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"London Calling": The likeable World City is dynamic, multicultural, self-confident Thirty million visitors per year can not be wrong. Red double-decker buses, the golden tower of Big Ben, the mighty dome of St Paul's Cathedral, the Gothic confectioners Tower Bridge, London is a city that everyone should have seen - and where you discover with each visit new sites. In London, 7 million people live, here is is the center of British politics, finance and media world, the culture - with museums and world-class theaters and a lively restaurant scene. Today you only need go into the tube to get a representative cross-section of the population in the London. A city manager in pinstripes next to a afrocarrebean teenager with dreadlocks, a Chinese old lady, a young skater, from head to toe in sports designer label.
Buckingham Palace
Since Queen Victoria got the throne in 1837 its the permanent residence of the British monarch in London. If Elizabeth II is at home, the king's own red-gold-blue Royal Standard flag is blowing from the roof of the neoclassical building (1703), if not, the British Union Jack. During the the famous Changing Of The Guard, a division of the Royal Infantry (Queen's Foot Guards) is marching from St James's Palace to Buckingham Palace. May-July daily clock 11:30am, Aug. until March every 2nd Day (except when it rains).
Greenwich
In the old quarter of the British sailors in the southeast of the city of London scents sea air. The world is according their clocks to Greenwich Mean Time, and on the zero meridian in front of the Royal Observatory you are standing with one leg in the UK, with the other in the central European time zone, one hour ahead (10am-5pm daily, in the summer until 6pm). From the hill you have a great view of the Docklands in Canary Wharf, London's answer to Manhattan. subways: Greenwich, DLR
British Museum
The world-famous National Museum, archives of the World Cultural and London's most popular attraction. Great Russell Street subways: Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern)
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
The "mother of all parliaments" everyone knows from countless postcards, and refrigerator magnets. The impressive Westminster Hall from 1099, with its oak-Hammerbeam roof is the only thing of the medieval Palace of Westminster which is still left. The bell tower Big Ben is a London landmark, and the famous, 13 tonnes of heavy proposes bell marks every hour the BBC radio news. subways: Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee)
London Eye
The best attraction in London, unless you have fear of heights. The view from the glassed capsules, which summarize each 25 passengers, is unbeatable, on a clear day you can see for miles. Oct-My daily 10-20 clock. £13 subways: Waterloo, Westminster (Circle, District)
Westminster Abbey
Coronation Church of the Royals and grave Church of High Society. Edward the Confessor settled here 1066 to build a church - and died one week after its consecration. Edwards successor was William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066 crowned to be king. On the 2nd June 1953 over 8000 people saw the coronation of Elizabeth II live. subways: Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee)
Tower of London
The nucleus of the old London is a fascinating complex with a history of 900 years including a royal residence, jail, weapons warehouses, mint and safe for the crown jewels. In the Jewel Tower a conveyor belt carries you swiftly to pass the crown jewels, including the crown of the in 2002 Queen Mother died with the Koh-i-Noor diamond (1937) and at the huge decorative Punch Bowl, a bowl, which weighs 235 kg. March-Oct. Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun / Mon 10am-6pm, Nov.-Feb. Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun / Mon 10am-5pm. subways: Tower Hill (Circle, District)
Kew Gardens
In the Royal Botanic Gardens (Unesco World Heritage), the gardener created conditions on over 120 hectares in which nearly every plant in the world can grow. Kew Road, daily from 9.30am, £11.75 subways: Kew Gardens (District)
Harrods
Behind the ornamental terracotta facade and green awnings hides one of the most famous department stores in the world. The London institution has over 5000 employees and 300 departments. Especially popular: the opulent Art Nouveau-paneled Food Hall. Attention, there is a dress code: sports shorts, slippers, truncated free abdomen jeans or tops are taboo, backpacks must be removed. 87-135 Brompton Road subway: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly)
Tower Bridge
The neo-gothic twin towers (1894) are next to Big Ben London's most famous landmark. 900-times per year, the central part folded up for large ships. April - September. 10am-6.30pm daily, Oct.-March 9.30am-6pm clock. £5.50 subways: Tower Hill (Circle, District)
St Paul's Cathedral
A dedicated to St. Paul church. From the top Golden Gallery, you have a fantastic view of the city. Mon-Sat 8.30am-4pm, £9. subway: St Paul's (Central)
Windsor Castle & Eton College
From the train station turn left towards the castle. Before you reach the powerful walls you saw already several planes flying over your head - Heathrow Airport is close. You enter Windsor Castle (with few exceptions March-Oct. daily 9.45am-5.15pm, Nov. until Feb. until 4:15pm, £ 13.50) through a mighty entrance.
shopping Selfridges
The half-a-million sq ft behemoth of Oxford St is 99 years old and still going strong. 400 Oxford St. Bond Street/Marble Arch tube.
food Rotunda Bar & Restaurant Starters and desserts (Forman’s salmon with soda bread and cream cheese, burnt cream with pear and blackberry compote, for example) were of a much higher standard and the menu’s range of modern British classics (smoked eel salad, steak and chips, rhubarb crumble) ensures most people will find something that appeals, besides the view. Kings Place, 90 York Way, King's Cross / King’s Cross tube/rail Bentley's Comfort food – sitting at the bar. 11-15 Swallow St / Piccadilly Circus tube. J Sheekey Shellfish, fishcakes, and – if you can manage – spotted dick. 28-32 St Martin’s Court / Leicester Square tube Amaya When you crave Indian food, but are tired of ‘curry’. Grilled meat dishes. 19 Motcomb St, Halkin Arcade / Knightsbridge tube. Rasa N16
When spice would be nice. Don’t miss the pickles (really), and the dosai are spectacular. 55 Stoke Newington Church St / Stoke Newington rail Madhu’s
When you’ve time to kill on the way to Heathrow. Ask for the east African Asian specials.
39 South Rd, Southall / Southall rail. Zuma
When you need a little glamour in your life. Saké, sushi, robatayaki and any of the Zuma signature dishes. 5 Raphael St / Knightsbridge tube.
where to stay
The Generator
The biggest hostel in town, in functional-futuristic look, is ideal for single travelers; long open bar. Reception, internet cafe, games room open 24 hours, Continental breakfast included. 854 beds from £10, Compton Place, 37 Tavistock Place subway: Russell Square (Piccadilly)
The Jenkins Hotel
Traditional B & B hotel in Bloomsbury with 12 individually designed en-suite rooms. Garden, tennis courts. 45 Cartwright Gardens subway: Russell Square (Piccadilly)
Hazlitt's
Wonderful old-fashioned literary hotel in the heart of Soho. 23 rooms 6 Frith Street, Soho Square subways: Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern)
The Dorchester
The Luxury Living in one of the most famous hotels in the world begins under the gilded ceiling of the entrance hall. Elegant modern design. In the Grill Room is the perfect roast beef served in the Promenade a quiet afternoon tea. 250 rooms £425-3525. 53 Park Lane subway: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly) Soho Hotel Kemp’s 2004 shot at urban hip is still her most edgy creation. It’s all very cool, but also wonderfully quiet and comfortable. 4 Richmond Mews, Soho Tottenham Court Road tube Brown’s Brown’s was opened in 1837 by Lord Byron’s butler, James Brown, and became the quintessential Mayfair hotel. The first British telephone call was made from here in 1876. All 117 bedrooms, super-large and extremely comfortable, have been reconfigured, kept in character with original artwork, book collections and, in the suites, fireplaces. Albemarle Street, Mayfair Green Park tube
Plane
Scheduled flights land at Heathrow, 18 km from the center. Cheap flights 50 km outside in Stansted (Eastern), Luton (north) or Gatwick (south). Buses operate to every Airport, from Stansted to Victoria (90 mins): £ 16 return With the subway (Piccadilly Line, after 9:30am £ 6.30) a ride from Heathrow to the center takes 55 minutes, with the Heathrow Express to Paddington (from / to. £ 27) 15 min. Gatwick Express (30 minutes) to Victoria return: £ 23.50. Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (45 minutes, return. £ 25), Luton: Shuttle bus and train (35 minutes, return £ 22.40). The underground train, tube, travels with twelve color marked lines. In buses also valid is the Travelcard worth almost always, for Zones 1-2 center (from 9.30am £ 4.90), Zones 1-6 (£ 6.30). A three-day ticket (zones 1-6) costs £ 18.90.
Bulk
1 inch (in) = 2,54 cm 1 foot (ft) = 30,48 cm 1 gallon (gal) = 4,55 l 1 ounce (oz) = 28,35 g 1 pound = 453,6 g 1 pint (pt) = 0,57 l 1 yard (yd): 0,91 m 1 mile (m) = 1,61 km
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