My first trip to London - help!

[frootloop]

Hiya all,
Its my first trip to the UK and London. I'll be in London for a week from the 10th April 2011. I'll be working so will only really be able to explore after work. Was wondering if anyone could suggest places / things I should see do while there? Anything with a retrogaming / geek bent would be especially welcome. Also, are there any secondhand stores that you could recommend?

Thanks!

[retroshaun]

The arcades in London, like most places, are pretty few and far between these days. Check out the Namco Station in the Embankment area (http://www.namcostation.co.uk/) Theres also the Tracadero in the Piccadilly area (http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/285566) which used to be really awesome but I heard not so much lately - its been years since I was there. Theres a few back street arcades scattered around but mostly filled with fruit machines and a few race/gun games.

Aside from games, what else are you looking to do while there?

[miner2049er]

Somebody else asked me this a while ago and I forgot to reply.

Sorry.

Not gaming related, but there is the Art You Grew Up With gallery near the London Eye. Has loads of stuff like Mr Benn, Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine art (UK TV Shows).

Allegedly a good arcade on Goodge Street that looks bad from the outside but improves on entering, and there's the Cartoon Museum which is near the British Museum that has original artwork from the likes of the Beano, Dandy, 2000 AD, Viz, Sonic the Comic, that sort of thing.

[retroshaun]

Of course you could forgo that lot and visit the plethora of awesome bars London has to offer

[SubaruBrat]

I haven't been in England in about 4 years, although we are looking to head over soon. The imperial war museum is pretty amazing and the Churchill bunker is a must see if your a history minded guy.

As for pubs, The Dog and Duck has been there for almost 300 years, same with the Plough Inn. And I would also suggest the Seven Stars, over 400 years old!

[hiphopcr]

That's cool man! I listen to Rick Steves every week, I would check out his archive of podcasts and listen to some of the England episodes.

[chalksalad]

I'll be there next week and any new info on Gaming or Retro Gaming stuff is much appreciated.
The NAMCO thing seems like it's a Corporate Part place now and the Trocadero has definitely seen better days (it used to be SEGA world in the 90s)
I've been to Goodge street a few times because there are some nice shops with Retro games but I never noticed an Arcade!

[zxspectrum16k]

gutted, i used to pop into this at lunch sometimes when i was working in the big city, seemed nice guys as well http://www.computerandvideogames.com...s-shop-closes/

Tate Modern is an amazing place if your into stuff like that, pubs and night life around covert gardens is great fun. Lots of nice things to look at, and not taking about machine, art or buidlings you may however have to put up with crap music