesting and something many Londoners miss.
You can see the original Wellington boots (Wellies) and likely the greatest Velazquez painting in or out of Spain.
posted by vacapinta at 10:54 AM on October 5, 2015
You can see the original Wellington boots (Wellies) and likely the greatest Velazquez painting in or out of Spain.
posted by vacapinta at 10:54 AM on October 5, 2015
6. She does like houses and interiors, and how the other half lives. So maybe a gorgeous house open to the public?
It's already been mentioned twice but I really cannot endorse Sir John Soane's hard enough. It's such a cool place and I really think she'd like it, especially based on this.
Make sure, when you're in the little room of paintings, to ask them to please open the walls. There are multiple walls of paintings. Walls behind walls. Just to hold more paintings. It's so cool.
posted by phunniemee at 10:57 AM on October 5, 2015
It's already been mentioned twice but I really cannot endorse Sir John Soane's hard enough. It's such a cool place and I really think she'd like it, especially based on this.
Make sure, when you're in the little room of paintings, to ask them to please open the walls. There are multiple walls of paintings. Walls behind walls. Just to hold more paintings. It's so cool.
posted by phunniemee at 10:57 AM on October 5, 2015
Oh and I also quite liked the Geffrye Museum.
Which on preview I see has ALSO been mentioned!
posted by phunniemee at 10:59 AM on October 5, 2015
Which on preview I see has ALSO been mentioned!
posted by phunniemee at 10:59 AM on October 5, 2015
Have you taken her to do afternoon tea? This is but a small selection of what's on offer, they come in at a range of price points and are surprisingly good fun. Especially for people with a slightly sweet tooth. And you end up eating so many lovely small things that they easily replace a meal. Everybody I've taken/sent has loved it. There are probably Groupons or something if you look around a bit.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:35 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:35 AM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
For this to work, I suggest finding some blogs about charity shops and going to places with amazing bargain fashion shopping (Mary Portas did a tie-up for example) in this category, such as Bristol (especially Clifton and the city centre). This will solve your foodie needs very well. Clifton near the bridge there is an excellent little pizza place across from Pizza express and there are some great pubs. There is also a totally awesome Boy Scout thrift 'garage' where I picked up a West German waffle iron for £2. If she wants real outlets with new clothes, Bicester is your best bet.
I also suggest auctions. English live and love auctions and they are so good for bargains. You know what she likes, why not see if any auction houses specialise in those categories? London does excellent auction business and you still have time to apply for you and Mom to star on Bargain Hunt, which is a real hoot according to my friends who did it.
John Soane's museum gets pretty tiresome and the Geffrye Museum is so tiny and badly placed in Shoreditch (although Columbia Road and Hackney Road are worth a look). Instead, check out National Trust, which has loads of amazing country and London houses on view, most also with wondrous gardens. Open Garden Society may have a winter calendar and is such a delight. We found a garden event in Worcestershire where they had a table where you could fill a grocery bag with bric a brac for 50p. The German tourists thought they'd died and gone to heaven. One lady had so much stuff her bags broke on the way back to the bus.
posted by parmanparman at 11:37 AM on October 5, 2015
I also suggest auctions. English live and love auctions and they are so good for bargains. You know what she likes, why not see if any auction houses specialise in those categories? London does excellent auction business and you still have time to apply for you and Mom to star on Bargain Hunt, which is a real hoot according to my friends who did it.
John Soane's museum gets pretty tiresome and the Geffrye Museum is so tiny and badly placed in Shoreditch (although Columbia Road and Hackney Road are worth a look). Instead, check out National Trust, which has loads of amazing country and London houses on view, most also with wondrous gardens. Open Garden Society may have a winter calendar and is such a delight. We found a garden event in Worcestershire where they had a table where you could fill a grocery bag with bric a brac for 50p. The German tourists thought they'd died and gone to heaven. One lady had so much stuff her bags broke on the way back to the bus.
posted by parmanparman at 11:37 AM on October 5, 2015
I love Sir John Soane's museum and I would recommend it to almost anybody who comes to London... but you should be warned that a large part of its charm is that it is quirky and atypical. It's kind of halfway between a home and a museum. If your mom is picturing a Downtown Abbey style stately home, it may not be quite what she has in mind. You can take a look at various images of it and see if you think it is her cup of tea.
The Dennis Severs house is much more like snooping in someone's home. However, as I remember, the stairs were a bit steep, so that might be out if her knee makes climbing steps difficult. If she is up to it, though, it sounds like the kind of thing she likes.
You might take a look at this listing of historic houses that are open to the public and see if anything seems to fit the bill.
posted by yankeefog at 12:20 PM on October 5, 2015
The Dennis Severs house is much more like snooping in someone's home. However, as I remember, the stairs were a bit steep, so that might be out if her knee makes climbing steps difficult. If she is up to it, though, it sounds like the kind of thing she likes.
You might take a look at this listing of historic houses that are open to the public and see if anything seems to fit the bill.
posted by yankeefog at 12:20 PM on October 5, 2015
Camden Passage antique market in Islington on a Saturday or Wednesday. Older Americans love this. It's a collection of small antique shops and outdoor antique stalls in some very quaint backstreets near Angel tube. The stuff is a fascinating mix of objects from the very cheap to the expensive.
Just turn right out of the tube, and it starts a block or two away on your right.
It's also got a picturesque pub, the Camden Head, and some nice restaurants around there.
Some theatre (possibly pub theatre) would be good. If you pick a show with an American setting it would be easier to follow the dialog. I like the Kings Head in Islington because it's also a nice pub, but there are many.
Stepping up from Selfridges, people always seem to enjoy Harrods even if they don't buy anything.
posted by w0mbat at 12:22 PM on October 5, 2015
Just turn right out of the tube, and it starts a block or two away on your right.
It's also got a picturesque pub, the Camden Head, and some nice restaurants around there.
Some theatre (possibly pub theatre) would be good. If you pick a show with an American setting it would be easier to follow the dialog. I like the Kings Head in Islington because it's also a nice pub, but there are many.
Stepping up from Selfridges, people always seem to enjoy Harrods even if they don't buy anything.
posted by w0mbat at 12:22 PM on October 5, 2015
Seconding or thirding the Geffrye Museum http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk "Collections comprise furniture, textiles, paintings and objects displayed in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the Present day". Pretty interesting. In terms of budget shopping there's a TK Maxx about to open at Hackney Central. I think though that clothes are so much cheaper in the US that you're never really going to be able to scratch that budget shopping itch.
posted by stevedawg at 2:51 PM on October 5, 2015
posted by stevedawg at 2:51 PM on October 5, 2015
Camden Markets are a lot of fun for Americans who like shopping. Many of the neighborhood street markets are fun for people who like bargains too.
A lot of London theater is pretty easy to understand. Matilda wasn't typical for accents.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 3:32 PM on October 5, 2015
A lot of London theater is pretty easy to understand. Matilda wasn't typical for accents.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 3:32 PM on October 5, 2015
I was going to suggest Fortnum & Mason, nice food hall, good for afternoon tea. Definite other half live territory.
Another option for afternoon tea would be there people: bbbakery, they have a big red bus converted to serve tea and cake as it does a tour of central London. Not used them myself but it might get round the outdoor and walking thing.
posted by biffa at 4:40 PM on October 5, 2015
Another option for afternoon tea would be there people: bbbakery, they have a big red bus converted to serve tea and cake as it does a tour of central London. Not used them myself but it might get round the outdoor and walking thing.
posted by biffa at 4:40 PM on October 5, 2015
Would she like something like Hampton Court? Easily accessible on the tube, lots of history and recreations of "how the Tudors lived". Or Windsor, if she's at all into the royals? (Easy train ride from Waterloo).
Greenwich Market at the weekend might also be fun - there's a covered bric a brac market, lots of food stalls, the Naval College and Cutty Sark, a very nice section of the Thames path (not far! 5-10mins walk along to the Trafalgar pub is plenty) and if you can manage the walk up the (steep) hill in the very attractive park there's an observatory and the Greenwich Meridian (green laser, bit pointless but enough people seem to like taking their photo on it).
posted by tinkletown at 11:37 PM on October 5, 2015
Greenwich Market at the weekend might also be fun - there's a covered bric a brac market, lots of food stalls, the Naval College and Cutty Sark, a very nice section of the Thames path (not far! 5-10mins walk along to the Trafalgar pub is plenty) and if you can manage the walk up the (steep) hill in the very attractive park there's an observatory and the Greenwich Meridian (green laser, bit pointless but enough people seem to like taking their photo on it).
posted by tinkletown at 11:37 PM on October 5, 2015
- The new luxury outlet cluster at Hackney Central might scratch the itch? Think Bicester in the city.
- Fish & chips at Poppies(?) on Commercial Rd. She might also enjoy the Spitalfields market - you could time that to an Antiques day.
- High tea at one of the big hotels. Look on Opentable or Groupon - they do good 2-4-1ss.
posted by teststrip at 11:44 PM on October 5, 2015
- Fish & chips at Poppies(?) on Commercial Rd. She might also enjoy the Spitalfields market - you could time that to an Antiques day.
- High tea at one of the big hotels. Look on Opentable or Groupon - they do good 2-4-1ss.
posted by teststrip at 11:44 PM on October 5, 2015
For theatre and musicals, visit the TKTS booth on Leicester Square. Half price tickets for that evening, lots of choices.
posted by blob at 5:33 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by blob at 5:33 AM on October 6, 2015
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posted by andrewesque at 9:10 AM on October 5, 2015