TEZillman
Well-known
Hi! My wife and I will be visiting my niece, who has been living and working in London for the past several years, next month. I was wondering if any members in the UK would have any tips for photography related places or events to visit that would be of general interest. I'm the only photography enthusiast in a group of four. I was looking into visiting Lacock Abbey, but that looks like it might take up a full day to travel there and might be of limited interest to non-photographers? We'll be staying in the Primrose Hill District north of Regents Park for the week of July 19th to the 26th if that helps. Thanks in advance for any tips!
sleepyhead
Well-known
Hi, alot depends on your interests. London is a diverse and busy city rich in interesting cultural things. Once when I was there, I took a boat from The Embankment to Greenwich and back. There was lot's to see along the way, and one can easily spend a day in Greenwich. Seeing th zero longitude line was cool, and Bedlam was interesting too.
'Hope this helps! Enjoy!
'Hope this helps! Enjoy!
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I've ticked Lacock off on my list and to be honest it wasn't 100% thrilling although the little replica "mousetrap" cameras were. Better in the Science Museum imo.
A good day trip is to Brighton for the Royal Pavillion (www.visitbrighton.com/things-to-do/royal-pavilion-p52803).
When in London you must visit Kew Gardens (www.kew.org), and take lots and lots of film.
After you've done the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, wait and watch for a group marching out with a band and heading up the Mall then walk along beside them to St James. Then walk into the park and sit on the grass to eat your picnic lunch and listen to another band (with luck). There are large and small parks with seats and bands playing all over London for picnic lunches. Well, there were...
I don't know if they still do it but ask the police on the gates at BP if you can sign the visitors book. To the amazement of the crowd you'll then be shown inside (to a disappointing building) to sign the book. Well, 30 years ago before I retired that's what happened...
Also quirky, free and fun, Sir John Soanes house/museum (www.soane.org), Dr Johnson's house (www.drjohnsonshouse.org/) and so on.
South of the river The George an old pub (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/george-inn) and I do mean old.
Regards, David
PS London is very small, apart from Brighton and Kew everything is within walking distance.
I've ticked Lacock off on my list and to be honest it wasn't 100% thrilling although the little replica "mousetrap" cameras were. Better in the Science Museum imo.
A good day trip is to Brighton for the Royal Pavillion (www.visitbrighton.com/things-to-do/royal-pavilion-p52803).
When in London you must visit Kew Gardens (www.kew.org), and take lots and lots of film.
After you've done the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, wait and watch for a group marching out with a band and heading up the Mall then walk along beside them to St James. Then walk into the park and sit on the grass to eat your picnic lunch and listen to another band (with luck). There are large and small parks with seats and bands playing all over London for picnic lunches. Well, there were...
I don't know if they still do it but ask the police on the gates at BP if you can sign the visitors book. To the amazement of the crowd you'll then be shown inside (to a disappointing building) to sign the book. Well, 30 years ago before I retired that's what happened...
Also quirky, free and fun, Sir John Soanes house/museum (www.soane.org), Dr Johnson's house (www.drjohnsonshouse.org/) and so on.
South of the river The George an old pub (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/george-inn) and I do mean old.
Regards, David
PS London is very small, apart from Brighton and Kew everything is within walking distance.
Last edited:
TEZillman
Well-known
Thanks for the suggestions David and Sleepyhead!
sara
Well-known
Walk around the East End 
d_c
Established
Either get an Oyster card for each person in your party, or if you have a 'contactless' bank card you can use that instead. That will get you the use of all the public transport - buses, tubes, DLR, overland, etc.
Trip 1 - river bus from Embankment down to Greenwich. In Greenwich you can see the Observatory, Naval College or Cutty Sark and there's a street market, and then either go back the same way, or take the cable car across the river and catch the DLR back to central London.
Trip 2 - Portabello Road Market - Friday and Saturday are the busiest days.
Trip 3 - British Museum and Covent Garden. the Soane Museum is also close.
Trip 4 - Natural History Museum / V&A / Science Museum - pick one as that will be enough for a day, then head up to Hyde Park / Kensington Park.
Trip 5 - Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral - all are within easy walking distance of each other. If you visit St Paul's try to go up the dome.
I would avoid the big tourist attractions like Madame Tussauds, London Eye, etc, unless you absolutely want to, as they are very expensive and have massive queues.
Unfortunately, as with all big cities you will need to watch out for pickpockets, particularly in more touristy places like Portabello Road or at the busier tube stations or bus stops. Make sure you keep your bags to hand in restaurants as well. London is not a den of thieves but there are always opportunists who will prey on the most naive. Travel light in terms of camera kit as the above will still entail a fair bit of walking, and you'll be carrying it with you. That's all I can think of for now.
Trip 1 - river bus from Embankment down to Greenwich. In Greenwich you can see the Observatory, Naval College or Cutty Sark and there's a street market, and then either go back the same way, or take the cable car across the river and catch the DLR back to central London.
Trip 2 - Portabello Road Market - Friday and Saturday are the busiest days.
Trip 3 - British Museum and Covent Garden. the Soane Museum is also close.
Trip 4 - Natural History Museum / V&A / Science Museum - pick one as that will be enough for a day, then head up to Hyde Park / Kensington Park.
Trip 5 - Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral - all are within easy walking distance of each other. If you visit St Paul's try to go up the dome.
I would avoid the big tourist attractions like Madame Tussauds, London Eye, etc, unless you absolutely want to, as they are very expensive and have massive queues.
Unfortunately, as with all big cities you will need to watch out for pickpockets, particularly in more touristy places like Portabello Road or at the busier tube stations or bus stops. Make sure you keep your bags to hand in restaurants as well. London is not a den of thieves but there are always opportunists who will prey on the most naive. Travel light in terms of camera kit as the above will still entail a fair bit of walking, and you'll be carrying it with you. That's all I can think of for now.
Brian Atherton
Well-known
My suggestions for 'photography related places' is the Photographers' Gallery:
https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk
Always a varied program of exhibitions, a decent snack/tea/coffee area at reasonable prices and downstairs, fantastic bookshop, which also sells film and cameras.
Also the Huxley-Parlour Gallery:
https://huxleyparlour.com
An excellent (and free) gallery specialising in photography.
https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk
Always a varied program of exhibitions, a decent snack/tea/coffee area at reasonable prices and downstairs, fantastic bookshop, which also sells film and cameras.
Also the Huxley-Parlour Gallery:
https://huxleyparlour.com
An excellent (and free) gallery specialising in photography.
Scapevision
Well-known
Go up the Shard (be sure to visit the crapper!!!), TATE Modern, Borough Market, Millennium bridge and walk the North side waterfront. Walk the canal around the Regent's Park (Zoo) starting from Camden down to Little Venice. Primrose Hill (bring a telephoto lens). Check out Isle of Dogs for more contemporary architecture.
Shard by Scapevision, on Flickr
Borough Market by Scapevision, on Flickr
Tate Modern by Scapevision, on Flickr
London Calling by Scapevision, on Flickr
Isle of Dogs by Scapevision, on Flickr
Shard by Scapevision, on FlickrBorough Market by Scapevision, on FlickrTate Modern by Scapevision, on FlickrLondon Calling by Scapevision, on FlickrIsle of Dogs by Scapevision, on Flickr
raid
Dad Photographer
Soho at night?
AJS Lamb
Established
'PS London is very small'
What? I live here and I don't think it's small.
What? I live here and I don't think it's small.
Huss
Veteran
Primrose Hill - love that area! That's where Paddington Bear lives (but I digress).
You really can't miss when you're in London. I'd just pick up a tourist guide and be spontaneous as what to do.
If you make it fun for the entire group (I'm sure you will) it will be fun for you and you'll have plenty of photo ops on the way.
If you happen to be in Mayfair, swing by the Leica Shop. Very friendly people, with excellent (free!) cappuccinos.
You really can't miss when you're in London. I'd just pick up a tourist guide and be spontaneous as what to do.
If you make it fun for the entire group (I'm sure you will) it will be fun for you and you'll have plenty of photo ops on the way.
If you happen to be in Mayfair, swing by the Leica Shop. Very friendly people, with excellent (free!) cappuccinos.
Arbitrarium
Well-known
Kew Gardens for plants (duh).
The Barbican for architecture.
Soho for street photography.
Everywhere else for street photography.
Street photography.
The Barbican for architecture.
Soho for street photography.
Everywhere else for street photography.
Street photography.
chris000
Landscaper
Close to Primrose Hill, take a look at Highgate Cemetery - sounds a strange recommendation perhaps but it is a beautiful and atmospheric Victorian Cemetery with some marvellous monuments. Very photogenic - an absolute must for the discerning black and white photographer
See https://highgatecemetery.org/visit
See https://highgatecemetery.org/visit
pgk
Well-known
Natural History Museum and British Museum. I lived in London for a time and sometimes revisit - these two are worth visiting repeatedly.
benlees
Well-known
If you like photo books Claire de Rouen is not to be missed. It's on Charing Cross Road. Konig books is also quite good; also on Charing Cross- about two blocks south from Claire de Rouen.
That area is also full of guitar/music shops with tons of history a la Rolling Stones and all that.
All this is a 10min walk to the National Gallery, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, 20min to the British Museum (a few Leica shops are near the museum). Lots of great pubs around there.
The City is fun at lunch when tens of thousand of men in suits scamper around getting their lunch. On the weekend it's deserted. Museum of London is close by and is worth a look.
Every Friday/Saturday the newspapers include a guide of what is going in London that week.
That area is also full of guitar/music shops with tons of history a la Rolling Stones and all that.
All this is a 10min walk to the National Gallery, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, 20min to the British Museum (a few Leica shops are near the museum). Lots of great pubs around there.
The City is fun at lunch when tens of thousand of men in suits scamper around getting their lunch. On the weekend it's deserted. Museum of London is close by and is worth a look.
Every Friday/Saturday the newspapers include a guide of what is going in London that week.
David Hughes
David Hughes
It's only about a square mile; that's small by my standards and population about 8 or 9 thousand.
Or are you thinking of so called Greater London which includes parts of Surrey and so on?
Regards, David
Bingley
Veteran
Walk around the East End
This ^^^. I always recommend the old City of London, the square mile (roughly) which was the original center of London in medieval and early modern times (before the expansion into Westminster and what became the West End). The City has the surviving Christopher Wren churches, as well as St. Paul's Cathedral. It also has other remnants of Georgian and Victorian era London. Leadenhall Market is one example of the latter, and the row houses near the Inns of Court are one of the few surviving examples of Georgian architecture that survived the blitz within the City of London itself (or just outside).
As for the east end, yes! The "old" east end, around Spitalfields, is a great place to visit, and still has row houses dating from the 17th Century, when French Protestant weavers moved to that area. There are street markets in the area of Christ Church Spitalfields.
TEZillman
Well-known
Thank you all for your suggestions! We've incorporated several of them into our itinerary already and are really looking forward to this trip. We were in London in 1990, but only spent 3 days and only scratched the surface as far as seeing the city and greater London area. I'm sure it has changed a bit in 28 years.