Yay I'll be in the UK next week :) ?

Posted by Babygirlmeli@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 53 comments

Booked my flight and got my rental car sorted. Already mapped out some destinations for myself - planning to do a little shopping, head to an equestrian center, head to topgolf. Looking for dining recommendations along the way, especially ice cream places if anyone has them. Saw there are places with different flavors like yuzu cheesecake which might be interesting.

Would appreciate any suggestions thanks :)

[-]

Barefoot_Beryl@reddit

A rental car? At Hyde Park? What for? And why?

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

Jesus christ

[-]

Hopeful_Sweet5238@reddit

He won't help you be able to park.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

Is this sub just filled with trolls ?

[-]

Barefoot_Beryl@reddit

I can assure you I'm not a troll. I'm genuinely interested why anyone would want or need a car in central.

[-]

MissJeje@reddit

Us brits are just like this tbf

[-]

Charliesmum97@reddit

Take it from an American who's been to the UK many times, you really don't need a rental car, especially if the majority of your time is in London. It will be a million times easier to just walk and take the tube. You can Uber or take a cab if you really fancy sitting in traffic. And there are plenty of trains to take you outside the city.

Out of curiosity, I googled the Top Golf place, and it would take you approximately 1 hr 42 minutes to drive, and 1 hr 46 minutes if you took public transportation. Granted, it looks like a 20 minute walk to the place from the station, but you could probably get an Uber or something from the station.

All that being said, it's your trip, so you do what makes you happiest. I'd recommend going to Leed's Castle in Kent if you want something interesting and different than the 'usual' tourist spots.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

The rental car is for when I travel out of the London area otherwise im ubering or walking

[-]

LucyThought@reddit

Okay so where are you planning on going outside of London? Are you heading to a town or specific location or is this something you’d like a recommendation for? Would it be for a day trip or a few days?

People aren’t trying to troll you, genuinely driving in London is the worst way to travel and expensive, you’ll waste time and money and struggle to park. Using London cabs or the underground (subway) are the normal ways of travel.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

Ill be going to equestrian centers I'm bringing my own saddle I'm also bringing my own clubs and I wont be lugging either around on public transportation. I genuinely just need some basic reccomendations on restuarants in the soho to Hyde park area it doesnt have to be elitist crazy expensive it also should'nt be terrible

[-]

bibonacci2@reddit

Ok. Topgolf isn’t that big here, compared to the US. There are a few sites but you might be better off booking a round at an actual course.

Ice cream - Oddonos in South Kensington is my bet - classic Italian Geleteria. For yuzu and other quirky flavours there are some places in Soho that might fit.

It looks like 4 strides is in Grantham, Lincs. That’s likely to be a 3-4 hour drive out of London each way. UK roads are busier and more stressful than the US on the whole. That’s a long day out.

Restaurants: you need to set your budget and expectations. London is one of the most foodie cities in the world. Are you looking for Michelin stars? There are over 80 starred restaurants (out of over 20 thousand) in the capital. Any particular cuisine? You can get pretty much anything.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

I'm planning on going to some courses weather permitting I don't officially start University til January and my transfer wont be active til the last week of December so I have free time to enjoy myself. good food doesn't have to be michelin star, I'm fairly open to try just about anything at least once twice if i enjoy it.

[-]

bibonacci2@reddit

So, if you want recommendations you need to scope it down a bit.

Hyde Park is surrounded by some of the most expensive areas in the city. If you’re on a budget you could blow it in a few days there.

To get sensible recommendations you need to provide area/budget/preferences.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

budget is non issue I am not a fan of anything related to fish

[-]

bibonacci2@reddit

Based on Hyde Park location, some I’ve enjoyed:

Top end:

Corrigan Mayfair

Murano

Quality:

Kerridges Bar & Grill

ROKA

The Cinnamon Club

Small chains:

Hawksmoor

Bone Daddies

Dishoom

Ottolenghi

Cheaper chains:

Pizza Pilgrims

Busaba

Patara

[-]

WeeRower@reddit

You can walk through hyde park to kensington high street where there are lots of nice restaurants including several at the Royal Albert Hall

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

thank you

[-]

Slight-Brush@reddit

Bilmonte has a good rep for gelato, which you might not count as ice cream.

But the rest of my favourites are hipster E London places, no good for Hyde Park / soho

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

I love gelato

[-]

Slight-Brush@reddit

Southern Schoolmasters is much closer to London than 4 Strides for Western riding - would they be worth visiting?

Have you asked in London subs for dining recommendations?

I had to look up TopGolf, I had no idea what it was.

I understand you’re not interested in ‘tourist stuff’ or culture like art, museums, theatre etc, but if you really planning to golf every weekend there are a huge variety of actual courses to play within easy reach of London. Definitely ask your colleagues for recommendations.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

Southern Schoolmasters You have to own your own horse and be a member. I have posted in several subs and have been met with people too focused on me renting a car. I enjoy culture and art but that seems pretty obvious where to go because the touristy info is readily available via a simple google search Im also planning on visiting museums on bad weather days. For dining you can see reviews for dining establishments but those are just based on someones experience and my experience or others experience could be different.

[-]

Czubeczek@reddit

Are you aware In Uk you drive on left side of the road??

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

yes I'm blindly just coming to england not knowing how cars are driven here I haven't done any research prior to my trip

[-]

Czubeczek@reddit

You don't get it. Just because you know does not mean you will jump behind the wheel and it's all the same, because it's not.

[-]

smoulderstoat@reddit

You wouldn't be the first, you know.

[-]

Familiar_Radish_6273@reddit

This!

[-]

Inucroft@reddit

Why the hell are you driving in London?
Just take the tube or a bus.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

Have you read my post ?

[-]

mralistair@reddit

where the hell are you planning on parking?

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

In London my hotel has valet so I'm not too worried about that I can uber but everything else I'll figure it out.

[-]

mralistair@reddit

have you checked the price? why hire while you are in london anyway? it'll take ages to get anywhere.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

I have its a non issue can we move past me driving in London and actually start giving some recommendations please.

[-]

mralistair@reddit

[-]

osirisborn89@reddit

Yeah sure, don't drive in London as a tourist, you're going to really really regret it 😂

[-]

GladAbbreviations981@reddit

Rental car in London?

Your itinerary will be doing 20mph, finding parking, and honking.

[-]

BaphometsUrethra@reddit

She said “Y’all” so I would say southern states USA

[-]

JustUseAnything@reddit

Ah yes, check out Dover Castle in the morning, lunch on the Thames, nice walk in the Lake District for the afternoon and finish up at Stonehenge.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

I'm not interested in the touristy spots just places to eat along the way that are pleasant and quiet.

[-]

SnooDonuts6494@reddit

Cotswolds.

[-]

Familiar_Radish_6273@reddit

They might have time to hike up Ben Nevis in between

[-]

AnneKnightley@reddit

On the ice cream score, I really like Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream - the Ube bilog (ice cream sandwich) is delicious! Can find it in both Chinatown and Westfield shopping centre in central London.

[-]

Babygirlmeli@reddit (OP)

yay finally thank you I'll add your recommendations to my notes

[-]

Sasspishus@reddit

If you're just in London you don't need a rental car

[-]

Infinite_Crow_3706@reddit

r/TravelUK

[-]

theowleryonehundred@reddit

r/uktravel is better.

[-]

luujs@reddit

Definitely recommend the British Museum, which is completely free but it’s best to book a time slot in advance. I’d also suggest seeing the main sights like the Tower of London (which houses the Crown Jewels, Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, etc. I’d also recommend the War Rooms, which is a museum based around the bunkers Winston Churchill and his government used during the Blitz. Hyde Park itself is a nice large park to walk around if you want to relax.

You could also visit a castle not too far from London with your car, like Windsor Castle (where the Queen is buried) or Heaver Castle where Anne Boleyn lived

[-]

K1mTy3@reddit

Which town(s) or city(ies) will you be in?

It's no good recommending somewhere to eat in Edinburgh if you're in Bath, for example.

[-]

If so, upvote this comment!

Otherwise, downvote this comment!

And if it does break the rules, downvote this comment and report this post!