Famous London people you should know

By Melanie Lahmann

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Off The Beaten Track - London's Smaller Museums

Discover the wacky, gory and the niche corners of British history at London's smaller museums. Don't let the Natural History Museum and British Museum hog the limelight - there's more to see at some of London's smaller museums. With everything from intricate historical artefacts to plain bizarre exhibits, everything is grounds for a museum in a city as eclectic as England's capital. Handel and Hendrix Music legends Jimi Hendrix and George Frideric Handel may seem an unlikely pairing, but they both happened to be neighbours in Mayfair (give or take a good two hundred years). See how these musicians lived and visit Handel's practice rooms, where he changed the face of Baroque music, forever tinkling on harpsichords, and then slip upstairs to Hendrix's eclectic 1960s flat to see the first place the guitarist ever really called home. Fan Museum This little-known museum is one of the more unexpected ones in London, dedicated entirely to beautifully designed handmade fans. With over 3500 fans in its collection, it charts the long and changing history of the accessory and delves into the development of the artisan craft across the years. Tucked away in a couple of 1720s grade II listed buildings in the charming Greenwich district, enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea in the Orangery overlooking their peaceful Japanese Garden. Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garrett Beware the faint of heart - this grisly museum is dedicated to the gory history of medicine in Britain and is host to the oldest operating theatre in Britain. Located just a stone's throw away from London Bridge, visitors can see the room where surgeries took place on a wooden table before an audience and see an exhibition of equipment used by doctors three hundred years ago. There's a reason this unnerving site has been featured in so many creepy TV shows and movies, after all. Cartoon Museum You're never too old to enjoy a good cartoon and this wide-ranging museum has over 5000 books and 4000 comics for you to comb over. Started by cartoon enthusiasts in the 1980s, there's a varied exhibit with over nine hundred selected works dating all the way back to the 18th century covering everything from satire to animation. Perfect for the whole family, keep an eye out for any touring collections and hone your own skills at one of their many master classes. Florence Nightingale Museum Discover the story of Florence Nightingale, the greatest icon of modern nursing, at this special museum in St Thomas' Hospital. With a wide collection that follows her through her early years through to her time serving throughout the Crimean War, her accomplishments in modern medicine and legacy are preserved in a thoughtful exhibit including over 800 of her letters and personal book collection. Image via TodayIFoundOut.com Sherlock Holmes Museum Put your thinking cap on and chart a course for Baker Street, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional super sleuth continues to capture imaginations at the Sherlock Holmes Museum. While the museum doesn't have the same address as Sherlock, it does proudly display a 221B plaque regardless on its front door and has faithfully recreated scenes from the stories including Sherlock's study and Watson's bedroom. Avid lovers of the books will be able to pick up memorabilia from the souvenir store on the way out. Museum of Comedy The Brits are known for their dry wit and distinctive sense of humour, so it's no surprise that there's an interactive museum dedicated to British comedy. See over 6000 real props and artefacts from the funniest comedians in history at their permanent exhibition, including Charlie Chaplin's cane and Bill Bailey's crazy 6-neck guitar. No celebration of British comedy would be complete without a performance space and sketch artists, stand-ups and more funny people frequently perform there.

Take a Walk - Our Guide to London Bridges

Venture across the River Thames on one of London's bridges, sites of architectural excellence and the city's long history. If you find yourself strolling along the Thames, you're bound to come across at least one (or more) of London's iconic and historical bridges. From East to West, London's famous river is crossed by famous bridges, each with their own interesting backstory and fun facts. Take in part of the city's history with our guide to London bridges... London Bridge As the namesake of the somewhat dark children's nursery song, London Bridge is commonly mistaken for the more ostentatious Tower Bridge by tourists and has undergone numerous facelifts since it was first built by the Romans hundreds of years ago. It remains a busy crossing for cars and pedestrians crossing the Thames and also boasts beautiful shots of the river from its balustrade. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge is always at the top of every London traveller's list and the stunning wonder of British architecture and engineering never fails to amaze. Constructed over 120 years ago, it spans over 244 metres and was built by the City of London to help people cross the river without blocking water traffic. With a stroke of luck, you'll be able to watch the bridge split in two to allow larger boats to pass between its towers unhindered. In recent years, the high level Walkways have been reopened for tourists to enjoy stunning views of London and enjoy an exhibit detailing the history of the bridge. Millennium Bridge Best known for a hair-raising scene in the Harry Potter films, the Millennium Bridge is a sleek, modern suspension bridge for pedestrians. It was nicknamed the 'Wobbly Bridge' when it opened as swayed noticeably and after a long period of renovation, it was reopened to the public sans wobble. Connecting famous sights like the Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern on the south bank to places like St. Paul's Cathedral on the north bank, it's a great experience for those beating the tourist trail. Westminster Bridge Just beyond Westminster Abbey, the tube station and the most powerful people in London arcs the Westminster Bridge, the oldest surviving bridge in London and one of its busiest. Painted green to mimic the seats in the House of Commons, those looking for the perfect shot of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament will find this a great place to set up their cameras. Image via BritainFromAbove.org.uk Southwark Bridge For a leisurely stroll across the river, navigate your way past the Globe Theatre and step onto Southwark Bridge; one of London's quieter road and foot bridges. Built in 1819 in the hopes of lessening traffic on London and Blackfriars Bridges, it actually did little to alleviate the congestion but remains one of the best places to take in the river sights. Image via Flickr Blackfriars Bridge Designed by London architect Joseph Cubitt, Blackfriars is one of London's prettiest bridges with its detailed arches and stone carvings of both coastal and freshwater birds to represent its position as a tidal turning point. Featured frequently in popular culture, it is perhaps best known for the suspicious death of Italian banker Roberto Calvi who was found hanging from it with bricks in his pockets. Image via Flickr Vauxhall Bridge Before crossing Vauxhall Bridge, walk a little further down to admire the bronze sculptures lining its columns that represent agriculture, architecture, engineering and more. Painted in bold scarlet and yellow, one of London's key roads traverses it and it constantly thrives with cars and people. Image via Flickr Chelsea Bridge Not to be associated with Chelsea FC, it was previously named the Victoria Bridge after the Royal Family; the name was later changed to the Chelsea Bridge to avoid dragging the Royal Family through the mud should it ever collapse. This narrow suspension bridge was first built in the 1840s and over the years has been remodelled to its current modern incarnation today. In the 1950s, it became a popular racing ground for motorcyclists which culminated in a gory standoff between rival motorcycle gangs including the Hells Angels. Image via Flickr Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge was hailed the 'noblest bridge in the world' by Italian sculptor Canova when it was initially constructed by British architect John Rennie in the 1800s. Since then, it has been rebuilt and its current iteration is fondly called the Ladies Bridge, since it was built largely by women during World War Two while many male construction workers served in the military. Image via Flickr Hammersmith Bridge This beautifully designed suspension bridge is easily recognisable by its bright turquoise colour and tall towers. Dating back to 1827, it was later rebuilt by famous civil engineer Sir Joseph Balzagette sixty years later and remains a popular route for those driving or walking into Hammersmith or Richmond.

Woman traveling on a train

Best Day Trips From London

Doctor Johnson once stated that ‘when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford’. It’s true that London is one of the greatest cities in the world, with a roster of awesome attractions that are second-to-none. Buckingham Palace! The Shard! Tower Bridge! Big Ben! St Paul’s Cathedral! Hyde Park! The British Museum! And then there’s the dining, the nightlife, the shopping, the theaters, the food markets! We could go on... But that’s not to say the rest of the UK has nothing to offer. Far from it! In fact there are dozens of quite excellent attractions that can be reached from London in plenty of time to make a day of it, from traditional fish and chips by the seaside to the ancient Roman spas in beautiful Bath. Here, then is our (far from exhaustive!) pick of the 10 best day trips from London. Box Hill Around 20 miles southwest of London, Box Hill is a National Trust-managed peak in the North Downs, and a fine choice for fresh air yomps with classic countryside views. There’s an eight-mile circular hike that takes in a couple of lovely ye olde country pubs, plus a few vertiginous staircases and quad-crunching hillside ascents. The more casual walker can take the (much) shorter hilltop stroll or skip across the River Mole’s magical stepping stones. Grab a ploughman’s picnic from the cafe and pick up an activity sheet to see how many different species of butterfly you can spot on spring and summer saunters, from Purple Emperors to Painted Ladies. Whitstable North Kent’s traditional seaside towns have been a favorite of Londoners since time immemorial. Spend a day in Whitstable and you’ll soon find out why. Pastel-colored beach huts and decaying wooden groynes make for some excellent photo opportunities and the chance to shuck native rock oysters on the shingle shoreline is simply too good to miss. Stroll the town’s narrow lanes for cute boutiques, old-fashioned tea rooms and tiny hipster art galleries. Later, find a waterfront boozer and enjoy a frothing pint of local ale and hot, salty fish and chips eaten with your fingers. Perfection. Top tip: Margate and Broadstairs are equally charming, and just as easy to reach by direct train from the capital. Bath A mere hour and 20 minutes train-ride from London, beautiful Bath requires no introduction. Of course, a tour of the ancient Roman Baths is absolutely essential. But, alas, you can’t take a dip here. So, appetite well and truly whetted, head straight to the Thermae Bath Spa, located on the aptly named Hot Bath Street. This rooftop paradise features a natural, mineral-rich outdoor pool with panoramic views of Bath Abbey and the surrounding hills. The signposted Bath Skyline walk takes you into those very hills on a six-mile circular route through secluded valleys and ancient woodland, all with stunning city views. Blenheim Palace One of the best day trips from London has to be Blenheim Palace, a ridiculously opulent 18th-century country house that’s perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Explore the palatial staterooms and grand baroque architecture before strolling the vast grounds, where the huge maze, rose garden, butterfly house and Capability Brown’s Great Lake are highlights. Pair with a visit to nearby Oxford, where the ‘dreaming spires’ of Matthew Arnold’s poem have inspired dozens more artists and literary legends across the ages, from Turner to Waugh. Vineyards There are about a dozen wine-producing vineyards in Surrey, Sussex and Kent, the closest to the capital being Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking, which also just so happens to be the largest vineyard in England. A dinky train takes you on a tour of the vineyard’s finest North Downs views, before that all-important tasting session: try the flight of four award-winning wines paired with cheese and charcuterie in the restaurant. Daytrippers with a taste for the good stuff may wish to book an overnight stay at the on-site Vineyard Hotel. Bottoms up! The New Forest Picture-perfect countryside villages like Beaulieu, Brockenhurst and Burley pepper the New Forest in Hampshire, where woodland trails, quaint thatched cottages, ruined abbeys, lazy meandering rivers and cobbled lanes lined with cute tearooms and gift shops are the order of the day. Say hey to the New Forest’s native wild ponies as they roam freely around this exquisite National Park. Should you (or your kids) be so inclined, there’s even a chance to meet Pedro Pony and, indeed, Zoe Zebra and the rest of the gang at Peppa Pig World near the village of Ower. Reach the New Forest direct from London in around two hours. Stonehenge Ponder just how the monolithic rocks that comprise Stonehenge got there in the first place on a day trip from London. This prehistoric monument has fascinated and perplexed historians for generations. Religious site? Astronomical observatory? Place of healing? Something else entirely? Make up your own mind on what, in any case, is a truly mind-altering experience, particularly around sunrise and sunset. Brighton The pebble beach, the cobbled lanes, the fine coffee shops, the old-fashioned pier with its many entertainments... Sussex’s most fashionable seaside town has a little something for everyone. Grab a single-source coffee and hit the Lanes for hip boutiques, record stores second-hand bookshops and more. Dangle your feet from the pier as you gorge on – yep, you guessed it – traditional fish and chips with lashings of salt and vinegar. Goggle at sweeping views of the South Downs and English Channel from the British Airways i360 observation tower. And challenge your friends to a Mortal Kombat or Pac-Man showdown on retro arcade machines at the World’s End pub. Cambridge Less than an hour from London by train, the idyllic medieval town of Cambridge has many charms, chief among them the dozens of centuries-old university buildings and the opportunity to go punting on the Cam. Drift lazily along this sleepiest of rivers, with a licensed punter at the helm to ensure you don’t go crashing into those picturesque weeping willows that overhang the water. A typical tour takes in iconic Cambridge landmarks including the soaring gothic spires of King's College Chapel and Instagram favorite the Bridge of Sighs. Paris Ok ok, so this one is a little bit decadent, but hear us out. Early birds can catch the 07.01 Eurostar from King’s Cross St Pancras and roll in to central Paris by mid-morning, giving you all the time in the world for lunch and sightseeing before returning in the evening. Make the most of it with a long, lavish brasserie meal of steak tartare, escargots and – naturellement – a bottle of Champagne, or grab some freshly baked baguette and aromatic French fromage to go then head for the broad lawns of the Champs de Mars for a picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower, followed by a romantic stroll along the Seine. Parfait! Save on attractions in London Save on admission to London attractions with The London Pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

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