september-2010

ON THE GROUND LONDON
GET THE VIBE…
HAVE YOURSELF A ROYAL TIME!
London: there is no other town quite like
Britain’s bustling capital. If you like majestic
landmarks, look no further than Buckingham
Palace or, for a slice of rock ’n’ roll history,
make a pilgrimage to The Beatles’ iconic
Abbey Road Studios. Indeed, London is home
to countless famous faces – from Her Majesty
the Queen to rock king, Sting.
London calls upon visitors to explore the
roads the Romans built, marvel at the churches
Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt following the
Great Fire of London in 1666, and experience
fi rst-hand the real-life portfolio of Sir Norman
Foster. From the “Gherkin” to London’s City Hall,
the work of this acclaimed British architect is
evident the moment you step off the plane. Well,
he did design Stansted Airport!
One way to admire London’s architecture
is by taking a cruise down the history-rich
River Thames. It’s the second-longest
river in the UK, and winds all the way from
Gloucestershire out to the North Sea in
Essex, dividing London into north and south.
It’s hard to imagine that just a few hundred
years ago the river was a busy working artery,
welcoming ships into the capital from as far
afield as China and the Canary Islands.
Today, a boat ride along the river will reveal
some of London’s most stunning sights – from
Big Ben (which is actually the nickname for
the bell in the tower) to Tate Modern (did you
know this gallery housed in a former power
station contains 4.2 million bricks?). Slip past
the Millennium big wheel, the London Eye, and
under the many road and railway bridges, each
with its own interesting story. Waterloo Bridge,
for instance, is made of Portland stone, which
cleans itself whenever it rains. Westminster
Bridge is painted green like the colour of the
leather seats in the House of Commons. This
contrasts with the red of Lambeth Bridge,
which lands at the other side of the Houses of
Parliament, where the House of Lords resides.
These grand attractions are what tend to
pull people into London. But it’ll be the local
experiences that make your trip truly one to
remember. If you like swimming visit London’s
outdoor lidos in parks across the city for a
refreshing and uniquely British experience.
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Staying outdoors, head north to Primrose
Hill for a picnic 78m up boasting one of the
most beautiful views of the city. The local area
is a haven of charming shopping and dining
options, and the houses (with their celebrity
inhabitants) are gawk-inspiring.
For south, try multicultural Brixton for its lively
market and tasty treats. The Brixton Academy is
a legendary live music venue, and there are plenty
of lesser-known entertainment gems too, like laidback
bar Mango Landin’ and the Ritzy Cinema.
If you’re over west try Fulham, which has
quite a different character to neighbouring
Chelsea. Look out for Fulham Palace, once
a home to the Bishops of London and now a
Extra Gherkin?
Sir Norman Foster’s
landmark tower soars above
London’s historic buildings
stately museum; roadside antique shops; and
a community devoted to their local football
team, whose home stadium is Craven Cottage.
Finally, the East End – with its working-class
history and über-trendy appeal – reveals London
in transition. You’ll fi nd nowhere quite as dynamic.
Try Shoreditch for clubbing and galleries, Brick
Lane for snacking and people- watching, and
Columbia Road for shopping, the Flower Market,
and a dose of real Cockney fl avour. Good luck
fi tting it all in! And, for your own sake, please
remember: stand right, walk left.
FLY TO LONDON (GATWICK, LUTON AND STANSTED)
FROM OVER 100 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING ANCONA,
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