November 5th is Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night in Britain and all around the country you’ll find Bonfire Night festivities and massive firework displays.

So Who was Guy Fawkes

This British tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a Catholic conspirator, tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I.

For those holidaying in London, firework festivities will take place throughout London’s boroughs and many of the large parks have communal firework displays that are open to the general public.

If you love a good firework display and some great fun,  wrap up and head out to enjoy the spectacular London fireworks, massive bonfires, refreshments and lively entertainment.

Read more on Bonfire Night HERE.

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All eyes will be on London on April 29, 2011 when the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton takes place.

For Royal watchers or those who love Royal weddings and want to share in the excitement of this historic occasion, you can do a London walk that will let you discover William and Kate’s London.

On this new Royal Wedding Walking Tour, participants will see the the top London attractions linked to William and Kate, as well as lesser known spots that are a part of their life in London.  Not only will you be taken on a London sightseeing tour of places royal, but your expert guide will also give you the hottest Royal gossips.

This 2.5 hour London walking tour starts from Green Park in central London where your guide shares with you stories of Britiain’s Royal family, Kate’s life as a commoner and the places where the couple frequented over the years.  Also, find out about the Mahiki nightclub where young royals hang out.

Royal Wedding Tour

The London tour ends at Westminster Abbey where William and Kate’s wedding will be celebrated.

For further information on The Royal Wedding Walking Tour and how to book, see HERE >

See other London tours >

Your London hotel choices >

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London is the entertainment capital of the world and some of the popular West End shows are booked out months in advance.  To avoid disappointment, book your London musical before you leave home.  Below are some of the  many musicals that are playing.

Phantom of the Opera
Since premiering at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in October 1986, this blockbuster show continues to play on and on. Not to be missed whilst in London!

Love Never Dies
This brand-new London musical is the sequel to the Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom sets out to prove, that indeed, Love Never Dies.

Les Miserables
Based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Les Mis is the world’s longest-running musical. So popular is this London musical that in October 2010, Les Mis became the first musical in history to have three productions running in the same city.

The Lion King
Disney’s multi-award winning musical transports audiences to a dazzling world that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music.

Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia! this infectious and funny ABBA musical is still running.

Wicked the Musical
Wicked tells the untold story of the legendary witches from Frank L Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grease
If you haven’t seen Grease before, don’t miss it – it’s Electrifying!

Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of dance,  and tells the poignant tale of a young boy’s dream to be accepted by his family.

We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You features 31 of Queen’s greatest songs and receives standing ovations every night.

London’s musicals rock, so don’t miss it on your London visit!

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Visitors to London will be able to join in the City’s celebration of its heritage and diversity at the annual Lord Mayor’s Show.

On Saturday 13 November, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, the newly elected 683rd Lord Mayor of London, will embark on his first duty which is a procession from Mansion House to St Paul’s Cathedral, as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show.

London Procession

This London event follows a tradition which dates back to 1215 and is enshrined in the charter of King John. Each new Lord Mayor is required to swear a pledge of allegiance to the Sovereign in front of the Lord Chief Justice and Judges of the Queen’s Bench Division.

Accompanying the Lord Mayor in his gold state coach is a procession that extends more than three miles and involves around 6,000 people from all walks of life in London, who will come together to celebrate their City’s proud cultural heritage.

More than 60 participating organisations ranging from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to the British Red Cross Society are involved in this year’s Show demonstrating London’s cosmopolitan makeup. The route of procession is the same each year, as it has been since 1952 – starting at Mansion House the procession travels to Cheapside and then to St. Paul’s Cathedral where the Lord Mayor is blessed and then on to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.

To end the Show and mark the beginning of a new mayoral year, London’s newly confirmed Lord Mayor will start a magnificent firework display on the River Thames at five o’clock on the 13th of November. The spectacular fireworks display will take place on the Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge.  It’s one of London’s most spectacular displays, and you’ll be able to see the fireworks for miles.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is an established highlight of London’s social calendar and attracts half a million of visitors every year.  If you’re planning to join in this heritage London event, get there early as roads will be closed.

Date : 13th November
Time : 11:00 – 17:00
Tube : Bank, Moorgate, St Paul’s or any district line station between Temple and Monument

For more detailed information see the Lord Mayor’s Show website at www.lordmayorsshow.org.

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Visitors to London in August have the opportunity to see the world famous Crown Jewels on this exclusive, limited-availability Tower of London tour.

This private viewing after hours is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view one of the most celebrated symbols of the British monarchy – minus the crowds and long queues. The Tower of London has been home to the Crown Jewels since the 14th century.  These priceless and precious Crown Jewels enchant millions of visitors every year, and queues are long in the summer months.

Your exclusive, private tour led by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) starts before the Tower of London opens to the general public, ensuring you will escape the crowds!  The conveyor belt used to carry visitors past the jewels will be switched off, so you can examine the Royal ceremonial objects in your own time.

After half an hour in the Jewel House you will be served a light breakfast and are then free to enjoy the rest of the Tower of London at your leisure.

This private viewing is available on August 16, 22 and 29 only.

See here for more details of this event and how to book.>

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If you love the distinctive theme songs from James Bond movies, this is a concert not to be missed.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the UK’s top orchestras, celebrates Britain’s most popular secret agent as guest vocalists thrill you with the theme songs that form such an essential part of the ‘Bond experience’.

Highlights include music from Goldfinger, Licence to Kill, The Spy Who Loved Me, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, Dr. No, From Russia With Love and many more!

And what’s more, special guest Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore!) will be at London’s great Royal Albert Hall to present the concert.

There’s only one performance of “The Music of Bond” by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  on Sunday, October 31st so book early.

Enjoy Bond movies before you go.

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Being part of London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations can be fun, if you plan ahead and plan well.

Yes, the big countdown to New Year’s Day is coming up and this year’s fireworks display in Central London will be at the London Eye again, which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.

London Eye

Space in viewing areas along the Thames to watch the fireworks will be limited, which we found out the hard way three years ago. Read my 2007 post.

If you’re travelling with children, I would be wary about fighting your way into the area with kids. The fireworks display will be broadcast live on television.

Enjoy festive London and Enjoy London’s famous countdown to the New Year.

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Then, head for the Great British Beer Festival at London’s Earls Court.

The Beer Festival runs from August 4 – 8 and during these five days visitors will have the opportunity to sample hundreds of real ales, ciders and beers from Britain and around the world.

Breweries from around Britain will showcase their best and newest beers at this festival.  At the Bières Sans Frontières (BSF) bars, you’ll be able to taste the best beers from around the world, including Belgian beers, Dutch,  German and Czech beers, beers from the USA and many others.

In between discovering the range of beers and which ones suit your palate, there’s plenty to occupy you at the festival.  There’s live music, you can sample some food, including good traditional pub snacks or play on some traditional pub games.

See HERE for more on the Great British Beer Festival

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For a shopping and sightseeing experience with a difference, head for one of the many London markets.  Even if you’re not looking for anything in particular, it’s interesting to stroll around the stalls to check out what foods are in season and what locals are buying and selling.  At  Borough Market, London’s favourite food market, you’ll be able to try gourmet cheeses, hams and other specialty foods and at Bermondsey, London’s premier weekly antiques market, traders come to look for stock as well.

Visits to London markets are FREE,  and you never know what you’ll find or who you’ll meet – haute couture designers like Galliano, Armani and others have been seen at Camden Market.

See our London Shopping blog a list of some of the more popular London Markets, or
Join a London Markets weekend tour and let the experts fill you in on the inside stories.

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Wimbledon weekend is drawing near, things are hotting up in centre court and the excitement mercury must be rising for tennis enthusiasts lucky enough to be in London this weekend.  For a bit of distraction, here are a few interesting  London sightseeing tours and tourist attractions that you could do:

London Eye and Thames River Sightseeing Cruise

By combining tickets to two of London’s top attractions: a trip on the London Eye and a Thames River sightseeing cruise, you’ll save money on the deal and enjoy a day of panoramic sightseeing in London, the world’s greatest city.

Private Tour – Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London

Nobody knows the streets of London like a cab driver and this is your chance to put yourself in the shoes of Harry Potter and friends as you tour the sights of London!  You’ll walk through the wall to get to platform 9 and 3/4 at King’s Cross Station where the Hogwarts Express departs, visit the locations of the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie, follow Harry’s flight to London with Dumbledore’s Army and much, much more ….

London Eye

We Will Rock You Theater Show

London is theatre capital of the world, so why not experience theatre at its best while you are in London. We Will Rock You features 31 of Queen’s greatest songs, including Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Are The Champions, and more.  Enjoy a pre-show dinner at L’Escargot. This restaurant acts as a tribute to modern art, with Chagall, Miro, Matisse and Hockney hanging on the walls.

Small Group tour – Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London

Visit three of England’s most famous attractions – Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath.  Your day trip begins at the home of the British Royal Family, Windsor Castle before going on to Bath and then Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world.

Jack The Ripper’s Sinister London Walking Tour

For the the thrill seeker, this London walking tour will show you the sinister and ghostly side of London, follow the blood-soaked footsteps of murderer Jack the Ripper.  This tour will have you trembling with fear!

Private Tour – Tate Britain and Tate Modern

A boat trip down the Thames links the two Tates and provides a wonderful panorama of London from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to St. Paul’s and the City of London.  This tour is a must for artlovers.

Private Tour – London Walking Tour of the British Museum and Soane Museum

Discover London’s wealth of history and culture at the British Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, comparable only to the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Close by is Sir John Soane’s Museum, perhaps the most intimate and eccentric London house you’ll have the opportunity to visit.

Private London Weekend Market Tour

For an authentic slice of London life, set off on a private walking tour of London’s Saturday morning markets. You’ll visit the Brixton Market, Borough Market (one of Europe’s finest food markets and an eye-opening destination for foodies) and Camden Passage.  As a lover of food and markets, this is one of my favourites!

London Dungeons

Everything you see in the London Dungeon is based on actual historical events, from Jack the Ripper to the Great Fire of London, torture in the Tower of London and the grisly plague years.  Two scary rides provide a thrilling and fun experience that will leave you screaming for more.

England in One Day Trip

If you’re one for punishment, you could take a day trip through the English countryside from London to Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds.  This tour combines vibrant history, gorgeous scenery and sightseeing at some of Britain’s most popular attractions.

And here’s all the Other London Sightseeing Tours and Activities

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