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| London Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The London Eye against a blue sky The London Eye against a blue sky Stephanie Butts London. Just about every London travel guide will tell you that there is nowhere else on earth quite like it. With so many unique London activities and incredible London sights, this city is all at once big and brash and bustling, cutting-edge yet traditional, historical yet modern -- it is the quintessential international metropolis -- a world city by all accounts. The world comes to London and it greets its guests with grand London hotels and exquisite London restaurants fit for a queen. What happens here affects every corner of the world. A global center of commerce, retail, finance, entertainment, fashion, transit and trends, London can very often feel like the capital of world. London is also one of the world's most identifiable and emblematic cities - the city of Big Ben, double-decker buses, the Queen and the Tube, it quite rightly asserts itself in global consciousness as one of the greatest cities on earth. It has a plethora of every conceivable activity, and contains something for everyone. With so much going on, across such a massive city - the biggest in Europe – no one can expect to be able to do it all. Even life-long Londoners constantly find new surprises and little known London activities in this city. A week stay in a gorgeous London hotel should be long enough to give you a taste of what the 'big smoke' has to offer though. On the first day, one could indulge in a number of London activities such as feeding his/her love for the fine arts in some of the world's finest museums, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery or the Tate Modern. The second and third days could be for fun and lots of London entertainment. There are streets filled with world-class bars, pubs, excellent London restaurants, and theatres. And contrary to popular belief, not all bars close at 11.00 pm; there are plenty outside the West End that stay open until 2 a.m. on weeknights. Then there is shopping for day four, and not just at Harrods. From the more fashionable alternative of Selfridges to the many street markets, London offers second-hand clothes and crafts as well as tasty foods. Day five can be spent visiting London’s historic buildings, such as the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. You might even want to throw a boat trip in between. Day six is for visiting the different palaces of London, the most famous ones being Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. On the seventh day, one can sleep in at his/her London hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing outdoors. There are many big parks where you can linger and sit on the grass. One of the most famous of these is Hyde Park with Speakers Corner. If you have more time to spend in London, or have been here before, then explore some areas that provide a few London activities that are outside the norm. These areas are interesting to wander around in the day and party at night: Brixton, Brick Lane, Notting Hill, Hoxton, and Camden town. It can be easier to have a local show you around, for this, check out Insider London's cutting-edge and bespoke tours. During your stay in London you can also enjoy many diverse culinary pleasures. London restaurants feature something for every taste and budget. Although native British food does not have a great international reputation, there is plenty of great food from pretty much every country in the world here, and with its large Indian and Pakistani population, London is particularly known for its excellent Indian and Pakistani fare. In general, it's worth noting that London had more top restaurants than Paris and New York in a recent poll of top 50 restaurants in the world. Whatever you want, you'll find it in London, and like so many others, you will keep coming back. Top Ten Things to Do in London Afternoon Tea at Capital Restaurant - Besides excellent and very high-end French and English cuisine, Capital Restaurant has a wide assortment of delicious teas. It is, after all, one of the most expensive tearooms in London. Capital Restaurant is located in the heart of Knightsbridge in the Capital Hotel. www.capitalhotel.co.uk Tate Modern - This hip art venue houses some of the most controversial contemporary and modern art in the world. The structure in itself is also a spectacle -- the space is an old 1930s power station located on the banks of The River Thames. www.tate.org.uk Brompton Cemetery - Located in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Brompton Cemetery is the only Crown Cemetery. Covering roughly 40 acres and housing more than 35,000 monuments, Bromptom Cemetery is one of the most stunning Victorian Metropolitan cemeteries in the world -- and it will leave you breathless. In addition to thousands of monuments and stunning landscapes, Brompton Cemetery is also home to a variety of enchanting wildlife such as an interesting assortment of birds, bright butterflies, furry foxes, and curious squirrels. www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton_cemetery Buckingham Palace - Explore Buckingham Palaces 19 magnificent staterooms, view the Queen's collection of carriages and the Queen's collection of China at the Queen's Gallery, and take a walk around the Royal Mews. www.royal.gov.uk Changing of the Guard and St. James Park - Located in the heart of London, St. James Park is roughly 58 acres and it is home to a variety of birdlife such as geese, swans, and pelicane. You may also cross paths with a few rare birds here as well such as carrion crows and gray wagtail. Also at St. James Park, visitors can watch the oldest and most popular ceremonies at Buckingham Palace -- the Changing of the Guard. www.royalparks.org.uk/tourists/changing_guard.cfm Regent's Park - The 410-acre Regent's Park is the largest outdoor sports area in London featuring several spectacular rose gardens with more than 30,000 bright roses of 400 different varieties. www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/regents_park/ Greenwich Meridian Line - This is a very interesting point of interest if you want to do something different in London and learn a lesson or two in the process. The Prime Meridian, also known as the International Meridian or Greenwich Meridian, is the meridian (line of longitude) passing through The Royal Observatory, in Greenwich, London. The Greenwich Meridian Line is the Zero Line of Longitude -- the Prime Meridian of the World. It is an imaginary line, which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. By international convention it runs through the main telescope at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. So, once you reach Greenwich, climb up to the Royal Observatory and take in the gorgeous views of London's landscapes and rivers. Greenwich Meridian Line: www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/meridian.htm; The Royal Observatory: www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.2857 St. Pauls Cathedral - See the third largest dome in the world and enjoy incredible views of London after a climb to the top. Explore the place where Lady Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, exchanged vows. www.stpauls.co.uk The British Airways London Eye - The British Airways London Eye is the world's largest observation wheel and a permanent fixture in London's skyline. Considered an offbeat experience, a thirty-minute ride offers views of more than 50 top London landmarks and attractions. The British Airways London Eye has won more than 75 awards for national and international tourism. www.ba-londoneye.com/ExploreTheLondonEye The River Thames - Sail along England's longest river and see the city from a different view -- one of the best London has to offer. During a docent led tour you will sail past museums, churches, palaces, theaters, and pubs. www.riverthames.co.uk ____________Sights Edit This 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street M. Kubeile Visitors to London can count on hundreds of London activities and sights, spanning a variety of categories, to satisfy even the most adventurous of spirits. And of course, there is ho shortage of London activities and sights in the area of culture. Since the 18th century, England has been one of the main cultural centers of Europe. What they thought was lacking in their cultural heritage, the British imported through study travels abroad, the grand tour, or just by importing important artifacts. The London museums thus gathered an enormous wealth of artifacts both from their own history and of the shared history of the entire western civilization, plus a load of oriental treasures from their colonies. Next to its museums, London has quite a collection of buildings that have played an important role in the history of architecture. Not just classical buildings like St. Paul's Cathedral or the Bank of England, but also the neo-gothic Houses of Parliament and the high-tech Lloyds building, and numerous other public and private buildings, and houses and palaces have influenced architects around the world. There's no other country in the world where architectural style is a matter of royal concern. Those interested can catch a glimpse of most of the main sights within two hours from the top of one of London’s famous double-decker buses. Contributors May 17, 2008 change by mcburton (1 point) May 03, 2006 change by giorgio Display all or display just: Churches Galleries Historical Buildings Hotspots Landmarks Museums Palaces Parks, Gardens & Zoo Parks, Gardens and Zoos Public Buildings Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Sight] The National Gallery Edit This National Gallery National Gallery photo by: Meri Kimura Located in the newly pedestrian Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery houses one of the world’s greatest collections of Western European paintings. The National Gallery's permanent collection consists of Western European paintings from 1250-1900. On any given day, visitors will find more than 2,100 paintings on display making The National Gallery one of the largest and richest art galleries in the world. Expect to see works by Botticelli, Cezanne, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, and Van Gogh, and more. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN openinghours: Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Sun, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. tel: 020 7747 2885 url: www.nationalgallery.org.uk Westminster Abbey Edit This Westminister Abbey Westminister Abbey photo by: Joseph Hollick One of Britain's finest Gothic buildings. Scene of the coronation, marriage and burial of British monarchs. Nave and cloisters, Royal Chapels, Chapter House, Westminster Abbey Museum. Nave and Cloisters daily 0800-1800; Royal Chapels Mon-Fri 0920-1645, Sat 0920-1445 & 15.45-17.45. Admission to Chapels and Poets Corner adult £6 Concessions £3. To add an extra dimension, visit during an Evensong service and listen to the clear ringing tones of the choral ensemble. Check the website for times of services. Metro: St James's Park type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Parliament Square SW1 openinghours: Daily 8am-6pm. tel: 020 7222 5152 url: www.westminster-abbey.org Design Museum Edit This The design museum is a must for anyone with an interest in modern and contemporary design. The permanent exhibition follows the change in British homes from the 20th century until present day, which is constantly updated to include new design classics. There are also temporary exhibits which usually run for 3-4 months. Recent exhibits have included Saul Bass, Peter Saville, Archigram, and an exhibition on signage. The museum also runs 'Designer of the Year' which awards a prize to a person or organisation that has produced an impressive piece of design (past winner more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0870 833 9955 openingHours: 10.00-17.45 Fri until 21.00 url: www.designmuseum.org address: Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD email: info@designmuseum.org Hampstead Heath Edit This Popular open space in London with ponds, various types of habitats and recreational activities. Every summer concerts and other special events.. type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] National Portrait Gallery Edit This National Portrait gallery gives a fascinating trawl through British History by the people who shaped it. Starting from medieval kings and arriving at today's actors, musicians and sporting heroes. The emphasis is on the sitter, and not the artist themselves, but that's not to say there isn't any interesting interpretations, many famous modern artists have work displayed here including Lucian Freud, David Hockney and Julian Opie. The 'Portrait restaurant' has great views over London, although the food prices do pay for the privilege. Entry: Free more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE openinghours: Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thu-Fri 10.00-21.00 tel: 020 7306 0055 url: www.npg.org.uk Imperial War Museum Edit This The Imperial War Museum in London is part of a massive system of War Museums located throughout England. The Imperial War Museum (IWM) is a national art gallery, a national records archive, and a research center that houses 19,000 paintings (throughout the museum's many locations) as well as 15,000 posters, 10,000 hours of videotape, 10 million photographs, 15,000 collections of unpublished memoirs, diaries, and letters, and 270,000 library items. Visitors to the Imperial War Museum will also find uniforms, medals, firearms, and other objects on display. IWM London has more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] email: mail@iwm.ork.uk address: Lambeth Rd tel: +44 (0)20 7416 5000 accessibility: Totally Wheelchair Accessible openingHours: Open Daily from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Closed December 24-26 url: london.iwm.org.uk The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Edit This Henry Moore Sculpture at Kew Henry Moore Sculpture at Kew photo by: Joseph Hollick The 300-acre Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew features more than 60,0000 species of plants as well as dozens of decorative structures, museums, galleries, glasshouses, and wildlife areas. Plan on spending at least half of your day exploring the more than seven different zones and dining at one of the garden's tasty restaurants or cafes. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] email: info@kew.org address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond openinghours: Mon.-Fri. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. tel: (0)20 8332 5665 accessibility: Totally Wheelchair Accessible url: www.kew.org Leicester Square Edit This Leichester Square Leichester Square photo by: Meri Kimura The heart of the West End district with many Cinemas, Bars and Clubs. Tube: Leicester Square type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Royal Courts of Justice Edit This The Royal Courts of Justice from one side The Royal Courts of Justice from one side photo by: Jorge Picazo Mostly renowned for its impressive Gothic exterior. A must see on the way from Covent Garden to St Paul's Cathedral, in Fleet St. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Photographer's Gallery Edit This The Photographer's Gallery is actually split across two galleries, No.8 houses the main exhibition and an interesting little bookshop (with a small stock of novelty lomo cameras), and No.5 has a small cafe with more photos on the walls. The exhibitions are wide and varied, from documentary photographers to fine artists. Some photographers have long gone, and some are just on their way up. With the crowds and chaos of Leicester Square on one side and Covent Garden on the other, this is a welcome retreat. Admission: more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 020 7831 1772 openingHours: Mon-Sat 11.00-18.00, Thu 11.00-20.00, Sun 12.00-18.00 url: www.photonet.org.uk address: 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY email: info@photonet.org.uk Piccadilly Circus Edit This Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus photo by: Joseph Hollick Piccadilly Circus is a famous traffic intersection and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] Tower of London Edit This Tower of London Tower of London photo by: M. Kubeile Take a Yeoman tour, and marvel at the Crown Jewels. A must-see on any trip to London, the Tower Of London has seen over 900 years of British history. Don't miss the collection of armor which is housed in the White Tower, the oldest building at the Tower of London, completed in 1700.The cost is 14.50 pounds, so it is not cheap, but the Yeoman Warder tour is included in the admission and it is not only very informative, but also very funny. One thing you might find out when you get here is that there is a key ceremony that has been taking place every night at the Tower of London more.. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.hrp.org.uk tel: +44 (0)870 756 6060 address: HM Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB Jewel tower Edit This Only one of the few remnants of the Medieval Westminster Palace. These days it houses a museum, whereas in the the early 1370s it was used to house Edward the III's valuables. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: Old Palace Yard, Westminster tel: 020 7222 2219 Tower Bridge Edit This Tower Bridge as seen from inside the Tower of London Tower Bridge as seen from inside the Tower of London photo by: Kim Rowland Completed in 1894, the Tower Bridge has become THE London icon. The Tower Bridge Exhibition allows you to walk the top level of the bridge, view the engine rooms, and see the history of the construction and engineering. Added because the traffic for the London Bridge was becoming too overwhelming, the design for the Bridge was chosen through a public competition. The City architect, Horace Jones, won the competition with the iconic image so many people recognize today. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] email: enquiries@towerbridge.org.uk tel: 44 (0)20 7403 3761 url: www.towerbridge.org.uk zipcode: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/ British Museum Edit This British Museum British Museum photo by: Maree Conway The British Museum, founded in 1753, contains world-famous collections of antiquities from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome, as well as Prehistoric and Romano-British, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern and Oriental collections; Prints and Drawings; Coins, Medals and Banknotes. The Museum's collections number some six-and-a-half million objects ranging in size from shreds to colossal statues. The collections are maintained both for exhibition and as a research resource for some 30,000 enquiries from professional academics, school-children, tourists each year. The Museum site more.. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] address: Great Russell Street openinghours: Mon-Sat 10 am- 5pm, Sun 12-6 tel: 020 7323 8000 London Zoo Edit This A Black Capped Yellow Squirrel Monkey A Black Capped Yellow Squirrel Monkey photo by: sue With over 12,000 animals to see, the zoo is well laid out with many childrens attractions. Metro: Camden Town, then Bus 274. Tel: (0171) 722 3333. Adult £10; children £7; reduction £8,50. type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] address: Outer Circle Saint Paul's Cathedral Edit This St. Paul Cathedral St. Paul Cathedral photo by: M. Kubeile Special services or events may close some or all parts of the cathedral. Wren's famous cathedral church of the diocese of London. Adult £5, concessions £4. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: Ludgate Hill openinghours: Daily 10am-4:15pm. tel: (0171) 236 4128 Trocadero Edit This Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus photo by: M. Kubeile The Trocadero, in Piccadilly Circus, is the biggest and brightest entertainment centre in Europe. Attractions include: Sega World The world largest indoor theme park. Funland & Lazer Bowl, The Emaginator The virtual rollercoaster ride, Virtual Glider & Virtual World and 2 restaurants Planet Hollywood & Rock Island Diner. Phone: (0171) 439 1791 type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Piccadilly Circus, W1 openinghours: Daily 10.00-00.00h St James's Park Edit This St James's Park St James's Park photo by: M. Kubeile The acres known as Green Park were added to St. James's Park in the late 17th Century by Charles II. Charles II preferred early a.m. walks along the Hyde Park Corner, an area now known as 'Constitution Hill' type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] address: Green park, St James Park, Piccadilly Circus Big Ben Edit This Big Ben Big Ben photo by: Joseph Hollick Big Ben is the colloquial name of the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, and an informal name for the Great Bell of Westminster, the largest bell in the tower and part of the Great Clock of Westminster. Coordinates: 51°30'2.6?N, 0°7'28.6?W. The clock tower is at the northeastern end of the building, the home of the Houses of Parliament, and contains the famous strikingBig Ben is the colloquial name of the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, and an informal name for the Great Bell of Westminster, the largest bell in the tower and part of more.. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] Hyde Park Edit This photo photo by: Kim Rowland Much like New York's Central Park, London's Hyde Park is one of the most famous parks in the world. This historic 350-acre park houses Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain as well as more than 4,000 trees, a serene lake, and a meadow. The park offers a number of excellent London activities such as horse rides and walking tours covering everything from art and architecture to wildlife viewing. Hyde Park also offers several dining options such as parkside dining at The Dell Restaurant and LIDO Hyde Park. LIDO Hyde Park offers great views of Hyde more.. type: Parks, Gardens and Zoos World66 rating: [rate it] email: hyde@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk address: Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate, Queensway. tel: +44 (0)20 7298 2100 url: www.royalparks.org.uk openingHours: 5:00 a.m. until midnight year round accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible Regent’s Park Edit This The terraces, named after the titles of some of George III's 15 children, and other buildings circle the park clockwise starting at the Park Crescent. Regent's Park is also the site of The London Zoo. The zoo has daily programs for adults and children. London Zoo is easily accessible by its south gate along Broad Walk or the main gate along the Outer Circle of Regent's Park. type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] address: Outer circle openinghours: Daily from dawn to dusk. tel: 020 7486 7905 Tate Modern Edit This Tate Modern Since Tate Modern opened in 2000 in the former power station building, it's become one of London's biggest tourist attractions. Upon entering the gallery you are greeted by a cavernous hall, which different artists have tried to fill; from a huge golden sun to a large tube that snaked from one end to the other. Most of the museum is free, except the regular special exhibitions that cover a particular artist or movement. If this is you first visit, the free galleries will be enough for anyone's stamina. The exhibition is split into four themes, rather than more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG openinghours: Sun-Thu 10.00-18.00, Fri-Sat 10.00-22.00 tel: 020 7887 8000 url: www.tate.org.uk Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) Edit This Primarily this space is used to show exhibitions of contemporary art, design and architecture (depending on the mood). But the building also houses an excellent, but very compact bookshop, a late bar (open to 1am on some nights), two cinemas and a live music venue. This diverse space allows them to host many different events such as talks, live bands, club nights, multimedia events. They also host the yearly 'onedotzero festival' which allows new and established filmakers to show off a variety of innovative short films and music more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Nash House, The Mall SW1Y 5AH openinghours: Mon 12.00-10.30, Tue-Sat 12.00-01.00, Sun 12.00-23.00 tel: 020 7930 3647 url: www.ica.org.uk 10 & 11 Downing Street Edit This 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street photo by: M. Kubeile Residences of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Rupert Walpole 'received' number ten wehn he became the first "First Lord of the Treasury" of Britain in 1732. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Downing Street, Westminster SW 1 The Royal Exchange Edit This The place where the financial heart of london beats and anything else relating to banking happens. The building with its impressive columns dates was dedicated by Queen Victoria. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] Monument Edit This The tallest isolated stone column in the world with fine views of the city if you climb the 312 steps! Admission adult £1 child £0.50. Metro: Monument. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Monument Street EC3 openinghours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. tel: (0171) 626 2717 House of Parliament Edit This Houses of Parliament on the Thames River Houses of Parliament on the Thames River photo by: Joseph Hollick Tatiana: Guss : This building really offers a spectaculair view from accross the river Thames. The neo-gothic windows arches and ornamentation display such a very fragile lacelike structure that you can hardly imagine they support a solid building. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: Parliament Square, SW1 Shakespeare Globe Theater Exhibition Edit This New Globe Walk, Bankside, SEl Tel: (0171) 928 6406 Daily 1000-1700 Admission adult £5.00 child £3.00 The fascinating story of the re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe, the most important public theatre ever built. Unique opportunity of seeing an Elizabethan theatre building being reconstructed using material, techniques and craftsmanship of 400 years ago London Bridge type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] Natural History Museum Edit This Worth a visit just to see the huge diplodocus in the main hall, this museum is great for kids, with interactive displays in most of the galleries. For adults the new Darwin Centre is a must see - take a tour behind the scenes to see some of Charles Darwin's original collections. The best thing is, entry is now free. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Cromwell Road just south of Kensington Gardens openinghours: 10am to 5.30pm tel: 020 7942 5000 url: www.nhm.ac.uk St Etheldreda's Church Edit This Oldest Roman Catholic church in Britain. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: 14 Ely Place, Holborn Circus tel: 020 7405 1061 Millennium Dome Edit This The Millennium Dome is a large dome on the Greenwich peninsula in the Docklands area in Eastern London, the United Kingdom, at grid reference TQ391801. In May 2005, it was announced a sponsorship deal involving O2 would see it being renamed to The O2. It is served by the North Greenwich tube station on the Jubilee line, which was opened just before the Dome. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] Trafalgar Square Edit This Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square photo by: Meri Kimura Famous square and fountain. Is the site of London's annual New Year's Eve celebration. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Trafalgar Square Covent Gardens Edit This Covent Gardens Covent Gardens photo by: Meri Kimura This bustling little hotspot in the heart of London is the perfect place to wander, shop, and party. Filled with amusing street performers, wacky stores, many theatres, and numerous pubs, Covent Gardens is open 24 hours. The perfect place to shop during the day, go to the theatre, then drink the night away. The must-sees of this area are: The Maple Leaf: Canada's little home away from home. This pub plays hockey and has Canadian beer. If you're Canadian, you have to stop here. Walkabout: For those Aussies who are missing home, Walkabout is the popular more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] The London Dungeon Edit This The london Dungeon is a great little taste of the early times in london. Walk down the streets where Jack "The Ripper" waited, visit the tortous dungeons, be scentenced to death. Nice little river ride, get shot at - bit of fun really. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Buckingham Palace Edit This Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace photo by: Joseph Hollick Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen and has been since Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. The Palace itself is quite nice, and the park it stands in is not bad either. With a bit of luck you can witness the changing of the guards, which is a spectacular sight. Should you see the Royal Standard flying you will know that Her Royal Highness is ‘at home’. The Palace takes its name from Buckingham House which was built on the site by the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 - 1705. It was then bought by George III for his wife Charlotte in 1762 and more.. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] address: London, SW1 1AA openinghours: daily August through October 9:00-4:30. Cabinet War Rooms Edit This The underground rooms used by Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet during World War II. Admission adult £4.20 child £2.10. Metro: Westminster. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: Clive Steps King Charles Street SW1 openinghours: Daily 10am-6pm tel: (0171) 930 6961 London Eye Edit This London Eye London Eye photo by: M. Kubeile This is a great way to see a lot of London at one time. It is the now familar ferris wheel across the Thames River from Westminister Abby, Parliment. It is a 1/2 hour trip from beginning to end, costs about $15, and you should make reservations during the high season (June-August). Each is capsule is huge, able to hold 20 or so people and there is very little vibration. The view is spectacular. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Parliament & Big Ben Edit This Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on the Thames River Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on the Thames River photo by: Joseph Hollick Who doesn't know the sights of London's Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben aside the river Thames ? (Not the clock tower itself, but the actual clock inside the tower (which was finished in 1859) is named the 'Big Ben'.) Big Ben is actually the name of the largest of the tower's bells, which was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry also responsible for the famed American Liberty Bell. The tower itself was actually built in Australia shipped to London and given as a gift to the British people. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] openinghours: 020 7219 3000 Spencer House Edit This The only nearly intact surviving palace of the 18th century, belonging to the ancestor of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. type: Landmarks Tate Britain Edit This Collection of historical British art and modern international art. It may happen that due to the lack of hanging space several paintings are not shown at the time of your visit. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: Millbank SW 1 openinghours: Mon-Sun 10:00am-17:50pm. tel: 0171 82 1313 Greenwich Royal Park Edit This London's oldest Royal Park was once the hunting ground for King Henry VIII, who was born in Greenwich in 1491. It was landscaped by André le Notre, who designed the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. The Old Royal Observatory is in the park. The original Prime Meridian Line is here in the Observatory grounds; it is (or strictly it was) the basis for world longditude measurement and is the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). There is a fine 24 hour clock showing GMT. Just behind the Observatory to the west is a hidden garden where sometimes more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: King William Walk, Greenwich openinghours: Daily from dawn to dusk. tel: 020 8858 2608 Trafalgar Square Edit This Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square photo by: M. Kubeile The home of the 165 feet tall Nelsons Column built in the 1830's--as well as the famed pigeons that mob tourists every day. "Feed the birds." Often the site of large gatherings and celebrations. Tube: Charing Cross type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Tate Modern Edit This Tate Modern Tate Modern photo by: M. Kubeile A stunning renovation of an old power plant on the bank of the Thames, containing a modern art museum unlike any other. The central feature is the massive interior hallway that allows for truly audacious creations to dominate the senses, towering, extending, covering, or enveloping the entire length of the huge building. Admission is free, a suggested two-pound donation for the main galleries, GBP 2.00 for an audio guide, additional charges for special exhibits. The upper-level cafes and windows have stunning views of central London. The Tate Modern can be accessed by Tube more.. type: Public Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG tel: 020 7887 8000 Camley Street Natural Park Edit This One of the nature reserves in London managed by the Wildlife trust. Impressive combination of both a park and garden. type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] address: 12 Camley Street openinghours: Mon-Thu 9am-5pm tel: 020 7833 2311 Vicoria Embankment and Gardens Edit This Pleasant green spot aside the Thames where you can have a coffee in the small café or take a stroll in the gardens. type: Parks, Gardens & Zoo World66 rating: [rate it] address: Victoria Embankment Hayward Gallery Edit This Collection of modern 20th century works. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: South Bank Centre SE1 openinghours: Thu-Mon 10am-6pm, Tue-Wed 10am-8pm. tel: 020 7928 3144 Guildhall Art Gallery Edit This Focus on portraits from the early 16th century to the present and on both Victorian paintings and sculptures. Admission £2,50 adult, concession £1. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: Guildhall Yard openinghours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12am-4pm. tel: 020 7332 3700 Victoria and Albert Museum Edit This The Victoria and Albert has the largest collection of decorative art with a focus on medieval and Byzantine art. Closed on moday morning. type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] openinghours: Thu – Tue 10:00-17:45, Wed 10:00-22:00 Science Museum Edit This type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: Exhibition Road. openinghours: 10am-6pm tel: 020 7942 4455 The Sherlock Holmes Museum Edit This Fascinating and fun, the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street is considered the most famous address in the world. Listed by the Government to protect its cultural and architectural heritage, the museum, the official home of Sherlock Holmes, is dedicated to the life and times of Sherlock Holmes. Just one of the many exciting experiences here takes place in the famous study overlooking Baker Street. Visitors can sit in Sherlock Holmes's armchair and explore his bedroom, which displays Mr. Holmes's possessions, such as his magnifying glass, calabash pipe, and disguises. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: 221b, Baker St. tel: 01+44+207 935 1127 url: www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk Holland Park Edit This A large part of the Holland Park consists of a Japanese area and flower gardens. There is also a wildlife conservation area that is not opne to the public. A good place to watch plays in the open air theatre in summer. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] address: Holland Park Avenue, Kensington openinghours: 8:30am until dusk. Saatchi Gallery Edit This Exhibitions on contemporary modern (British) art from the 1980s and 1990s. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: 98 a Boundary Road, St John's wood openinghours: Thu-Sun 12am-6pm. tel: 020 7624 8299 Wallace Collection Edit This Fine and impressive art collection assembled by the Wallace family. Free admission. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: Hertford House, Manchester Square W1 openinghours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12am-5pm. tel: 020 7563 9500 Gordon Reece Gallery Edit This Exhibitions on antiques, sculptures and carvings from non-European countries. type: Galleries World66 rating: [rate it] address: 16 Clifford St (Off New Bond St) openinghours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. tel: 0171 020 7439 The Old Bailey Edit This The central criminal court where trials such as the one against Oscar Wilde and the Yorkshire Ripper took place here at the beginning of the 20th century. The building dates from halfway the 18th century and still is the place where trials take place although it does not function as a prison anymore. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: Central Criminal Court, Warwick Square openinghours: 10am-1pm and 2pm-4:15pm. Staple Inn Buildings Edit This The former warehouse, which was used to house clerks, is the only Elizabethan architecture dedicated to 'normal households' that survived the Great Fire of 1666. type: Historical Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] address: High Holborn tel: 020 7632 2100 Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret The Edit This type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: 9a, St. Thomas's St tel: 020 7955 4791 London Fire Brigade Museum Edit This type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: 94, Southwark Bridge Rd tel: 020 7587 2894 National Postal Museum Edit This Exhibition on the finest British stamps as well as an overview of some of the earliest stamps in the world. type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: King Edward Building King Edward St openinghours: Mon – Fri 09:30-16:30 tel: 0711 239 5420 London Transport Museum Edit This Overview of the oldest public transport system in the world. About GBP 6.00 type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: 39, Wellington St openinghours: 020 7379 6344 tel: 10:00-18:00 Museum of London Edit This By far the best museum I visited in London. Quite interactive, so great for kids. Follows the city's fascinating history from Roman times through the 1920s. Great displays, info, etc. type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] email: info@museumoflondon.org.uk address: London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN tel: 44 (0)20 7600 3699 url: www.museumoflondon.org.uk zipcode: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ Temple Church Edit This The Temple Church The Temple Church photo by: Kamil Fedak One of the oldest churches in London and also one of the three round churches left in England. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: Inner Temple openinghours: Wed-Sat 1am-4pm, Sun 1-3pm. tel: 020 7248 2705 St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Edit This Parish church for Buckingham Palace and built in the beginning of the 18th century, inspired by Roman classical architecture and the Italian architect Andrea Palladio. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: Trafalgar Square tel: 020 7839 8363 Southwark Cathedral Edit This Fine Gothic cathedral that houses the tomb of J. Gower (who was a friend of Geoffrey Chaucer). Free admission. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: Montague Close, Southwark openinghours: 8am-6pm St Bride's Edit This Church erected in the 6th century and rebuilt for about eight times after that. Free admission. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] address: St. Bride's Avenue, Off Fleet Street tel: 020 7353 1301 Greenwich Meridian Line Edit This This is a very interesting point of interest if you want to do something different in London and learn a lesson or two in the process. The Prime Meridian, also known as the International Meridian or Greenwich Meridian, is the meridian (line of longitude) passing through The Royal Observatory, in Greenwich, London. The Greenwich Meridian Line is the Zero Line of Longitude -- the Prime Meridian of the World. It is an imaginary line, which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. By international convention it runs through the main telescope at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] url: Greenwich Meridian Line: www.greenwich-guide.org.uk _____________History Edit This photo The name London comes from the Latin name Londinium, as London was founded by the Romans during their reign over the island – although there is some slight evidence of pre-Roman settlement. The BBC History website, however, claims that the name Londinium is actually "Celtic, not Latin, and may originally have referred to a previous farmstead on the site". This also implies that there were indeed pre-Roman settlements in the area. This fortified Roman settlement was the capital of the province of Britannia. Around 61 A.D. the Iceni tribe of Celts lead by Queen Boudicca stormed London and took the city from the Romans. The Celts burnt the relatively new Roman town to the ground, and archaelogical digs have revealed a layer of red ash beneath the City of London which is believed to be the burnt remains of the old Roman town. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Londinium was abandoned and a Saxon town named Lundenwic was established approximately one mile to the west in what is now Aldwych, in the 7th century. The old Roman city was then re-occupied during the late 9th or early 10th century. Westminster was once a distinct town, and has been the seat of the English royal court and government since the medieval era. Eventually, Westminster and London grew together and formed the basis of London, becoming England's largest – though not capital – city. (Winchester was the capital city of England until the 12th century.) London has grown steadily over centuries, surrounding and making suburbs of neighbouring villages and towns, farmland, countryside, meadows and woodlands, spreading in every direction. From the 16th to the early 20th centuries, London flourished as the capital of the British Empire. In 1666, the Great Fire of London swept through and destroyed a large part of the City of London. Re-building took over 10 years, but London's growth accelerated in the 18th century and by the early 19th century it was the largest city in the world. London's local government system struggled to cope with this rapid growth, especially in providing the city with adequate infrastructure. In 1855 the Metropolitan Board of Works was created to provide London with infrastructure to cope with its growth. In 1889 the MBW was abolished, and the County of London was created. It was administered by the London County Council, the first elected London-wide administrative body. Probably the most significant changes to London in the last 100 years were as a result of the Blitz and other bombing by the German Luftwaffe that took place during World War II. The bombing killed over 30,000 Londoners and flattened large tracts of housing and other buildings across London. The rebuilding during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was characterised by a wide range of architectural styles and has resulted in a lack of unity in architecture that has become part of London's character. Until their 1997 ceasefire, London was regularly a target for IRA bombers seeking to pressurise the British government into negotiations with Sinn Féin on Northern Ireland. On July 7, 2005, there was a series of coordinated bomb attacks on three underground stations and a bus. The explosions came less than 24 hours after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics and as the G-8 summit was underway in Gleneagles, Scotland. A series of explosions also took place on July 21 2005. However in the latter incident there were no fatalities. ____________Getting Around Edit This Double decker buses in London Double decker buses in London Joseph Hollick Whether you're trying to get to a London hotel fast, find a London restaurant for lunch or make it on time to any number of London activities or attractions, London's numerous forms of transportation will get you there -- fast. London travel guides have most London transportation basics covered, but there are a few additional things to keep in mind about London's system. London's transportation network is split into zones, radiating from the centre of the city. All tickets are charged according to which zones you will travel through. Most visitors to the capital are unlikely to wander out of zone 2. This pricing system applies to all public transportation. The best value is a day travelcard (Adult £5.10 which allows you unlimited travel from 09.30 until 04.30 the next day. The TFL site ( www.tfl.gov.uk) has all the recent up to date prices and transport maps. The Underground London's tube is frequently moaned about, but is generally quite efficient with trains appearing every 2-5 minutes. In peak times it will be packed and be very uncomfortable, so always take a drink with you to keep cool in the summer. Although the tube network is immense (13 lines), south London is not very well covered and people tend to rely more on rail and buses. The tube runs from early morning (06.00-07.00 depending on each line) to late evening (about 00.30). Tickets can be bought from machines or from ticket booths in the station entrance hall and from newsagents. For those living in London, getting an 'Oystercard' is worthwhile, for visitors however, the card tickets are fine. A travel card is the best option for anyone taking more than two journeys in the day and can be used on buses, trains and the DLR. The Tube is generally quicker than the bus, simply because of London's legendary traffic jams. It is worth noting that since 2006 paper tickets have become more expensive then the same journey being paid for on an Oystercard. A single fare within zone 1 is £4 with a paper ticket, but is £1.50 by Oyster (information correct from April 2007). This is being done to help encourage more people to use the new payment system. The cards themselves can be purchased for around £3 and used without a travel ID card, so for some visitors it may pay to get an oystercard upon arrival. The Oystercard can also be bought online overseas from agents (see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/visitortickets/5192.aspx). One last thing to note, the tube map is a design classic, but it's very deceptive. Some places are a lot closer (and easier to walk) than it appears on the map. www.tfl.gov.uk Buses Buses in London are more pleasant and interesting. The network is comprehensive and from the top of a double-decker bus you can watch the city's architecture and life much better. A lot of bus stops are request stops, so if you do not stick your arm out the bus will drive past. Regular buses operate between about 6am and midnight. A bus journey will cost £2 by cash and £1 by Oyster card. www.tfl.gov.uk/buses Overland Trains London's rail network is well connected with the tube. It's sometimes quicker and easier than the underground as you move further out of central London. www.tfl.gov.uk Taxis London's famous black cabs are comfortable but can be expensive. They work on a timer, so you are stuck in a jam, it can be very frustrating watching the fare go up. www.londonblackcabs.co.uk. The alternative are the minicabs, which mushroom in busy nightspots. You either have to phone them or visit the office. You can't flag them down. When you call the office or visit, you can agree on a fare before traveling. Driving Don't do it! If you'd rather drive yourself, you're in for a parking nightmare - it's almost impossible to get a place to park in the city centre and the punishments for parking illegally are cruel indeed. Passenger Bikes If time is the most important factor then motorcycle taxis are hard to beat. Journeys across London and to the airports are fun and fast. All the required kit (helmet, gloves etc) is provided and the journey times are usually at least halved compared to those by car. Although expensive compared to other forms of transport, taxi bikes are very quick and a very cool way to arrive. The website ( www.passengerbikes.com) has cost and contact details. Walking London is huge, but it can very rewarding to walk rather than hopping on a tube. There are plenty of books suggesting different routes where you can take in the different faces of London. Night Travel After the tubes close you will be reliant on the nightbus network (some services run 24 hours and others run only at night, designated with an 'N' before the route number), most radiate from Trafalagar Square, but central London is served quite well and generally run every half hour. If you have enough cash to splash for a cab then choose a black cab or visit/call a cab office. It is illegal for non-black cabs to pick up punters, and you have no guarantee over your safety. You will generally find these illegal cabs hanging outside popular nightspots touting for business. Contributors May 17, 2008 change by mcburton (1 point) December 10, 2005 change by diamondinlondon November 29, 2004 change by blumount February 14, 2005 change by wco July 16, 2007 change by theway February 14, 2005 change by giorgio August 23, 2005 change by brixton_ian [Add Local transport mode] By Motorbike Edit This If you can ride a motorcycle and will be staying in the capital for over a week it may be worth looking up one of the numerous motorcycle hire services available. It is the fastest way to get around the city, bikers do not pay the congestion charge and parking is free in designated motorcycle bays (which can be found all over the city). A word of warning: London roads can be dangerous for bikers. It is advisable to take the one day CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course if you are at all unsure of you're abilities - indeed it is compulsory if your driving licence does not more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Bicycle Edit This This is by far and away the best way to travel round the city. Not for all mind as I understand it can be mildly petrifying but the number of bicycle lanes are increasing as is the number of people who use this mode of transport to travel around the city as it is often quicker, easier and is always better for your health! Bikes can be hired at a multitude of venues - including for use in most London Parks - but also London Bridge is another place to look as bike shops rent them from anything from one day to a month or so! World66 rating: [rate it] The Tube Edit This When I'm traveling I'm a frequent user of public transportation, and the Tube in London, England is probably the best mass transit system I have ever been on. Take heed America, in this case, Britain does it better, and does it with a comprehensive transit network, and frequent convienient local stops that are designed to move massive amounts of people quickly and efficiently, and it works. Fast, clean, safe, efficient, affordable, and will take you close to wherever you wish to go in merry old London. The airport, it goes more.. World66 rating: [rate it] email: steve9631@comcast.net ___________Getting There Edit This A cruise ship near Tower Bridge A cruise ship near Tower Bridge Joseph Hollick By bus or train: Traveling from abroad, visitors will arrive at Victoria train station ( www.networkrail.co.uk) which serves the English channel ports, or its coach station, some hundred yards south down Buckingham Place Road or at Waterloo, whose international rail terminal serves Eurostar trains using the Channel Tunnel. If you arrive by train from elsewhere in Great Britain, you will reach one of London's numerous mainline stations, which are all connected directly with the city's underground network. By air: London has six international airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City ( www.londoncityairport.com), and Southend ( www.southendairport.com). All of them are less than an hour from the city centre. Just over an hour from the city centre are Southampton and Birmingham international airports. Heathrow: twelve miles west of the city. Here you have various possibilities to reach the city centre: the Picadilly underground line (takes about 50 min to the centre), either the smart, fast but expensive Heathrow Express rail - which connects the airport to Paddington station - or one of the two Airbus services. No. 1 runs south of Hyde Park to Victoria station, No. 2 follows a more northern line to terminate at King's Cross Station. After midnight you should take night bus No. 97. www.heathrowairport.com Gatwick: thirty miles south of the city, has a nonstop Express rail service from and to Victoria Train Station (journey time 30 min, runs every 15 min). Other trains operated by South Central, usually making two stops before Victoria, are slower but cheaper. Flightline buses depart for Victoria Coach Station from Gatwick's North and South terminals. www.gatwickairport.com Stansted: smaller airport, 34 miles northeast of the capital. It is served by Skytrain trains to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale, where you can connect with London's underground services. Flightline coaches also run a daily service. www.stanstedairport.com Luton: London's smallest and least congested airport, Luton is mostly used by private jets, although two airlines have their home there: EasyJet who offer discount flights to continental Europe and Silverjet who fly low fare business class to New York and Dubai. Luton is 2 miles from the M1 motorway, 45 minutes by car from central London and 5 minutes from Luton Parkway rail station, which has a 22-minute service to London St. Pancras station, which is also the terminus for the high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. Other trains connect to all points in the UK. Bus No. 757 runs directly to Marble Arch and Victoria (journey time about 85 min). www.luton-luton.co.uk Top Airlines to London British Airways is the national flagship carrier. It offers more nonstop flights to London than any other carrier -- especially from the U.S. www.britishairways.com. Other top airlines to London include: American Airlines ( www.aa.com), Continental ( www.continental.com), Delta ( www.delta.com), Northwest Airlines ( www.nwa.com), United Airlines ( www.united.com), US Airways ( www.usairways.com), and Virgin Atlantic ( www.virgin-atlantic.com). By Ferry Arriving by ferry is a very easy way to get to England from France. Calais to Dover is a very convenient way to get to England and about an hour away from London. This is by far the best way to get to England from France. Book a space for you, your family and your car at the port, up to 30 minutes before departure. ________Museums Edit This London has a huge selection of museums ranging from small and specialist to huge collections of antiquity. There are the main suspects such as British Museum and V&A which both contain huge collections from all over the world. The are other museums covering design, public transport, science, natural history, maritime, typography, fashion, any many others covering most people's interests. Galleries vary from the well established (National Gallery, Tate Britain), to the more recent additions (Tate Modern, Saatchi Gallery), to thousands of independent galleries dotted all over London. For listings of the latest exhibitions, try consulting Time Out (a weekly listings mag, every Wednesday) or The Guide (which comes with the Saturday's Guardian newspaper). Contributors August 23, 2005 change by brixton_ian June 30, 2006 change by giorgio [Add Museum] The Women's Library Edit This The Women's Library is a cultural centre, housing the most extensive collection of women's history in the UK. The collections comprise over 60,000 books and pamphlets, 2,500 periodical titles, 400 archive collections and 5,000 museum objects covering issues from health, sexuality and popular culture to politics, history and human rights. Access is free for everyone. As well as the resources for research in the Reading Room there is a lively exhibition and events programme, and a space to relax in the Wash Houses Café. The current exhibition, "What Women Want: more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0207 320 2222 openingHours: Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm (late night opening Thursday 8pm), Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday closed url: www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk address: Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT email: moreinfo@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk Madame Tussaud's Edit This Wax statues of famous British (and other) people. World66 rating: [rate it] address: Marylebone Road Design Museum Edit This The design museum is a must for anyone with an interest in modern and contemporary design. The permanent exhibition follows the change in British homes from the 20th century until present day, which is constantly updated to include new design classics. There are also temporary exhibits which usually run for 3-4 months. Recent exhibits have included Saul Bass, Peter Saville, Archigram, and an exhibition on signage. The museum also runs 'Designer of the Year' which awards a prize to a person or organisation that has produced an impressive piece of design (past winner more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0870 833 9955 openingHours: 10.00-17.45 Fri until 21.00 url: www.designmuseum.org address: Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD email: info@designmuseum.org The Museum of the Royal Artillery Edit This Here you can see 600 years of artillery development. Winter season opening: From beginning of November to end of March 2005 Friday to Sunday 10:30 to 5pm Open all school holidays and bank holidays. Summer season opening: From beginning of April to end of October 2005 Wednesday to Sunday 10:30 to 5pm Open all school holidays and bank holidays. Last admission: At 4:00pm more.. World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: There is full disabled access to the museum. tel: 020 8855 7755 url: www.firepower.org.uk address: Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London, SE18 6ST Leighton House Museum Edit This The former home and studio of 19th century artist Frederic Leighton. It holds collections of Leighton's paintings and drawings, as well as exhibits of other pre-Raphaelite art. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 020 7602 3316 openingHours: Leighton House is open daily except Tuesdays from 11am to 5.30pm. Except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day the house is open on bank holidays. url: www.rbkc.gov.uk address: 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ __________Day Trips Edit This East Gardens, Hampton Court Palace East Gardens, Hampton Court Palace Maree Conway If you're planning to stay in London for a week or more, it's definitely well worth it to take a day trip to one of the many exciting areas or boroughs just outside of the city. Just a few of the London activities you will engage on your side trip include: exploring palaces, castles and monuments as well as visiting museums, gardens, and more. And believe it or not, you will also come across a wide variety of eateries that are just as tasty, if not tastier than some of London's most popular restaurants. So grab a London travel guide from any bookstore or newsstand or even from your London hotel lobby, pick a place, then go! You can also check out the listings below for some of the most popular places to go. Contributors January 03, 2006 new by ripple February 24, 2006 new by warzabidul May 17, 2008 change by mcburton [Add Day Trip] Hampton Court Palace Edit This East Gardens, Hampton Court Palace East Gardens, Hampton Court Palace photo by: Maree Conway A great day trip out of London for history buffs is Hampton Court Palace where the 16 th century is alive again. A 30 minute train ride from London 's Waterloo Station brings you to this palace of Henry VIII 's, originally donated to him by Cardinal Wolsey. Wolsey had renovated the Palace to reflect his role as Lord Chancellor of England, and included rooms for Henry, Catherine of Aragon and their daughter Mary – all these rooms you can see today. My 13 year old daughter and I had this on our must-see list since we started planning our more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 (0)870 752 7777 url: www.historicroyalpalaces.org address: East Molesey, Surrey, England Bath Edit This Located around 113 miles west of London, visitors to Bath will spend an entire day exploring Roman baths, museums, and having tea -- so this London side trip is well worth the drive or train ride. Major points of interest include: The Pump Room and Roman Baths, Sally Lunn's Refreshment House and Museum, Bath Abby, The Circus and the Museum of Costume (www.museumofcostume.com), and Royal Crescent. If you're looking for the perfect place to grab a hearty meal, visit Number Five at 5 Argyle Street (Ph: 01225 444499). more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0906 711-2000 url: www.visitbath.co address: Church Yard Oxford Edit This From the famous Radcliffe Camera (1737-1749) to the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (1280), visitors will lose themselves in the many amazing and historic sights Oxford has to offer. Roughly 62 miles north of London, Oxford is also home to prestigious Balliol College, St. John's College, Christ Church College, and of course the world famous Oxford University. The Ashmolean Museum and the historic Sheldonian Theater (1664-1668) are definite must-sees as well. Don't forget to climb the tower at University Church of St. Mary the Virgin for a beautiful panoramic view of more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 01865 726871 url: www.oxford.gov.uk address: Oxford Information Centre, 15-16 Broad Street Windsor Castle Edit This Just a short 24-mile drive west of London is one of London's top tourist attractions -- Windsor Castle. In addition to Windsor Castle, the Royal Borough of Windsor is also home to another major London tourist attraction -- Legoland Windsor. Windsor Castle sits on 13 acres of land, so plan on spending the entire day exploring. Highlights include the Round Tower, the State Apartments, and St. George's Chapel. Also worth a visit is Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed this seven-story palace in 1924. The palace has elevators, running water, and electricity. more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 020 7766 7304 url: www.windsor.gov.uk address: WIndsor, Berkshire ________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing Joseph Hollick London is a work hard and play hard kind of city, so it should come as no surprise that London nightlife activities are abundant. As a global centre of nightlife and entertainment, this city really does know how to let its hair down. There is a scene for everyone on any given night of the week -- somewhere in the city of London. For high culture, there is a plethora of options from the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall to hundreds of west-end (and fringe) theatres showing big name shows, packed with celebrities. Cinemas are plentiful, with star-studded premieres happening most weeks. For listings of shows, as well as club nights, concerts, and other events check out the weekly London listings magazine, Time Out. And of course there are literally thousands of casual London bars and pubs, London restaurant bars/lounges, and clubs all across the city. There is a concentration of these across the West End and Soho, the latter being home to a thriving gay scene. Don't be surprised if you run into a few famous faces around Soho either. The obvious draw for tourists is around the bright lights of Leicester Square, but if you know where to look, there are equally good, if not better bars outside the centre, around areas such as Shoreditch in the East, Islington in the North, Notting Hill in the West or Clapham in the South. Traditional old London taverns can be found allover the city, the seventeenth-century George Inn at Borough High Street or The Crown at New Oxford Street are among the most noticeable, but in the bar section there are a lot of alternatives. Music fans are also very well catered for in London, with most major artists including the city in their tours, as well as hundreds of resident bands, musicians and DJs packing out venues across the city every night. Some of the more famous venues include the Brixton Academy, the Jazz Cafe, and the cavernous Wembley Arena. And now with new licensing laws, more and more bars and other venues are opening way beyond the traditional 11:00 p.m. curfew. Whatever you are into, you are sure to find it in London's nightlife scene. Best London Lounges and Nightclubs Fabric - Dance Club open until 7 a.m., Guest DJs, 77a Charterhouse Street, Ph: 020 7336 8898. www.fabriclondon.com Ministry of Sound - DJ shows, events, live performances, Open until 7 a.m., 103 Gaunt Street, Ph: +44 870 060 0010, www.ministryofsound.com The End - Guest DJs, dancing until dawn, Open until 7 a.m., 16a-18 West Central Street, Ph: +44 207 419 9199, www.endclub.com Late Lounge & Cocoon - Located in Cocoon restaurant, elegant bar with excellent signature drinks and an elaborate Sake collection. DJ spins house music and chill-out nightly. Open until 3 a.m., 65 Regent Street, Ph: 0871 971 5257, www.cocoon-restaurants.co.uk/latelounge.php The Living Room W1 - Bar, lounge, and London restaurant all rolled up into one. Pop, rock, and blues music nightly. Open until 1 a.m., Sunday until 12 a.m., 3-9 Heddon Street, Ph: 0207 292 0570, www.thelivingroomw1.co.uk Contributors May 17, 2008 change by mcburton (1 point) September 06, 2005 change by mattsharpe Display all or display just: Bars & Pubs Casinos Cinemas Clubs & Dancing Clubs and dancing Comedy Clubs Concerts Erotic clubs and bars Gay & Lesbian Gay and Lesbian Live Music Music Halls Musicals Opera Pubs Theatres Wine bars Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Entertainment place] Vino Veritas Edit This 01716063293 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 8 Russia Row, Off Cheapside, London, EC2V 8BL tel: 01716063293 Vino Veritas Edit This 01717305437 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 44 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9PA Grosvenor Arms Edit This 01716290534 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 2 Grosvenor Street, London, W1X 9FA Lamb & Flag Edit This 01714080132 Dan: Small busy little pub. Has football on TV and often a few nice laydees! type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 24 St James Street, Off Oxford Street, London, W1M 5HN The Borderline Edit This Famous bands as Blur and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers did their gigs here. Once a week Indie Night and promoter of (still) unknown bands. type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: Orange Yard, off Manette St tel: 020 7587 1441 Ain't Nothin' But Blues Bar Edit This Live blues and live jazz. type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 20 Kingly Street, Soho W1 tel: 020 7287 0514 All Inn One Edit This i Jazz Pub, with Modern Jazz Saturdays and Blues on Thursday nights. Good Wines, Real Ales and the best Sunday Roast in town. The Pub is in Forest Hill SE London, Next to the train station. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] email: allinnone@btconnect.com address: 53 Perry Vale tel: 020 8699 3311 ClosingTime: 1am closingtime: 11am Prince Edward Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 28 Old Compton Street tel: 020 7447 5400 Prince of Wales Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Coventry Street tel: 020 7839 5972 Palace Theatre Edit This Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing photo by: Joseph Hollick The Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing. It is an extremely funny musical performance. You can purchase discount tickets on the same day at Leicester Square Box Office at 41-43 Cranbourn Street. type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 93-107 Shaftesbury Avenue tel: 020 7434 0909 Her Majesty's Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Haymarket tel: 020 7494 5400 The World Lottery Edit This New and exciting lottery on the internet. Play 7 numbers and win the jackpot by guessing only 5. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 24 hours a day 7 days a week url: www.theworldlottery.eu accessibility: internet email: albert.master@theworldlottery.eu G.A.Y. Astoria Edit This The largest, campest gay club in Europe. Where else can you see Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Westlife, Steps, Lisa Stansfield, Geri Halliwell and many other international stars? Camp Attack is the best Friday night in Western Europe and Saturdays host the largest names on the planet. A 2500+ capacity means you'll get the hottest crowd anywhere in London. Highly recommended! type: Gay and Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 157 Charing Cross Road, Soho tel: 020 7734 6963 url: www.g-a-y.co.uk The Swan Edit This 01712625204 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 66 Bayswater Road, London, W2 3PH Blow UP Edit This photo Near legendary and now into its second decade. What started in '93 as Camden's finest in the upstairs of The Laurel Tree over the years has had residencies in several London venues including its longest at the now defunct Wag Club on Wardour St. Now in cosy environs of the Metro for nearly four years. You will hear a high energy mix of New Wave and Classic British and International Pop from 60s too the 00's alongside 60s Soul, Beat, Mod Jazz, Boogaloo and Soundtracks... djs: paul tunkin + ian jackson drink specials: vodka + mixer £2 / becks £2.50 more.. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: 19-23 Oxford St, London tel: 02074370964 url: www.blowupmetro.com KOKO Edit This Once known as the mighty Camden Palace, it had a reputation as the rave epicentre of London back 'in the day'. But it's been repainted and rebranded, but don't be put off by the name. The inside still looks like a grand old fashioned theatre, equiped with several bars and different levels to give you great views of the stage below. There are still live music and club nights, like before. Every Friday (10pm-3am), there is Club NME, named after Britain's famous indie mag. You can regularly see new up and coming guitar bands. On Saturdays they have regulary more.. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] email: info@koko.uk.com address: 1A Camden High Street, London NW1 openinghours: 10pm - 3am tel: 0870 432 5527 url: www.koko.uk.com Stringfellows Edit This nightclub featuring the Cabaret of Angels- lots of outrageous behavior. Joe: Probably THE worst place to go out in London. A tourist trap - avoid at all costs. Buy a copy of "Time Out" magazine to find out something more suitable. type: Clubs & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] Fabric Edit This Still often considered the best club in London, Fabric carries a progressive music policy. Queues can be horrendous so get there early, but once inside you'll be treated to a spectacular neo-industrial interior and an electric atmosphere. type: Clubs & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.fabriclondon.com Lee Hurst's Backyard Comedy Club Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 231 Cambridge Heath Road E2 tel: 020 7739 3122 Wellesley Arms Edit This 01713527924 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 70 Sydney Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6NJ New London Theatre Edit This Great place where you can see Blue Man Group Show type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Parker Street tel: 020 7405 0072 Apartment 195 Edit This Apartment 195 London Cocktails Apartment 195 London Cocktails photo by: Romas Ford Apartment 195 is right in the heart of stylish Chelsea, making it perfect for unwinding after shopping or a busy day at work. Relax in the elegant surroundings of this beautiful listed building and admire the original fireplaces and contemporary art. The main attraction is the extensive cocktail list served by a team of all female bartenders. As well as a wide range of delicious cocktails there is a carefully chosen selection of wines, champagnes, bottled beers and bar snacks. The London cocktail menu celebrates london's landmarks and more.. type: Wine bars World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 11 pm tel: 020 7351 5195 address: 195 King's Rd, London, SW3 5ED email: info@apartment195.co.uk Tea Clipper Edit This 01715895251 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 19 Montpellier Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HF Atelier Edit This Funky nightclub with several floors, good music and good places to relax a bit. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 18 West Central Street, St Giles's WC1 tel: 020 7419 9199 Brixton Academy Edit This Originally built as a theatre in 1929, it still retains some grandeur from the good old days. You get more of a feel of this from the seating, but it's always best to be downstairs where the action is. The standing room downstairs is sloped down toward the stage, which allows you a reasonably good view of the performer, depending on how big the person's head is in front of you. The big boys and girls have all graced here including Madonna, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. It's also a primary destination for US R'n'B and Hip-hop artists, and becuase of the 6am more.. type: Concerts World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 6am tel: 020 7771 3000 url: www.brixton-academy.co.uk address: 211 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SL The Edge Edit This Classic and therefore usually packed with people. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 11 Soho Square, Soho W1 tel: 020 7439 1313 Royal Albert Hall Edit This This is the hall where the famous Night of The Proms takes place. Besides that, many plays, concerts and other performances. type: Music Halls World66 rating: [rate it] address: Kensington Gore tel: 020 7589 8212 Cheshire Cheese Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 5 Little Essex Street, Strand, London, WC2R 3LD tel: 01718362347 Ye Olde Cock Tavern Edit This 01713538570 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 22 Fleet Street, London, EC4 1YA tel: 01713538570 Odeon Cinemas Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 22-24, Leicester Square tel: 020 8315 4215 Chelsea Cinema Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 206, Kings Rd tel: 020 7351 3742 Screen on Baker St Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 96-98, Baker St tel: 020 7935 2772 Prince Charles Cinema Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 7, Leicester Place tel: 020 7437 7003 Ku Bar Edit This One of the upcoming places that attracts a rather young crowd. type: Gay and Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 75 Charing Cross Road, Soho, WC2 tel: 020 7437 4303 Black Cap Edit This Known for its nice garden, good beer and frequent drag shows. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 171 Camden High Street, Camden NW1 tel: 020 7428 2721 Ritzy Cinema Edit This A great cinema showing a mixture of foreign films and blockbusters. Has regular films festivals and has cheap tickets on Mondays. The Ritzy also has two bars, one unremarkable one downstairs, and two level cafe/bar upstairs. This has balcony seating and regular live music, poetry and DJs. type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 12am tel: 08707 550 062 url: www.picturehouses.co.uk address: Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW2 1JG email: ritzy@picturehouses.co.uk The Fridge Edit This nightclub located in Brixton. London’s largest privately owned nightclub. address: Town Hall Parade, Brixton: Set in what once was an old theater, the Fridge is a massive venue with wide open space about it! Events here rotate and include a WIDE VARIETY of nights... The fridge has recently undergone a refit (winter/spring 2004) - with improved factilites, sound system and lights ... The Fridge is usually attitude free fun! type: Clubs & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: Town Hall Parade Ivans Comedy Gaff Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Wheatsheaf, 25 rathbone Place W1 tel: 020 7580 1585 Barbican Centre Edit This type: Music Halls World66 rating: [rate it] address: Silk Street tel: 020 7638 8891 Po Na Na Edit This Late night drinking and dancing clubs with a unique, North African Atmosphere. It's really good and very lively type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: 204 Fulham Rd Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park Edit This Comedies, tragedies, Shakespeare or a concert in the summer breeze. type: Erotic clubs and bars World66 rating: [rate it] address: Inner Circle, Regent's Park tel: 020 7486 2431 Fleet Street Comedy Club Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Old Cobblers Hill House, Shoe Lane EC4 tel: 020 8387 8784 Black Lion Edit This 01712290917 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 123 Bayswater Road, London, W2 3JH Odeon Kensington Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 8, Kensington High Street tel: 020 7602 6460 The Box Edit This Quite shiny and bright to some of the other venues that can be rather dark and gloomy. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 32-34 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden WC2 tel: 020 7240 5828 Admiral Duncan Edit This Good oldie, but still very popular. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 54 Old Compton Street, Soho W1 tel: 020 7437 5300 Electrowerkz Edit This type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 7 Torrens Street EC1 tel: 020 7957 516 545 The Red Eye Edit This Since then we have striven to make 'The Red Eye' one of London's most exciting live music venues, bringing you the very best of up-and-coming live talent from across the musical spectrum ... indie to punk, hip-hop to rock, SEVEN nights a week. type: Clubs & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: address: 105 Copenhagen Street Coast to Coast Edit This Central London based northern soul, ska, reggae, rocksteady, funk and boogaloo Club-We will take you through a musical journey from Kingston to Montego Bay, via Chicago, London, Detroit, New York and Spanish Town, we're taking you from the 60's to the 70's in a joyful and rythmic trip, so fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride! type: Clubs & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: 23 Orchard Street Brick Lane Music Hall Edit This type: Music Halls World66 rating: [rate it] address: Curtain Road tel: 020-7739-9996/9997 South Bank Centre Edit This type: Music Halls World66 rating: [rate it] address: Belvedere Road tel: 020 7960 4242 Red Rose Company Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 129 Seven Sisters Road tel: 020 7281 3051 The Laughing Horse Comedy Club Too Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Lucas Arms, 245a Greys Inn Road tel: 020 7171 190 Amused Moose Central Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Crown & Two Chairmen, 31 Dean Street W1 tel: 020 8341 1341 Comedy Spot Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Spot, 29 Maiden Lane WC2 tel: 020 7379 5900 Comedy Cafe Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 66 Rivington Street EC2 tel: 020 7739 5706 Hoxton Comedy Club Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 257 Hoxton Street N1 tel: 020 7739 3083 The Comedy Pub Edit This type: Comedy Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 7 Oxenden Street SW1 tel: 020 7839 7261 Three Tuns Edit This 01714080330 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 1 Portman Mews South, Marble Arch, London, W1H 9AU Vigo's Edit This 01717341947 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 11 Vigo Street, Mayfair, London, W1X 1AJ * London Travel Guide * Map * Climate * Sights * Eating Out * History * Practical Information * Webcams & 360 degree pics * Getting Around * Getting There * accommodation * Museums * Day Trips * Beaches * Books * Shopping * Nightlife and Entertainment * Internet Cafes * Bars and Cafes * Festivals * Things to do * Photo Gallery [Add Section] Ads by Google Bhutan Scenic Tours hotels,tours,visas,air ticketing hiking,cultural & biking in Bhutan www. bhutanscenictours. com Need Gigs? Find 32,000 Live Music Venues in the US and Canada! www. IndieVenueBible. com London Hotel Map Search That Perfect Hotel Sites, Reviews, Rates and Discounts www. hotel-map. us/ London Gagliardi Gallery 509 Kings Road Chelsea, exhibiting established and emerging artists www.gagliardi.org Brass Bars Find Industrial Services Solutions For Your Business. Get It Done Now! www.business.com Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing Palace Theatre has Spamalot playing Joseph Hollick London is a work hard and play hard kind of city, so it should come as no surprise that London nightlife activities are abundant. As a global centre of nightlife and entertainment, this city really does know how to let its hair down. There is a scene for everyone on any given night of the week -- somewhere in the city of London. For high culture, there is a plethora of options from the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall to hundreds of west-end (and fringe) theatres showing big name shows, packed with celebrities. Cinemas are plentiful, with star-studded premieres happening most weeks. For listings of shows, as well as club nights, concerts, and other events check out the weekly London listings magazine, Time Out. And of course there are literally thousands of casual London bars and pubs, London restaurant bars/lounges, and clubs all across the city. There is a concentration of these across the West End and Soho, the latter being home to a thriving gay scene. Don't be surprised if you run into a few famous faces around Soho either. The obvious draw for tourists is around the bright lights of Leicester Square, but if you know where to look, there are equally good, if not better bars outside the centre, around areas such as Shoreditch in the East, Islington in the North, Notting Hill in the West or Clapham in the South. Traditional old London taverns can be found allover the city, the seventeenth-century George Inn at Borough High Street or The Crown at New Oxford Street are among the most noticeable, but in the bar section there are a lot of alternatives. Music fans are also very well catered for in London, with most major artists including the city in their tours, as well as hundreds of resident bands, musicians and DJs packing out venues across the city every night. Some of the more famous venues include the Brixton Academy, the Jazz Cafe, and the cavernous Wembley Arena. And now with new licensing laws, more and more bars and other venues are opening way beyond the traditional 11:00 p.m. curfew. Whatever you are into, you are sure to find it in London's nightlife scene. Best London Lounges and Nightclubs Fabric - Dance Club open until 7 a.m., Guest DJs, 77a Charterhouse Street, Ph: 020 7336 8898. www.fabriclondon.com Ministry of Sound - DJ shows, events, live performances, Open until 7 a.m., 103 Gaunt Street, Ph: +44 870 060 0010, www.ministryofsound.com The End - Guest DJs, dancing until dawn, Open until 7 a.m., 16a-18 West Central Street, Ph: +44 207 419 9199, www.endclub.com Late Lounge & Cocoon - Located in Cocoon restaurant, elegant bar with excellent signature drinks and an elaborate Sake collection. DJ spins house music and chill-out nightly. Open until 3 a.m., 65 Regent Street, Ph: 0871 971 5257, www.cocoon-restaurants.co.uk/latelounge.php The Living Room W1 - Bar, lounge, and London restaurant all rolled up into one. Pop, rock, and blues music nightly. Open until 1 a.m., Sunday until 12 a.m., 3-9 Heddon Street, Ph: 0207 292 0570, www.thelivingroomw1.co.uk Contributors May 17, 2008 change by mcburton (1 point) September 06, 2005 change by mattsharpe Display all or display just: Bars & Pubs Casinos Cinemas Clubs & Dancing Clubs and dancing Comedy Clubs Concerts Erotic clubs and bars Gay & Lesbian Gay and Lesbian Live Music Music Halls Musicals Opera Pubs Theatres Wine bars Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Entertainment place] Marlborough Arms Edit This 01716360120 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 36a Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HJ Museum Tavern Edit This 01712428987 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 49 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3BA Devereux Edit This 01715834562 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 20 Devereux Court, Strand, London, WC2R 3JJ Green Man & French Horn Edit This 01718367644 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 54 St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4EA Hand & Racquet Edit This 01719305905 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 48 Whitcombe Street, Piccadilly, London, WC2H 7DS Nell of Old Drury Edit This 01718365328 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 29 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5JS Prince of Wales Edit This 01718365183 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 150 / 151 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5TB Roadhouse Edit This 01712406001 Dan: I gets very crowded at the weekends. The drinks are expensive, if you can get to the bar! type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2 Ship Tavern Edit This 01714051992 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 12 Gate Street, Holborn, London, WC2A 3HP Horse & Groom Edit This 124 Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth North, London, SE1 7XG, Tel. 01714882208 or 01719286277 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] The Windmill Edit This Lovely pub just off Conduit Street. Young's traditional ales and standard lagers. Award winning food in upstairs and downstairs restaurants. type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 6-8 Mill Street, Mayfair openinghours: Normal The Albert Edit This 01712225577 Richard Cain: A popular and famous pub, the Albert is the nearest "boozer" on Victoria Street for the inhabitants of New Scotland Yard - the HQ of London's Metropolitan Police. Which is curious, because if you look closely at one of the intricate frosted windows facing the alleyway that runs past the pub, you will clearly see a small calibre bullet-hole! Rumour has it that this pub is also the furthest public building away from the Houses of Parliament which has a 'divisions' bell in order to call back any members of parliament to take part more.. type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 52 Victoria Street, Victoria, London, SW1H 0NP Courtfield Edit This 01713702626 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 187 Earl's Court Road, London, SW5 9AN Hereford Arms Edit This 01713704988 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 127 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 4TE Man in The Moon Edit This 01713525075 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 392 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UZ Rat & Parrot Edit This 01713702760 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 123 Earl's Court Road, London, SW3 5WS Rat & Parrot Edit This 01715890905 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 25 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 4PL Resident Edit This 01717307721 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 23 Smith Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 4EE Hand & Shears Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 1 Middle Street, Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7JA tel: 01716000257 Lord Raglan Edit This 01717264756 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 61 St Martins-Le-Grand, London, EC1A 4ER tel: 01717264756 The Blue Anchor Edit This 01713402205 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Roll's Passage, Off Chancery Lane, London, EC4 1HL Ye Olde London Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 42 Ludgate Hill, City, London, EC4M 7JU tel: 01712481852 Dickens Inn Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: St. Katherine's way, London, London, SE1 9LB01714882208 Horse & Groom124 Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth North, London, SE1 7XG tel: 01719286277 The Warrington Hotel Edit This 01712862929 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 93 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, London, W9 tel: 01712862929 The Globe Edit This Good pub near Baker street Dan: Busy pub. On the junction of Baker St and Marylebone Rd. Selection of beers, food and a local ghost! type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 43/47 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JY tel: 01719356368 Country Pub in London Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 52 Cambridge Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 4QQ tel: 01712338342 Kings Arms Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 01718347324 Rat & Parrot Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 4 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9RB tel: 01717303957 Shakespeare's Tavern Edit This 01718284913 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 99 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 0RP The Talbot Edit This 01712351639 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Little Chester Street, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7AL Two Chairman Edit This 01712228694 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 39 Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BP White Swan Edit This 01718218568 Dan: Has a good selection of beers. Puts on food. Wooden clad. Right on the traffic light junction round the corner from Pimlico Tube. type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 14 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 2SA Audley Edit This 01714991843 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 41 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1Y 5RB tel: 01714931135 Brutons Edit This type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Brutons Lane, West End, London, W1X 7LD Coach & Horses Edit This 01716294123 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 5 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, W1X 7AF Cock & Lion Edit This 01719358728 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 62 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 9DJ Devonshire Arms Edit This 01714372445 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 17 Denman Street, London, W1V 7RJ Golden Lion Edit This 01714340661 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 51 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1V 5HT Kings Arms Edit This 01716290416 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 2 Shepherds Market, Mayfair, London, W1Y 7HT Leicester Arms Edit This 01717347641 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 44 Glasshouse Street, Piccadilly, London, W1R 5RF Masons Arms Edit This 01715806501 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 58 Devonshire Street, London, W1N 1LT Shepherds Tavern Edit This 01714993017 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 50 Hertfort Street, Shepherds Market, London, W1Y 7HJ Duke of Clarence Edit This The former 'Bram Stoker Tavern' is now a pub called the Duke of Clarence. 01713732818 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 148 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW5 0DE Bunch of Grapes Edit This 01715894944 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 207 Brompton Road, Brompton, London, SW3 1LA Cadogan Arms Edit This 01713521645 type: Bars & Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 298 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UG ABC Cinemas Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 215-217, Piccadilly tel: 020 7437 3561 Empire Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 2, Leicester Square tel: 020 7734 7123 Coronet Cinema Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 103, Nottinghill Gate tel: 020 7727 6705 The Metro Cinema Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: Rupert House 19, Rupert St tel: 020 7437 0757 Cine-UK Ltd Edit This type: Cinemas World66 rating: [rate it] address: 22, Chapter St tel: 020 7932 2200 Shakespeare's Globe Edit This The Globe is dedicated to the experience and the and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance. type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: New Globe walk tel: 020 7401 9919 Royal Court Theatre Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: Sloane Square tel: 020 7565 5000 Royal National Theatre Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: South Bank tel: 020 7452 3000 Theatre Royal Haymarket, Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: Haymarket tel: 020 7930 8890 Soho Theatre Company Edit This Set in a modern building and showing work of some of the hottest new arrivals. type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: 21 Dean Street tel: 020 7287 5060 Wimbledon Theatre Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Broadway, Wimbledon tel: 020 8540 0362 The Place Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: 17 Dukes Road tel: 020 7387 0161 Greenwich Theatre Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: Crooms Hill tel: 020 8858 7755 Bloomsbury Theatre Edit This type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: 15 Gordon Street tel: 020 7388 8822 King Edward VI Edit This Mixed crowd, nice atmosphere and small beer garden. Can be crowded. type: Gay and Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 25 Bromfield Street N1 tel: 020 7704 0745 BJ's Edit This Besides a good venue to go to when you want to have a drink, also the place to go to when you want to dance or see some cabaret (weekends) type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: White Swan 556 Commercial Road tel: 020 7780 9870 Retro Bar Edit This Bar annex disco with good old music from the 70s and 80s and occasional theme nights. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 2 George Court, off Strand, Charing Cross tel: 020 7321 2811 Drill Hall Edit This Besides a bar, also a theatre and a veggie restaurant. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: 16 Chenies Street, Fitzrovia, WC1 tel: 020 7631 1353 Exilio Latino Edit This Exilio Latino, for all Salsa lovers. type: Gay & Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] address: Houghton Street, Holborn WC2 tel: 020 0795 6983 English National Opera Edit This type: Opera World66 rating: [rate it] address: London Coliseum St. Martin's Lane tel: 020 7632 8300 Royal Opera House Edit This type: Opera World66 rating: [rate it] address: Bow St Covent Garden tel: 020 7304 4000 The Jazz Café Edit This Award winning live music Jazz venue. type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 5 Parkway, Camden Town tel: 020 79126 6060 Ronnie Scott's Jazz club Edit This Closes at 3am. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] address: 47 Frith Street Soho tel: 020 7439 0747 Scala Edit This Performances of both known and unknown bands. Often parties with the most well-known DJ’s in London. type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 275 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross tel: 020 1771 2000 Blues West 14 Edit This type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 11 Russell Gardens tel: 020 7603 7878 Asylum Edit This type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 28 Rathbone Place W1 tel: 020 7636 8228 Dublin Castle Edit This type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 94 Parkway, Camden NW1 tel: 020 7485 1773 Borderland Edit This type: Live Music World66 rating: [rate it] address: 47-49 Westow Street SE1 tel: 020 8771 0885 Shaftesbury Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Shaftesbury Avenue tel: 0207 379 5815 London Palladium Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 8 Argyll Street tel: 020 7494 5020 Apollo Victoria Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 17 Wilton Road tel: 020 7416 6070 Victoria Palace Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 8 Victoria Street tel: 020 7834 1317 Aldwych Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 49 Aldwych tel: 0870 4000 6500 Adelphi Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 18-20 Maiden Lane tel: 020 7344 0055 Apollo Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 29 Shaftesbury Avenue tel: 020 7494 5070 Dominion Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Tottenham Court Road tel: 0870 607 7400 Cambridge Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Earlham Street tel: 020 7494 5080 Vaudeville Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: 404 Strand tel: 020 7836 9987 Drury Lane Theatre Edit This type: Musicals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Catherine Street tel: 020 7494 5000 Curzon Soho Edit This Best cinema in central London, on Shaftesbury Avenue. Cafe upstairs, and a bar below for when you've bought your ticket and you're allowed access. Arthouse films only. type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] address: Shaftesbury Avenue Punch & Judy Edit This This is the worst pub I've ever frequented in my entire life! If you're looking for a half hearted, tourist filled dump, then I highly recommend it. It's a pub/bar I'd expect to see in a redneck filled section of America. Trash! Don't waste your time. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Unit 40, Covent Garden Market, London, WC2E 8RF West End General Tip Edit This First thing- 10 thumbs up for this site and the idea beyond it. Second off all - being a big West End musical fan I wanted everyone to know about this great site I found which offers discounts to many shows www.broadwaybox.com/london . I use it quite often and saved quite a bit of $$$ thanks to it. Enjoy good theater people. (I hope it wont be a double listing cause I tried to post before and nothing happened) type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.broadwaybox.com Light Bar Edit This The Light Bar is a unique and breathtaking space that takes the concept of atmospheric lighting to new heights. Guests gather to sip the now famous cocktails, such as Passion Fruit Martini, Tropical or Vanillan Cairpirinha, Strawberry Cheesecake and Pink Lychee Champagne, snack on Asia de Cuba delights, chat and people watch in a series of cozy niches that are bathed in warmly vibrant shafts of colored light - pink, orange, violet, and green. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 (0) 20 7300 5599 url: www.stmartinslane.com address: 45 St. Martin's Lane London Long Bar Edit This At some 80-feet in length, Sanderson's dramatic, glowing onyx Long Bar is the focal point for energy at Sanderson. The beauty of Long Bar is that anyone can visit at any time, which proves to be rare for such a glamorous and well-known hotel bar. Long Bar is light, white and airy and oozes freshness and cleanliness. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 (0) 20 7300 1496 url: www.sandersonlondon.com address: 50 Berners Street London Purple Bar Edit This The Purple Bar, with its veritable symphony of purples, lavenders and violets, is a chic and intimate lounge that has become one of London’s hottest gathering places. Draped in violet silk opera curtains, and furnished with lavender Queen Anne chairs, purple etched Venetian mirrors, and a bar that looks like an enormous meteorite just fallen from the sky, the wildly theatrical Purple Bar feels straight from the pages of “Alice in Wonderland” – a quality that makes it the perfect setting for drinks, conversation and people-watching. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 (0) 20 7300 1496 url: www.sandersonlondon.com address: 50 Berners Street London Purple Bar Edit This The Purple Bar, with its veritable symphony of purples, lavenders and violets, is a chic and intimate lounge that has become one of London’s hottest gathering places. Draped in violet silk opera curtains, and furnished with lavender Queen Anne chairs, purple etched Venetian mirrors, and a bar that looks like an enormous meteorite just fallen from the sky, the wildly theatrical Purple Bar feels straight from the pages of “Alice in Wonderland” – a quality that makes it the perfect setting for drinks, conversation and people-watching. type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +44 (0) 20 7300 1496 url: www.sandersonlondon.com address: 50 Berners Street London Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Edit This I have been to the Ritzy only twice but despite the trek from North London have pledged to go again and more frequently. The cinema is a short, easy walk, from Brixton station and retains all the character of it's exterior on the interior. Staff are affable, there are two separate cafe spaces serving food upstairs and mostly drinks downstairs at a reasonable price and in considerable contrast to usual cienema fare (no week old pic'n'mix sweets here). I am a firm believer that you can always judge a place by the state of its toilets and here the Ritzy exceeds. Not only they more.. type: Theatres World66 rating: [rate it] Everyman Cinema Club Edit This The Everyman is one of the best cinemas in London. Its comfortable leather armchairs and sofas and artsy d?cor create a very pleasurable and relaxing atmosphere. There is a good selection and mix of movies, from artistic to blockbuster. It is small enough to feel homely but has enough space between the seats to forget there are people around you. It also has a nice choice of drinks and snacks and an excellent and friendly staff, which add up to a great experience. Moreover, it is right in the centre of Hampstead Village, one of my favourite areas in London. It has more.. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 23.00 tel: 087 00 66 47 77 url: www.everymancinema.com address: 5 Holly Bush Vale, London NW3 6TX Everyman Cinema Club Edit This The Everyman is one of the best cinemas in London. Its comfortable leather armchairs and sofas and artsy d?cor create a very pleasurable and relaxing atmosphere. There is a good selection and mix of movies, from artistic to blockbuster. It is small enough to feel homely but has enough space between the seats to forget there are people around you. It also has a nice choice of drinks and snacks and an excellent and friendly staff, which add up to a great experience. Moreover, it is right in the centre of Hampstead Village, one of my favourite areas in London. It has more.. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 23.00 tel: 087 00 66 47 77 url: www.everymancinema.com address: 5 Holly Bush Vale, London NW3 6TX ___________Festivals Edit This What are there langues? [Add Festival] The Lord Mayor's Parade Edit This Takes place in the city of London (the old bit) near the Bank tube stop, and outside of the Lord Mayor's house. Based on an old tradition of welcoming the Lord Mayor into the city and his new home. Many different floats and performers, and large crowds. In 2006 national acrobats from hong kong performed. In 2008 the Lord Mayor's Show is on Saturday 8 November. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.ukstudentlife.com date: November _________Things to do Edit This There are so many areas in London, that it would be tough to list them all here. But one standout worthy of a mention is the Brixton area. The area offers a wide variety of London activities, London restaurants, and a good number of London hotels if you decide that you would like to spend a few days here. Continue reading through this London travel guide to learn more about Brixton and other fun and interesting things to do during your stay in London. Brixton sits in South London, right at the bottom of the Victoria Line. It has a large Afro-Caribbean population, orginiating from the 1940s and 50s, when Britain invited large numbers from the West Indies to fill the job gaps. It still has an edgy reputation left over from the race riots in the 80s and the drugs problems that still plague the area. However you're only likely to hear a hushed whisper of "skunk, weed", just ignore it and keep walking. Brixton is a colourful, unique area, that is like nowhere else in London. There are several markets stretching across the town where you can pick up all manner of exotic foods, textiles and jewellery. Brixton has several galleries to peruse, there's a photographer's gallery called Photofusion which is an interesting little gallery with darkroom facilities. But also check out Brixton Art Gallery, which has been around for over 20 years and continues to hold contemporary multicultural exhibitions. There is a large evangelical Christian presence in Brixton, and there are plenty of entertaining preachers spreading the message. From lone preachers, to choirs to groups of MCs, all can be seen outside KFC (Brixton's Speaker's Corner). For entertainment there's the Ritzy Cinema, which shows a mix of foreign films and Hollywood hits as well as hosting different cultural events in their two bars. And there is the Brixton Academy, which regularly attracts some of the biggest artists to play there (including Madonna's last UK gig). If you fancy some fresh air, then try a ten minute walk from town centre to Brockwell Park, a huge expanse of green hills. It contains the famous Brixton Lido, as well as a park for the kids. Stand on the highest point, and you see a good view of London. If you are especially interested in the history and culture of Brixton, then try Brixton Tours (www.brixtontours.co.uk). Or try Brixton's Library (next to the Ritzy Cinema), which has a few books on the local history of the area. There are too many bars and clubs in Brixton to mention here. For a quick tasty bite try Fujiyama (Japanese noodles), or for something a little more swish try Bug, hidden under St Matthew's Church. The bars vary from a few remaining old man pubs, to stylish bars and full on clubs, it all depends on your taste and the size of your wallet. Contributors August 23, 2005 change by brixton_ian February 08, 2007 change by warzabidul May 17, 2008 change by mcburton [Add Activity] Holland Park Edit This Playing tennis in Holland Park is probably one of the most scenic places to enjoy a game or two. Considered London's "prettiest" places to play, Holland Park has six hard courts. The 54-acre Holland Park is located in Kensington, north of Kensington High Street, W8 and north of the Commonwealth Institute site. To find out if a court is available call Holland Park at 02 076 022 226. Holland Tennis courts are open year round. type: Tennis World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0207 602 2226 address: Holland Park, W8 Chelsea Sports Center Edit This Located just off King's Road, Chelsea Sports Centre features an early 20th-century swimming pool that's popular with kids and adults alike. The 32 by 12 meter pool is indoors, of course, and it costs as little as a cup of coffee and a pastry to enjoy the facility all day. type: Swimming World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 020 7352 6985 url: www.rbkc.gov.uk address: Chelsea Manor Street email: information@rbkc.gov.uk The Green Park Edit This Running is a lovely experience in just about any London park. Jogging is also a popular activity here, so expect crowds on most paths. An excellent jogging path is located in The Green Park -- one of London's Royal Parks. The 47-acre park is located between Hyde Park and St. James Park -- yet another excellent place for a run. type: Other World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.royalparks.org.uk address: Between Hyde Park and St. James Park East End/West End Bicycle Tour Edit This Offered through London Bicycling Tour Company, visitors can take a 3-1/2 hour bike tour of the East End and West End. If you prefer to bike on your own, you can rent a bike for the day for £14 ($27US) or by the hour for £2.50 ($5US). Tours cost £15 or ($29US). LBTC also rents rickshaws, rollerblades, and tandems as well. type: Cycling World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0207 928 5638 url: www.londonbicycle.com address: 1A Gabriel's Wharf, South Bank The River Thames Cruise Edit This Sail along England's longest river and see the city from a different view -- one of the best London has to offer. During a docent led tour you will sail past museums, churches, palaces, theaters, and pubs. type: Sailing World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.riverthames.co.uk Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Edit This The 300-acre Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew features more than 60,0000 species of plants as well as dozens of decorative structures, museums, galleries, glasshouses, and wildlife areas. Plan on spending at least half of your day exploring the more than seven different zones and dining at one of the garden's tasty restaurants or cafes. type: Other World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: Totally Wheelchair Accessible url: www.kew.org address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Wakehurst Place Cricket Edit This Head to the Oval, home of Surrey County Cricket Club, and grab a ticket to watch a real live London cricket game. Your chances of seeing a game here are much better than Lord's (www.lords.org). Tickets to Oval cricket games are sold on a first-come first-served basis beginning in late October. type: Other World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 020 7582 6660 url: www.surreycricket.com address: Kennington Oval, Kennington SE11 |
| Grazie a www.imondonauti.it |
| Gran Bretagna Itinerario 2 Londra: istruzioni per l'uso Testo e foto di Flavia Daneo Basta tenere d’occhio le offerte dei voli low cost e la vacanza a Londra non è più un sogno… Ma una volta atterrati in terra inglese che fare? Quali mezzi prendere per arrivare dall’aeroporto alla capitale britannica? Come spostarsi una volta arrivati in città? Qui di seguito vogliamo offrire alcune indicazioni pratiche di massima necessarie per arrivare velocemente a destinazione e muoversi in città. Dopo di che ognuno sarà libero di organizzare il proprio soggiorno londinese in base ai suoi interessi, desideri ed aspettative… e la capitale inglese ha talmente tanto da offrire che sicuramente tutti avranno di che impegnare le proprie giornate, serate e nottate. Come arrivare Londra è servita da ben 5 aeroporti: Heathrow e Gatwick sono i principali, Stansted è stato inaugurato nel 1991 e in una quindicina di anni si è enormemente sviluppato, a Luton arrivano i voli charter mentre per i voli di affari si predilige il London City Airport. L'aeroporto di Heathrow (tel. 08700 000123; www.baa.co.uk) dista 25 km da Londra. Treno: i convogli dell’Heathrow Express (www.heathrowexpress.com) partono ogni 15 min. e arrivano in un quarto d’ora alla stazione di Paddington. Il costo del biglietto parte da 13 £ (25 £ a/r) Metro: si impiegano circa 50 min. per arrivare dall’aeroporto a Londra centro con la linea Piccadilly. Le partenze avvengono ogni 5-10 min. e il biglietto costa 3.80 £. Cattedrale di Canterbury Il Big Ben Bus: la National Express Airport collega l’aeroporto a Victoria Coach Station in circa 1 ora e 45 min. di viaggio (costo del biglietto a partire da 8 £) e a Kings Cross (costo del biglietto a partire da 10 £). L'aeroporto di Gatwick (tel. 08700 002468; www.baa.co.uk) dista circa 45 km da Londra. Treno: i convogli del Gatwick Express (www.gatwickexpress.com ) partono ogni 15 min. e arrivano in circa mezz’ora a Victoria Station. Il costo del biglietto parte da 13 £ (24 £ a/r). Interessante la formula Two for Four: se 4 adulti viaggiano insieme pagano per due solamente. Alle stesse modalità è possibile optare anche per il South Eastern (8.20 £) mentre il treno della Thameslink arriva a London Bridge in circa 30 min. Il biglietto costa 10 £. Bus: in circa 1 ora e 20 min. si arriva dall’aeroporto a Victoria Coach Station con i bus della National Express Airport che partono ogni mezz’ora. L'aeroporto di Stansted dista circa 55 km da Londra. Treno: i convogli dello Stansted Express (www.stanstedexpress.com ) partono ogni 15 min. e arrivano in circa 45 min. di viaggio a Liverpool Street. Il biglietto costa 14.50 £. Bus: i bus (www.terravision.it) partono dalla fermata n. 26 con intervalli di circa mezz’ora e arrivano alla fermata n. 2 della Greenline Coach Station, a Bulled Way (Victoria). Il tragitto dura teoricamente 1 ora e 15 min., ma calcolate anche 2 ore nelle ore di punta. Il costo del biglietto è di 9,50 £, 19 £ a/r. I bus della National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) costano 10 £ andata, 15 £ a/r. A differenza di quelli Terravision che sono diretti, fanno 5 fermate intermedie prima di arrivare a Victoria Coach Station. Low Cost Coach L'aeroporto di Luton (tel. 01582 405100; www.london-luton.com) dista circa 45 km da Londra. Treno:i convogli della Thameslink arrivano a King’s Cross in circa 40 min. facendo varie fermate intermedie. Tariffe a partire da 10.40 £. Bus: in circa 1 ora e 40 min. si arriva dall’aeroporto a Victoria Coach Station con i pullman della Greenline 757 (www.greenline.co.uk): fermate a Brent Cross, Baker st. e Marble Arch. I pullman partono ogni mezz’ora e il biglietto costa 9.50 £. Il London City Airport (tel. 020 76460088; www.londoncityairport.com) dista circa 9.5 km da Londra ed è frequentato soprattutto da chi viaggia per affari. Bus: ogni 20 min. l’autobus 473 collega l’aeroporto con la stazione della Docklands Light Railway. Più comodo lo Shuttlebus (tel. 020 76460088) che raggiunge il capolinea a Liverpool Steet in circa 25 min. Il biglietto costa 6 £. Metro: da Londra con la metropolitana Central Line fino a Stratford, poi con il treno fino a Silvertown. Generalmente il bus costa meno del treno ma impiega molto più tempo, soprattutto nelle ore di punta. Quindi, se optate per l’autobus per tornare in aeroporto, calcolate bene i tempi aumentandoli talvolta anche di 1 ora rispetto a quelli indicati. Cattedrale di Canterbury Bus a Oxford street Da tutti gli aeroporti si può naturalmente arrivare in centro a Londra prendendo un taxi. A seconda delle condizioni del traffico ci si impiega mediamente 1 ora - 1 ora e 30 min.; solo il London City Airport, vista la breve distanza, è raggiungibile in minor tempo. Le tariffe vanno dai 70 euro di Heathrow ai 110 euro di Gatwick e ai 140-150 euro di Luton e Stansted. Trasporti Pullman: la principale stazione londinese è la Victoria Coach Station (tel. 020 77303466). I pullman della Green Line Coaches (www.greenline.co.uk) fanno servizio tra Londra e le destinazioni a breve raggio mentre i pullman della National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) servono tutto il Paese. Treno: le principali stazioni ferroviarie londinesi sono nove. Da Paddington partono i treni diretti nell’Inghilterra occidentale, Galles e South Midlands; da Liverpool Street quelli diretti nell’Inghilterra dell’est e nell’Essex; da Euston, King Cross, Marylebone e St. Pancras quelli diretti nell’Inghilterra centrale, nel nord Inghilterra e Scozia; da Charing Cross, Waterloo e Victoria quelli diretti nel sud del Paese e con il continente. Waterloo International è anche la stazione d’arrivo dei treni Eurostar. Potete trovare info riguardanti orari, tratte, prezzi in www.nationalrail.co.uk Metropolitana: the Tube (www.tube.tfl.gov.uk), così chiamano la metropolitana i londinesi. Dodici linee e 275 stazioni fanno della metropolitana di Londra il mezzo più comodo e veloce per spostarsi e raggiungere praticamente tutti i punti di maggior interesse turistico della capitale. La metropolitana divide Londra in 6 zone per accedere alle quali vi sono biglietti a tariffe differenti, ma al turista interessano generalmente le zone 1 e 2, quelle in cui si concentra il maggior numero di monumenti. Acquistare il singolo biglietto, valido per 1 corsa, è il modo più costoso per muoversi (3 £; c'è anche la possibilità di acquistare un carnet di 10 biglietti). Conviene senz’altro optare per la Travel Card valida da 1 a 7 gg., per un numero illimitato di corse su tutta la rete metropolitana, sugli autobus e su alcuni tratti ferroviari. La Travel Card è acquistabile agli sportelli di ogni stazione della metro. Ve ne sono di diversi tipi: la One Day Family Travelcard conviene alle famiglie con bambini, la Weekend Travelcard è valida per tutto il fine settimana, la 7 Day Travelcard (22 £, zone 1-2) è valida per 7 giorni, la 3 Day Travelcard (15,40 £, zone 1-2) è valida per 3 giorni. La Day Travelcard è venduta in due versioni: quella valida in qualunque momento dal lunedì al venerdì (6,20 £, zone 1-2) e quella off peak valida dal lunedì al venerdì dopo le 9.30 e in qualunque momento durante il weekend (4.90 £, valida per le zone 1-2). Se pensate di fermarvi a Londra una settimana o più vi conviene senz'altro acquistare la Oyster Card. Si tratta di una carta ricaricabile con la quale potete pagare a scalare tutti i viaggi che intendete fare con i mezzi di trasporto pubblici londinesi. La modalità Pay as you go conviene a chi intende fermarsi 4-7 gg.: dovete recarvi presso la biglietteria di una qualsiasi stazione e dire di quanto volete caricare la vostra carta. All'atto del rilascio della carta pagherete una cauzione di 3£ che vi verranno rese quando la restituirete. Il sistema è molto rapido e comodo: basterà che sfioriate con la parte scritta della tessera rivolta verso l'alto uno dei lettori gialli presenti nelle postazioni delle stazioni e vi verrà calcolato automaticamente l'importo massimo da pagare nella giornata (calcolate che con questa carta le singole tratte vi costeranno meno). Nello stesso modo, ossia sfiorando gli appositi lettori, potrete anche conoscere il vostro credito residuo. Esiste anche la Visitor Travel Card (www.tfl.gov.uk; www.ticket-on-line.com), non acquistabile a Londra ma direttamente in Italia. Consente di viaggiare senza limiti sulla metropolitana, bus, e treni del centro di Londra e di godere di uno sconto del 20% per accedere ad alcune attrazioni della città. La Docklands Light Railway (D.L.R.) è parte del sistema metropolitano; è infatti una metropolitana leggera automatica che collega i Docklands con la City. Bus: il tradizionale bus londinese rosso a due piani è ormai stato in gran parte sostituito da bus più moderni, piccoli e di colori diversi. Per usarli al meglio premunitevi (negli uffici turistici o scaricandola direttamente dal sito (www.tfl.gov.uk) della London bus Guide dove sono indicati percorsi e fermate. Alla fermata dell’autobus vedrete che i londinesi attendono rigorosamente in fila l’arrivo del mezzo: rispettate la fila e salite dalla porta anteriore. Il costo del biglietto (1.50 £) si paga direttamente al conducente (tranne che alle fermate che recano la scritta “Buy tickets before boarding on all routes”), ma conviene munirsi di un pass. C’è l’One Day Bus Pass, un abbonamento giornaliero valido per un numero illimitato di corse su tutti gli autobus (3 £; eccetto quelli notturni contraddistinti dalla lettera N; 2.50 £) e il Bus Pass settimanale (11 £). Il carnet di 6 biglietti costa 6 £. (www.tfl.gov.uk ; tel. 02072221234). Anche nei bus potrete usare la Oyster Card (vedi sopra: metropolitana) e di conseguenza pagare il biglietto del bus 80 pence. Cattedrale di Canterbury La sede del parlamento a Londra Taxi: comodi (possono ospitare fino a 5 persone) e numerosi i taxi londinesi sono una vera e propria istituzione. I black cabs sono i taxi tradizionali di colore nero: non è necessario prenotarli, basta mettersi sul ciglio della strada, individuarne uno con la scritta For Hire accesa (segno che è libero) e fermarlo alzando il braccio. Non fate come in Italia e non salite immediatamente in taxi, ma prima dite al taxista la vostra destinazione e salite solo quando vi dà la sua disponibilità. Sono sempre dotati di tassametro che indica il prezzo della corsa. I minicab sono invece taxi privati che necessitano di prenotazione, anche telefonica. Bisogna chiedere la tariffa al momento della prenotazione e farsela confermare dall’autista. I Taxi Bike sono invece motociclette taxi: se non piove sono senz’altro un mezzo rapido per muoversi nel traffico londinese. Alloggi Inutile dire che a Londra si trovano alloggi di tutti i tipi e per tutte le tasche: ostelli, hotel economici e di lusso, appartamenti. Pensiamo di fare cosa utile evidenziare alcuni hotel che ci sono stati segnalati per la loro posizione centrale, la categoria di medio livello (2-3 stelle), la pulizia delle camere (non sempre cosa scontata a Londra, purtroppo!) e il buon rapporto qualità-prezzo ( i prezzi variano naturalmente a seconda del periodo prescelto). Hotel Reem, Princes Square, metro Bayswater; Central Park Hotel, 49-67 Queensborough Terrace, metro Queensway; Hotel Swinton, 18-24 Swinton Street, metro King’s Cross; Rose Court Hotel, 1-3 Talbot Square, metro Paddington o Lancaster Gate. The Hoxton Hotel, 81 Great Eastern Street, Square Mile, tra Liverpool Station e Shoreditch (la particolarità di questo hotel è che, pur trovandosi nel cuore di Londra e godendo di un lusso discreto e di un elegante design, applica la formula inconsueta del "paga meno chi prima prenota": 1 sterlina - sì, avete letto bene - nei periodi di offerta per aumentare via via a 29, 59, 79 sterline a camera. Competitivi anche i prezzi di pranzo e di accesso a piscina e palestra). Come ostelli segnaliamo il centralissimo Piccadilly Hostel. I letti in camerata a 6 letti costano 12 £, in camerata a 4 letti 18 £, le camere doppie 50 £. Buono anche l'Hyde Park Inn Hostel, metro Bayswater (fermata della metro a una ventina di metri dall'ostello). Un letto in camerata costa a partire da 10 £ a notte. Links e numeri utili Info generali: www.visitlondon.com; www.londontown.com; www.visitbritain.com Ambulanza: tel. 999 Polizia: tel. 112 Servizio medico: tel. 08 706000870; www.medicentre.co.uk Prenotazioni hotel: tel. 020 72345800 |
| Questo articolo è rilasciato sotto i termini della
GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_Londra Cronologia/Autori: http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grande_Londra&action=history Grande LondraDa Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
L'area amministrativa della Grande Londra (Greater London in inglese) unisce le Città di Londra (City of London) e di Westminster (City of Westminster) ed altri 31 boroughs, e costituisce quella che è generalmente nota come Londra, capitale del Regno Unito. La superficie è di 1.579 km2 (609 sq. mi) e contava 7.172.036 abitanti al censimento del 2001. La Grande Londra è compresa tra l'Est dell'Inghilterra a nord ed il Sud Est a sud. Dal 2000 la Grande Londra è amministrata dalla Greater London Authority ed ha un sindaco direttamente eletto, Ken Livingstone, controllato dalla London Assembly, anch'essa elettiva. Lo status della Grande Londra è abbastanza inusuale. È classificata ufficialmente sia come una contea cerimoniale che come una delle nove regioni dell'Inghilterra. Stranamente non è classificata come contea amministrativa, nonostante abbia un comitato amministrativo.
[modifica] StoriaLa Grande Londra fu creata nel 1965, sostituendo le precedenti contee amministrative del Middlesex e di Londra, con l'aggiunta della City, che non era controllata dalla Contea di Londra ed assorbendo parti delle contee del Kent, dell'Hertfordshire, del Surrey e dell'Essex. La Grande Londra è circondata dalle Home Counties dell'Essex, dell'Hertfordshire, del Buckinghamshire, del Berkshire, del Surrey e del Kent. La Grande Londra aveva originariamente un doppio sistema di governo locale, con il Greater London Council (GLC) che divideva i poteri con la Corporation of London (governante la piccola City of London) e i 32 London borough councils. Il Greater London Council fu abolito nel 1986 sotto il governo di Margaret Thatcher, con alcune delle sue funzioni devolute alla Corporation ed ai boroughs, ed altre date al governo centrale. Nel 2000 il governo Laburista ha creato la Greater London Authority costituita dalla London Assembly e dal Sindaco di Londra per governare l'intera area. Le elezioni per il sindaco del 2000 e del 2004 sono state entrambe vinte da Ken Livingstone, ultimo leader del GLC. La popolazione della Grande Londra è cresciuta da 1,1 milioni nel 1801 a circa 8,5 milioni nel 1939, ma è scesa a 6,5 milioni negli anni 1980. La popolazione è attualmente in crescita e dovrebbe raggiungere 8,15 milioni entro il 2016. Definizioni più ampie dell'area metropolitana londinese (la London commuter belt) si estendono su una regione molto più grande che conta fino a quattordici milioni di abitanti, ma generalmente comprende distretti distinti dalla Londra vera e propria. Il termine 'Grande Londra' è stato usato prima del
1965, in
particolare riferito all'area coperta dal
Metropolitan Police Service (che non coincideva con la Grande Londra
fino al 2000),
oggi però si preferisce il termine 'Metropolitan Police District'. [modifica] Boroughs [modifica] Collegamenti esterni
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________________Grazie a www.travelpuppy.com Guida Di Corsa De Londra |
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| London
Travel Guide London Travel Guide and London Travel Information - TravelPuppy.com 'England's Capital' Located in the southeast of England, on the River Thames, it is the capital of the United Kingdom (UK) and has been the centre of its political, cultural and business life for centuries. The now sprawling metropolis is a far cry from the few dwellings that first sprouted up to house river traders during their voyages towards the sea. It was the Romans who really jump started the city, by establishing ‘Londinium’ as an important fortress town, guarding the Thames and protecting against any Celtic tribes trying to invade the untamed island. The Romans brought with them forts, roads and the rule of law, prompting the historian Tacitus to boast of an AD60 city ‘filled with travellers and a celebrated centre of commerce.’ Over the centuries, London has expanded, despite the many dangers that might have defeated a lesser place – the Great Plague, the Great Fire, the English Civil War and even a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. But most recently London and its citizens survived the German Luftwaffe attempts to bomb the city to oblivion during the World War II ‘Blitz’. Nowadays, the scale of Greater London can be daunting at first, as it sprawls 1500sq km or 580 square miles across a voluminous plain. However, it is a city that is easy to get around, with the comprehensive and easily navigated London Underground or ‘Tube’. The twin axis on which the city rests is the Houses of Parliament to the west and the City of London to the east. The seat of government (not far from the home of the royal family) is connected to the City (the financial centre of London and the whole of the UK) by the River Thames. In between lie most of the tourist attractions and the liveliest different entertainment areas, such as Knightsbridge and Soho. But London’s charm stretches far beyond the Circle Line – the Underground route that rings the inner city. Residential areas outside the city centre, such as leafy Richmond (southwest) or Hampstead (north), trendy Hoxton (east) or Notting Hill (west), each have their own character. And as the population of London pushes towards the ten million mark, the city continues to grow and thrive. Home to 37 immigrant groups, each consisting of more than 10,000 people where some 300 languages are spoken. This very real multiculturalism is evident on every street and many restaurants and is a key reason why people love the city. Tourists come for London’s history or London’s royal pageantry but they return for the charms of the modern London, not least the extraordinary cultural life, with world-class art galleries and theatres, nightlife, film, music, culinary and fashion scenes. The city skyline is the place where the London’s rapid change and optimism is most visible – the Docklands and the City (with its now famous ‘Gherkin’ tower) have shot up over the past few years. During the summer months , London’s many green spaces fill up with office workers and tourists enjoying the surprisingly balmy days as café tables sprout across a multitude of pavements. During the winter, the grey skies and rain can be forgotten for a while in the cosy pubs. But spring or autumn are probably the best seasons to visit, when clear crisp sunny days often illuminate London and its landmarks. __________London Business Profile London Business Overview - TravelPuppy.com London Economy At over £162 billion, London's economy accounts for 17 per cent of the UK's GDP. Known as ‘the City’, the square mile located on the eastern part of central London, the City of London, is the epicentre of British financial life and one of the world’s leading international financial centres. It is home to an impressive concentration and variety of banks, insurance companies and other business services. Financial and business services throughout London employ around a third of the Greater London workforce. Over the past few years, the government has delegated greater responsibility to the Bank of England while the London Stock Exchange has floated itself. London accounts for about 50 per cent of all overseas visits to the UK. The tourism sector employs about 350,000 people, accounting for 10 per cent of all jobs in London. London is Europe's most successful city at attracting overseas companies, and there are 13,510 overseas owned companies from 92 countries in the capital. The list of companies based in London is almost endless as most major international companies have offices. For the more fashionable industries, such as media and design, a West End address is the most sought after, especially in Soho. To the east of the City, the Docklands has come of age and is now a popular business location with good public transport links and modern office complexes. The centrepiece is Canary Wharf, one of Britain’s tallest buildings, which has been joined recently by two neighbouring skyscrapers. A stone's throw away from Canary Wharf, the state of the art ExCel is increasingly giving traditional conference venues a run for their money, with the world’s largest travel exhibition, World Travel Market, now calls ExCel home. Business Etiquette Business hours are officially Monday to Friday 09:00 or 09:30 until 17:00 or 17:30 hours, although many companies have much longer hours. Business is intense and fast paced. Extended business lunches and post-work drinks were regarded as part of the modern working environment until recently. Today, the emphasis is increasingly on hard work and long hours. Some older establishments can be strictly formal, however, meetings are usually relatively relaxed and first names are often used after the initial introduction. British businesspeople are unlikely to be overtly demonstrative – hand gestures and the use of expressive body language will be minimal and apart from shaking hands, physical contact should be avoided. Standard dress code is a suit and tie for men and a suit (or equivalent) for women but this varies greatly depending on the company, with those in the new technologies sectors tending towards informality. See the London Business Contacts and Services section _____________ London Culture Guide London Culture Guide - TravelPuppy.com The sheer number of cultural activities on offer in the capital is breathtaking, with over 150 theatres and 300 art galleries. Contemporary figures like Tracy Emin and Zadie Smith complement the rich heritage of Shakespeare and Turner. The concrete mass of the South Bank Centre, South Bank, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7960 4242), is one of the city’s cultural Meccas. It houses the Hayward Gallery and three concert halls – the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room. Next door is the flagship Royal National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7452 3400 (information) or 7452 3000 (box office). Flying the flag north of the river, the labyrinthine Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2 (telephone: (020) 7638 8891 (box office) or 7638 4141 (information), is a performing and visual arts venue with a varied all-year programme of events. London Tourist Board’s Visitor Call service (telephone: (0906) 133 7799) and the weekly Time Out magazine) has details of the week’s entertainment. Ticket agencies include First Call Ticketing (telephone: (0870) 840 1111) and Ticketmaster UK (telephone: (0870) 534 4444). Music The world-famous Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2 (telephone: (020) 7304 4000), is home to the excellent Royal Opera. Despite some attempts to cut the price, ballet and opera tickets are still often fairly expensive. More accessible are performances by the English National Opera at the London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2 (telephone: (020) 7632 8300). Large-scale concerts are staged at the Royal Festival Hall (see above), home of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (telephone: (020) 7840 4200 or 4242 (box office), or the Barbican (see above), home of the London Symphony Orchestra (telephone: (020) 7588 1116). The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 (telephone: (020) 7589 8212 (box office), can also stage huge concerts, including London’s annual musical highlight, the summer series of the Proms (see Cultural events below). Music lovers should head for the traditional but friendly surroundings of the Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, W1 (telephone: (020) 7935 2141) to hear chamber music and solo recitals. More informal concerts take place in halls and churches all over London, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, St John’s, Smith Square, SW1, and St James’s, Piccadilly, W1. Theatre Within the extraordinary diversity of London’s theatre scene (there are over 100 theatres in the capital, including 50 in the West End), the Royal National Theatre (see above) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (telephone: (01789) 403 404) compete for audiences with commercial West End theatres, repertory companies, ‘off-West End’ productions and fringe theatres. The National Theatre’s three auditoriums– The Olivier, The Cottesloe and The Lyttleton – allow productions of different scale, from classics to new writing. The Royal Shakespeare Company, performing primarily Shakespeare and based out of Stratford-upon-Avon, did use the Barbican as its London home but now performs in a range of venues including the Barbican. The Old Vic, The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7928 7616), offers inspired traditional drama. Meanwhile, down the road, at 66 The Cut, the Young Vic (telephone: (020) 7928 6363) presents modern productions of contemporary and classic plays. The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1 (telephone: (020) 7565 5000), continues to foster excellent new writing. Quality innovative productions can also be expected from ‘off-West End’ theatres, such as the Donmar Warehouse, Earlham Street, WC2 (telephone: (020) 7369 1732), and the Almeida, Almeida Street, N1 (telephone: (020) 7359 4404 (box office). Fringe theatre, ranging from the inspired to the insane, is performed in dozens of local venues, including the King’s Head, 115 Upper Street, N1 (telephone: (020) 7226 1916), which is the oldest pub-theatre in London. From May to September, the Globe Theatre, New Globe Walk, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7401 9919 (box office), stages open-air productions of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. There are also outdoor summer performances in Regents Park,at the Open-air Theatre, (telephone: (020) 7486 2431. Theatre tickets in the West End cost £15-50. They can be purchased in advance from the theatre box office. For purchases on the day of the performance, there is a booth on the south side of Leicester Square, formerly called the Half-Price Theatre Ticket Booth, now called tkts. This is the official Society of London Theatre’s booth; visitors should avoid touts and other outlets in the area. The booth sells mainly half-price tickets, some tickets at 25% discount and some full-price tickets. Because of the booking fee, when only full-price tickets are available for that night’s performance, visitors are advised to go to the theatre box office. Dance Touring dance companies perform mostly contemporary dance at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1 (telephone: (020) 7863 8000 (box office). Ticket prices are usually more reasonable than at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2 (telephone: (020) 7304 4000), which is home to the Royal Ballet. Film Local cinemas are less expensive than those in the West End, where tickets cost upwards of £10. Two main cinema chains are Odeon (telephone: (0870) 505 0007) and Warner (telephone: (0870) 240 6020), with venues all over London, their biggest in Leicester Square, WC2. Barbican Screen, Silk Street, EC2 (telephone: (020) 7638 8891), is London’s leading independent cinema showing independent, arthouse and blockbuster movies, along with the National Film Theatre, on the South Bank, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7928 3232). IMAX magic can be experienced at the largest cinema screen in the UK, the newer BFI London IMAX Cinema, South Bank, SE1 (telephone: (020) 7902 1234). Cultural Events New Year revelry has long been a London tradition, with the focus on an overcrowded Trafalgar Square. A few weeks later, Lion Dancers welcome in the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, WC2. July begins with the fun and festivities of the Coin Street Festival at Gabriel’s Wharf, SE1, the arts extravaganza that is the Greenwich and Docklands Festival and a chance for the city’s gay and lesbian population to strut their stuff in the Mardi Gras parade and festival. The Notting Hill Carnival (a two-day celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture during the August Bank Holiday weekend) is Europe’s largest street carnival, attended by more than two million people. More sedate events include the Trooping the Colour, celebrating the Queen’s official birthday in June, and the impressive Lord Mayor’s Show in November, which is a colourful display of the long-standing independence of the City of London. November also has the two-week London Film Festival . Summer brings the very popular music festival known as the Proms, with concerts running from July to September. Tickets for these BBC Promenade Concerts start from £3 (non-seated) and the Last Night, led by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, is one of the few times when unabashed patriotism is the order of the day. Summer also brings many other music festivals, including the City of London Festival, outdoor performances running from June to July in the gardens of Kenwood House, on Hampstead Heath, NW3 (telephone: (020) 7973 3427), and outdoor opera at Holland Park theatre (telephone: (020) 7602 7856), from June to August. Literary Notes London has been home to writers for centuries. Bunhill Fields’ graveyard has monuments to John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe and William Blake. Bloomsbury gave its name to a literary set that included Virginia Woolf, while the suburb of Hampstead was home to John Keats, H G Wells and D H Lawrence. Some of the country’s most famous writers are remembered in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. The mass of 19th-century London life and its legendary fog is vividly recreated in the novels of Charles Dickens. Sinister goings-on in the city surface in the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stephenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) and The Secret Agent (1923) by Joseph Conrad. Graham Greene captured the atmosphere of wartime London in The Ministry of Fear (1943). ____________London Festival - Events London Festivals and Events Guide - TravelPuppy.com The following is a selection of festival - events occurring in London in 2006: New Year’s Day Parade (website: www.londonparade.co.uk), 1 Jan, Parliament Square, SW1, to Berkeley Square, W1 London International Boat Show (website: www.londonboatshow.com), January Chinese New Year Celebrations (website: www.chinatownchinese.com), late Jan-early Feb, Gerrard Street, Chinatown, WC2 Daily Mail Ideal Home Show (website: www.idealhomeshow.co.uk), mid Mar-early Apr, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, SW5 The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (website: www.theboatrace.org), late Mar-early Apr, River Thames from Mortlake, SW14, to Putney, SW15 Flora London Marathon (website: www.london-marathon.co.uk), mid Apr, Blackheath, SE3, to the Mall, SW1 Chelsea Flower Show (website: www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea), one week late May, Royal Hospital Chelsea, SW1 Meltdown music festival with a different famous curator choosing the line-up each year (website: www.rfh.org.uk/meltdown), mid-late Jun, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1 Trooping the Colour Queen’s Birthday parade (website: www.royal.gov.uk), Sat mid Jun, Buckingham Palace, the Mall and Horse Guards’ Parade, SW1 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships (website: www.wimbledon.org), two weeks late Jun-early Jul, All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, SW19 City of London Festival outdoor performances (website: http://www.colf.org), Jun-Jul, gardens of Kenwood House, on Hampstead Heath, NW3 Cadogan Opera Holland Park outdoor opera (web site: www.operahollandpark.com), Jun-Aug, Holland Park theatre Coin Street Festival (web site: www.coinstreetfestival.org), Jul, Gabriel’s Wharf, SE1 Greenwich and Docklands Festival (website: www.festival.org), Jul, various venues Mardi Gras gay and lesbian Pride Parade and festival, Jul, Hyde Park and central London Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (web site: www.rhs.org.uk), one week early Jul, Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey BBC Promenade Concerts (web site: www.bbc.co.uk/proms), mid Jul-mid Sep, Royal Albert Hall, SW7 Notting Hill Carnival August Bank Holiday Weekend, last weekend Aug, Notting Hill, W8 Regent Street Festival food from around the world, international fashion and entertainement, plus special children's activities (www.regentstreetonline.com), Sep, Regent Street Thames Festival arts, sport and river events (web site: www.thamesfestival.org), mid Sep, Westminster Bridge, SE1, to Southwark Cathedral, SE1 London Open House London’s architectural gems open to public (web site: www.londonopenhouse.org), Sep, throughout the city London Fashion Week Sep (www.londonfashionweek.co.uk) Pearly Harvest Festival Service service for cockney Pearly Kings and Queens, first Sun Oct, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2 Bonfire Night firework displays commemorating the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot and the arrest of Guy Fawkes in 1605, 5 Nov and nearest Sat night, throughout the city Remembrance Sunday procession in honour of British service men and women, nearest Sunday to 11 Nov, Whitehall, SW1 Lord Mayor’s Show celebratory parade (website: www.lordmayorsshow.org), Nov, City of London, EC1 London Film Festival (web site: www.lff.org.uk), two weeks Nov, National Film Theatre, South Bank, SE1, and other cinemas around London Christmas Lights mid Nov-6 Jan, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street Somerset House Ice Rink annual temporary outdoor ice rink, Nov-Jan, Somerset House, Strand, WC2 New Year’s Eve Celebrationss 31 Dec, Trafalgar Square, WC2, and all over the city ____________ London Getting Around Getting Around London - TravelPuppy.com Public Transport Transport for London (telephone: (020) 7222 1234 (24-hour enquiries) provides comprehensive information on all forms of transport within London, as well as operating the buses. Buses London’s famous red ‘Routemaster’ double-decker buses have bee replaced by more modern single and double deckers. There is now only one fare zone for all buses. Flat fare of £1 applies for adults on all buses and trams. Tickets have to be bought prior to boarding and there is a £5 fine for travelling without a valid ticket. Services operate 24 hours a day, with night buses, prefixed by the letter ‘N’, replacing the standard services on most routes after midnight. Fares on night buses are the same as regular buses. There are also three tram routes in the Croydon area; it is unlikely that visitors will use these, however, a Cross-River tram from Camden to Brixton via central London is planned for completion in 2011. London Underground The London Underground (telephone: (0845) 330 9880 or (020) 7222 1234) commonly referred to as the ‘Tube’, is the oldest and most extensive underground system in the world and pervades both the life and layout of London. The network consists of 12 underground lines, each with a different name and colour, supplemented by the Docklands Light Railway, connecting the City of London and the Docklands. The entire network is divided into six concentric zones, which determine the price of tickets. Tickets should be purchased at the station and must be passed through the barrier ticket gates in order for the passenger to enter and leave the system (and avoid a £10 penalty fare). The London Underground operates daily approximately 05:30-24:30 but should be avoided during rush hour (Monday to Friday 08:00-09:30 and 17:00-18:30) when it is extremely crowded. Rail Services Various regional and commuter rail services, such as Silverlink Metro (telephone: (0845) 601 4867) and Thameslink (telephone: (0845) 748 4950), operate between numerous stations in the capital and often cover routes not served by the London Underground. All passes, and carnets for bus or London Underground, are available for purchase at Tube stations and participating newsagents. Transport on the Thames There are many transport services operating on the River Thames. Thames Clippers, commuter ferries running between Savoy Pier (central at Embankment) and Masthouse Terrace (east of Greenwich) are operated by Collins River Enterprises (telephone: (020) 7977 6892). The River Taxi Service, operated by Connoisseur Charters (telephone: (020) 7352 5888), is a high-speed commuter service from Chelsea Harbour in the west to Blackfriars; a separate river bus also continues on to Greenland Pier (Greenwich). Tickets for the various services available are available for purchase on board. Interested visitors can view the history and development of the city’s transport system at the London Transport Museum in The Piazza, at Covent Garden (telephone: (020) 7379 6344 or 7565 7299). Taxis London’s distinctive black taxi cabs are a pleasant and a pricey way of getting around the city, as well as meeting the legendary ‘cabbies’. Fares always start at £2 and go up in increments of £0.20. The lowest tariff is in effect Monday to Friday 06:00-20:00 (except public holidays). Tariffs are higher 20:00-22:00 weekdays and up to 22:00 on Saturdays and Sundays and then even higher 22:00-06:00 every day. Visit www.transportforlondon.gov.uk/pco/taxi_fares.shtml for more fares information. A tip of 10-15% to ‘round up’ the bill is customary. Each taxi has a licence number and badged drivers must comply with official regulations. Black cabs can be booked through Dial-a-Cab (telephone: (020) 7251 0581) and Radio Taxis (telephone: (020) 7272 0272). London taxi drivers’ unsurpassed understanding of the city has been tapped by Black Taxi Tours (telephone: (020) 7935 9363), London sightseeing tours in a black cab. Any complaints about black cabs should be directed to the Public Carriage Office, 15 Penton Street, London N1 9PU (telephone: (020) 7941 7800). Minicabs can be booked over the telephone or direct from local offices throughout London. One particularly efficient and reputable city-wide firm is Addison Lee (telephone: (020) 7387 8888). Although generally cheaper than black cabs, there are numerous illegal and unscrupulous operators, so it is always wise for travellers to check that the company is registered. In particular, offers of lifts by unlicensed drivers off the street, late at night in the West End or anywhere else for that matter, should not be accepted. Transport for London (telephone: (020) 7222 1234) can provide a list of licensed Private Hire companies, as well as information on black taxis. Limousines Chauffeur-driven luxury cars can be hired from several companies, including Carey Worldwide Chauffeur Services (telephone: (020) 7235 0234) and London Chauffeur Drive (telephone: (020) 7633 9410). Driving in the City London infamous congestion charge (telephone: (0845) 900 1234) came into force in February 2003. There is now a daily charge of £5 for all vehicles entering the central London congestion charging zone Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 18:30. The attempt to reduce congestion has been successful and there are plans to extend the congestion charging zone. However, the M25 ring motorway and major routes into and out of the city are often at a standstill, particularly on Friday and Sunday evenings. Car Parking Off-road parking is available 24 hours at NCP garages (telephone: (0870) 606 7050) situated around the city. The tariffs vary from garage to garage. The cheapest NCP garage in London can be found at the Brunswick Centre, Marchmont Street, WC1, with prices here ranging between £4 for up to two hours and rising to £14 for nine to 24 hours. Street parking in central London can be extremely expensive. Meters, pay-and-display bays or resident’s parking bays operate throughout central London. Cheap and improved bus services combined with the congestion charge and high parking charges mean that visitors are much better off using public transport than they are driving in central London. Car Hire All major car firms have locations all over the city, such as Avis (telephone: (0870) 606 0100), Budget (telephone: (0800) 181 181) and Hertz (telephone: (0870) 599 6699). The London congestion charge does apply to all hire cars and drivers will usually be liable for this, in addition to the price quoted for hiring a car. There has been a recent growth in budget/Internet car hire companies, spearheaded by easyCar (telephone: (0906) 333 3333), the first Internet-only car hire company. The easyCar depot at the Barbican is one of the only places in central London where the congestion charge is included in the price of hiring a car. Bicycle Hire Both bicycles and motorcycles avoid the congestion charge, so they are sensible modes of transport in London. The London Bicycle Tour Company, 1A Gabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground SE1 (telephone: (020) 7928 6838). Although About Town Motorcycle and Scooter Hire (telephone: (020) 8871 1112; fax: (020) 8875 9192) is based in Wandsworth, in the southwest of the city, motorcycles or scooters will be delivered to all London hotels. _____________ London International Airport London International Airport - TravelPuppy.com London international airports links are below: London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) Located 24km or 15 miles west of central London. Airport information: telephone: (0870) 000 0123 London Gatwick Airport (LGW) Located 46km or 28 miles south of central London. Airport information: telephone: (0870) 000 2468 London City Airport (LCY) Located 10km or 6 miles east of the City of London. Airport information: telephone: (020) 7646 0088 Stansted Airport (STN) Located 48km or 30 miles northeast of central London. Airport information: telephone: (08700) 000 303 Luton (LTN) Located 51km or 32 miles northwest of London. Airport information: telephone: (01582) 405 100 _______________ London Nightlife London Nightlife - TravelPuppy.com Night-time hotspots can be found across the city, although there is a concentration in the West End, where Soho is still the coolest place to drink, although it remains seedy along the edges. Soho is also the best place for gay bars and clubs. Two hip areas in which to drink are the perennially cool Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove area in the west and the now very up-and-coming Old Street/Shoreditch area in the east. Many local areas, such as Camden and Angel in the north, Brixton and Clapham in the south, have great local pubs and bars and remain the areas where the best of the established gastropubs can be found. The legal drinking age is 18 years and almost all of the clubs exact an admission price (often increasing after 23:00 or 24:00), which can be pricey, particularly in the West End. Dress codes vary depending on the calibre of the club but it may be wise to leave the trainers at home. Drink prices are exorbitant in London and can vary from pub to pub and club to club. A pint will cost anything from £2.50 upwards and will be much more like £3 in the West End. The best way to keep abreast of goings-on is to check out the listings in the weekly Time Out magazine. Bars If a traditional English pub is what you are after, try the 17th-century George Inn, 77 Borough High Street, SE1 – the only surviving example of a galleried coaching inn in London. Nearby, a popular watering hole for patrons of the Globe Theatre, tourists and locals is The Anchor, Bankside, SE1. This 17th-century haunt is quaint and quirky, while its Thames-side terrace is a delight on sunny days. Alternatively, the Nell Gwynne, 1-2 Bull Inn Court, just off the Strand, WC2, is one of the smallest and most endearing of the central, old-fashioned pubs, while the hugely popular 17th-century Lamb and Flag, 33 Rose Street, WC2, offers two floors connected by a rickety staircase and an outdoor area in summer. For ornate Victorian interiors, The Salisbury, 90 St Martins Lane, WC2, with its gin palace atmosphere, is unbeatable. No less popular is the Lamb, 94 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1. As for bars, many of the best in Soho are members only but Yo!Below, in the basement of Yo!Sushi, 52 Poland Street, W1, is far more egalitarian, featuring Japanese cartoons, Karaoke-singing staff, self-service beer dispensers and masseuses. For a chilled scruffy kind of Soho cool, try Two Floors, Kingly Street, W1; it doesn’t have the name above the door but you can tell it by the sofas in the window and the green walls. For stylish trendy bars that stay open past 2300 and do not require a membership card, Amber, 6 Poland Street, W1, is one of the nicest, while Akbar, 77 Dean Street, has exotic decor. The beautiful people go to The West Bar at Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, W1 (see Restaurants). Point 101, 101 New Oxford Street, WC1, is a late-night West End bar that defies the archaic drinking laws with DJs and an up-for-it clientele. Almost all of the Old Compton Street pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants are gay or very gay-friendly. A popular one is G.A.Y. Bar, 30 Old Compton Street, W1, run by the unstoppable club night, G.A.Y. (see Clubs below). Off Old Compton Street, two well-established male favourites are The Edge, 11 Soho Square, W1, and The Yard, 57 Rupert Street, W1. For women, the choice is much more limited; the best by far is The Candy Bar, 4 Carlisle Street, W1. Further west, in Notting Hill, one of the best bars in the area is Under the Westway Bar and Restaurant, Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, W10. Portobello Gold, 95-97 Portobello Road, W11, and one of the trendiest pubs in the area The Westbourne, 101 Westbourne Park Villas, W2. Heading east, Vertigo, Level 42, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2, at 180m or 590ft above the ground, is one of the UK’s highest bars and boasts stunning views across the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows, although it is only open on weeknights, as it is in the business-orientated City of London. For pubs in the Old Street area, The Bricklayers, 63 Charlotte Road, EC2, is as reliable for a pint and a possible glimpse of a famous artist, while for kitsch cool, the George and Dragon, 2 Hackney Road, E1, is your best bet. Table football is the focus of the Brazilian-style Kick Bar, 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1. For a more of a designer bar, the place to go for DJs is the Medicine Bar, 89 Great Eastern Street, EC2, or for food is Grand Central, 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2, possibly the most beautiful bar-restaurant in London. Casinos There are over 20 casinos in London. For details and other information, refer to the British Casino Association, 38 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1 (telephone: (020) 7730 1055; fax: (020) 7730 1050). By law, only members and their guests over the age of 18 years can enter a British casino; membership takes 24 hours. Clubs The world-famous super-club Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1, is still going a decade on, with its stunning sound system pumping out popular house and garage. Its big rivals are the more underground Fabric, 77A Charterhouse Street, EC1, Pacha, Terminus Place, Victoria, SW1 , which has brought a touch of Balearic glamour to Victoria, and The End, a stylish club at 18A West Central Street, WC1. Although the east is running away with things at the moment, the west’s Notting Hill Arts Club, 21 Notting Hill Gate, W11, is always worth checking out, for its eclectic nights famous for Latin nights. South of the river, Brixton’s reputation for nightlife remains unscathed with The Fridge, Town Hall Parade, SW2, a long-time favourite, and Substation South, 9 Brighton Terrace, SW9, the original and still the best cruisey gay nightclub. The most popular gay night is back in Soho, G.A.Y. at The Astoria, 157 Charing Cross Road, WC2. Comedy The Comedy Store, Haymarket House, 1A Oxendon Street, SW1 (telephone: (020) 7344 0234), still offers the best comedy in town. Jongleurs comedy and cabaret clubs are based in Battersea, Camden and Bow. Live music International acts play at Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, Earl’s Court, SW5 (telephone: 0871 871 9809 for bookings), and Wembley Arena, Lakeside Way, Wembley, HA9 (telephone: 0870 060 0870). Mainstream pop stars can be heard at the London Arena, Limeharbour, E14 (telephone: 020 7538 1212 or 08705 12 12 12). For a more unique atmosphere, try The Astoria (LA1), 157 Charing Cross Road, WC2 (telephone: 020 7434 0403), or the Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Road, SW9 (telephone: 020 7771 3000). The Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, W12 (telephone: 020 8354 3300), and the Forum, 9-17 Highgate Road, NW5 (telephone: 020 7284 1001 or 020 7344 0044 for bookings), draw medium-sized acts. New and exciting indie acts usually play the Barfly Camden, 49 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 (telephone: 020 7691 4244), on their way up, while pubs with regular, often unsigned live music include the Hope and Anchor, 207 Upper Street, N1 (telephone: 020 7354 1312), Camden’s famous Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, NW1, (telephone: 020 7485 1773) and the Swan, 215 Clapham Road, SW9 (telephone: 020 7978 9778). For jazz, head to the Jazz Café (telephone: 0870 150 0044 for bookings), 5 Parkway, NW1, or to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, 47 Frith Street, W1 (telephone: 020 7439 0747) a legendary venue in the heart of Soho. Tickets for most gigs and concerts are available from ticketmaster (telephone: 0870 534 4444), or contact the venues direct. ____________ London Shopping London Shopping Guide - TravelPuppy.com London is one of the great shopping cities, with over 30,000 retail outlets dotted across the capital (3,000 of which in Central London alone). Typically for London, areas of the city have their own shopping characters. In the west, The King’s Road in Chelsea, SW1, has a long-standing reputation for fashion, although is now mainly high-street chains, while the Notting Hill area is now also very popular for fashion boutiques, in particular along Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road, W11. In the east, the Brick Lane area, E1 and E2, has long been home to up-and-coming fashion designers’ studios but area is really taking off, with many designers opening shops alongside shops selling vintage furniture, second-hand clothes, design objects and other quirky finds (Cheshire Street is especially good for this). More centrally, Oxford Street (the busiest shopping street in Europe, with over 200 million visitors a year and a turnover of £5 billion) and Regent Street, W1, attract of shoppers to well-known high-street clothing shops and megastores, including Hamley’s toy emporium, 188-196 Regent Street. Department stores (such as the enormous and trendy Selfridges, the reliable Marks & Spencer, and the back-to-basics John Lewis) are mostly located along Oxford Street, although the high-fashion Liberty is just down Regent Street. Tottenham Court Road, WC1, is lined with electrical shops, while south, Charing Cross Road, WC2, has long been the centre for bookshops in London, with second-hand shops and bigger chains. London’s largest bookshop, Waterstones, is situated on Piccadilly, W1. Covent Garden, WC2, is one of the more popular shopping areas. Its Piazza, once the site of the fruit and vegetable market, is now filled with specialist shops, cafés and street performers, while Floral Street is home to clothes shops and Neal Street trendy shoe shops. Old and New Bond Streets, W1, are home to the flagship stores for international designers, such as Prada and Gucci, with nearby Conduit Street providing a home to off-the-wall designers, such as Issey Miyake and Vivien Westwood. Visitors looking for a gift that is representative of London need look no further than the tacky shops and souvenir stalls that line Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and other tourist-attracting areas. Passers-by are assaulted with all manner of kitsch, cute and colourful souvenirs, toys and clothes (mostly sporting a Union Jack or member of the royal family). Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1, sells more upmarket souvenirs and attracts huge numbers of tourists and locals every year, with its legendary sales and food hall. Another place for typical British food stuffs as gifts is Fortnum and Mason, on Piccadilly, W1, a classic from the early 20th century. The vast market at Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Road, NW1, is one of the city’s top attractions, open daily but primarily Saturday and Sunday. Visitors also flock to the antiques and flea market on the Portobello Road, W10, on Friday and Saturday. In the East End, Sunday markets sell everything from fruit and vegetables to jewellery and junk, such as Petticoat Lane and Brick Lane, E1, open 09:00-14:00 and 06:00-13:00 respectively, as well as the Sunday morning flower market at Columbia Road, E2. Antiques are available on Camden Passage, Islington, N1, on Wednesday and Saturday, and Greenwich Market, SE10, on Saturday and Sunday. One of the most wonderful places for shoppers to explore for mainly 20th-century antiques is the massive maze of Alfie’s Antique Market, 13-25 Church Street, NW8, open Tuesday to Saturday. For foodies, Borough Market, SE1, is still the best, open Friday and Saturday, while, Brixton Market, Electric Avenue, SW9, offers the biggest selection of Caribbean food in Europe, open every day except Friday. Standard shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 09:30-18:00, although some shops stay open as late as 20:00. Shops rarely close for lunch and many are now also open 12:00-18:00 on Sunday. Late-night opening (usually until 20:00) is on Thursday in the West End and Wednesday in the Knightsbridge area. ____________ London Sightseeing London Sightseeing Guide - TravelPuppy.com Sightseeing Overview Walking the streets of London, or strolling through its parks, one realises that the past is, however, never far away: there are four world heritage sites in London (the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwhich and Kew Gardens) and some 40,000 listed buildings and structures. Three of Britain's top 10 paying attractions and six of the top ten free ones can be found in London. The London Eye, since it made its appearance has become the most popular attraction for visitors to the capital. Tourist Information London Tourist Board Tourist Information Centre Victoria station forecourt, SW1 Telephone: (0906) 133 7799 (24-hour general tourist information). Email: enquiries@londontouristboard.co.uk Web site: www.visitlondon.com Opening hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-19:00, Sun 08:00-18:00. There is one other major London Visitor Centre at Waterloo International Terminal, SE1 (open daily 08:30-22:30), as well as various London Tourist Information Centres (TIC) situated throughout the city, including one at Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, SE10 (open 10:00-17:00) and one at Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1 (telephone: (0)20 7357 9168) Passes The London Pass allows free access for one child or adult to more than 50 attractions (including the London Aquarium, London Zoo, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Buckingham Palace in summer). The ‘with transport’ option also includes free transport on all London buses, Tubes and trains. The price varies depending on whether or not you take the ‘with transport’ option. Key Attractions British Airways London Eye and County Hall Towering 135m or 444ft into the heavens, right in the heart of London, the BA London Eye is an unmissable attraction. The world’s tallest observation wheel has become one of London’s most popular attractions, which usually means a ‘flight’ requires booking in advance and often queuing as well. However, the experience (one revolution of the wheel, lasting approximately 30 minutes) is absolutely worth it – the unparalleled views of the city reach as far away as 40km or 25 miles. Although the London Eye is the focus of the area, sitting right next door and directly across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament, County Hall, the former home of the Greater London Council (abolished by Margaret Thatcher in 1986), comes a close second. The enormous building is home to the London Aquarium, the Dalí Universe and, most recently, The Saatchi Gallery, situated on the first floor above the rabble. Here, Charles Saatchi’s extensive collection of modern British art is displayed, with a permanent exhibition and a changing temporary exhibition. For sharks in tanks, visitors should go to the London Aquarium, home to over 350 different aquatic species from around the world, including a touch area where visitors can stroke the friendly rays. The Dalí Universe meanwhile contains over 500 works of art by the famous surrealist, including the painting, Spellbound, which was created specially for the set of the 1945 Hitchcock thriller, and the sofa in the shape of Mae West’s lips. South Bank, SE1 Transport: London Underground Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. BA London Eye Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1 Telephone: (0870) 500 0600 (booking line). Web site: www.ba-londoneye.com London Aquarium County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7967 8000. Fax: (020) 7967 8029. Email: info@londonaquarium.co.uk Web site: www.londonaquarium.co.uk Dalí Universe County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7620 2720 or (0870) 060 2319 (tickets). Fax: (020) 7620 3120. The Saatchi Gallery County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7823 2363 or (0870) 1160 278 (advance tickets). Web site: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk Namco Station County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7967 1067. Fax: (020) 7967 1060. Email: countyhall@namco.co.uk Web site: www.namcostation.co.uk Tate Gallery of Modern Art and Bankside Tate Modern Bankside, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7887 8000 or 8008 (recorded information line). Email: boxoffice@tate.org.uk Web site: www.tate.org.uk Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & Exhibition 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 Telephone: (020) 7902 1400. Web site: www.shakespeares-globe.org Palace of Westminster The Palace of Westminster contains the Houses of Parliament, part of which is one of the city’s most famous landmarks- Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the name of the huge bell, whose tune is instantly recognisable, while the clock tower itself, which rises above the seat of British government, is called St Stephen’s. The most ancient part of the Palace, Westminster Hall, is 900 years old. After almost total destruction by fire, the rest of the palace was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style, during the 19th century, to designs by Charles Barry. All year round, free tours of the Palace of Westminster are available to UK residents, if they contact their MP who can arrange them. It is no longer possible to provide overseas visitors with small group tours. Parliament Square, SW1 Telephone: (020) 7219 4272. Fax: (020) 7219 5839. Web site: www.parliament.uk Transport: London Underground Westminster. Summer Opening of the Palace of Westminster Telephone: (0870) 906 3773 (Firstcall). Web site: www.firstcalltickets.com Westminster Abbey Across Parliament Square is Westminster Abbey – a magnificent Gothic structure where innumerable members of the British royal family have been christened, married, crowned and interred. Consecrated under Edward the Confessor, in the 11th century, it was rebuilt over the next four centuries in Gothic style. Highlights include Henry VII’s Chapel, Poet’s Corner and the Coronation Chair. Parliament Square, SW1 Telephone: (020) 7654 4900. Fax: (020) 7654 4894. Web site: www.westminster-abbey.org Transport: London Underground Westminster. Trafalgar Square The pedestrianisation links Nelson's Column in the centre with the north side of the square, where one of the world’s greatest galleries, the National Gallery, is to be found. It houses an incredible collection of Western paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century, as well as frequent special exhibitions. Trafalgar Square, WC2 Transport: London Underground Charing Cross or Leicester Square National Gallery Trafalgar Square, WC2 Telephone: (020) 7747 2885. Web site: www.nationalgallery.org.uk National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin’s Place, WC2 Telephone: (020) 7312 2463 (recorded information) or 7306 0055. Web site: www.npg.org.uk St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, WC2 Telephone: (020) 7766 1100. Web site: www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace, the London home of the Queen, is hugely popular with tourists. They come to the palace, to witness royal pageantry dating back centuries at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at 11:30 from April to July and on alternate days at other times of the year. There is also the rare chance of seeing inside a royal residence (summer only). The building, by John Nash and Edward Blore, was built around the shell of the older of the older Buckingham House, in the 19th century. The rather drab façade was added in 1913. The 19 State Rooms of the Palace, including the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery, are only open to the public during August and September, when the Queen moves to her Scottish residence. The recently refurbished and expanded Queen's Gallery is open to the public throughout the year. It displays a changing exhibition of selected works from the Royal Collection, which covers five centuries' worth of art collecting and treasures, now held in trust by the Queen for the nation. The 17-hectare or 42-acre garden, long hidden from view, is also now open to visitors touring the palace. Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 Telephone: (020) 7321 2233 or (020) 7766 7300 (credit card booking line). Fax: (020) 7930 9625. Web site: www.royal.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Green Park, Victoria or Hyde Park Corner. Tower Hill The royal fortress on Tower Hill, the Tower of London, was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 and remained a royal residence until the mid-16th century. Today, it houses the priceless Crown Jewels and the Royal Armouries collection. The history of the tower is a catalogue of intrigue and bloodshed – key historical figures, including members of the royal family, were imprisoned, tortured and/or executed here. Tower Hill, EC3 Transport: London Underground Tower Hill or London Bridge. Tower of London Telephone: (0870) 756 6060 (information) or (0870) 756 7070 (tickets). Web site: www.tower-of-london.org.uk Tower Bridge Experience Tower Hill, EC3 Telephone: (020) 7403 3761. Fax: (020) 7357 7935. Web site: www.towerbridge.org.uk Design Museum 28 Shad Thames Telephone: (020) 7940 8790. Web site: www.designmuseum.org St Paul’s Cathedral The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is the third largest in the world and one of the most distinctive features of the London skyline. The present building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was completed in 1710, on the site of the original cathedral that was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. On the inside of the dome, the Whispering Gallery, named for its incredible acoustics, offers a close-up of the frescoes of the life of St Paul that decorate the interior of the dome. From there, visitors can climb higher, up to two further galleries, which are outdoors and which offer magnificent views across the whole of London. Paternoster Square, EC4 Telephone: (020) 7246 8348 (information line). Web site: www.stpauls.co.uk Transport: London Underground St Paul’s. British Museum The British Museum, the centrepiece of which is the construction of Lord Foster’s glass-roofed Great Court, is one of the world’s finest museums. Visitors must contend with a mind-boggling six million artefacts from all corners of the globe, plucked (or plundered) by collectors. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, a copy of the Magna Carta and the controversial Parthenon Sculptures, known as the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Athens, which Greece want back before the 2004 Olympic Games. Great Russell Street, WC1 Telephone: (020) 7323 8299. Web site: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk Transport: London Underground Russell Square. South Kensington Museums The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is one of three major museums in South Kensington – the others being the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Founded in the 19th century as a museum of the decorative arts, the V&A’s 11km (seven miles) of corridors trace a path through paintings, jewellery, furniture and textiles dating from 3000BC to the present day. The Science Museum has been voted London Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2001 and 2002. It offers interactive exhibits on all kinds of scientific topics. The incredible Victorian building that is the Natural History Museum is divided into Earth Galleries and Life Galleries. The Earth Galleries explore our planet, while the Life Galleries explore the creatures that have inhabited it, from the dinosaurs to creepy crawlies. V&A Museum Cromwell Road, SW7 Telephone: (020) 7942 2000 or (0870) 442 0808. Web site: www.vam.ac.uk Science Museum Exhibition Road, SW7 Telephone: (020) 7942 4000 or (0870) 870 4868. Web site: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Natural History Museum Telephone: (020) 7942 5000 or 7942 5011. Web site: www.nhm.ac.uk Tate Britain The Gallery of Modern British Art opened in 1897, around the collection of sugar merchant Henry Tate. It now holds an unrivalled collection of English paintings from 1500 to the present day. Much 20th-century art has moved to the Tate Modern (see above), however, some remains on rotation here, from Gaudier Brzeska to Gilbert and George. Millbank, SW1 Telephone: (020) 7887 8000 or 8008. Web site: www.tate.org.uk Transport: London Underground Pimlico. __________London Sports London Sports Guide - TravelPuppy.com The most famous events in the capital are the London Marathon in April and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, SW19 (telephone: (020) 8944 1066) in June and July. Just outside London, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire (telephone: (01344) 876 876 (tickets) and Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Surrey (telephone: (01372) 470 047) host Royal Ascot and The Derby, both held in June. Tickets to major sporting events can be purchased through Ticketmaster UK (telephone: (0870) 534 4444). Athletics Major athletic events take place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road, SE19 (telephone: (020) 8778 0131). Cricket The home of cricket’s governing body, the Marylebone Cricket Club – MCC (telephone: (020) 7289 1611), founded in 1787, is Lord’s, St John’s Wood Road, NW8 (tel: (020) 7432 1066 (ticket office), which also hosts league, cup and International Test matches. Major athletic events in London take place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road, SE19 (telephone: (020) 8778 0131; web site: www.crystalpalace.co.uk). Fitness centers Public fitness centres where it is not necessary for one to be a member include Chelsea Sports Centre, Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 (telephone: (020) 7352 6985), and the massive Oasis Centre, 32 Endell Street, WC2 (telephone: (020) 7831 1804), situated right in the heart of the West End. Football Most Londoners are fanatical about football and the FA Cup Final in May was always held at Wembley Stadium. The FA Cup Final will be held in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff until Wembley re-opens (at the earliest 2006). Support for one of London’s several Premiership football clubs divides the city. Arsenal (telephone: (020) 7704 4000) and Tottenham Hotspur (telephone: (020) 8365 5000) are based in north London and are keen rivals, while Chelsea (telephone: (020) 7385 5545) and Fulham (telephone: (0870) 442 1234) are based in the southwest of the city. West Ham United (telephone: (020) 8548 2748) has a loyal following in the east, while Charlton Athletic (telephone: (020) 8333 4000) represents the Premiership in the southeast of the city. Golf Regent’s Park Golf and Tennis School, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 (telephone: (020) 7724 0643), offers professional lessons. The English Golf Union (telephone: (01526) 354 500) have information on many of the capital’s golf courses. Rugby National and international Rugby Union is based at Twickenham. Local clubs include Harlequins, Wasps, Saracens and London Irish . Rugby has been growing in popularity since England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, beating Autralia 20-17 with a breathtaking drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson just 26 seconds from the end of a thrilling final in Sydney. Swimming Seasonal open-air swimming pools include Brockwell Lido, SW9 (telephone: (020) 7274 3088), and Parliament Hill Lido, Hampstead Heath, NW3 (telephone: (020) 7485 5757). The Oasis Centre (see Fitness Centres above) has an indoor as well as an outdoor pool and is open year round. Tennis Outdoor public courts are available at Regent’s Park, NW1 (telephone: (020) 7486 4216), and at Islington Tennis Centre, Market Road, N7 (telephone: (020) 7700 1370), also has indoor courts. _____________ London Tours - Excursions London Tours Guide - TravelPuppy.com Walking tours A variety of guided walks are available from several operators, although the most comprehensive tours are offered by The Original London Walks (telephone: (020) 7624 3978 or 7624 9255 (recorded information). London Mystery Walks (telephone: (020) 8526 7755) also offer ‘Jack the Ripper’ tours, as well as ‘Haunted London’. For self-guided walks, the Silver Jubilee Walkway has been extended from the original 3km (2miles) along the South Bank of the River Thames (between Lambeth and Tower bridges) to include much of the City and the West End. Boat Tours Westminster Pier is the main embarkation point for river trips. From here, there are services east (downstream) or west (upstream). City Cruises (telephone: (020) 7740 0400) operates sightseeing cruises east to Tower Pier. Going west, summer services by WPSA (telephone: (020) 7930 2062 or 4721) depart from Westminster Pier upriver to Kew Gardens, Richmond and Hampton Court. Tickets must be purchased before boarding.. Catamaran Cruises (telephone: (020) 7987 1185) provides multi-lingual cruises from Waterloo, Westminster and Embankment Piers. Bus Tours Various companies offer similar bus tours of London’s sights. Tickets are usually valid for 24 hours and passengers can hop on and off at various attractions en route. The Big Bus Company (telephone: (020) 7233 9533) offers three different 90-minute sightseeing routes with departure points close to many of London’s attractions. Original London Sightseeing Tours (telephone: (020) 8877 1722) also offers various sightseeing bus tours. Other Tours London Duck Tours (telephone: (020) 7928 3132) runs unconventional tours on an amphibious craft, which depart from County Hall and rumble through London’s streets, taking in Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, before plunging into the River Thames for a 30-minute cruise. Excursions for half day Kew Gardens Situated on the western edge of the city, beside the River Thames, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 (telephone: (020) 8940 1171) is a 121-hectare (300-acre) site, first planted in the 17th century and now a horticulturist’s heaven. The glasshouses, including the beautiful Palm House, shelter rare orchids and palms. Hampton Court Palace Just outside London, on the banks of the River Thames, is Hampton Court Palace, East Moseley, Surrey KT8 9AU (telephone: 0870 752 7777), once the residence of Henry VIII. As well as the magnificent State Apartments used by the Tudor court, there are 60 acres of immaculate riverside gardens to explore, and a world-famous maze that will delight children and grown-ups alike. London Wetland Centre London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 (telephone: (020) 8409 4400), is the first wetland environment ever to be created in a capital city. The former 42-hectare (105-acre) disused reservoir has been transformed into an oasis for a multitude of watery wildlife, with the addition of 30 reformed lakes, ponds and marshland. Excursions for a whole day Brighton Known as ‘London on Sea’, Brighton is located 97km or 60 miles from London, on the south coast. Easily and relatively cheaply accessible from Victoria station or King's Cross Thameslink, Britain’s young demographic (including residents of the calibre of Fat Boy Slim), vibrant nightlife, top-class restaurants and relaxed vibe certainly make it the trendy coastal retreat of choice. The Brighton Tourist Information Office, 10 Bartholomew Square (telephone: (0906) 711 2255), can provide more information. Oxford The ‘dreaming spires’ are located 97km or 60 miles northwest of central London. Harbouring one of the oldest universities in Europe, Oxford is not only steeped in history, architecture and traditions but is also a bustling commercial city with good shops and excellent pubs. Trains to Oxford depart from Paddington station, while frequent 24-hour coaches leave from Victoria- the Oxford Express X90 from Victoria Coach Station and the Oxford Tube from Grosvenor Gardens outside Victoria train station. The Oxford Tourist Information Office, The Old School (telephone: (01865) 726 871), can provide more information. |
