Travel Article: London
1
Photography: Paul Preacher. www.sxc.hu 00 ISLES Spring 2009 Spring 2009 ISLES 00 SPOTLIGHT on... LONDON Places To See At a height of 135m, the London Eye is the latest tourist attraction to grace the Thames South Bank skyline and attracts approximately three million people a year. Opened on 31st December 1999, the initial agreement was for the Eye to be in service for one year only, however it is now a permanent feature in the heart of the city. In one of the 32 air conditioned capsules, the endless views across the city are breathtaking and you defiantly won’t be short of ‘Kodak’ moments. Entrance fees range from between £15 -£33 and a ‘flight’ lasts about half an hour. Across the river are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, one of London’s more famous attractions. Big Ben, refers to the largest of the five bells inside the clock tower, which is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock and measures in at a height of just over 93m. The tower was built in the wake of a fire, which destroyed the old palace of Westminster and was completed in 1856. Unfortunately, tours of Big Ben and Parliament are restricted to the summer recess (the Prime Minister’s holiday to me and you) and at any other time have to be previously arranged through an MP, however it really is worth a visit. St Paul’s Cathedral is another famous addition to the Westminster skyline, with its famous dome top. Built from Portland Stone, a type of limestone, the 108m high landmark still holds daily Holy Communion as well as offering guided tours. Although spectacular from the outside, the real awe-inspiring beauty is housed within as carefully crafted mosaics and intricate carvings line the floors and ceilings. Home to many famous tombs, Sir Winston Churchill being just one, St Paul’s has also housed various royal celebrations. Entrance costs £10 and a guided tour is £3 and lasts for roughly two hours. Despite the historical side, the West End is world famous for being the entertainment capital of London. Many actors have tried to make a name Hotels If you’re feeling a bit plush and will settle for nothing but the best, then places like Claridge’s and The Ritz are obvious options, but at £260 a night its hardly where the majority of us can afford to stay. Worth every penny, Claridge’s offers all the usual services and more. Boasting a Japanese breakfast menu and on-site gym and spa, the hotel promises its guests a stay to remember. With three restaurants, including the world-renowned ‘Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s’, you’re almost certain to be promised fine dining and exquisite food. However if, like many of us, you’re restricted to a budget and don’t fancy forking out that amount of money, then you’re probably going to have to look a little further outfield. Located in Shoreditch, across town, the Hoxton hotel is the first luxury, budget hotel of its kind. 5 minutes away from Liverpool Street station and Old Street tube station, The Hoxton was voted “Best London Hotel” at the ‘Sunday Times Travel Magazine 2008 Readers’ Awards’. With over 200 rooms ranging from £59 - £199 The Hoxton is an ideal budget, yet luxurious accommodation. Restaurants Whether its posh nosh or something a bit simpler you’re after, you’ll never struggle to find a restaurant or café in London’s West End. If you’re looking for the pinnacle of London dining, then Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s, is a must. Described as ‘a gloriously modern European menu with carefully balanced dishes that change with the seasons’. However, you can expect to pay top prices for this quality, the chef’s table has a set price of £840 for dinner alone, and prices range from £60-£80 per person. But if tiny portions and French accents aren’t for you, then don’t fear. Covent Garden is full of restaurants to suit any appetite. Everything from traditional British cuisine to Chinese buffets are available, and not at the expense of your budget. London’s West End is located in the Borough of Westminster and is renowned for being one of the largest tourist hotspots of the world. The vast number of attractions will appeal to every personal taste and budget and we at Isles aim to provide the best advice on accommodation, cuisine and worthwhile landmarks in the capital, whilst catering for a mixture of budgets. for themselves in the number of theatre productions, whilst Leicester Square plays home to the latest box-office smash and Oxford Street is regarded as the shopping centre of London. With a considerable array of performances to choose from, if it’s a trip to the theatre you’re after, then it shouldn’t be too hard to find something suitable. The more famous shows are always in town and tickets can sometimes be purchased on the day, but it’s better to pre- book to avoid disappointment. Performances like The Lion King have been running at The Lyceum Theatre for a number of years, whilst Les Miserables, the longest running West- End musical, has extended its shows at The Queens Theatre until February 2010.
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This was completed in the second year of my degree and was used for a British travel magazine, published by our seminar group.
Transcript of Travel Article: London
Phot
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Pau
l Pre
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.sxc
.hu
00 ISLES Spring 2009 Spring 2009 ISLES 00
SPOTLI G HT on. . . LONDON
Places To SeeAt a height of 135m, the London Eye is the latest tourist attraction to grace the Thames South Bank skyline and attracts approximately three million people a year. Opened on 31st December 1999, the initial agreement was for the Eye to be in service for one year only, however it is now a permanent feature in the heart of the city. In one of the 32 air conditioned capsules, the endless views across the city are breathtaking and you defiantly won’t be short of ‘Kodak’ moments. Entrance fees range from between £15 -£33 and a ‘flight’ lasts about half an hour.
Across the river are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, one of London’s more famous attractions. Big Ben, refers to the largest of the five bells inside the clock tower, which is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock and measures in at a height of just over 93m. The tower was built in the wake of a fire, which destroyed
the old palace of Westminster and was completed in 1856. Unfortunately, tours of Big Ben and Parliament are restricted to the summer recess (the Prime Minister’s holiday to me and you) and at any other time have to be previously arranged through an MP, however it really is worth a visit.
St Paul’s Cathedral is another famous addition to the Westminster skyline, with its famous dome top. Built from Portland Stone, a type of limestone, the 108m high landmark still holds daily Holy Communion as well as offering guided tours. Although spectacular from the outside, the real awe-inspiring beauty is housed within as carefully crafted mosaics and intricate carvings line the floors and
ceilings. Home to many famous tombs, Sir Winston Churchill being just one, St Paul’s has also housed various royal celebrations. Entrance costs £10 and a guided tour is £3 and lasts for roughly two hours.
Despite the historical side, the West End is world famous for being the entertainment capital of London. Many actors have tried to make a name
Hotels
If you’re feeling a bit plush and will settle for nothing but the best, then places like Claridge’s and The Ritz are obvious options, but at £260 a night its hardly where the majority of us can afford to stay.
Worth every penny, Claridge’s offers all the usual services and more. Boasting a Japanese breakfast menu and on-site gym and spa, the hotel promises its guests a stay to remember. With three restaurants, including the world-renowned ‘Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s’, you’re almost certain to be promised fine dining and exquisite food.
However if, like many of us, you’re restricted to a budget and don’t fancy forking out that amount of money, then you’re probably going to have to look a little further outfield.
Located in Shoreditch, across town, the Hoxton hotel is the first luxury, budget hotel of its kind. 5 minutes away from Liverpool Street station and Old Street tube station, The Hoxton was voted “Best London Hotel” at the ‘Sunday Times Travel Magazine 2008 Readers’ Awards’. With over 200 rooms ranging from £59 - £199 The Hoxton is an ideal budget, yet luxurious accommodation.
Restaurants Whether its posh nosh or something a bit simpler you’re after, you’ll never struggle to find a restaurant or café in London’s West End.
If you’re looking for the pinnacle of London dining, then Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s, is a must. Described as ‘a gloriously modern European menu with carefully balanced dishes that change with the seasons’. However, you can expect to pay top prices for this quality, the chef’s table has a set price of £840 for dinner alone, and prices range from £60-£80 per person.
But if tiny portions and French accents aren’t for you, then don’t fear. Covent Garden is full of restaurants to suit any appetite. Everything from traditional British cuisine to Chinese buffets are available, and not at the expense of your budget.
London’s West End is located in the Borough of Westminster and is renowned for being one of the largest tourist hotspots of the world. The vast number of attractions will appeal to every personal taste and budget and we at Isles aim to provide the best advice on accommodation, cuisine and worthwhile landmarks in the capital, whilst catering for a mixture of budgets.
for themselves in the number of theatre productions, whilst Leicester Square plays home to the latest box-office smash and Oxford Street is regarded as the shopping centre of London.
With a considerable array of performances to choose from, if it’s a trip to the theatre you’re after, then it shouldn’t be too hard to find something suitable. The more famous shows are always in town and tickets can sometimes be purchased on the day, but it’s better to pre-book to avoid disappointment. Performances like The Lion King have been running at The Lyceum Theatre for a number of years, whilst Les Miserables, the longest running West-End musical, has extended its shows at The Queens Theatre until February 2010.
