LONDON GUIDE
What began as a small Roman settlement on the banks of the tidal Thames River 2,000 years ago has grown to become a mega-city of 10 million inhabitants that is truly the epi-centre of the modern world. You'll be hard pressed to find a place that is more multi-cultural, diverse and jam packed with people from every corner of the globe than the British capital. A visit to the city will be an overwhelming experience to say the least, and one you won't be forgetting anytime soon.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
Camden Markets:
The home to all things alternative in London, incorporating six different indoor and outdoor markets. Within easy walking distance of Clink Hostel, you can buy just about anything imaginable, from vintage license plates, second hand clothes and some very exotic arts and crafts. The people hanging out in this area are definitely the most colourful and out-there of anywhere in the city. The home of punks, goths, hippies, ravers . . . the list goes on. If it's about sub-culture, then you'll find it here.
Soho:
Smack dab in the middle of London, this neighbourhood with its narrow and windy back streets filled with avant-garde pubs and shops is definitely where some of the trendiest people hang out. If you're looking to wander around at night and to check out the action, then this is the place to go.
Oxford Street:
Europe's most extensive shopping street filled with all kinds of designer fashion shops. Almost 2 kilometres long, and very much overflowing with people especially on the weekends, a stroll along this thoroughfare is part of the essential London experience.
The Tate Modern:
Converted from a dis-used powerplant on the south bank of the Thames just below St. Pauls cathedral and the Millemium Bridge, this colossal museum consistently houses the most cutting edge in modern art.
Islington:
Located within walking distance from Clink, this up and coming area of London is situated around the tube station of Angel. There are many resons to check out this neighbourhood, and some of these include an amazing variety of multicultural restaurants, a street market, a farmers market, a multiplex cinema and a weekend antiques market as well as antique shops hidden down numerous passageways. The atmosphere can definitely be described as cosmospolitan and vibrant and is a great way to experience a less touristy part of London.
Canary Wharf:
If there is any part of London that feels like a completely different world than it would definitely be here. These converted docklands are now packed with shiny new skyscrapers housing Londons burgeoning financial industry. Underneath the whole development runs an extensive indoor shopping mall and this place is easily reached by the London Light Rail.
Greenwich Village:
Just to the south of Canary Wharf on the other side of the Thames river this is close as you'll get to a traditonal English village in the city itself. So if you don't exactly have the chance to get out of London to experience a bit of the quaint English life, this place will definitely serve as a sufficient subsitute.
PLANNING ON MAKING LONDON HOME ?
Every day hundreds of people get off a plane, bus or train to start a new life in this amazing city and end up spending a few months, a few years or even the rest of their lives here. Getting yourself established in a place as hectic as London is sometimes not the easiest thing to accomplish but is definitely far from impossible. If you're looking for jobs or accomodation then check out the widely distributed London backpackers bible, TNT (available right here at the Clink of course) or check out the website www.gumtree.com. There are a million jobs here and even though the competition can be tough and the choices bewildering, you'll be sure to find one that's the perfect match for you, no matter what your skills, experience or ambitions may be !!!
Finding a place to stay may also be a bit of a challenge and the best thing to do is to get a room in a shared flat which will usually set you back about £80 a week not including bills. Unfortunately due to the high price of real estate finding affordable accomodation in the city centre might not be all that possible so its best to start you search in the surrounding areas. No matter where you end up residing, every corner of the city is of course well serviced by public transport. Make sure you have a bit of cash saved up as well as many places require at least one months rent up front in addition to the equivalent of another months rent for the bond. If getting a flat might be a bit too much of a commitment for you then there's always plenty of long-term hostels where you can stay in shared dormitory accomodation for as little or as long as you want.
GETTING TO LONDON
There are no less than 5 airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City) here, which means you can fly non-stop from almost anywhere in the world. There are low-cost flights to a ridiculous amount of European destinations and Clink Hostel is only a 10 minute walk from St. Pancras train station where ultra fast trains can take you to Paris or Brussels in just 2 hours.
- Miles Talbot-Stern
BASIC LONDON TOURIST INFORMATION
London is loved by tourists from all parts of the world because of its wide array of tourist attractions. There will always be something in London that will thrill even the most discerning tourist. There are attractions suited for tourists of all ages. No doubt, this city is flocked by tourists all throughout the year.
When visiting London, it is vital that you get to know some basic tourist information about the city. This is to help you plan your visit and maximise your stay. If you know at least the basic information about London, you are more than able to plan a visit. You will have ideas as to what tourist attractions to prioritise and which among the many London places to go to.
For tourists who plan to visit London, the following basic tourist information will be helpful:
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If you havn't decided yet when to visit London, consider setting your date on Spetember. This is the best month to visit London. Generally, the weather condition on this month is good for visits and going out. There are also various activities going on during September. This is the start of the opera and theatre season. This is also the month of famous festivals like the Seafood Festival and Soho Jazz Festival.
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You should have already decided on a hotel or accomodation in London. It is advisable that you book in advance to get discounts. When looking for a hostel or accomodation in London, select from many different hostels. Choose one that is nearest to the tube stations. Why the tube stations? This public transport is cheaper and more reliable compared to others. The tubes will also be able to take you to most of London's tourist attractions.
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London has a tourist information centre that you can visit. The Britain and London Visitor Centre (BLVC) will provide you with almost all practical information about London. This centre can be visited at 1 Lower Regent Street. It is open Tuesdays to Fridays at 9.00 to 18.30, Mondays 9.30 to 18.30, Saturdays from October to May at 10.00 to 16.00 and June to September at 9.00 to 17.00. On Sundays, the visitor centre is open to serve tourists from 10.00 to 16.00.
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Plan your itinerary ahead of time. Make sure your itinerary covers everything that will be interesting for you and those who will visit with you. If you have kids, consider giving them some exciting activities while in London as well. There are various London attractions that are definitely great for kids.
London is an exciting place to visit. Make sure you know these little facts prior to visiting London to ensure that your stay will be enjoyable as ever.
DO YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE ROYALTY IN LONDON ?
Buckingham Palace Brief History
The palace is formerly known as the Buckingham House, being the townhouse of the Duke of Buckingham. The name was changed to the "Queen's House" when Georege III acquired the house in 1761. The improvements and expansion of the palace was mostly administered by two of England's best architects, John Nash and Edward Blore. In 1937, the house officially became the royal palace of the British Monarch.
There are already changes in the original design but a number of the 19th century interiors remain. The palace's State Rooms are used for official meetings. These state rooms house the Royal Collection of art works from world famous artists like Rembrandt. The first monarch to stay in the Buckingham Palace was Queen Victoria.
The biggest room in the palace is the State Ballroom. The room is used for major royal ceremonies. Before there was a strict dress code during ceremonies but this has become a bit more relaxed nowadays. A lot of royals are invited to major ceremonies held in Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace Today
Today, the Buckingham Palace has become one of the London's most visited tourist attractions. There are tours operating in the palace. Tourists can have a look at the nineteen State Rooms and their exquisite artworks display. Tourists who wish to experience a a bit of the palace's royalty should join one of the Buckingham tours. Ask staff from your London hostels for tour information or you can ask directly at the London Tourism centre.
The Buckingham Palace and its royal collection is owned by the nation, thus it is open for the public. The Queen's Gallery is an excellent room to visit. It houses parts of the Royal Collection. The Queen's Gallery is open all year while the State Rooms are open only from August to September. So if you happen to be in London during these months, never miss the chance to visit the Buckingham Palace. The Buckingham Palace can be easily reached from most of London hostels. What makes Buckingham Palace a not to miss attraction is London is its symbolic value to the nation.
LONDON FOR TOURISTS ON SLIM BUDGETS
Unless you have a friend or relative or friend in London, you will need a hotel or hostel accomodation when you visit this vibrant city in England. People visit London for a number of reasons. They come for business transactions or for holidaying. Whatever your reason is in visiting London, you will end up with the question, "Where should I stay in London?"
There are lots of things to see and do in London. This city exudes charm like no other city does. The locals are added attractions. Their hospitality and amiable nature make them a reason to come back to London. The good thing with London is that tourists and business travellers need not worry about where to stay in London.
Which London Accomodation Fits You?
There are various hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels scattered all around the city. They vary in rates, locations and services. The luxury hotels or the 5 star hotels definitely will cost a whole lot more than other hotels. The high price is the cost of the service and facilities that the hotels offer. Luxury hotels are perfect for those who wish to splurge some cash on lavish accomodation while on a vacation or business trip.
For those tourists who don't have the cash to splurge, you can still experience comfort and luxury on a slim budget. Staying in London need not be over expensive. There are several backpacker's hostels to choose from while in London. They offer affordable accomodation. These backpackers' hostels are perfect for young travellers and tourists who are travelling on a slim budget. Another option for tourists with limited budgets are campus accomodations.
Visiting London need not rip off your pockets. It doesn't matter where you stay. At the end of the day, you will still feel the same contentment and satisfaction as the other tourists and travellers. London attractions are open for all irregardless of where you are staying. You can even opt to stay in a backpackers hostel in London to save you some money for a romantic night out with a loved one or even an exciting shopping spree with your friends.
London makes it easy for tourists and business travellers to visit the city. There are accommodations for varying levels of budget. You will always find a place to stay (hostels, hotels or campus accomodation) that will suit your preferences and budget without compromisinig comfort and a bit of luxury.
BRITISH MUSEUM - HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE WORLD FOR THE WORLD
The best place to visit if you want to get to know a particular place and its people is the museum. Museums are testimonies of a place and people's history, culture and tradition. It holds pieces of historical and cultural information that will help visitors to understand the place and its people better.
One of the renowned museums in the world in the British Museum strategically located in London, England. This museum takes pride in its millions of historical and cultural items. Its collection of approximately 13 million artefacts and pieces come from various continents. The British Museum covers items from all parts of the world, showcasing the culture of humanity. True to its banner, the British Museum is indeed the museum of the world for the world.
British Museum History
The British Museum is historical in itself. It has a history that dates back as early as 1753. It started with the historical collection fo Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and scientist. In 1759, it was opened to the public. Both the locals and the tourists are able to view the valuable collections in Bloomsbury. It also houses the national library.
Over the centuries, the British Museum has already expanded. Today it has branched out several institutions including the British Museum of Natural History. Tourists in London can visit the British Museum for free. The museum has marked it's 250th anniversary with the restoration fo the oldest room in the museum, the King's Library. The exhibition called Enlightenment was also launched during the celebration. This and the other collections in the museum will entertain visitors at the British Museum.
Planning a Visit?
For tourists who wish to visit the museum, you can have a look around from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. Getting to the museum is easy from London hotels and hostels around the area. Tourists staying at hostels around London can visit the British Museum via the London Underground, bus (there are bus stops near the museum) and car. However, there is a limited amount of parking spaces in the museum so it is advisable for tourists to reserve a parking space.
The British Museum is the best way to explore humanity and England. It showcases more than just history but culture as well. Furthermore, it does not display aretefacts and items from England alone but from all parts of the world. Why not give your visit to London a bit of historical and cultural value? Start by visiting the British Museum.
WHY LONDON TOURISTS JUST LOVE THE BIG BEN
Big Ben is one of Londons major landmarks. People recognise a particular place based on their landmarks. When one sees a picture of the Big Ben, he knows instantly that the picture was taken in London. The Big Ben is a popular landmark and tourist attraction in London.
tTe term is used to refer to the clock tower. But the name Big Ben actually refers to the huge bell inside the tower. The name is said to have been derived from Sir Benjamin Hall, the commisioner of the works. Stories have it that the name of the bell would have been "Victoria" or "Royal Victoria" in honour of Queen Victoria. Today, the name Big Ben is popular for the clock tower. Even the locals call the clock tower the Big Ben, so tourists can't be blamed if they keep on saying Big Ben but actually refer to the clock tower and not the bell.
The Big Ben
The bell was built around 1858 and 1859. The clock tower was completely built in 1858. The bell and the clock can be viewed at the Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square, London. It is not open for publlic visit but the view outside the tower is already worth it.
The clock mechanism was completed in 1854, four years before the tower was completed. The design of the clock and the dials are credited to Augustus Pugin, an English Architect. The frames are iron and each clock face has an inscription: DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VISTORIAM PRIMAM which when translated in english means, O Lord, Keep Safe our Queen Victoria the First.
The Big Ben is considered as the world's largest four faced chiming clock. It thas become one of the most visited atrractions in London. Tourists never fail to catch a glimpse of the world famous Big Ben. The good thing is that different modes of transportations operate from most of London hostels to the area around Big Ben. This makes it easy for tourists staying in London Hostels to visit the Big Ben.
The clock's ding dongs are amazing. They follow the "Messiah" by George Frederick Handel. The clock plays the lines every quarter and plays the whole on the hour. The clock fascinates a lot of tourists. No wonder, tourists, who are first timers in London, enjoy the Big Ben so much. There is so much to see and do in London and surely the Big Ben is one attraction that should not be missed.
