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Used in films and television to signify to the audience that they are viewing scenes set in the city of London, Big Ben, as the Elizabethan Tower is more commonly called has to be the most iconic symbol of London. Its image appears on tourist merchandise and around 80% of postcards bought in the city. It is a building that is recognised the world over as sitting firmly in the heart of London. Technically to refer to this building as Big Ben is wholly inaccurate as in truth, it is…

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There is no denying that London has something of a gruesome past, and you don’t have to look very far to find a part of it. Take for example the Tyburn Tree in Hyde Park in London. Throughout the length of the trees existence (it is no longer there) which covered a period of around 200 years, on every single Monday in every week of every one of those two hundred years, the men and women that had been condemned to death travelled through the city of London from Newgate…

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There are not that many cemeteries around the country that could be classified as tourist attractions, yet Brompton Cemetery is just that. There is something about the refined Gothic splendour of the place, the wonderful architecture and well thought out design that makes this a popular location for film makers to use. The gravestones here are Victorian showing off the elaborate designs which so define the era and make the perfect setting for not only period dramas but also thrillers and romantic comedies. If some of the buildings in the…

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Are you a fan of the Harry Potter films? Do you wish that you could immerse yourself in the world of Hogwarts, Platform 9 & ¾ and stock up on all of the essential items that every wizard needs? Well in that case you need to take a trip to Diagon Alley. That quaint, old world cobbled street where all of the small old fashioned shops are located that sell everything from magical wands through to dusty old magic books. In the films, access to Diagon Alley was behind a…

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It was the Saxon Abbey at Barking that established the Church of All Hallows by the Tower in 675AD, making it officially the oldest church anywhere in England. At the time of its construction it was built upon the site of an even earlier Roman structure, this is known as traces of this earlier building were discovered in the crypt of the church. It was known as All Hallows by the Tower due to its proximity close to the infamous Tower of London, and as such grew connections with many…

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Despite London being one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world, there are plenty of open spaces and formal gardens for you to enjoy from large attraction packed royal gardens to small and intimate havens of tranquillity, all you need to know is where to look. Whether you plan to spend an entire day surrounded by nature, or just want somewhere you can go to hear yourself think London has what you need. The Large Gardens The larger gardens and open spaces are big enough for you to…

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If there is one thing that London is not short of it’s galleries. It can be a tough decision deciding where you want to go and what you want to see, especially if you are limited for time. Whether you love the classic old masters or are more attracted to the world of contemporary art there is a gallery for just about every taste. To follow is a quick guide to all of the major galleries, most of which are free to enter, which will hopefully save you some time…

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St Patrick’s Day does not go by unnoticed or unrecognised in the city of London, not only is there an annual parade which draws in the crowds, Trafalgar Square is also home to a fabulous free festival to mark the occasion. Plus you will find that there are plenty of other events taking place right across the city to mark the day. London, as with many other cities around the world is home to a large Irish population, and when it comes to parties, well St Patrick’s Day offers a…

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They say a woman’s place is in the home, and yet women have found their way as far from home as possible, serving on the front line as part of the armed forces. From the 19th of February through until the 13th April 2013 the Berkeley Gallery at The Royal Artillery Museum is showcasing the role of women in the armed forces. The exhibition dates right back to World War II and continues forward through time to the present day and the war in Afghanistan. There are some incredible photos…

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The art that has graced the walls of the London Underground since it’s early beginnings has become recognisable the world over. The tunnels, stations and stairwells have been a showcase for poster art for generations, and even today the underground is still a supporter of poster artists. From 15th February through until the 27th October 2012 the London Transport Museum is hosting an incredible exhibition entitled Poster Art 150. The first poster art for the Underground was commissioned in 1908 and since then the underground has showcased the work of…

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