London This Weekend? Help?

[gelis]

Hi--

I wasn't sure where to put this post, hope here is okay. Anyway, I have a trip planned to London for my birthday this weekend. I've never been before and don't know anyone there.

Does anyone know how bad the damage is? I saw that all the bombs were in the old city, which is of course where I'd spend all my time. Should I go ahead and go or see if I can postpone the trip for a couple months until they've recovered a bit?

Thanks for any help, advice, or info anyone has.

[Tony]

after this morning's events, i think a postponement would be a good idea. don't cancel, though. we can't let the murderers win!

gelis said:

Should I go ahead and go or see if I can postpone the trip for a couple months until they've recovered a bit?

[LHR02]

The bombings were not in the 'old city'....where exactly is that? Do you mean Westminster area? I'm assuming you do. No, they were not there, nor actually anywhere in the 'tourist center' parts of the city. Sadly, they were in the average Londoners daily commute areas. Where the London citizens themselves are commuting and working and living. What 'cowards' these people are!

As for me......were I to have been planning a trip to London this weekend......it would take a damn phone call from Tony Blair himself telling me not to come to keep me away! And I am not sure even that would change my mind.

If even one person gets cold feet, cancels or changes travel plans, reschedules a flight.....it just further emboldens these monsters, helps them to feel that they have won. The Brits will snap back from this, probably faster than anyone else could ever do. Good lord how I admire the strength and resiliency of the British people when faced with a challenge!

But of course......it's just my personal opinion and you must make up your own mind. Best of luck in making that decision.

ging

[MuvverRussia]

The bombings were really all over, although they were concentrated towards the North of Central London - far away from most tourist attractions, including museums, parliament etc. In that respect you should be ok.

In terms of this weekend (9th/10th), I would expect some transport problems. Considering the previous response to accidents on the tube (e.g. the 2003 Central Line derailment), I'd expect parts of it to be out of service for quite a while (2 months or so, maybe longer). That said, buses will be fine, as are tourist buses, so you shouldn't have any real problems.

Don't let the bastards win.

[gelis]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I'm so glad you guys know what you're talking about. My Mom told me they had blown up all the stations in downtown London(she overreacts a bit at times), so thanks for clearing that up for me.

So if I just avoid that area and take busses I should be okay? How much longer will that take? And what about from the airport(Gatwick) to the hostel(St. Christopher's Village)? Sorry about all the questions, I know that you guys probably won't have any more of a clue than I do what the transport situation will be like this weekend. Just tips on avoiding the trouble spots would be great!

I don't think transport taking longer will be a big problem since we only have four things that are definite musts for us. The Tower, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court, and to ride the London Eye. (I just think it's the neatest thing ever!)

So other than the REM show that I REALLY wanted to see being cancelled, I think I have put aside all thoughts of postponing. After all, my bag is already packed and I'd hate to have to do that again! So my flight is tomorrow night, I'll probably be checking back in a few times before we leave and anymore advice would be great!

[LHR02]

Truthfully, unless my 'mind's eye view' of London is off kilter today, I can't really imagine any particular reason you would have for being in the areas that were damaged today. 3 of your 4 'must see's' are easily within walking distance of each other, so if nothing transport wise is working (shich of course won't be the case) but even if it were, you are talking relatively close distances of minutes only. Hampton court is quite outside the city proper so not likely to be affected either. (A purely personal opinion only here.....I found Windsor Castle to be a much better site and a way more enjoyable than Hampton.) Anyway, for where you say you are concentrating your visit I should imagine you'll likely not even notice any disruptions.

What do you think Muvver?

Good for you for going on with your plans btw! ;D

[LHR02]

Oh....and where are you coming from? Forgot to say also that I don't imagine transport from Gatwick will be much affected, if at all. Once again, Muvver will have a better idea on that.

Why not register and let us know about your plans....it makes it much easier on all of to keep track of you, your plans, and to answer appropriately to them.

ging

[WillTravel]

I think I heard the tube will be down Friday. So it should be back up by the time you get there. I'm not sure if the Gatwick Express is back or not, but I bet it will be by the weekend.

But if these aren't working for some reason, you do have bus options. The National Express coach takes longer, but also goes to Victoria Station and several other stops in central London: www.nationalexpress.com

And local city buses should be running. Check for transit updates at www.thetube.com .

Worst case scenario, you take the National Express bus to central London, and walk to your hostel (or take a taxi), but that's most unlikely to be necessary.

If you do want a more centrally located hostel to maximize the places you can see on foot, consider Piccadilly: www.piccadillyhotel.net

I'm not suggesting you change hostels, but just leaving that option open.

[MuvverRussia]

Tube is back up today, although there are a few delays and other problems still. It's more than doable though. There's also the journey planner at www.tfl.gov.uk if you need to work out buses (expect a slight increase in journey times, other than that it should be ok).

Gatwick express is almost certainly running as well.

In terms of tourist attractions being near the affected areas, the only one mentioned is the Tower, although I can almost guarantee that it's open.

[gelis]

Hi again!

I registered! You guys are great, and a good counter for my Mom's hysterical ravings. Thanks for the London links. I've been listening to Virgin Radio and they say the same things you guys have! How smart you all are!

BTW, I am from Philly, PA and, although this is the only trip I get to take this summer, I will certainly be back here to plan any other trips. Probably Germany or Italy next.

My plane leaves around 8:30 tonight, and I have to go by and check in with my Mom, which I'm sure will take awhile, so I don't know if I'll get to check in here again, but if I don't I'll try to post after I get back Tuesday. Once again, Thanks so much for all your advice.


P.S.--We're going to Hampton Court b/c we just finished a class on Stuart England this past spring and so are both a bit obsessed with it at the moment!

[LHR02]

You have a wonderful trip! I know you will. Just keep your wits about you, but that is true wherever or whenever you travel so it's nothing new to add to 'things to do lists'. ;D

We'll be anxious to hear your just back report and how you found things there, especially right now.

>>>>P.S.--We're going to Hampton Court b/c we just finished a class on Stuart England this past spring and so are both a bit obsessed with it at the moment!<<<<

I surely understand! Heck I began a 4 month adventure due to Jamie Fraser from Outlander! Nope, I wandered all over Scotland and never found him...te he....but I did discover a wonderful place indeed. I'd guess many many trips begin initially based on books, or movies, or whatever. If he gets you traveling....a good thing!

Check in when you return....you will be on our minds!

ging