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LIFESTYLE TRAVEL LONDON Above The landmark sights of England’s capital city form an exciting backdrop to the action at Twickenham The atmosphere around Twickenham on matchdays is electric as fans flood into local pubs and spill out onto the streets. Local residents sell food outside their front doors and street vendors feed and clothe the masses in preparation. But many visitors also want to take in some of the city’s world-famous landmarks. St James’ Park, the oldest of the royal parks, is at the heart of London from which many of the great sights can be accessed. The park itself, an oasis of tranquility, harbours wildlife and beauty that are a far cry from the road systems that threaten to engulf it. A view from the lake reveals Buckingham Palace to the left, and the unmistakable Westminster skyline dominated by Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Victoria Tower. Downing Street is close by and a stroll further up Whitehall will take you to Trafalgar Square. Experience London’s West End where a vibrant life ensues around Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Soho and China Town. A night in any of these locations will be one to remember. The stiff breeze on a boat trip down The Thames in Spring will blow away any early morning grogginess before indulging in some of the high arts. The Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, and Tower Bridge are all worth stopping for and a bird’s eye view of the city can be obtained from the London Eye or the top of St Paul’s Cathedral. Covent Garden is awash with street performers, bars and restaurants, theatres and opera houses. If you miss the sight of Jonny Wilkinson slotting place kicks remember you can always see his famous crouched stance at Madame Tussauds. For those who wish to consume more than just London’s atmosphere, Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street offer opportunities to lighten your wallet whereas the Brewer Street Markets and Camden Lock Markets are delightful to just browse. Borough markets at Tower Bridge and Brick Lane Markets are brimming with a diversity of fresh, high quality produce. There are restaurants for every taste imaginable all over London. Traditional English food is fashionable once again with the advent of gastro pubs and ethnic diversity in and around the city has introduced a medley of produce, with Bohemian-style cuisine increasingly popular. London does not sleep. For those who have not had enough excitement for one day, there are opportunities to party, eat and drink all through the night. Check In Accommodation in London does come at a premium but a simple internet search can help you discover some great deals. The area around Twickenham in west London is considered one of great affluence but London’s bus services run throughout the night so it is possible to return to lodgings at unearthly hours without spending a fortune on taxis. Just make sure they know you are coming! www.visitlondon.com Touch Down London is one of the most accessible cities in the world with a multitude of airlines from across the globe flying into four major airports. Easyjet and Ryanair generally offer the cheapest flights but it is worth scouting around for the best deal. The City can be easily reached from South coast ports and Eurostar travel to London St Pancras from Paris, Lille and Calais. Numerous national rail terminals serve the length and breadth of the company. National Express and Megabus travel to London from all over the UK at very competitive prices when tickets are booked in advance. The London Underground serves the city well but the experience can be quite uncomfortable during rush hour. London buses are very reliable but also suffer during peak periods as the road systems become highly congested. CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 69 |