places to go blog

February in London

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

When it comes to the month of February the first thing that comes to the mind of many people is Valentine’s Day which will take place on the 14th of this month. There are lots of things  to do for the loved up couple in the city. However  if Valentine’s Day isn’t the thing for you there’s no need to worry as there are lots of other things taking place during this month for you to enjoy.

Valentine’s Day

On Valentine’s Day there are lots of romantic things to do in and around the city. One of the main places to go during Valentine’s is to the London Eye. Here there are a number of special tickets available that are themed with the Cupid’s Capsule Experience or the Red Rose Experience. If the London Eye isn’t your thing there is also the opportunity to go on the Orient Express and enjoy a romantic lunch.

Valentines on the London Eye

Valentine's on the London Eye

Six Nations Rugby

For the sport fan among you this is one of the biggest events to take place when it comes to rugby. The Six Nations lasts from February  right through until March. There are rugby matches taking place all over the six nations, with the England matches being played at Twickenham.

London Fashion Week

For the fashion lover this will be an event of interest. It starts on Thursday 26th February and lasts for 4 days. There are a number of events taking place with the catwalk being the main opportunity to get a glimpse of the latest hair, beauty and fashion for the coming season.

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Museums of London

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

When it comes to being in another country, you should take the opportunity to get to see and do as much as you can while you are here.  Spending time going round the museums of London  can be a great way to spend the weekend, or if you have some free time after classes. There are lots of museums with a number of exhibitions and artefacts throughout the city  so it can be a  great way to discover more about all sorts of things- and with the added benefit of  helping you with your English. Best of all the majority of them are free to go to.

British Museum

This museum is famous throughout the world. Here you can see works that date back as far as the prehistoric times. There’s lots to see here such as the Rosetta Stone or the acient Egyptian mummies.

Museums in London

Museums in London

Science Museum

The science museum lets you see, touch and experience the major advances of science over the last 300 years.  There are lots of interactive exhibits and also an IMAX 3D Cinema to enjoy as well.

Natural History Museum

One of the main attractions at this museum is the dinosaur exhibition- which you can see throughout the year. However this isn’t all as there are a number of exhibitions showing a whole host of animals.

Museum of London

The Museum of London lets you discover all about the city.  There are lots of things to be found  here when it comes to the history of the city from prehistoric to modern times.

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Greenwich

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

When you spend time living in the city sometimes it can be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, especially with Christmas just round the corner, making the shops even busier than normal. If you want to get away from the city for the day then going to Greenwich offers you the chance to spend a quiet day in the South of the city.
 
Getting to Greenwich
 
There are many ways to get to Greenwich such as bus, rail or car depending on what way you prefer to travel. It is located only 15-20 minutes away form the city centre making it easy to get to. 

 

Greenwich market
Greenwich market

 
Greenwich Market

This market takes place several days a week, with stalls offering everything from crafts to antiques and food. Although it’s busy at the weekends, this is often the best time to go as there can be up to 150 arts and crafts stalls and 25 food stalls for you to browse around.

Eating in Greenwich

There are a number of good restaurants to eat in here. There is something to suit all taste buds with the Inside and Old Brewery being two of the restaurants that stand out. However, if it’s not a big meal that you are after there are also the pubs and bars to enjoy a bar snack, or even just a drink.

Other things to do

There are a number of popular tourist attractions that you can visit while you are here. There is the National Maritime Museum which is very popular. As well as this there is also the Fan Museum and the Ecology Park to name but a few of the things that you can do.

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Guy Fawkes Night in London

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

There are a number of events that take place throughout the year that are a big a part of British culture. One of these events is Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night, as it is also known. If you in London this weekend with your friends, there are lots of events taking place that you can be a part of, as you go out and celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. There’s something happening all over the capital so you won’t be at a loss for something to do.

Firework Displays

There are a number of firework displays taking place all over the city that you and your friends can enjoy, giving you plenty of places to go to. The firework displays on Guy Fawkes Night take place all over London-meaning that no matter where you are living in the city, you definitely won’t miss out on anything that is taking place.

Firework Display

Firework Display

Theme parks

For a little extra than the normal price of a ticket you can also enjoy the firework displays at Legoland or Thorpe Park. With the theme park to keep you busy during the day, and the fireworks to then entertain you at night, you won’t be at a loss for something to do-  if you come here to see them.

The bonfire

As well as the firework displays there is also the bonfire and burning of the guy that takes place. This tradition dates back a long time and is an important part of Guy Fawkes Night.

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Fright nights at Thorpe Park

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Halloween is now only a few weeks away. For most people it means getting dressed up, going out or even watching the latest horror film to hit the screens at the cinema. This year however why not do something different with your friends in the run up to Halloween? Instead of spending a night jumping at a movie on the screen, why not go to a fright night at Thorpe Park. This way you can combine a day at the theme park, along with a bit of a scare as well!

Where is it?

Thorpe Park is just outside London, in Surrey. One of the easiest ways to reach it is by car. However if you don’t fancy driving there are also trains and buses that run there, so you don’t have to worry about missing out. The theme park has everything from thrill rides to fun rides for you and your friends to enjoy- Halloween or not!

What is it?

In the run up to Halloween, there are Fright Nights taking place from the 14th- 16th and the 21st- 31st  of October. This will be the tenth year that they are running and a new event has been made to mark the occasion.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park

Fright Night

Experiment 10 is the new attraction for this year. This will have you and your friends going through a government experiment lab, coming across all sorts of things that will most likely have you jumping as you try to make it out.  

There’s also a lot more to give you a fright with The Curse, Se7ven and Saw Alive, being some of the attractions that are guaranteed to have you screaming.

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Get a fright in London

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

When it comes to seeing the city there are lots of things to do to keep  you amused, however if you want something a bit different to do, and with Hallowe’en being so close, then why not step back in time and discover the dark secrets of London’s past, with your friends.

London Dungeons              

As you walk through the Dungeons, going from room to room through a number of shows, you get to discover a 1000 years of the darkest secrets and history of the city. Not only are there stories to be told but there are also rides for you to enjoy as well, as you venture through the Black Plague,  the Great Fire of London and more.  What’s more, if it’s all been a bit frightening for you, you can also get discounts on Madame Tussauds if you want to go to something after to settle the nerves.

London Bridge Experience and Tombs

London Bridge Experience and Tombs

London Bridge Experience

The London Bridge lets you experience what life was like all those years ago in London. Be prepared for scary stories as you step back in time and discover what life was like in London during the time of the Romans and even Vikings.

London Tombs

After the London Bridge Experience, the London Tombs await. It’s an attraction that is sure to give you and your friends a fright.  Here you make your way along the tombs, which were formerly a plague pit, coming across all sorts of things that are sure to make you jump!

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Regent’s Park

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Regent’s Park is one of the Royal Parks of London and covers 166 hectares of ground, so you won’t be at a loss for something to do. It can be  reached easily by underground with a number of stops around the park, or even by bus if you prefer.

Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill is a popular spot with tourists and Londoners alike. You’ll find it in the north-side of Regent’s Park. This hill has been used in a number of films and from here you can look down on the zoo, see the Canary Wharf or even the O2 Arena.

Sports

There are lots of sporting activities that you can do in Regent’s Park, whether it’s alone or with friends. The area has one of the biggest outdoor sports areas of London. At the Hub, you can enjoy a number of sporting activities and exercise classes. You can also hire out a boat and enjoy rowing on the lake.

Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens

Here you will find rose gardens that you can walk around and enjoy. The best time to visit the gardens is probably around mid-June, when all the types of roses are in bloom.

Open Air Theatre

At the Open Air Theatre, the only permanent one in Britain, there’s a number of shows that you can catch with your friends.  What’s more you can enjoy a barbecue, picnic or even a buffet before the shows.

Eating in the Park

There are several cafes around the park that are great for a spot of lunch.  Or,  if  you just want to relax and enjoy a coffee, there are great places that you can go to and do just that.

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Famous Squares of London

Friday, September 9th, 2011

When it comes to visiting London there are a few squares within the city that you should take your time to go and see while you are here. As with most cities London has a lot of squares, but here’s just a few of the ones that you should try and get to, before leaving the city.

Trafalgar Square

This square is in the heart of London and is where you will find Nelson’s Column and the four lions. There are often lots of special events and other celebrations that take place here throughout the year.

Leicester Square

This square can be found in the West End area of London and in the middle of the square you will find a small park, where there is a statue of William Shakespeare. With the square being at the heart of Theatreland, the cinema nearby has been home to a number of film premieres.

Convent Garden

The square here is sometimes called the Covent Garden Piazza. It’s here that you’ll find the street performers, as well as the several bars and restaurants, which make the area famous.  There’s a lot going on here throughout the year so you’ll never be stuck for something to do.

Piccadilly Circus

This square is again within the West End district of London. From here you can find lots of shops and theatres. The main monuments to be found in this square is the Shaftesbury memorial fountain and a statue of an archer known as Eros. The two main theatres that surround the square are London Pavilion and Criterion Theatre.

Parliament Square

Within this square you will find a number of statues of statesmen. It is close to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.

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Wimbledon Village

Friday, August 26th, 2011

When you’re in London and you want to get away from the city life for a day then going to Wimbledon Village is just the place for you. Not far from the centre you will find the village which gives you the feeling of being away in the country for the day, while you are still within London.  The area is best known for being the location of the famous tennis championship but there is a lot more to see and do in the area that makes it worth coming to see while you are in London.

Shopping

There are a number of shops in Wimbledon Village for you to enjoy as you walk along Broadway, with something there for all tastes. Of course if you can’t find anything as you shop along the streets outside there is also the Centre Court Shopping Centre to browse around, while you are in the village.

Eating

If you want to eat something here then why not enjoy a traditional tea and scone in The Windmill. However if it’s a bigger meal that you are after then there are a number of restaurants in and around the village that you can enjoy a meal in as well.

Sport at Wimbledon

When it comes to sports the area is very well known for tennis. The Wimbledon tennis championship takes place here every year, attracting many people to the area. Aside from being the place where this championship is held, the tennis courts will also be a part of the forthcoming London Olympics 2012.

Apart from tennis there is also golf that you can play in the area. Or if that isn’t your thing you can even go horse riding at the Wimbledon Village Stables where there are lessons available.

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Famous Streets of London

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

When it comes to visiting London it is not just the landmarks, attractions and districts that are famous. Within the city there are also street names alone that are well known throughout the world. When in the city, here are some of the most famous streets that you might find yourself passing by.

Downing Street

This is perhaps one of the most famous streets in Europe.  On this street the most well-known place is 10 Downing Street, home to the Prime Minister. Although you aren’t able to walk up the street, it is still one of the most well-known streets in the capital.

Abbey Road

The Abbey Road Studios are where some of the biggest artists have recorded their albums. The zebra crossing on the street to get to the Studios is perhaps what has made the area so famous, thanks to the Beatles album “Abbey Road”, as it features in the art work.

Abbey Road

Abbey Road

Regent Street / Oxford Street

These two streets are famous for shopping. Regents Street is known for the high class stores that you can find there, with Hamleys being one of the most popular. On Oxford Street you will find over 600 shops and lots of cafes.

Fleet Street / Baker Street

Both these streets have found their fame because of the fictional characters who lived there. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber lived in Fleet Street.  Baker Street, on the other hand, is famous for being the place where detective Sherlock Holmes lived.

The Mall

The Mall has been a ceremonial route since the early 20th century. It runs from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. During state visits, the monarch and heads of state are escorted up the mall in a state carriage.

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