Transportation, London

Don't know what Platform 9¾ is? Where have you been for the last decade whilst Harry Potter has been taking the world by storm???

For the uninitiated, Platform 9¾ is the platform from which the Howarts Express departs to transport Harry Potter and his schoolmates back to boarding school. Anyone who has used Kings Cross Station on the Euston Road will tell you that this mainline overground terminus (not the underground) has ten platforms, so how do you access 9¾? Easy ... you just push your trolley through a brick wall ...

Unfortunately I road tested this and can confirm that this does not work if you are a Muggle (of non-wizarding stock) ... and although I have occasionally been accused for being a witch, that doesn't seem to count ...

To the credit of the station management, they have entered into the spirit of the thing, and, presumably bowing to interminable requests from Potter nerds, have created a portal to Platform 9¾, just around the corner from Platforms 9 and 10. It's amazing the good will a bit of paint can generate, and it certainly creates a good photo opportunity ...

The unashamedly over the top Victorian Gothic confection that is St Pancras Station is my favourite building in the whole of London, and I shudder to think how close this came to demolition in the latter part of the 20th century. It is a veritable cathedral to the enterprise and opportunity created by the Industrial Revolution and thankfully, courtesy of major public outrage and a campaign orchestrated by Sir John Betjeman (the then Poet Laureate), the station was reprieved and has been given a massive revamp to create the British terminus for the Eurostar service.

More about that when I next return to London and have the chance to take more photos, but for now, let's concentrate on the pleasant subject of the St Pancras champagne bar.

Apparently the longest champagne bar in Europe (which set me to wondering how many are there in the first place - sounds like this survey could involve some pleasant fieldwork?), it is designed in subdued and tasteful monochromatic Art Deco style. It is a most elegant place to quaff a glass or two of bubbly and admire this beautiful space, and although I am no expert on champagne - curiously the only wine I'm not allergic to - the champagne list is extensive and includes some affordable options (by the glass as well as the bottle) as well as the seriously expensive stuff.

What's more, it's ergonomically located adjacent to the platform from which the Eurostar departs, so you can fantasise about all the wonderful possibilities presented by rail travel (definitely my preferred mode of transport). What better way to set yourself up for your European jaunt???

So what is London famous for? Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tate Gallery, Yeoman Warders, London bobbies and big, red Routemaster buses. HOLD THE BUS (pun intended). Until a couple of years ago, this would have fitted nicely as a transportation tip, something along the lines of "you can jump on and off one of the iconic Routemaster buses which serve large parts of Central London". Unfortunately, no more.

Due to a mixture of a meddlesome Mayor and European regulations, the poor old Routemaster has been pensioned off. Now they only run on two specific tourist routes (notably Tower Hill to Trafalgar Square). I deliberately took this photo of the bus disappearing into the distance, it seemed appropriate somehow.

Try and get a ride on one if you can.

Join one of the many open double decker tour buses by all means but be prepared to pay £25.00 pp to see the sites.With an Oystercard (www.oystercard.com) you can plan your tour of London beforehand and then travel around London for less. London is divided into zones. Zones 1 and 2 cover most of the sites, while Heathrow is in zone 6 (20 miles away) Avoid rush hours, but a little planning can save you a lot of money
Remember the tube is quicker but the view is restricted.

"A vital part of London's success was the transport system that developed alongside the Capital in the 19th and 20th centuries-truly the lifeblood of this great city."

Engineering collection;
Vehicle Collection - history of public transport in London from 1800 to the present day.
A stunning variety of vehicles, signs, photographs, posters, drawings, uniforms and architectural material make up the core of the collection.

Open Monday - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10.00 - 18.00 (last admission 17.15)
Friday 11.00 - 18.00 (last admission 17.15)

Admission: Adults £13:50

"A vital part of London's success was the transport system that developed alongside the Capital in the 19th and 20th centuries-truly the lifeblood of this great city."

Engineering collection;
Vehicle Collection - history of public transport in London from 1800 to the present day.
A stunning variety of vehicles, signs, photographs, posters, drawings, uniforms and architectural material make up the core of the collection.

Open Monday - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10.00 - 18.00 (last admission 17.15)
Friday 11.00 - 18.00 (last admission 17.15)

Admission: Adults £13:50

Although I know this is a cheesy, touristy thing to do, it's a good introductory overview. The Big Bus (vs. the other one - can't remember its name) has a live, English speaking guide - some guides are better than others, and you can hop off one bus and onto the next if you don't like your guide.

I rode the day I arrived, and was so tired I never hopped off (except when it started pouring down rain and the bus stopped), and enjoyed getting a better idea of where things were that I visited later in my trip. I took photos form the top (open) part of the bus, and can identify all but one (a picture of some red door???) of the sites from later visits.

There are 2 lines - Red is the one with the live guides. Blue goes further out and has a recorded guide in many languages. You can go on both lines as long as it is w/i the 24 hour period. I did.

Oh, and the ticket also includes a free river cruise w/i a 24 hour period, but with the bad weather and my jet lag, I wasn't able to take advantage of it.

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Something else which I planned to do for some time was a trip on Regent's Canal. On my last day this time I finally did it. I took a boat from Camden Lock to Little Venice, passing through the zoo on its way. The tour was a round trip, but since I had to get to airport, I left the boat in Little Venice.

I enjoyed it very much. This is a part of London far away from the hectic life on Oxford Street. The boat took us through a very rich neighbourhood, you could tell this from the gardens and the view of the mansions along the canal.

The round trip was £ 9, no reduction for only one part, but then at least I had been able to do this tour this time.