Help Londoners Please

[Buttericing]

I am coming to London Euston on Wednesday 5Th December from Scotland, staying in Russell Square and leaving Saturday 8th. in the afternoon.
On Saturday 8th. I want to stay in the area but visit shops, an event, or something of interest then go for my 1.30 train.in time. Where would you suggest I go please? I am a 69 yr. old female and am happy to walk up to 25 minutes from Euston Station. Thank You.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Welcome to the forums!

With regard to your question, for shopping you could go to Oxford street or Bond street, Westfield Shepards bush/Stratford, (Bluewater might be a bit far if your train is 1:30) If you want to maybe try some museums the Science museum at South Kensington might be worth a shout, there's also the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth North.

Also, are you able to use the tube? Correct me if I'm wrong and I'm not being rude and feel free to correct me, but by advising your age, do you have any disabilities or impairments? If so, the tube might not be the best option, however you say you are happy to walk 25 minutes so you might not have any disability or mobility problems so you are able to use the tube. If you are using the tube, rather than buy single tickets, which are expensive, why not consider a visitors oyster or a travelcard? They work out cheaper. Not an expert on visitors Oyster but a normal oyster is available to buy from most ticket machines on the London Underground and they are £10 last time I checked, £5 for the card and £5 credit. Oyster can be used on Bus, tram, London underground, London Overground, National Rail within London and the Emirates Airline.

Happy to help and enjoy your trip to London

 

[Deerfold]

Also St Pancreas is worth a quick look.

Although St Pancras is easier to find.

There's the interesting (though sometimes a little gruesome) http://www.wellcomecollection.org/ if you're at all interested in medical matters.

 

[steamybrian]

Shops-
The popular area for shops are Regent Street, Oxford Street and Bond Street which are within 25 mins walking distance of Russell Square.
Events
The popular area for cinemas, theatres, etc are known as West End which is around Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus/ Tottenham Court Road area and is nearby
Other places
The British Museum is close to Russell Square

I am coming to London Euston on Wednesday 5Th December from Scotland, staying in Russell Square and leaving Saturday 8th. in the afternoon.
On Saturday 8th. I want to stay in the area but visit shops, an event, or something of interest then go for my 1.30 train.in time. Where would you suggest I go please? I am a 69 yr. old female and am happy to walk up to 25 minutes from Euston Station. Thank You.

 

[47832]

If you have a strong stomach and an interest in human anatomy The Hunterian Museum at The Royal College of Surgeons round the corner from Holborn tube station is well worth a visit. It is free to enter, just double check it is open on saturdays though.

 

[Bedpan]

I wouldn't have thought that you'd have to wait too long to get on the London Eye if you went reasonably early - assuming that the weather is clear. Its on the South Bank of the Thames, opposite Charing Cross Station

 

[bb21]

... and the Emirates Airline.

The Emirates Air Line. One space, big difference.

 

[Squaddie]

The British Museum is very close to Russell Square and is well worth a few hours, especially if you've never been before.

There's also the British Library, alongside St. Pancras station, just a few minutes' walk from Euston - its current exhibitions include Mughal Indian art and ancient Armenian manuscripts.

But for something less well-known, and extraordinary, you might like the Wellcome Trust museum ("a free destination for the incurably curious") directly opposite Euston station.

For shopping, you could try the little streets in and around Covent Garden, before taking the Northern Line back to Euston from Leicester Square.

 

[wibble]

Personally, I avoid Oxford St and Covent Garden on Saturdays as it's always very crowded. Oxford St is little more than a standard high street but Covent Garden is more interesting (and full of tourists!). There are loads of independent shops north of Covent Garden, along Neal St and streets radiating off Seven Dials which might be worth a look

 

[LexyBoy]

Guaranteed to find something of interest in the British Museum, and squaddie's other suggestions are also good.

For the love of god avoid Oxford St, it's just an oversized high st with the usual shops but even worse crowds, traffic and attitudes.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

The Bloomsbury area has many attractions - (good bookshops in particular - try Skoob Books and Judd Books) - good places to eat at all prices.

I particularly reccomend the quirky Sir John Soames museum - completely free and home to many priceless original paintings and sculpture. All easily found on Google !.

 

[NSE]

I'd always recommended Camden Market, and the Northern Line easily gets you to Euston, and every Southbound train from Camden stops at Euston so no need to worry about different branches etc.
Camden Town is the station for the market, and there's something for everyone. Even if you don't want to buy anything, its worth it for the street food and just the atmosphere. It's a walking based attraction, so if you're cool with walking, then you'll never find anywhere else like it.

 

[Buttericing]

WOW, THANKS EVERYONE,
I HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF ALL YOUR ANSWERS.
I am not so good at climbing stairs so am not sure of the stations because of that.
I might manage some of these places on previous days too.
The museums and art galleries sound great. I would like to go on the London Eye if it is a clear day. I don't like the sound of Oxford St. but Camden Market or Covent Garden would be good, and the Bloomsbury area.
Do you know if I could leave my case at Euston after I leave my Hotel ?
I am with Virgin and I treated myself to 1st class but friends say I cannot leave my case in their 1st.class lounge. Thanks again. P.S What is 377 NSE ?

 

[Lrd]

Do you know if I could leave my case at Euston after I leave my Hotel ?
I am with Virgin and I treated myself to 1st class but friends say I cannot leave my case in their 1st.class lounge.

There should be a left luggage facility in the station.

P.S What is 377 NSE ?

Class 377 is a type of train.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

There is a left luggage facilitity at Euston - opposite platform 15 roughly ....

Please , do not go to Oxford Street (Camden is quirky and entertaining)

 

[Latecomer]

For the day of your return, if you want to avoid the tube and it's a nice day Regent's Park is only a half mile walk west of Euston (or a short bus ride). London Zoo is there too, but if the zoo isn't your thing then the park is nice enough.

Regents Park proximity to Euston

I agree with others about the British Museum. It's a fantastic place that you could spend many hours in - less than a mile south of Euston.

I've just followed the link for the Wellcome Trust Museum - it's ideally located if it's your thing and you don't want to roam too far, I'll have to pay it a visit myself!

 

[Paule23]

I agree, Londoners do need help.....

 

[NSE]

As mentioned, the 377 is a class of train. You'll pass one or two as you go past the Milton Keynes/Watford stretch. In the railway world, a lot of people aren't keen on the manufacturer of the train, so I'm in the minority with the fondness for it!

To avoid stairs, keep a look out at the tube maps that indicate stations that have step-free access. Some go direct from platform to Street, no stairs at all (big stations such as Kings Cross of the top of my head), others may involve a short flight to the lift area, for example Chalk Farm has about 12 stairs to the area with lifts.

I too recommend avoiding Oxford Street. I mean, its quite a sight to see, and the shops are bigger and more fancy than their outside of London counterparts, but they sell much the same stuff, and you'll leave London with no particular gifts or memories than any other place.

Should you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask. We're a friendly bunch

 

[Squaddie]

Do you know if I could leave my case at Euston after I leave my Hotel?

As others have said, there is a left-luggage facility at Euston, but many museums and galleries (including the British Museum, British Library and Wellcome Collection) also have cloakrooms and/or luggage lockers for bags of up to airline carry-on size. You'll normally find the details on their websites.

 

[snail]

One advantage of being around Russell Square for a few days is that you can visit the British Museum more than once! Like most national museums it's free entry. Go in, pick up a map and choose just one or two rooms to look at then get a cup of tea. Go back the next day to repeat, having worked out what you want to see. It's too easy to overdo a place like that and try to visit everything in one go.

An interesting but little known museum in that area is the Foundling Museum in Brunswick Square, 5 minutes walk from Russell Square.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There is a left luggage facilitity at Euston - opposite platform 15 roughly ....

It's a bit pricey though.

To the OP, Russell Square is only 10-15 minutes walk from Euston (or a 5 minute bus journey), in the time it takes to go there to drop off luggage you could probably get to your hotel and back if they will hang on to it until the afternoon.

PS I'm not a Londoner but I usually stay near Russell Square when in London as it's so convenient for Euston...!

 

[Southern]

I would avoid both Westfield's at all costs...Stratford must be utter chaos if the crowds that head there on a Sunday are anything to go by! hock:

 

[Buttericing]

Thanks again for more answers. I was an Adoption social worker so The Foundlings Museum is one I will definately add on.
I am going to The Pre-Raphalites Exibition at The Tate on Thursday, then The V&A for Hollywood Costumes ,then Harrods.
On Friday to Hyde Park for The Winter Wonderland, then some of the places you recommended , the rest on Saturday morning.
It has taken me quite a lot of nerve to come to London on my own as I am nervous of getting around. I decided to give myself a push and just go for it.
You have all helped my confidence. Thank You All.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
P.S. What makes a good train ? What do you think of the Virgin train I am travelling on from Glasgow ?
I do love trains.

 

[LexyBoy]

Hope you enjoy your trip! London is certainly daunting but once you're there it's a lot easier than most other UK cities, at least in terms of getting around. Probably because it's so big even Londoners need directions! Even buses are dead easy, there's clear route maps and usually street maps at every stop, and all buses have the next stop displayed on a screen inside, and announced over the speakers.

I do find Londoners to be very offish though- it's not being rude, it's just not the done thing to talk to strangers (very easy to slip into, having lived there myself!)

P.S. What makes a good train ? What do you think of the Virgin train I am travelling on from Glasgow ?
I do love trains.

Well, as this forum is largely populated by train enthusiasts I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions! I find the staff friendly, seats comfy and ride smooth, but the windows are tiny (which is a shame as the scenery is lovely between Glasgow and Preston), interior feels cramped (it is in fact smaller due to being a tilting train) and there's not enough luggage space! They also tend to be very busy but if you have seat reservations this won't be an issue.

 

[AndrewP]

My twopenneth.

For shopping there is always the Brunswick Centre which is near Russell Square tube and has a good range of shops and eateries (so different to what it used to be like).

If you don't want to go on tubes or have the stairs then there are great bus services to the Waterloo area (68 and 59 at least) which includes the Southbank Arts Complex, London Eye and you can get the RV1 bus towards London Bridge via Tate Modern and Borough Market - busy but wonderful food and produce.

If you want a London tour then from London Bridge get a bus through the city to Liverpool Street (149) or Bank (141 or 243) and get a 205 to Euston via Islington or a 23 or 8 to the West End then a 73 or 476 will get you back to Euston

Re luggage - if you are staying at a major hotel then you should be able to leave the bags there and pick them up later with no charge.

 

[All Line Rover]

Travelling First Class is a very good choice. You won't be disappointed. Virgin have one of the best, if not the best, First Class service in the UK (bar Arriva's Premier Service and First's Pullman).

I find all the criticism of Oxford Street and Westfield London to be rather unjustified. Both are extremely busy and you need to be comfortable navigating the crowds, but those who like food will quickly find that both have excellent places to eat (and at reasonable prices)!

I appreciate that neither are likely to suit the OP, though, so I would recommend Marylebone High Street.

 

[Metrailway]

I saw in your last post that you stated that you love trains. So if you do decide to go to Covent Garden, you might be interested in visiting the London Transport Museum. It is not free to enter though.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

There is a left luggage facilitity at Euston - opposite platform 15 roughly ....

It is opposite platforms 17 and 18

I saw in your last post that you stated that you love trains. So if you do decide to go to Covent Garden, you might be interested in visiting the London Transport Museum. It is not free to enter though.

£13.50 adult £10 concessions. IIRC this is a donation to the museum itself.

P.S. What makes a good train ? What do you think of the Virgin train I am travelling on from Glasgow ?
I do love trains.

The train you are travelling on will be a Class 390 Pendolino

I am with Virgin and I treated myself to 1st class

That is a good choice. Here is an extract of the Virgin website which may be relevant to yourself.

When travelling First Class with us during the week between Monday 24 December and Tuesday 1 January, you'll enjoy a hot breakfast roll in the morning and a complimentary box of snacks throughout the rest of the day.
On weekends you can enjoy our Little Box of Breakfast up to 11am and our Little Box of Snacks throughout the rest of the day.

In addition there is:
Free WiFi
Decent seat and legroom
Plug sockets
Free unlimited tea, coffee, biscuits, crisps, pepsi etc

happy to help

 

[NSE]

I find all the criticism of Oxford Street and Westfield London to be rather unjustified. Both are extremely busy and you need to be comfortable navigating the crowds, but those who like food will quickly find that both have excellent places to eat (and at reasonable prices)!

I appreciate that neither are likely to suit the OP, though, so I would recommend Marylebone High Street.

Aye, i enjoy the West End on a regular basis, but there are not that many shops on Oxford Street that can't be found anywhere else. I mean the shops are bigger and often fancier, but its much the same. You could go shopping here in Cambridge and return home with the same Hollister, Apple, Superdry and other designer bits. If you want something that can only be found in London. Then go for Camden or Covent Garden or any of the museums, all unique to London.

 

[IanXC]

There is a left luggage facilitity at Euston - opposite platform 15 roughly ....

It is opposite platforms 17 and 18

Situated at the top of the ramp to platforms 16 to 18.
Operated by Excess Baggage Company

I don't know Euston well but it looks like you're all pretty much right.

 

[reb0118]

Do you know if I could leave my case at Euston after I leave my Hotel ?

Some hotels offer a left luggage facillity free of charge (or at a norminal fee) for departing guests.