London Guide

Written by Simon Alin NV09

 London - A european cosmopolitan
Are you bored at the moment? Do you just want to escape the everyday life? Then take next flight to the
metropolis London and leave your problems at home. 
More than seven million people in the downtown and hundred of thousands tourists
cannot be wrong! London is one of the most popular cities in the world and people
from everywhere comes and visit it. The climate is mild and the weather changes often.
You should always be prepared for anything, but don´t get sad because of that. Do as
the Londoners and be glad for any weather.

London is the capital of England and a fantastic city. It doesn´t matter if you are a sport
fan, interested in art, a shop-o-holic or just on a business trip. London has the top of the
line in all categories and will not disappoint you.
So what are you waiting for?

Travelling
Travelling to London is not a problem. Heathrow – the biggest airport in Europe is reachable from all over
the world and with over 50 million passengers per year lots of people come to London. Heathrow is a
great airport with good connections to the urban network, and the public transportation and
infrastructure in London is well functioning. The underground and the buses covers the whole city and
you can get wherever you like with just public transportation. You can of course buy a single ticket but it
is much smoother with the Oyster Card that you can buy in any underground station in London.
Parks in London
How nice would actually London be with out the parks dividing the city. Parks create free space and
makes excellent picnic spots. In London parks you can find a lot of stuff. Everything from training groups
to pedestrians to tramps to nice cafés and restaurants. Imagine yourself after a busy day, for example
walking into Hyde Park, put down your cloth on the nice lawn near the water and enjoying the
lukewarm breeze fan your hair. Maybe watching the squirrels playing around. Total relaxation!

Here are some must visit parks in my opinion.

Hyde Park is big park besieged in the central parts of London and has an area of 2,5
km2. It has a nice artificial made lake that you just can sit beside and watch the duck or
if you are bored - rent a pedal boat. There are also some nice cafés surrounding Hyde
Park. Closest Underground stations are Paddington or Hyde Park Corner

Regents Park is nice park designed by the famous mathematician John Nash. He made
it for the British prince Regent as an ornamental park. And that has left clear imprints.
It’s a wonderful park really worth to visit! Underground station , Regents Park.

Hampstead Heath is the ultimate place if you want leave the city and relax your mind. Located in central
London, Parliament Hill, this big park covering 320 hectares. A perfect place to just walk around and
enjoying the nature. Underground station Hampstead
Some other parks you may also want to visit: St. James Park, Kensington Gardens.

Sports
London is the uncrowned capital of sports in Europe. Five Premier League teams, the world’s most
honourable tennis tournament –Wimbledon, high quality rugby and polo matches and much, much more.
Credits to tennis, polo and other sports but football is the most popular sport. The atmosphere when the
Arsenal players are walking into Emirates Stadium (that by the way is the most modern arena in the
world) is incredible. Sixtithousands people cheering their favourite team to victory.

London will also arrange the world’s biggest sport event in two years – The Summer Olympic Games of
2012. They are now completing new arenas, undergroundstations and other infrastructure developments
in a hurry.

As I mentioned London is one of Europe’s capitals when it comes to football. Two teams are playing
Champions League during autumn and probably spring. First out is Chelsea FC that has their home
ground besieged in south London in the “upper class” areas as many people mean. Stamford Bridge is
their arena called and it holds up to more than 40.000 spectators.
The other great team is Arsenal FC and they plays in north London on the excellent arena Emirates
Stadium which many people mean is the most modern arena in the world. And I do count myself into
that part that really think so. Normally does the number of spectators infect the comfort for the people
but not in this case.

It feels like a hotel lounge when you step in to it. Nice restaurants, bars and a
nice VIP lounge if you have enough money for a one-year pass. An experience
for a lifetime.

Shopping
London’s shopping is amazing! Together with New York, Paris and Milan it is
superior to all others. Everything from super new designer clothes that just has
left the catwalk to bargain stores.
Before you end your shopping trip you really need to visit these places.

Harrods – central besieged in the more luxury parts of London you find the crown jewel of department
stores. 6 floors and 90 000 m2 with great quality stuff that you Won’t find in any other place in the world.
Unfortunately it isn´t cheap and some prices really amayses you. Anyway it is a nice experience to visit
Harrods and if you do not want to buy anything you can hang out in the food halls and have lunch or a
huge cone of rich icecream. The food halls are a good souvenir shop that many may appreciate, buy some
tea or herbs. The nearest Underground station is Knightsbridge.

For the people that are careful with their money but still want to shop, Oxford Street is a good alternative.
A long street with great shops, cafés and restaurants to a reasonable price. A good tip for the fashion
conscious person with a limited bank account. The closest Underground station is East Action Station.
Are you going to buy a new job suit or just a nice tie. Then New Bond Street won’t disappoint you.
One of London’s most exclusive shopping streets has lots of high status and tailored things to offer.
Underground station to get of at is Bond Street.

This guide is for you who are interested in shopping and plan to spend a day or two walking in stores.
You do not need to read fashion magazines or be hyper interested in the latest fashion and you may
consider it before you start shopping. However I strongly recommend you to take a trip and see what you
find.

Museums in London
London – Probably the best city of museums in the world. It reaches the same level as the shopping in
London and that is not bad. It includes the whole packages with Nature history museums, Science
museums, War museums, London museums, wax cabinets and so on. Museums can be nice to learn from
or just spend some spare time walking around philosophizing.

Have you ever dreamt of meeting Michael Jackson or Albert Einstein? Check out how long wolverine’s
knives are? See the size of Zlatan’s nose? Your dreams can come true! At Madame Tussauds you may see
some great celebrities. Madame Tussauds is the world’s most famous wax cabinet and celebrities from all
over the world are depicted here. It’s located in central London. Open 9am to 6 pm. Underground – Baker
Street Station, Bus lines - 3, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139 and 274.

Science Museum – bringing science to life and life to science. The science museum in London is a fantastic
museum for all ages. The clear explanations make you understand the smallest of atoms to the in space.
You can see experiments in giant scale and try out games. A cool museum especially for families with
children. Open 10am to 6pm. Underground station, South Kensington.

The Natural Science Museum is a typical dusty building with old nature science museum stuff. Stuffed
beavers and dried butterflies. That may not appeal to everyone but the marvellous dinosaur exhibition is
a popular section. This museum I recommend for people specially interested in nature science but it’s an
experience for anyone. Monday – Saturday 10am to 5.50pm, Sunday 11am to 5.50pm. Underground –
Cromwell Road.

Museum of London is a museum specified on London and England, now and then. There you can find
recipes for old English dishes, depictions from horrible loot trains. It contains over 5000 stunning pictures
at London from far back. Monday – Saturday 10am to 5.50 pm, Sunday 12 am to 5.50 pm. Underground
station Barbican.

These museums I recommend you who want to witness London’s history or just want to chill out.
Attractions
The attractions is the reason why many people visit just London. Amazing, famous, beautiful buildings,
art works and places. The attractions are unfortunately very popular among tourists and some queues are
horrible.
However there is a reason for all these people to queue and it is often worthwhile.

London Eye, the third biggest Paris wheel in the world is a good spot for a view over London. You are
able to see 40 kilometers when the weather is clear. Each ride takes 30 minutes and costs
about 14 £. A very nice experience if you haven’t fears for heights. Underground station
nearest by Waterloo

Piccadilly Circus is also one of London’s biggest attractions for tourists and thousands of
camera flashes are lightning up the Eros statue together with the twinkling advertising
signs every year. Piccadilly Circus is a square in central London special known for it’s
huge advertising signs and the Eros statue. A tip is to visit it at night to see the ads
flashing against the night sky. One of the most visited squares in the world. Go to
underground station Piccadilly Circus.

Big Ben is the great clock tower in London. It’s located near the Thames in Westminister
and it’s a perfect treat for one day together with London Eye that lies on the other side of the river. Big
Ben started ticking 1856 and still is. Underground station Waterloo.

London at night
Haven’t it happened many times that you do not feel ready for bed and want more nightlife after the
dinner? The hotel room don´t attract you very much. You want to party around in the downtown. Lucky
enough there are a wealth of cool party places in London. However you do need a membership for most
clubs and that decreases the number.
And if you are not interested in disco and flirting, Trocadero game house maybe is something for you.
Near Piccadilly Circus a big galleria is besieged. The galleria is by itself not so spectacular but Funland
will cheer you up. Five floors with entertainment! Bowling, pool, dart and lots of arcades. Challenge your
mateswho of you are the toughest in the electrical chair.
A one of a kind place that should visit.
Eating and drinking
Some people say: “We eat for living, some live for eating” and that simply means that people appreciate
food in different ways. Are you maybe a person who enjoys life and how you feel and what you eat is
your highest priority? Is food more than an energy source for you? Then London is the right city for you.
First class restaurants and cafés surrounding you make every hungry person’s enzymes jumping around.
Explore real London pubs or high tech Asian restaurants in walking distance. And remember! Eating
good in London doesn’t need to ruin you.

Eating breakfast in London gives you many opportunities. The most natural alternative is of course to eat
the standard breakfast at your hotel or youth hostel but that leaves almost nothing to your imagination.
Therefore, I suggest you eating breakfast at a nearby café. That gives you the opportunity to choose what
ever you like to eat. The characteristics for English breakfast are a big cup of tea, toasts with butter or
marmalade, bacon, scrambled eggs, beans and sausages. You can of course order you favourite pieces one
by one but if you want to do it the English way you should order “the works”. Bagels you can also get at
almost any café but I prefer the bagel shop that has loads of differnt sorts.

All Bar One is new wine bar chain with establishments all over the country. It’s more like a European bar
than a typical English one. English bars normally have a lot beer sorts, oiled wood chairs and that’s it. All
Bar One has a broad wine selection and modern interior design. Except of the excellent wine list, good
food is served for a normal price. All Bar One you can find at Leicester Square, at the Regent Street/
Oxford Street crossing.
On Fulham Road you may find small Italian, Indian, and French restaurants. Small nice restaurants with
different menus. Visit it many times and pick your favourites.

In the heart of London there are a lot of Asian restaurants. Every thing from new Japanese sushi
restaurants with spinning tables to more classic Chinese restaurants. Wagamama is a great restaurant
chain serving all types of Asian food at cheap prices. It’s one of the best in it genre and I really
recommend it. It is located at Gower Street.

Aren’t you satisfied with your weekend and want to explore deeper in the English culture, have a four
o’clock tea at the Ritz. Ritz Hotel offers you tea and cookies and it can’t be more British.

Living
Is there anything better after a long day than to fall a sleep in a newly done hotel bed and know that you
can sleep until you wake up? Hotel is of course not the most important part of the journey for everyone
but there is nice to feel comfortable. Though, nothing is free and you will need to pay for good service.
The rent in London’s inner city is sky high and so the hotel prices. Easy but true is the cost a function of
location and service. So for most people there is a decision between live central or luxury. Most people
choose to live central and that’s what I suggest too so down in the table below are some hotels that
delivers good value for money.

RCA City Hotel 3 73 £ per night Osborn Street 20

Royal Park 4 117 £ per night Westbourne Terrace 3

Parkwood at Marble 3 86 £ per night Stanhope Place 19

Arch

St. George Hotel 1 28 £ per night Norfolk Square 46

Westbury Mayfair Hotel 5 165 £ per night Bond Street 14

And don’t forget – have fun!