Category Archives: London

Attractions, Days Out, December Breaks, Events, Family Days Out, Holiday Attractions, Kids Days Out, London, News, November Breaks

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum returns 2nd November

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This has to be one of our family favourites each year, ice skating outside of the beautiful Natural History Museum building in London.

We are not born ice skaters, in fact we barely strap a skate on of any sort during the year, but come November we find ourselves heading to London for an ice skating session on the outdoor temporaryLondons Natural History Museumy rink.  It’s great fun and what better backdrop to your efforts than one of London’s most impressive buildings.

Of course the ice skating is great fun but it also forms part of a fun winters day out. Once the skating is over there is plenty of time to take in the museum, which is absolutely free, or visit some of the other great museums near by – the interactive Science Museum is always popular with children.

Once you are exhausted there are plenty of great places to eat near by or simply travel short distance on the Underground to popular eating places around Covent Garden, Leicester Square and China Town.

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The Natural History Museum Ice Rink, supported by Starbucks, opens next Friday (2nd Nov – 6 Jan) promising a season of fantastic skating.

The first ice rink to open in London

Be among the first to enjoy a magical skate on one of London’s largest ice rinks, and celebrate the launch of Starbucks’ Red Cups with a hot drink in our fabulous café bar, open to skaters and non-skaters alike.

Something for the whole family

Bring friends and family along for a fun active day out. Next to the main rink we have a smaller rink and penguin skate aids for the little ones. And, don’t miss a spin on our beautiful fairground carousel, open throughout the day.

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Days Out, Family Days Out, London, Restaurant

Our Guilty Eating Pleasure… Ed’s Easy Diner at the Trocadero, near Leicester Square, London

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Ok, we admit it, we are partial to a burger, fries and a shake.

Ed's Easy DinerSo when we had an afternoon in London recently and in need of something to eat we had no choice but to head straight to our guilty pleasure, Ed’s Easy Diner near Leicester Square.  (There are other Ed’s Diners around the country, but we think this one is the best.)

While some places can do good burgers and fries, fw can match an Ed’s Strawberry Malt Shake, pure heaven in a glass.

And, given that my previous post was about how dodgy holiday reviews can be, let me assure you that we have not had so much as discount/tweet/Facebook like or cash incentive for this feedback, we just genuinely love the place – although if any Ed’s Easy Diner managers want to bribe us for future posts get in touch 🙂

You can check out their website but its much better to drink the strawberry malt.

That’s my guilty eating pleasure, what’s yours?

Days Out, Events, Family Days Out, Kids Days Out, London, News, Olympics, Sporting Events

Celebrate a Wonderful Sporting Summer with Team GB at London Victory Parade

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What a wonderful sporting summer it has been in the UK, we have been truly spoilt with sporting excitement, drama and moments to fill you with pride.

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have been simply AWESOME.  Not only for the outstanding performances, but for the Gamesmakers, the organisers, the crowds and the general buzz across the UK. We are hugely proud to be British and, as Lord Sebastian Coe said, London 2012 was ‘Made in Britain’.

Last night’s closing ceremony of the Paralympics was, as we have come to expect now, a polished entertaining spectacle that perfectly captured the mood and a firework ending that was jaw-dropping.

Sadly though the Closing Ceremony not only saw the end of the Paralympic Games but also the end of this wonderful summer of sport and I for one feel just a little deflated and sad this morning.  Britain being the centre of the World’s attention is something we have got to quite like!

However there is one last chance to look back and celebrate this wonderful summer of sports with all our sporting heroes in Team GB at today’s London Team GB Victory Parade.  Its starts at the Mansion House in central London from 1.30pm.

The parade of 21 floats will pass St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, where there’ll be a big screen at the base of Nelson’s Column along with live commentary. Each float will carry around 40 athletes arranged by sport. The parade is expected to take up to 13 minutes to pass any given point.

If you are going we would love to see some pictures.

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England, Events, Holidays, London, News, Olympics, Sporting Events, Summer Holidays, Travel

Olympics are ready to go for Gold

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Well the wait is so nearly over and the London 2012 Olympics are almost upon us. It seems a little unreal after waiting so many years but we are now into the final countdown with just 2 days to go to the Opening Ceremony.

From the day London was chosen there were doubts about whether the UK could deliver it on time and we have to say that what a tremendous job they have done, with venues ready and test events complete.

I for one expected the British Press to hammer on about every issue to try and undermine what should be a proud moment but there has been so little for them to comment on.

One can only be impressed at the organisation and focus it has taken for us to be ready and looking forward to it. Congratulations for a job well done so far.

So let the Games begin!

Apartments, Cottage Break, East of England, England, London, News, Norfolk, Olympics, Self Catering, Short Break, South East England, South of England, Sporting Events, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex

Olympic Holiday Self Catering Accommodation – looking beyond London

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The London 2012 Olympics are just a couple of weeks away and if you are lucky enough to have a ticket to one of the London events finding accommodation of any type is hard to come by, certainly at a realistic price. However, don’t despair, you have more options than the pricey London hotels who are making the most of the extra tourists.

The South East region of England has excellent public transport links via rail, coach, underground and tram which mean that it’s as easy to stay outside of London and travel in as it is to get to the venues from a London hotel.

With the main Olympic park to the east of London, East Anglian counties such as Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Peterborough are within an hour’s train ride of Stratford International.  In the south-east counties such as Essex, Kent, East Sussex, Surrey and West Sussex are also an hour outside of London by train.  To the west of London Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire also offer a quick route in to London.

What this means to you is that rather than concentrating your accommodation search on London you can find some excellent self catering accommodation ranging from cottages and apartments to lodges and caravans that are superb value for money during this Olympic period.  of course when you are not travelling to and from the Olympics they are also perfect for a short break or summer holiday where you can enjoy the countryside or British coastline.

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Events, Holiday Attractions, London, Northamptonshire, Sporting Events, Weekend Breaks

Another Classic British Sporting Weekend Ahead – where are you going to be watching?

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Well the Summer sporting season is heating up nicely and this weekend sees two of the major British sporting events on the calendar reach their exciting finale.

First up on Saturday afternoon is the British Grand Prix qualifying from Silverstone, Northamptonshire, with the race on Sunday.  Our fingers will be crossed for the 3 British Drivers, Jensen, Lewis and Paul this weekend and we will be glued to a TV screen with our fingers crossed. With wet weather predicted it promises to be unpredictable and exciting – although so far that would be a good summary of this topsy turvy season.

On Saturday afternoon there is the Ladies final at Wimbledon, London, with Serena William looking for yet another title.  And, of course, on Sunday afternoon its the Mens final with Roger Federer going for a record win.  At the time of writing Murray hasn’t started his semi final so we don’t know whether it will be him or Tsonga playing Federer, so fingers crossed.  If Murray should make it tot he final you can rest assured that Britain will be go crazy with excitement but if not, Tsonga will make it an entertaining match.

So lots to watch and with the weather looking suspect a weekend on the sofa may not be a bad way to go.  So where will you be tuning into watch it all from…. for us it will be on a caravan park!

Apartments, England, London, Olympics, Short Break, South East England, Wimbledon

Wimbledon Championship Tennis Breaks

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With the grass court tennis now in full swing at Queens Club, we are on the final countdown to Wimbledon. With the roof over Centre Court at the ready, not even the British weather can intervene but here’s hoping for some sunny weather so we can enjoy those strawberries.

This year’s Wimbledon Championship is being held from the 25th June to the 8th July with British hopes largely resting on Andy Murray and some of our younger players in the junior events. Whatever the British success, or otherwise, Wimbledon is a fantastic experience and a wonderful way to spend a short break.  Unlike most UK major sporting events it is even possible to get tickets on the day – a limited number at the turnstiles each morning and late entry tickets after 5pm – but you will need to queue.

What’s more there is a second chance this year to see the best tennis players in the World, as the Olympic Tennis will also be held at Wimbledon from the 28th July to the 5th August.

If you can’t make either tournament then why not visit Wimbledon at a different time and go to the Museum and the Tour.  The museum has unrivalled memorabilia stretching back to 1555 and of course the sparkling trophies.  And, what could be better than seeing first hand around the Grounds that you have only ever been able to see on TV. A fantastic day out you are sure not to forget.

Find out more Wimbledon Tennis Breaks including apartments, B&B,s and Hotels in London or within easy reach by train.