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15 February 10 - Did anyone stop at this romantic spot yesterday? Ideal Valentine's day spot in St James' Park. What a view. Fantastic photo by Rich Lewis.
www.flickr.com/photos/richlewis/3135448580/
2 February 10 - Seeing London from the river is an amazing experience.15 Something you should definitely do at least once in your life! How about booking a romantic Valentine's day cruise?
River Thames Boat Hire - cruise the River Thames with a party, disco, lunch, dinner, festive or corporate event on Old Father Thames. Check our fleet and options.
25 January 10 - Still not found the tour that's right for you? Want something that's a bit more flexible, with a personal touch and possibly customised? then check out Diane Burstein's (LBC radio broadcaster) tours. She has a truly amazing list of possible walks and you'll be sure to find one you're interested in. http://www.secretlondonwalks.co.uk/index.html
20 January 10 - Not sure which area to stay in London, where to book hotels, events and visits. Check out this helpful, information packed website :
A Traveller's Guide to London: - Where to stay in London, discount hotel reservations, special offers, attractions, events, theatre breaks, event tickets, restaurants, night life, guided tours, walks, tips and recommendations.
14 January 10 - Wondering what London tour to do? Not sure where to start looking? Then you may find this site helpful; a good selection of London tours available, presented in a clear and concise way. Other UK tours also available. www.londontourcompany.co.uk
11 January 10 - Brilliant picture of the remains of Winchester Palace by one of our listeners, Valkyrie_NYC (thanks for letting us post it ;) ). Winchester Palace was the 12th century home of the Bishop of Winchester but it was destroyed by fire in 1814. You can see these remains on Clink Street on the Southbank, Bankside.
8 January 10 - Guard outside Buckingham Palace. Great pic by Carlos Aguilera. The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter, and lasts about 45 minutes. Make sure it's happening before going!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orbita52/4256004995/?addedcomment=1#comment72157623042027803
13 December 09 - Another of Nick Garrod's fantastic staircase pictures. This time at Somerset House. If you've never been, you may be interested in knowing that admission to The Courtauld Gallery (well worth a visit) is free on Mondays from 10am-2pm. It would be crazy not to make the most of it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/belowred/2885329376/
11 December 09 - Next in our series of Nick Garrod photos, another picture of the walkway in City Hall. Just stunning. Totally worth visiting, a true masterpiece in London architecture.
Did you know it is not owned by the GLA, but rented on a 25 year lease?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/belowred/505830976/
7 December 09 - Here's another Nick Garrod 'staircase' picture, this time the famous helical walkway inside City Hall. Definitely something you should try and see for real. City Hall usually has an open weekend once a month when you can visit inside, see the walkway, the top floor 'London's living room', the viewing platforms and the spectacular views over the Thames and the City.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/belowred/507227628/
4 December 09 - I think Nick Garrod's photography is spectacular. Love it! I'll be posting more but here's the first: Inside The Monument (to the great fire of #London).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/belowred/253580496/
25 November 09 - Love this picture taken by Otroclape from the Stone Gallery in St Paul's Cathedral (one of the 3 galleries in the main dome). Beautiful!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fepigio/455457538/
6 November 09 - Great pic by Anirudh Koul of Tower Bridge at dawn. Love the blue light and the reflections in the Thames.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anirudhkoul/3499471010/
4 November 09 - If you're coming to London on a tight budget but would still like to do a guided tour, then we've found just the thing for you. Sandeman's Tour Company offer a FREE guided tour of London, every day, 365 days a year! You get to walk in the footsteps of the rich and powerful, hearing about famous characters in British history, learning about their lives and where they lived. Expect to see Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner, Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament and Nelson's Column among many other famous London landmarks. Tour guides are thoroughly trained, well informed and will do their utmost to answer questions and give you the best possible experience. Tours last between 2.5 and 3 hours and start daily at 11am and 4pm by Wellington Arch (Exit 2 Hyde Park Corner Station). No need to book. newlondon-tours.com
28 Octobre 09 - Stunning picture of the Natural History Museum in London by Raindog. What a place, probably one of the most beautiful in London. A Must see even if you don't actually go further than the hall to visit the museum... Entrance is free!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raindog/3936384967/
22 October 09 - Found this amazing picture of the Gherkin by Ian Muttoo. It was created from 28 photos, using AutoStitch. Pretty impressive.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imuttoo/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
13 October 09 - Now if you like cupcakes as much as we do then you'll want to know where you can find the best ones in London. Our number 1 choice is Bea's of Bloomsbury (44 Theobald Rd, WC1X 8NW). For a start we like the bakery, recently opened, it's fresh, classy and full of tasty treats. The cupcakes are to die for, just the right proportion of icing to cake, interesting flavours like raspberry and passionfruit and all presented on wicked little cupcake stands (we had to go and get the stand for ourselves for our own cupcake parties!). Other great alternatives are Crumbs & Dollies at Partridges Food Market (Duke of York Square SW3 4LY - Saturdays 10am-4pm & at Covent Garden Real Food Market WC2E 8RF - Thursdays noon-8pm) or Primrose Bakery (42 Tavistock St, WC2E 7PB). Enjoy!
25 September 09 - Are you worried about how you're going to keep up your regular workout while you're on holiday in London? Well we may have a solution for you. We've found a tour company that provides jogging tours of London, so while you get to see the major landmarks of our city, you also get in a decent amount of physical exercise. Nice idea to be able to combine the two. On top of that you get to see more than you would on a walking tour, you're likely to meet like-minded tourists AND it's eco-friendly! Prices are pretty high at £26/tour but you also receive a T-shirt, digital photos of your run and 10% off any future tour. cityjoggingtours.co.uk
24 September 09 - Can't wait for skiing season to begin? Then you might be interested in knowing that World Cup Big Air Event will be back at Battersea Power Station on 31st October. The whole place will be transformed again with a 32m high ski jump and tons and tons of snow! Expect to see the likes of Peetu Piiroinen, Tanner Hall and Paddy Graham do their thing alongside music by Friendly Fires and Orbital. Definitely something a bit different to attend in London...
21 September 09 - We love discovering the hidden streets and corners of London, the places that most people miss... and so we were thrilled to find out about Green City Walks, guided walks designed to highlight the amazing history of London, as well as the beauty that can be found in its architecture, parks and gardens. The walks take you to some of the less well known areas of the city, opening your eyes to a completely different London. We'd highly recommend the Hidden Gardens walk which takes you from the oldest City park dating from 1606, to rooftop gardens and hidden walkways. The walk only costs £5/person with proceeds going to Oxfam and Cancer Research UK! Every Wednesday at 1:30pm from Moorgate station. greencitywalks.com
18 September 09 - This Sunday is the Mayor of London's Skyride, an event that will hopefully encourage people to get their bikes out and ride through the streets of London, with no fear of cars and lorries! Roads will be closed off to the usual traffic and cyclists will be able to go around the centre of London seeing its major attractions and landmarks. The event also links in well with Open House weekend, where you can get to see inside many buildings that are usually closed to the general public (see below). Of course the mayor will be there on his bike, aswell as model Kelly Brook and Olympic Gold triple medallist Sir Chris Hoy. Sunday 20th September, junction of Marlborough Road and The Mall SW1 from 10am, Free admission.
17 September 09 - Head for Clapham Common before 20th for the Colourscape Music Festival. If you've never been you've got to check it out! You'll find a gigantic colourful inflatable structure that you can wonder around in, once you are clothed with a brightly coloured cape! Truly original. This weekend there will be music performances going on inside it from 1pm-5pm, a great space for live music. Clapham Common near the Windmill pub. Nearest access Rookery Road. Admission: £7 adults; £3.50 children/concs; £18 family ticket Opening Times: 1 to 6pm weekends; 12 to 1pm weekdays
16 September 09 - It's Open House this weekend in London. Many buildings and homes that are usually closed to the general public (or non-paying public) are opening their doors to satisfy your curiosity - all for free! So now's the time to see the beautiful staircase in the Queen's House Greenwich, the fascinating Little Green St in Kentish Town, the eco-friendly Shoreditch prototype house, the insect roof of the Cremorne Riverside Centre or Jimi Hendrix's flat in Brook St... the list goes on and on. You'll have to plan in advance what you're going to visit, some places will even need booking. Let us know where you go! September 19th-20th londonopenhouse.org
15 September 09 - Are you wondering where other toursits are staying and what they think is great in London? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g186338-London_England-Vacations.html
14 September 09 - Want to experience the Edwardian justice system? Greenwich Magistrates' Court is having an open day on Saturday so visitors can go behind the scenes, see how the Court has evolved over the last 100 years and get an insight into the legal system. As well as a visit of the Grade II building, you will get to see prison cells, take part in mock hearings, a climb on board a 1910 fire engine... A great day out for the whole family. Saturday 19th September 9:30am-4pm, 9 Blackheath Road SE10 8PE, free admission
8 September 09 - This Sunday is the day to head to Spitalfields. Aswell as all the brilliant usual Sunday markets in the area, you'll also find the Show and Green Fair on City Farm and in the nearby Allen Gardens. There'll be competitions for home grown flowers, fruit and veg, but also arts and crafts and stalls on gardening, environmental projects and healthy eating. Buxton Street, 12noon-5pm Admission Free 020 7375 0441
7 September 09 - Before the launch of London Fashion Week you will find High Street Fashion Week taking place on Oxford Street, the world's most famous 'shopping mile'. Shops have got together to create the event with shows, competitions, catwalks and parties taking place all over during 5 days. The goal is to introduce and promote new clothing ranges and make fashion available to everyone. Celebrities will be involved including Alesha Dixon who was voted 'High Street Fashion Queen' by shoppers. highstreetfashionweek.com 7th-11th September
4 September 09 - We've just discovered shootexperience.com and can't wait to attend one of their events! Basically you find yourself a team of 2-4 people, take along a camera and then get a list of clues about locations in an area of London. Once you've worked out where these places are you go and take pictures of them, in the most original way possible. You don't have to be a photographer, this event is open to everyone, you just need to think creatively and have a good eye... Those that take the best pictures win prizes and then after the event many of the pictures are exhibited in a gallery. Fancy seeing your pictures up in a London venue? Pretty cool. Their next event is tomorrow, in and around Canary Wharf. It costs £15/person and you need to book online beforehand. Meet at Cineworld West India Key at 11:15am and take along a map of the area. Have fun!
3 September 09 - Are you into creepy-crawlies? Yes? Then you may be interested to know about the 'Pestival' taking place in London over the next few days. It celebrates insects in art, and art in insects with insect-inspired talks and debates, as well as comedy, music, walks, workshops, installations and experiments. Did you know that London was home to some rare species of insects? Take the streaked bombardier beetle, that kills predators with a boiling spray and makes a popping noise with puffs of smoke, it can only be found in one place in the UK, near city airport. Or the globally threatened stag beetle that grows up to 8cm which can be found in South London gardens... You can find out more about all these species and how to help protect them at 'Pestival'. Southbank Centre 3rd-6th September
2 September 09 - Nine years ago a pastor from Haringey began the 'week of peace' where families and young people could express their fears and concerns about vilence and crime in London. The project has grown over the years and now there are events all of over the city with marches, talents shows, religious gatherings, sport events and even a large concert on Trafalgar Square - all promoting peace and harmony across London. In order to also focus on the positive work that goes on here, there is an award ceremony for which you can nominate people in categories such as bravery, community engagement, parenting, 'turn-around' ex-offenders, diversity... It's good to see some fantastic positive work going on in London. Week of Peace 20th-27th September
1 September 09 - One of London's best free events is the roller stroll, a Sunday skate around London, envolving sometimes over 100 participants. Each week the route changes and 'marshalls' lead the way. Everyone is welcome, but there are a few rules to respect: If you can't stop on slight downhill gradients, don't go! Stay off the pavements! Skate at your own risk! Ok with all that? Then meet up with the crowd this coming Sunday. rollerstoll.com
31 August 09 - There's a huge amount of very good street food in London... and sadly, a great amount of rubbish street food too. So, where do you go to find the best? We love Greenwich Market with the Son of Pamap stall, selling tasty Argentinian food and the best churros in London (you will have to queue!) We also always get something from the Real Baking Company, a scrumptious iced cup cake or a perfect chocolate and raspberry cake. Our second favorite destination is Exmouth Market with the Moro tent serving their dish of the day and the yummy crepe stall to the north of the street. Both these markets are also in great places... definitely worth a visit. Let us know what your favorite street food places are!
26 August 09 - We've found a great walk in North London called the Parkland Walk from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace , leading along the old, and now disused, railway. Over 300 species of wild flowers have been recorded, more than 60 species of birds and a large number of animals. You may even be lucky enough (or unlucky enough?!?!) to spot a 'goat-like' man that people believe haunts the area! Our favorite spot in on the viaduct from which you get fantastic views of London. Definitely to put on your to do list!
25 August 09 - If you're looking for a weekend activity in London for your kids we've found the ideal thing! It's the Spitalfields City Farm Young Farmers' Club. It's a free of charge play club for 8-13 year olds where they'll get the chance to care for farm animals, ride donkeys, garden and make arts and crafts... It takes place on Saturdays from 10:30am to 3:30pm, and yes, you heard it right, it's completely free! Buxton Street E1 5AR, 0207 2478762
18 August 09 - Ever wanted to write all over a table or wall in a bar? Ever wanted to tag to your heart's content in a public place? There's a new 'summer' bar in Battersea, overlooking Ransome's Dock where you can scribble whatever you like, wherever you like... yes even on the waiters! Hence the name 'Doodle Bar'. However, if you're not fussed about leaving messages or reading other people's notes then you may be more interested in the fact that beers are only £2.50 and wine £10... bargain in London. For the moment the bar is only running for the summer but the owners are hoping they get permission to keep it open longer... So find your marker pens and head for Battersea on a Friday night, 6pm-12am! 33 Parkgate Rd, London, SW11 4NP
17 August 09 - We've found a fantastic new cafe in London, Soho and we know you're going to love it! Yalla Yalla is a Lebanese cafe located on Green's Court and open all week and all day long. The interior is modern and light with white walls, a mixture of photos and paintings and seating for over a dozen people.
'Yalla Yalla' means 'Hurry up' in Arabic, so you can expect food to arrive fast and service to be efficient. The food is diverse, tasty and authentic with mezza to share (for example lamb tartar with spiced cracked wheat, spring onions, fresh mint & basil or deep fried tiger prawns, calamar & white bait with spring onions, crispy aubergine & chilli minted greek yoghurt...), mains from the grill (charcoal grilled marinated lamb skewers, grilled tomato, sumac onion salad & vermicelli basmati rice...) and baklava for desert... Get your taste buds ready for a journey! 1 Green's Court, Soho, W1F 0HA - 020 7287 7663
11 August 09 - Your kids will love the 'Butterfly Jungle' at the Natural History Museum this summer. Experience the dark depths of the forest floor, the heady heights of the tree canopy and meet some incredible species of tropical creatures: tarantulas, giant centipedes, scorpions and of course lots of butterflies. Only until 27th September.
7 August 09 - Have you heard of Bring & Share at the National Theatre every Friday & Saturday night this summer? It's in its 4th season there and it's a pretty cool event: It's 3 hours of mixed up party music that you bring along. Choose your favorite party tracks and take them there between 10pm and 1am. The changing DJ incorporates them to his/her set, getting the crowd dancing and the river thames rocking! You must try it at least once this summer.
6 August 09 - With over 100 miles of canals and 110 acres of Dockland London should have a thriving water wildlife, but the numbers of species seem to be decreasing. British Waterways need your help. They believe the figures recorded are incorrect because there are not enough volunteers helping to map the various species located across the city. So whether you live in London or are just visiting, plan a walk down one of our beautiful waterways and help out by downloading and filling out a spotter's guide from the British Waterways website.
5 August 09 - If you're not heading to the sea this summer but you're stuck in London then you might like to know that a temporary outdoor pool has been created next to Gabriel's Wharf on the South Bank. It's there to encourage parents to take their kids swimming during the summer holidays; the message being 'let's make Londoners a bit more active before 2012'! You'll find deck chairs and ice cream, swimming lessons and fun & game sessions... enough to keep the whole family happy. Call 0844 357 2549 for more details.
4 August 09 - Fancy making music without any training? Youth Music have created a melody making machine, a 'table' of high-tech instruments for young people to create music on. You get to choose a style/track of music and then play along adding your 'thing' with your instrument. The clever thing is that your instrument triggers samples that fit in well with the track you are playing along to, allowing you to make music that actually sounds good even though you don't know how to play!!! Add to that special light effects and a music video at the end of the session and you're in for a pretty cool experience. At the Southbank Centre until September.
3 August 09 - We've just discovered 'I knit London' on one of our favorite streets in the city. This bar/shop/club is for you if you're into knitting!!! Pop in for a knit with a drink, go and join a knitting group or class, or just pass by to see what wools they have on sale. Pretty cool! www.iknit.org.uk
9 July 09 - Cinema lovers in north London have just found out that the much loved Phoenix Cinema is going to undergo a massive revamp thanks to the £606,800 awarded to the establishment by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It's not just London's but Britain's oldest continuously working cinema, having been open for 99 years!
Expect to see it again with its art deco look dating from the 30s. Great news!
10 July 09 - If you want a London theatreland street/road sign to decoratre your front room then now is the time to get hold of one! Westminster City council are getting rid of 90 of them on ebay! This kind of opportunity doesn't come round very often so we're guessing a lot of people will want one. The money raised from the sale will be used for refurbishment work in the area.