[G Enriquez]

I am planning a trip to London next year. I would like to go to a QPR match at Loftus Road. What Airport should i fly in to? Is there anything touristy to do in Shepards Bush? How far is central London from Shepards Bush? I appreciate any info i can get.

[Michael K.]

As I've just gotten home from a trip myself and am feeling completely shot, I'm not up for writing much now, but I'll try and give you some decent answers tomorrow.

[Michael K.]

Originally posted by G Enriquez
I am planning a trip to London next year. I would like to go to a QPR match at Loftus Road.

Are you sure about that?


What Airport should i fly in to?

Whichever. I used to fly into Heathrow a lot, then took to Gatwick when I discovered that the Gatwick Express train is SO much better than suffering through an interminable ride on the Picadilly Line (Underground). However, they've now got an express train from Heathrow to Paddington Station, and that's supposed to be pretty good, so you're in luck.

Is there anything touristy to do in Shepards Bush?

Well, not 'touristy' in the sense of museums and palaces, but it is a GREAT place to go for food, because you've got tons of cheap Middle Eastern, West Indian, and other kinds of ethnic places along the Goldhawk Road and other main drags around there. There's a few good QPR pubs around too. Despite the fact that it looks a little down-at-heel, I don't think you're likely to get into much trouble there.
BBC Television Centre is right around the corner from Loftus Road; despite the fact that I worked there for a while, I'm not sure if you can go for a tour or not; maybe you can get into the studio audience for a show.

How far is central London from Shepards Bush?

Central London is a big place; if you mean Trafalgar Square or Picadilly Circus, it's probably a 10-15 minute tube ride, even though it's a short distance as the crow flies. If you mean other parts of West-Central London like Kensington, Knightsbridge or Earls Court, it's maybe a little closer. I used to live in West Kensington, in the area around Olympia (a convention center on the south side of Holland Park), and it took me 30 minutes or so to walk to Loftus Road.

Where are you staying? What's your budget? There's absolutely no reason to feel bound to staying within eyesight of Picadilly Circus, so that you're in 'Central London' - you can be as far out as Richmond (the southwestern edge of greater London) and be in the center of things after a half hour on the tube, less in a cab.

[G Enriquez]

Where are you staying? What's your budget? There's absolutely no reason to feel bound to staying within eyesight of Picadilly Circus, so that you're in 'Central London' - you can be as far out as Richmond (the southwestern edge of greater London) and be in the center of things after a half hour on the tube, less in a cab. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the info Michael. I am still in the planning stages so, i'm not sure where we'll be staying. I would also like to go to a match at Highbury. I'd like to visit it before they move into their new stadium. I have wanted to visit Loftus Road for a long time. It seems like a fun place to watch a match.

[cardiff27]

don't saty anywhere near shepeherds bush

from heathrow, get the piccadilly, walk around the corner and get tube to goldhawk road. Main qpr boozer 'the goldhawk' next door

any more advice, give us a shout

[Wolves_67]

Just in case you don't know this site, scroll the page from top to bottom and it will tell you a lot. Even info on local transportation and parking, etc.. And you can learn a song to sing before you go, also. It has recomendations on eating and drinking too!
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/qpr.htm

[QPR Kevin H]

Originally posted by cardiff27
don't saty anywhere near shepeherds bush

from heathrow, get the piccadilly, walk around the corner and get tube to goldhawk road. Main qpr boozer 'the goldhawk' next door

any more advice, give us a shout

Rubbish - I've stayed right on Ellerslie Rd in the Bush and it was fine. In fact better than most places I've stayed in London. And the main QPR pub is the Bush Ranger on Goldhawk Rd.

Also, if you're going to Heathrow - take the Express train to Paddington. Then get the tube or a cab from there.

[Atouk]

Hotels:

I stayed elsewhere in London several times, but I've stayed on Shepherds Bush Green the last three times I've gone (hotel at the link below) and have enjoyed it (particularly enjoyed being close to the places I planned on doing way too much drinking!).

http://www.grantlyhotel.activehotels.com/

Singles for 35 pounds per night; doubles 59.
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Things to do:

The BBC Television Centre does do tours:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tours/

You have to pre-book. Adults are 7.95 pounds.

You can also try to get in a studio audience:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/
(note: not all are at the Television Centre)
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Airports:

I agree with the others that your choice of airport won't matter much. If you're going on the cheap, Heathrow is probably better, because you can take the forever-long tube ride out there. If you're taking either the Heathrow or Gatwick Express into town, it won't much matter which airport you take.

http://www.heathrowexpress.co.uk/
22.50 roundtrip from Heathrow to Paddington Station

http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/
21.00 roundtrip from Gatwick to Victoria Station

[Michael K.]

Now would be a great time for someone to pipe up with any cheap NY to London fares they've seen lately. January-February always seems like a good time of year to take an little jaunt over and catch a match or two.

[Atouk]

At the moment, US Airways is showing as low as $436 from DC to Gatwick and $384.50 from NY to Gatwick. That's a good bit higher (around $100 in the case of DC) than the same time in 2001 or 2002.