I was going to put up a list of my favourite places to eat in London, but I live on a diet of meat and beer so it's not that helpful.
You really need to visit Rules
http://www.rules.co.uk/menu/
I am heading for London the first two weeks of September and want to ask anyone if they have suggestions what electronics/technology shops to visit.
Believe it or not, I am going to go to a Kate Bush concert by her invitation and meet her and will be in London from probably the 6th to the 13th, more or less.
I'd probably meet up but I'm actually out of the country that week.
Of course, the real UK food and diet problem isn't really in the restaurants/takeaways, it's on the TV (advertising) and in the supermarkets where the freezers are stuffed full of 'buy in bulk' chips, pies, burgers, double choccy ice cream and the shelves are stuffed with savoury/fatty/salty stuff and fizzy/sugary drinks.
You find the same garbage in a Konsum in Stockholm or in a Migros in Zurich. You don't however seem to have the obesity panic in these countries.
If I had any say in the matter I would heavily tax unhealthy foods and make it clear on the packaging that the food is unhealthy and show how much tax is being added. I'd also find a way to tax/limit the advertising of such food on the TV.
Compare with cigarettes: heavily taxed, clear health warnings on packaging, advertisement restrictions, and yet still plenty of customers.
Compare with cigarettes: heavily taxed, clear health warnings on packaging, advertisement restrictions, and yet still plenty of customers.
Yes, I'm sure people would still buy the unhealthy foods (but not as much) and at least they would pay tax and the people that manufacture and advertise this junk would get taxed as well
You don't however seem to have the obesity panic in these countries
Here in the UK morbid obesity is a growing (
) problem. If I were to walk the length of my local high street in a nearby small town I'd expect to see quite a few morbidly obese people within a few minutes. Scary stuff...
Some stats suggest that the number of morbidly obese people in the UK has nearly tripled in the last 30 years.
Some stats suggest that the number of morbidly obese people in the UK has nearly tripled in the last 30 years.
I've seen a noticeable increase in the numbers big people in the UK in my lifetime. I'm actually old enough to remember the last 30 years quite clearly. My point is that there is something going on that has nothing to do with the availability of garbage food as the same food is available in other countries which don't share this obesity problem.
You really need to visit Rules
http://www.rules.co.uk/menu/
I haven't been there for a few years, but I do remember that the steak and kidney pudding was excellent!
heavily taxed
Unhealthy food is disproportionately consumed by poor people. Taxation on such items would be highly regressive.
Plus, Eric Holder would apply the doctrine of "disparate impact" on you in no time.
The questions are really, a) do free people have the right to hurt themselves? and 2) what to do about the externalities associated with exercising such freedom?
Please get off the political arguments here. This thread was about shops, restaurants and people to visit in London. It is not about all this other commentary.
As an astronomer, perhaps a trip to Greenwich Royal Observatory?
Food wise:
Decent pub grub. Ask for local advice in whatever area you're in, otherwise you'll just get standard chain-pub fare.
Nothing more British than Indian food
There have been some suggestions already, but there are a couple of areas where restaurants are wall to wall (Brick Lane, for example) and you can't go wrong.
Fish and chips? Best places are the ones that cook more to order. Look for one with a modest queue.
Aside from that, you can have probably absolutely anything you can think of. Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, BBQ, Lebanese, Italian, French, Spanish, Steak, you name it. Too much to sample in a short trip.
Most of the curry houses on Brick Lane are mediocre.
For curry houses - make the trip to Southall.
Most of the curry houses on Brick Lane are mediocre.
Exactly. The authentic experience!
I've just recently moved out of West London (notice to quit by private landlord) after living there for 14 years. I'd recommend hiring a bicycle and exploring london that way. Camden is interesting if you like markets and music pubs. There's London Zoo just around the corner and primrose hill if you want a nice park to have a sit down. If your into cricket theres Lords Cricket ground and then Portobello market and Notting Hill if your into shopping. The closest thing to an old style Electronics shop is Cricklewood Electronics (
http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Cricklewood/home.php) but thats about it. Riding a bike down the Grand Union canal is a pleasant change from riding on the main roads. Can't really suggest much else apart from seeing the usual stuff like the globe theatre, st pauls cathederal and going for a boat trip on the mighty Thames.
I live in Bovingdon now(a small village near Hemel Hempstead) just on the edge of the Chilterns AONB. Only been here 2 weeks so a lot of exploring to do. Still in the same job though.
Nope - it doesn't have to be on the road.
Use the tfl.gov.uk website and specify cycle.
You'll get quieter roads and cycle paths.
Canal tow paths offer a quiet and safe way to travel as well.
Like any city - if you choose to cycle on dangerous roads - then its dangerous.
Laws on cycling on pavements vary by council. You are wise to check and obey signs which prohibit cycling on pavements.
Laws on cycling on pavements vary by council. You are wise to check and obey signs which prohibit cycling on pavements.
Wrong. Rule 64: https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71
You can be stopped and fined by the police for riding on the pavement, except where there are specific cycle lanes. In other words it is default deny, and you need explicit permission to do it. You won't find signs prohibiting riding on the pavement any more than you will find signs listing all the other random laws that apply to you at any given moment.
good thing too, me and my mum have been almost run over several times by cyclists riding on the pavement illegally
I live in Bovingdon now(a small village near Hemel Hempstead) just on the edge of the Chilterns AONB. Only been here 2 weeks so a lot of exploring to do. Still in the same job though.
Completely OT, but welcome! Have been in living in the back of Chesham just down the road from you for a couple of years, lovely place
Laws on cycling on pavements vary by council. You are wise to check and obey signs which prohibit cycling on pavements.
Wrong. Rule 64: https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71
You can be stopped and fined by the police for riding on the pavement, except where there are specific cycle lanes. In other words it is default deny, and you need explicit permission to do it. You won't find signs prohibiting riding on the pavement any more than you will find signs listing all the other random laws that apply to you at any given moment.
Just because you can be stopped doesn't mean you will be. If you ride on a busy pavement and cause problems for pedestrians, then you may well get nabbed, but if you are reasonably considerate there is unlikely to be a problem.
The law referenced by Rule 64 of the Highway Code was passed in 1835 and prohibits riding on footpaths. However, it was talking about horse riding - the pedal cycle wasn't invented until the 1860s. Nowadays it has plenty of exclusions and exemptions - it doesn't apply in pedestrianised areas, for example.
Of course the police can always find some suitable law if a cyclist is behaving irresponsibly.
i remember racing some cycle couriers on my mtb through the center of london once. id never cycle in london ever again. lots of good mtb'ing out in epsom forest / espom downs. nice and accessable from the east end.
i lived in upton park, manor park, forest gate.
lots of good kebabbies around.
there was a MOST AWESOME persian restaurant in the centernorthish of london. fantastic food. bellydancers, music. very awesome place. cant think o the name of it off top of my head.
when lived in Middlesbrough... fuck all good food around
still, Id never pass up a wagamamas damn I love that place..
Just because you can be stopped doesn't mean you will be.
So you are suggesting that a foreign visitor try their luck with the law. Great advice. I'm sure if he gets stopped he can just mention your name and be on his way.
That sort of obnoxious sarcasm really isn't necessary.
You yourself pointed out that there are a large number of 'random laws that can apply to you at any given moment.' Since that is the case, I suggested that individuals who behave considerately and responsibly are less likely to have one of these 'random laws' applied to them by the police.
I cover more miles per week on a bike than in my car, and I take to the pavement when I believe it would be safer than staying on the road. I have never been stopped by a police officer while doing so.
The law referenced by Rule 64 of the Highway Code was passed in 1835 and prohibits riding on footpaths. However, it was talking about horse riding - the pedal cycle wasn't invented until the 1860s.
It was updated in the 90s to specifically include bikes. There was quite a lot about it in the news. They mandated helmets too, and working lights at night. I know a few people who have been stopped on those points.
Wrong. That was a new law, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (1989). And helmets are
not compulsory in the UK.
Whilst on the subject of obscure British laws regarding cycling, it is an offence to ride "in a wanton and furious manner"
section 35 of the Offences against the person act, 1861. It is still in force.
I would also recommend that you use any mode of transport other than cycle in London. Whilst towpaths along the canal are ok, the sight of a colleague arriving at work one morning after he'd been pulled from the canal by a nearby fisherman caused us much entertainment until the smell started to permeate the lab.
In order to save unwary visitors from being hauled in front of the magistrates, here are some other illegal things to avoid doing while in London:
http://youtu.be/rJGifTou5FE
Whilst on the subject of obscure British laws regarding cycling, it is an offence to ride "in a wanton and furious manner"
section 35 of the Offences against the person act, 1861. It is still in force.
I would also recommend that you use any mode of transport other than cycle in London. Whilst towpaths along the canal are ok, the sight of a colleague arriving at work one morning after he'd been pulled from the canal by a nearby fisherman caused us much entertainment until the smell started to permeate the lab.
Yep - that's the usual way you will be caught for speeding on a bike. 'Wanton and furious manner'
As for the pavement issue - there are several pavements along the A4 near heathrow which aren't cycle paths but have specific areas where cycling is allowed and sections where it is not. Seems obvious to follow the directions on the road.
In order to save unwary visitors from being hauled in front of the magistrates, here are some other illegal things to avoid doing while in London:
http://youtu.be/rJGifTou5FE
That was absolutely hilarious.
Being drunk in a Pub !!