London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [3]
One good time to avoid is the October “half-term,” when schools in the capital take a break for a week and nearly all attractions are flooded by children. Arriving at the start of August can be a very busy time, and the weather makes Tube travel a nightmare. And trying to shop in central London the week before Christmas is an insane idea best left only to desperate Londoners who have forgotten to buy presents.
HOW’S THE WEATHER?
It’s a standard joke that Londoners—and English people in general—chat obsessively about meteorology. The London drizzle generates a fatalism that kicks off any conversation with a long-suffering nod to the weather. Winter is usually dreary and wet (with occasional snow), spring is colorful and fair, June to August can be anything from a total wash-out to a long, hot Indian summer and anything in between, while autumn is cool and mild. Come prepared for anything; layers and an umbrella are your best friends. One thing is sure: it’s virtually impossible to forecast London weather, but you can be fairly certain that it will not be what you expect.
ADDRESSES
Central London and its surrounding districts are divided into 32 boroughs—33, counting the City of London. More useful for navigating, however, are the subdivisions of London into postal districts. Throughout the guide we’ve given the abbreviated postal code for most listings. The first one or two letters give the location: N means north, NW means northwest, and so on. Don’t expect the numbering to be logical, however. (You won’t, for example, find W2 next to W3.) The general rule is that the lower numbers, such as W1 or SW1, are closest to the city center.
GETTING AROUND
London is, above all, a walker’s city, and will repay every moment you spend exploring on foot. But if you’re in a rush, here are other options.
By far the easiest and most practical way to get around is on the Underground, or “Tube.”
Trains run daily from early morning to late at night. Buy an Oyster card for £3, which will allow you to use London’s transport at a lower cost than using paper tickets. The plastic card can be topped up as often as you want, and your £3 will be reimbursed when you hand the card back. Alternatively, buy a Travelcard pass (from £5.10 per day), which offers unlimited use of the Tube, buses, and the commuter rail. Check | www.tfl.gov.uk for details on ongoing Tube renovations. The commuter rail system is an over-ground network that connects outlying districts and suburbs to the center. Prices are comparable to those of the Underground, and you can easily transfer between the Underground and other connecting rail lines at many Tube stations. Buses crisscross London and often have their own lanes, which only buses and taxis can use. They are a great way to see London, but routes are more complicated than the Tube’s; scan the route posted at the bus stop and check the number and destination on the front of the bus. Service is frequent; most buses run from 5 am to midnight, others are night buses or operate 24 hours. For further details on transport around London, see the Travel Smart section at the end of this book.
LONDON HOURS
Most businesses are closed on Sunday and national (“bank”) holidays. Banks are open weekdays 9:30–4:30; offices are generally open 9:30–5:30.
The major national museums and galleries are open daily, with shorter hours on weekends than weekdays. Often they are open late one night a week.
The usual shop hours are Monday–Saturday 9–5:30 and Sunday noon–5. Around Oxford Street, High Street Kensington, and Knightsbridge, hours are 9:30–6, with late-night hours (until 7:30 or 8) on Wednesday or Thursday.
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
There’s no getting around it: Today’s exchange rates really maul the pockets of American tourists. But it’s much better to accept this fact in advance and factor it into your vacation planning, tailoring outings and trips that will reflect your interests—and your budget.
Often, booking in advance, harnessing low-season deals, and taking advantage of Internet specials for flights and hotel rooms can