Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

London General Tips by Jenniflower

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Europe » United Kingdom » England » Greater London » London » Jenniflower's London Page » London General Tips by Jenniflower

London Pages by Jenniflower


London General Tips by Jenniflower
See the Entire London Travel Guide
Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


Jenniflower    
Back from the Lake District... sorting photos! :)


Real Name: Stunning 1
Lives In: London, UK
Member Since: Dec 30, 2004
VT Rank: 75

Sponsored Links for London

Holiday Inn London
Official Site - Book Now. Kids Eat Free. Free internet.

Hotels Boutique London
Luxury & Character Hotels in London Maps, Pictures and Special Offers !

London Hotels
View Hotel Photos, Reviews & More. Get Deals on London Hotels - ORBITZ

Hilton Hotel London
Our best rates guaranteed online. Book at the official Hilton site.

London Hotels
London Hotels perfectly situatuated for a pleasant visit in London.



 
Tips 1 - 10 of 30
London General Tips
 Sort by: Most Recent | Best Rated | Author's Order

Ceremonial London: Eros ~ 'The Angel of Christian Charity'
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: This must be one of the most looked at and photographed statues in the world.

    It is the Shaftesbury Memorial fountain, erected in 1893 generally called ‘Eros’, and otherwise known as 'The Angel of Christian Charity', which is translated as 'Agape' but formally called 'Anteros'.

    It was designed to commemorate the work of Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, for his pilanthropic work.

    It is a figure of a naked archer with wings, quite controversial when first erected (with it being nude), but has since become a London icon.

    Piccadilly Circus is a tourist mecca, it has the commuter traffic, as well as all the tourist traffic, all year round. This statue is found in the midst of this madness, and fares well I think.

    People rest on the steps of this statue, chat, eat, take photos and have a good time.

    A titbit of interesting info: The statue is used as the mast head of the Evening Standard newspaper.

    (I will load a few beautiful shots I took of this statue soon :)


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Sightseeing: Piccadilly Circus by day!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: I work about a 2 minute walk from this hectically touristy and beautiful place.

    This huge advertising *space* above Boots and Burger King has become an icon of London in its own right! Recognised all over the world, and on many postcards, it never stops rotating its adverts, and at night is very well lit and so vibrantly colourful.

    This intersection is where quite a few roads meet up, Regents Street, the Haymarket, Piccadilly Street, Glasshouse Street, Coventry Street, Shaftsebury Avenue and Lower Regent Street.

    As a pedestrian you have to quite vigilant as traffic comes in all shapes and sizes from all sides!!!! Haha

    Fondest Memory: As this is tourist-land, I am OFTEN asked for directions, plus to take photos for people. I LOVE it! (Especially when English people ask me for directions hehe) ;)

    I have not tired of this area of London either.. you might think I have after working here for over 3 years. And no, I have not.

    The architecture is phenomenal.. an eclectic mix of the new and technological, against the elegant background of some stunning architecture and detail. There is a lovely vibe here, is never dull, and will be something I never forget.

    Ever

    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Architectural: The melting building - London's City Hall
  • Tip Rating:
  • London Architectural
  • The melting building - London's
  • City Hall
  • by Jenniflower , 4 more photos
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Favorite Thing: I am sure this building has raised many an eyebrow, and thrown many a question.

    It is situated on the banks of the River Thames, near the Tower Bridge. It is surrounded in glass (one can see inside, it is not one-way glass), but one can't really see what the Mayor is up to unfortunately! :)

    I happen to think it is stunning. Weird coming from me you might think! haha I love old architecture, but this building is so 'out there', and is so different and daring, it surely earns some praise? More glass buildings have been finished now close to it, so it doens't stand alone as much as it used to. It is still the most exquisite of the glass buildings though.

    If you would like to tour this building, you may. Have a look at the website below.

    http://www.london.gov.uk/
    Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, More London, London SE1 2AA


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Sightseeing: To use an audio guide or not???
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: Always a big question for us when we visit a place.

    There are pros and cons to using an audio guide, but in our experience the pros outweigh the cons.

    The audio guides we have used in London in the Tower of London, Cabinet War Rooms have been insightful and very useful.

    They do have Beef Eaters giving tours in the Tower of London, but the crowds were huge when we went, and we didnt want to be stuck in a slow crowd, half the time, battling to hear what was being said.

    We prefer to go at our own pace.

    If you want to go away from somewhere knowing more than surface information, some information with some history and depth, then these are best. If there's a section you are not interested in, then you don't have to listen to it, you carry on to the next section.

    The downside is that it can be an insular experience, and not enjoyed as a group. We do make sure we dont go walking off on our own too much, so we still experience things together.

    The London Open Top Sighseeing Bus has someone chatting to you as you drive around the city, which is personally preffered (if they know their stuff, and don't feel the need to crack a joke every few minutes that is!).


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Sightseeing: Blue Plaques
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: If you wander around London long enough you will eventually see a blue plaque attached to the front of a building somewhere, as there are over 800 in London.

    They were started in 1867, with the thought to commemorate someone famous who had lived/worked/died in that building.

    These are the 5 most famous plaques:

    Sherlock Holmes ~ Fictional British consulting detective @ 221b Baker Street

    Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) ~ Novelist @ 48 Doughty Street

    Karl Marx (1818 - 1883) ~ German social, economic and political theorist @ 28 Dean Street

    John Logie Baird (1888 - 1946) ~ British (Scottish) engineer who invented television (TV) @ 22 Frith Street

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917 - 1963) ~ 35th American president @ 14 Princes Gate

    UPDATE April 2006: I was at Kew Gardens this weekend (Easter Sunday), and saw a blue plaque! It was for Camille Pissarro, the French Impressionist artist, who lived at this address in 1892. This plaque is found in Gloucester Street, Kew.

    http://www.blueplaque.com/


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Londoners: British humour :)
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: I really enjoy the dry wit than many English people possess. A play on words is also well received.

    What I do NOT appreciate is the blaspheming and need to swear that I find in London (this comes from people from all nationalities, not only Londoners please note, and MANY Londoners I know do not swear at all).

    I find the blaspheming insulting. Swearing is also not liked but I try and ignore it as much as I can. To each their own.

    Anyway, that's my own outlook on language in London! :) The wit is generally great though!!!


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    General Tips: Weather ~ your luck may be in for some blue sky!
  • Tip Rating:
  • London - Sun 1 minute, cloud the next...
  • Sun 1 minute, cloud the next...
  • by Jenniflower
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Favorite Thing: A favourite topic of conversation, nary a day goes by without a discussion about it in the office.

    But it is so unpredictable, that one sometimes doesn?t know how to even dress for work! In one day it could rain, plus be warm one hour, and cold the next, you just never know.

    My answer? Layering! I always dress in layers, so that when I come out of the cold onto a hot tube I can take a couple of layers off if need be.

    Favourite weather website? www.bbc.co.uk


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Londoners: The English language in different flavours!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: American English differs from English English in several key points. This can cause much amusement sometimes! haha

    lift-elevator
    boot-trunk of car
    telly-TV
    brolly-umbrella
    tube-subway
    lorry-truck
    pavement-sidewalk
    vest-undershirt
    waistcoat-vest
    ring-call
    muffler-scarf
    lounge-livingroom
    rubbish-trash
    mad-insane
    let-rent

    etc. etc.!

    Fondest Memory: That being said, you often will find that the person behind the counter/waitron does not have English as a first language, and this can be quite frustrating at times. There are many foreigners who live and work in London, especially students, and they are learning English. Might sound weird to not deal with English people when shopping/eating out in London, but is so.

    The photo is of Bree, an Australian waitress we chatted with at Hampton's Wine Bar. She had only been in London for 2 weeks wen we met her!

    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Parks and Gardens: Safety
  • Tip Rating:
  • Favorite Thing: London is a very safe city taking into account its size, you are able to go anywhere in the centre at any time - in some districts a little more caution is advised though - at the North End of Notting Hill, Brixton, Walthamstow, Peckham and anywhere near Elephant and Castle - but it's generally safe otherwise.

    As a woman I walk in many areas on my own, but I am cautious, like I would be in any city. There are nasty people everywhere!

    The tubes are also safe at night, albeit the usual drunks that make life a little less savoury for the rest of us on Saturday nights.

    But on the whole, I feel pretty safe in London.


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Getting around: Currency
  • Tip Rating:
  • London Getting around
  • British Pound Sterling
  • by Jenniflower
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Favorite Thing: The money used is Pounds Sterling, some places will, accept Euros too.

    There are ATMS ('a hole in the wall') all over the place, and the majority of them do not charge you to withdraw, which is great! (In South Africa there are hefty ATM withdrawal charges)

    Another convenience is being able to ask for Cash Back from the local supermarkets when you pay with your debit card. There is no charge for this.

    Saves time, hassle and is safer.

    Cheques are accepted in most places but aren't used that much anymore.


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    1 | 2 | 3

    More London Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 127
    Restaurants
    Tips: 60 - Photos: 196
    Hotels & Accommodations
    Nightlife
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 7
    Off The Beaten Path
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 145
    Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 8
    Transportation
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 7
    Local Customs
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 10
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Shopping
    Tips: 16 - Photos: 32
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 27
    General Tips
    Tips: 30 - Photos: 58

    London Forum

    Join a Discussion

    Visiting Amritsar for the first time
    (4 replies, Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 5:47 PM UTC)

    Tipping in London
    (11 replies, Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 6:24 PM UTC)

    Oyster Card?
    (2 replies, Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 8:40 AM UTC)

    Be the first to reply to these questions

    So where's the best undiscovered nightlife in London
    (no replies yet, Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 10:03 PM 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
    » Ask about London

    London Deals

    OneWay from NZ to London
    (0 comments, Monday, Jul 14, 2008, 11:56 PM UTC)

    4-Star London Knightsbridge Hotel inc Breakfast - £50 OFF
    (0 comments, Thursday, Jul 3, 2008, 12:21 AM UTC)

    Crown Plaza London Docklands Hotel inc Breakfast , £56 OFF
    (0 comments, Thursday, Jul 3, 2008, 12:22 AM UTC)

    » All London Deals
    » Post a London Deal

    FREE VT Deals Newsletter
    great deals, inside tips & no spam
      

    Comments for Jenniflower about London
    sydneysue Sun May 4, 2008 10:27 UTC
     HI!Super tips on London!
    Wowmoment Sat Apr 26, 2008 07:54 UTC
     Really enjoyed your London pages. A city I know so well seen through another's eyes, your enthusiasm shines through,.
    Dabs Mon Mar 24, 2008 15:17 UTC
     Booked the next London trip, we will be there July 28-Aug 5 and then will swing back on the 8th or 9th for a day :-)
    Varinia Sun Mar 16, 2008 01:32 UTC
     Thank you so much for your tips, very useful. I will come back to read them when I'm ready to move...to London. Thanks, Varinia
    See More Comments

    More Sponsored Links for London

    Free Booking - London
    Hotels in London at fantastic rates Over 225,000 hotels worldwide!

    500 Hotels in London
    Save up to 75% on your booking. Low rates and great availability!

    London Hotels
    Hyatt - Official Site. View Rates, Book Rooms & Get Online Specials.

    Find:       Matching:  Advanced