So - this is goodbye.

The last undergraduate students of the 2011/12 academic year have finished their programs, and after three years (and over 475 posts) we've decided to wrap up this blog. The archives will remain, but we'll be focussing our energies elsewhere in the new academic year.

Thank you, for your readership, thank you again to the photographers who have shared their work under creative commons, and have illustrated these posts, and thank you to all the members of the LUP team, past and present, who have contributed to this project.

Once the new academic year comes around in August you'll find us sharing our enthusiasm for London on Facebook, Twitter, and at our own website, nd.edu/~ndlondon/ug

So long, safe travels, and farewell.

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

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.

The South Bank

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

"My favourite spot on the South Bank is the Roof Garden on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall/Purcell Room. Take the yellow spiral staircase up from ground level, and you'll find a café/bar at the top where you can buy a drink and then sit and drink it with the most spectacular view of the river and surrounded by a beautiful garden, lovingly maintained by a local community group. Well worth a visit."- Jamie

* Photo by shaggy359, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

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?

"If you are not into the musical theatre scene and wish to explore something different, then you might want to consider the London Festival of Architecture 2012 which is based on the theme of the ‘Playful City’. I think the most interesting part of the festival will be the exhibition of ‘The Developing City’. This exhibition will trace back to the City and its growth back to the Roman times and make its way through all the way to a vision of what the City might look like in 2050. Interestingly enough, in addition to the more common factors that contribute to the evolution of architecture in any city (such as climate and culture), the envisioned 2050 City will reflect the influence of banking reform. What might that look like? Check it out at http://www.lfa2012.org/events/."- Christina

* Photo by .Martin.'s buddy icon .Martin., 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?

"Watch Trafalgar Square transform into a West End Live festival this weekend! West End Live is an annual celebration of West End productions where all the top-selling musicals such as ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘Les Miserables’ are performed live right here in Trafalgar Square for a full weekend! (23-24 June) It’s an amazing opportunity to get a glimpse of all the glitz and glamour that London West End theatre has to offer and the fact that it is all free is JUST amazing. So, grab yourself a cup of coffee on Saturday and head over to Trafalgar Square where you can enjoy the show(s)!"- Christina

* Photo by hibri, 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?

"Summer in London can be most enjoyable because there are many evenings when the temperature is just right: warm and cool at the same time. Since there is no beach around, the river serves as a London substitute, so a pub or cafe along the South Bank can be the perfect host to a warm summer evening. If you walk down along the South Bank, there are a number of great pubs and cafes overlooking the river where you can catch amazing views of the City and watch (not hear!) the water of the Thames flow below. The Anchor is one such place and is a delight in the summer time!"- Christina

* Photo by Ewan-M, 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.

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.

London by Summer

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

"Lazy days spent in one of London's fabulous parks with a picnic and a frisbee. A particular favourite is Hampstead Heath, where you should be sure to take a dip in one of the famous swimming ponds. Great fun!"- Jamie

* Photo by jaremfan, 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?

"Instead of recommending a specific place, I think it might be more useful if I suggest a site where you can find affordable trips around Britain by bus! Just go to National Express where you will find plenty of destinations to choose from, and if you don't mind travelling by bus, then you can find some great deals! And don’t underestimate the luxury of the bus where you can watch the landscapes glide past you."- Christina

* Photo by net_efekt's buddy icon net_efekt, 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.

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?

"I'd have to say that St Martin's Lane, behind Trafalgar Square, is one of those small streets that many wouldn't notice unless by accident or if suggested by someone else. It is a small street with extensive options, such as theatres, cafes and second-hand bookshops. It's wonderful how such a narrow, relatively quiet street is home to all these things! The best part is, you don't have a lot of street traffic, as is mostly typical in other London locations, and you can buy yourself a book, go to a neighbouring cafe and enjoy your time reading or chatting with friends."- Christina

* Photo by markhillary, 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.

Around Trafalgar Square

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

"Notes Coffee Shop, St. Martin's Lane. Not so hidden perhaps, but to my taste buds, the best cup of coffee in London, and a great place to bring a book and get some reading done."- Jamie

* Photo by Yukino Miyazawa, 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?

"Hello! My name is Christina and I am the Program Administrator for the LSP. I am based in the London Centre Undergraduate Office where you are welcome to pop by any time if you have any questions, need to pick up theatre tickets (!), sign up for events, or need to find out where and when your next class is! Really, any assistance you need, I am here to help you. Looking forward to a great summer! "- Christina

* Photo by caracolquiscol, 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.

Introductions - LSP 2012

Introductions: What do you do for the LSP?”

"Hello all! I'm Jamie, and I'm one of the LSP's two Rectors. My job is based mainly over at Conway Hall, where I'm here to help all students on the program to get the most out of their time in London, and to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. My hours on duty are 6pm-Midnight on Tuesdays and Thursdays, together with every other weekend. During those times you'll find me roaming the corridors of Conway hoping for a good old chat, and to find out if there is anyway I can help."- Jamie

* Photo by maistora, 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.

Exams, Exams, Exams

This is a very hectic week for all of us here at the London Centre which means the blog is on pause too, but we wanted to wish you all good luck on your exams!

* Photo by fee-ach, 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?

"It is impossible to see not all, but most, of London’s treasures in one visit as the city is so overwhelmingly filled with exciting places and events. London is not a static city but a bustling centre that is constantly evolving; chances are, when you get here a second time, there will be numerous places to see or events to visit that were not here the first time around!"- Christina

* Photo by MykReeve, 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.