Grisly Places at London

London has a deep and a mysterious history. As mystery often has a ghastly and a macabre depth, you will be able to relate it with the horrid preserves that it stores. You can explore some of the most erring sights that are sure to thrill you to your heart. You can pay a visit to these spots of London, to pry deep into its agonizing truths. Scare yourself to the level of euphoria.

Museum Of London

Museum of London will give you a look in to the past of medieval era. Re-explore the past by going through its visual gruesome realities. It traces the past which handed the regime from Romans to Saxons. You will also be able to visualize the decapitated Charles I which brought him a scary death. Get goose bumps at the meticulously haunting presentation of life since 1600 at London Museum.

Tower of London

Elegance with horror retained through the ages, you will find the scenes as spectacularly terrifying as the facts that are related to its past. With a history of execution, imprisonment and torture, you will find brutality that is related to it, along with the treasure stored in its mansion. Tower of London is situated near the Tower Bridge of London, which is also a famous attraction of London.

Jack the Ripper Terrain

You can trail the footsteps of Jack the Ripper, the ill-famed serial killer that laid off many lives. His steps are yet not faded by the past that can still be followed after more than a century. At the Jack the Ripper Ghost walks, you will be able to see how London cherishes its brutal past, just the way it has its heritage celebrated. Enjoy this piece of entertainment whose history backs up to 1888.

London Dungeon

London Dungeon is a famous spot for people with macabre interests. There are rides which can take you through a life time experience in London. The thing that translates this place to a more scary definition is the reality of incidences that are associated with it. You will find all the haunting realities of London clustered over here.

Chislehurst Caves in London: An Experience of the Gothic Era

Remember the gothic fiction by Marry Shelley or the Famous Five by Enid Blyton? They used to take us so very close to the genres of mystery and fantasy. The same is brought forth by the Chislehurst Caves in the south eastern fringes of London. You can get hold of a lantern and experience a new world of mystery, fantasy and adventure altogether underground.

Location

Situated at a short walk from Chislehurst Railway Station, Caves can be found in Caveside Close near Bickley Arms Public House.

History

Though named as caves, it has been articulated as a warren of dark ducts carved by hands from the chalk stretching over 20 miles dug over a period of 8000 years in search of chalk and flint. Mining was last performed here in 1830’s. The mines became more accessible in 1865 due to the local railway which resulted in giving this place in London, recognition of a “tourist attraction” in London. The caves also acted as a venue for hire to host several underground concerts in 1900’s. The caves are also used for shooting for films.

Facilities

Guided Tours

You will be hospitably escorted by the experienced guides of Chislehurst Caves on a unique lamp lit tour narrating explicably the Druids, Saxons and Romans. Experience the charisma of the Caves Church and the Haunted Pool along with much to be seen rather than talked about.

Kids Party Venue

One of the most nonpareil kids party venues in London, the place offers a private tour of the cave for your kid’s birthday party followed by a buffet in the Caves Restaurant.

Restaurants

It possesses a licensed restaurant which offers a huge variety of meals and snacks along with the traditional English breakfast or merely a cup of tea.

Visiting Hours

Wednesday to Sunday : 10 am to 4 pm

Relish the Flavors at Restaurants in Oxford Street

Oxford Street is one of the most famous streets in London in all respects whether its food, restaurants, shopping or luxury Oxford Circus hotels. It is a very important thoroughfare in the capital in the city of Westminster. As we mentioned above that it is complete in itself when it comes to shopping as it houses major department stores and numerous brands flagships. It is ideally known as the major shopping street in London.

Similarly, if we talk about good quality food, Oxford Street again comes first in the list featuring variety of restaurants serving the best of all cuisines. Here are some of the best restaurants to relish the flavors of the British food.

John Lewis: Brasserie & Bistro
This is an undersold department store thus giving eating options to shoppers as well. There is a choice of two eateries. You can relish the flavors of the substantial dishes including burgers, pastas etc. As far as the Bistro is concerned, it’s completely a different story as in-store dining goes along with stylish surroundings serving a compact menu of salads and gourmet.

The Loop
This highly stylish party venue in London is quiet lively and the ambiance gets completed with four bars, a club and a restaurant. You can also enjoy happy hour cocktails including margarita & passionate, cosmopolitan and wines as well.

Aberdeen Steak Houses
This is yet another famous British restaurant located in Oxford Street and it has outlets all over London serving all kinds of British food, however a great emphasis is being given on beef. The restaurant also serves vegetarian dishes as well along with non-smoking areas. Private parties can also be arranged.

Iguazu
This licensed restaurant can be found at Selfridges serving varieties of South American and vegetarian dishes as well.

Walk Through Time With Historic Buildings in London

London is well known for various historical sights and some world famous must sees. Visiting London can be an unforgettable experience for those who are interested in visiting some historic places. As far as the places to visit are concerned, the capital city is of great importance as there are several historic buildings which can be seen here. Here are some amazing historic places in London to visit:

Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII is the most important person that has been associated with this majestic palace. This royal palace in London Borough of Richmond is in the South west of the capital city. The palace has not been lived in by the British family since 18^th century. Today, the palace is open for public and is now counted as one of the famous historic landmarks of London. It has become a major tourist attraction in London which does not receive any funding from the Crown or the Government.

The Tower of London
This historic palace is Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress. This is a scheduled monument ideally located in Central London, England on the northern bank of the well known river Thames. Today, this popular historic palace is taken care by an independent charity.

St. Paul’s Cathedral
This is an Anglican Cathedral located within the city of London. The present building dates back from the 17^th century and the cathedral sits on the highest point of the city. However, the cathedral was originated as the trading post of Londiniums by Romans on the famous River Thames. Above all, this is one of the most visited sights in the capital city.

Benjamin Franklin House
This is the only surviving residence of the founding father of the United States and is now turned into a museum in a terraced house in Craven Street closely located to the Trafalgar Square.

These are some of the well known historic places in London which are a must visit for everyone traveling to the capital city.

Labels: London attractions, historic buildings in London, London tourism, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The tower of London

Kew Gardens in London

Kew Gardens are among the popular London attractions and one of the great botanical gardens of the world. These Royal botanic gardens offer a great day out for everyone as it is spread across 300 acres of land, ideally positioned on the West of London. The gardens host some enthralling sights which will keep you amazed and will fill you with wonder. Those who love green areas, Kew Gardens are the best place for them to relax their mind, body and souls. These botanic gardens are not only about greenery, however, several interesting buildings including a royal place. It also hosts large glasshouses housing tropical plants ranging from few years to several hundred years.

There are plants and trees from all over the world including outdoor and indoor restaurants as well including one in the Orangery building. Moreover, it proves to be an ideal venue for summer concerts. In the year 2003, Kew Gardens became a World Heritage Site and is illustrated as a historic landmark. The significant periods of the arts of gardens can be shown from 18^th to 20^th centuries. In 1840, these gardens were adopted as a national botanical garden. It showcases 9000 other plants from desert, mountain cliffs and rainforests.

The Gardens has some striking additions such as the Davies Alpine House and the Sackler Lake Crossing. The place offers a complete family entertainment package as there are climbers and creepers for children to enjoy along with interactive play zones unrevealing the planet’s history in the Evolution House. This London place has been voted as one of the best London attractions attracting more than 1.3 million visitors annually as it boasts of several unique plantations. The visitors to the gardens can now experience special attraction from above with Xstrata Treetop walkway and the new Rhizotron.

The Fan Museum

The Fan Museum is located in Greenwich London and is undoubtedly the first ever museum dedicated entirely to “fans”. The museum was set up to keep the art of fan making alive. The Fan Museum is used as a centre of academic research and conservation too. The museum is home to more than 4000 objects related to fan making or fans. Each item is distinctly different and unique. Apart from the permanent display of its objects, the Fan Museum also features many temporary or seasonal thematic exhibitions many a times during the year (usually every 4 months).

The one of its kind museum holds the largest collection of fans dating back to the 11^th Century. The museum also has been a home to some of the finest exquisite fans from the 18^th and 19^th century. You can explore more than 3500 antique fans including a variety of ceiling fans, etc at the museum.

The Fan Museum was first opened to the public in the year 1991 and ever since has been amongst one of the busiest London attractions. The English Tourist Board and the National Art Collections Fund awarded, The Fan Museum, for its contributions to the arts and tourism in the first year of the museum’s opening. The Fan Museum has a gallery, a Japanese garden, a pond, a stream and a gifts shop. The museum also features a Greenhouse which is termed as the ‘orangery’ and is highly appreciated for its wall paintings.

The oldest fan at The Fan Museum is believed to be belonging to the tenth century. Conversely, the collection of fans dating to the 18^th and 19^th century is equally impressive. The Fan Museum also has a reference library and fan-making classes, held at the museum premises.

The Fan Museum is administrated by a charitable trust and over the years has been sponsored by the London Tourist Board, the foundation for sports and the arts, the national art collections fund, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Heritage of London Trust and by many individuals and corporate supporters.

On the 8^th of June in the year 2005 some of the fans were stolen from The Fan Museum. The theft reportedly took place around 2:45 pm BST. According to the sources one entire cabinet was broken and the fans were removed. The thief was apparently about 6 feet tall, aged around 35 years, a Caucasian male. The thief was never caught and is still at large.

The Fan Museum was privileged as The Duchess of Cornwall accepted to be the Patron of the Fan Museum on 7^th of January 2009. The day was also special in history as the Duchess of Cornwall was the first member of the Royal family to visit The Fan Museum. The Director and Founder of The Fan Museum - Helene Alexander, gave a personal tour to the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Fan Museum remains open all days of the year and only remains closed on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday and Mondays. The museum opens on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11:00am to 5:00pm BST and 12:00pm to5:00pm BST on Sundays.

The museum charges a £4 entrance fee for adults, £3 for children under 16 and children under 7 are admitted free of charge. There are special concessions of £3 for senior citizens and students with identity cards. On Tuesdays, handicap or disabled visitors and Old Age Pensioners (OAP) are admitted free of cost. Also afternoon tea is served in the Orangery from 3pm onwards on Tuesdays and Sundays.

The nearest London Underground stations are the Cutty Sark tube station, Deptford Bridge DLR station and the New Cross tube station. The closest mainline railway stations are Greenwich Station which is half a kilometer and Maze Hill Station which is under a kilometer from the museum.

The Fan Museum won the Gold medal at the Visit London Awards 2006. Also, the museum is housed at a building which was erected in the year 1721, which is a grade II building according to the British standards. The museum is situated in the Greenwich World Heritage Site in South East London and is easily accessible by the road, rail and the London Underground.

London St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most popular and the biggest church in London. This Cathedral is located in Central London, city’s commercial region. The St Paul’s Cathedral is also globally renowned for its dome which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful in the world. The phenomenal interiors of St Paul’s are also a major attraction of the city. These interiors include the glittering mosaics, spectacular view towards the quire and the convoluted stone carving.

This popular attraction has witnessed several significant ceremonies which include the funerals of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill and the royal weddings of Prince of Whales, Lady Diana Spencer and Prince of Charles. The renowned dome of the St Paul’s has become an iconic feature of London attractions.

Admission tickets to the St Paul’s Cathedral will cost you around 11£ per person. St Paul’s Cathedral is well connected to the major parts of the city through the St Paul’s London Underground which is located within the walking distance from the cathedral. The Cathedral also offers a well known restaurant offering a variety of traditional festive food especially during Christmas. The shop in the Cathedral also offers a wide range of gifts and offerings which you can buy for your loved ones. Besides this the region is covered with several restaurants, night clubs etc some of which are listed as under:

Restaurants near St Paul’s Cathedral

· Yo Sushi

· Paternoster Chop House

· Strada

· Café Rouge

· Mustard

Attractions near St Paul’s Cathedral

· Museum of London

· Smithfield Market

· Bridewell Theatre

· The Barbican Theatre and Art Gallery

· The Tate Modern Gallery

Tickets for Cathedral are available till 3:30pm and the last entry to the gallery is at 3:45pm. Tickets for the Crypt and Floor of Cathedral can be issued till 4pm. So visit this mesmerizing and serene London attraction and enjoy the melody of Christmas Carols going on in the Cathedral these days.

London Canal Museum And Party Venue

The London Canal Museum is one of the many famous London Attractions. The museum is located in the heart of London’s King’s Cross. The museum neighbours the Battlebridge Basin sited on the Regent’s Canal. The museum is sited in a building which was more of a warehouse, set up dating back to 1860. The building was used as a storehouse for the ice imported from Norway via the canal barge and ship. The London Canal Museum was only opened to the public in 1992 and ever since has attracted tourists.

History
Although the Mongol Dynasty had invented the canal system of travelling way back in the 10th century there is no concrete proof that the Chinese were the first one. The British made the Regent’s Canal reportedly in and around the 16th century and used it for trading and transporting goods. It was easier to load goods on the boat and transport them through the canals. The Regent’s Canal became famous by the day and night in 1790s and by the end of 1850; Britain was covered with over 4000 miles of navigable waterways. Soon the English started transporting 30 millions of freights every year. Canals were run by private companies and these employed groups of men with an intention of protecting the goods from any theft. They later became the Canal Police forces. After the Second World War, the canals were nationalized and the forces became a part of the British Transport Commission Police.

Admission Charges
The London Canal Museum charges a nominal entrance fee of £3 for adults, £1.50 for children and £2 for students, senior citizens and the unemployed. Children under the age of 4 are admitted free but should be at all times accompanied by an adult. Citizens over 60 are considered as seniors. To avail the students’ concession a student identity card must be produced.

Travelling to the museum
The nearest London Underground station is the King’s Cross tube station which is just a 4 minutes walk from the museum. Angel tube station and Euston tube stations are also nearby, the museum is hardly 15 minutes from these tube stations. If you choose to travel by the main-line railway stations then the King’s Cross Railway Station, St Pancras Railway Station, Eurostar Terminal and King’s Cross Thameslink Railway Stations are just 5 minutes away from the London Canal Museum.

Opening Hours
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 4:30pm BST. It is open late on the first Thursday of every month till 7:30pm BST. It is also open on Bank Holidays. The last admission is 30 minutes before the closing time. The London Canal Museum remains closed every year on 24th, 25th, 26th   and 31st of December for the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

Refreshment Shop
The London Canal Museum has a shop inside the museum premises which sells ice cream and canned cold drinks. Tea and coffee is also provided for groups of 10 or more if noticed beforehand. Unfortunately there is no other refreshment facility in the building; however there are many food outlets nearby within a 5 minute walking range.

Hire the museum
The London Canal Museum can also be hired for weddings, cocktail parties, business meetings, press launches, corporate training and conferences. The museum has an amazing Victorian building which makes it an awe-inspiring, one of its kind and unusual venue. If you are planning something out of the box for your party, the London Canal Museum is the perfect place for you to hire.  The museum is situated in a quite corner near the King’s Cross, so you can have your corporate meeting in complete peace. You can also choose to have a lavish wedding here at the museum; arrive in a boat, depart in a boat or simply get married in a boat in the canal. The best part is that the museum is available to hire on all Mondays, and from 4:30 pm to 10:00pm BST on Tuesdays to Sundays. The complete building has Wi-Fi in case you need it for your business meetings. There is a small business room that is available for hire on all days as a venue.

Mesmerizing London Parks and Royal Gardens

London not only offers vivacious and huge tourist’s attractions like London Eye and Buckingham Palace but, it also houses several green open spaces in almost all the areas of the city. London is one of the greenest metropolitans in the world. So while spending time in the city you can also explore the natural greenery, fresh air and wildlife at the parks and gardens in London. Here is the list of some of the most popular parks, gardens and picnic spots in the city where you can spend your weekends or you can explore these sights while London travel.

• Hyde Park
  Hyde Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the UK. The park is easily accessible from the Hyde Park tube station. It covers the area of around 350 acres and is home to a peaceful lake, more than 4000 trees, ornamental flower garden and a meadow. Besides walking you can also enjoy cycling, swimming, boating and skating at the Hyde Park. The park also hosts an onsite restaurant offering delicious food. You can also explore a variety of fascinating monuments and buildings in the park. The entry to the park is free of charge.
  

• Regents Park
  Sited close to the Regents Street, Regents Park is amongst the oldest royal parks in London. It is considered as one of the most happening London places. Here you can savor theatre, sports, music and several other entertaining performances. It houses some of the renowned award winning gardens, London zoo and fountains. You can also explore a variety of lakes, flower gardens, cafes and large playgrounds at the Regents Park. The Regents Park is in fact the largest outdoor sports area in the entire central London. The well known Open Air theatre at the park is one of the largest auditoriums in London.
  

• Green Park
  Green Park is located in the region of Piccadilly Circus, London. It is amongst the top 4 royal parks in the central London. The park is close to several popular London attractions such as Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and many more. It offers a tranquil sea of green and attracts millions of tourists and local Londoners. It is best suited for peaceful walks, sunbath or for picnics. The entry to the park is for 2.50 pounds for the adults though children can enter without the tickets. The park has easy access from the Green Park, Oxford Street and the Piccadilly Circus tube station.

• Kew Gardens – Royal Botanic Gardens
  The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are amongst the topmost tourists attractions in London. Sited in the region of Richmond, Surrey, the Kew Garden is also one of the most important research centres in the world. Scholars and scientists from several parts of the world travel to these gardens to research on the subject of Botany. The garden offers amazing botanical delights in an extremely peaceful and beautiful ambience. The garden covers a large area of around 300 acres and offer several facilities to the visitors. The entry to the garden is chargeable and the tickets can cost you around 12.25 pounds.
  

• Greenwich Park
  Located close to the Greenwich tube station, the Greenwich Park is also amongst the oldest royal parks in the city. It is home to a small herd of red deer and fallow which is the major attraction of the park. Greenwich Park offers some of the most remarkable views of the city including river Thames. The popular London places such as The Royal Observatory, Queens House, Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum are also with the walking distance from the park. Several events such as jazz, theatre, sports and opera are also organized at the Greenwich Park.

So next time you are planning an evening with your friends or your family then do think about spending some time in the healthy and eco friendly atmosphere at the royal London parks.

London’s Kew Bridge Steam Museum

The Kew Bridge Steam Museum is situated in Brentford at the banks of the River Thames in West London right besides the Kew Bridge. The museum was originally a working pumping station till 1944. The Kew Bridge Steam Museum is regarded as The European Route of Industrial Heritage and an Anchor Point of ERIH. The Kew Bridge Steam Museum was opened to the public in 1975 by the efforts of Kew Bridge Engines Trust. It is amongst the most visited museums in the city.

History
The Kew Bridge Steam Museum was originally known as the Kew Bridge Pumping station which was established in the year 1838 by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company. The pumping station was set up after the closure of an existing pumping station at Chelsea because of the poor quality of water. The Kew Bridge Pumping Station expanded soon and by the end of 1944, the steam engine was replaced with four electric pumping sets and four Allen Diesel pumps.
With advancements in technology steam engines were completely replaced by latest pumping sets by the year 1958. It was decided by the Metropolitan Water Board that these steam engines would not be scrapped; and preserved to be displayed in a museum some time later. Later in the year 1973 Kew Bridge Engines Trust was found and thus, set up, what today is better known as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum.

Museum Café
The Café at the museum is a complete pleasure to be at. The café opens only on weekends from 11:00am to 3:30pm BST. Mouth watering meals are served from 12:30pm to 2:30 pm. The view from the café is also awe-inspiring. With so much serenity, wild flowers, wildlife and views of the river Thames, you are bound to be pleased at the café.

Pricing
The museum has an admission charge of £ 9.50 for adults and children under 16 are admitted free of cost. The children under the age of 16 however should be accompanied by an adult. There is a special discount for students and OAP (Old Age Pensioners) of £ 8.50. Proof of age and identity cards might be required in case of availing student’s concession.

Timings
The Kew Bridge Steam Museum is open all days of the year except Mondays and Bank Holidays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm BST to the public.

Travelling to the Museum
The nearest London Underground stations are the Gunnersbury tube station, Kew Gardens tube station, Chiswick Park tube station and the Acton Lane tube station. The museum is just a 10 minutes walk from these tube stations. The closest transport to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum is via the Main-Line. You could take a train to the Kew Bridge Railway Station. The museum is hardly a 2 minutes walk from the station.

Free Car Park
The museum offers a free parking space to visitors. The parking space is big enough to accommodate 50 cars and the parking is available on first come first serve basis. The area of Key is surrounded by several luxury hotels.

Things To Do in Museum - Hire the museum
The Kew Bridge Steam Museum can also be hired as a venue for a birthday, wedding, conference or a cocktail party. Dinner is served in the Steam Hall which is a very spacious place for dining and dancing. The guests could also witness the world’s largest ever working beam engine, The Grand Junction engine at the event.

The museum is a perfect place to hold corporate events as well. It is just 20 minutes away from the Heathrow Airport and offers all latest in information and technology tools for business meetings. Meeting room up to a space for 45 delegates and evening reception for as many as 150 delegates is also available.

The Steam Hall makes an out of this world venue for hosting a wedding or a special birthday accommodating 150 guests for buffet style receptions and 120 guests for table seating. The Steam Hall Gallery is also available for hire from Monday to Sunday. Toddlers can have a great birthday at the Steam Hall Gallery. The museum has linked up with the best of caterers to match all your needs of a great party. The museum also offers Jazz bands to Rock bands and DJs according to the theme of your party.

Westminster Abbey London

London the capital of United Kingdom is home to several tourists attractions. The beauty and pleasure that the city offers attracts millions of tourists almost every year. The city is well known for offering several shopping districts and is famous for its fashion statements. This well developed city also offers a great transportation system connecting almost all the parts of the city. London is a multi ethnic city and people from all parts of the world can be found in the city. London’s night life is also one of the major attractions of the city and is said to be the best after New York. It is often said that it’s hard to compete with London when it comes to the number of attractions.

Westminster Abbey is one such attraction that alone attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The London tour is incomplete without exploring this beautiful London attraction. It is officially known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster. Westminster Abbey is a gothic monastery church which is more of a traditional venue of coronation. The venue is also well known as the burial site for the renowned English monarchs. This royal church does not belong to any of the family of the church – Parish nor Cathedral. The church is owned by the royal family of England. The church is located just a stones throw away from the Houses of Parliament and is within the walking distance from the Westminster tube station. The church is home to the glorious architecture of the ancient times and is must to explore for every tourist. The divine atmosphere of the church is simply serene and is extremely relaxing. The tourist can also explore the coronation throne which the same place where several renowned monarchs of England were crowned. Also enjoy the excellent works of famous Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, etc at the poet’s corner which is full of memorials to these legends of literature. Tombs of Catholic “Bloody” Mary and Protestant Elizabeth 1 are also present in the church and can be visited by the tourists. In the 20^th century the New English Bible was also kept here. The St Edward’s Chair which is the throne on which the sovereigns are seated during the coronation is also placed in the Abbey and reminds of the royal period of the Britishers.

Since, the medieval ages The Shrine of the St Edward who was the renowned Confessor has been the point of attraction in the Westminster Abbey. The church is open 6 days a week but, the timings differ for all the days. The Abbey is also open on Sundays but only for worshipping. The entry is free of charge for the children below 11 years of age and charges are applicable for the rest of the age groups. Though the attraction has several religious grounds but it is considered more of a historical site than a religious place. The church holds a variety of treasures belonging to the royal families. The paintings, textiles, stained glass are displayed in the church and can be viewed by the visitors. The gothic structure of the church is exceptionally stunning. The attractions also organizes several tours guided by some of the most experienced guides and audio guides in different languages such as French, German, Spanish, Russian etc are available at the venue. Special tours for large groups are also available at the church. Shops offering refreshments such as snacks, drinks etc are also available at out side the building as eatables are not allowed outside the building.

Within the Abbey the tourists can also visit the St Margaret’s Church, The Chapter House, the museum and the College Garden.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum was established in the year 1934 but was opened to the general public not until 1937. Like the name only suggests the National Maritime Museum is all related to nautical journeys of the English. The museum houses more than 2 million objects in its premises related to British naval heritage and culture. The museum is situated at Greenwich in Northern London. The National Maritime Museum spreads over an area of 200 acres. The National Maritime Museum is also termed as the NMM in short or abbreviationaticlly. The NMM is the largest maritime museum in the whole of United Kingdom and if it is to be believed, the largest museum of its kind in the world. This very historic museum is also a part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. The National Maritime Museum is owned and administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The museum is a non-departmental public body. The National Maritime Museum encompasses the Royal Observatory, 17th-century Queen’s House and Greenwich.

History
The National Maritime Museum was established after the National Maritime Act was passed in the year 1934. The creation of the museum is clearly mentioned in the chapter 43 of the Act. Sir James Caird had donated a large amount to the National Maritime Museum trust and the museum today stands because of his generous donations. The museum was first opened to the public on 27th of April 1937 by King George VI. It is believed that Princess Elizabeth who later became the Queen Elizabeth II had accompanied King George VI on the inauguration day.

Greenwich has been linked to navigation and sea history ever since the Romans landed on these lands. Henry VIII lived had lived in Greenwich and it is the year 1675 when Charles II had found the Royal Observatory. The Royal Observatory was established for “finding the longitude of places.” The Greenwich has been a centre of Astronomical study, the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian since 1884. Navigators all throughout the world till date set their watches and clocks to Greenwich’s time of day.

The Great Comet of 1843 painting by Charles Piazzi Smyth and The Bretagne by Jules Achille Noel in 1859 is both at display at the National Maritime Museum. The Museum holds more than two million items including British and 17th century Dutch maritime art, manuscripts, cartography; navigational instruments ship models and plans etc.

Pricing
All the three sites, namely, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House are open to public for free. There is no admission charge , however , an entry fee might just be charged for some temporary exhibitions held at the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House.

Timings
The National Maritime Museum , The Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory remain open all days of the week throughout the year from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm BST. The last admission is from 4:30 pm BST. The Royal Observatory courtyard however remains open till 8:00pm BST in the summer months. The last late opening day will be Monday 31st August.

It is recommended that you do not visit these galleries on Saturday and Sunday afternoons as 1:00pm to 4:00 pm BST are the busiest hours. You are advised to visit the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House gallerias earlier in the day if possible (10:00am to 11:30am BST), that is when there is no rush. Later in the day as soon as it is afternoon, the crowds come pouring in and the galleries become congested.

Closures
The National Maritime Museum, The Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House remain closed from 24th to 26th of December. All these three sites also close early on day ever of New Year, that is, 31st of December. These however remain open till late up to 12:00am BST on 1st of January and at the London Marathon every year. These sites also remain closed at the time of any maintenance work or if any filming is going on at the site.

The nearest London Underground stations are the North Greenwich tube station, Cutty Sark tube station and the Greenwich tube station. The National Maritime Museum is just a 5 minutes walk from these tube stations.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the largest museums of designs and decorative arts in the world. It is located in the region of Kensington and was founded in the year 1852. It is home to several collections of decorative arts, ornaments and much more. These collections of artworks were earlier displayed at the Crystal Palace. The building of Victoria and Albert Museum was designed by Sir Aston Webb and the cornerstone for the building was laid by Queen Victoria. You can also find a variety of European sculptures and tableaux including furniture work, porcelain, jewellery, textiles and much more. The Currie collection at the museum is renowned for French and Italian arms and armour. The outstanding artwork such as Chinese ceramics, Eumorfopoulos sculptures and jade from East Asia are also displayed in the collection. The popular national collection of British Water colours, prints, miniatures, drawings and much more is also displayed in the museum. Some of the most outstanding works of John Constable is also a part of the collection at Victoria and Albert Museum. The National Art Library is also extremely popular and is also a great resource of knowledge.

The museum holds a permanent collection of more than 4.5 million objects. Victoria and Albert Museum is sponsored by the department of Media, Culture and Sports. The museum is located close to several other renowned galleries and museums such as Science Museum, Natural History Museum and many more. The region in which the museum is sited is well known for its enormous culture, educational and scientific importance. The museum is divided into four departments of collections: Furniture, fashion and textiles; Word and Image; Ceramics, Glass, Metal works and Sculptures; Asia. These collections are of great importance for the scholars. These collections are further sub divided into sixteen display zones. Some of the artifacts in the collection are known to be more than 3000 years old. The Cast Courts at the museum are absolutely breathtaking and attract the major part of tourists. The museum displays and organizes a variety of exhibitions. The temporary exhibitions in accompaniment with the permanent display at the museum attract millions of tourists and scholars every year.

Some of the current exhibitions at the museum are listed as follows:
• Baroque 1620-1800 – Style in the Age of Magnificence:
It is displayed in room number – 38, 39 and north court in the museum. It displays one of the most luxurious fashions of the 17th and 18th centuries. The reflection of magnificence and intricacy of Baroque can be seen in the collection.

• Future Fashion Now – New designs from the Royal college of Art:
The exhibition mentioned above is all about the creative collection of the graduates from the royal college of art. The collection features around 50 outfits and is one of the most popular in town. You can also explore a variety of handbags and accessories along with the process of designing. The admission to the exhibition is absolutely free of charge.

• Capturing the Moment, Photographs by Reg Wilson:
The exhibition will be displayed till 10th January 2010 and the entry is free of charge. The collection is displayed in room number 104. The exhibition showcases the spectacular photographs from Britain’s most creative photographer – Reg Wilson. It shows all the aspects of performance process from studio to the main event.

• The Photographer’s Pilgrimage - Exploring Buddhists Sites in Asia:
In the exhibition you can explore the beauty of Buddhist sites in the remote areas of Asia. The collection includes some of the most excellent works of Joseph Lawton and Linneaus. The entry is free of charge.

• Contemporary Drawings:
The entry to the exhibition is free of charge and displays the collection of modern art by several sculptors, photographers and painters.

The Museum offers almost all the necessary facilities and is easily accessible from South Kensington London Underground.

Captivating Beauty of Covent Garden

London - the capital city of United Kingdom is one of the most fashionable metropolitan cities in the world. When it comes to shopping in London, you have a wide variety of options. London’s Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Bond Street etc are some of the well known shopping destinations in London. The number is extremely large and thus it’s hard to talk about all the shopping districts in few words. So, let’s discuss about the Covent Garden which is one of the most visited entertainment districts in the city.

Covent Garden is one of the most vivacious districts in the London city. It offers outstanding shopping, street entertainments, excellent significant theatres, dazzling night clubs and more than 1000 restaurants, bars and cafes offering a wide variety of delectable cuisines.

Shopping at Covent Garden:
From stylish clothing’s to elegant accessories and unique antiques to cheap gif shops, you name it and this district has it. Agne’s B, All Saints, David & Goliath, East and Ellis Brigham are some of the most popular brands at Covent Garden if you are looking for some casual clothes. The district also offers a variety of designer brands offering latest fashions of clothes and accessories. Accessorize. Aldo, Betsey Johnson and Camper are some of the stores extremely renowned for their spectacular accessories. The place is also renowned for a great variety of men’s wear. Calvin Klein, Esprit, Field & Trek and J Simons are some of the most preferred brands for menswear.

Eating at Covent Garden:
Covent Garden is a home to a variety of restaurants, café’s etc. These restaurants offer a wide variety of delicious cuisines. With appetizing food they also offer a warm and homely atmosphere. Covent is one of the best places to go at for the foodies. Covent Garden Grill, Covent Garden Kitchen and Crème de la crepe are some of the restaurants known for serving British food. On the other hand Dacca, Masala Zone and Taste of India are some of the popular restaurants offering Indian food. Bella Italia, Fire & Stone are amongst the restaurants famous for pizza.

Theatre’s in Covent Garden:
Most of the theatres in London are located in Covent Garden. Adelphi theatre, Aldwych theatre, Fortune Theatre, Palladium theatre, and theatre Royal are some of the most renowned theatres in the region of Covent Garden. These theatres present a variety of performing arts such as comedy, opera, drama, musical shows, dance and much more.

Night Life in Covent Garden:
London is globally renowned to offer one of the best night life after New York. Several clubs, pubs, dancing dens etc are located in almost all the areas of London. Amongst all the happening districts Covent Garden depicts the London Life extremely well. A wide range of options are available in the district to enjoy the London night life. O2 Arena, Pop at O2, Jazz Café, HMV Apollo and Belushi’s bar are some of the renowned night clubs and bars.

Attractions around Covent Garden:
Some of the most visited London attractions are located in and around the area of Covent Garden. London Transport Museum, Theatre Museum, Royal Opera House, St Paul’s Cathedral, Photographers Gallery, Sir John Soane’s Museum, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are some of the nearest attractions.

The district of Covent Garden is easily accessible from the Charing Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge, Kings Cross St Pancras and Victoria tube station. The area has an easy access from almost all the major airports through various public and private transports.

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.

London Night Clubs

The happening capital city of UK – London is amongst the most popular tourist’s destinations in the world. London night life is known to be the best after New York. It is home to several restaurants, pubs, night clubs, dancing dens, theatres etc. As London is a multi ethnic city, you can find a variety of delicious cuisines at the restaurants in the city. Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, West End etc are some of the areas extremely popular for offering vivacious and electrifying night life. Some of the most excellent London night clubs listed below:

• Egg
Egg is one of the most popular night clubs in London. It is sited in the region of Kings Cross St Pancras. The night club covers a wide area and has 3 floors with a gorgeous terrace garden. The club also offers a well maintained swimming pool during the summer season. Egg is also involved in organizing events and can easily accommodate up to 1400 guests but, the minimum number of guests is 50. With a wide variety of rocking music, the night club also offers food, drinks and snacks. The place is well known for dance parties.

• Fabric
Fabric is amongst the most excellent night clubs in the city located at the Charterhouse Street, London. The club has an electrifying sound system in three different rooms. The most attractive feature of the club is the vibrating floor at the club, it is popularly known as the body sonic dance floor. The floor is attached to the 400 bass transducers that emit the melodious bass frequencies. It is also an ideal option for organizing parties and other events. The club also offers a variety of packages and membership schemes etc.

• The Forum
The Forum is situated in the region of Kentish Town, London and is the most popular amongst the youth. It offers a great sense of intimacy and has an exceptional design, architecture and décor. It is the first preference of the people who love watching live performances. Some of the best bands in the city perform at the club. Forum is one the few night clubs who hold a license of playing music for 24 hours. The club can easily accommodate 2500 guests. So all the clubbers, Forum can surely be the next night club on your list.

• Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound is a globally renowned name in the industry and was even rated at the sixth position amongst the top 100 night clubs. Sited in the Gaunt Street, London it is one of the busiest night clubs in the city. It offers a dominant and passionate clubbing environment. Ministry of Sound not only offers a dazzling DJ night but it also offers several DJ courses etc. With all such facilities in an extremely thrilling environment, Ministry of Sound has become one of the most successful night clubs in the world.

• The Kingly Club
London Groove is the trendiest night clubs in the region of London’s Soho. The club offers spectacular flashing dance floors with the music of all the rage. It is one of the most desirable venues in the city and is popular for its fine service, sushi, champagne and great music. With one of the coolest crowd in the city the club offers the best music by some of the renowned DJ’S. You can also plan a private or a corporate party at this happening venue. The club offers several membership packages and discounts.

So if you are looking for some of the vibrant venues where you can rock your night, then the clubs mentioned above are some of the best options available in the city. The London night life is so popular amongst the tourists that it is also one of the renowned London attractions.

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