EnRoute y
wa a t ge lay r e p nt at, i r w p, e u o yo sh
Newsletter
Vol. 4 / Issue 4 Winter 2011
london calling The Very Best of England
uk top spots restaurants pubs nightclubs shopping sightseeing
In This Issue
plus hot Deals in the city
Introduction to London.......... Hotels...................................... Restaurants............................ Pubs........................................ Shopping................................. Nightlife/Culture..................... Sightseeing............................. Museums.................................
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Discover
london calling
This Season’s Top Tourist Destination
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ondon is the largest urban area and capital city of the United Kingdom. It is a port on the Thames, which is a navigable river. The river has had a major influence on the development of the city. London began on the Thames’ north bank and for a long time the main focus of the city remained on the north side of the Thames. For many centuries London Bridge was the only bridge in or close to the city. When more bridges were built in the 18th century, the city expanded in all directions as the mostly flat or gently rolling countryside presented no obstacle to growth. London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium. This city has a recorded history that goes back over 2,000 years. During this time, it has grown to become one of the most significant financial and cultural capitals of the world.
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its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium. This city has a recorded history that goes back over 2,000 years. During this time, it has grown to become one of the most significant financial and cultural capitals of the world. The Culture of London concerns the arts, music, museums, festivals and other entertainment in London. London is also home to notable cultural attractions such as the British Museum, the Tate Galleries, the National Gallery, the Notting Hill Carnival and The O2. A variety of landmarks and objects are cultural icons associated with London, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the tube map. Many other British cultural icons are strongly associated with London in the minds of visiting tourists, including the red telephone box, the routemaster bus, the black taxi and the Union Flag.
— Ran Wei
hotels
The Dorchester
20 Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA $624 a night
the best hotels at every price point
Tel: 020 7629 8888
The Landmark London
51 Buckingham Gate
This 5 star hotel offers every amenity possible. Recreational services include an indoor pool, health club, spa tub, sauna and fitness facility. Spa amenities offer massage treatment, facials and beauty services. Including free wireless internet as well as the option of an in house bar, restaurant and lounge.
Tel: 020 7769 7766
51 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF $ 350 a night
222 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 6JQ $ 320 a night
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Central Park Hotel
49/67 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SS $ 110 a night
Tel: 020 7229 2424
Tel: 020 7631 8000
London House Hotel
81 Kensington Garden Square, Bayswater W2 4DJ, London $20 a night One of the city’s most popular, newly renovated accommodations offering great value in central London. The hostel is located on a private street and offers a relaxing atmosphere for travellers. Including private bathrooms and wireless internet, this hotel is a great deal for London’s backpackers.
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Quick Tip Book as early as possible. London always seems to have something going on and hotels can fill up fast. The Chelsea flower show, the London marathon... any number of things can cause hotels to book up quickly.
Tel: 020 7631 8000
Leisure Inn Hotel
Phoenix Hostel
Tel: 020 7262 0757
Tel: 020 7724 0705
40-41 Leinster Gardens, London, W2 3AN $75 a night
6 Daventry Street, London, NW1 5NX $15 a night
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restaurants
why david tang’s chinese is london’s best
china tang take away
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hina Tang has its own entrance on Park Lane, although it is more fun to approach the restaurant through the foyer of The Dorchester hotel, where you must battle through deeper and deeper carpets, like a yeti in a snowdrift. This expedition will prepare you for the luxury that lies beneath, where the Hong Kong businessman David Tang has created a basement restaurant of uncommon sumptuousness. The napkins are as big as sails and so fiercely starched that you could use them to karate-chop bricks. There is a sense of funds unbounded, with opulence on every table. China Tang is the latest venture for Tang, the cigar-toting millionaire clothier whose global business interests include private members’ clubs in Hong Kong and the Cipriani restaurant in London. What he is aiming for here is an experience that is classically Cantonese, without fusion or compromise. The menu features all the usual Cantonese classics, from dim-sum selections to a whole suckling pig. We start with steamed scallops in the shell - perfect white pillows of shellfish doused with a rich, fresh, home-made black-bean sauce, which underlines what a heinous crime the factory stuff is. Braised lobster is sweet and crunchy, opulently served out of the shell and lightly dressed with an unobtrusive sauce, while a Chinese-style roast chicken features a gift-wrapping of crisp, brown skin that is thinner than cellophane and irresistible. A bowl of pak choi adds a healthy, verdant crunch and points to the fact that all the dishes are MSG free. You don’t need it with top-quality ingredients, which they obviously are here. When Tang took the MSG out of the food, he must have put charm drops into the staff tea. Whatever! They are all lovely, even when unfurling hot towels as thick as bath sheets or showing guests to the chequered marble bathrooms where speeches and poems, not music, are piped over the airwaves. — Vijit Keomisy
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China Tang at The Dorchester Park Lane London W1K 1QA, United Kingdom Tel: 020 7629 8888
dine n’ dash
three restaurants in the city price range from high to low price range: $$$
2. Jamie’s Italian, Covent Garden 11 Upper St Martin’s Lane London WC2H 9FB Tel: 0203 326 6390
Jamie Oliver has got everything right at this restaurant of mid-priced entrees designed to compete with the likes of Carluccio’s, Giraffe and Strada.
price range: $$$$
1. Restaurant Gordon Ramsey 68 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HP Tel: 020 7352 4441
This intimate restaurant seats 45 guests surrounded by the stylish interiors designed by the acclaimed designer David Collins. Combining contemporary elegance and unparalleled service, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has the hallmark of true excellence.
cheers to the freakin’ weekend
three quintessential pubs in london
price range: $$
3. Veeraswamy Mezzanine Floor, Victory House 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 1401
The menu of classical dishes from throughout India is served alongside more contemporary creations. It is prepared by a team of regional specialist chefs recruited directly from India, each producing their own specialities.
2. Ducksoup 41 Dean Street, London W1D 4PY Tel: 020 7287 4599
3. The Mayflower 117 Rotherhithe Street SE16, London Tel: +44 (0)20-7237 4088 1. The Red Lion & Sun 25 North Road, Highgate Village London Tel: 020 8340 1780
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from designer to high street
shopping
we breakdown london’s seven coolest shopping destinations
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Topshop + Topman
A retailer of trendy, moderately-priced apparel, Topshop operates 300-plus Topshop stores for women, including the four-story, 100,000-square-foot flagship store at Oxford Circus in London, and about 165 Topman outlets for men. 118/132 New Oxford Street, West End WC1A 1HL, United Kingdom
Burberry Prorsum
The most famous English fashion brand, known for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by founder Thomas Burberry. Make the line your destination for elegantly tailored outerwear, structured military jackets and, of course, the iconic trench coat. Horseferry House, Horseferry Road, Westminster, London SW1P 2AW, United Kingdom
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The Burlington Arcade
The Burlington Arcade is the epitome of luxury: from its discreet location, visitors can enjoy impeccable service and unparalleled specialist knowledge, uncovering rare examples of some of the world’s finest antiques, chinaware, and accessories.
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Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London W1
Savile Row
Savile Row is a shopping street in Mayfair, central London, famous for its traditional men’s bespoke tailoring. Savile Row London, UK
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Oxford Street
It is Europe’s busiest shopping street, as well as its most dense, and currently has approximately 300 shops. Oxford Street London, UK
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Chinatown
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Harrods
London’s own China has restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, souvenir shops, and other Chinese-run businesses.
Harrods is an upmarket department store, with over seven floors of exquisite designer collections.
27 Gerrard St, Westminster, London W1D 6JN, UK
87-135 Brompton Road Knightsbridge London, SW1X 7XL UK
nightlife
a look at the city’s booming nightlife
london afterdark
Corsica Studio’s exciting atmosphere
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ituated in the heart of Elephant and Castle, less than a three-minute-walk from the tube station and in close proximity to local pubs and a Wetherspoons (perfect for pre-drinks), this lively venue is made up of two rooms, both containing Funktion One sound systems, perfect for anyone who wants to dance their night away in style. The club itself holds a total capacity of 500 people, which makes your experience all the more intimate and it is guaranteed to be a sociable one. Corsica put on a diverse range of events taking in the genres of dubstep, drum and bass, electro, glitchy electronica, house and techno, as well as the odd sprinkling of indie, making this club all the more special as it doesn’t restrict itself to a certain genre or bring in the same crowd week in, week out. The atmosphere always emits an essence of coolness, as the nights held at Corsica attract a young and trendy crowd. It is also in close distance from Goldsmith University, so it primarily attracts clubbers aged 18-25, but this isn’t exclusively the case. The bar staff are all well trained and polite and you can expect to be served within a short time, rather than spending half your night queuing for drinks, which seems to be a running trend in many places nowadays. Most drinks are £3.50, like bottled beers, wines and spirits with a mixer. Vodka Red Bull is one of the priciest (£5.00), which is still
University, so it primarily attracts clubbers aged 18-25, but this isn’t exclusively the case. The bar staff are all well trained and polite and you can expect to be served within a short time, rather than spending half your night queuing for drinks, which seems to be a running trend in many places nowadays. Most drinks are £3.50, like bottled beers, wines and spirits with a mixer. Vodka Red Bull is one of the priciest (£5.00), which is still more than reasonable. It’s no wonder that Corsica Studios has been voted best small club by DJ Magazine. For forward-thinking electronic music heads, it’s a must go. For out of town guests, if they want stories to bring back to their friends in other countries, Corsica Studios will provide you with a night you will never forget. Dance, drink and socialize with London’s locals who know how to party. — Ali Siemens Corsica Studios Elephant Road, London, SE171LB
1. EGG 200 York Way, London, N7 9AP EGG nightclub is known as one of London’s finest clubbing spots. Different themed nights offer music choices such as house, electro and dirty beats. On Sundays, ravers celebrate the end of their night by watching the sunrise together on the terrace.
2. Bar Rumba 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ER Located in the touristy corner of Piccadilly Circus, Bar Rumba has been around since the early 1990s. This club offers all kinds of dance music including drum ‘n’ bass, reggae and hiphop. This club is known for its great drink specials and free cover during the weekdays.
3. Annex 3 6 Little Portland Street, W1W 7JE If you’re looking for a classy cocktail bar, located in the West End, Annex 3 offers a distinctive menu and classy décor. Their signature drinks include unusual ingredients such as wasabi, basil, and free kiwi. Dress up and drink up, this cocktail bar is perfect for an evening of sipping and chatting.
4. Comedy Café 66 Rivington Street, EC2A3AY The Comedy Café is known for its quality entertainment and cheap prices. In a dimly lit room, tables surround the stage. Offering finger food and a comfortable atmosphere. Have a laugh and a beer and enjoy the show with friends and comedians.
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sightseeing
w a r
w i t h
history an insight into the fascinating Imperial War Museum
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mperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire. Today the museum gives its mission as “to enable people to have an informed understanding of modern war and its impact on individuals and society”. Originally housed in the Crystal Palace at Sydenham Hill, the museum opened to the public in 1920. In 1924 the museum moved to space in the Imperial Institute in South Kensington, and finally in 1936 the museum acquired a permanent home which was previously the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark. The outbreak of the Second World War saw the museum expand both its collections and its terms of reference, but the post-war period saw the museum enter a period of decline. The 1960s saw the museum redevelop its Southwark building, now referred to as Imperial War Museum London, and which serves as the organisation’s corporate headquarters. During the 1970s the museum began to expand onto other sites. The first, in 1976, was a historic airfield in Cambridgeshire now referred to as Imperial War Museum Duxford. In 1978 the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Belfast became a branch of the museum, having previously been preserved for the nation by a private trust. In 1984 the Cabinet War Rooms, an underground wartime command centre, was opened to the public. From the 1980s onwards the museum’s Bethlem building underwent a series of multimillion-pound redevelopments, completed in 2000. Finally, 2002 saw the opening of Imperial War Museum North in Trafford, Greater Manchester, the fifth branch of the museum and the first in the north of England. The museum’s collections include archives of personal and official documents, photographs, film and video material, and oral history recordings; an extensive library, a large art collection, and examples of military vehicles and aircraft, equipment and other artefacts.
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building underwent a series of multimillion-pound redevelopments, completed in 2000. Finally, 2002 saw the opening of Imperial War Museum North in Trafford, Greater Manchester, the fifth branch of the museum and the first in the north of England. The museum’s collections include archives of personal and official documents, photographs, film and video material, and oral history recordings; an extensive library, a large art collection, and examples of military vehicles and aircraft, equipment and other artefacts. The museum is funded by government grants, charitable donations and revenue generation through commercial activity such as retailing, licensing, and publishing. Admission is free to Imperial War Museum London and Imperial War Museum North, but an admission fee is levied at the other branches. The museum is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 1993 and a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The current Chairman of the Trustees is Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire. Since October 2008, the museum’s Director General has been Diane Lees. — Ran Wei
Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road, City of London SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7416 5000
top spots to visit
The London Eye The London Eye is a 135-metre (443 ft) tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England. Take a view of London in all it’s entirety. Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
Big Ben Clock Tower The history of Big Ben began more than 150 years ago when the beautiful London clock tower was built in 1858. The triggering of the clock mechanism in Big Ben was officially on September 7th 1859. Big Ben height reaches to 61 meters and the clock stands at 55 meters above the ground. The minute hand on all four sides of Big Ben is about 4 meters long. In addition to its impressive grand size, Big Ben is renowned for its absolute accuracy. The London clock is checked twice daily from Greenwich Observatory. St Margaret’s, 20 Dean’s Yard, Westminster, City of London SW1P 3PA, UK
Tower Bridge Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
wax on wax off Madame Tussauds London It is famous for recreating famous people, or celebrities, in wax. It is the original Madame Tussauds attraction, having been situated on Marylebone Road since 1884. It was set up by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. It is operated by Merlin Entertainments. Location The attraction is on the corner of Allsop Place and Marylebone Road, to the north of Central London. The nearest underground station is Baker Street, which is on the Jubilee, Bakerloo, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines. Its distinctive green dome used to house the London Planetarium. Marylebone Road London NW1 5LR, United Kingdom
Sherlock Holmes Museum The Georgian town house which the museum occupies as “221B Baker Street” was formerly used as a boarding house from 1860 to 1936, and covers the period of 1881 to 1904 when Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were reported to have resided there as tenants of Mrs Hudson. Muzeul Sherlock Holmes 221B Baker Street, London NW1 6XE, London NW1 6XE, UK winter 2011 l enroute
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final note
buckingham palace your visit wouldn’t be complete Without visiting english royalty
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uckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch.[1] Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.
Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today’s palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761[2] as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and known as “The Queen’s House”. During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregate to greet crowds outside. However, the palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb in World War II; the Queen’s Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection.
destroyed by a German bomb in World War II; the Queen’s Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection. The original early 19th-century interior designs, many of which still survive, included widespread use of brightly coloured scagliola and blue and pink lapis, on the advice of Sir Charles Long. King Edward VII oversaw a partial redecoration in a Belle Époque cream and gold colour scheme. Many smaller reception rooms are furnished in the Chinese regency style with furniture and fittings brought from the Royal Pavilion at Brighton and from Carlton House. The Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London. The state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each year for most of August and September, as part of the Palace’s Summer Opening. — Ran Wei
The original early 19th-century interior designs, many of which still survive, included widespread use of brightly coloured scagliola and blue and pink lapis, on the advice of Sir Charles Long. King Edward VII oversaw a partial redecoration in a Belle Époque cream and gold colour scheme. Many smaller reception rooms
EnRoute Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Art Director
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Ali Siemens Ran Wei Vijit Keomisy
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