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 747736 times)

Offline MC

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #280 on: April 02, 2014, 03:26:54 PM »
If you have the extra time go to Windsor too

Offline YankyDoodle

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #281 on: April 02, 2014, 03:37:52 PM »
Did those things as well. Would've toured the parliament and gone to the Churchill museum. We were there on a Friday and ran out of time. Maybe a long full day would be enough. But I'd probably rather do two.
I hear ya. I guess it really depends what you would do with that day instead. I would still rather an extra day in one of the other European cities than do the "extras in London".

Offline chucksterace

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #282 on: May 09, 2014, 12:05:19 PM »
Should I try to schedule a day or two layover here and do a mini vacation?

Any suggestions on what I should do?
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Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #283 on: May 09, 2014, 12:14:19 PM »
Should I try to schedule a day or two layover here and do a mini vacation?

Any suggestions on what I should do?
I don't expect a post like this from chucky
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline chucksterace

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #284 on: May 09, 2014, 12:18:13 PM »
I don't expect a post like this from chucky

Why not? I want to go someplace next week on the way back to ISrael. Any suggesstions?
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Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #285 on: May 09, 2014, 12:39:50 PM »
Why not? I want to go someplace next week on the way back to ISrael. Any suggesstions?
I enjoyed London. You can see the previous discussion for things to do (and that is why I didn't expect such a post from you). It's an expensive city. What are your other options?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline chucksterace

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #286 on: May 09, 2014, 12:40:55 PM »
I enjoyed London. You can see the previous discussion for things to do (and that is why I didn't expect such a post from you). It's an expensive city. What are your other options?

Too lazy to read today. Maybe Thailand?
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Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #287 on: May 09, 2014, 02:02:59 PM »
Too lazy to read today. Maybe Thailand?
Hypocrite.
Thailand for a two day stop over?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline chucksterace

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #288 on: May 09, 2014, 02:06:03 PM »

Hypocrite.
Thailand for a two day stop over?

Lol. Yup. Ending up going to hkg. Flying cx F there.
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Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #289 on: May 13, 2014, 07:34:48 AM »
Read through the entire thread last night. (1UPed you chuck ;))

I'm in London for a long weekend. I want to stay somewhere with points, so I have reservations on hold at HIE in GG and Marriott Marble Arch. Any help deciding which one to stay at?
Both are right next to a Shul with daily Minyanim and free breakfast (served at HIE/served at MA Synagogue). MAR is right in town, walking distance to Reuben's and Deli West One (where I can also order Shabbos takeout) and can easily get to the sites of London. HIE is OOT and needs a 15 min walk to the tube and then a 20 min tube to town, but is near many more restaurants. Is that the only pro of staying in GG over staying in town? I recognize town restaurants are expensive, but c'mon it's all going to be expensive, why not stay at the nicer/more convenient hotel, right?

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #290 on: May 13, 2014, 07:59:56 AM »
For sure. You can also walk around the city on shabbos if you stay in marble Arch.
Find out the chief lord's shabbos schedule (I believe it's online somewhere). He is sometimes in marble Arch and a pleasure to listen to
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #291 on: May 13, 2014, 08:13:49 AM »
For sure. You can also walk around the city on shabbos if you stay in marble Arch.
Find out the chief lord's shabbos schedule (I believe it's online somewhere). He is sometimes in marble Arch and a pleasure to listen to
I know your opinion already :) Thanks for the tip on the Rabbi.
A friend who lives in GG seemed to really think I should stay in GG. But perhaps they just don't realize that MA is a very valid option.

Offline sharabob

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #292 on: May 13, 2014, 08:21:40 AM »
I'd definitely go with Marble Arch.  They're very friendly at the shul and you're more than likely to get an invite if you're interested.

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #293 on: May 13, 2014, 08:23:38 AM »
I'd definitely go with Marble Arch.  They're very friendly at the shul and you're more than likely to get an invite if you're interested.
Thanks! That would be nice, just not sure if that would happen before I had to order takeout.
BTW Ergel, when you were there for Shabbos, was there a non-electric hotel entrance?

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #294 on: May 13, 2014, 08:27:23 AM »
I'd definitely go with Marble Arch.  They're very friendly at the shul and you're more than likely to get an invite if you're interested.
I didn't (I wasn't interested anyways). It's pretty quiet there during the summer. A lot of the regulars are away.
The Hyatt doesn't have electric entrance. We used a stairwell through the kitchen to get upstairs.

One really annoying thing was the TV turned (to the hotel 'airshow') on while we were eating dinner and we called someone up to turn it off (be'remiza, they were very confused).
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #295 on: May 13, 2014, 08:38:49 AM »
I didn't (I wasn't interested anyways). It's pretty quiet there during the summer. A lot of the regulars are away.
The Hyatt doesn't have electric entrance. We used a stairwell through the kitchen to get upstairs.

One really annoying thing was the TV turned (to the hotel 'airshow') on while we were eating dinner and we called someone up to turn it off (be'remiza, they were very confused).
Oh right, forgot you stayed at Hyatt not Marriott. That's really annoying though.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #296 on: May 13, 2014, 09:08:31 AM »

Read through the entire thread last night. (1UPed you chuck ;))

I'm in London for a long weekend. I want to stay somewhere with points, so I have reservations on hold at HIE in GG and Marriott Marble Arch. Any help deciding which one to stay at?
Both are right next to a Shul with daily Minyanim and free breakfast (served at HIE/served at MA Synagogue). MAR is right in town, walking distance to Reuben's and Deli West One (where I can also order Shabbos takeout) and can easily get to the sites of London. HIE is OOT and needs a 15 min walk to the tube and then a 20 min tube to town, but is near many more restaurants. Is that the only pro of staying in GG over staying in town? I recognize town restaurants are expensive, but c'mon it's all going to be expensive, why not stay at the nicer/more convenient hotel, right?
which HIE? The one in Hendon?

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #297 on: May 13, 2014, 09:21:28 AM »
which HIE? The one in Hendon?
GG, on Regents Park Road.

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #298 on: May 13, 2014, 10:15:18 AM »
Made a list of all the activities people discussed here and have been plotting them out on Google Maps to see what to do when. Found it really cool that when I entered Imperial War Museum, Gmaps told me, "This place has been reported closed." Further investigation found that it's closed until July 19th. Not sure if I would have gone anyway, but really cool that Gmaps knew that.

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #299 on: May 13, 2014, 11:08:56 AM »
Finished my list. I'm in London for 2 full days (not incl. Shabbos) and 2 half days. Can I get some thoughts?

1st full day
Buckingham Palace - changing of the guard + tour
Parliament
Big Ben
Check out Trafalgar Square
Check out Westminster Abbey
Whitehall picture with guards

If that's even too little for one day, should I also do the British Museum and Tower of London that day? (Going to pass on London Eye most likely.) If what I've listed is good for one day, then I would do those 2 on one of the half days.

2nd full day
Stonehenge
Bath/Windsor - what's there to do in these places?

1st half day
(If can't be done on 1st full day)
British Museum
Tower of London

2nd half day
Don't know why no one has talked about this but... Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour!! 1/2 hour drive from downtown.