must see london

Must See

LONDONYummy cupcakesStreet fashion Free activitiesFood marketsHarry PotterTheatre historyUnmissable Museums

WHERE TO GO ? WHAT TO BUY ? WHAT TO SEE ?

Take Me home For Free

Contents

Must See London staff: From left to right: Jasmine Wang, Amy Bahr, Kathryn Sullivan, Norris Ng, Lauren Pfeiffer, and Ray Tse

Must See London

Contents p. 3

Museum Reviews p. 4Insight into London’s most fabulous museums

London Street Fashion p. 6The latest trends and where to find your new style

Spotlight on Theatre p. 8A look at London’s rich theatrical history and what’s on

Harry Potter’s London p. 10See the real sites that inspired Harry’s magical world

CAMDEN POSTCARDS p. 12Highlights from a day in Camden

London’s Best Cupcake p. 14Taste test to the most delicious cupcake in the city

Music to Your Ears p. 16A guide to the best music in London

London Budget Wise p. 18How to experience London on a budget

Market Reviews p. 20Walk through London’s most famous markets

Don’t miss these must-see spots! p. 22

July 2011

I’m Kathryn from Knoxville, TN. I always have a song in my head so I loved exploring the music of London

Jasmine here from San Diego. I love art, film and dancing. I enjoyed experiencing the magic of the city

I’m Lauren from San Antonio, Tex-as. I liked discover-ing the fashion and entertainment in London

Hey I’m Norris from Hong Kong. I love eating and sleeping too, and I am a fabulous cook

Hi I’m Ray from Hong Kong. I love eating, sleeping and shopping. All great things to do in London

I’m Amy from Milwaukee. I love Harry Potter and I’m convinced I’ll make it through platform 9 3/4

museums

Here, you’ll walk through time-specific rooms like ‘London before London’ and ‘Expanding City’ and the general arrange-ment of the rooms takes a chron-ological path. The attractions include artefacts from each era, as well as period-accurate dioramas and interactive exhibits.

Art enthusiasts might be pleased to view works of art in their original historical contexts: sculptures set in a diorama of a room, or a painting mounted near wardrobe and trinkets from its time of origin.

The Museum of London is clearly catered to children. A variety of treasure hunts, activity books, and pamphlets are avail-able at the front desk for families and children to read during their journey through the museum. In areas highly concentrated with artefacts behind glass, the mu-seum is sure to have the items set at a child’s eye level and to have some interactive or tactile exhibit nearby. Notably, there is a touch-screen water activity educating visitors about the medieval Black Plague. There are also various recreations of wardrobe to try on in each era.

Visitors might be interested in the variety of audiovisual presen-tations available. These include a video montage describing the Great Fire, and a projected re-enactment staged in an 18th century pleasure garden. Presen-tations are short and frequent, so a tired passerby can have a seat and learn something in the mean-time. Children and adults will also enjoy the Victorian Walk, a recreated street complete with shop fronts.

J.W.

museum oflondon

It’s no surprise that hundreds of visitors are drawn to the Brit-ish Museum daily. With a neo-classical exterior that rivals some of Britain’s best historic buildings and a modern interior design, one could spend a day admiring the architecture alone.

But there’s more to see than just a brilliant view. The museum is home to thousands of artefacts from every corner of the globe, including the world famous Rosetta Stone, and visitors can explore most galleries for free. Don’t miss the superb Greek and Roman collections, which boast more than 100,000 objects be-tween them, some of which once decorated the Parthenon.

Another highlight is the Living and Dying temporary exhibit on the ground floor, which examines the way different cultures and people around the world main-tain health and well-being. The collection includes an art piece called Cradle to the Grave by Pharmacopoeia, which showcases a monstrous collection of pills representing the amount of pre-scription drugs the average UK resident will use in their lifetime.

Of course, there is a downside to offering so much for no cost. Even on weekdays the museum tends to be crowded, and it takes away from the wonder somewhat when you can’t admire an Egyp-tian tomb or an ancient Greek statue without cameras flashing nonstop. The galleries are also subject to temporary closings, so be sure to check the website to avoid being disappointed. With a bit of patience, however, a day at the British Museum makes for a truly memorable experience.

A.B.

britishmuseum

Whether you are six or 60, this museum offers people of all ages a fascinating opportunity to explore toys like dolls, puppets and games from the past.

Here, you may not only find out the materials from which your favourite toys were made, you may also experience how modern toys today are different from those belonging to your parents and grandparents.

The Museum of Childhood is a cheerful place for children and adults to visit. As well as from England, there are lots of toys which are all from different countries like Australia, Russia and China.

The collection includes Victorian dolls’ houses that have amazingly detailed rooms as well as wonderful dolls. There are also late 19th century to early 20th century puppets from different countries such as Japan and Italy. Hand-made European wooden horses sit in the same room as teddy bears, games and robots. This extraordinary collection has over 8,000 dolls including a wooden paddle doll from 1,300BC, which is the earliest doll among the collection.

There is a short introduction and history for every single toy from each era ranging from the 16th century to the present day.

Inside, there is a café and a playing area . Parents can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while their kids can try out the toys they have seen in the museum. There are teaching sessions about how different toys work, with resources that can be downloaded from their website. Plus there is an excellent museum shop.

N.N.

bethnal greenmuseum ofchildhood

When you look into a city’s museums, you will find its cul-ture. Here we share with you some of the best museums London has to offer for fine art, history and enlightenment

Getting There: Holborn or Russell Square tube, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG; 020 7323 8299. brit-ishmuseum.org; 10am-17.30pm daily, Fri 10am-20.20pm

Getting there: Bethnal Green tube, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA; 020 8983 5200. museumofchildhood.org.uk; 10am -17:45pm daily

Getting there: Moorgate, St. Paul’s or Barbican tube, London EC2Y 5HN; 020 7001 9844. museumo-flondon.org.uk; 10am-6pm daily

museums

A�ectionately known as the V&A, this museum is the largest arts and design collection in the world. Founded in 1852, it was named a�er Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. You will quickly understand why readers voted it Best UK Attraction 2010 for the Guardian Travel Awards.

Artwork and artefacts from Europe, North America, Asia, and North Africa will charm you as you navigate through the seven levels of the museum. You are sure to feel cultured a�er experi-encing everything the V&A has to o�er. From the grand entrance to the eccentric decorations, this museum spared no e�ort to enchant visitors.

�is is no quick stop attraction. You’ll want to set aside plenty of time to get lost in the beauty of the V&A. �e European Me-dieval and Renaissance sections display stunning spiritual �gures. �e Asian exhibits inspire a new appreciation for detailed oriental artistry. �en the majestic exhibi-tions of the Raphael Cartoons and Cast Courts will take your breath away.

�e V&A presents art in a way you can’t experience anywhere but London. You will drool over the two-story jewellery collec-tion and love dancing your way through the theatre and perfor-mance showroom.

�e gi� shop sells books, post-cards and prints that let you take your favourite piece home with you. �e splendour of the V&A is available to you at free admis-sion with the exception of special exhibitions and events. �is museum embodies the beauty and culture of London.

K.S.

Located on Bankside in a for-mer power station, this museum houses an extensive collection of international modern art. �e building itself is stunning, with a large industrial main hall and fantastic views of the �ames River. Open since 2000, the museum showcases various kinds of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photographic and video installations.

�ere are four main collection displays, each with a free guided tour o�ered every day: Poetry and Dream, Material Gestures, States of Flux, and Energy and Process. �ese collections show-case artwork from 1900 onward, with a general focus on modern-ism and change.

One of the highlights is the abstract paintings, many of which have bold colours and textured surfaces. In addition, the museum has several current exhibitions including A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters by American artist Taryn Simon. �is exhibit documents blood-lines and their histories through a collection of photographs.

In addition to the artwork, Tate Modern has a variety of other of-ferings. �ere are various options for food including a restaurant, an espresso bar and a café, as well as three museum shops. �ese stores have a particularly wide range of books, covering everything from architecture and art history to local interest and magazines. While Tate Modern seems to attract a younger audi-ence of students and 20-some-things, it is also family-friendly with a family zone that provides games and activities for children.

L.P.

victoria& albert

tate modern

Established in 1897, this collection is one of London’s best-kept secrets, tucked away behind busy Oxford Street. It was created by Richard Seymour-Conway who le� it all to his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace, who, in 1900, donated the house and collection to British Government as a national museum.

�e collection includes famous paintings, arms and armour from France, Germany and Japan, as well as exquisite porcelain and furniture from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

If you do not have much time, look at some of the highlights from the collection. �e Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals, is one of the most famous paintings in the collection as is a painting, allegedly by Rembrandt. Plus, there are countless French paintings, porcelain, furniture and gold boxes from 18th century.

�is museum also has monthly exhibitions and displays, with excellent explanations of the work. Besides, there are free public tours everyday to allow you to have a better understanding of the works an history of the Wallace Collection.

If you feel hungry a�er visiting the museum, you may dine in the Courtyard Restaurant- Oliver Peyton’s cafe or brasserie de luxe. For those who are looking for the quick co�er or light lunch, you can choose to head for the cafe.

Finally, don’t miss the museum shop which o�ers a wide selection of publications and gi�s highlighting the core areas of the Collection. You can buy some unique gi� for your family and friends there.

R.T.

the wallacecollection

Getting there: Southwark/Blackfriars tube, Southbank SE1 9TG; 020 7887 8888. tate.org.uk/modern; 10am-6pm daily, Fri-Sat10am-10pm

Getting there: South Kensington tube, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL; 020 7942 2000. vam.ac.uk; 10am-5:45pm daily; Fri 10am-10pm

Getting there: Baker Street or Bond Street tube, Manchester Square W1U 3BN; 020 7563 9500. wallacecollection.org; 10am-5pm daily

What exactly is fashion? And what are the current trends? There’s mainstream fashion, established

by well-known designers or certain style trends you see in magazines or it can be your own style. Actually, all are correct. One of the best places to see what’s hot and what’s going to be hot is London. At this fashionista heaven, you can see lots of high-end fashion brands in every corner. At the same time, you can

market fashion at Topshop, Next, H&M and Zara as well as many individual shops. the cutting edge centre for fashion.

When you are walking along the Oxford Street or Covent Garden, you can see most of the people dress well. Some of them follow the current fashions, some of them wear their own style and some of them even mix both styles. The clothing that they are wearing is their own mix and match style, making up their unique look. Walking around London is like being invited to a fashion show, surrounded by people who look like models.

People in London is not necessarily follow what’s the trendiest, but wearing their own style and often put together

based completely on their persona, it looks really good because they feel comfortable in it! Everyone has their own character and, sometimes not just following the mainstream can be called fashion. No matter who they are, by wearing their own outstanding style, in London, anyone can be a fashion icon.

By the way, who inspire them?

Except the fashion icon like Cory Ken-nedy, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, one of the most important sources is from the people on the street. Whenever they are walking along the street, they will pay attention to others’ dressing. Some of them may inspire them to try a new style or simply inspire them to get their next purchase item. Besides, they may go searching on the Internet to see the most updated fashion style and get in-spired. Those websites like fashiontoast ,lookbook and streetfashionmonitor jam packed with all the latest styles and al-low people to search and select the street styles that they are interested. Those websites also provide some tips about the current popular style, comment and advices on men’s and women’s fashion as well. Besides, some bloggers may share their fashion knowledge and show their own fashion style on the blog to let others follow and make reference.

own style today? Here I would like to give you some advices to let you get started easily.

If you aim at buying the brand clothing, you may go to Bond Street or those famous department stores.

store and high quality clothing there. -

thing casual and affordable, you are probably recommended to walk along the Oxford Street, there are many mass-market fashion shops. Also, you may go to Brick Lane where you can shop at those individ-ual shops as well as vintage market, here you can have treasure hunt for incredible fashion items. Whatever you want to buy, it’s all in London.

LONDON

STREET FASHIONLondon is the place even going on the tube can sometimes look like a fashion show. Ray Tse s out the latest fashion trends in the capital

Who: Selina KhanJob: student (major in culture studies)Orange dress: Vivienne WestwoodHair band: PrimarkDenim Jacket: vintage shopAccessories: bracelet from �ailand ring from vintage shopHandbag: Furla

STREET FASHION

Who: Charles JonesJob: website designerGlasses: DKNYBlue and white tee shirt: GAPApple green sweater: TopmanLeather belt: Fred PerryDark blue jeans: HAREDunk high lime shoes: Nike

Who: Constantino DixonJob: salesmanGrey hat: Ben ShermanBlack jacket: TopmanBlack slim cut pants: Cheap MondayBrown hoes: BurberryTote bag: Salvatore FerragamoWatch: Swatch

Who: Laza EvamsJob: student (major in photography)Hair band: Top shopSunglasses: GucciShirt: birthday gi� from friendLight grey sweater: ZaraLight grey pants :ZaraBrown sandals : Topshop

a unique program that commissions new plays for young people to perform with theatre companies around the world. Ba-sic workshops for all ages and skill levels are o�ered as well, and devoted theatre fans can even take a backstage tour of the theatre and see what goes into run-ning a theatre production.With so much going on, this venue is a powerhouse for creating great theatre.

From historical recreations to new collaborations, you can �nd every kind of theatre in London. You are truly a part of history when you sit down to watch any show here, so take advantage of the opportunity. �ere has always been something new and di�erent to see in the city where Shakespeare once walked.

Since Elizabethian times, the city has been churning out monu-mental works that have helped to shape the theatre industry. From

traditional Shakespeare to modern col-laborations, visitors won’t want to miss out on seeing some of the greatest live performances on earth.

Any travel book will tell you to take advantage of musicals in the West End during your time in the city, but if you’re really interested in the theatre scene you’ll have to look further. �eatre has been around for hundreds of years, and there is no better spot than London to discover the rich history of perfor-mance. Walk along the river �ames in the South Bank and you’ll follow in the footsteps of millions of 17th century theatre-goers who �ocked to see the lat-est works at playhouses.

Perhaps the most notable of such playhouses was Shakespeare’s Globe �eatre, a replica of which still stands in the South Bank today. �e original Globe was constructed in 1599 and was where many of William Shakespeare’s plays were performed. �ey were a huge source of entertainment and there was big money involved—sometimes shows were so in demand that actors got the script just as they were walking on stage. All social classes came to the theatre,

from the rich nobles who paid a for-tune to sit in box seats, to the lower class “groundlings” who would pay a penny to stand in front of the stage and whose shouting and drinking were almost as entertaining as the plays themselves.

�e Globe was eventually de-molished by Puritans during the English Civil War, when theatres were outlawed for a time. �e site was rediscovered in the 20th cen-tury and a replica was constructed due to the e�orts of American actor Sam Wanamaker. Today, the Globe is a fully functioning theatre that attracts visitors from all over the world. Obviously, the company specialises in Shakespeare, but other shows are performed as well, and some performances are even �lmed and broadcast in cinemas.

�e wonder of the Globe during the 1600’s was that the plays performed there were new and exciting, but just because the original theatre no longer exists doesn’t mean London isn’t still a leader in producing landmark works. �e Royal National �eatre is a company on the South Bank that is renowned for its creativity and ingenuity in perfor-mance. Because it’s subsidised, the the-atre is not dependent on public approval

to keep running, which means it’s able to take risks in performance that other theatres won’t. At the National—as it’s called for short—you’ll �nd a variety of shows that take chances, from critically acclaimed classics to brand new contem-porary works.

�e National was founded in 1962, but its origins go back to the mid-1800’s, when demand began to grow for a venue to house serious theatre as opposed to what was pro�table at the time. It wasn’t until 1949 when Parlimant �nally passed the National �eatre act that the dream of a government-funded theatre came to be, and the National was born. It was originally located in the Old Vic theatre, and its �rst director was revered British actor Laurence Olivier.

Today, the National houses three di�erent theatres, each of which can put out three productions in a season. �ere is also free entertainment available through the National’s Watch �is Space festival, which takes places during the summer and features jugglers, dancers and all sorts of outdoor performances along with mainstream theatre.

�e National sponsors creative proj-ects that allow theatre artists to partici-pate at all di�erent levels. Connections is

Spotlight on theatre!""#$%&#'()"*+,#-#,$-.&/#-0*#1(0*(0#2,#,$-0*20.#(0#$%&#3&0$)&#4-)56#!47#8-%)##'-"5,#7(9#$%)(9.%#$%&#:-,$#-0*#:)&,&0$#(;#1(0*(0+,#<2=)-0$#$%&-$)&#,3&0&

BUT WHAT SHOULD I SEE?�ere’s so much going on in London that it can be hard to decide which shows to go to! Here are a few suggestions:

“Walk along the river �ames on the South Bank and you’re following in the footsteps ofmillions of 17th century theatre fans ”

Woman in BlackA ghostly thriller full of mystery and suspense , this drama will have you on the edge of your seatWhere: �e Fortune �eatre

Billy ElliotA fun, larger-than-life musical about being yourself. Young kids will enjoy it especiallyWhere: Victoria Palace �eatre

War Horse�is show got its start at the National �eatre and features a specially made horse puppet. It was so popular that it will soon be touring around the worldWhere: New London �eatre

�e 39 Steps�ree actors play a large range of characters in this classic whodunit piece, and it makes for crazy funWhere: Criterion �eatre

Blood Brothers�is new award-winning musical that has elements of comedy and tragedy will touch your heartWhere: Phoenix �eatre

All’s Well �at Ends WellOne of Shakespeare’s best com-edies, this goofy, zany show is great for all ages. Bring a seat cushion if you want to be comfortable on the wooden benches!Where: �e Globe �eatre

If you’re searching for the perfect treat, look no further than the cupcake. Cupcakes have recently grown in popularity, but they have been around in the United

States since the early nineteenth century. Originally they were created because it was easy to measure the ingredients for a small cake, and they baked more quickly than a larger traditional cake. However, over the past few years cupcakes have become trendy, and they are enjoyed now more than ever before. �e rise in popularity may be due to the fact that cupcakes are a guiltless treat, containing fewer calories than most other desserts because of their small size. �e recent interest may also have been sparked by the television show Sex and the City, in which Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes were featured in one scene. Whatever the reason, cupcakes are continuously a popular dessert enjoyed by all ages. Between di�erent types of cakes and various �avors of icing, the possibilities are endless when creating the perfect cupcake, and London is no exception.

When I began my search for the best cupcake in London, I reviewed several bakeries and chose four to visit. �e �rst, Hummingbird Bakery, is located in the lively Soho area. �e bakery was warm and inviting, with bright décor and a display case �lled with colourful cupcakes. Even though it was quite busy inside, the service was still quick and friendly. �e bakery’s Red Velvet cupcake is a customer favourite, but there are many other options available—there is even a special kind o�ered each day of the week, so everyone is sure to �nd a �avour they will enjoy at this traditional bakery.

Continuing my cupcake hunt, I went to Lola’s Cupcakes in Oxford Circus. �e cupcakes are sold at a counter in

Topshop instead of being served in its own bakery, which is convenient for on-the-go shoppers. �e counter seemed very popular, providing busy customers with a quick break from their shopping. �e decorative cakes at Lola’s look so appealing that it is hard to choose just

one kind to try. �ere are a variety of classic �avours o�ered in addition to a few surprising ones, such as Rocky Road and Vanilla Coconut. �is is the perfect place for the bustling crowds of Oxford Street to get a quick and delicious take-away treat while shopping.

London’s Best Lauren Pfeiffer hunts around the bakeries of London for a perfect cupcake

Hummingbird Bakery

Lola’s Cupcakes

�e next place on my agenda was Candy Cakes, situated in the vibrant area of Covent Garden. �e cupcakes here are unique because of their hard, candy-like icing instead of a more traditional creamy consistency. �ere is an assortment of �avours o�ered in the store, with some standouts such as Caramel Rum Tru�e and Lemon Rose. But Candy Cakes’ specialty is customised cupcakes for birthday

parties, weddings, holidays and more. �e bakery will add elaborate decorations and personal messages to their cupcakes for any occasion, making it a wonderful choice for special events.

Primrose Bakery, located in the Strand area, was my last stop in the search for a perfect cupcake. �e shop was small, but the big, bright windows and seating area gave it a welcoming feel. �e vanilla cupcakes come in a selection of lovely colours with beautiful decorations, and there is a wide array of other �avours as well. Some unusual kinds, such as Earl Gray, Malted Marshmallow and Ginger Fudge, help make Primrose a memorable bakery. �ere are also mini cupcakes for those wanting a smaller treat. In addition to desserts, the cake shop serves tea and co�ee, so it is a great place to relax and catch up with friends.

Due to the rise in popularity of cupcakes over the last few years, there is no shortage of cupcake shops in London—but a few stand out among the rest for di�erent reasons. Hummingbird Bakery is the best choice for someone who would like a delicious cupcake in a classic cake shop. Lola’s Cupcakes will appeal to the busy shopper who would like a fast, convenient treat. Candy Cakes might suit those who want an out of the ordinary cupcake, with candy-like icing and a personal touch. And �nally, Primrose Bakery is perfect for someone who wants a classic a�ernoon tea with a less traditional �avoured cupcake.

Although each of these bakeries has a unique o�ering and a wide variety of cakes, I usually prefer a more classic cupcake �avour. So, my pick for London’s best cupcake is Hummingbird Bakery’s Red Velvet cupcake. While the other bakeries o�er many unusual �avours and other wonderful options for more adventurous eaters, Hummingbird Bakery has perfected a traditional favourite in their scrumptious Red Velvet cupcake, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a perfect cupcake in London.

CupcakeHummingbird Bakery

155a Wardour Street

http://hummingbirdbakery.com/

Lola’s Cupcakes

Topshop, Oxford Circus

http://www.lolas-kitchen.co.uk/

candy cakes

Covent Garden Piazzahttp://www.candycakes.com/

Primrose bakery

42 Tavistock Street

http://www.primrosebakery.org.uk/

Candy Cakes

Primrose Bakery

The best cupcake

Camdenpostcards

The Stables Market, situated in a former horse hospital, is a large and popular section of Camden Market. Home to a wide variety of stalls and shops, the market offers its bustling shoppers an assortment of items, including clothing and accessories, household furniture and decorations, antiques and more. L.P.

Camden Town is vibrant and exciting. Perfect for a young crowd, the endless rows of funky markets provide a great shopping venue. Weave your way through the streets and discover the unique treasures this town has to offer

Take a little time to explore the shops on Camden and you never know what

so there’s great deals to be found on everything from tacky tourist knick knacks to vintage records like these. A.B.

Lots of individual shops along the street, people love Camden Market because it is different. The pricing, the fashion styles as well as the stalls decorations are all different from those you can see in Oxford Street or Regent Street.

Camdenpostcards

The Stables Market, situated in a former horse hospital, is a large and popular section of Camden Market. Home to a wide variety of stalls and shops, the market offers its bustling shoppers an assortment of items, including clothing and accessories, household furniture and decorations, antiques and more. L.P.


Take a little time to explore the shops on Camden and you never know what

so there’s great deals to be found on everything from tacky tourist knick knacks to vintage records like these. A.B.

Lots of individual shops along the street, people love Camden Market because it is different. The pricing, the fashion styles as well as the stalls decorations are all different from those you can see in Oxford Street or Regent Street.

An unique market that is created by many different individual shops. The market is like a maze. It is not a straight long street like Bond street. Here you can bargain, you can experience the local London and you can also see many outstanding decorations everywhere. R.T.


A local Camden stall owner creates hand

Venders hand craft dazzling, colourful col-lections to display to shoppers. Each stall radiates it’s own vibe of originality. It’s the perfect spot to buy a unique souvenir no one else will have. K.S.

busy market, dotted with trees and rowboats. J.W.

Lots of individual shops along the street, people love Camden Market because it is different. The pricing, the fashion styles as well as the stalls decorations are all different from those you can see in Oxford Street or Regent Street. N.N.

One of the first scenes in both the first book and film, Harry Potter and the Philoso-pher’s Stone, involves a conversation between Harry and a snake in the Reptile House in the London Zoo.

It’s £18 for students to visit on the off-season, which may or may not be worth the trip if one is only going to go see the Reptile House. Instead, I had a lovely stroll through Regent’s Park. I could see the giraffes and zebras in the Zoo from the street. Tube: Great Portland Street; head toward Regent’s Park.

London’s Australia House, or Australian embassy, is the site of Harry’s first encoun-ter with Griphook and his inheritance at Gringotts, the wizarding bank. When I left the Tube at Temple, I was happy to see arrows pointing from the station to my destination.

After a short walk, the gargoyles adorning the outside of the embassy became visible, clearly marked as the Australia House. Beauti-ful sculptures in the classical style flanked the most ornate door, on which was mounted a coat of arms, held up by kangaroos.

Since I visited Australia House on the week-end, I was unable to enter the embassy proper. The place is rather strict about its security, so few tourists are granted entrance just for the sight of Gringotts. Those who are allowed inside would be able to see the Exhibition Hall with the signature marble floors of Gringotts in the films.Tube: Holborn or Temple.

As we crossed the streets from the Tube on the way to Leadenhall Market, I noticed the underground bathrooms which were the employee entrances to the Ministry of Magic. Wizards would march into the stalls, put their coin in, and flush themselves down the toilet. Visitors had to use a telephone box, and dial ‘MAGIC’ to enter the ministry.

What struck me at first about the market was its orderliness. The Alley in the film exhibited shops that were more crammed un-evenly together, a stylistic touch by the film’s producers. The narrow walkways and mildly kitschy storefronts, however, matched Diagon Alley well, even in Muggle London.Tube: Monument/Bank.

Harry Potter’s london

From Platform 9 ¾ to the mysterious Leaky Cauldron Pub, Jasmine Wang leads an experience between magical and Muggle worlds with a homemade walking tour of the city

reptile house, zsl

gringotts bank

diagon alley

The name Harry Potter can mean different things, depending on who you ask. For some, it is a wildly successful industry based on a series of fictional books by the author J.K. Rowling. For others, it is a way of life. Harry Pot-ter fans, especially those my age, have essentially grown up with Rowling’s books over the years. We have experi-

enced the anticipation of each instalment in a way that future generations cannot.I felt lucky to be in London for the first time during this momentous event, so I took the time to tour some of the

original filming locations for some of the previous Harry Potter films shortly before celebrating the film itself. While many Harry Potter walking tours are available in London, I researched the film locations online and was easily able to put together a self-guided walking tour. I was able to save money, choose my locations, and go at my own pace.

I took my tour early July 2011. At this time, the premiere of the eighth and final film of the Harry Potter series was imminent. Thousands of people gath-ered at Trafalgar and Leicester Squares on July 7 to participate in the premiere of the second instalment of the cinematic adaptation of the seventh book.

With the help of my Oyster card, I knocked out all of the sites I wanted to visit in two separate trips, for free. Ambitious tourists, however, would easily be able to visit all of these sites within a day.

Harry’s letter from Hogwarts directs him to take the train at King’s Cross from Platform 9¾. His famous sprint into the brick wall between the two platforms at King’s Cross is commemorated in the Muggle world by a statue between platforms nine and ten.

My �rst attempt to �nd this site was partly in vain. �e entrance to the station was �anked with construction, so I walked between the platforms to see if I could �nd the famed luggage cart, pushed halfway into the wall. I experienced what was probably the same sad confusion as Harry’s, looking between platforms and not being able to �nd what I had hoped to be there.

�e monument had been moved to the en-trance of the station during the construction.Tube: King’s Cross.

�is wizarding drinking spot is known to us as the Market Porter Pub, on Stoney Street in the Borough Street Market. A�er walk-ing through the various food booths selling fresh food wares, I encountered a rather large pub on the corner that had swarms of people drinking and merrymaking outside. One step inside, however, and it was clear that this was the place. �e windows, green like those in the �lm version, gave it away.Tube: London Bridge.

�e signature London skyline plays a large role in the introduction to the �lm Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. O�ce work-ers watch from afar as dementors destroy the Millennium Bridge while �ying across the �ames in pursuit of Harry. Parliament Square, Buckingham Palace, and many of the main tourist attractions in London also ap-pear in the �lms as wizards and dementors �y over the city on brooms.

I took this walk separately from the other sites, if only because it is a beautiful walk. London provides signs to a ‘�ames Path’ on the South Bank which takes a visitor through some of the prominent riverside sights. �e Millennium Bridge isn’t exactly adjacent to Parliament Square, meaning the visit will be a healthy stroll.

Especially on a summer day, when the sun doesn’t set until late, an outing with friends from Parliament Square, down the Blackfri-ars bridge and back across the Millennium Bridge can be quite enjoyable.Tube: Westminster (Parliament Square), Mansion House (Millennium Bridge).

the leaky cauldron

king’s cross

the river thames

�e places I went to were spread out enough to have su�ced as a tour of the city of London itself. I was able to see many of the main tourist at-tractions near each site. It was also a pleasant surprise to �nd that most of these locations were readily available to the public, and for free.

�e �lming locations, even as they carried on their day-to-day opera-tions, had a certain magic on their own. It wasn’t perhaps the fantastical magic of Hogwarts, but there is certainly a surreal feeling when one steps onto a former movie set. Each time I walked into the perimeters of a par-ticular site, I felt the ghosts of beloved literary characters bustling about, like a memory, slipping past quotidian reality.

As the home of popular music sensations like the Rolling Stones, Spice Girls and Adele, it is no secret that London plays host to a

fantastic music scene. Festivals, concerts and pubs send every genre of music pouring into the city streets.

�is musical city played a role in the Beatle’s phenomenon and is the site of the �rst Hard Rock Cafe. If you’re in need of a musical �x you’ve come to the right place.

FestivalsIf you have travelled to London look-

ing for a party, look no further than the annual summer music festivals. July and August are packed full of huge festivals with performers ranging from global stars like �e Black Eyed Peas to more seedy and underground artists like Lydia Lunch. Some are short, two-day events while others carry on for an entire month, but all are worth experiencing.

�e annual iTunes festival features a month long concert series at the Round-house in Camden. What sets the iTunes series apart from other festivals is its free entry. Fans who wish to attend go online and enter a ra�e for the artists they want to see. �e lucky winners are sent a pair of coveted tickets. With a killer line-up every year, iTunes has featured perform-ers such as Adele, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars.

Another festival that pulls out big name artists is the annual Lovebox Weekender. Lovebox is all about putting on a show. Exciting lights and back-drops at the performances combine with o�-site a�er parties to form an epic

weekend. Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters and Jessie J are just some of the musi-cians that have turned up to play in this Victoria Park event.

Victoria Park also plays host to High Voltage music fest that rolls into town to rock the streets of London. Only in its second year, High Voltage already has a reputation for �lling the stages with noteworthy bands across all subgenres of rock. Shredding the stages of this two-day festival are rock-n-roll icons like Judas Priest, Slash and ZZ Top.

�e Wireless Festival is a weekend concert in and outside of the festival walls. You can jump to David Guetta’s beats or sing along with Fergie. If you don’t want to spend too much for the

ticket, grab some friends and picnic in the park. You won’t have a great view, but the music will make you feel like you’re inside in the action.

In late August as summer is coming to a close, London’s biggest electronic festival sets the city to dancing. Get ready for the master mixes of artists like Underworld and Pendulum. Not tired? Follow the techno hype beats on to the a�er party and dance the night away at the Ministry of Sound.

From repetitive electronic beats to ultra loud speakers, London festivals are some of the greatest in the world. So if you’re ready to take over the city parks and experience the non-stop rage of a festival, there is no shortage of opportu-nities in London.

Live Music at pubsIf you’re not a fan of the festival at-

mosphere, you can �nd music streaming from pubs and clubs in every corner of

Musicto your ears!"#$"#%&'()&#*+('&$"#&,"()-.#%/$(/,"()-.#%&01%$'&(2&1&2#,$341-&(%&1*&3*$351$#&,()-,#,,3(*6&71$"%'*&8)--341*&,"(9,&'()&:1*&,1$3,2'&'()%&5),3:1-&100#$3$#&3*&;(*.(*

Wireless Festival in Hyde Park

iTunes Festival billboard in Camden

Vice festival guide is distributed annually free of charge. It previews upcoming festivals

As the home of popular music sensations like the Rolling Stones, Spice Girls and Adele, it is no secret that London plays host to a

fantastic music scene. Festivals, concerts and pubs send every genre of music pouring into the city streets.

�is musical city played a role in the Beatle’s phenomenon and is the site of the �rst Hard Rock Cafe. If you’re in need of a musical �x you’ve come to the right place.

FestivalsIf you have travelled to London look-

ing for a party, look no further than the annual summer music festivals. July and August are packed full of huge festivals with performers ranging from global stars like �e Black Eyed Peas to more seedy and underground artists like Lydia Lunch. Some are short, two-day events while others carry on for an entire month, but all are worth experiencing.

�e annual iTunes festival features a month long concert series at the Round-house in Camden. What sets the iTunes series apart from other festivals is its free entry. Fans who wish to attend go online and enter a ra�e for the artists they want to see. �e lucky winners are sent a pair of coveted tickets. With a killer line-up every year, iTunes has featured perform-ers such as Adele, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars.

Another festival that pulls out big name artists is the annual Lovebox Weekender. Lovebox is all about putting on a show. Exciting lights and back-drops at the performances combine with o�-site a�er parties to form an epic

weekend. Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters and Jessie J are just some of the musi-cians that have turned up to play in this Victoria Park event.

Victoria Park also plays host to High Voltage music fest that rolls into town to rock the streets of London. Only in its second year, High Voltage already has a reputation for �lling the stages with noteworthy bands across all subgenres of rock. Shredding the stages of this two-day festival are rock-n-roll icons like Judas Priest, Slash and ZZ Top.

�e Wireless Festival is a weekend concert in and outside of the festival walls. You can jump to David Guetta’s beats or sing along with Fergie. If you don’t want to spend too much for the

ticket, grab some friends and picnic in the park. You won’t have a great view, but the music will make you feel like you’re inside in the action.

In late August as summer is coming to a close, London’s biggest electronic festival sets the city to dancing. Get ready for the master mixes of artists like Underworld and Pendulum. Not tired? Follow the techno hype beats on to the a�er party and dance the night away at the Ministry of Sound.

From repetitive electronic beats to ultra loud speakers, London festivals are some of the greatest in the world. So if you’re ready to take over the city parks and experience the non-stop rage of a festival, there is no shortage of opportu-nities in London.

Live Music at pubsIf you’re not a fan of the festival at-

mosphere, you can �nd music streaming from pubs and clubs in every corner of

Musicto your ears!"#$"#%&'()&#*+('&$"#&,"()-.#%/$(/,"()-.#%&01%$'&(2&1&2#,$341-&(%&1*&3*$351$#&,()-,#,,3(*6&71$"%'*&8)--341*&,"(9,&'()&:1*&,1$3,2'&'()%&5),3:1-&100#$3$#&3*&;(*.(*

Wireless Festival in Hyde Park

iTunes Festival billboard in Camden

Vice festival guide is distributed annually free of charge. It previews upcoming festivals

the city. Acoustic soloists, aspiring bands and local DJs await you on every street. Anywhere you turn in any of the sec-tions of London you will �nd you’re not far from a show. If you venture out to Camden for a day of shopping through the endless markets, rest your feet inside any of the many bars and prepare to be serenaded. Chalkboard marquis boasting the best live music in town will greet you at each pub you enter. Bands like Oasis and �e Darkness played Camden venues on

their journey to fame. Bar�y and Under-world are two of the Camden hotspots where you’re bound to be introduced to talent. Other stops like the Monarch and the Oxford Arms have a traditional English pub feel mixed with modern music nights.

Islington has many venues suited for a young, music-loving crowd. �e Hope and Anchor has been the leading rock spot in Islington for a long time. Used in the past as the site for album recordings and even their own festival, this pub is still rocking out today. �is is also where the English group Keane made their debut in 1998.

Close by in Hoxton you’ll �nd a bar called Roadtrip. Open until 5am on the weekends, Roadtrip is clearly ready to party. Local DJs turn the basement �oor into a techno rave and spin the night away. Across the street the William Blake will have you swing dancing on Mondays, relaxing to the solo sounds of an open mic night on Wednesdays, and partying for the weekend with a live band every Friday.

Even in the shop-packed blocks of Oxford Street you’re never far from

London’s famous musical history. �e 100 Club has a rich musical claim to fame having hosted performances by groups such as �e Sex Pistols, �e Clash, �e White Stripes and the Rolling Stones. �eir diverse tastes in music will treat any visitor to a good time.

Even the City of London Festival rec-ognizes the impact of music. �ey part-nered with the non-pro�t organization Sing London for their 2011 celebration. �irty pianos were placed at di�erent spots throughout the city, each uniquely painted to �t its location. �e pianos are inspiring impromptu recitals and �lling London streets with music.

You cannot fully experience London without soaking up the rich musical atmosphere. �e city awaits with diverse and inspiring melodies.

to your ears

�e Monarch pub in Camden

Part of the City of London Festival, one of Sing London’s 30 pianos around the city

�e Oxford Arms pub in Camden

Living standards in London are very high compared to other cities around the world. When you are visiting, it seems that everything is

beyond your budget. However, if you

many interesting and exciting activities for free easily, as well as good-value food and shops.

Indoor activities There are over 240 museums in London. It is good news if you are planning for visiting those famous museums like British Museum, Tate Modern or National Gallery, because these popular museums are free entry. Also, try the not so well-known museum like Museum of London, V&A Museum of Childhood and Wellcome Collection.

There is special monthly exhibition in Wellcome Collection, every exhibition has their own interesting theme like “Dirt” which is the special exhibition theme of summer 2011. It tells how people solve the problem of dirt from the past, the history of soap as well as showing some paintings, collection and advertising videos which are related to cleaning the dirt in the past.

Outdoor Activities

Parks If you are not very interested in those museum or you love playing with the sunshine, I suggest you to visit parks like Regent Park and Green park. Inside the Regent Park, you can row a boat in the lake and enjoy the wonderful boat trip with different kinds of birds. Besides, you can have a picnic with your families and friends under the relaxing environment as there are very spacious that you will never feel crowded.

For the Green Park, it is another great park in London. The famous sumptuous Buckingham Palace is just near the park. Seeing the changing of guard of the Palace is a fascinating activity in the morning to you.

Markets To explore the local London, you may go to the local markets like Borough Market, Brick Lane, Camden Town and also Columbia Road Flower market.

inside these markets. Borough Market is focusing on food and beverage while the Brick Lane and Camden Town are selling different kinds of food and clothing as well as groceries.

LondonBudget WiseThe exciting capital of the UK is also the most expensive city in Europe. Norris Ng looks at the best ways to enjoy this fabulous city without breaking the bank

Brick Lane is like a little India since there are many Indian store keepers and they offer varied types of curry. Also, there is a small vintage market and all the vintage shops are concentrated in an area so it could probably help you to save time for your next activity.

Columbia Road Flower market is a Sunday street market in east London. Sellers arrive from 4 am every Sunday morning to set up their stalls. Some of the sellers grow their own plants and some are imported from all around the world. A wide range of plants are available at competitive prices.

Shopping

One of the most important activities for travellers should be shopping. However, there are lots of shops along the street.

always easy, you may need to compare their price before you pay. So, here I would like to suggest some inexpensive shop to you.

Primark, New Look, Peacocks and River Island offer stylish and good quality clothing. You can see these shops

are always crowded because of the affordable price. An evening dress only

any shops which is even cheaper than that. Besides you may also visit charity shops like Oxfam, British Red Cross as

incredible donations there.

Food After a day of playing and shopping, you must feel tired and hungry, right? So, it’s time to introduce some tasty and good-value food to you.

have mentioned above, you can easily

In Borough market, you can try the fresh seafood like oysters that I highly recommend. Once you stepped into the little India Brick Lane, you can see different kinds of Indian curry, Japanese sushi, Chinese food and Korean BBQ.

Apart from the markets, you may try some low price restaurant in China town. There is a Chinese buffet that costs about £10 per person only and you can eat all the food they provide. Besides, Four seasons restaurant in Chinatown that is serving their signature

choice too. Meal with drinks only costs around £12 per person. Also, there is an Indian buffet restaurant in Chapel street cost only £3.5 per person.

In addition, you can enjoy 50% off over 3,000 restaurant from popular chain restaurant to hotels if you registered a Tastecard in timeout website. You may

like destinationcoupons offers varied types of coupon.

Tip: There are lots of Londoners love dine out on Saturday and Sunday, so make sure you have your reservation before going to the restaurant. If reservation is not allowed, remember to go early and avoid queuing.

LondonBudget Wise

FABULOUS FOODS

If you’re a foodie and you’re traveling to London, look no further than Harrod’s Food Hall. Here you will �nd an incredible variety of eats from around the world, ranging from exotic Asian seafood to Spanish delicacies. Every type of food has its own section—meats, dairy products, seafood—you could spend hours walking through.

�e real treasure of the food hall is the Patisserie, which has the magical feel of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Rows of beauti-fully packaged candy and pastries make the perfect souvenir to bring back for sweet-toothed relatives, and if you’re lucky you may even get a free sample.

One downside is that like all great tourist destinations, the food hall can be crowded. However, Harrod’s high class reputation also means that while there will be a lot of other people around, you’re unlikely to deal with rudeness or high noise lev-els. Another thing to note is that with high quality of course comes higher prices, but it would be worth a trip just to walk around and look at the beautiful displays.

Unfortunately, there is nowhere to sit and eat in the food hall itself, which seems like a crime for such a big tourist destina-tion. Guests who want a sit down experience should visit one of the many restaurants inside. Café Harrods o�ers �rst-class service without breaking the bank. Try the tea—for £29 you’ll get a per-sonal pot of tea and a three-tier tray of delicious �nger sandwich-es, scones and desserts that are enough to make for a full meal.

A.B.

HARROD’S FOOD HALL

Without a doubt, there are lots of good restaurants in London. However, the price of meal may hit your wallet heavily. So why not shop at a traditional food market instead? One of the most interesting is the renowned Borough Market located near the famous London Bridge.

As far back as 1014, and prob-ably much earlier, London Bridge attracted traders selling grain, �sh and vegetable. In the 13th century, traders were relocated to what is now Borough Market, which has historically focused on fruits and vegetables. In recent years, it has added stalls deal-ing with the �ne foods. Plus, it was famously used as location in the �lm, Bridget Jones’s Diary. Borough Market has become a wonderful food heaven because of the wide range of food avail-able from all over the world at a reasonable price.

What’s on in the market? Here, you can �nd freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, oysters, seafood, ostrich burgers, sirloin steak burgers, Turkish sweets, freshly baked bread and cakes, what you can think of are all in the market.

Also, visitors can enjoy the variety of cuisine like Indian, Chinese, English, Turkish and Mexican and most of the stall-holders are willing to provide free tasting of their food.

By the way, the long queues from the stall guarantee the taste and popularity of food. It is de�nitely a place for tourists to experience the freshness of London food as well as visiting an interesting area.

R.T

BOROUGH MARKET

In the 1950s West Indian immigrants �ooded into London to spice up the English streets. Brixton Market has become a showcase for their dazzling colours and �avours. On Electric Avenue just around the corner from the Brixton tube station, the market is no place for rookies.

�e ethnic vibe and fast pace will test your skills of running with the locals. Brixton Foods is the �rst stand to greet you with the smells and sounds of this historical London shopping centre. Raw meats, fresh produce, and potent spices line the short but �avourful street.

While some London markets are perfect for a quiet stroll, Brixton brings market shopping to life. Local shoppers are on a mission to �nd the foods they need at the best prices, and the vendors are more than ready to push their products. �e vocal atmosphere creates an exciting dynamic for unseasoned market visitors to experience.

�e cultural �air of the market embraces the diversity London has to o�er. You’ll be introduced to fruits and vegetables you’ve never seen before, but with such low prices it is the perfect time to be adventurous and try them. Be sure to wind your way through the maze of stalls. Buried behind the piles of produce and meats you’ll discover unique vintage clothing, candy shops, CDs and some of the best food in the city.

Excite your senses and experience a di�erent side of London when you spend some time exploring the gritty and vibrant Brixton Market.

K.S.

BRIXTON MARKET

Sure, there’s a Pizza Express on every corner, but why not look off the beaten path for dinner tonight? Explore London’s wide variety of fresh food markets and your stomach will thank you

Getting there: London Bridge tube, Borough High St; SE1 www.boroughmarket.org.uk/. �urs 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; Fri noon to 6:00 pm, Sat 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Getting there: Brixton tube: Electric Avenue SW9 8JX; tel: 07960 942 060. www.brixtonmarket.net; 8am-7pm daily

Getting there Knightsbridge tube; Brompton Road SW1X 7XL; 020 7730 1234. www.har-rods.com; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11:30am-6pm

FABULOUS FOODS

Portobello Market is one of the most famous markets in the world and the largest market in London. Located in Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensing-ton and Chelsea, it is most known for its fruits and vegetables as well as the antique shops on Saturdays. It is also the location of many scenes in the movie Notting Hill, such as �e Travel Bookshop on Blenheim Crescent and Saint’s Tattoo Parlour on Portobello Road. �e busy streets of the market are lined with all kinds of shops, from antiques to food to souvenirs. �e antique shops have many unique items at reasonable prices, such as fur-niture, home decor and dinner-ware, trinkets and other items.

�e streets of Portobello Mar-ket are �lled with di�erent res-taurants, shops and food stands as well. �ere is a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, o�ering everything from strawberries, bananas and apples to potatoes, broccoli and courgette, otherwise known as zucchini. �e market also o�ers numerous food stands with �sh, meat, bratwurst and schnitzel, sandwiches, �sh and chips and a cheese shop. And for dessert, there are various options including wa�es, ice cream or gelato, co�ee, jam and more.

With all of these choices, eve-ryone is sure to �nd something they will enjoy--and because most of the food is sold at low prices, there are many great bargains to be found. Going to this vibrant market is a wonderful experience where you can �nd a variety of lovely, unique items and delicious food.

L.P.

When entering through the original John Lewis department store on Oxford Street, one steps onto a few escalators and passes several designer labels on sale before �nding the Waitrose Food-hall underground.

Opened in October 2007, the department store’s foodhall is a division of Waitrose, a premier grocery and winery market. It measures 17,000 square feet, boasting specialised cheeses, wines and meats, as well as typi-cal market fare.

Catering to both locals and tourists alike, there is a range of premium-quality foods as well as a takeaway ‘tube-dasher’ service. Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, told the Guard-ian at Foodhall’s opening that the market was inspired by food markets of note worldwide.

While there are plenty of everyday grocery products, the Foodhall emphasises their spe-cialisation of products including sauces, wines and pre-packaged foods. One can get freshly pre-pared cold and hot foods, as well as handmade breads from the Flour Station. �e wine section is especially impressive, taking up a large part of the market on an elevated platform in one corner of the store. An 18-seater wine bar o�ers customers a taste of the foodhall’s entire selection. Shoppers may also enjoy pastries from the bakery and patisserie, or get fresh �sh, meat, and cheese. Employees bustle about in each section, waiting to serve the next customer. �ere is also a fragrant �orist standing at the Cavendish Square entrance of the store.

J.W.

PORTOBELLO MARKET

JOHN LEWIS FOOD HALL

Whole food market where is a great choice for those who like natural and organic health products. Everything is stocked here and sold here, from fresh bread to seafood to beauty skin care products including nail polish and bathing thing that has been organically certi�ed.

�e market is an 80,000- square-foot large where you can �nd just about everything you need for an ethical lifestyle. All the products are high quality and there are some eco-products that are suitable for both adults and babies too.

�e market is on three �oors: the basement and the ground �oor sell food, beverages and some cosmetics while the �rst �oor is an impressive food hall that o�ers 16 di�erent dining choices such as Shabu Shabu, a Japanese hotpot, sushi, Italian pizza, pasta and of course, burgers. Apart from that, they have a great gelati counter and there is also a choice of over 100 chocolate – including pure, unsweetened, milk, white, dark and the almost unpalatable, raw. When you come to that shelf of chocolate, you will be impressed and tempted. It’s de�nitely worth spending a couple of hours in here for looking, tasting, exploring and buying.

Tip: before you go to the market, you may visit their website and �nd out some coupons to save your wallet. Also, if you are tired of thinking the meal for your family every day, just check out their easy meal plans for the week. It’s simple, easy and convenient. Let’s try!

N. N.

WHOLE FOODS

Getting there: Oxford/Bond St. tube, London W1A 1EX; 020 7629 7711. www.johnlewis.com; 9.30am-8pm Mon-Sat, 12-6pm Sun

Getting there: Notting Hill Gate/Ladbroke Grove tube: Portobello Road, W11; 020 7375 0441. www.portobelloroad.co.uk; 8am-7pm daily, except �ursdays until 1pm

Getting there: High Street Kens-ington tube: , 63-97 Kensington High Street, W8 5SE. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/; Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun. 11am-6pm

unmissable treasuresWhile roaming around the city, we saw beautiful streets, historic monuments and famous sights. Here are our top picks for “can’t miss” London

If you’re a fan of nature, you’ll love to have a stroll through the many parks in the city. Green foliage greets you quietly on a sum-mer visit. Walk into the heart of Hyde Park to find the Serpen-tine, a picturesque lake filled with swans and ducks. If there’s a concert playing at the park, you’ll be able to relax by the water and still hear it just fine. Many of the parks are nearby as well, so it’s only a few minutes’ walk to see the famous Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, or the Princess Diana monument fountain.

The Notting Hill Coronet is a historic independent cinema show-ing a wide range of films, including current Blockbusters, foreign films and local productions. The Coronet originally opened in 1898 as a Victorian theatre and began showing films full-time in 1923. The building has retained the charming interior of the original theatre, although there have been a few improvements and restorations over the years. A highlight of the Coronet is the ticket prices at £7 each. and on Tuesdays all tickets are only £3.50.

Tea time is a traditional way to gather with family and friends in London. You may see many hotels or restaurants offering afternoon tea, but how to choose the best one? No worries, the top London tea place award has already chosen the best ones. The Ritz, The Chesterfield Mayfair, The Langham and Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, all are the winners of the top London tea place. They provide varied types of tasty cakes, sandwiches, and scones. So why don’t you make your reservation now?

Once you arrive to London, you see the number of theatres is much more than cinemas. Although you may not be interested in musicals in your home country, you may be curious about the London musical. Is it really worth spending an evening to watch a musical? We Will Rock You, The Lion King or The Phantom of the Opera are world-famous musicals. The entire show is about the lighting, stage, clothing, singing and acting. So from the theatre to the performance, all you would say is Amazing.

J.W. L.P.

N.N.

R.T.

If you’re growing weary of the hustle and bustle of a metro-politan lifestyle, stop by Regent’s Park. This monstrous area of green space is nestled in the heart of the city but is a picturesque retreat for anyone needing a little peace and quiet. Visitors can rent boats, feed the birds, play sports or just sit and take in the atmosphere. Regent’s park is also home to London Zoo, which is a treasure on its own. Crafty guests can even peek at the giraffe exhibit through the fence without having to pay an admission fee!

A.B.

Among its many claims to fame, London is the home of Abbey Road Studios. Music legends, The Beatles, recorded their music here as well as captured their famous crosswalk photo. Aside from being a tourist must-see, this spot gives you a chance to leave your mark on a piece of history. Outside the studio, visitors from all over the world stamp their signature on the sidewalk wall and become a small part of the Abbey Road story. Sign your name and walk the zebra crossing. You’ll be walking the path of the stars.

K.S.

must see london

Documents

museum of london

london staff

im kathryn

museum reviews

londonhey im norris

whats onharry potters

fabulous cookhi im ray

best music