Topic Wiki

Trip Reports
A Week in London for 2 TR by Davidmal
100,000 Steps by Yuguy
6 Hours in London by Something Fishy
London + Scotland Trip Report by jshelton
London TR by Yehoshua
Mrs. Hvaces42's Surprise London Birthday Adventure by hvaces42
A Trip to See the Queen's Place: dpk4588 Takes on London by dpk4588


Suggested 1 Day Itineraries
1 Day In London by Davidmal
12 Hour Layover by Aaaron
11 Hour Layover by Mootkim

Drivers
Yitzchok: +44 (0) 20 7101 3535 - 8 Seater New VW Transporter (spacious).
Heathrow Drop-off 75GBP Pick up: 85GBP (plus 25GBP and he brings 8 Danishes to the airport too)
Hourly 65GBP
Daily 475GBP
Very Reliable, very nice and funny guy. Frum, professional and has taken very good care of my client - RCARentals (FlightBlitz).
Emmes Car Service (Stamford Hill) +44 20 8809 4444
Darkei Noam Car Share +44 20 8800 5566
Hotels
General Hotels
NameAreaWebsite          Review
Andaz Liverpool StreetCity               Link
Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill              West EndLinkmguy
Marriott - Grosvenor SquareWest End               Link
Marriott Marble ArchWest End               Link5 minute walk to Western Marble Arch Synagogue

Hotels in Jewish Areas
NameAreaWebsite          Review     Notes
Croft Court Hotel                                   Golders Green          Link
Holiday Inn Brent Cross                                  Golders Green          Link
Holiday Inn Express                                   Golders Green          LinkKosher breakfast, Shabbos meals. Contact hotel for more info.
King Solomon Hotel          Golders GreenLink
Nox HotelGolders GreenLinklocated near Shuls/kosher restaurants/underground station
KipAccomGolders GreenLinkrun by a frum guy. Individual rooms for rent.
Park Avenue HotelStamford HillLinkFormerly Kadimah
The Pillar HotelHendonLink

Restaurants
NameLocationTypeHechsher     Notes
86 BistroHendonMeatLBDCLOSED
AsadoStamford HillMeatKED'Mediterranean bistro'
AvivEdgwareMeatKF
Ayelets Catering and DelicatessenHendonDeli/Takeout/ShabbosLBDMoroccan Style
Balady AlaeshGolders Green+High BarnetFalafel/ShawarmaSKA
BalaganBorehamwoodMeatLBDMiddle Eastern
Bagel BarHendonCafèLBD
Bagel Bar GrillHendonMeatLBD
Beit CafeGolders GreenDairyLBDNEW
BooyaGolders GreenIce CreamNEW
Bread BakeryGolders GreenBakery/CaféLBDGreat salad selection!
Burger BarGolders GreenMeatLBD
Cafe AromeEdgwareDairyRESCLOSED
Dagim - Fish&ChipsStamford HillFresh fried fishKEDTake away only - No seating
DarnaGolders GreenMeatKFIsraeli inspired. Formerly Soyo Diner.
DelicatessenHampsteadMeatKFMediterranean & regular options
Deli98Stamford HillDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKEDGreat pulled beef sandwich
FlipsideGolders GreenCLOSED
Eli’s Pizza Borehamwood+EdgwarePizzaLBD
Habiba’s DeliGolders Green+HampsteadMeatLBD
Head RoomGolders GreenCaféKFsocial enterprise café by mental health charity Jami
Hot CutGolders GreenMeatKFMeat Sandwiches etc
Hummus BarGolders Green+HendonMeatLBDHighly reccomended - reserve well in advance.
Isola BellaGolders GreenDairy/Fish/ThaiLBDCLOSED
KaifengHendonChineseLBD
KanteenGolders Green/HendonDairy/FishKFInside Brent Cross Shopping Center
La FiestaGolders GreenMeatLBDArgentinian steakhouse.
MaximGolders GreenDairyKED
MazalCamden TownMiddle Eastern MeatKF NEW
Met-Su-YanGolders Green+EdgwareAsianKF
Mr BakerHendonCafé/BakeryLBDSame location as Mr Falafel and Mr Neapolitan
Mr FalafelHendonLBDNextdoor Mr Baker - uses their seating
Mr NeapolitanHendonPizza/PastaLBDInside Mr Baker. Best artisanal pizza in town!
NovellinoGolders GreenDairyLBD
Novellino BistroGolders GreenMeatLBD
One AshbourneGolders GreenMeatKF50% off steaks on Sundays & Tuesdays
Oven EatGolders GreenBakery/CafeLBDNEW
PitaGolders GreenMiddle Eastern MeatKFShawarma/Falafel/Schnitzel etc
PizazaGolders GreenPizzaKFCool on screen ordering at table. Delicious foodSee inside the shop!
PizazaHendonPizzaKFNo screens, and smaller than GG.
PizazaEdgwarePizzaKFHas a playroom for kids
Pizza ShaiHendonPizzaSKA
PortoberryHendonHealth Food/DairyLBDAcai bowls, Poke bowls, Bubble tea, Frozen yogurt etcNEW
Reich'sGolders GreenDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKED
Reuben'sWest EndMeatSKADeli upstairs-Restaurant downstairs
SababaBorehamwoodDairyLBD
SliceGolders GreenPizzaLBDNew York style pizza
SoYoGolders Green+EdgwareDairy/FishKFGood breakfast selection
Sami'sGolders GreenSchwarmaLBDThere are Hendon & Edgware locations as well.
Satmar DeliStamford HillDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKED
Shefa MehadrinGolders GreenDeli/Takeout/ShabbosVarious
Sushi HavenGolders GreenSushiLBDAlso have counter inside Kosher Kingdom
TaboonGolders GreenFalafelLBD
The KitchenEdgwareMeatKFCLOSED
TishBelsize ParkMeatLBDOpen for Shabbos meals
Tony PageWesminsterMeatLBDFine Dining - near  Hyde Park
Tuk TukGolders GreenPan-AsianLBD
White FishHendonFishLBDReopened
White House ExpressHendonMeatLBD

London food instagram account for pictures of the food click here!



CLICK HERE for many more bakeries, groceries etc.

Hechsherim Key - As always, AYLOR.

KF - Federation of Synagogues

KED - Kedassia - Local "Heimish" Hechsher

LBD - London Beth Din

SKA - Sephardi Kashrut Authority

RES - Rabbi Eliezer Schneebalg - Machzikei Hadas Edgware





Landmarks & Attractions
You can get 2 for 1 entrance on many of the top attractions by using a railway ticket for travel. (Or just by buying a cheap railway ticket and not traveling). See all the details here: http://www.toptiplondon.com/places-to-visit/2-for-1-offers
AttractionURLNotes
Abbey RoadLink     Famous Abbey Road crossing for Beatles fans.
British LibraryLinkBritain's national library, which houses some fascinating collections including these.
Buckingham PalaceLinkPalace tours only in Aug-Sep. Details for Changing of the Guard here. This tour walks along with the guards from the beginning of their march to the palace and then will get you a nice view of the actual ceremony. 10% off code: FUNGUARD10PC
City CruisesLinkSightseeing cruise on the River Thames.
Harrods of KnightsbridgeLinkLargest department store in Europe, with some really cool (expensive!) stuff on display.
HMS BelfastLinkMuseum on a former battleship.
Horse Guards ParadeLink
Imperial War MuseumLinkHighlights: Holocaust Exhibition, Trench Experience
London EyeLink
Old BaileyLinkWatch criminal trials taking place.
Shakespeare TheatreLink
The ShardLinkView London from the viewing gallery or have drinks at the bar on the 52nd floor. Best time to go is twilight/evening. Possibly a better alternative to the London Eye.
StonehengeLinkPrehistoric monument.
Thames RibLinkHigh-speed RIB boat tour.
Tower of London                             Link     Historic fortress where the Crown Jewels can be viewed.
WB Harry Potter Studio Tour      LinkSee Hogwarts, Diagon Alley etc. See here for a tip on finding last-minute availability
Windsor CastleLinkHistorical castle, and the Queen's weekend home.



General Information

Emergency Numbers
Police/Fire/Amb - 999
Hatzolah NW - 0300 999 4 999 (Golders Green/Hendon)
Shomrim - 0300-999-0123

-If you plan on using public transportation, get an Oyster card. They are much cheaper and easier to use than conventional travel cards, and never expire. They can be bought in many stores in London, or online. These days one can use contactless credit cards instead of Oyster.(Check here to see if your foreign contactless card will work.)

-Here is a handy planner for the public transport system.

-DD's Kosher Sandwiches can be bought in most major airports and stations and at some supermarkets around London.  Check here for a list of locations.

-Kosher in the West End/City -
Selfridges food hall has a variety of kosher groceries and prepackaged ready food by 1701.
Hermolis  also have a deli counter there.  The range includes schnitzels, spring rolls, kebabs, breaded lamb chops, chicken wings, fish products and salads. Traditional Shabbat dishes will be on sale on Thursdays and Fridays. Supervision is provided by the Kashrut Division London Beth Din
In the City Munch'n'Crunch have a stand in Hatton Garden with kosher meals, sandwiches, sushi and coffee. It is located at 32 Hatton Garden, on the lower-ground floor of Jewellery Emporium. There is also Mincha there at 1:30.

-Kosher food at non-kosher hotels, restaurants etc. can be ordered from the following kosher caterers in London. They provide double-wrapped meals to any location and could also match the menu of your location.
Hermolis (KED/LBD)
Royal Cuisine (KED/LBD)
1701/Adafina (LBD)

Zmanim - MyZmanim London

Minyanim - There are many shuls all over London, however there are a couple of places that have more constant Minyanim throughout the day.

Golders Green
General Golders Green Mincha/Maariv times
Hagers (Beth Yisochor Dov Beth Hamedrash)
R' Chuna's (Beth Shmuel Synagogue)

Stamford Hill
Satmar 26 (Clapton Common)
Pinters
Biala Shul (47 Moundfield Rd, London N16 6DT, UK)
Here is a list of addresses and zmanim for the above, and other places.

-Minyan in the West End could be found at the Marble Arch Synagogue. Shacharis during the week is followed by breakfast, and a kiddush on Shabbos.

-Most food products in general stores do not have a hechsher on them. This does not necessarily mean they are not kosher. For example, Coca-Cola does not have a hechsher, but it is kosher. Here is an online kosher product search that could help. Link to Android app.

« Last edited by yitzy93 on April 01, 2024, 02:29:51 PM »

Author Topic: London Master Thread  (Read 756765 times)

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #460 on: November 25, 2014, 11:03:32 AM »
Glad the friend thing worked out!
Are you staying by your friends on Motzai Shabbos and you just need a place for your bags Sunday morning while doing things? - that wasn't too clear.
There's got to be lockers at one of the larger train stations - maybe Paddington? I would do some research into the different stations.
Yeah, I'm also glad things worked out (at least tentatively, but they have a large house so it shouldn't be an issue).

Yes, we plan on staying with them on Motzei Shabbos as well. My thinking was that since shabbos will end very late, it would be easier (and cheaper :)) to just spend the night with them and go into the city on Sunday.

The problem as that the Left-Backage.co.uk company seems to have the monopoly on storing luggage at train stations. From what I've read on TA, there are no lockers anymore due to security risks. This company is at all the major station.

I was really kind of wondering about storing it at a local hotel, maybe one at which I have status. I recall reading somewhere that some hotels might do that. Has anyone ever tried that?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #461 on: November 25, 2014, 01:26:38 PM »
Yeah, I'm also glad things worked out (at least tentatively, but they have a large house so it shouldn't be an issue).

Yes, we plan on staying with them on Motzei Shabbos as well. My thinking was that since shabbos will end very late, it would be easier (and cheaper :)) to just spend the night with them and go into the city on Sunday.

The problem as that the Left-Backage.co.uk company seems to have the monopoly on storing luggage at train stations. From what I've read on TA, there are no lockers anymore due to security risks. This company is at all the major station.

I was really kind of wondering about storing it at a local hotel, maybe one at which I have status. I recall reading somewhere that some hotels might do that. Has anyone ever tried that?
Nice! Glad it worked out.

I feel like you might get a better response to your last question in another thread. People who may know the answer to that might not be looking here.

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #462 on: November 25, 2014, 01:46:31 PM »
Nice! Glad it worked out.

I feel like you might get a better response to your last question in another thread. People who may know the answer to that might not be looking here.
Thanks for the idea. I posted here, as I couldn't really find a better thread.

Offline ChAiM'l

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #463 on: November 25, 2014, 01:59:27 PM »
Why don't you just leave them with your friends for the day?

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #464 on: November 25, 2014, 02:04:52 PM »
Why don't you just leave them with your friends for the day?
I thought of that, but it would require we go back to their house to pick them up which is in the opposite direction of LCY.

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #465 on: November 26, 2014, 12:30:47 PM »
I got an email from Musement that they're having a 50% off sale on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

I though it'd be a good opportunity to either book tours or buy a gift card to Musement.

There are many tours I though of taking, but you can't beat the Stonehenge Half day tour for $35/person!

Any other really worth while tours in London?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #466 on: November 26, 2014, 01:03:18 PM »
That's awesome!! Better than our 5 euro off deal last summer.

Tower of London - see the crown jewels
Jack the Ripper tour sounded cool but we didn't have time at nights (it's only at night) - looks like you can buy that and the dungeons under 1 ticket. With the sale, it might be cheaper than just going to the dungeons on your own.
If you have time, I would've have liked to see other palaces like Kensington.
British Museum is supposed to be good (we didn't go though) and houses the Rosetta Stone.

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #467 on: November 26, 2014, 01:30:40 PM »
That's awesome!! Better than our 5 euro off deal last summer.

Tower of London - see the crown jewels
Jack the Ripper tour sounded cool but we didn't have time at nights (it's only at night) - looks like you can buy that and the dungeons under 1 ticket. With the sale, it might be cheaper than just going to the dungeons on your own.
If you have time, I would've have liked to see other palaces like Kensington.
British Museum is supposed to be good (we didn't go though) and houses the Rosetta Stone.
I know. I really hope I can buy gift cards because they don't seem to have those dates available for bookings yet.

In terms of the other tours, I'll have to look at our timing. I've already seen the crown jewels (tower of London) though.

Offline MC

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #468 on: November 26, 2014, 01:44:07 PM »
I've been told by native Londoners that the Imperial War Museum is incredible, but it was still closed for renovations when I was there.

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #469 on: November 26, 2014, 01:48:30 PM »
I've been told by native Londoners that the Imperial War Museum is incredible, but it was still closed for renovations when I was there.
When were you there? It looks like they reopened in July per this TA thread. Also, it looks free, so no Musement needed ! :D

Offline MC

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #470 on: November 26, 2014, 01:52:01 PM »
When were you there? It looks like they reopened in July per this TA thread. Also, it looks free, so no Musement needed ! :D
Free is even better! :) I was there April 2013 - a while ago. I didn't bother doing any research beforehand, so I actually went to the museum and was super disappointed to see it closed.

Online Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #471 on: November 26, 2014, 01:59:55 PM »
Free is even better! :) I was there April 2013 - a while ago. I didn't bother doing any research beforehand, so I actually went to the museum and was super disappointed to see it closed.
Cool. That may be a good Sunday activity, especially if the weather is bad.

Offline AJK

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #472 on: December 06, 2014, 10:23:44 PM »
I have about 13 hours (7am-8pm) in London this week.

I've perused the Wiki, and have decided that I'll have the Qantas chauffeur bring me to breakfast at SoYo in Golders Green, and then I'll take train over to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard.

What else would you recommend I see from like 12-4ish? And perhaps where to eat an early dinner?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline AJK

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #473 on: December 06, 2014, 10:58:15 PM »
Anyone hear anything about a new restaurant called Zest in the JCC?

Good? Bad?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #474 on: December 06, 2014, 11:15:28 PM »
I'd do the tower of London
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #475 on: December 06, 2014, 11:18:23 PM »


I have about 13 hours (7am-8pm) in London this week.

I've perused the Wiki, and have decided that I'll have the Qantas chauffeur bring me to breakfast at SoYo in Golders Green, and then I'll take train over to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard.

What else would you recommend I see from like 12-4ish? And perhaps where to eat an early dinner?


Anyone hear anything about a new restaurant called Zest in the JCC?

Good? Bad?
Just to make note, during the winter, the changing of the guards is only every other day and it gets canceled due to the weather so you can't even figure out which day it will be. In short it's a gamble.

I'm unaware of a JCC in London.

Offline TimT

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #476 on: December 06, 2014, 11:22:06 PM »

Just to make note, during the winter, the changing of the guards is only every other day and it gets canceled due to the weather so you can't even figure out which day it will be. In short it's a gamble.
+1. When I was there they cancelled even with nice weather.

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #477 on: December 06, 2014, 11:27:51 PM »
I'd do the tower of London
+1, I did that on a stop and it was great.

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #478 on: December 06, 2014, 11:48:54 PM »
+1. When I was there they cancelled even with nice weather.
Yup. They miss every other day (there are less tourists in the winter) as well as any other day with bad weather.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2014, 11:53:55 PM by MeirS »

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #479 on: December 06, 2014, 11:53:12 PM »
+1, I did that on a stop and it was great.

agreed. good place for 1 time