Thames Boating Holiday ( VIDEO )

By Dipika Patel


A boat trip on the River Thames is a great way to see the sights of London and its surroundings if you're planning a UK boating holiday.

If you'd like to experience the capital in a new way and avoid the noisy evenings staying in accommodation in the centre, a Thames boating holiday could be the perfect break for you.

You can begin your boating holiday in the UK at Benson, near Oxford, or Chertsey, near Windsor, and cruise in either direction, taking in London's most famous landmarks as you go. The slow pace of boating makes it an ideal way to spend a vacation if you're looking to relax.

And its also a great way of getting up close to the city's attractions, as the river is within easy reach of such renowned locations as Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. Take in the sights from your boat and decide which you'd like to see on foot.

As you drift down the river, you'll journey through some of England's oldest towns, including Pangbourne, Reading, Marlow, Cookham and Henley-upon-Thames, but you don't need to alight at any of the locations unless you choose to. With a boating trip, you're free to explore whichever of the towns you like, at your leisure.

You'll also find some of the country's top attractions close by, such as Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland and Thorpe Park - which might be great places to visit if you're a thrill-seeker or travelling with youngsters.

As well as the fantastic theme parks, there's plenty of scenery to enjoy, too. You might like to spend an evening moored at a beauty spot along the waterway and watch the sun set over the countryside landscape, or take a day trip to Beale Park wildlife reserve and gardens if you're hoping to get closer to nature.

It's likely that on your Thames boating break you'll want to visit some of London's most well-known locations, so continue on down the river until you reach Windsor. The ancient town is home to the spectacular Windsor Castle, which is the oldest and largest fortress to still be inhabited in the world. And while you're in the area, don't miss the changing of the guard.

There's plenty to see and do in the royal borough - perhaps you might enjoy calling in at Ascot or Royal Windsor Racecourse and watching the horses in action, or even take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the area to see it in its full glory.

A major attraction in Windsor is Savill Garden. Created in the 1930s, the ornamental garden covers 35 acres and is divided into all manner of planting groups. Here you'll find rare and exotic species of flora as well as hybrids.

And after all that exploring, you can return to the peace and quiet of your boat for a restful night's sleep away from the bustling centre and prepare for another day of leisurely drifting.

The next stop on your London tour might well be another of the capital's most renowned locations - Oxford. The city is home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, so why not pay a visit and explore the buildings, which have been accepting scholars for over 800 years? You might also enjoy exploring the centre, where you'll find Victorian shopping arcades.

If you'd like to broaden your knowledge during your boating holiday, you could always pay a visit to Oxford University Museum of Natural History or the Museum of the History of Science, or go and view the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments.

When you've exhausted the city's attractions, continue your journey along the Thames towards the historical destination of Kingston-upon-Thames. The area is where you'll discover the first crossing point of the Thames upstream from London Bridge was erected, and is now the site of Kingston Bridge. It's also known for its arts, so call in at one of the theatres and enjoy a performance one evening.

If you continue on, you'll arrive at Richmond upon Thames, another historical location. You may well want to alight your boat here and make your way to Hampton Court Palace. Built in the 1500s, the structure was a favourite of King Henry VIII and his family and now features exhibitions about the famous resident. You can explore the palace's hidden sections and even watch the cooks whip up meals in the kitchens that would once have been eaten by the king.

And then it's time to return to your boat and put your feet up for another night of tranquility on the river.

A boat trip on the River Thames could be a great way of exploring London and its surroundings. And with UK boating holidays widely available, you're sure to find something to cater for your needs on a Thames boating holiday. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of boating holidays in the UK.

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The Houses of Parliament ( VIDEOS )

By Harry Preston

For many, Big Ben - as the clock tower is commonly and mistakenly known (it is actually the name of the bell within) - is London's most iconic image. A symbol of the Houses of Parliament, it conjures up the chambers of debate below, in which 646 Members and more than 700 Lords and Bishops noisily pursue the business of government. The nation waits for it to strike midnight on 31 December to celebrate the start of each new year. Protesters against the state occasionally try to scale its 96m (315 feet) - and sometimes succeed.

Parliament's other name, the Palace of Westminster, alludes to the complex history of British democracy which evolved over centuries from rule by dominant chieftains, royalty and the Church into a government of elected representatives of the people. Hence, the medieval building that stood on the site until the early 19th century, in which the foundations of the modern system were laid with Edward I's Model Parliament of 1295, was also the principal home of British monarchs until 1530.

Having survived the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 by a group of Catholics intent on blowing up the Protestant King James I within, the Palace of Westminster was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1834. Westminster Hall, which dates from 1097, survived and is the oldest part of today's building.

William IV offered Buckingham Palace as a replacement, but Parliament wanted to hang on to the prominent river site that William the Conqueror had made his base nearly 800 years before. Public debate over what style should be employed for the new building was fierce. It should be a fitting emblem of a country with an empire on which "the sun never set". A neoclassical design, such as the US White House or Congress, was ruled out because of revolutionary or republican connotations. In 1836, after studying 98 proposals, a Royal Commission chose Charles Barry's plan for a Gothic palace that would embody a welcome dose of conservatism.

Democracy in Britain began to come of age only in 1918 when the vote was given to all men over 21 and women over 30, though women had to wait 10 years for equal rights. Even now it continues to develop: under Tony Blair's premiership, power was devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northem Ireland in 1999; while the form of the second chamber, the House of Lords, is unsettled.

UK residents can arrange free tours of Parliament throughout the year through their MP or a lord; visitors from abroad have to pay and can tour only during the summer when Parliament is not in session, but they may attend debates through the year. Both tours last about 75 minutes and include the Commons and Lords debating chambers, as well as the Queen's Robing Room. The State Opening of Parliament, at which the reigning monarch presents the government's plans to members of both the House of Lords and Commons, is a colourful ceremony and usually takes place in November.

For an online guided tour of London, England, or for more information about the city of London visit http://www.GuidedTourLondon.com.

For information about Winnipeg, Manitoba, visit Winnipeg Resource Site.

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Marriott and Renaissance Hotels welcome you to London - the greatest city in the world. (VIDEO)

http://www.marriott.co.uk/holidays/london-hotels

Local Events and Things to Do Around Rye, East Sussex (VIDEO)

By Gregory Greene


The month of September is a busy month around the beautiful picturesque village of Rye and the English coastline of the East Sussex coast. The weather is still good and the countryside is still basking in the sunlight, cool breezes influenced by the sea, while the "end of season crops" are waiting patiently for their harvest.

If you are looking for a food orientated event at the beginning of September, then where better to visit than the annual "The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival", it is now in its 8th year and is the biggest type of event of its kind in the south of England. The festival is an opportunity for growers and producers from across the local area, to showcase their food and drink to foodie fans and the general public. It's a family event so there will be plenty to see and do for the children too.

For those of you who are seeking a little more excitement or hands on approach to your day trips, why not head along to Bodiam Castle, near Rye during early September. Bodiam Castle is one of the most famous and evocative castles in England, the castle was built in 1385. Bodiam are having one of their 'Have-go-Archery' day activities, where both adults and children can test their skills. It's all part of the "Hands on History" approach to getting people involved so that they can learn about history and have fun along the way. Participants visiting the castle can "have-a-go" at activities with the likes of; longbows, mini crossbows and even a paintball cannon, which I'm sure will be great fun!

Whilst on the medieval theme, Bodiam Castle will stage "The Trebuchet in Action'" days, where visitors will witness a full-size, fully working replica "Trebuchet" in action (a medieval catapult, used in castle sieges), which is a sight to be seen. The display will be continue daily until the 4th of September, and will be an exciting display for visitors.

On the 10th of September the annual "Rye Arts Festival" takes place which runs through the majority of the month and is celebrating 40 years in arts events in the town. The Rye Arts Festival is a mixture of event's including; music from classical and contemporary genres, as well as literary, children's events and many other special local events such as guided tours and walks and talks on diverse subjects such as the local natural history of Rye, cricket, the environment and art to name but a few.

A taste of the main events taking place during the festival, are an opera, jazz and blues music as well as string quartets and piano recitals. There is also poetry reading, art exhibitions and cultural talks. This is all presented by many famous authors, musicians and artists who will be in Rye for visitors to meet.

This article was written by Gregory Greene on behalf of Flackley Ash Hotel in East Sussex, the best choice for Country House Hotel Sussex or when looking for Rye Holiday for your next mini-break with a relaxing atmosphere.

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Kelvadon Hatch Government Nuclear Bunker

The History of The Bunker

Come and witness the three lives of the bunker starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, then a brief period as a civil defence centre through to its most recent life as a Regional Government HQ. Designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister, their collective task being to organise the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war.
The Bunker had three main lives. Initially as an RAF ROTOR Station and latterly a Regional Government Headquarters, with a brief period in the 1960's as a civil defence centre. There were also spare bunk beds in the tunnel, to help accommodate some of the hundreds of civilian and military personnel that would be stationed here in time of nuclear attack. The bunker was built on land requisitioned from the local farmer J.A.Parrish.Paradoxically as the heat of the Cold War died down, the bunker and it's ancillary systems were no longer required by the Government, and were costing up to 3 million pounds a year to keep on standby. Upon decommissioning in 1992 the bunker was bought back from the government by the Parrish family, at a closed bid public auction, and hence is now privately owned.


www.secretnuclearbunker.com



Secret (until now) Government Nuclear Bunker. part 1/2
From: Filmerfilms | 1 Jan 2009 | 78,886 views
This is where devolved central Government and military commanders would have run the east region of the U.K. if nuclear war had broken out. Built in great secrecy and under strict military security, and designed to support 600 people for 3 months. The walls are 10ft thick and over 40000 tons of cement were used to build them. The deepest point is about 120 ft. This is me and my nephew having a trip round the bunker. The music is a little heard version of imagine sung by John Lennon. form The U.S. Vs. John Lennon
The Bunker had three main lives. Initially as an RAF ROTOR Station and latterly a Regional Government Headquarters, with a brief period in the 1960's as a civil defence centre. There were also spare bunk beds in the tunnel, to help accommodate some of the hundreds of civilian and military personnel that would be stationed here in time of nuclear attack. The bunker was built on land requisitioned from the local farmer J.A.Parrish.Paradoxically as the heat of the Cold War died down, the bunker and it's ancillary systems were no longer required by the Government, and were costing up to 3 million pounds a year to keep on standby. Upon decommissioning in 1992 the bunker was bought back from the government by the Parrish family, at a closed bid public auction, and hence is now privately owned.

A Basic Guide to Cricket

A Basic Guide to Cricket

By Gee Marshall

I remember watching cricket on the television as a young boy, and I remember fondly listening to the Cricket Theme Music played at the start of every match. That's when I became hooked on cricket, but it took me a long time to get the hang of it as it;s so complex.

To so aid other new viewers I've distilled my knowledge of cricket to give a basic rundown of the game and how it is played:

A Basic Guide To Cricket

Cricket is a bat and ball game played by two teams of eleven players. There are a few formats of the game but the basic principles are the same in all formats. Cricket matches can last for several days, or they could be played out in an afternoon. For example a 'Test Match' would be scheduled to be played out over five days, whereas a 'Twenty20' match will be finished in just a few hours.

The traditional cricket game is played over two 'innings'. Each team has the opportunity to bat twice and bowl twice - it doesn't always follow that this will happen, as the team that bats second can in theory bowl the other team out twice and having scored enough 'runs' to win the match without batting again.

The cricket bat is a flat blade of wood (usually willow) around 4.25 inches wide and 38 inches long with a handle spliced into the top.

The cricket ball is a hard cork and string construction bound by thick leather with one straight central seem. The dimensions and hardness are similar to a baseball.

The game is played on a field usually an oval shape and measuring anywhere between 90 and 150 metres in diameter, and in the centre, will be the pitch. The pitch is a rectangular strip of hard packed earth with a closely cropped grass surface 20 meters in length. At each end of the pitch are three vertical wooden 'stumps' (round posts 1 inch in diameter) around thigh height with two small wooden cross-pieces known as 'bails' perched on the top between the stumps. This structure is known as the wicket.

It is the batsman's job to protect the wicket and to score 'runs' - and it is the bowlers job to dismiss the batsman through a number of means, the most obvious of which is to strike the wicket with the ball dislodging the bails.

Before the match begins a coin is tossed to decide the order of play. The team winning the toss gets to decide whether to bat first or to field first.

The fielding team will have all eleven players present on the field, while the batting team has two players. The remainder of the batting team will remain off field awaiting their turn to bat.

The fielding side will strategically locate players around the field to prevent runs being scored by the batting side. One of the fielding players is the Wicket Keeper and he stands behind the wicket to collect the ball if it is bowled past the batsman. The wicket keeper will wear webbed and padded gloves as well as leg pads and a protective helmet.

The fielding side will usually only have one wicket keeper but they may have several bowlers each of whom can take a turn to bowl.

The bowler will run in and deliver the ball (with an over-arm action) down the pitch at anywhere between 50 and 90 mph. The bowler is aiming to hit the stumps or coax the batsman into hitting the ball to a fielder to be caught. If the wicket is struck by the ball or the the ball is caught by a fielder (without first touching the ground), then the batsman is 'out' ie he has been dismissed and will be replaced by the next batsman in the team.

Each bowler will deliver a sequence 6 balls known as an 'over' before being rested while another bowler bowls another over from the other end of the pitch.

The batsman who is facing the bowler is 'on strike' and the other batsman at the opposite end of the pitch is the 'non striker'.

The batsmen score runs by striking the ball after it's been delivered by the bowler and running between the wickets as many times as they can before the fielding side can collect the ball and deliver it back to the centre.

If, while the batsmen are running between the wickets, the fielding side manage to strike the wicket with the ball before the batsman has reached the 'crease' (a line painted on the pitch just before the wicket) the batsman is 'out' (dismissed).

Batsman can also accrue 'runs' by striking the ball to the 'boundary' of the field. The boundary is usually marked by a continuous line or rope running around the circumference. If the ball reaches the boundary having touched the ground the batsman scores four runs without even having to run between the wickets. If the ball is struck over the boundary without touching the ground the batsman will score six runs, again without needing to physically run.

The bowling team aims to dismiss ten batsmen while conceding as few runs as possible. The eleventh batsman cannot bat alone, so the innings comes to an end with the loss of the tenth batsman.

The batting team aims to score as many runs as possible before all ten batsmen are dismissed.

There's much more to this game than I've been able to cover here in this brief explanation but in essence, the team with the most runs wins.

I hope you found this explanation useful.

Mr Guy Marshall has a site dedicated to the BBC Cricket Theme Tune on which he has videos of the 2009 Ashes Test.

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University of Cambridge

By Darren Sturridge

Cambridge University, more formally known as the University of Cambridge, is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United Kingdom. It was created in 1209 and was established as an independent institution of higher education in 1231 via a charter by King Henry III of England.

The different colleges of the university were formed in pieces and as a result of endowed fellowships by different scholars. Other colleges were formed after the absorption of several hostels. The first college to be founded was the Peterhouse in 1284. The university's co-ed colleges include Christ's College, Churchill, Clare, Corpus Christi, Downing, Emmanuel, Fitzwilliam, Girton, Gonville and Caius, Homerton, Jesus, King's College, Magdalene, Newnham, Pembroke, Queens' College, Robinson, St Catharine's College. St John's College, Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, Trinity and Trinity Hall.

Other colleges in the university cater to a specific students. Hughes Hall, St Edmund's College and Wolfson only accepts mature undergraduate student and graduate students. Clare Hall and Darwin Colleges houses only graduate offerings. Murray Edwards and Newnham are all-girl colleges while the Lucy Cavendish College caters only to mature female undergraduate students and female graduate students.

The University has six schools: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology. It also has 150 faculties, departments and other units. Undergraduate departments of the university include Natural Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, English, Education, Philosophy, Law, Economics, Management Studies, Classics, History, Linguistics, Computer Science, and Architecture among others.

Graduate departments in the university include the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of English, Computer Laboratory, Department of Archeology, Judge Business School, Institute of Criminology and Faculty of Divinity among others.

My name is Darren and I write for the university and colleges section of the PBA website. I recommend that you visit the site for an indepth information on the Cambridge university ranking at the following page: http://www.plant-biology.com/University-Cambridge.php

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Kew Gardens London ( VIDEO )

By James V Cook

Kew Gardens is a dazzling assortment of gardens and glass houses disseminated in a mammoth area of 3000 acres. Located on the south bank of the Thames River between Richmond and Kew, the Kew Gardens houses an unthinkable array of attractions with delightful landscapes, formal gardens and green houses.

The Kew Gardens was founded by Lord Capel of Tewkesbury and was later extended by Princess Augustan and after some temporary set backs, was enlarged into the massive venue it is today. The captivating glass houses are some of the most fascinating features in the garden and these constitute of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the Palm House, the Temperate House, Alpine House and many other alluring glass structures. The Prince of Wales Conservatory was built to acknowledge the service rendered by Princess Augusta and contains a fine display of plants in an enticing natural setting. The conservatory's most highlighted feature is its ten climate zones each contributing to the needs of diverse plant groups. Kew Gardens was adorned by a variety of Alpine Houses since 1887 but today the Kew Alpine collection is housed in an outstanding Alpine House which was established in 2006.

The formal Gardens collection has a mass array of gardens such as the Colour Spectrum, Secluded Garden, Rose Garden, Bamboo Garden and the Azalea Garden, each excelling due to its perpetual charm and elegance. Kew's wildlife and conservation related areas are yet another appealing feature with a range of attractions such as the Compost Heap, Gravel Pit, Bee Garden and Stag Beetle Loggery. The Stag Beetle Loggery is a unique sky scraper style structure constructed to encourage the breeding of the stag beetle, Britain's biggest native beetle while the Compost Heap deals with extensive composting programmes. The gardens are also home to a themed plant collection allowing its visitors to enjoy a splendid range of themed gardens such as the Lilac Garden, Marine Display, Rose Garden, Grass Garden, Holly Walk and Crocus Carpet. Its endless attractions also include a number of museums and galleries and Kew Gardens also hosts a variety of research and educational programmes throughout the year.

With such a varied array of attractions the Kew Gardens, also known as The Royal Botanical Gardens surpasses as one of the must see attractions in London. A wide range of hotels in London provide convenient access to this renowned site.

James Cook is an executive at Hotelseye. LondonHotelseye.com has access to a wide collection of London hotels located near many popular area attractions. The portal also offers other London travel services such as car rentals and fight reservations. For more info please visit http://www.londonhotelseye.com

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Wembley Stadium London ( video )

By Chirstopher Holland

The history of Wembley stadium is one that will remain close to the heart of proud English men and women for thousands of years. Wembley has played host to hundreds of legendary sporting events over the years, and the new Wembley will do so for years to come. In this guide, we will explore just a small section of the history of one of the most historic monuments in the world.

As many of you will be aware, Wembley is the home of English football and all major domestic football and Rugby finals. Aside from football, Wembley plays host to other entertainment events on various days throughout the year, over the past couple of years some of the world's finest bands and solo artists have played at Wembley Stadium. Currently there is a stadium tour in operation twice a day. This tour features all the new features of Wembley, and also details a lot of the history of the previous stadium.

History

The Wembley grounds are in Brent, London. Since 1880 there have been various sporting events held on the grounds, even though the first recognised stadium was not built until 1923. In 1880, Wembley had a mixture of both football and cricket pitches. In 1889 the chairman of the Metropolitan Railway decided to build a four legged tower at 350 metres high to generate revenue to the area. However, after a while, the project ran out of money, and at just 61 metres the building had to be deemed complete. This building was named the Watkins Folly (after the chairman of the metropolitan railway). This structure was destroyed in 1907, due to new plans to build a larger stadium.

After the end of the First World War, the government put a plan in place to build an exhibition that contained a sports centre as part of the area. At the time, the area was used as an 18 hole golf course.

The new stadium, (finished in 1923) was designed and completed for just £750,000, and was completed in a total of 300 days. Since 1923 until the stadium was pulled down in 2003, the stadium only went through minor developments, including instillation of floodlights in 1955, an electronic scoreboard and roof in 1963.

The old Wembley stadium was deemed too old fashioned by the FA after various meetings, and in the year 2000 the final decision was made to develop 'new Wembley'.

The new Wembley was originally scheduled to be completed by 2003. However, due to delays; the stadium was not officially handed over until mid 2007. New Wembley boasts a large retractable roof, and the largest single arch in the world. Upon completion, the project cost just over £900 million, (double the original budget). The new stadium has areas dedicated to showing off the history of the Wembley site. The capacity of the new stadium is 90,000 (just 11,000 more than old Wembley), however, this does make it the second largest stadium in Europe.

By Chirstopher Holland - Wembley Stadium Tours [http://www.wembleystadiumtours.net]

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The O2 Arena London ( videos )

By Patrick Sharple

The O2 arena is an America-style, multi-purpose venue in London. It has a capacity of 20,000, although the area also houses Indigo2, a 2,350 capacity event space considered a more intimate concert venue. This venue and the facilities it offers are contained within a dome structure, currently known as O2 and formerly known as the Millennium Dome. This structure was completed in June of 1999.

Since it would have been impossible to use cranes from within the O2 dome structure, the roof of the arena was actually constructed on the ground of the venue and lifted upon completion, allowing the rest of the arena to be built around the already completed roof. The O2 arena, despite having only been open since 2007, has already played host to several music and sporting events.

The arena is comprised of three seating areas, the upper and lower tiers, built in the same manner as an amphitheatre, and the floor. Arena management claims there is a clear view to be had from any seat in the arena. The arena is also located in a low emission zone in London and, as such, was designed to be environmentally friendly. Within the venue, steps are taken to reduce carbon emissions. Some of these steps include recycling used cooking oil from the food vendors and composting waste food.

The first performance in the O2 arena, which took place June 23, 2007, was an event strictly for the O2 staff. The "O2 Premiere" private event consisted of performances by Peter Kay, Tom Jones, Kaiser Chiefs and Basement Jaxx. The venue opened to the public June 24, 2007, with a concert performed by Bon Jovi.

On Dec. 10, 2007, Led Zepplin played their first show in 25 years at the arena. Five days later, on Dec. 25, the Spice Girls played their first British concert in almost 10 years in their original five-piece group form at the arena.

In April of the next year, the Olympic torch passed the site during its relay in London and the arena hosted WWE tapings for ECW, SmackDown, and Raw; and in August, Tiësto became the first DJ to entirely sell out the venue in advance of the actual show.

The arena has hosted, aside from sporting events including ice skating, wrestling and boxing, several musical acts, including The Eagles, Prince, Smashing Pumpkins, and Justin Timberlake.

Since its opening, the entire O2 structure has been shown at several times in several different movie and television presentations. In the 2005 film "Green Street," the O2 can be seen during the final fight scene. In 2006's "The Da Vinci Code," the O2 is featured prominently in the background during one sequence. In the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough," the O2 was the structure that aided James Bond in reaching his hot air balloon destination. In season seven of "The Amazing Race," the O2 was the location of a roadblock for the contestants, during which they had to properly drive a double-decker bus.

If you fancy some tickets for The O2 arena or any other London Theatre Tickets visit the website.

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St Paul's Cathedral ( VIDEO )

By Philip Leeson

A Little History

This story goes back 1673, to a time when Wren the famous architect built St Paul's Cathedral in London UK. It was to replace the old St Paul's that had stood since 604AD.

After the Great fire of London, the old St Paul's needed to be demolished. This presented Wren with his opportunity to build his own design, a new and glorious Building. Then after 35 years of construction, the new St Paul's stood as a profound statement to the ability of Wren's Skills in architectural design.

However, this is not the beginning of the story, Wren wonted, years before the devastating Great fire of London, to replace The Old St Paul's Cathedral, with a new and better St Paul's. The then Queen Anne had been approached on numerous occasions, showing some of the designs he intended to use to replace the old St Paul's Cathedral. His suggestions were thrown out of hand, as the rambling of unnecessary effort. Wren was most defiantly obsessed by the idea of rebuilding St Paul's, and as his mindset demolished the old St Paul's, and just as it was in his mind, so it was removed in reality!

The power of the mind, or would you say coincidence? He was determined to create the St Paul's Cathedral that stands today, and decided he would go to his grave trying, fortunately, he succeeded. When or if you try looking up the details to the grate fir of London you will find the plans for the New St Paul's Cathedral Started on record in 1673, and would be in the conception stage years before that. However, the Fire didn't start until 1675 strange! Well after the drawings were submitted to Queen Anne. Who incidentally said "no"?

P A Leeson
pal1@live.co.uk

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Try a Day Out at the Natural History Museum ( VIDEO )

By John Joe

A good day out in London would be to visit the Natural History Museum.

The museum is located on Cromwell Road and the post code is SW7 5BD.

The opening hours are ten in the morning until five thirty in the evening each day. There is no entrance fee to the museum but you may be required to pay a small fee for some exhibitions on offer.

There are a variety ways to reach the museum. You can take your hire car from London and park on the main street outside the building. This may prove to be very expensive as the street parking is metered.

You may wish to go green and cycle to the museum. You can park your bike close to the Cromwell Road side of the building.

Local buses stop close by to the building and the underground station of South Kensington is closest enough to walk to the Natural History Museum.

Amenities
There are several cafés and picnic areas within the building. You can enjoy a coffee and cake or tea and sandwiches at the central hall café. If you wish a glass of wine or a cold beer and salad then head over to the deli café.

If you are well organised and have brought your own lunch then head over to the picnic area where you will find a selection of seats to enjoy your picnic.

The museum offers several shops to pick up a souvenir of the museum if you wish. You can browse through the museum shop or head over to the dino store for the prehistoric fans out there. Or head over to the earth shop and pick a treasure souvenir for yourself or the children.

There are several places of interest within the building. You can ask for a floor plan when you arrive or print a copy before you travel.

This might be a good suggestion as you can plot your time within the building to suit your tastes and what exhibition is showing at the time of your visit.

The red and green zone areas are sections of the museum which offer a look into what and how has shaped the earth.

The blue zone has a fascinating look at the dino age.

The orange zone has a beautiful wildlife garden.

I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at what the museum has to offer. I am sure you will enjoy your day spent here.

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The Science Museum A World-Renowned Storehouse of Wonder and Discovery ( videos )

By Pushpitha Wijesinghe

The Science Museum of London is one part of the trifecta which forms one of the most prestigious museum centres in the United Kingdom. Falling under the auspices of the National Museum of Science and Industry, the Science Museum is located on the Exhibition Road of South Kensington and shares the limelight with its sister institutions the Victoria and Albert Museums in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Encompassing seven floors, the Science Museum invites you on a journey of discovery. Its interactive galleries take you through an exploration of the history of technology, its evolution to the modern-day and the visions of the future of mankind.

The museum was originally conceived as part of the South Kensington Museum in 1857 with items left over from the Great Exhibition that was an epoch-marking event in the Victorian era. These items included among its ranks some of the early prototype machinery such as the oldest surviving steam train, a functional model of the Babbage Difference Engine, the first-ever jet engine, documents from the early experiments for a typewriter and the prototype of the Clock of Long Now. These later formed the Museum of Patents and were shifted the Science Collections of the South Kensington Museum.

It was in 1909 that the exhibits of the Science Collections became so extensive that it was declared a museum in its own right and appointed its own director. This was to be the first incarnation of the institution that stands today, whose present buildings were opened to the public in the latter days of the 1920s.

Today, the Museum's collection comprises over 300,000 items, the most renowned of which pertain to medical science and related fields. These are largely concentrated on the fourth floor, which is devoted to reconstructive performances on the history of medical practice, and the fifth floor, which investigates the modus operandi and instruments of ancient doctors from across the world's cultures. The newly-established wing named in honor of pharmaceutical entrepreneur Henry Wellcome is one of the leading centres of contemporary bio-science in the world.

The Science Museum houses a library which functioned as the National Library for Science, Medicine and Technology until the 1960s and still claims membership with the London Museums of Health and Medicine. Its medical collection is widely acknowledged to be among the best in the world. The ground floor, named the Launch pad, is devoted to the subject of Space Exploration and also offers a visual reconstruction of the Industrial Revolution. Here, over 50 exhibits showcase invaluable relics such as some of the last remaining steam locomotives.

The consecutive levels expounds on subjects such as food, metals, communication and energy generation, including a fascinating discourse on nuclear power. The third floor is an intriguing visual narrative of photography as well a "Flight" gallery which features full-size historic aircraft on display. "Making the Modern World" is yet another new and popular gallery that is a veritable trophy case of man's scientific achievements, which includes Apollo spacecraft and Stephenson's Rocket.

One of the aspects that makes this institution a favourite of both adults and children is the way complex concepts are explained in layman's terms, allowing the public to comprehend the wonder and extent of modern scientific discoveries. The in-house IMAX Theater which plays 2D and 3D documentaries for visitors is one of the features that most ably assist in this endeavor, as do the "Explainers" on staff and the live experiments and dramatizations conducted for the benefit of visiting school children. Of late the museum's touring exhibitions on contemporary science have also garnered worldwide interest and

The many fascinations and wonders stored within the Science Museum and its sister institutions can be adequately explored by a visitors fortunate enough to find accommodation at a Central London hotel. Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington is one such reputed 4-star lodging option that presents some of the best London hotel offers that also guarantee quality of service and facilities.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Beatles Walking Tour in London ( VIDEOS )

By MaryLou Driedger

We took a Magical Mystery Tour during our visit to London. We found a brochure advertising a walking tour that would take visitors to many locations important to the career of the Beatles.

At ten o'clock one morning we met our guide Richard and about two dozen other Beatles aficionados just outside the studio where the first Beatles' movie Yellow Submarine was made. Richard had written a book about the Beatles and had a binder of photos he had taken of the famous quartet. He was a veritable walking encyclopedia of Beatles trivia. He told us Yellow Submarine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite films.

The second stop on our tour was the publishing company MPL which is owned by Paul McCartney. The M stands for his last name and the P and L for his first name and that of his late wife Linda. The music company is wildly successful. It owns the rights to hundreds of popular songs as well as the scores to musicals like Annie and Grease.

Next Richard led us to a Gentleman's Washroom sign marking the location of a public toilet. Apparently in 1966 John Lennon made a guest appearance on a British television program. In one scene John was filmed going into that particular washroom. It was on this television show John wore his signature granny glasses for the first time. Those glasses started a fashion craze which lasted for years. Richard also told us some enterprising person kept the roll of toilet paper John Lennon used in the Gentleman's Washroom that day. It went on sale on E- Bay for thousands of pounds.

Our tour continued with stops at the Apple Production Studios where the group gave their final concert on the rooftop in 1969. We saw the London Library. Here original scores of many of the Beatles songs are on display. We stopped outside the Palladium Theatre where the Beatles gave their first concert and Trident Studios where Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was filmed. Our guide Richard put to rest the rumor that the song's title stands for the drug LSD. Apparently the real story is that John Lennon's son Julian came home from kindergarten one day and showed his dad an imaginative drawing he had created and colored. When his Dad asked him what he called his picture he said, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" so John wrote a song about it.

The highlight of the tour was our visit to the Abbey Road studio where perhaps the most well known Beatles album Abbey Road was recorded. The front cover of that album shows the four singers walking across the street at a pedestrian crosswalk. The intersection is actually quite busy with traffic but I waited patiently with the camera to get a picture of my husband crossing the street at the exact spot where the Beatles had their picture taken for the Abbey Road Album cover.

Later we stopped to buy Beatles T-shirts and then said good-bye to Richard our guide. Our Magical Mystery Tour was over.

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Beatles-Related Things to Do in Liverpool ( video )

By Matt Spock

There are so many things to do in Liverpool!

Liverpool is a great city with a fascinating history that dates back centuries. It has long been a significant seaport and it has a rich culture. Liverpool served as Europe's Culture Capital. It has a Philharmonic Hall that hosts a variety of great classical performances. You can eat great Italian food downtown, you can listen to Indian music in an Irish pub, or you can actually tour the city by land and sea from within a restored World War II amphibious landing vehicle.

No matter how many different things you mention, some people are interested in only one subset of the many things to do in Liverpool. They want to know about attractions and sites related to the Beatles.

The Beatles, arguably the best band in the history of the world, are the city's most beloved and famous exports. The vanguard of the British invasion called Liverpool home and honed their skills on the stage of Liverpool's Cavern Club.

Liverpool attracts countless tourists every year with an interest in the Beatles. That stream of fans has led to the creation of several fantastic attractions. If you are looking for Beatles-related things to do in Liverpool, you will have a variety of choices.

You can tour the city from within the comfy confines of a Magical Mystery Tour bus. There are numerous "Beatles tours" of Liverpool, but the Magical Mystery Tour, which features a mock-up of a real Beatles tour bus, is one of the most popular.

The Magical Mystery Tour stops at the front door of the famous Cavern Club. While the original structure was eliminated over thirty years ago, the new club sits in the same spot and has been rebuilt to evoke the original, down to the use of salvaged bricks from the old club. You will get a sense of Beatles history and a chance to enjoy live music from new bands at the Cavern Club.

You will want to walk down Mathew Street while in Liverpool. Beatles fans will go right past an art gallery that includes many works from John Lennon on their way to the Beatles Store, a shop specializing in Beatles souvenirs, memorabilia and collectibles.

If you are in Liverpool to celebrate the band, you will undoubtedly stop at The Beatles Story. It is a full-on museum dedicated to the lives of the four band mates from their childhoods through the Beatles era and beyond. It is an unforgettable experience for anyone suffering from even a mild case of Beatlemania!

We are just scratching surface with this list, too. There are so many Beatles-related things to do in Liverpool! If you are a big fan of the Fab Four, you are going to be busy!

If you decide to stay in one of the liverpool hotels [http://liverpoolhotels.jurysinns.com/destination_guide] and take one of the guided tours you are sure to enjoy yourself. You will take in everything the city has to offer and experience some of the famous Beatles tourist attractions so why not book a hotel in Liverpool [http://liverpoolhotels.jurysinns.com/] today.

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Experience the Notting Hill Carnival in London This Summer ( VIDEOS )

By Victoria Cochrane

The city of London is renowned for countless attractions - from an array of museums and galleries, to a range of iconic city sights. London is also well known for its assortment of seasonal events and festivals. Each year, countless events are hosted in the city, ranging from music and theatre festivals, to food, beer and wine fairs. So no matter what season you choose to visit London, you can look forward to experiencing some of these exciting events.

Summertime is a particularly popular time of year for events in London and this summer is certainly no exception. The city is already brimming with festivals of all types, with a host of events still lined up over the coming months. One such event is the Notting Hill Carnival, due to take place in West London on 30 and 31 of August.

Having started in 1964 as an offshoot of the Trinidad Carnival, the Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of London's multi-cultural diversity - although it's now dominated by the Caribbean culture. It is the second-biggest street festival in the world, and features everything from ethnic music and dance to a range of exotic cuisines and crafts. Families are also sure to enjoy the colourful floats that make their way through the streets of London, accompanied by music, dancing and more.

However, 30th August is officially a children's day, with a shorter parade route and a family atmosphere. The main Notting Hill Carnival parade takes place on Monday 31 August, with the usual route covering a three-mile loop around West London - including Westbourne Grove, Ladbroke Grove and Kensal Road.

When the Notting Hill Carnival first started, about 500 people attended the event. However, it now attracts hundreds of thousands to London, with more attending each year. Last year's event saw around 50,000 performers, 38 sound systems and more than two million revellers head to the streets of West London.

If you're planning to visit London during the Notting Hill Carnival, you might want to choose a hotel close to the festivities. However, with so many heading to that particular region of the city, you'll want to book your hotel in London as soon as possible.

Another thing to bear in mind is that, while public transport is the best way to travel to the carnival, you should always allow yourself extra time for your journey due to crowds and closed tube stations.

Keeping these few tips in mind, you'll be ready to enjoy this year's exciting Notting Hill Carnival.

Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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London Helicopter Tours ( VIDEO )

When it comes to unforgettable experiences, a helicopter ride has to rate pretty high on the list. To combine a helicopter ride with a flight over London taking in the aerial views of our Capital just adds that extra WOW factor to your experience. Flying along the Thames at over 100mph and at 1500 feet gives you a unique perspective of our capital city.

Flying from a choice of two operating locations:- Redhill Aerodrome, junction 8 of the M25 or Damyn's Hall Airfield in East London, we are ideally situated for easy access in and out of the London Heathrow control zone, thus maximising your helicopter flight time over the City.

During the London Helicopter flight you will receive a full commentary from your Captain; pointing out main highlights of your helicopter trip.

The London Helicopter Tour is a superb gift for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mother’s/Father’s Day and Christmas or a fantastic way to celebrate that special occasion. It could even be the realisation of a lifetime’s ambition.

Helicopter Flight: from Redhill and Damyns Hall
Duration: approx 30 minutes
Cost: £125.00 per person

What is included & how can I book?

For all details and specific requirements for these tours, please read below:

Payment Method

Debit/Credit Card (other than AMEX)
Cheque; Made payable to: Atlas Helicopters Ltd Posted to: Atlas Helicopters Ltd, Daedalus Airfield, Hangar H, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9NY.
PayPal: online payment available.
Telephone: 0800 328 0432 .

Winchester College, England's Oldest Public Boy's School ( VIDEO )

By Robin Cassidy

One of the many tourist attractions in the city of Winchester is Winchester College. It is the oldest, continuously run boys' schools in England and its passed pupils have gone on to be many of Britain's great politicians, artists and writers. Although a private school, members of the public can gain an insight into the school by simply turning up and going on a guided walk.

The city of Winchester in Hampshire is quite rightly renowned throughout the world for its many treasures. It can arguably boast to have the most beautiful cathedral in all of England. It was also once the ancient capital of England. It was made the capital by one of England's greatest kings; King Alfred the Great - the only king in England to be given the title 'the Great'. Winchester also was his finally resting place, as indeed it was for one of English literature's greatest novelists, Jane Austen. You can visit both of their resting places in the great city. The city has remained an unspoilt, beautiful and compact city.

Another of its gems is Winchester College. The college was granted its charter in 1382 to Bishop William of Wykeham. Building of the college began in 1387 and the first scholars entered the college in 1394. William of Wykeham, as well as being one of the richest men of his day, was one of the greatest architectural and artistic patrons of his day and his medieval buildings at the College are still in use, mostly for their original purposes. As well as Winchester College, he also founded New College, Oxford. These colleges were on a scale hitherto undreamed of in English education and became the model for Eton, King's College and Cambridge later in the fifteenth century.

The original college began with 70 scholars, 2 schoolmasters and a warden and ten fellows. Today there are over 600 pupils and over 80 full-time teachers. The facilities of the school are unsurpassed by most other schools in England. Today, these include a concert hall, music school, theatre, science school, art school and physical education centre. The school's academic record speaks for itself.

Although the school is private, the tourist can avail himself of guided tours. No prior appointment is needed for individuals, though groups will need to book in advance. The tour begins at the Porter's Gate, which is located on College Street, just through Kingsgate. Tour times can vary but are typically every 2 hours. Times can be found on the chalk board outside the Porter's Gate.

The visitor can also choose to walk along the river Itchen where one can see the playing fields of the college. The walk along the river is idyllic and will eventually lead you to St Cross Hospital -another ancient place of worship, founded to relieve the poor of the parish.

If you have the time, a tour of Winchester College is well worth while. You'll enter a world that very few of us rarely have the chance to experience.

Robin O'Brien lives and works in Winchester and is founder of Winchester-tourist-information.com. You can find out more about Winchester College and book on-line to stay in one of the many fine hotels in Winchester.

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Visiting Pevensey in East Sussex ( video )

By Simon Haughtone

Pevensey is a rustic village one mile from Pevensey Bay. A nature reserve surrounds Pevensey that is made up of 47 miles of marshlands. The 47 mile preserve is listed as a site of special scientific interest and is home to many rare species of animal and plant life.

Pevensey castle was a former Roman fort and is open for visitors. The castle was taken has withstood attack and attempted demolition since the 11th century and was used in 1942 as a lookout post during the war.

A visitor to Pevensey can take sailing lessons through the Pevensey Bay Sailing Club or tour the coastline in one of the many boats that are available for hire.

There are some marvelous hotels and inns in Pevensey. Many of these are refurbished from Tudor buildings and reflect all of the elegance of the Victorian Era. One can sit by roaring fires in the evening or relax in any of the many gardens that grace this beautiful village. Many of the inns also provide meals and ales that are unique to the area and are home grown and produced.

The historic and beautiful Pevensey parish church is still in use today and offers one a glimpse of the many architectural additions that have been made through the centuries. The church is home to a bell dedicated in 1633 as well as stained glass windows depicting its importance to the many residents who have lived in Pevensey throughout the centuries.

The Pevensey Courthouse Museum offers the visitor a wonderful assortment of exhibits that feature many of the events that have taken place in and around Pevensey. The museum is in a historic building dating from the 13th century. The exhibits also include crafts and products that have been produced from home cottage industries in the area. Many of the residents of Pevensey participate as volunteers at the museum sharing information and teaching some of the skills that have been long forgotten.

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Visiting the Tower of London ( VIDEOS )

The Tower of London is one of the oldest and most well preserved buildings in the world. Over time, the Tower of London has been used to protect England from its enemies, as well as palace for the royal family. Visiting the Tower of London is a must for any first time London visitor, as well as those who have traveled to London a few times.

The Tower of London has been watched over by yeoman warders since the very beginning of its existence in 1078. The warders take care of the buildings within the Tower of London making sure that all of the buildings are kept safe from intruders as well as watch to ensure that none of the prisoners of the Tower of London were able to escape. Since their inception yeoman warders have been required to take an oath to the Tower of London, and their servitude of the structure and the monarchy. In early years the yeoman warders would have preformed their duties in plain clothes, today the warders have much more stately attire.

Over time the Tower of London has become known for the great number of people that have been executed at the Tower of London. Some of the more famous executions include Anne Boleyn in 1530, which was Henry VIII second wife. She was beheaded and burned because Henry suspected her of committing adultery, and Sir Walter Raleigh an explorer to the Americas who fell out of favor with Elizabeth I. He spent twelve years in the tower to be released for only two short years before finding himself back there again being beheaded in 1618.

The Tower of London has been the setting for a great number of important historical moments in the history of London, and the history of England as a whole. The Tower of London is also where the crown jewels are kept. It is unknown what the actual value of all of the gold, silver, and gemstones in the royal collection. Kings and queens throughout the ages have worn items from the collection. Having just been worn so long ago, and during such key moments in history make the crown jewels priceless.

One of the oldest ceremonies at the Tower of London that still survives today is the ceremony of the keys. The ceremony of the keys is the ceremonial locking up of the tower on London each night. The ceremony has been completed in the exact same way, every single night for almost seven hundred years. Each night just before 10pm the chief warder comes from byward tower carrying the traditional lantern lit with a candle and precedes to a place a bloody tower. An exchange commences; as the doors are locked the chief warder and sentry perform the famous exchange:

"Halt" "Who comes there?" "The Keys" "Who's Keys?" "Queen Elizabeth's Keys" "Pass Queen Elizabeth's Keys - All's well". The Tower of London is a structure filled with history. A visit to the tower can be a great learning experience for young children as well as adults. Each time you visit the tower you can learn something new about the tower, its content, and walk away with a new piece of knowledge about English history.

The Tower of London is open for guests almost every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Admission is charged and varies on the age of the guests, and number of people in a group. The hours the towers are open for visits vary depending on the time of the year, so if you aren't familiar with London check before you plan your trip for the hours that the tower is open each day to ensure that you are able to see all that you would like of the towers before they close. They towers are easily assessable through the Tower hill Tube Station, as well as several bus stations.

Copyright 2006 S Wander

Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london-central.html offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.

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The Tower of London

By Rod Booth

In the early years of his reign, William the Conqueror constructed a massive stone tower at the centre of his fortress in the city of London. And since this was the royal power base for ruling England, each successive monarch added to it and made it more impressive.

William, Duke of Normandy invaded and defeated the English under King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Realising he must next secure England's most powerful city - London - he did not attack directly but first laid waste to the surrounding countryside. An advance guard went to London to construct a fortress and prepare for his triumphal entry into the city.

After his coronation in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066, the new king withdrew to Barking in Essex, while several strongholds were made ready in the City to safeguard against the fierce population. Historical evidence makes us think that one of William's strongholds was in the south-east corner of the Londinium Roman city walls, on the site where the Tower of London was constructed. These early defences were replaced with a great stone tower (the White Tower) proclaiming the physical power and prowess of the new Norman monarch.

Henry VIII (1509-47) continued the work begun on the royal residential buildings by his predecessors, but on a grander scale. He commissioned a large range of timber-framed lodgings, primarily for the comfort and enjoyment of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, ready for her coronation in 1533, but they were rarely used and from this point on, the Tower ceased to be an established royal residence.

Henry VIII's decision to break with Rome swelled the Tower's population of religious and political prisoners from the 1530s onwards, while the country had to adjust itself to their monarch's new role as the Supreme Head of the new, Protestant, Church of England. Prisoners included Sir Thomas More, Bishop Fisher of Rochester and two of Henry's wives. All four were executed.

Henry's daughter, Mary, (1553-8) returned the country to Catholicism and her short reign saw many rivals and key Protestant figures imprisoned at the Tower.

As the centuries went by, the tower fell into disrepair. Action was taken under the invigorating leadership of the Duke of Wellington, Constable of the Tower from 1826 to 1852, to restore the tower. The place was cleaned up and the moat, increasingly smelly and sluggish, was drained and converted into a dry ditch by 1845. Work began on a huge new barracks, constructed to accommodate a thousand men - on the site of the Grand Storehouse destroyed by a fire in 1841 - commenced. On 14 June 1845 the Duke laid the foundation stone on the barracks named after his greatest victory - Waterloo.

The Tower's defensive role lessened as time went by, and the last time the Tower exerted its traditional role of asserting the power of the state over the people of London was in response to rallies and disturbances in London in the 1840s supporting Chartist demands for electoral reform. More defences were constructed, including a huge brick and stone bastion that finally succumbed to a Second World War bomb, but the Chartist attack never materialised.

It was also at the beginning of this century that many of the Tower's historic institutions departed. The Royal Mint was the first to move out of the castle in 1812, followed by the Menagerie in the 1830s, which formed the nucleus of today's London Zoo. The Office of Ordnance was next to leave in 1855 and finally, the Record Office relocated in 1858.

The way the Tower looks today is largely thanks to a 19th-century fascination with England's turbulent and sometimes gruesome history. In the 1850s, the architect Anthony Salvin, a leading figure in the Gothic Revival, was commissioned to restore the fortress to a more appropriately 'medieval' style, making it more pleasing to the Victorian eye - and imagination. Salvin first transformed the Beauchamp Tower to make it suitable for the public display of prisoners' graffiti, refacing the exterior walls and replacing windows, doorways and battlements.

Further and later commissions also included restoring the historic Salt Tower (the work was completed 1858) and making many alterations to the Chapel of St John in the ancient White Tower in 1864. Salvin was charged with restoring the Wakefield Tower, in order that it was able to house the Crown Jewels; these remained in the Wakefield Tower until 1967; in addition he built the bridge between the Wakefield Tower and St Thomas's Tower. This he also restored so that the Jewel House Keeper could live there. In the drive to complete the perfect 'medieval' castle, his successor, John Taylor, controversially destroyed important original buildings to create uninterrupted views of the White Tower and to build a new southern inner curtain wall on the site of the old medieval palace.

So today's tower is very much a Victorian version of the Tower, but it still holds a lot of interest - as hsown ny the fact that it attracts over a million visitors each year.

The London Visitor Guide covers London hotels and guets houses, bed and breakfats, boutique hotels and restaurants, as well as places to go and things to do. For a great holiday in London, see The London Visitor Guide

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