London

In the sixties it was “Swinging London.” Some thirty years later, it was “Cool Britannia.” And since then…. Well, London is still the place to be! Its vibrant culture just keeps expanding and developing, and you can feel the buzz as soon as you arrive. And thanks to London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, there’s more to come with the city changing and reinventing itself at a pace unseen since the days of Queen Victoria.

THE CITY 

London is changing and it’s changing fast. Look across the skyline and you will see not only the familiar landmarks – Big Ben, St Paul’s and Buckingham Palace – but also extraordinary new buildings such as the Swiss Re Tower, known as the “Gherkin” because of its shape, and the new County Hall, quietly gazing over the river Thames. Take a ride on the London Eye, the world’s largest observation wheel offering a spectacular view over the city. Take in over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks. At the heart of London is Soho and its mix of narrow streets and alleys, trendy shops, elegant bars, and theatres. Notting Hill, well-known from the movie of the same name, attracts ever increasing numbers of visitors. Despite this, it has managed to retain its character of an eccentric village where some people get the Sunday papers still in their pyjamas. And over the next two decades, London will see new development on a scale unseen since the days of Queen Victoria and will build up even more momentum for regeneration after London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics. Stroll down famous Oxford Street where you’ll find Selfridge’s, one of London’s best department stores. Close to Oxford Street is fashionable Bond Street in Mayfair, where more and more interesting shops have opened over the last couple of years. New Bond Street boasts a concentration of some of the biggest designer shops in the world: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Donna Karan and Versace to name a few. Bond Street also houses Sotheby’s auction house and a number of antique stores. Though London may be a city, it’s not at the price of nature and wildlife—there are plenty of green and open spaces to enjoy. With eight Royal Parks, you’re spoilt for choice and can enjoy everything from boating lakes, golf courses, outdoor theatres and relaxing on deckchairs. Some of the bestknown parks are Green Park, between Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park with it’s Open Air Theatre, St James’s Park facing Buckingham Palace, and Richmond Park—the former hunting park of King Charles I, featuring roaming deer and other wildlife.   

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm. Many department stores stay open till 6pm some till 7pm or 8pm on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Larger shops are also open 10am-6pm on Sundays.

Internet: www.visitlondon.com

Newspapers: The Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail, Time Out, London Planner

Emergency numbers: 999

Telephone: Country code: +44, Area code: 020

Electricity: 230/240V AC, 50Hz.

Tourist information: Britain and London Visitor Centre (BLVC).

Address: 1 Lower Regent St, SW1.

Opening hours: Mon 9.30am-6pm Tue to Fri 9am-6pm and 10am–4pm Sat & Sun. Jun.-Sep:

Mon 9.30am-6.30pm Tue to Fri 9am-6.30pm Sat & Sun 9am-5pm

Tel. +44 (0)20 8846 9000

DO & SEE

Few cities have as many sights as London. Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, Hyde Park, St Paul’s Cathedral to name a few. They all fit into the tourist cliché, but they are all worth visiting—a "must" if you´ve never been to London.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the London home of the Royal Family since 1837, but it only opened its doors to the public in 1993. The State Rooms contain some of the finest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings, sculptures and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. Enjoy a walk in the Palace’s 39-acre garden with its superb views of the Garden, front of the Palace and the 19th-century lake.

Address: The Official Residences of The Queen, SW1

Underground: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner

Phone: +44 (0)20 7766 7300

Tickets: £16.50

Tower Of London

Construction begun in 1078 by William the Conqueror. Today, the Tower of London is one of the most famous fortified buildings in the world. Here you can see the priceless Crown Jewels, the Medieval Palace and the infamous Bloody Tower.

Address: Tower of London, EC3

Underground: Tower Hill

Phone: +44 (0)20 7488 5663

British Museum

The British Museum is regarded as one of the biggest and finest museums in the world. It attracts six million visitors yearly. Exhibition highlights are the Assyrian treasures, the Egyptian mummies and the spectacular, light-filled Great Court.

Address: Great Russell Street, WC1

Underground: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square,

Goodge St

Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8299 / +44 (0)20 7323 8000

Tickets: Free admission.

Houses Of Parliament

The neo-Gothic brilliance of the Houses of Parliament is impressive. It was built by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in 1840. Together with its clock tower Saint Stephen’s Tower, the clock itself, Big Ben, is easily the best-known of London’s many landmarks.

Address: Parliament Square, SW1

Underground: Westminster

Phone: +44 (0)20 7219 3000

Tickets: Free admission.

London Eye

A staggering 137 metres in height, this smart-looking observation wheel gives a superb view of London. A “flight”, as a turn is called, is taken in one of the 32 capsules, with each capsule holding 25 people, and lasts for 30 minutes.

Address: Riverside Building, next to County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road. SW1

Underground: Westminster, Waterloo

Phone: +44 870 5000 600

The Victoria & Albert Museum

The V & A, as it’s commonly known, has breathtaking collections of everything from Islamic art to iconic clothing by Vivienne Westwood. However, it is the always stunningly designed exhibitions that truly set the V & A apart.

Address: Cromwell Road, SW7

Underground: South Kensington

Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 2000

Tickets: Admission is free but tickets for temporary exhibitions vary.

Tate Modern

Housed in a former power station, Tate Modern is both imposing and impressive even before you step foot inside. Since opening in 2000, TM has become one of London’s lead attractions thanks to high-profile exhibitions of artists such as Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys and Frida Kahlo.

Address: Bankside, SE1

Underground: Southwark, Blackfriars

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7887 8888

Tickets: free admission to the collections. Ticket prices for temporary exhibitions vary.

Shakespeare’s Globe

The Globe is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, co-owned by William Shakespeare and the theatre where he first staged many of his plays. It burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII. Now, almost 400 years later, it has risen again almost on the same spot.

Address: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1

Underground: Mansion House

Phone: +44 (0)20 7902 1500

Tickets: Ticket prices for plays vary.

EATING

It may surprise you to hear that Britain´s favourite food is - Chicken Tikka Masala. The popularity of Indian cuisine means that you will find Indian restaurants in practically every neighbourhood in London. Traditional English restaurants are much rarer (if you want roast beef or saddle of mutton the best bet is still Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, 100 the Strand, WC2, tel. +44 (0)20 7836 9112) English cuisine has, however, seen a revival in the restaurants and recipes of celebrated chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Fergus Henderson. Between the curry and the Welsh rarebit, just about every other cuisine in the world is represented in London, and often at a world-class level. This is particularly true of major cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, French and Indian.

Inamo

inamo is a pioneering Oriental fusion restaurant and bar where the control of the dining experience is placed firmly in your hands. They provide delicious cuisine with charming and timely service in a warm and vibrant atmosphere. At the core of Inamo is their interactive ordering system. Diners place orders from an illustrated food and drinks menu projected on to their table surface. Friendly staff are always on hand to help with whatever you need.

Address: 134-136 Wardour Street, Soho

Phone: +44 (0)20 7851 7051

Locanda Locatelli

Undoubtedly one of the best Italian restaurants in London. Locatelli’s culinary style can be described as rustic regional food delivered with urban panache. One of their best dishes is the tagliatelle al ragù di capretto, handmade tagliatelle with kid goat ragù.

Address: 8 Seymour Street, W1

Underground: Marble Arch

Phone: +44 (0)20 7935 9088

J Sheekey

Situated in the middle of London’s theatre district, this very elegant restaurant haslong been the choice for both pre-and-post-dinners. It’s also London’s best restaurant for seafood. The menu includes such delicacies as dressed crab with grated egg and parsley, delicately flavoured sea trout and shrimps with brown butter. J Sheekey attracts a lot of A-list celebrities these days, so booking is absolutely essential.

Address: 28-32 StMartin’s Court, WC2

Underground: Leicester Square

Phone: +44 (0)20 7240 2565

Shepherd’s

The interior of this power restaurant near the Houses of Parliament, resembles an old fashioned club and the food consists of traditional English dishes such as juicy marinated lamb, Cumberland sausages, fish cakes and an impressive assortment of pies.

Address: Marsham Court, Marsham Street, SW1

Underground: Pimlico

Phone: +44 (0)20 7834 9552

Haandi

One of the best and certainly most luxurious of London’s many Indian restaurants, Haandi’s cuisine is a modern take on traditional dishes from the Punjabi region of North India. Conveniently close to Harrods’, Harvey Nichols, and Sloane Street.

Address: 7 Cheval Place, SW3

Underground: Knightsbridge

Phone: +44(0)20 7823 7373

Duke of Cambridge

At the rustic Duke of Cambridge in Islington, there are no fast Asian fusion dishes – only slow and carefully prepared meals with organic ingredients. Most dishes go well with a pint of Saint Peter’s Organic Bitter.

Address: 30 Saint Peters Street, N1

Underground: Angel

Phone: +44 (0)20 7359 3066

Gaucho

A hip and very nice South American restaurant. Try the duck tortillas and grilled lamb.

Address: 25 Swallow Street, close to Regent Street, W1

Underground: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park

Phone: +44 (0)20 7734 4040

Mr Chow

Simply the best Chinese restaurant in London. So much in fact, it’s pretty much an institution. The interior positively oozes discreet glamour with smoked mirrors and walnut furniture, and the dishes are even better than rumoured: hand-pulled pasta served with minced pork and sweet bean sauce, or Beijing Chicken with walnuts, are just a couple of favourites.

Address: 151 Knightsbridge, SW1

Underground: Knightsbridge

Phone: +44 (0)20 7589 7347

The Wolseley

Housed in a former car showroom, and turned into an elegant old-style “Grand Café,” The Wolseley has been regarded by many as the best of the latest crop of new restaurants in London. The food is a mix of modern European and classic brassiere food: omelettes aux fines herbes with frites, marinated herring with potato salad.

Address: 160 Piccadilly, W1

Underground: Green Park

Phone: +44 (0)20 7499 6996

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

If the name alone doesn’t sell it, the three Michelin Stars it was honored with should. A combination of elegance and intimate ambiance welcome you at this restaurant. The food is French with a little extra twist.

Address: 68 Royal Hospital Road

Phone: +44 (0)20 7352 4441

Dehesa

Dehesa is a charcuterie and tapas bar inspired by the cuisine of Spain and Italy. It offers an imaginative menu of dishes designed for sharing. Even though the name Dehesa comes from a unique woodland area in Spain which is home to the black-footed Ibérico pigs—said to produce the best ham in the world—there is also a good choice of vegetarian dishes.

Address: 25 Ganton Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7494 4170

No. 20

Located on the ground floor of Sanctum Soho Hotel, this restaurant serves a modern British cuisine, with menus changing seasonally. The restaurants bar is an ideal place to relax after work, catch up with friends, or enjoy a few cocktails

before dinner.

Address: Sanctum Soho Hotel, 20 Warwick Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7292 6102

CAFÉS 

Every underground station in London has its little clusters of coffee shops. Costa’s, Café Nero and Starbucks are all very well for a quick cup of coffee, but if you prefer your perfectly brewed cup of java in a more sober setting these are the spots to aim for:

Bar Italia

This Soho institution is charming and perhaps even a bit chaotic. According to people in the know, this is the best café north of Milan.

Address: 22 Frith Street, W1

Underground: Tottenham Court Road

Phone: +44 (0)207 4374520

Riba Café

This hidden gem, situated at the Royal Institute of British Architects, is worshipped by its faithful. In the summertime, coffee, sandwiches, and the light lunch menu are best sampled on the roof terrace (make reservations in good time).

Address: 66 Portland Place, W1

Underground: Regents Park

Phone: +44 (0)20 76310467

Lisboa Patisserie

After an early shopping round on Portobello Road, come here for the perfect Portuguese pastries.

Address: 57 Golborne Road, W10

Underground: Westbourne Park

Poetry Café

This café is a combined café/restaurant/bar with regular readings and performances organised every night. The menu varies daily, but is always vegetarian. Regular poetry and jazz evenings are held every Saturday. Tuesday evenings host the Poetry Unplugged open mic.

Address: 22 Betterton Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 74209887

The Café on the Square

After strolling around the National Gallery, why not drop in at the Café on the Square! Located at the bottom of the central staircase and to the right as you face the National Gallery, this café offers an all-day menu and fully licensed bar.

Address: Trafalgar Square

Pret a Manger

When out and about, drop by one of the many Pret a Manger sandwich bars. Its individual style makes the café very popular with Londoners. The food is all handmade and without chemicals, additives, or preservatives. The company donates the leftover food to charity, so

there is never any "best-before-dates" on the products.

Address: 47. Great Peter Street 49 Tothill Street 75B Victoria Street 1 Whitehall

Caffè Nero

With branches springing up all over Festival Hall, Regent Street and Piccadilly, Caffè Nero is an ideal spot to sit after a hard days work or shopping. Tasteful decor, an exquisite cup of coffee and a fine choice of beverages make for a positive, appealing experience.

Address: 36a St Martin’s Lane

Underground: Covent Garden (Piccadilly)

Phone: +44 (0)20 7836 5110

BARS & NIGHTLIFE

Londoners are not just into music, the truth is they’re mad about it, and their sheer love and enthusiasm for music has played no small part in creating what is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant club scenes in the world, with venues ranging from mega big, ultra-sleek designed clubs to small DJ bars. There are trendy and classical bars everywhere in London. But if you want to do a hip barhop Soho, Hoxton/Shoreditch, and Clerkenwell are the areas to visit. Here are a few selected bars and pubs, both classic and modern:

Selfridge’s

Yes, that’s right: Selfridge’s department store now has an oasis in the middle of all the shopping hoopla. A place with soothing bubbles for the soul. Is it a day spa? No. It’s the Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar.

Address: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1

Underground: Marble Arch

Phone: +44 113 369 8040

Drunken Monkey

Chinese inspired bar mixing classic details with a futuristic aesthetic. The food here is very good, especially the dim sum dishes.

Address: 222 Shoreditch High Street, E1

Phone: +44 (0)20 7392 9606

The Argyll Arms

One of the best pubs in the Oxford Circus area. Stylish Victorian bar, beautiful windows and a good crowd around lunch and after work.

Address: 18 Argyll Street, W1

Underground: Oxford Circus

Phone: +44 (0)20 7734 6117

The Prince Alfred

Opened in 1862 and considered to be the best preserved bar from the Victorian era, The Prince Alfred hasn’t changed a bit.

Address: 5a Formosa Street, W9

Underground: Warwick Avenue

Phone: +44 (0)20 7286 3287

Ministry of Sound

Ministry of Sound is much more than a club. It’s a brand, producing dance compilations, tours and T-shirts, etc. Snobby clubbers tend to sneer at the very mention of it, but this is one of the few clubs with enough financial muscle to consistently be able to hire the best DJs, and it boasts the sound system in London, which is why MoS is always packed.

Address: 103 Gaunt Street

Underground: Elephant & Castle

Phone: +44 (0)870 060 0010

Fabric

Fabric is loved and known throughout the world as something truly special. Housed in a former meat market, and divided into three spaces, it has a rough look but intimate ambience. But it’s Fabric’s music that really sets this place apart: underground and left-field dance music.

Address: 77a Charterhouse Street, EC1

Underground: Farringdon

Phone: +44 (0)2073368898

Ye Olde Mitre Tavern

The history of this pub can be traced all the way back to 1546. It is mentioned in William Shakespeare’s Richard II, and Queen Elizabeth is said to have danced here. Small rooms with beautifully aged wood panelled walls and worn oriental rugs.

Address: 1 Ely Court, EC1

Underground: Farringdon

Phone: +44 (0)20 7405 4751

Absolut Icebar London

Made of crystal clear ice from the Torne river in Sweden and maintained at a constant minus-five degrees year-round, Absolut Icebar London is literally the UK’s coolest bar. The bar is re-designed every six months with a completely new theme. Everything in the bar is made from ice including the walls, tables, chairs and even the glass that the cocktails are served in to ensure a completely cool experience.

Address: 31-33 Heddon Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7478 8910

Gordon´s

Gordon’s is reported to be London’s oldest wine bar. Duck into the darkened cellar, lit only by candles in old wine bottles, and you step back to Victorian times. The bar sells a wide selection of wines from around the world. It also offers port and sherry decanted from barrels above the bar.

Address: 47 Villiers Street, Charing Cross

Phone: +44 (0)20 7930 1408

SHOPPING

Shopping in London means being strategic. It is easy to wear yourself out trying to take in the large number of shops and boutiques. Two good tips: focus on one area at a time and wear comfortable shoes.

Oxford Street and Mayfair

Oxford Street is the street of retail chains, with one exception: Selfridge´s. This is the largest department store in London which after many transformations has emerged as the quintessential London luxury department store (see the paragraph about department stores). Near Oxford Street in Mayfair, you will find the fashionable Bond Street where an increasing number of interesting boutiques are opening up. If you are searching for shoes by luxury brands like Gucci and Sergio Rossi, make sure you visit 15 Old Bond Street.

Savile Row

Savile Row has long been synonymous with English customized tailoring. It is no longer the old-fashioned gentlemen’s club it used to be, thanks to a new generation of innovative tailors, including Richard James (number 29) and Ozwald Boateng (number 12a). For shirts, ties, hats and handmade shoes, head for Jermyn Street in St. James behind Piccadilly.

Soho and Covent Garden

Soho is a maze. You never exit where you think you will, and you never really know where you’ve been. The area has many fun shops so prepare to shoulder an ever-increasing number of shopping bags. Many of the stores around Covent Garden cater to teens, especially those interested in skate and street fashions. On Neal Street, the sneaker shops line up, and the Seven Dials shopping mall houses even more of the same. This area is also home to high-class jeweller Laura Lee and Paul Smith—by far the most successful British fashion designer—opened the first shop in Floral Street in Covent Garden in 1979. Now he has a whole string of shops there. Another shop worth mentioning is Aram (110 Drury Lane), which has five floors with furniture classics by names such as Eileen Gray, Charles & Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto alongside the latest pieces by Ron Arad, Jasper Morrison and Philippe Starck.

Chelsea, South Kensington and Knightsbridge

This is the area mostly known for its high-end fashion shopping. On Sloane Street in Knightsbridge you’ll find Prada, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Dolce et Gabbana, Fendi and many more. But in recent years it has also attracted a lot of excellent furniture and interior design shops. Among the best are B & B Italia’s cathedral-like shop at 250 Brompton Road in South Kensington, designed by the famous minimalist architect John Pawson. Nearby is The Conran Shop at 8 Fulham Road, founded by Sir Terence Conran and one of the first lifestyle shops in London. If you’re feeling hungry, have some oysters in the Bibendum Oyster Bar, located to the left of the main entrance. Make sure to visit David Gill at 60 Fulham Road. He’s the first stop for London’s leading interior designers and displays exquisite pieces such as ceramics by Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso, mirrors by Line Vautrin, and silver furniture by Bonetti. A bit further down the road, at No 175-177, you will find Kelly Hoppen,currently Britain’s leading interior design guru with several books to her name. There are also plenty of markets in London, some of the most known being Camden Market, Covent Garden Market and Old Spitalfields Market. If you have time to spare, you should definitely visit one of these local markets, you won’t regret it.

Greenwich Market

Packed with unique arts and crafts, this market is well known for items that cannot be found anywhere else. Browse any of the 120 arts and craft stalls, enjoy the continental food court and take in the music performed by students from nearby Trinity College of Music.

Address: Colleage Approach

Phone: +44 (0)20 8293 3110

Conduit Street and Bruton Street

Just around the corner from Bond Street, both these streets have emerged as new contenders. Among those who have opened stores here are Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Yohji Yamamoto and Matthew Williamson. Also, do not miss the seriously hip Dover Street Market.

Harrods

You can buy virtually anything here: furniture, home electronics, pets, books, etc. Londoners tend to concentrate on two things though – food and clothes. The food hall is legendary, with its old style décor and its enormous sections of bread, sweets, vegetables, meats, coffee and tea. The fashion departments are some of the best in town, with clothes ranging from traditional to distinctly cutting edge.

Address: 87 - 135 Brompton Road, SW1

Underground: Knightsbridge

Phone: +44(0)20 7730 1234

Harvey Nichols

The emphasis here is on fashion, so it’s no small surprise that it’s a favorite among London’s fashionistas. Harvey Nix as it’s known locally, stocks not only the best of the well-known designer labels but also collections from new, young talent.

Address: 109 - 125 Knightsbridge, SW1

Underground: Hyde Park, Knightsbridge

Phone: +44 (0)20 7235 5000

Selfridge’s

Selfridges has gone through many transformations over the years and has now emerged as the quintessential London luxury department store, combining tradition with innovation. Don’t miss Superbrands, the new menswear department on the first floor, with clothes from all the leading brands and with a football-inspired interior.

Address: 400 Oxford Street, W1

Underground: Bond Street

Phone: +44 (0)113 369 8040

Liberty

This fashionable department store can be found on Regent Street and offers toys, jewellery, furniture, oriental rugs and much more. The lavish department store has recently launched a new boutique and luxury brand. Liberty of London is housed in Liberty’s newly redesigned central atrium and is stocked with leather accessories, scarves, jewellery and more.

Address: Regent Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7734 1234

SLEEPING

A plethora of hotels is available in London. These are just a few suggestions.

Sanderson -  Exclusive

Perhaps the most outlandish yet beautiful of London’s new design hotels, Sanderson is the result of collaboration between hotel mogul Ian Schrager and the French design superstar Philippe Starck. The bedrooms are minimalist, almost dreamy, and the spa with its shimmering curtains is the best you will find in London.

Address: 50 Berners Street, W1

Underground: Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7300 1400

No 5 Maddox Street

A very chic hotel right in the heart of London with an entrance so unassuming that you would hardly think it is a hotel! The rooms—or rather apartments—are decorated in an elegant East-meets-West style with subdued colours, bamboo floors and beautiful porcelain.

Address: 5 Maddox Street, W1

Underground: Oxford Circus, Picadilly Circus

Phone: +44 (0)20 7647 0200

Portobello Hotel – Good Value

Portobello has long been a favourite for actors, musicians and artists, all enticed by the bohemian but charming take on old-style colonial elegance— oriental antiques, potted plants, ceiling fans and wooden shutters.

Address: 22 Stanley Gardens, W11

Underground: Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate

Phone: +44 (0)20 7727 2777

Sherlock Holmes Hotel

You would probably expect this hotel to be a throwback to Victorian times. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is a chic boutique hotel with a great lobby and bar and the rooms are decorated in brown and beige, with pinstripe sheets and beds with leather headboards.

Address: 108 Baker Street, W1

Underground: Baker Street, Marble Arch, Bond Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7486 6161

Mayflower Hotel - Basic

Following a complete renovation, the Mayflower Hotel has taken a top spot among London’s budget hotels. The décor is minimalistic, with hints of the Far East including wooden floors, teak furniture and ceiling fans.

Address: 26-28 Trebovir Road, SW5

Underground: Earl´s Court

Phone: +44 (0)20 7370 0991

Generator

The Generator Hostel offers young budget travellers a unique guest experience in European mayor cities - such as London. Female dorms are also available. The hostel facilities include the famous Generator bar, which is open daily a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, internet café with free wi- fi chill out area luggage room, laundry service, awesome parties and much more.

Address: 37 Tavistock Place, WC1

Underground: Russel Square

Phone: +44 (0)20 7388 7666

The Hoxton

Owned by Pret a Manger founder Sinclair Beecham, this hotel works on budget airline principles: the earlier you book, the less you pay. If you’re lucky the price will be only £1/night! The hotel itself opened September 2006 and is close to Old Street tube and the City of London.

Address: 81 Great Eastern Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7550 1000

The Fox Club

Just off Piccadilly is the former home of the 18th-century courtesan Elisabeth Armistead. Mrs Armistead was the mistress and later wife of Charles James Fox, but also entertained many prestigious gentlemen at her home. The nine individually designed bedrooms at the Fox Club are named after her famous lovers.

Address: 46 Clarges Street

Phone: +44 (0)20 7495 3656

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Fastcheck’s free London travel guide provides you with some practical information before your trip. At the end of the guide you will find maps and map index.

Airports

London is served by five major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City Airport and Luton. The high-speed Heathrow Express train is £16.50 and takes 15 minutes to Paddington Station. Gatwick is 28 miles from London, and a 30-minute train ride on the Gatwick Express gets you to Victoria Station for £16.90. The Stansted Express connects Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street Station with a single journey costing £17. London City Airport is located in the city itself and is served by the DLR which easily connects to the Underground. Luton Airport is 34 miles from the city and is served by several coach companies. The cheapest is Easybus offering tickets from £2.

Public transport

Public transport in London mainly consists of buses, the vast underground system with 11 lines and the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). The ”tube” (underground) is legendary and the quickest and easiest way to get around, especially during rush hour. The underground runs until 12.30 Mon-Sat, and until 11.30 on Sundays. If you’re not in a hurry, buses are a pleasant and interesting way to get around. Viewing the city from the top of a red double- decker is a classic London experience. More and more of London’s buses run at night. A smart idea is to buy a London Travelpass that will give you unlimited travel on London’s buses, underground trains, national rail trains, Docklands light rail and Tramlink, for the dates and duration you require.

Taxi

Riding in one of a London’s famous black cabs is a must. They are excellent with lots of space for legs and shopping bags. Minicabs are another alternative.

Black Cabs - Phone: +44 (0)20 7272 0272

Mini Cabs - Phone: +44 (0)20 7387 8888

Lady Cabs (female drivers) - Phone: +44 (0)20 7272 3300

Post

Stamps are available from post offices and newsagents. Post offices are generally open Monday-Friday 9.00-17.30. Larger post offices are open Saturdays 9.00-12.30.

Pharmacy

There’s always one neighborhood chemist that’s open 24 hours. Since all medication is readily available, either over the counter or on prescription, there’s no need to stock up. Apart from individual chemists, Boots the Chemist is the main point for anything pharmacy related, but the Superdrug chain is also a good option. If you need urgent medical and dental care, call NHS Direct, tel. 0845 4647. They can give you free medical advice and direct you to the nearest hospital with 24-hour accident and emergency departments.