Picnic spots - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Where would you recommend for a good picnic spot?

"Thinking of spots close by the London Centre, I'd say St James' Square, the other side of Haymarket (which is technically private, but usually open at lunchtimes), for a lovely leafy formal garden watched over by an impressive statue, or St Paul's Church, Covent Garden. Their churchyard is an oasis of peace in a really busy part of the city. Both spots should offer some good people-watching, as well as the routes to both taking you past any number of sandwich places and deli's if you didn't bring your picnic ingredients from home!"- Miss Alice

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

Cheap eats - Greg Kucich

Question of the week: "Do you have any suggestions for cheap eats in London?"

"There are two small but attractive, inexpensive cafés right around the corner from the London Centre: Orsini and Sandwich Express. Orsini has great Italian character. Turn right from the London Centre main entrance and cut through Hobhouse Court on the right (a lovely little shortcut and good spot for outdoor lunch on a sunny day) to Whitcomb Street. Go left on Whitcomb Street. And you are there in under 5 minutes."- Greg

* Photo by Miss Alice

London speakers - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Where in London do you go to hear great public speakers?

"I'm a big fan of the RSA's events - over 150 free lectures, discussions,and screenings each year, open to the public, and featuring top flight academics, politicians, authors and business people with the goal of "encouraging intelligent public debate."

To take this week as a random sample - yesterday saw anthropologist Dr Scott Atran on religious violence, and 'Talking to the Enemy', today has the UK premiere screening of An African Answer, followed by discussion with the director, Wednesday has a keynote from Dr Ian Goldin on Africa in the 21st century, and Thursday has a double helping, with Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson discussing 'financial fables' and the deficit in the evening, and journalist Dan Hind on 'The Return of the Public' at lunchtime. All free, and just a few minutes walk away from the London Centre.

If you miss something fascinating, or are unable to get tickets, the RSA generally make the audio available on their website - a fantastic resource."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Laura Billings, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Friday is the new Friday - Kris

Question of the week: Is there something you'd recommend to do in London on a Friday, rather than over the weekend?"

"Sotheby's is one of the most famous auction houses in the world, selling collections of paintings, jewelry, books, and anything else you can imagine to the very richest people in the world. But did you know that they display the items that are going under the hammer before they're sold? Go to their Bond Street site and simply walk in, go past the cafe and take a look at whatever is there.

Most of the things are going from private collections into other private collections, so seeing them at Sotheby's is the one chance you may ever have to look at them in person. I've seen everything from Impressionist art to antique Persian carpets, and it's totally free.

But it isn't open on the weekends.

So take advantage of your free Fridays, and head to Sotheby's - you never know what you'll see!"- Kris

* Photo by Chris John Beckett, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

On and over the river lake - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bridge?

"St. James's Park is one of my favourite places in London, and the bridge across the lake is one of my favourite bridges. It is called the Blue Bridge, and it has wonderful views of lots of the surrounding architectural icons - the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall. But it also allows you to get a better view of the water birds that live on the lake, including the famous pelicans. Take a picnic and enjoy!"- Kris

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

On and over the river - Catherine

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bridge, path, or other spot along the river?

"Everyone will find their favourite stretch of the river, and claim it their own with dozens of pictures of the bridges or the skyline or their friends flashing peace signs as the tea-coloured water bobs below them. While some people stand around wondering what could be down there (was a whale really found by Albert Bridge a few years back?), I prefer to use the river as an excuse to discover what is above the water line.

Like everything in London, you don’t have to go far to come across a gem. An amazing after-school stroll down to Embankment is the perfect excuse to stumble into Gordon’s Wine Bar before making your way to the water. Gordon’s, the oldest wine bar in London, is not easy to find on Villiers Street by Charring Cross on the Strand, but worth the hunt. After spending an hour or two ducked down in the cavernous, candle-lit cellar, emerging into the riverside breeze is a delight.

Or if you want a view of the river while you sip a drink, hop along Waterloo or Blackfriars bridge to Southbank. You can’t miss the OXO tower. Not the cheapest option to consider for dinner, but a cocktail definitely fits the student budget. And the view? Priceless. Check out the panoramic video on their website if you don’t believe me.

Both so close to the London Centre, add these spots to your riverfront finds. And let us know what choice locations you come across!"- Catherine

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

London churches - Prof Kucich

Question of the week: London has hundreds of historic churches - are there any particular jewels you would recommend?

"One of my favourite churches in London is St Paul's Church in Covent Garden. It was designed by Inigo Jones, Shakespeare's contemporary and partner in stage settings, and it has always been associated with actors. The striking façade faces Covent Garden market, and the entrance on the other side looks out onto a beautiful, sequestered churchyard, which is a lovely spot for lunch, just a few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square. A must visit for all lovers of London churches and theatre!"

- Greg Kucich

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

Trafalgar Square - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What's one of your favourite things about Trafalgar Square?

"Another thing I love about Trafalgar Square? As well as all the art and events in the square, you've got so many cultural opportunities packed in so close around it - the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Canadian High Commission's gallery, a three-story bookshop, and St Martins in the Fields church all right on the square, and a dozen more venues all within a five minute walk - not bad for what used to be the stable block!"
- Miss Alice

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

Trafalgar Square - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What's one of your favourite things about the Trafalgar Square area?


"Trafalar Square is so often responsible for those little moments of 'I do so love this city!' - there's always something going on, officially or otherwise. (I'm actually surprised that I only have 75 shots in my Trafalgar Square collection - clearly I've been slacking on my photo taking!)

Whatever's going on, though, you can be sure that Trafalgar Square will offer you great opportunities for people watching, which is one of my favourite things about the place - there's a coffee shop built into balustrade under the statue of George IV in the north-east corner of the square, which you might not notice if you usually come into the square from the National Gallery side.

In this weather, you'll want a nice hot cup of something to wrap your hands around as you sit at one of their tables to start observing the other people - the tourists, the school groups, the busy commuters, the performance artists, roller skaters, street dancers, and enthusiastic toddlers - all the weird and wonderful juxtapositions of London's streets collected together in London's living room!"
- Miss Alice

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

Trafalgar Square - Kris

Question of the week: What's one of your favourite things about the Trafalgar Square area?

"One of my favourite things about Trafalgar Square is that it has become London's (and to some extent Britain's) gathering space. People filled the square to celebrate the VE Day, and Christmas in Trafalgar Square is a beautiful thing to behold - each year a huge tree is given to the people of London by the people of Oslo to thank them for freeing Norway from Nazi occupation, and a member of the Norwegian royal family comes to turn on the lights!

The gatherings haven't always been peaceful or fun, throughout the 19th Century left-wing movements demonstrated in the square to try to gain rights for the poor and underprivileged. In the 1880s there were even riots in Trafalgar Square because of mass unemployment. There have been demonstrations by all sorts of groups ever since.

Now the square is often used for celebrations, from Chinese New Year to British sporting victories, as well as festivals organized by a variety of groups from all over Britain and the world - recently including the Russian Festival and a celebration of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. There always seems to be something happening in and around Trafalgar Square, and it's just up to you to walk through and participate!"
- Kris

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

London's venues

Question of the week: London has hundreds of venues, for all types of performances. Do you have any particular favourites?

"An unexpected opportunity to sit in one of the so-called 'choir' seats at a performance at Royal Festival Hall. Such a seat lets you see the audience and the hall from the orchestra's point of view -- which can change everything about the experience (as those of you who have played in an orchestra when learning a musical instrument know so well).

What I particularly enjoy is watching the conductor's engagement with the musicians -- something we hardly can see with his back to us! Best of all, these seats are remarkably inexpensive for even a major performance.

Take a walk across the Thames along one of the foot-bridges to the South Bank. RFH is at the foot of the bridge, in all not more than 10 minutes from the Centre. There you'll find the ever-helpful staff at the box office who can tell you the dates of performances that actually
include tix for these particular seats. Go for it -- it is an amazing opportunity."
- Prof Holt

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

Tea and coffee shops in London - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tea shop, coffee place, or cafe?

"For the full 'English Tea Experience' head to Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly. It is a department store, founded in 1707, and it has products found nowhere else - including teas. They have been importing and blending their own teas since 1744, so they know what they're doing. So, if you're looking for that special present, take a look here - they package most blends in special tea caddies that make it all the more special.

If you want someone to make your tea, and provide you with the scones, cakes and sandwiches that Afternoon Tea conjures to mind, Fortnum and Mason is again your place. The full service doesn't come cheap, but if you can afford to splash out, the experience can't be beat (and you'll feel like you won't need to eat for a week!). Of course if you're happy with just a cup of tea and a cake or scone, they can do that as well.

Think about learning about tea as part of your 'Global London' experience. It reflects a time when 'the sun never set on the British Empire' and sill represents a major import from places all over the world, both former colonies and not. Tea brings the world to London - India, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka - go out and taste it!"
- Kris

* Photo by Rich B S, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London shops - Miss Alice

With Christmas on the horizon, can you recommend a favourite London shop?

"Once and again, I'm going to fail at picking just one place and go for an area instead - the Seven Dials end of Covent Garden. Within two or three streets you've got almost everything you need for your Christmas shopping - Waterstones, Magma and Stanfords for books (general), books (art and design) and books (travel). You've got Orcs Nest, for the gamer in your life, Fopp, for cds and dvds, London Graphics Centre, for all your creative needs, Neil's Yard for aromatherapy and other natural goodies, the Tea House, for teas and everything related, Tatty Divine, for super-cute jewellery - their new swallows-in-winter necklace has just been added to my personal wishlist - and Miller Harris for truly decadent perfumes.

There are at least a dozen pubs and bars, several good places for lunch or supper, and, finally, Candy Cakes, for that point in the day when, if you're going to get it all done, you just need to stop, get a hot drink, and consume enough sugar and food colouring to keep a toddler hyperactive for a week."
- Miss Alice

* Photo by Random Acts of Photography, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

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.