London Things to Do Tips by Durfun

Cool, quirky, trendy Camden :-) Camden Town, Lock and Market. Review

I think everyone must visit this lovely part of London.

The many markets are spread out & can cater to practically every need. Lots of eateries, cafes, restaurants, clothes & garment stores, reputed bars, tattoo artists, funky shoes, souvenir stores, health foods, music stores, specialist dress shops, etc.

The Lock also adds to the look, feel, and vibe of the place. If you wish take the Canal ride of the most scenic & beautiful stretch of the Grand Union Canal: from Camden Lock to Little Venice (Warwick Avenue) due west, via Regent's Park. This is a 45 minute ride, with an adult return costing 7 GBP. On the way you'll pass some gorgeous mansions with their gardens extending down to the canal-side.

There are various locks in Camden, so it offers the chance to see these in operation! Observe how a barge approaches, then it enters the lock (enclosure) and the gates are closed behind the barge. Next the water level rises... in no time it reaches the level of the body of water that was originally at a higher altitude. Next the front gates are swung open for the barge to continue it's upstream journey. The same process is applied for a journey in the opposite direction, where a barge enters the lock with water at a higher level which is subsequently emptied till the level matches the downstream section. Great fun to watch & learn ;-)

There are market stalls with lots of fast-food joints, and many have really quirky seating arrangements - on top of a line of scooters cut in half and stuck to a wall or railings overlooking the Canal.

Also there are nice cafes overlooking the canal, including ones with a high open terrace, to sit and just relax with a drink while you watch the world pass by ;-)

*** This place is so popular that Camden Town tube station only serves as 'alight only' on Sundays till 1730 hours. So for your return simply walk either north to Chalk Farm, or south to Mornington Crescent, each being a mere 5 minute walk away, and both served by the Northern Line.

Address: Camden High Street

Directions: Camden Town and Chalk Farm tubes, and Mornington Crescent as well!

Buy an Entrance ticket to the Abbey ... Westminster Abbey Review

One of the oldest medieval buildings in London, this is the burial place of most of the monarchs.

Even some national figures like Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, David Livingstone,
Sir Isaac Newton, Rudyard Kipling, Clement Attlee, William Pitt are buried here.

It is also the coronation venue of the monarchs, it all started with The Norman - William the Conqueror, coronated here on 25th of December, 1066! He managed to defeat King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, in Southern England.

Every monarch since then, including the current Queen Elizabeth II has been crowned here in an elaborate ceremony (with a few exceptions like poor Lady Jane Grey, Edward V and Edward VIII).

Princess Diana's funeral service was also conducted here.

*** Most recently (on 29/04/2011) Diana's older son William married Catherine Middleton here, and the service was broadcast throughout the world. UK had a public holiday to celebrate the occasion.)

You'll see tombs of so many Kings & Queens in the various sections, with some stones right under your feet!

Apparently, in 1612 King James VI and I had his mother's (Mary Queen of Scots - who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth I in 1587) body exhumed from Peterborough Cathedral and placed in the vault of King Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey.

In short, a lot of history here!

Originally Edward the Confessor built a Benedictine monastery here in 1050 in the Romanesque style. In 1245, Henry III decided to tear it down and build a new church in the Gothic style. The facade, however, wasn't actually finished until the 1400's. So, it is in a Late Gothic style which is much more vertical. Most of the lines go up-and-down and not across. (The two towers were not built until the 1700's).

(* note: no photography allowed inside!)

Address: Deans Yard, SW1

Directions: St James's Park or Westminster tube

Other Contact: Mon,Tue,Thur,Fri 9:30-3:45; Wed

Phone: 0 20 7654 4900

Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org

The fabulous palace from Tudor times Hampton Court Review

In 1514 Thomas Wolsey had acquired the site & planned to build his medieval manor here. The plans rapidly assumed the proportions of a magnificent palace with 280 rooms and spacious grounds surrounding it. That same year he became a cardinal & Lord Chancellor.

But when his relationship with the King Henry VIII became rocky, he felt compelled to hand it over as a gift to appease him.

This still didn't save the Lord Chancellor from the block (yes, Henry had him executed!).

If you have visited the Chateau of Versailles you will notice some similarities with the design of this place, from the rear! There is a long corridor similar to Versailles Hall of Mirrors, and there is the Long Water.

One must look around the private apartments of the royals, the receptions for entertaining foreign dignitaries, counsel rooms, prayer halls, banqueting halls, etc. There is an interesting armoury as well.

The building has been extended and altered substantially over the years, most notably by William of Orange. In some sections you can see from external brickwork which parts are from a different era.

The kitchens are very interesting. There are several different rooms for the preparation of the different courses. You can see recreations of a butcher's table (with poultry & peacocks!), a pantry, etc. The food bill in Henry's time was huge - there is a record of how much meat (numbers of different beasts consumed) was needed per year.

The gardens are enormous, and the firewood is collected from it's trees. On the left at the rear, there is a maze to have some fun in. Near it is Henry's famous indoor tennis court, of slightly different dimensions to today's sport - definitely worth a peek.

You can have a relaxing, fun picnic in the massive & well-tended gardens.

Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU

Directions: Network Rail from Waterloo to Hampton Court

Phone: 0 20 8781 9500

Explore the site & surroundings Hampton Court Review

The palace is in the south western suburb of London, offering a large site at the King's disposal, to indulge his passions for hunting.

The gardens stretch out for hundreds of acres, with an impressive long canal stretching straight out from the rear of the palace.

Palace buildings cover an amazing 6 acres of land, the gardens cover 60 acres between the Palace and the River Thames and the parkland covers 750 acres.

You can walk over the bridge on the Thames and admire the well-chosen site for the royals. In those days water navigation was vital & efficient - a perfect way for Henry VIII to traverse the Thames eastwards to pass Lambeth Palace (for his private liaisons!), Tower of London (another palace of his) and further east to Greenwich Palace (where both he & his daughter Elizabeth were born!).

Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU

Directions: Network Rail from Waterloo to Hampton Court

Phone: 0 20 8781 9500

Achilles : close-up! Hyde Park Review

Passing by Hyde Park tube, along Park Lane (where a lot of the classy top hotels are), you will soon come across Achilles' statue on your left.

There is also a short road right opposite bearing his name - 'Achilles Way'!

He is at the south-eastern tip of Hyde Park. I have often noticed his imposing form, but one fine winter evening (29th November 2008) I decided to check him out from closer.

Believe me, the pose & form is most impressive. Did you know his chest armour is by his left foot? Or is that someone's decapitated torso??? Check out the cool shape of his sword!!

Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge

Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes. More or less opposite Park Lane Hilton.

Swimming in the Serpentine :) Hyde Park Review

This park is massive. Location is great, linking the West End to Belgravia.

The north west section is Kensington Gardens, though there is no physical border separating the two.

The part of the Lake south of the bridge on it is called Serpentine, and falls under Hyde Park. The upper part is in Kensington Gardens & called the Long Water. This starts near the Lancaster Gate entrance with the Italian Gardens & fountains.

Did you know this is flowing water, and not a stagnant pool? At the south east end of the Serpentine (facing Park Lane) this lake drains off towards The Thames!! And the body of water is fed by Westbourne River.

Look out for the SSC - Serpentine Swimming Club. In summer it's buzzing from 0630. People swim here everyday, especially on 25th of December, irrespective of the weather: there is a race on Christmas Day: the prize is the Peter Pan Cup :-) Racing on 25/12 has been happening since 1864 (for PP Cup since 1904)!

Otherwise, you'd notice swimmers in the mornings only. In summer you can swim beyond the cordoned section for winter.

BTW there is a cute Peter Pan statue along with his animal buddies right between Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens, close to Princess Diana memorial fountain.

Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge

Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes

Other Contact: www.serpentineswimmingclub.com

Visit the Palace Hampton Court Review

This is a stunning palace, of gigantic proportions.

The front entrance is really grand & regal looking, rooms & apartments inside are gorgeous, and the gardens are wonderfully maintained.

The long water is absolutely divine !

Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU

Directions: Network Rail from Waterloo to Hampton Court

Phone: 0 20 8781 9500

The Lion King Theatres and Shows Review

This is a great show for kids & adults alike.

It's lovely how the cast walk thorugh the audience dressed as a variety of animals, like massive elephants, giraffes, etc, and on a few occasions they practically fill the whole room with birds flying around on poles.

The story is lovely, with a nice moral too, showing how a father cares for his child & teaches him about the philosophy of life.

The animals have interesting friendships & alliances, and there is a lot of humour thrown in for good measure throughout the show, often at the most unexpected times, enhancing the whole experience, and having you in stitches :-)

The cast certainly deserve their ovation at the end. A truly joyous & memorable experience. Do attend & enjoy.

*** Photography during the show is prohibited.

Address: Lyceum Theatre

Directions: At the north end of Waterloo Bridge, can't miss it as it will be right in front of you.

Website: http://www.ticketmaster.com

Hunterian Museum at Royal College of Surgeons Other Museums and Galleries Review

This is the ultimate place for anyone even remotely interested in biology & the internal structure of animals including humans! There are so many specimens of a very wide variety of animals, mammals, human embryos in various stages of development, etc.

The museum is arranged over several floors, with stacks & stacks of displays in bottles & encased in glass cabinets.

You can see skeletons and bones, as well as tissues and organs like the heart, stomach, lungs, internal nerve structures and nodes, etc.

Among the collection is a full skeleton of an Irish 'giant' from years ago who was 7' 7" tall! Also there is the grotesquely over-enlarged skull of a person afflicted by a specific illness that leads to this symptom.

There is a fascinating collection of early surgical tools & appliances, helping one to understand how operating methods evolved, including how theatres were sanitised.

One can also see real videos of surgical procedures taking place, eg on the brain, etc. There are many models of grafts, examples of how plastic surgery evolved, as well as microsurgery, eg on the inner ear, etc.

Attached to the buildiing is the Wellcome Trust's wings dedicated to medical students & practitioners, giving them access to an extensive range of specimens, for study and experimentation, etc.

Entry is free, donations are welcome, and there is a charge for an audio guide should you want one. Free guided tours of the Hunterian Museum are available every Wednesday at 1pm.

* Inside, photography is prohibited.

"John Hunter came to London in 1748 at the age of 20 and worked as an assistant in the anatomy school of his elder brother William (1718-83), who was already an established physician and obstetrician. Under William's direction, John learnt human anatomy and showed great aptitude in the dissection and preparation of specimens.

Hunter spent time collecting specimens of lizards and other animals whilst in France & Portugal. On his return to England in 1763 he began to build up his private practice.

In 1768 he was elected Surgeon to St George's Hospital, and in 1783 he moved to a large house in Leicester Square, which enabled him to take resident pupils and to arrange his collection into a teaching museum.

Hunter devoted all his resources to his museum. It included nearly 14,000 preparations of more than 500 different species of plants and animals. As his reputation grew, he was supplied with rare specimens such as kangaroos brought back by Sir Joseph Banks from James Cook’s voyage of 1768-71.

While most of his contemporaries taught only human anatomy, Hunter's lectures stressed the relationship between structure and function in all kinds of living creatures. Hunter believed that surgeons should understand how the body adapted to and compensated for damage due to injury, disease or environmental changes.

By the 1780s Hunter enjoyed widespread recognition as the leading teacher of surgery of his time.

Hunter is today remembered as a founder of `scientific surgery'. He was unique in seeking to provide an experimental basis to surgical practice, and his museum is a lasting record of his pioneering work."

(Source: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums)

Address: 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE

Directions: Located on the southern end of Lincoln's Inn Fields, it can be accessed via Sardinia Street which is off Kingsway, just south of Holborn tube station.

Other Contact: Fax: 020 7869 6564

Phone: 020 7869 6560

Website: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums

Geffrye Museum Other Museums and Galleries Review

A lovely & attractive museum that perhaps not too many people know/talk about.

It is unusual in that it's the sole museum of it's kind that specialises in interior decor & domestic house layouts in Britain since the 1600s.

As you enter it first explains what constitutes middle class folks, how they came to be, and points out that most layouts are representative of households of such "middling sorts". You'll come to see what was considered fashionable and when, items sought after, how 'exotic' items coincided with the colonisation in different parts of the world, etc. Also through the room presentation you can learn about routines in typical households too.

For instance, they used to write letters to friends to invite them over for tea, relying on the efficient postal service, and thus arranging a date within 2-3 days!

It's great fun to view examples of how a lounge or diner looked like in bygone eras, from a few decades back to several centuries ago. You'll also see a layout whereby you get an inside view of the front door, hallway, and lounge/diner through there! It's almost like stepping back in time, depending on how old you are now, the older styles may remind you of old times, as in your memory or captured in family photographs! Now you can understand how some film-makers can get the right look & feel for films set in olden times!

There is a large courtyard in the front with attractive flower gardens, a true joy to experience :) You can admire this from the bright, airy cafe, which has large windows all around.

Past the cafe and through a bright foyer (light flooding in via the cool skylights), you approach a quirky, modern staircase that leads you to the WCs downstairs. Around the staircase are open layouts of rooms from recent times, starting with 1900 and ending with 2000. Which does your room look like?? It's great noticing old TV sets or bakelite radios.

* Note this museum closes relatively early, at 1700 hours; closed on Mondays.
Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 12 - 5pm

Address: 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8EA

Directions: Between Pearson and Cremer Streets.
Take bus 149 or 242 from Liverpool Street station, heading north. Journey time about 7 minutes, the museum will be on your right.

Phone: 020 7739 9893

Website: http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk