15 very useful things that everybody ought to know about when in London

Here’s the scenario – One of your friends is coming to London for a few days but you can’t get time off work to show them around but they ask your advice. Not for things to do, but of things they should be aware of about London.

Is there one piece of advice you would give?

In no particular order here are 15 things we think everybody ought to know about when in London.

1. Don’t even think about travelling in the rush hour before 9.30 am or from 5pm – 7pm.
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2. There are only 4 decent fish and chip shops in the Capital, I say Seafresh near Victoria Station is the best one.
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3. Make sure you STAND ON THE RIGHT on escalators.
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4. Best place to buy booze for a picnic or to take back to the hotel is Jerry’s on Old Compton Street.
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5. Don’t take a cab along the Strand going towards Trafalgar Square or along Oxford Street the traffic is so slow.
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6. Don’t get a rickshaw unless you’ve asked how much it will be.
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7. Get a PAYG Oyster card rather than a Travel card because you’re only here for a few days.
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8. If you want to stand a better chance of getting a seat on the tube go and wait at the far end of the platform, either the left or right side.
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9. If it starts pouring with rain  the o2 Centre is a good place to go, there’s lots to do there.
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10. If you’re going to go to the theatre go for a matinee.
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11. A lot of the tubes run till at least 12.30 at night, but if you miss the last one and can’t get a black cab don’t get the cabs on the street. Use Cabwise by texting CAB to 60835.
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12. Pace yourself when drinking the bars stay open late and drinks are expensive.
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13. If you want to have a drink in an authentic pub go to The Harp at Chandos Place, it’s near Trafalgar Square. They serve proper beer there.
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14. If you’re old school and have a watch and it packs up, go to the watch repairer at Piccadilly tube. He’s brilliant and a right character.
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15. If your shoe heel breaks go to Timpsons in Selfridges, expensive but they know what they’re doing.

Have you got a top tip that’s not there or what advice would you give?

Previous articles you might find interesting:

1. Are the BP big Screen events in Trafalgar Square as good as everyone says?
2. Raining in London, what’s a person to do – Part 3
3. When is a maze not a maze. When it’s in Trafalgar Square
4. Thailand at Trafalgar will make Saturday in London more fun
5. A secret place to go to in London for some peace and quiet

Tagged as: Essential London info, London tips and tricks, Things to do in London