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Tips 1 - 6 of 6 London General Tips
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General Tips: A Childhood Game Come To Life
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Favorite Thing: The photograph of my daughter Jill on London Bridge brings back great memories of my visit to London.
As a child, one of my favorite games was to play "London Bridges Falling Down", and learning the history of this bridge certainly explains that childhood rhyme.
We ambled out onto London Bridge for a view of activities on the River Thames. The first bridge on this approximate site was made of wood by the Romans, and it has been rebuilt many times after it frequently fell down.
A stone bridge was finally built in the 12th century but was replaced by another stone bridge whose piers blocked the flow of water so much that it often froze over in winter. Until the 1800s, it remained the only bridge across the river. So, finally, in the early 19th century, they built another bridge. Of course, it turned out to be too small also.
Thus, in 1970, the London Bridge was dismantled, its stones were numbered, and the stones were sold for one million pounds to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where they re-erected it over a small lake.
Most of the bridge now lies in a disused quarry in Dorset, in the west of England! When the people who purchased it saw it reassembled, they were disappointed. They thought that they were purchasing the much more beautiful Tower Bridge!
In 1972, the new London Bridge was completed. Today, the Corporation of the City of London owns it. Finally, the London Bridge is wide, safe, and graceful; hopefully, its shakey history is over and the only "London Bridges Falling Down" are those played by small children.
Fondest Memory: I remember the day I took this photo of Jill; we had such fun exploring this historic city. Since she lived there, it was great for me to have my own private tour guide!CLICK TO READ THE SIGN BESIDE JILL
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General Tips: The Hustle and Bustle of Oxford Street
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Favorite Thing: Oxford Street used to be called such names as "The Kings's Highway", "The Acton Road", and "The Road To Tyburn".
It's named after the Earl of Oxford, Robert Harley. This street is a hustling, bustling group of shops about one mile long that runs west from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch.
There's only one pub (The Tottenham), but there are places to eat....but no fine restaurants. The shops are not so attractive or of architectual interest, but about 4,000,000 people crowd to this unique area each week because Oxford Street is the "shopping Mecca of London".
It's quite loud with buses, music, hawkers, and even Scot's bagpipes! I think it must be a "tradition" to shop here. A man told me that "the more middle class you are, the fewer shops you patronize in Oxford Street."
I noticed that the street guys use the "three card trick" to fleece unsuspecting people.
A word of warning: There are only seven public toilets in Oxford Street.
Jill and I went there, and she purchased glassware, and I bought a Buddy Holly CD.
It's fun but tiring, and one has to be careful that he/she does not mix up a "bargain" with a "rip off"!
Fondest Memory: The glassware that Jill purchased was truly unique and quite beautiful. I took it home with me to keep for her. She was returning to the states in about six months. Jill was thrilled to see it when she finally returned home.
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General Tips: Piccadilly in London
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Favorite Thing: The Piccadilly area in general is a
place to visit to see one of London's finest streets,
Jermyn Street, to see St. James
Church with its famous church organ, to walk
St. James Square to admire fine
architecture and the lovely garden with Wm.
IIs huge statue, to check out the art
galleries on King Street, to see an exhibit at
the Royal academy of Art, to view the lobby
of the wonderful Ritz Hotel (must be
dressed appropriately), to take a guided tour of the
Spencer House, to enjoy a stroll in the
ornamental gardens in St. Jame's Park
where you may peruse the lovely flower beds or
take a stroll by the sea. and, of course, to
experience the dazzle of Picadilly Circus.
(Whew....what a sentence!)
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General Tips: The Soho Area...A Study In Contrasts....
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Favorite Thing: You'll either love or hate Soho. It's a busy area filled with a profusion of places to eat, and some of them are, I think, the best in London.
We found outstanding chocolates, equisite wines, the freshest breads, the best pasta, and, by far, the finest cups of coffee in all of London!
Daily, if we wanted, we could go to the market in Berwick Street where they sell fruits, vegetables, music, and various bits and pieces.
Although it feels larger, Soho is made up of two dozen streets, a number of narrow alleys and courts, and one small square. On Wardour Street, we saw businesses devoted to advertising, media, and especially the film industry.
The name Soho comes from an old hunting call. The French came to this area first; then the Italians and Greeks. After awhile, they were joined by the Germans, Russians, and Poles. This foreign mixture added to the wild, colorful atmosphere and Bohemian flavor
At one time Soho was called "Sex-Spot" of London because of the strip parlours, clip joints, and brothels. So, the once exotic Bohemian charm gave way to seedy exploitation.
In the 1970's, some of the remaining residents banded together to save Soho, calling themselves the "Soho Society" Unfortunately, there is still the "seedier side of Soho" as you can see from the photo.
Fondest Memory: Even though there are places to avoid in Soho, I loved the hustle, the great places to drink coffee, the good places to eat, and the diversity.
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General Tips: National Portrait Gallery
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Favorite Thing: Jill and I really enjoyed our visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London.
It's Britain's history through portraits, photographs, and sculptures. But the literature indicates that there is really no restrictiions on the medium used. I saw oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, sculptures, caricatures, photographs, minatures, and even silhouettes.
The Gallery was founded in 1856, and there are well over 10,000 pieces of art works that portray history %cfrom the Middle Ages up to the Present Times.%c*
Both Jill and I are lovers of all kinds of art, so it was the perfect museum for us. we especially enjoyed the 20th century section. It includes many photographs and paintings of rock stars, movie stars, writers, designers, politicians, artists, and, of course, the royal family.
Fondest Memory: We certainly found the layout of the Gallery easy to follow and presented with "class".
It is not overcrowded; thus, you actually see one portrait at a time without your eyes straying.
We were able to take our time without being rushed.
Located at:
2 St Martin's Place WC2
Leicester Square Underground Station
OPEN:
Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday Noon-6 pm
Note: This is not my photograph. Taken from Gallery Pamphlet
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General Tips: One of London's Liveliest Districts: Covent Garden
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Favorite Thing: How ironic that an original garden of a Convent is now associated with fun and frolic!
If Covent Garden sounds familiar, it should. It's the vegetable market where Eliza Doolittle sold flowers in the play/movie, "My Fair Lady".
The once bustling market moved out in 1974, and the Greater London Council took charge. They took the central block called Fowler's Market and converted it into an upper and lower alley of small shops. Today, it's an area of boutiques and idiosyncratic shops. There are many interesting places in Covent Garden with its cobbled streets (for pedestrians only).
First, there's the quaint shops. In addition, there's the Royal Opera House, theatres, bars, and cafes. We also saw plenty of street performers.
The main Piazza was designed by Inigo Jones who was influenced by Italy's Palladion architecture.
Market Hall, the once flower market, is now the London Transport Museum (which displays the city's 1st underground steam locomotive) and several shops. The stalls of the market are often run by designers themselves.
St. Paul's Church is also found in the Piazza. It's affectionally called "the actor's church". I found out that the entertainers who perform outside the church must undergo auditions before they are given a licence to perform!
South of Market Hall is Jubilee Hall with its clothing, crafts, leathers, and household goods. It is not as upscale though.
The Theatre Museum is nearby on Russell Street , and it traces the history of the stage over the last 400 years.
Fondest Memory: My fondest memory is watching the street performers around St. Paul's Church lure the tourist with their antics. This is such a fun spot and so unlike the atmosphere around most churches.
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Join a Discussion First time in London
(13 replies, Saturday, Jul 26, 2008, 11:00 PM UTC) From Stansted to Birmingham
(4 replies, Thursday, Jul 24, 2008, 10:27 PM UTC) Things to do in London 25/12/2008 – 29/12/2008
(13 replies, Saturday, Jul 26, 2008, 6:27 PM UTC) Be the first to reply to these questions Christmas day in London
(no replies yet, Sunday, Jul 27, 2008, 2:11 AM UTC) Photography courses London
(no replies yet, Monday, Apr 14, 2008, 7:06 AM UTC) easyJet continued...
(no replies yet, Saturday, Apr 5, 2008, 5:35 AM UTC) » All London Posts
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(0 comments, Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008, 6:08 PM UTC) GREAT OFFERS FOR HOTELS WORLDWIDE
(0 comments, Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008, 6:08 PM UTC) OneWay from NZ to London
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 Comments for deecat about London | | | | |
Pawtuxet Sun Jul 13, 2008 00:57 UTC
How did I miss the Old Curiosity Shop when in London? I found the city very easy and comfortable. You've created a very informative page even tho you were pre-digital. How did we get along without those nifty cameras? | jillzi Thu May 1, 2008 18:26 UTC
Sure brings back memories..seems like yesterday. Great insights. | ATXtraveler Sun Mar 2, 2008 22:26 UTC
Excellent overview of this well known city. | xaver Mon Feb 18, 2008 16:53 UTC
great ovevrview on London, I am not going for 10 years, would love to see how it changed. |
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