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John Rabon

Top 10 London: Ten Things to See and Do in Shepherd’s Bush

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Located in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the area Shepherd’s Bush is thought to be have been named as a resting place for shepherds on their way to market.  It was mostly common land and remained rural up to the 19th Century, when the city’s suburban expansion eventually caught up to Shepherd’s Bush and it was swallowed up as many areas were.  Today, it is a bustling … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Things to See and Do in Shepherd’s Bush

Ten Unusual London Landmarks to Visit in London On Your Next Trip

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We’ve covered weird landmarks before from a grave for a Nazi dog to a nose on the Admiralty Arch, however, these aren’t the only strange markers you can find in London.  There are any number of weird and wonderful things you can find in the city if you’re really looking.  If you’re looking for something to see beyond the normal tourist sites, you can find these odd spots and … [Read more...] about Ten Unusual London Landmarks to Visit in London On Your Next Trip

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in the West End

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When people think of London’s West End, the first thing that comes to their minds is the theatre.  There are 40 theatres in the area, with the first one opening in 1663, though that’s not all the West End has to offer.  Being a part of Central London, the West End includes many places to visit from major landmarks to the best shopping in the City.  We have laid out ten places … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in the West End

The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in June

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Summer kicks into full gear when June rolls around and London offers a lot to do as the city moves into warmer months.  Festivals, ceremonies, boot markets, and sports are just the beginning of what the city has to offer during the month of June.  No matter what you’re in the mood to do, it’s guaranteed that there is going to be something that will meet your interests.  In … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in June

Top 10 London: Ten Things to See and Do in Somers Town

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One of the smallest districts in London, Somers Town nonetheless is a bustling area of activity, in part due to being close to the transport hubs of Euston, St. Pancras, and Kings Cross.  Somers Town had been for years a part of St. Pancras until the creation of the Great London Area in 1965, at which point it became part of the Borough of Camden.  Should you find yourself with … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Things to See and Do in Somers Town

The London Fiver – Five Ways to Beat the London Heat This Summer

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Sure, London summers don’t get as hot as they do in the United States, but you’d be surprised how warm it can get.  Temperatures in the 70s might seem pretty cool to us, but it’s a little toasty for the average Londoner.  If you want to experience summer the way the locals do, there are plenty of opportunities to cool off throughout Greater London.  Whether you’re chowing down … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Ways to Beat the London Heat This Summer

The London Fiver – Five Children’s Literature Statues To See in London

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London is a city that is the setting of many a children’s book from One-Hundred and One Dalmatians to Peppa Goes to London.  With hundreds of years of literary history under its belt, the city has many monuments to great works and authors—and these include statues dedicated to children’s literature.  There are at least five statues dedicated to some of the most well-known … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Children’s Literature Statues To See in London

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Brent, London

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Formed with the establishment of the Greater London Authority in 1965, the Borough of Brent was actually carved out of the former boroughs of Wembley and Willesden.  The borough was named for the River Brent which flows through it and despite being a more recent creation of London government, it certainly has its attractions both historical and recent.  From major attractions … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Brent, London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars

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One could certainly argue that every pub in the UK is a sports bar, since it’s naturally where everyone gathers to watch a match.  Certain pubs, of course, are bound to have their favored teams’ colors adorning the walls and cheering supporters on game day.  However, some places go above this to mark themselves as true sports bars, a place seemingly designed only to watch the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to Do in Barnet, London

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On the most northern edges of Greater London, the Borough of Barnet is not only one of the largest in landmass at roughly 33.5 square miles, but also one of the largest in population with 387,800 residents.  Being further out from the center of the city, though, it hasn’t got as much to attract visitors as Westminster, Chelsea, and the City of London, amongst other parts of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to Do in Barnet, London

All’s Well That Ends Well – How a Disease Outbreak Lead to London’s First Water and Sewer System

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Prior to the 19th Century, utilities in London were practically non-existent.  Gas lamps still lit the city at night, raw sewage was dumped into the Thames, and people still relied mostly on wells to get water for drinking and cooking.  For the last two, the lack of any kind of system carrying in fresh water and carrying out human waste was a recipe for disaster.  With the … [Read more...] about All’s Well That Ends Well – How a Disease Outbreak Lead to London’s First Water and Sewer System

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth

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The London district of Lambeth is certainly one of the most happening places in the city, owing perhaps to its location along the banks of the River Thames.  The area gives its name to the larger borough of which it is part and derived from Lambehitha or “landing place for lambs,” shortened to Lambeth by 1255.  The manor of Lambeth was in the ownership of the Archbishop of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth

Top Ten London: Top 10 Charming London Alleyways To Pass Through On Your Next Visit to London

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In America, we’re used to wide roads, streets, paths, and alleyways.  Oftentimes, an alley is used as the backend of a building, a place to keep the garbage bins, or just a pass through to another street.  However, in London, alleyways take on a life of their own.  They may include homes, shops, pubs, restaurants, and more.  They are also some of the prettiest places in … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Charming London Alleyways To Pass Through On Your Next Visit to London

Top Ten London: Top 10 London Buildings of Sir Christopher Wren

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Christopher Wren is quite possibly the most famous name in British architecture.  The structures across the United Kingdom that he designed are amongst the country’s most lauded and beautiful places.  Wren lived in interesting times, seeing the English Civil War, the Restoration, and the Great Fire of London.  The last of these events really elevated his career to legendary … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 London Buildings of Sir Christopher Wren

The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit

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Today, underground is a word that tends to conjure images of secrecy and exclusivity when it comes to places.  When it comes to London, the underground is synonymous with the city’s subterranean train service.  Of course, there is also the original meaning and applied to bars; it can mean any number of drinking establishments that can be found below the London streets.  The … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit

The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London

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One of the best things to have with a good drink is a view.  Lots of places out there have rooftop bars or observation towers where one can get a cocktail, a pint, or a glass of wine and gaze out over the horizon.  London certainly has its share of high-altitude drinking establishments that rank amongst the highest in the UK and in Europe.  Whatever you’re in the mood for, each … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Whitechapel

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Whitechapel.  The very name of this London neighborhood brings up a single image to those who know it but have never been here—an image of murder.  Jack the Ripper and his murders of at least five prostitutes in the district has cast a historical stain on a part of London that is actually full of life.  Food, art, music, and history abound in Whitechapel.  Whatever you might be … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Whitechapel

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Harrow

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In the far reaches of Northwestern London, Harrow is a sprawling suburb of over 80,000 people.  And while you’d be forgiven for thinking that a suburb would be devoid of anything remotely interesting—that’s where you’re wrong.  Harrow actually has quite a lot of interesting places to visit including sport, tea shops, and possibly the most museums of any borough outside the … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Harrow

Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

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Craft beer is the wave of the future.  So many new breweries have sprung up in the last few years it feels as if they’re reproducing at the same speed as rabbits.  The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) estimates there are 125 craft breweries in the city spread out amongst the boroughs and neighborhoods.  With so many throughout Greater London, it can be hard to determine which ones … [Read more...] about Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

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Tea has been an important part of British culture since the 17th Century, and you’d be hard pressed to find a society on this side of the globe that loves it more.  While coffee houses preceded tea rooms in London, the culture quickly flipped when Thomas Twining opened the city’s first tea room in 1707.  Now you can find them in every borough and neighborhood.  While many offer … [Read more...] about Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring

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Spring appears to have sprung early in London this year. With the winter weather finally starting to thaw, spring is upon us, and that means an array of seasonal events in London.  The city is awash with festivals, sporting events, and ceremonies from March through May and there is enough variety to find something anyone will enjoy.  We have identified our top ten favorite … [Read more...] about Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Clapham

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Nestled in the Borough of Lambeth, Clapham has lived many different lives over the centuries.  First home to a Roman military road, that gave way to farmland, country houses, and then the sprawling metropolis that is Greater London.  Today, Clapham is almost in the very heart of the city and has a vast array of places to visit, things to do, and events to attend.  Whether … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Clapham

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do Along The River Thames

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Lifeblood to London, the River Thames enabled the earliest settlements to take place in prehistoric England, giving way to the Romans who would formally establish the city.  The Thames has unquestionably been a major player in London’s history over the years, providing the citizens with water, serving as a means of transport to goods and people, and even responsible for the … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do Along The River Thames

Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

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What we think of as “Victorian” architecture more refers to the period rather than a particular architectural style.  In fact, there were really several styles prevalent during the period that were revivals of previous designs:  Gothic, Italianate, Romanesque, Renaissance, Queen Anne, and Neoclassical.  Other methods and styles also developed as new materials came into … [Read more...] about Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie

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Simultaneously the most hated thing tourists do but also the most popular thing they actually do. Ever since cell phones got cameras, a self-shot (or “selfie”) photo is the norm for most of us.  Whether you want to capture a memory or blow up Instagram while you’re in London, the city certainly has plenty of excellent spots for a selfie.  Of course, there are places not to take … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie

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