London day trip - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Can you recommend a London day-trip?

"As Prof. O'Boyle wrote on Monday, the Thames Barrier is both a masterpiece of engineering and a beautiful construction. However, it's not all that London's Docklands has to offer.

If you want to visit the Thames Barrier's information centre, you'll be catching a bus from North Greenwich station. While you're there, check out the 02 centre - what was originally the much-maligned Millennium Dome. As well as hosting major music and sporting events, the 02 is also home to two smaller music venues, an IMAX cinema, and two museum spaces, one hosting the 'British Music Experience', the other international 'blockbuster' exhibitions.

Once you're done, head to the river (past the David Beckham Football Academy) to catch a boat back to Canary Wharf - the heart of Dockland's rebirth as the alternative financial capital of the capital. (Take every opportunity possible to see London from the river, wherever you find yourself along it's length.)

Soaring glass towers, sleek malls, and manicured gardens have blossomed where 30 years ago bomb damage from the Second World War and changes in international trade meant that much of the area was derelict and abandoned. In a sense, the development brings the area full circle, back to it's prosperous role in world trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Built in 1802, the warehouse which is home to Museum of London Docklands was originally used to store vast quantities of rum, molasses, coffee, pimento and cotton from the West India slave plantations. Now, the building tells the story of London's history through it's ports and trading life, which shaped all levels of society throughout London's history. It also examines the capital’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade with the gallery London, Sugar and Slavery.

(There are plenty of restaurants in the area, both in the malls, and near the museum, but the cheapest option is the Ledger Building pub, to your left when you're looking at the museum).

Heading home again, you can either take the DLR from West India Quay, or head back to Canary Wharf for the Jubilee Line. If you're on the fully-automated DLR, try for the very front seats of the first carriage, or if you pick the tube, take a moment to look around the station - it may look familiar from films you may have seen!"

- Miss Alice

* Photos by Effervescing Elephant and nataliej, used under Creative Commons.

London day trip - Kris

Question of the week: Can you recommend a London day-trip?

"Do you miss the great outdoors? Are you tired of seeing buildings and urban sprawl everywhere you turn? Try heading to Richmond Park, where you can picnic in the shade of ancient trees, watch two types of deer roam free, or rent a bike and ride through the 2500 acres of loveliness. The park started as a royal hunting ground in the Middle Ages, but now boasts facilities for bird watchers, fisher-people, and everyone else! My favourite place in the Park is King Henry's Mount, where you get an uninterrupted view of St. Paul's Cathedral - 12 miles away!

Take a look at their website for more information"
- Kris

* Photo by law_kevin, used under Creative Commons.

London day trip - Cornelius O'Boyle

Question of the week: Can you recommend a London day-trip?

"No visit to London is complete without a trip to Greenwich, down river on the banks of the Thames. Greenwich is, of course, the location of the world's prime meridian, from which all space and time on earth is measured. The historic Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Hospital for Seamen (Greenwich Hospital), and Greenwich town centre (with its covered marketplace) are also all well worth seeing. But many forget that further down river is the Thames Barrier.

The barrier is the world's largest movable flood barrier, spanning 520 metres across the river. Completed in 1982, the barrier was designed to protect London from flooding, especially during spring, when high tides threaten to engulf central London (and most of Zone 1 of the tube system!) under millions of tons of water from the North Sea. When first opened, the barrier was raised on average 10 times a year; now, because of global warming, it is raised more than 30 times a year. Some engineers suggest that if the barrier isn't enlarged soon, it will fail by 2030 and London will once again run serious risk of being flooded.

One way to view this spectacular structure is from a river boat (which can be boarded in central London or at Greenwich). Alternatively, one can take a bus from Greenwich to the Thames Barrier Information and Learning Centre, which is located on the south bank of the River Thames. Better still, take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to "Pontoon Dock" and visit the new Thames Barrier Park, a 22-acre contemporary-designed park with spectacular views of the barrier."
- Cornelius O'Boyle

* Photo by 10b travelling, used under Creative Commons.

Free and close to the London Centre - Cornelius O'Boyle

Question of the week: Can you recommend something free to do within about ten minutes walk of the London Centre?

"By now, you've probably discovered the delight of slipping into the National Gallery or the National Portrait Gallery for the odd 20 minutes or so to take a study break and enjoy the pleasure of immersing oneself in a painting that catches one's eye. Well, you can enjoy the same pleasure with some of London's best contemporary art in London's second White Cube Gallery, located in Mason's Yard in St James's. (just off Duke Street at 25-26 Mason's Yard, St James's, London, SW1Y 6BU).

The original White Cube Gallery, in Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, took the lead among modern galleries in promoting the 1980s and 1990s art movement known as the "Young British Artists" (YBA), including Damien Hurst and Tracey Emin. The Hoxton White Cube Gallery is still at the heart of Shoreditch's bohemian artists' community. Indeed, it became so popular that in 2006 it opened a second White Cube Gallery tucked away in a courtyard in St James's. It it truly a hidden gem in the West End.

Open 10am to 6.00pm, Tuesday to Saturday, you can check out the current exhibitions at its website: http://www.whitecube.com/"
- Cornelius O'Boyle

* Photo by zawtowers, used under Creative Commons.

Free and close to the London Centre - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Can you recommend something free to do within about ten minutes walk of the London Centre?


"I can't pick just one, so here are two. They're practically side by side on John Adams Street, just off the Strand, near Charring Cross.

Proud Central is a commercial photography gallery, specialising in pop culture and rock and roll. Their exhibitions switch every two months or so. At the moment, it's photographs of London legends The Who, shot by internationally renowned photographer Colin Jones, and next month it switches over to an Elvis exhibition. It is a commercial space, but one that goes out of its way to be welcoming to everyone who comes by for a free look around their well-selected, well-curated exhibitions, so don't be intimidated!

A little further down the street is the RSA - the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce to give it it's full title. Amongst their many activities, they put on a rich program of free lectures and discussions - world class speakers, politicians, academics, business and social leaders from around the world, speaking on important and timely topics. They make audio, and often video, recordings available after the fact, but there's nothing like being in the room - or joining the speakers to continue the conversation over a drink afterwards."
- Miss Alice

* Photo by Robin Hamman, used under Creative Commons.

Free and close to the London Centre - Ric

Question of the week: Can you recommend something free to do within about ten minutes walk of the London Centre?

"Described as "London's Personal Space", the nearest Royal Park to the London Centre is St. James's. Take advantage of this green and quiet portion of central London for a walk or a run between classes. For those with a little more time, or wanting a longer wander to think or
escape the bustling journey between Farringdon and Trafalgar Square, keep walking from St. Jame's up through Green Park, perhaps even as far as Hyde Park."
- Ric

* Photo by bortescristian, used under Creative Commons.

Free and close to the London Centre - Kris

Question of the week: Can you recommend something free to do within about ten minutes walk of the London Centre?

"One of my favourite things to do around the London Centre is to visit Sotherby's on New Bond Street. The items that will be sold in their upcoming auctions are displayed in the back of the ground floor - and they could be anything! I've seen Impressionist paintings, Persian carpets, rare books and lots more. One of the most interesting things to think about is that most of the items come from private collections, and are bought by private individuals - so they may have never been on public display before, and they might never be again! It can really be a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity. And it's fun to wander into such a famous auction house! If you're willing to spend a little money, the restaurant does a nice cream tea!

The address is: 34-35 New Bond Street, and the website is: http://www.sothebys.com/ if you want to take a look to see what auctions are coming up, because that's how to see what might be on display!"
- Kris

* Photo by chrisjohnbecket, used under Creative Commons.

Free and close to the London Centre - Greg Kucich

Question of the week: Can you recommend something free to do within about ten minutes walk of the London Centre?

"Walk across Trafalgar Square toward the Thames and cross over the Hungerford Bridge to the South Bank, where you will find street artists, book stalls, book shops, outdoor events, and the South Bank Centre, which includes the National Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, among other important cultural institutions, many of which feature bookshops, cafes, and free events."
- Greg Kucich

* Photo by bthomoso, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite London Buildings - Kris

Question of the week: Tell us about one of your favourite London buildings

"When you look at the Houses of Parliament what you see is a Victorian reconstruction of the medieval Palace of Westminster, which burned down in 1834. There are only two bits of the medieval palace left standing, and the Jewel Tower is one of them (the other is Westminster Hall) and the only one regularly open to the public.

It looks a little bit out of place, standing in its own bit of lawn, but when it was built in 1365 to house Edward III's treasures, it was in a secure position within the moated castle. (You can still see traces of the old moat around the outside!) Inside there is an exhibition about the history of the building, as well as the history of Parliament. And there's an Anglo-Saxon sword on display as well (which pre-dates the tower by at least 300 years)."
- Kris

NB - Westminster Hall is open to the public this coming Sunday for London Open House weekend.

* Photo by khyronsdf, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite London Buildings - Phillippa

Question of the week: Tell us about one of your favourite London buildings

“London, as you’ve probably noticed, is a bit cluttered: there are buildings on top of buildings behind buildings shoved in between buildings on top of buildings. All sorts of architecture exist here. It’s possible to find sections of the Roman wall, Christopher Wren’s glorious seventeenth century reworking of St. Paul’s Cathedral and 30 St Mary Axe (winner of the 2004 Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize and commonly known The Gherkin because of its similarity to a giant blue pickle) within walking distance of each other. After all that, it can come as a bit of a surprise that people live here too.

Like every other type of building, housing has gone through a lot of important changes in style and not all of it has been successful (you probably have your own opinions about K-M). The most fascinating building in London at the moment is one that hasn’t really survived: it’s been insulted, emptied, isolated, boarded up, vandalised, condemned to demolition and now filled with copper sulphate crystals.

At 151 - 189 Harper Road, you’ll find a dilapidated block of former council flats transformed into an shockingly wonderful cave of bright blue crystals as part of SEIZURE, an artwork by Roger Hiorns. It’s something between being trapped in a giant amethyst and drowning.

It’s only open until 18th October but, fortunately, it’s also got him shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2009, one of Britain’s most prestigious art awards, which means you’ll be able to see examples of his work at Tate Britain from 6th October.”
- Phillippa

Edit to add - good news - Seizure is now open until the 3rd of January

* Photo by Sela-V, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite London Buildings - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Question of the week: Tell us about one of your favourite London buildings

"I think 30 St. Mary Axe, Swis-Re Tower, or, as it's almost universally called 'The Gerkin', is a beautiful addition to the London skyline.

I love the curves, the stripes, the shine, but most of all the way it looks incredible from every angle. Whether you see it soaring between the gaps between run-down buildings in the east end, surrounded by other modern buildings in the City, or juxtaposed with historic churches, it always adds rather than overshadows. Even from miles away, when London's nothing more than towers in the distance glimpsed from the motorway - one clump of towers in Docklands and a second, stumpier, set in the City - the Gerkin adds a note of grace, elegance, and style.

Unfortunately, getting a closer view is tricky. The only public area is 'the plaza', or, in other words, the grounds outside - everything else is restricted to the companies that lease the building, and the stunning restaurant and private dining rooms at the top of the tower command high prices to match the views.

City Hall, across the river, was built by the same architect's firm, and is also worth investigating. They have a remarkably open access policy for the working centre of London's local government, and they're opening up still more of the building for London's Open House weekend this coming weekend."
- Miss Alice

* Gerkin photo by Paolo Margari, used under Creative Commons. City Hall photo photo by Stuiek, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite London Buildings - Greg Kucich

Question of the week: Tell us about one of your favourite London buildings

"Sir John Soane's Museum. Sir John Soane was a renowned architect and collector of art and antiquities, who transformed his house into a museum of art, architecture, and antiquities in the early nineteenth century. Located at No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, near Holborn Underground Station, this building stands out as one of London's most delightful and informative small museums, filled with fascinating works of art, architectural sketches and models, and fabulous classical statues and artefacts, as well as Medieval, renaissance, and Neo-Classical artwork. Overall, it is a fabulously rich and curiously eccentric collection, and the house/museum structure itself is an architectural wonder. A very special place to visit."
- Greg Kucich

* Photo by gruntzooki's buddy icon
gruntzooki, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite London Buildings - Kris

Question of the week: Tell us about one of your favourite London buildings

"My favourite building in London is Somerset House.

Over the years it has served as the Queen's official palace, the home of Oliver Cromwell, and the venue for masquerade balls. It is still possible to go through the old water gate, and even though it leads onto the Victoria Embankment now, it's a reminder of the fact that for most of London's history the easiest way to travel around the city was by boat! (The Thames used to be wider, and it was possible to row a boat straight into the palaces that lined the Thames, including Somerset House, the Tower of London, and the Savoy Palace [where the Savoy Hotel now stands]).

Now it is used for a variety of purposes, including the Inland Revenue (the Tax Service), and the Courtauld Gallery, which houses major pieces of Impressionist art, as well as other works from the Middle Ages through to the present day. In the summer, the beautiful fountain is on display most days, surrounded by tables where you can sit and read or eat lunch. In the winter the central courtyard hosts the famous ice rink!

You can take a free tour of Somerset House, and have access to places not usually open to public view, every Thursday at 13.15 and 14.45 and every Saturday at 12.15, 13.15, 14.15 and 15.15. You can pick up tickets from the Information Desk from 10.30 the morning of the tour.

For more information see www.somersethouse.org.uk, there are often fun things going on!"
- Kris

* Photo by Leeks, used under Creative Commons.

Eating out for less - Dr Holt

"A bit more British-English – here a ‘voucher’ is rather like an American ‘coupon’ because it does the same job – it knocks some of the cost off an item or a service. Recently a number of restaurants and shops have banded together in the face of the Recession and have decided to offer special rates and discounts on their normal menu items – and it works because people from all over London are still going out to eat because with these vouchers we enjoy 2 main courses for the price of one or 2 courses for £10 or other similar deals. Check out www.vouchercodes.co.uk and sign up for their weekly newsletter. "
- Dr Holt

* Photo by Bashed, used under Creative Commons.

A favourite place to eat in London - Cornelius O'Boyle

Question of the week: What's one of your favourite places to eat in London?

"If you're looking for lunch somewhere near the London Centre and you want something a bit nicer than a Pret-a-Manger sandwich, check out the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the large white stone church on the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square. The church itself is a famous early 18th-century structure with a wonderfully atmospheric crypt, and the food is high-quality English cuisine (meat and two veg) served cafeteria-style. It's a bit more pricey than a take-away sandwich, but every once in a while it's a real treat."
- Cornelius O'Boyle

* Photo by Edgley Cesar, used under Creative Commons.

Favourite places to eat in London - Phillippa

Question of the week: what are some of your favourite places to eat in London?

"My top five London eating experiences on a map


My top five London eating experiences as a list:

1. Mango Tree http://www.justmangotree.co.uk/
Cuisine: Indian
London is full of Indian restaurants: some are great, some are dreadful (as you might discover if you ever find yourself in Soho and in need of dinner). However, this is easily my favourite in the city and redeems the place entirely: the menu is excellent, the food is excellent – even the wine list is pretty good. And you can get ice cream in the shape of a penguin for afters (though I’d recommend the cardamom tea).

2. Zigni House http://www.zignihouse.com/
Cuisine: Eritrean
So exciting, you’d eat it with your fingers even if there was cutlery (there isn’t). Wonderful food, well washed down with any of their selection of traditional drinks. Try sharing a mixed platter.
What to do afterwards: Zigni House is a bit of a walk, but that just gives you an excuse to pop into Brazilian bar Barrio North on the way back to K-M.

3. Satay House http://www.satay-house.co.uk/
Cuisine: Malaysian
Beautiful food to a Malaysian film soundtrack.
What to do afterwards: Take a walk down Edgware Road and try a Lebanese coffee.

4. Mar I Terra http://www.mariterra.co.uk/menus.html
Cuisine: Spanish
Excellent tapas in a tiny, family-run place tucked away in a Southwark railway arch.

5. New Haven
Cuisine: Cameroonian
A bit different to the other West African establishments in the area, which are mostly Nigerian or Ghanian, I only noticed this place because I didn’t know what any of the words meant on the menu outside – it’s well worth an experiment! Very relaxed, a great place to get talking to local people, if you can hear them over the TV (ignore it – it’s just how we do things in south London)."
- Phillippa

* Photo by chotda, used under Creative Commons.

A favourite place to eat in London - Kris

Question of the week: what's one of your favourite places to eat in London?

"I know that most of the posts this week will be about restaurants, but my favourite place to eat in central London is St. James’ Park. There are places to get food in the park, and while they’re not bad, they tend to be a bit expensive for what they are. So, my advice would be to grab a sandwich from a sandwich shop (Pret or any of the ones on Whitcomb Street), or, even cheaper, bring in a packed lunch from home, and head to the park. Try to sit by the water – I like to watch all of the birds. It’s a little bit of nature in the great big city."
- Kris

* Photo by rxwarren, used under Creative Commons.

A favourite place to eat in London - Ric Whaite

Question of the week: what's one of your favourite places to eat in London?

"This is one of the best kept secrets in South London. If you are enjoying a trip to Brixton, for the markets or the concert venues but cannot stomach the idea of carribean classics like goat curry this pizza place is an alternative and a local institution. The restaurent is not well-signed, so do take the address with you. The dough is just amazing. Such reasonable prices too - their most expensive pizza is £5.60.

Franco Manca
4 Market Row, Electric Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LD
Area: Brixton
Tel: 020 7738 3021
www.francomanca.co.uk
Category: Pizza & Pasta
Travel: Brixton tube/rail
Times: Open Mon-Tue 12noon-4pm; Thur-Sat 12noon-4pm"
- Ric Whaite

* Photo by JP Hussey, used under Creative Commons.

A favourite place to eat in London - Greg Kucich

Question of the week: What's one of your favourite places to eat in London

"The Foundling Hospital Café is a special place to eat in a unique museum. Located in Bloomsbury just off Brunswick Square (nearest tube stop: Russell Square), behind Coram's Fields, the Foundling Hospital was established by Thomas Coram in 1739 and strongly supported by the composer George Friderick Handel and the artist William Hogarth. Besides emerging as one of Europe's first homes for orphans, it also quickly developed into one of London's first public art galleries. Today, you can visit special exhibitions dedicated to the work of Handel, Coram, and Hogarth, among others. The café is delightful and inexpensive, with an attractive, leafy outside area. It's also right next door to the very cool shops and cafes of the Brunswick Centre, which features a rather high end farmer's market of international foods on Saturday mornings."
- Greg Kucich

* Photo by Alan Stanton, used under Creative Commons.

A favourite place to eat in London - Miss Alice

Question of the week: what's one of your favourite places to eat in London?

"My vote for the best bargain meal in town is Indian Veg, on Chapel Market in Angel, Islington. Sad to say, their prices have gone up since I took that photo, so now it's a whopping £4 for all an you can eat buffet of delicious Indian veggie food - no wonder it's such an institution! If your budget will stretch to it, I recommend a mango lassi as the perfect drink to go with your meal.

For outstanding vegetarian food the other end of the price range, try Vanilla Black) or, the more moderately priced and wonderfully named Rootmaster Bustaurant just off Brick Lane. What's not to love about a restaurant that's put a classic London double-decker bus to such good use?"
- Miss Alice

* Photo by me.

What time is this place?

"Have you been here long enough to be asking yourself as you walk around, "What time is this place?" If so, you might enjoy visiting the galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum (called "The V & A"). There some rooms are organized by century, so you walk through the 1500s then the 1600s then the 1800s, into the 1900s. In each one you are in a room or rooms from that time. These are reconstructed interior spaces with furniture, clothing, pictures, and other objects of personal usefulness and pleasure. Helpful wall descriptors help situate you in Britain in the epoch of the room. I find that while walking from, say, the 1770s to 1820s, I can get a sense of what it felt like. You, too, will discern the differences in taste as well as the development of ideas, technology, even comfort.

Armed with this sort of over-sight, visits to other museums or galleries with paintings from these decades have been clearer to me because I can remember that time, as it were, having visited those rooms at the V & A. I enjoy revisiting them -- and so would be delighted to go with you there (or other galleries) if you'd like. Let's do diaries."

- Dr Holt

* Photo by nick.garrod, used under Creative Commons.

Essential London resources - Cornelius O'Boyle

Question of the week: What are some of the essential London resources that you use?

"One of the best ways of keeping your finger on the pulse of London and knowing what's going on day-by-day is to pick up copies of the three "freebie" London newspapers that appear Monday to Friday. London's free morning newspaper is called "The Metro" and can be picked up inside any tube station. It has decent coverage of the national and international news and has fascinating sections on science and travel. In the evenings, at most major intersections of the city, you'll encounter people trying to force copies into your hand of London's two free evening newspapers: London Lite and theLondonpaper. These papers have only superficial news coverage, but are a great way of keeping up to date with the activities of celebrities in London. Most importantly, though, all three free newspapers have good listings sections and reviews on music, theatre, comedy, clubbing, etc in London. And on tubes and buses you'll see that reading these newspapers is the main way that Londoners pass their time while commuting to and from work!"
- Cornelius O'Boyle

(PS from Miss Alice - theLondonpaper is scheduled to cease publication on the 18th September, so grab one while you still can.)

* Photo by Annie Mole, used under Creative Commons.

Essential London Resource - Phillippa Howarth

Question of the week: what's your essential London resource?

"I never leave home without my A-Z. This is not just any old street atlas, it is the face of London distilled into book form - an investment and an icon! Low tech, perhaps, but comprehensive, reliable and, most of all, an enormous comfort when you find yourself on a lonely street at 5am and it's just started to rain."
- Phillippa Howarth

* Photo by Steve Punter, used under Creative Commons.

Essential London Resources - Ric Whaite

Question of the week: What are some of the essential London resources that you use?

"http://www.hidden-london.com/ - London's lesser-known localities

Hidden London takes a look at a variety of the capital’s minor districts and localities, some in the outer boroughs and some tucked away in lesser-known corners of the city centre – focusing mainly on the ways in which they’ve developed and highlighting any special points of interest. The site also features specially recommended places, a selection of London books and links to other useful websites.


http://londonfootball.co.uk/ - pay and play, pick-up games

The playing of football in London has been well documented since it was first outlawed in 1314. Nowadays things are better organised. Visit this website for details on how to join up with already-established groups that meet for 5-a-side or 11-a-side games. Includes a map or where the teams meet to play or are based."
- Ric Whaite

* Photo by Andrew Newdigate, used under Creative Commons.

Essential London resources - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What are some of the essential London resources that you use?

"I could write an essay for this one, so I'm going to go for a specific topic - getting around town.

First - the obvious - the Transport for London journey planner. If I had to only pick one, it would be this, although there are a few tricks to getting really good routes out of it. Specifically, scroll down the page and pick your settings - what types of transport you want to use, how far you're willing to walk, and the all important 'I'm happy to walk if it makes my journey faster' button that stops the planner trying to send me on a three-bus 45-minute trek to avoid the 15 minute walk to my local tube station.

Secondly - walkit.com, which calculates walking routes around the city (like googlemaps, but optimised for walking) You can find the shortest route, or go for 'less busy' or 'lower pollution' routes, and as well as maps and turn by turn directions, you'll get an estimate of how long it will take at different walking speeds. They're expanding to cover more and more UK cities, so this one's worth making a note of when you're travelling as well.

Thirdly - Cabwise. Text 'home' to 60835 and get phone numbers for three local licensed mini cab companies and a black cab. Everyone should have this number in their phone, even if you don't ever plan on taking a cab, because you never know when being able to summon a safe way home will come in useful. If you go to the Cabwise website, you can even have them text you the number and instructions.

Fourthly - the other travel number to put in your phone, and another TfL service - London Travel Information. This is the phone-version of their Journey Planner service - just call 020 7222 1234, 27/7, and get details of how to get from a to b around the city. You can also get this service by text - just text A to B to 60835, where A and B can be postcodes, full station or full bus-stop names, in any combination.

Fifthly, and finally, - sign up for TfL's London Loop weekly email, which will give you info on some of the many things going on in London every weekend, as well as how the planned engineering works might impact on you getting to them. Even if you're out of town for the weekend, knowing if the line between your flat and your airport or mainline station is out of action can be very useful indeed!"

- Miss Alice

* Photo by incendiarymind, used under Creative Commons.

Essential London Resources - Kris

Question of the week: What are some of the essential London resources that you use?

"While resources can mean things like the Transport for London website, and its excellent journey planner (www.tfl.gov.uk), or the Time Out website, where you can find great (and sometimes free!) things to do around the city (www.timeout.com/london), it can also mean the valuables of an area – and that’s really what I’m going to write about!

Most of the major museums in London are free – which means that it’s really easy to visit for half an hour and just wander around. There’s no pressure to ‘get your money’s worth’, so you can take a look around without worrying that it’ll be a waste of money. There are the big, famous places, obviously. And it’s really worth visiting the British Museum on your way between the London Centre and the flats (it’s right on the way!), or taking a look at some of the best modern art in the world at the Tate Modern. (You can find out what’s going on at http://www.britishmuseum.org and http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/)

But there are some great smaller museums that are worth visiting as well! The British Library has exhibitions of some of the most important and beautiful books in the world, and it’s free to wander around the permanent exhibition rooms to take a look. Some of their major exhibitions are free as well (though the excellent Henry VIII exhibition isn’t). Take a look at http://www.bl.uk/ for more information! The British Library is very close to the flats; it’s very near to King’s Cross and St. Pancras train stations.

The Wallace Collection is another free museum that’s worth a trip. It is the private collection of the Wallace family in their huge home – it was all donated to the British Government upon the death of the last heir. Many of the rooms are set up similarly to how they were when people were living in the house, and the interior has just undergone a major restoration. Some of the paintings in the collection are very well known, but my favourite part is the huge collection of historical arms and armour. (I’m a Medievalist by training, you see...) The restaurant in the centre courtyard is beautiful and a great place to have afternoon tea (how very civilized!). Take a look at the website to get a better idea of what the collection is about - http://www.wallacecollection.org/. (The Wallace Collection is near to Marylebone High Street – one of the most stylish streets in London, so take a look at some art and then hang out with the beautiful people!)

The Imperial War Museum, near Waterloo Station south of the Thames, is another great place to go for free! The collection is amazing and the presentation really brings the history home. If you have an interest in things military or historical, this is the place for you. The galleries don’t just focus on weapons, but also on espionage and art from the period around the two World Wars. There are also a number of temporary exhibitions on right now. Check out http://london.iwm.org.uk/ for more!"
- Kris

* Photo by Yuki*, used under Creative Commons.