Change of Guard, Buckingham Palace, London, UK by Dan McKay

Summer is the best time to visit London thanks to the assortment of activities available. Tourists can stroll through St. James Park right through to Buckingham Palace in order to witness the Change of Guard which is such a spectacle. The annual Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of tourists who come solely to witness its pomp. The streets of West London are always packed with people who are eager to witness the biggest festival in Europe. Adults and children alike can get to enjoy this festival without discrimination. This makes London the ideal family vacation destination.

Most people regard London as one of the best cities across Europe because of its edgy fashion. Whichever street you walk down in London, you are likely to peer through the clothes store windows to catch a glimpse of the wide array of fashion. Top Shop is one such place that celebrities from all over visit to grab the latest trends in fashion. Budget conscious shoppers come to this shop to browse through the many fashion endowed floors. This chic store has an in-house disc jockey who makes standing in the queues a bit more tolerable. Fashion loving people definitely enjoy visiting this city.

Notting hill carnival, London, England, UK by S Pakhrin

Another thing that makes London one of the top cities in Europe is football. Wembley stadium plays host to very important football matches such as the UEFA champion’s league fina. Hordes of football loving visitors come to this city annually to watch important matches. The English Premier League is also very popular worldwide and it attracts many foreigners who come to watch their favourite football teams in action. Popular teams such as Chelsea and Arsenal call the city of London home and they have many fans all over the world. Some people even fly into London just to see their favourite footballers in the hope of getting an autograph.

The city of London is home to more than 7.5 million people excluding visitors. A lot of these Londoners come from abroad so they speak an assortment of languages making it a culture rich city. The theatres in London are the best in the world. One such theatre is the West End Theatre which attracts the best actors. There are lots of tranquil green spaces where visitors can sit down and have picnics. There is no shortage of parks form Richmond Park to Hyde Park. Visit London and experience the free attractions and some of the best sporting events in the world.

Richmond Park, London, UK by Cristian Bortes

Author Bio: Blogger who researchers and talks about the fantastic city of London and what makes it special for tourists for Eccleston Square Hotel

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Trafalgar Square, London, UK by Michael Gwyther-Jones

Attractions

London has so many different attractions to offer and the same is true for England itself. In London you can find Buckingham Palace, which you can also visit during summer time when the Queen of England goes to summer in one of the many castles around the country. If you are into history and art, then you must pay a visit to the National Gallery, which is right in front of Trafalgar Square, whose obelisk of General Nelson is photographs by millions of people every year. Not too far from Trafalgar Square, there is the House of Parliament that faces the Thames River. If you wish to have a good view of London in its complete splendor, then the best idea would be to take a ride on the London Eye, the tallest Ferris wheel of Europe. The tour takes about half hour so you can sit comfortably on the benches inside the sphere and take pictures of London seen from above.

If you wish to see more than just London, then renting a car will come very much in handy. London is not too far from other major cities and attractions in England. For example, a drive of only one hour and a half will take to you Cambridge and with even less time than that you can reach Stonehenge to see the breath-taking stones that have been there for centuries.

More Attractions and Restaurants

If you decide to make London your main stop, then you will be very busy going around making sure you see everything this beautiful city has to offer. For example, if you happen to catch a sunny day in London, then you must pay a visit to Hyde Park or Green Park so that you can enjoy a day in nature. London is a metropolitan city and for this reason offers its visitors a wide range of different types of cuisines, especially Indian, Chinese and typical British food, such as fish and chips. This way, you can rest assure that you will be able to find something that tickles your taste buds.

This was a guest post left by Aronno, a writer and travel lover. London offers so much to its tourists, from relaxing atmosphere to adventurous attractions. The city has a lot to offer and you can visit all the wonderful attractions by driving there in the comfort of your hired car from Daddy Car Hire. For more information regarding London please visit https://www.daddycarhire.com.

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Photo by FearfulStills

1) Edinburgh

Heading up this Christmas-filled list is Edinburgh, one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas in. Edinburgh is the king of Christmas celebrations, with six weeks of festivities for people to get stuck into. There’s everything from street performances, fairgrounds, Christmas markets, comedic acts and traditional Scottish pipers to entertain the crowds. Along with all of this, Edinburgh is also home to a number of fantastic attractions and amazing restaurants you can visit during your winter break.

2) London

Just shy of getting first place, London is still an incredible city to enjoy Christmas in. London is lit up with spectacular Christmas lights and other decorations during the Christmas season, making it a sight for sore eyes at night. There are also all kinds of entertaining activities you can enjoy throughout the city of London, such as going ice skating, visiting Hyde Park’s Christmas market, watching the carolling in Trafalgar Square and much more.

3) The Peak District

The Peak District’s beautiful rolling hills and quaint towns and villages are the ideal destination for your Christmas holiday if you’d like to enjoy a traditional break. Full of stunning sights, the Peak District would also be ideal for those that enjoy walking – you could even go for a Christmas Day walk to get back to nature a little bit!

4) Skegness

While it might seem a little strange to visit the seaside in the middle of winter, the one thing Skegness has that a lot of other seaside destinations don’t is a Butlins holiday park. Butlins is one of the best places to spend your Christmas, and it’s also family friendly which is a definite plus. You could book yourself into The Spa to enjoy some relaxing treatments while the kids enjoy some Christmas-themed activities, and afterwards you could go and watch the panto for some side-splitting laughs.

5) Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a fantastic place to spend the Christmas holidays – this county is packed with good cheer around this time of year and you’re bound to be given a traditional Yorkshire welcome when visiting. There are excellent Christmas markets, beautiful attractions and great shopping opportunities, which would be ideal for those after a chance to pick up some last minute bargains.

No matter where you choose to spend your Christmas this year, make sure you do your research before settling on your final option. You should find that the internet is a great resource when planning your holiday, so why not start your search now?

This guest blog was contributed by Steve Williams a freelance writer who regularly blogs on the subject of Christmas breaks and how to have the most fun over the festive season.

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Here are some of the best places to go walking in the UK, covering everything from architecture to waterfalls and everything in between.

Pen-y-Fan, South Wales, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Brecon Beacons

Situated in the lower half of Wales, this range of mountains is part of the larger National Park of the same name. They are situated just to the south of the town of Brecon and are hugely popular with walkers. The six peaks range from 2000-3000ft and are easily accessible for less experienced walkers. Paths are also available for those who are looking for more of a challenge. One of the best walks is the ‘Beacons Horseshoe’ which takes in 3 of the peaks and provides some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Further to the east in the National Park is another great walk at Ystradfellte where you can take in many majestic waterfalls; there are plenty of paths available for those wanting to take a leisurely amble around all of the waterfalls.

London

Many people don’t consider London to be the best place to head out for a walk; too much pollution, too many cars and overcrowded? Well you’d be surprised. London is a great place to set out for the day and see the many sights by foot rather than travelling by the underground. First of all, there is the splendor of the many Royal Parks. Hyde Park and Regents Park are two of the largest and you can while away the hours admiring the greenery and lakes (along with the varied wildlife) and spare yourself from the noise of the traffic. Another place worth visiting is the town of Richmond. There is a charming walk besides the river that takes you to the locks at nearby Teddington, on towards Kingston and beyond.

Angle Tarn, Lake District National Park, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Lake District

The Lakes, as they are commonly known are situated in the North West of England and have become increasingly popular with walkers and now attracts up to 16 million visitors per year. Don’t let this put you off however; the area is vast and although you may not have the various routes and paths to yourself at any one time, there is a likelihood that you will find yourself with plenty of breathing space when you’re out on the trail. Most of the walks are hilly, as the roads take over the routes around the lakes themselves; there are many guide books on the area inspired by the works of Alfred Wainwright who discovered many of the routes in the mid-20th century.

Ben Gallivan is a keen walker based in Wales, UK. He has been hiking for many years and writes for Appalachian Outdoors who stock all the best walking gear as well as products from great brands such as Life Is Good clothing.

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Hyde Park

The foremost of the London parks and probably the most well-known, Hyde Park is one of the city’s Royal Parks. Covering 350 acres of land in the very centre of London, the park is popular with locals and tourists alike and gives the chance for anyone to take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Aerial view of Hyde Park, London, UK by Ben Leto

The park has won awards for urban conservation, and choices made about planting the flower beds, borders and trees have encouraged a great number of songbirds to feed and nest here. Visitors are discouraged from feeding the pigeons and squirrels that also come to the park as the songbirds can’t compete with these sometimes aggressive feral creatures.

The Serpentine is a small lake created in the 1700s as part of the development of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. As well as attracting wildfowl, the Serpentine has the oldest swimming club in the UK and is famous for its Christmas Day swim. Most recently, it’s featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games as the scene of the swimming leg of the triathlon.

Green Park

Green Park is another of the Royal Parks with a history even older than that of Hyde Park. First recorded in the geography of London in 1554, Green Park has a modest area compared to Hyde Park with some 45 acres of land adjacent to Buckingham Palace.

At the Buckingham House entrance to the park you’ll find Canada Gate, installed as part of the memorial to Queen Victoria at the turn of the 20th century to commemorate Canada’s contribution to the then British Empire. An ornate iron gate chased with gold guards the entrance to the park near the Canada Memorial, which pays homage to the Canadian forces who lost their lives in the two World Wars.

Canada Gate at Green Park, London, UK by Ian Dick

Keen Olympics followers will have also seen Green Park as part of the triathlon. The Royal Parks hosted the event, with the cycle leg running along the paths through the park.

Clapham Common

South London has parkland of a different kind to the open spaces north of the Thames. While North London has enclosed parks with ornately planted beds and borders, South London has expanses of common land on which Londoners can stretch their legs and enjoy what sunshine the capital manages to trap.

Clapham Common, London, UK by Justinc

Clapham Common is the best known of the London commons and covers 220 acres between the boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth. The most popular features of the common are the ponds – Eagle Pond and Mount Pond – which are used for coarse fishing and sailing of model boats.

In recent years, the common has hosted a number of music festivals. In 2012, the electronic music festival South West Four is due to take place on the common on the 25th and 26th August, bringing the big names from dance music from around the world together in what organisers hope will be the summer sunshine.

Conclusion

Although densely populated and filled with iconic buildings, London has a surprisingly large amount of open space, see them all from the air at https://www.thelondonhelicopter.com/. On your visit to London, try to check out some of the parks and get a feel for how Londoners spend their outdoor time right within the city limits.

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Buckingham Palace, London, UK by Roger Wollstadt

Looking for a place to stay, then look no further than the Dorchester collection of hotels which occupies the most prestigious acre and a half of real estate in the world. Its eclectic mix of contemporary style and 1930’s glamour along with its beautiful location overlooking the beautiful expanse of Hyde Park enables an ultimately luxurious label. Its award winning spaciously designed suites, restaurants and bars provide the perfect environment for those who wish to indulge and the recently transformed spa makes it a desirable destination for any visitor.

Strategically located in London’s exclusive Mayfair, The Dorchester is also within easy access of the city’s most famously elite shopping areas. New and Old Bold Street possess some of the most elegant shops in London with designer names such as Gucci and Armarni. A short walk away, the West End theatre and the Royal Opera House provide some classical entertainment for those fascinated by the creative arts. Interested in more rural aspects to experience, then the largest royal park boasts fine landscapes and a range of leisure activities to enjoy from tennis and horse riding, to boating on the Serpentine.

London’s most popular attractions such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Trafalgar square are also close by although the excellent underground service allows easy access to most places within the city. By night, Mayfair and the surrounding area holds host to a prestigious array of fashionable bars where celebrities and even young royals are commonly known to hang out.  Funky Buddha, the Met Bar, Punch Bowl, and Mahiki are just a few of the trendiest hot spots, with VIP sections and top DJ’s. With beautifully designed interiors and sleek designs much like those in the Dorchester hotel, you can be assured to feel the upmost in extravagance and have the perfect excuse for a glass of bubbly or two!

This article was written by Alexandra, an experienced blogger and enthusiastic traveller on behalf of MF Airport Parking who offer an excellent Heathrow Airport Parking service at affordable prices.

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Kew Gardens, London by Herry Lawford

The magic of the gardens

Ok, so spring doesn’t always mean endless days of sunshine and there are no guarantees that you’ll stay dry when you’re out and about in London. But if you do want to enjoy the fresh air with the added security of an undercover bolt-hole then some of London’s finest gardens offer the best of both worlds, with spectacular landscaped gardens outside as well as excellent collections of plant and wildlife inside the greenhouses and conservatories. Kew Gardens are among the very best and rightly famed across the world. Spring is the perfect time to admire the millions of flowers spread out across 300 acres making the gardens a joy to behold, while there are also activities and play areas for children to enjoy and the renowned glasshouses offer year-round safety from the rain in a tropical atmosphere.

Picnic in the park

Parks are a big part of life for many Londoners with many beautiful examples preserving some much needed green space amongst the urban sprawl of the huge city. As soon as the sun comes out there are few better ways to spend the day then grabbing a blanket, a frisbee and some sandwiches and nabbing a spot in a nearby park. Hyde Park is one of the most famous and for added serenity you can always grab a rowing boat and head out onto the Serpentine Lake.

Head for the river

The River Thames is the heartbeat of London and offers some of the best ways to experiences days of relaxation in the fresh, spring air. A simple stroll along the banks of the Thames gives you the chance to see the many different sides to the city or if you want to take to the water then you can admire the sights from the top of a cruise boat or enjoy a cheeky glass of al fresco champagne in the sunshine while escaping the crowds yet sampling enviable views of tourist magnets such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Lose yourself in the bluebells

Plenty of picturesque flowers spring up at this time of year but the bluebell delivers some of the most vivid displays of colour that really capture the magic of the season. Richmond Park boasts its own woodland garden which becomes a carpet of bluebells in late spring, while Wilderness Wood in Hadlow Down is another place transformed into a sea of blue during April and May.

Brought to you by Activity Superstore, the leaders in Gift Experiences in the UK. With a massive range of gift experiences from supercar experiences to pamper days, your sure to find the perfect gift.

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Buckingham Palace & Queen Victoria Memorial / shining.darkness

Once checked into one of the many hostels London has to offer, head straight to the most popular royal site in the country, Buckingham Palace. Surrounded by beautiful parks, a visit to the Queen’s residence goes well with a picnic. Buckingham fountain sits in front of the palace gates, where every day or every other day at 11:30 a.m. depending on the time of year, crowds gather to watch the changing of the guard. If you’re in town September or August, you can even go on a guided tour of the state rooms inside. Otherwise, don’t miss the royal mews or the Queen’s Gallery royal collection of art.

The next best royal site, or the best, according to some, is the Tower of London. It ranks among the most imposing fortresses in the world, and its history as a locale of torture and death make its renown decidedly infamous. It was built by William the Conqueror, the Norman who changed the history not only of the island, but of the English language as well. You can take tours of the castle grounds, visiting, among other things, the crown jewels, the king’s royal bedchamber, and the tower itself.

Tower of London / S Pakhrin

Throughout the city you can find a number of memorials to royals who have passed away set up in London’s royal parks. The city boasts eight royal parks, including Hyde Park, wherein you will come across Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. It is a sobering memorial, particularly when you’re reminded of the great misfortunate that befell one of England’s most loved and youthful royals. Another memorial that you’ll find in a royal park, this time the Kensington Gardens, is the Albert Memorial. Albert was wed to Queen Victoria, and passed away in the year 1861. Hopefully you’ll visit it on a sunny day, which emphasizes the gloriousness of the memorial’s gold sheathing. Before leaving Kensington Park, visit the palace of the same name and have a cup of tea at The Orangery.

Finally, before your trip takes you out of London, immerse yourself in the lushness of Hampton Court Palace. The grounds are one of the palace’s most attractive features, as it is over 60 acres of gardens, including the world-famous maze. Henry VIII of the Tudors made this palace famous, and he made it his principle home. The state rooms are truly magnificent.

The list of royal beauty goes on, but this should get you started!

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I did my first marathon in October 2011, the Lochness Marathon in Scotland. It was a fantastic experience and a great personal achievement.

Amsterdam Marathon, Netherlands / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DennisM2

The next marathon I am looking to do is the Amsterdam Marathon. I have chosen Amsterdam primarily because I assume it will one of the flattest routes and therefore quickest, but also because I have been to Amsterdam a couple of times, for business and a city break and really liked the city. Travelling abroad for such an event can be expensive anyway, so I am looking for a nice hotel in Amsterdam at a good price (much like everyone). There are some great Amsterdam hotels though and even quaint little B&Bs and there are some great cheap city break
packages I plan to make the most of.

The marathon starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium where spectators have free access to.

The route takes you through Vondelpark, the largest public park in Amsterdam and sounds quite like Hyde Park in London in that there is a lot going on. There are ponds for kayaking, playing fields and generally nice picnic areas. This will be a great area for spectators as well to enjoy the day. The marathon goes out of town slightly along the Amstel River passing traditional windmills and large stately homes. The views are meant to be stunning from here as you are slightly higher up at this stage.

There is a marathon in almost every top European city so if you are a marathon addict you can combine a city break with a marathon! Here are just a few on the ‘must do’ list:

The Paris Marathon

The Paris marathon has been voted as one of the top marathons in the world. The marathon passes by the main tourist attractions: the Champs Elysees, River Seine, the Arc De Triumph and the Eiffel Tower. Like the Amsterdam marathon, the course is very flat and so a PB (personal best) is achievable, although there are a couple of tight corners and tunnels where there can be a bit
of a human traffic jam which may hold you up.

The Rome Marathon

Just wandering around Rome, you notice stunning architecture and significant pieces of history. So the marathon will be a whirlwind of fascinating buildings and landscapes. The marathon starts and finishes at the ancient Coliseum and takes in sites such as St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Olympic Station, Trevi Fountain and much, much more. As you are running through ancient Rome, you will come across some rough terrain such as cobbled streets so do take care – this is more about the sites that the personal bests.

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Hyde Park / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by gailf548

London has a large number of parks, and some of these are among the Royal Parks in the country. These are Hyde Park, The Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, Brompton Cemetery in London, and Bushy Park in Berkshire, which is north of Hampton Court. Among these parks, Greenwich stands out as a real jewel in London’s crown. Although Greenwich Park is currently under development for the equestrian and shooting events for the 2012 London Olympics, it’s worth noting in your diary as a place to visit when the Olympics are over.

Discover the universe at the Royal Observatory

Greenwich Park is a real must see for a family day out. This picturesque park boasts rolling green grass, which leads up to the historical Royal Observatory. This is the home of Greenwich Meantime, and a laser beam is cast directly from the Flamsteed House, the original observatory, showing the Greenwich Meridian Line. This is a fascinating place to take the family for a rewarding and educational trip.

The Royal Observatory is also home to the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Marvel at this incredible exploration of the universe, which often puts on specially designed films with impressive narration. Previous shows have included narration from David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. Now serving as London’s only planetarium, the Peter Harrison Planetarium employs breathtaking HD projection technology, offering a show that’s perfect for kids and adults with enquiring minds.

Greenwich Park / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Peter Pearson

Greenwich Park’s Maritime History

From the height of the Royal Observatory, you can see right over the Thames to Canary Wharf, and the rest of the impressive city scape north of the river. You will also see the new Shard building, rising prominently into the sky. On the south side, the beautiful Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum.

These incredible buildings reflect the elegance and opulence of years long past. The Queen’s House is not to be missed; especially the Painted Hall, where Admiral Nelson lay in state following the Battle of Trafalgar. If you’re looking for more of the UK seafaring history, Greenwich also has the Cutty Sark, one of the last tea clipper sailing ships to be built before the advent of steam powered vessels.

Without a doubt, Greenwich has a lot to offer all the family, from the incredible attractions to the welcoming market town feel of the area.

Baby shop London: Baby Nest is situated on the outskirts of London, providing parents with quality baby equipment for years.

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