iPad use in England

You are very welcome. Just did a quick search. Cafe Nero - wifi is free, you just need to need to get a login on their network - which is free to do in the cafe. http://www.caffenero.com/community/wifi.aspx Also, Costa Coffee is upping their ante in the wifi arena. They are getting free wifi installed at all their locations by O2, thanks to the Olympics. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/o2-offer-free-wifi-costa-coffee-shops-uk-updates/ Starbucks in the UK has free wifi with btopenzone. http://starbucks.co.uk/coffeehouse/wireless-internet

As noted plenty of Cafe Neros, Starbucks and Costa Coffees where you can sit and surf. Always best to buy a cuppa though. Cashier will give you the code to get onto the internet. Download the free Skype App and use it to keep in touch with folks back home. Easy Peasy.

Yes, agreed, Claudia. Pop in, have a cuppa and/or a bite to eat while you surf or email.

Your iPad with wifi should work just fine - I dont use 3G, so I am no help on that score. Your issue MAY be access, as free wifi isn't quite as ubiquitous in the UK as it is here at home (or at least, it seems to not be in my experience). All that means is that when you access wifi, you MAY be asked to pay a small fee - depending on where, it may be per hour or for one day. Some places that do have free wifi (the one that comes to mind is Costa Coffee - I'm sure there are others) you may need to get an access password from the counter.

Many thanks Tom. Yes, I realize there may be a slight charge and that's just fine. I've downloaded the. A-Z map and if I can't get that to work in London, were dead! Will bring along the paper copy just in case! The AA maps also never fail. I reckon that all the info that's already downloaded to the iPad will still be accessible ? Is that the case?
The reason I have 3G on the iPad is because we live in the country so are not used to all the suburban/city benefits...that too is just fine!

If the maps are downloaded and installed on the iPad - you are good to go. You'll need wifi/3G for the geo reference stuff (i.e. your location and directions). But if you can read a map, you should be fine.

Thank you so much. I thought that was true about the map but non techies need affirmation! Yes, "the aged" know how to deal with maps and when all else fails..... I looked up free wifi places in London. You ate correct...not many but that's alright. We also speak the language.

Of course, a cuppa always hits the spot and it's oh so rude not to order! Cafe Nero is a new one for us but will keep a look out for them.
Many thanks again to you both. Look as though we are all set.

Using my iPad via wifi in Oxford and earlier in London to reply to the helpline. Pam

Don't know where you are staying but these Costas were great for enjoying the java and a bite to eat while checking emails, uploading photos, etc. Costa on Edgeware Road just down from the Hilton Metropole. Would have loved having free wifi at the Hilton but Daddy Hilton charges nearly $15/day. I'm thinking as a means of saving bail money for daughter Paris. Anyway, The Costa was very comfortable spot with couches, chairs and tables upstairs and downstairs. Costa on Regent's Street was also comfortable and busier. The one on New Row in Covent Garden was my favorite. Enjoyed having a meal at Spreads Cafe across the street. You could even have a pint, if so desired, at the nearby O'Neills.

Claudia,
Thanks so much for that info! I've seen the Costas but never been in...now we will. We usually stay in Kensington but this time have taken a flat near the Tower...rather looking forward to it as we don't know much about that area. Maybe we can find a Costa near the Borough market. Have my handy A-Z!

Not only can you find a Costa near Borough Market, per Costa's website (http://www.costa.co.uk/location-finder/) it even has wifi. Per their website (above link, putting Borough into the search): Costa Coffee Borough 134-138 Borough High Street Borough
London SE1 1LB

Thanks, Tom. Even I can find the high street without the map! That will be a big help. Plan on spending a bit of time in this area as it's really a fun place. Twenty years ago, you would probably have had your throat cut in this area! Yes, I am that old. Can't believe how London has changed over many years although that's what keeps life interesting.

Agree the development and changes in some of London's neighborhoods has been amazing over the years. Ilsington, Southwark, Canary Wharf, Clerkenwell have all evolved. That's why I love traveling to London. Something new and interesting to explore each and every visit. In Borough's Market, great breakfasts at Maria's Market Cafe, and the sandwiches at Hobbs Meat Roast (always a queue) are divine. Then just about everything in the market is fabulous. Don't miss visiting LeadenHall Market either. About 15 mins away. Some shops and stalls have now opened up and do business near the railway arches near Maltby Street. Have fun!

Betsy, you should have no trouble finding a Cafe Nero. They're everywhere.

Costas are everywhere. Free WiFi isn't as prevalent as it is in the states but in three weeks in England and Ireland I don't think we stayed in a hotel or BnB without WiFi. Sometimes it's iffy on the top floor or certain rooms but its there. You just have to get used to doing everything you want to do before you go out. It doesn't really matter for communications home because the time difference makes everything delayed anyway. Our iPad worked great and we barely touched our paper printout back-ups for anything. Printing out things like car reservations can get a little trickier so don't count on that. We would email stuff to a gmail account and then print stuff out at cyber cafe or we paid .10p per page at the library in Stow on the Wold to print out airline confirmations from webmail.

82 London tube stations will offer free wifi during the Olympics.

thanks everyone for all your responses. It's really been helpful. I now know about Costas and Neros. We will certainly take advantage of all your advise. It's lovely to have a site such as this were one can learn so much.

BTW there are pubs with free Wifi. You have to sign up, but no charge. I'm posting from a pub In Ely. Pam