London calling

[odin70]

Im going to London on monday. Been there some times before but only for gigs (a day or two) This time im on vaccation. Any recomendations anyone? What to see, do, eat etc..

Ps! Denmark street is already on my list

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by odin70

Im going to London on monday. Been there some times before but only for gigs (a day or two) This time im on vaccation. Any recomendations anyone? What to see, do, eat etc..

Ps! Denmark street is already on my list

Denmark street er kjempe bra, særlig den ene butikken som selger kun brukte bass/ gitar. Du er nok 2 måneder for seint mht til The London Bass Show!

[odin70]

Hvordan er prisene i Denmark street egentlig? Har vært der et par ganger, men jeg husker ikke helt hvordan det var.

[carlos840]

I would as a Londoner tell you to stay away from Denmark street!
All the street is run by the same company now and since they dont have any concurence anymore they get away with selling crap to tourists or beginners at stupid prices!

Go and have a look if you want to but dont expect to find anything, they focus on the entry level gear and charge ridiculous amount for it, are really unfriendly and full of themselves and usually know less about what they are selling that i do!

I havent been there in at least 3 years its that bad!

I would recommend the Bass Gallery in camden, great selection, good prices and very nice guys! Also the home of Sei Basses if you are into this kind of basses...

Enjoy London.

[odin70]

Thanks Carlos. My girlfriend used to live in Camden so i definitely think we are going to visit Bass Gallery

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by odin70

Hvordan er prisene i Denmark street egentlig? Har vært der et par ganger, men jeg husker ikke helt hvordan det var.

Jeg tror at du kan spare en del sammenlignes med prisene i Norge, kanskje 10-15% om ikke litt mer.

[Deathblade Eric]

As Carlos has pointed out, Denmark Street's a bit meh these days. Mostly it's occupied by Music Ground (under several names). Of the independents, Wunjo's are by far the best - really friendly & usually have a good selection of used stuff.

For more bass gear than you'd know what to do with, pop up to The Gallery in Camden.

If you're planning on eating out (& assuming you've got some kind of web access), have a look here:

Local Vouchers, Printable Vouchers & 2 for 1 Offers

Enter the postcode where you're staying & see what's on offer nearby. You'll most likely just have to give an e-mail address to get the vouchers.

What to do/where to go? Loads. Most of the museums are free - I'd recommend both the Science & Natural History museums in South Kensington (you'll have to queue for the dinosaurs, but they're pretty good), the British Museum tucked away off Tottenham Court Road, & the excellent Museum of London over in the City (home to the world's oldest banana!).

Pubs? Hmmm... the ones in the centre aren't cheap, but I'd recommend The Pillars Of Hercules in Greek Street (very near Denmark Street) and the Jerusalem Tavern. Also worth making the trek South of the River to Borough Market, food central. The Market Porter pub is excellent too.

Getting around: Buy an Oyster Card from any newsagent (it'll cost you £5). Add cash to it & then use it on all & any public transport, it's way cheaper than the cash fares.

If you're stuck for something to do on Wednesday night & are feeling adventurous, come & say hello:

The Coach and Horses BLUES JAM - Home page

Straight up the Central Line & get off at Leyton. If you make it I'll buy you a pint

Oh, & the legendary Chas 'n' Dave (If you don't know, just youtube 'em ) are playing the 100 Club on Oxford Street a week tomorrow.

Pete.

[hover]

LOOK KIDS! IT'S BIG BEN! PARLIAMENT!

[odin70]

Thanks Pete! I appreciate it.

When do you start on wednesday? Im gonna see The Wall that day, but i would love to come and hear you after the show. Is the Blues Jam far from O2?

[Deathblade Eric]

Originally Posted by odin70

When do you start on wednesday? Im gonna see The Wall that day, but i would love to come and hear you after the show. Is the Blues Jam far from O2?

Kicks off with the guest player at 9:00pm sharp, jamming from approx 9:30-9:40 to 11 ish, & it's usually all over by 11:30pm or thereabouts coz of the neighbours Last tube back into town is just after midnight.

Links aren't too bad from the O2 in theory...

O2 >> North Greenwich Jubilee Line (Eastbound) >> Stratford, change to the Central Line (still east), 1 stop to Leyton, turn right out of the station & then about a 10 minute walk or a quick bus ride.

According to the O2 website, doors open @ 6:30 - no idea what time it ends though.

Word of warning, the Jubilee Line has been getting a very poor reputation for reliability lately, & if you're staying anywhere central leave a bit early as you'll hit the rush hour & it'll be like a big sweaty sardine tin.

P.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Deathblade Eric

As Carlos has pointed out, Denmark Street's a bit meh these days. Mostly it's occupied by Music Ground (under several names). Of the independents, Wunjo's are by far the best - really friendly & usually have a good selection of used stuff.

For more bass gear than you'd know what to do with, pop up to The Gallery in Camden.

If you're planning on eating out (& assuming you've got some kind of web access), have a look here:

Local Vouchers, Printable Vouchers & 2 for 1 Offers

Enter the postcode where you're staying & see what's on offer nearby. You'll most likely just have to give an e-mail address to get the vouchers.

What to do/where to go? Loads. Most of the museums are free - I'd recommend both the Science & Natural History museums in South Kensington (you'll have to queue for the dinosaurs, but they're pretty good), the British Museum tucked away off Tottenham Court Road, & the excellent Museum of London over in the City (home to the world's oldest banana!).

Pubs? Hmmm... the ones in the centre aren't cheap, but I'd recommend The Pillars Of Hercules in Greek Street (very near Denmark Street) and the Jerusalem Tavern. Also worth making the trek South of the River to Borough Market, food central. The Market Porter pub is excellent too.

Getting around: Buy an Oyster Card from any newsagent (it'll cost you £5). Add cash to it & then use it on all & any public transport, it's way cheaper than the cash fares.

If you're stuck for something to do on Wednesday night & are feeling adventurous, come & say hello:

The Coach and Horses BLUES JAM - Home page

Straight up the Central Line & get off at Leyton. If you make it I'll buy you a pint

Oh, & the legendary Chas 'n' Dave (If you don't know, just youtube 'em ) are playing the 100 Club on Oxford Street a week tomorrow.

Pete.

Well, good to know.
For me, Denmark street was quite nice, where I live in Norway, the closeest shop is 2 hours away...and it is only one store.
But any way, I'll go as well to the Gallery next time

[Musiclogic]

I guess if you are just looking bass related, some good ads so far, but if you haven't really seen London, there is a lot of small interesting things there, and a huge amount of history to be had. Great place to visit, but could never live there. take the time to enjoy some more local culture, the natives are great guides(sometimes) to things you would never find otherwise.

[carlos840]

Originally Posted by odin70

Thanks Carlos. My girlfriend used to live in Camden so i definitely think we are going to visit Bass Gallery

No worries, if you need anything just send me a PM!

[odin70]

The Bass gallery was great! So was the rest of Camden.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by carlos840

I would recommend the Bass Gallery in camden, great selection, good prices and very nice guys!

Not in my experience. There was just one guy there when I visited and he was quite literally VERY unfriendly, almost to the point of being hostile for no reason I could understand at all. I wouldn't spend any money there if was the last shop on Earth. Just my own take, I know others say they have found things very different there. I guess I just caught the wrong guy on the wrong day.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by bassybill

Not in my experience. There was just one guy there when I visited and he was quite literally VERY unfriendly, almost to the point of being hostile for no reason I could understand at all. I wouldn't spend any money there if was the last shop on Earth. Just my own take, I know others say they have found things very different there.

I had the same experince the first ten minutes or so..but after a while i found out that he was a customer When the employee finally turned up everything was fine. He was really nice.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by odin70

I had the same experince the first ten minutes or so..but after a while i found out that he was a customer When the employee finally turned up everything was fine. He was really nice.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit. It sounds like you met a different guy to the one I encountered.

[MJ5150]

If I were going to London, I would go to Jermyn Street and get outfitted with some new dress shirts.

-Mike