Rail alternative

      , ,   No comments
As inflation continues to rise and lack of wage increases for workers, rail strikes are likely to continue. Here are some ways to get around London and get some sightseeing in too:

...By air
Emirates Air Line — The temperature controlled cable car 90 metres (300 ft) is higher than than the O2 Arena Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks. The 10-13 minute (5 minutes 7 am - 9 am Monday - Friday) ride offers birds eye views of London and starts at £5 / adult and £2.50 / child. 
www.emiratesairline.co.uk








...By Land
Routemaster Bus — Take the Number 11 bus starting at Liverpool Street Station and ending at Victoria Station. The route takes approximately an hour and goes by many of the major landmarks including Bank of England, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. A fun and affordable way to see London!
www.tfl.gov.uk


Tally Ho! — Take the 3-1/2 hour Landmarks & Gems tour on a traditional British bicycle complete with ding-dong bell and wicker basket. The leisurely ride stops at Lambeth Palace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, London Eye and Covent Garden Market to name a few.  Ride up to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard, view the Household Calvary, visit a top historic pub and unleash your inner-Banksy by ‘tagging’ London with spray paint.
www.tallyho.cc

...By water
London Waterbus — The traditional narrow boat on the Regents Canal has is celebrating 60 years of service and stops at Camden Lock and Little Venice. The Waterbus and one way fares from Camden Lock and Little Venice start £14 / adult and £10 / children. Booking online is suggested - especially on the weekends.
www.londonwaterbus.com ✆ +44 2037 639881

Uber Boat — In 2020, Thames Clippers partnered with Uber and officially became Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.  It is the fastest and most frequent boat service on the River Thames with 17-stops starting at Putney Pier to Royal Arsenal Woolwich Pier. Major attractions along the route include Big Ben, London Eye, Shakespeare Globe, St. Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London to name a few. 
www.thamesclippers.com

Last, but not least, while London now covers more than 600 square miles, the original City of London (nicknamed the 'Square Mile') covers just 1.12 square miles. The perfect size to travel . . .

...By Foot
London Loop — This loop with 30 stops begins and ends at Waterloo Station with food stops, free views and countless photo ops along the way. It takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes or 15,000 steps (if you are counting).
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/04/london-loop.html

Download the Citymapper app and just go!

Quintessential English afternoon tea

      ,   No comments
For less than 30 quid

Once upon a time, you can have the full afternoon tea experience for £20. While these are few and far between, there are ones for less than £30. And best of all they are conveniently located by some of London’s most popular attractions:

The Crusting Pipe Wine Bar & Restaurant (Covent Garden) — Located in the heart of Covent Garden, the covered terrace is protected from the elements. Afternoon served daily between 2:30-5:30 pm.  A scone, clotted cream and preserve will only set you back £4.95. When booking request a ‘window’ table so you can watch live musical performances.
Starting at £27.95 / person, (inside Covent Garden)
www.davy.co.uk/wine-bar/crusting-pipe ✆ +44 2078 361415
27 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RD

The English Rose Café & Tea Shop (Buckingham Palace) — This independent family run café on Lower Grosvenor Place and Trip Advisor Hall of Fame honoree serves Afternoon Tea for 2 £38 (£19 for each additional person) 12 pm-5pm. The tea consists of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of tea.
Afternoon Tea for 2 £38, (7 minute walk to Buckingham Palace)
www.theenglishrosecafe.co.uk ✆ +44 2079 766280
4 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EJ

The Ivy Tower Bridge (Tower Bridge) — The Ivy has a number of brasseries and cafes located throughout the UK. Their afternoon tea served 3-5 pm daily changes depending on the season. They also offer a cream tea of scones, clotted cream, jam and tea or coffee for £8.75.
Starting at £26.95 / person, (2 minute walk to Tower Bridge) www.theivytowerbridge.com ✆ +44 2031 467722
One Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AA
Great Court Restaurant (The British Museum) — No visit to London is complete without a visit to The British Museum, The first museum of its kind in the world includes over 8 million works. Enjoy an afternoon tea break 11:30 am-5 pm complete with Earl Grey tea-soaked and Somerset butter scone and classic Cornish clotted cream.
Starting at £26 / person, (inside The British Museum) 
www.britishmuseum.org ✆ +44 2073 238299
Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

Tea & Tattle (The British Museum) — Established as a bookshop in 1903, Arthur Probsthain Bookseller is one of the leading Oriental and African booksellers in the world. The downstairs tearoom offers a no-frills traditional English afternoon tea featuring loose leaf teas, homemade cakes, jams and sandwiches and just baked scones. Instead of tea for two you have the option of smoothies or coffees for two and all options come with homemade lemonade.
Starting at £24 / person, (across the street from The British Museum) 
www.tea-and-tattle.com ✆ +44 7722 192703
101 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QQT

The Wallace Restaurant (The Wallace Collection) — The Wallace Collection of 15th-19th century fine and decorative arts was open to the public in 1900. One stipuliaton is that no object should leave the collection and until 2019 not even on temporary loan. The indoor, light-filled courtyard is protected from the elements and a perfect break from the busy West End.
Starting at £24.95 / person, (inside The Wallace Collection)
www.wallacecollection.org ✆ +44 2075 639500
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN

At these prices you can enjoy afternoon tea more than once!