DK Travel : London

A city of infinite colour and variety, London is both richly historic, tracing its roots back over 2000 years, and unceasingly modern, at the forefront of fashion, music and the arts. There is a fantastic amount to interest and entertain the visitor here: a selection of the best of the best is explored here.

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

The British Museum

The world’s oldest museum has no fewer than 6 million items spanning 1.8 million years of world civilization. The collection was started with the bequest of a physician and antiquarian, Sir Hans Sloane, in 1753. In the 18th and 19th centuries travellers and emissaries, such as Captain James Cook, Lord Elgin, Lord Curzon and Charles Townley, added treasures from around the world. The present, Classical style building was completed around 1850.
The Clink Hostel

Unlike some other big hostels in London, the Clink Hostel packs plenty of people in without ever feeling like an impersonal 'bed factory'.

That's partly down to the setting - it's housed in the old Clerkenwell Magistrates' Court (the guest computers are in a courtroom, and you can even spend the night in a cell) - and partly down to some pretty slick facilities. There's a large communal kitchen, a jumping bar, a variety of different dorm sizes and a brightly coloured, airy feel throughout.

Finally, an excellent location - within walking distance of King's Cross station - and affordable prices make it one of the best budget places to stay in London.
The Gothic Temple

Set within the magnificent grounds of Stowe Landscape Gardens, the Gothic Temple sits majestically on top of a hill a single windswept cedar tree for company.

The ornate building, with its Gothic windows and battlements, appears vast and reverent, almost daunting. The architecture is quite ingenious – the floor plan is triangular, with a pentagonal tower in each corner. The chambers within, however, are circular.

On the ground floor there’s a well-equipped kitchen and a bathroom with freestanding tub and colourful stained-glass windows. On the floor above there are two bedrooms. The sitting room is in the high-roofed chamber at the centre of the building. A first-floor gallery and the glorious dome above accentuates its circular form.

The somewhat hallowed atmosphere is tempered by the furnishings: a comfy sofa, a dining suite and bookcases stuffed full of books on Stowe Park, its history, flora and fauna, lend a homely touch.

This is a truly magical place full of hidden meaning, political message and the aristocratic charm of the 18th century. The temple’s ambiance, its slightly musty smell, ironstone walls and the absence of television, radio and even telephone, all help take you back to that bygone era.
The Grapes

Amongst the relentless 1980s sterility of London’s docklands is the wonderful, old, miraculously unscathed, small and friendly “Grapes” pub. It is truly an oasis in a desert of high-rises and steel and concrete. If you happen to be stuck at Canary Wharf and need to escape, it is definitely worth making the short walk along the river to the “Grapes”.

London’s docklands were extensively damaged by bombing during the second World War. After the war, they suffered further gradual decline until the 1980s, when Canary Wharf became Britain’s largest building site and the site of London’s biggest (and definitely brashest) new buildings. Somehow the “Grapes” survived both of these upheavals, and it is small and intimate and wooden and higgledy-piggledy. Thank goodness

I visited the “Grapes” for a pleasant hour on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. I sat in the corner and enjoyed a pint of Weston’s Pedigree Ale and a packet of pork scratchings from the bar. At my back, the high-tide Thames washed against the small wooden terrace at the front of the pub. Occasional small container barges chugged by, keeping other occasional tourist launches company. In front of me, and across the narrow bar counter, I could see a few locals struggling with the crossword. They were clearly locals (or possibly employees, or possibly both), as occasionally they would go behind the bar for another drink. The pub dog (a languid Alsatian) would occasionally wander through.

I would have stayed for more than one drink, but I hadn’t realised that the “Grapes” closes from 3:20 until 5:30 on Mondays to Thursdays. Before I left, I wandered upstairs to have a look at the pub’s small restaurant. It was closed when I got there (I had seen patrons coming down the stairs half an hour before), but I could see half-a-dozen tables and a big window overlooking the river. It looks simple and relaxing, and the kind of place I would go back to.

The “Grapes” leads directly from the street onto the Thames, thereby blocking the Thames Path along the river. Coming out of the pub, I noticed a small plaque nearby – pointing out that Dickens had described the pub (as “The Six Jolly Friendship Porters” in “Our Mutual Friend”) as having red curtains “matching the customers’ noses”. It still feels like that kind of place. Very highly recommended
The Harlequin

The Harlequin is something of a rarity: a genuinely inviting London pub that’s rarely filled to the rafters.

Why it isn’t is a bit of a mystery. With room for about 30 drinkers, it’s an intimate little place; there are comfy sofas, wood-paneling and a cozily old-fashioned atmosphere that’s somewhere between a trendy gastro pub and a neighborhood boozer.

The beer’s excellent (London Pride and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord) and there’s a good selection of wine. There are even some tempting light bites in the shape of a large jar of olives that sits on the bar, a plate of homemade brownies and, from time to time, some very reasonable sandwiches.

In spite of this, the only time it really fills up is when there’s a show on around the corner at Sadler’s Wells. Even then, though, it somehow manages not to seem too busy. The rest of the time it returns to doing what it does best: being the perfect place to slip away from busy Upper Street for a quiet pint and a chat.
The Hellenic Bookservice

For anyone anywhere who studies Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation or anyone who is interested in the classical world, the Hellenic Bookservice is a dedicated bookshop selling books, references, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and all sorts of things of interest. Well worth checking out if you are interested in this sort of thing and are visiting London.
The Hop Pickers

A place to meet and great friends as well as people from all over europe... speciality 'Stone Grill' mmmmmmmm
The King's Arms

Very cosy, traditional pub with good food, especially their Sunday Roast, and friendly bar staff. Outdoor seating good for the summer months.
The Landmark London Hotel

A delicious hotel, where luxury is a brillant mix between elegance and modernity, just a step from the Regent's Park.
THE MAGIC OF LONDON FULL DAY TOUR

A full day tour of London including the Tower of London, St Pauls Cathedral and enjoy cream tea at Harrods

Return: Tour finishes approx 17:30 at Harrods

Highlights:

Private guided tour of the Tower of London with Yeoman Warder

Be the first group to visit the Crown Jewels

Panoramic drive seeing the icons of London; Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Harrods and much more

See Changing of the Guard - subject to availability

Thames River Cruise - see St. Pauls Cathedral, the Globe Theatre and much more

Pub lunch in Whitehall (food/drink not included)

Visit St Pauls with professional guide and fast entry ticket

Cream tea and scones at Harrods

The Tour:

THE TOWER OF LONDON ...private tour away from the crowds...

Following our coach drive past some of Londons most famous landmarks including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament we arrive at the Tower of London where we are met on the middle drawbridge by our very own Yeoman Warder. Leading us into this world heritage site before it opens to the public our Beefeater will take us on a private guided tour explaining the history behind this fortress of imprisonment and torture. We are also the first group to see the Crown Jewels before enjoying some free time to explore on our own. Why not visit Traitors Gate, the armouries or the Bloody Tower? And keep an eye out for the famous Ravens. Tradition has it that if the Ravens leave the Tower the monarch will fall!

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Departing the Tower we head to The Mall to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony as one of the Queens Foot Guard Household Regiments march from St. James Palace to Buckingham Palace to military music dressed in their world famous tunics and busbies.*

THAMES RIVER CRUISE & PUB LUNCH

Next we enjoy a short cruise on the River Thames as we enjoy excellent views of St. Pauls Cathedral and Shakespeares Globe before heading for a traditional pub lunch in Whitehall, close to Downing Street, the residence of the Prime Minister (food/drink not included). After lunch we have a photo stop at Westminster Abbey.

ST PAULS CATHEDRAL

The afternoon part of the tour begins with a visit to St Pauls Cathedral. We shall explore this masterpiece designed by Wren in 1673, highlights of the tour will include listening to the 1695 organ that Mendelssohn once played and visit the tombs of Nelson and Wellington. With your professional guide test the unique acoustics of the Whispering Gallery (not normally visited by tour groups).On Sundays when there is restricted viewing at the Cathedral there will be an opportunity to enter and enjoy one of the services.

AFTERNOON TEA AT HARRODS

Then we head through Knightsbridge to one of the worlds most famous stores - Harrods where we finish our day with tea and scones served inside a the Terrace Bar. Tea includes tea, scones, jam and clotted cream. Why not end you day with a bit of shopping at this amazing store.

*If the Changing of the Guard is not taking place you will still see Buckingham Palace and then visit the Horse Guards Parade

Price: £80 adults | £74 child (up to 16 years)