About Me
How I Got Started
As a pilot for a major airline, I've been laying over in London for over 25 years. There is no city like it in the world for culture, the arts, history, attractions and yes, food.
This guide is just that, a guide with simple links that are kept updated so you can discover and explore your own London on a layover or vacation. There is so
As a pilot for a major airline, I've been laying over in London for over 25 years. There is no city like it in the world for culture, the arts, history, attractions and yes, food.
This guide is just that, a guide with simple links that are kept updated so you can discover and explore your own London on a layover or vacation. There is so much that can be seen and done on a basic 24 hour layover.
In addition, I've included a restaurant guide that highlights "pilot restaurants", not too expensive but good food for the money.
So, in the words of the English Poet Samuel Johnson: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life"
If you have any recommendations, suggestions, edits or additions, email me at bobward757@gmail.com. (Sorry, I'll get a link established in a few days!)
IF YOU WANT TO EAT TONIGHT.......
AN IMPORTANT TIP ON DINING IN LONDON IN THE POST-COVID ERA
PLEASE HELP YOURSELF AND MAKE A DINING RESERVATION IN THE DINNER HOUR. IN THE POST-COVID WORLD IT IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKE A BOOKING IF YOU WANT TO EAT AT ANY DECENT RESTARUANT IN LONDON. GO TO THE RESTAURAN'S WEBSITE OR GOOGLE TO MAKE A BOOKING.
Great neighborhoods for really great drinks and dining
James Street & St. Christopher's
James Street & St. Christopher's
James Street & St. Christopher's
James Street is 5 blocks east of Marble Arch. It currently hosts over 20 restaurants and bars and in my mind is a mini-Soho. Again, go on Google maps and select restaurants and click on what sounds good to you.
Soho
James Street & St. Christopher's
James Street & St. Christopher's
The Soho neighborhood is currently the hotspot of dining and entertainment in London. It contains most of the newest and hottest/latest restaurants in London. Instead of listing my faves, just go on Google maps and select restaurants and click on what sounds good to you.
Kingly Street
James Street & St. Christopher's
Kingly Street
Kingly Street runs parallel to Regent St. north of Piccadilly and encompasses both the Carnaby neighborhood as well as the west end of Soho. In its 4 blocks there are dozens of terrific restaurants and pubs as well as the famous Kingly Court: an indoor mall of sit down eating establishments and shops. So much to choose from. Minutes from Piccadilly Circus.
Maiden Lane
Victoria Station Neighborhood
Kingly Street
3 blocks east of Trafalgar Square is Maiden Lane: one long city block with 14 bars and restaurants. From the famous Rules restaurant to Venetian small plates, Iberian tapas, Texas BBQ and lobster rolls, local coffee shops and a bar full of Canadians. Too hard to choose just one!
Seven Dials
Victoria Station Neighborhood
Victoria Station Neighborhood
Just north of Covent Garden and east of Leicester Square is the roundabout known as Seven Dials. Go one block down any of the 7 intersecting streets and you've found over 25 amazing restaurants and drinking establishments including Punjab, Dishoom, Belgo, Thai Square, Rossodisera and Mon Plaisir.
Victoria Station Neighborhood
Victoria Station Neighborhood
Victoria Station Neighborhood
One block north of Victoria Station bounded by Cardinal Walk on the east and Buckingham Palace Rd. to the west, there is a plethora of terrific venues including Shake Shack, Bone Daddies, Franco Manca, Stoke House, Ahi Poke, Browns, Zizzi's, Wagamama, Nando's and many more.
Layover Ideas
History and Museums
Day Trips out of London
Day Trips out of London
Victoria and Albert Museum. *free* Decorate art and design. www.vam.ac.uk
Natural History Museum. *free* www.nhm.ac.uk
British Museum. *free* Human history, art and culture. www.britishmuseum.org
Science Museum. *free* A premier science museum for all ages. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Tate Modern. *free* The country's leading modern art museum. www.tate.org.uk
National Gallery. *free* Art museum with over 2300 pieces from 1200's to 1900. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
National Portrait Gallery. *free* Portraits of historically important people and famous British people. www.npg.org.uk
Tower of London. *£22.70* London's historic fortress, palace and prison. www.hrp.org.uk
Museum of London. *free* The entire history of London from prehistoric to modern times. www.museumoflondon.org.uk
London Transport Museum. *£17.50/year* A cool and geeky museum on the history of transport in London. www.ltmuseum.co.uk
Day Trips out of London
Day Trips out of London
Day Trips out of London
Hampton Court Palace. *£19.20* Henry VIII's last working palace outside London. Everything is to period. Well worth the trip. Extensive gardens. Can get there by tube, train or boat from Westminster pier. www.hrp.org.uk
Greenwich: National Maritime Museum. Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark *free and exhibit fees* In Greenwich. Well worth a visit, especially in good weather. Public trans or boat from Westminster. www.rmg.co.uk
Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath, Leeds, Canterbury Cathedral, Dover and more... For these excursions, I highly recommend Evans Evans Tours. They have many day trips out of London. I have used them many times as have other airline personnel. They all leave around 10 or before, so check your arrival times. You must book ahead. Ask for an airline discount, they sometimes do offer one. https://evanevanstours.com/sightseeing-tours/day-tours-from-london/
War History and Museums
Day Trips out of London
Other Popular Attractions
Imperial War Museum. *free* Extensive histories of the wars since WWI. A must see. www.iwm.org.uk
Cabinet War Rooms (Churchill's Bunker) *£18.90 and worth every shilling!*
The actual underground HQ where Churchill directed the Second World War. www.iwm.org.uk
RAF Museum. *free* 5 hangars dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force. www.rafmuseum.org.uk
HMS Belfast. *£15.30* WWII light cruiser docked in the Thames. www.iwm.org.uk
National Army Museum. *free* History of the British Army. www.nam.ac.uk
Other Popular Attractions
Other Popular Attractions
Other Popular Attractions
London Eye https://www.londoneye.com/
Piccadily Circus https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/77552-piccadilly-circus
Buckingham Palace - tours
https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace
Buckingham Palace - Changing of the Guard
https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
St. Paul's Cathedral https://www.stpauls.co.uk/visit
Palace of Westminster https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/
Westminster Abbey http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Westminster Cathedral http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/
Tower of London https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/#gs.aD8sF3o
Tower Bridge http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/
Borough Market http://boroughmarket.org.uk/
Portobello Road Market http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/
Camden Town & Camden Market
Regent's Canal walk and boat https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/regents-canal?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh7zWBRCiARIsAId9b4qIhlQP02N-O9WAzpEnukXeS4U8HmCih741o0sKTfF8QeMqCjWkgCQaAlx_EALw_wcB
The View from the Shard https://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Madame Tussauds https://www.madametussauds.com/london/en
The Parks
Other Popular Attractions
Getting Around London
London has 11 parks within its boundaries. The parks are professionally managed and well kept oases when one needs to escape the city.
For some, the parks are for exercise, for others a quiet respite, yet others a great spot to have a sandwich and watch the city go by.
Though some parks are quite a walk (or tube ride - like Regent's Park - there are many unique things to do and see in each park and experience the different neighborhoods that encircle each park.
Hyde Park is massive and central for everyone. Summer concerts and winter carnivals are held here, you can rent a boat, rent a chair or just walk laps to shake off the jet lag.
St. James's Park is a personal favorite. Picturesque, can be quiet, and is a jewel at night as you cross the bridge and see the London Eye and Big Ben to one side, and Buckingham Palace to the other.
My second favorite is Regent's Park. It contains Primrose Hill, the best and highest natural vantage point in all of London as well as the Regent's Canal, London Zoo and a fantastic quiet posh neighborhood just steps from Camden Town.
Take a minute to explore the website and all the different offerings and events in the parks. https://www.royalparks.org.uk/
Getting Around London
Other Popular Attractions
Getting Around London
WELCOME TO TFL! (Transport For London)
If you're going to be a fairly frequent London guest, I highly recommend buying an Oyster card. It is a card that you tap or swipe to get on the subway (tube) and busses in London.
However, you DON'T need an Oyster card to ride TFL. You can simply use your chip credit/debit card at the turnstile as long as you tap-in and tap-out with the same card each trip. (Be sure your bank knows that you and your card are travelling internationally and have those regions added to your cards.)
Currently TFL does not have an interactive Journey Planner app. I highly recommend Citymapper. It not only will tell you how to get from A to B, but how to do it and how much it will cost you for trains, buses, cabs, Uber, bicycle and walking. In addition, in London, it will tell you when the next train or bus is coming, etc….
phenomenal free app that works in over a dozen cities world-wide. Here is the link to download the Citymapper app: https://citymapper.com/london
Here is a .pdf copy of the current tube map you can download to your device:
Dining and Fun Layover Ideas
Eating in London as a crew member
Eating in London as a crew member
Eating in London as a crew member
This website started as a London Restaurant Guide that I'd been putting out to my fellow crew members since 1992. I'd list the good, reliable and affordable restaurants so as to raise the odds of getting a good and affordable meal in this terrific city.
London is a food paradise. Yes it is, and you don't have to spend tons of money to experience lots of amazing food and cuisines not far from your hotel. Gone are the day of grey meat, gravy and chips. I would dare say that Central London offers more and more diverse food choices in a much smaller area than say, Manhattan.
That said, I will list a few time-tested favorites below, but I highly recommend you do a little leg work and use one or both of two popular food and restaurant apps: Trip Advisor and Yelp to discover the cuisine and price point you desire. Be it cozy non-touristy pubs, a bowl of Ramen to ward off the winter chill, Rogan Gosh to die for or maybe just a simple chippie for a piece of cod and some chips, these apps will make a huge difference in the quality of food and the experience of dining out.
That said, there are some amazing food neighborhoods in London where there is a large concentration of quality bars and restaurants.
The top of that list is Soho. Over 200 trendy and good restaurants of all cuisines. It is the food scene in London right now. Soho is in the middle of everything and accessible from everywhere. Put Soho in Trip Advisor and search for restaurants. It’ll take a while – so many good ones to choose from.
Right next to Soho is Chinatown. Here again, this is not only cheap buffets with questionable meats. Chinatown has some of the finest Asian restaurants on the continent, and very affordable ones at that. Be it Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Bao of Japanese, there are many good finds in Chinatown.
Next to Chinatown is Leicester Square. Cinema and theaters and tons of restaurants. Many chains, some independents, a few stand-outs but plenty of choices.
East of all three of these is the Covent Garden neighborhood. Again, many trendy independent restaurants and a few chains.
The Victoria Station neighborhood has changed drastically in the last 5 years. Within 4 blocks of Victoria Station there are close to 100 bars and restaurants, and even more if you go down Wilton Road into the Pimlico neighborhood.
James Street just north of Oxford street and 2 blocks east of Selfridges has 15+ bars and restaurants packed into one block. Many crew favorites here.
Notting Hill and Bayswater has been a crew favorite for decades. From Queensway down to Kensington Church Street onto Kensington High Street, there are a plethora of good, highly rated affordable restaurants and bars.
Southbank is an up and coming food destination. Just across the Charing Cross Footpath and just east of the London Eye is a growing list of desirable restaurants, pubs and cafes.
I could go on forever, but instead, I highly recommend you use one or both of the apps. One specific website I use and recommend if you’re looking for an above-average layover dining experience is Time Out London’s Top 100 restaurants list. It can be accessed here. Again, take your time, so many good ones to choose from. https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-london
Good London Chain Restaurants
Like anywhere in the world, there are good chain restaurants and there are the ones to avoid. London has a good number of quality chain restaurants with outlets all around the city.
THAI
Thai Square. Consistent and good. https://thaisq.com/
PAN-ASIAN
Giraffe World Kitchen
JAPANESE
Wasabi. Sushi and Bento. https://wasabi.uk.com/
Wagamama. Again, amazingly consistent, many pan-Asian dishes. https://www.wagamama.com/
YO! Sushi. Very good sushi for a busy London storefront. https://yosushi.com/
BRITISH Browns
The best of new British cuisine and quality versions of old classics. An amazing place for breakfast as well as well crafted cocktails. https://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/
PIZZA Zizzi's
Great quality pizzas (pretty much choose any toppings you want) in a wood-fired oven. Some pastas and other mains as well. Full and creative cocktails too. https://www.zizzi.co.uk/
MEXICAN Wahaca. www.wahaca.co.uk
More Dining Ideas and Restaurants
Eating in London as a crew member
Eating in London as a crew member
FAVORITES - Worth the Trip
These are a couple of old favorites from laying over here since 1992. Each is long time favorites and worth the walk or bus (cheaper) or tube.
FISH & CHIPS
*The Golden Hind. A very old (1940's) classic chippie run by a Greek family. Huge fish, fresh sides, BYOB.
*Golden Union Fish Bar Very traditional “chippie” moderate, Poland St. Soho, 20 yds off of Oxford. Worth the walk for fish and chips. http://www.goldenunion.co.uk/
The Mayfair Chippie. A new chippie, very good. Between the old US Embassy and Oxford Street
Seafresh. Wilton Road south of Victoria Station. Highly rated for over 30 years.
FRENCH STEAK FRITES
Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote. Traditional Parisian salad with steak frites and wine. That's all they serve. Every time I've been by there's a line. Must be a reason. Several London locations.
BELGIAN MUSSELS AND FRITES
Belgo A Belgian chain of very good mussels and frites. A very wide menu beyond just mussels. Extensive Belgian beer selection. A fun night out. http://www.belgo.com/
AUSTRIAN GERMAN
*Tiroler Hut. Austrian – German. Best Schweinshax'n in London. Moderate. Just off Queensway on Westbourne Grove. Ask for Joseph. Take bus down Bayswater to Queensway. 5 min walk from there. Go hungry. Have your concierge make a booking for you shortly after you check in, they fill up early.http://www.tirolerhut.co.uk/home.html
LEBANESE
*Al Hamra Lebanese in Mayfair – Shepherd’s Market. moderate, 15 min walk form hotel. Some of the best Lebanese in London. Head and shoulders above Edgeware road fare. http://www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk/Total.html
THAI
*Churchill Arms Thai rest in back of iconic London Pub. Inexp, Kens Church St just south of Bayswater. One of London’s top pubs with good consistent Thai food to boot. Take bus to Kens High Street or enjoy the walk down the park. http://churchillarmskensington.co.uk/
ITALIAN
*Demartino Italian, moderate, old favourite on Great Portland street just south of the Melia White House hotel. Another family run, cozy fresh Italian restaurant worth the walk. http://www.demartino.co.uk/
INDIAN
*Gopal’s of Soho. Yes, Soho. One of the highest Zagat rated restaurants in London that doesn’t require a second mortgage. Very affordable. 3 blocks south of Oxford on Dean Street at Bateman St. If you love Indian cuisine you won’t regret the trip.
PUBS
*Angel in the Fields Pub. 37 Thayer St. at George's St. A small Sam Smith's pub. Sam Smith's is out to remake the brand and has an eclectic menu of fresh ales and beers. If you like beer, you need to pay attention to a Sam Smith's pub. Give this one a try. Didn't eat here though.
The Admiralty. Trafalgar Square. A nautical themed Fullers' Pub. Bright, popular with a decent restaurant that specializes in pies.
*The Clachan Great Victorian pub, moderate, good food, worth a stop before or after dinner, oozing with atmosphere. Kingly St. Oxford Tube. http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theclachankinglystreetlondon/
Churchill Arms Kensington High St. south of Notting Hill. Perhaps the most iconic pub in London and a pilot favorite since the heady days of Pan Am and TWA 707s. Very good Thai restaurant in back. Call ahead make a booking to ease the wait for a table.
Duke of Kendall 38 Connaught St. west of Edgeware Rd. Weekend sing-alongs with the WWII age crowd.
WINE BARS
Cork and Bottle Leicester Sq adjacent to Burger King. Very popular with crews, great wine selection, very good selection of nibbles.
Gordon's Wine Bar In front of Embankment Station. Since the 1890's, mostly outdoor seating, very good meats and cheeses. A terrific warm weather experience.
London Walks
Eating in London as a crew member
Thames Cruises
There are several professionally guided and self-guided tours of London nowadays, however, one of the oldest and best is London Walks. These are guided walks throughout the day and evening in small groups that tour and experience different parts of the city's rich life, culture and history.
10+ different walks each day. *£10.00 pp* Well worth the money. A great variety of tours - many of which include pub stops!
Thames Cruises
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Thames Cruises
There are two main riverboat tour companies that offer different cruises up and down the Thames. All leave from Westminster Pier, across from Big Ben. Some of the more popular cruises include Greenwich, Hampton Court Palace, London sightseeing, dinner cruises and more. A great way to see the city, especially on an hot summer's day. There are two companies: City Cruises and Thames Clippers.
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Covent Garden A former fruit and vegetable market dating back centuries, Covent Garden is one of London's top tourist and shopping attractions with tons of top end shops, terrific restaurants and pubs, street performers galore and an eclectic buzz. Worth touring and investigating. Only 5 minutes walk from Leicester Square. https://www.coventgarden.london/shop?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh7zWBRCiARIsAId9b4qyn4DZWj13wJyaQKEf6BJ4Dlyg4oyENB7G3hgmzIWQBglkQi4-hTAaAgvEEALw_wcB
Camden Market. Fun, trendy, hip, crowded on weekends, tons of food stalls and boar rides down the Regent's Canal. An easy way to spend a few hours. https://www.camdenmarket.com/
Borough Market. London's premier food stalls market. Hot and cold foods. fruit, veg, meat, seafood, bakeries, wine, and so much more. http://boroughmarket.org.uk/
Portobello Road Market The world's largest antiques market open on Saturdays with over 1000 vendors. http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/
Brick Lane Market Trendy shops and markets in a 5 block area with everything from cafes to clothing to music and the best Indian food in all of London. http://www.bricklanemarket.com/
Columbia Road Flower Market Quintessentially London. Even if we cant bring plants back to the US, this is a must experience destination that IS London. Plenty of coffee, pastry and breakfast stalls too. http://www.columbiaroad.info/
Websites and Apps for London
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Food, Flower and Trendy Markets
Citymapper London The most indispensable app for getting around London is Citymapper London. How to get from here to there by every means possible, how long it will take you, how much it will cost and when the next bus / train is coming.
Android and iOS.
https://citymapper.com/london?lang=en
Time Out London app. From the magazine that brings you every event going on in the capital, this is a handy app when you want to keep up on the latest shows, events and exhibitions.