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The LONDON DIRECTORY
Welcome to the London Directory
".When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford" ...Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)
Getting There and Away
Travelling to London could not be easier, with an excellent transport network providing access by rail, road and air.
By Air
London has 5 main airports:
- Heathrow: Situated 15 miles / 24km to the west of London.
- Gatwick: Situated about 30 miles / 48km south of London.
- Stansted: Located around 35 miles / 56km north east of London.
- London City: Located in the Docklands 6 miles / 10km from central London.
- London Luton: Located 35 miles / 56km north of London.
To and from Heathrow:
Heathrow Express
- Journey time: 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington Station.
- Cost: single £17.50, return £31.00 (reductions for booking online in advance).
Taxi
- Licensed cabs located outside each terminal.
- Journey time: 1 hour.
- Cost: £50.00.
National Express Coaches
- Departs from all four terminals.
- Journey time: variable, but around 1 hour is a good guide.
- Cost: single from £4.00, return from £8.00 but prices may vary.
The London Underground
- Journey time: 50 minutes on the Piccadilly line.
- Cost: peak single £12.70, off-peak single £6.20; peak 1 day travelcard £13.20, off-peak 1 day travelcard £6.70.
To and from Gatwick:
The Gatwick Express
- Departs every 15 minutes.
- Journey time: 30 minutes.
- Cost: single £14.90, return £26.80.
Taxi
- Operator: Checkers Cars.
- Journey time: 1 hour.
- Cost: £77.00 (plus £5.00 congestion charge if your destination falls within the charging zone).
Train
- Journey time: 40 minutes.
- Cost: single from £8.90, return from £17.80.
National Express Coaches
- Journey time: 90 minutes.
- Cost: single from £6.60, return from £12.20, but prices may vary.
To and from Stansted:
Stansted Express
- Runs every 15-30 minutes to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale.
- Journey time: 45 minutes.
- Cost: single £14.50, return £23.50.
Taxi
- Operator: Checkers Cars.
- Journey time: 90 minutes.
- Cost: £80.00.
Terravision
- Bus linking with Victoria and Liverpool Street.
- Journey time: 75 minutes.
- Cost: single £9.00, return £14.00 (tickets must be purchased before you get on the coach from one of the booths or online prior to your journey). For more details visit their website Terravision.
To and from London City:
Docklands Light Railway
- Provides transport links to Bank, Canning Town and Canary Wharf.
- Connections to other areas of London can be made by Tube from the above destinations.
- Journey time 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the destination.
- Located in zone 3.
- Cost: peak single £7.30, off-peak single £5.20; peak 1 day travel card £7.80, no off-peak travel card available.
Taxi
- Operates from outside the terminal.
- Journey time: 30 minutes.
- Cost: £25.00.
To and from London Luton
Train
- Operator: Thameslink.
- Departs: Luton Airport Parkway station (accessed via the free Luton Airport Express shuttle located outside the terminal).
- Journey time: 1 hour.
- Cost: single from £10.90, return from £22.00, but prices may vary.
- A ‘Flyaway’ ticket costs £55.00 which allows up to 4 people to travel to and from London.
Taxi
- Cost: £90.00.
- There are 2 operators from outside the terminal: Alpha Taxis and CABCO Taxis.
- Journey time: 60 minutes.
Greenline coach (757)
- Departs: peak 15-20 minutes; off-peak every 30 minutes.
- Journey time: 90 minutes.
- Cost: £11.00, return £16.00.
By Rail
London has 6 main railway stations:
- Euston: Main destination for passengers arriving from Glasgow and the North West, via the West Coast Main Line. Hotels near Euston.
- Kings Cross/St Pancras: This is the main destination for travellers arriving from Edinburgh and the North East, via the East Coast Main Line. It is also the new home of Eurostar, and is therefore the main destination for visitors arriving from Europe. Hotels near Kings Cross Station / Hotels near St Pancras.
- Waterloo: This station serves travellers arriving from Kent and East Sussex. Hotels near Waterloo station.
- Victoria: Serves Brighton and other areas in South West England. It is also the terminal station for trains arriving from Gatwick Airport. Hotels near Victoria station.
- Liverpool Street: The main arrival point for visitors arriving from Stansted Airport. It also serves East Anglia, some East coast destinations and North East London. Hotels near Liverpool Street Station.
- Paddington: The terminal of the Heathrow Express. It also provides transport links to south Eastern areas such as Bath, Cardiff, and Bristol. Hotels near Paddington Station.
All railways stations have Tube stations attached, so getting around is easy. Remember to keep your ticket until you have completely left the station, as you may be asked to produce it.
Advance bookings can sometimes mean lower fares. Also check the price for 2 singles instead of a return ticket, as this can sometimes be more cost effective.
By Coach
- The main coach station is Victoria.
- Coaches also terminate at Golders Green.
- There are a varied number of stops in and around central London.
The main provider that operates around the UK is National Express.
Getting Around
London has an extensive public transport network, making it easy to navigate around the city. It is also the best way to avoid London's heavy traffic, and the congestion charges.
By Underground/Tube
London's Underground system is one of the most famous in the world. With nearly 300 stations and 12 different lines, it is a large network that is worth familiarising yourself with before you travel.
Tube information and opening times:
- Free Tube maps are available from each station to enable you to plan your journey.
- The Tube's opening hours are 05:30-00:30 Monday to Saturday, and 07:30-23:30 on Sundays.
- It is best to avoid the Tube during its peak times as it can be overcrowded and hectic. Peak times are 07:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 Monday to Friday. It is cheaper to travel outside the peak hours.
Zones and Tickets:
- The Underground operates a 'zone' charging system.
- Depending on where your accommodation is located, a ticket for zones 1-2 should cover your needs. However, a zones 1-6 ticket may be more useful if you are planning a wider trip of London.
- Cost: (based on zones 1-2): Day Travelcard - peak £6.60, off-peak £5.10; 3 Day Travelcard £16.40.
- Children under 11 travelling with an adult ticket holder can travel for free, children over 11 can travel for £1.00. This applies for up to 4 children at any one time in off-peak hours.
By Bus
London's bus network has, with the arrival of the congestion charge, become much more user friendly. If you want to get a good view of the city this is a good way to travel. The system also has an effective night bus service (prefixed with letter N) should you be planning a night on the town or a late trip to the theatre.
Tickets and Prices
- Cost: single ticket £2.00, day ticket £3.50, 7 day ticket £14.00 (tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus).
- Visitor Tickets/Travelcards can be purchased for 1, 3 or 7 days and can be used on buses (displaying the London Buses logo), the Tube, the Docklands Light Railway and National Rail (except Heathrow Express).
- It also entitles you to 1/3 off the Scheduled Riverboat services.
Must Sees
It is advisable to book in advance where possible, or reach the major attractions early as they get busier throughout the day. Some attractions offer discounts for booking online e.g. the London Eye, while others charge for advance reservations, e.g. Madame Tussauds.
Buckingham Palace
Opening Times: 28th July to 25th September 2007, 09:45-18:00 (admission by timed ticket only). Changing of the Guard May to July daily at 11:30. August to April every other day at 11:30. Prices: State Rooms: Adult £15.00, Child £8.50 (Under 5s free), family £38.50 Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Tower of London
Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-17:00/18:00 Prices: Adult £16.00 Nearest Tube and Hotels: Tate Modern
Opening Times: Sunday to Thursday 10:00-18:00 Prices: FREE Nearest Tube and Hotels: London Eye (The Millenium Wheel)
Opening Times: October to May 10:00-20:00 Prices: Adult £14.50 Nearest Tube and Hotels: Natural History Museum
Opening Times: Daily 10:00-17:50 (Sundays from 11:00) Prices: FREE Nearest Tube and Hotels: Madame Tussauds
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 09:30-17:00/18:00 Prices: Including Live Chamber: Adult £25.00, Child £21.00, Family £78.00 Excluding Live Chamber: Adult £23.00, Child £19.00, Family £72.00 Nearest Tube and Hotels:
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Saint Paul's Cathedral
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 08:30-16:00 Prices: Adult £9.50 Nearest Tube and Hotels: Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
Opening Times: All visits must be arranged prior to arrival by application through your local MP. Prices: Adult £12.00 Nearest Tube and Hotels: British Museum
Opening Times: Sunday to Wednesday 09:00-18:00 Prices: FREE (Charges may apply for special exhibitions) Nearest Tube and Hotels: Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road Westminster Abbey:
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 09:30-15:45 (open until 19:00 on Wednesdays). Prices: Adult £10.00 Nearest Tube and Hotels:
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Where to Stay
LateRooms.com has over 500 London Hotels. Whether you are travelling for a 1 night business stay or a short weekend break, you will definitely find something to suit your needs. From 4 & 5 Star Hotels and Luxury Hotels to Cheap London Hotels, LateRooms features a wide range of accommodation in London. When choosing a place to stay it is worth bearing in mind that London is an expensive city, so expect to pay slightly more than other cities within the UK. There are, however, lots of special hotel deals available. LateRooms also lists hotels in London with disabled access.
On the whole, rooms in London do tend to be on the small side in comparison with the rest of the UK, simply because there is so much demand for accommodation in the city, and space is very limited.
The London Directory 'LateRooms' Tip
- For those wishing to stay in central London, it is worth noting that weekends tend to be cheaper than midweek stays because the business travellers go home. LateRooms lists its discount hotel rooms in London here.
- If you are travelling with friends or as a family, then our range of apartments are worth considering. London also has an extensive range of B&Bs and small properties in and close to
the centre, which are ideal if you are travelling on a budget. It's also worth considering staying in the suburbs or Docklands area, as transport links to the centre are especially good with the Tube. - It is useful to note that if you book a single room in the UK, and especially in London, you will more than likely be given a single bed; doubles are not always given as standard.
Where to Eat
The quality and choice of dining in London has developed dramatically in recent years, and many of the world's top chefs have chosen London as the place to house their prestigious restaurants. You will also find a fantastic range of affordable options to suit any budget. With flavours from all over the world, you will be spoilt for choice.
West EndThe Rock Garden6/7 The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E, +44 (0)207 257 8613
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Belgo Centraal29b Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9LJ, +44 (0)207 813 2233
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Covent Garden, Leicester Square Kettners29 Romilly Street, W1D 5HP, +44 (0)207 734 6112
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus Sketch9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG, 0870 7774488
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Palm Court Brasserie39 King Street, London, WC2E 8JS, +44 (0)20 7240 2939
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Papageno29-31 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DB, +44 (0)20 7836 4444
Nearest Tube and Hotels: West LondonEight Over Eight392 King’s Road, London, SW3 5UZ, +44 (0)20 7349 9934
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Daquise20 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LT, +44 (0)207 589 6117
Nearest Tube and Hotels: The Wine Gallery49 Hollywood Road, Chelsea, LONDON, SW10 9HX, +44 (0)8713320339
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Sausage & Mash Café268 Portobello Road, London, W10 5TY, +44 (0)208 968 8898
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Clarke’s124 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BH, +44 (0)20 7221 9225
Nearest Tube and Hotels: La Famiglia7 Langton Street, Chelsea, London, SW10 0JL, +44 (0)20 7351 0761
Nearest Tube and Hotels: East London/The CityMoro34-36 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE, +44 (0)20 7833 8336
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
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Brick Lane Beigel Bake159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB, +44 (0)207 729 0616
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Brick Lane Brasserie67 Brick Lane, E1 6QL, +44 (0)207 377 8072
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Alba Ristorante107 Whitecross Street, London, EC1 8JH, +44 (0)20 7588 1798
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese145 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU, +44 (0)207 353 6170
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Bleeding Heart RestaurantBleeding Heart Yard, off Greville Street, London, EC1 8SJ, +44 (0)20 7242 8238
Nearest Tube and Hotels: South LondonDelfina50 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1, +44 (0)20 7357 0244
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Tapas Brindisa18-20 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TJ, +44 (0) 207 357 8880
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Fish!Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9AL, +44 (0)207 407 3803
Nearest Tube and Hotels: RoastThe Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London, SE1 1TL, +44 (0)20 7015 1864
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Bermondsey Kitchen194 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1, +44 (0)207 407 5719
Nearest Tube and Hotels: The Anchor and Hope36 The Cut, London, SE1 8LE, +44 (0)207 928 9898
Nearest Tube and Hotels: Book in advance, where possible, as certain restaurants, especially those with celebrity status, can be fully booked weeks in advance. |
Going Out... bars, pubs and clubs
London has a huge nightlife scene - whether you fancy a quick pint, a sophisticated cocktail, or dancing 'til dawn. London's main nightlife and bars are located around the West End, but no matter where you are, you will not be short of places to go.
Pubs
London has many traditional pubs located all over the city. Many tend to serve real ale and food. Many of these pubs also lie on original sites and provide an authentic drinking experience.
Bars
For those looking for something more trendy there are a great many bars to suit, ranging from themed to the ultra chic and trendy. Here is a selection:
Absolut Icebar
31-33 Heddon Street, London, +44 (0)207 478 8910
- London’s first permanent ice bar is kept at a temperature of -5°C and everything is made completely out of ice.
- Entry is restricted to time slots of 40 minutes and costs £12.00-£15.00, but includes a designer thermal cape to keep you warm, and a personal ice glass with a choice of vodka cocktail.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
China White
6 Air Street, London, W1B 5AA, +44 (0)20 7343 0040
- A favourite haunt of London’s elite celebrities, the bar is themed with Chinese style furniture and décor.
- At busy times (which is more often than not) the bar accepts members only, so try and get yourself on the guest list where possible.
- Open from 20:00-03:00 Monday to Saturday.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Lost Society
697 Wandsworth Road, London, SW8 3JF, +44 (0)20 7652 6526
- Voted Best Bar of 2006 by Time Out, Lost Society is set in a former 16th century barn and incorporates many original features.
- Decorated in an art deco style with its own private garden, Lost Society offers restaurant facilities, as well as a handful of resident DJs playing a mixture of breaks and house at weekends.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Red
5 Kingly Street, Soho, LONDON, W1B 5PE, +44 (0)207 434 3417
- Bar decorated in red, creating a seductive, funky interior, while offering a popular cocktail selection.
- Popular bar with a restaurant downstairs.
- Open until 00:00/01:00 Monday to Saturday.
Clubs
London is home to a great many of the superclubs such as:
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt Street, London, SE1 6DP
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Fabric
77A Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 3HN
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Turnmills
63b Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5PT
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
There are also many other venues that may not always attract the big named DJs but still prove to be a fantastic night out.
Aquarium
256-264 Old Street, London, EC1V 9DD
- Club with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
- The club hosts different music nights ranging from cheesy pop to soul and garage.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
The Cross
Arches 27-31, York Way, London, N1 0UZ
- Home to legendary night Renaissance.
- Provides an exclusive clubbing experience, while retaining that 'underground' feel.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Electrowerkz
7 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ
- This club hosts some excellent nights incorporating old school, drum 'n' bass, techno, and much more.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
KoKo
1A Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JE
- The new name for the refurbished Camden Palace.
- Hosts concerts from many well known bands (it is advisable to book in advance), as well as showcasing new up-and-coming talents.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Theatre & Entertainment
London is the place to go if you fancy seeing a show. No matter what your taste, whether it's drama, comedy, or musicals, you will definitely find something to suit you.
Theatre
West End
- Main hub of London's Theatreland.
- Home to some 50 theatres alone.
- Surrounding area and districts are home to much smaller venues that add to the variety.
Popular Theatres:
Palladium
- Well-loved theatre famous for 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium'.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Dominion
- This grade II listed building has hosted many famous musicals and seen many famous stars perform, including Judy Garland.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Old Vic
- Famous for its leadership by Hollywood actor, Kevin Spacey.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Royal Court
- In keeping with tradition, they still sell a limited number of standing seats for 10p, minutes before the performance starts.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Comedy
London has a vast comedy scene, ranging from traditional places such as the Comedy Store (Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE) to much more individual venues such as Banana Cabaret (77 Bedford Hill Road, SW12 9HD).
Many pubs also offer live comedy nights all over the city.
Live Music
If live music is what you're after, then London has many large venues that are worth visiting:
Most of these venues host popular artists, meaning that tickets must be booked in advance.
There are also a high number of smaller venues catering for every taste. These include:
- Ronnie Scott's 47 Frith Street W1D 4HT, Jazz venue.
- 12 Bar Club 22-23 Denmark Place WC2H 8NL, eclectic range of music.
- Dublin Castle 94 Parkway, NW1 7AN, eclectic range of music.
Our new theatre ticket service provides up-to-date show information, including times of performances, ticket prices and availability. Plus, you can book show tickets up to an hour before you go and pick your tickets up on the door. You can even book a theatre dinner package and enjoy a two course meal in a top London restaurant to really make the most of your stay in London.
Book your theatre tickets now.
For the Kids
There are many things for children to do in London:
London Duck Tour
- A tour around the streets of London in an amphibious vehicle, taking in most of the major sights including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Nelson’s Column. The tour finishes with a trip on the river Thames, in the same vehicle.
- For more information see the London Duck Tours website.
- Prices:
Adult: £19.00
Concession: £15.00
Child under 12: £13.00
Family: £57.50
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
London Zoo
Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY
- Has many interactive opportunities for the children.
- There is also the famous Penguin Pool and Bear Mountain.
- Opening Times:
March to late October 10:00-17:30 (16:30 from October 22nd to 28th).
Late October to February 2008 10:00-16:00. - Prices:
Adult: £14.50
Child: £11.00
Under 3s: FREE
A voluntary £1.50 donation can be made with our ticket price.
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Livesey Museum for Children
682 Old Kent Road, London, SE15 1JF
- Museum for under 12s.
- Fully interactive features.
- Opening times:
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-17:00 - Prices:
FREE
Many of the museums such as the Natural History Museum (nearest tube: South Kensington) and the Science Museum (nearest tube: South Kensington) are also becoming increasingly child friendly, and offer free entry.
For things to do in the evening there is scope to take in one of the many shows aimed at children. For example:
The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RU
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Puppet Barge Theatre
78 Middleton Road, London, E8 4BP
- Various locations, but is moored at Little Venice, Central London (nearest tube: Warwick Avenue).
- Summer tours start at Henley-on-Thames, and visit Marlow, Cliveden, and Richmond.
This can be easily preceded by a meal at one of London's child friendly restaurants. For example:
Rainforest Café
20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EU
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Blue Kangaroo
555 King's Road, London, SW6 2EB
Nearest Tube and Hotels:
Giraffe
Restaurants in many areas of London including: Spitalfields, Royal Festival Hall, Wimbledon, Kensington, Richmond, Marylebone, Islington, and Battersea).
For more information visit the Giraffe website
Shopping
Whatever you are looking for, you will find it in London. London's shopping streets and world-famous markets are renowned, and no trip to London would be complete without a sneaky peak inside the world of Harrods (nearest tube: Knightsbridge).
Oxford Street is probably the most famous of London's shopping areas, and for this reason does get very busy. Here you will find all the major high street chains including Selfridges. Regent Street offers much of the same kind of thing.
For those with plenty of cash to splash, head towards Bond Street and Knightsbridge. You will be sure to spot the odd celebrity milling around these parts, but the shops are very exclusive.
London has a great many markets that specialise in different things. The most famous is probably Camden which attracts tourists from far and wide. Portobello Road Market is internationally renowned for its second hand and antique goods. Petticoat Lane Market is a fashion and clothing market. Originally established by the Huguenot weavers who had settled in the area to sell lace and petticoats, it is considered to be one of the oldest surviving markets in Britain. More specialised markets can also be found such as the Borough food market and Smithfield meat market.
Gay & Lesbian
London has a thriving gay and lesbian scene and has a wide community all over London, with bars and clubs located in many of the key hotspots. However, the usual place to head for to find the hub of the gay/lesbian bars is Soho, particularly Old Compton Street.
The Admiral Duncan
54 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UB
A well-known place to head for and is particularly busy at the weekend.
GAY Bar
30 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5JX
The perfect place to start your clubbing evening.
Heaven
Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NJ
One of the world's most famous gay clubs, and is particularly popular.
Many other venues also hold gay/lesbian nights on certain nights of the week.
London Pride is usually held in June/July, and WorldPride will be hosted in London in 2012. For more information about gay/lesbian London, contact the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard on +44 (0)207 837 7324
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MIDDLESEX: Although dissolved as an administrative authority... in the minds and hearts of its sons and daughters it was, is, and always will be the place of their home rather than another anonymous chunk of London.' Never again will we forget any of the above!
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