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London Link-Some Background to London

London is one of the great capital cities of the world and a great place to start a visit to England and the UK, if you are coming from abroad. It is large daunting, fascinating, historical, dynamic and has something to offer everyone. It can be a place for a visit or the start of a visit and we are able to provide some advice on where to go and what to see, It can be an expensive place to visit but you can keep your expenses down, if you need to and we can provide tips on how to do this.

Below is a reminder of places to visit. Some are well known with many sites nearby which are less well known. Buy one of our guides, to keep you informed.

Tower of London	Tower Bridge
St.Paul's Cathedral	Westminster Abbey
Whitehall	Houses of Parliament
Oxford Street	Regent Street
Canary Wharf	Covent Garden
Buckingham Palace	Knightsbridge
Harrods	Trafalgar Square
British Museum	Thames Barrier
London Planetarium	London Aquarium

The South Bank is becoming a thriving area for a visit, for culture and entertainment. The London Eye, Tate Modern and for theatre, music and eating out.  click here for our review article

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre also now open to visitors and tourists alike with a special award winning exhibition. click here for our information

If, on the other hand , you want to avoid the queues and find the REAL London, the London that the locals know, it is there, with plenty of alternative and fascinating shops, museums and tours that won't require you to stand in a line or be overwhelmed by crowds. For more information on the hidden places of London , click here.

London Tips:

Try walking: If you start from the right place, many things are close and you will find something of interest on the way to your destination. At the end of the day you will probably feel tired, but the effort is worth it.

The Midland Grand Hotel, St Pancras Railway Station,
The British Museum and a Historical Walk in London .
click for our suggested route

Buy a travel pass: these are available at most underground stations and provide unlimited access to the transport. These passes are good value is you plan to cover some ground during the day.

One-Day Travel Card	One Week Travel Card
Weekend Travel Card	Family Travel Card

Forget the car: using a car in London is really the option for the local population. Forget it and try some of the other fun options. Also feel good after helping the environment.

Bicycle: a good way to get around and save your legs. Hire one at reasonable cost.

Bikepark	Tel: (020) 74300083
London Bicycle Tour company	Tel: (020) 7928 6838

A Few Hotel Tips:
You can stay in Central London or look for accommodation further out. If cost is no problem, then the best is worth it. Many top hotel are in an excellent position to see London. It is always pleasant to have a hotel close to a park if you are in a city centre but having said that, many squares have gardens and many of the hotels back on to gardens. Certainly it is often said that London is a green place, a city that breathes.

Find some useful hotels in this information..click here..hotels with character
and well situated near the British Museum

The Parks:
The parks are pleasant by day and a place to relax.

Kensington Gardens :

Hyde Park :

Regents Park :

Green Park :

St. James's Park :

London Church eventually rises again :
Following the Great Fire of London of 1666, Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for developing the new city and its unique collection of buildings and Churches. St. Ethelburger's Church was one of the few pre-Wren churches to survive, until the attentions of the IRA destroyed it by bombing in 1993. The Church was consecrated in 1390 and survived both the Great Fire and the Blitz. Most of the GBP 3.6 M has now been raised from, the Clothworkers' Foundation, The Leatherseller' Company, The City Corporation, Bridge House Estates Trust, JP Morgan the investment bank and others. With the rebuilding, a piece of ancient London history will rise from the ashes. It is located on Bishopsgate.
St Ethelburgas.org

A Bit of History :
London has a history going back over 2000 years. It was a settlement on the banks of the River Thames and the settling of this river indicated its importance in providing a safe haven in the South of England while being close to the European continent. It became an important city with the invasion of the Roman armies in 55BC and later. The Romans brought the concept of the city to England and trade, communications and civic political organisation began.

The trappings of civilisation created within Roman London,with markets for produce and goods, produced a flourishing port and civil government buildings and public recreation areas. It could not be foreseen that from these humble origins, the city would sink into decay in the dark ages and rise again throughout the middle ages and later times to become the modern international city it is today.

Places we Prefer to Avoid...Oxford Street !!
If you are a shopping addict, then perhaps Oxford Street is a place you will enjoy. However, our view is that it is a replica of just about any other capital city shopping street, and worse than some. Just a few steps off Oxford street, the real London awaits you. Walk off the street in any direction and find something to interest you.

Try New Bond Street for a taste of class and exclusivity.

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© 2007 Kogan Communications Ltd.