T-minus 10 days until my departure for London, and I am already partially incapacitated with excitement for the trip. England has always been my #1 destination, and now that I’m approaching the next decade of my life, it’s finally going to happen. I’m trying to leave as much of the planning up in the air as possible, but things are starting to firm up. Of course, I scheduled a trip down to Stonehenge on 12 May (have to get into that habit for a week or so), and then found out today that Paolo Nutini will be playing in London that night as I return. Argh. Would love to see some of the new material live.
So some of you are from the UK, some of you profess to be foreign experts, and some have their own wish lists. Any suggestions? I have to go to Abbey Road for my mom, but I’m open to whatever.
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
I’m glad you are venturing outside of London – England is SO SO much more than one city 😛
I’m so so jealous. I can’t go to the UK until graduation which is like in 4 years time. LOL.
If ever I’d go to the UK, Scotland will be my #1 destination. Arrgh.
I always go to Geale’s for fish when I am in London. It’s in Notting Hill, basically on a residential street. It was revamped recently and I’ve not been since then. You can google or feel free to email if you are interested.
Be sure to hit the Music and Video Exchange, also in Notting Hill and the Book/Comic Exchange around the corner b/c I THINK you can still get old issues of The Face and Blitz etc. Keepers! Maybe someone can confirm that is still true?
My fave short trip out is Bath, but I am an Austen type. I usually stay the night b/c the city clears out at 5 and you can walk around with no crowds.
You must stroll through Hyde Park and the gardens. And I guess you should throw a big stone at Zavvi’s or whatever the hell the Virgin Record store at Piccadilly is now.
I’m so excited for you! I hope you have a wonderful trip. I was in London for a week last October. Thing’s I’d recommend: The Tower of London, Wagamama (if you like Japanese noodles), shopping on Regent Street (better than Oxford St.), The Eye, seeing a play, avoiding US stuff (if you’ve never been abroad before it’s shocking how much there is, and it just increases. I’ll confess to having gone into Borders, but the UK-based book chains I remembered from ’98 appeared to be mostly gone), strolling along the Thames, and listening to Radio 1 over the air just because you can.
Paul, yes. I’m leaving the city. Uncle!
Ken, I think Scotland will have to be on trip #2.
xolondon, thanks for all of the suggestions. I’m actually doing Bath on the same day as Stonehenge.
Yuri, I laughed when I read your stone-throwing suggestion. I think the fact that they’re going out of business as well is revenge enough.
ww_adh, great suggestions. And yeah, I get plenty of Borders here. No need to hit them up there.