UNITED KINGDOM 2015

TIPS WHILE ON TOUR OF LONDON

Getting around London is not a hassle at all. With the well connected Tube and Bus networks you are sure to find the right places to visit.

Get an Oyster Travel card which will cost you around 20 pounds. This includes a deposit of 5 pounds and the remaining credit to be used for at least 3 days. It really depends on the zones you prefer. Most of London's attractions are in the zones 1 and 2. However if you wish to explore outside zones like the Wimbledon etc, you may want to include 4 zones.

Details of Zones and the map of tube stations can be downloaded from this link https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/standard-tube-map.pdf

This is what an Oyster card looks like. You only need to touch the sensor on the terminals. Basically Swipe at the beginning and at the end of your trip. Make sure you refund your 5 pounds on finishing your trip from any of the main stations.


if you wish to see the major attractions you can opt to take the hop on hop off tours from one of the providers below.

Big Bus tours - http://eng.bigbustours.com/ 24 hours bus tickets normally cost around 26 pounds and includes a river cruise and walking tour. Sometimes you get a deal for 48 hours

Golden Tours - http://www.goldentours.com/ Tickets cost around 22 pounds

It is a good idea to complete one tour on the original line on one of the tours above so you understand the main locations to visit.

Later during the day you may chose specific places to visit like the Madam Tussads Museum, Buckingham Palace, etc

WHERE TO STAY

Unless you are not worried about spending much, it is a good idea to stay outside the main city. I chose to stay at the Holiday Inn Express, PARK ROYAL, Victoria Road near North Acton Tube Station.

Literally 2 minutes walk and I mean a safe place at any time of the day or night will take you from the station to the Holiday Inn Express hotel.

The rooms are around 100 pounds including breakfast. 

There is a nice pub just around the corner, a Tesco Express and a Middle East themed restaurant plus a small eatery for burgers etc all close to the hotel. If you do not chose the hotel menu, there are many options. Pizza (Dominos) will be delivered to your room on a special discount as well.

The Shipwrights Arms - Southwark, London

This building stands out from the rest on the street and cannot be missed. The blue is so soft to the eyes.
Lillywhites
On Regent Street, Lillywhites is a 5-storey emporium founded in 1863 by leading cricket family, with 34 specialist sports departments. Buses leaving to Oxford Circus and Camden Town are seen in the front.

London Heathrow Terminal 3


Windsor Castle
A panoramic shot taken from outside Windsor Castle and near the Souvenir shops 

Ealing Broadway Tube Station
Tube station where you change lines when travelling from Slough to London. I was off to North Acton


North Acton Tube Station
A view of the train from North Acton Tube station. North Acton is actually above ground. This is where you get off to transfer to the IBIS hotel.


Holiday Inn Express at North Acton
Conveniently located just 2 minutes away from the North Acton Tube station, Holiday Inn Express is a comfortable stay and close enough to get to london or other areas to explore.


The Castle Pub
The perfect spot for a relaxed pint of ale in West London. 
The Castle is a traditional English pub that never fails to serve up a warm welcome. For a classic pub meal or just a quick pint after work, The Castle is the best pub in North Acton.

Central line Tube stations from North Acton


Holland Park Tube Station
A shot taken during non peak time.

Nottinghill Gate Tube Station
I was sort of dragged into the symmetry to take this shot.


PRIMARK 
Primark is expanding with new stores including a second branch on London's Oxford


P
arkhouse
Park House occupies an island block in Mayfair, central London W1, diagonally opposite Selfridges.


Telephone booths
Telephone booths near Langham place, Westminister

Apple Store


Pod of Coco Cola London Eye


View from London Eye
A view from the Coco cola London Eye 


Another view from the London Eye

Pod Disembarking and Entry
Less than 30 seconds to disembark, clean, security check and for next group to enter.

Private Moments
Saw these two having a quiet moment amidst the huge crowd near the London Eye walk

Westminster Bridge
People enjoying the sun on Westminster Bridge and Big Ben on the background

London Eye from Westminster Bridge
London eye view while on Westminster Bridge.

I love London


Tower Bridge Tour
A tourist on a walk tour with a Beefeater on  London Tower bridge

Tower Bridge
Great view from any angle, any location

Ice Cream Truck
An Ice Cream truck just off Tower Bridge. A great location for business.

Wimbledon Theater


Shop on the way to Portobello Market


Street Artists
Artists performing on the street to Portobello Market

Windsor Castle


Strawberries
Strawberries on sale on Portobello Market

Street food
Could be Turkish,,A street food vendor on Portobello Market. looks feasting to the eye. As a group of people watched he was so deeply involved in the cooking process. Clicked as he added the sliced tomatoes.

Street Food
Pies, Muffin, Quiche and many more....The street food on Portobello Market has got a story to it.

Swans
On Thames River, near Windsor Castle. Plenty of them swimming around. I wondered why they had ID tags on their legs. Could be signs of being looked after.

Shepherds Bush Market
Was really looking forward to visit this place. Heard a lot, read a lot and finally visited. Got on the tube to Shepherds Bush station and a 5 minute walk brought me here.

Near Shepherds Bush Market
Walking back to the White City Tube, saw these buildings.

Thames River Boating


Fish and Chips
Just before the boat ride on Thames at Windsor, Couldn't resist the tempting traditional fish and chips


The rich have their own style
Spend a few more Pounds and you have a boat like this to yourself to explore the Thames

The pod in the sky



View from the London Eye
looking down from the London Eye, it is a marvelous view

View from the top of London Eye



London Eye and the city view


Big Ben from London Eye


London Eye Pier


Fish and Chips Stall
As you leave the London Eye and head towards Westminster Bridge, on your left you see a chain of food outlets. What caught my eye was the traditional Fish and Chips Stall..Crowded, very crowded

Westminster Bridge and Big Ben
A view from below London Eye

Pigeons on Westminster Bridge
Not bothered about the huge crowd, they carried on...

Crowd on Westminster Bridge
People to and from the Big Ben and London Eye


Bagpiper 
Chinese tourists taking a snap with a Bagpiper performing on Westminster Bridge


Big Ben
Closing in on the Big Ben

Westminster Pier

On to the pier from Westminster Bridge


Big Bus Tours
You see a lot of tour buses which take you on different lines. I took the Golden Tour Bus and the original line.


Thames Cruise from Westminster Pier


Tate Modern
Plan your visit to Tate Modern Southbank. London art gallery housing the UK's collection of modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day


The Shard London
The Shard is home to some of the best offices, restaurants and hotel rooms in London - along with breathtaking views

London Bridge
The guide on the boat tour from Westminster was explaining how a lot of people mistook the tower bridge for the London bridge.


London Bridge Hospital


Ships on Thames

The London Tower Bridge


Tower Bridge
There were real lions in the place of these statues at one time. Zoom in and you can see a smart phone on the ground, obviously that was dropped by a Chinese tourist.

Tower Bridge







Dead Mans Hole on Tower Bridge
Dead Man's Hole actually refers to a mortuary that at one time was housed beneath the north tower of the bridge. the Thames is tidal, and for one reason or another, corpses that found their way in to the murky river; either suicide jumpers, by accident or dumped, often found their way to this particular part of the river. Once 'fished' out of the Thames, bodies could be laid out to await identification ... if possible. The area is now closed off, but still perfectly visible as you take the steps up to the main part of the bridge

London Bridge 


London City Tour Bus
And comes with free Wifi now

Big Ben
View of Big Ben from Westminster bridge

Just an Address
Way back from London Eye and towards Waterloo Tube station you find this address next to the souvenir shops.

Wimbledon - City
Home of the Whopper, Burger King at Wimbledon




Wimbledon Street photos

H&M at Wimbledon


Tesco at Wimbledon Metro

At Wimbledon, the Flowersmith
A lady probably the Manager was so rude and didnt allow photographs of the flower shop. Who cares, i was only interested in the people passing LOL

Wimbledon
Photos from the street at Wimbledon

Statues at Wimbledon
Outside Wimbledon Tube, saw these statues

















Trains at Wimbledon Station






Portobello Road


Near Portobello Market



A CD store on Portobello Market



Street Artists on Portobello Market
Amazing how she kept the crowd entertained for a long time




Portobello Markets


Solo street performer at Portobello Market


UK flag at Portobello Market


Protecting the young
Couldn't resist taking this snap. As the owner was shopping the big dog was protecting the small as it looks 

Another Street performer



A shop full of Sewing Machines
Not one, not ten but hundreds of them. A vast collection of Sewing machines in a shop in Portobello Market

Cameras




Shepherd Bush Station Tube

A view from Shepherd Bush Station 





Westfield Shopping Centre on Shepherds Bush Station


A street performer outside Shepherds Bush Tube station

Free Coco Cola
Free coco cola distributed to public.




Fine for Litter
A sign prohibiting dropping litter on street - on the way to Shepherds Bush Market

Shepherds Bush Market







Police Woman at Windsor Castle



Cannon at Windsor Castle




Windsor Castle








Around the street in Windsor Castle






Thames Cruise 

























Oxford Street


Three telephone booths








Hamleys at Oxford


Piccadilly Circus