London Tourist Guide

The Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:33:27 +0000

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

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:34:39 +0000

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.

One Canada Square and Mall

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:17:00 +0000

The tallest building in London – and anywhere in the United Kingdom as well – is a building known as One Canada Square. The tower also goes by the name of the “Canary Wharf Tower”. It is fifty stories tall and stands at a height of 235 meters. (It will soon be surpassed, however, by the Heron Tower in London which is currently under construction.) The building was under construction for a period of three years between 1988 and 1991. The majority of the building is not open to public access because it is primarily used to house offices. However, the ground floor lobby as well as the basement are open to the public, and serve as an entrance to the Canada Square shopping mall.

The adjoined mall, which is known as the Canada Square or Canada Place shopping mall, is a nice attraction to accompany a sightseeing visit to the tower. There is ice skating available inside the mall, perfect for a family visit or a relaxed dating environment. Of course, there is also a large selection of mainstream shops to choose from, as well as a modest food court for meals and snacks.

Although the Canary Wharf Tower will not hold the title of the tallest building in the U.K. for much longer, it deserves some credit for holding the title for just under twenty years. If you are a U.K. resident who goes to London for frequent day trips, the One Canada Square tower and mall can make for a nice afternoon.

Tophams Hotel, London

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:00:25 +0000

The Tophams Hotel, located in Belgravia, is one of the many upscale hotels available for those who seek lodging in the London area. After a total renovation in 2008, the hotel boasts luxury in all areas, as well as a price range that is very affordable compared to some hotels of comparable prestige.

Most of the rooms in the hotel are double beds, although there are a couple single beds and family suites available as well. Each room has all the features you would expect in a luxury hotel – air conditioning, heating, wireless internet, and more. When it comes to design, you’ll easily feel the luxurious atmosphere with the eloquent color scheme and the high quality upholstery. If you’re in the mood to dine, you can get a freshly cooked hot breakfast delivered to your room for an additional fee.

The location of the Tophams hotel is great as well, centrally located just a few blocks from Victoria station. Whether you are visiting London on business or for some relaxing vacation time and sightseeing, you will benefit from the prime location of this hotel. If you are planning on visiting the London area soon, be sure and place a reservation, as there is no guarantee that there will be a vacancy when you arrive. The hotel offers a 48 hour cancellation policy, giving you a grace period in case your plans change at the last minute.

Tophams is one of the many great choices for lodging in the London area. If you have any more questions, you can visit the Tophams hotel website where they have a database of frequently asked questions.

The Natural History Museum in London

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:04:37 +0000

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.

Adare Hotel in London

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:41:38 +0000

If you want a high quality budget hotel in central London, Adare looks like one that will meet all of your needs. Although many people prefer to go to the luxury four star hotels whenever they visit London, it’s completely acceptable to cut costs wherever you can. If you spend less on your hotel room, that means you can spend more out on the town, right? The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice quality in order to get a low price; if you choose Adare to be your accommodation, that is.
You truly get a grand location whenever you stay at the Adare. While staying here, you will be within a minute of walking distance from the Paddington train station. Also within walking distance are several cafes, museums, shopping centers and more. This allows another great way to cut costs for those who arrive to London via airplane – no need to rent an automobile or take the taxi everywhere. The rooms may be a bit smaller than that of the four star hotel, but the nightly bill is a lot smaller. The quality of the rooms and service, however, is still very high. Large beds, showers, and a television in every room make the stay at the Adare Hotel an enjoyable experience.
With the economy the way it is, many people are cutting costs. Don’t be fooled, though! You can still stay at great hotels for an amazingly low price. This way, you can have a highly enjoyable trip but still have money to pay your bills with. It really is possible, even in the heart of London.

The London Bridge

admin — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:36:15 +0000

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.

Buckingham Palace

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:32:12 +0000

The Buckingham Palace is a world renown structure, that also is known for being the home of the King and Queen of Britain. The palace has been featured in movies, historical documentaries, and various art for hundreds of years, ever since the palace was first constructed back in 1703. Over the past few decades, many portions of the palace have become more and more accessible to the general public, as well as tourists. As is expected, Buckingham Palace is a must-see for both Londoners and tourists alike.
The current image of the palace has been ingrained into many people’s minds; so much so that some might assume that it has had it’s current appearance since it was built in the 1700’s. However, the palace has undergone many expansions, and more recently, remodeling. It was remodeled to it’s current appearance back in 1913. The interior of the Buckingham Palace has maintained a fairly constant style. Although there are frequent technological updates within the palace, the color scheme and patterns in many areas of the building are the same that they have been for centuries.
Although the monarchy of Britain is becoming more and more symbolic, the symbolism of the Buckingham Palace is no less important. It will remain a very important piece of British history for years to come.

Mews Hotel on Park Lane in London

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:30:12 +0000

If you’re looking for a top of the line, four star hotel in London, you may be very impressed with the Mews Hotel. It’s located on Park Lane, right in the heart of London. Whether you’re going to London for a business trip or a vacation, the prime location of this hotel will give you close access to many of the most popular spots in the city. More than that, though, the inside of this hotel is sure to have a very positive effect on your trip, allowing you to bask in luxury on a nightly basis.
Each suite is equipped with top of the line technology, clean modern furniture, and lots of room. Who can truly feel at home in a single room that looks like it hasn’t been updated in thirty years? Here, at the Mews Hotel, the high style and high quality of the furniture and bedding truly adds to the luxurious atmosphere of the hotel. These rooms are perfect for business and vacation alike; either way, you will feel like you are on an exquisite vacation when you return to your suite each night.
Compared to other four star hotels, the rates here are actually very reasonable. It’s true – you can enjoy high luxury without paying stratospheric rates! Next time you are in London, check out the Mews Hotel for an enjoyable boarding experience.

Top Three Tourist Locations in London

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:32:58 +0000

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.