London Local Custom Tips by scottishvisitor

Connections Connections Connections

I just love discovering connections with places many miles apart. Wandering around the old docklands of London threw up a connection with Aberdeen. John Courage an Aberdonian established his Anchor Brew House in December 1787. So if you have a pint of Courage in Old London Town remember where its roots are!!

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Local Customs: Call Home from Here

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Apr 29, 2006

Red Telephone Boxes

Red Telephone boxes used to be a common site in the UK but have been replaced by grey British Telecom boxes, fortunately there are still some around. Old London has kept the most Red Boxes. Keep your eyes peeled they still do exist, Edinburgh still has some as does Pennan near Fraserburgh which has a rather famous one.

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Website: bt.com

Local Customs: Why the Dutch were allowed to sell eels -

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Apr 30, 2006

In Cod We Trust

The old Billingsgate Market used to sell coal, iron, corn, salt & fish but in 1699 an Act of Parliament was passed making it a free & open market selling only fish. The only exception to this act was to the Dutch Fishermen who were allowed to sell eels because they helped save many Londoners during the Great Fire.. The building you see today was designed by the city architect Sir Horace Jones and was opened in 1876.

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Phone: uc
Website: uc

Local Customs: Visit the BAFTA Awards

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Mar 18, 2006

The futures bright the futures

orange

London's Leicester Square is host to the British Academy Film & Television Awards. Our first day in London we saw the technicians setting up - covering the grassed square with walk boards. We arrived a bit too late to see very much the next evening - the crowds were huge! We did see the celebs arriving, although a bit dissapointing - I expected stretched limos but just private cars & taxis drove by. Not wanting to push in we wandered around & managed a snap of Ruby Wax - on a television monitor Ha Ha

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Website: www.bafta

Local Customs: How to become a cockney

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Feb 28, 2006

Bow Bells

It is said in London that to be a true Cockney you have to be born within the sound of the Bow Bells - so where are the Bow Bells? Well the bell is part of the Church of St. Mary le bow. The Church was extensively damaged during the second world war & the bell stopped ringing, so technically speaking no Cockneys were born in London from 11th. May 1941 till 21st. December 1961 after 20 years of rebuilding work.

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Website: stmarylebow.co.uk

Local Customs: Great Charity Workers

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Feb 28, 2006

Pearly Kings & Queens

The tradition of Pearly Kings & Queens goes back to 1875 when Henry Croft left the orphanage, where he was born & bred, at the age of 13 to make his own way in life. Henry got a job sweeping the market streets where he got to know & admire the market traders who looked out for each other & helped those in need. He started to collect fallen pearly buttons as he swept the streets & sewed them on to his cap & suit. He collected money for charity & the orphanage. The tradition continues today with 40 active families still collecting for various charities. There is a statue of Henry in St. Martins in the Field the church where the Kings & Queens still go to worship.

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Local Customs: Cargo is still transported on the River

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Feb 28, 2006

Water Cargo

Although most of the time you will see the tourist cruise boats sailing this tidal river, you may also see some cargo vessels transporting heavy items by river instead of road. The Thames must have been a fascinating place for boat transportation before road deliveries took over.

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Local Customs: What's in a Name!

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Mar 8, 2006

Her Majesty's Theatre

Her Majesty's Theatre changes her name to the male equivalent depending who is currently on the British Throne. I just loved this building illuminated at night with its many windows & spectacular dome lighting the night sky. Her Majesty's is the 4th. Theatre to stand on this site at Haymarket, designed by C.J. Philips & opened on 28th. April 1897

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Website: londontheatre.co.uk

Local Customs: Great Trees

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Feb 25, 2006

London Pride

London can be surprisingly green, with it's lovely parks. I loved the trees, called London Pride, but probably have a different name.
They line streets everywhere & any living thing which can survive & flourish in the fumes of London deserves admiration - you might even notice small saplings clinging to the roof of buildings.

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Local Customs: Visit the Office of the Mayor of London

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Written by scottishvisitor

on Mar 1, 2006

Where you will find the Mayor of

London