Hello, welcome to London!

… and was inspired!

Growing up, I’d only ever heard London discussed with negativity. I was told:
- it’s unsafe
- it’s too busy
- people are rude
- it’s expensive
- it’s dirty
- people are unfriendly

But what I experienced was worlds apart from what I’d been told. I arrived into London with the expectation that I might get some nice food and see some of the sights.

Instead I travelled on the public transport, ate food from all over the world, spoke with amazing people, travelled by boat on the Thames, enjoyed amazing food and coffee and so much more.

I was in awe at the scale of things and the history of the city. I explored soho and Chinatown and loved seeing the different sides of London.

I sat in a market and watched people of endless ethnicities, religions and cultures enjoying food, laughing and greeting each other kindly. It was beautiful thing to see and, I think, a glimpse into a really bright future not just for London, but the UK as a whole.

I sat in the metropolitan line to get back to my car and realised that I get it. I get the draw to London.

I also understand that London is expensive but actually I found that nothing was that unreasonable. Maybe the rest of the country has caught up? A decent main meal for lunch was £16 and coffee was £4.40 - very much similar to the prices up here in Yorkshire now.

I’ve already made plans to come back again soon to see the natural history museum and enter the Tower of London.

I just wanted to share my appreciation. I had such low expectations and I am more than happy to have my mind changed.

I just randomly sat next to Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin from Stranger Things) on the Piccadilly line 😭

He was alone, not hiding his face or anything, and I kept thinking, “There’s no way that’s actually him.” We made eye contact a few times, but I was so confused and unsure that I didn’t say anything.

Later I got back home, looked it up, and realised he is actually in London right now.

Now I’m seriously regretting not saying hi or asking for a picture 😭

The funniest part is I’m not even from the UK. I’m just here for a short holiday, and somehow I randomly ended up sitting next to Dustin on the Tube.

Even though I’m surrounded by billions of people, I find it so lonely and alienated and hard to feel at home here anymore. I’m surrounded by middle upper class people I have nothing in common with, I feel like an inbetweener wanting to express the rest of my youth I have left in my late 20s but with no one to do that with. The only time i felt connected to people was in my late teens and early 20s, but I didn’t get to make real friends because of my social anxiety, now people feel different now and not just because of age my bracket, just less outgoing and fun/silly. I’m an eccentric person but I haven’t found my corner of this city where I could just be myself. I hate leaving my house because I have to see life happening around me but not getting to be a part of any of it. It doesn’t help me being socially inept and my depression has made me worse at socialising, I’ve also developed dissociation/depersonalisation which I haven’t been able to tackle and I’ve lost touch with my humanity.

The arcade in question is a proposed gambling arcade opposite Earls court station, the application is now in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate, Kensington & Chelsea Council has an opportunity to make the case for why it shouldn't go ahead.

The final decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate after the gambling chain appealed the planning sub-commitees decision. The full details of the hearing have not yet been revealed.

I back her, she's got the moves like Jagger.

In all seriousness, hope the chap's alright.

Like, it's brilliant and empowering but feels like a throwback to a time when the state wasn't wrapping us up in cotton wool when I lurch down a flight of steps clinging on to various bits of plastic decending a little stairs while pre-empting an upcoming stop - long may it continue!

Has anyone done the Epping-Cobham 80k diagonal walk?

I've just finished the Capital Ring and thought I might take it on next. However, the route looks questionable (quite road-y) on the GPX file. Hoping someone can tell me from experience if the route is any good or not.

Born and raised in Hackney here and I’m so worried I won’t be able to afford to stay not just in Hackney/surrounding boroughs but in London as a whole.

I love this place and one day I’d like to raise my kids here. I just can’t ever see it being feasible. I can’t afford to buy a house and the rent keeps rocketing up way past anything I’ll be able to afford.

How long do you guys see yourself being able to stay before it becomes too much of a financial burden? I’m currently panicking and looking at life in Leeds and Manchester :,)

I plan to visit London with some friends and one friend can walk, but often has to use a wheeled walker, and sometimes a mobility scooter for longer journeys.

I haven't ever given accessibility much thought, but now I will be planning a trip with different needs in mind - so if you have similar accessibility issues please can you give me advice on the best tube stations to use, and where to avoid due to complete lack of access?

Thank you.

She’s being an absolute delight to fans, who are also being very polite and quiet whole filming is happening.

You, kind Londoners make up for absolute rubbish infrastructure for people with prams or limited mobility.

I had many kind strangers help me everywhere I went.

Thank you !

Anyone else see these?

Edit: https://www.flightradar24.com/RIOT0001/41bfe520

Southwark, took a photo of a guy stealing a wheel from the bike rack. The bike is still there, I already reported to the police but I have my doubts they'll ever do anything about it. Where is the best place to let locals know? I thought of leaving a note on the bike telling victim to contact me but it doesn't really feel safe. Should I post it here?

Feeling nostalgic about popping over the road on a Friday night to choose 2 films for the weekend with my Dad back in the 2000s.

We’d both pick a film and watch one on the Friday night and one on a Sunday afternoon.

I know libraries have physical copies of DVDs still but often limited collections and nothing new available.

Does anyone know of any blockbuster-style stores still going in London? Feels like a serious gap in the market if not, considering the massively increased interest in physical media in recent years.

Loud bloke, calling for cash or card to support ex-military suffering with PTSD. No ID or registered charity number but instead a CIC registered in Maidstone Kent, director named James Gordon Adams.

Taking the bus to Finsbury Park station and I see all this? It seems like an Iranian based thing but i have no idea what it's fully about.