Why London
London is truly a World City
and a fantastic urban laboratory. It remains the largest city in
Europe (West of Moscow) and claims to be the world's most
cosmopolitan city. Established around two thousand years ago,
London is a perfect mix of new and old buildings, from the
affectionately known 'Gherkin' at 30 St Mary Axe to the Tower of
London (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which was founded in the
early 1080s and the home of the Crown Jewels. Plentiful in culture
some 300 languages are spoken in London Schools and more than 50
nations have at least 10,000 London residents each.
Whether you are looking for entertainment, cultural activities,
sporting events or you'd like to do some shopping, London has it
all. There is something to see around every corner. While you are
here why not see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace,
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (also a World Heritage Site),
Westminster Abbey or go for a ride on the London Eye, Europe's
largest wheel, which gives amazing views of the city and is also
within 10 minutes walk of our main venue. Central London also has
beautiful parks. Hyde Park, Regents Park, Kensington Gardens, Green
Park and St James' Park (which is five minutes from the World
Congress' main venue, QEII Conference Centre) are great places to
wander through and watch locals and visitors alike.
Central London is a great
place to explore on foot. At Walk London you will find
good routes to take with maps and other information. If you don't
fancy that, London's public transport system makes the city easy to
get around. TFL's
Journey Planner is a great website to help you plan how to get
from A to B. Whether on the Tube, London Overground, Bus, DLR,
National Rail services or Thames River Taxi you are never short of
an option for reaching your destination. The most economical
way to travel on bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground and National
Rail services in London is to use an Oyster card. The size of a
credit card this smartcard can hold up to £90 worth of travelling
money at one time. Very easy to use and 'top up' the Oyster card
can be used for single trips, or if you're going to be travelling
for a longer period of time you can purchase a travelcard. Find
more information at OysterOnline.
In 2012, London becomes the first city in the modern era to host
a third Summer Olympic Games. The Congress Study Tour programme
includes an opportunity to see the rapidly developing Olympic
stadium, other facilities and the new Olympic Park.
Other 'must dos' when you're in London:
- The West End. London's answer
to New York's Broadway. More than 13 million people see shows on
the West End each year, and there is a variety to choose from:
musicals, plays, comedy shows, opera, ballet just to name a few.
Want discounted tickets? The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells
discounted same day and advanced tickets for many shows from 10am.
You can find more information at Official London
Theatre
- The Globe
Theatre. See a Shakespeare play in the way it would have
been done in the late 1500s/early 1600's
- Hungry? London has a huge range
of cuisines for every budget. Why not try an authentic English meal
at one of London's 4,000 pubs? Or visit leading modern British
restaurants or indeed eat almost any cuisine from around the world.
Top
table is one of many good websites with restaurant information
and reviews and also discounts.
- Nightlife. London has an
excellent range of mainstream and cutting edge clubs and also
boasts the largest gay scene in Europe.
- Museums. There is a variety to
visit in London, all showcasing different parts of Britain's
history. The British Museum, Victoria and Albert
Museum, Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum are
just a few of the free museums London has to offer. For a list of
London's museums go to London
Tourist
- Art
Galleries. Like museums, many galleries are free in
London. Situated on the iconic Trafalgar Square (which is a sight
to see in itself), the National Gallery houses Western European
paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Other galleries
include the National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Academy of Art and
the amazing environment of Tate Modern where you will find the best
modern art.
- Greenwich. Just a short ride
out of Central London, Greenwich has many things to offer from
Markets to an amazing view of the London skyline. Want to see where
time begins? The Royal Observatory is the home of Greenwich Mean
Time and here you can stand on the Prime Meridian line that divides
the east from the west (longitude 0° 0' 0''). Visit the Maritime Greenwich site
for more information. One way to travel to Greenwich is to go on a
river boat cruise on the Thames. More information can be found at
River Boat Cruises
- Speaking of Markets, London has
many varieties of markets. Looking for fresh and organic produce?
An assortment or breads and cheeses? Amazing chocolate brownies?
Borough Markets, located near the iconic London Bridge is the place
for you. Or would you prefer arts and crafts, jewellery and
clothing? Then try Camden or Portobello road or Old Spitalfields
Markets. Wherever you are in London you will find somewhere to cater
you needs.
- London has a colourful history,
so why not take a walking tour and see some of the history where
Jack the Ripper killed his victims? Go to http://www.walks.com/ for
an assortment of tours or want to be scared? Then try London Horror
Tours
- London is also a great place to shop. Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets
have everything you need. Visit New West End's website for
details. You can also browse specialist shops in Covent Garden or
Carnaby Street, visit Knightsbridge or explore one of London's many
metropolitan and suburban town centres.
- Do you like Sport? Cricket,
football (or soccer to some of you) and rugby each started in
Britain and now have a large following in London. Many sporting
facilities in London hold tours for sporting fans. Cricket fans can
tour the grounds of Lords and
The Oval
(and you may be able to see a match whilst you are here) and
football clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hot Spurs run
stadium tours.
- Wembley Stadium is
also a great place to visit. Redeveloped in recent years on the
site of the original stadium, Wembley hosts major events including
the FA Cup and Carling cup finals, Rugby games, concerts. The
stadium also holds stadium tours.
Events in June
There are always things happening in London and it's especially
bustling in the summer. Aside from the World Congress there
are many events taking place in June that may whet your
appetite:
- The Fifa 2010 World Cup may be
in South Africa but it will still take England by storm.
England's first match is on June 12 and expect London to go World
Cup crazy! World cup games schedule: Fifa World
Cup
- Open Air Theatre - Open Air Theatre Just
like an indoor theatre but without the roof! The Crucible is on til
19 June, The Comedy of Errors starts June 24.
- Stella Artois Tennis
Championship - This Men's competition is a warm up to
Wimbledon and is played June 7-13
- Like watching grass grow? England's Grand Slam Wimbledon starts
June 21 with the men's final played on July 4
- Taste of
London Held at Regents Park June 17-20, join London's finest
restaurants and famous chefs.
- London Gay Pride 2010
takes place 19 June to 3 July. This year's theme is Celebrating 40
Years of the Gay Liberation Front
- Like fashion? The Clothes Show
London is being held on 25 June to 27 June in Earls
Court.
- Opera
Holland Park - This Summer Opera Company holds Operas in a
temporary canopy in Holland Park from 1 June - Saturday 14 August.
More information at Opera
Holland Park
- West End
Live. Held the weekend of June 19 and 20. This free event in
Leicester Square is a showcase of current West End musicals.
- Team Green Britain Bike Week
runs from June 19 to June 27. Check out the details here Bike Week and while we're on
the subject the seventh London World Naked Bike
Ride is taking place June 12 2010.
Some other useful websites giving discounts and other
information are:
