A new advertising campaign has been introduced to attract overseas visitors to England’s capital. Simply known as Only in London; the campaign revolves around a list of 100 attractions and things that visitors can do in the city.
The focus of the campaign is to increase the number of overseas visitors and judging by the amount of diverse activities listed, it is hoping to attract people from many different countries and backgrounds. For example, the first item on the list is a suggested visit to Eastbury Manor House in Barking where, according to the compilers of this list, the Gunpowder Plot was first contrived.
Plenty more historical references appear on the list including trips to St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London and a more obscure reference to stroll the gardens of Down House in Bromley, which was home to Charles Darwin and where he wrote ‘On The Origin of Species’.
Sports fans will be interested to see a number of items quoted on the list. The first at number five is the opportunity to see the NFL in action at Wembley. This has now become an annual event featuring a regular season game – the only one to be played outside of continental USA – between two of the League’s top American football teams. In October 2009 the game will be contested by the New England Patriots and The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 15th suggestion on the list is a tour of Wembley Stadium itself, but there is no mention of any of the capital’s top football teams; Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Fulham or Tottenham.
However, the option to experience the capital’s transport systems does feature. Take a ride on the tube appears low down on the list at 79, but higher up at 39 there is the invitation to connect to the world at Heathrow airport where many of the flights to London arrive.
Music lovers are also catered for on the list with the first suggestion just scraping into the top 10; namely recreate the famous Beatles album cover at the Abbey Road zebra crossing. At 45, a suggestion is to view Pete Townshend of The Who’s smashed guitar at the Victoria and Albert’s new Theatre and Performance Galleries. Also included at 27 in the list is to buy a ticket to see Michael Jackson at the O2, or alternatively any other O2 show at 24th place!
As you would expect, The London Eye – which was recently voted the UK’s number one tourist attraction – appears in the list, as do many other ‘must-see’ London attractions such as the British Museum, Tower Bridge and Hyde Park. But, however exhaustive the compilers of the list themselves say, this is only a tiny snapshot of the thousands of things visitors can do in London.
This well known area is in Central London and is quiet famous for luxury Holborn hotels. This place started out as an empty filed in the city and today it has become quite popular in terms of everything which a Londoner or a traveler requires. Holborn offers quiet a lot of things to check out if you are on a holiday.
As far as the close by attractions are known, this underground has quiet a lot.
Bloomsbury Theater:
The first and the foremost is the Bloomsbury Theater which is a happening place hosting various events and performances to suit all tastes. This stunning auditorium features 535 comfortable seats with plenty of leg space well complemented by a relaxed atmosphere. It also has a studio for hire. A unique structure is designed with bars and restaurants for your convenience. Over the years this theater has shown a large number of productions and is still afresh.
Sir John Soane’s Museum:
This museum architecture was formerly the studio and house of the neo-classical architect Sir John Soane. The museum houses collection of many antiques, paintings and drawings and many of his other projects. It is a non-departmental public body that is now sponsored by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Roman Bath:
It is an archeological puzzle and the bath dates back from Tudor times and it is said to be fed by the spring water from a holy well. These are free unattended attractions which are managed by The National Trust. This famous attraction in London is walking distance away from Holborn and Temple tube stations.
The London Transport Museum:
As the name suggests the museum is all about fascinating stories of history of London transport. It got opened in 1980 by Princess Anne. There are some permanent exhibitions which include “The Birth of London Transport” and the explorations of the first ever transport system here in London. After trams and trolley buses, the capital city shifted a little towards electric transport which was far cheaper to run and was the first real mass transport system. Other than this there are various fine examples of private vehicles dating back over past 150 years.
Royal Courts of Justice:
It is housed within a Gothic building like structure where nation’s most serious civil, libel and appeal cases are handled. It was the last Gothic revival building which was built in London. It consists of more than three miles of corridors and more than one thousand rooms.
If you’re going to be visiting London for the first time, you’d be wise to maximize the use of your time in this amazingly vast, divers and historical metropolis by prioritizing. Following are five London attractions which should be must-sees on your list of things to do!
Piccadilly Circus
No, we’re not suggesting that you spend some of your precious hours in London under a bigtop. Piccadilly Circus, at the intersection of five of London’s major thoroughfares, is the British equivalent of New York’s Times Square, with neon-lit glitz to suit. If you want London nightlife, head for Piccadilly Circus, where your fun will be watched over by the roundabout’s fountain and statue of the archer now called simply “Eros.”
Piccadilly Circus is named for the piccadill collar so popular among gentlemen of the 17th century, and within a block or two of Piccadilly today are some of London’s most avant-garde fashion shops. Piccadilly Circus is also within walking distance of several London arcades, the precursors of today’s shopping malls.
Trafalgar Square and the London Brass Rubbing Centre
If your trip to London is a family affair, or you simply love to collect unique souvenirs of your travels, a trip to the Crypt at St.-Martin-in-the-Fields Church at Trafalgar Square will be well worth your time. At the Church’s Brass Rubbing Center, you can purchase a kit of papers and special waxes, and do your own rubbings of characters straight out of British history, from knights in armor and damsels in distress to Shakespeare himself. If you make a mistake with your rubbing technique, the staff at the Brass Rubbing Centre will be right there to undo the damage!
No matter the time of day, you can have a meal at the Brass Rubbing Centre’s café in the Crypt, where you’ll be treated to traditional British food at its best from a full English breakfast with a high tea or evening dinner. Your meal will be freshly prepared with ingredients from British suppliers.
The London Telecom Tower
Located on Howland Street in London’s West End, the London Telecom tower was formerly the Post Office Tower, and until 1981 was the tallest (at 620 feet) tower in London. It’s constructed of steel, concrete, and glass, with a design which is both stylish and highly wind-resistant. It’s the heart of Britain’s telecommunications network, with numerous enormous satellite dishes visible on its upper stories.
The Changing of the Guards
Christopher Robin and Alice were quite fond of the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, and they weren’t alone. The Changing of the Guards is one of London’s major tourist draws, seen by countless visitors each year. You should check in advance of your visit to Buckingham Palace to determine if there will be a Changing of the guards on that day. Bring along a camera, because you can have your picture take with a guard whose duty it is to have his photo snapped with visitors.
Big Ben
None of its other landmarks is more recognizable than London’s Big Ben. Visible from a distance of several miles, Big Ben looks down n the Houses of Parliament from a height of 316 feet, and was completed in 1859. Its hands are 14 feet in length, while its clock mechanism weighs over five tons. For security reason, however, only UK residents are allowed inside Big Ben’s tower.
Three of these attractions are on every London visitor’s must-see list, while two if them may be less well-known. But they are just a small sample of the wonders which await you on your London trip, and simply a place to begin!
Are you a cricket fan? This could be just the thing for you!
A tour around what is called the ‘home of cricket’, Lords Cricket Ground, gives amazing insight into the game’s almost legendary headquarters. This is also where the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC, and the England Cricket Board are based.
Each tour, following an expert guide, takes ninety minutes and begins in the MCC Museum. You then process through the famous Pavilion to the well-known Long Room, which boasts panoramic views of the famous pitch and many portraits of the game’s most-distinguished players. The Honours Boards in the dressing rooms reveals the most historic batting and bowling that has taken place here over the years.
The tour also covers the Tennis Court, the Cricket School and many of this famous ground’s outstanding features: including the Grandstand, the new Mound Stand and the famous and controversial, yet futuristic, Media Centre (which is one of the “The Fifty Best Buildings in Britain”). You also have the chance to enjoy shopping for exclusive souvenirs at the shop, where the tour finishes.
You can book your visit on the day or well in advance, and specialist individual tours are also possible: for example, educational tours can always be tailored to meet the needs of school curricula, or architectural tours can be designed to concentrate on the buildings.
The MCC Museum, which is the starting point of the tour, is the world’s oldest museum devoted to sport! Here you will find a marvellous range of exhibits, not least the world-famous Ashes urn. There are kits worn by some of the most famous players of all time, including Victor Trumper, Shane Warne, Jack Hobbs, and Don Bradman.
Many of the exhibits are as old as the 19th Century: you can enjoy the sight of old photographs and other cricketing memorabilia in the museum, where you will also find the Brian Johnston Memorial Theatre, a venue which plays some of the greatest moments in the history of the sport.
Special exhibitions are also on offer form time to time. The tours proceed daily at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00 (although they do not go on match days and around the time of major fixtures). Only the early tour goes into the Pavilion. Marylebone Cricket Club, based at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground, can be found in St John’s Wood, NW8 8QN Phone: 020 7616 8595
The Arsenal FC Museum and Tour
Arsenal FC was formed in 1886, and turned professional in 1891. After 93 years, Highbury has now been replaced by the new Emirates stadium.
You can visit this amazing venue and get a wonderful and informative view of the stadium that even the most ardent supporters rarely see.
A tour will let you visit the players’ tunnel and the most amazing part of the club: the first team dressing room! The tour also takes in the plush Directors’ Box, the site of many amusing incidents, the Press Conference Room, and the famous Arsenal Museum. You’ll even be able to go onto the hallowed pitch and see the facilities close up.
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can book a Legends Tour. You’ll be taken around the ground by a retired Arsenal player, who can tell you all about his experiences and views of the current team, relate stories of his days on the team, and offer a profound insight into how professional football is played at this high level. To make this even more memorable and note-worthy, you’ll also receive a signed picture and a Legends Tour gift.
Tours can, as you might expect, be booked in advance: group bookings are also available. If you wish you can buy a gift voucher for the whole tour, and this lets you choose when to visit.
The Arsenal Museum includes many excellent things to see, including Charlie George’s Cup Final shirt and medals from 1971, shirts and caps once owned by David O’Leary, and other well known characters such as Messrs Lee Dixon and Brian Marwood.
As you may know, this famous club was unbeaten in the 2003-2004 season and the trophy presented to them by the Football Association is on view. Last but not least you can see sections of the tour based on the history of this famous London sporting club.
Open from Monday-Friday 10.00-18.00, Saturday 11.00-18.00, Sunday 10.00-17.00. The opening hours are more limited on match days. Arsenal Football Club, Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, N5 1BU Phone: 020 7704 4504
London is among the most famous cities in the whole world. Millions of tourists flock to it every year, but most of them are not able to explore the entire city and witness its grandeur. Thus many visitors return to London during several vacations to relish more of its wonderful attractions. If you are yet to see this beautiful city, or if you have already went there but still want to see more of what it can offer, consider visiting the following attractions that will truly make your visit unforgettable:
1. The Tower of London – one of the most important sites in the great city. Consider yourself not being in London if you have not been to this attraction. This medieval fortress houses the world famous Crown Jewels. It is also known as a prison and execution sites of many of England’s historical icons including Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and the Duke of Norfolk.
2. The Tower Bridge – this drawbridge serves as the easternmost entry of Thames. It also has a museum which allows tourists to walk along the old pedestrian paths to have a great view of the city. It is a must see for any London vacation.
3. The London Eye – this is one of the newest attractions in the city, created by the British Airways. It is a giant Ferris Wheel that sports 32 closed capsules that allow people to have a 360-degree view of the great historical city. A great theme park, this can make a vacation fun for any age.
4. Westminster Abbey – this famous religious site is known for being the venue for many coronations of English monarchs as well as their burial. It boasts of great architecture that exemplifies the style of the 13th and 16th centuries.
5. The British Museum – an art and history museum. This attraction is home to one of the world’s largest collections of antiquities from ancient Rome, Greece, and Asia. It also houses artifacts from prehistoric and ancient Britain.
6. The Buckingham Palace – you probably know this as the home of the British Royal Family. Be sure not to miss the changing of the guards, which is one of London’s iconic attractions.
7. The Houses of Parliament – this site combines three attractions in one. It is the location of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and the Big Ben, which is probably the most recognizable attraction in the city. It exemplifies great gothic architecture from the Victorian era.
8. The National Gallery – this gallery is home to a great collection of European paintings. The great thing about this attraction is that the entrance is free. The permanent collection encompasses paintings from 1250 to 1900 from Western Europe.
9. St. Paul’s Cathedral – this historic site has been the venue of many notable events such as the funeral of Winston Churchill and the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales. It is an architectural masterpiece rebuilt by renowned Christopher Wren in 1710. This is also one of London’s attractions that offers a great view of the city, with its 530-stair high gallery.
10. Shakespeare’s Globe Theater – this theater is a reconstruction of the original Globe theater where several of Shakespeare’s plays were first showcased. It is a replica of the original theater and is considered to be a historical site. A great site for a cultural vacation.
11. Trafalgar Square and the Admiralty Arch – this attraction is a monument honoring England’s most respected maritime heroes. Its main feature is the statue of Lord Horatio Nelson that stands 145 feet high. It is also considered to be the centermost part of London. The Admiralty Arch, which is just across this landmark, was built in 1910.
12. Sir John Soane’s Museum – this attraction is an exemplification of eccentric architecture. It features a unique and unusual combination of colors, curious perspectives, and a weird display of ornaments from different historical periods.
13. Notting Hill – this very fashionable and trendy district has been popularized by a film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. It has a very characteristic and cozy feel of a small village.
There are many other great attractions in the great city of London. A few days of vacation in the city would not be enough to see them all. However that might be an excuse to keep on returning to this fabulous city over and over again – an ordeal that you probably would not mind.
