Top 6 London Tourist Attractions

London is known for its numerous tourist attractions. This is a city with popular destinations like Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Gherkin, Millennium Bridge, Lords Cricket Ground, London Aquarium, Kensington Palace, Royal Opera House and many more, butit is always exciting to buy theatre thickets, and watch the world premieres of some blockbuster international movies in this city.

Some of the many tourist attractions in London are:

1. Big Ben: Big Ben is the identity of London. This thirdtallest free-standing clock tower is more than 150 years old, and is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is actually referred to the great bell of the clock. The Clock Tower is recently renamed as the Elizabeth Tower as a tribute to the Queen. Clock Tower, the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge are located along side  each other, and visiting this place allows the travellers to visit all these spectacular places.

2. Harrod’s: One of the most acclaimed departmental stores is in London. Harrod’s is located at Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, and it has become a status symbol to shop from this glorious and glamorous store. The memorial of Dodi and Diana and the wonderful food market are the prime attractions inthis place.

3. Buckingham Palace: It is always great to see the changing of guards outside Buckingham Palace. This is the place of emperors and royals, and the tourists cannot afford to miss this historical palace. Summer is the ideal time to visit this place as people are allowed to enter the palace usually on weekends.

4. London Eye: This 443 feet tall huge observation wheel provides a perfect view of the London city. Built in 1999, London Eye is on the Western end of Jubilee Gardens. More than 3.5 million visitors come to this place every year, and that certainly makes it one of the most visited locations in entire UK. 

5. Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square: The West End region of London is very famous among the travellers, and the reason is the presence of so many exciting attractions. Places like Hamleys, Marble Arch, Speakers Corner Hyde park, Wellington Arch, Trocadero Centre and Covent Garden are all situated in this area. The Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square are always crowded with the tourists due to the presence of number of theatres, cinemas like Odeon and Empire, and some excellent shopping and entertainment areas. This place is located in thecenter of Box Office London, and one can always find people searching for theatre tickets here.

6. Madame Tussauds: This wax museum has made possible the impossible. There are wax figures of the celebrities from all corners of the world. The museum was founded in 1884, and since then it has become a major source of attractions for people from all around the globe.

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Boy’s Weekend in Manchester

With the Premier League victory of Manchester City, Manchester has launched itself as being the undisputed football capital of England, and perhaps Britain. Although five years ago, there was a debate between London and Manchester, the top two finish for the Manchester clubs ends any speculation, particularly given the high spending of Manchester City meaning that the 2011/12 season is unlikely to be a flash in the pan. With both teams now on the hunt for European glory, as well as fired up for the 2012/13 season, there could not be a better time for a boy’s holiday to Manchester. If you are planning a trip to Manchester, then a potential option is to watch two games of football. Although you will have to book early to be sure of tickets, heading to the Etihad on the Saturday and Old Trafford on the Sunday would be one of the best options. Alternatively, during the Champions League nights in November, you could see some of Europe’s finest over two nights. Whatever your choice, and whether you watch one game or two, with the success of the Manchester teams, you are guaranteed of seeing some top quality football in a truly spectacular stadium.

Manchester has its fair share of bars to make any lads’ weekend all the more perfect. Depending on where you are staying in the city, there are sure to be a number of different venues that are worth a look. If you are staying in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, then Apotheca is definitely one to visit. Designed to look like an old-fashioned pharmacy, all the cocktails are themed around old-style medicine, and with a great atmosphere, you are guaranteed to enjoy trying all the different options.

One of the best bars in Manchester to kick off your night is the Liar’s Club off Bridge Street. This Jamaican-themed bar has all the laid-back atmosphere that you would imagine, and the chilled out reggae will get your night off to the perfect party start. Although it can get busy during the weekend, just heading in for a couple will give you a taste of the bar, and if you go early enough you may be able to get a seat at one of the booths. If you like things a little more traditional, then the ‘Briton’s Protection’ is one for you. In 2010 and 2011 it was voted Manchester’s Best Pub, and it is designed to look like the most archetypal pub imaginable. It’s located next to Bridgewater Hall, so couldn’t be more central, and is definitely worth a look in.

If you are planning a boys’ holiday up to Manchester, then do some research on accommodation, and you will be able to get a great deal. Many Manchester hotels will be able to do a deal on the football weekend, particularly if you are a large group; so planning ahead is definitely worth it. If you wanting something a little more upmarket, then Manchester has its fair share of luxury hotel rooms, meaning that your boys’ holiday can be a little more classy.

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Experience West End Musicals on Your Trip to London

Attending a production at one of the many West End theatres is a must when visiting London. West End The best in musicals, opera, ballet, and repertory productions are the mainstay of this district with musicals outnumbering all the other types of venues. The musicals this season are a mix of fantasy, romance, comedy and suspense plus long-running and short term productions.

The best way to purchase tickets is online, but is also available through telephone ordering from the theatre box offices, such as LSBO travel agencies and the concierge service at the nearby hotels. Some hotels offer free tickets for two to the West End theatres.

Whatever way you choose to attend a production, a musical at a West End theatre is an experience of a lifetime. West End theatre district, known as Theatreland, has nearly forty theatres. This area is bordered by the Strand to the south, Regent Street to the west, Oxford Street on the north side and Kingsway on the east. The main streets include the Strand, Shaftesbury Avenue and Drury Lane.

Musical productions at West End theatres have been drawing patrons for decades with long-running productions. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” ran nearly 21 years at the New London Theatre and “Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre is in its 24th year. Currently the following shows are presented for theatre goers in the West End Theatreland:

Adelphi Theatre – Love Never Dies

Apollo Victoria Theatre – Wicked

Cambridge Theatre – Chicago

Fortune Theatre –The Woman in Black

Noel Coward Theatre – Million Dollar Quartet

Queen’s Theatre – Les Misérables

Trafalgar Studios – End of the Rainbow

Victoria Palace Theatre – Billy Eliot

The theatres of the West End are privately owned and are maintained to preserve their Edwardian and Victorian era characteristics. A tour of the district will delight the beholder with a view of the opulence and neo-classical designs not present anywhere else in the world. Seating and amenities are sparse due to interior design constraints, but the trade-off in ambience and history is well worth it. The cost of modernization was estimated at 250 million pounds in 2004, but tax concessions necessary for the owners to financially bear this burden have not been conceded by the British government.

The future of theatre in the West End looks promising, too. New productions slated for opening in 2012 include Ghost: The Musical, Lend Me a Tenor, Rock of Ages, The Flying Karamazov Brothers and Yes, Prime Minister.

Night and day, the West End offers many other tourist attractions, financial services, and shopping opportunities with plenty of mass and private transits. Other tourist attractions include art galleries and museums, cinemas, dance clubs, pubs and restaurants.

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