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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_Cochrane

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Cassidy

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.

To find a hotel in Pevensey just click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone