London Things to Do

All eyes have been glued to the British capital this year, with the epic Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the upcoming Olympic games thrusting the city firmly into the limelight. Of course, London has long been renowned for its cosmopolitan population, rich history and trailblazing status in art, fashion and music, but this year the city is set to reclaim its ranking as one of Europe’s most popular destinations.

If you’re joining the masses in London this year, you’re sure to be swamped with sightseeing options, but for those looking to get a taste of the real London alongside checking off their to-do list, here’s the insider lowdown on what, where and how to get the most out of the Big Smoke.

After years as a bit of an outsider, Bermondsey is firmly staking its place as a great place to go in London for food and drinks.

On the south side of the river, not far from London Bridge Station, Borough Market, Tower Bridge and of course the new rising star, The Shard, Bermondsey is full of hip bars and excellent restaurants.

Around The Shard, which opens in February 2013, a new zone is developing called London Bridge Quarter. There will be new restaurants and bars to service all the new offices and apartments, and even London Bridge Station – one of the world’s oldest railway stations – will be getting a redevelopment in the next few years. The wharves along the Thames to the east of Tower Bridge have long been a place for good restaurants and shopping.

Everyone in London has watched Western Europe’s tallest building rise into the skyline: The Shard is here and it’s going to change the way we view this city.

Horse-racing at Royal Ascot is one of the most important social, fashion and sporting events of the year in England.

First run in 1711 under the auspice of Queen Anne, tradition continues with a daily horse-drawn procession from Windsor Castle to the racecourse. The Royal carriage goes first and often carries the Queen herself as she’s keen on horse-racing and has owned many champion horses. 2012 is her Diamond Jubilee Year so she is likely to be seen even more than usual.

Since the bespectacled and pint-sized Harry Potter burst onto cinema screens over 10 years ago, the varied cast of heroes and villains have quickly become part of British legend, working their way into the hearts and minds of children and adults all over the world. The franchise, worth a gob-smacking $7 billion, culminated last year with the 8th film, but thankfully for fans the magical journey is not quite over yet. In fact, with Warner Bros. set to open their long-awaited ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ studio tour this year in London, they’ll be plenty for Hogwarts fans to gorge on.

One of the most challenging parts of the London Olympics for spectators may be getting around the city. London’s transport system is generally very efficient and with the added pressure on the bus and tube system, it will be a good idea to plan ahead so that you are sure to have plenty of time.

London 2012 is not just about running fast and jumping high, there’s also a Cultural Olympiad with nearly 3 months of events across the country.

Plays, literature, comedy, fashion, music, film, food and of course those excellent London museums will also be getting involved.

The London Palladium has opened its doors to the new, and definitely soon to be, hit London musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’. After the success of the UK BBC TV show ‘Over the Rainbow’, where the world famous Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber ran auditions to find his Dorothy, people have been flocking far and wide to see the winner, Danielle Hope, perform.

Accommodation in London during the 2012 Olympics is selling fast, so you need to book soon if you’re planning to be in London then. The Olympic Games open on July 27th and run until August 12th. In addition, the Paralympic Games are from August 29th until September 9th. The Olympic Torch will crisscross the UK for 70 days leading up to the opening ceremony on July 27th, so there will also be plenty of tourists heading for the UK even before the start of the Games.

The Olympic Torch’s arrival in and journey around the UK leading up to the 2012 Olympics is not only symbolic of peace, unity, and friendship but is a way for millions to be involved in the Games, especially those of us not lucky enough to get tickets or talented enough to actually be competing.