• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Barbican
• Category: Arts and Culture

London EC2Y 5HN
020 7600 3699

candyshop said
okish
I visited this place a while ago. The museum itself is very interesting, however when I arrived in mid morning, I was suprised to see so many school kids. There were about 6 different schools visiting that day. Each school name was proudly displayed for all to see. Unfortunally, there were no manners on display and the teachers had little control over the little ones as they dashed about here and there.

It became impossible for me to concentrate with all the noise and distraction. I mentioned it to several staff who agreed that this is unfair to others like myself who are used to a more respectful enviroment but said at the end of the day it is up to the teachers to keep kids under control. Staff still had a full time job trying to safeguard the place from any broken items.

I hope to visit again some time when hopefully the place will be more quiet and I too can benefit from my stay.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Notting Hill
• Category: Shops and Amenities

London W11 2PS

candyshop said
Lets go
We arrived on Portabello Road @ 8:30 and it was already packed with people. If you like antiques and quirky little shops plan on spending 3+ hours minimum. My wife has a small attention span for this type of shopping, so that was our limit. If I had more time and another Saturday I'd visit again. Antiques that you don't see in anywhere else. They seemed to have great deals on antique flat/silver ware. This is a market not to be missed. *you pass George Orwell's house(on the right from the tube, look for the blue marker) as you enter the Market area.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Holland Park
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

London W8 4PX
020 7937 9561

candyshop said
Let down
We were disappointed with our trip to Ken Palace. The rooms were quite shabby and particularly the rooms previously occupied by Princess Margaret. These rooms have been stripped bare and there is little information about their previous use. The dress display of Princess Diana's dresses is very poor. The dresses are on headless manaquins and it hard to envisage diana wearing the dress. A picture of her in the dress beside the manaquin would have helped. The other state rooms were ok and the staff were helpful if asked a question. Don't think this attraction is worth the £12 admission fee.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Events and Entertainment

London WC2E 8BE
020 7304 4000

candyshop said
Another must
We noticed the Royal Opera House tucked away in the corner of Covent Garden on our way to the market. We discovered that they do a backstage tour for the very reasonable price of £9.00 a ticket. As very non-opera people, I was a bit worried we might be a bit out of place but it was fascinating. We sat in the magnificent auditorioum whilst they set up for the opening night of Carmen and were given a really interesting history of the theatre and its recent refurbishment. We were able to view the backstage area, props department and even got to watch the ballet dancers from the Royal Ballet rehearse an upcoming performance. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful, and the building itself is amazing. We came away with a great insight into the most used working theatre in Europe and wanting to go and see a performance. Well worth a visit!

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Arts and Culture

London WC2H 0HE
020 7306 0055

candyshop said
Interesting
Just spent several hours enjoying the National Portrain Gallery. This is a great place to gain a comprehensive look of the Kings and Queens of England, along with other notable historical figures. I suggest starting on the top, then moving down, which follows the flow of the years in which they were painted. Two important hints that the guidebooks won't tell you. Don't get the audio tour- while it is very informative and has some nice voice clips and background information, it isn't necessary. There is sufficient information next to each portrait to have an idea of the person's significance. Secondly, don't miss the only portrait of Jane Austen, which is quite easy to skip. It is tiny, and in a poorly lit case (to protect it from the light). I saw many people walk right by it without noticing, only looking at the larger portraits on the walls. To find the current locations of this portrait, and some of the other famous ones, either look it up beforehand on the web, or look it up on the computers at the museum- the map will not tell you!

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: South Kensington
• Category: Arts and Culture

London SW7 2RL
020 7942 5000

candyshop said
must see
This is one of gems in London's museum crown, along with the V&A and the Science Museum (both conveniently located next door to this one). A lot of people take their small children in the hope of an edifying morning learning about the wonders of nature, and no doubt some manage it as well, but for us wandering around the dinosaur exhibit it just turned out to be a crowded, hot and disappointing experience. The highlight was the life size robot model T Rex which swishes its tail and roars fiercely - very exciting! The remaining exhibits would probably be interesting if you could walk through them peacefully but on a busy Saturday the heaving masses thrust us along at such a pace that my children ended up just frustrated. My advice is to visit if possible during a weekday, or a wet weekend, take your children when they're older, and you can appreciate just how good the collections are here.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Food and Drink

London SE1 1TL
020 7407 1002

candyshop said
Lovely
Easy to find get off at London Bridge and go down steps by Southwalk Cathedral and its amazing find. Only small but packed to brim with different fresh produce, from variety of countries including home grown.

We got there Saturday afternoon and packed. Lots of stalls offering hot foods and we decided to have our lunch there eating out side the cathedral. Great food and atmosphere.

The market is a rainbow of smells, sights and colors. We saw rabbit, deer, sushi, sea food...everything! So colorful!

But the BEST part -the Market Porter Pub which is close to the market (or part of it?). Fri at noon, hundreds of people in business attire were standing in front of the pub (not inside) with pints of beer in hand. This was lunch hour at Borough Market. Who wouldn't fall in love with the place...

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Mansion House
• Category: Events and Entertainment

London SE1 9DT
020 7401 9919

candyshop said
doesn't dissapoint
Going to Shakespeare's Globe is one experience that just doesn't disappoint. I've been several times a year for the past few seasons. Most fun (even though I'm in my sixties) is to go and stand - tickets cost £5. This to me is actually preferable to paying for a seat: the groundlings (i.e. those standing) have an infectious sense of involvement and fun. It doesn't matter if it rains, such is the level of enjoyment. Mostly I've taken teenage family members, and even those who beforehand swore they hated Shakespeare have come away raving about it. The non-Shakespeare plays are excellent too, in many cases commissoned by The Globe. The acting is always first-class, and one has a feeling that there's real commitment from everyone: players, staff and audience. Quite rightly the Globe has become an item on tourist agendas, but it definitely doesn't feel touristy. Anyone from overseas will see one of the very finest things the UK can offer.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Holborn
• Category: Arts and Culture

London WC2A 3BP
020 7405 2107

candyshop said
A gem
There are many large wonderful museums to visit in London but I found my most memorable visit was to a home near the Holburn tube stop, Sir John Soane's Museum. This gentleman created a living museum with a beautiful collection of architectural delights and a wonderful collection of paintings. The Painting Room has some special hidden features that must be admired. The staff was so helpful - one gentleman could have been a character of Dickens' - his love of the collections was so evident. There is also a special display - this time it was the poetry of Sir John Betjeman. I did not know much of this talented man before but I left with a wonderful sense of his love of architecture and community. There was a display of his letters and visual clips of his programs and poetry reading with music.
This place is very special and well worth seeking out when visiting London.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Westminster
• Category: Arts and Culture

London SW1A 2AQ
020 7930 6961

candyshop said
Very Interesting
This is an excellent museum and not to be missed if you have any interest in WWII. The Churchill Exhibition is very well done with plenty to keep the whole family occupied (although young children may struggle). We only expected to be in there for an hour or two, but ended up spending close to 4 hours reading, listening and watching many of the exhibits. As is the case with many of the tourist attractions in London the entry can be a little steep, however if you have an Oyster Card (which I would recommend getting if you are visiting London) you can currently get 2 for the price of 1 entry.