London Favorite Tips by Mariajoy Top 5 Page for this destination

The Sultans Elephant Arts and Entertainment Review

Favorite thing: Is there a day that goes by in London when something surreal and sublime doesn't happen? Whether it's on a small personal scale or on a HUGE public scale like The Sultan's Elephant, a four day, street theatre event organised by The Arts Council for England and The Mayor of London.

The Sultans Elephant is a 40 foot high, 42 tonne automaton and his companion is The Giant Girl.

Fondest memory: I think I probably have said this before, but it still holds true. Amongst the mundane, humdrum, and sometimes downright tiresome, it's always possible to find something in this city that is magical and mysterious... this massive puppet was unexpected and just beautiful!

We found the Elephant in Trafalgar Square, the roads in the area had been closed off for his procession on Saturday and he was having a rest outside the National Gallery. There were thousands of people waiting there for his arrival and taking photos, and a BIG WELL DONE to those guys in orange who do a great job of crowd control! Thanks :)

Please check the website for more info about the story of The Sultans Elephant

Model for a Hotel Sightseeing Review

Favorite thing: This 8 ton, 5 meter high coloured glass sculpture is the latest piece of art work taking the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. Designed by Thomas Schutte, it is meant to "collect and reflect light like a jewel" - but it doesn't really work on a grey dismal London day (of which there are many!!). Maybe on a sunny day it will look better.

Due to years of indecision as to what to do with the fourth plinth, there is no permanent statue here and it was eventually decided that it should be used as an ever changing display of artwork/ sculptures.

The pregnant Alison lapper sculpture has gone and this one, "Model for a Hotel" will be here for the next 18 months.

No 3 Saville Row Architectural Review

Favorite thing: This building in Saville Row, right next door to Gieves and Hawkes, was the scene of the Beatle's last ever performance, the famous Rooftop Concert which they gave on 30th January 1969. The building was home to the Apple Corps HQ (their record label at the time) and they were making the roof into a rooftop garden. Ringo Starr saw it and thought it would be an ideal location for the concert.

Currently, the building is empty and the door is boarded up.

The Blind Beggar Sightseeing Review

Favorite thing: I've never been in here (as far as I can remember) but this is the pub in Whitechapel which was made infamous when Ronnie Kray shot and killed George Cornell on 9th March 1966. The Kray twins were notorious East End gangland killers who frequented various pubs in this area.

Fondest memory: If walls could talk, every building could tell a story.

Getting the munchies in Brewer Street Eating, Drinking and socialising Review

Favorite thing: The Source is an expensive but pleasant enough cafe in Brewer Street, Soho. We popped in for a coffee and cheesecake break. One slice of strawberry cheesecake with two coffees came to just under £9.

The coffee was average and the cheesecake a little too moussey - but it seemed happy enough :)

SwitchedOnLondon Architectural Review

Favorite thing: As part of a VT meeting in honour of HORSCHECK's visit to the city we waited until the sun went down to take a stroll to see the illuminations of some of the 12 bridges and buildings taking part in the SwitchedOnLondon lighting festival taking place from 8th to the 16th February 07. The buildings involved were:

1. Adelaide House
2. City Hall
3. Custom House
4. Hays Wharf
5. HMS Belfast
6. London Bridge
7. Thames North Walkway
8. Thames South Walkway
9. No 1 London Bridge
10. Tower of London
11. Design Museum
12. Urban Chandelier at the Scoop At More London

We saw numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11.

Fondest memory: I'm not sure if this is a yearly event - but if you are visiting the city it is well worth checking out events and festivals like this as they are very unique and original and create great memories!

Graffitti on the South Bank Arts and Entertainment Review

Favorite thing: My favourite thing about London?? ..finding stuff like this.. This is the work of the Bristol Street Artist Banksy I know graffitti is vandalism... but his work can be seen all over the city in the most unlikely places and I just liked this one! Click the link to see more of his work.

Yesterday (5/3/05) this one was no longer there... washed away by the rain... or the council.

The Women of World War II Ceremonial London Review

Favorite thing: This monument, unveiled by the Queen on 9th July 2005 is dedicated to all the women who served in World War II. It is situated close to the Cenotaph on Whitehall.

The website details the many crucial roles women undertook throughout both world wars:

Women in Uniform

Canary Wharf Architectural Review

Favorite thing: Canary Wharf is the post-modern face of London, situated in Docklands. The fabulous history of the Docklands, from it's earliest beginnings in the 12th Century through it's hayday in the early 1960's and economic decline in the 1970's is told at the Canary Wharf History website in a time-line format.

Needless to say (from the photo) that the area has undergone MASSIVE rejuvenation over the last 20 years and is now an ultra-cool thriving business/residential/leisure area.

Fondest memory: London is ever changing and adapting. I love seeing new things evolving, and regenerating - London is exciting and unpredictable and thoroughly intoxicating. Every visit becomes a fondest memory!

City of London Architectural Review

Favorite thing: London boroughs often have their boundaries marked with a variety of different styles of these guard posts - or "boundary markers". They were also used originally to protect footpaths from heavy iron cartwheels but now they also protect pavements from London traffic.

There is a fabulous description about these interesting pieces of London street furniture on the website of the Greater London Industrial Archeological Society - they tell it far better than I can. It's worth checking it out.

Fondest memory: Finding commonplace and interesting things with a fascinating history.