Category: London
Top 5 London museums
Go down any street in London and you will inevitably find something historic. There are scratches on marble doorways from German bombs that fell during the blitz of the Second World War, churchyards holding graves of victims of the Black Death, and more palaces, cathedrals and former workhouses than your eyes can take in. But it is London’s world famous museums that truly give the city a link to the past – and best of all most of them are free (although they do like the odd donation). Here are five that aren’t to be missed.
1. Imperial War Museum (IWM)
The IWM London is housed in an ornate building in South London that used to be an asylum. The insanity of war is displayed over four levels and the museum has one of the largest collections of military vehicles, weapons, uniforms and other paraphernalia that I’ve ever seen. It’s very interactive, with simulations of a World War One trench and London streets during the blitz that will make you feel like you’re actually there. If military history is your thing there is a reading room where the staff will help you dig through the extensive archives.
Imperial war museum
2. The British Museum
This is the most popular of London’s museums and it constantly puts on blockbuster exhibitions to pull in the crowds. The highlights of the British Museum’s regular collection are the Eglin Marbles which were taken from the Acropolis in Athens and the mummies – scores of ancient Egyptian sarcophagi and bandage wrapped bodies in glass cases.
British Museum
3. The National Portrait Gallery
Art as history has never been more interesting than in this gallery at Trafalgar Square. There are floors and floors of classic, quirky and spookily realistic portraits of Britain and the world’s most iconic people. The royal gallery is a must see, if only to trace the family traits passed down the years from generation to generation. Kate Middleton’s portrait is on display now too. The best part is the restaurant on the top floor that serves a high tea in the afternoon where you can munch on scones and cucumber sandwiches while toasting a magnificent view of London with a glass of champagne. Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
High tea at the National Portrait Gallery
View from the National Portrait Gallery
4. The Natural History Museum
Right next door to the Victoria & Albert in South Kensington, the Natural History Museum does what it says on the tin. Inside its gloriously decorated sandstone wings you’ll find dinosaur bones, stuffed mammals and one of the world’s largest collections of insects housed in a purpose built multi-storey pod. The Natural History Museum is a very inspiring place that tells the story of the British pushing the boundaries of botany – giving special emphasis to the efforts of Charles Darwin. The collections are impressive but the building itself is stunning and rivals the displays.
Natural History Museum
5. The Science Museum
This museum is definitely the most fun . In the summer the Science Museum keeps its doors open late on the last Wednesday of the month and fills its galleries with DJs and bars so you can have a tipple and learn something at the same time. In normal hours it’s teeming with people shocking themselves on static electricity generators and watching demonstrations of how helium works. Just about everything is interactive and you will come away feeling like a kid again.
The Science Museum Space Capsule
About Dave
David writes the travel blog Double-Barrelled Travel with his wife Carmen. Dave and Carmen hail from Perth but have been living in London for the past four years, travelling around Europe during this time. David is a journalist in his day job but it’s travelling that truly lights his [camp]fire. You can Tweet him @2barrelltravel or find him on Facebook.
Top 5 things to do outside in London
London is famous for its weather, and mainly for all the wrong reasons. Fog, rain, snow, sleet and rain again. The city can have four seasons in one day and it’s always advisable to have an umbrella. Don’t let the forecast put you off going outside. London is a maze of amazing things to see and do and a little rain shouldn’t prevent you discovering them. Here are five things to keep you busy outside:
1. Take a walking tour
There are many walking tours on offer, from night time jaunts around central London in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and Jack the Ripper, to more sedate strolls in the wake of royals and poets. One of our favourites is a tour of Soho’s infamous drinking dens with Westminster guide Joanna Moncrieff. You’ll see where the Rolling Stones first met and where bawdy Victorian men used to bet on how many rats a dog could kill for sport.
Sounds of the Universe where the Rolling Stones auditioned on the walking tour
2. Go to a park
The British use the word ‘bracing’ to describe that menthol cool feeling you get taking exercise outside. So even if it’s snowing you can be assured there will be people in the parks walking the dog, running, or even going for a swim in an outdoor pool. It’s great rugging up, slipping on some wellies and going for a ramble in one of London’s many beautiful parks. When the sun is out there is nowhere better to be – expect shirtless everyone, ball games and melted ice-cream everywhere.
Hyde Park London
3. Go on the River Thames
The River Thames cuts through London west to east and is the city’s heart and soul. Thousands of boats ply up and down its fast flowing currents every day and the fastest are the RIBs, Rigid Inflatable Boats. There are a few companies that offer high speed jaunts on these super manoeuvrable craft. I had the opportunity of going on one earlier this year on a freezing cold day. By the end of the 30 knot run my face was numb and my eyes were streaming tears but it was exhilarating. If you don’t fancy going fast there are plenty of cruise operators to choose from too, including one where you can ride on a truck that turns into a boat.
Boat in canal leading to Regents Park – River Thames
4. Ride a bike
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is determined to make the city a cycle friendly place. He pushed through a scheme to provide cheap bikes that are now set up in racks all over the city. They have a corporate sponsor that has the naming rights but people just call them ‘Boris bikes’ instead. They are free for the first half an hour, then cost a pound for an hour and slide up in price the longer you use them. They are a brilliant way of getting around and having a bit of fun at the same time. If you’re more adventurous you can go on biking tours of landmarks further afield such as Windsor Castle or the Surrey Hills.
Get on your Bike
5. Go to the zoo
London Zoo has one of the world’s best collections of wildlife. A big highlight is the Africa section where giraffes frolic in a specially built enclosure. There’s also a reptile house full of killer pythons and other slithering snakes. Some scenes from the first Harry Potter movie were filmed there. The Zoo hosts Zoo Lates in the evenings in summer, where adults can come and have a drink and a dance while they tour the grounds.
Okapi at London zoo
About Dave
Dave writes the travel blog Double-Barrelled Travel with his wife Carmen. Dave and Carmen hail from Perth but have been living in London for the past four years, travelling around Europe during this time. Dave is a journalist in his day job but it’s travelling that truly lights his [camp]fire. You can Tweet him @2barrelltravel or find him on Facebook.
Top 5 London parks
London can be a bit of a concrete jungle with endless rows of buildings, bitumen and barricades. Over the centuries however, the city’s architects have always made sure to include green space, even if it’s just a tree sticking out from the footpath! Here’s our pick of the best open spaces to be found in London:
1. Richmond Park
A short commute south-west, a visit to Richmond Park is almost like going to the countryside. The park itself is huge, covering nearly four square miles, and is listed as a National Nature Reserve. Its sprawling fields and woods are home to more than 600 deer and it’s criss-crossed with bike and running trails that are always teeming with dogs and tweed jacketed ramblers. It’s a magical place. World renowned wildlife presenter, Sir David Attenborough lives close by and even films there occasionally!
Richmond park deer
2. Kew Gardens
Most parks in London are free to visit, but you do have to pay a fee to get inside Kew Gardens. Don’t let this put you off – Kew Gardens is sublime. It’s officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has the world’s largest collection of living plants dotted throughout its grounds and classically styled greenhouses. A highlight is The Palm House, a very ornate iron and glass structure that was built in the Victorian era to house tropical plants. Climb the spiral stairs to get a feel for the humid jungle canopy – quite a treat on a cold English day.
Victorian Staircase at Kew Gardens
3. Regents Park
Situated in North London, Regents Park is one of the best places to be in London on a sunny day. Imagine perfectly manicured flower gardens and lush lawns flowing around a lake, like it’s straight out of Wind in the Willows. You can hire a paddle boat and muck about on the water, or if you’re feeling classical you can hop in a row boat. I recommend the latter; it’s romantic and requires a degree of skill that you can show off to the crowds sunning themselves.
Carmen in Regents Park
4. Greenwich Park
The best way to get to Greenwich is by ferry. Try to grab a seat near the front and you will be treated to a river tour of some of London’s most famous landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The park is a former hunting ground that was used as the equestrian venue at the 2012 London Olympics. Its lawns flow up a hill which hosts the Royal Observatory and the prime meridian, the line from which longitude and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is calculated. The sprawling view of London from the hill is truly spectacular.
View fromGreenwich Park
5. Green Park, Hyde Park and St James Park
These three parks are all within walking distance of each other in central London and can be considered the city’s lungs. Green Park is a rather plain reserve close to Buckingham Palace dotted with lots of trees and memorials. St James Park is close to the Houses of Parliament so is a popular spot for government workers to have lunch. Then there’s Hyde Park which hosts Speakers’ Corner where anyone can get up and rant on about something they’re passionate about. There are also statues, gardens, fields and the Serpentine recreational lake where you can take a swim amongst the swans and ducks. All three of these parks are great spots for a stroll or picnic and without them London would be a poorer place.
Deckchairs in Hyde Park
About Dave
Dave writes the travel blog Double-Barrelled Travel with his wife Carmen. Dave and Carmen hail from Perth but have been living in London for the past four years, travelling around Europe during this time. Dave is a journalist in his day job but it’s travelling that truly lights his [camp]fire. You can Tweet him @2barrelltravel or find him on Facebook.
Top five fancy restaurants in London
The dining scene in London can be overwhelming, as there’s so much to choose from it can be hard to pick the gourmet from the not-so-great. Plus if you’re paying top dollar, you want to get it right the first time around. To help you, I’ve outlined my top five fancy restaurants to dine in when in London.
1. Chez Bruce
Chez Bruce is a French restaurant a little outside of central London in Wandsworth Common. It’s worth the train ride to this Michelin starred restaurant, however, as the food is delicious. When we went, the service was impeccable and we were served by charming French waiters. I had the pork belly for my main and salted caramel and hazelnut tart for dessert. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was only £45 for three courses – not too expensive for a Michelin starred restaurant.
Pork Belly At Chez Bruce
2. Dinner by Heston
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is well known for his restaurant The Fat Duck, out in West Berkshire. But the set menu costs £195 per person, and that’s before adding the service charge or any drinks to the bill. If you don’t have that kind of budget, but still want to try Heston’s fascinating recipes, try the restaurant Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Main courses are much more reasonably priced at around £30 per person. Make sure you taste Blumenthal’s ‘meat fruit’ which is chicken liver and foie gras parfait wrapped in a soft orange casing to make it look like a mandarin. Delightful.
Mandarin At Dinner By Heston
3. Dans le Noir
If you’re looking for a unique experience in London, Dans le Noir is the place to come. You eat completely in the dark – which is why there aren’t any photos for this restaurant – and are served by waiters who are blind. If that’s not unique enough, you choose from four types of menus – vegetarian, meat, fish or ‘surprise’ menu – and are kept in the dark (excuse the pun!) about what they are. I found out I’d eaten zebra at the end of my meal, which was a first for me. Be careful though… you end up eating with your hands because you can’t poke your food with fork because you can’t see it. And don’t drink your cocktail with a straw, as it might end up poking you in the eye.
4. Locanda Locatelli
The Italian chef behind the restaurant, Giorgio Locatelli, has won many Michelin stars and it’s easy to see why. Unlike other fancy restaurants, Locanda Locatelli has an extensive menu so there’s something for everyone. Also unlike other fancy restaurants, certainly for the main dishes, the focus is more on creating homely Italian dishes, rather than creating a visual masterpiece on a plate. That’s not to say the restaurant’s without style. Stepping into the space you’ll know at once you’re in one of London’s top notch restaurants.
Trio of Gelati at Locanda Locatelli
5. OXO Tower
We went to the OXO Tower for our wedding anniversary recently and would recommend it for any special occasion. The view from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows is spectacular, as it overlooks the Thames River and St Paul’s Cathedral. We found the sharing dishes were the best because they were served with flair. If you order some of the meat plates that are eaten between two, they will carve it at your table. And if you pick the cheese platter they will bring out the cheese trolley and give you an overview of each cheese to help you make your choice. It’s a great place for foodies.
Dave At OXO Tower
About Carmen
Carmen writes the travel blog Double-Barrelled Travel with her husband Dave. Carmen and Dave hail from Perth but have been living in London for the past four years, travelling around Europe during this time. Carmen is a communications executive in her day job but it’s travelling that truly lights her [camp]fire. You can Tweet her @2barrelltravel or find her on Facebook.
Trend and Fashion in London Eateries
London – THE fashionable and trend-setting capital for food fanatics! To have London on your CV is the accolade sought by every ambitious chef. The result? A fabulous array of eateries to suit every palate.
Here is a sample of the excellent eateries you can experience on your Loving Apartment holiday.
The Palace of Westminster, London by Jim Trodel @ Flickr
Currently the hottest ticket in town is Fitzrovia’s Dabbous (30 Whitfield Street W1). A booking can take months to achieve, but the food is superb. Thrillingly innovative menus recently made this BMW Square Meal Restaurant of the Year.
Dabbous by Gordon Joly @ Flickr
But for more spontaneous eating, try Les Deux Salons (40 William IV Street, WC2). This French brasserie-style restaurant is ideally located for pre-theatre dinners, delivering consistently delicious food, chicly creative in a lively atmosphere. Or another theatreland option is Brasserie Zedel (20 Sherwood Street W1). Right next to throbbing Piccadilly Circus, enter a bustling basement 1930s Parisian brasserie to find quality food at good prices, with long opening hours.
As a complete contrast, rural Sussex meets urbane London in Notting Hill’s The Shed (122 Palace Gardens Terrace W8). Here the Gladwin brothers produce daily changing menus of fresh Sussex produce from their family farm in a selection of quirky but utterly delicious dishes.
Fresh Produce by Miranda Granche @ Flickr
Muriel’s Kitchen near South Kensington tube station (1 – 3 Pelham Street SW7) is a gem. The café restaurant with its newspaper and book strewn homely interior is the place for breakfast, lunch, light dinners and snacks. A short well-priced menu includes utterly delicious salads, soups, and mouth-watering cakes. Ideal for vegetarians, and just the place for a refreshing pause en route to South Ken museums.
If you crave a steak, then head for a Hawksmoor branch (Seven Dials, Spitalfields, Air Street and Guildhall). This British Steakhouse and cocktail bar delivers sumptuous steaks – but at a price. As a contrast try MASH in Soho (81 Brewer Street W1), a Danish steakhouse. Located in a 1930s Art Deco interior and centrally located near Piccadilly Circus, the restaurant is also open on Sunday evenings.
Hawsmoor roast dinner by Whatley Dude @ Flickr
If you’re a fish enthusiast, The Angler (South Place Hotel, 3 South Place) will deliver the ‘best fish in the City’. A true celebration of fish, this rooftop restaurant commands stunning views of iconic London landmarks.
Bistro cooking is the signature of Garnier (314 Earl’s Court Road SW5) with simple French cuisine in an uncluttered yet chic interior. The 2 course set lunch and dinner menus are excellent value. ‘Contemporary bistro’ is the tone of the Pollen Street Social (8 – 10 Pollen Street), a stone’s throw from Regent Street. Highlights are themed tasting and set lunch menus. Expensive but the meal will be memorable.
Another food lover’s paradise is Soho’s Michelin starred Arbutus (63-4 Frith Street W1). Relaxed in atmosphere, by contrast dishes are contemporary and sophisticated with fresh seasonal ingredients.
Duck leg Main, Arbutus, London by Jeremy Keith @ Flickr
Finally a Gordon Ramsey restaurant is a London essential. For a truly exciting dining experience, try the fusion of French and Asian cuisine at Mayfair’s Maze (10 – 13 Grosvenor Street W1). Sushi and sashimi are outstanding, and there’s a vegetarian menu too. The 4 course set menu is excellent value.
Bookings at popular restaurants are always advised, and do check opening hours. A discretionary service charge will usually be added automatically to your bill.
Enjoy!
February is not the month for shrinking violets . . .
It’s the time for Valentine’s Day red roses. Could it also be the month for a romantic visit to London? Could this be the opportunity to pop the question . . .? So if you feel romance in the air, seize the moment and plan your trip to London now!
If you want a unique spot to go down on bended knee, then London has an abundance of choices. The newest fashionable venue is the Shard’s viewing platform. Set on the 72nd floor of this stunning landmark building, with London laid out around you, who could fail to feel inspired? Or the London Eye at night, with the spangled Thames below you?
The Shard, London by Dave Catchpole @ Flickr
If you’d prefer somewhere less public (or if your loved one suffers from vertigo), why not stroll through St James’s Park to find a secluded niche against the majestic backdrop of Buckingham Palace?
. . . She said yes! Congratulations! But what about a ring? The Queen’s jewellers, Garrards in Albermarle Street, will surely offer something suitable. Or for individual designs, visit Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery quarter.
So now you can start day-dreaming about the great day. If you’d like some inspiration for the service itself, pop into St Paul’s, the awe-inspiring Wren church chosen by Lady Diana and Prince Charles for their nuptials. Or for a more recent Royal connection, 
is a bus ride away, and as you walk down the aisle admire the soaring Gothic columns and vaulted roof of this ‘coronation church’. But you’re hoping for a more intimate ceremony? Visit ancient St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, featured in countless films.
But what about music to add atmosphere and inspiration for a wedding? Mayfair’s Handel Museum echoes with the strains of this revered English composer’s works. Or enjoy a blissful evening at the Wigmore Hall, home to some of the world’s best classical musicians.
Did I hear you say you’ve always dreamed of arriving at church in a horse drawn carriage? The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is the place to visit then, where you can day-dream amongst the gleaming equipages including the Queen’s gilded State Coach, and the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding carriage.
Exhausted? Take tea at the nearby Goring Hotel, run by generations of the same family, and offering the quintessential English afternoon tea – and another Royal connection!
But your stay is almost over and you need a celebratory cocktail. The American Bar at the extravagantly refurbished Savoy Hotel is perfect. Sit back, relax and absorb the romance of the occasion as the pianist tinkles the ivories. Then onto dinner at the Savoy’s River Room with its stupendous river views.
Did you mention a honeymoon? The answer’s here – Loving Apartments can provide the perfect love nest in Europe’s most romantic cities – Venice, Florence, Paris, Prague, Budapest . . . ah dream on, but be sure to return to London for your wedding anniversary and happy memories!
New York or London?
Which is the Best Place to Live In?
Two fabulous cities, but how do they measure up against each other? As they battle it out to be the hippest, greenest, richest, friendliest, most cultured places to live, we take a less than scientific look at how they square up against each other. We wouldn’t dare declare a winner, but what do you think?
…and if you plumb for London, then check out Loving Apartments fantastic portfolio of London apartments, and we are heading for the big apple too.
New York vs London – An infographic by the team at Loving Apartments.
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London Jazz Festival: New Orleans Comes to Town!
London Jazz Festival – Image © Nokonoko
For 10 days in November, London swings and gyrates to the strains of a scintillating medley of international jazz. The annual London Jazz Festival offers an exciting menu of jazz performances from around the world. World-renowned jazz instrumentalists and vocalists will flock to the capital to perform in a city which delights in music and performance. Venues across the capital will be hosting over 250 gigs featuring some of the brightest international stars in the jazz business. From the Barbican in the City, to Kings Cross station and neighbourhood pubs, to the splendours of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich strains of trumpet, piano, jazz and soul will be the dominant melody.
London Jazz Festival – Image © View from 5’2”
The 2012 festival (9 – 18 November) offers a multi-faceted programme including Imelda May at the curtain-raising opening Barbican concert; jazz-soul diva Juliet Roberts; Byron Wallen, innovative trumpeter and Oren Marshall, acoustic and electric tuba player together exploring the brass tradition legacy; pianist Tigran Hamasyan with his fusion of jazz and Armenian folk, and innovative French/Serbian pianist Bojan Z and singer songwriter Amira with their hybrid of Balkan music and jazz.
Originally part of the Camden Arts fest, the Jazz Festival became a solo feature in 1992. Since then it has forged a high profile as London’s premier jazz event. Its history is impressive having hosted Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra’s first ever concert. Wayne Shorter’s festival appearance was another London first. Today the Festival offers jazz of a variety and quality to rival New Orlean’s Bourbon Street. Visit www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk for the full programme of free and ticketed events.
London Jazz Festival – Image © Photographer695
So if you’re a jazz aficionado, a November booking for a London Loving Apartment is a MUST. Wherever you choose to stay, a jazz venue will surely be around the corner. Enjoy, and as they say, let the trumpets sound
A Tourists’ Guide to Surviving London : The Travel Edition
We at Loving Apartments love London and think it’s great. OK it’s a little quirky: an ‘Oyster’ is not seafood unless you are in a restaurant; the ‘Metro’ is a newspaper, the underground public transit system is the ‘Tube’; and, ‘Boris’ is either a hired bicycle or the Mayor of London. If this seems a little confusing don’t hide inside your London holiday apartment, read on.
London Underground – Image © 18percentgrey
Getting around London does need some forward planning. Many of the capital’s top attractions are within walking distance of one-another but you will need public transport at times and a friendly steer in the right direction every now and then. Here are five light-hearted but hopefully helpful tips for getting around London:
London Black Cab – Image © Phototram
1) Asking for directions
London is a big city; the natives are always in a rush; there are hundreds of different accents to make communication difficult, and chances are that the first person you ask directions from hasn’t got a clue. Your best bet for helpful directions is to ask:
(1) a British Bobby (policeman) – unless he or she is running, in which case it’s best to assume that they’re busy and won’t be too pleased with you suddenly waving a map of London in their face.
(2) London Cabbies (taxi drivers) – hailing a cabbie to ask for directions may offend but on a taxi rank, ask the driver of the taxi at the back of the queue (he’ll be reading the Daily Mail and sipping coffee) these guys REALLY know London and are usually happy to share that knowledge with you, unless a fare comes along.
(3) Someone in a suit – it doesn’t always work (it might be their first meeting in the capital) but you stand a good chance of them being a Londoner at work and most Londoners are polite and approachable (honest guv).
London during rush hour – Image left © anthonyfalla, Image right © paolo margari
2) Avoiding the rush hour
The first thing you need to understand about the ‘London rush hour’ is that it bears no resemblance to an hour – think, 7:00 ‘til 10:00 in the morning and 4:30 to at least 7:30 in the evening and you won’t be far wrong. Limit your travel at these times, as our polite and approachable Londoners turn into clones of Schwarzenegger’s ‘Terminator’ – thousands of them swarming with intent from or towards their place of work. You’ll be lucky to get anything as nice as ‘hasta la vista, baby’ from them if you try and ask for directions now, so take this opportunity to top up your calories at a coffee bar or restaurant and watch the stampede go by.
London Underground escalator – Image © wurm9
Oyster/Ticket barriers – Image © transport for london press images
3) London Underground (tube) Etiquette
Let’s take it from the beginning: at the entrance of your chosen underground station, pick-up a copy of the free newspaper (it doesn’t matter if your English is not that good, you will want one of these); at the ticket barrier, your ticket goes in the little slot on the front of the gate – only Oyster travel cards work on the little touch pad on the top of the gate; on the escalator please, please, PLEASE stand on the right – if you stand on the left hand side your health is at risk from the hundreds of ‘Terminators’ (sorry commuters) who want to sprint agilely passed you to their train.
Renowned British good manners don’t apply on the tube, you need a little determination to board the train and find yourself a space (a seat if you’re lucky). Tube travellers don’t talk to each other or even make eye contact with one another, so open your free newspaper and hold it in front of your face – by doing this, you have now declared this your space and you should be left in peace to reach your destination. The tube is not the most sociable way to travel but if your journey is too far to walk, it is usually the best way to get around.
4) Londoners don’t do metric
Your average Londoner knows that metric weights and measures are French and Londoners are not French, so they don’t use them. Any directions will be given in distances of miles, yards or feet. Asking ‘what is that in kilometres?’ will be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders or a ‘no idea I’m afraid’. For a more helpful response ask instead: ‘how long do you think it will take to walk there?
Boris Bikes – Image © capo2
5) Road travel; seriously?
It is usually wise to avoid road travel in London, especially by car. London’s busses have their own lanes, which helps them get you around and the bus stops have information about how long your journey may take. Boris (London’s Mayor and champion of the bicycle) may disagree but cycling in central London is really for those with extreme confidence, consummate skill and feelings of immortality. If you are feeling brave enough to immerse yourself in the traffic on two wheels, there are blue ‘Boris Bikes’ stationed all across the capital – you can’t miss them and using them is pretty straight-forward.
So these are our tips for getting from your holiday apartment around the sights and back again. But thinking about it, maybe we should do a part two for our ‘Tourists’ Guide to Surviving London’. What do you think?
Turn again, Turn again, Dick Whittington . . .
This immortal line is from a pantomime version of the well-known fairy tale, Dick Whittington and his Cat. Dick did indeed turn back to London town, only to find fame and fortune as Lord Mayor of London.
Today the Lord Mayor of London’s annual election is in its way no less theatrical. A display of traditional English pageantry, complete with fur-clad capes, gold chains of office, mace and sword-bearing Esquires and attendant City Livery company members will gather this year on 1st October at the City’s Guildhall to elect the next Lord Mayor. Elected by the Court of Alderman, representing the City’s twenty-five wards, the new Lord Mayor will look forward to a year’s term of office where he can expect to meet over 10,000 people, to travel abroad for over 90 days and to make over 800 speeches. His official residence is the Mansion House, an imposing 18th century Palladian style building in the City’s very heart, opposite the Bank of England and at the junction of original Roman roads criss-crossing London.
A title steeped in history, the first Lord Mayor took office in 1189 marking London’s emergence as an important trading centre. The role today still reflects London’s global status, as the Lord Mayor’s “job” (unpaid and apolitical) is primarily to be an international ambassador for all UK-based financial institutions and professional services. The role is separate from but complementary to that of the Mayor of (Greater) London, Boris Johnson.
But if the election was a colourful pageant, just wait to hear about the celebration for the Lord Mayor’s inauguration. The Lord Mayor’s Show is certainly an event to be in London for! This year the world’s largest parade of its kind will take place on Saturday 10th November. Featuring around 6,000 participants from businesses, schools, Livery companies and charities, with over 60 floats, 20 marching bands and carriages, the procession will be like the pages of a fantastically illustrated history book. Commencing at 11 am with a flypast, the procession will wend its way around the Square Mile from the Mansion House. En route, the new Lord Mayor will pause at St Paul’s Cathedral to be blessed before proceeding to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear an Oath of Allegiance before the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls. The procession itself ends at 2.30 pm but the day finally concludes with a magnificent water-borne firework display.
The Procession is free to watch with the best vantage points likely to be around Queen Victoria Street and Fleet Street. But get there early because the crowds gather quickly to see this annual spectacle. The City is en fête for the entire day with free City guided walks, opportunities to visit the Guildhall museum, St Paul’s Cathedral or the absorbing Museum of London.
This is English pageantry at its best, so book your Loving Apartment NOW for a late Autumn trip to London to see the Show and perhaps do some early Christmas shopping. Go on – spoil yourselves!
