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
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 FishHendonFishLBD CLOSED
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 December 27, 2023, 09:02:39 PM »

Author Topic: London Master Thread  (Read 747524 times)

Offline sky121

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1920 on: January 16, 2018, 10:12:45 PM »
Hi, my husband and I arrive in London next Monday at 8 am and have a 12 hour layover before continuing on to Israel.  Assuming we aren't totally wiped out by the time we get there, do you all have any suggestions as to whether it pays to venture out? Has anyone done whirlwind tours of this kind? If so, what do you suggest we  see/do in that brief interlude?  Are there any kosher meals available for purchase at Heathrow if we elect to stay and wait? All the best and thanks in advance for your suggestions.

With that long of a wait and arriving bright and early I would def venture out.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline TimT

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1921 on: January 16, 2018, 10:14:09 PM »
With that long of a wait and arriving bright and early I would def venture out.
+1
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=47400.0
See wiki

Offline Yammer

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1922 on: January 16, 2018, 10:33:24 PM »
Hi, my husband and I arrive in London next Monday at 8 am and have a 12 hour layover before continuing on to Israel.  Assuming we aren't totally wiped out by the time we get there, do you all have any suggestions as to whether it pays to venture out? Has anyone done whirlwind tours of this kind? If so, what do you suggest we  see/do in that brief interlude?  Are there any kosher meals available for purchase at Heathrow if we elect to stay and wait? All the best and thanks in advance for your suggestions.

See wiki

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=141.msg0.msg#0

ETA. This 1 day TR

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=141.msg1697802.msg#1697802

Offline Aaaron

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1923 on: January 16, 2018, 10:39:29 PM »
This was my 12 hour London itinerary and it went perfectly:

Land at 7:35, check our luggage here: http://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/left-baggage
Then we should be in the City by 9:30, or 10 to be conservative. 

We head straight to Big Ben to see the parliament building and chill for a few minutes before the changing of the guards at 11am.  It's a 13 min walk.  The 10am Palace tour is fully booked so we can't do that, and I'm not sure we need a tour anyway.  The next available tour isn't until 4:45pm anyway.  https://www.londonpass.com/buckinghampalace/book02.php?date=2017-8-28#jumpto

Then we head on a 20min walk to the Eye.  If we can plan it right, we can do the 15min fast pass, but we have to choose a 15 min time slot when we'll show up.  It's pretty expensive either way.  $52 for a general fast pass, and like $42 if we can pin down that 15 minute window.  I need to do a bit more research.  https://www.londoneye.com/days-out-in-london/

From there we uber to Tower Bridge, it's about a 15-20 min drive.  That's where the crown jewels are.  Ticket's are 21.50GBP.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit/tickets-and-prices/#gs.LvbeoJU

From there it's about an hour back to the airport, so we should leave by 4:30ish.

So...

Breakfast/Big Ben/Parliament: until 10:30

Changing of the guards: 11:00-11:45, weather permitting

Aim to be at the eye around 12:45, giving us some time to hang out around the palace and walk slowly.  Allow an hour; half hour to wait and half hour for the ride.

Head to Tower of London around 2, getting there around 2:30.  Spend two hours, then head back to the airport!


Offline crunch

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1924 on: January 16, 2018, 10:41:44 PM »
great thread, thanks!

Online Something Fishy

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Re: 12 hour layover in London. What to do?
« Reply #1925 on: January 16, 2018, 11:03:22 PM »
See my trip report here.

Also, I'm moving this to the London Master Thread.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline davidmal

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1926 on: January 17, 2018, 11:12:17 AM »
This was my 12 hour London itinerary and it went perfectly:

Land at 7:35, check our luggage here: http://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/left-baggage
Then we should be in the City by 9:30, or 10 to be conservative. 

We head straight to Big Ben to see the parliament building and chill for a few minutes before the changing of the guards at 11am.  It's a 13 min walk.  The 10am Palace tour is fully booked so we can't do that, and I'm not sure we need a tour anyway.  The next available tour isn't until 4:45pm anyway.  https://www.londonpass.com/buckinghampalace/book02.php?date=2017-8-28#jumpto

Then we head on a 20min walk to the Eye.  If we can plan it right, we can do the 15min fast pass, but we have to choose a 15 min time slot when we'll show up.  It's pretty expensive either way.  $52 for a general fast pass, and like $42 if we can pin down that 15 minute window.  I need to do a bit more research.  https://www.londoneye.com/days-out-in-london/

From there we uber to Tower Bridge, it's about a 15-20 min drive.  That's where the crown jewels are.  Ticket's are 21.50GBP.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit/tickets-and-prices/#gs.LvbeoJU

From there it's about an hour back to the airport, so we should leave by 4:30ish.

So...

Breakfast/Big Ben/Parliament: until 10:30

Changing of the guards: 11:00-11:45, weather permitting

Aim to be at the eye around 12:45, giving us some time to hang out around the palace and walk slowly.  Allow an hour; half hour to wait and half hour for the ride.

Head to Tower of London around 2, getting there around 2:30.  Spend two hours, then head back to the airport!


sounds familiar......haha!
Love what you choose!  the only question I have is the Boat available instead of a Uber from big ben to London Tower.

Well Done!!! and time well accounted for! Only question is did you get any food?
-DMC
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it ~Ferris Bueller"

Offline kopite1

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1927 on: January 17, 2018, 12:14:07 PM »
DD's sandwiches are available in Heathrow

Offline moish

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1928 on: January 17, 2018, 01:57:12 PM »

From there we uber to Tower Bridge, it's about a 15-20 min drive.  That's where the crown jewels are.  Ticket's are 21.50GBP.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit/tickets-and-prices/#gs.LvbeoJU

Although close to each other, Tower Bridge is not the same thing as the Tower of London, where the crown jewels are

Offline Aaaron

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1929 on: January 17, 2018, 01:57:52 PM »
sounds familiar......haha!
Love what you choose!  the only question I have is the Boat available instead of a Uber from big ben to London Tower.

Well Done!!! and time well accounted for! Only question is did you get any food?

Didn't know there was a boat!  But yeah, we tried to utilize every minute.  We found kosher snacks in a convenience store right near the water that we had for breakfast.  No food otherwise lol

Offline Aaaron

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1930 on: January 17, 2018, 01:58:22 PM »
Although close to each other, Tower Bridge is not the same thing as the Tower of London, where the crown jewels are

True, see the link I provided.

Offline davidmal

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1931 on: January 17, 2018, 02:32:21 PM »
Didn't know there was a boat!  But yeah, we tried to utilize every minute.  We found kosher snacks in a convenience store right near the water that we had for breakfast.  No food otherwise lol
I thought you took my recommendations!!!
( http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=141.msg1697802#msg1697802 )
so cool you came up with a very similar schedule!!!
just dif order. also you got the changing of the guard in
but thats schedule related and weather permitting.
I'm not sure I would recommend that to someone who was there for 1 day
takes to much time but you did it very well!!!
-DMC
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it ~Ferris Bueller"

Offline Aaaron

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1932 on: January 17, 2018, 02:51:41 PM »
I thought you took my recommendations!!!


Ha!  Yeah, we did the exact reverse order.  My friends and I just figured out what we wanted to see and popped everything into google maps. 

Offline davidmal

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1933 on: January 17, 2018, 03:56:33 PM »
Smart men
-DMC
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it ~Ferris Bueller"

Offline ANK90

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1934 on: January 18, 2018, 02:42:57 PM »
Hi, I am new to the forums and looking for help. My wife and I are going to London soon and I am working on an itinerary. I have been seeing everyone talk about vising changing of the guard and to use "Matt's Tour". Can someone provide a link for it please?

Thanks,

Offline jose34

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1935 on: January 18, 2018, 03:38:36 PM »

Offline shlonx

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1936 on: January 21, 2018, 09:36:28 PM »
Yes

@moish Were you successful? Does he still do tours?
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline moish

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Re: Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1937 on: January 21, 2018, 10:05:20 PM »
He's on a bit of a hiatus right now

Offline shlonx

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1938 on: January 21, 2018, 10:28:32 PM »
Okay, thanks.
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline davidmal

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #1939 on: January 23, 2018, 03:15:10 PM »
Did anyone ever use anyone else from his company
I bet there just as good... Since most probably they learnt from him.

His Material is whats really great
he's not comical or anything like that
just a overall nice guy with a nice delivery.
-DMC
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it ~Ferris Bueller"