Ask MetaFilter

We're a U.S. couple in our early 40s, traveling to London for four days in early December (just the two of us, no kids). This is our first-ever trip there. What are the absolute must-sees/must-dos? We are open to just about anything, and cost is generally not an issue. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell around London, England at 9:06 AM - 40 answers

if you’re staying at an Airbnb in the UK (with some cleaning services included), how much should we tip our hosts? [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 4:09 AM - 8 answers

I'm heading to London for a wedding in December and am likely to be tired and cranky for the first day after flying in on a red-eye flight. I'm looking for a nice hotel which is easily accessible from Victoria Station that has a large bathtub I can soak in because I miss having one at home. Preferably under £200/night. There's only me, and I don't mind if the room is small as long as there is a deep bath. Is this doable and does anyone have any recommendations? The places I'm finding so far only have them in super expensive suites.
posted by Kris10_b around London, England at 6:42 PM - 6 answers

Question from an American learning to drive in England about the right way to go over bumps in the road that you can straddle. [more inside]
posted by johngoren around England at 2:37 AM - 19 answers

My partner and I (M-F couple in our early 40s, no kids) are thinking about a short trip to London. Our chief interest is visiting craft cocktail bars. What parts of town should we considering staying in? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell around London, England at 1:26 PM - 8 answers

Due to a poor mix of research, ambition, and logistics, my mom and I have train tickets between London and Oxenholme (and back) next Tuesday. I hoped to see the Lake District, but we'll only have about 3 hours between arrival and departure in Oxenholme. Any thoughts on how to best use our time out of London (vacationing from the US)? [more inside]
posted by itesser around London, England at 10:47 AM - 14 answers

Going to Durham for a couple of days. I know about the museum, the castle and the cathedral. What else is interesting locally? Wandering around is good; history, archaeology, books, art, gardens, quietish places to eat or have coffee. We will have a car so could go out of the city, but probably don't want to go too far.
posted by paduasoy around Durham, England at 1:28 AM - 8 answers

For a stay in London this winter for about five nights, with two grandparents and three families (call it 16 people total), what are the best options? I am curious about specific neighborhoods, and also types of lodging and ways to book it. Thanks so much! [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt around London, England at 11:34 AM - 2 answers

We're hoping to go on at least one Secret Society and/or Occult Walk while we're in London this October and want to know if they're worth the $$$ [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 2:10 PM - 10 answers

Later this week we're driving from Nottingham to Heathrow as we end an epic UK vacation. Hoping to get some ideas for an interesting stop on the route. We'd have maybe an hour or two to stop, but really want to do something (anything) so it's not just a day of pure travel in car and plane. Last year we did a quick stop in Winchester en route from Salisbury to LHR, and it was a perfect stop for a couple of hours, hoping to recreate that magic this time.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork around England at 10:22 AM - 12 answers

I'm going to be working from London for a week in September near Monument Station. Can you recommend some fun stuff to do after work or on the weekend? [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas around London, England at 9:37 AM - 8 answers

We arrive will be landing in London early morning and have about eight hours between when we land and can check-in at our airbnb. How do you recommend we kill this time? [more inside]
posted by liquorice around London, England at 2:13 AM - 17 answers

Might anyone recommend any particular alternatives to Uber in London? [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 10:30 PM - 12 answers

Our family is travelling to London for the first time, and we could use some help with the mundane details of deciding where to stay and how to get around. [more inside]
posted by mattu around London, England at 4:04 PM - 26 answers

We are trying to get away from July 24th to the 28th! Our first choice was Whistable (or somewhere similar near the sea) but we can't find anything that's not booked up that would be suitable. Now we're also thinking Bath. Any other ideas or help? [more inside]
posted by heavenknows around England at 2:21 AM - 9 answers

I'm traveling to UK in August for work in Southampton, but heading over early to take in some of the AONBs and other sites in the (South)West England region. Requesting lodging and any other recommendations / must sees - must dos. Thank you in advance! [more inside]
posted by foxhat10 around South West England, England at 9:23 AM - 13 answers

We'll be visiting Glasgow very soon and would love any ideas for interesting, unusual, or not-to-be-missed sights, spots, or activities. [more inside]
posted by quantum around Glasgow, Scotland at 8:04 AM - 19 answers

I booked my Hadrian's Wall trip this summer. (With Contours, so thanks for that recommendation!) I decided to spend 48 hours in Newcastle from 2-4 July before I meet my friend to begin the hike. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb around Newcastle Upon Tyne, England at 5:17 AM - 10 answers

What's a good strategy for exploring Edinburgh when accidentally there during the Fringe? Definitely going to take in some festival offerings, but that's not why we're visiting, and we don't want it to take over our trip. [more inside]
posted by scarylarry around Edinburgh, Scotland at 11:43 AM - 15 answers

We're not huge on museums, but wouldn't necessarily pass up the British Museum. But what else should we do? mid-June. Using the "tube." Where should we walk? Where should we EAT? We live in NYC and eat in plenty of "good" restaurants so aren't looking for e.g some famous French chef's outpost in London. More "authentic" (what is that, anyway? no idea). Any place you particularly love? Is it silly to take a train to Oxford or Brighton one day?
posted by DMelanogaster around London, England at 12:10 PM - 27 answers