London Things to Do

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.

With its maze of crisscrossing streets, swarming crowds and traffic-clogged squares, England’s cosmopolitan capital can be a bit overwhelming to the first-time visitor. Once you’ve plowed through the guidebook and organized your itinerary, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your first visit to the big smoke.

‘Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpower treason and plot.’ These are the words to a nursery rhyme that every child growing up in England knows. The rhyme tell the story of Guy Fawkes and his twelve co-plotters who decided to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 because they were sick of feeling persecuted for being Catholic.

Those unaccustomed to the British weather would be forgiven for thinking that England rains non-stop once the summer months are over, but there are few times as delightful as autumn to be in the city of London. Coastal winds soar over the country, shaking a rainbow of leaves to the ground. Watch as the hazy sun spills from the clouds to create an idyllic setting for strolling through woodlands or cycling in the park.

The flame has been extinguished and  London‘s  2012 Olympics is over, but memories of the big event will live on as the custom built sporting arenas and public areas are refurbished and reopened to the public.

Olympic Park is set to reopen as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with the first stage, North Park, opening up in July 2013, and the area becoming East London’s biggest public park, equipped with event stages, children’s playgrounds and 35km of walkways and cycle routes.The remainder of the 560-acre (230-hectare) park, including hockey and tennis facilities, The South Plaza and stadium, the aquatic center and the Orbit, will be open by Easter of 2014.