European Union Program
LONDON England
The United Kingdom At a glance Politics: Prime Minister David Cameron, from the centre-right Conservative Party, heads a coalition with the UK's third party, the Liberal Democrats. Scotland and Wales have a degree of political autonomy. A vote on Scottish independence is due in 2014. Economy: The UK is striving to recover from a slump that followed the 2008 global financial crisis. Austerity measures aim to tackle a large budget deficit. London's financial industry is a significant part of the services-based economy International: The UK is a key global player diplomatically and militarily. It plays leading roles in the EU, UN and Nato.
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The twentieth century saw Britain having to redefine its place in the world. At the beginning of the century it commanded a world-wide empire as the foremost global power. Two world wars and the end of empire diminished its role, but the UK remains a major economic and military power, with considerable political and cultural influence around the world. Despite being a major member of the EU, the country is not part of the Eurozone. The prospect of its joining receded still further after the UK blocked proposed changes to the EU's Lisbon Treaty aimed at addressing the crisis in the Eurozone, which by the autumn of 2011 had reached an acute phase. Prime Minister David Cameron, bowing to pressure from the Eurosceptic right of his Conservative Party, has proposed a referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Both the Liberal Democrat junior coalition partner and Labour opposition party have spoken out against the referendum, which would not be held before the next general election is due in 2015. In recent years the UK has taken steps to devolve powers to Scotland and Wales. The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff opened in 1999.
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In Northern Ireland, after decades of violent conflict, the Good Friday agreement of 1998 led to a new assembly with devolved powers, bringing hopes of lasting peace. The assembly was suspended in 2002 amid a row over alleged IRA activities. Its suspension was to last for three and a half years. In a bid to restart the political process and after consultations with Dublin, the UK passed legislation paving the way for the recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly in May 2006. But assembly leaders missed a November deadline to form a power-sharing executive. Assembly elections in the following March led to the eventual swearing-in of the leaders of the power-sharing government on 8 May 2007, ending five years of direct rule from London.
Unsure of where to go in London? No worries, I would be overwhelmed too. It is definitely a legendary city, but how should you navigate it? I have asked a fellow Londoner to give me the scoop on the hottest places that you guys should check out during your free time. The Ultimate London Bucket List:
Afternoon tea at Harrods
Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park
Watching sunrise or sunset at Parliament Hill
Speakers Corner at Marble Arch, where locals speak their minds about the government at night (Marble Arch tube stop)
Abbey Road (St. John´s Wood tube stop)
Fro-Yo at SNOG (Picadilly Circus tube stop)
Where to eat:
Beigel Bakery, 159 Brick Lane
A 24-hour bagel shop… might as well be donned the best in all of London! Try their version of pastrami.
Sweet and Spicy, 40 Brick Lane
Self-service Indian cuisine for a steal in the city.
Culture Galore The trendiest areas of town are divided between „hip“ and „chic“. If you are looking for „hip“, look no further than Brick Lane and Camden Town. Brick Lane is also nicknamed „Banglatown“ because of the area´s high Bangladeshi-Sylheti population. This is the area to go if you are a fan of curry or outdoor markets. On Sundays, check out this area for an eclectic scene. Also be on the scout for Banksy graffiti! Camden Town has some hot nightlife spots, including the clubs Electric Ballroom and Fabric. Need a chic vibe? Go hang out in Chelsea with the likes of Hugh Grant or Miss Pippa herself! During the sixties, it was the rock music hangout. Artists from The Beatles and the Rolling Stones all lived here at one point. Now it is the haught of fine dining and ritzty shopping. Bring your wallet if you want to do the spending!
Fryer´s Delight, 19 Theobalds Road
You want fish and chips? This is the only place to be. Located right off the Holborn tube stop.
Stockpot, 18 Old Compton Street W1D
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Cheap, British nostalgia food. I mean, come on, they´ve got banana pudding for God´s sake.
Sights and Historical Places Buckingham Palace St James Road Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British Royal Family since 1837. The palace was built in 1705, but in 1837 became the official residence because the old palace, St James’ Palace, was seen as too old-fashioned. In the palace there are 775 rooms including 52 royal bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Tickets are available for entry into the palace in Green Park. This is also the place to see the famous changing of the guards. This happens almost every day at 11:30, but it is recommended to get there much earlier to be able to see anything. Opening hours: only open to the public in August & September! Big Ben and Parliament Westminster Big Ben is the bell of the clock on the northeast end of the Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament. The clock was built in 1288, but had to be replaced after a fire destroyed the old Palace of Westminster in 1834. The clock tower is 96.3m (315 ft) tall. The tower is not open for visitors due to security reasons, yet this remains one of London’s biggest tourist spots. When Parliament isn‘t in session, visitors are allowed to visit the House of Lords and the House of Commons. London Eye Jubilee Gardens, South Bank The London Eye was opened in March 2000 and was built for the millennium. The Ferris wheel is the tallest in the world at 135m tall, and allows visitors to see 25 miles in each direction for a 30 minute ride. You can save 10% on tickets by ordering them online in advance and picking them up 30 minutes before your scheduled time. This also allows you to skip the line. Opening hours: Daily, 10am-9:30pm Admission: Individual Price on the Day: £19.20; Online Price £17.28 Greenwich Park and the Old Royal Observatory Greenwich Greenwich Park is the oldest Royal Park, and is home to both the National Maritime Museum as well as the Old Royal Observatory, where the Prime Meridian can be found. At the Old Royal Observatory there is a small museum of the history of clocks and timekeeping, and showcases the exact place where the Eastern and Western Hemispheres are divided. The park is picturesque and was home to the equestrian games during the 2012 Olympics.
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Marble Arch Hyde Park Marble Arch was built in 1827 by John Nash and can be found in Hyde Park. It was moved from Buckingham Palace in 1851 when it was seen as too small for the entrance of the palace. By law, only the royal family is allowed to pass under the Arch.
Tower Bridge Southwark The Tower Bridge, often confused with the London Bridge, was built in 1894 to help connect both sides of the city over the River Thames. The bridge is a bascule design, or a ‘see-saw.’ The bridge can open up to 10 times a day in the summer and can raise the bascules to 86˚ in under a minute. This is the bridge that an Arizonan architect infamously tried to purchase when he accidentally purchased the London Bridge, a much less impressive bridge a bit further down the Thames.
Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square is located in central London, and was created to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, which occurred in 1805. The battle was one of the British naval victories during the Napoleonic Wars. The square is home to Nelson’s Column, which is surrounded by four lions. This is a major tourist attraction, but also a great place for locals to just catch up with one another. Piccadilly Circus Tube Stop: Piccadilly Circus Designed by John Nash in the 1820s, Piccadilly Circus is often referred to as the Times Square of London. The best time to visit is at night so you can appreciate all of the lights and advertisements. The Horses of Helios statue and fountain is located at the edge of Piccadilly and Haymarket as well.
Suggested Walk: THE SOUTHBANK/TOWARD BOROUGH MARKET The Southbank is a busy and interesting area to walk along the river, which often hosts special events, passing the British Film Institute, National Theatre, and Tate Modern (take a detour to spot the 18th-century almshouses behind in Hopton Street). Further along, toward London Bridge, Borough Market on Fridays and Saturdays is well known for its foodie appeal (and Elliot’s Café, 12 Stoney Street, is highly recommended, using only ingredients from the market). However, to beat the crowds, and for a more “now” experience, head instead to Maltby Street, where a handful of Borough Market tenants are showing up beneath the arches. If you want to head further afield on a foodie pilgrimage, you will be well rewarded by heading south to Brixton Village, a regeneration project that has revamped the market with lots of outstanding cafés and restaurants (try Pakistani food at Elephant or the brand new French and Grace, opened by the Salad Club bloggers, who started with a restaurant in their living room).
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Museums
Tate Modern Queen’s Walk, Bankside The Tate Modern is a modern art museum filled with mostly 20th century artwork. It is the world’s most visited modern art gallery, surpassing the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The Tate has two floors with permanent collections with the other floors open for traveling and temporary exhibits. Part of the Tate Modern’s allure for tourists is the building itself, which has become a global phenomenon fondly known as the ‘Tate Effect.’ Originally designed and built as the Bankside Power Station by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott between 1947-63, it was redesigned into the current form by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & De Meuron and contractors Carillion. Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 10am–6pm; Friday – Saturday 10am–10pm Admission: free except for special exhibitions London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza, Strand The London Transport Museum has recently undergone a massive renovation, adding more displays to its collection of horse carriages, taxis, trains, buses, and other forms of transport. This is a fun museum to help increase your history knowledge and overall information of the city of London and its transportation. Opening hours: Monday - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am- 6pm; Friday 11am- 6pm Admission student: £11,50 ( with valid ID) British Museum Great Russell St, Bloomsbury The British Museum was started from the will of Sir Hans Sloane, who died in 1753, leaving over 71,000 pieces to be preserved. Now the museum has over 7 million objects from around the world. There are different galleries dedicated to the cannons of Egypt, Western Asia, Greece, Africa, Italy, the Romans, and more. Opening hours: daily 10am–5.30pm, Fr until 8:30pm; Admission: free Tower of London Tower Hill The Tower of London was originally built as a castle by William the Conqueror in 1078. It has also been used as a fortress, palace, palace, and torture and execution site. The Tower of London now houses the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. This building is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and is a must see in London. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 -5.30pm; Sunday-Monday 10-5.30pm, Nov-Feb: open until 4:30pm; Admission student: Individual Price on the Day £19.50;
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Institute of Contemporary Arts The Mall Not only is ICA a gallery— it is also a theater and has two cinemas, a bookshop and a bar! It has housed some very influential works of art, as well as been the stage for some amazing performance art pieces, including works by artist Yoko Ono. This structure is not one to miss, and the exhibitions will be mindblowing and very modern. Take a break from the average museum and step into an interactive art world for no cost to you. Opening Hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-11pm, Galleries open Tues-Sun,11am-6pm, on Thursday until 9pm
Religious Sights St Paul’s Cathedral St Paul’s Churchyard The current cathedral was built between 1675 and 1710, and is the fourth cathedral to stand in this courtyard. The cathedral has been home to both joyous and sad occasions and services throughout the years, including funerals for the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, and peace services for the end of both World Wars. The church somehow escaped destruction during World War II and is now seen as a sign of resilience. A very popular thing to do is climbing to the top of the dome for incredible views of the city. There are 530 stairs in total, made up of three stages. Filming and photography is not allowed inside of the cathedral. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 8.30am - 4pm. Admission student: £14.00 Westminster Abbey Dean’s Yard Westminster Abbey was built in the 10th century. It has been the coronation sight for every royal since 1066, and 17 monarchs have been buried there. Inside of the Abbey are the tombs of the most significant people in the history of the nation, as well as paintings, stained glass, and other artifacts. There are several different chapels within the Abbey commemorating groups of people such as the Royal Air Force, scientists, and poets. Admission: £15.00 (opening hours subject to change, check the web page)
Food Thanks to London’s vibrant, cosmopolitan population, the city boasts some of the most varied gastronomy in the world, from traditional Cockney dishes to exotic South American restaurants. London has it all! Pie and Mash Pie and Mash is a traditional Cockney dish, and can only be found in East London. If you really want to sample true London cuisine, this is the meal for you. Don’t be put off by the liquor, the green sauce that is put on your food, and if you are really feeling brave, try some jellied eels, another traditional dish. Shops tend to only be open for lunch and can be difficult to find, so if you really want to try one, there is a shop close to All Saints DLR Station. Fish and Chips Popular all over England and around the world, fish and chips can be found in London as well. Battered fish of all types and chips (French fries, fries, pommes, etc.) can be found at shops and can either be eaten in the shop or for take away.
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Shepherds’ Pie Shepherds’ Pie is a lamb pie with a layer of mashed potato acting as a lid.
Transportation London has a huge public transport network and the city is very committed to it, discouraging the use of cars by the famous ‘Congestion Charge.’ An essential piece of information for any visitor is the Tube map, which can be picked up in any station. Sometimes there are a number of closures on the underground network due to construction. With over 260 stops on the underground, the Tube is often the fastest way to get around the city. The tube runs from about 5:30am to 1:00am. Make sure that you hold on to your ticket as you will need to swipe it again as you are leaving the Tube. On the roads, London is famous for its red (double-decker) buses and its black cabs. Taxis can be found at all times but can prove to be a massive burden on your wallet. In terms of buses, these run 24 hours a day, with a number of special night routes. Buses cost £2 for a single fare. Travel cards are also valid and can be used until 5am the day after being purchased. The iconic Routemaster buses can still be seen in London with two special routes designed to give tourists a chance to see many of the city’s sites and to take a ride on a symbol of London. Routemasters run on the routes 9 and 3, with the 9 running from Royal Albert Hall to Aldwych, and the 3 from Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill. The DLR, or the Docklands Light Railway, runs mostly overground and is another way to travel the city. It also goes further out than the Tube would. Travel cards are valid on the DLR.