Visiting London’s Old Tube Stations

The London Underground is constantly evolving. As there are changes in London’s urban design, there are new Tube stations added. There are also Tube stations abandoned.

Many Railway and Tube stations were not able to adapt and expand to the city’s contemporary urban requirements. Those stations were no longer used and new nearby stations replaced them.

There are now proposals to convert abandoned Tube tunnels into nightclubs, art galleries, and cycleways. Below are some abandoned Tube stations that are worth a visit, and they’re all free. All you need is time to admire these stations’ old majesty so book your stay at any hotels near Wembley Arena.

Shoreditch Tube Station

Located on the East London Line, the Shoreditch station was disused in 2005, leaving the Hackney borough without a Tube station. Fortunately, the Shoreditch High Street Station, which is located 100 meters from the old site was built, forming part of the London Overground. The East London Line’s viaduct is now The Village Underground, a music venue.

Tower of London Tube Station 

In 1884, the station was closed, just two years after it first opened. The Tower of London station was replaced by the Mark Lane station. However, the new station was closed in 1967, due to little expansion space and rising passenger numbers. The Mark Lane station, which has since been named Tower Hill, moved back to the original Tower of London station site.

You can also read: Football Lover’s Guide to London

British Museum Tube Station

The British Museum used to have its own Tube station, which opened in 1900. However, the Holborn station was expanded, leaving the British Museum station obsolete. The building, however, was used as a military command post and office until 1989.

Aldwych Tube Station

Opened in 1907, the Aldwych station is set a short walk away from Somerset House. However, passenger numbers were low. In 1994, it was closed down eventually as the lifts became too uneconomical and expensive to fix.

There’s still life in the old station, though, as it is used for filming movie scenes that require a Tube entrance. The station has featured in music videos like All Saints ‘Honest.’ The station was also used as a filming site for ‘Patriot Games.’

Down Street Tube Station

Must take a visit Down Street Tube station during your stay at any hotels near Wembley Stadium which operated from 1907 to 1932. It also suffered from poor passenger traffic, and it was made redundant as it was near the Dover Street (later Green Park) and Hyde Park Corner stations.

However, the Down Street station is noteworthy as it was used in the war effort as the Railway Executive Committee’s headquarters. It was also the headquarters for Winston Churchill’s war cabinet.

Conclusion

These old, unused sites have been extensively documented online by history enthusiasts. If you want to take a day exploring London’s old Railway and Tube stations, check out the Londonist, Derelict London, and Underground-History.co.uk websites.

Where do the Best Chocolate Shops Hide in London?

If you’re planning to go anywhere in London, take sweet stops at some of its best chocolate shops. You can even book a chocolate tour to find interesting facts about how chocolates became popular in the city. 

Chocolate History in London

As of today, Charbonnel et Walker holds the title of being the oldest chocolate shop in London. This 130-year-old Royal Warranty holder lies in Royal Arcade on Bond Street, Mayfair. Once the Queen’s favorite, its guests recommend the Violet Cream, Sea Salt Caramel Truffle, and the popular, Pink Champagne Truffle.

But before Londoners went crazy over its champagne truffles, London hosted its first chocolate houses in the 1650s. Even before the rise of chocolate houses at St. James, a Frenchman opened the first chocolate house in Queen’s Head Alley in 1657. It began the craze for hot chocolate drinks with the promise of serving an excellent drink from West India.

See, the chocolate houses once hosted this luxurious drink for gamblers. You cannot enter the premises without paying admission. These prominent men gambled for a cup of chocolate drink. 

By that time, hot chocolate drinks are a mixture of cocoa, water, and spices. Sir Hans Sloane created the popular, chocolate milk, similar to the taste we know at present.

You can also read: Enjoy some family fun in London

Where Do These Chocolate Shops Hide in London? 

If you are staying at any of the hotels in North London, take a short tour at Paul A. Young. Smell the chocolate aroma upon entrance and find a variety of flavors displayed in circular tables.  The Gold Award-winner of World Chocolate Awards boasts an interesting fine collection of chocolates and desserts at his shop. Try the combinations of marmite and bergamot or the harissa and tahini.

But if you want to witness actual chocolate–making, you got to see them at Melts. Watch the chocolatiers mix and roll truffles, bonbons, and chocolate chunks. Try salted praline, pistachio chocolate bar, and their hot chocolate drink is a must-try too! You can opt to see it at Notting Hill or Holland Park. Ride to the Notting Hill Gate Tube or Ladbroke Tube Station to get to Notting Hill shop or drop at Kensington or Holland Park Tube Station to shop at Holland Park.

If you are into trying odd but inventive flavors, you cannot miss out shopping at Artisan du Chocolat. They serve chocolate goodness in strange flavors like Sichuan pepper, red wine, and tobacco combo, or lapsang souchong flavors. The shop boasts natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives. You have to consume the chocolates within two weeks. Located at Lower Sloane St. Belgravia, you can get there when you drop at Sloane Square Tube or Victoria Tube Station.

There are other recommendations you can try. Choccywoccydoodah at Short’s Garden is known for eccentric playful chocolate creations. Rococo Chocolates, in its branches (Belgravia, Marylebone, and Covent Garden), boasts artful chocolates made from cocoa beans in the Caribbean and served in unique flavors like Persian lime or orange.  

Surely, London hosts the most unique and mouth-watering chocolates you can ever try during your accommodation in cricklewood London.

The Best Places in London to See and Ride Horses

 

With its many green spaces, it should not be surprising that a lot of people visit London to see and interact with horses. Although horses are no longer as important a part of daily life as they used to be, there are still many places in the city where you can see these equestrienne beasts in all their glory during your stay at any of the Best Western hotels London.

Where to Ride Horses

Hyde Park. This fabled park has two designated bridleways for riders, as well as a specialized arena. Visitors can rent horses from local stables in the area for private and semi-private rides, and can also avail of riding and arena lessons.

Stag Lodge Stables. Located in Richmond Park, the stables offer professional pony and horse riding lessons and courses to riders of all skill levels. Over 70 trained horses and ponies are housed for the use of customers, and the stables are in close proximity to Wimbledon Common as well as Richmond Park.

London Equestrian Center. Located in Finchley, this family-run riding school has many child-friendly services, although adults are of course also welcome to ride there. They offer ‘pony days’ and ‘tiny tot’ rides to help accustom very young children (under 10 and as young as three) to horses before they start taking riding lessons.

Wimbledon Village Stables. This stable is open strictly for adults and gives riders the opportunity to take rides through the countryside of Richmond Park and Wimbledon Commons. But if you are not yet ready to ride a real horse, you can try their advanced horse-riding simulator, which is specially designed for beginners to gain confidence.

You can also read: A Mysterious Underground World Awaits in London!

Ham Polo Club. Located in Richmond, this is the city’s only polo club. Riding and polo lessons for adults and children are available for non-members. But if you just want to see matches, you can drop by on Sundays from May to September, when they are held. You can even bring your own picnic basket.

Where to See Horses

Household Cavalry Museum. Located in the heart of Whitehall, this museum is dedicated to the accomplishments and the history of The Queen’s Mounted Bodyguard. Guests can peek into the regiment’s stables, see sentry and guard changes and inspections, and even try out their uniforms.

Ascot Racecourse. Ascot, located in Berkshire, hosts 13 of the UK’s 36 yearly Group 1 races. The course is also known for hosting food festivals, with the best quality cuisine on offer.

Sandown Park Racecourse. Located in Ester, Surrey, Sandown hosts the Eclipse Stakes and five Grade One National Hunt races. You can go to the Parade Wing to view the thoroughbreds before you make your bets.

Kempton Park. Located in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, Kempton is also a licensed conference and entertainment venue, aside from the tracks. The King George VI Chase is held there on Boxing Day.

Royal Windsor Horse Show. Held on the private grounds of Windsor Palace, this is the UK’s biggest horse show. It takes place over five days and features international competitions in Carriage Driving, Show Jumping and Dressage.

To enjoy the perfect vacation make the most of your stay in London by booking Palm Hotel which is also one of the best wedding venues in North London.

Winter is Warmer in Little Venice London

One of the less crowded areas to visit in London during the winter season is Little Venice. Located north of Paddington, Little Venice charms you with its beautiful canals and waterways. It has many cafes, restaurants, and pubs you can relax in. When coming to London for a long visit, you can look for a suitable hotel near Wembley Stadium.

Nearest Tube: Warwick Avenue Station (a five-minute walk away)

How to Get There: From Warwick Avenue Station, head south to Rembrandt Gardens, and you will see the waterways on your right-hand side.

Opening Hours: Every day, 24 hours

Admission Fee: FREE

Things to Do & Places to Visit:-

Drink warm tea in a cafe

Head down to one of the cozy cafes in Little Venice and take a sip of warm tea. Some of the cafes you could check out are the Waterside Café, Quince Tree Café, and Beany Green.

Enjoy a canal boat rides

Take a boat trip through the Grand Union and Paddington Basin. Many companies offer canal rides such as Jenny Wren Canal Cruises, London Waterbus, and Jason’s Trip. A ride takes approximately 45 minutes.

Boat Ride Hours: Monday – Sunday, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (depending on the boat company)

Get a Paddington Bear at Paddington Station

Paddington Station is a major railway and underground station in London, but it also has a wide range of restaurants and stores for shopping, including the famous Paddington Bear gift shop. 

Opening Hours: 24 hours

You can also read: Little One Approved: The Most Child-Friendly Restaurants in London

Watch classics and performances at the theatres

There are independent theatres in Little Venice. The Canal Café Theatre plays fringe and comedy films and theatre performances around candle-lit tables. There is also the Puppet Theatre Barge, which showcases puppet shows while the boat streams along the Thames.

Tickets:

Canal Café Theatre: Vary on the show; £1.50 for a membership fee, valid for a year 

Puppet Theatre Barge: Vary on the show

Tour the Lord’s Cricket Ground

Sports fans would enjoy a tour of the Lord’s Cricket Ground and its museum. The Lord’s Cricket Ground hosts international matches and is home to famous Marylebone Cricket Club and The Ashes Urn.

Opening Hours: Every day (except during major matches and as advised); 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission Fee: £25 for adults; £16 for children

Visit Abbey Road Studios

Not too far from the Palm Hotel London that offers great party venues in North London, music fans can visit the famous recording studio, Abbey Road Studios. The studio is the recording venue of famous singers like Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin, The Hollies, and The Beatles. Take note that unless you are booking the studio for recording, you can only visit up to the gates of the studio.

Nearest Tube: St. John Wood’s Station

Hours: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Have a glass or two at the pubs

After a long afternoon exploring Little Venice, get yourself a drink or two at one of the pubs around the canal. A traditional pub overlooking the canal is The Bridge House. It is a perfect place for pre and post-show drinks.

Ready, Set, Go! to the Regent Motor Show 2019

The car industry has always been on the cutting edge in terms of efficient transportation and upscale display. With the many attractions based on automobiles to the heavy traffic, it’s safe to say that London is filled with car enthusiasts. In fact, the City hosts one of the largest motor shows on Regent Street; hence, the name “Regent Motor Show”. 

Rather than exhausting visits to London’s popular landmarks during your stay at any hotel in North West London, Regent Motor Show provides a fun and fresh experience for both tourists and transport enthusiasts alike.

About the Regent Motor Show

The Regent Motor Show is a royal automobile club event that exhibits over 125 years of motoring in the styles of veteran, vintage, classic, and modern-day era cars. The best part about the motor show is that admission is completely free. 

This motor show will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 10:30 AM to 4 PM. This year is set to have an American theme: “Illinois Route 66”, one of the world's most famous highways. Simultaneously, the event honors Regent Street’s 200^th anniversary.

Activities at the Show

The motor show is more than just a display of vehicles from around the world. It has a family-friendly environment filled with entertainment and interactive displays. 

This year, the Regent Street Motor Show splits the street into six categories. The featured categories, along with their activities are:

Kid’s Zone

• Top Gear Experience Supercars
• Track Stars (battery powered karting)
• 1930’s Fire Truck
• Hourly performance by the West End Kids 

Motoring Today

· Go Ultra Low (low emission cars)

· Ducati Bikes

Illinois Route 66

· Regent Street Motor Show

· Glimpse of the next 200 years in personal transportation

Bonham’s Veteran Car Zone

· Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance Contest

Motorsport Zone

· Silverstone Classic (the World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival)

· Colin Turkington’s BMW 330i M Sport

· Xite Energy’s Mini Cooper SX1

Classic Motoring Zone

· 60th birthday of classic MINIs

· 50th birthday of Ford Capri

· Abel’s Moving Services (horse-drawn carriages)

· Harrod’s Nissan E-NV200 (electric-powered delivery van)

Aside from unique vehicles, you’ll be able to get a close up on actual cars used in movies like the DeLorean Time Machine from “Back to the Future” or Volkswagen Beetle from Herbie Fully Loaded.

Racing fans will be excited to know that the sport’s champions often stop by for a visit. This allows the racers to answer any questions you have and maybe even take a picture with you.

If this event is celebrated like the other years, there may be chances of winning prizes from raffles and contests.

You can also read: Live London at night – there’s so much to do!

Why You Should Attend

The Regent Motor Show can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Each year, the show aims to educate people on the history of vehicles and their possible future. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about entertaining your kids because some parts of the show are specifically made for children.

Although the Regent Motor Show has something to offer for everyone, some may not be as interested in motor vehicles as you are. Fortunately, they can opt to go shopping along the road instead.

Regent Street is home to high-end stores like Burberry, Kate Spade, J. Crew, Tory Burch, and Coach. The highlight of the shopping experience that this street provides is Hamleys Toy Store. With seven floors, you’ll be able to find anything in the toy universe. A majority of the stores along the street are open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 8 PM.

Accommodation:

The Palm Hotel is one of London’s most respected accommodations because of its elegantly furnished rooms and modern amenities. It is one of the best hotels near Wembley Arena with parking. It ensures you come back to a comfortable room after a long day at the motor show.

The distance between the Palm Hotel and Regent Street is roughly 5.6 miles and takes 35 minutes to drive on average. There are other attractions nearby the hotel, such as Hyde Park, National Gallery, and the British Museum.

Conclusion

Visiting the Regent Motor Show will definitely increase your interest in both motor vehicles. All of the attractions are family-friendly, providing an experience the whole family can appreciate. Although the Palm Hotel is somewhat distant from the show, you can be sure that there are other tourist attractions nearby that will make your trip worthwhile. 

London’s Best Indian Restaurants

London has become more diverse over the years. Tourists can experience different cultures and meet people from various ethnic backgrounds in this city. 

One of the things that people love about London is the varying cuisine options. From Asian to Western food, many people can find almost any kind of food in London.

Indian food has become popular with local Londoners. There are tons of restaurants in and around the city. Tourists have also found that there’s something special about Indian food in London.

To get the Indian cuisine experience in London during your stay at a hotel near Wembley Arena, here are the best Indian restaurants in the city.

Dishoom Carnaby

Breakfast is an important meal to start the day right. For breakfast, people can visit the Dishoom Carnaby in Soho. 

The ambiance in the restaurant is one of a kind. It features an authentic Bombay experience just by getting inside the establishment.

Their best seller is the Big Bombay. The dish includes masala baked beans, Shropshire pork sausages, grilled mushrooms, and homemade buttered buns.

The restaurant can also be found in other locations around London. But, many agree that the Dishoom in Soho is best among the others.

Price: Prices start at $3

Address: 22 Kingly St, Soho, London W1B 5QP

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Bond Street

You can also read: All About National Portrait Gallery Exhibition London

Jikoni

For people who get up a bit late, getting brunch at Jikono might be the best option. People can enjoy a cozy ambiance while eating an East African-Middle Eastern-Asian cuisine fusion.

Some of the favorites at this restaurant are the Piña Colada Pancakes with caramelized apples topped with spicy pickled cauliflower and poached egg. They’re famous for serving brunch with a hint of spiciness, which is perfect to kick start the day.

They also have lunch and dinner food options. They also serve cocktails and wines. For events, they have two-party menus to choose from.

Price: Prices start at $5

Address: 19 - 21 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 3DG

Nearest tube: Bond Street, Baker Street, Marble Arch

Dum Biryani House

When dining with a large group, Dum Biryani House in Soho is the place to go. The owner got the inspiration for the restaurant from traveling to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The restaurant takes pride in its dum cuisine. It’s a special cooking method of tempering vegetables and meat with spices. The vegetables and meat are then layered with rice and sealed with pastry on top. The dish is then steamed until cooked. Many people suggest that first-time diners try their lamb shank biryani.

This is the place for family gatherings and other groups who want to enjoy amazing Indian food with great company. 

Price: Prices start from $4

Address: 187B Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 8ZB

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street

There are still lots of other Indian restaurants in London. Many of these restaurants have Indian fusion cuisine that’ll fit any type of palate. When staying in London, it’s best to book any of the hotels in North West London near all the good restaurants and sights.

  

Guide to Enjoying Nightlife at Bussey Building in Peckham

The Bussey Building’s exterior doesn’t have the glow that most bars and clubs have. However, its interior and rooftop scenes will surprise you with their lively atmosphere. 

Bussey’s Past

The building was originally a munitions factory. It was later on used as a manufacturing plant for cricket bats. In 2007, it was supposed to be demolished to give way to a tram depot. 

However, like-minded locals organized a campaign to halt such plan. They proposed to make the building a cultural hub. A few years later, CLF Art Café and Rye Wax were born. Their site was also called Bussey Building once again as a nod to the original name.

What to Expect

Enjoy Party-goers flock CLF Art Café at night during your stay at any hotels near Wembley Stadium for the club’s disco and funk scene. It’s infused with dub, Afrobeat and reggae as well. 

Rye Wax is a club, café and record bar rolled into. It’s located on the building’s basement. Its experimental music tends to appeal to the younger crowd.

This isn’t fixed though. Sometimes the lower club plays more funky and disco music.

Many DJs can lead the parties in one night. Some of them are already well-known in the local scene while others are budding ones. Aside from vinyl music, the live instrumentals from guest performers also entertain the guests. Éclair Fifi and Slowthai are just two of the said performers. 

During daytime, the clubs’ warehouse styling is apparent. However, colorful lights and groovy music fill the venues at night, hiding the designs that remind of its past.

The sound system in each club is great enough to fill the space. Yet, they don’t overpower the other.

If you ever go hungry while dancing, you can order hot dogs, crushed potatoes and shawarma in Rye Wax. Aside from the food, you can also buy vinyl records and comics herein. Make sure you spend time at the rooftop bar as well. 

You can also read: 7 Secret Tips for a Budget-friendly London Getaway

Opening and Closing Times

The party starts in the afternoon. You can catch up in the evening until 5:00 AM. 

How to Enter

Tickets are fairly affordable. Keep in mind that the payment for the separate clubs and/or parties are different. Go early to get a discount. 

What to Wear

Bussey Building is a place where you can be yourself so feel free to be as stylish or as plain as you want. There are restrooms where you can change outfits, too. You can leave your things in the cloakroom.

How to Get There

The building is located at 133 Rye Lane in Peckham. You can get there via bus, tube or railway. Peckham Rye is the nearest railway station while Denmark Hill is the closest for tube. If your homebound after a night of partying, ride the N63 and N343 buses because the trains are unavailable at night. 

After spending a memorable night you can take a rest at Palm hotel which is also one of the best wedding venues in North West London.