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 747654 times)

Offline ChAiM'l

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #300 on: May 13, 2014, 11:48:36 AM »
Don't know why no one has talked about this but... Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour!! 1/2 hour drive from downtown.

It's in the wiki. Also, realistically it's more than 1/2 hour from Central London. I would suggest leaving from Golders Green as it is near the highway leading to there.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #301 on: May 13, 2014, 11:57:51 AM »
It's in the wiki. Also, realistically it's more than 1/2 hour from Central London. I would suggest leaving from Golders Green as it is near the highway leading to there.
lol I knew I saw it somewhere (I didn't just think of it on my own) but nothing came up in the search, so I just assumed I saw it somewhere else.
But my base will be Marble Arch, not GG. Was going to check if public transport exists for that route or otherwise rent a car.

Offline MC

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #302 on: May 13, 2014, 11:59:36 AM »
Your first day has a lot but it's all in the area and with the exception of the Buckingham Tour nothing takes so long so you might as well get it all in... Museum and Tower included. Don't know if you're at all interested but the National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square and it's free so you can walk in and when you get bored walk right out without feeling like you wasted any money ;) Will the Imperial War Museum be open yet when you're there? I've been told it's worth seeing but it was closed last summer when I was there.

Windsor was the highlight of my trip. The castle is incredible and the quaint village is something out of a book. Highly recommended IMHO. 

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #303 on: May 13, 2014, 12:22:45 PM »
Your first day has a lot but it's all in the area and with the exception of the Buckingham Tour nothing takes so long so you might as well get it all in... Museum and Tower included. Don't know if you're at all interested but the National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square and it's free so you can walk in and when you get bored walk right out without feeling like you wasted any money ;) Will the Imperial War Museum be open yet when you're there? I've been told it's worth seeing but it was closed last summer when I was there.

Windsor was the highlight of my trip. The castle is incredible and the quaint village is something out of a book. Highly recommended IMHO.
Right, it'll be busy. My first day in London is the half day. Maybe I'll try to do Tower of London/British Museum that day just to "get them out of the way". You said nothing was long besides tour of the Palace. Are there tours of Big Ben and Parliament - or do you just go to see the buildings?
Good to know about the National Gallery. Not so into paintings, but if it's free, and we have time, we might as well stop in.
Missing the War museum by a week.

Great! Will have to go there then. Did you also do Bath or Stonehenge?
Gmaps has my hotel to Stonehenge to Bath to Windsor to my hotel at about 5 hours. Not the craziest thing if I rent a car. Just not sure if all those places are worth it. Windsor is just over an hour RT from my hotel. Might be worth doing just that.

Offline MC

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #304 on: May 13, 2014, 12:32:06 PM »
There are tours of Big Ben etc but I didn't do them. I preferred to just see everything myself. I would have loved to see Stonehenge but I tried to stay close to London (too scared to rent a car with the whole opposite side of the street driving lol) so I only went to Windsor. The train isn't expensive and is very easy to get.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #305 on: May 13, 2014, 12:42:09 PM »
There are tours of Big Ben etc but I didn't do them. I preferred to just see everything myself. I would have loved to see Stonehenge but I tried to stay close to London (too scared to rent a car with the whole opposite side of the street driving lol) so I only went to Windsor. The train isn't expensive and is very easy to get.
Oooo good point!

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #306 on: May 13, 2014, 01:51:09 PM »
Oooo good point!
Yeah, especially for a single day rental, it's not worth it. By the time you figure it out you have to return the car.

I did it for a week, driving on crazy Scottish roads. Quite the experience
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline moish

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #307 on: May 14, 2014, 07:29:39 AM »
i dont think you can do tower of london AND british museum in a half a day

also, you should find out which days the changing if the guard is, iirc, they dont do it every day in the summer

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #308 on: May 14, 2014, 02:54:10 PM »
i dont think you can do tower of london AND british museum in a half a day

also, you should find out which days the changing if the guard is, iirc, they dont do it every day in the summer
Thanks for the info! Will look into the days.

Offline Menachem613

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #309 on: June 02, 2014, 10:01:54 PM »
I'm seriously considering spending a full day and night in London (as part of a larger trip this summer).  From reading this thread I've decided to visit the Tower of London.  Is there any particular hotel which would be ideal for traveling from LHR, going to the Tower of London and availability of kosher food?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #310 on: June 06, 2014, 03:05:56 PM »
I see that Heathrow Express has a promo code DUO12 that gets 2 pax RT tix for 50GBP As opposed to a regular RT being 34GBP pp. That the best way to get to London? My hotel is a 5 min taxi/15 min walk from the Paddington station (seems like the only place Heathrow Express lets off).

Offline yhakak

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #311 on: June 07, 2014, 05:58:47 PM »
I see that Heathrow Express has a promo code DUO12 that gets 2 pax RT tix for 50GBP As opposed to a regular RT being 34GBP pp. That the best way to get to London? My hotel is a 5 min taxi/15 min walk from the Paddington station (seems like the only place Heathrow Express lets off).

It's certainly the fastest way. You can also take the regular underground...it's cheaper but takes a lot longer.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #312 on: June 08, 2014, 01:15:50 AM »
It's certainly the fastest way. You can also take the regular underground...it's cheaper but takes a lot longer.
Thanks, yeah seems like it's just more practical.

Has anyone done Harry Potter Studio Tour? Is it worth the $80-100 pp it's going to cost me including travel?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #313 on: June 08, 2014, 02:23:10 PM »
Anyone do the full day trip to Windsor/Bath/Stonehenge?
I found a tour that will pick me up from my hotel and go to all 3 places and includes entrance fees for about $115/person. Entrance fees to these places cost a total of about $70. Renting a car or taking public transportation probably wouldn't be much cheaper (if at all) than the $45 difference there, plus there's a tour guide - you're not just showing up to these places alone.

Seem like a good deal?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #314 on: June 08, 2014, 11:59:20 PM »
Someone has got to have done things in London here right...?
Tour of Parliament or just go to see the building among other sites like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey?

Offline MosheD

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #315 on: June 09, 2014, 12:11:34 AM »
Someone has got to have done things in London here right...?
Tour of Parliament or just go to see the building among other sites like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey?
For the center of London I think just going around your self is sufficient. There is tons to see and it is very tourist friendly.
I have never done tour of Parliament tho...

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #316 on: June 09, 2014, 12:13:44 AM »
For the center of London I think just going around your self is sufficient. There is tons to see and it is very tourist friendly.
I have never done tour of Parliament tho...
Thanks - yeah I figured just walking around will keep up plenty busy. Was curious whether it's worth paying for a tour, but I guess we can just decide once we get there.

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #317 on: June 09, 2014, 10:36:06 AM »
also, you should find out which days the changing if the guard is, iirc, they dont do it every day in the summer

In the winter it's usually every other day and in the summer is usually every day. Subject to weather. The weather puts them off schedule and they change the plan, they don't stick to the original schedule so you want to check close to your trip.

Offline TimT

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #318 on: June 09, 2014, 10:41:01 AM »
In the winter it's usually every other day and in the summer is usually every day. Subject to weather. The weather puts them off schedule and they change the plan, they don't stick to the original schedule so you want to check close to your trip.
I made the trip to London just for that. Checked the schedule. Hundreds of people waiting for it to start. After it was supposed to start someone comes over & says they're not doing it today. We should come back tomorrow.  :(

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #319 on: June 09, 2014, 10:42:08 AM »
I made the trip to London just for that. Checked the schedule. Hundreds of people waiting for it to start. After it was supposed to start someone comes over & says they're not doing it today. We should come back tomorrow.  :(
Sounds like the place I'm talking about. :-(