The Paddington Movie

The Paddington Movie

In November 2014, David Heyman, the UK's most successful film producer, will be bringing Paddington to the big screen in a major live action blockbuster movie featuring the best of British talent, both in front of and behind the camera.

This movie will tell the origin story of the little marmalade eating bear who dreams of visiting Britain and is sent from the deepest jungles of Peru to London. When he arrives at Paddington Station wearing a luggage label asking for someone to look after him, Paddington is taken in by the Brown family who join him on an adventure across London that helps him discover that there is a home for everyone in the greatest city in the world.

Paddington is shot on location across London (Paddington Station, Portobello Road, etc.) - with a CGI bear currently being added in Paddington will be released on Nov 28th by Studio Canal and will be the Christmas Family movie for 2014.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The Olympic Park is the perfect destination at any time of the year; whether it's a January visit to work off too much Christmas turkey at the Copper Box Arena gym, a picnic in the Park with friends on a hot summer’s day or trips up the ArcelorMittal Orbit to watch the London landscape change with the seasons.

There's also a packed programme of events all year round featuring concerts, art trails, London Lions basketball matches and much more. The Park is open 365 days of the year, is free to enter and there's a never-ending list of things to do. I have picked some of the best seasonal highlights to help you plan your perfect visit to the Park: 

Summer 

• Keep the children entertained over the summer holidays with holiday clubs at the Copper Box Arena and Timber Lodge Café. Run by highly qualified leaders they are the perfect place for your child to try new sports and meet new friends.  
• Pack a picnic rug and some sunscreen and head down to the Park for some family fun – the Tumbling Bay playground. 
• As Wimbledon fever grips the nation book a court and head down to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

Winter 

• Don't let the weather get you down! Choose from the Copper Box Arena or London Aquatics Centre gyms and get the endorphins pumping. Drop-in classes are available. 
• Tuck into some winter warming food and drink on the Park; not to be missed Christmas treats are on offer at the Timber Lodge Café and south of the Park food kiosks. 
• Take in the breath-taking views of the Park with a bird's eye view from the View Tube. 
• Burn off the turkey with a winter stroll. Explore the sights at your leisure, or if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, why not book onto one of the tours of the Park, and choose between walking, running or by boat!

Click on the link below to find out what's on during next few months.

Events in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Sherlock at 24-25 Leinster Gardens, Bayswater

Sherlock at 24-25 Leinster Gardens, Bayswater

One of London’s unusual buildings has been revealed in the season finale of Sherlock.The genius detective shows Mary Watson a row of houses in Bayswater. Number 23 and 24 at Leinster Gardens could be any other 19th century west London terrace, but Holmes shows his assistant’s wife that the houses have manmade facade.

As the camera moves from the front of house and over the top of the roof, Holmes explains: “No doorknobs or letterbox and painted windows. 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens - the empty houses.In the programme an image of Mary’s face is projected on to the front as Holmes walks by with the character.

The false front was built in 1868, after the extension to the Metropolitan Line was cut through the middle of the street.  The frontage helped to cover the clouds of steam from the passing trains and also facade restored the continuation of the white terrace houses, so anybody walking past would not notice what the facade covers.

Next time you will be passing by, have a closer look!

Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

For a display of British pomp and ceremony, watch the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard.The Guard that looks after Buckingham Palace is called The Queen's Guard and is divided into two Detachments: the Buckingham Palace Detachment (responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace) and the St James's Palace Detachment (responsible for guarding St James's Palace).

All the guards taking part in the ceremony are dressed in traditional red tunics and bearskin hats, and the ceremony is set to music. Changing the Guard also takes place at Windsor Castle and at Horse Guards Arch on Horse Guards Parade.

For Changing the Guard dates 

• At Buckingham Palace, Guard Mounting takes place at 11.30 am
• At Horse Guards Arch, Changing the Guard takes place daily at 11.00am (10.00 am on Sundays)
• At Windsor Castle, the ceremony takes place at 11.00 am

For more info visit www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/ChangingtheGuard

History of British Afternoon Tea

There is no better British ritual than the ceremony and serving of Afternoon tea. It is believed that credit for the custom goes to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th century. The usual habit of serving dinner between 8 and 9 pm left the Duchess hungry and with a 'sinking feeling' by late afternoon. To stave off the hunger, she would order tea, bread and butter and cakes to be served in her room. Later on she would invite friends to join her at her home and the light tea was such a success the habit went on.

The Duchess continued the custom on returning to London and soon the 'At Home' tea evolved which quickly spread throughout England. Announcements about tea were sent to relatives and friends stating at what hour the tea would be served. Sometimes entertainment was provided but more often it was simply conversation and a little idle gossip over tea and cakes. If 'At Home' notices were received the guest was expected to attend, unless of course, regrets were sent. There was at least one person holding an at home each day and social ties were quickly established with women seeing each other so regularly.

The occasion of Afternoon tea gradually spread from the home and out into society in general. Tea Parties became the usual social gatherings and Tea Rooms, and Tea Gardens quickly sprang up everywhere.

During the Edwardian period, the 'At Home' faded as the new desire to travel increased. Tea was now served at four o' clock in the new tea lounges of luxury hotels, the Ritz being one of the most famous, and high-end stores such as Fortnum and Mason and was often accompanied by light music and sometimes even a little dancing. Tea dances became something of phenomenon and lasted until well after the Second World War, but then disappeared. Like Afternoon Tea itself, there is now a huge revival of the tea dance throughout the UK and Ireland and being enjoyed by all ages.

The best luxury Afternoon Tea in London

City guide to The Shard

The Shard is an iconic, landmark building on the London skyline, designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano. At a height of 1,016ft (310m), the tallest building in Western Europe, The Shard redefines London’s skyline and will be a dynamic symbol of London, recognisable throughout the world.

The View is situated at the top of The Shard, on floors 68, 69 and 72, and almost twice the height of any other building in London. Prepare to embark on a multi-sensory journey to 244 m (800 ft) above one of the greatest cities on Earth. On arrival at Level 00, you will be drawn into the tapestry of London with glimpses of the city laid out before you. Travelling skyward in two high-speed ‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts, you’ll swiftly reach Level 68 - a cloudscape above the world.

Then journey to Level 69 where the view is revealed and London opens out before you. Here, in the sky above London, you’ll experience an astonishing 360 degree, 64 km (40 mile) view over the city.

For the best view in town, ascend to Level 72, at 244m, the highest public level of The Shard. You’ll be exposed to the elements with sounds of the city around you. Looking up, you’ll see the shards of glass that form the top of this skyscraper as they disappear upwards into the sky.

The View is currently open from 9 am-10 pm daily until October 2013. From October 2013 the opening hours will be: Sunday-Wednesday, 10 am-7 pm; and Thursday-Saturday, 10 am-10 pm. All tickets are dated and timed, so we advise pre-booking to ensure an unpressured, premium quality experience.

Restaurants in the Shard

Aqua Shard

This new British restaurant is perched on Level 31 and it is called Aqua Shard.On the menu you’ll find British staples such as Dover sole with cuttlefish, broad beans and cider sauce. There’s also a bar with three-storey-high panoramic windows, where you can enjoy cocktails inspired by British favourites gin and afternoon tea.

Hutong

Aqua Shard’s sister restaurant, Hutong, serves Northern Chinese cuisine and is located on Level 33 of The Shard with fantastic views of the London skyline. Signature dishes include Red Lantern (crispy crab with chilli); chilled, spiced razor clams; crispy de-boned lamb ribs and roasted Peking duck. 

Oblix

Oblix is a restaurant and a bar lounge and it is located over the whole of the 32nd floor. The restaurant is open for traditional lunch and dinner, whilst the bar offers a deli option at lunch time, dinner menu in the evenings and brunch at the weekends. Live music also features in the bar. 

More about The Shard

How to plan a trip to London

How to plan a trip to London

How to save money when visiting London, is the question on everybody's lips. Visitors think of London as an expensive city but there are plenty of cheap or free activities to be found. Planning for some cheaper activities each day, including some reasonable meals into your itinerary and taking advantage of many of London's great free experiences could make it possible to enjoy London on a tight budget or just stretch your money further.

 About London Transport

Travel fares in London are not cheap and it is not always possible to walk everywhere. That is why London Transport has introduced a 'Pay As You Go' Oyster card which helps you to save a bit of cash when travelling on the tube and buses. Approximately £300,000 is wasted daily by paying cash for journeys. Visit TFL website to compare cash and Oyster fares.

There is no need to register, there are no forms to fill in, and you don't need a photo. You need to pay a small deposit but this will be refunded at any tube station when you have finished your stay in London. Oyster cards are available from Tube stations, newsagents and online. Transport for London now offers visitors from selected countries outside the UK the option to buy an adult Oyster card before arriving in London. Visitor Oyster cards come with loaded travel value allowing you to jump on the tube as soon as you arrive. Find out more on TFL Visitors page.

Here we created some quick tips for the best free things & attractions in London:

1. Best Free Things to Do in London
2. Best London Attractions

5. Best London Shopping
6. Best London Dining

                                             Have a wonderful time in London, everyone!