The South Bank

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite spot/place along the South Bank?

"It's temporary, but I love the garden at UdderBelly!"- Kris

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

London by Summer

Question of the week: What do you most enjoy about summers in London?

"Swimming outside in the Serpentine or the ponds at Hampstead Heath"- Kris

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

Weekend Trips and Tips

Question of the week: Looking ahead to the long weekend, can you suggest a last-minute-friendly getaway destination?

"Paris! It's close, it's beautiful, and sometimes you can find great deals on Eurostar."- Kris

* Photo by brunotto [Still very busy...]'s buddy icon brunotto [Still very busy...], used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Around Trafalgar Square

Question of the week: Can you recommend a hidden gem around Trafalgar Square?

"I don't know how hidden it is, but I love St. James Park. It isn't far from Trafalgar Square, and it's a great place to take your lunch, or just spend some time outside."- Kris

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

Introductions - LSP 2012

Introductions: What do you do for the LSP?

"I am one of the Rectors at Conway Hall. Hopefully I'm someone you'll feel comfortable approaching for advice about where to go and how to do things both inside and outside London. I would also like to be someone to talk to if you feel stressed or upset, or have any problems during your time in London."- Kris

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

What to do...again

Question of the week: If you only had two weeks left in London, what would you make sure to visit or see again?

"One of my favorite places is the Tower of London - I know that it seems expensive, but it's one of the oldest castles in England, there are Beefeaters, ravens and the crown jewels. What more could you want?"- Kris

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

Outdoor London

Question of the week: Can you recommend a cafe or pub with an outdoor patio or rooftop terrace that you think is worth seeing?

"Have you found the cafe in St. James' Park? There is seating, or take your goodies and have a picnic by the lake!"- Kris

* Photo by Alex Akopyan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"Check out Strictly Easter Ballroom on Friday, 6 April. There are lessons for everyone, demonstrations, music, and it's all Free! "- Kris

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

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"Sunny Saturday:

My favourite way to spend a Saturday is to start slow, and head to the Real Food Market behind Royal Festival Hall for lunch. After seeing what's happening on the South Bank, I like to enjoy the weather and take a walk - it doesn't matter where. I'll likely take a couple of breaks along the way to sit and enjoy the view, a coffee, or a chapter or two in my book. Maybe I'll head to an area I haven't been to before, maybe I'll go somewhere familiar. Once I get tired, I head home. Nothing exciting, but I enjoy it!"- Kris

* Photo by Tomasz Tom Kulbowski, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Shakespeare Festival

Question of the week: Spring sees numerous festivals in London. This Spring, in particular, the World Shakespeare Festival will host international theatre companies performing works of Shakespeare in different languages. Which international production would you be curious to see?

"Cymbeline in Japanese.

If I could see any of the World Shakespeare Festival productions, I would want to see Yukio Ninagawa's take on Cymbeline. Cymbeline is not performed as often as some of Shakespeare's other plays, so seeing it live at all is a treat - but Ninagawa uses Japanese cultural references to interesting effect when he stages Western dramas. Japan's formal and honour-based culture resonates with Shakespeare's 'historical' tragedies, and I'm sure that Cymbeline will be amazing."- Kris

* Photo by World of Good, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Free Options in London

Question of the week: Are there any upcoming free events you would like to recommend?

"The Big Egg Hunt-

In the run up to Easter, London has become the site for a gigantic egg hunt! Artists have been commissioned to each decorate an egg, which is then 'hidden' somewhere in London. Try to find them all, and get to places in London that you might not have explored otherwise!

http://www.thebigegghunt.co.uk/"- Kris

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

Affordable Weekend Treats

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

"Paris -

If done correctly and in advance, Paris can be surprisingly inexpensive. Look for cheap Eurostar tickets - you can go round-trip for under £120 if you plan in advance, and it takes you from the centre of London to the centre of Paris - no need to budget time or money for airport transfers. There are no checks on what you can bring, or how much, so no paying for checking bags if you want to bring liquids...
Look for a cheap bed, but in the centre of town - hostels are a good bet, but try to book somewhere in the area you want to *end up* in the evening - no travel cost (or worry) at the end of a night out. Just roll into bed!
Eat like a student - and there are plenty in Paris. The Rue St. Severin has a lot of restaurants that serve three-course set menus for 10 Euros, and lots of cafes have sandwiches for not a lot of money. As the weather warms up, picnic in the parks!
Look for free things to do! Notre Dame, and many other churches, are free to visit. The parks are beautiful (and also free!) and people-watching is always a cheap thrill! If you must visit a certain attraction, check online to see if it has a free opening day - lots of places do!

Hope this inspires you to head to the City of Lights!"- Kris

* Photo by Jay364, 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.

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.

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.