London now assumes the mantle of one of the greatest cities in the world and has been called ‘world in one city’. London is a perfect destination for family vacation and so is for your kids. If you are coming to visit the capital city with your children then there is nothing to worry as your child will really enjoy as the city has a lot to offer even to kids. The first thing that you should is to take your child to the best available modes of transport including the underground ride. Other than this there are various special attractions for kids including kid’s museums, amusement parks and various other famous London attractions.

As far as sightseeing for kids is concerned, there are various free attractions for them. Few of these attractions include:

· National History Museum

· Science Museum

· Museum of Childhood

There is plenty on board for younger visitors apart from museums. Your child can enjoy the most at the amazing theme parks in London.

Theme Parks: If we talk about theme and amusement parks there are few famous ones in London which can keep your child always in a happy mood. Few of the amazing parks are:

· Thorpe Park

· Alton Towers

· Lego-land

· Chessington World of Adventures

To really make your kids happy, you can take them along to London Zoo. There is one Cartoon Museum which will surely delight the kids of all age groups as all children are fond of cartoon characters. Here in this museum your toddler gets to see the best of British cartoon and comic arts. Moreover, you will get a 10 percent off on in the excellent museum shop. For those who love toys, Pollock’s toys museum is the best as it’s complete English toy theater. So, the city is not only about fun and entertainment for adults but is a great place for kids too.

Check Out these Fabulous Things To Do In London

London has always been a major travel destination since years both from holiday as well as from business point of view. The capital city hosts thousands of things to do ranging from shopping, theatre and dance clubs to special tours and events. Thus, if you are planning to come to London or are already here, it is the checklist of some of the amazing things to do.

Theatres in London
London will soon become an ideal holiday hotspot especially for those who love theatre as the capital city offers some of the best theatres and musicals in the world. The concept of theatre in London is growing day by day and some of the most classical theatres have now started displaying various works of art, drama and comedy.

London Clubs
Are you looking for nightclubs in London? Take a look at our checklist of some famous nightclubs.

· Bar Rumba

· Electric Dreams

· Egg

· Future Fusion

· Ministry of Sound

Comedy in London
Many of you might be thinking that what comedy has to do with things to do in London, however, the capital city is a home to some UK’s best comic talents along with plenty of comedy venues where one can witness exclusive stand-up acts.

London Tours
London Tours is one of the most amazing ways to roam around this great city and explore major London attractions. Various agencies organize walking, cycling tours and dinner cruises etc. A professional tour guide was given to a group who will help you to discover more of the city. You can enjoy these tours at very nominal price rates.

Special Events in London
If we talk about these special events which you could enjoy in London, then here we will formerly talk about various Christmas and New Year parties and other festive celebrations. Fantastic special events are staged all year round ranging from world class sports to festivals and exciting exhibitions.

Keep this checklist with you, whenever you visit London next time or it proves to be a useful one if you have never visited this holiday destination before.

The Golden Hinde

The Golden Hinde was a large multi decked ship famous for its navigation all around the world during 1577 to 1580. The ship was also called as the Golden Hinde which translates into a female deer. It was captained by Sir Francis Drake. The ship was known as the Pelican before it was named as the Golden Hind by Sir Francis Drake in the year 1577. It was named so as to pay patronage to Sir Christopher Hatton who was one of the main sponsors of Drake’s world expeditions. Sir Christopher Hatton’s armorial crest bared a golden hind and thus the ship was named Golden Hind. Later Queen Elizabeth personally supported Sir Francis Drake to explore South America and to dent the Spanish. Drake captured the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora De la Concepcion must to his piracy and took in custody a record then 3, 60,000 Pesos.

A modern life-size authentic replica of the Golden Hinde was built in traditional handicraft fashion at the Appledore port in North Devon. The replica ship is also called the Golden Hinde. It was launched in the year 1973. One can find this ship docked at the Mary Overie Dock, Bankside. It is walk able distance from the Reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Southwark Cathedral. The replica ship is an actual working ship and was sailed over 100,000 miles. This very Golden Hinde is a museum containing replica of weapons used at that time, nautical gear and periodical furniture which makes you experience dramatic depiction of Hinde’s famed voyage. The ship is open to be explored by the visitors. Make sure you check out Sir Francis Drake’s cabin and do not miss the hold where barrels of provisions were stored. The gun deck was positioned in between the main deck and the hold. The gun deck is pretty small so as to distribute the weight of the ship a little better.

The Golden Hinde

The Golden Hinde is now a museum, open to all visitors as it stands still at the St Mar Overie’s Dock. The Golden Hinde also offers educational programmes for children to give them an insight on the Elizabethan era and to throw light on Drake’s life. There is a special guided walking tour in London which is led by guides dressed as pirates. The Golden Hinde is a perfect London kids party venue to have a fun filled event. It can also be hired for hosting corporate events and for filming purposes. Apart from these options there are family sleepovers and pirate fun days which are organized on a weekly basis. The Golden Hinde is open all seven days a week and all round the year. It remains closed only on Christmas and New Years. The Golden Hinde is situated at the St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street in Greater London. If you are travelling by tube, the nearest tube station is the London Bridge tube station and then it’s a short walk to the museum. This distinctive attraction in London also has several London Bridge hotels, restaurants and sightseeing locations, worth having a look.

London City Hall

The City Hall is a magnificent piece of architectural achievement where the London Assembly takes place and the Mayor of London resides. The City Hall is also a home to the Greater London Authority. The building is located in Southwark, at the southern banks of the River Thames right next to a famous London attraction, the Tower Bridge. The City Hall was acquired as the centre for the Greater London Authority meetings in the year 2002 by the government. It should be noted that the London Government does not own the building; it’s on a 25 year lease. The building is not an ordinary building; its complex design is what makes it stands out from the rest. To be precise it was the July 2002 when it became the headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA). The City Hall has been designed by the great architect Norman Foster.

The City Hall is also open to the members of the public. London City Hall remains open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 6:00pm BST, Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. There is a London Open House weekend on Saturdays and Sundays but not on all weekends. The City Hall will be open to public on 19^th and 20^th September 2009 for London Open House Weekend. There is a strict security check for all the visitors before they are let into the building.

The City Hall, London

On certain weekends the City Hall allows access to otherwise restricted areas to public. That is what the term Open House weekend means. At these weekends the visitors are free to explore the Chamber, London’s Living Room, Spiral Ramp/stairs and the Conference Room. The Chamber is where all the meetings and debates take place; these rooms have a seating capacity of 250 people from the public. The London’s Living Room is a must see, it’s the open space bar and restaurant on the top floor; here one can enjoy panoramic views of the city of London and overlook the River Thames and Tower of London while sipping the best mock tails and drinks.

What not to miss at the City Hall?

Be sure to check out the second floor. There is an Exhibiton space on the 2^nd floor where some amazing art is displayed. Also the view of the Assembly Chamber from the second floor is enthralling. Make it a point that you explore the ground floor well. Walk down the spiral ramp and ahoy waits another hysterical exhibition space aka the lower ground floor. The lower ground floor is where some of the many temporary exhibitions have taken place. The lower ground floor has the Cafeteria which serves amazing English food. And also make sure you check out the London Photomat, the London Photomat is complete aerial view of the entire Greater London. It is just awe-inspiring. All these exhibitions are open to the public free of cost.

The City Hall got photovoltaic solar panels installed in August 2007 at the roof of the building providing solar power to the entire building. These photovoltaic solar panels convert all the solar energy into electrical energy without any emission of harmful substance and without any wastage. The City Hall solar power project was sponsored by the London Climate Change Agency which was setup by the Mayor itself. They too are worth looking at.

The City Hall can also be hired for special occasions, corporate events and charity events. Charity Event hirers are given a huge discount. Also the London’s Living Room situated at The City Hall’s top floor is amazing for a drinks reception.

The City Hall is located at The Queen’s Walk in Southwark. The nearest London Underground tube station is the London Bridge tube station. London Bridge Nation Rail station is also a walk able distance.

The building has an unconventional shape which helps in energy efficiency. It’s compared to Darth Vader’s helmet, woodlouse, human scrotum and an egg. The former mayor Ken Livingstone called it as a ‘glass testicle’ where as the present mayor Boris Johnson calls it ‘The Onion’. Boris Johnson has also renamed the City Hall as “The Glass Gonad”.

St Paul’s Cathedral London

Address
St Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD

Nearest London Underground
St Paul’s

The region of St Paul’s in London has had a dedicated Cathedral since the 7^th century. The present St Paul’s Cathedral is the one with the largest dome in the world and this is designed by Sir Christopher Wren. This church was built near 1675 and it took around 35 years to complete this structure. It is amongst the most grandeur and magnificence church not just in London but in the entire UK. The first service in the contemporary cathedral took place in the year 1697. The Dome at the St Paul’s is extremely beautiful and the interiors at the cathedral are also truly outstanding.

A wide variety of events are organized at St Paul’s every year especially during Christmas. You can also attend the mesmerizing services and carol concerts during the entire Christmas season. Special Christmas lunch is also offered during this festive occasion at the restaurant located at St Paul’s. The shop at the St Paul’s is also a major attraction of this venue as here you can avail a variety of exclusive products, beautiful gift ideas and special Christmas Cards. It is amongst the most visited London attraction and it alone attracts thousands of tourists every year. You can take the help of professional guides at the St Paul’s to visit this venue.

Let’s know about the regions around St Paul’s Cathedral:

Attractions near St Paul’s Cathedral

• Museum of London
• Smithfield Market
• Bridewell Theatre
• Shakespeare’s Globe Museum
• Barbican Art Gallery

Restaurants near St Paul’s Cathedral

• Yo! Sushi ( Japanese)
• Pizza Express (Pizza)
• Paternoster Chop House ( British)
• Café Rouge (French)
• Gourmet Burger Kitchen (American)

Hotels near St Paul’s Cathedral

• Grange St Paul’s

Address – 10 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5AJ

This luxury 5 star hotel offers 433 En Suite rooms with several opulent room facilities.

So visit this wonderful location while you are on your London tour and experience the mesmerizing ambience at this serene location.

London Olympics 2012

When – 27^th July – 12^th August 2012 – Summer Olympics Game

29^th August – 9^th September 2012 – Paralympic Games

London has also been a host the Olympic Games held in the year 1908 and 1948, this is the third time that the Olympics will be held in London. The games will take place at several venues. Most of these venues are specially constructed for the purpose of Olympics. Besides the new venues, the already existing historic venues will also offer a variety of facilities that are needed in these games. The committee responsible for organizing Olympic Games in London is headed by Lord Coe. The committee is in charge of running the games and following the success of bid. On the other hand Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for the construction of required infrastructure. The finances for the games are too high and thus the escalating cost is considered to be an ongoing problem. In fact the logo of London 2012 Olympics is also controversial but, still the spirits are high and there is a lot of enthusiasm amongst the people of London.

The preparation for the Olympics is going on with great energy. More than 300000 plants are also being grown in the wetlands at the Olympics Park. Although all the events to be held during the London Olympics will be scattered in several areas of the capital but, most of it will take place in the region of Stratford. The other regions involved in staging the events include 5 boroughs of London – Newham, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets. Around 200 nations will participate in 2012 Olympics Games which will feature around 20 sports. Softball and baseball games will not be included in 2012 Olympic Games.

London Olympics 2012

Some of the most popular London attractions such as O2 Arena, Aquatics Centre, Velopark, Horse Guards Parade and Hyde Park will also be included in the list of Olympics venues where events will be held. The London Olympics 2012 will also bring a boom in the travel industry of London as millions of tourists will also come down to the city either to take part in the Games or to enjoy the games. Thus the London hotels and other major accommodations have already started preparing for the games. The hotel industry in London has always been extremely welcoming and it has always given a wide range of options to the tourists. So this time also you can expect the hotels to offer a variety of packages which can easily suit your pockets. Besides the London hotels, the London transport, London restaurants and all the major London attractions are also getting ready in order to offer the best of services to the tourists.

With such a pace of preparation, London will surely be able organize the London 2012 Olympics successfully. So you also get ready and plan your visit to London to explore the Olympic Games 2012.

If you are in London and you want to make the most of your trip then exploring the nightlife culture in the city is the most significant thing to do besides visiting the popular London places. London Nightlife Culture is extremely vibrant and it offers a wide variety of things to explore. The capital hosts several well known night clubs, pubs, bars, dancing dens, museums, theatres and cinemas. Most of the theatres, museums and art galleries amongst these also offer late night shows and special events.

Some of the venues where you can relish the night culture of London are listed below:

· Victoria and Albert Museum

South Kensington, Cromwell Road

London SW7

Telephone +44 (0)20 7942 2000 / 2092

Nearest tube station – South Kensington London Underground

It is one of the most popular museums in the city. V & A is open until 10 pm and offers various events such as lectures, live jazz, classical music, lectures, buffet in the restaurant and much more. This is a good place to spend Friday evening after a hectic day of work.

· Royal Academy of Arts

Piccadilly Burlington House

London

Telephone – +44 (0)20 7300 8000

Nearest tube station – Piccadilly Circus London Underground

This renowned London attraction opens until 10 pm on every Friday. It offers a unique friends room where you can have a quiet drink with delicious snacks and relax while listening to live music. An event of evening lectures is also conducted here all round the year.

· Trafalgar Square

London WC2

Nearest tube station – Charing Cross and Leicester Square London Underground

Trafalgar Square is amongst the most popular London landmarks. It is a must to watch place especially for the tourists. This occasional pigeon is crowded with several tourists always, no matter what time of the day or what weather. The square looks even more stunning at night.

· The Old Queens Head

44, Essex Road

Islington

London N1 8LN

Nearest tube station – Angel London Underground

The Old Queens Head is a well known night club located in the region of Islington. It is a traditional yet trendy club and is suitable for the people who love clubbing. You can also savor a wide variety of delicious drinks and cuisines at this club. It offers great music, exciting quiz, DJ and much more. The ambience of the club is also commendable as you will find various chandeliers and beautiful lampshades in the club thus, making it a perfect location for clubbing.

· Mirrors Restaurant

Novotel London St

Pancras

100 – 110 Euston Road

Kings Cross St Pancras

London NW1 2AJ

Telephone – 0872 148 3125

Nearest tube station – Kings Cross St Pancras London Underground

This wonderful restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere with a variety of scrumptious cuisines and exceptional service. It offers one of the best hotels dining in the city. Various red and white wines are the specialties of the restaurant.

The above mentioned venues are just a few amongst the long list of venues where one can experience the London nightlife. So discover as much as you can and visit the above to start with your journey of exploring the London Nightlife Culture.

Houses of Parliament London

The Houses of Parliament well known as the Palace of Westminster is home to the House of Lords, House of Commons and the famous Clock Tower Big Ben. It was the residence of the King of England since 11 century till the 16^th century. But, by the 14^th century the parliamentary and the judicial courts resided in Westminster. In the year 1834, the entire Houses of Parliament i.e. the Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire. Few years after this incident the remains of St Stephens and the Westminster Hall were incorporated into a brand new Houses of Parliament. The Palace of Westminster lies to the north of the river Thames and thus, it offers beautiful sightseeing. The famous government building of White Hall is also sited close to the Palace of Westminster.

The vivacious history of all the buildings covered in the estate of Houses of Parliament span to around 900 years since the time of Anglo Saxon kings till the present time. The estate of the Parliament now extends far beyond the Palace of Westminster and also includes the Norman Shaw buildings which, once upon a time were used by the Scotland Yard. Besides the historical buildings the Parliamentary estate also hosts a wide historical collection for which the items are commissioned and collected by the Parliament itself due to its relevance and importance to the nation.

The following information will be useful if you are planning to visit Houses of Parliament:

Address Houses of Parliament – 2 Abbey Gardens, House of Commons, London SW1P 3SE

Nearest tube station – Westminster London Underground

Entry Ticket - 12£ for adults and 5£ for kids between the age of 5 – 15 years.

Attractions near Houses of Parliament

· Jewel Tower, Westminster

· Westminster Abbey

· Cabinet War Rooms

· Whitehall and Downing Street

· London Eye

· London Aquarium

· Florence Nightingale Museum

· County Hall Gallery

Restaurants near Houses of Parliament

· The Brasserie at One Great George Street

· The Footstool Restaurant

· The Cinnamon Club

· Locale

· Aji Noodle Bar

Night Clubs and Pub near Houses of Parliament

· The Red Lion

· Westminster Arms

· St Stephens Tavern

· The Speaker

· Farmers Club

Events near Houses of Parliament

· Classic FM Music Makers Christmas Concert on 15^th December 2009.

· Advent Lecture 2009: Heaven on 1^st , 8^th and 17^th December 2009

· Exhibition at Houses of Parliament from 5^th October – 31^st December 2009.

Houses of Parliaments Highlights

· Chambers of Commons

· Chambers of Lords

· Queens Robing Room

· Westminster Hall

The complete tour of Houses of Parliament takes around 75 minutes. The residents of UK can visit the Palace throughout the year but, the tourists are allowed only during the summer openings. Visitors can travel all over the designated areas of the estate and they need to be accompanied by a trained guide. You can also attend the judicial hearings, debates and committees taking place at the parliament. Thus, if you are interested to know about the heritage and historic significance of Britain’s parliament then this is the best place to start your tour from.

Christmas with Harrods in London

Venue – 87 – 135, Brompton Road

Knightsbridge, London

SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom

Nearest tube station – Knightsbridge London Underground

When – 1^st December 2009 – 24^th December 2009

Harrods in London will offer a wide range of exclusive gifts and offerings for all ages in this Christmas. This festive season Harrods has got a stunning selection of products which can make your Christmas more special. Harrods has also launched several exciting seductive hampers for this merry festive season. From opulent Christmas pudding with scotch and whisky to cranberries with mince pies and a lot more to satisfy your taste glands is available at Harrods. Besides shopping you can also indulge yourself in the various special events organized at the store. The Christmas Grotto at Harrods is also opened once again which will give an excellent opportunity to your Kids to meet Father Christmas. The Grotto will be open from 7^th November – 24^th December 2009. The tickets for Christmas Grotto at Harrods can be booked online from 22^nd September. It is recommended to book the tickets well in advance to avoid the last minute rush.

Visitors can surely expect a luxurious shopping experience during this Christmas. You can also explore a wealth of vivacious stocking fillers, unique gift ideas and handcrafted luxury crackers. The gold Christmas crackers which are priced at 599£ per pack are also amongst the fresh arrivals in the store. These crackers also offer prizes like MP3 player, crystal earings and leather passport. This year the store of Harrods will be covered in green which is unlike the usual white lights that are used every year. This year Harrods is celebrating 70^th anniversary of Wizard of Oz and thus this year the decorations even better and more colourful. Also be a part of the Harrods Christmas Parade which marks the beginning of festive season at the world’s largest departmental store. The parade will be held on 7^th November 2009 at the Harrods store. A series of fascinating activities will be held in this parade. This year the parade is based on the theme of Wizard of Oz story and it will celebrate 101^st appearance of Father Christmas. Popular characters of wizard such as Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion and Dorothy will also be a part of this parade. The parade will start at 8am and the free to this parade is absolutely free of cost.

You can also gaze into the designer collection of exclusive toys, food, home ware and clothes available at the store. You can surely find something or the other of your taste. Explore the new and improved range of luxury toys for your kids at the Harrods Store and make this Christmas a special one for your kid. From a wide variety of soft toys to steel pedal cars you have a wide variety to choose from. These vintage cars are specially designed for the kids who are a bit adventurous. So be a part of the shopping event at Harrods and complete the shopping for your Christmas celebrations with exclusive and attractive offers and hampers.

London Eye

London is a globally renowned and amongst the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This happening capital city is well known for its vibrant charm, beautiful locations and significant attractions. We have talked about a lot of London attractions such as Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Big Ben, Madame Tussauds and many more in our previous blogs so let’s talk about the major districts in London. All these districts can be called as the lifeline of this vivacious city and thus, all these are a must to explore whenever you are in London. Tourists, who are in London for the first time, are recommended to visit all these districts so that you can make the most out of your trip.

· Covent Garden

This is undoubtedly, one of the best and the most famous regions in London. It is also one of the best places in London for shopping and socializing. This dazzling district offers a wide variety of entertainment such as shopping, eating, theatre and much more. It is one of the most central locations in the city and thus, it has an easy access to all the major regions of London. Theatre Museum, Royal Opera House and London Transport Museum are the major London attractions located in this region. Axis Restaurant and bar, Indigo restaurant and Café Des Amis are the popular eateries in Covent Garden. Covent Garden Market is an ideal place to shop at in Covent Garden as it offers a wide variety from street shopping to branded showrooms. Covent Garden tube station is the London underground in this region and it is also a major mode of public transport.

· Holborn

Holborn is the popular London district which is spread across the City of Westminster, Camden and City of London. This region is mostly occupied by the barristers and it has various beautiful gardens and chambers. Holborn London Underground located in this region is also one of the busiest tube stations in the city. Sir John Saone’s Museum is the major attraction located in the city. Bhatti, Guanabar and Creation Restaurant and Bar are the most popular restaurants in this region.

· Kensington

Well known as Royal Borough of Kensington, this is amongst the districts located in the western part of London. Kensington is well connected with the other parts of the city with Kensington Olympia tube station. Kensington is home to several popular and significant museums and Kensington Gardens. This location is also ideal for shopping as it is close to various popular shopping streets such as Kensington Church Street, Kensington Square and Lexham Mews.

London Underground

· Oxford

Oxford is also amongst the busiest places in London. It offers several attractions such as The London Palladium, Handel House Museum, Tottenham Court and much more. The nightlife at Oxford is also one of the best in London. Oxford Street is amongst the biggest shopping streets in the city and is extremely popular amongst the tourists. Oxford Circus tube station located in this district also has an easy access to various parts in London.

Besides these London’s Soho, Camden, Chelsea, Westminster and Paddington are also extremely popular.