|
Things To Do
London’s cultural and historical influence has impacted Europe and the world for centuries, and holds the promise of excitement and discovery for those visiting this vibrant, global metropolis
Sports & Outdoors
Arts Museums & Landmarks
London is more than the immensely popular landmarks listed below, but these sites offer so much history, culture and charm that it would be a shame to miss them.
The official abode of British royalty since Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837, Buckingham Palace contains 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. In the forecourt of the building, marching to live music, the Changing of the Guard takes place on various days at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 020-7321-2233. Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1A.
The Gothic Westminster Abbey is the traditional coronation and burial site for English monarchs and many celebrated Britons, including David Livingstone, Sir Isaac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens. The place of daily worship features the painted glass rose window, statues, monuments and choir screens. For more information, call 020-7222-5152. Broad Sanctuary, London SW1.
The House of Lords and the House of Commons conduct their sittings at the Houses of Parliament. The building is a series of chambers, lobbies and offices, and sits on the north bank of the River Thames. The building’s most famous feature is the clock tower, Big Ben. The tower, weighing more than 13 tons, has a light above it that is illuminated while the House of Commons is in session. For more information, call 020-7219-4272. Westminster, London SW1A.
The world’s third-largest dome rises high over the city at St. Paul’s Cathedral. This masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren was completed in 1710. Inside are carvings, monuments and statues dedicated to a wide range of people, and the cathedral has been the site of many famous funerals, including those of the Duke of Wellington and Winston Churchill. St. Paul’s Cathedral was the site of the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in 1980. For more information, call 020-7236-4128. St. Paul’s Churchyard, Ludgate Hill, London EC4.
An aura of death and torture lingers at the Tower of London, which has seen 900 years of history and is the holder of the Crown Jewels. The Yeomen Warders take guests on a free tour through the Towers, which was not only a jail but housed the Royal Mint, the Public Records, the Royal Menagerie and the Royal Observatory. For more information, call 020-7709-0765. Tower Hill, London EC3N.
Next to the Tower of London is the Tower Bridge, crossing the River Thames. The Tower Bridge Experience offers fantastic views, exploration of the structure and construction of the famous bridge, and education of the bridge’s inner workings. For more information, call 020-7403-3761. Tower Hill, London SE1.
Dining
Be sure to try the city’s requisite fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, but to delve deeper into the London dining scene, one must explore the more than 80 cuisines offered and the assortment of ethnic eateries, including Japanese, Turkish, Ethiopian and North African.
The long-standing city institution, Sweeting’s, is uniquely English, where locals dine on potted shrimp, fresh oysters and baked jam rolls. Visitors should note that the establishment does not accept reservations and is not open for dinner or on the weekends. The seafood is supreme, and diners will enjoy traveling back in time to Old London at this popular eatery. For more information, call 020-7248-3062. 39 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4.
Boulevard Brasserie, located in Covent Garden, serves a pre- and post-theatre menu, as well as a set lunch. The open frontage on the ground floor can make for a pleasant alfresco dining experience, while the first floor showcases French windows overlooking Wellington Street. The French-inspired menu features dishes such as tiger prawns, duck comfit and mushroom risotto. For reservations, call 020-7240-2992. 40 Wellington Street, London WC2E.
Shopping
London shopping denizens can frequent world-famous Harrods, find a unique gift covered in Liberty prints, or shop alongside celebrities at Top Shop and Paul Smith.
The floral fabric emporium, Liberty of London, is famous for its prints, as well as fashion covered in the popular material. The shop includes an Asian department, gifts, a menswear line and the latest in women’s fashion. For more information, call 020-7734-1234. 200 Regent Street, London W1.
Recreated from a Victorian pharmacy, Paul Smith will outfit you in quirky, well-cut suits, denim and eclectic tees. Sir Paul McCartney counts Paul Smith as a favorite retailer. For more information, call 020-7379-7133. 40-44 Floral Street, London WC2.
The most famous department store in the world, Harrods, embodies its motto, “Omnia Omnibus Ubique” (All Things, For All People, Everywhere) by offering the famous Food Hall, a pet department, online casino, furniture and designer fashions. For more information, call 020-7730-1234. 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1.
Create your own jewelry at the bead bar and explore racks of affordable trends at Top Shop, where celebrities and locals mix and match the latest designers with the store’s own label, Moto. For more information, call 020-7636-7700. 214 Oxford Street, London W1.
Events
The summer holidays bring on the best in sport, music, automobiles and aerospace in London.
The oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament is The Championships at Wimbledon, held at the All England Club for a fortnight (two weeks) at the end of June. The third Grand Slam of the calendar year is played on grass, and takes place from June 26 to July 9, 2006. For tickets, call 020-8971-2473. The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19.
The Proms (short for “promenade concerts”) are an eight-week summer season of daily classical music concerts held each year in South Kensington, predominantly at the Royal Albert Hall. The season takes place from July 14 to Sept. 9, 2006. For tickets, call 020-7589-8212. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7.
The biannual British International Motor Show displays scores of new models from Aston Martin, Bentley, Cadillac and more. This year’s show will be held at the Excel Arena in the Docklands from July 20 to 30, 2006. For tickets, call 0870-0600-245. One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16.
The Farnborough Air Show is held biannually at the Farnborough Airfield at the end of July in even-numbered years. In 2006, it takes place from July 17 to 23, when the aerospace community will congregate at the 45th Air Show. For tickets, call 020-7976-3330. Farnborough Aerodrome, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14.
Gay Pride Events and Gay Parades in London
Neighborhoods
1. Covent Garden-Soho
The centerpiece of Covent Garden’s piazza is its glass-covered market building, where crowds browse clothing, crafts, antiques and souvenirs. The area is home to the Royal Opera House, where the Proms take place biannually.
Soho’s party atmosphere, trendy shops and tourist frenzy at Piccadilly Circus lead the young, hip crowd to its pubs, clubs and cafes. Chinatown is located within the district, where ethnic cuisine ranging from Thai to French can be found.
2. Kensington-Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is where serious shoppers head after a long week of work. Popular restaurants and bars fill the area, but the main attractions are two London legends, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
Kensington, located beyond Knightsbridge west of London, features more shopping, including Sloane Street (“Designer Row”) and Kensington Church Road, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum.
3. Mayfair
Arguably the most upscale neighborhood in London, Mayfair is home to high-end shopping on Bond Street, the Jesuit Church on Farm Street and the famous auction house, Sotheby’s.
4. Notting Hill
Notting Hill, a hip district with 19th-century terraced row houses, retro boutiques, and a variety of cafes and pubs, offers an inside look at London’s “cool crowd.” The district is also the site of the popular Portobello Road Market, where locals flock for unique finds.
5. Southwark-Tower Bridge
A cultural haven, Southwark features Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Lambeth Place (the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and the Tate Modern. New and refurbished attractions have revitalized the area.
6. Westminster
Civil servants, tourists and politicians fill the area surrounding Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. After exploring the sights, take a stroll through St. James Park or Green Park, or walk along the banks of the River Thames.
| |
|
