Piccadilly Circus Plaza

Piccadilly Circus is one of the most popular hubs of entertainment in London. Sited in the area of Westminster it is the heart of the London city. The place was named after the famous Piccadilly Street by John Nash. Piccadilly is the most exciting areas in the city and its stifling crowd, blinking ads and vivacious night life makes it even livelier. The circus is decorated during the festive season which often adds to the beauty of the place. The statue of Angel of Christian Charity sited at the centre of the Piccadilly Circus is the most beautiful structure at the place. The Piccadilly Street is well known as the most elegant street in the city. It is home to several well known restaurants, pubs and night clubs. Piccadilly Circus is also famous for numerous theatres sited at the Haymarket, Shaftesbury, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street. Some of the most popular entertainment and shopping areas of London are also located in the region of Piccadilly Circus. It is by far one of the busiest areas in the city. Piccadilly Circus is extremely popular amongst the tourists. The Piccadilly Circus tube station is also one of the most crowded London underground.

Piccadilly Circus comprises of four streets including – Piccadilly, Regents Street, Covent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. The Shaftesbury memorial fountain sited at the centre of the circus is a famous London Landmark. Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, Soho and Shaftesbury are located just a stones throw away from the Piccadilly Circus. London itself has numerous attractions and some of the most popular amongst them are sited around the Piccadilly Circus. Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, Liberty, St James Palace, Covent Garden, St James Park, Royal Opera House, Queen Victoria Memorial and Cleopatra’s Needle are some of the renowned London attractions located near the Piccadilly Circus.

Several sensational events are also organized at the Piccadilly Circus. Keb Darge’s Legendary Deep Funk is one of such events which is organized every Friday at Madame Jojo’s Westminster. The venue is within the walking distance from the Piccadilly Circus. This dance party is the favourite hub of the party animals and several dancers also participate in the event. The Getdown, Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues, London Friday Night Skate, Lush Launch party at Pacha, Berwick Street Market and Marilyn are some of the other happening events in the area. Piccadilly Circus and the area around is also one of the best places to shop at. It is home to several globally renowned braded show rooms. Lillywhite’s sited within the distance of 1 minute is one of the most visited shops in the town. It owes a remarkable heritage and great brand image. Fortum and Mason, Zavvi - Virgin Megastore (Music store), Water stones Piccadilly (Book shop), Lush (Perfumes) and Simon Carter (Jewellery) are some of the other well known shops in the area.
Piccadilly Circus hosts a wide range of restaurants, pubs and bars. The region offers a variety of delicious cuisines from almost all the parts of the world. Some of the best and the most hygienic restaurants of London are located in the area of Piccadilly Circus.

Amongst all these eateries following is the list of the best amongst them:
• Japan Centre Restaurant Toku – Offers extremely appetizing Japanese cuisines in an outstanding environment. The restaurant offers great hospitality and best prices.

• Noura Central – Lebanese restaurant offering good quality food at exceptionally normal costs. It is one of the best restaurants in London and Paris and is well known for its services.
• Wagamama – Offers South East Asian Cuisine in a mesmerizing atmosphere.
• Chowki – Offering scrumptious flavours of Indian and south Indian cuisines.
• St Alban – Offering modern European Cuisine.
• Fortum and Mason- Well known Café and Delis. A fountain restaurant by the same name offers a wide variety of British cuisine.

Thus it can be said that Piccadilly Circus is the liveliest areas of London and is a must to visit whenever you tour London.

Tremendous Tower of London

London is home to several tourists attractions and thus is also one of the most preferred tourist’s destinations. Tower of London has been the royal fortress and palace of England’s Her Majesty. Though the Tower of London is no more a royal residence but it will officially remain a royal palace. It is one of the most popular attractions in London and is also a supreme landmark in the city. It is located close to the north bank of the Thames River. Sited in the region of London’s Borough of Tower Hamlets, it is easily accessible from the Tower Hill Tube station.

The place is commonly identified with the well known White Tower. It is a great example of the architecture of Norman military. It is said that the tower was founded by the renowned conqueror – Sir Williams when he affirmed his power and was protecting London.

The Tower offers protection to the city through its excellent defensive structure. It also provides a garrison and controls the citizens by the same means. The last military conquest took place at the tower and thus it is one of the most remarkable iconic landmarks of United Kingdom. The Tower of London is made up of ancient stones and has priceless jewels. It holds several astonishing stories from across the centuries. It always had a gloomy reputation as a palace of death and torture. Despite of this dark image it is an extremely enduring and powerful fortress. It has served as a zoo for several years in the past and had been an imperative armoury.

Sited at the centre of the Tower of London is the White Tower, built by the William in the year 1078. It is 90 feet high with four turrets above the battlements. The influence of the white tower was felt in the entire kingdom. The renowned bedchamber and the crown jewels at the tower are not worth missing. You can also explore the place where the prisoners wept and the heads rolled. The tower held several prisoners who belong to almost all levels of the society. This was the place of confinement of the prisoners and the graffiti left by several such prisoner can still be read. You can also explore a brilliant exhibition – Henry VIII – Dressed to Kill, which started on 3rd April 2009 and will last till 17 January 2009. The exhibition is organized at all three floors of the White Tower. In the exhibition a large number of objects that belonged to Henry VIII are on display. Explore the legend Henry VIII as a sportsman, the king and as warrior.

The exhibition also displays the great royal armouries. Several key paintings from the reign of Henry VIII are also displayed in the exhibition. The objects displayed in the exhibition are presented with new dazzling audio – video effects and lighting. The Tower of London has also been featured in films and documentaries. The attraction is open throughout the year although the timings are different for summers and winters. This summer explore the Tower with exceptional family friendly installations that will reveal the story of this great fortress. The stories of the tower under the attacks and the weapons and soldiers who defended it will also be interacted. The Imperial state crown and the Maundy dish which is still a part of the traditions of the annual monarchy can also be explored.

To add some more adventure you can opt for the Beefeater tour available at the attraction. In this tour the “Yeoman Warder’ which is the body of beefeaters will tell you some interesting stories of the people who guarded the fortress for centuries. You will surely be appalled and astounded by these tales. To brief it all the following lists will tell you what is not to be missed when you visit this royal London attraction:

• The White Tower
• Henry VIII – Dressed to Kill
• Crown Jewels
• Lady Jane Grey graffiti
• Yeoman Warder tours
• Prisoners exhibition
• Tower Green
• Ravens
• Medieval Palace
• Family Fun activities

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.

British Museum

London – the capital of United Kingdom has a rich culture and heritage. The city is located near the banks of the river Thames and is renowned for its vivacious attractions. Every year the city attracts millions of tourists from England as well as other parts of the world. London is also a home to several art galleries and museums which are the popular London places. You can explore almost any thing and everything in the 300 museums and galleries of the city. They display art works ranging from hi tech contemporary articles and machines to the traditional collections. The city has a well developed transportation structure in fact, if you have a London Pass, no entry fee will be charged in most of the museums. You can also avail complementary museum guide books and audio tours if you hold a London pass. Though there are charges and entry fee for special exhibitions in some of the museums.

Although there is a wide variety of museums and galleries to choose from but, British Museum is amongst the most visited and the top 10 museums in London. Every year it attracts around 5 million visitors from all parts of England and overseas. Established in the year 1753, the collection at the museum depicts the culture and human history of Britain. It displays more than seven million objects which originate from all parts of the world. The collection at the British Museum is extremely comprehensive and exemplifies the human culture since the very beginning. The collections displayed in the museum are based on the works of the physician Sir Hans Sloane. You can explore a wide variety of engraved gems, books, drawings, coins, paintings etc in the museum. The Library of the museum is also popular amongst all age groups. The Greek and the Roman artifacts also attract several tourists. The museum is divided in several departments listed as under:

• Ancient Egypt and Sudan
• Middle East, Prints and Drawings
• Coins and Medals
• Prehistory and Europe
• Conservation, Documentation and Science
• Libraries and Archives
• Controversy
• Africa, Oceania and Americas

• Greek and Roman Antiquities

Besides all these collections displayed under several departments, there are quite a items in the collection at the museum which is disputed. These disputed items include Elgin Marble, Benin Bronzes, Molds Golden Cape and Rosetta stone. Some of the astonishing glass objects that are a part of the collection are more than 3000 years old. The museum organizes exhibitions very often. You can check out the list of events that will be organized in this season:

• Shah ‘Abbas The Remaking Of Iran’ ( 19th Feb – 14th June 2009) :
  This exhibition will exhibit the 17th century Iran. You can discover the legacy and reign of the most powerful ruler of Iran – Shah Abbas, in this exhibition.
• India Landscape ( 1st May – 27 September):
  This exhibition features a variety of plants from the sub continent of India.
• The Intimate Portrait ( 5th March – 31st May):
  You can explore the portraiture of Regency Britain and Georgian in this exhibition.

So you can plan to visit the legendary British Museum in this season, also note that the museum is open from 10:00 – 17:30 everyday. On Thursdays and Fridays the museum opens a little late. The entry at the museum is absolutely free of charge.