Places to visit and shops around London Euston

[snuk]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip down from Nuneaton to London Euston for next Saturday, the 20th June.

I've never been to London before - just wondering what to expect - and how long to stay for before coming back. I'm now thinking about staying for a couple of hours if I can find something to do.

I was originally intending to return within half-an-hour or so but it depends on what I can find within easy walking distance of London Euston.

Are there any places of interest and/or high street shops nearby?

I don't really fancy catching any other trains or buses in London as I don't know the first thing about them. At least with catching a Pendolino from the West Mids down to London I know where I am with them.

Also, what's London Euston like - I know Birmingham New Street reasonably well - how do the two compare?

Many thanks,

Steve.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Euston is nothing like New Street with regards to the layout. Google Image Search "London Euston" and you'll probably get an idea.

There are hundreds of things to do in London, although to get to most of them, you'd really need to use the underground. A travelcard for zones 1 and 2 (virtually all the main attractions) is only £5.60.

What kind of things are you into?

Oh, and returning, make sure to be in Euston in plenty of time, as the ticket barrier people can be very picky about letting you on if there's only 30 secs before your departure time

 

[CCF23]

Kings Cross and St Pancras are under 5 mins walk away. In Euston station you're only going to find food outlets (coffee shops, burger king, sandwich bars etc), WHSmith & a M&S.

 

[Daimler]

There's not a great deal to do around Euston station. Best thing from a rail enthusiast's/even a tourist's point of view would be to walk down to St. Pancras (5 mins away on foot) and have a look round (unless of course you've already been?)

EDIT: CCF23 beat me to it!

 

[CCF23]

No offence but you really need more than half an hour in London. I agree with Chris the Ref if you want to travel use the tube. Sorry Daimler for stealing your advice

 

[metrocammel]

There are hundreds of things to do in London, although to get to most of them, you'd really need to use the underground. A travelcard for zones 1 and 2 (virtually all the main attractions) is only £5.60.

Also, if you have a railcard, a Zones 1-6 travelcard is only a fiver.

Euston is a pretty dead area really. The only London terminal I can think of that is in a bustling 'tourist area' is Charing X (and possibly Victoria). Euston, St. Pancras & King's Cross are only good if you like Indian food, or visiting seedy red light districts, Liverpool St. is good for the 'City of London', however it's only bustling with businessmen in the weekdays- at weekends, the streets around there are generally desserted. Not sure about the others, but the areas in the direct vicinity of London Bridge & Waterloo are a bit ropey, and the areas around Marylebone and Paddington seem mainly high-class residential.

 

[snuk]

Many thanks for the quick replies. In terms of shops, I seem to like WHSmith and HMV most of all - there the main ones that I had in mind - always seem to make a point of calling in when I am in major towns and cities that have them.

I don't ever remember visiting London before - although we drove though parts of it on the way to Kent about 20 years ago and I think we might have visited London Zoo when I was very young - basically, my knowledge of London is sadly limited to what I see on the news and rightly or wrongly I feel a little bit daunted, especially uncomfortable about using local bus/underground services as I'm not sure I'd feel safe on them but strangely I think I'd feel safe in any mainline station like Euston.

Equally strangely, I can wander around Birmingham (City Centre), Coventry, and more recently Wolverhampton no problems.

My whole reason of heading down that way really is that I really want to take a long-ish trip on a Pendolino and this is the most I can afford.

Places of interest wise, apart from shops, I'm into transport, science and technology-type museums but not really any other types of museum - apart from maybe world war 1 and 2 type of museums and exhibitions if that makes sense. Not really into books or libraries or anything like that as someone on another forum suggested The British Library.

How far is Oxford Street and Regent Street to walk from Euston?

I'm showing my serious lack of knowledge here but does Regent Street have shops - I know that Oxford Street does.

Thanks again for any advice - it's very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[Max]

Not sure about the others, but the areas in the direct vicinity of London Bridge & Waterloo are a bit ropey, and the areas around Marylebone and Paddington seem mainly high-class residential.

I love the London Bridge area! You're metres away from the bustling Borough Market, and the cosmopolitan area of Bankside. Heading to the east there are lots of interesting little streets to explore, and some pretty nice shops. Marylebone and the adjacent Baker Street are very close to Marylebone High Street which has some lovely cafes, boutiques and traditional pubs.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

The best place to go to is Embankment (direct Northern Line train from Euston) this is only a 5 mins walk away from the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and the Jubilee Gardens. There also some lovely restaurants on the South Bank (where the eye is).

If you're into museums, the science museum is hands-on and great fun. Again, you'd need the tube to get there. The nearest station is South Kensington (from which the museum is clearly signposted)

 

[Max]

Places of interest wise, apart from shops, I'm into transport, science and technology-type museums but not really any other types of museum - apart from maybe world war 1 and 2 type of museums and exhibitions if that makes sense. Not really into books or libraries or anything like that as someone on another forum suggested The British Library.

How far is Oxford Street and Regent Street to walk from Euston?

I'm showing my serious lack of knowledge here but does Regent Street have shops - I know that Oxford Street does.

The London Transport Museum may be well worth a visit for you! I remember visiting a few years ago and I loved it, and it's been improved since then too. Take the Northern Line from Euston to Leicester Square and it's an easy 5 minute stroll away, you can't go wrong! Admission is £10 for an adult.

Realistically, the main London shopping streets aren't within walking distance of Euston. Oxford Circus is only 2 stops on the Victoria Line though, direct from Euston, and that spits you out slap bang in the middle of Oxford Street and Regent Street! Here you will find a huge HMV as well as many other shops. Regent Street does have shops, notably Hamley's toy shop (well worth a peek for 5 minutes!).

 

[Daimler]

How far is Oxford Street and Regent Street to walk from Euston?

A mile and a bit, I think...not far, but the underground's much quicker, obviously!

 

[harry]

Hi Steve,

As a local, I'll chuck this into the discussion...

Regent's park is not to far away from Euston, and London Zoo is at the top end of the park. You will struggle to find a better view of London than from Primrose Hill.

Tottenham Court Road is fairly close, if you fancy a bit of PC shopping.

I would suggest the London Canal museum too - it doesn't take too long to go round (~1 hour?), but the entry is a real bargain at a few quid; its located in a side-street somewhere in King's Cross. Check their website for the opening times, etc. Also, I seem to remember seing the museum in the 2 for 1 London Days Out Guide leaflet/website??

There is a Pizza Express on Euston road which is good for a bite to eat, especially as they always seem to have vouchers on their website which give you 2 for 1. There are a few decent pubs around the place - The Euston Flyer if you fancy a beer (nice, but is certainly in the London price bracket); The Rocket if you're more of a lager man (cheap, especially with one of their 'yellow' cards).

Enjoy your trip mate!!

Harry.

 

[Pumbaa]

The best thing you can do when you get to Euston is get the next train out to avoid being too damaged by the whole ****tyness of the place.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Also, what's London Euston like - I know Birmingham New Street reasonably well - how do the two compare?

Both are awful stations that feel like underground car-parks; 60's built atrocities with no natural light, and have a way of making you want to slice your wrists while inside them.

 

[williamn]

Just over the road is the wellcome collection - really fascinating museum about medicine, surgery etc - well worth a look. And as other posters have mentioned St Pancras is a 5 minute walk down the road. If you want to talk into town then you could probably get to Tottenham court road in about 30 minutes. If you're going to come into London you may as well spend a few hours here and enjoy it!

 

[JamesM]

Steve,

I understand your fear of London, when you come from a smaller town London can seem very daunting.

If you are in London, you should try and take the tube and see a little of it.

You're probably fearful of crime and so on, but it's really not as bad as you might think. It's busy and bustley, but just keep your valuables safely and sensibly close to you and you'll feel quite safe.

Sounds like you are on a budget, so the best thing to do would be to buy a Travelcard Zone 1-2 (about £5) and just spend a few hours whizzing around on the bus or tube network. There are maps about, and most buses and tubes will be very frequent.

The website tfl.gov.uk will have bus maps - you could jump on a bus follow it to a tube station and then get on the tube back, this way you will see London from the ground, rather than in a tunnel.

Someone here suggested Embankment as a great starting point. I agree, if you have an hour or two, get on the northern line and go and see Big Ben and the London Eye. People come from Australia to see these sights, you might as well, as well. As for shops, most mainline stations have large WH Smiths. And if you're a bit of a train geek, pop along to St Pancras (if you're worried about walking for whatever reason, be lazy and get the tube!). St Pancras is a huge station, you'll catch a glimpse of the Eurostar if you go up the esculators or upto Platforms 1-4.

If you get confused on the tube, the London Underground staff are generally very knowledgeable and will tell you what to do.

If you're in London, you might as well have a look around. If you're not on a set ticket, then invest in a Travelcard and whizz around London seeing loads and loads of free sights.

 

[snuk]

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.

Just trying to get my head around the London Underground map - the first time I've even looked at one in years.

If I've read this correctly - Euston, Oxford Circus and St. Pancras are all on the same tube line - Victoria Line - the light blue one on the map.

I'm most interested in Euston to Oxford Circus - I think someone advised me that Oxford Circus is right in the middle of Oxford Street and as far as I can see the trains between Euston and Oxford Circus run about every 3-5 mins or something on a Saturday and take 3 mins each way?

The thing that bothers me about buses - from experience - if you don't know where you are going - then there are no announcements or signage outside the bus to know where you are. But I think on the LU there would be announcements on the train and signage on the platform - like there is on the national rail network.

My experience is mainly of the West Midlands -with my longest trip being to Prestatyn from Nuneaton with Virgin back in the good old days in the mid to late nineties. The other extremities being Crewe, Leicester, New Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Telford - that's about it I think so this is all very new to me.

So, back to the point - if I jumped on a tube at Euston I would know when we were at Oxford Circus and vice-versa?

Is the Euston LU station adjacent to the Euston network rail station?

Would the Zone 1 travelcard be enough for Euston, Oxford Cirucus, maybe St. Pancras? How do they work are there card readers on the turnstiles at stations or do staff check them manually?

Where can I buy one from and is this an easy process? Do machines sell them? Is there any ID or anything required? Would I be able to buy one from the ticket machine at Nuneaton?

Another thought is might a trip on the Thames be a possibility because I guess I could see Parliament and Big Ben etc from there perhaps?

Are there any major shopping centres around Oxford Street like the Bull Ring in Birmingham?

Finally, how long can I anticipate needing in London - say for instance, if I only went to Oxford Street and spent about an hour on Oxford Street? I will probably have a booked advance ticket coming back which I wouldn't be able to switch to other train.

Sorry about the long post - you'll appreciate that I have a lot of questions - the last thing I want is to run into problems.

Kindest regards,

Steve.

 

[Mojo]

The thing that bothers me about buses - from experience - if you don't know where you are going - then there are no announcements or signage outside the bus to know where you are.

Most buses in London have information screens and automatic announcements. I made this post in July 2007 when it was new so I should imagine it's pretty widespread now.

All stops have the stop name on the flag as well just in case you're not sure.

Would the Zone 1 travelcard be enough for Euston, Oxford Cirucus, maybe St. Pancras? How do they work are there card readers on the turnstiles at stations or do staff check them manually?

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a Zone 1 Travelcard; the minimum is Zones 1-2 which is £5.60 off peak, although Zones 1-6 is £5.00 if you have a Railcard. There are automatic ticket gates which work in exactly the same way as all the other automatic ticket gates seen across the country with the exception that they have Oyster card readers, but with a Travelcard that will not affect you.

Is the Euston LU station adjacent to the Euston network rail station?

The entrance to Euston Tube is on the concourse of the BR station.

 

[stut]

There's also the British Library, just next to Euston. The exhibits there (including a copy of the Magna Carta) are fascinating.

You can walk to Covent Garden in about 20 minutes, too. I do have to agree, though, that London Bridge is one of the best spots at the weekend.

Oxford Street is awful. Overcrowded, filthy, and with uninteresting, small branches of chain stores and discounters repeated several times along the way. Only go if there's something specific you need - or if you want to visit Selfridges (to see it - the prices are a rip-off). Otherwise, avoid!

If there are specific types of shop you want, there are always better places.

 

[williamn]

Buying a tube ticket is really easy - just use one of the touch screen machines, or use the counter if you want to speak to a real person! LU staff are generally pretty helpful.

I would suggest giving yourself at least 4-5 hours in London. Though there isn't a big shopping centre like the Bull Ring, Oxford Street is effectively the same thing, with all the major shops on it, including two branches of HMV. Regent street is much nicer though so I would suggest walking down Regent Street to Piccadilly circus and then perhaps taking the Bakerloo line (brown) to Embankment. Embankment is right on the river so you can walk along the Thames to the Houses of Parliament and see the London Eye. Then you can take the Bakerloo line back to Oxford Circus and back on the Victoria to Euston.

Feel free to PM me with any questions!

 

[generalvegitable]

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.
Is the Euston LU station adjacent to the Euston network rail station?

there are 2 stations for Euston, there is Euston itself on the northern and victoria lines, there are 2 entrances for that, one is on a platform ramp (I can't remember which platform) the other is on the concourse. then there is Euston square on the circle, Hammersmith, and met lines that is a short walk from Euston, all you need to do is exit onto Euston road and turn right, soon you will turn up at Euston square station, I prefer to walk to Euston square because there is less track noise

 

[Krispo]

Here is a map of Euston Station which may be of some help.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/For Passengers/Station Maps/4500_Euston Station Map.pdf

 

[rail-britain]

Places of interest wise, apart from shops, I'm into transport, science and technology-type museums but not really any other types of museum - apart from maybe world war 1 and 2 type of museums and exhibitions if that makes sense. Not really into books or libraries or anything like that as someone on another forum suggested The British Library.

It really depends on how much time you have and what interests you

I usually take a walk to either :
St Pancras and Kings Cross
or
Paddington
or
Victoria

The walk to Victoria is the longest, but you can end up passing many London attractions, and by varying both routes pass most!

If stations and architecture aren't you're thing, then visit the Imperial War Museum, you won't be disappointed
I have a moderate interest in WW2

 

[CCF23]

there are 2 stations for Euston, there is Euston itself on the northern and victoria lines, there are 2 entrances for that, one is on a platform ramp (I can't remember which platform)

One entrance is at the back of the main concourse and the other on the ramp going down to the London Overground and London Midland platforms 8-11.

 

[JamesM]

Steve,

Oxford Circus is nothing special.

Most tubes run about once every 4-6 minutes, so don't worry about frequency. You would be wise to check the tfl website a couple of days beforehand and check which lines are affected by weekend engineering works.

I take your point about tubes, and you are right, the safest thing to do, to make sure you don't get lost, is to do everything by tube. If that makes you feel more comfortable, do that....

All tubes generally have audio announcements of each station, you can also count the number of stops, check on a pocket map (free at all tube stations) and also you will see huge signs at all stations with the names of the station on. The only thing to check is that you are going the correct way. You can check this, by looking at the giant map on the wall over the track. If you do accidentially go the wrong way, just get off at the next stop, and walk across to the opposite platform.


Euston LU station is down an esculator near the front of the station. You will see a giant london underground sign.

You need a zone 1-2 travelcard. You simply slot it in the ticket barrier, the gates open, you take your ticket and walk through. You don't need ID or anything like that. Machines do sell them, but you could always queue up and buy one and ask any questions.

Give yourself a good 5 hours in London. There is so so much to do. In the centre of London you are rarely more than 10 minutes walk from a tube station. If you are feeling confident, have a wander around, knowing that there will be a tube station knocking around somewhere. If you don't find one, jump on a bus and ask where it's going, then get off when it stops near a tube station. Your travelcard will be valid in zones 1-2. A map with bus routes etc is available at most tube stations.

You can easily see Big Ben and Parliament and the like, from Westminster station. This is on the jubilee line. Or Embankment, as was suggested the other day. The key thing is, don't panic. London is a big place, yes, but there are buses down every major street, and it's busy, which actually makes you feel safer.

Don't forget that many museums in London are also free. So you might like to try the Natural History Museum for instance.

Keep the questions coming!

 

[snuk]

I have my tickets - I collected them from Nuneaton yesterday. If the journeys run as timetabled I will have 2 hours 42 minutes in London from when the train arrives Euston to when it departs.

I think the plan is to buy a one day Zone 1 travelcard and then head to Oxford Circus on the underground. How long do you think it will take me to get from the train to Oxford Circus and back again - should I allow 20, 30 or more minutes from Oxford Street to the train?

If I have enough of Oxford Street I will hopefully make use of the first class lounge at Euston. Am I right in thinking the Oxford Circus underground station is on Oxford Street and takes about 3 minutes to get to by tube from Euston and that the tubes are on the Victoria Line and run every few minutes?

Any suggestions of things that will keep me occupied for 2 3/4 hours?

Thanks again - all the advice is very much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Steve.

 

[stut]

Why Oxford Street? It's an armpit!

 

[williamn]

I think best to allow 20 minutes from Oxford Circus to Euston, although it will almost certainly take less time than this.

When at Oxford circus if you head West (i.e. a left turn out of the tube exit you are most likely to come out of!) along Oxford Street you'll find the mnajor department stores eventually hitting HMV and Selfridges and if you keep walking you will come across Marble arch and Hyde Park. If you head East along Oxford street it all gets a bit shabby - though there is a big M+S and another HMV. If you head South from Oxford Street you have Regent Street which has 'classier' retailers such as the Mac Store and upscale clothes shops. I would recommend a walk along Regent Street down to Piccadilly Circus, and then continuing across Picc circus into South Regent Street - you'll hit the Mall (which is the grand road leading up to the Palace) and have a view (I think!) of Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace to your right.

This map might help http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?...c=WC2H&ar=N&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&sq=1

You will find that 2 hours or so will go really fast!

 

[philjo]

Steve,

A few places to visit that are a short walk from Euston (all especially good places to visit if it is raining!):
The British Library (10 minutes walk max) - good exhibitions - usually free (the current Henry VIII exhibition is by ticket) & cafe at the back
St Pancras International Station - next to British Library - you can easily spend at least 30 minutes in there on the upper level just watching the eurostars arrive/depart (I often go there if need to kill time whilst waiting for my train from Kings cross next door plus the toilets in st Pancras are free - it is 30p in KX !!)

British Museum - approx 20 minutes walk from euston down Woburn Place & cut diagonally across Russell Square. Or any bus down woburn place (59/68/168 from Euston bus station) or gower street & walk from there. The British Museum is free (some special exhibitions require tickets) & you really need several days in there to see everything!

other suggestions requiring use of the tube/bus:
get tube to westminster (victoria line to green park then jubilee line)
- see parliament etc then walk up whitehall & through horseguards via st james park to buckingham palace. You can get the return tube from Green park or victoria.

At Covent Garden, the London transport museum is worth a visit (a bit pricey these days)
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/

not sure if you would have time to go on the London eye - you would need to have prebooked timed tickets in advance online as otherwise it is a long queue! - it is across the river from Westminster - nearest tubes westminster or Waterloo (northern line from Euston)

if you go down Piccadilly (walk from Green park tube) or piccadilly circus, Fortnum & Mason's food hall is worth looking at, though pricey ! Their windows are always good just before christmas.

If you like cricket, go to the cricket museum at Lord's (closed on major match days) nearest tube : baker street (circle line etc from euston Square station)

check weekend tube closures a few days before your visit
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/by-date.aspx?offset=weekend

recently, the circle/metropolitan/h&C lines & also the victoria have had partial/full closures on saturdays in central london, but it varies from one week to the next.

Jeremy

 

[snuk]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the great advice - I've posted the details of my day in London on the other forum if anyone would like to read it.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=324262#post324262

Kindest regards,

Steve.