Fancy an afternoon getting up close and personal with barnyard animals amidst a quiet rural setting? If so, then definitely make time to visit one or two of London's city farms. These hidden gems make for a memorable family outing and are a great way to get the kids interested in the outdoors. Here are a few city farms in and around London worth visiting.
A good place to start is at the Kentish Town City Farm which gives children a chance to experience life on a typical farm. Activities include helping to feed the animals and helping out with the cleaning. Pony rides are also available during the weekends.
Also worth visiting is the Spitalfields City Farm which is less than 1 mile from The City (London's main financial district). Here you are even given the chance to "adopt-an-animal" where you support the farm in the upkeep of a certain farmyard friend.
The irresistible charm of the chickens, cows, pigs, sheep and rabbits at the Hackney City Farm will give kids plenty of lasting memories, while you can also participate in pottery and craft workshops.
The Vauxhall City Farm also has many farmyard animals along with a great spot for picnicking. Since it is run by volunteers, a helping hand is always welcome and provides a good way to learn about farm activities as well.
If you're on holiday in London, do try and stop by at a City Farm which is a great place to spend some quality time with the family away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
While the English weather has earned a reputation of being unpredictable, when summer rolls in temperatures are likely to go very high indeed. Luckily London is blessed with many lakes and pools which are ideal for both swimming and boating. Here are a few such places worth heading to when the heat gets unbearable.
Hyde Park with its Serpentine Lake is one of the most popular spots in London during the hot summer months. Pedal and rowing boats can be hired out, while the Serpentine Lido and its paddle pool are great spots in which to cool off. The sizeable lake at Regent's Park is also ideal for boating and is home to several species of water birds as well.
Another good spot for swimming is Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill Fields which are located a little away from Central London. The 3 natural ponds you will find here are a big attraction so you're sure to have plenty of company during your swim. While there is plenty of room in the ponds, children have to be over 8 in order to swim in them. There is a paddling pool close by at Parliament Hill Fields which is ideal for smaller children.
The Tooting Bec Lido (as seen in the movie "Snatch") is also worth a visit during summer. This huge outdoor London pool is normally open to the public from the end of May until the end of August and has a delightful paddling area equipped with model animals which children will love.
So the next time the heat gets too hot to handle in London, just slip into your swimwear and head to the nearest pool or lake and enjoy the summer weather.
If you're planning a family trip to London, here are a few places you can visit which will interest kids a lot and help them learn something new.
The Tower of London is a good a place to start. Children will love the fact that it was once used as a prison and as an execution site (thus being home to a few resident ghosts!) and the tours conducted by the Yeoman Warders are particularly entertaining. Do not forget to also see the Crown Jewels.
Another great place to take kids to is the London Zoo. Monkeys, exotic birds, snakes and various creatures of the wild reside within "natural" enclosures and give children a chance to see their favorite animals. Older children can be taken to the London Dungeon which blends elements of horror and historic fact, even giving you the chance to follow the footsteps of infamous Jack the Ripper. A word of caution, the London Dungeon may be a bit too scary for very small children.
Kids may not sound too excited at the mention of the word "museum", but London has several museums worth visiting, including the Science Museum which has several interactive exhibits and the Natural History Museum with its popular Dinosaur section. Thankfully for parents, both museums are located in South Kensington and are close to each other.
Madame Tussauds wax museum and the huge 6 storey Hamley's toy store are among the other London attractions kids will love and will keep them absorbed for a considerable amount of time!
London may be a modern metropolis with busy city streets and masses of buildings, but amidst this urban jungle there are several scenic parks which can be enjoyed by all. If you love the great outdoors and want to spend some quality time with the family, then here are a few parks in London worth visiting.
Hyde Park is probably the most well known of Royal Parks (there are 8 in all) and is right in the heart of Central London. Home to the Serpentine Lake and the Diana Memorial Fountain, the park is an ideal spot for boating, rollerblading, horse riding or just taking a quiet afternoon stroll. Hyde Park is also a popular venue for outdoor events and if you visit on Sundays, remember to head to Speaker's Corner where people stand on boxes and hold forth on any topic of their choice!
Another great London park to visit is Regent's Park where you can find a quiet lake area, a lovely rose garden, children's playgrounds and even an open air theatre. An additional plus point is the fact that the London Zoo is within the park premises as well.
Kids will also love exploring Kensington Gardens with its famous Peter Pan statue and wonderful wooden pirate ship (at the Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground section). Adults can enjoy the park's Diana Memorial Walk, the Italian Fountain Gardens and the near by Kensington Palace.
Located a little outside Central London, the gardens at Hampton Court Palace with its unique outdoor maze is definitely worth a visit as well.
Needless to say, there are several other parks both big and small spread out across London and the best way to discover these tucked away "green sanctuaries" is by exploring the capital for yourself. Happy adventures!
When to tip, when not to tip and how much to tip are the eternal questions which plague every traveler heading to a new country. Here is some tipping advice for those planning a visit to London.
First of all, like many other countries, tipping in London in not compulsory and the amount is entirely up to you. Hotel porters can be given a couple of pounds for carrying your bags to the room, while rounding up the cab / taxi fare is a good way to tip cab drivers. Of course it does not hurt to give a pound or two extra for those drivers who are extra friendly and help you with your luggage and various queries.
A good rule of thumb when tipping at a London restaurant is to give 10% to 15% of the total. Here again, it is up to you and depends on the type of service you receive. Also remember to check if you have been charged an additional "service charge" on your bill which means you do not have to tip as much. As for bars, tipping is again entirely at your discretion and if the service has been really good you can tip the staff or the bartender a few pounds.
On a final note, tipping in London (and every where else, for that matter) should be given on the basis of efficient and friendly service and as a token of gratitude for that extra bit of personal care.
The West London suburb of Notting Hill is usually a quiet and tranquil area which is within easy reach of central London. Come the last weekend in August during the Notting Hill Carnival, the area pulsates to the beat of calypso music and reggae rhythms. It is one of Europe's largest street parties, which dazzles with floats, music, mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine and vibrant costumes.
Originally a Trinidadian festival which began as a celebration of the "Abolition of Slavery Act" in 1833, the carnival found a second home in the Notting Hill area in 1964. The Notting Hill Carnival today attracts over 1 million visitors and participants who unite together to celebrate freedom and the joy of living.
A black cab is an interesting way to get about the capital and you can hail one by putting your hand out. A black cab is very distinctive because it is, well, black in colour, although they now come in a variety of colours.
Black Cabs are the only taxi services which can be hailed from the street and as long as the cab has a lit up "Taxi" sign above its windscreen (shows that it is vacant) all you have to do is put your hand out to catch the driver's attention and wait for it to stop. Another way of hiring a black cab is by phone (some numbers for your reference are - Radio Taxis (+44) 020 7272 0272 or Dial a Cab (+44) 020 7253 5000, both have 24 hour services), and there are several cabs at taxi ranks near most major railway stations.
A black cab is spacious and can easily seat five, which is quite useful if you're travelling with a group of friends and can split the fare. This is also useful because a black cab can be comparatively expensive, and the fare is higher after eight in the evenings and during weekends.
A black cab also comes with a highly experienced and knowledgeable taxi driver who has passed a strict test called 'The Knowledge'. What it means is that every black cab driver knows the streets of London inside out along with the fastest and shortest way to get to your destination.
And if you leave something behind, the Taxi Lost Property office (for registered black cabs) is located at 200 Baker Street in Marylebone (close to the Baker Street Underground Station).
So next time in London, and you want to get somewhere faster, grab a cab!
Home to a bustling multicultural atmosphere, London with its historic monuments and modern attractions is definitively worth a visit, especially during summer.
Those looking to get to the city centre from London's Heathrow International Airport have several transport options to choose from, and these include the London Underground Tube service (Piccadilly Line), Public bus services (to Kings Cross) and the super quick Heathrow Express which gets to Paddington Station in just 15 minutes.
The famous London Underground Tube service is considered very convenient because tube stations are found near every major suburb. Don't forget though, that some tube stations do not have escalator facilities and those traveling with small babies will find it easier to use a backpack carrier instead of a stroller.
Tickets for the London Underground can be quite expensive especially if you are looking to do a lot of travel. A more cost effective option would be to purchase a Travelcard (available at all tube stations and most tourist information centres and newsagents) which one can use on the London Underground, on all buses operating in Greater London, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) transport system and on the overland rail network within London. The cost for a Travelcard varies on the zone it covers (London has 6 zones). A Zone 2 card will cover most of the city's main attractions, while those looking to get to Heathrow Airport will need a Zone 6 card. An alternative to the Travelcard is the London Pass and Transport Pass which is ideal for visitors looking to spend more than 3 days of sightseeing.
The capital enjoys relatively mild weather (do not forget to take an umbrella because you never know when that dreary English rain will come calling!) and is best explored by foot, while attractions which are further away can be easily accessed via the London Underground tube service.
For the first timer in London, I have prepared a list of suggestions, given below. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, it can give you an idea of what the typical tourist magnets are!
What's worth seeing?
With so much to see and do in London, it is important to plan ahead if possible and earmark the attractions which are likely to tickle ones fancy.
Historic Attractions
The iconic Buckingham Palace is a great place to start your visit and what's more, the West Wing of the palace is open to the public during August and September. Other historic attractions definitely worth visiting include the Tower of London (the Queen of England's official palace and fortress), the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (located in the City of Westminster) and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Shopping
London is also a favourite among shopaholics. If you're looking to get some serious shopping done, you can visit the exclusive boutiques and shops of Oxford Street and Regent Street or alternatively head down to the Camden Lock Market (in Camden Town) and the Portobello Road antique market (in Notting Hill) during the weekends where you will find a wide range of second hand goods, inexpensive restaurants and lots and lots of people!
Museums, museums and more museums!
London is also home to a lot of museums. From renaissance to modern art and natural history to science, you will find it all in the city's numerous museums. The National Gallery (located next to Trafalgar Square) which houses Vincent Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Virgin of the Rocks', the Natural History Museum in Kensington (a great learning experience for kids) and the Tate Modern (located in Bankside) with its avant-garde collection of modern art are just a few of the many museums worth visiting.
The show must go on!
London's West End theatre district offers visitors a chance to catch up on the latest theatrical productions or even take in a long running show. You will find a whole host of traditional and modern theatres in the area, while those looking to party all night can head to near by Soho which apart from its many restaurants, bar and nightclubs (some of which cater to 'adult only' audiences), is also home to London's Chinatown.
The rest of the best
Picturesque Hyde Park, the impressive London Eye (can be a bit expensive but the view is unbeatable), Madame Tussauds wax museum, Covent Garden market and the London Zoo are among the other places of interest in London worth visiting.
When hunger strikes...
No trip to London is complete without sampling some traditional Fish and Chips and visiting a typical English pub. Restaurants and pubs can be found scattered throughout the city, while a good place to start is at Old Compton Street (near Piccadilly Circus) which is within easy reach of several relatively cheap eateries.
Special Events
Apart from its many attractions, London also hosts several annual festivals and special events which can make your first visit to the capital that little bit more extra special. Here are just a few annual special events which you can take into account when planning a trip to London:
New Year's Eve Celebrations - Fireworks and street party at Trafalgar Square
Chinese New Year - between late January and mid February (depending on the lunar / solar calendar)
London Marathon - May
Chelsea Flower Show - Late May
Trooping the Colour (Queen's "official" birthday) - June
Wimbledon Tennis Championships - Late June through to July The Proms (classical music festival) - Mid July through to mid September
Notting Hill Carnival - August
Bonfire Night (and fireworks) - November 5th
Lighting of the Christmas Tree (at Trafalgar Square) - December
Write to me and tell me where you went and how you enjoyed your first trip to London!
