Worst Places to Visit in London (without a malware link!)

perhaps the OP could mention that this is a copy of somebody else's words

Sorry Nigel, I was assuming that everyone would have seen the previous post.

Whilst they are not my words I do agree with the great majority of them. My only comment was that whilst Brick Lane itself is not what it was and is not the place to go for a curry, the general area is interesting, a good economic area to stay and Spitalfields next to it is good for shopping and eating.

I think you could add the London Eye. Will admit that I have avoided it on half dozen or more trips to London, but to pay that much (25 to 45 GBP) for a view and a twirl on the wheel, it seemed wise to avoid.

Luckily none of the above are places that I have on my list to see. I especially agree about Piccadilly Circus. I found that out on my first trip to London back in 1996.

I'm assuming that point #1 about the Camden Market is specifically talking about the market and not the neighbourhood in general. I liked the area. Highlights for me was seeing the apartment building that Charles Dickens lived in in 1823 when he was still a boy. Apparently he used this home as the setting for Tiny Tim's home in A Christmas Carol. The other thing that made an impression on me was a block of buildings from the 1800's at each end, but the middle of the block was post WW2 because it had been turned to rubble due to bombings during the war. It's the first time that I'd noticed that in London and made the war seem more real.

The market was crowded and if I remember correctly it was like a rat maze inside. But we felt very much like we were in London because we didn't notice a lot of tourists.

London Dungeon: It's more of a theme park experience than a historical attraction ...

Since that is what it is marketed as, alongside the other Merlin attractions in the same area it shouldn't be that surprising. In its very early days up to the mid 1980s it was somewhat more educational but it was always more of the Horrible Histories type than seeking accuracy. It has been an "experience" for decades, ever since it stopped being free flow walk through. Was more atmospheric in its old location though.

Over decades of London visits have been to all with the exception of the London Dungeon and the HP platform at Kings Cross.

Firm believer in freedom of choice though. If someone chooses to visit the Dungeon who am I to ask why?

When first timers ask me what are must sees and what to avoid I answer; See: theatre, Parliament Square, St Pauls, Tower of London, Bletchley Park, walk along the Thames Path, Harrod’s Food Hall, Greenwich, Highgate Cemetery, Liberty and enjoy a London Walk www.walks.com

What to avoid? Nothing. It’s London.

However, I do advise if truly wanting to see the Changing of the Guard at the Palace then stand at the intersection of Spur Road at Birdcage Walk and watch the Tower Guards band march from their barracks to the Palace.

I also advise to enjoy a pub lunch. Recommending such pubs as The Dove, The White Cross, Bank of England, Ye Olde Mitre and The Haven Arms. Each one in different London neighborhoods.

Of course anyone can go and do anything they want to as long as it's legal. But time and again we get asked on forums both what to see and see itineraries with the places above listed. There is not much point in having a forum for travel advice and people not being prepared to say what they wouldn't do as well as what they should.

Next June I'm returning to London for a month, the first time since 2002 (or 2003?). I'll be hitting most of it on the list (not the Dungeon, the Platform or the Ripper thingy). According to the criteria above, every popular city contains numerous sites and areas which should be avoided. As Yoggi Berra might have said, "Nobody goes down Oxford Street anymore. There's too many people."

The only reason I visit Camden Market is for a glorious restaurant called The Cheese Bar--I wandered the market once and that was enough for me. Oxford Street cannot be avoided if one makes a ritual pilgrimage to Liberty as I am wont to do, and there's a lovely pub called The Clachan nearby as well as John Lewis down the street...though I do love Covent Garden for the antiques market on Mondays, the London Transport Museum and the nearby book shops. If I stay at Baileys Hotel then I inevitably end up having at least one meal in my room or Hyde Park picnic from the fabulous food hall at Harrod's...and then there's the candy hall.

Liberty is on Regent St, not Oxford so it’s perfectly possible to miss the latter.

This is an American expat in London who vlogs vigorously and constantly, and she has several videos about what to avoid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8JeYdsujtE

And yes avoid Leicester Square unless you're going to the theater, popped up from the Tube on a Saturday night and it was standing room only. Like Times Square on NYE.

I'd definitely still recommend Camden Market to most visitors. Yes, there's a lot of repetition between stalls, selling the same bongs / Che Guevara t-shirts / baggy tie-dye pants etc. but there's still more than a handful of artisan makers selling interesting bits and bobs.

The choice of street food is second only to Borough Market, and there's more places to sit.

On a nice day there's a cool scene of people hanging out by the Regents Canal from Camden Lock down. Bars around Camden Lock are a good place to enjoy a pint outdoors.

It isn't as authentically rock n' roll as it was 25 or 30 years ago. The stretch of the High Street from the tube station up to the market is like "Goth Blackpool".

Camden itself is an interesting, thriving borough. Lots of history, diverse geographically and demographically.

A fun way to get there is the 88 bus. It passes many central London landmarks before going to Camden.