Cozy drama set in August 1961 BERLIN
Your chance to win three great books set in London – plus a limited edition Tracey Emin tote bag!
15th February 2015
London is one of the greatest cities in the world to visit – and we are very proud to offer this brilliant prize in our competition this month. The three books that you can win are:
1. Capital by John Lancaster. ‘Effortlessly brilliant – hugely moving and outrageously funny’ – Observer. ‘A treat to read’ – The Times. The residents of Pepys Road, London – a banker and his shopaholic wife, an elderly woman dying of a brain tumour, the Pakistani family who run the local shop, the young football star from Senegal and his minder – all receive an anonymous postcard with a simple message: We want what you have. Who is behind it? What do they want?
2. city-lit London – an anthology edited by Heather Reyes. The London edition of the famous city-lit series. ‘This treasure trove of a book consists of a diverse collection of literary excerpts that provide a unique way to explore the ever-changing landscape of the city, through the voices of those who know it intimately’ – Rachel Lichtenstein. Includes extracts from the works of Will Self, Monica Ali, Alan Bennett, Dostoyevsky, and, even Barbara Cartland – writing about a West End ball.
3. The Murder bag by Tony Parsons. ‘A relentless plot, evocative prose and compelling (and wrenching) portraits of the characters, good and evil, conspire to make this a must-read’ – Jeffery Deaver. There’s a serial killer on the loose. He roams the streets of London, cutting the throats of the rich and powerful. No one knows who he is or how to stop him. Until now. Detective Max Wolfe is on his trail…
To win all three great books set in London – plus a fabulous limited edition Tracey Emin tote bag commissioned for the Books Are My Bag nationwide campaign to celebrate UK bookshops – all you have to do is complete the Comments box below with your top recommendations for enjoying a weekend break in London. The competition closes at midnight (UK time) on Tuesday, 24th February – and the winner will be the first person out of the hat on Wednesday 25th.
Good luck!
The TripFiction Team
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Thank you very much. I cannot wait to receive my books and bag 🙂
Our congratulations to Julie Booth who was first out of the hat this morning. She wins the three books and the Tracey Emin tote bag!
Shopping in Walthamstow Market with a Manzies pie and mash for lunch, followed by a tour of Highgate Cemetery West ( soak in the gothic atmosphere), A trip to see Wicked followed by supper at The Jamie Oliver take out in Shaftesbury Avenue and eat at the tables and chairs outside and watch the World go by. xx
The History Museum is great.
I am reading these tips as I am going to London in May for the first time for my birthday. Tips so far is plan. Look at not just the tourist places but little out of the way places on blogs etc that people recommend. Also save plenty of money so you can really enjoy everything
Go for pie, mash and eels in a traditional ‘shop’ to sample genuine London fare… Before they unfortunately disappear fast!
Plan your stay decide what you want to do don’t try and do too much enjoy a show book ahead and get an oyster card.
Plan your day carefully, don’t try and take in everything or you’ll end up not enjoying anything to the max. Top off the day with a meal and a show and start thinking when you can come back again!
Have things booked up ie theatre .Your time goes if you just wonder about deciding where to go
best way to explore London is to take a hop on hop off bus and you get the added bonus of a river cruise fab at night
splash out on a posh hotel, see a show and visit the V and A and take in the fashion.
Watch the changing of the Guard, from horseguards to Buckingham Palace – doing an organised walk gives you lots of interesting information.
A picnic in St James Park – weather permiting and then some retail therapy in Oxford and Regent Street.
A good pair of shoes. A packed lunch and the book of London Walks that takes you through the historic back alleys of London you wouldn’t know were there.
A must-visit is Camden Lock, North London, for the markets and vintage clothes, then hop on the tube, get off at Hampstead, walk across to Parliament Hill, and look at the amazing city of London from the top of the hill!
I would advise people to stop and watch the world a little, be in a street performer, antics in the park or just everyone else rushing about. It gives you a real sense of the city
get a good hotel near a tube so you can easily get around!
My tip is do your research online first – if you’re going to ticketed attractions or eating out, there are ALWAYS vouchers and deals you can take advantage of. And that means more money spare to explore the boutiques of Covent Garden!
South Bank, Convent Gardens and a trip to Strawberry Moons!
I met my Husband in London, we had the perfect date! We started off at The Fine Burger Company @ The Circle, St Pancras International,then we bought some supplies and sat in Hyde Park, and finished the evening at Bodo’s Schloss, it was amazing, the drinks were expensive as heck so I couldn’t afford to eat for a month after, but delicious, they have turned the place into a fun ski themed place, and even serve one of the cocktails in an old ski boot! V. Posh but rather fun!
Enjoy a walk along the South Bank and take in the atmosphere.
My favourite place – so much to see and do in London. I love a stroll along the South Bank, seeing all the sights. Can’t beat Covent Garden too for the shops and the street entertainment.
Do lots of planning in advance and don’t try to do too much. Leave some free time in between.
Make sure you know what you want to do, we spend half out time wandering and wasting time when we go to London.
Go to the British Museum on a friday for late night opening its abit quieter then
I thoroughly recommend a trip along The Thames to see the best that London has to offer. Don’t forget a great book for the journey!
#Wear comfy shoes and plan a route that involves all you want to see
Do the markets! Head to Borough Market and be sure to enjoy a sausage roll from Ginger Pig and a grilled cheese sandwich from Kappacasein. Go to the Spitalfields Market and definitely check out the guy who makes jewellery, cufflinks and more from old computer PCBs. And definitely visit Brick Lane, where you’ll find a fantastic market with people selling a variety of bric a brac, and shops selling some of the best bagels in London!
Comfy shoes and a coat with a outside pocket. So you can do lots of walking to see the sights and if you need to get the tube the outside pocket means you can quickly grab your travel card.
go to the muesums which are mainly free the dungeons are also worth seeing
I think that you need to have an itinerary when you are in London to get the most out of your trip. Google to see where there are special offers before you go.
So Ho is a must
My top recommendations for London are:
– Chinatown (can find a cheap meal, worth a walk round even if you don’t plan on eating though).
– London Eye. Pricey, but lovely views!
– Wed night – ‘Let Them Eat Gak’ at the Rhythm Factory, nr Aldgate East tube – free entry, cool bands and/or open mic nights.
– Brick Lane – Indian restaurants, cool trendy vibe now, near Rhythm Factory
– Walk round Highgate Cemetery – spot the famous graves
– Visit National Portrait Gallery. Love it!
– Don’t forget Greenwich. Beautiful park, Cutty Sark, markets, and look out for a little basement jazz club near the theatre (next to the Spread Eagle restaurant).
I love going to Covent garden 🙂
first off make sure you have comfy shoes on if first time to london i recomend one of the bus tours you can get on and off at different atractions! vist the museums there free and the changing of the guards is a must also take time out from the hustle and bussel in one of the parks also covent garden is worth a vist they have free to watch street prefomers but if shy be carefull they don’t rope you in x
go to the zoo – it’s amazing
Wear comfy shoes and walk everywhere you’ll discover all kinds of secret delights that way.
Plan everything in advance to fit as much in as reasonably possible. Get there early.
Have lunch at borough market, then take a stroll down the South Bank, taking time to look round the Tate (for free) and then treat yourself to taking in the view from the Millenium Wheel. In the evening head to the West End for a bargain Pre Theatre meal and cocktails, before seeing a show.
Remember to take an umbrella, wear comfy shoes, buy an oyster card and maps. Follow your interests and remember to refuel often.
Take your time to stop and stare, look up and down and all around, you’ll be surprised with all those little details in the big city.
Look up a good London walk to take in the sights, visit Borough Market for food & Portobello market for gifts, see a show if you can fit it in & best of all see London by night on the London eye.
i would go to borough market then get bus to the southbank and wander round there. Then next day has to be the west end exploring all the back streets and discovering some of the old shops that are still there u just need to discover them
Combine Hyde Park with the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum and then dinner in Kensington.
get the tour bus hop on and use this for transport as well as sightseeing
Use the Tube only at the start and end of the day – you see far more of London by walking.
Walk early in the morning as the City awakens. And, finally, always look up as well as around – you will be amazed by what most people miss!
walk around all the sights, don’t get the tube. They’re all close together (much closer than they look on the underground map) and you see so much more of London that way. Go early at a weekend and you see a different side of the city.
I love going to the British Museum. Also wandering around covent garden, seeing a show and trying different restaurants.
Take a trip on the London Eye
A walk along the Southbank and then dinner at SushiSamba admiring the view over London
i love walking down the thames
I just love exploring in London, and my plan is not to have a plan. Just pick a starting point and wander, pop down unknown streets, visit small museums and anything else which takes your fancy. Lots of breaks for morning coffee, a leisurely lunch, the theatre and an after show dinner. What else would you want to do?!!!
spend some time in covent garden just taking in the atmosphere
Rent bikes and cycle along Regent’s Canal from Little Venice all the way to East London. Grab lunch at the Towpath cafe en route. Check out the John Soames museum and have yourself a good time.
If the weather is okay sit by the river and just chill out people watching.
Make the most of the museums – there is so much fascinating stuff to see in the V & A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum that you could spend a weekend in each!! Also take the time to enjoy some street artists in Covent Garden 🙂
London Eye, West End, Dinner@Shard, Top Hotel – amazing weekend! 🙂
The London Eye at night is magical.
Really enjoyed the cabinet war rooms
Lunch in Leon, wander around Southbank and the galleries then cocktails at White Lyan.
try a bit of comedy 🙂
At the moment, I’ve been waiting to go for a while so not up to scratch, but my perfect weekend would be a Harry Potter studio tour then the following morning a visit to Borough Market followed by a bookshop and then a lazy afternoon tea with my new purchases!
Had a great weekend in September – visited St Pauls, Buckingham Palace, the Tower – all the touristy things and the highlight Kate Bush concert
Tower of London
Pop into a pub for a warm, flat beer…it’s tradition. And stop whatever you are doing at 4PM and sit down for a cup of tea (with milk) with the rest of the U.K.
Plan your visit. research places to eat. Visit Borough Market and eat a Bacon butty.
PLAN YOUR TRIP BEFOREHAND, FAR TOO MANY THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN A WEEKEND, CHECK OUT TRIP ADVISOR FOR IDEAS AND SPEAK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, WELL ORGANISED AND WELL PLANNED WILL MAKE IT AMAZING
So much to see and do for free. Avoid the touristy areas except Covent Garden is OK. If it is raining- do the free museums and art galleries. If it is sunny, there are lots of beautiful parks to see. I do recommend Hyde Park. The South bank is brilliant for live entertainment and great shops and cafes- visit the British Film Institute book shop.
I love climbing up to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for the fantastic views
things to do in London?
Go to Portabello Road, eat in one of the many resturants, walk down to hyde park then the muesums and have lunch in kings road. Go to west end and china town/soho. Rest or go out to one of the cocktail bars (like Roadhouse).
Next day go explore North London like Islington, Camden, regent’s park, the small side streets there OR east London and go Brick Lane and the muesums there like Childhood muesum or Tower of London 🙂
Visit all museums and of course bookstores!
Do the free things! Nat Hist Museum, Sci Museum, V&A, the Royal Parks are gorgeous and have a wide variety of people and entertainment!
Cram in as much as possible – there’s always 100’s of things going on, besides the main well know attractions. Markets, galleries and exibitions, shows, walking tours, comedy clubs ect. Have a look on a what’s on site before you go, you’re sure to find some gems.
I would recommend starting at South Kensington, doing the museums and working your way through to Trafalgar Square. That way you can have some great food, dip into the luxury stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Masons and end up at the major art galleries. You can even top it up with a show, and can walk the whole way, saving some money for the delights on the way!
Drink at Crobar – Metal pub
Eat at Polpo – Beak Street
& Walk the streets!
Go to the museums, have afternoon tea and shop til, you drop. Take time out in the London parks. Really need a long weekend to do it all justice…
Go to the Tower!
I always try to have a plan worked out and make the most of every minute there!
Do the colourful South Bank, Borough Market and View from the Shard
Walk through as many and as much of the London Parks as possible – a great way to spend a day
I have not visited London in 40 years! So I’m taking all the advice from other comments for a visit next summer 🙂
I love walking through the Royal Parks – especially Hyde Park and indulging in afternoon tea in a hotel facing the park afterwards
Take the bus and avoid the tube. The tube is quick but you miss out on seeing so much of London. Even better, bring comfy shoes and walk because there is so much to see.
Borough market is brilliant for food as is Spitalfields.
My favourite place has to be Kew Gardens (although I think this is technically outside of London). It is just so so beautiful in the summer and you feel like you are 1 million miles away from London!
Camden Lock and Camden Market all day long. Its the best place ever.
Walk a lot to enjoy the sights and take time to sit in Hyde Park to read a good book.
Stout shoes and plasters if anything goes wrong!
Spend some time in the Royal Parks. Beautiful in any season!
lovely meal followed by westend show
Flat shoes, oyster card, and good company to see the sites
Unless you’re in a real hurry, London is best enjoyed on foot – lots of the best attractions are very close to one another – so wear some comfortable shoes and don’t forget your camera!
A boat ride on the Thames.
Wander around Borough Market in the morning and get as many free food samples as you can. Head up to The Shard for a view over London. Stop off for lunch at The Punch Tavern pub on The Strand and stay for a beer or two. The Galleries will be busy so try a quieter one – Victoria Miro or The White Cube in Bermondsey. See a show in the evening – Made in Dagenham or Bad Jews will do.
Do the Harry Potter Walking Tour – it’s wonderful!
Go around the markets for a bargain. Browse in the bookshops, visit a gallery and then go to a show. Cheap and exciting.
Wear sensible shoes and light warm clothing for all weathers.
A must for me is a trip along the Thames by boat followed by an afternoon cream tea, In the evening I go to one of the wonderful shows on offer.
A walk along the Thames and over the most iconic of bridges – stopping off at a good book shop and cafe.
I really enjoyed walking and using the buses to get around as you see a lot more that way
Take the time to walk from place to place rather than use the tube. The distances are much shorter than you think and you’ll see lots of London life as you go around!
A trip to Camden Food Market is a must
The best way to enjoy London is in the spring when all the trees are green and you can enjoy walking all over the place, as the best way to see it is on foot. Head over to east London’s spitalfields market for some great shopping, there are lots of vintage finds to be had and the street food is highly recommended. My favourite at the moments is St Johns Bread and Wine, the sourdough donuts are a treat. There are great sights all around London, but parliament square has an array of impressive buildings including Big Ben and the houses of Parliament as well as Westminster abbey (get there early to avoid the queues). If you’re looking for some peace and quiet from the busy streets, head to one of the many green spaces, my favourite is St. James park, you can watch the Pelicans being fed at set times throughout the day.
Must see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy theatre- Don’t forget the champers during the break… Round off the evening with a night at the Savoy make sure you stay for breakfast… Take you swimming costume- there is a spa and pool on the third floor; although it is not obvious. Check out is at 12 so plenty of time for a quick dip before going back to the real world!!!
A trip to the weird and wonderful Ripley’s Odditorium is a must. No visit to London is complete without a three headed sheep, the most tattooed lady and the Beatles made out of chewing gum!
Got to wear comfortable shoes x
Take up geocaching! Geocaching is a world-wide treasure hunt based on the web. It’s free and will take you to some amazing, off the beaten track places you would never find yourself. Great for enthusing kids about spending a day walking around…you could take in the sound sculpture at the BBC Headquarters at Broadcasting House, Paddington Bear, canals and Dickensian streets, discover haunted pubs and hidden gardens. You can play at being your own Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street. (www.geocaching.com)
Take time out in your busy weekend for a break in a unique cafe, previously a Victorian toilet! The Attendant (www.the-attendant.com) is complete with original porcelain urinals turned into tables (yes, really), has really friendly staff who serve wonderful coffee and fab cakes 7 days a week. You’ll never have had coffee anywhere quite like it!
Walk, walk and walk. Imagine you’re in Dickensian London round Temple and sit by the fountain a while; dodge joggers along the South Bank; feed pigeons; divert into every mini-park and green space you pass; look up at the architecture; count up as many statues as you can find; eat food from a country you’ve never visited; listen to a busker and give them a quid; buy a second-hand book and read it on the train home.
To enjoy a good weekend in London or elsewhere, you need to go to the nearest bookshop!
Buy a burger at borough market and enjoy the sheer number of different and fabulous foods.
Watch the changing of the guard, touristy but fabulous.
Sit next to a lion in Trafalgar Square.
Peruse the food hall at fortnum and mason and ponder on who has the money to actually shop there.
People watch in Hyde or Green park with a take away coffee (this is breathe time away from too much hustle and bustle)
Go and watch a performance at the open air theatre in Regent’s Park.
Wander around Westminster and be amazed at the beautiful buildings and sense of history.
Then go home for a bit of space, peace and tranquility.
Xx
Firstly buy one day Oyster card from any Tube station before hand. After that, take the Tube to the Piccadilly Circus Underground station, which is a famous street junction. Then walk to Chinatown for Chinese restaurants. Then walk to Leicester Square, to buy cheap tickets of theater. Then walk down St. Martin’s Street until you reach Trafalgar Square. Then visit the National Gallery you have time, then walk across the Westminster Bridge to see the Thames River or for a Thames River Ride. Or you can go for the London Eye and Shard! Now go all the way back across the Westminster Bridge to go to Westminster Abbey. From here, walk till St. James’s Park- the oldest park in London and is on the way to Buckingham Palace. Through the park, go to Buckingham Palace.
Take a walk along the South Bank, picnic in St James’ Park/Hyde Park, join in one of the “London Walks” (google it). See the musical “Les Miserables” – absolutely the best musical ever! Wander round the free museums, and Covent Garden. Limit the number of very touristy places you visit – very expensive and very crowded. Enjoy the variety that is London.