Cheers, St George! Celebrate in pubs in London

By Go City Expert

If you’re in London over Easter, there’s another reason to celebrate and get involved in the longstanding British traditions over the holy weekend. A few days after the Easter buzz has died down, England celebrates the day of its Patron Saint, St George. As it officially falls on the 23rd April, this year celebrations will be held the Saturday before, 19th April so plenty of time to recover from a bit of over indulgence. Happily coinciding with Easter you can go from one celebration to the other, filling both your Saturday and Sunday with feasts and fun, fairs and face paints. Join the big festivities at Trafalgar Square where they host an annual festival for St George with food stalls, parades and people dressed up in old English costumes (which is a sight if nothing else!) For something a little more sedate (and adult-only) but definitely as traditional, why not visit one of London’s best pubs and raise a toast to the English Patron. In no particular order, we think some of London’s best pubs are... Dog and Duck, Soho If you’re in central London and fancy a cool pint or British ale then the Dog and Duck is just the place. With its etched mirrors and antique décor - including original tiled walls - it’s a Soho landmark and is famed for being George Orwell's preferred watering hole back in his day... Take a break from the hustle and bustle of vibrant China Town and while away the hours in one of London’s most traditional establishments. Carpenters Arms, Goodge Street This homely pub is one of the best rated pubs in London. With 14 ales, beers and lagers on tap to choose from – not to mention ciders – it’s a popular haunt for locals and after-work drinkers alike. Snap up a spot on the roof terrace when the sun shines and sample some of the pub’s tasty bar food, from traditional fish and chips to hearty sausage rolls. Yum! The Anchor, London Bridge Did you know the 23rd April is also Shakespeare’s birthday as well as St George’s Day? Down on the south bank of the river Thames is The Anchor, a red brick pub next door to the Globe Theatre that promises both views and vino. With a good selection of wines and beers, as well as tasty bites to eat, it’s one of London’s best traditional pubs. Walk off your drinks/dinner afterwards and take in the sights, from Tate Modern and HMS Belfast along the promenade... The Lock Tavern, Camden If you’ve had a fun day exploring the Market and canals of Camden there’s no better way to celebrate St George’s Day and the true English traditions than to set up camp in the Lock Tavern, one of Camden’s most popular establishments. With a wealth of outdoor seating areas it’s a great beer garden and one of the best spots for the warmer weather. Sit back and enjoy a more modern pub feel and spot the hipsters as they come in the hordes. If you stay late, you’ll be entertained by some live music and a DJ, too. Gipsy Moth, Greenwich Head South East of the river for a nautical nugget of London life. Greenwich is a picturesque and quirky borough of the capital which tourists often miss out. Full of eateries, a farmers market and a wonderful park, it’s also home to the Gipsy Moth pub. Sat on the bank of the Thames off a cobbled street it overlooks the historic Cutty Sark – probably one of the best pubs with a view in London. With a quiet atmosphere and its original potato vodka (we dare you...) it’s a safe bet for a cosy celebration. Discover more of London with The London Pass and make your trip that bit easier. Save time and money – and even get the added value of a travelcard to take you all across London... Learn more, here.

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London Pass goes Up The O2

The O2 Dome on Greenwich Peninsula, South East London is one of London’s most exciting venues – and urban structures. Having opened in 2007, it can hold up to 20,000 people and takes the title of the UK’s second largest arena, after Manchester. Now, it plays host to world class acts like Kylie Minogue, as well as tennis champions Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in various events from sold-out tours to the Paralympics. But spectator-sport aside, we wanted in on the action. Up at the O2 is the O2’s novel adventure which allows you to ‘conquer the summit of London’ and scale the dome, climbing to its summit of 60m. Kat and Lesley from London Pass head office were lucky enough to go and try it out, to tell you all about it! What made you want to go Up at The O2? Kat: I love active sightseeing anyway; I love to climb, cruise, walk and cycle my way around cities so this experience really appealed to me! Lesley: An opportunity to climb such an iconic structure, how could I refuse? I couldn’t wait to try it out. What made you think that London Pass customers might also like the experience? Kat: To begin with I thought it was just an unusual activity that would appeal to people with similar active interests. When I actually did the climb however, I realised that the view from the top is one of the best in London; not only because of how far you can see but also because of where it is positioned you can see every landmark in the city on a clear day – even Wembley Stadium! Then there is something very satisfying about reaching the viewpoint ‘the hard way’! Lesley: London Pass users have access to some amazing, unusual, interesting and educational places. Up at The O2 is all of those things and more. To be outside with the breeze in your hair and to see an amazing 360 ̊ panorama of London. All those skyscrapers... it’s simply incredible. Were you nervous before the climb began? Kat: I think it’s natural to get ‘butterflies’ before doing something like this! Once we’d been briefed and got onto the roof however, we realised that the dome of The O2 would never be more than a few feet below us, which was very comforting! Lesley: I was too excited to feel nervous, I couldn’t wait to get out there. Did you feel prepared for the climb? Kat: Very much so. We had a 30 minute safety briefing before the climb so we all knew what to do before we went out onto the roof. Lesley: Definitely. A safety briefing video that was both informative and entertaining really helped. Plus they kit you out with climbing shoes and either a full jump suit or specialist vest top, to stow away your camera or phone to take photos at the top. How safe did you feel during the climb? Kat: Perfectly safe. The equipment kept us secure; it was very straight forward to use and we had a guide with us the whole time. Lesley: The ‘path’ is made of a trampoline style material – there is a lot of bounce so keeping your feet nice and flat with each step minimises that. There is also a hand rail but I went daredevil and tried not to use it. With the harness set up if you were to lose your footing you’d simply drop to your knees and it’s very easy to get back up. How long did it take to reach the top? Kat: Around 30 minutes. It’s more like a steep walk than an actual climb. It could have been done much quicker but I think we all wanted to savour the experience and so made our way up slowly! Lesley: I don’t remember, the whole experience took about 2 hours from briefing to jumping off at the other end. I kept getting distracted by the view and the novelty of being on the dome of The O2. What was it like at the top? Kat: Breath taking! We could even see the London Pass office from the top! Lesley: Practically, it was nice and level. You can also unclip your harness and walk around to take loads of photos. The view is pretty awesome as you can see the sprawling skyline of London. How does this experience compare to other viewpoint attractions in London? Kat: It isn’t the highest viewpoint attraction in London, but it definitely rivals the best because the views are virtually uninterrupted. Plus this is a very interesting part of London that is under a huge amount of regeneration, the extent of which I never really realised until I was able to look down on it all! Lesley: It’s tricky to compare. Each building has its own merits so I couldn’t pick a favourite, but for this particular attraction I would say the full 360 ̊ panorama is a great feature. How was the descent? Kat: The descent was fun; you get a better feel for the gradient of the climb on the way down! Lesley: Bittersweet, because it’s all over! It’s a bit tougher on the legs coming down and I had to use the hand rail for balance. What is your overall opinion of the experience? Kat: Buckets of fun! Lesley: Genius! Such a clever use of space and very well organised. Would you do it again? Kat: How soon?! Lesley: Absolutely! London Pass holders can get 30% off weekday (Mon-Fri) climbs between 10.00-16.00. To redeem this offer, simply turn up at The O2 and show your London Pass. It's best to arrive early as the climbs are timed slots - so you might have to wait for the next available time if fully booked. Offer valid 1st July - 31st July 2014.
Vanessa Teo
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Chinese New Year In London: What You Need To Know

Many of us rang in the new year as the clock struck midnight on 1st January. Likely after imbibing a few more drinks than we'd planned to. Luckily for you, the celebrations don't end there. In fact, the Chinese New Year is fast approaching. So if you feel like going for a second round of New Year's fun, or just want to know more about it, you're in the right place. Here's everything you need to know about Chinese New Year in London. Featuring: When is Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year Parade Places to eat and drink Top tips to celebrate the New Year in style When is Chinese New Year? This year, the Chinese New Year falls on 25th January 2020, which is a Saturday. Good news if you want to get involved with the celebrations! This year is the Year of the Rat. It is believed that people born during these years are outgoing and intelligent. So if you see any intelligent and outgoing people walking around, maybe wish them a happy birth year. What's the worst that could happen? People born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008 also share the Year of the Rat. So you're bound to get this right at least some of the time. While New Year lands on the 25th, expect most celebrations to kick into full gear on the 26th January, which is a Sunday. But, if you can't make those dates, don't worry. New year celebrations run from 25th January until 9th February. That's sixteen days of fun. You're sure to feel spoiled by the end of it. And, it certainly puts your typical new year's to shame. Where are the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year in London? Arguably the jewel in the Chinese New Year crown is London's Parade. From10am on 26th January, the parade starts at Trafalgar Square. Expect to see elaborate costumes, dragons, ribbons and plenty of colours. With music in tow, the parade will then make its way through London's West End, up Shaftsbury Avenue. Eventually, the parade culminates in Chinatown, where the party truly begins! There’s a great stage hosting performers and artists, not to mention the typical dragon and lion floats with sheep-themed decorations all around. Typically, this area is a hive of activity and commotion, but during New Year expect way more people and lots more fun. However, if you'd rather stay in Trafalgar Square instead of following the parade, expect some surprises. At around midday, you'll see acrobats, lion dances and dancers performing on stage. Dine authentic You're sure to feel peckish while you're out celebrating. But don't you dare run to the nearest cafe or recognisable fast food place. This is Chinese New Year. Look around. We bet you'll see dozens of authentic Chinese restaurants and food stalls all over. With so much on offer, you'll have the chance to try speciality cuisine from every region of the country. So our advice? Pick small dishes or samples, and go on an empty stomach. That way, you might have room to sample it all. Or at least, as much as your finite belly can take. Thank us later. Top Tips for Chinese New Year in London Of course, you'll want to make the most of the good times. Think smart. Party smart. Here are our top tips to make sure you make the most of Chinese New Year in London. As we mentioned earlier, this year is the Year of the Rat. So why not embrace our furry, misunderstood friends with a spot of dress up? Ears, whiskers, and a dollop of face paint should do the trick. You're never too old to dress up, after all. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Alternatively, if you're bringing the little ones, why not dress them up instead. Parenting 101: live vicariously through your children. That way, you can experience all the joy of life without fear of embarrassment. Embrace the language. As you walk the streets, feel free to wish people a ‘happy new year’. In Mandarin, say "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (pronounced sing knee-on koo-why lerr), and in Cantonese, say "San Nin Faai Lok" (san knee fy lock). Get some practice in before you head out, just in case you make a fool of yourself. Plan your journey ahead of time. Driving will be a big no-no, as most of the roads around the celebration will be inaccessible or entirely congested with traffic. Instead, look to get the tube or a bus and walk. If you're coming from out of town, there are lots of hotels you can stay in close to Chinatown. However, they may be fully booked this late in the day. It's January in London, so it'll likely be pretty cold. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Not only will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you'll also be walking around a lot. So thick coats, scarves, comfortable footwear, and an umbrella wouldn't hurt either. It's London, after all. Clouds and their inevitable rainfall can come out of nowhere. You'll likely see a lot of red when wandering the streets of Chinatown, or watching the parade. That's because red is the colour of Chinese New Year. Why not get involved and throw on a little red of your own? Slip on those red cowboy boots you so daringly purchased a decade ago. Or don a red beret, like an inconspicuous spy. It's seen as good luck to also purchase something red during the festivities. So feel free to check out the market stalls peppered around Chinatown for some authentic New Year memorabilia. Toys, ornaments, and more will be on offer. So go on. Do it. Another good luck charm courtesy of Chinese New Year is to get high. As in, get up to a high place, which is culturally referred to as 'climbing high and gazing far'. So why not check out The Shard? Not only will you get the most breathtaking views in the city, but you'll also bring yourself good fortune. At least, that's what they say. And that's everything you need to know about Chinese New Year in London! Got any more tips or hidden gems you'd recommend for the celebrations? Let us know in the comments. And if you arrive early to the festivities, or want to make the most of your morning, why not wake up with some of the best coffee in the capital?
Dom Bewley
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Fascinating facts about the Tour de France

The Tour de France kicks off this weekend and people around the world will be tuning tomorrow, 5th July, as the 198 cyclists set off from Yorkshire and end up in Paris on the 27th July after a gruelling 3,500kms over three weeks. But even if you’re not an avid cyclist or don’t know who our biking hero Bradley ‘Wiggo’ Wiggins is – do not dismay, we’ll fill you in on all you need to know and even some fascinating facts you really never would have known. Always great for a pub quiz. Top 10 fascinating facts about the Tour de France: The first race was a publicity event for a sponsoring newspaper to boost sales of L’Auto, run by Henri Desgrange The early races were a lot tougher – some stages lasted 400kms without a break and even cycling well into the night with no support teams or ‘cheerers on’! Although the race started in 1903, the race is only 111 years old as the race wasn’t run over the two World Wars Bikes in the earlier years were banned from having gears, so during an uphill struggle cyclists would have to pedal with pure force or remove their back wheel and change it for another gear instead There are 22 teams that race, each with 8 riders, and they all have to wear the same kit – although it gets complicated when you factor in leaders, cumulative leaders, and the 26 year old with the lowest cumulative time... Best leave that up to the professionals The King of the Mountain jersey is white with red polka dots. Want to know why? It’s because of the Chocolat Poulain sponsor who’s wrappers are decorated the same The race leader’s jersey is yellow because of the pages of the original sponsoring paper L’Auto-Velo that had yellow pages “Pauses pipi” are an unwritten rule by the gentlemen of the race who decided that when nature has to call the competitors won’t use it as an excuse to get one up on them The average Tour de France cyclist burns nearly 124,000 calories over the three week race Cycling the entire 3,500kms (which is the same distance from London to Cairo) generates enough sweat to flush a toilet 39 times – gross but true! Catch the Tour de France 2014 in London at the Fan Parks in Green Park and Trafalgar Square on the 5th-7th July and head to Canary Wharf for the closing of the race on the 27th July.
Vanessa Teo

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