Taking Back Sunday in London

Taking Back Sunday is a globally renowned rock band which has its originally formed in New York, America in the year 1999. The first album of this band came in the year 2001 but, it did not do well initially. After the release of their first album, the band changed the line up of their artists. Soon after the change of the line up the second album known as – Tell All Your Friends was released. This was the actual flavour of success for the band. The band performed several stage shows along with other popular bands such as Brand New, The Used and many more. The band was also a part of the Vans Warped Tour held in 2003. In the middle of the career of this band two of the artists left the band and this departure led to a doubtful future of this band. Currently this outstanding rock band consists of the following performers –:

Lead Vocals – Adam Lazzara
Vocals, Guitar – Matt Fazzi
Drummer – Mark O’Connell
Lead Guitarist – Eddie Reyes
Bass, Vocals – Matt Rubano

The new group has also performed with several celebrated performers in some of the most successful tours in the history of rock music. Though the band is quite old now but, every time it comes with a new album it sounds as refreshing and rocking as ever. This probably is the reason of the huge fan following of the band and the unparallel popularity of the band. Taking Back Sunday has its origin in United States but, it is also well known in other parts of the world. The band recently had quite a few numbers of shows in UK and is still performing in the city. The group is ready to rock the floors at the music hub of Heaven in London. Following are some of the details of this forthcoming event-:

Date
4th August 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Venue
Heaven
9, The Arches, Villiers St
London WC2N 6NG
United Kingdom
(The venue is sited on the Villiers Street sited, easily accessible from the Charing Cross railway station.)

Price
17 Pounds approximately
Age Restriction

Children below 14 years are not allowed. Children between 14 – 15 years should be accompanied by adults.

Nearest Tube
Embankment tube station

Hurry up and book the tickets as soon as possible. You can visit the following site for more info on this concert and concert tickets:
“http://www.ticketswitch.com/tickets/slink.buy/lonnet/p.1CDJ/londonnet/london/heaven/taking-back-sunday.html”

Buoyant Bond Street

London, besides being one of the most desired tourist destinations is also well known as a shopper’s paradise. The place is extremely popular for its trendy and elegant fashion statements. The city has various streets dedicated to shops offering clothes, fashion accessories, shoes, jewellery, books and almost everything that one could thing of purchasing.

Oxford Street, Regents Street, Covent Garden, Marylebone, Soho, Chinatown, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly and Bond Street are some of the most popular markets in the city. These streets are extremely crowded and attract millions of tourists every year. After Paris and New York, London is a hub of fashion industry.

Bond Street is one of the most visited streets in London. It is home to several brands such as Gucci, Armani and many more. Located in the region of Mayfair, it is easily accessible from the Bond Street, Green Park, Oxford Circus tube stations and several other public transports. You can find some of the most expensive and elegant shops in this market. It is a best place in London to get antiques, artworks and perfumes. Bond Street is also the major street in the region of West End, which is commonly known as a shopping district.

It has been a renowned street for shopping since the 18th century and thus it is also considered as a valuable part of history. Boutiques of several renowned and premium designers are also sited at Bond Street. Donna Karan, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Niccole Fahri, Ralph Lauren and Versace are some of the most premium names in this area. London’s Sotheby’s Auction House is also located at Bond Street. As far as the jewellery is concerned the street is particularly famous for diamonds and Tiffany, Cartier and Asprey and Garrard are some of the exclusive brands located in the region.

You can also explore various London attractions located around the Bond Street such as Royal Academy of Arts, Photographers Gallery, Liberty of London, Animation Art Gallery, Royal Institution of Great Britain and Allen Cristea. The Bond Street also offers a variety of entertainment venues such as the Queens Theatre, Prince of Whales Theatre, Leichester Square Theatre and much more. Several events are organized in the area all round the year. The place is also well known for dining and is home to several restaurants such as Sketch, Via Condotti, Patterson’s, Wild Honey, The Square and Hibiscus. Bond Street is also popular for night life. It truly illustrates the flavour London’s vivacious night life.

It is a home to several renowned pubs and night clubs such as Madame Jojo’s, Umbaba, Elysium, Molton House, Funky Buddha and Mahiki. London’s renowned fashion college – Cordwainers at London College of Fashion is also located close to the Bond Street. Several luxurious London hotels are also located at the Bond Street such as Grange Langham Court Hotel, Grange St Paul’s Hotel and many more. Thus it can be said the Bond Street is the best place for the fashionistas. It is extremely popular amongst the tourists and is often familiar as London’s most elite shopping destination. You can read about the other shopping districts in London in my previous post -

http://placesinlondon.blogspot.com/2009/06/oxford-street-londons-popular-shopping.html

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most vivacious attractions in the city and it alone attracts millions of tourists every year. This beautiful landmark was named after its spectacular towers. This is also well known as Victorian Bridge and is more than 100 years old. This iconic landmark was creatively designed by the renowned architects – Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry. It took several years to turn this design into a reality and finally it was completed in the year 1894. This bridge is 197 feet long and is raised to a height of around 43 meter in order to allow the large ships to pass the bridge.

Earlier it was raised 50 times in a day but the number has eventually reduced to 5 times in a week.

You can observe a great view of Central London from the top of the tower. The experience of exploring the tower from inside is also outstanding. You can also discover the unique mechanism, with the use of which the tower is raised. The Tower Bridge should not be confused with the London Bridge, which is actually just the next to the Tower Bridge. It is easily accessible from the Tower Hill London Underground. Several exhibitions are also hosted at the walkways, twin towers and Victorian Engine room of the Tower Bridge.

The exhibitions are hosted and the history of the Tower Bridge is explained using interactive, films and photos. The walkways at the Tower Bridge offer astonishing views of the river Thames and several other renowned attractions. Thus the place is extremely popular amongst the nature lovers. The exhibitions at Tower Bridge are opened from 10:00 – 18:30 from the month of April – September. In order to make your tour even more exciting and memorable it is recommended to book the tickets well in advance. You can avail discounts on the rates of the tickets, if you are planning to visit in a group.

Behind the Scenes Tour, Introductory talks and Private evening tours can also be booked in advance. You can also take the assistance of experienced guides who can help to explore the tower in a better way. Several restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and bars are also sited around the Tower Bridge. You can also relish a great shopping experience at the London’s Borough Market and several other shops at the Southwark, which are within the walking distance from the Tower Bridge. London’s Tower of London, City Hall, HMS Belfast, Globe Theatre and the Monument are also located close to the Tower Bridge.

For more information read the following related post-
Tower of London.

Regents Street

London is globally renowned for its latest fashion trends. You can explore several shopping streets in the city. Regents Street, Piccadilly Circus, Bond Street and Oxford Street are some of the most popular shopping destinations in the city. Amongst all the above destinations Regents Street is the most popular amongst all the age groups. Situated between the Mayfair and the Soho, the region is always crowded. It is regarded as the trendiest areas in the city. Regents Street is located in the happening area of West End.

It is more common amongst the tourists in the city, though crowd also consists of the local Londoners. Regents Street is the most decorated and crowded during the Christmas celebrations. Regents Street is home to several buildings and almost all of them are guarded as Listed Building. All these buildings are together known as Regents Street Conservation area. There are several remarkable places and shops sited at the Regents Street. Let’s get to know something more about some of them:

• Apple Retail Store: Opened in the year 2004, it is the best and the most stylish stores in the city. This was the first store of Apple group in the entire Europe. Today, the Apple retail store at the regent’s street is the largest retail store of Apple group in the entire world.
• All Souls Church: Sited close to the Broadcasting House is the All Souls Church of Langham Palace. The church is one of the most popular and crowded in the city. This building was creatively designed by John Nash.

• Broadcasting House: It is the home to the BBC headquarters. Besides BBC, various other radio stations also broadcast this building.
• Austin Reed: You can find an atrium at the centre of Austin Reed, its glass lifts allows all the visitors to see across all the floors. From women wear to barber shop and unisexual beauty centre, you can find every thing at Austin Reed.

Aquascutum, Boots and Burberry are some other famous stores at the street. You can also relish delicious cuisines and drinks at the finest restaurants in the city, located at the Regents Street. Absolute Ice Bar, Apostrophe, Aubaine, Carnaby and Caffe Nero are some of the best eateries in the region of Regents Street. Parking facility is also easily available in this area. The place is within the easy reach from the Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus tube stations. You can also explore the Photographers Gallery and Animations Art Gallery located within the walking distance from the Regents Street. Thus net time you plan to visit London or you plan to shop in the city, Regents Street is a must to explore.

Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves are London’s famous man made caves and are very popular amongst the tourists.  These caves have been reportedly stood here through the history dating back to the year 1250 and made a silver mark for themselves in the London history. The Chislehurst Caves are located in the south eastern suburbs of Greater London. The Caves have been used as a popular film location. Famous movies like ‘Doctor Who and the Mutants’, ‘Seven Natural Wonders’, ‘Tribe’ and the ‘Merlin’ were shot here. The Caves have become a major tourist attraction in London lately.

History
The mines are rumoured to be initiated back in 1250. Last they were worked upon in the 1830s. During the First World War, the Caves were used as an ammunition depot for the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. The Chislehurst Caves have also been used for mushroom cultivation. The Caves were used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. In no time, the Caves had transformed into a city. The underground city ran on electric lighting and had a chapel and a hospital. After the Victory Day in Europe (VE day) the caves were closed to the public.

Many musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd have also performed at the caves during the 1960s. Led Zeppelin had a huge media party organized at the Caves after the success of their first album. Lately in 2008, Cradle of Filth also shot a video for their music album in the Chislehurst Caves. The Caves have been used in a RPG game called ‘Labyrinthe’ recently.
Attractions at the Chislehurst Caves

• Caves Church
• Druid Altar
• Haunted Pool

Facilities Chislehurst Caves offers

• Gift Shop
  There is a gift shop to help the customers take back souvenirs of the tour to Chislehurst. The gift shop also offers jewellery and collectables.
• Free Car Parking
  There are plenty of free parking spaces available for you to park your car, coach or motorbike.
• Restaurant
  The restaurant offers traditional English breakfast and lunch, prepares fresh meals and puts forwards daily specialties. The restaurant is famous for its Skull cakes and Bat cakes. The Caves Restaurant can also be booked for special occasions and parties.
• Private Tours/Party and Advanced Bookings
  Clubs and groups can book the Chislehurst for evening tours. These tours usually last a little longer than the normal 45 minute tour and are extendable up to one and a half hours.
  The Chislehurst Cave can be booked for Birthday Parties to add a tint of ghost stories and excitement which includes buffet meal at the Cave Restaurant.
  The Chislehurst can be booked in advanced for a private tour. This facility is mainly to cater to schools and educational institutes as the Caves tour provides an interactive infotainment about World War 2.

 

Location, Entrance Fee and Timings
The three most important things for a tourist to know:-
Where are the Chislehurst Caves located?
The Chislehurst Caves are located at the Old Hill, Kent, London.

What is the admission fee?
There is a £5 entry fee for adults. £3 fee for under 16 and free for children under 5.

What are the Chislehurst Cave timings?
The caves are open only 5 days a week every Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm BST. There are hourly guided tours too. The Chislehurst Caves however remains open on local school and bank holidays excluding Christmas and New Year.

How to travel to Chislehurst Caves?

• One can walk from Chislehurst Railway station. It hardly takes 5 minutes to get to Chislehurst Caves and one can locate it easily around the Bikcley Arms public house.
• If you plan your journey via bus, you can take 269 and 162 which would drop you to Chislehurst Station. From there you can just walk down to the Chislehurst Caves.
• You can take tubes from Charing Cross and London Bridge to Chislehurst tube Station too.
• And if you are taking your car around the city, remember to take A222 between A20 and A21.  Take the Station road and then take a right turn for Caveside Close.

The Freud Museum in London

London is home to several globally renowned museums and galleries. Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Science Museum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Freud Museum are some of the most visited museums in England. The Freud Museum in London was opened in the year 1986. It is one the most popular London attractions. The museum is located in Maresfield Gardens in Hampstead. The museum features Freud family memorabilia, papers, books, couches and antiquities. The museum is open to public only five days a week on Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm BST.

History
The Nazi captured Austria in the year 1938. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, moved to London just after the invasion. He moved to Maresfield Gardens in Hampstead with his family, which is now where the Freud Museum stands. Freud expired the same year as he was in his eighties. The Freuds shifted all their belongings like their furniture, Freud’s psychoanalytic couch, Beidermeier chests, tables and cupboards. The museum’s collection includes Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Oriental antiques and a portrait of Freud by the great Salvador Dali. The museum is also an active member of London Museums of Health & Medicine.
The Freud Museum in London is not the “only Freud Museum” in the world. There is another Freud Museum in Vienna and the most recent in Pribor, Czech Republic. The Freud Museum in Pribor, was opened by the Czech president Václav Klaus and four of Freud's great-grandsons.  The museum is dedicated to Sigmund Freud.

The museum is also filled with memoirs of Anna, his daughter. Anna lived there for more than 40 years and developed and studied psychoanalysis.  She died in 1982 and before that she had done everything imaginable to pay her tributes to her dad, Sigmund Freud by transforming the house into the Freud Museum.

What is there in Freud Museum to be explored?

• Freud’s psychoanalytic couch where Sigmund Freud’s patients used to sprawl.
• Freud’s Library which contains Freud’s favourite authors including Shakespeare, Heine, Multatuli, Goethe and Anatole France. The library also includes books on literature, philosophy, art, psychology, medicine, history and psychoanalysis.
• There are classic pictures collected by Freud himself on display too. They are the Riddle of the Sphinx and The lesson of Dr Charcot Oedipus
• Photographs on the walls include famous people like Martha Freud (Sigmund Freud’s wife), Lou Andreas-Salomé, Maria Bonaparte (Princess), Ernst Von Fleischl and Yvette Guilbert.
• Freud’s study also displays antiques from ancient Rome, Egypt, Orient and Greece. Collecting antiquities from all over the world was Freud’s second habit only after his addiction to cigars.

Dining Room
The Dining Room has Austrian country furniture and is full of paintings of the alpine region where Freud used to spend most of his holidays.

Conservatory
The Conservatory is at the backside of the building which was earlier a terrace or veranda. The museum shop is located here now.

Anna Freud Room
Anna Freud’s Room is located on the first floor. One can look at her work, her analytic couch, and also memoirs of her assistant Dorothy Burlingham.

Exhibition Room
The Exhibition Room is where the museum hosts exhibitions on contemporary art.

Video Room
There is a video room in the Freud Museum where the visitors can view video clips of the Freuds’ life and history.

Garden
The garden has all the plants Freud loved during the stages of his life. It has terracotta flower pot, hortense, roses, clematis, almond trees, curved bench and tables strategically placed in the shade. There also stands the pine tree which was knee-high at the time when Anna Freud had planted it.

Collections
The museum contains the finest antiques Freud’s house displayed. One can experience the magnificent carpets, Renaissance works of art and hidden collections like family photographs. The museum has 2,000 antiques in display.

Exhibitions
The Freud Museum can be hired for meetings, formal dinners and for filming. Art Exhibitions take place there every now and then.

Nearest Tube Stations
The nearest tube stations are Finchley Road (Jubilee & Metropolitan line), Swiss Cottage Tube and Hampstead Tube.

Admission Fee
The admission fee is £3.00 for adults and there is concession of £1.50 for children under 12.

At the Freud Museum one can experience Sigmund Freud’s life intimately. Many psychoanalysis students come to the Freud Museum to learn from the master.

What’s on at London Trafalgar Square

London is amongst the most vibrant tourists destinations in the world. The city hosts a large variety of events every year. Besides sightseeing, shopping and exploring London places, to be a part of these events is apparently a must to do if you are visiting UK.

Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular London places which is not only known as an iconic London landmark or sightseeing place in London but it is also one of the best venue for several entertaining events in London. It is used for a wide range of events such as filming, demonstrations, photographic shoots, performances and promotional activities. The Fourth Plinth at the Trafalgar Square is especially renowned for hosting art, music and theatre events.

Events at Trafalgar Square

• The Barber of Seville
  The event will take place on the 15th of July 2009 at the Trafalgar Square. It will be the broadcast of the popular Barber of Seville – Royal Opera House. The opera art form itself is extremely popular not only in London but in the entire Europe and thus it is one of the most awaited events in the city. This opera event is absolutely free of charge.

• Sightseeing Photography Tour - Guided Walk
  This event is organized at the Trafalgar Square on every Tuesday from 1 pm to 5 pm. In the tour you can capture the beauty of several historic sights in the city. Some of these historic sights are the Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Statue of Eros, fourth plinth and many more highlights of this popular London place. You need to book the tickets for this event which will cost you around 75 pounds per person. The tickets can also be booked well in advance. The same event is held on every Monday exclusively for Women.

• Antony Gormley’s One & Other – The Fourth Plinth
  The event is going on at the Fourth Plinth and will end on 14th October 2009. This event will continue for 100 days, 24 hours without a single break. You can also visit the square and make the plinth your own. If you get selected by the sculptor Antony Gormley, you can occupy the plinth and use it as you like for demonstrations, performances etc. One and other is an event open to anyone and everyone staying in UK and is above the age of 16 years. To take part in the event you need to register online at oneandother.co.uk. Even if you are not living in UK you can go at the plinth and enjoying the event.

Facilities at Trafalgar Square

• Café offering a wide range of locally sourced food and drinks.
• Public Toilets.
• Heritage Wardens to help the visitors and to provide information.

Getting Here????

Trafalgar Square is easily accessible from several parts of the city. Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Embankment are the nearest Tube stations from the Trafalgar Square.

Where to Stay????

• The Grand at Trafalgar Square
  It is a 4 star London hotel sited just a stones throw from the Trafalgar Square. This luxury hotel offers 63 opulent rooms with several contemporary room amenities such luggage storage, wireless internet, laundry and 24 hour room service. Business facilities are also available in the hotel.

• Radisson Edwardian Hampshire
  Located in the region of Leicester Square, this 5 star hotel in London is one of the most comfortable accommodations around Trafalgar Square. The hotel hosts 124 well appointed rooms with several facilities such as restaurant, terrace, luggage storage, fitness centre, business centre, currency exchange and much more.

• Grange White Hall Hotel
  It is amongst the best hotels in London sited in the ravishing region of Russell Square. The hotel has an easy access to several London attractions including Trafalgar Square. The hotel offers 60 en suite rooms and 8 conference rooms with several world class facilities.

All the above information might help you out while you explore the London city.

London Sightseeing Tours

London, the capital of United Kingdom is sited close to the beautiful banks of the river Thames. The city has an affluent cultural heritage and the imperial traditions of the city have always created an impact on the world history. The city is home to several galleries, museums and tourist attractions. Besides London attractions, London sightseeing is also extremely popular amongst the tourists.

Let’s talk about some of the famous London sights and Sightseeing tours:

• Chinatown
  London’s Chinatown is one of the most vibrant locations in the city. The place is located between the Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square, close to the renowned Soho. The region offers a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, café’s, night clubs and much more. All these happening places make Chinatown one of the most vivacious districts in London. Gerrard Street is the main drag of this district. Amongst the population of 80000 Chinese in London about 40% live in the Chinatown. During the celebrations of the Chinese New Year, papier- mache lion dance is performed at the streets of the city. This celebration itself is one of the biggest events in London. The Chinatown specifically is decorated beautifully during the celebrations. The renowned boutiques of the West End are also close to this London sight. It is easily accessible through the Leichester Square tube station.

• Downing Street:
  Downing Street is one of the most popular front doors in the entire world. It is the Prime Ministers Office, state events venue, venue for the cabinet and the residence for the family of the Prime Minister. The private flat of the Prime Minister – Tony Blair is on the second floor of the building. It is one of the most important places in London and thus is also a popular London sight for the tourists. At 10 Down Street you can also take an interactive tour offered at the sight by some of the experienced guides. During the tour you can explore all the 9 locations and their significance.

• Fitzroy House:
  Since the 18th century, Fitzroy House is one of the popular sights in England and is renowned for its artists and writers. Some of the best writers such as H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf were the inhabitants of the Fitzroy House. George Bernard who was a renowned Irish playwright also resided at the Fitzroy Square. It is a popular sight in the city and tours to the sight are organized very often. The sight opens at 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. but only by appointment and the admission to the sight is without any charge.

• London Aquarium:
  London Aquarium is amongst the most visited tourist attractions in the city and it is the first one of its kind in the entire England. At the London Aquarium you can discover one of the largest exhibitions based on the global aquatic life. This one of the largest exhibitions in England and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also a great resource of research for the scientists. The exhibition at the London Aquarium is displayed in 2 million litres of water. By visiting the sight you can explore several aspects of the marine life.

• Vinopolis – City of Wine:
  Vinopolis is amongst the popular sights in the city and is well known as the City of Wine. The sight is located at the bank side and easily accessible through the London Bridge tube station. The sight offers a variety of delicious food and drinks. The tours at the sight will let you know all about wine. You can spend a day at the site and learn about the making of wine. During the tour you will get 5 tokens with which you can taste 5 types of wines. Several packages offering more tokens are also available.

These sightseeing tours in London are must to explore during your trip as they are not only interesting but are also extremely informative. These tours will make your trip even more joyful and memorable. You can also avail the London sightseeing pass and also attend the London walking tours.

London’s Old Operating Theatre Museum And Herb Garret

If there is any museum in London which is different, strange and totally unusual it is the Old Operating Theatre. The museum has London’s most exciting and significant interiors and it is located in the Southwark, London near the London Bridge. The Old Operating Theatre Museum is located in the garret (Herb Garret) of St Thomas Church in Southwark which is located on the original site of the St Thomas’ Hospital. To go to the Old Operating Theatre Museum just park your car at St Thomas’s Street, London.

History
The Old Operating Theatre which is located in the heart of London is the oldest operating theatre in whole of the Europe dating back to the year 1822. The Museum has the inimitably set timber in Spanish architecture style. The Herb Garret is the part of the museum where you get to travel around the Roof space of the St. Thomas’s Church. Roof spaces of churches are usually not allowed access to the common man and are restricted to priests and nuns. By coming to the Old Operating Theatre one can also witness the classic styling of the Church Architecture.

The Old Operating Theatre was not known to everyone till it was opened for public. It was hidden in the roof of the Church and had wooden operating table and observation stands (from where students used to watch the surgery being performed). The Old Operating Theatre was open to all but then it accepted to offer medical or surgical treatment to people infected with communicable diseases. At the time of the great plague there were almost no patients treated. Another very interesting part is that the patients never took the spiral staircase in the Old Operating Theatre; they had to come from what is now the fire exit.

Why the Old Operating Theatre is called an operating theatre and museum?
The Old Operating Theatre is called an operating theatre because it served as an operation theatre to patients and surgeons long, long back. The wealthy patients were given treatment and were operated at home than in hospital. It was only for poor and most of the patients at the Old Operating Theatre were females.

It is also called a theatre because the operations were carried out in front of the audience usually consisting of students who had come to learn the art of surgery.
It is called a museum because, there is no surgery done there anymore and it is the first of its kind not just in United Kingdom but in whole of Europe. One can witness what tools the surgeons used for operations back in the 19th century.

How did the doctors (surgeons) operate back then in the days?
All operations were done without anesthetics since “anaesthesia” was only found in the year 1847. The surgeons used to perform the surgery as fast as possible since the patients were conscious during the operations. The opium and alcohol were however used to make the patients not feel the inflicting pain. It is said that the surgeons operated so fast that the entire operation would take less than a minute.

Most of the cases at the Old Operating Theatre were for amputations. The Theatre never carried out internal operations as it carried the risk of septic. The Old Operating Theatre restricted to only external amputations. The operating table used for such operations is still here at the Old Operating Theatre Museum and lies along with the sawdust box which was used for collecting blood.

A visit to the Old Operating Theatre Museum is such a tremendous experience. The spiral staircase, roof of an old church and the storage space for medicinal herbs are few of the many things to view in the Museum.

One can appreciate the advancements mankind has made in the field of modern technology and science looking at the museum. The Museum remains closed from 15th December to 5th January every year. There is a minimal admission fee and the museum opens daily from 10:30am to 5:00pm BST.

Londons Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is amongst the most popular London attractions. Millions of people not just from England but, tourists from all over the world visit the attraction almost every year. The museum was established in the year 1802 by Marie Tussauds, when she came to England along with 35 wax figures. The museum was established at Baker’s street initially and then was eventually shifted to Marylebone in the year 1884. The collection at present location is updated frequently as per the world events and opinion of the public in general.

This renowned wax museum has several branches in various large cities. It is home to the wax figures of almost all the prominent personalities. Some of the Tussauds wax figures are mentioned below:

• Brian Lara
• David Beckham
• SachinTendulkar
• Kapil Dev
• Britney Spears
• Madonna
• Angelina Jolie
• Amitabh Bachchan
• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
• Shahrukh Khan
• Salman Khan

It can be seen that from Hollywood to Bollywood, from sports to music and politics, you can find almost everyone at Madame Tussauds. It is strange but true that Gordon Brown – the British Prime Minister was stubbornly voted out by the general public and was not a part of the wax museum. Barack Obama on the other side was a part of the wax museum.

Fascinating Facts about the wax figures:

• Usually it takes around 800 hours or even more for photographing, moulding, measuring, sculpting and painting.
• The collection at the museum consists of around 400 wax figures.
• The museum has already used around 2400 lbs of the special wax from Japan which a non melting wax.
• The crucial data of all the celebrities remain to be a secret and are never revealed.
• It takes around 4 months to complete a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.
• A team of 20 or more artists are involved in the process of creating a wax figure.
• To create one figure it costs 150000 pounds.
• The largest wax figure at Tussauds is 15 feet tall and is of – The Hulk, a comic book hero.
• The smallest figure at Madame Tussauds is just 20 centimeter tall and is of Gingy - The Gingerbread Man.
• More than 500 million tourists have visited the museum since the time it was first opened.

The Madame Tussauds Museum is easily accessible from the Baker’s street tube station. The museum is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The children below 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult aged above 16 years – as per the rules of the museum. Children under 5 years of age can enter the museum without any ticket charges. Pushchairs are not allowed in the museum and can be left at the collection point. You can also avail a discount on the tickets by booking the tickets online. The museum offers a special flexi ticket for those who are not confirmed about the time and date of their visit. These tickets are valid for one week and also allow you to enter through a fast track entry.

Madame Tussauds is also one of the most popular venues for organizing corporate events. The place offers five exceptionally interactive areas designed particularly to organize informal and formal events. These areas can be decorated as per your personal choice and the requirements of the event. The areas are fully equipped with contemporary designs of lighting and sound equipments. Madame Tussauds without a doubt is an extremely interactive experience where people can get close to their much loved celebrities. It is not necessary for you to be a renowned celebrity if you want a wax figure for yourself. You just need to pay 150000 pounds! Although this figure will not be displayed in the museum but, you can the figure throughout your life.

London Places To Go

London is the capital of UK and reportedly the largest city in the European Union. London has been one of the major tourist attraction spots in the world and not just the United Kingdom. London has numerous places to observe and be awestruck at the same time by appreciating the exquisiteness and splendor of English craftsmanship.

Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is situated in central London. At its centre is Nelson's Column which stands guarded by four lion statues at its base. Statues and sculptures are on display in the square, including a fourth plinth displaying changing pieces of contemporary art and it is also a site of political demonstrations. The name reminds one of the Battle of Trafalgar which took place in 1805 where British naval forces defeated Napoleons’ forces. Trafalgar Square was originally named as “King William the Fourth’s Square” but George Ledwell Taylor changed it to what it is called today. Charing Cross, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube station are the closest London underground from the Trafalgar Square.

Buckingham Palace
London is full of attractions and has tourists flocking London streets all year round. Buckingham Palace is one such crowd puller. One can witness the changing of Royal Guards and Guards Parade on horses for free. There are daily guard changing ceremonies at Horse Guards Parade and Buckingham Palace which also makes it a good place for taking souvenir pictures. This London landmark is easily accessible from the Green Park, St James’s Park and Victoria tube station.

Big Ben
Did you know that Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Palace of Westminster in London? All this time, I actually thought it was named Big Ben. It is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock and just celebrated its 151st birthday this 10th April 2009. Big Ben is also popularly known as clock tower.

London Eye
Millennium Wheel is the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe and is one of the most popular paid attractions in the United Kingdom. It is also known as the London Eye and has three million people visiting in one year. It was first formally launched by the Prime Minister at that time, Tony Blair, on 31 December 1999, although it was not opened to the public until March 2000.The London Eye stands 443 ft above the ground and from the top of London Eye one can see far off places in London.

London Bridge or Tower Bridge?
London Bridge is falling down; falling down, falling down, London Bridge is falling down? No it isn’t! London Bridge has been standing for more than 2000 years between the City of London and Southwark in London over the river Thames. It was first built in 50 AD by Romans and at that time it was made up of wood. In 1176 the timber was replaced by stone and it took 33 years to complete and finally was ready in 1209 during King Johns rule. Many people still call the Tower Bridge as London Bridge which is pretty ignorant because they are two different bridges. London Bridge is actually the next bridge upstream river Thames after the Tower Bridge. So what you picturize is when you think of London Bridge or Tower Bridge could be wrong. Why don’t you come down to London, see these bridges and find it out yourself?
London Bridge is a bridge between the City of London and Southwark in London, England, over the River Thames.

Madame Tussauds Museum
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London which is better known as The Wax Museum all over the world has life-size wax statues of celebrities from all round the world amounting from various spheres. You can find Barrack Obama, Mahatma Gandhi , Adolf Hitler , Fidel Castro , Benazir Bhutto , Oscar Wilde , Isaac Newton, Tom Cruise , Will Smith , Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan ,Michael Jackson , Britney Spears , David Beckham, Sachin Tendulkar in the midst of other few famous wax statues.
London is a wonderful place waiting to be explored by tourists. It has magnificent shopping districts, hotels and restaurants which provide out of the world services and unmatched class and quality.

O2 London

London – the happening capital city of United Kingdom attracts millions of tourists from all the parts of the world. London is home to several party and entertainment venues. Amongst all these venues o2 Arena, London is one of the most crowded and entertaining destinations in the city. Located in the Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London it is easily accessible from the North Greenwich station on the jubilee line. There are several huge buildings in the arena and all of them have wide entrances. Shuttles from the O2 to the nearest tube station are also available. The venue opens at 9 a.m. and the timing for the last entry is 1 a.m. Tickets for the events etc are easily available at the O2 arena box office and indigoO2. This extremely large arena with the diameter of 365 metres has a height of 50 metres. The arena is as big as 10 St Paul’s Cathedral, 13 Albert Halls or 2 Wembley stadiums. Several modern facilities such as parking, security, chaplain etc are available in the arena.


The O2 London which is popular known as Millennium Domes is truly the world of a wide variety of entertainment under one roof. The O2 arena can easily accommodate around 20,000 people. The O2 arena is the most popular venue of live events and concerts. The hottest performances of the UK are held at this arena. Bon Jovi, Scissor Sisters, Britney Spears, Elton John, Justin Timber lake etc are some the globally renowned performers who have performed at the O2 arena, London. The arena can be easily transformed from a happening concert venue to a world class sporting arena. The arena dedicatedly works to promote the British sports. In fact the basketball and gymnastics finals of 2012 Olympics will also be held at the O2 arena. The indigoO2 is another entertainment venue within the O2 arena. It has the capacity to accommodate around 2400 people and is well suited for the comedy shows, live music concerts, television recording, club night or the corporate events. Several special events and exhibitions are also organized at O2.

Events in 2009 at the O2 arena-:

• British Music Experience 24th June 2009 – 15 Jan 2010
  This is one of the permanent exhibitions which is completely dedicated to the great history of the music in Britain. In this exhibition you can see that how the pop, rock, dance and other genres were actually formed. An educational programme is also organized in the arena where several concerts, workshops etc are held.

• Kings of Leon + Glasvegas 30th June 2009
  The Tennessean group known as the Kings of Leon is extremely popular for their rock concerts. You can be a part of this concert at the O2 arena on 30th of June from 7:30 onwards. Along with this you can also savor the performance of the Scottish band Glasvegas.

• Sticky & Sweet Tour – Madonna, Paul Oakenfold - 5th July 2009
  Be a part of the rocking concert of the sizzling and vivacious performer – Madonna along with the renowned and the topmost DJ – Paul Oakenfold from United Kingdom. Tickets to the concert are limited so hurry and book your tickets as early as possible.

• James Taylor – 6th July 2009
  James Taylor is a renowned singer, instrumentalist, song writer and an extremely talented personality will perform at the O2 arena on 6th July 2009 from 6:30 onwards. Visit the O2 website for the prices and availability of the tickets.

• Michael Jackson - 13th July
  People were desperately waiting to rock their evening in the live concert of the most popular performer of the world – Michael Jackson on the 13th of July. The rock star was to perform on 8th, 10th and 13th of July but, the concert is cancelled due to the un fortunate death of this pop star. Although you can never see him performing live now but his music will always remain in our heart and soul.

Besides organizing several dazzling events the O2 arena is also home to various impressive restaurants and bistros. You can also savor the delights of several delicious cuisines at the arena.