Population: 1991
census—6,378,600.
Area: 1,580 km2.
Climate: Average temperature—
January, 4° C; July, 17” C Average annual precipitation (rainfall,
melted snow, and other forms of moisture)—61 cm. For the monthly weather in London,
see United Kingdom (Climate).
Government: Thirty-two borough governments, each consisting mainly of elected
councils and headed by a mayor; and the City of London government made up of
the lord mayor, 24 aldermen, and 136 common councilmen.
Founded: City of London— about
A.D. 43.
A.D. 43 - London founded as a seaport by Romans, who
named port Londinium.
Roman control ended. Barbarians invaded Rome.
Mid-1000's - City of Westminster began to be built as
residence for England's rulers.
1209 - London Bridge completed; first stone bridge
across Thames.
1599 - William Shakespeare began to present his plays
at Globe Theatre about this time.
1666 - Great Fire of London raged for five days,
destroyed thousands of buildings.
1700's - London Stock Exchange operated in coffee houses
until 1773. London's newspaper industry grew up in Fleet Street area coffee
houses.
1800’s - Industrial Revolution spread; many factories
sprang up in London.
1863 - London's underground passenger railway system
started—first in world.
1940, 1941 - London air attacks by Germany took place
during World War II.
1960's - Skyscrapers went up in central London,
changing skyline dramatically.
Capital
of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Tenth largest city in world—almost 6 1/2 million people. One of world's oldest
cities. Each year, millions of tourists visit its many historic sights.
Outstanding museums, art galleries, theatres.
Chief economic centre of Great Britain. Great world
port and centre of trade. Leading industries include manufacture of clothing,
food products, furniture, and precision instruments, printing and publishing.
Bank of England one of several important financial institutions.
Lloyd's of London is
a world- famous insurance society that originated in about 1690. The firm's
headquarters, a modernistic building designed by architect Richard Rogers, was
completed in 1986. Much of the structure is glass, so light streams into the
central atrium and tiers of galleries inside.
St.
Paul's Cathedral is one of the city's most famous
churches. It serves as the centre of the Church of England in London. The
English architect Sir. Christopher Wren built the cathedral between 1675
and 1710.
Buckingham
Palace, official royal residence since 1837. Most former palaces,
including Kensington Palace and the Banqueting House of Whitehall Palace, now
museums or showplaces. Crown jewels on display at jewel House of Tower of
London.
The Tower Bridge opened
in 1894. It used to lift open several times a day to allow ships to pass
through, but nowadays openings are rare. The high walkways across the top of
the bridge provide a splendid view of the city.
Trafalgar Square is
one of London's most famous squares. On the left is the National Gallery, a
vast collection of paintings that includes many masterpieces. On the right is
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, an elegant church completed in 1726. The Academy of
St. Martin-in-the- Fields, an orchestra known internationally, was founded
there.
Number 10 Downing Street has
been the official home of the prime minister of Britain since 1732. Sir Robert
Walpole (1676-1745) was the first prime minister to live there.
The landmarks of London include the statues of Trafalgar Square, foreground, and the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament, background, from which Big Ben booms out the hours.
The landmarks of London include the statues of Trafalgar Square, foreground, and the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament, background, from which Big Ben booms out the hours.
St. Paul's Cathedral - towers over London's oldest section, the City. The City began
about A.D. 43 as a Roman trading post on the River Thames. It is now London's
financial centre.
Colourful ceremonies take place in London today just as they have for hundreds of years.
These troops of the queen's Household Cavalry are changing the guard at Horse
Guards Parade.
The Thames Flood Barrier was built to prevent flooding in London. When a very high tide is
due, the gates are raised to keep water from flowing upstream and engulfing the
city.
London, one of the world's largest cities, lies on the River Thames in
southeastern England. It is a world centre of trade, finance, government, and
the arts. Greater London includes the old City of London at the centre and the
32 London boroughs. Many familiar landmarks of historic interest appear on the
large map of central London….
During World War II, German bombs destroyed much of London. Prime Minister Winston
Churchill, inspects the ruins after a raid. The worst raids came in late 1940
and early 1941.
The Tower of London has served as a fortress, a palace, and a prison. Today this national
monument is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can see the Crown Jewels and
a museum containing a collection of armour.
London is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. It ranks as one of the world's oldest and most historic cities. London
traces its history back nearly 2,000 years.
Each year, millions of tourists visit
London to see such historic sights as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and
the Tower of London. Buckingham Palace has long been the London home of
Britain's monarchs, including the present queen, Elizabeth II. The nation's
kings and queens are crowned in Westminster Abbey, one of London's several
magnificent churches.
London is a large, lively city as well as
a historic one.
It is one of the largest cities in the
world. London's banks, insurance companies, and shipping firms do business in
almost every country.
London grew up around two old, historic
cities—the City of London and the City of Westminster. The City of London
started as a trading post of the Roman Empire about A.D. 43. The City of
Westminster began as a residence for England's rulers about 1,000 years later.
It stood about 3 kilometres southwest of London. A great stone wali surrounded
the City of London. But as London grew, it spread far beyond its wali and took
in the royal City of Westminster.
Today, the area where Roman London stood
is still known as the City of London. It and the City of Westminster lie at
the heart of modern London and make up most of its busy central area. Central
London has tall office blocks, busy streets crowded with shoppers, as well as
outstanding museums, art galleries, theatres, and beautiful parks. The rest of
London extends 19 to 31 kilometres in every direction from this central
section.
Greater London
The City of London and the communities
surrounding it form the area called Greater London or simply London.
London covers 1,580 square kilometres in
southeast England, one of the four countries that form the United Kingdom. The
River Thames flows generally eastwards through the heart of London. Away from
the low, flat or rolling areas near the river, the land becomes hilly. The
Thames empties into the North Sea about 64 kilometres east of London. The river
thus links London with shipping routes throughout the world. London was once
in danger of flooding caused by surge tides, when high tides and storms raise
the level of the water in the North Sea. The Thames flood barrier at Woolwich,
completed in 1982, now provides protection against such floods.
London is divided into 32 boroughs
(local units of government) plus the old City of London, often simply called the
City. The City and each borough have their own governments.
Central London covers about 26 square kilometres on both sides of a great north-south
bend in the River Thames, it includes the busiest parts of London.
Central London can be divided into three
main sections. They are: (1) the City, (2) the West End, and (3) the South
Bank. The City and the West End lie on the north side of the Thames. The South
Bank lies across the river from these areas.
The City forms London's famous financial district. The City covers about 2.6
square kilometres at the eastern edge of central London. Only about 5,000
people live in the City. But almost half a million office workers crowd its
buildings and streets each working day.
The City is the oldest part of London. It
stands where the walled City of London stood for hundreds of years. The City
consists largely of modern bank and office buildings. But it also has some
reminders of its colourful past. The great dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, for
example, still stands as a monument of inspiration and power. Parts of the
Guildhall date from the 1400's. This building has long served as the City's
administrative centre. Mansion House, the home of the City's lord mayor, dates
from the mid-1700's. A 62-metre stone column called the Monument stands near
the spot in the City where the Great Fire started in 1666.
The West End is the centre of Britain's government and London's retail trade and
night life. It is also London's most fashionable residential area.
The West End covers about 18 square
kilometres just west of the City. Near the River Thames, a street called the
Strand links the West End and the City.
Britain's chief government buildings are
in the City of Westminster. The Houses of Parliament, perhaps the best known
government buildings, tower dramatically along the Thames. From Parliament, the
government buildings extend northward along a broad avenue called Whitehall.
Number 10 Downing Street, which is the home of Britain's prime minister, is
located just off Whitehall. Buckingham Palace lies a short distance to the
southwest of the prime minister's home.
London's main shopping and entertainment
districts spread out from two huge West End street junctions. One, Trafalgar
Square, is an area of open pavement with statues and fountains. Whitehall, the
Strand, and streets from the upper West End meet at the square. At the other,
Piccadilly Circus, six busy streets come together. Many of London's finest
shops are in this area, along Bond, Oxford, and Regent streets. Piccadilly
Circus also forms the centre of London's largest entertainment area. The area
extends eastward to the Strand and northward into Soho, a district of
restaurants and nightclubs.
The South Bank is the site of a large, modern cultural centre with theatres, concert
halls, and art galleries.
The South Bank covers about 5 square
kilometres along the inside curve of the River Thames. The South Bank section
grew more slowly than the City and West End. But the cost of land in the City
and West End has forced builders to find cheaper sites across the river.
Outlying areas. Crowded residential neighbourhoods surround most of central London.
Numerous smaii factories are mixed in with the houses in many of these
communities, especially in the area known as the East End. The East End
includes most of the borough of Tower Hamlets and part of the borough of
Hackney.
People
London is so large that many Londoners
think of themselves mainly as residents of a particular district, such as
Chelsea, Soho, or Hampstead. The various districts were once separate
communities, and many have kept their special character.
Ancestry and religion. According to tradition, the only "real" Londoners are cockneys.
A cockney is anyone born within hearing distance of the bells of St. Mary-le-
Bow, a historic church in the City. But cockneys are better known for their
accent. (See Cockney).
Most Londoners come from a long line of
British- born ancestors. But over the years, London has attracted many new
residents from outside the UK. Today, about a million Londoners are immigrants.
Many others are the children or grandchildren of immigrants. Areas bordering
the West End have many immigrants from Australia, India, Pakistan, Poland, and
the West Indies. London has long had a large Jewish population.
The people of London belong to a variety
of religious faiths and Christian denominations. They include members of the
Church of England or other Protestant churches, members of the Roman Catholic
Church, and adherents of the Jewish, and Islamic faiths.
Residential areas and housing. Most Londoners live in suburban communities in the outer boroughs. These
boroughs, such as Barnet, Croydon, Havering, and Hounslow, lie farthest from
central London.
London's oldest and most crowded
residential areas lie in the inner boroughs. These boroughs, such as
Hammersmith, Islington, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets, immediately surround the
City and West End. Most of London's poor families and immigrants live in rented
houses and flats in these boroughs. But some parts of these boroughs have
become fashionable.
The chief exceptions to low-class housing
in the inner boroughs are in the City of Westminster and the borough of
Kensington and Chelsea. Westminster includes most of the West End. Many of
London's richest families live in expensive fiats in Westminster, especially in
the fashionable Mayfair district This prosperous section extends northwestward
to the Hampstead district in the borough of Camden, which has many expensive
houses. The City has few homes or flats, except for a large housing
development, called the Barbican, built in the 1960's and 1970's.
Education. Most schools are state owned and operated. Each of London's boroughs
runs its own schools. London has several public schools, which, despite
their name, are private schools. They include Harrow, St. Paul's, and
Westminster. London has long been Britain's chief centre for advanced study and
research. The University of London is the nation's largest traditional university
(see London, University of).
Recreation. During the day, many Londoners enjoy 5 going to colourful street
markets, which sell everything | from fresh fruit and vegetables to bargain
jewellery and antiques. Popular street markets include Petticoat Lane
(Middlesex Street) market, at the eastern edge of the City; Berwick Street
market, in Soho; and Portobello Road market, near Kensington Cardens.
London's most popular spectator sport is
association football. Several professional teams play in leagues from August to
April. Major matches, such as cup finals and internationals, are played at
Wembley Stadium, which seats about 80,000 spectators (see Football, Association).
Rugby Union is also popular. The season lasts from September to April.
International rugby matches are held at the Twickenham Rugby ground in the borough
of Richmond upon Thames. See Rugby football (Rugby Union).
Cricket is played in spring and summer.
Lord's cricket ground, just west of Regent's Park, is the headquarters of world
cricket. The Oval, in the borough of Lambeth, is another historic cricket
ground. See Cricket.
Londoners also enjoy such sports as golf, horse
racing, and tennis. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, in the borough
of Bromley, has facilities for athletics and many other sports. The annual
All-England (Wimbledon) Championships, probably the most famous tennis
tournament in the world, takes place in late June and early July at Wimbledon
Park, in the borough of Merton. London has more than 2,300 licensed betting
shops, where people bet on various sports events.
In the evening, many people enjoy a visit
to one of the city's many cinemas or theatres. Others meet their friends in
their neighbourhood pub (public house). London also has many private and
public clubs.
Social
problems. Like
most other large cities throughout the world, London has such problems as
poverty, homelessness, crime, and drug addiction.
In
several of the poorer boroughs, unemployment among young people is widespread.
Many young people turn to shoplifting or more serious crimes. Some also begin
to experiment with drugs.
In
the 1960's, London's housing authorities moved thousands of poorer families to
the new towns outside London. They also replaced much inadequate housing with
modern flats. But housing remains a serious problem in the inner boroughs.
Cultural life and places to visit
Arts. London is one of the world's leading cultural centres. It has many
theatres, whose productions range from musical comedies to the plays of William
Shakespeare. Britain's Royal National Theatre Company performs in three
theatres on the South Bank. The Barbican Centre in the City' houses the Royal
Shakespeare Comany when it performs in London. This company also stages plays
in Stratford-upon-Avon.
London is home to a number of world-famous
symphony orchestras, including the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
Symphony, London Philharmonic, London Symphony, Philharmonia, and Royal
Philharmonic. Most major concerts are held in the Royal Festival Hall, the
Queen Elizabeth Hall, or the Purcell Room, which are part of the South Bank
cultural centre, or in the Barbican Centre. The Royal Albert Hall, an older
concert hall near Kensington Cardens, has a popular series of summer BBC
concerts called "the Proms." Britain's national ballet and opera
companies perform at the Royal Opera House, at Covent Garden, near the Strand.
London's public art galleries include the
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square; the Tate Gallery, in Westminster; and the
Wallace Collection, housed in a mansion south of Regent's Park. Important
visiting art exhibits are held at the Royal Academy of Arts, just west of
Piccadilly Circus, and at the Hayward Gallery, a part of the South Bank
cultural centre.
Museums and libraries. The British Museum, near the West End, is one of the world's most famous
museums. It houses a priceless collection of objects from ancient
civilizations. The library was formerly operated as part of the museum. But in
1973, it became part of the newly formed British Library. See British Library;
British Museum.
Other famous museums in London include the
Victoria and Albert Museum, which has one of the world's largest collections
of decorative art; the Natural History
The Thames Flood Barrier was built to prevent flooding in London. When a very high tide is due,
the gates are raised to keep water from flowing upstream and engulfing the
city.
Museum; and the Science Museum. The Museum
of London is in the City of London.
Palaces. Over the centuries, the Royal Family have lived in a number of splendid
palaces in London. St. James's Palace, between St. James's Park and Green Park
in the West End, was the official royal residence from 1698 to 1837. Buckingham
Palace has been the official royal residence since 1837. Other London palaces
include Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens and Hampton Court Palace in
Kingston upon Thames.
The Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, serve as the meeting place of the United Kingdom's two
legislative bodies, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The buildings
are officially called the New Palace of Westminster. They were constructed
during the mid- 1800s to replace the old palace buildings, which had burned
down in 1834. Big Ben, the huge bell in the Clock Tower, has boomed out the
hours since 1859.
During World War II, German bombs damaged
the House of Commons. It was rebuilt after the war. See Big Ben; Parliament
(The United Kingdom Parliament).
The chief survivor of the 1834 fire was
Westminster Hail, an assembly hall completed in 1099 and remodelled during the
late 1300's. It stands near the centre of the Houses of Parliament.
Churches. St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey are the most famous churches
in London. St. Paul's serves as the centre of the Church of England in London.
The great English architect Sir Christopher Wren built the church between 1675
and 1710 to replace the original St. Paul's, which was destroyed in the Great
Fire of 1666. The church's huge dome towers 111 metres high. Wren also rebuilt
more than 50 other churches destroyed or damaged in the Great Fire.
The history of Westminster Abbey reaches
back more than 900 years. In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned king
there. Since then, almost all the country's monarchs have been crowned in
Westminster Abbey. The church has been added to and remodelled over the
centuries, but some of its present architecture dates from the 1200's. See
Westminster Abbey. Nearby is Westminster Cathedral, England's chief Roman
Catholic church, which was completed in 1903.
Squares. Much of London's West End is laid out around a series of squares. The
best-known square is Trafalgar Square. The huge Nelson Column towers 52 metres
above the square. It consists of a tall granite column topped by a giant stone
statue of the British naval hero Horatio Nelson. Other well-known squares
include Bedford, Berkeley, Grosvenor, and Russell squares.
Parks. London's largest parks are the royal parks. These parks once formed
part of royal estates but are now set aside for public use. Central London has
five royal parks: St. James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens,
and Regent's Park. Hyde Park is famous for its Speakers' Corner, just south of
Marble Arch.
More than 80 other public parks lie in or
near central London. Battersea Park, in the borough of Wandsworth, offers a
variety of attractions, including a popular amusement park. Kew Gardens, also
called the Royal Botanic Gardens, contain one of the world's largest collections
of tree and shrub species and hothouse plants.
Other places of interest. The Tower of London, which borders the City in the borough of Tower Hamlets,
is London's oldest landmark. It consists of a group of structures built around
a central tower, called the White Tower, and surrounded by two stone walls. The
White Tower dates from the late 1000's. See Tower of London.
The Inns of Court are Britain's centre for
the study and practice of law. They consist of four groups of buildings and
courtyards west of the City. See Inns of Court.
Some places of interest lie outside
central London, for example, the borough of Greenwich has a famous group of
buildings designed by Wren for the Greenwich Hospital in the late 1600's. They
now house the Royal Naval College.
Ceremonies. Guards, usually red-coated sentries of the Guards Division, stand watch
at Buckingham Palace. Each morning, the famous changing-of-the-guard ceremony
takes place in the palace's front courtyard. The royal Household Cavalry also
holds a daily changing of the guard at Horse Guards Parade, a parade ground
next to the Horse Guards building in Whitehall. Another ceremony takes place
at the Tower of London, which is guarded by colourfully outfitted yeomen
warders, or beefeaters. Each night at 10 o'clock, the chief warder
locks the tower gates and presents the keys to the tower's governor. This
custom is nearly 700 years old.
Two of London's most spectacular ceremonies
are Trooping the Colour and the Lord Mayor's Show. Trooping the
Colour forms part of the queen's official birthday celebration each June.
Riding in a horse-drawn carriage, the queen leads the Guards Division and
Household Cavalry past cheering crowds along the Mall to Horse Guards Parade.
There, the queen inspects the troops, and the colour (ceremonial flag)
is carried in review.
The Lord Mayor's Show takes place in the
City on the second Saturday in November to celebrate the election of a new lord
mayor. The new mayor, dressed in traditional robes and riding in a horse-drawn
coach, leads a parade through the streets of the City.
Economy
London is Britain's chief economic centre.
Its businesses employ a fifth of Britain's workers.
Manufacturing. The leading industries include printing and publishing, and the
manufacture of clothing, food products, furniture and precision instruments.
The oldest industrial areas lie just north and east of the City. Another
industrial area extends eastwards from Greenwich along the Thames. The newest
industrial areas are situated in the western boroughs.
Trade. London has long been a great world port and trading centre. The Port of
London Authority controls two huge docks and 69 kilometres of wharves along the
Thames. In the past, the chief docks and wharves were just east of London
Bridge and Tower Bridge. These facilities still handle some shipping. But the
growth of container shipping during the 1960's required new facilities
to handle container ships. These ships are designed to carry cargo
packed in huge boxlike containers. The new container facilities were built at
Tilbury, near the mouth of the Thames.
Finance and business. Banking, insurance, and finance are important industries in the City.
Great financial institutions in the City include the Bank of England; the
London Stock Exchange; and Lloyd's, the famous worldwide insurance company.
Transportation. Motorways and major roads, and underground and surface railways carry
more than 1 million commuters between the outlying areas and central London
each workday. Some travel by bus and others use their cars. The London
underground railway system, which Londoners call the tube, is one of
the largest in the world.
Heathrow Airport in western London is one
of the world's busiest airports. It handles about 35 million passengers
yearly. Gatwick Airport, another airport used by Londoners, lies about 45
kilometres south of Greater London. It handles about 19 million passengers
yearly. Stansted Airport, in Essex, about 48 kilometres north of London, was
upgraded in 1991 with a new terminal.
Communications. London is Britain's chief communications centre. The country's 12
national morning newspapers and 11 national Sunday papers are based in London.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the public national radio and
television service, has its main offices and studios in London. Many
independent broadcasting organizations are also based there.
Tourism. Millions of tourists from other parts of Britain and from overseas
visit London each year.
Government
From 1965 to 1986, the government of the
Greater London area consisted of the governments of the 32 boroughs, the City
government, and the Greater London Council. The Greater London Council was a
governing body that had authority over the governments of the boroughs and the
City. It also had charge of such activities as overall city planning, road
construction, traffic flow management, and fire-fighting services.
The Greater London Council was abolished
by an act of Parliament that went into effect in 1986. Today, the Greater
London area is governed chiefly by the governments of the 32 boroughs and the
City of London.
Borough governments. Each London borough has its own government, in the form of an elected
council. Borough residents elect new councils every four years.
The borough councils are responsible for
local health and welfare services, public libraries, and some public housing.
Each borough also maintains state-run schools in its area. The boroughs of London
receive most of their income from a community charge (poll tax), rents, and
grants from the national government.
The government of the City of London is organized much as it was hundreds of years ago, when many thousands
of people lived inside the City's walls. Today, the City has only about 4,400
residents, far fewer than even the smallest borough. But the City has such an
important place in British history that it has equal standing with the
boroughs.
An organization called the Corporation of
the City of London governs the City. It acts through the Court of Common
Council. The Court of Common Council consists of the lord mayor, 24 aldermen,
and 136 common councilmen. The lord mayor is the City's chief administrator.
Voters elect the aldermen to life terms and the councilmen to one-year terms.
Each year, the aldermen and guild representatives elect the lord mayor.
Other public agencies. The London Regional Transport Authority provides several public
transportation services. Its members are appointed by the British government.
The national government also appoints the members of the Port of London
Authority, which controls shipping activities.
Another government agency is the
Metropolitan Police Force. It provides police protection for all of Greater
London except the City, and has its headquarters at New Scotland Yard. The City
has its own police force.
London began about A.D. 43, when armies of
the Roman Empire started to conquer Britain. The Romans built a seaport on the
Thames near present-day London Bridge. They probably chose this site because
the river- banks east of this point were too marshy for settlement. The Romans
called the port Londinium. The name London comes from this word.
By the early 200's, the Romans had built a
wall around London, possibly to protect it from raiders. This wall, and the
ones that later replaced it, formed London's boundaries for hundreds of years.
In 410, barbarian invaders attacked Rome.
The Roman troops in Britain were called home to fight the invaders. This date
thus marks the end of Roman control over Britain. Little of Roman London
remains, except for parts of the original wall and the ruins of a few
buildings.
The Middle Ages. London grew little from the 400's to the 1000's. But in the mid-1000's,
the Saxon king Edward the Confessor built a palace and rebuilt a church about
3 kilometres southwest of London. Before then, Saxon kings had lived mainly at
Winchester, in south- central England. Edward's buildings became the start of
the City of Westminster. The Palace of Westminster served as a chief residence
of England's rulers until the 1520's. The church became Westminster Abbey. In
1066, William the Conqueror was crowned king in Westminster Abbey. William
granted Londoners self- government. During William's reign, many cathedrals and
castles were built. He also began construction of the Tower of London.
Other London landmarks also appeared
during the Middle Ages. About 1100, work began on Old St. Paul s Cathedral to
replace a church destroyed by fire. Builders finished it about 200 years later.
In 120S, London Bridge became the first stone bridge across the Thames.
London's craft and trade guilds began to
develop in
the 1100's. Each guild represented certain
craftworkers or tradespeople, such as bakers, carpenters, goldsmiths, and
grocers. The guilds were also called livery companies because each had
its own livery— that is, official robes that the guild members wore on
special occasions.
Guild members elected London's first mayor
in the 1190's. In 1215, King John confirmed London's right to govern itself. By
the late 1400's, London had about 50,000 people. Its mayor had become so
important that he was now called the lord mayor.
Expansion beyond the walls. London grew rapidly during the 1500's and the first half of the 1600's.
Nobles built estates to the west, just outside London's walls.
King Henry VIII owned at least six palaces
in the London area, including the Palace of Westminster. In 1547, the year
Henry died, the Palace of Westminster became the meeting place of Parliament.
London developed into an important world
trading centre under Queen Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 to 1603.
England's first public theatres opened in London's suburbs during Queen
Elizabeth's reign. One of the most popular theatres was the Globe, in
Southwark. William Shakespeare began to present his plays at the Globe about
1599. See Shakespeare, William.
By the mid-1600's, London had about half a
million people. Most Londoners now lived outside the walls in such districts as
Clerkenwell, St. Giles, and Whitechapel, which were rapidly becoming slums. The
area inside the walls gradually came to be known as the City.
War, plague, and fire struck London in the mid- 1600's. A struggle for power between King
Charles I and Parliament resulted in civil war in 1642. London sided with
Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell and other Puritans. London grew less
prosperous under the Puritans, who made themselves unpopular by closing the
theatres.
The Great Plague—a terrible epidemic of bubonic
plague— broke out in London in 1665. Before the epidemic died down in 1666,
it had taken about 100,000 lives. On Sept. 2,1666, the Great Fire of London
broke out in a baker's shop on Pudding Lane in the City. It was finally brought
under control five days later. Most of the City, built largely of wood, lay in
ashes. The losses included St. Paul's Cathedral and about 13,000 houses. But
the fire caused no known deaths.
Rebuilding the City. Londoners rebuilt the City with brick and stone instead of timber. The
great architect of the new City was Sir Christopher Wren, who rebuilt many
structures lost in the fire, including St. Paul's Cathedral. But few people
returned to live in the City.
London's businesses soon recovered from
losses suffered in the Great Fire. A new Royal Exchange opened about 1675. But
the favourite places for doing business were the many coffee houses that sprang
up in and near the City. Lloyd's insurance company started in the coffee house
of Edward Lloyd in the 1680's. The London Stock Exchange began in the 1700's in
a coffee house called Jonathan's.
The world's largest city. By 1800, London had about a million people, more than any other city in
the world. During the Industrial Revolution in the 1800's, London developed
markets for factory-produced goods. The City's merchants and bankers made
enormous fortune. But many workers were desperately poor. They lived in
crowded, disease-ridden slums.
The growth of the suburbs. During the 1800's, more and more
Londoners moved to the outlying areas.
This rapid suburban growth became possible
largely because of improved transportation.
The first major reform of London's
government took place in 1888. The County of London was formed that year, and
the London County Council was organized as
its chief governing body. The county
covered an area about a fifth the size of present-day Greater London.
Destruction from the air. In the summer of 1940, Germany began an all-out air attack on Britain.
London became the chief target of the attack. The Blitz, as the attack was
known, lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. Night after night, German planes
dropped bombs on the built-up area.
Postwar developments. City planners had drawn up a new plan for London during the war. It
called for a wide band of open country, a Green Belt, around London and for
new towns to be built outside the belt. The plan also called for the rebuilding
of heavily bombed areas and the development of the South Bank. In the 1960's,
skyscrapers began to appear in central London, changing the skyline
dramatically.
As London built upward, it also continued
to spread outward. The London Government Act, passed by Parliament in 1963,
replaced the County of London with Greater London. It also divided Greater
London into 32 boroughs and created the Greater London Council (GLC). By the
1980's, many people believed that the GLC was too large and unwieldy a body to
govern London efficiently. For this and other reasons, the GLC was abolished
in 1986 by Act of Parliament, and responsibility for London's local government
passed to the 32 boroughs.
London was long noted for its smogs,
caused mainly by smoke from houses and industries. A terrible smog in 1952
killed about 4,000 Londoners. Parliament passed a Clean Air Act in 1956, which
limited the use of smoke- producing fuels in London. By the 1970's, London was
noted for its clean air.
Motor traffic remains one of London's
worst problems. The government has proposed building more motorways in
central London. But many people oppose the plan because it requires moving
hundreds of families
Related articles:
Outline
Greater London
Central London
Outlying areas
People
Ancestry and religion
Residential areas and housing
Education
Recreation
Social problems
Cultural life and places to visit
Arts
Museums and libraries
Palaces
The House of Parliament
Churches
Squares
Parks
Other places of interest
Ceremonies
Economy
Manufacturing
Trade
Finance and business
Transportation
Communications
Tourism
Government
Borough governments
The government of the City of London
Other public agencies
History
London Bridge is one of 15 bridges in London that span the River
Thames. Construction of the bridge began in 1967 and was completed in 1973. For
location, see London (map).
The bridge replaced the famous London
Bridge that was built between 1823 and 1831. Workers began dismantling the
older bridge in 1967 because it was settling into the river and cracks were
developing. The bridge was reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, U.S.A.
The London Bridge of the 1800's replaced a
stone bridge that was completed in 1209, about 30 metres downstream. The stone
bridge stood on the site of an earlier wooden bridge. Houses lined both sides
of the stone bridge, and the heads of executed traitors sometimes hung over
the entrance. It was the only bridge over the Thames until 1750. Repairs kept
the bridge in use until it was torn down about 1832. (Old London Bridge was the only bridge across the River Thames between
1209 and 1750.)
London Company was an association of "noblemen, gentlemen, and
merchants" during the early days of the American colonies. It was part of
a larger association, the Virginia Company. In 1606, King james I of England
chartered the London Gompany to form a colony in North America. It founded the
Jamestown colony in 1607.
The founders of the London Company
believed that precious metals existed in the Americas. Those who went to
America and risked their lives were called planters.
Those who stayed in England and invested their money in the company were called
adventurers. Each planter and adventurer was to share in the
company's profits. But the company failed to profit. The company reorganized
under new charters in 1609, and again in 1612. But still there were no profits.
The House of Burgesses was formed in
Jamestown in 1619. It was the first representative legislative body in the
American colonies. The House passed measures designed to help the company
prosper. But a serious Indian uprising in Jamestown in 1622 caused the
adventurers to lose what little interest they had left.
In 1623, King James decided that the
company was being managed pooriy. He took over the association in 1624 and
dissolved the company.
London Gazette publishes routine notices from central and local
government in Britain, and British legal notices. It is published four times a
week—on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday—by Her Majesty's Stationery
Office. The London Gazette was formerly known as the Oxford Gazette.
It was founded in 1665 at Oxford, where Charles II and his court had taken
refuge from the Great Plague. Its name was changed to the London Gazette
after the court returned to London late in 1665. Londonderry is
one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. The county ceased to be an
administrative area when local government was reorganized in 1973. But iocal
people continue to regard the county as important
for historical reasons. Londonderry is
known throughout the world because of the song "The Londonderry
Air," which is also popularly known as "Danny Boy."
The name of the city and county has long
been a source of disagreement between the two religious communities in
Northern Ireland. The original name Derry comes from the Irish word doire, which means an oak
wood. In 1984, the nationalist-controlled council renamed the district which
includes the city Derry. Ulster loyalists insist that its name should be
Londonderry. The county has always had the official name Londonderry. In
ordinary speech, however, both communities use the name Derry.
According to the 1971 census, the county
had a population of 183,094. The government no longer collects figures for
the population living within the old boundaries.
The administrative district, now known as
Derry, was formed in 1973. It takes in most of the old city of Londonderry,
which was a county borough until the 1973 reorganization. The rest of the old
county was divided among the administrative districts of Limavady and
Magherafelt. Parts of the county were absorbed into the Cookstown and Coleraine
districts.
The old county of Londonderry covers
21,182 square kilometres. Most of it lies between the River Foyle and the River
Bann. But most of Derry district is on the west bank of the Foyle. The town of
Coleraine is on the east bank of the Bann. The county forms a rough triangle.
The Bann is its eastern side, the Atlantic
Ocean and Lough Foyle are on the north, and the Sperrin Mountains are on the
southwest.
The mouth of the wide Lough Foyle is
almost closed by a long spit of land ending in Magilligan Point. A magnificent
beach stretches back from there to the village of Downhill, overlooked by
picturesque cliffs. The Sperrin Mountains rise in the south of County
Londonderry.
Economy. Londonderry is a county of small farms. Most farmers
rear cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.
About 1 person in 10 works in agriculture.
The chief crops are oats, potatoes, and grass seed. Flax was formerly grown
for the extensive linen industry, but its cultivation has now declined. County Londonderry was once famous for
its shirt- making and linen industries. Clothing and textile production are
still important. But its economy now depends largely on service industries,
including shop and office work, and catering. Light
engineering and chemical production are also important.
Chief towns. Londonderry is Northern Ireland's second city. It is linked to the
capital, Belfast, by rail and an excellent road system, including part of the
M2 motorway and dual carriageway roads. Londonderry is also an important
manufacturing centre and port. Its heart is the old walled city of Derry,beside
the river. But it now has extensive suburbs on both banks of the Foyle. The central
square, called the Diamond, is at the intersection of the streets leading to
the four main gates in the ancient walls, which are still standing. St.
Columba's cathedral, the Protestant (Church of Ireland) cathedral, was built in
1633. St. Eugene's Roman Catholic cathedral is a Gothic- style, Victorian
building, dating from 1873.
Coleraine, on the other side of the
county, is a thriving business and market centre with port facilities on the
Bann. The main campus of the University of Ulster is situated just outside the
town.
Other market towns are Kilrea, Limavady,
Garvagh, Dungiven, Maghera, and Magherafelt. Portstewart is a picturesque
seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, to the northwest of Coleraine.
History. Londonderry has had a more eventful history than any of the other Ulster
counties. The county is rich in evidence of prehistoric settlement. Special features
include large, ancient, burial chambers and circular, stone raths,
which are enclosures used as dwellings or forts, in 546, St. Columba founded a
monastery at Derry, from which he set out to establish the Christian community
on Iona. The area suffered little from the Viking and Norman invasions of
Ireland. But in 1609 the land around the mouth of the Bann, then called Coleraine,
was granted by King James I to the corporation of London. A society called The
Honourable the Irish society was responsible for organizing the grant.
Parts of the county were assigned to 12 of the leading livery companies of
London, each of which was to found a town. The settlement was only partly
successful, and many of the original, Irish tenants remained on the land.
The London companies rebuilt the Irish
town of Derry
as a walled city, and renamed it
Londonderry. In 1688, when the Catholic King James II fled to Ireland, leaving
his English throne to William III, Londonderry became a city of refuge for
thousands of Protestants. In December 1688, while the city fathers hesitated,
13 boy apprentices shut the gates in the face of James's troops. A siege began
soon after. It lasted until July 1689, when a Derry ship broke the boom across
the Foyle and the city was relieved. Many relics of the siege can still be seen
in St. Columba's cathedral.
The annual celebration of the siege by
Protestants has been resented by the Catholic population over the years, and
political control of the city has been a matter of bitter dispute. The city was
the setting for fierce riots in 1968. The riots developed into a long period of
violence, which led to the posting of United Kingdom troops to Northern
Ireland in 1969 and the abolition of Northern Ireland's parliament and
government in 1972. During this long period of conflict, areas such as the
Roman Catholic housing estate of the Bogside have appeared in many news
reports. The city has undergone considerable modernization, with the building
of new houses, sports complexes, and an art gallery. See also History of Ireland
and Northern Ireland.
Londonderry is an area of Northern Ireland administered as a county until
local government was reorganized in 1973.
The Guildhall on the banks of the Foyle is part of the historic centre of the city
of Londonderry. The old walled part of Derry dates back to the 1600’s. Modern
suburbs have been built on the other side of the river.
Beyond London
If you've been to Britain's capital and
done all the 'must do' stuff, here
are some off-the-beaten track options for the rest of England.
The writer didn't get to watch the changing of the guard
at the Buckingham Palace when she visited Britain. — Wikimedia Commons
Sir Anthony Corley’s towering steel sculpture, Angel of
the North just outside Newcastle – Wikimedia Commons
The Cavern Club on Matthew Street in Liverpool, London. —
Wikimedia Commons
Hadrian's Wall, Britain's most important monument to the
era of Roman occupation. — ADAM CUERDEN/Wikimedia Commons
The John Rylands Library in Manchester – Wikimedia
Commons.
By JILL SCHENSUL
The
Star/Saturday, 17 September 2016
I JUST spent 10
days in England, and before you ask, no, I didn’t get a glimpse of the Queen or
Buckingham Palace.
I did, however,
get to meet the shepherdess Katy Cropper, who’s achieved a kind of royal status
since she became the first woman to win the “One Man and His Dog” sheepdog
competition in 1990.1 spent hours on her beautiful little farm, and her
entourage of border collies, “practice sheep” and sheep farmer/dog owners were
a lot more fun than those stone-faced members of the Queen’s Guard.
I didn’t visit
St Paul’s Cathedral or the British Library. Or so much as take a picture of the
Tower of London, mainly because I didn’t set so much as a foot in the city.
I’ve been to London, done that “must” stuff (well, I haven’t see the Queen). You’ll never
hear me say London-schmundon. It’s the most-visited destination in Britain for
a reason: It’s a trove of attractions and history and style.
London is
well-mapped and tourist-friendly.
It’s an entirely
different Britain outside London.
From Day One of
my 10-day road trip out of file Manchester airport, I discovered attractions,
towns, scenery, accommodations, food and amazing claims to fame. Especially
cool because they were often so unsung, un-hyped, tucked away.
What appeared,
for example, to be a Gothic cathedral in downtown Mamchester, right across from
a 6m inflated baby chick (Easter), turned out to be the John Rylands Library,
built by his wife in his honour, with its collection of treasures rivalling
that of Trinity College. Or take the Liverpool Cathedral - one of two in the
city - which is even bigger than London’s St Paul’s. St Paul’s architect,
Christopher Wren, is better known. But Giles Gilbert Scott, who was only 22
when he got the Liverpool job in 1902, later designed those bright-red British
phone booths.
I found great
vegetarian food at traditional pubs and at a new breed of small, eat-local
restaurants in the middle of nowhere, which attract foodies even on
weeknights. I also discovered that York is not only famous for its cathedral
and Roman and Viking ruins, but also as the birthplace of the Kit Kat bar.
I also found a
world-class observatory in the middle of a forest in England’s least-visited
region, Northumberland, which is also home to one of the small chain of
International Dark Sky Parks. Northumberland has the largest exspense of dark
night sky in all Europe, and the park’s small staff holds programs almost
nightly to gaze through telescopes at galaxies and stars light years away.
The variety of
sites and experiences is remarkable - this is not the land of wide open
spaces. You can get from Manchester to the northern border and into Scotland,^
for instance, in less than four hours. Stop along the A1 highway, just outside
of Newcastle, to take some selfies beneath the 54m wide wingspan of Sir Antony
Gorky’s towering steel sculpture, Angel of the North. Everyone else does.
The 20.1m,
super-sized figure was at first controversial but soon got so much publicity it
became a landmark for northeastern England - a trigger for its current artsy
renaissance, some say. It has also been earmarked by the Icons of England programme.
Continue on the
A1 for less than an hour, and you’ll be at another icon and man-made mega-structure,
Hadrian’s Wall. Britain’s most important monument to the era of Roman
occupation, the wall was built in 122 CE by the eponymous Roman emperor and
spans the 117.5km breadth of Northern England.
Ten days weren’t
nearly enough to explore the region, yet they were time enough to come back
with a long list of visit-worthy places that I want to pass along. They’ll be
the subjects of articles in future travel sections. But for now, I’ve gathered
up a few of the most memorable images from that trip - not a beefeater or a
bobby in even one.
Leaders of the flock
You could call
her the queen of shepherdesses. Or the border-collie whisperer. Katy Cropper was
the first woman to win the Britain’s “One Man and His Dog” shepherd-dog
competition nearly two decades ago. When you see her work with the dogs On her
farm in Shap, it’s obvious they understand one another. Whether she’s using a
whistle or a vocal command, the dogs follow her instructions as they gather,
redirect, divide up or otherwise manage a flock of sheep. She forms a bond
with her four-footed students, and they obey her commands because they want to
please her. Sheep farmers come from all over the country to have Cropper train
their herding dogs.
The many sides of York
This helpful
tree of directional signs is strategically located outside the York Minister
cathedral, reminding visitors that there’s more to this city - founded by the
Romans in 71 CE - than just another pretty cathedral, even if it is the Northern
Europe. A Viking village, the largest railroad museum in the world and The
Shambles, thought to be the oldest shopping street in Europe and mentioned in
the Domesday Book of 1086. Recently opened is an attraction that covers yet
another part of the city’s history: York’s Chocolate Story. No, it’s not yet
another M8cM’s store; York was home, after World War II, to both Rowntree’s and
Terry’s, which gave the world the Kit Kat bar and the Chocolate Orange,
respectively. These well-known chocolatiers grew up here and had factories that
were major employers in the area until they were swallowed up by bigger players
- Rowntree’s by Nestle, Terry’s by Kraft.
Liverpool Life
Liverpool is one
of several English cities making a big comeback, thanks largely to redevelopment
of its historic waterfront. The Beatles would undoubtedly be amazed by the
changes, and Paul McCartney has helped invest in the future of his old
hometown.
Traces of Rome's Legacy
One of the few
places you can get a glimpse of Hadrian’s Wall, the most important monument of
the '300-year Roman occupation of England, is at Sycamore Gap, west of
Housesteads Roman Fort in Hexham, There you can see the highest remains of the
wall as well as the solitary tree immortalized in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. A
Unesco World Heritage Site, where visitors can learn about the history at
various sites along its length.
The sculpture by
Antony Gormley dominates the landscape
from its site on
a hilltop overlooking the A1 highway in Gateshead. Part of the city’s
blossoming Public Arts Program, it was hotly protested when unveiled in 1998
but then quickly gained headlines throughout the art world. Set on the site of
an old mining operation, the Angel is seen by more than one person every
second, 90,000 every day or 33 million every year. Gormley wanted it to connect
with the past, while helping to define the future.
Sharrow Bay has
become something of an English lakes legend since it opened in 1949. Book a
room or a meal at the Sharrow Bay Hotel in Penrith, and you might feel like
you’ve dropped into a Merchant-Ivory period film. The elegant 17-room inn at
the edge of Ullswater Lake is said to be the world’s first country-house hotel,
a place you could never afford to own but can think of as your own for at least
a little while. The owners, Francis Coulson and Brian Sack, filled the place
with antiques, beautiful fabrics and tapestries, comfy chairs, great food (including
the famous sticky toffee dessert), and the inn now has a reputation as one of
the top accommodations in the region. Be aware that there’s a dress code: no
jeans or sneakers at any time. For all this refinement, service and
exclusivity, however, rates are fairly reasonable. You might be able to grab a
standard room on a weekday in summer for under US$200 (RM810) a night. Rates
can go up to US$600 (RM2,427) for the top suites per night on high-season fall
weekends.
If you were
among the millions who fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales through the
stories of James
Herriot, country
veterinarian, welcome to James Herriot’s World, literally. Part house museum,
part memorabilia collection, the attraction in Thirsk opened in 1999 in the
very buildings where Herriot lived and took care of his patients. Herriot -
real name James Alfred Wight - died in 1995. On display you’ll find the
original manuscript (often rejected) of the first book in the All Creatures Great and Small series,
photos of the gang - Herriot’s partners Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, plus -
and a bronze statue recently installed in the courtyard of the home. Although
the vet is identified (real name, too), the dog in his arms isn’t named, which
seems a little out of character.
Pub food at the
Drunken Duck in Ambleside nowadays includes several options for vegetarians -
as well as a three-beer tasting option -just in case you can’t decide on one.
(Info: drunken- duckinn.com)
William
Wordsworth first saw Dove Cottage while on a walking tour of the Lake District
with Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1799.
He fell in love
with the place as well as the scenery, and by chance the building, formerly a
pub called the Dove and the Olive Branch, was available for rent. He bought the
place in Grasmere and moved in, along with his sister Dorothy; he was married
in 1802, and the couple had three of their five children there. The place was
visited by many friends and poets at the time. You can visit both the cottage
and the Wordsworth Museum on the grounds. - The Record/Tribune News Service.
Going
Solo
Travelling all on your own couldn't be easier in this culturally
vibrant, diverse city.
In Hyde Park,
bicycles ride a path adjacent to horse trails.
The gardens at
Kensinton Palace are open to visitors.
At Kensington
Palace, the staterooms reflect the reign of Queen Victoria.
The Palm Courtt
of the Ritz London is the opulent setting for afternoon tea.
Walkers and dogs
are fixtures on the Cotsworld Way.
The Notting Hill
tour of London Walks ends at the Portobello Market, where you can pick up
almost any kind of food.
No reservations
are needed for London Walks, which offers guided tours of neighbourhoods such
as Notting Hill.
By Linda
Bergstorm
THINK about it. London, on your own. And
you can do whatever you want to do. Fantastic!
And, yet: Wouldn’t it just be easier to
book a tour?
Save that stiff single supplement. Being a
solo traveller without a pre-planned itinerary - save for hotel reservations -
can be a pretty great thing in London. The culturally vibrant, diverse city has
lots to offer beyond its many museums and fun shopping. Here’s how to put the
power of one into action:
Get your learn on
London Walks offers tours of many local
favourites, from Harry Potter lore to the British Museum. One of the best
features is that you don’t need reservations - just show up at the scheduled
time and pay £10 (RM60). The Saturday morning tour of Notting Hill and
Portobello Market balanced the old and the new. Our informative guide took the
group of 20 tourists along the back roads of the now trendy Notting Hill neighbourhood,
pointing out features such as the kilns once used to bake bricks, the former
paths of Roman horse races, and the homes of the famous (yes, Annie Lennox
lived there).
There might have been one or two fans of
the Hugh Grant movie who were thrilled to see key film locations (The
bookstore! The church!). The two-hour tour ended at the packed Portobello
Market, which is not named after a mushroom after all but has Roman roots.
Everyone can find something in this hodgepodge of local food and trinkets and
interesting antiques, www.walks.com.
Brush up on Shakespeare
One of the tips gleaned from a local was a
real gem: cheap shows at the Globe the theatre rebuilt by the late American
actor Sam Wanamaker to recreate Shakespeare’s original theatre along the
Thames. You can catch a play, performed outside in the round and with audience
members standing, for only £5 (RM30) in the warmer months.
But don’t pass up the sometimes quirky
offerings in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Although it is a new theatre, the
playhouse is lit by candlelight, and patrons sit (or stand) like the Bard’s
fans did long ago. A song cycle reportedly from a list of Anne Boleyn offered
an entertaining glimpse into the British fascination with all things royal. The
songs were captivating, and the setting was truly magical, www.shakespearesglobe. com
See Hyde Park by bike
One of the best ways to experience the
142ha Hyde Park is through the bike share system. You can rent a comfortable
bike at £2 (RM12) for up to 30mins at a time, and pedal along the many paths.
The rental lasts all day, and there are lots of docking stations, so you can
take things slow. You are likely to ride past horse riders on the adjacent
track on your way to the picturesque Serpentine lake.
At the south end is Kensington Gardens.
Take a peek into the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground before
heading off to Kensington Palace.
A tour of the public part of the palace
(it also the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
aka William and Kate) reveals much about Queen Victoria and her love for her
husband, Prince Albert. You can take in the beautiful grounds or head over to
the Orangery for its celebrated tea. www.roya parks.org.uk
Tea at the Ritz
You need to book ahead (and early) to
secure a seat for afternoon tea in the Pali Court of the Ritz London. This
iconic afte noon tea is worth the £61 (RM366). The c lent room is very, very
pink, but someho works. It’s the kind of place where you v to wear your best -
and, in fact, jackets e required
for men.
The tea service starts with savouries,
including an exquisite egg salad. Even a table of one gets the full complement
of sweets, from fruit tart to macaroons. Then come the scones and clotted cream
and slice of speciality dessert.
The Ritz works to make the single dinner
feel welcome, offering magazines and newspapers. During my visit, the reading
materials remained untouched as I was too busy sampling the wonderful food and
drinking in the scene, www.theritzlondon.com/palm- court
Experience the countryside
Some of the most beautiful English countryside
is a short train ride away. The Cotswolds has many iconic postcard villages,
which are easily accessible via the bus system. Plus, it is home to the
Cotswold Way, more than 161km of walking trails. A hike up the hill in Broadway
travelled through sheep fields on the way to the Broadway Tower.
The views were spectacular, and it was
just fun to unlock the gates and join the locals (and their dogs) on an
afternoon stroll, www. nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold-way
The logistics of solo in London
Solo travellers are becoming a travel
force. According to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2015 prepared by
Millward Brown, 24% of travellers took an overseas vacation alone in 2015, up
from 15% in 2013. And many were women.
There are certainly safety considerations:
Share your itinerary and use caution in public places.
Other tips:
Get your bearings early by booking a guided
bus tour: It is the easiest way to note where you would like to return, and it
will most likely take you to areas you may not be able to get back to. The
hop-on, hop-off tour I did also included a fun boat tour on the Thames from
Tower of London to Westminster. VisitLondon.com is a good place to explore the
options.
Get a cellphone that has map and phone
access: You will want to be able-to use your phone to see where you are, look
up information on the fly, and make calls. (And your mother will still worry
about you and want you to check in.) Cellular providers offer international
plans, but the data plans are wickedly expensive. Buy a cheap unlocked phone at
home, and get a Sim card right near the baggage claim at Heathrow.
London’s Underground is safe and efficient,
and there’s an entrance seemingly around every comer. If you want to get out of
the city, sltip the car and opt for the excellent train system. Booking on a
service like Tramline (www.thetramline.com) will save you some cash.
Dining for one? One London resident warned
that it would be tough to get a table for one at a nice restaurant in London.
“They want to serve two people, not one,” he warned. He was right. They can’t
refuse you, but they can ignore you to the point of discomfort.
One word: Pubs. The Scarsdale Tavern in Kensington
is picturesque and welcoming and had a great lamb shank for £16 (RM96). The
Churchill Arms not only has memorabilia from the noted prime minister but also
serves cheap, tasty Thai food. Another great dining option is Harrods.
The food emporium is famous for its fantastic
selection, from homemade meat pies to caviar, and there are several themed
mini-restaurants. It also has an impressive takeaway selection. - Chicago
Tribune/ Tribune News Service
London’s
Heathrow Airport
London's Heathrow
airport has launched many new facilities for travellers. — AFP
Less Stress
Entry point
HEATHROW Airport has declared itself the
world's first demen- tia-friendly airport after launching a program that will
train airport staff on how to help travelers suffering from cognitive decline.
Air travel can be a stressful experience for even the seasoned frequent
flier. But add to that anxiety the complexities of dementia, and travelling can
become an exercise in fear and frustration, says the Alzheimer's Society in
Britain.
To put them at ease, all 76,000 staff
members working at Heathrow Airport will be trained on how to support these
fliers - most notably security staff. Passing through security has been
identified as a particularly stressful part of the airport experience.
Security staff will be trained on how to identify potential fliers with
dementia and reduce anxiety during this step of the process.
Likewise, frontline staff who work
regularly with passengers with "hidden disabilities" such as autism,
hearing and visual impairments and dementia, will undergo in-depth training,
while designated quiet lounges will help affected passengers find calm.
The program is also part of the Prime
Minister's 2020 Challenge on Dementia, which encourages businesses to become
"dementia-friendly".
Dementia is a worldwide concern, with the
planet's aging population projected to bring the number of people living with
the condition from 47 million today up to 135 million by 2050.
This is a unique and innovative program
that falls in line with a bigger airport trend health and wellness.
One of the popular programs being copied
at airports around the world is the introduction of Yoga classes, to help
harried travellers decompress and relax before boarding their flight.
Yoga classes are offered at airports in
San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, Helsinki and Heathrow – AFP
Relaxnews.
Flying High
Garuda Indonesia’s
- A350 XWB in the skies (AFP)
ASIAN airlines dominate a new ranking of
"the most loved airlines" with Garuda Indonesia receiving the highest
customer satisfaction score.
In the list compiled by international air
transport rating organization Skytrax, the Indonesian carrier received an
approval rating of 85% by fliers, followed by Asian Airlines and Eva Air.
In fact, 11 of the top 15 spots are
occupied by Asian airlines. The highest non-Asian carrier is Greece's Aegean
Airlines, which placed fourth on the list. The only North American carrier
represented is Virgin America, which squeaked into 15th place.
For the ranking, analysts looked at how
customers rated their overall flight experience, which was measured on a scale
of one to 10. Customers were asked to consider everything from seat comfort,
onboard services, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment and
Another notable mover this year is
low-cost carrier Ryanair, which scored higher than the British flagship
carrier British Airways by 6% (62% versus 56%).
The highest-ranked major US carrier is
Delta Airlines, followed by United and American Airlines.
Here are the top 15 "most loved"
airlines according to customer reviews from Skytrax.
Garuda Indonesia
Asiana Airlines
Eva Air
Aegean Airlines
Korean Air
Bangkok Airways
Singapore Airlines
AirAsia X
ANA All Nippon Airways
Royal Brunei Airlines
Japan Airlines
Qatar Airways
China Southern Airlines
Oman Air
Virgin
America
