Question about London buses

The 94 will take you to Piccadilly Circus then take the 15 from Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill- it's one bus fare if you board the 15 within 60 minutes of boarding the 94.

Or the 148 takes you to Victoria, then Westminster and almost Waterloo before going on to Elephant and Castle and Camberwell in south east London. Get off on the far side of Westminster Bridge, explore the South Bank then cross back over on the footbridge of the Railway Bridge to Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square then the 94 back.

That is two options.

Or off the 148 at Westminster then walk up Whitehall (or Horseguards) to Trafalgar Square, down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, then either round to Victoria, or down Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch for the 148 back, or the 19 or the 38 to Covent Garden and Oxford Street.

See this central London bus map- https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

Agree!! 148 and 94 got me most places from Lancaster Gate and are great for sight seeing. I liked taking the 148 across Westminster Bridge and walking back.

Good advice on busses to take from Lancaster Gate. If you can try to sit up top in the front seats. Nearly floor to ceiling windows provide a lovely POV.

Do hope you are enjoying 63.

Have you tried Tudkin yet? Walked into Hyde Park up to the Lido cafe for coffee and a nosh? Theatre? Had pub grub at The Victoria Paddington pub? A Pleasant 15 minute amble from 63.

FYI there’s a fabulous production called Frank and Percy with Sir Ian McLellan and Roger Allum on stage now. If you’ve watched the TV show Endeavour, Roget Allum portrayed Inspector Thursday.

Keep us up to date as you continue to enjoy London.

Thanks folks.

I think that we will try the 148 for this evening. She has some problem with walking too much just like myself

Claudia, I have already eaten at The Lido twice and today an Italian Deli in the park.

As well as the Hopper fare, if you only use buses on a particular day, the cap is £5.25.

My friend chose 94 bus.

We walked around, went to Piccadilly Circus, also walked to the West End and Old Bond Street

Old Bond Street was very impressive.

We got lost and took the tube home

So now I have taken the bus as well as used the tube

Bravo.

What theatre productions have you seen?

Been to Liberty yet?

Any street markets?

How was the Italian place in Hyde Park?

Claudia

We went to an Italian Deli just as you enter Kensington Gardens

It was good and while expensive, less expensive than other places. We each had an individual pizza

I had a decent cup of coffee there

I have eaten at The Lido twice. Good food but expensive.

And I have eaten at a very good Korean Restaurant which was also very expensive, iit was close to the Malaysian Restaurant that you or someone else recommended

The cost of food is outrageous

I had a Bento Box at the Korean Restaurant and it was like 17 pounds

I had a delicious hamburger and fries at Lido Cafe and it was like 14 pounds

My friend and I stopped in at Five Guys in the West End yesterday. They wanted like 9 1/2 pounds for a hamburger and we left. And the wanted like 6 1/4 pounds for a shake

My friend and I did so much yesterday and today that I can not remember all we did. We are both bad with directions and got lost trying to get home both days

The cost of food is outrageous

Genuine question: is Austin that much cheaper after tax and tip? Wondering because I was shocked by food costs in New England this summer (prices were worse than what you quote), but if Texas is cheaper I might want to visit!

Five Guys is a bit of treat for me. I budget about £20 these days for a burger, fries and a drink there. You do get a lot of calories for your money though!

I actually think these prices are not too bad for London prices, and not that far out of line with UK prices generally.
And yes here the price you see is the price you pay. No 20% or whatever tax to add on, then a further 15 to 20% tip, even for a takeout.
The first time I saw Five Guys (in Harrogate) I thought their prices were steep. But it is an American Diner, and in Harrogate, so not altogether surprising.

We don't really talk in quarter and half currency pounds in the UK. 25 pence, 50 pence etc here.

Getting a little bit lost is part of the fun of London, I think.
That's how you find the unexpected treasures.
As long as you manage to find your way out of the maze eventually.

No really applicable to bostonphil's situation in central London, but your local chicken shop is the cheapest place to get hot food in London. Even in today's economy, there's still many choices of chicken-based meals for a fiver (£5 / $6.14) and small pizzas with three (halal) toppings start at £3. Not haute cuisine, but ubiquitous.

I am really enjoying your posts! I've stayed in the Lancaster Gate/Bayswater area a couple of times - of course the last time was in 2001!

The Italian Deli in Kensington Gardens is called Italian Gardens Cafe,

Edit. And the Asian restaurant is Ozuki Sushi and Pan Asian Cuisine

Good atmosphere at both places as well

Besides getting lost it does sound like you’re well fed. Seems weather has been pleasant enough.

Did you get to the Victoria Paddington?

Good atmosphere, good pub grub and only 10-15 minutes from 63.

Seen a theatre production?

Thanks for the update on the Lido cafe.

Claudia

I believe that I may have put on weight. Toda I ate at V & A. You may have told me that all or most of the museums have cafes

Have not had pub food yet but 63 is right next door to a pub,

Weather is turning cold

isn31c

You are right that I am not paying for tax or tip when I eat here.

But I realize that when home, I seldom go out to eat. And when I do, I usually go with a friend who treats me

That may explain why I am so shocked by the cost of eating out

Balso

I realize that you are correct. When I eat here, I do not pay tax or tip , in Austin, I mostly eat at home but the cost of food in groceries is now outrageous when I do go out yo eat, usually friends treat me

That may explain why I am so shocked by the cost of eating out

Have you compared prices in London supermarkets yet, compared to your prices in Austin? Although our prices have gone up a lot, I think you would be pleasantly surprised by our prices, compared to yours.

We do actually tip here in the UK, is a service charge hasn’t been added to the bill, but it’s usually only 10-12%. And if you choose not to tip, the server is not going to make a big deal about it!

IGNORE the Swan Pub next to 63. Mediocre at best for pub grub. Instead walk out the front door of 63 and turn right. Turn left into the mews right before The Swan. Walk up the steps and you’ll see The Mitre across the street. Go there. When you walk in the door veer to the right. Love that area of the pub. Appreciate the etched glass.

OR

Walk out of 63 and turn left. Walk past Lancaster Gate Station to the light at Westbourne Road. Cross with the light onto Stanhope Terrace. Block and a 1/2 away is the Victoria Paddington. Pleasant dining area upstairs. Loved this pub.

Isn31c

I wanted to get to supermarkets but never found the time and or the energy, also I would get so hungry that I would just find a place to eat wherever I was. Yesterday it was at the V & A Museum. It was pretty good

My friend who just loved going and going wanted to take me to a supermarket but I did not have the energy

Today is somewhat my last day here. My cousin is coming to visit. And I leave tomorrow.

Claudia

Today , my cousin is coming to visit and tomorrow I leave. I may have to wait to visit a pub unless he wants to go

But your directions to recommended pubs are clear. If he wants to go to a pub, I will suggest your recommendeds

I’m thinking you went to and enjoyed Tony Page.

Safe travels home.