IMPORTANT
You might want to print this out while you still have a printer.
Before you take one of your 3½-day weekends to fly over to Dublin or take a hovercraft or the 200-mph Eurostar train to Paris, consider that there are many fine things to do in London. Only then contemplate the world from atop the Eiffel Tower, view the great Impressionist masterpieces at Musée d’Orsay, or visit Notre Dame cathedral, built in 1160. (Class assignments must be done, however, so when you do go to France, do take your law books with you so you can prepare for class while sipping Perrier at a sidewalk café overlooking the River Seine.) Until then, here are some things to do in London.
Law-related destinations anticipated to be visited as part of the curriculum are not discussed here. Such destinations may include the Royal Courts of Justice, the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), the Inns of Court, the Law Society, the Houses of Parliament, and a legal pub known as the Cittie of Yorke. Outside of class times, however, you may wish to visit some of the following sights.
TOWER OF LONDON
This is an absolute must. In your free time one afternoon, let a Beefeater (his correct title is Tower Warder) show you around the Tower of London, a castle built by William the Conqueror in 1080. On your way in, have a look at the London Wall, built by the Romans circa A.D. 200.
Show your student ID for a possible discount on admission. For an additional charge, view the crown jewels collection, see the queen’s crown, and view diamonds the size of hush puppies! The gift shop is awesome. Tower Hill is the tube station, and it is on the Circle and District lines. The Tower is very close to the university, and it may be appropriate to walk there.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Visit the palace of Henry VIII and numerous other monarchs, built in 1514. While at Hampton Court, take a guided tour of the palace itself. The royal apartments tour and the kitchens tour are both very good. See the world’s first tennis court, then walk through the world-famous hedge maze, designed for William of Orange and planted sometime between 1689 and 1695. If you go on Sunday, take in a religious service at the elegant Royal Chapel. Be sure to visit the gift shop.
You’ll need a Zones 1 through 6 Travelcard to get there. If you already have a weekly Zone 1 Travelcard, buy a daily Zones 2 through 6 one-day offpeak Travelcard. Take the tube to Waterloo Station, and from there the train to Hampton Court. Your Zones 1 through 6 Travelcard will take you all the way. A Zone 1 weekly plus a Zones 2 though 6 one-day Travelcard will also work. Allow a full day for the experience. Show your student ID for a possible discount on admission.
ST. PAUL’S
Christopher Wren was the architect who designed this magnificent cathedral following the London Fire of 1666.
The denomination is Anglican (Church of England, in the United States known as the Episcopal church). It is here that Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married. Services are open to the public. There is no admission for those desiring to pray or worship. The crypt (basement) is the largest church crypt in the world. There is a gift shop there.
BIG BEN
When you step out of the Westminster tube station, look up. What you will see is London’s most famous landmark, Big Ben. More properly, it’s the Westminster Clock Tower (the term “Big Ben” referring to the largest of its bells, at 13 tons). This is surely the most well known clock in the world. The clock face is 23 feet in diameter. You can hear Big Ben chime on the hour.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Located near the houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey has been the site of every coronation since 1066. It is essentially the church of royalty in London. Poet’s Corner is here. You will be charged admission. Take the Circle or District Line to Westminster.
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
Not to be confused with Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral is Roman Catholic. It is a short walk from the Victoria tube station, accessible on the Circle Line, Central Line, and Victoria Line. There is no charge for admission. Consult the web site for times of services and a map showing visitors how to get there.
LONDON EYE
The world’s largest ferris wheel is the London Eye. At 450 feet, it is 45 feet taller than the Louisiana State Capitol. You sit in a fully enclosed capsule that accommodates 25 persons, with seats but also adequate room to walk around and to take pictures of the fantastic view of London. The trip takes 30 minutes. The London Eye is about a five-minute walk from either Waterloo tube station or Westminster tube station. For times and prices, click here.
COVENT GARDEN
In My Fair Lady, Covent Garden was where Eliza Doolittle sold her flowers. Located in the heart of the theatre district, it is an old market that has been renovated and now comprises numerous upscale boutiques, shops, wine bars and restaurants. Your professor’s favorite shop there is Past Times. Covent Garden is a stop on the Piccadilly Line, though it is only a very short walk from the Charing Cross tube station on the Northern and Bakerloo lines.
MUSEUMS
The National Gallery is probably the only major art museum in the world that charges no admission. General admission is free. The National Gallery is located at Trafalgar Square. The British Museum has a rich Egyptian collection, including the Rosetta Stone. General admission is free. The British Museum is a short walk from the Tottenham Court tube station. The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is a major museum of the visual arts. General admission is free.
LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Urban mass transit started in London long ago. It was attorney Charles Pearson’s proposal back in the 1830s for an underground railway that may have inspired abolitionists in the United States to name their network the “Underground Railroad.” Pearson’s proposal was finally approved in 1854, and the first line of the world’s first subway opened in 1862.
The London Transport Museum is located at Covent Garden, and contains some fascinating antique buses, streetcars and tube cars. This place is definitely worth a trip. Guided tours are available, but only on Saturdays and Sundays. Use the Covent Garden or Charing Cross tube station.
CAMDEN MARKET
London is a city of open markets, and Camden Market is no exception. It is most active (indeed crowded) on weekends. The apparel and goods on sale are young and somewhat alternative. This is also the place to go to buy tee-shirts for your five cousins who expect them–you won’t find cheaper tee-shirts in all of London. Hang on to your wallet, though, for the pickpockets are here. Access via Camden Town tube station on the Northern Line.
OTHER LONDON MARKETS
London has numerous markets selling different things. For a list and brief description of each, click here. Consider visiting Bermondsey Market, Borough Market, Leadenhall Market, Leather Lane Market, and Petticoat Lane Market. All are near London City University.
Slightly farther away, but only in Zone 2, is Brixton Market. Access via Brixton tube station, the southernmost station on the Victoria Line. Brixton Market has a definite Afro-Caribbean flavor.
CONCERTS
There are many venues for fine music in London, music to suit every taste. The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, conveniently located on Trafalgar Square, is home to conductor Sir Neville Marriner. A venue for classical music since 1726, both Handel and Mozart played here. The church hosts one or another performance of classical music almost nightly. Free concerts are sometimes available during the afternoon, both here and at the nearby National Portrait Gallery. A nice coffee shop operates in the crypt (basement). Access via the Charing Cross tube station.
Barely two blocks from the Barbican tube station is the Barbican Centre, home of the London Symphony Orchestra. As Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference center (similar in concept to Baton Rouge’s much smaller River Center), the Barbican Centre is also the venue for many performances from all over the world, ranging from classical to contemporary, European to African to American. Check their website under both classical and contemporary categories to find out what’s playing at the Barbican.
THEATRE
London is the world’s finest venue for theatre. Tickets for major productions are a fraction of New York prices for the same productions. Check the discount ticket sellers: http://www.whatsonstage.com and http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk.
HARD ROCK CAFÉ
The world’s first Hard Rock Café was in London. It still is. It’s at 150 Old Park Lane. It is accessible from Green Park tube station on the Victoria Line, or Hyde Park tube station on the Piccadilly Line.
HARRODS
This is truly the world’s most luxurious (and expensive) department store. Harrods is owned by Mohammed Al Fayed, the father of Dodi Al Fayed, Princess Diana’s escort the night the two were killed. The store boasts the strictest security of any department store in the world. Hidden cameras will spot even the shoplifting of a peanut, and these people prosecute. That said, Harrod’s is still worth a trip. Be mindful of their dress code. Accessible at Knightsbridge tube stop on the Piccadilly line.
HAMLEYS
Need to bring something back for the kiddies? The world’s largest toy shop–at six floors–is Hamleys. Located at 188 Regent Street, it is about equidistant from Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus tube stations. The walk itself up Regent Street from Piccadilly Circus to Oxford Circus can be an upscale shopper’s dream come true.
HAMMICKS LEGAL BOOKSHOP
At 191 Fleet Street on the corner of Chancery Lane is Hammicks Legal Bookshop. Nearest tube stop is Temple, on the Circle and District lines.
FOYLES
Foyles claims to be the world’s largest book shop. Not to be confused with any of the legal booksellers on Chancery Lane, Foyles is a general bookseller. Five floors of nothing but books are located at 113 Charing Cross Road. Foyles is best accessed from the Charing Cross tube station.
OTHER PLACES
Many other places await the student in London. A good place to start looking is on the Official London website: http://www.visitlondon.co.uk.
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