The Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee
August 14, 2009
If you are a coffee lover or tea lover, or if you are just interested in the history of these two popular beverages, you will enjoy a visit to the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee, located in London, not too far from the London Bridge station.
The museum houses several interesting attractions. First of all, there is a tea room available that is very authentic in tradition and style. You can choose from many different classic types of tea to enjoy in the quaint tea room.
Visitors can also get their fill of tea history, with information, photos, and artifacts dating back from ancient tea innovations to modern day tea trends. If you are a coffee fan, no need to worry – you’ll be able to get your fill of coffee trivia as well, with another section of the museum devoted to the history and development of this hot beverage.
Price wise, this is a very affordable museum to visit, with tickets all priced at or below 4 Pounds per person. You can also buy family packs of tickets for a further discounted price. You might want to bring a little bit of extra money just in case, however, because there is a souvenir shop that is sure to satisfy tourists and collectors alike. If you’re visiting the London area, this tea and coffee museum is a nice way to spend an hour or two without spending much money.
Hyde Park, London
August 4, 2009
One of the best ways to relax and unwind is to spend a few hours unwinding in a park. The Hyde Park, in London, is one of the largest parks in the area and has many points of interest, making it a great place to visit for locals and vacationers alike. The park has 625 acres of usable space, which also means that it is a great place for events such as large outdoor concerts or fairs.
One of the most notable locations within the park is the “Speaker’s Corner”, a place where public speaking is allowed on any subject, assuming that it is legal and is free from profanity. People speak here on a regular basis about subjects ranging from politics to religion. Anyone is free to speak, and no sort of prior license or permission is required. In many cases, the Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park has been used as a place of protest – and on several occasions, riots have even broken out. For the most part, however, all activities here are purely peaceful.
Another noteworthy place within Hyde Park is the Princess Diana memorial. It is a large, oval fountain, which opened in 2004. Originally, the fountain was going to be a place of meditation where people would be allowed to wade in the water. However, after several injuries, the fountain is now surrounded by a fence to prevent people from entering.
Events such as the Christmas Market- which is set up similar to a city fair- or large rock concerts (including the famous Live8 charity concerts) are common in the park. Whether you are looking for peaceful relaxation or an energetic way to spend your energy, you are sure to find something to suit your taste at Hyde Park.
The Natural History Museum in London
July 21, 2009
The Natural History Museum in London is one of the top museums in the world. It was established in 1881, making it also one of the longer running museums of its type. There are millions upon millions of items on display in the museum, divided up among five main categories. The museum is basically in a constant state of expansion, with its newest feature being the Darwin Centre, opening in the fall of 2009.
The different subjects on display in the museum are very widely varied. There are sections of the museum devoted to areas such as Botany, Zoology, Entomology, Paleontology, and Mineralogy. Although each of these sections is extremely expansive and is on a world scale, the section of the museum that is most widely renowned is the section that features dinosaur and other prehistoric skeletons. In addition to the prehistoric skeletons, you can also view the bone structure of many modern species as well, making the skeleton exhibit here one of the largest in the world.
The building itself that the museum is housed in is also quite a work of art, and it will surely prove interesting for any architecture enthusiasts. The building is designed in a way that many people say is similar to the look and feel of a cathedral -you may hear the museum sometimes referred to as the cathedral of nature for this reason.
Even though this museum may be very old, it’s definitely not out of date. Every time you visit, you are sure to find tons of new exhibits to explore. If you’re visiting the London area, be sure and drop by the Natural History Museum for an unforgettable experience that people of all ages will enjoy.
The London Bridge
February 22, 2009
You may have heard about the London Bridge in childhood songs growing up, but it is actually a real bridge that carries traffic across the River Thames in London. Of course, the bridge has undergone many remodeled versions through the years, but it is still in nearly the same location as the original. Some people believe that the original bridge, built by some of the first Roman settlers, was constructed as early as 50 AD. If that’s the case, it would have been the sole official bridge in the area for nearly 1700 years.
The current version of the bridge, which is a pre-stressed concrete girder style bridge, was opened in 1973. It can handle 5 lanes of traffic, providing a much needed route across the River Thames within Inner London. The bridge is fairly long, over 262 meters in length. The bridge, however, isn’t very tall compared to many world-famous bridges. It sits at a dramatic height of 8.9 meters, or 29 feet above the surface of the water.
Although there is not much to do at the London Bridge, aside from driving or walking over it, it is considered by many to be a tourist attraction. Due to the long historical tradition of the London Bridge, as well as it’s worldwide popularity in many songs and various other literary works, this otherwise-average bridge has a special place in the international limelight.
Top Three Tourist Locations in London
February 18, 2009
Although times may be tough economically, you do not actually have to give up your vacations. For those within the U.K. who want a quick weekend getaway, or those around the world who want a low-cost foreign vacation, London is a prime choice. Even if you’d just like to go for one weekend, there is plenty to do!
If you’re into Museums, you may consider visiting the Madam Tussauds museum of wax. Some consider it the most famous wax museum in the world – but what isn’t debatable is that the exhibits are very high quality. This is definitely an experience that you would not soon forget!
Additionally, those who like museums or history of any type will be enthralled by a visit to the British Museum. You can look at information ranging from thousands of years ago to futuristic scientific developments. This museum is sure to have something for the whole family to enjoy.
For those who are looking for a relaxing afternoon, there is the London Eye. It is the worlds tallest observation wheel (also known by some as a ferris wheel) and will take you high above the city. It only takes thirty minutes, but you’ll be able to see many attractions from the top of the wheel.
These few tourist attractions only scratch the surface. There are hundreds of things to do in London that would make a great vacation. If you’re considering traveling to London, you’re on the right track. You’ll really be able to enjoy a memorable vacation great for you and your whole family.
Riding Your Bike in London
February 16, 2009
Bike riding is something that’s been around for a very long time, but is getting more and more popular as the public focus on cleaning up the environment becomes more and more visible. Even though petrol prices have fallen a bit over the past few months, they are still on an upward trend if you look over the past few decades. It is obvious that we need to limit our use of oil and petrol as much as possible. London is doing their best to promote this through a simple and effective method – bike riding.
Whether you just want to go out and ride your bike for fun, or if you’d like to use your bicycle as your main mode of transportation, you’ll be able to have an enjoyable trip on the streets of London. To accommodate cyclists, the city has been building more bike trails and even allowing bikers to travel both ways along one-way streets. For both tourists and citizens alike, biking is becoming both an environmentally smart move, as well as a time-saving move!
If you’re visiting London, you may not have a bike with you to hit the streets on. Don’t worry, though! There are several locations within the city where you can rent bicycles. Get out and enjoy the fresh air, while helping yourself through exercise and helping the environment through lower emissions!
Westminster Abbey
February 14, 2009
The Westminster Abbey, officially called “The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster”, is located in London, just west of the Westminster Palace. This building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, as it is one of the most common locations for royal coronations and burials.
If you’re someone who is intrigued by vivid history or intricate building design, you’ll love the Westminster Abbey. Although the abbey wasn’t built until 1065, it is believed to have been established in the vicinity since 616 A.D, first established as a community for monks. Due to the great age of the building, it is one of the most reliable insights we have into gothic architecture. Nearly all British royalty since 1066 have been coroneted at the abbey. They have even used the same royal chair for coronations since 1308. It’s awe inspiring just to think of all the great leaders who once sat in that chair!
The museum experience at the abbey is extraordinary. There are royal effigies dating back one thousand years on display. Additionally, there is a portion of the museum dedicated to wax models. Not only do the figures bear an extreme likeness to the original kings and queens that served in Britain – they are also wearing some of the very same clothing that was worn back in the time period which they lived.
For those who are planning a trip to London, the Westminster Abbey is definitely a worthwhile stop. It’s combination of a rich history and beautiful architecture make it something that nearly everyone can be amazed by.
Vinopolis is London’s Wine Capital
January 14, 2009
The Vinopolis Wine Center is a restaurant, wine tasting facility, and wine museum rolled into one. It is located near London’s Globe Theater. Wines from all over the world are usually available at this center, in fact it is well known as England’s wine capital.
Vinopolis means “vine city” in Latin. It was launched in 1999, and today, London tourists are flocking to this center everyday.
Building Facilities
The building is similar to a tunnel, and divided into various rooms. Every room has been constructed for very special events. As you wander around, you will see the brick vaulted ceilings and graceful arches. In addition, the rooms house videos, images, artifacts, and displays.
There is a long history attached to Vinopolis Wine Center. Its main aim is to give information to people about wine production and consumption.
The place has an unusual atmosphere. The people who come here are interested in excursions, and they prefer to gain knowledge through enjoyment. Moreover, the professionals working in the wine center is well-informed enough to answer all of the visitor’s questions.
Visitor Tours
There are a lot of tours offered to visitors. And of course, these tours include a wine tasting event. Aside from this, you will know the health benefits of wine. As tourists, you can also receive information on types of wine, wine history, wine traditions, etc.
Visitors can discover how to taste different wines. You will sit comfortably on a small amphitheater and there is a 20-minute session on the right way to do it. Many factors are considered important: glancing, smelling, and drinking. Wine tasting instructions are usually divided into steps, and tourists receive the full description of the entire process.
You can also choose the type of wine you want to taste. There is a consultant who will ask you several questions. And depending on your answers, he will be able to determine the kinds of wine that you need to taste. On the wine table, you can see a selection of wines from countries such as Argentina, England, France, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
There are also tables and cognitive charts where you can get more details, such as the taste advantages of wines. Moreover, look out for many interesting charts devoted to several spices, which are used for wine cocktails.
The Vinopolis tour will be very educational for you, and the employees are very informative and helpful. So if you plan to visit London city in the future, make sure you include Vinopolis as one of your destinations.
Take a Glimpse of the Hot Spots in London
January 10, 2009
The tourism in London is being continuously developed to a high standard. You can come and visit this city for an overnight stay or better yet, why not tour around for the entire weekend. Actually, some people fall in love with the city too much, they actually stay for the whole week.
London is very tourist-friendly. It has information leaflets, visitor city guides, guided tours, free tours, free transport maps, free entrance to a number of galleries and museums, and free newspapers.
If you want to take a glimpse of the hot spots in the city, it is best that you get a hold of free visitor guidebooks. It is easy to get them from the airport or selected hotels.
Overnight Stay
For those who want to stay overnight, you can experience London’s nightlife at its best. With varied selections of theatres, clubs, river cruises, and superb restaurants, you will never be disappointed in choosing to stay for the night. The city buzzes until late at night in Piccadilly or Covenant Garden.
Weekend Stay
If you decided to visit for the weekend, you might like to tour London with a double-decker bus as most tourists would prefer. Ticket cost will be about £22 per person. It will be worth it however, because this ticket can take you to visit the city’s main attractions: St. Paul’s Cathedral, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, and of course, the Buckingham Palace.
You can take pictures everywhere and it is always straightforward to get around the place – you will find plenty of helpful citizens who can offer you assistance when your lost. Some double-decker buses even offer you free guided walk or a free river cruise. Just add on a nice meal in a good restaurant and you’ll have a complete day. A weekend visit to London will surely give you plenty of time of visit the city’s attractions. Why not buy some souvenirs or visit a few museums as well.
Longer Stay
But if you plan to explore London deeper, it’s recommended to purchase a week travel card or an Oyster Card. This will enable you to go around as much as possible. Furthermore, it even lets you save money because transportation in London can be quite expensive too.
So don’t just pass by London, decide to stay in the city for a week or two. If you stay longer, you will not only visit famous galleries and museums, but you will also be able to go and explore numerous hot spots such as theatre shows, London parks, and unique street markets.
London Eye
January 8, 2009
On the south bank of the Thames near Westminster Bridge, the London Eye Ferris wheel. The plant, with a height of 135.36 meters until early 2006, the highest Ferris wheel in the world was supposed to be for the turn of the year 2000. Because of lack of security is the construction but only a few weeks later put into operation.
The London Eye has 32 almost entirely from glass shaped capsules, in which up to 25 people. The wheel spins at a speed of 0.26 m / s and takes a turn for 30 minutes. If the optimal viewing conditions, you can Ferris wheel, of up to 40 kilometers wide, inter alia, to situated just outside Windsor Castle. Axis and supports the Riesenrads were from the Czech engineering company Skoda.
