A city of life
by TinKan
London is a city of art, history and theater and you need to see all of it to understand the people and the culture of the people that live here.
The buildings and parks have been around for a long time and are well established and should be visited.
Most of the English government is situated here in the capitol and so is the financial market so there is a modern side to it. We were able to go to the theater and see the musical “Cats”.
We were lucky enough to have a great concierge that was able to find us tickets for a sold out show. The tickets he was able to get us were in the pit area and they were some of the best seats in the theater.
Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery
by irisbe
Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery on the South Bank
The Royal Festival Hall opened its doors in 1951. With over a 1000 events a year, varying from large-scale classical concerts, over ballet, films and opera, the Festival hall resembles about 150 000 hours of music since it start and its Foyer attracted over 2,5 million of visitors each year.
The Festival hall is opened 364 days a year frm 10 am till 10 pm.
There are daily free concerts you can enjoy.
In 1968 Her Majesty The queen opened the Hayward Gallery, a purpose-built, modern art gallery. It is considered an example of “brutalist” architecture of the sixties. I would think it must be what we call at home “functionality”: it didn’t had to look nice, it has to be functional and the lines were very strict and lots of concrete is used. The terrace at 2 high is a nice place for a drink. If you have time enough and the sun settles not too late, you can watch a magnificient view when the sun touches the horizon and colours the Thames orange.
Unfortunatly we didn't stayed that long but with bit of imagination I can figure out how beautiful it must be.
There is a sign on which you can see what building(s) you are looking at at the other side of the Thames.
There is also a sign that says not to put anything at the edge of the balcony `-)
ok ok... it was just for the picture :)
Illustrious Houses of God
by mrclay2000
Not all of England's elite have been interred in Westminster Abbey. Many of London's favorite sons are buried in various other churches throughout Greater London, while many celebrities and luminaries enjoy some other association with the less distinguished churches and cathedrals. Take St Margaret's in front of Westminster Abbey, a small Gothic venue so often unnoticed in comparison. Samuel Pepys, John Milton and Winston Churchill were all married in this church, and Sir Walter Raleigh lies buried in the chancel.
Say "cheers" instead of thank you.
by drkate
Locals almost always say "cheers" when they are saying goodbye. This replaces the "thank you" at the end of a conversation. Your "cheers" will surely make you seem like a local. Try to avoid saying both "cheers" and "thank you", that is a dead giveaway.
Enjoy jolly ole England.
The Year of the Monkey (2004)
by Mariajoy
Any cultural guidance?? Hahahahahaha!!! Go to Soho in January for the Chinese New Year celebrations.... you will be packed so tightly with several million strangers in a few tiny streets, that their physical features will be permanently etched on your brain.... But remember... this is London so no matter how close you are (and your face may be just inches from theirs)... don't make eye contact!!! AND under no circumstances speak to them!! This would just be considered weird :)))
If you do go to the New Year festivities - be warned - it's not for the claustraphobic - and if you think you are gonna get a table in a Chinese restaurant without making a booking - forget it!!!!! (and attempting to say "Gung hay fat choi" to waiters won't get you a table either!!) There is a noodle bar just off Leicester Square - you will pay at least four quid for a box of "Vegetarian" noodles (1lb of noodles - 2 mange tout and a baby sweetcorn if you are lucky) Then take it somewhere you can sit - like in Trafalgar Square - but of course its January so they will have gone cold before you get there!
Any request for assistance or directions from police will be ignored - they too will not make eye contact, let alone offer friendly helpful advice!! They might just tell you to "Move along" in a more ummm... colloquial manner!!!
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Hyde Park
Answer 5
Sherlock Holmes
Little Star pub (closed), Stepney, London, UK.
