Wandsworth, London, England, UK by Herry Lawford

There is a steady influx of newcomers to the city every year, including a sizable proportion of new residents who are planning to make London their new home. If you’re thinking of joining them, here are four neighbourhoods that are well worthy of inspection. They are located in four very different parts of the metropolis, and each one of them has its very own individual character.

Wandsworth

Located relatively close to the centre of London, the south-western suburb of Wandsworth is an attractive neighbourhood that has managed to retain something of a village feel to it. The area that lies closest to the river is home to some extremely swish (and expensive) houses and flats, so there may be parts which are only affordable to some. There are also some close-knit communities consisting of narrow streets in which everyone seems to know everyone else – one of the many charms of the borough.

Hackney

A jewel in the crown of the famous East End, Hackney is one of those rare places which are genuinely loved by many of its residents. This area is, and always has been, a veritable melting pot of communities from various parts of the world, and it’s this congregation of cultures which gives it a wonderfully bohemian feel. East London has always been known for its celebration of diversity, and in Hackney this is evident everywhere.

Photo of Hackney, London, UK by Ewan Munro

St John’s Wood

Leafy, dignified and elegant, the north-western suburb of St John’s Wood offers residents a quiet and relatively tranquil existence amid wide avenues and beautiful parkland. There’s something wonderfully continental about the neighbourhood, and the existence of a recognisable café culture among the pavement eateries merely adds to the atmosphere. For commuters, the fact that the centre of London is only a short tube ride away adds to the convenience.

Photo of St John’s Wood, London, UK by Xakaxunknownx

Chiswick

One of those neighbourhoods that feature a healthy mix of residents from all walks of life, Chiswick is popular with locals and visitors alike. In the area around Chiswick Bridge, you’ll find plenty of people enjoying walks along the edge of the Thames on a summer afternoon, and many more making the most of the hospitality offered by the various pubs that are located throughout the neighbourhood.

David Showell was born and brought up in London and still lives in the south-east of England. He works for https://www.carrentals.co.uk/.

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Its dimensions are impressive, but when viewed close-up it seems to be even greater. Span arch at the bottom is 26.5 m, the height of the gate is 16m and its width is about 7-8m. The minimum thickness is 3m, the peak of the gate is 21m above the bottom.

From the point of entry into the area there are several divergent paths and stairs to the observation platforms where you can watch Pravčická brána or enjoy impressive views to the surrounding nature.

On your way to Pravčická brána you have to pass through the Castle Sokolí Hnízdo (Eagle’s Nest), built in 1881 on the site of the oak bark hut, which served as a bar. Castle Sokolí Hnízdo was originally used to accommodate important guests of the local family of Clary-und-Aldringen. Today there is the museum of the national park and stylish restaurant decorated with original paintings.

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Gothic bridge with baroque statues achieves a length of 109.75 m and the width of 6.25 m. It stands on the six pillars of granite blocks and has seven arches – six circular (from the original Gothic structure) and one segment. There were originally two bridge towers, but unfortunately, none of them has been preserved.

The bridge is decorated with sandstone sculptures from 18th century.

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The surrounding wooded hills and countless natural lakes provide ideal opportunities for recreation. The Castle is the third largest in Czech republic, after castle in Prague and in Český Krumlov.

Main sights in Jindřichův Hradec

• Castle and Chateau – The 3rd largest castle complex
• Medieval Centre
• Church of the Assumption of our Lady
• Church of St John the Baptist – 600-year-old extensive decorative frescos
• Narrow-gauge Railway – only 0,76m wide
• Mechanical Nativity Scene – The world’s largest mechanized nativity scene
• National Museum of Photography – The former Jesuit college from 1594
• District Museum – The former Jesuit seminary

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Bohemian Switzerland not only offers the marvellous natural beauty of the National Park and the opportunity to set your mind at ease while there, but also the chance to experience adventures that you will never forget.

Bohemian Switzerland is located in the north-western Czech Republic. It lies on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains north of Děčín on both sides of the Elbe River. It extends eastward into the Lusatian Mountains and westward into the Ore Mountains. Its highest elevation is the mountain Děčínský Sněžník at 726m above sea level. It has been a protected area (as ChKO Labske Piskovce) since 1972.

The region along the right side of the Elbe became a national park on January 1, 2000, the České Švýcarsko National Park. The National Park is adjacent to the Saxon Switzerland National Park (Sächsische Schweiz) in Germany.

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The original royal castle of Přemysl Otakar II from the second half of the 13th century was rebuilt at the end of the 16th century by the Lords of Hradec. It received its present appearance under Count Jan Adam of Schwarzenberg. In 1940, the castle was seized from the last owner, Adolph Schwarzenberg by the Gestapo and confiscated by the government of Czechoslovakia after the end of WWII.

Hluboká castle is opened to the public and it is recomended to visit also the inside of the castle, that is really beautiful, as well as from the outside. The extremely rich interior amenities include a valuable carvings and plaster work, a collection of tapestries, paintings, glass, porcelain, weapons, etc. Around the castle there is a large English park with baroque hunting lodge.

Hluboká castle is open daily except for Monday in June and every day from July to October. The full tour price is 130CZK / approx. €5 in 2010.

The castle has been used in a scene of Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson’s Shanghai Knights.

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