Monthly archive

November 2014

Paddington Movie and the Trail

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Well, this is kind of an interesting story about a bear, not a normal bear but a bear gifted from a husband to a wife on Christmas Eve of 1956 while he was travelling via the Paddington station. This is how Michael Bond gave the stories their name The Paddington Bear. One thing is for sure, kids of young age who have read about Paddington Bear in their childhood will surely going to enjoy the movie. I myself am very excited to see the film.

Recently there has been a Walking tour organised by Viator to help you go around all the places in London where the Paddington Bear is located. See key filming locations from the Paddington Bear movie, as well as places in the Paddington Bear books.

Book your Paddington Bear Walking Tour

Check out the trailer of the Paddington movie here

In celebration of British art and culture Visit London, NSPCC and StudioCanal have come up with a rather interesting exploration campaign in and around London with the name the Paddington Trail. The campaign as per Visit London has already started and we call can see 50 Paddington statues across London in public places. This is sure quite an adventure. As I myself am not in London and if you go around in London, you are most welcome to share your pictures with us here or on our Facebook, Google, and Twitter pages.

The Paddington Trail Map

If you would like to know where you could find the Paddington Bear statues please look at the map here:

Paddington Trail Map
Paddington Trail Map

The bears are named after many famous people for example  Nicole Kidman, Emma Watson, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, and even a bear for the Telegraph. It’s instead a nice exploration for tourists to London too. People who are coming to London for the first time, have got a little extra to explore this time. If you want to buy memorabilia or stuffed toys, you could buy them from Selfridges, Harrods, Hamley’s or any good toy store.

Make your Paddington Bear Trail tour with us. Book your Paddington Bear Walking Tour of London. The Paddington Bear walking tour of London is perfect for the whole family. And it takes the hassle of finding something to do together and identifying all the locations of the bear statues and bookstores. Follow a guide around London neighbourhoods and attractions,

Book your Paddington Bear Walking Tour

Tudor London

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When Henry VII took the throne in 1485, the population of the city of London was about 75,000. By 1600 that figure rose to 200,000. London under the Tudors was prosperous and full of activity city.

Henry’s son Henry VIII made Whitehall Palace the principal royal residence in the city, and after Cardinal Wolsey “gave” Hampton Court to Henry, that palace became a countryside retreat for the court.

During Henry’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the 13 religious houses in London were either converted for private use or destroyed for building materials. All that now remains are the names they gave to areas of the city, such as Whitefriars and Blackfriars.

Many areas that are now London Parks were used as Royal hunting forests during the Tudor period. Richmond Park served this purpose, and so did Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and St. James Park which we all see daily currently.

An international exchange was founded by the mercer Thomas Gresham in 1566 to enable London to compete for financial power with Amsterdam. This became the Royal Exchange in 1560 and is now housed in a massive Victorian building beside the Bank of England Museum in Mansion House Square. If you want to see this great building hop on either Circle or the district line Westbound to Mansion House tube station.

After the reorganization, theatres were banned in the city of London, but it wasn’t for religious objections to the play’s contents. Rather, the city authorities (read guilds) thought they wasted workmen’s time.

Instead of theatres disappearing, they moved across the Thames to Southwark, outside the authority of the city government. Southwark became the entertainment district of London (it was also the red-light area of that time).

The Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre was built on the South Bank in 1599, though it burned down in 1613. A modern replica, also called the Globe has been built near the original site. Southwark was also a favourite area for entertainment, like bull and bear-baiting.

Unfortunately, many of London’s Tudor buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, so it is difficult to get a real sense of what the city was like at that time.

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Halloween Celebrations in London 2014

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Halloween is a celebration celebrated pretty much all over the world. But it is something special in London. They start the preparation way too early and this is evident when I went to London recently and exhibited a parade in Leicester Square. London is famous for very reasons and Halloween is also one of them. There are many clubs, pubs and restaurants, which organise Halloween parties. Parties go on from the 31st night to the 1st night. You can also participate in the best costume competitions as well around the town.

halloween celebration in Leicester square oct 2014
Halloween celebration in Leicester square Oct 2014

While walking around on 11th October in Leicester Square, I stumbled on this gathering of the best Halloween costume parade. And It was pretty amazing looking at the people dressed in so many weird and scary makeups and dresses. The best part was it, was all enjoyable, people were drinking, laughing and having a good time. Some people were even making the policeman laugh and took the selfie with them. I must say this, it was not a warm day at all, but there were brave people out there who were up and spirited wearing wicked and scary dresses and makeup entertaining visitors and tourists. It was worth the visit, and I am sure if you go on to London on Halloween night you will have a great time. Make sure you wear something out of the box, you will get some appreciation also there are best costume competitions as well on the 31st night. Which is worth the effort to get dressed, filthy and very scary.

human chain pulling at halloween celebration in leicester square oct 2014
Human chain pulling at Halloween Celebration in Leicester Square Oct 2014

Some of the best places in town for Halloween night are:

  • BGWMC’S Haunted House Party (31st Oct – 1st Nov)

    – The environment they will offer on Halloween night will be something you would love to go to every other day. Well if you are a dance music freak. 3 floors with great dance music will be a treat. Address – Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club 42-46, Pollard Row, E2 6NB

  • Black Butter Records Halloween Special (31st Oct – 1st Nov) –

    Especially known for producing many famous bands and acts. The music offered on the floor is hip hop, electronic, R&B, deep house and many other heart-pounding, breathtaking tunes. Address – Village underground 54, Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ

  • Butcher’s Basement (31st Oct – 1st Nov)

    – The best part of going to this party on Halloween is that you will get to see two scary horror movies to bring you into a grove of horror and freaky vibes. The name of the movie, which will be played, is not announced, but surely it will be worth it. You can buy the ticket for one or both if you are up for it. The screen of the movies will be part of the Halloween extravaganza organised by Butcher’s Basement. Address – The Four Quarters 187 Rye Lane, SE15 4TP

nurse halloween dress leicester square london oct 2014
Nurse Halloween dress Leicester Square London Oct 2014

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5 days 4 nights london tour package

5 Days 4 Nights London Tour

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