London Guide for Interrailers

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Culture Compass Etwins

An Interrailer´s Guide to London

Pic source: https://www.fivesquid.com/pics/t2/1489430275-66433-2-1.jpg

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign country in the north-west of Europe. Around 65.5 million people live in the UK. The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England is the biggest country of the UK. The capital city of the UK is London.

http://myenglandtravel.com/images/major-tourist-attractions-UK.jpg

Numbers: The population of the UK is 65.6 million in the year 2016. The population is rising. The area of the UK is 242,495 km2. London has 9,176,530 inhabitants.

Language: All people in the UK speak English, only a few people in the southwest part of England can speak Cornish.

Climate: Great Britain has an oceanic climate.

Landscape: The UK has a varied landscape, There are mountainous regions in:Scotland, e.g. the Northwest Highlands. Ben Nevis is the UK's highest peak in the Grampian Mountains. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and is found in Snowdonia. Well-known areas in England are the Lake District, Dartmoor and Exmoor. The River Thames is famous as it runs through London, there are some lakes, some islands and of course a long coastline.

Industry: Energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction: One of the strongest components of the British economy is the energy sector. The United Kingdom is a net exporter of energy. In addition to oil, and natural gas, concentrated in the North Sea, the kingdom has reserves of coal, and atomic power.

Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2016) Electricity production: 318.2 billion kWh (2016 est., country comparison to the world: 12 Electricity consumption: country comparison to the world: 11 Electricity exports: 2.153 billion kWh (2016 est.), country comparison to the world: 45 Electricity imports: 19.7 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Other industries are the automotive manufacturing sector, especially engine manufacturing, aerospace industry, and pharmaceutical industry.

Agriculture:

Main products are milk (cow) , cattle meat, chicken meat, pig meat, sheep meat, hen eggs, wheat, barley, potatoes, rapeseed, sugar beet Popular Sports:

football, rugby, cricket, netball, darts, golf, tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, croquet, fives, bowls, modern rowing, hockey, boxing, water polo, snooker, billiards, and curling.

Sources: http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/london-population/ https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zwmgk7h/revision/1 https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/United-Kingdom-INDUSTRY.html https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-top-20-agricultural-products-of-the-united-kingdom.html

London: Where to stay: Generator, 37 Tavistock Pl, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9QS

prices start at

€

https://www.hrs.de/hotel/generator-hostel-london/a-383865 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcROvz8Qj6MS1_6HWWDvz4q9UMdbzmY5NdQUlH_psweM9dGbKKnK0Q

Piccadilly Backpackers Hostel Sherwood Street 12 W1F 7BR London

prices start at 12 pounds

http://www.piccadillyhotel.net/ There is a minimum age restriction of 18 years for guests to occupy a dorm room and 16 years for guests to occupy a private room. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8LUpBTe5rGghurC9COd5R86BpJc7q9DTDlxD3f-B-4gA4_KaEvg https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQG8GHspgtWHgG6voTRAv66OudkmhOdM5n97GuR9j1HDnYUgN3R

Astor Museum Inn 27 Montague St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BH

Prices 20 – 7 €

https://astorhostels.com/hostels/museum/ https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHFRT0eglaVxHDCJkDIsG0fM2ARly1sfV_qaqPg_396lRnssydLA



No booking under 18

Hotel ibis budget London Whitechapel 100 Whitechapel Rd, Brick Lane London E1 1JG

Prices start at

https://www.accorhotels.com/de/hotel-8033-ibis-budget-london-whitechapel-brick-lane/index.shtml https://www.ahstatic.com/photos/8033_ho_04_p_2048x1536.jpg https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDdq7Qigb_X8RK4i7PZcP1WA0BhRSG77fxEiCS-WDC28t19ZNMgg

€

London Where to eat: There are lots of Asian restaurants, Mexican, Italian and vegetarian food is also popular. Of course you will find many food chains that serve burgers, food stalls and sandwich bars. At the street markets street food is also sold.

Max´s Sandwich Shop, 19 Crouch Hill, London N4

https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2016/02/12/01/5925434.jpg?w968h681

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/49/fa/57/49fa5744cea3c613e6f23778517bd318.jpg Jasmine Thai Restaurant, 16 Goldhawk Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8DH

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hiqMSjxOXlPb34a2FxyCCQZmI-j4Rv6Cos64_En178uRzLmQbVF22IOHxEYGjM0V25_3MU76ICeZH-E=s0

https://www.tripadvisor.de/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d8806064-Reviews-Jasmine-London_England.html

Pickled Fred, 61 Hanbury Street, Shoredıtch E15JP LONDON

https://horecatrends.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Pickled-Fred-3234.jpg?x16087 https://www.pickledfred.co.uk/photos?lightbox=dataItem-jaljn3ew https://www.pickledfred.co.uk/photos https://www.tripadvisor.de/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d12785054-Reviews-Pickled_Fred-London_England.html

Café Caribbean, Spitalfields Arts Market, Brushfield St, London E1 6AA

http://cafe-caribbean.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cafe-caribbean-lunch-time-1024x1024.jpg http://cafe-caribbean.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cafe-caribbean-food-selection-1024x683.jpg https://www.tripadvisor.de/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d8465849-Reviews-Cafe_CaribbeanLondon_England.html

Restaurants map

Follow the link and you can see lots of restaurants and find descriptions: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=51.51323175123382%2C0.1311924021606501&spn=0.158188%2C0.41851&msa=0&mid=1NL6UfFYY1B-DGTnpsQW_FhOmNeU&z=16

London Shopping for food – supermarkets Useful link: https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/london-supermarkets.html

Tesco

https://ei.marketwatch.com/Multimedia/2017/06/06/Photos/ZH/MW-FN815_Tesco__20170606110252_ZH.jpg?uuid=36ff6daa-4ac911e7-85fd-9c8e992d421e https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/15/article-2581541-1552C0EB000005DC-148_634x394.jpg

Sainsbury’s

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/business/2016/06/08/Sainsbury_1721731b_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwZw VSIA7rSIkPn18jgFKEo0.jpg?imwidth=450 https://www.londontoolkit.com/Images/xsainsburys_local_earls_court.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AQo2P_HpJD.jpg

Aldi and Lidl

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/07/27/09/42BABCFF00000578-4734910-image-a-9_1501145317208.jpg https://completelygroup.com/uploads/media/Mag%20Photos/Lidl%203.jpg

Waitrose

http://www.brixtonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/waitrose.ashx_.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article9783517.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/DJP_SDR_130716_WAITROSE26JPG.jpg

ASDA

https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/Pictures/800xAny/6/4/3/69643_Asda-store---3.JPG https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/Pictures/420xAny/6/2/1/83621_UNP-WM-31480-Local-Preston-01_0001.jpg

https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/590x/Best-supermarket-630756.jpg

London Sights

https://www.lovinglondon.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/tower-of-london-17011712051700.jpg https://cf-r.365ticketsglobal.com/resized/486x324/37704-LondonEye-4---(528x352)px.jpg

https://www.fattiretours.com/uploads/6219/stl-westminster-abbey-tour-hero-mobile.png https://cdn.getyourguide.com/img/tour_img-1402350-146.jpg

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2UOgXiVMcCs/maxresdefault.jpg http://www.myfamilyclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Cheap-London-Dungeon-Tickets-LeadFeat.jpg

https://media2.trover.com/T/58c968e0761f9f4b670050b0/fixedw_large_4x.jpg https://www.primolo.de/sites/default/files/user_generated_content/website_images/5655-anne_m./anne_1.png

https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/print/u-g-PXT8PD0.jpg?w=550&h=550&p=0 https://the-crystal-maze.com/wp-content/uploads/facebook-image.jpg

https://www.lovinglondon.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/crucero-por-el-tamesis-1707211014330011-1-1920x960.jpg

London: How to get around London has one of the largest urban transport networks in the world. The red double-decker buses are famous all over the world. They are not expensive and you can see many sights on the way. If you like the red double-decker buses, visit the London Transport Museum. You can find it in Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BB. Website: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/ There are even river buses. You can take a trip on the River Thames and enjoy the view.

The London Underground is very fast and you can get around quickly. Sometimes it is very crowded, when people go to work in the morning or want to go home in the afternoon. Another name for the underground is the Tube . The Underground is divided into nine zones: central London belongs to zone 1. The cost depends on how far you travel, time of day, and how you pay. It usually runs from 5am until midnight, with some night services on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The DLR is a very modern railway with no driver. You should use these trains ( Docklands Light Railway) when you want to go to places in East and South East London. The DLR runs from 5.30am-12.30am, Monday-Saturday, and from 7am-11.30pm on Sunday. DLR fares are the same as the Tube.

Other means of transport are trains, trams or you can rent a bike. https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information Adults pay £4.90 for a single journey in zone 1 (cash). With a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card the price is £2.40.

If you plan to do some sightseeing and visit some of London's best attractions, you could get a London Pass. For one day it costs 75 pounds, two days 99 pounds and three days 115 pounds. It includes the entry to 80+ top London attractions and a tour by the hop on – hop off bus. https://www.londonpass.com/visitlondon.php?aid=1

London How many nights?

3 nights Price hotel/hostel: Piccadilly Backpackers: 13,50 € per day Food per day: Breakfast in hotel, food/drinks

€ a erage per day

Public transport: Underground Off-peak Oyster Card for days: Single ticket underground , € Bike rent , €

,

Entrance fees: London Eye 29,07 € Madame Tussaud´s Harry Potter Studio: London Dungeon:

,

€ , € , €

Plans First day: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey London Eye, Tower Bridge, The To er of London , € Second day: Madame Tussaud´s, Hyde Park Last day: Harry Potter Studio Tour, London Dungeon

€

Three days in London This summer we want to go to London. There we will stay in the Piccadilly Backpackers hostel for three days. On the first day we will have our breakfast in the hostel when we are fed up we will go outside and walk to Big Ben. We will also have a look at the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. When we are there we will book the guided tour which will show us the Tower Bridge, the London Eye and maybe some other beautiful places where there aren`t so many other tourists. After the guided tour we will eat in a delicious restaurant in the centre of London. In the evening we might take a ride on the London Eye, and then we will go back to our hostel and will sleep.

When we wake up on the next day, we will go outside to have our breakfast somewhere in a café or a sandwich bar. We will go shopping in Oxford Street and maybe in Camden market.

For lunch we will try to find a restaurant with a beautiful view of the River Thames. We will really enjoy this. After lunch we will go to Madame Tussaud´s to take pictures with Heidi Klum, if possible. It might take quite some time to get into Madame Tussaud´s because very many people want to see this. But later we will have enough time to enjoy the Hyde Park with all his animals, for example squirrels. If the weather s fine, we will go swimming in the Serpentine. If we are lucky, there is a concert in the evening. And then we will go back to our hostel and will eat there.Or maybe we try fish´n chips.

On our last day we will wake up early in the morning because we will need much time to go to the Harry Potter Studios and there we will also spend a lot of time. We are very excited to see the Harry Potter Studios. Later we will go to London Dungeon to get some creeps, but it will also be fun, we hope. On the last evening we will walk around in Soho to try some Asian food.

We calculated that the whole trip will cost us 202 Euros.

10 London Urban Myths

By Emily Gray | 3rd March 2019 Lo do s histo is ade up of thousa ds of tales a d fa ts, so e t ue the Dist i t Li e ill e e a i e he ou e i a ush a d some which are a little on the fantastical side but which make a brilliant story – why let the truth get in the way. From swarms of rats and monster pigs to Hitler looking to live in South West London, here are the best urban myths in our capital.

Spring Heeled Jack Fifty years before Jack the Ripper terrorised London, there was another unknown Jack who was causing mayhem, Spring Heeled Jack. Not dissimilar to the devil, Spring Heeled Jack was said to breath flames, have fiery eyes, long claws and wore a cape. He acquired his name because it was said that after assaulting his victims he would flee the scene by jumping over buildings and high fences.

A d it as t just Lo do that he as see i , he as also spotted i the Bla k Cou t a d othe cities across England. He was never caught and it is now assumed to be a case of mass hysteria and a fe gu s d essi g up to pla p a ks… eall fu .

Big Ben Striking Thirteen Big Ben is rather silent at the moment, but rumour has it that if the bell was ever to strike thirteen the the fou lio statues of T afalga S ua e ould o e to life. So e sa the ll ake to p ote t the it , hilst othe s sa that the ill dest o the it … a e ou ould too if ou had ee clambered on that many times.

Jimi Hendrix is to Blame for the Parakeets There are many stories about Jimi Hendrix mainly involving drugs and sex, but one of the more unusual stories is that he is the reason that London is home to so many parakeets. Yes Jimi Hendrix did release a pair of birds on Carnaby Street back in the sixties, but could they really have bred that much that their offspring ended up populating great swathes of the city? No. The first recorded sighti g of ild pa akeets i Lo do as a tuall a k i 188 , ut He d i s pai ould have definitely contributed to the masses we see today.

Ravens at the Tower of London Ravens are normally seen to be birds that carry with them a feeling of uneasiness or ill omens, not in London though. Oh no, we need at least six to be living at the Tower of London, otherwise both the tower and monarchy will fall. It was said that Charles II first insisted that the ravens were protected a d hethe it is t ue o just a lege d, it s ee take e se iousl . You ll al a s fi d se e a e s, they tend to have a spare, as occasionally some have resigned, such as Grog who was evidently a true Londoner and moved to an East End pub in 1981 and George who was fired in 1986 for eating too many TV aerials.

London is Swarming With Rats Despite what people think, Lo do is t s a i g i ats a d ou e ot just si feet a a f o a at at all times. Think about it, if you were, say, lying in Battersea Park then there would have to be rats everywhere for that statistic to work and how many times have you shared your Prosecco picnic with a at? Nope, appa e tl ou e o e likel to e a ou d 1 feet a a f o a at, so e a all breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Hauntings at the Savoy Caspar might be the friendly ghost, but Kaspar at the Savoy Kaspar has a scarier background. Legend has it that South African diamond magnate Woolf Joe dined at restaurant in 1898 along with fou tee guests. E ept that o e a elled at the last i ute. Di e e t o ith a u lu k 1 guests, making one superstitious diner announce that death would befall the first person to leave.

Joel took that gamble and a few weeks later he was shot dead in Johannesburg. To avert a PR disaster The Savoy offered a member of staff to sit amongst tables of thirteen, but this was unpopular as it stimied conversation. So Kaspar was born, a three foot high bronze cat sculpted in 1926 by Basil Lonides to stave off bad luck. He joins parties of 13 with a napkin around his neck and a full place setting.

Tower Bridge was Sold to a Gullible American We e all hea d the sto , Lo do B idge as o e sold to a A e i a illio ai e ho istake l believed he was buying iconic landmark Tower Bridge. London Bridge, as we all know, is relatively dull to behold, serving as a functional corollrrory between The City and Borough, while Tower Bridge is a aste pie e of a hite tu e a d a Lo do ultu al i o . So to B itish ea s it s the pe fe t a e dote, stupid A e i a ei g duped il B its. E ept it s ot t ue. A out to dis a tle Lo do Bridge to be replaced with a wider bridge, the London authorities realised it would be better to find a buyer than simply destroy the historic bridge. And one was found in Robert P. McCulloch, a chainsaw tycoon (genuinely!) from Missouri who needed a tourist attraction for his new city. And so, entirely k o i gl , ought Lo do B idge, ot To e B idge. A azi gl , it s still A io za s se o d-most popular tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon!

Black Swine of London Sewers Without Joseph Bazalgette i t odu i g Lo do s se age s ste e d uite e i the sh*t. But the i t odu tio of the e u de g ou d et o k of tu els, did t just do a a ith the ho o s that e e the p odu ts of Lo do e s o els. It also helped to de stif the u a lege d of the Bla k Swine. Rumour has it that a pregnant sow got into the sewer network, had her litter of piglets that fed on the contents of the sewer and grew into a super breed. They then spent their days running around under the streets of London, waiting until the day that they were going to emerge in Highgate and cause riots.

Hitler’s Lo do Ho e i Balha Balha ight e o e of Lo do s ost up-and-coming areas, but one thing the estate agents p o a l o t e tio o a ie i g is that it as also ea a ked as Hitle s p efe ed UK headquarters. The art deco masterpiece that is Du Cane Court, a block of flats on Balham High Road was apparently chosen by the Führer for its (at the time) modern design and styling. However, we a t fi d a thi g to a k this up, so pe haps it s just another London myth.

The First Baby Born on the Tube Was Called TUBE We e see a thi gs o the tu e, ut a a ei g o is ot o e of the – there are only three official births. Back in 1924 those riding the Bakerloo line in May would have seen the first baby born, a little girl who was rumoured to be called Thelma Ursula Beatrice Eleanor giving her the initials TUBE. Not so, she was actually called, Ma ie Co de . He e s a a tual fa t though, Je Sp i ge as born in Highgate station during the Blitz when it was used as a bomb shelter. https://www.thehandbook.com/blog/2019/03/8-london-urban-myths/ Want to know more? https://secretldn.com/9-weird-urban-legends-london/