You can, if you so desire, make your way to Baker Street and pay a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum which now claims the address of 221B Baker Streets.

Until fairly recently 221 was a little further along Baker Street and was the headquarters of the Abbey National Building Society. They used to receive so many letters, from all over the world, addressed to Sherlock Holmes they actually tasked a specific employee with answering everyone of the letters. Nowadays, the Abbey National has moved on, and the letters are delivered to the Museum.

221B Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes Museum, London, England, UK by Jordan 1972

But there are lots of locations around London that you can still visit on London discovery tours that have association with Sherlock Holmes and his faithful sidekick Dr John H. Watson.

A must for all hunters of things Sherlockian is the Sherlock Holmes Pub in Northumberland Avenue, just off Trafalgar Square. Its walls are adorned with all manner of Holmesian memorabilia, from old copies of the Strand Magazine (the publication in which the majority of the stories appear) to a TV that screens black and white films, albeit with the volume turned down!

But the chief glory of the pub is to be found in its upstairs bar. For here you will find an exact replica of Holmes and Watson’s sitting room at 221B Baker Street.

Elsewhere in London, in Giltspur Street. Over in the City of London, and a few streets away from St Paul’s cathedral, you will find St Bartholomew’s Hospital. This is the oldest hospital in London to still stand on its original site. It was in the pathology department of the Hospital that Holmes and Watson met in the first story A Study In Scarlet.

Main entrance to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, England, UK by DisillusionedBitterAndKnackered

More recently it was from the roof of the Pathology Department that Holmes, apparently, leapt to his death at the end of series two of the BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

A red phone box, which stands next to the wall of the Pathology Department on Giltspur Street, has now become a place of pilgrimage to distraught Sherlock Fans from all over the world and they arrive here to post notes on the windows of the box assuring Holmes, and Watson, of their undying devotion. “Come back Sherlock, we miss you,” “Japan Love Sherlock Holmes,” and “You really did it rather well,” are just some of the messages that have been left on this phone box in recent weeks by eager Holmesian fans.

So, if you really want to explore Sherlock Holmes’s London, you can do what so many people do and go searching for him and Watson along the busy baker Street. But by far the most rewarding way to experience his London is to track him through the streets, alleyways and thoroughfares of the Victorian and Edwardian Metropolis that felt that little bit safer in the knowledge that Holmes deductive skills were always on hand to defeat even the most dastardly villain!

Author Bio
Sarah Hewitt is a new blogger who blogs about anything and everything. You can contact her via her Twitter page or Google+

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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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Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball), London 2012, UK by Adam Care

In 2012, London hosted the Games for a record third time, and many would argue that the choice of individual event venues was perhaps the finest and most iconic of all time. As well as the spectacular Olympic Stadium itself, there are several brand new locations, but it’s the temporary and pre-existing sites which have really captured the imagination. Here are four of the venues that have made London 2012 so special.

Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball)

The construction of a temporary stadium in the very heart of the city was an inspired choice. Beach Volleyball was unlikely to be an overly popular event in the UK, but placing the action just a short walk from Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square gave spectators a unique opportunity to enjoy a little sport and to soak up some of the culture of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

Lord’s Cricket Ground (Archery)

The home of world cricket and one of the finest sports arenas in Britain, Lord’s is located in leafy St John’s Wood, a suburb in the north-west of the city. The hallowed turf has hosted some other sports in the past, but only on an infrequent basis. Archery can be an exciting sport, especially when the action is in full flow, and the thousands of fortunate spectators enjoyed an excellent vantage point from the stands.

Brands Hatch (Road Cycling)

The former host circuit for the British Formula One Grand Prix, Brands Hatch is one of the world’s finest race tracks. It’s located close to Swanley in Kent, and previous GP winners include Nigel Mansell, Niki Lauda, Jack Brabham and the great Jim Clark. In recent years, cycling has become something of an obsession in the United Kingdom, so it’s only right that organisers chose such an impressive venue.

Wimbledon (Tennis)

It’s perhaps fitting that the tennis tournament was held in the most famous venue of its kind in the world. The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has hosted the celebrated Grand Slam event for more than a hundred years, and is accustomed to handling huge numbers of spectators. The grass surface is ideal for fast-paced play.

David Showell was born in London and is a big sports fan. He works for a company that provides affordable ferry tickets to the general public.

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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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Changing of the guard/the Four O’Clock Parade

A tourist favourite, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every day throughout the summer at 11.30am. The ceremony involves the changing of five regiments of foot guards and takes about 45 minutes. It also features a band playing popular classical music.

If getting up early in the morning is too much of a struggle, consider the Four O’Clock Parade (also known as the Dismounting) that takes place at the Horse Guards building. All of the guards line up in formation and are inspected, before taking the horses back to the stables for the night.

Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, London / edwin.11

Street performers in Covent Garden and a walk through China Town

Covent Garden is a vibrant area with numerous bars and boutique stores. It’s great to wander around, but if you fancy some entertainment, the square is famed for its street performers and buskers. Covent Garden is centrally located and just a stroll from nearby China Town, which is worth exploring to take in the smells and vibrant atmosphere.

Art galleries

London features some of the world’s greatest art galleries and fortunately many of them are completely free. London’s best known gallery, the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses one of the finest collections in the world. The gallery’s permanent collection contains western European paintings from 1250 to 1900. It’s a vast building and takes at least a day to explore.

The Tate Modern, probably the second most famous gallery in London, is housed in a defunct power plant.  The gallery exhibits an expansive collection of modern art, the quirks of which are mirrored in the unusual building.

Museums

Dubbed ‘one of the world’s best museums of human history and culture’, the British Museum hosts some of the world’s most famous objects, such as the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures – as well as Egyptian mummies and other fascinating artefacts. The museum is so large that it’s impossible to cover in one day, so it’s worthwhile picking up a map and planning what to see in advance.

South Bank

Home to the Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre, the South Bank has been regenerated into one of the most creative areas in London, hosting numerous festivals and events.  Most weekends the area is also home to very a popular street food market selling international cuisine.

There’s often live music being played outside of the Southbank Centre, as well as many buskers and street performers keeping crowds entertained. If you’re into photography, the underground skate park is a must-visit for some action shots.

There are many great things to do for free in London and the best way to find many of them is to explore the places you don’t know on foot. Summer is the best time to visit, with London serviced apartments available all season. If you don’t fancy any of the above, consider relaxing in one of the many parks London has to offer.

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The name of this largest public space in London come from the sea Battle of Trafalgar, where on 21 October 1805 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson won the battle over the French fleet. In the middle of Trafalgar Square you can find Nelson’s Column, which is surrounded by fountains and four huge bronze statues of lions. At the top of the pillar there is a statue of Lord Nelson, who commanded the British navy at the Battle of Trafalgar.

View Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column in a larger map

On the north side there is the National Gallery. South of it is the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. At each corner of Trafalgar Square there is a plinth with statues of George IV, Henry Havelock, and Sir Charles James Napier. The fourth plinth has temporary exhibitions.

Trafalgar Square is also famous as the home of hundreds of pigeons which were feeding by the inhabitants of London for centuries. But few years ago it was forbidden, because birds droppings damaged the local sights. Another tradition which became a familiar is the ritual with preparing the Christmas tree. It is imported from Oslo, Norway, who send it each year as a gift to help the Nordic country during the World War II.

View Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column in a larger map

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But where should you go and what should not be missed? There is so much to do you can’t cram it into one trip. Well to help you along here are my top five recommendations.

1) Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 and is the current residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Though much of it remains private the state rooms are open to public view during the summer season. It will also play host to the Royal family during the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, where they will stand on the balcony and wave to well wishers immediately after their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by shining.darkness

Read more about Buckingham Palace here.

2) The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster Abbey, as it is also known, is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs. It is a place steeped in history and one that is well worth a visit – though don’t forget it is closed to the public when hosting special events so don’t try and sneak in to see Will and Kate tie the knot!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hyougushi

Read more about Westminster Abbey here.

3) The Tower Of London and Tower Bridge
Another one of the City’s iconic buildings find out all about London’s grizzly past (and watch out for ghosts!) at the Tower Of London and the nearby Tower Bridge. The Tower was founded by King William the Conqueror in 11th Century and has served as, among others, a royal palace, fortress, prison and place of execution. The crown Jewels are also stored here and the ghost of Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against King Henry VIII, is said to walk around the tower carrying her head under her arm.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Edwin Lee

4) London Eye
If you are lucky, and get to the wheel during a clear day you can see up to 50 kilometres far. It provides you a great view of Westminster and Buckingham Palace. This attraction is very popular among tourists, so during the visit you should count with the long queues, but also a strong inspection of you and your bag.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martie Swart

You can read more about London Eye here.

5) Wembley Stadium
Ok, football may not be for everyone but if you are a sports fan the Wembley Stadium – the home of English football – should not be missed. The iconic twin towers were demolished in 2000 along with the rest of the aging stadium and have been replaced with a state-of-the-art 90,000 capacity arena. There is though a museum detailing the history of the ground and English football in general, well worth it.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Pettitt

6) Endless Museums – for free
Even if you saved cash by booking your accommodation at Hotels.com and were savvy with your tourist cash. If your wallet is still a little light then don’t fret, there are endless other things that can be done for free. Not least London’s excellent collection of Museums such as the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern and the National Gallery – all with free entry. There are also endless parks and green spaces dotted across the city if you are lucky and visit London on those rarest of days – hot and sunny!

7) Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column
Trafalgar Square is located in Westminster and commemorates the victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, which took place in 1805. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson’s Column, which is surrounded by fountains and four huge bronze statues of lions. Trafalgar Square is the vibrant heart of London and the best starting point for exploration of its central part.

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