East London

East London is the secret that all Londoners have not shared with the rest of the world. This is an historic place, traditionally the home of immigrants for centuries. This ensured that a rich, multi-cultural scene has thrived and is a must see place in a trip to the capital. Try a curry at Brick Lane – this street of Indian restaurants has fed millions of Londoners over the years and is a great tradition. The other place that all tourists must see is Spitalfields Market. The market began trading in the 17th Century and has morphed into a vibrant indoor space full of great restaurants, bars and lots of great stalls. There is a lean towards arts and crafts, from jewellery to clothes. It is a great place to hang out and literally across the street from Liverpool Street Station. Hoxton is one of those areas that really offer something different. There is a fantastic array of independent shops that sell unique wares that you will not be able to purchase anywhere else. There are some boutiques for men selling cool clothes and shoes at a reasonable price and there is the famous Hoxton Art Gallery which shows modern art and has a thriving art scene. Try the east of London and you will have a taste of gritty urban life mixed with fantastic things to see and do.

Old Spitalfields Market, London, England, UK by Craig Nagy

Newcastle

Arriving in the north of England takes you a world away from the south of England, not only in terms of geography but also in culture. There is warmth that emanates from the Geordies that is hard to beat. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, Grey Street in particular, is a beautiful street designed by John Dobson in the early 1800′s. It is a fabulous example of Georgian architecture and has a great range of shops, a fabulous theatre that underwent recent restoration and several art galleries.

Grey Street, Newcastle, England, UK by Stephen Douglas

Newcastle has a great range of bars and is famous for its nightlife. It’s a scene which should be seen to be believed. The Metro Arena is the local music venue, hosting world class acts.

Newcastle is easily accessible by car and has more than enough parking spaces. For some help finding a good hire car, try this place www.Hirecars.co.uk. There are some serious advantages in having your own vehicle in this part of the world because beyond the wonderful city of Newcastle, there are some fabulous place that really should not be missed. The Northumbrian countryside has gems such as Hadrian’s Wall – the Roman Wall built in AD122. It has a Roman Army Museum, a Bath house and often hosts events. The countryside is spectacular, completely unspoilt and very beautiful.

Try doing something different in England and reap the rewards.

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Whether it was the nascent rage of the occupy movement, the recent LIBOR rate fixing scandal or the full-on-bank apocalypse that began in 2008, more people than ever are likely to heap scorn upon the captains of finance and law that stalk the boardrooms of the square mile.

City of London, England, UK by Torcello Trio

But why does the majority of the UK’s international financial activity happen in this one little bit of one of the largest and exciting cities in the world? What’s with all the creepy dragon and griffin statues that guard the entrance? Why do UK politicians always equate the interests of ‘the city’ with the interests of everyday Joe and Janes like us?

The answer sounds at first like it could be more then a little Dan Brown, and reveals a strange fact about one of the most well known cities in the world.

The City is Actually a Corporation

The first thing to note is that the City of London is not actually part of the wider urban sprawl that we all know and love as London. Got that? It is actually a city in its own right as well as a ceremonial county that has its own unique style of local authority.

What is now known as the Square Mile was actually the port that was established by the Romans around 47 AD and was granted successive special rights throughout its history until it became the centre of the world’s financial system during the heights of the British Empire.

The municipal governing body of the Square Mile is actually called the City of London Corporation, although the exact date this legal definition was bestowed upon it is unknown (the first royal charter from the corporation dates back to 1067). Many of the antiquated medieval practices and traditions are still carried on to this day.

The Uniqueness of the City of London Corporation

The City has a unique status among the local authorities of the UK for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has its own territorial police force, who are separate from the metropolitan police and even have their own distinctive black and gold badges. Secondly, the corporation is allowed to own properties and assets outside its own borders such as Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and public spaces in Northern Ireland.

Thirdly, and most intriguingly, the City has its own Lord Mayor (distinct from the Mayor of London) who is flanked by a system of “aldermen” and sheriffs, and must have the blessing of the Court of Aldermen and the Livery (medieval trade guilds). If this sounds strange, that’s because it is.

The Lord Mayor is also expected to make a contribution out of their own pocket each year to the costs of running the City, which gives you some idea of what kind of income bracket you have to be in to be considered for this post.

But Why?

Well, it is hard to know the answer to this question due to the ongoing secrecy of the Corporation. Either it is just the fact that this is the way the City has always been run and it serves to make Bankers and Lawyers feel even more above the rest of us, or there is something else going on.

Possible theories are that the Corporation is actually one huge lobbying organisation or that it functions as a kind of offshore tax haven and enjoys different rates of tax to the rest of us. Either way someone should try and find out or let Dan Brown know all of this so that he can write another bestseller.

So if you ever need to explain to someone why all the bankers, lawyers and accountants in London seem to flock to the Square Mile, tell them it is probably because they are part of one of the oldest and strangest clubs in the world.

James Duvalis a freelance IT expert who didn’t believe what his drunken friend told him about the City of London down the pub, so went an researched it himself. When not working or writing blogs for companies such as Choose Your Accountant, James likes to search out good music and fine ales with his friends.

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The year was 1605, and the story has since become embedded in the national myth. Ardent republican and devout Catholic Guy Fawkes, with a band of like-minded miscreants, attempted to assassinate Protestant King James by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. The attempt failed, and Fawkes’ subsequent execution for treason has been commemorated each year since with audacious displays of fireworks and effigy-burning bonfires.

Fireworks in London, England, UK by Dominic Alves

It’s a national performance of pyrotechnics, played out across the country. London – home of the plotters and their political targets – naturally boasts some of the biggest events, both municipal and privately organized. Annual shows include Enfield Town Park and Brockwell Park.

Festivities begin on Friday 2nd November, with a number of shows taking place in West London, with Kingston a perennial favourite. For those south of the river, there will be events in Wimbledon Park and Dulwich Park. Most events kick off between 6 and 8, with entry fees ranging from zero to around £7 for adults.

On Guy Fawkes night itself, Monday 5th, the Battersea Park display promises to be a real highlight of the season. Blackheath and Southgate are among the other regions providing full public displays, with the usual assortment of funfairs and food stalls to keep the huddled masses warm and entertained. Entry to most events is less than ten pounds.

But it’s the post-script to Guy Fawkes night which has the longer history and arguably the more impressive fireworks. Boasting ‘the most dangerous and amazing of all the public fireworks shows in the capital’, the Lord Mayor’s Show has been setting London ablaze since at least 1535, with some version of the event dating back to 1215. The show welcomes in the new Lord Mayor of the city with a combination of explosive-packed barges on the Thames, acrobatic displays, thousands of citizenry and hundreds of floats parading through the streets, and the bombast of a military marching band.

On November 10th, the show is announced open at 11am by a fly-past from an RAF squadron, before the procession makes its way through Bank and Aldwych. Finally, the crowds witness the emergence of the Lord Mayor from a gilded State Coach, having sworn allegiance to the Queen at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Some 500,000 spectators are expected to line the city streets. The fireworks begin at 5pm, launched from a barge situated between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridge, with Embankment generally regarded as the best vantage point from which to watch the display.

Looking for a hotel in London this autumn? Consider a stay at the Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park hotel for a central, great value accommodation option.

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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 http://www.carrentals.co.uk/.

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Take a trip south of the river to take in some of the loveliest parts of London.

Borough Market

Under cover and open daily, Borough Market is the most vibrant food market in London. A must-visit for foodies, you’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables side by side with locally produced delicacies, fresh meat and fish and artisan breads and charcuterie.

Borough Market, London, England, UK by DAVID ILIFF

On its busiest days, the stalls spill out onto the streets around the market hall with even more choice of food to sample. As well as delicacies you can get to experiment with at home, there are plenty of things you can eat on the spot from rare breed pork sausages in freshly baked bread rolls through to curry and paella.

If you fancy making your own picnic on the hoof try grabbing some bread you can tear, some soft cheese from one of the fromageries and a bottle of fizz complete with plastic flutes and take it to the grounds of the neighbouring Southwark Cathedral for an al fresco feast.

Southwark Cathedral

Once you’ve enjoyed your picnic, take some time to explore the majestic cathedral inside as well as out. A place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years, St Saviour’s was first documented in the Doomsday Book in 1066, although there are suggestions that it was a site of religious significance as long ago as the fifth century.

The current structure and facade of the cathedral are in the Gothic style, dating from the 13th century, although the nave was rebuilt in the 19th century in a gothic style. Its construction in the early 1200s made it the first Gothic church in London, but it wasn’t made a cathedral until shortly before World War I.

Southwark Cathedral, London, England, UK by Adrian Pingstone

The cathedral has a vast, soaring ceiling and some beautiful stained glass windows that glow to the south of the building on the side of Borough Market. If you happen to be in the area during the week the Thursday Singers, made up of local community members with a love of choral music, take to the choir stalls to sing for choral Evensong and Festival Eucharists.

After the hustle and bustle of the Market and before taking to the South Bank, Southwark Cathedral provides an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city.

Bermondsey Street

Noted by The Guardian as the most up-and-coming area in London, Bermondsey is seeing something of a surge in popularity in recent years. At its heart lies Bermondsey Street, with its chic collection of boutique shops and independent cafes and eateries with something for all tastes.

In the middle of Bermondsey Street lies the Fashion and Textile Museum. Established and curated by local fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the use of fabric and textiles to create clothes that are works of art in their own right. The museum also has a lovely tea shop that offers loose-leaf teas including one brewed from pure dried rosebuds and a range of homemade cakes.

Conclusion

Fast becoming one of the most popular and fashionable areas in London, Southwark has plenty to offer the visitor. Whether it is shopping, history or the village feel of Bermondsey, the district will make you feel right at home. If you want to see the area from the air why not try a London Helicopter tour, visit the website link here for more information.

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Tower of London, England, UK by xiquinhosilva

1. The Tower of London

One of London’s oldest and most popular attractions, the Tower of London was built in 1078, and remains one of the most well preserved medieval castles in the country. Its central location within the skyscrapers of the City of London financial district make it even more unique, as does its multiple galleries, and housing of the Crown Jewels.

2. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Located on the outskirts of the City of London financial district (about 10 minutes by Tube from the West End), St. Paul’s Cathedral has survived fire and the WWII Blitz to remain one of the capital’s most loved landmarks. Giving yourself the time to explore its artifacts, and the Whispering Gallery on the upper levels, is recommended.

Photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England, UK by Garry Knight

3. Westminster Abbey

While a visit to Westminster, which contains the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, is always recommended, it’s worth taking the time to visit Westminster Abbey. The Gothic church is a regular destination for Royal weddings, contains a number of important burial sites, and includes fascinating museums exhibits.

Photo of Westminster Abbey, London by thetravelguru

4. Buckingham Palace

The Queen’s main residence is a constant favourite of visitors to London, and can be explored via guided tours of certain areas of the Palace. The Palace also includes art galleries, a gift shop, and the daily sight of the Changing of the Palace Guards.

Photo of Buckingham Palace, London by OwenXu

5. British Museum

Home to one of the world’s best collections of art and rare items, this Bloomsbury-based museum demands repeated exploration. First developed in the 18th century, the Museum, only a short walk from the West End, is particularly recommended for its Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts.

Photo of British Museum, London by DAVID HOLT

6. Victoria & Albert Museum

Part of a street of famous museums in Kensington, which also includes the National History Museum and the Science Museum, the V&A was opened in 1852 as a home for decorative art, and today represents one of the best places to see photography and contemporary design exhibits.

Photo of Victoria & Albert Museum, London by gailf548

7. London Eye

This enormous Ferris wheel represents the best way to get a panoramic view of London. Based by the Thames, and near to London Waterloo train station, the Eye offers 30 minute rides in its passenger capsules, with varying prices.

Photo of London Eye, England by Jim Bahn

8. The National Gallery

This art gallery by Trafalgar Square is home to over 2,300 paintings, and is free to enter. The gallery’s pillared facade takes you into a vast holding of art from painters such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh.

Photo of The National Gallery on Trafalgar square, London by Maurice

9. Tate Modern

London’s best modern art gallery sits on the banks of the Thames, and faces towards St Paul’s on the other side of the river. The gallery contains changing and permanent exhibitions, and is free to enter.

Photo of Tate Modern, London by aaron.bihari

10. Natural History Museum

Another of Kensington’s world class museums, the Natural History Museum is dedicated to the natural sciences, and animal and insect collections. Particularly recommended is the enormous Blue Whale, and the museum’s dinosaur exhibits.

Photo of Natural History Museum, London by Heather Cowper

Author bio: Liam Ohm is a keen writer with a particular interest in things-to-do in London. He highly recommends Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tickets for another great day out during your time in London.

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