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

Cheap eats - Dr Holt

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

"Sign up for to the www.VoucherCodes.co.uk newsletter, and enjoy 2 main courses for the price of one or 2 courses for £10 or other similar deals."- Dr Holt

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

Cheap eats - Kris

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

"As is the case with many stereotypes, the belief that everyone in Britain eats fish and chips wrapped in newspaper has a kernel of truth. Fish and chips has spread across the country, and even has regional variations, but it is, in its origin, a London combination. The oldest, still running, chippy (as is slang for the fish and chip shop) is in Covent Garden. A Rock and Sole Plaice has been going since 1871.

Other chippies you may want to check out are the Golden Hind and our own local, the Golden Fish Bar, which was named the number one chippy in London.

Try to eat your fish and chips hot and fresh, don't be afraid of getting salt and vinegar, and the most popular types of fish are cod (in the South) and Haddock (in the North). Plaice is also a great choice if you're feeling like a change. If you aren't feeling that hungry, see if they do a small portion, or share the chips with a friend. And try the mushy peas. They are a shade of green that shouldn't exist in nature, but they are delicious.

Enjoy!"- Kris

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

cheap eats - Miss Alice

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

"I know it's not London-specific, but it's still too big a money-saver not to at least mention - cook from scratch. At least, cook from scratch some of the time, to free up money to spend elsewhere.

If you find a local supermarket that's large enough to carry a good selection of their own-brand 'basics / value / essentials' range, and one of the local markets for bargain fruit and veg, you're in with some big savings.

Take breakfast - you can easily pay £3 - £5 for Pret or Starbucks to make you porridge and a coffee in the morning. Even if you sprang for Via sachets to keep the Starbucks taste, that's still less than a pound's worth of ingredients to DIY.

Personally, I wouldn't drink dried milk as a drink, but I think it's a store-cupboard essential for oatmeal, partly for cost, but mostly so you don't have to worry about when you last got fresh milk.

Per person, you need:

1/2 mug (value/basic/essentials) porridge oats
1 mug water
1 teaspoon dried milk powder (or use 1 mug milk)

- bring to the boil in a pan, stir, and you're done within a minute or two, when it's thickening up, or it's about 3.5 mins in the microwave, in 30 second increments to keep it from boiling over. Meanwhile, flip the kettle on to boil the water for your coffee, and get out whatever fruit, sweetener or spice you want to add to your porridge, and - that's it. Breakfast's ready. (It also takes 0% extra effort to make two or three servings, thus earning the gratitude and appreciation of any of your housemates who also have to be up and out at the same time of the morning.)

You can get as fancy as you want with the additions and toppings - a chopped apple and a good sprinkle of cinnamon cooked into it, or brown sugar, or golden syrup, or a handful of raisins, or honey, or chocolate chips, or bananas or jam or ...

If you want a full cooked English breakfast, though, that's another story - there's an art to getting eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, black pudding, mushrooms, toast and tea all ready to hit the table at the same time, and, frankly, I've never mastered it. Particularly as that lot's likely to cost you about the same as the coffee-and-oatmeal option in Starbucks, that's always seemed like a fair bargain for an occasional treat to me!"- Miss Alice

* Photo by //andreea//, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Favourite tube line? - Cornelius

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tube line, and why?

"As one of its daily commuters, I will admit to deep love / hate relationship with the Northern Line. One cannot but be impressed with its historical significance and its modern-day statistics. It was the world's first deep-level electric line to be constructed in the shape of a "tube". Until the opening of Channel Tunnel, it had the longest tunnel in the world, stretching over 17 miles from East Finchley in the north to Morden in the south.

It is also one of London's longest tube lines (36 miles long), with more stations than any other line (50). During rush hour 84 trains operate on the line at any one point in time, and the system shifts nearly 700,000 people around London every day. It also boasts Europe's longest single public escalator (nearly 200 feet long) at the Angel tube station and can lay claim to the deepest station beneath the surface at Hampstead. It also has some of the Underground's spookiest "ghost" stations such as the defunct South Kentish Town Station and King William IV Street Station.

Sadly, however, none of these facts can pacify the irate Northern Line commuter who all too frequently gets trapped in a crowded train for hours on end, often in sweltering heat, because the blasted signalling has gone down YET AGAIN at the infamous Camden Town interchange!"- Cornelius

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

Favourite tube line? - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tube line, and why?

"I suppose my favourite tube line is the Bakerloo Line - and not only because it has a bit of a funny name. The Bakerloo line isn't the oldest, but it does have a fun 'foundation myth' - apparently a number of businessmen wanted to get to and from Lords Cricket ground as quickly and easily as possible... It was founded in 1906, and ran between Baker Street and Lambeth North stations, linking London, north and south of the river.

Another, silly, reason that I like the Bakerloo line is that a number of the stpps have fun or interesting decorations - ranging from the traditional tiles of Marylebone Station, to the British-history-themed Charing Cross, to the slightly psychedelic-Sherlock Holmes tiles of Baker Street. It's fun to watch them whizz by on the way to wherever you want to go!"- Kris

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

Favourite tube line? - Ric

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tube line, and why?

"My favourite tube line is somewhat anomalous: I'm interested in the ones that have been closed and are hidden but can still be seen in and around current tube stations. The library has a copy of a recent book on the London Underground*. This website has links, photos and tips on the disused stations, lines and means to see them yourselves."- Ric

*Connor's London's Disused Underground Stations. See also David Long's books on finding 'hidden' London buildings and these on London Underground's history - Miss Alice

* Photo by Ben Sutherland, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Favourite tube line? - Dr Holt

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tube line, and why?

"The Jubilee. Not just because it has wheel-chair access from Westminster and points east, and not just because it diagonals and then horizontals so exquisitely through all manner of Londons -- but because of the play on interior and exterior architecture. Thus, descending from Parliament Square through the zig-zaggity architecture of the Westminster station reminds me of Piranesi's drawings of Rome's catacombs. Thus, ascending through the straight steep diagonal architecture of Canary Wharf evocatively be-buzzes the excitement of rising to the plaza, surrounded by striking buildings with their variegated fenestration..."- Dr Holt

Favourite tube line? - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite tube line, and why?

"I'd have to say the District Line (the green line running east and west, if you're still getting the hang of the tube map). It's one of the oldest lines - beginning operations in December 1868 between South Kensington and Westminster, and only 25 of it's 60 stations are underground, so for much of the route you can get a glimpse of the areas you're passing through.

It runs for 40 miles spanning London, tying together some really disparate areas - the leafy suburbs of Wimbledon and Richmond, through the heart of the City, to the substantially less-leafy suburbs of Dagenham and Upminster in the east. The contrast between, say, Richmond's royal park in the west, and Dagenham's reclaimed Eastbrookend County Park in the east is marked, and however you may feel about those differences, those contrasts are part of the warp and weft of the city.

Starting from the centre, with Westminster station right under the walls of Parliament, you can head west, to the museum mecca of South Kensington (V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace), and beyond to Wimbledon (Tennis) Kew (Gardens) and Richmond (Rugby and Richmond Park).

Heading east, it takes you through the City of London (past the Inner and Middle Temples and the Bank of England), to the Tower of London, and on, to the Whitechapel Gallery and Brick Lane", past the edges of the 2012 Olympic site, to Upton Park (West Ham Football Club, Green Street and Queen's Market), and beyond, to Dagenham (of 'Made in Dagenham' fame), Hornchurch and Upminster (Home of the mighty Urchins)." - Miss Alice

London walks - Kris

Question of the week: Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend is coming up, which makes this a topical time to re-visit the question - is there a walking route in London that you'd recommend?"

"I have recently discovered a website that has a number of really good London Walks, but my favourite is the one (or two, depending on how you count) that get into the history of the area around the flats. It's fascinating, and starts close to home - what could be better! If you're up for it (and it's a nice day) try to do both walks together - they'll give you a real sense of the history of Holborn, Clerkenwell and the City of London. If not, do them in chunks when you have the time and energy. But do check them out! Part 1 &Part 2. (Other walks on the same site here)"- Kris

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

London walks - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend is coming up, which makes this a topical time to re-visit the question - is there a walking route in London that you'd recommend?"

"The route I walk several times a week is along the Thames path, from Embankment down to Tower Bridge, and it's a route I love. You're walking through the heart of the city - past universities, galleries, theatres and churches, not to mention countless statues and some really beautiful street furniture - like this aquatic lamppost. Everywhere along the route, you're surrounded by beautiful buildings ancient and modern, ending with the Tower of London. And you're walking with the river as your constant companion - there's always something different to see at high tide or low."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Sarah G, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London walks - Kris

Question of the week: Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend is coming up, which makes this a topical time to re-visit the question - is there a walking route in London that you'd recommend?"

"What about the Alternative London Tour?

The area around Spitalfields is one of the most vibrant in London - the market is a big draw but the whole area is a hotbed of creative talent, including well-known artists Tracey Emin and Gilbert & George. To explore this area, why not check out the Alternative London Tour, which will show you street art, Banglatown, and give you an insight into the history of this really fascinating area."- Kris

* Photo by David Green, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London walks - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend is coming up, which makes this a topical time to re-visit the question - is there a walking route in London that you'd recommend?"

"I'm usually one for recommending free things, like most of the guided walks taking place as part of this weekend's festival, and there's an almost infinite number of routes around the city I could point to that you can explore for free, but... To break with tradition: if you're looking for a walking guide once the festival's over, then it's London Walks, hands down, no question.

A guided tour might sound touristy, but - with the possible exception of the Jack the Ripper one - London Walks' walks are anything but. I do a few each year and I've never been the only Londoner in the group: the guides are excellent and very open to questions, the groups are usually friendly, and if you want another lens to help you see London differently and more deeply, this will be £8/£6 well spent.

Want to tie a guided walk into one of your classes (or get a taster of something that didn't fit your schedule?) - take a look at their Archaeology series, their London film walks, or one of a range of literary walks. If you're already getting bored of heading to the same pubs with the same people, why not try one of their pub walks, which are, as they say, an easy and natural way to meet people as well as to explore an area of the city in detail."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Crystian Cruz, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London walks - Ric

Question of the week: Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend is coming up, which makes this a topical time to re-visit the question - is there a walking route in London that you'd recommend?"

"I'd like to commend a walk along the canal tow-path from near Angel, Islington westward thru' Camden Lock and Market, and along to Primrose Hill, Regent's Park and London Zoo (where, incidentally I will taking a group of students next Friday, 28th). This site illustrates the route well." - Ric

(Follow this link for previous walking recommendations)

* Photo by Dave Catchpole, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Looking forward to in London - Prof Kucich

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011

"Among the many splendid current and soon to open art exhibitions in London, the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition on "Modern British Sculpture" is one I'm particularly looking forward to seeing (it opens this weekend). The Royal Academy of Arts, a marvellous art institution just a few minutes walk from the London Centre near Piccadilly Circus, describes this event as "the first exhibition for 30 years to examine British sculpture of the twentieth century. The show represents a unique view of the development of British sculpture, exploring what we mean by the terms British and sculpture by bringing the two together in a chronological series of strongly themed galleries, each making its own visual argument."

Another wonderful art exhibition close to the London Centre is currently on at Tate Britain. Titled "Romantics," it offers a magnificent display of the inspiring and passionate works of great artists of the Romantic Era (late 18th and early 19th centuries), such as Blake, Turner, and Fuseli."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by Miss Alice

Looking forward to in London - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"Next weekend (29th and 30th) is Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend, which is always an opportunity to explore new places with great guides.

Further ahead? Today's post had several tickets in it, so I am full of anticipation for so many wonderful things - Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Frankenstein at the National Theatre (I just scraped in - it's sold out and day-tickets only now, or you could catch it at a live cinema screening). Bartabas combining horsemanship and dance at Sadlers Wells, as well as les ballets C de la B and Rambert Dance Company (tickets from £10, £8/each if you book two shows at the same time.) And the re-start of the London Rollergirls season, of course."- Miss Alice

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

Looking forward to in London - Cornelius

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"Sir Derek Jacobi's performance of King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse theatre. Jacobi is widely acclaimed as probably the greatest living Shakespearean actor, and yet he has never performed the Bard's greatest tragic hero, King Lear. The production opened to universal acclaim, with reviews describing Jacobi's performance as the greatest Lear of this generation. Tickets to the live performance are like gold dust, but do not despair. On 3 February the National Theatre is arranging to broadcast a live performance in hundreds of cinemas around the world. For London venues check out their website."- Cornelius

* Photo by cormac70, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Looking forward to in London - Kris

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"The Royal Wedding

If you've been living under a rock for the last two months, this might come as a surprise: Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married in April. If, like me, you have been aware of the world around you, you'll know that the last weekend of April is going to be one huge, non-stop celebration to honour the couple (and the extra day off that a royal wedding brings to most working people in Britain).

Royal weddings are rather rare events, so I'm really happy that I'm going to be around to enjoy the fun and excitement that the planning and the event will doubtless cause. Wills and Kate seem genuinely happy together, and if we can't celebrate that, what can we celebrate!

Happy wedding, Wills and Kate!"- Kris

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

Looking forward to in London - Ric

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"Try this for size: February - Sing with the English National Opera

Know the Show is a unique opportunity for anyone passionate about singing to learn choruses from current ENO repertoire. Working with a professional choral director and members of the ENO Chorus, it's a brilliant chance to improve your singing, explore operas from ENO's season, meet other like-minded singers and have great fun! At each event, there is also a special guest to provide further insights into ENO's work.

No previous singing experience required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved! Printed music is provided for all singers, although you don¹t need to read music to take part.

Save the date!
The Mikado, Sat 12 Feb 2011

Join us for the next 'Know the Show' event in February. We¹ll be learning choruses from Gilbert and Sullivan's ever-popular opera The Mikado, with support from ENO chorus members.

Time: 10am-5pm

Suitable for: ages 14+; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Tickets: £35, £20 concessions
Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London, NW1 7AY
Nearest tube station: Camden Town


More to follow, surely..." RPW

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

Welcome to London

Welcome to a new year, and a new semester, and welcome to the LUP blog - a place where we share still more about the city, for those of you interested enough to subscribe, or visit regularly to read.

Take a look back through the archives for almost a years worth of suggestions and recommendations, and if you have ideas for questions that you'd like us to post about, let us know!

Who are we? We're the LUP staff, and below are just a handful of the things we've been writing about over the past year and a half:

Greg Kucich, program director, who's suggested a couple of key resources, appreciates the South Bank and lists Handel's Water Music as his favourite London music.

Laura Holt, deputy director, who's a fan of London's many markets , and orchestras, museums, and churches, as well as beautiful places elsewhere in the UK and beyond.

Cornelius, associate director, who has recommended a trip down to Greenwich, the White Cube gallery, and a wonderful opportunity to get free and discounted theatre tickets.

Kris Dahl, rector, who has recommended a great many places to visit, close to the London Centre, close to the flats, further afield in London, the UK, and Europe.

Ric Whaite, rector, who has some suggestions for getting off the beaten track, getting a great view of the city, getting a good deal, and getting a bus to visit some dinosaurs.

Miss Alice, librarian, who's enthused about London - everything! London books (fiction and factual), London poems, gig venues, music and dance events (as well as recommending some practical stuff).

Hal, in the LUP Office, who has recommended fencing, a guide to one of London's great cemeteries, and the beautiful New Forest.

Catherine, also in the LUP Office, who has recommended some favourite spots along the river Thames, some money-saving websites, and confessed to being terrified of a nursery rhyme.

* Photo by Feggy Art, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Things to do in the week before Christmas.

Unfortunately, our students have been caught up in the snow-related travel chaos, and instead of getting to go home, they have an unexpected extra few days in London. It's far from ideal, but now that everyone's got somewhere to stay, and a new flight home booked, attention turns to making the best of the unstructured time in London.

Free things going on this week

If you were wishing for more time to delve into the British Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Natural History Museum, or Wellcome Collection - this would be a great time to visit London's many free museums and art galleries.

For a specifically Christmas twist, the Geffrye Museum's annual Christmas Past exhibition is a must - a glimpse of how Christmas has been celebrated in ordinary family homes in England from 1600 to the present day.

You could take a guided tour of the nativities in the National Gallery on Wednesday, 1–2pm, meet at the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk, or a 'The Ghost of Christmas Past' tour at the National Portrait Gallery on Thursday evening (19:30-20:00. Meet in Main Hall)

The V&A is always a treasure trove, but their 'So Noble a Confection: Producing and Consuming Chocolate, 1600 - 2000' exhibition seems particularly suitable for the season

Carol singing - we've already talked about the daily carols in Trafalgar Square, but if you'd like more of an opportunity to join in, why not attend St Martin in the Fields' Community Carols at 6.30 on Tuesday?

"The Christmas story told in carols and readings, through the voices of those who live and work around Trafalgar Square. Doors open 5.30pm. All are welcome. No tickets required but come early to be certain of a seat."

For a more alternative Christmas activity, try Cryptmas, an installation in the crypt under St Pancras Church, 11-7 until the 22nd.

Not-free things going on in London this week

Looking for a Christmas concert?

Westminster Cathedral's Christmas Celebration concerts are on the 21st and 22nd, and there are still ticket available.

Alternatives? concertfinder.org suggests:

Monday 20th
Who: Passamezzo
Where: St Johns Wood Church, London 7.30 p.m.
What: "To Shorten Winter's Sadness": 16th and 17th Century music, words and song for Christmas and Winter' - includes music by Byrd, Gibbons, Weelkes, Hume, Peerson and East and readings from Shakespeare, Stow, Herrick and Evelyn.
Ticket/Info: Tickets £10 (£8 concessions) from 07980 516054

Tuesday 21st.
Who: London Forest Choir
Where: St Mary's Church, Walthamstow Village, London E.17 7.30 p.m.
What: Christmas Concert
Ticket/Info: £10, concessions £8, students £5 - available from ticket secretary on 0208 531 4837
on the website: www.londonforestchoir.org or on the door.

Ballet is a traditional festive treat:

Both the Royal Ballet's traditional Cinderella and Matthew Bourne's version set in London during the Second World War may be sold out, but the Royal Opera House still has a handful of cheap seats for two seasonal ballet spectaculars - Les Patineurs / Tales of Beatrix Potter in the main theatre, and the festive Fairies in their smaller venue. They also have day tickets and standbys, which give you a chance of getting in to an otherwise sold-out performance. (For Matthew Bourne's Cinderella, Sadlers Wells do limited standby tickets from 1 hour before each show.)

Looking for something else out of a fairy tale? Kensington Palace's Enchanted Palace really is enchanting - save £1 on the ticket price by booking online.

20th December - Bloomsbury Voices: HOLLY, IVY AND DIRTY LITTLE CREEPERS. at the Poetry Cafe in Covent GardenWith Stephanie Gerra, Wendy Shutler and guest poet Tim Murdoch. Songs by Steve Dagleish, Ben Richardson and Ivor Game. £6/4

21st December - Poetry Unplugged at the poetry Cafe in Covent Garden - London's premier open mic night. Come and sign up between 6 and 7pm to be in the line up, 7.30 - 10pm to join the audience. Hosted by Niall O'Sullivan. £4/3


All the usual advice about last minute theatre ticket deals still stands, but, of course, the ultimate in Christmas theatre in the UK is the traditional pantomime. There's Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire, the London story of Dick Whittington at the Lyric, or if you can't decide, there's 'Potted Panto' cramming seven classic pantos into a single evening at the Vaudeville Theatre.

- Miss Alice

What are you looking forward to - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"What am I looking forward to? - Sadlers Wells Sampled in January - a two-day festival of top class dance at one of London's premier dance venues, at bargain basement prices.

It's designed as a taster menu, letting you sample a number of different dance styles, with tickets from just £6. This year's line up has some really big names including the Balletboyz, ABT and Zoonation - and you really can't argue with the price.

Even if you've never been to a dance performance - especially if you've never been to a dance performance - this is the perfect place to start."- Miss Alice

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

What are you looking forward to? - Kris

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"One thing that I'm looking forward to in the new year is the upcoming exhibition at the British Museum 'Afghanistan:Crossroads of the Ancient World'. Many of the objects were believed to have been lost in the turmoil of the last few decades, but now they've been returned to the National Museum in Kabul. The site is well worth a look!"- Kris

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

Personal festive traditions - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"One of my favourite Christmas events in London is the wide range of Carol concerts. Some of them are free, some of them donate the admission price to charity, some are performed by professional choirs, some encourage singing along. There's really something for every taste. So, if you want a warm way to get into the holiday season, check out the concerts that are going on all month! Some of the best are listed here in Time Out"- name

* Photo by Steve Punter, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Personal festive traditions - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"Anyone who's been by my office this week will know that I've got my Christmas music mix on permanent repeat at the moment, and it's probably not that much of a surprise to discover that one of my Christmas traditions is to get to at least one or two festive concerts and carol services - including at least one where I can join in with the singing. It's been a very long time since I was a choir member, but there's something about those most familiar of songs, and the mingled voices of the crowd that I would miss no end if I couldn't share in."- Miss Alice

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