The South Bank

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

"The stretch from London Bridge, past City Hall to Tower Bridge is pretty neat, and if you push on just a few hundred yards more, you suddenly fall back in time as you walk through Shad Thames. Keep going and the modern age re-instates itself – the benches outside the Design Museum are a good spot to people watch, and to river watch, and, at least for me, to look at some London landmarks from the “wrong” side – I walk past Tower Bridge heading downriver fairly often – looking at it heading upriver is a less frequent occurrence, and it always makes me remember how lucky I am to be in London."- Miss Alice

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

Festivities in London

Question of the week: Are there any events/exhibitions/concerts you are looking forward to in the next two weeks?

"I am really excited about the Greenwich and Docklands Festival which runs from the 21st to the 30th June. They always put on some really fantastic dance-related performances, and this year they’re putting even more performance types into the mix with poetry and spoken word and puppetry and all sorts. I have tickets for “Mean Between Times” which promises to turn the daily commute into a work of art, and for “Knight Watch: SouthS‘tory” which promises drumming, poetry, and urban mythology, and I’m planning to go to Prometheus, which looks magical, and to get down to at least one of their big night-time spectaculars, as well as Dancing City, which is a day in Docklands jam packed with all types of dance – and all of this is free! What are you waiting for? "-Miss Alice

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

London by Summer

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

"The long, light evenings – perfect for sitting out in a park, or walking down the river path, and chatting with friends."- Miss Alice

* Photo by weesam2010's buddy icon weesam2010, 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?

"Often, to get a good price on train travel you need to book ahead. If there are four of you who’ve left it to the last minute, though, you can grab a great deal on-the-day with GroupSave tickets to various destinations in the South East. My personal recommendation would be Brighton – this is a city with great night life, so it’s a shame to relegate it to a day trip and miss out on that. A group save train ticket, and loads of B&Bs and hostels for bargain accommodation, and away you go. As well as the seaside fun of the pier and the OTT historical opulence of the Royal Pavilion, you might want to head out to the Downs for a country walk, or treat yourself to a day at the races."-Miss Alice

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

Around Trafalgar Square

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

"The Strand Gallery, on John Adam Street, tucked in behind Charing Cross – this little gallery gets rented out for all sorts of events and short-term exhibitions. Most of the exhibitions are free and open to the public, and I’ve seen some really fantastic shows there. Check out their website. Oh, and tucked in behind St Martin in the Fields, and the back of an ice cream truck, Maggi Hambling’s A Conversation with Oscar Wilde is one of my favourite statues in the area – well worth the tiny detour for anyone who has any fondness for Wilde at all!"- Miss Alice

* Photo by ecf1691, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Introductions - LSP 2012

Introductions: What do you do for the LSP?

"Hi, I’m Miss Alice, and I’m the program’s librarian. I’m here to help students find all the resources they need – to help them learn as much as possible and put together great assignments, and more generally to make the most of their time in London. I love London, and I love sharing it with students – helping them discover the perfect place or event for them and their interests."-Miss Alice

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

London

Question of the week: What do you think distinguishes London from any other cosmopolitan city and makes it worth visiting a second time?

"I think – and this is a personal opinion without objective evidence – but I think the balance of past, present and future is what makes London so special – two thousand years of history, not preserved in aspic, but rubbing up alongside new development, new communities, new ways of life. Not even the history stands still – there are constantly new discoveries and new interpretations and presentations of London’s past. Whatever your area of interest, there’s always something new to come back for, as well as a goodly chance that your old favorite will still be here. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by ThisParticularGreg, 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?

"That’s a tough one, because it all depends on where you’ve already been, and what’s important to you… Personally, I’d be trying to squeeze in as much as possible – dinner in places that do good food *and* have something unique about them, studying at the Bishopsgate Institute or The British Museum, going to one of the lidos or up to Hampstead Heath to swim instead of a regular gym visit. I’d want to prioritize things that are very London specific – gigs and readings and events as well as historic sites and beautiful buildings – and if you can score some more double-value things at the same time, grab them with both hands – head up to Rough Trade East and explore Brick Lane and Spitalsfield Market.

I’d also put a premium on enjoying my regular locals before I had to leave – I’d probably spend my last day in London having lunch and tea at my local cafes, a final pilgrimage to Foyles and the British Museum, walk the familiar route down the river to Tower Hill, and hop on the DLR so I could admire the views on my way to Pudding Mill Lane for a final glimpse of the Olympic Park, and then walk home talking lots of photos of those very ordinary details that you tend not think about! "- Miss Alice

* Photo by J. A. Alcaide, 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?

"No one’s going to be surprised if I come up with suggestions facing the river, are they? Head east on the north bank to find the Prospect of Whitby, and on the south side of the river, The Mayflower in Rotherhithe – both have history and river view patios to recommend them – and The Mayflower does an excellent Sunday lunch."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Fabiana Zonca, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

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

"The passion play staged in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday is always a huge event. Maybe balance out the crowds there with a visit to one of London’s City Farms, for some Easter-time chicks, lambs, and donkeys, and a breath of fresh air. Mudchute Park is a good bet for all of the above."- Miss Alice

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

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week:
Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?

"The DLR – Docklands Light Railway – offers some great opportunities to get close to the Olympic park. If you’re coming from Docklands, or from Tower Hill, the section from Pudding Mill Lane to Stratford runs right alongside the park, with some great views of the main stadium, and your only chance to see the beautiful Aquatics Centre “end on”, and so glimpse the wave form of the main building, which is hidden by the temporary “wings” from any other angle. The platforms at both Pudding Mill Lane and Stratford are high enough to give you good views, too. If you change at Stratford for the other DLR line, you can ride right through the middle of the park, to Stratford International DLR station – one of five new stations in east London created for the games. To be honest, you don’t get the most scenic views from the train – up close and personal with the side of the Waterpolo venue, and then underground for a spell – but when you come up the escalators at the station, you’re right at the gates of the Athlete’s Village. It might not be as flashy as the main stadium, but it’s an interesting development, none the less, and a big part of the legacy planning. It’s going to be the “greenest” large scale new residential development in Europe when it’s finished! What you can see rather depends on the building work going on - there’s a floating population of porta-cabins and cranes which sometimes block the view, but look out for the green roofs, and the panels from the Parthenon friezes on some of the buildings. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by Andy Wilkes, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week: “Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?”

"The View Tube, located on the Greenway at Pudding Mill Lane has some of the best views going! This social enterprise project offers a café and garden, to go along with the view, as well as information and artistic responses to the park. You can even hire a bike to help you explore the area that way. (The other main viewing platform is from the other side of the park, in John Lewis in the Westfield Stratford City development – the contrast of settings is quite noticeable!)"- Miss Alice

* Photo by Andy Wilkes, 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?

"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 are my top two at the moment. The hip hop Othello is pretty tempting, as well."- Miss Alice

* Photo by TGIGreeny, 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?

"Over the next couple of weeks?

LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival 2012 : "Relating Cultures"
Wednesday 29 February - Saturday 3 March 2012

The world class string quartet Endymion performing at the Bishopsgate Institute, 1pm on March 6th (go, if you’re free – I wish I was!)

Zarina Bhimji’s exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery

and
Dale Chihuly’s at the Halycon Gallery

Further ahead, I’m looking forward to Greenwich Dance’s Low-Tech Saturday in April

and thinking about going along to the Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice in early May, because that’s not a part of London I’m super-familiar with."- Miss Alice

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

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

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?

"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.

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.

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?”

"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.