London Things to Do

“Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Avant-Garde” is a major new exhibition at Tate Britain which brings together over 150 works by these revolutionary painters. Displayed thematically, rather than by chronology, there is much to feast the eye on.

The Pre-Raphaelites exhibition is likely to be very busy, so book tickets in advance. It ends on January 13th, 2013.

With ice rinks popping up all over town and the streets awash with glittering Christmas lights, London’s holiday season makes for an atmospheric shopping experience. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

There’s a myriad of festive fun to be had in London this Christmas, but to get you started, here are a few suggestions.

1) Christmas lights: London’s shimmering decorations are some of the best in the world and none are as impressive as the Oxford Street display, in the heart of London. November 5th was the official lights-on date, marked by a celebrity studded ceremony and crowds of thousands. This year’s lights were switched on by British pop stars Robbie Williams and Leona Lewis, and viewing places will be ticketed so book your place now.

With the UK Premiere of the latest addition to the James Bond franchise, Skyfall, hitting London on October 26th, the world’s favorite spy is once again back in the spotlight. Marking the culmination of the Bond 50th anniversary year, the latest offering is the 23rd film in the franchise that started with Dr No back in 1962.

While not as ubiquitous as fish ’n’ chips or afternoon tea, Britain’s love affair with Indian food is so renowned that there are over 7,000 Indian restaurants in the UK and curry has become one of the country’s most popular adopted dishes. The English love of a good curry, fueled by the capital’s high population of Indian and Bangladeshi residents, means you won’t have to wander far to get your fix of authentic Indian food in London.

London, both a historical and modern city, is best explored alongside the facts and tales of a professional guide. As a qualified London Blue Badge Tour Guide, Gavin Webb presents visitors with a list of custom tours for the small group or family, while also providing specialist tours that target the educational establishment, large group or corporate event with coaches.

As quintessentially British as the Queen or the red double-decker bus, ordering a pint at one of London’s historic drinking dens is a right of passage for all visitors to the big smoke, so to get you started, here are 10 of the best pubs in the capital.

1. The Artillery Arms, the City

With its stately dark wood and stone interiors, this traditional British pub checks off all the boxes with a cozy, open-wood fire for the winter months, a menu packed with perfectly assembled pub fare and a prime location right on the edge of the city.

The city streets are no place to spend a sunny summer’s afternoon, so grab a Frisbee, a few mates and a picnic and join the locals at your nearest park – London has no end of green spaces, but here’s a rundown of the best.

1. Primrose Hill (Best for: celebrity spotting): With its epic views of the city and gently rolling grasslands, this North London haven earns its stripes not only for its impressive scenery, but for the abundance of celebrities resident in the area – Jude Law, Gwen Stefani and Kate Moss have all been spotted taking their kids for a stroll in these parts.

Winning over a legion of new fans as the host of the London 2012 Olympics sailing events, Weymouth and Portland are among England‘s most attractive seaside resorts, drawing thousands to their shores each year.

Weymouth, with its sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs is the perfect antidote to London’s urban sprawl, earning itself a stellar reputation among outdoor adventurers. Rock-climbing, paragliding, hiking and cycling are all popular ways to soak up the scenic surroundings, and the resort has fast made a name for itself as a water sports hot-spot, with kite surfing, water skiing and wind surfing all on offer.

Hitting headlines recently as the 2012 Olympic Shooting venue, the London Royal Artillery Barracks boast a long military history, built in 1776 for the companies of the Royal Artillery and used by them until 2007. Not only that, the Royal Artillery Barracks once hosted the Royal Arsenal complex, home to the British Government’s principal armaments manufacturing facility, and the Royal Military Academy which trained officers and engineers from 1741 to 1939. Nearby Woolwich Common is still a military training area, so if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Royal troops marching through the park.