Plus London City Guide for Your Pocket
Welcome to the latest funky info packed city guide for your pocket. Just print it off for when you are cruising past the sights of London. Afterwards you can pass it on to someone else, make an origami shape, keep it as a souvenir or recycle it in some other tree huggin' hippy way.
LANGUAGE - ENGLISH
CURRENCY - POUND
Cash machines or ATMs are easily found throughout. These accept all major credit cards and any with the PLUS, CIRRUS or Maestro logos. £1.00= $2.06USD = €1.39 (11/07)
TIME - GREENWICH MEAN TIME
Daylight savings (+1) starts the last Sunday in March and ends(-1) the last Sunday in October.
PHONE - COUNTRY CODE 0044
Local phone boxes can take coins, credit cards or you can buy international phone cards from a corner shop, call centres and supermarkets.
Request the service from the operator - Ambulance, fire or Police
OTHER NUMBERS
| 24HR TOURIST LINE | 0906 133 7799 Victoria Stn forecourt |
| 24HR NHS (health) DIRECT LINE | 0845 4647 |
| 24HR TRANSPORT FOR LONDON | 0207 222 1234 |
| USA | 0207 499 9000 | 24 Grosvenor Square W1A 1AE |
| CANADA | 0207 258 6600 | Pall Mall East SW1Y 5BJ |
| AUSTRALIA | 0207 379 4334 | The Strand WC2B 4LA |
| S. AFRICA | 0207 451 7299 | Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DP |
| NZ | 0207 930 8422 | 80 The Haymarket SW1Y 4TQ |
| IRELAND | 0207 225 7700 | 17 Grosvenor Square SW3 1JJ |
| SPAIN | 0207 235 5555 | 39 Chesham Place SW1X 8SB |
| FRANCE | 0207 073 1000 | 58 Knightsbridge SW1X 7JT |
| ITALY | 0207 312 2200 | 14 Three Kings Yard W1K 4EH |
| GERMANY | 0207 824 1300 | 23 Belgrave Square SW1X 8PZ |
| S. KOREA | 0207 227 5505 | 60 Buckingham Gate SW1E 6AJ |
Getting to and around London.
HEATHROW AIRPORT
London's number one international airport. There are 4 terminals and the fastest way into London is the Heathrow Express (£14.50 one way) every 15mins to Paddington Station, or the ' tube ' trains that run the Piccadilly line, (£4.60). There are public buses to the city centre or National Express buses (from £10 single). Timetables and tickets are available online, see our websites listing.
GATWICK AIRPORT
46km south of central London, connection by either Gatwick Express (£15.90 single) every 15mins to Victoria Station, or Southern Trains or Thameslink .
LUTON AIPORT
51km northwest of central London with Thameslink trains making the connection to Kings Cross or by Greenline coaches (from £7 single) to Brent Cross, Finchley, Baker Street and Victoria.
STANSTEAD AIRPORT
A major hub for Ryanair, it lies 56km north east of London, connection is either by Stanstead Express (from £15.50 single) every 15-20mins, journey time 45mins, or there are National Express coaches every 15-30mins to Victoria coach station.
There are a few train companies operating overland connections to the rest of England, such as Virgin Trains, Great Western, National Rail, Southern Railway, GNER and Southwest trains. Main stations include Kings Cross, Waterloo, Victoria, Paddington and Euston.
The central bus terminal is Victoria Coach Station, for National Express and Greenline. The familiar red London buses have a wide network and run night buses. A single ticket is from £2 cash or 90p with an oyster card or can be bought in carnets of 10. Travelling above ground is often slower over a long journey but you get to see more of the city. Busier routes are now selling tickets from machines beside the stops. An all day pass is £3.50. Destinations are clearly marked on the front of the bus.
The worlds oldest underground public transport system and some days it feels just like that. Delays and strikes aside the Tube is usually the fastest way to get around. Oyster cards and tickets are available for one trip, return, one day, three day, weekly, monthly and year long travel cards. Prices correspond to the number of zones you want to travel in and are far cheaper with the Oyster option. Oyster cards can be used on both public buses and the tube. There are visitor cards available if you are in town for a limited time. Cards can be topped up in the machines or at the tellers. You must touch in and out on the tube.
The safest and most reliable way to get home after a night out, when you can find one. The drivers spend up to 4 years training to learn 'the knowledge', literally every sidestreet and backstreet in London. The minimum charge is £2.20. They are the only licensed cabs able to be hailed on the street. Avoid unlicensed cabs like the plague. Heathrow to Central average cost £40-70.
Cheap and environmentally friendly, central London and the West End is a wonder to walk around in, especially when it's sunny. However streets are exceptionally long and the city well spread out so a gentle wander in one direction may require public services to return. Take an umbrella too, just in case.
What to see in London.
No better way to see London on a clear day or on a clear evening. The giant bicycle wheel provides an excellent viewpoint to look out over central and west London from 135m up in the air. One ' flight ' lasts 30mins and tickets can be ordered online to beat the queues. Admission from £13 adult. Open 10am-8pm (Oct-May) 10am-9pm (June-Sep).
The Summer Opening allows overseas tourists to visit the buildings and grounds of the home of the oldest democracy since antiquity. Parts of the original building built by Edward the Confessor have been destroyed by fire leaving the oldest part of the building, Westminster Hall, at 900yrs old. The 13 ton bell of St Stephen's tower is more affectionately known as Big Ben, ringing out it's distinctive tune since 1859. The Summer Opening is from August 1st until September 30th, admission £7. You can pre book your tickets by calling this number 0870 906 3773, or buy them on the day from the ticket office.
Construction began by Edward the Confessor in 1076 (possibly with something big to confess) on this huge Gothic style abbey. All the royals have been crowned on the Coronation Chair since that time, and quite a few have been interred in the crypt along with other notables such as Charles Dickens. Poets corner is dedicated to the likes of Chaucer, Tennyson, Kipling and Samuel Johnson. The Abbey museum is included in the admission price. Open all year round to the public except religious observances and Sundays, the usual opening times are 9.30am-3.45pm Tue-Sat, except Wednesdays, 9.30am-6pm. £10 per adult, £7 on production of valid student card. Audio guide £4.
How do you know if the Queen is at home? Look at the flag flying from the roof, the Royal Standard is white with the family crest in the centre and surrounded by the four state crests. They only fly the Union Jack when she is away. From 26 July until 24 September the general public is allowed to view 19 of the 654 rooms inside and part of the garden. There are around 6000 visitors a day during this period so the visits are timed in 15min intervals between 9.45am and 3.45pm. Tickets can be bought online or from the ticket office in Green Park. Changing of the Guard, daily 11.30am Apr-Jul, alternate days Aug-Mar.
Recently the north side of the square was pedestrianised making the square a popular place to hang out after visiting the National Gallery, either dipping your toes in the fountains, climbing on the lions at Nelsons feet or chasing the pigeons. The 56m high column commemorates Nelsons victory over Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) with the bronze plaques typically made from melted down French cannons. If the lions look a little doggy its because the sculptor Edward Landseer's lion died during the process and he had to use the family dog to complete the hind quarters.
Just a short stroll across the Millennium Bridge (which sadly no longer wobbles) from the Tate Modern or a wander up from Trafalgar Sq. The dome is the third largest in the world, designed by Christopher Wren in 1675 after the great fire of London destroyed the original cathedral. The Whispering Gallery inside the dome offers a lesson in acoustics while the view outside across the Thames is excellent. Open 8.30am-4pm, Mon-Sat, admission £9.50, £8.50 students. Closed for religious observances and Sundays.
Crown jewels, crossbows and cr...ravens. William the Conqueror built this fortress as his royal residence in 1078. The main activities that went on here though were imprisoning, torture and execution, and was even used as a POW prison in WWII. It is a top London attraction including a weaponry museum, Traitors gate and of course the Beefeaters and the ever present ravens. Open 9am-6pm Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun-Mon (Mar-Oct), 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun-Mon (Nov-Feb). Admission £16, Adult, £13 Student.
What to eat while in London.
There's nothing more satisfying than tucking into a paper wrapped scoop of chips and battered cod with a squirt of malt vinegar. A British institution since the 1860's, there are many plaices (geddit?!) to choose from but Mr Fish , 9 Porchester road W2 offers a choice of batter options and the best mushy peas. Average price for a cod and chips £5.
The diversity of food available in London reflects the totally cosmopolitan mix of cultures. The humble curry was voted UK's number one takeaway in 2004, with Chicken Korma topping the list. Leave the water to last and let the flavours light up your taste buds to the extreme. Anywhere down Brick Lane in East London for a traditional treat.
The rise of the gastro pub has seen an incredible leap in food quality but beware the chain pubs. Many offer two for one deals that are great for a tight budget but short on taste. For more flavour than flak try the excellent Grand Union in Westbourne Park, they even have weekend bbqs . Average price for main £8.
Central London is known to be a tad expensive so keep an eye out for these deals - the-all-you-can-eat for £6 Chinese restaurants in Chinatown , the real-food-at-real-prices Stockpot on Panton St, SW1, the I-could-eat-noodles-all-day Wagamamas everywhere and the there's-enough-on-my- plate-for-a-week Café Emm , Frith St, W1.
Tipping is not customary in the UK so unless you're feeling rather generous towards the service there's no need to worry too much.
Health Warning , you may need a week just to get over the night before. The city centre has its share of clubs, pubs and shows, with the touristy ones centred around Leicester Square , trendy ones in Soho and the twee ones in the West End . The majority of pubs close around 11pm inspite of recent law changes to allow 24hr opening so the choice is to either drink up or get into a dance club. Cool bars like Belushi's and The Walkabout across London attract an international crowd as well as locals for the DJ's, live music, late license and snakebites are mandatory. The London club scene is truly something else. Timeout magazine lists all pubs, clubs, bars and events.
London is actually the greenest city in Europe with a total of 13,041 parks . The royal parks are free and open from dawn to dusk. Hyde Park is the largest in central London and is closed to traffic on Sundays. Slap on the sunscreen and play with the squirrels in ST JAMES'S PARK, GREEN PARK, REGENTS PARK, KENSINGTON GARDENS, HOLLAND PARK, KEW GARDENS and HAMPSTEAD HEATH.
Entry is free but additional charges may apply to selected exhibitions and/or attractions. Take minimum 2-3 hours to view.
BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell St, WC1
One of the worlds finest, with 6 million artefacts including the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles. Open Sat-Wed 9am-6pm, Thu-Fri 9am-11pm.
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUMS, Cromwell Road, SW7
A collection of decorative arts such as sculpture and ornaments. Open daily 10am-5.45pm, 10am-10pm Wed and last Fri of month.
SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road,SW7
Excellent hands on and interactive displays to bring out the kid in everybody. Open 10am-6pm daily.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road, SW7
Bones, bugs, fossils, ferns and the largest blue whale skeleton on display. Open 10am-5.50pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5.50pm Sun.
Entry is free but additional charges may apply to selected exhibitions and/or attractions. Take minimum 2-3 hours to view.
TATE MODERN, Bankside SE1
Housed in a disused power station the Tate Modern opened in 2000 to display international and local modern artworks in a 34,500 sq m space. Open 10am-6pm Sun-Thu, 10am-10pm Fri and Sat.
TATE BRITAIN, Millbank, SW1
Part 1 of the four gallery Tate collection, opened in 1897 and is home to those paintings from1500 to the present day. Open daily 10am-5pm, 10am-10pm first Fri of the month.
NATIONAL, Trafalgar Square, WC2
Houses a massive collection of western art from the 13th to 20th centuries. Open 10am-6pm daily, 10am-pm Wednesdays.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT, 2 St Martins Place, WC2
Tucked in behind the national gallery there are around 10,000 portraits of the infamous and famous Britons from over the past 4 centuries. Open 10am-6pm daily, 10am-9pm Thu and Fri.
Shopping in London.
HARRODS - Knightsbridge
Tidy dress essential even to browse. Cheapest item is a Harrods pencil - £1. Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 12noon-6pm Sun
OXFORD /REGENT/ BOND STREETS
Selfridges, Debenhams, John Lewis, Top shop, Zara, Virgin Megastore, Apple... the names go on and on. Opening times are around 9.30am-8pm with a late night either Thur or Fri til 10pm.
CAMDEN MARKETS, Camden Town
The main street is like one big market every day of the week. Don't miss the craft and food markets at the top end beside the canal. Open daily from 9am to 6-6.30pm.
PORTOBELLO ROAD, Notting Hill
Food, fashion, antiques and alternative bits. Open every Saturday from 8am-4pm.
BOROUGH MARKET, London Bridge
Food, food, food. Try the free tasters. Every Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm.
Notting Hill Carnival
London's biggest street party. Floats, costumes, dancers, DJs , music, food and crowds all take to the streets around Westbourne Park, Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove for three days in the last weekend of August. Brilliant.
These won't make you into an SAS commander but they may help avoid some difficulties as you travel around.