London tube, mysteries of London underground

London tubes are the real secrets of the city. The city is very well known for this lifeline. This is the easiest mode of transport in fact. You can use it while you move in London.

The time when underground long-drawn-out into the high-class suburbs of south side of Paddington, it created a big chaos for the railway engineers. He residents of the Bayswater were disbelieving of railways that ruin their current streets, and an open air compartment was required to allow the trains flue their steam. The main resolution was to trounce two houses in the peaceful Leinster Gardens, construct the railway line via open cut at the end and then substitute the building with porticoes. Today these dummy houses lye between the two distinctive hotels, the Henry VIII and the Blakemore. They're self-same substantial and they adjust like a dream into a street that has three lines. There is row with white buildings that has balustrades and Grecian columns. The forged frontages were characterised currently in the BBC Sherlock TV series; so now the cat is out of the bag for sure. The nearby railway station is Queensway. You can stay here near the Queensway station. There are many good hotels like the Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington where you can really have a great stay.

 Just after the bank station a commanding Georgian church was made up by the well-known architect Nicholas. It actually did not ensure the arrival of underground in the year 1900, when the railway company establishment wanted to trounce the church to construct the station. A public hullabaloo protected it from being damaged. As a replacement for the company credited the church crypt whose guts were removed for reformation. Then the church was buoyed by steel beams where a ticket hall and the stairs were constructed below it. This is the reason St Mary Woolnoth is one among some old London churches starved of a crypt. Even though you go ahead at the Docklands platforms, you will be able to walk just along to it.

In the year 1843, the Thames Tunnel started between the Rotherhithe and Wapping in east London. The innovation of engineer Marc Brunel and his boy Isambard Kingdom Brunel which started in the year 1825 with the reducing of a mammoth shaft. There was a group of men that gradually channelled further down the Thames. There were some tragedies related with work that was being broken up by floods, fires and gas. A big and worst flood took place in the year 1828 in which total six men got killed. The tunnel got opened finally and there were no upgrades for path traffic. Adjusted with the stair streets, this turned into a famous tourist spot and a stamping ground for pick pockets and prostitutes. Today it is a railway underpass for the Over ground of which the routes are displayed on the map of underground in orange colour. On the south side there is an engine house which is known as Brunel Museum. Its best outlines is the previous entrance channel that goes down to the resonant space that is used for some intermittent shows.   You can spot it from one of the regular guided tours of the museums.

On 3 March 1943, East Enders were speeding up to the Bethnal Green station to escape away from a German shelling raid. At that time a woman with a baby skated at the lowermost of a staircase. More than 300 people went to save her but they were caught unfortunately 173 of them croaked. This was the largest civilian disaster of Britain.  Now a trust is making up a celebratory to the tragedy in the garden that is ahead of the star-crossed Tube entrance. When that was all done, the staircase to the paradise will give a great backing to the invertors with some 173 marks as a sign of the victims. As the funds collection is going on, just the base is being made. So far it is a pleasant-sounding structure with panels that talk about the tragedy that took place.

If you want to have some bonus points, just find out the rest surface structures

Of some ghost stations you will point out the previous Aldwych station that is on the aspect near Australia House by its tiles and the symbol that bears the original name that is Strand Station. The dead end station that is in the same condition is used for shootings.

Down Street is one more ghost station that many people know about. This is placed right between the Hyde Park Corner and Green Park stations. This was being used as a bombproof base by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill when the World War II was going on. Later on it featured in the year 1996 BBC series .for this reason for this a dinner was planned on the Permanent station as trains passed by from a long distance. Very dejectedly the building surface of the previous British Museum station was smashed in 1989. In fact you need to remain alert as you pass from the Tottenham Court Road and Holborn on the central line as the station was believed to be weird by an Egyptian mummy. You will never know what you will get to see in the real sense. Tim Richards did the travelling expenses on their own. He has a fantasy novel whose name was Mind the Gap. This characterises the London Underground and is there as an ebook that is marketed by Harper Collins.

If you want to have a wonderful stay in London then you can stay at one of the best London Budget hotels . These hotels offer the best rates to the guests. Even there are many discounts that can help you to save money. You can also think about the deals and packages that will help you to save your money. So just come to the incredible city and enjoy the best time.

London’s best tattoo shops

Tattoos once frowned upon and considered to be unbecoming are fast becoming a craze especially with the younger generations. They have been popularised by celebrities such as singers, musicians and Hollywood movie stars among other well known public personalities. London is well known for its exceptional tattoo styles and artwork and is home to some of the best tattoo artists in the world.

Just step out of any London Premier Notting Hill hotel and you are within close proximity of some of the best tattoo parlours in the city. With the art of tattooing becoming increasingly famous let’s take a look at the history of this ancient form of beautification and self-expression.

The history of tattooing

The process what we now refer to as body art or tattooing goes back in time in all probability at least to the Neolithic Age.  It is assumed that the art of tattooing goes back to prehistoric times. In fact the tattoos that are seen on modern aborigines throughout the world are assumed to have originated back from Neolithic ancestors. It is incredible to think that some of the designs are considered to date back thousands of years ago. One of the best examples of prehistoric tattooing is over five thousand years old and can be seen on the frozen mummy of the "Ice Man" found in Central Europe. He is one of the most verifiable facts of the legacy of tattoos or body art over the ages.

Looking at other ancient civilisations there is evidence to support the ancient art of tattooing among the mummies of Egypt. Most of these mummies are up to four thousand years old and are considered to be the best examples of the beginning of the history of the tattoo. The mummies that have tattoos on them are all females with an assumption made; that the tattoos served as identification marks of sorts that helped to segregate different strata of ancient Egyptian society.

Then there are the tattoos from the Graeco-Roman world, which was limited to being carried out only on slaves.  The Romans and Greeks considered the practice of being tattooed as being barbaric and uncultured, however they felt it suitable to tattoo their slaves, whom they considered to be barbarians and worthy of contempt. The Germanic and Celtic tribesmen of the same period who were also considered to be uncivilised by the Romans, also engaged extensively in tattoo body art. The Picts, an ancient tribe from northern and eastern Scotland went a step further and painted their entire bodies blue.

In the Medieval times the art of tattooing began to decline, mostly because of the belief that it was against Catholicism to decorate the body in any way.  They were also considered to be signs of being uncivilised or savage and thought to be too primitive and even pagan. At the same time elsewhere on other parts of the globe in areas like North and South America, Polynesia and parts of Asia it was highly sought after. In fact the history of the Tattoo owes its existence during the Middle Ages, mainly to Polynesian and Asian cultures of that time. The native aborigines of New Zealand the Maori created a unique system of spiral tattooing on their faces and body, which were considered to be of cultural and religious significance. It became an integral part of their rites and rituals. It is believed that the term “Tattoo” originated from the Tahitian local term ‘Tatu” that means to mark. 

It was only in the 17^th and 18^th centuries that tattoos began to be reintroduced of sorts in Western civilisation. This was primarily found on sailors who returned from the South Seas with Polynesian art work or tattoos on their bodies. It was later fine tuned with American and British artists adding modern designs. Samuel O'Reilly is credited with creating the first automated tattoo machine in 1891 and that continues till this day being the basis of the much improved modern tattoo gun.

Some of the top tattoo destinations to visit in London are:

Into You:  It opened in 1993 and can found in nestled between the Clerkenwell office blocks. It is one of the most famous tattoo studios in London and has been home to some of the most celebrated tattoo artists of all time. Its owner is Alex Binnie, well known for his striking tribal designs, besides Mr X renowned for his shading techniques and Tomas Tomas who is the master of ornate modern tribal diagrams among other well known tattoo artists. Prominent customers have been the likes of Alexander McQueen and Britney Spears among other well known public figures. 

The Family Business: It offers Oriental and Western iconography of the highest order. It is located in the trendy location of Exmouth Market near BW Premier Shaftesbury London Piccadilly by and with its well turned out staff and decor it means business. Its interiors are a bright blood red with an array of Catholic images adorning the place, which comes from its owner Mo Coppoletta’s Italian roots. It is a popular place with locals and overseas visitors, who flock to the Family Business for its unique body art.  

 

Frith Street Tatoo: It opened shop in 2003 and is known for its bespoke designs and high quality work. It is considered to be out of the best tattoo studios in London and boasts an incredible stable of tattoo artists. With top names in the tattoo world offering their expertise and skills and some great guest spots which feature the best tattoo artists on the planet, who drop by to display their special skills, Frith Street Tattoo is the place to visit.   

Good Times: Although relatively new to the tattoo scene Good Times is sophisticated and spacious and offers an eclectic mix of designs and combinations which make it stand apart from other tattoo studios. Two of its prominent tattoo artists Saira Hunjan and Nikole Lowe have done body art for Kate Moss and Boy George earlier, so you know you are in hallowed company. The only hitch is both Nikole and Saira are booked well in advance with appointments stretching up to a year, so you will have to test your luck! 

Fabulous Places to visit out of London

As clichéd as it may sound there are innumerable reasons to fall in love with London! It is a city where something is always happening be it a sports, entertainment, cultural or social events. From some of the finest palaces, magnificent museums, amazing art galleries, incredible shopping and entertainment venues, new restaurants or musical concerts to attend, a visitor will never spend any two evenings doing the same thing. It is fair to state that one can never get bored when in the city. 

The best part of the year to visit the city is during the summer season, when the weather is pleasant and great to go sightseeing. The city is home to some fantastic hotels located all over the city with some of the best being the hotels in Hyde Park. The Grand Royale London Hyde Park is one such stunning luxury hotel which offers opulence, comfort and top class amenities at a very affordable price.  

With the numerous attractions in London we tend to forget there is much more to the UK than just the city of London. And for that we need not travel too far, just move out of the town to the city’s surroundings counties and districts to discover some real fabulous places in the neighbourhood of London. Whether you are a Londoner or a visitor some of these fantastic places to visit are …

Windsor: It is a historic town that lies in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire County, just a mere 23 miles from Charing Cross in London. Windsor town is home to the official residence of the Royal Family and remains as the oldest and largest castle in occupation to this day. This imposing fortress was originally built in the 11^th century by William the Conqueror and has played a key role in the British history over the centuries. A full working palace that employs over 500 people it is a fabulous place to visit with its ornately decorated State Apartments, which house some of the most priceless furniture in the world, besides St George’s Chapel, that has been the historical home to the Order of the Royal Garter, since the 14^th century.

Arundel: It is without any modicum of doubt out of the most beautiful rustic towns that lies nestled in a steep valley of the South Downs in West Sussex, just about 49 miles of London. The focal point of the town is its stunning fairy-tale like castle, which is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk, and has been their ancestral home for more than seven centuries. It is also home to a striking neo-Gothic Cathedral with its streets and markets that house a variety of antique shops and emporiums, great eateries and quaint little teashops.   

St Albans: Only about nine teen miles from the northwest of Central London St. Albans a city lies in Southern Hertfordshire. It has the distinction of being out of the oldest cities in the country with its fascinating history even pre-dating the time of the Roman invasions. Visitors and tourists are drawn to its serene and tranquil surroundings where they can explore its ancient Roman ruins. During Roman times it was known as the City of Verulamium. With its awe inspiring medieval cathedral, historic high streets buildings, verdant parkland and an array of restaurants and cafés it is a terrific place to visit and spend the day exploring.

Blenheim Palace: The historic palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, which in actuality is a massive country house that lies in Woodstock in Oxfordshire County. It has served as the principal residence of the Marlborough Family over the centuries. It serves as a mausoleum, family home and national monument and is a very popular attraction with tourists and visitors to the county of Oxfordshire. Its exteriors are stunningly impressive with imposing columns, gigantic pediments and obelisks. Equally charming are its interiors which house tapestries, grand furniture, statues, a priceless china collection and beautiful life-size oil paintings in attractive gilt frames. The palace’s sheer opulence is breathtaking and definitely is an attraction to visit. 

Hever Castle: Set amidst picturesque surroundings Hever Castle is just 30 miles from the south-east part of London and is located in Hever village in the District of Kent. It is a popular tourist attraction owing to its historic links with the hapless Anne Boleyn (who spent her youth here) and Henry VIII. With its attractive gardens, mazes and lake that are encircled by a narrow moat with an abundance of natural wildlife including swans and ducks it makes for a most interesting visit. The Castle also has a fine collection of Tudor artwork, and offers a plethora of activities during summer, which include country fairs, falconry exhibitions and jousting among other events.

Lincoln: The city of Lincoln is a cathedral city in Lincolnshire within the East Midlands in England. Lincoln evolved over the centuries from the historic Roman town of Lindum Colonia. With its cobblestoned medieval streets that crisscross the city it is famous for its awe-inspiring 12th-century cathedral. Its lanes are lined with Tudor style town houses, quirky shops and classic English pubs. A quaint and interesting place worth a visit!

Bodiam Castle: It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, who was a former knight of Edward III and was constructed apparently to protect the area from the French forces in the period of the Hundred Years’ War. It is situated close to Robertsbridge in the county of East Sussex. This formidable fortress has stout walls (2 feet in thickness), numerous battlements, turrets and a large surrounding moat that teems with goldfish, it is a fascinating place to visit and explore. Although, most of the interiors are in ruins, it nevertheless makes for an interesting trip, with a panoramic view from its battlements of the surrounding landscape.    

A sense of grandeur to your visit to London

When one dreams about going to London, all that a person can think of is the vibrant streets and the lavish outskirts. There are many attractions within the city, and one such includes many museums and other attractions that cover the city well. There are a few things that you need to consider while travelling to London. Amongst them, there are others that require you to plan your thoughts well before visiting the place. London is one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world; it has attracted many more tourists from the past few years. The city is visited by many tourists throughout the year. And hence this place has a lot to offer when it comes to sightseeing and all the beautiful places to visit. The accommodation in this magnificent city can never be compromised. There are a lot of hotels that will help in rendering the best of the services when it comes to living in a British prominent area. But planning a trip to London requires a lot more.

London is one of the most popular metropolitan beauties in the world. This city is the capital of the empire of England. Amidst the beautiful landscapes and architectural marvels, this place has the most beautiful sights that one has ever seen. This city is rich in history and holds a lot of places for those who love to explore the English environment. Whether you are planning a fulfilled day or want to spend an entire day soaking in the history of the empress, you will have everything in this place. This place provides a soothing atmosphere for all those who come here for refreshment. This city has all the famous art destinations in the world. It is also famous for street shopping. The Oxford street, the Regent street, the Carnaby street and the Savile row are amongst the most prominent street shopping sites in London. But before you are trying to visit London you must consider doing the following things:

Plan your trip well:

You need to look out for places that you intend to visit while you are in London. A proper planning will let you know when and where you are going. This will also help you in managing your budget well. Find a map or look out online on sites that will give you a clear picture.

When to visit:

You can visit London at any time of the year. The main seasons during which the tourists flock this city are from the month of July to December. September is the best month to be considered while going to London.

Getting around:

There are a lot of famous places to visit whilst you are in London. These places can be easily accessed with the local transportation within the city. There are many places to visit in the city of London. Here’s a list of all the places that you need to visit to make your trip a memorable one:

Tower Bridge:

This took more than eight years to construct. This marvelous piece used 10000 tons of steel to form into this masterpiece. Walking along the path of this bridge will let you see the River Thames.

Tower of London: This fortress is almost 900 years old. It was built by William, the conqueror. The crown jewels of the majesty are kept within the tower, and this place is a must visit while you are in London.

St. Paul's cathedral:

This was designed by the architect named as Christopher Wren. It was built in 1665 to 1670. It is called as a house of prayer by all the localities. This place hosts all the royal weddings and all the royal funerals. Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Prize in the year 1954.

Buckingham palace:

This is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. This place keeps its doors open at least once a year for its visitors to take a look inside.

 Westminster abbey:

This building is over 1000 years old. This place offers the best outcast for all the history lovers. This place has been the coronation church for the monarchs of London.

Big Ben:

This place stands tall as an icon of London. The place has all the beauty that the city has to offer. The bells chime can be heard in the entire city. This place stands tall on the banks of the river Thames.

Madame Tussauds:

This is a famous wax museum in London. Many come here and get inspired by the art work that it holds within.

Borough market:

This is London's biggest wholesale market. The place holds a place for all the food supplies that is famous within the city. There are special beer stalls and eateries that add to the attractions within the city.

Accommodation:

When you look for accommodation in London, there is no other place better than the best western premier Shaftesbury Kensington. There is a majority of tourists that choose to stay in this hotel when looking for luxury. The interiors within this hotel are so grand and luxurious that one cannot take his eyes off it. Being located in Kensington, this hotel has connected to all the major utilities within the city. The guests staying in this hotel can enjoy the large variety of cuisines ranging from Thai to Chinese. There are also large attractions that will suit the city and have not compromised on the quality that they offer.  The sophisticated allure within the hotel will let its guests make a note of all the etiquettes of the English. What more this place offers is the dining that has the quintessential taste of the English cuisine.

The Kensingtonhotel has the best staff when it comes to the hospitality of the guests. The other facilities here include the broadband facility and also 24-hour reception facility. The rooms here have all the beautiful interiors that will make you feel cozy and luxurious at the same time. When you are in London and are willing to make a note of its heritage come and stay at this hotel to witness it at the best!

www.theshaftesbury.com 

A lavish Kensington stay awaits your presence

If you are a travel lover, then visiting London could be the one which you have desired for since a long time. Travelling to London and enjoying the impeccable beauty are not as easy as it seems to be. Since you will be visiting a place which is located in distant lands, you must be careful about your planning and better know how to implement it whole touring in one of the most popular touring destinations in the world. London does not only boast for being the financial center of the world, it’s value as a cultural epicenter has reached sky high and is visited by billions of tourists every year from all over the world. With an enriching history dating back to the Great Roman era, the popularity of London has always witnessed huge heights. It is not only famous for housing a plethora of exquisite travel destinations which captivate the tourists and enforce them to spare sometime of their life and utilizing it appropriately by sight-seeing all throughout the city. the various historic sites in and around London have been preserved by the British government ad this way all the major London attractions get well maintained. It is a sheer delight for each and every tourist to take a stroll by the Serpentine bridge at the Hyde Park and enjoying the greenery in Kensington parks. The easy to avail transportation facilities makes it even more smoother to travelling to one of the most exquisite cites of the world. London appears to be a grand city but it is such a place which can cater to the desires of not only the elites but also the average visitors having budget constraints. The extensive public transportation system does the magical trick in eradicating out all the major transport problems thereby letting the travelers enjoy every single London moment. It becomes easy to reach your hotel from the Heathrow Airport, world’s busiest by availing the tubes which runs past midnight for all the visitors. 

There is an array of places to visit in London and it is amazing to see how the city surprises the travelers at every step. Each and every corner of the city greets the tourists with the glorious history combined with futuristic developments. You can visit the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, National Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Tower Bridge, River Thames, Leicester Square and many other prime London attractions which have been enriching the city’s tourism quotient since ages. 

While you are planning a trip to the city of London, you must ensure to put up in one of the most convenient locations which can let you visit the city’s prime attractions within a very short time. You surely know how extensively huge does London look and thereby it could indeed become a tough job to spend all your time in travelling from end to another in order to explore all of the major attractions located in and around the city. That is why, it is necessary to make a proper plan and choose for an accommodation which is not far away from the travel spots in the city. I you clearly follow the city map, you will get to see that majority of the most visited travel destinations are located in Central London. This solves a major portion of your problem. Now you know which part of London would be better to stay at and how can it help you. Although staying in Central London might get expensive owing to the immense popularity of the location but nevertheless there are huge options to look for which can actually make you enjoy your stay in a luxurious hotel at comfortable price rates.

Kensington is one of the most popular up-market areas located in the West London. It boasts of housing the eminent personalities of the city. it appears to be an extremely expensive district offering a plethora of fun activities to the visitors which mainly comprise of fine dining facilities, shopping plazas, leisure activities and many more. Since it is an affluent area accommodating exclusive stores and expensive food, it really becomes difficult to find a desirable hotel in reasonable budget prices. With a good research and proper guidance you can end up staying at a luxury hotel in Kensington offering a myriad of facilities at affordable rates. You will have to be very specific with our research. Since it is a major travel spot, that is why there are numerous transportation facilities connecting Kensington with other important places of the city. Several tube stations serve the places which mainly include Knightsbridge, Earls Court, Hyde Park, Sloane Square. 

When you are staying in a famous Kensington hotel, you will be able to sneak to the Hyde Park which is located close to the place. It is undoubtedly one of the largest Royal parks in the city of London featuring the famous Serpentine Lake which lets all the visitors to enjoy themselves at their fullest by indulging into some fun activities of swimming, rowing and boating. The Kensington Gardens are popular for their scenic beauty and charming aura which are not to be found anywhere else in the city. 

Those who are travelling with budget constraints but look forward to stay in a comfortable hotel amidst all the life comforting luxuries can choose to stay in a decent Kensington hotel. 

The executiverooms in London Kensington hotel would welcome you with open arms and offer you with all that is required to make your stay a memorable one. Opting for a three star Kensington hotel can be a perfect way to enjoy the luxuries at reasonable prices. A three star accommodation is nothing less than a luxury boutique hotel and strives to offer all sorts of facilities as well as modern amenities which are essential. If you look forward to enjoy a comfortable London stay then eh Kensington hotels are just a perfect option for you which you can surely opt for. You will be treated with the best food and wine during your say at one of the hotels in Kensington which is famous for providing with the best.

Stay at the best London budget hotels near Heathrow

Looking for a hotel near the Heathrow airport? Finding a hotel near the airport can be very helpful if you have an early flight and wish to reach for the check in comfortably. Try the amazing services offered by the BW Plus park Grand LondonHeathrow just once and you will be finding yourself back here every time you are in London. Located very close to the airport, the hotel offers world class services and is truly an ideal place to live when you wish for nothing but the best. 24X7 services, dining and drinking facilities, a helpful staff and complementary internet connectivity ensure that whether you are in London for work, or fun, you will be able to make the most of your time here. Watch any international channel you want on the plasma screen television installed within your room, or request for a transfer service if you need to visit any place in London. The staff at the BW Plus Park Grand London will take care of your every need.

London is an immensely popular tourist destination and sees thousands upon thousands new faces every day. Some are here for work, while some are here to explore the many popular tourists destinations that are renowned the world over. There are hundreds who have to spend a night in the city as they wait for their connecting flight as well. No matter which category you fall in, having a hotel that is near the airport has many advantages. You quickly reach the hotel and can rest as soon as you arrive in the city, and no matter what time you flight departs, you can comfortably reach your terminal without having to worry about the infamous London traffic. On top of all this, BW Plus Park Grand London Heathrow is one of the best London budget hotels you can stay in. Their prices are highly tempting and the services they offer ensure that you have a great time here as a guest.

The Luxurious Shaftesbury Hotels

London is one of the oldest cities of the world. It has been center the world for ages. Due to this reason, London has many historic places which major attractions among tourists. London is also one of the business destination in Europe, attracting many business class personals.

Shaftesbury hotels are spread all over London providing most comfortable and luxurious hospitality services. They are present in the most important locations of central London. They are known for their luxurious style and elegance with best hospitality services in London.

The Shaftesbury hotel collection provides wide range of accommodation according the class of customers.

•    Elite collection: As name suggests it is designed for the elite, customers and service reflect this. Rooms are designed with elegance and decor reflects the rich vibrant colors. Elite collection sets the brand value of hotel among the elite customers.

•    Executive collection: Executive collection’s best feature is that all rooms are different in style and decor. They were designed to provide elegant luxurious hotel comfort at affordable prices.

•    Classic collection: Classic collection is perfect example if someone wants to experience British culture and history. This collection is designed from the history of Great Britain. Interior reflects the sophistication of British culture.

•    Suites collection: Suites are perfect for those looking for home comfort during their travel. They give services, which are close to being at home. Suites accommodate any traveler whether he is for business or leisure.

•    Smart collection: Smart collection is perfect for those who are on a tight budget and want to have comfortable stay in London. Shaftesbury hotel will take care of them with touch of style without picking their pockets.

Hotels are located with good nearby transport facilities like bus terminals, train etc. which help travelers to move around the city. Hotel provides all the modern day amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bars etc. TO know more information on the Shaftesbury hotel collection check out the website

AN EXECUTIVE VISIT TO LONDON from Fergus Brandon