London History
London’s recorded history dates back to more than 2000 years. The city has a long history, which is rooted in kings’ conquests, and its fast growth and grandeur during its peak as the capital of the British Empire. Its modern day status is that of the world’s largest cultural and financial capital. It is a city of courage, character and most of all of continuous change.
Under Edward III, the city became truly a capital. Around 1500-1800 it steadily grew in prominence. As time went by, the urbanization of London continued and gained more importance during the Industrial Revolution. During the Middle Ages and in the 19th century, the city was squalid and violent. Homes were being looted and attacked and prisoners released. And troops were needed for restoring order. The city had experienced in the past devastating fire, plague, terrorist attacks, aerial bombardment, and civil war.
Then again, London was also Britain’s literary and artistic capital. The city had an important role in work, development and life too. It was always not blood and gore. The culture concerned the music, arts, and festivals and the theaters. Now, in the present London has become a global city with strengths in commerce, arts, entertainment, education, fashion, healthcare and finance, and tourism. And everything is contributing to its ever-increasing prominence. Considering the growing prominence and the rapid spread of the tourism industry many London hotels have sprung up keeping in mind the needs of the tourists. One of the finest hotel chains where you can consider of staying is the Shaftesbury Hotels.
Map
London is located in south eastern part of England right above Kent. The center of the city is Charing Cross, which is close to Trafalgar Square. The city is split by the River Thames into the southern and northern part. It is located exactly 51°30′28″N 00°07′41″W. At this location you are sure to get many hotels among, which you can choose to stay at the Shaftesbury Hotels. It is one of the popular ones because they are discount London hotels.
Buildings (Landmarks)
Make your stay a memorable one by staying at one of the Shaftesbury Hotels so that you can visit the famous buildings in the city easily. You will be glad to stay at one of these hotels because they offer the finest services and are discount London hotels that are located near to popular tourist spots or landmark buildings. The buildings are like landmarks in the city that all tourists must definitely check out. The top five London Buildings includes:
Tower of London has been standing protecting the capital for more than 900 years. It acts as a fortress, palace, prison, and Mint, and place of execution. It has witnessed many historic events in the history of British. It was originally built by William the Conqueror.
City Hall is another landmark building in the city. It is located on the southern bank of River Thames close to the Tower Bridge. It was designed by Norman Foster and opened in the year 2002.
Buckingham Palace is where the Queen resides officially. Since 1837 it has been the home of the Britain's monarchy. It also acts as an office where administrative work is executed for the monarchy. The palace has around 775 rooms along with a swimming pool and a cinema.
Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is one of the most important religious centres. It is located in the western side of the Palace of Westminster.
St. Paul's Cathedral was built around 1675 and 1711. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675. Inside the Cathedral there are memorials of noteworthy Britons. The dome of the building is considered to be the second biggest in the world.
Galleries
There are many London Hotels located close to the galleries hence one does not have any issues when looking for accommodation in the city. You can check out all the galleries only if you save on your accommodation and put up at the Discount London Hotels. Many of the galleries are free of admission charges also. The most popular galleries in the city are major tourist attractions too, which include:
National Gallery was established in the year 1824. It was built to house one of the finest European paintings collections in the globe. It consists of 4 wings: Sainsbury Wing, West Wing, North Wing, and East Wing.
Courtauld Gallery is the home to few of the world's most popular Impressionist paintings. The collection was put together by Samuel Courtauld the textile magnate. His main intention was to give art history students fine examples, which they could study.
Queen's Gallery is a permanent place for exhibitions from the Royal Collection. The gallery was remodelled in the year 1998 and holds many exhibitions, which includes many sculptures and paintings.
Royal Academy of Arts houses many international exhibitions that have been loaned from the collections around the globe. Some of the works include Picasso and Monet. It is well known for its Summer Exhibition, which displays works of living artists and much of the work is for sale.
National Portrait Gallery was founded in the year 1856. The Gallery maintains a specific record of the women and men who has been an important part of the culture and history of nation. Today it is the most comprehensive kind of collection.
Districts
All modern London districts are informal designations, which are based from historic borough boundaries that were all eradicated in the year 1965. The postcode districts have an impact over where a place should be though they were not created for that reason. The London boroughs are separated into wards, and most often share the London districts names. The Greater London includes the City of London and 32 London boroughs, of which 20 are part of Outer London boroughs and 12 are statutory Inner London boroughs. Some of the significant districts include:
- Harrow
- Romford
- West End
- Croydon
- Bromley
- Sutton
- Hounslow
- Ealing
- Knightsbridge
- Kingston
- Wood Green
Whether it is Kensington or Ealing there are many hotels in these above mentioned districts and you can choose the most suitable one according to your requirements. The Shaftesbury hotels are one of the most popular hotel chains, where you can consider of staying. These are discount London hotels and hence you will not have to spend a lot on your accommodations.
Libraries
Tourists who put up at the London hotels visit the different libraries in the city. However, they will surely be benefited by the following information regarding the libraries. The 3 main libraries in the city, which tourists staying at the London hotels can visit, are as follows:
National Art Library is an important public reference library. The depth and range of its holdings of documentary materials regarding the decorative and fine arts of many periods and countries is truly impressive.
Senate House Library The main aim of the library is to add to the bigger aim of the London University by giving resources for supporting research to the top international standards and to aid undergraduate and postgraduate learning.
The London Library has played a major role in the nation's intellectual life and has served generations of writers and readers across the country. It has lent materials from its remarkable collection and has given a unique literary sanctuary in the heart of the Capital city.
Markets
London's markets are busy, bustling and full of life. They are just the right place for bargain hunters. All kinds of goods are available on sale in these markets. In many London markets, the best bargains are available at the end of the day. The markets are open all through the year, no matter what the weather condition is. Opening hours generally varies because they are at the discretion of the individual shop keepers. However, people must always watch out their wallet/purses in these crowded places.
Borough Market—Borough Market is the food's paradise. This place is great for grocery shopping or lunch.
Covent Garden Market--You can spend your entire day at this market because it has everything from high street shops and fashion boutiques to Opera venue and street entertainment.
Camden Market—Here you will find a wide range of goods from designer accessories and clothes to furnishings, food and one-off pieces of art. There are also many studio stalls, designer workshops, cafes, shops, bars and restaurants in this marketplace.
Brick Lane Market—You will find both gems and junk in this marketplace. There is second-hand furniture, bric-a-brac, shoes, exotic spices and many more things.
Broadway Market—Broadway Market stocks an eclectic collection of goods from artists, local farmers and craftsmen that temps people to buy. The availability of unusual clothes, ready-made food, delicious ingredients and furniture make this place a popular one among the marketplaces.
A trip to London is incomplete without visiting these market places. So, being a tourist you would definitely like to book London hotels that are located near these markets. Your stay in Shaftesbury Hotels in Central London would make your visit to these top London marketplaces an easy and smooth affair.
Museums
London is home to many world-class museums. Most of the museums in London offer free entry. But the one's that does not offer free entry can be entered without paying any penny if you have a London Pass. Near these museums are located a good number of discount London hotels for the comfortable stay of the tourists. Pick from Shaftesbury Hotels in Central London and make your stay a memorable one.
British Museum—This world famous Museum shows the works of man from prehistoric to modern era from all over the world. Highlights include the mummies in Egypt, Rosetta stone and Parthenon sculptures collection.
Natural History Museum—The Natural History Museum boasts a collection of tallest, biggest and the rarest animals in the world.
Museum of London—This is the biggest urban museum in the world. Its historic objects and exhibitions tell everything about London's past.
Science Museum—The Science Museum holds famous items such as the first jet engine, the oldest surviving steam locomotive, Stephenson's Rocket and a lot more.
National Maritime Museum—It is the greatest maritime museum of the world. It contains paintings, models, trophies from all the continents.
Parks
If you are fond of jogging or walking or just want to unwind after a hectic day of sight-seeing, you would love to spend your time in the wonderful London parks. These parks are very beautiful with the lush flora adding to its beauty. Being a tourist in London, you would definitely like to spend your mornings in one of the parks. In fact, you don't even have to travel for long to visit these parks because many of the London hotels are located in proximity to these parks in London.
Green Park-- It is a famous park in UK. This park offers excellent views of the famous Buckingham Palace. It remains crowded with tourists in the weekends.
Hyde Park—This Park is one of the most famous London parks, which is located in proximity to the discount London hotels, shops, Harrods and several other tourist attractions. Hyde Park covers about 360 acres. Roller skating, boating or fishing are some of the activities that attracts tourists to this park.
Kensington Gardens--Kensington Gardens is an extension of Hyde Park. It is the place where Kensington Palace is situated. Kensington Palace is very popular among tourists in London.
The Regent’s Park—John Nash completed designing this park in 1811. Regent’s Park has a vast outdoor sports area with facilities for rugby, cricket, football and softball.
Greenwich Park--Greenwich Park is one of the oldest Royal Parks in London. It offers outstanding views over river Thames. Visitors who are lucky might spot a herd of Red deer and Fallow in this park.
Theaters
Most of the theaters in London are located in West End. Geographically, West End fits in an area that is roughly a mile square around Covent Garden, Shaftesbury Avenue, Strand and Piccadilly. So, tourists wanting to stay in London hotels located near the theaters to enjoy the nightlife in this vibrant and busy city can book rooms in discount London hotels in Central London.
Open Air Theater—This theater in Regent's Park conducts Shakespeare's plays to add a charm to the park life. Every season consists two Shakespeare plays and a show for children, which is performed rotation-wise by the same cast.
Apollo Theater—Designed by Lewin Sharp, this theatre is the first Edwardian theater in West End. The balcony of this theater is considered as the steepest in London area.
Comedy Theater—The theatre is notable for musical comedies and a lot of successful shows. It also stages many plays of Harold Pinter.
The other prominent theaters in London include Royal Court Theater, Shaftesbury Theatre, Arts Theatre, Playhouse Theater and Victoria Palace Theater.
Airport, Train & Bus Transport
London, are well connected to the transportation facilities. Here we have mentioned some of the easy ways of transportation facilities.
Travelling to or from London Airports to the hotels in Central London is easy: The London hotels are strategically located due to which travelling to or from the Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport and Luton Airport is not a hassle. Buses, taxis, London tube rails and railway services make transportation within London and especially to the hotels in Central London from or to airport or any place of the city a fast, smooth and easier affair.
Train Transport: Tube rail in London is the oldest underground railway system in the world. It is vast having 273 stations. Trains operate from 5:30 in the morning till midnight. If you wish to use the tube for more than twice in a day, buying a travel card is a wise decision. Some of the underground stations in Central London include Paddington underground station, Bond Street underground station, Oxford Street station in central line, Edgware Road station in Bakerloo line and Piccadilly Circus underground station. These stations make travelling to the centrally located hotels in London a very smooth affair.
The city has 8 railways: Paddington, Euston, Liverpool Street, Kings Cross, St.Pancras, Waterloo, Victoria and Charing Cross.
Bus Transport: Although it is true that buses are slower in comparison to the tube but touring London in bus is a real fun. Tourists staying in the heart of the city can very well opt for London bus service and tour the entire city at a nominal price.
London Hotels
There are a good number of discount London hotels. This means you do not have to worry about spending much of your money for London accommodation. Most of the hotels offer discounts and packages to their tourists for their comfortable and affordable stay. by, Romantic Hotels
