LONDON TRAVEL BOOKS

 Londoners’ sense of superiority causes enormous resentment in the regions, yet it’s undeniable that the capital has a unique aura of excitement and success - in most walks of British life, if you want to get on you’ve got to do it in London.For the visitor, too, London is a thrilling place - and since the beginning of the new millennium, the city has also been overtaken by an exceptionally buoyant mood. Thanks to the lottery and millennium-oriented funding frenzy of the last few years, virtually every one of London’s world-class museums, galleries and institutions has been reinvented, from the Royal Opera House to the British Museum. With the completion of the Tate Modern and the London Eye, the city can now boast the world’s largest modern art gallery and Ferris wheel; there’s also a new tube extension and the first new bridge to cross the Thames for over a hundred years. And after sixteen years of being the only major city in the world not to have its own governing body, London finally has its own elected mayor and assembly.

BOOK HOTEL ROOMS IN LONDON

London Video Guide

Buckingham Palace Video Guide

Buckingham Palace

“I delight in Buckingham Palace”, said Queen Victoria, when she moved in three weeks after ascending to the throne. She was either an optimist or hadn’t discovered that the drains didn’t drain, the royal apartments were ventilated through the common sewers, the servants’ bells didn’t ring, and there were no sinks for the chambermaids. Additionally, some doors wouldn’t close, and some of the windows wouldn’t open.

Westminster Abbey Video Guide

Westminster Abbey
The Abbey at Westminster is built upon what was once an island - Thorney Island - a marshy retreat from the City of London. The island was at one time flanked by two channels of the Tyburn River, which flowed where Downing Street and Great College Street now run.
There may have been a Christian church on Thorney Island as early as 604 AD, just eight years after the first Christian mission under St Augustine landed near Canterbury in 596 AD. In that same year of 604, Ethelbert, uncle of the king of the East Saxons, founded St Paul’s in the City of London.
Later royals followed the pattern; King Edgar (957-75) gave land for a church, and several kings, including Canute and Ethelred, donated relics. St Dunstan endowed a place for a dozen monks in 960 AD. But it is to one man that we owe the marvellous church we can see today. Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) had a vision of an eclesiastic-royal complex including a palace with a large monastery and an abbey church suitable for royal functions and burials.

Big Ben Video Guide

Big Ben
When most people heat the words “Big Ben” they immediately conjure up an image of the striking Victorian Gothic structure of the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament). Let’s clear up a common misconception first; technically speaking, the name “Big Ben” does not refer to the famous tower, nor to the four huge clock faces of this London landmark; instead, it refers to the largest of the five bells inside the clock tower, whose chimes are such a familiar sound to listeners to BBC radio over the years.
The tower was begun following the disastrous fire which destroyed the old Palace of Westminster in 1834. Charles Barry was given the contract to rebuild the Palace, and his designs included a clock tower.

Tower Bridge Video Guide

Tower Bridge
Designed by Sir Horace Jones and opened in 1894, Tower Bridge is famous the world over. Due to the volume of river traffic at the time, Tower Bridge was designed to have twin bascules that could be raised. This famous landmark also has fabulous views over the Tower of London and of river life on the Thames. Visitors can ascend by the North Tower and traverse the river protected from the erratic English elements in an enclosed walkway before descending by the South Tower.

London Eye Video Guide

London Eye (Millennium Wheel)
Known as both the London Eye and the Millennium Wheel, this huge 450-foot ferris wheel on the South Bank gives a fabulous bird’s eye view of London, if your stomach is strong enough. Its inception in the beginning of 2000 honoured the Millenium; and the spectacular views stretch for 25 miles on a clear day to include views of Windsor and Tunbridge Wells. Up to 25 people can fit in each of the wheel’s “capsules.” The wheel turns surprisingly slowly-it takes thirty minutes to go round, so there’s plenty of time to spot landmarks and take photos. Hours vary by season: October-May, Daily 10a-8p; June, Daily 10a-9p; July-August, Daily 10a-9:30p; September, Daily 10a-9p.

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens Video Guide

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
An oasis of tranquility in central London, Hyde Park, together with Kensington Gardens to the west, is the largest of the three royal parks. On the north-east side is Speaker’s Corner , a traditional haven of free speech. The Serpentine boating lake, complete with a designated swimming area, and the Serpentine Gallery is a famous tourist spot. The Albert Memorial and the statue of the mischievous character Peter Pan is housed at the Kensington Gardens also attract a crowd.

South Kensington Video Guide

V&A South Kensington
Predominantly a decorative arts museum, the V&A is a comprehensive collection of sculpture, furniture, glass, photographs and more in periods ranging from ancient to art deco. You can also find the recently refurbished Raphael Gallery here, home to several tapestry cartoons by Raphael that are part of the Royal Collection. There are special theme nights on Wednesdays.

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink Video Guide

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
The “Ally Pally” ice rink in Alexandra Park still remains a firm favourite with north London residents. The ice rink has a total capacity of 1,250 people and skating instruction is available. Haringey Greyhounds Ice Hockey Club use the international-sized venue as their home ground.

Madame Tussaud’s Video Guide

Madame Tussaud’s
The famous waxworks museum, started by Madame Tussaud in 1835, are one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, and usually have queues to match. Now they’ve introduced a fast-track booking system, so you should be able to bypass the queues by pre-booking a time slot for a £1 surcharge. Madame Tussaud learned her trade making death masks during the French Revolution, and those of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are displayed beside the actual blade that beheaded them.

Trafalgar Square Video Guide

Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square was built following the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The man responsible for this famous naval victory, which finally destroyed French naval power and secured Britain from invasion, was Admiral Horatio Nelson. A column, with an 18ft statue of Nelson at the summit is the centerpiece of the Square. At the base of the column are the renowned Landseer lions. Renovations in 2003 removed traffic lanes to make room for a sizable

Notting Hill Carnival Video Guide

Notting Hill Carnival
Every August, a Caribbean sway comes to West London for Europe’s largest street party. Steel drums, singers, eye-catching floats and troops of costumed dancers all pulsate to the beat. Throngs line the streets to watch this exceptional extravaganza. Rap and reggae mingles with dance music and other beats pumped out at deafening volumes as people munch on Caribbean snacks. The parade route winds through Chepstow Road, Westbourne Grove, Ladbroke Grove and Kensal Road. The carnival is free but bring cash for plantains, patties and Red Stripe beer.

THE BEST HOTEL IN LONDON

The Landmark London Video Guide

The Landmark London, London
Situated directly opposite Marylebone Tube Station, in Marylebone, one of London’s most up-market districts, the Landmark London is within a short distance from the Oxford Circus, the Piccadilly Circus, and the theater district.

It is a classic example of Victorian Gothic Architecture, most apparent on the exterior, which features icons, red brickwork, and beautiful arch detailing. Inside the hotel, the centerpiece is the eight-story glass atrium, which can be viewed from all internal facing guestrooms. The style is classic British, with some Eastern influences hinting at the hotels Thai ownership.

Sofitel London Video Guide

Sofitel London St James, London
Our Sofitel London hotel offers five-star accommodations in the heart of the city’s West End. This London five-star hotel is a historic building, delicately renovated to preserve many of the original features. Experience this landmark site - consistently rated as one of the best London hotels - which combines traditional British design with contemporary style that is unmistakably French. Hallmarks include renowned chef Albert Roux’s Brasserie Roux, the St James Bar, and conference space.”

The Royal Horseguards Video Guide

The Royal Horseguards, London
The French chateau-style Royal Horseguards is across the river from the London Eye, three blocks from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and approximately 16 miles from London Heathrow Airport. Adjoining the Victoria Embankment Gardens, the hotel is a block from Whitehall and the tube stop, two blocks from Horse Guards Parade, three blocks from Trafalgar Square, a half-mile from West End theaters and Covent Garden shopping, one mile from Buckingham Palace and Oxford Street shopping, and two miles from Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge. This property was built in 1884 as a home for international diplomats and prestigious clubs.

One Aldwych Video Guide

One Aldwych, London
Brilliant contemporary interiors, two fabulous restaurants, friendly professional service, an original art collection, cutting-edge technology, and an excellent location right in the middle of London in Covent Garden just some of the reasons to stay at the award-winning One Aldwych. All rooms and suites have individually controlled air-conditioning, multi-line facility with three telephones, international computer modem connections, CNN and satellite television, video-on-command, and CD players

Sheraton Park Tower, London Video Guide

Sheraton Park Tower, London
Located in the exclusive Knightsbridge section of the city, the 289-room, five-star Sheraton Park Tower is only a short stroll from Harrods and Hyde Park, and nearby Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the West End theaters. On the premises are the restaurant One-O-One, serving seafood dishes inspired by France’s Brittany region, and The Bar. There is a hairdresser on-site, and guests can enjoy use of a nearby fitness center. Hotel services include 24-hour concierge, nightly turndown, dry cleaning and laundry, and 24-hour room service.

THE BEST RESTUARANT

Churchill Arms Video Guide

Churchill Arms
This is an interesting hybrid of boozer and leafy Thai diner. Amongst the benefits of this unusual alliance is the combination of pub-priced drinks with restaurant-standard food. It’s always popular - often very crowded in the pub and pub/dining area - but the restaurant at the back is surprisingly airy, although just as full of locals. The owner’s collection of 16,000 rare butterflies decorates the walls and provides interesting distractions during your meal.

Rainforest Cafe Video Guide

Rainforest Cafe
Chomp away happily while the sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest envelop and transport you into the deep jungle. Listen to the talking Banyan tree for environmental trivia and marvel at the simulated cascades and tropical storms. Kids will have a riot with the animated elephants, gorillas, real live parrots and exotic fish and they also get an activity sheet, crayons, and pin badge.

Hard Rock Cafe Video Guide

Hard Rock Cafe
If you like American burgers or rock memorabilia this will be on your tourist route, so don’t resist. And anyway, this is the world’s first Hard Rock, so there’s some value in that. Be warned though, this venue is always busy so be prepared to queue. Merchandise is also on sale so now is the time to pick-up some tacky souvenirs for your mates back home.