133 Make Your Money Go Further in London
London is the coolest city on earth, according to a big crowd of fans of the city, and there is quite some truth in that. The city on the Thames has an amazing lot of things to do. One can spend several weeks in the city alone, doing something different every day.
Cheap London hotels do not have to be dive hotels in seedy areas. All too often travelers think that if they are seeking cheap London hotels that they will need to sacrifice quality and safety for price. The reality is, however, that if you have the right travel professionals assisting you, you will find cheap London hotels that are clean, safe and enjoyable.
You can either stay at cheap London hotels that will turn a great day into a nightmare in a hurry, or you can stay at moderate London hotels at cheap London hotels rates in order to keep your day on the same great tone. The choice is fairly obvious.
London has great sites to see for the entire family, as well as many things to enjoy. Shopping is legendary in London so staying at cheap London hotels can help you save some pounds for a shopping spree before you leave. You will also find that there are great restaurants with many different cuisines ranging from Indian food, Italian food and British food. By staying in cheap London hotels you are able to do more, see more and enjoy more.
Most of the hotel accommodation in this bracket is termed ‘bed and breakfast’ hotels. This can be misleading to the unaware. No it’s not a cozy family owned guest house with personal attentive hosts, traditional English breakfasts and home-made offerings, commonly available outside London. The vast majority are small hotels with 20-50 rooms, staffed by immigrants on very low salaries with very simple rooms, seldom lifts and ‘continental breakfasts’. That is not to say that these establishments should be avoided, but there are an awful lot of poor quality ones.
The main cheap hotel districts in London are Bayswater, Victoria and Kings Cross. Here you will see lots of these bed and breakfast hotels together in clusters. An ensuite double or twin room with breakfast in these areas is around 70-100$US.
Kings Cross has a poor reputation, it used to be notorious for drugs, crime and prostitution. That is all largely behind it now and it’s a district on the up, the whole area is being rejuvenated and Eurostar Trains will terminate at Kings Cross station in 2007. The bed and breakfast hotels are all around a garden square immediately opposite Kings Cross Station.
Kings Cross is no more than a mile from the West End, the central entertainment area of London, and there is lots of public transport on your doorstep. Bayswater is on the northern border of Hyde Park, London’s biggest, and within a mile are Oxford Street, Kensington Palace and Paddington Station, (terminus for the Heathrow Express airport link. Bayswater is a traditional budget area and a great place to stay for the cost conscious traveler.
Victoria is very central, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye are all within walking distance. The cheap hotels are south of the railway station, stretching from the coach stations to Pimlico Underground. The area is pleasant and safe.
Some of the better bed and breakfasts include the Montana Excel and Howard Winchester Hotels in Kings Cross, the Central Hotel in Victoria and the Blakemore and Annur Hotels in Bayswater. Some of these may be advertised as three star hotels - beware in small print you may notice the words ’self rated’.
London has a reputation for expensive hotel accommodation with very little cheap budget hotels. This article is a guide to finding a cheap hotel in London.
Make Your Money Go Further In London: Find A Cheap Hotel by Lisa Scott
10 From Wikipedia
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. London produces 17% of the UK’s GDP, and is one of the world’s major business, political and cultural centres. London is a leader in international finance, politics, communications, entertainment, fashion and the arts and has considerable influence worldwide. London is one of the world’s major global cities (along with New York City, Tokyo and Paris).
London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7.5 million and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. London’s population includes an extremely diverse range of peoples, cultures, and religions, making it one of the most cosmopolitan, vibrant and energetic cities on earth. A resident of London is referred to as a Londoner. Initially it was a Roman city known as Londinium. Over 300 languages are spoken in London, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world.
London’s status as the Capital has never been granted or confirmed officially - by statute or in written form. Nonetheless, it remains the de facto capital and, through common law, part of the UK’s unwritten constitution.
7 Moving to London
Moving is a harrowing experience in its own right but when it comes to moving to a new city in a new country the task stats to seem far more gargantuan than packing up your old kit bag and moving to a new suburb. Moving to London is no different but it doesn’t have to be as frightening and mammoth as it sounds.London Weather
If you’re immigrating to London there are a few things you should take into consideration when planning your move. If you’re from a sunny Southern Hemisphere country it will be a little difficult to adjust to the weather at first. London weather is not very predictable but it thankfully does get warmer than many other parts of Britain in summer. Between the winter months of November and February below zero temperatures are not uncommon and it is very wet and windy. The summer and spring months are relatively temperate but it does rain year round. When packing for your move it is important to take the weather and the time of year you will be arriving into consideration. Just because you’re coming from the sunny beaches of Australia doesn’t mean your not going to be stepping into snow, so make sure you have adequate warm clothing and protective gear before you go.
The Public Transportation System
London has one of the greatest public transport systems in the world; the system is so refined that owning a car is unnecessary. There are several forms of public transport to choose from but the most popular is the London Underground. Getting around London by tube allows fast and easy access to the heart of the city without worrying about the cities notorious traffic or getting lost. For someone who is new to London the tube is the perfect form of transport, it is also the cheapest, is very safe and highly reliable. London is famous for its big red buses which are very popular forms of transport especially once the tube shuts at night. You will be able to purchase a bus map at any travel centre or tourist office which will help you decipher the bus routes, which bus stops you need to be at and when. Cash is paid directly to the driver for single journeys and day passes are also available which come in especially handy when you wish to spend the day sightseeing. The traditional black taxi cabs can be pre-booked via phone or hailed on the street. They are the most expensive form of transport and most people only use them once the tube and busses have stopped running.
The cheapest way of getting around London is to buy a Travelcard which can be purchased for a day, 3 days, a week, a month or a year and are valid on buses, tubes and overland trains. If you are going top be living and working in London a Travelcard is highly recommended both for easy travelling as well as saving a few of your hard earned Pounds. If you do wish to drive a car in London you may normally use your valid drivers licence from your home country or an international driver’s licence. After a year you will be required to apply for a UK driving licence.
Places of Interest
Just because you are now living and working in the UK doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take time to do all the touristy things London has to offer. London is one of the greatest tourist cities in the world and because you’ll be staying there for quite a while you will have the amazing opportunity to see so much more than if you were visiting London for a two week holiday – so take the opportunity.
You can’t go to London without witnessing the 40 minute daily Changing of the Guard ceremony in which the Queen’s Guard, accompanied by a band, arrive at Buckingham palace for their shift. The London Dungeon and Madam Tussaud’s wax museum are favourites amongst locals and tourists alike. Filled with Gothic horrors, torture chambers and re-enactments of some of the most gruesome scenes the London Dungeon with its heart stopping atmosphere never fails to entertain visitors. The life size wax works of Madame Tussaud’s feature pop stars, actors, serial killers and political figures and a visit to this wax museum is not to be missed.
The 30 minute ride on the Millennium Wheel/ London Eye offers panoramic views of the city and is located close to attractions like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and the Thames River. The architectural splendour known as the London Zoo is another favourite amongst those living in London and its prime purpose is to save species under threat of extinction. It’s not too often that you see giraffes, penguins and lions roaming about the streets of London so take in a day at the zoo for sheer enjoyment. There are also a variety of botanical gardens, rivers and parks for those who long for a quite moment in nature in the middle of one of the most bustling cities in the world.
A visit to London’s own orient, Chinatown, is highly recommended for the bright colours, fabulous little shops and excellent Chinese cuisine. The Chinese New Year celebrations are not to be missed and feature, apart from a great party, huge papier-mâché lions dancing through the streets and awesome fireworks.
Apart from the montage of museums, galleries and theatres London is home to some of the greatest restaurants, pubs and nightclubs your evenings are guaranteed to be as exciting and eventful as your days. Don’t forget the shopping while you are in this cosmopolitan city, with venues like Harrods and all that Oxford Street holds you are sure to find treasures beyond you imagination.
Experience London
Just because you are going to be moving to London and will be living and working like the average Londoner don’t let the opportunity to explore this city to its full potential while you are there slip you by. When you first arrive in London you will no doubt be overwhelmed - but living in London is an experience in itself, so don’t let yourself get bogged down by the routine of daily life, take each and every opportunity to see and do as much as you can.
If you have made the decision to live and work in the UK the hassles of visas, applying for foreign bank accounts and job hunting arise many appear challenging to say the least. Whether you’re exploring the world, your career or your finances, 1st Contact offers a range of services to make living and working in London easier. 1st Contact’s services are open to candidates from all over the world who wish to live and work in the UK.
6 Traveling on the London Underground
You can take the Underground to nearly all parts of London, and can get you to your destination, without the delays of hailing cabs or waiting for buses. The London Underground consists of a Tube network made up of 275 stations on 12 rail lines. The different lines are marked with colours to help you keep track of where you are headed. Maps for the Tube have major tourist destinations clearly marked so you can find where you are going quickly. Any ticket station will have free maps. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the London Underground system.
The Tube is a very inexpensive way to get around London. The fares are based on a map of zones in the city, with the rates varying depending on your starting and ending zones. Tube fares start at only £1.30 for most travel in the central downtown areas.
If you plan on traveling extensively by Tube, you should think about getting an Oystercard. These plastic “smart cards” are durable and more convenient than carrying regular paper tickets. You can load your Oystercard with season passes or regular pre-pay fares. Using an Oystercard is simple. Just touch the card to one of the many card readers on the platform when you start your trip, and again when you reach your destination. The Oystercard isn’t just for the Tube either. This handy card can also be used on all other forms of public transit, such as buses or the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
The Tube runs frequently throughout the day, with trains running through each station every few minutes. There aren’t exact timetables available, except for the times of the first and last trains of the day. Each route is different, but travel begins as early as 5am and ends well after midnight.
If you are planning on getting around London via other transport as well as the tube, you should be aware that there are parking facilities at many stations though you will have to pay to park your car. Rates are low, starting at around £2.00 for a weekday. Some parking is free of charge on statutory holidays. Bicycles can be taken with you onboard the trains throughout most of the Tube network, but not everywhere. Some sections are off-limits to bicycles and they are also not to be brought onboard during peak travel periods (morning and evening rush hour). Check with the transit authorities before trying to board with your bike. There is no extra charge.
The etiquette involved with traveling by London Underground is the same for subway systems in any major city. Remove your backpack when boarding and keep it on the floor by your feet. Don’t stand in the doorway; allow passengers room to board and disembark the train. When riding the escalator, stand to the right so that quicker people can pass you. Overall, be courteous to other rides and transit staff.
Even if you don’t need to travel by Tube, you might still want to visit a local station, as the London Underground is a tourist destination in itself. The Poems on the Underground program brings poetry to the trains, alongside the advertisements. The poems are updated 3 times a year and can even be purchased as a collection at London’s Transport Museum Shop. Not a fan of poetry? You can also enjoy the numerous pieces of artwork that are on display throughout the Underground. Most of the art is in the form of wall-mounted posters, but there are displays of sculpture, photography and installation art as well.
Planning ahead can make using the London Underground system even easier. Visit their website (http://tube.tfl.gov.uk) and download maps of all routes along with timetables. Knowing your Tube routes will get you to your destinations faster, easier and with less time lost.
One more tip. If you are traveling during the summer, be aware that the Tube is not air-conditioned and gets quite hot. Bring a bottle of water with you if you plan on being on a train for a while.
Copyright 2006 S Wander
Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london.html offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.
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5 Visiting the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the oldest and most well preserved buildings in the world. Over time, the Tower of London has been used to protect England from its enemies, as well as palace for the royal family. Visiting the Tower of London is a must for any first time London visitor, as well as those who have traveled to London a few times.
The Tower of London has been watched over by yeoman warders since the very beginning of its existence in 1078. The warders take care of the buildings within the Tower of London making sure that all of the buildings are kept safe from intruders as well as watch to ensure that none of the prisoners of the Tower of London were able to escape. Since their inception yeoman warders have been required to take an oath to the Tower of London, and their servitude of the structure and the monarchy. In early years the yeoman warders would have preformed their duties in plain clothes, today the warders have much more stately attire.
Over time the Tower of London has become known for the great number of people that have been executed at the Tower of London. Some of the more famous executions include Anne Boleyn in 1530, which was Henry VIII second wife. She was beheaded and burned because Henry suspected her of committing adultery, and Sir Walter Raleigh an explorer to the Americas who fell out of favor with Elizabeth I. He spent twelve years in the tower to be released for only two short years before finding himself back there again being beheaded in 1618.
The Tower of London has been the setting for a great number of important historical moments in the history of London, and the history of England as a whole. The Tower of London is also where the crown jewels are kept. It is unknown what the actual value of all of the gold, silver, and gemstones in the royal collection. Kings and queens throughout the ages have worn items from the collection. Having just been worn so long ago, and during such key moments in history make the crown jewels priceless.
One of the oldest ceremonies at the Tower of London that still survives today is the ceremony of the keys. The ceremony of the keys is the ceremonial locking up of the tower on London each night. The ceremony has been completed in the exact same way, every single night for almost seven hundred years. Each night just before 10pm the chief warder comes from byward tower carrying the traditional lantern lit with a candle and precedes to a place a bloody tower. An exchange commences; as the doors are locked the chief warder and sentry perform the famous exchange:
“Halt” “Who comes there?” “The Keys” “Who’s Keys?” “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys” “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys - All’s well”. The Tower of London is a structure filled with history. A visit to the tower can be a great learning experience for young children as well as adults. Each time you visit the tower you can learn something new about the tower, its content, and walk away with a new piece of knowledge about English history.
The Tower of London is open for guests almost every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Admission is charged and varies on the age of the guests, and number of people in a group. The hours the towers are open for visits vary depending on the time of the year, so if you aren’t familiar with London check before you plan your trip for the hours that the tower is open each day to ensure that you are able to see all that you would like of the towers before they close. They towers are easily assessable through the Tower hill Tube Station, as well as several bus stations.
Copyright 2006 S Wander
Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london-central.html offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S_Wander