“Sorry to gush, but there is much to recommend here to those who haven’t been…….. Pick your passion. Indulge your pleasure centers. Take a million photos. Around every corner in London, it seems we found another intriguing attraction.”

The writer summarises how to get around (”The Circle line, which dates to 1884, is the main line to most tourist sights. Once you learn the Circle line, you can get anywhere.”), some must-sees (Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, and the streets around Leicester Square) some of the history and some of the restaurants restaurants he visited

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Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships is a high point of London summertime. For two weeks at the end of June the greatest tennis players in the world compete for the most prestigious title in the tennis calendar, while spectators enjoy champagne and strawberries and cream from the tiers.

Should it rain this year the new roof fitted to Centre Court can be activated in under 7 minutes.

Many Brits will be supporting world number 3 Andy Murray, could he win the title?

Wimbledon will be more interactive this year with Facebook and Twitter pages keeping the fans up to date. There will be a downloadable iPhone application available from the app store during the tournament and you’ll also be able to watch live coverage on the Wimbledon Tennis website

A 41 gun-salute will be fired at 12.52pm from the Tower of London, followed at 1.00pm by a 62 gun-salute from Green Park.

Thu 30 July UK premiere of Pedro Almodovar’s BROKEN EMBRACES
Fri 31 July ALIEN / POLTERGEIST Double Bill
Sat 1 August WEST SIDE STORY
Sun 2 August SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Mon 3 August THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Tue 4 August WINGS OF DESIRE
Wed 5 August DON’T LOOK NOW
Thu 6 August STRANGERS ON A TRAIN
Fri 7 August COOL HAND LUKE / ROADHOUSE Double Bill
Sat 8 August RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

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Following on from their day of sightseeing the family dined in a good old-fashioned British Pub: The Audley, in Mayfair (41 Mount Street, London, W1K 2RX). Michelle went for the steak, while the girls fancied the more traditional dish of fish and chips. The family spent 2 and a half hours having dinner and chatting to the locals -imagine their surprise, rubbing shoulders with the first lady!

This stylish 4* located in trendy Clerkenwell has been voted “London’s Best Small Hotel”. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive and our rates are fantastically discounted - even if they weren’t you could always whack it on expenses

Zetter Hotel

MP’s Expenses Scandal

New on the London hotel scene is the Mayflower Hotel in Earls Court.

This 48 bedroom hotel features very tasteful bedrooms, some with contemporary 4 poster beds.

The location is great for travelling around central London as the Mayflower is only 2 minutes walk from the Earls Court tube station.  From here you can travel directly into Heathrow Airport or eastwards into the West End, Theatreland and the City within a very few minutes.

Hotel Assist will be offering very cheap prices at this new hotel and at the time of writing is offering free wifi to all bookings.

Whether standard, executive or luxury, the bedrooms are designed to combine affordability with comfort and luxury.

Elegant light bedrooms with high ceilings and fans, enhanced by hand-carved wooden beds and wardrobes, Egyptian cotton sheets, merino wool blankets and rich, sumptuous cushions and bedcovers.

At the Mayflower they pride themselves on giving a welcoming and personal service combined with state-of-the-art facilities for all guests.

Harry’s bar in New York was the inspiration for the juice bar which greets guests on arrival at the Hotel reception.

Wander through the oak panel reception across creamy marbled floors, and come across leather sofas, dark American walnut and original art by Vicky White.
Tea, coffee and cool refreshing fruit juices are served in an oasis of calm from the bustle of Central London.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary and extensive breakfast in the light and spacious restaurant before venturing out to explore the nearby fashionable shopping areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea. Or they can choose to take breakfast in the adjoining tropical garden, a little haven in an urban setting.

The Mayflower is situated within close proximity to the commercial, cultural and historical attractions of London.

The fashionable shopping areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea are conveniently close by, as well as the world renowned Natural History, Science and, Victoria & Albert Museums.

Also a short distance away is the famous Earls Court and Olympia Exhibition Halls. Earls Court underground station is literally a minute’s walk away and provides direct and quick access to Heathrow airport, the many City attractions and the West End nightlife.

More details: Mayflower Hotel

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Spend laid back Sundays listening to music by exceptional young musicians from the London jazz scene and renowned world music artists, whilst enjoying a lovely brunch menu.

Ignite brunch takes place in the Café Consort. Tickets cost £25 and include a welcome drink, main course and dessert, tea or coffee and  live music. Doors open at 11.30am with music from 12 noon to 2pm. There is also the opportunity to add a short tour of the Hall to your visit. The ½ hour tour will run at either 11.15am or 2.15pm, costs an additional £4.00 and must be pre-booked.

For those who need to stay in touch with the world the cafe has full wifi connectivity

For more information go to the Royal Albert Hall website

Enjoy a glimpse into the backstage world of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam, part of the “reflect” series of exhibitions at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington.

Alexander Pestov joined Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam during creation 14 years ago, accompanied by his wife Natalia and their young son, Vladimir. Since then, Alex and his family have toured the world with Quidam, visiting 19 countries and over 60 cities across 4 continents.

Observing, living with and getting to know the Quidam troop has made Alex and Natalia eager to translate the feelings and ‘way of life’ of Quidam through photography. The Royal Albert Hall is delighted to present a photo exhibition of some of their work; an insight into life with Cirque du Soleil, and particularly life behind the scenes through the eyes of an artist on Quidam.

The exhibition takes place around the ground floor corridor of the Royal Albert Hall from Sunday 4 January to Thursday 15 February. You can view it when attending performances or by calling in on one of the following free open days:

Saturday 24 January 10am - 1pm
Monday 26 January 6pm - 9pm
Sunday 1 February 10am - 1pm
Monday 9 February 6pm - 9pm

Free entry. Enter through Door 1

(See the Royal Albert Hall website for more details)