Enjoy Your Stay in London With the Best Hotels in London

London occupations the largest part of Britain. As the capital city, it has lots of attractions. It is considered to be one of the most financially strong cities in the world. The most important hotspots found in London include Tower of London, Palace of Westminister, Royal Botanic Gardens, etc. With all these attractions, the city is bound to be the center of attraction for tourists. There are many popular hotels in London. These hotels can make your stay in London to be much more pleasant. Let us take a look at some of those hotels.

Blakemore hotel is one of the best in London. It is surrounded by tourist spots and since it will be easy to navigate through the hotspots in London. The hotel features lots of other facilities like free wi-fi connectivity, non-smoking environment, etc.

Sanderson hotel is probably the most attractive hotel found in London. Its serene beauty will make you stay at the hotel for the rest of your time in London. The interiors of the hotel are designed by Phillipe Starck. Here you will definitely find the hotel attractive.

Town Hall hotel has become quite popular in the eastern London. This hotel is designed with luxury as the main goal. Its luxury can be felt in each and every apartment within the hotel. The most important thing about staying in Town Hall hotel is its food. The hotel's chief cook is Nuno Mendes who is well known for his Portuguese style of cooking.

St. Martins Lane hotel is a popular hotel located in the western part of London. The interior design of this hotel was made by Phillipe Starck and so the looks of the hotel are spectacular. If you are to stay at this hotel, you are sure to find comfort. This particular hotel offers several services to its customers. The most important one being entertainment. It features satellite TVs, DVD players, a digital library of DVDs, etc.

Hyatt Regency is a fine hotel that resides in central part of London. The hotel is 5-star rated and as a customer you can enjoy lots of facilities. You have access to Hyatt Regency club and you can have a taste of the special type of mouth watering food that they cook. It has special accommodations for VIPs. The most important thing here is that there is a tennis court.

The Hempel hotel is probably the best hotel known for its elegance. It is the only shrine to the Zen minimalism. There have been some modifications but the elegance of the olden shrine still remains. Inside the rooms, everything has been set in its perfect place. In Hempel hotel, you will the happiest moments of your life.

Dorset Square is an exclusive English style hotel. This hotel features a garden with lots of trees. It is said that this garden was once a cricket ground. It is located in the central part of London and is close to the city's business center. So this seems to be the apt hotel for business people.

Featuring all these hotels, London is one good place to visit. Staying in London hotels can turn out to be a wonderful mind-blowing experience.

London Accommodation and Attractions on a Budget

As the capital city of England, London has a rich historical background and a multicultural society. It has everything from aesthetic architecture to extravagant shopping malls making it one of the most frequented places in all of Europe. However, London is one of the most expensive places to live in and that might be a problem for those visiting London on a budget.

Finding Cheap Accommodation in London

When touring a place you need to factor in your accommodation as well as the activities you are looking to engage in during your visit into your budget. Now you may be thinking that this luxury city has only high end accommodation options for tourists. The truth is quite the contrary because you will find plenty of London accommodation options giving you the opportunity to choose something according to your budget.

London is home to a wide variety of hotels, apartments, motels and hostels that can be rented out. If you are on a budget you will have to count out the exquisite accommodation options like Blakes hotels, The Ritz and the Regency. These are the high standard exquisite London hotels that offer a quintessential English environment with a slight accent of modernity. You’ll find such hotels to be decorated with stunning interior decor and elements which will be coupled by a flawless service promising to give you a memorable and magical stay in London.

For those on a budget there are plenty of great affordable options in the city. The more affordable hotels include The Zetter, The Gore, The Hamstead Guest Huose and the Ibis Hotel. These hotels are classed amongst the mid-standard accommodation choices. However there are even more pocket friendly alternatives to explore in London. This includes hotels like the Fullers Hotel, Mayflower Hotel, Reubens at the Palace and Hotel 167. These hotels are not as exquisite as the ones mentioned above but have all the necessary amenities that you would require during your stay in London.

Choosing the Right Location

Most of these accommodation choices are situated close to popular tourist sites and world famous landmarks. However in order to explore all the things that London has to offer you need to have a considerable amount of money which will be spent touring the city. In order to maximize the availability of your finances you need to choose the right kind of accommodation that is cheap yet facilitative.

Serviced departments in London are generally cheaper to rent out as compared to hotels in the city. Furthermore they help you to save up on incidental costs such as eating out and spending on laundry. This is because serviced units have fully equipped kitchens with all basic utensils down to the cutlery and crockery enabling you to prepare your food. Similarly they are embedded with washing machines, tumble dryers and an iron along with an ironing board which allows you to take care of your daily laundry. Just like the hotels you will find many serviced apartments to be situated close to transportation hubs and major tourist attraction.

Summer in London 2017

One of the top festivals that take place in the capital city during the summer period is Lovebox, which is a two day music and dance festival that takes place at Victoria Park. This event welcomes the top DJ's and live bands and a host of performances. It is fun for the yonger generation that are looking for fun and excitement during their city break.

The next top event that draws millions of people to London each summer is the famous Wimbledon Tennis Championships that takes place for two weeks at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. This tennis championship is the oldest tennis championship in the world dating back to 1877 and today it is one in four major grand slams, yet the only one that is played on a grass court. It joins some of the best names in tennis right now and is brimming with excitation, strawberries, cocktails and a day of fun in the sun.

The Somerset House Summer Series is a reputable open air festival that attracts thousands of visitors who are looking for a day of music, dance and festivals. It is definitely not one you will want to miss when next in London.

The Lambeth Country Show always attracts hundreds of visitors to London. In 2017 it is celebrating forty two years with home grown vegetables on display, a flower competition, sheep shearing and even a mini farm for the youngger children. It's a fun day out for the whole family.

AfroPunk and Sunfall are both top dance festivals with leading DJ's and bands that arre guaranteed to get you dancing. Not to mention the famous Notting Hill Carnival, which is the largest street party in London with calypso music, a farewell and over thirty sound systems placed strategically through the streets which sees over fifty thousand participants.

There are a few things to remember when traveling to London for the summer season. Whether you are visiting for a mini break or for a couple of weeks, you want to ensure the accommodation you choose is not only comfortable, but is ideally located. All the events that take place in London are through the city and you will want to be close to the public transport links to ensure you can get to them with ease.

Take a close look at the top attractions and sights you may want to visit during your stay. Do you want to experience the famous London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel that will provide you with staggering views as far as your eyes can see, sitting on the edge of the River Thames. In fact this is the ideal place for some romance, a sunset ride and maybe even a proposal.

Buckingham Palace changing of the guards is another event not to be missed. This joins hundreds of visitors to the palace gates to watch the guards doing their change, a routine that has been done for years and is a procession like no other.

Remember that there are some fantastic restaurants in London, owned by Michelin star chefs, such as Gordon Ramsay. The concierge at your hotel will be able to advise you and make your reservation on your behalf for added convenience.

8 Bakerloo Line Stations With Interesting Attractions and Activities for Visitors to Explore

The Bakerloo Line, colored brown on the London Underground maps, was opened in March 1906. The line starts from Harrow & Wealdstone station in north-west London to Elephant & Castle station in south London. The Bakerloo line covers a distance of 23km (14.5 miles) and serves 25 tube stations.

Listed below are 8 of the 25 tube stations that most tourists use when they visit London.

Wembley Central station is located across the road from Wembley Stadium and is close to Wembley Arena.

Wembley Stadium is the home ground of the English National Football (Soccer) team. It is also the venue where the Carling Cup Final and The FA Cup Final are held. It has a seating capacity of 90,000 and is a popular venue for other sports events and major concerts.

Wembley Arena is an indoor arena and is an internationally reowned concert venue. The arena can seat 12,500 fans and has seen stars like Abba, Bon Jovi, Cliff Richard, The Eagles and Westlife perform there.

Wembley Market is one of the largest Sunday markets in the UK and is situated outside Wembley Stadium.

Warwick Avenue station is the stop for Little Venice and the Grand Union & Regent's Canal.

Here you can enjoy the tranquil canal area, stroll along pretty streets or take a relaxing boat trip to the London Zoo.

Paddington station is one of the main railway stations in London. This is the station where visitors take the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Airport. There are several 4 and 5 star hotels within easy walking distance to Paddington station. There is also a good selection of restaurants serving exotic cuisines.

Baker Street station is the stop for Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Sherlock Holmes Museum. You also get off here for Regent's Park and the London Central Mosque. Baker Street station is one of the busiest tube stations in the London Underground system.

Oxford Circus station is where you get off to do your shopping. This is the intersection where Oxford Street and Regent Street meet. This is the busiest shopping district in London with several large department stores like John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser are located.

Bond Street, renamed for its expensive designer clothes, and Selfridges Department Store are a short distance away, west of Oxford Circus station. Carnaby Street and the famous Hamley Toy Store are also a short distance away from here.

Piccadilly Circus station is the stop for the Statue of Eros, West End Theatreland and the London Chinatown. There are many theaters along Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road.

London Chinatown, with lots of good Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, is located south of Shaftesbury Avenue between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. The restaurants are always busy especially before and after theater shows.

Piccadilly Circus is the venue for London nightlife with lots of pubs, clubs and restaurants for the locals as well as tourists.

Stop at Charing Cross station if you are visiting Trafalgar Square & Nelson's Column.

Other tourist attractions around Trafalgar Square include the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and St Martin-in-the Fields Church. There are also many theaters, hotels, restaurants and pubs near Charing Cross station.

Tourist attractions near Waterloo station include the London Eye, London Aquarium, The Royal Festival Hall and the Jubilee Pedestrian Bridge.

Within easy walking distance from Waterloo station are other popular London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street.

You can also take a relaxing Thames River cruise from the London Eye Millennium Pier.

Apart from Wembley Central (zone 4) and Warwick Avenue (zone 2), all the other Bakerloo line stations listed above are in zone 1. So if you are not planning to visit Warwick Avenue or Wembley Central, you only need to buy a 1 -day Travelcard for zone 1. That will give you unlimited travel for a day in zone 1 by bus as well as by tube.

London Airport Transfers Service

You have now reached one of the 6 international airports in London safely. How would you continue your journey with the same comfort and safety?

London has 6 international airports located at different directions from the city centre. The airports are: London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, London City airport and the Southend. All airports offer access to both public transport and licensed private taxis. Public transport generally includes buses, trains and the tube. Special transfer coaches are also available from these airports. These coaches run at regular intervals between the airport and a common point in Central London.

London Heathrow is the busiest airport in the country and is crowded during all seasons of the year. The airport is 15 miles west of Central London. The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect are special coaches running between the airport and the city. The airport is connected to three tube stations at Terminals 1, 4 and 5. Buses and private cabs can be availed outside all terminal buildings. Gatwick is the second busiest airport in London. The Gatwick Express, Southern trains and First Capital Connect are the major railway sources that connect you to the city from the airport. The National Express and Easy bus connect the airport to the city via roadways. Taxis can be pre booked or availed directly from the airport. Luton airport is located in Bedfordshire and is 32 miles away from Central London. First Capital Connect trains running to East midland, the National Express, Stage Coach, Easy Bus and Dunstable Guided Busway connect the airport to different parts of the city. Taxis can be availed directly outside the terminal building. Stansted airport like most of its counterparts is well connected by public transport. The airport is home to only one terminal and it provides access to licensed taxis and minicabs directly. Most people using the London city airport travel to London for business purposes. These people prefer chauffeured services as it helps them reach their destination in style and at the right time.

Though public transport is readily available at all international airports, taxis are still the most preferred means of London airport transfers. Taxis are comfortable, prompt and offer a sense of luxury to all passengers. Travelling during winter endures a lot of risk as the weather can play a spoilsport to your travel plans. Delays in flight timings, cancellations and absence of public transport are all probable to happen during the extreme weather in winter. In such situations hiring a taxi in advance can help you tackle the scenario better. Taxis offer free flight monitoring services and schedule your pick up automatically. For flights landing during the late hours of the night the only option to reach the city safely would be to hire a taxi. Taxi drivers are well trained to handle all traffic situations and can also keep you entertained throughout your travel with interesting information.

Favorite London Restaurants

Corrigan's Mayfair, 28 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 7EH

We've visited Corrigans Mayfair far too many times, it really is a wonderful restaurant to escape to. My preference is to dine there in the winter months as the decor is on the darker side. Starting the evening with cocktails at the long-bar is a must and I recommend the tasting menu, it really is the best-of-British (and holds the odd surprise). Leave lots of time though, Corrigans is one to indulge in.

Casse-Crotete, 109 Bermondsey St, London, SE1 3XB

If you're looking for a little bit of France in London then Casse-Croute is the place for you. Located in Bermondsey Street, one of our favorite parts of London, this little gem offers a simple menu of exceptionally well cooked food in a truly French ambiance. Book early though, it's a popular place.

Murano, 20 Queen Street, London, W1J 5PP

Angela Hartnett brings luxurious Italian cuisine to the streets of Mayfair. Murano is a small and sumptuous restaurant that's both inviting and indulgent. The menu is full of mouthwatering Italian dishes and unlike most restaurants, you can choose most dishes as a starter or a main. We've been there a couple of times now and sampled the tasting menu which is very special, but make sure you've saved your pennies as Murano is not cheap. It's also worth knowing you can buy the olive oil in the restaurant and if you've tasted it, you'll know why I've added this footnote. One for special occasions.

The Duck and Waffle, Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

If you're looking to impress someone with unparallel views of London and you like sharing your food, then the Duck and Waffle is worth a visit. Unlike Oblix at the Shard which is a total rip-off served in a cacophony of tourists balking over their bills, the Duck and Waffle offers a refined and pleasurable experience. The menu offers a deeply interested choice of dishes suitable for the hardened vegetarian through to the hungriest carnivore. The Duck and Waffle is ideal of larger groups and a more social experience.

Rules, 34-35 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7LB

We've visited Rules, London's oldest restaurant numerous times and its an exceptional experience each time. The restaurant is based near Covent Garden and whilst it's central location and Britannia memorabilia may attract the odd tourist, you'll never know they're there. Unsurprisingly the menu is all British and game focused, with all produce sourced from their own estate in the High Pennines. This means the menu at Rules changes regularly so check your hunting seasons before you plan your visit.

The Top 10 Football Teams in London

There is much to see for those who are interested in football in London. Just to clarify for any readers of this article from outside the UK, football means the ‘beautiful game’, what is commonly referred to as Soccer around the world.

London has a proud tradition of famous football teams with much competition between them to be the top club. There are generally four or five London teams in the Premier League and there are many commentators who believe that this is one of the biggest obstacles to any one of them winning the league. A ‘local derby’ between two London football teams could produce an electric atmosphere and turn current form on its head they are so well contested.

Premier League tickets are sometimes difficult to obtain, but a bit of persistence often gets results. There are a number of ticket agencies that can get them for a price.

In the last decade, both Arsenal and Chelsea have each won the illustrious Premier League title twice and reached the final of the European Cup.

Here are some details about the top 10 football clubs in London and to avoid any accusations of being partisan, they are listed in alphabetical order:-

Arsenal

The Gunners, Arsenal have played in the top division of English football in consecutive seasons since the 1919-20 season. They have been champions on 13 occasions and achieved a unique record for modern times in 2003-04 season when they went the whole season without being beaten.

Arsenal have won the much coveted ‘double’ (league and cup winners in the same season) three times, in 1971, 1998 and 2002

In recent years they have moved to a new venue, The Emirates Stadium, with a 60,000 capacity. The Arsenal Museum is well worth a visit and is open every day.

Brentford

The Bees, Brentford Football Club are currently playing in Football League I. They were founded in 1889 and play their home games at Griffin Park their home stadium since 1904. Brentford’s most successful spell came during the 1930s, when they achieved consecutive top six finishes in the First Division.

Since the War, they have spent most of their time in the third and fourth tiers of English football. Brentford have been FA Cup quarter-finalists on four occasions, and have twice been Football League Trophy runners-up.

Charlton Athletic

The Addicks, Charlton Athletic have seen better days. There halcyon days were in the 1930s and 40s. In recent years they have struggled after being relegated from the Premier League in 2005 and then from the Championship in 2008.

They play at The Valley just south of the River Thames in Greenwich. The club was founded in 1905.

Historically, Charlton’s most successful period was the 1930s, when the club’s highest league finishes were recorded, including runners-up of the league in 1937, and after World War II, when the club reached the FA Cup final twice, winning in 1947.

Chelsea

The Pensioners or the Blues, Chelsea Football Club was founded in 1905, and play in the Premier League. Chelsea have been champions three times (1955, 2005, 2006), and have won the FA Cup five times, the League Cup four times and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup twice. They reached the UEFA Champions League Final in 2008

Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge in West London and their ground capacity is 42,000.The Chelsea Museum is open most days and is well worth a visit for those interested in museums and football history.

Crystal Palace

The Eagles, Crystal Palace Football Club was formed in 1905. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where it has been based since 1924. The club is currently competing in the second tier, The Championship.

Crystal Palace’s most recent successful period began in 1988-89, when the club finished third in the Second Division and were promoted to the First Division. Reaching the 1990 FA Cup Final only to lose the replay against Manchester United and finishing 3rd in the First Division in 1990-91.

Since then Palace have been relegated from and promoted to the FA Premier League on a number of occasions, their most recent relegation from the top flight was in the 2004-05 season. This is all despite the club being almost bankrupt in July 2000.

Fulham

The Cottagers, Fulham Football Club was founded in 1879, they celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2004, and are in the top tier of English football, the Premier League. Fulham are the oldest professional football team in London.

In 2009, Fulham had their highest-ever finish in the Premier League, coming 7th to qualify for Europe.

The club has produced many great British footballers including Johnny Haynes, George Cohen, Bobby Robson, Rodney Marsh and Alan Mullery and Jim Langley. They play at the historic Craven Cottage, their home since 1896, a riverside ground on the banks of the River Thames in Fulham.

Queens Park Rangers

The Hoops or just QPR, Queens Park Rangers Football Club based in Shepherd’s Bush, West London. They currently play in the Football League Championship, and their honours include winning the League Cup in 1967, and being runners-up in the old First Division in 1975-76 and FA Cup in 1982.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club was founded in 1882, and its traditional colours are blue and white. Owing to its proximity to other West London clubs, QPR maintains long-standing rivalries with several other clubs in the area, the most notable of these being Chelsea, Brentford and Fulham with whom they contest what are known as West London derbies.

In 2007 QPR was taken over by Italian tycoon Flavio Briatore and rank among the top 10 richest sporting clubs in the world. Other major shareholders include Lakshmi Mittal & F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. So watch this space!

Tottenham Hotspurs

The famous ‘Spurs’ side of 1961, is still reckoned by many football enthusiasts, to be one of the best football teams in English football history. They achieved the ‘double’ which had not been achieved at that time since Aston Villa won it in 1897.

This has given recent Spurs’ teams a lot to live up to. But Spurs have a long tradition of playing good football so there are many exciting matches at White Hart Lane especially with their close North London rivals, Arsenal.

In 1963, Spurs became the first British club to win a major European trophy – the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In the 1970s, they won the Football League Cup on two occasions and were the inaugural winners of the UEFA Cup in 1972. In the 1980s, Spurs won several trophies: the FA Cup twice, FA Community Shield and the UEFA Cup 1983-84. In the 1990s, they won the FA Cup and the Football League Cup and in 2008, they beat Chelsea in the final of the Football League Cup. This victory means that Tottenham have won a trophy in each of the last six decades – an achievement only matched by Manchester United.

Spurs have planned a new stadium to be completed by 2012 and it is expected to be one of the best stadiums in the UK.

Watford

The Hornets, Watford Football Club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. They play in the Championship. The club was founded in 1881, and played at several grounds before moving to a permanent location at Vicarage Road in 1922, where they remain to this day. Since 1997, they have shared the stadium with Saracens Rugby Club. Watford have a long-standing rivalry with Luton Town.

The club is best known for two spells under the management of former England manager Graham Taylor. The first lasted from 1977 to 1987, when the club rose to the old First Division from the Fourth Division. Once in the highest division of English football, Watford finished second in the league in 1983, reached the FA Cup final in 1984 and competed in the UEFA Cup in the 1984-85 season.

The second period spanned from 1997 to 2001, when Taylor took the club from the renamed Second Division to the Premier League in successive seasons. Taylor is currently a non-executive director of the club, and honorary life president alongside Sir Elton John who owned the club during both of these eras and has continued a long association with the club.

West Ham United

The Hammers, West Ham United Football Club have play at Upton Park (Boleyn Ground), in East London since 1904 having been formed in 1895.

They featured in the first FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley in 1923 against Bolton Wanderers. The club have won the FA Cup three times: in 1964, 1975 and 1980. They have also been runners-up twice, in 1923 and 2006.

In 1965, they won the European Cup Winners Cup, and in 1999 they won the InterToto Cup.

Their players are considered an important factor behind England’s triumph in the 1966 World Cup, as England’s captain at the time was West Ham’s Bobby Moore, and both goalscorers Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were West Ham players.

West Ham currently compete in the Premier League, their highest finish in the Premier League was 5th in 1998-99.

Have a Wonderful Holiday at the Luxury Park Grand Paddington Hotel in the UK

Guests staying in London will want to be at the center of the city to reach attractions and the business hub easily. The best place to book is the Park Grand London Paddington hotel that is ideally located at the heart of the English capital. The accommodation is near many famous landmarks and transport links allowing tourists to get around the city with ease. The four-star residence is perfect for families, large groups and couples on a romantic trip. The luxury hotel is set in a peaceful section of Paddington and is a total haven for guests when they return after a day of sight-seeing or working. This is an ideal destination for a city break weekend in London.

The Park Grand London Paddington hotel has excellent rooms and suites that offer modern facilities such as telephone, flat screen television with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi internet. The living spaces have useful features such as a safe, hairdryer and ironing facilities. The lovely en-suite bathrooms are large and in the suites there are plush robes and slippers. Travelers will appreciate the complimentary chilled water and fresh fruit available in the living spaces. They will also adore the high-quality bedding for a great night's sleep during the trip. The residence is perfect for a rest during a holiday to the wonderful city of London.

There are many amazing boutique hotels in Paddington but this offering is great for its diligent members of staff. They offer a range of excellent services such as a 24-hour front desk and tours and tickets assistance. There is a helpful concierge that will assist with any problems during the holiday and guests should definitely try out the fantastic room service. The residence has a first-class Gym that has modern equipment for a top workout. There are plenty of eateries around the area to visit but the on-site venues are very impressive also.

The Atlantic restaurant has a tasty cuisine and is known for its delicious buffet breakfast that's a superb way to start a day. The Atlantic bar is a lovely place to visit with light appetisers and cocktails, which is ideal for business meetings or to spend time with fellow tourists. Working visitors will adore the brilliant business center at the hotel as well as its wonderful Club Lounge. There is complimentary Wi-Fi that's great for travelers to use whether for business or personal use to be able to check emails or research where they want to go. The accommodation is a stunning place to stay that is completely luxurious and in a great location.

London has many amazing attractions that are based right near the hotel including Kensington Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. Shopping enthusiasts can venture to Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, and Portobello Road Market, in Notting Hill during the trip. Kensington's museum quarter is just around the corner as the gorgeous green space of Hyde Park that is a lovely destination for a cycle or boat ride on the Serpentine River. Guests can also watch a musical or play in nearby Theatreland based in the vibrant West End. Paddington tube and overground stations are nearby allowing guests to get around London easily. This transport stop also provides a quick link to the airport through the Heathrow Express service.

Short Breaks in the Capital – Choosing a Hotel in London

The rising cost of air travel has put UK city breaks firmly back in fashion, and with a multitude of crowd-pleasing attractions and affordable travel links to the rest of the country, there’s never been a better time to take a short break in the country’s capital.

Its spectacular West End productions, historic buildings, grand palaces, spellbinding museums and pioneering art galleries ensure London offers something to appeal to everyone.

And whether your budget is lavish or shoestring, you’ll be spoilt for choice with places to stay, from fashionable boutique hotels to ancient converted buildings and modern masterpieces.

Piccadilly makes a perfect base for theatre breaker’s and shopping fanatics alike. It’s ideally placed for bustling Oxford Street, home to Selfridges and a myriad of fabulous shops and department stores, while the hip hangouts of Soho and Covent Garden are also nearby.

In the evening, you’ll find the bright lights of London’s famous West End are just a short stroll away. Here you can catch a show, see a musical, visit the opera or laugh the night away with the country’s top comedians.

And if you’re in need of a little refreshment, head for Leicester Square to sample delicious international cuisine or innovative cocktails at one of the area’s many restaurants and bars.

If you’d rather explore London’s historic buildings, look for hotels around Westminster. From here you can visit Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and nearby Buckingham Palace, then cross the bridge over the Thames to the London Eye and take in the city’s majestic landscape.

Some of London’s best museums are located in South Kensington, just south of Knightsbridge and Hyde Park. Here you’ll find the Science Museum, the Earth Galleries Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and Brompton Oratory.

Art buffs should stay near Southwark on the banks of the River Thames – the iconic Tate Modern is just off the nearby Millennium Bridge. Visitors can take a short ferry ride between the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain galleries, while to the east of Southwark lies the Tower of London, one of the most compelling and historic buildings in the city.

If you’re after pure luxury, seek out hotels around the upmarket neighbourhoods bordering Hyde Park. Most have stunning scenic views and its proximity to nearby green areas like St James’s, Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens make it a perfect base for relaxing strolls and picnics.

North of Hyde Park, the leafy Regents Park makes an excellent base for visiting the the must-see Madame Tussauds waxworks museum. Tussauds also offers some great time-saving packages combining the museum with other attractions like the London Eye and and the London Dungeon – not for those of a nervous disposition!

It’s a good idea to make a list of everything you plan to do before you book a hotel in London. Taxi’s around the capital can be very expensive, and choosing the right base for your short break will help you reach most of your destinations on foot and take in some spectacular sights on the way!

London Web Design

London is a great place to live and work. Being the capital of England there are many businesses thriving in the area and all competing for your business. More and more businesses are realising the real benefits from having a professional website on the internet. There are so many web designers these days it can be daunting choosing the one right for you. If you live in the London or surrounding areas and have a business and are thinking having a website designed for your company then you need think about a few important factors:

Do you have a domain name?

Do you need hosting?

Do you need a web designer?

Do you need an ecommerce website with a shopping trolley to sell products? Will you need to update your site yourself in the future or do you have enough website design knowledge to do this yourself?

Well if you need all of these then it is a lot easier if you can find a company that can do everything for you. There are some companies that can sell you the domain names as well as the hosting, design your site and even offer search optimization solutions. Dealing with the same company for your domain name, hosting, email, and web design makes the whole process a lot easier. For one you only need one contact telephone number. A company with good customer support is a must. Not all companies offer this and this and it can be very frustrating. You want to know that if you have any trouble you can just call for customer support or technical support.

The company doesn’t have to be London based so it is worth finding the best company that suits your needs. As anyone who knows anything about computers, it makes no difference where you website is hosted it only matters that the people or company in charge of it are competent.

So how can you tell if a site is designed well? Well if it is performing well, as in coming up in search engines it is certainly doing something right. For a good design your site needs to be pleasant to the eye without any bright flashing coloured text. If the site loads quickly then this is a good sign, you will loose a great deal of customers if your pages take over 5 seconds to load. An experienced web designer will know what works and what doesn’t and should advice you before going ahead with any design. If you want your site to be search engine friendly then a good company should be able to design your site around some key search terms so as to make it perform better in the search engines.

Another must is the ongoing work you might need to maintain your website. Or maybe you have a great website that is not showing up well on some keywords. Search engine optimisation is big business and a lot of companies claim they can offer this but as there are no guarantees it’s hard to know the cowboys from the professionals. Lots of companies in London start up and then in a year or two fail and you are left to sort out your site. You need to find a company that has been around for some time and has a proven track record. Any professional SEO (Search engine optimizer) will know that it can take months of hard work to achieve really great results, and they should be able to prove that they can do it, ie. if they put a search term in Google and their site comes up first. So finding a company that has built it self up from nothing and is still thriving on the net today is one to go for.

So what are you waiting for, branch out of the net, get a website designed professionally and optimized and then enjoy all the benefits from the extra income.

Freelance Web Designer | WordPress Developer | Hong Kong