Affordable Weekend Treats

Question of the week: Can you recommend an affordable weekend getaway?

"The cheapest and best weekend are often where you know someone to go stay with, even if the area they live doesn’t make the top ten tourist lists. Accommodation the price of dinner for your host, and means you’ll be spending time with someone who knows you, and how to get the best out of the area.

If that’s not an option, then think first about where you want to go and why, and then about the money – a cheap trip somewhere that you don’t enjoy is pretty poor value for money!

Cheap rail tickets, (generally booked far in advance, but sometimes a couple of days ahead is enough) and a good hostel or self-catered accommodation is my preferred recipe for a budget weekend away, both in the UK, and in the parts of Europe served by Eurostar services. OK, so staying in Paris is unlikely to be *really* cheap, but the less obvious destinations can be a real bargain, and as you’re under 26 you get special prices on Paris and Brussels by Eurostar! National Rail is the best place to start experimenting with dates, times and destinations to get rail prices in the UK, and if you’re planning several UK rail trips, consider investing in a Young Persons Rail Card."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Jsome1, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Poems

Question of the week: In light of this week’s mood, what is your favourite London poem?

"The lyrics of 'London Pride' by Noel Coward"- Prof Kucich


London Pride has been handed down to us.
London Pride is a flower that's free.
London Pride means our own dear town to us,
And our pride it for ever will be.
Woa, Liza,
See the coster barrows,
Vegetable marrows
And the fruit piled high.
Woa, Liza,
Little London sparrows,
Covent Garden Market where the costers cry.
Cockney feet
Mark the beat of history.
Every street
Pins a memory down.
Nothing ever can quite replace
The grace of London Town.
INTERLUDE
There's a little city flower every spring unfailing
Growing in the crevices by some London railing,
Though it has a Latin name, in town and country-side
We in England call it London Pride.
London Pride has been handed down to us.
London Pride is a flower that's free.
London Pride means our own dear town to us,
And our pride it for ever will be.
Hey, lady,
When the day is dawning
See the policeman yawning
On his lonely beat.
Gay lady,
Mayfair in the morning,
Hear your footsteps echo in the empty street.
Early rain
And the pavement's glistening.
All Park Lane
In a shimmering gown.
Nothing ever could break or harm
The charm of London Town.
INTERLUDE
In our city darkened now, street and square and crescent,
We can feel our living past in our shadowed present,
Ghosts beside our starlit Thames
Who lived and loved and died
Keep throughout the ages London Pride.
London Pride has been handed down to us.
London Pride is a flower that's free.
London Pride means our own dear town to us,
And our pride it for ever will be.
Grey city
Stubbornly implanted,
Taken so for granted
For a thousand years.
Stay, city,
Smokily enchanted,
Cradle of our memories and hopes and fears.
Every Blitz
Your resistance
Toughening,
From the Ritz
To the Anchor and Crown,
Nothing ever could override
The pride of London Town.

* Photo by Emanuele Rosso, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Poems

The other poem recommended by Miss Alice, which was not linked to the full poem, is now shown here.


The London Breed
by Benjamin Zephaniah

I love dis great polluted place
Where pop stars come to live their dreams
Here ravers come for drum and bass
And politicians plan their schemes,
The music of the world is here
Dis city can play any song
They came to here from everywhere
Tis they that made dis city strong.

A world of food displayed on streets
Where all the world can come and dine
On meals that end with bitter sweets
And cultures melt and intertwine,
Two hundred languages give voice
To fifteen thousand changing years
And all religions can rejoice
With exiled souls and pioneers.

I love dis overcrowded place
Where old buildings mark men and time
And new buildings all seem to race
Up to a cloudy dank skyline,
Too many cars mean dire air
Too many guns mean danger
Too many drugs means be aware
Of strange gifts from a stranger.

It's so cool when the heat is on
And when it's cool it's so wicked
We just keep melting into one
Just like the tribes before us did,
I love dis concrete jungle still
With all its sirens and its speed
The people here united will
Create a kind of London breed.

* Photo by Phil Romans, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Poems

Question of the week: In light of this week’s mood, what is your favourite London poem?

"Oscar Wilde's 'Symphony in Yellow' is one of my favourites. It is a decadent picture of London, in one of the most picturesque times of the year; autumn. Though autumn has now gone, spring can be equally delightful, especially the first few weeks of warmer weather when the traces of winter slowly disappear and the colours of nature emerge gracefully. And there, in different spots of a blooming garden, the leaves of a revived tree, or the sparkling sunrise splashed across the Thames, you are sure to see yellow."- Christina

An omnibus across the bridge
Crawls like a yellow butterfly,
And, here and there, a passer-by
Shows like a little restless midge.

Big barges full of yellow hay
Are moored against the shadowy wharf,
And, like a yellow silken scarf,
The thick fog hangs along the quay.

The yellow leaves begin to fade
And flutter from the Temple elms,
And at my feet the pale green Thames
Lies like a rod of rippled jade.

* Photo by Ade46, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Poems

Question of the week: In light of this week’s mood, what is your favourite London poem?

"It’s my favourite love poem to London, but it’s not really seasonal – it always makes me think of London in the heat of summer – so I probably can’t say ‘London Breed’ by Benjamin Zephaniah, so – maybe Wordsworth’s Composed upon Westminster Bridge, from almost 200 years prior, which I know was written in autumn, but equally applies to the cold, clear beauty of a February morning- maybe even with a dusting of snow!"- Miss Alice

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour valley, rock, or hill;
Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep:
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

* Photo by PHOTOGRAPHER, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Poems

Question of the week: “In light of this week’s mood, what is your favourite London poem?”

"In the light of this week's weather, I'll choose The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats. The inspiration for the poem came to Yeats while he was walking down the "pavements grey" of Fleet Street and was suddenly struck with intense longing for an escape to a remote island getaway. Yeats' island has crickets chirping and bees making honey, so I like to think it must be somewhere warmer too!"- Jamie

* Photo by mrrobertwade (wadey), used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Share Your View

Question of the week: “In your opinion, where can you find the best view of London?”

"Whitestone Pond in Hampstead is technically London’s highest point and affords a truly spectacular view from the peak of the Northwest, across the centre of the capital. Originally something of a beacon for horse-drawn journeys to reach before the slow decent either side (journeys to and from London were nowhere near as easy as they are now), it currently still serves as a ‘horse bath’ point for the Armed Service’s cavalry. It’s easily found via a short walk from Hampstead tube station and is surrounded by some wonderful attractions such as the Spaniards Inn and Kenwood House."- Hal

* Photo by bortescristian, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Share Your View

Question of the week: “In your opinion, where can you find the best view of London?”

"One of my favourite views is on top of One New Change. Yes, I know it's a mall. Yes, I know that sounds really weird. But the view of St. Paul's is amazing - to be so high up and so close is such a great way to see the cathedral! And, unlike some vantage points, it's free to enjoy. So, head over to One New Change, get in the elevator and hit the highest button. If you go soon, take a coat - it can be chilly up there!"- Kris

* Photo by Peter Alfred Hess, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Share Your View

Question of the week: “In your opinion, where can you find the best view of London?”

"Two great options:

1) The lounge of the Oxo Tower Restaurant, tres chic, but affordable if you just buy a sparkling water. Drop dead views from the glass enclosed tower looking out on the riverscape. A 10 minute walk from Conway Hall.

2) From the road in front of the Holly Bush pub in Hampstead, on Holly Bush Hill. One of the most beautiful and little known spots in London. Night views are best."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by James UK, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Share Your View

Question of the week: “In your opinion, where can you find the best view of London?”

"There’s a point in Nunhead Cemetery, where you reach the top of the hill, and there’s a space cut into the trees and hedges which frames a beautiful view of the city, looking North towards St Pauls and the distinctive tower blocks of the City. It’s that, or the view of Docklands from Greenwich Park, or just the view up or down river any time you cross a bridge in central London – so hard to choose!"- Miss Alice

* Photo by Matthew Black, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Share Your View

Question of the week: “In your opinion, where can you find the best view of London?”

"I'm not sure whether it's categorically the best, but my favourite view of London is the one you get from the top of Primrose Hill. The closest tube station is Chalk Farm, but you can also head to Regent's Park station, and walk all the way up through the park, which is a great thing to do on a sunny day. I hear rumours that they're going to install a mini version of Rio's famous "Christ the Redeemer" in as part of the handover for the 2016 Olympics. Best to get there before that goes up and it becomes a tourist trap!"- Jamie

* Photo by djsosumi, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

So Much To See...

Question of the week: “What London event are you most looking forward to in the next four months?”

"There’s always so much to look forward to in London and, sometimes, the hardest task is picking where to go!

The Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration at the V&A starts 8 February and will show the Queen in portraits from her youth up until recent years that reflect her evolving role as Queen and mother. It will be interesting to see less publicised photos of the Queen, and as many of us know, photographs, although voyeuristic, give us a firmer grasp of a person, even if it is the Queen!

I am also very much looking forward to Sadler ‘s Wells Flamenco Festival. Being an admirer of the particular dance genre, I am not sure what to pick out of the range of performances spanning from flamenco adaptations of poems or seeing Vicente Amigo, a Grammy award winning guitarist! Tickets may be expensive, but a night at Sadler’s Wells is well worth the price."- Christina

* Photo by Richard Pluck, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

So Much To See...

Question of the week: “What London event are you most looking forward to in the next four months?”

"The flotilla on the Thames in celebration of the Queen’s 60th anniversary, for which the spirit of Handel may be summoned up to produce some new Water Music."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by c@rljones, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

So Much To See...

Question of the week: “What London event are you most looking forward to in the next four months?”

"A Hankering After Ghosts: Charles Dickens and the Supernatural

Everyone loves a good ghost story, and Dickens wrote one of the most famous! But he thought that ghostly phenomina, so popular in the Victorian period, had to have a rational explanation. The exhibition focuses on the ways Dickens used the supernatural in his works and exploring how they fit into the beliefs of his era. And it's Free at the British Library.

While you're at the British Library, check out the Royal Manuscripts exhibition as well - it's amazing, even if it isn't free..."- Kris

* Photo by Terence J Sullivan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

So Much To See...

Question of the week: “What London event are you most looking forward to in the next four months?”

"So many things! The current Saddlers Wells season is packed with dance productions I’m really excited about with a handful of my favourite dancers and companies coming through (20% off when you buy tickets to 2 shows helps), and I need to find time to head over to New Bond Street to catch the Dale Chihuly exhibition at the Halcyon Gallery.

Looking longer-term, I’m very taken with the idea of the Globe to Globe festival, which starts in April – all Shakespeare’s plays over six weeks, each in a different language from a company from different countries. I’m really tempted by the idea of watching a play I know in a language I don’t - Richard III in Mandarin Chinese or The Merchant of Venice in Hebrew, for example. The hip hop Othello is pretty tempting, as well.

[I’m a little conflicted about recommending this one, not least because the ticket price is eye-watering, but if you hadn’t heard, Warner Bros are selling tickets now for tours of the Harry Potter studios, which will open at the end of March]"- Miss Alice

* Photo by kelsey_lovefusionphoto's buddy icon kelsey_lovefusionphoto, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

The Londoner

Question of the week: "What does it mean to be a Londoner?"

"A Londoner is an explorer. He is someone who loves to navigate the labyrinth of hidden, precious streets and revels at the discovery of an underrated gem, like a new pub, coffee hangout, or a spot with an unparalleled view. Being a Londoner is not so much a feeling, as it is a privilege, because at the end of the day, you have an extensive array of options at your doorstep and if you wish to explore, the search will prove to be unlimited."-Christina

* Photo by Scorpions and Centaurs, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

The Londoner

Question of the week: “What does it mean to be a Londoner?”

"You don’t have to be *from* here to be a Londoner, but I do think you have to *engage* here, make London a big part of how you choose to spend your time. Take advantage of some of the wealth of opportunities and locations on offer, get to know your parts of the city until they’re comfortably familiar, become a regular somewhere, and figure out how to use the transport system so you can be helpful next time a tourist asks you for directions!"- Miss Alice

* Photo by maistora, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

The Londoner

Question of the week: “What does it mean to be a Londoner?”

"I think being a Londoner is mostly a state of mind, or an attitude, rather than the number of days you've spent in the city. A true Londoner goes out into the various neighbourhoods and explores, and doesn't just go to the same old places. She (or he) walks down the street and looks around, taking in the wonderful buildings, people and atmosphere of the city, rather than just following the stream of pedestrian traffic or with her nose in a map. A Londoner understands the different communities that make up London, and loves living in such a diverse place, taking advantage of all of the advantages that diversity brings. A Londoner takes advantage of all of the Free Stuff that London can provide, and doesn't get sucked in to doing overpriced tourist activities. Londoners don't wait for things to be brought to them, they go out and make the effort to discover the city and everything it has to offer.

Londoners make their own fun!"- Kris

* Photo by Ramiro Sánchez-Crespo, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

The Londoner

Question of the week: “What does it mean to be a Londoner?”

"I think being a Londoner involves some typically British veiled smugness, owing to the fact that Londoners are currently living in one of the greatest cities on the planet at a time when it's really at the top of its game. Brits and Londoners aren't typically patriotic in a very overt way, so that veiled smugness will really only show itself when you start criticising their city for whatever reason, or comparing it unfavourably to other places (especially Paris!)."-Jamie

* Photo by Faheem Patel, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

LUP Staff on London

Question of the week: How does Hal, one of our administrators, describe London in one word?

"Multifarious"

* Photo by Martino's doodles, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

LUP Staff on London

Question of the week: How does Christina, one of our administrators, describe London in one word?

"Limitless"

* Photo by simpologist, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

LUP Staff on London

Question of the week: How does Kris, one of our rectors, describe London in one word?

"Timeless"

* Photo by untrained eye, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

LUP Staff on London

Question of the week: How does Jamie, one of our rectors, describe London in one single word?

"Inexhaustible"

* Photo by lewishamdreamer, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

LUP Staff on London

Question of the week: How does Miss Alice, our LUP Librarian, describe London in one single word?

"London in one word? Expansive – literally, and metaphorically."

* Photo by .craig, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Welcome!

Welcome to London! The blog will be up and running the first day of your classes next week, Monday 16 January. The questions will range from what to do, see, and eat in London to favourite places, most memorable moments, historical landmarks, and much, much more! The London Undergraduate Program staff will be answering these weekly questions, so please feel free to follow along, comment, and learn. We hope you will find our suggestions useful, and wish to make your London experience as diverse, educational, and exciting as possible. Stay tuned!

* Photo by Angelina Archer, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.