London Concert Advice

[amateur51]

Yes, I echo good wishes for a quick recovery and also birthday greetings to Sir Colin. I thought he was coming upto 84.

He was 85 on 25 September this year, apparently so a belated Happy Birthday and a sincere Get Well Soon, Sir Colin

[salymap]

He was 85 on 25 September this year, apparently so a belated Happy Birthday and a sincere Get Well Soon, Sir Colin

Yes, well. there's two and a half years between us- I remember him doing his National Service.how time flies

[Flosshilde]

I was trying not to mention the age thing. ...

Dave, I think Richard has been to Scotland (see up-thread), but I agree that a railcard is a good buy, if you qualify for one. I travel up & down (or is that down & up?) several times a year, so the savings are considerable.

I also have an Oyster card. I don't know whether it works out cheaper than a day ticket, but it's a lot more convenient - I can get off the train at Euston & go straight onto the underground, without having to queue for a ticket, & I don't have to look for a shop selling day passes before I can use a bus or get on the underground.

[David-G]

Definite recommendation for the Festival Hall. If you go there, be sure to leave time to go up to the outside balcony on Level 5 (I think), which has a commanding and beautiful view across the river. One of my favourite locations in London.

It's easy for you to get to; as people have said, you take the District/Circle Line to Embankment. When you some out through the ticket gates, turn to the right, which takes you out on to the Embankment. Go up the stairs which you will find just outside, and walk across the river to the Festival Hall. The views are beautiful.

The Wigmore Hall is lovely, and has an excellent acoustic. There is a nice restaurant/cafe downstairs; or if you want to be a little more adventurous, you could try the Lebanese "Comptoir Libanais", which is about 100 yards away on the other side of the road (i.e on the south side of Wigmore Street); walk to your right as you come out of the Hall. I always enjoy a meal there. To get to the Wigmore Hall you could take the District/Circle Line two stations to Victoria, change to the Victoria Line, then two stations to Oxford Circus. From there it's not far to the Hall; but you might like to look at Google Maps in advance, so you know where you are going. If you type "Cavendish Square" into Google Maps you will get the right area.

[Dave2002]

I also have an Oyster card. I don't know whether it works out cheaper than a day ticket, but it's a lot more convenient - I can get off the train at Euston & go straight onto the underground, without having to queue for a ticket, & I don't have to look for a shop selling day passes before I can use a bus or get on the underground.

I have an Oyster card, but haven't used it for years. These have evolved somewhat over the years, and now can be used on some of the trains around us. Some stations are not fully equipped yet though, because of on-going disagreements/negotiations between the rail operators and TFL - some have the equipment, but it is not working.

Also, if one is entitled to a Railcard or other benefits, it is also now possible to register Oyster cards for similar concessions. This may not have been possible until fairly recently. Worth doing I suspect.

[MrGongGong]

I think you will find that the oyster card will always be cheaper than any of the other options
if you look how much each trip is costing there comes a point where the machines say £0.00

in Porto they have a card system called Andante , but the transport seems quite fast to me ?

[teamsaint]

I think you will find that the oyster card will always be cheaper than any of the other options
if you look how much each trip is costing there comes a point where the machines say £0.00

in Porto they have a card system called Andante , but the transport seems quite fast to me ?

In Bristol traffic terms, Andante is about as good as it gets.

[Flosshilde]

I think you will find that the oyster card will always be cheaper than any of the other options
if you look how much each trip is costing there comes a point where the machines say £0.00

in Porto they have a card system called Andante , but the transport seems quite fast to me ?

You do have to pay a deposit though (£5 I think when I got mine) which you get back if you hand it in. For someone like Richard though who's staying in central London just for a couple of days, & is possibly not likely to make a return visit for some time, it's probably simpler to stick with the day ticket on the underground & busses.

Dave, I can't register mine for concessions as I don't live in England - at least, I assume I can't as my bus pass isn't valid in England.

[Dave2002]

Dave, I can't register mine for concessions as I don't live in England - at least, I assume I can't as my bus pass isn't valid in England.

Interesting if true. I think it could be worth checking again. The pages I saw suggest that even tourists can get concessions, but maybe the small print rules you out. - maybe not!

[richardfinegold]

Free concert at St Martins today. Young Pianist from Dagastan played Scriabin and Chopin. Wigmore Hall tomorrow.

[french frank]

Wigmore Hall tomorrow.

English Concert, Bicket/Sampson? Mmmmm.........

If you'd been at Wigmore on Monday you'd have been live on Radio 3 - and could have shouted: "Hello, Radio 3 Forum!"
(Small things amuse ... )

[amateur51]

English Concert, Bicket/Sampson? Mmmmm.........

If you'd been at Wigmore on Monday you'd have been live on Radio 3 - and could have shouted: "Hello, Radio 3 Forum!"
(Small things amuse ... )

Mr Gilhooly's bouncers would not have been amused, ff

[David-G]

Free concert at St Martins today. Young Pianist from Dagastan played Scriabin and Chopin. Wigmore Hall tomorrow.

The Wigmore concert sounds excellent. Carolyn Sampson is wonderful, she was in the Fairy Queen at Glyndebourne which I much enjoyed. I don't know if you will see this in time; but if you have time in the afternoon before the Wigmore Hall (or otherwise tomorrow), you might like to visit the Handel House in Brook Street (just off Bond Street, and not far from the Wigmore). It's wonderful to be able to see where Handel wrote all those masterpieces; and separately, it's very interesting to be able to see around a Georgian house of that period.

I do hope you enjoy the concert, and indeed are enjoying your time in London. Did you ever get to McAlister's?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In Bristol traffic terms, Andante is about as good as it gets.

I recall once catching a train from Bristol Temple Meads to Clifton Down. In those days it took 20 minutes. It was almost as quick to walk. Today's High Speed version takes only 13 minutes (so it's still quicker to jog).

[french frank]

I recall once catching a train from Bristol Temple Meads to Clifton Down. In those days it took 20 minutes. It was almost as quick to walk. Today's High Speed version takes only 13 minutes (so it's still quicker to jog).

I'd love to see you jogging up Park Street, EA! Think of Clifton as being roughly at the same level as the suspension bridge and Temple Meads being on a level with the river - that's quite a hill even to walk up.

[That's the lovely little (stopping) Severn Beach line, and Temple Meads to Clifton Down is five stops ...]