While most of us will still stay in regular hotels when we go on holiday or travel on business, there’s an increasingly large range of other alternatives available, from house swaps and couch surfing to serviced apartments.  Nowhere has more choices than London, so I recently had a look into what’s available – particularly since finding affordable accommodation for the 2012 Olympics is such a hot topic.

Couchsurfing is a great budget-friendly way to travel. The website lets users get in touch with like-minded people who have a spare bed, room or futon to offer at no charge. Often, couch surfers act as ambassadors for their city, helping visitors find the right bar, or get introduced to the local community. It is however potentially a bit risky – and also depends on volunteers – so there’s no guarantee you’ll find accommodation in a location you like, on exactly the date you need.

Further upmarket, renting a house for a few days or a week can be more attractive to some travelers than staying in a hotel. Claire Whisker, who runs Vive Unique, a London accommodation boutique, says: “We have a lot of guests who stay with us when they come to London a lot or need to stay for longer periods of time.  They want a bit more space, the ability to cook a meal”.  Some law firms regularly use Vive Unique for longer term stays. Claire understands exactly why.  She says, “I do love hotels, but I think if I had to stay in a hotel for more than a week I’d go mad.” Larger families, too, often find Vive Unique good value, as well as couples who want to live like a local in London.

Vive Unique has properties as far west as Chiswick and in East London too, with quite a few in Hoxton, Shoreditch and Clapton, as well as more established areas like Notting Hill and Kensington. Some homeowners who rent their houses are frequent travelers, others rent out while they are away on holiday, some have multiple homes, while recently a few redundant professionals have decided to stay with mum, dad or girlfriend and rent their flats out to earn cash.

While Couchsurfing is potluck, Vive Unique prides itself on selection of “house proud” owners.  All properties are visited and vetted. Claire says “We look at quality, design, and location. And we like to meet all the homeowners.” She also encourages homeowners to give “their top ten tips” – local pubs and restaurants, services, and places of interest – and Vive Unique will also provide services such as fridge filling, organizing nannies or baby-sitters and airport pick-ups.  She says on one occasion she even managed to get a family tickets for the Chelsea match on Boxing Day. “It was difficult getting five tickets so they could all sit together, but we managed it in the end!”.  So it seems that the service can even stretch to that of a good hotel concierge!

Those looking for cheaper accommodation during academic holiday periods may be able to take advantage of London University Halls of Residence which rent out rooms at very reasonable rates. UCL, for instance, rents out rooms in seven properties over the summer for around £30-45 a room (less for group bookings).  That’s incredibly cheap for central London, though student rooms are never going to be luxurious.

Hotels have also started creating serviced apartments for guests who want a more semi-detached experience. Base2Stay in Kensington has rooms with mini-kitchens so that guests can buy their own wine, food, and can even cook their own meals. It helps keep the hotel’s costs low, since it doesn’t have to run room service, or have a bar or restaurant, and it lets guests live exactly the way they want to.

196 Bishopsgate has a prime location in the City of London, with a range of apartments from studios up to penthouse suites, and again offers rooms with kitchens and dining area so that guests can be self-sufficient. But there’s also 24 hour reception, 6-day maid service, and even a grocery shopping service for guests who don’t have enough time to fill their own fridges with Prosecco and prosciutto.

At the top end of the market, the Athenaeum Hotel has 18 apartments with their own front doors in Mayfair but sharing the facilities of the hotel. Steven Spielberg stayed there and installed an editing suite in the apartment and many guests use the apartments for business entertainment. At this level, the serviced apartment concept overlaps with the hotel suite, but apartments generally maintain a little more distance from the hotel (for instance, not using the same reception desk).

Personally, I love staying in a hotel – but I can see the attraction of renting a separate property for a slightly longer stay. It’s partly about getting more privacy, and partly about being able to live a normal life, which eating three restaurant meals a day certainly isn’t!

Finally, if you find you can’t resist staying in luxury hotels but want to avoid paying top dollar, I’d suggest this site for good London hotel deals in attractive locations including hotels near Covent Garden.

Guest Author Bio:  Andrea Kirkby is a freelance travel writer based in the UK who has travelled extensively in India and counts Bundi, Rajasthan as one of her all-time favorite destinations.

Photo credit:  Tim Morris via flickr

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If all Olympics and Jubilee festivities of London are a bit too stuffy for you, get out of the city and head to Brighton, known as a premier UK hotspot for nightlife, music, and festivals.  About an hour south of London, by train (the Jurys Inn Brighton is located not too far from the station), it’s easy to pop down for a day trip.  But with so much to do, you may want to make it a weekend.

Here are a few Festivals in Brighton to choose from:

• Brighton Festival -  The second largest arts festival in the UK (the largest is in Edinburgh), the festival is full of parades, fireworks, theater, music, dance, visual arts (and lots more) all staged in venues around the city.  One of the unique features of the festival is the Artists’ Open House – artists open their homes for the public to come in look at, and hopefully buy, their works.  The festival has events for all artistic tastes and temperaments, and also features family-friendly activity.  The 2012 Brighton Festival will be held May 5-27th, and Vanessa Redgrave will be the Guest Director.
• Brighton Festival Fringe – Running in conjunction with the Brighton Festival, the Fringe is the third largest fringe festival in the world.  There’s a good mix of free and fee events, last year over 3,000 performances, and the Fringe is likely to attract (again) over 100,000 people.  Visit Fringe City for some of the best free entertainment around.  Between both festivals, nearly a million visitors make it to Brighton during the month of May.
• The Great Escape – Three nights of live music in various venues across Brighton.  Dates:  May 10-12, 2012.
• Paddle Round the Pier – One of the hippest fund-raising events around, bringing together surfers in a social gathering to raise funds for charity.  Dates:  July 7-8, 2012.
• Soundwaves Festival – Featuring contemporary classical music (composed in the 21st century), this festival features professional and amateur performances.  Dates:  July 13-15, 2012.
• Brighton Live – A free to see celebration of some of the newest music around from local bands, along with educational sessions for musicians.
• Brighton Pride – With a very active LGBT community, it’s no surprise that Pride is a big event, with activities that include a parade, street party, and plenty of entertainment.  This years dates have been scheduled later in the year due to the Summer Olympics.  Dates:  September 1-2, 2012.
• White Nights – Also called Nuit Blanche (French for White Night) is an annual Free all-night arts festival.  It features multiple venues, a variety of art (music, digital spoken word, performance, etc.) and lasts right up till dawn.  Dates:  On the day that British Summer Time “falls” back, giving you an extra hour to enjoy all the entertainment.
• Burning the Clocks – A winter solstice festival that features a procession of lanterns and costumes, made from willow canes and white tissue paper, led by local bands.  The parade goes through the streets from the city center to the water where there’s a lantern bonfire and fireworks.  Dates:  December 21, 2012.

There are plenty of other festivals in Brighton – all year round.  If you’ve gotten the idea that Brighton is a party city, that’s not quite accurate.  There’s the beach, of course, but there are also over 300 pubs to choose from.  While you’re making your festival and visiting plans don’t forget hotels Brighton – no drinking and driving allowed.

Photo credit:  Dominic Alves via flickr

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Named for the apostle Andrew, the town of St Andrews is located on the east coast of Fife in Scotland and was originally founded as a religious settlement.  Today it is widely known for its university and as the home of golf in Scotland (and the world), and is a popular tourism spot for travelers as well as a site for conference.  Here’s a list of just a few things to see and do in St Andrews.

1. Visit the University of St Andrews – The university is one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious and it is the third oldest in the English-speaking world.  When in session, student enrollment accounts more nearly a third of the town’s population, so it’s no surprise that the university is well integrated into the community.  The university has a great museum as well.
2. Walk among the ruins of St Andrew’s Cathedral – Once Scotland’s largest building, serving as a cathedral, bishopric, and home to the relics of the apostle St. Andrew.
3. More ruins at St Andrews Castle – Located on a cliff to the north of town, the castle dates back to around the 1200s.  It served as a residence, prison, and fortress, before becoming a palatial residence.  What can be seen today dates back to around 1549-71.
4. Worship at Holy Trinity – The church dates back to the 12th century, although its location has changed, and while much of its original architecture has changed over the decades, it’s historical significance has not.  This was the launching spot for Scottish clergyman and reformation leader, and early political activist, John Knox.
5. Hit the links – The Old Course at St Andrews is the oldest golf course in the world and is a popular spot even with non-golfers.   Don’t overlook the other superb golf courses in the St Andrews area as they, too, are part of the reason it’s such an popular destination for golf breaks.  If you can’t get a tee time, stop off at the British Golf Museum for a historical look at the great game.
6. Learn about Pictish Stones – The Celtic art of the Picts, generally consisting of stone sculpture and small metalwork, can be viewed at the museum at St Andrew’s Cathedral.  The stones range from unshaped standing stones with symbols carved into them to cross-slabs carved in relief in varying degrees of complexity.  The Picts date back to the mid-9th century.
7. Walk the Ports – In this case, “port” is a Scottish word for gate (in photo above), and the gates in question are So’gait port (South Street, also called West Port) and the Sea Yett.  The West Port is one of the few surviving town gates in the country, with some side arches and relief panels added during the mid-1800s.
8. Get physical, or just watch – There are plenty of activities to enjoy in addition to golf, including tennis, rugby, canoeing, swimming, and hiking.  The Fife Coastal Path (78 miles) is great for a long distance trek.
9. Watch a movie – The New Picture House isn’t so new any more, it opened in 1934, but if you want a comfy movie seat this is the place to go.  NPH has three screen, the largest one featuring VIP seats that are recliners.  Grab some popcorn and settle in.
10. Go the Beach – With its temperate climate, St Andrews offers near year round beach possibilities.  Okay, it can be a little cold during the winter, but West Sands Beach and the Old Course Beaches are well situated and easy to get to.  Ask a local for their favorite recommendation.

What are you going to do first?

Photo credit:  Kilnburn via wikimedia

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A visit to London this year is sure to be full of hectic activities and adventures. The 2012 Olympics Summer Olympics will bring in athletes, fans, and visitors from around the world, and Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee has the calendar chock full of commemorative events and displays.  You can easily find yourself wrapped up in a whirlwind of activities at a maddening pace.

When you’re ready for a break, and a get back to nature moment, try visiting one of the 8 royal parks of London, most of which are an easy walk for your London holiday apartments location.  Fair warning, they can be busy, crowded, places, but the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful grounds in the out-of-doors, can be a tonic to the traveler’s soul.

The parks were originally 5,000 acres of hunting grounds for the royals.  Later they became formal gardens, still for the royals however.  It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the first park was opened to commoners, er, I mean the general public.  So take advantage of the royal opportunity and stop by one of London’s 8 royal parks:

• Bushy Park – Covering around 1,100 acres, most of which are open to the public, these were originally deer hunting grounds.  Today Bushy Park is home to the rugby, hockey, and cricket clubs, and is also home to wildlife conservation areas full of herds of Red and Fallow Deer.
• The Green Park – Consisting entirely of wooded meadows, The Green Park is believed to have originally been a swampy burial grounds.  Later it served as a private family estate before being turned into a royal park.  Government offices and royal palaces are linked beneath the park.
• Greenwich Park – With magnificent views over the Thames and the city, Greenwich Park is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site.  The equestrian events and parts of the modern pentathlon events of the Summer Olympics will be staged here.  The Royal Observatory is also located in the park.
• Hyde Park – You may think this huge park, site of frequent demonstrations, is part of Kensington Gardens, but it has been a separate park of its own since the 1700s.  Full of monuments (the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial is here) as well as wide open spaces (many famous rock concerts have been staged here), Hyde Park will host the triathlon and some swimming events for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Kensington Gardens – With plenty of wide open spaces, Kensington Gardens was once the private gardens of Kensington Palace.  The gardens are fenced, a bit formal and posh, and full of art, making it a popular respite spot for visitors.
• Richmond Park – The largest of the royal parks at 2,360 acres, Richmond Park is home to Red and Fallow Deer and more notable monuments and historic sites that you can shake a stick at.  It is home to the Queen Mother’s Copse, a small triangular enclosure established in memory of the late Queen Mum.
• St. James’ Park – The oldest of the royal parks, St. James’ is adjacent to Buckingham Palace and has a small lake with two islands with a resident colony of penguins.
• Regent’s Park – Regent’s is home to Regent’s College and the London Zoo along with gardens, a boating area, playgrounds, and a variety of sporting areas.  Although originally scheduled as a venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics, it doesn’t look like that will happen.

Eight royal parks, each with their own personality and appeal – close to plenty of apartments London - and just perfect for an afternoon of enjoyment.

Photo credit:  public domain via wikimedia

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The spooky, eerie, and downright creepy, take center stage in October as interest in the paranormal peaks for Halloween-time.  If visitors are not too nervous to leave their London hotels, it’s a good time to explore the spookier side of London.  Here are seven haunted sites in London to get you started:

1. Tower of London – The claim is that this is the most haunted place in England, perhaps not a surprise as so many people lost their heads here.  Literally.  Do you think it’s true that the White Lady haunts the White Tower?  And it’s said that the spirits of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey (both wives of Henry the VIII) are said to haunt the Tower as well.
2. The Bank of London – The location on Threadneedle Street is said to be occupied as a ghost named the Bank Nun.  The story has it that the woman is the sister of a man hung for bank forgery.  After the hanging she would make daily visits to the bank, always dressed in a long black dress and veil.  She was eventually given a settlement for her promise never to return.  She kept that promise during her lifetime.  Not so after her death.
3. Theatre Royal Drury Lane – I’m sure this oldest working theater in London has staged a mystery or two, so perhaps some of the lurking ghosts here are former actors from those performances.  Sightings include The Man in grey, who appears in a powdered wig and white shirt, pantomimist Joseph Grimaldi, and clown Dan Leno.  It’s said that other ghosts lurk in the shadows.
4. Highgate Cemetery – You’d expect a cemetery to be haunted, and this one doesn’t disappoint.  Dwelling among the Gothic mausoleums and tombs are a number of spirits including the Highgate vampire and an elderly woman looking for the children she murdered.  That’s Highgate in the photo above.
5. Covent Garden Tube Station – Paranormal sightings include the Screaming Spectre, a 13-year old hat maker, and the ghost of an actor who was stabbed near the Adelphi Theatre.
6. Handel’s House Museum – Composer George Frederic Handel lived in this house and died in an upstairs bedroom.  It’s said that a ghost of a woman has been seen in that bedroom, and that she leaves behind a lingering trace of her perfume.
7. Ten Bells Pub – Jack the Ripper’s last victim was a patron at the pub the night she was murdered, giving this place a creepy vibe based on its history alone.  Pub staff have reported seeing an elderly man, dressed in Victorian clothes, making random appearances around the place.  It’s believed that the gentleman is a former owner of the pub who was murdered.

If you don’t want to tackle the spooky side of London on your own, there are various walking tours that combine history with a visit to haunted sites.  There are many more sites than just the seven mentioned here, and while sightings have been recorded at all times of the year, there’s just something extra special about visiting during Halloween time.

My recommendation:  Learn the history, visit the site, let your imagine run wild.  Then decide if you believe!

Photo credit:  Alex Norton via wikimedia

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Are you tired of doing the same thing day in, day out?  Do your travel plans seem a bit routine?  Have you gotten stuck in a rut?  Today we have a guest post from travel writer Andrea Kirkby who is trying to convince us of ways to look at things differently while in London.

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I recently met up with a friend who has been living in West London for a while.  After being there a month or so, he found that he was sticking to a rather regular pattern of commuting, rarely going out of his particular area and not seeing much of the city.

Most of us get like that after a while, but he decided to do something about it.  Every time he went to a meeting or to visit a friend, he decided to get off the tube one stop before the one he wanted and walk the rest of the way – trying to find the most interesting route as well (not to mention burning off some extra calories!).

So on one trip to the British Library he found himself wandering around Old St Pancras and the canal – a secret world tucked away behind King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. It’s a strange, rather gothic world, with old plane trees stained black by pollution, sinister mausoleums and looming old tenement blocks that must surely harbor dark secrets – a madwoman locked up in the attic or werewolves living on the fifth floor!

It’s far too easy, whether as a tourist or resident, to approach London as a set of objectives; I’m going from Westminster to the National Gallery, or from the City to a meeting in the West End and then back again. We use the most efficient transport or the main road, we get there, see the sight or do the job and never realize what we’re missing en route. So little subversions (like getting off one stop before) are a way to stop the city from getting stale and to force ourselves to discover it.  And they can also be an amusing game to play.

• Try seeing Monopoly London.  Throw the dice and see where you will end up today.  Park Lane or Old Kent Road?  Pall Mall or Oxford Street?
• Or pick two destinations from the Monopoly board and try to link them up (this works best if you introduce a rule that you can’t pick two from the same side of the board; and please try to do it without going directly to jail).
• The Underground also lends itself to playing games.  Unfortunately you can no longer go all the way round the Circle line because it now stops at Edgware Road – but you could explore a single tube line from end to end in a single day. Upminster to Wimbledon, Cockfosters to Terminal 4, Harrow & Wealdstone to Elephant & Castle. Or you could play a sort of dot-and-carry-one game of walking between alternate tube stations on one line.  You might see nothing much – or you might find some quite unexpected sights.
• For those who have regular journeys to make, there’s another good game which comes from an actor friend of mine.  Every time she goes to the theatre during a run of performances, she has to take a different route – that’s her superstition (other actors have lucky underwear or little rituals they perform).
• Just taking a right rather than a left turn at the end of the road can take you somewhere quite unexpected.

And just in case you end up getting lost after all those subversive diversions, it might make sense to stay in a very centrally-located hotel like Rubens at the Palace – a 4 star hotel near Victoria (who have sponsored this post).

Photo credit:  pikous @ flickr

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Many first time visitors to Dublin don’t know that the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – County Wicklow – is only 30 minutes south of the city center. No trip to Ireland would be complete without leaving the capital city to see the countryside that the Emerald Isle is so famous for. While there are many destinations worthy of a Dublin daytrip, one of my favorites is the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow.

Unlike other destinations outside of Dublin that are on the train line, you will need to rent a car or join a tour to visit Powerscourt. Reaching the estate in a rental car is half the fun – passing through quaint villages and following rickety old signs will give the daytrip an adventurous quality. The estate is famous for being home to the five-star Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and an incredible golf course, but it also has much more to offer.

Nature lovers will want to make the Powerscourt Waterfall their first stop. If you pack a picnic before leaving Dublin, this makes an ideal spot to have lunch while taking in the views. The 400-foot waterfall and its thundering water makes a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon picnic. To keep things particularly Irish, sample local Irish delicacies such as artisan Irish cheese, smoked salmon, and traditional brown soda bread.

Next stop should be the Powerscourt Gardens. Perfect for a post-meal stroll, the gardens have a stunning backdrop of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Planned centuries ago, it is interesting to think how many generations the walled garden has given pleasure to. Another favorite attraction here is the famous Japanese garden.

Before departing the estate, you can take part in the tradition of afternoon tea. Stop into Avoca Café (located right next door to the entrance of the Gardens) for a scone and pot of tea for a late afternoon pick-me-up. This café also offers a store full of Irish-made products if you want to bring something home for family and friends. Check out the kitchen supplies in quirky colors and cozy woven blankets to take a piece of Avoca home with you.

Travelers looking for a splurge should check out the spa at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt. After a day of hiking around the estate and exploring the garden, there might be no more relaxing finish to the day than a soothing massage or facial. You might even be enticed to spend the night, and book a table at Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant overlooking the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Hotel guests can also take advantage of free bike rentals for a 2^nd day savoring the natural beauty of the Garden of Ireland. The Powerscourt Estate is home to many peaceful hiking and biking paths and the hotel can provide detailed maps.

For an afternoon or a couple days, the Powerscourt Estate offers a chance to see a more serene side of Dublin.

Photo credit:  Amanda Susan Munroe (CC via wikimedia)

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by My Destination Info; the opinions expressed are those of the guest author Jessica Colley.

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Tower of London with Thames in front

The Royal Wedding isn’t the only royal excitement in London the spring, although it probably overshadows most.  But there’s another magical story that comes to life this spring, and that’s the story of the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London.

The Royal Menagerie was first established at the Tower of London in the early 1200s, making it one of the country’s oldest zoo.  “Royal Beasts” offers visitors a chance to see these former residents through a display of modern sculpture, along with interactive and sensory displays.  The displays will be housed in the north wall walk (recently restored) as well as the Brick Tower, opening for the first time.  The Tower offers audio guides in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (Mandarin),  providing English School in London students an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful historic landmark and practice their language skills at the same time.

Visitors to the “Royal Beasts” will have a chance to discover the history of hundreds of exotic creatures who once lived in this forbidding fortress.  You’ll learn how these animals were fed, watered, and housed, co-existing with the prisoners who were also kept at the Tower.  Stories range from the exotic polar bear who fished in the Thames daily for his lunch, to the lion who kept a spaniel as a pet, and lots more.

Most of the eclectic assortment of animals in the menagerie came as royal gift.  It was customary to send something exotic to the Royals, and they all took up residence at the Tower.  Some of the animals had never been seen before, and the menagerie took on a bit of a mysterious ambience.  Here are a few of the animal residents:

• The first polar bear to land in England came as a gift from Norway in 1251.  The King has a collar and stout chain made for the bear, and it fished for its meals in the Thames in front of the Tower.
• Louis IX of France made a gift of an elephant in 1255.  It was a popular hit with the English, with people traveling from all parts of the country to see it.
• Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II sent three leopards to Henry III in 1235.  These magnificent cats were a tribute to a coat of arms, the leopards were heraldic.

Over the years, it’s believed that the menagerie included numerous common and exotic animals:  leopards, tigers, eagles, owls, elephants, giraffes, zebras, alligators, kangaroos, grizzly bear, polar bear, and lions. The first true guidebook to the Tower, published in 1741, listed the following animal residents:  three lions, two lionesses, three lion cubs, a leopard, a panther, two tigers and their cub, a raccoon, two vultures, two eagles, a porcupine, an ape, and a “strange bird from the East Indies called a warwoven.”  Interestingly, most of the animals had names, indicating that they were quite beloved by the royals and citizens alike.

Eventually, the menagerie was closed, and the royal animals were relocated to the newly established Zoological Society of London, which was then being enlarged to include a zoo in Regent’s Park.  That is now the London Zoo.

The Royal Beasts exhibit will take visitors back to that more primitive time, restoring those exotic animals – artistically – to their original home.  The exhibit opens in May 2011.

If you’re looking for a language course while in London, you may want to consider St Georges English Course London.

Photo credit: SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by St Georges English Course; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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Today I have a guest post on a topic I know very little about – accessible travel.  I take for granted getting up and down stairs, walking down narrow cobblestone streets, and making plans with very little thought.  While not every traveler is as carefree with planning their vacation, accessibility is no longer the barrier to travel that it once was.

Here’s what you can expect from accessible London

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Many of the tourist attractions in London are wheelchair friendly, although some are unfortunately entirely inaccessible.  Here is a list of what I feel are the top ten wheelchair friendly things to do in London, but if you have something else in mind that does not appear on this list, just call ahead to check accessibility or to organize special assistance.  Calling ahead is particularly important if you are travelling as a group of wheelchair users.

1. The British Library provides excellent wheelchair access in the public galleries and the reading rooms. Disabled toilet facilities are available on every floor and guide dogs are permitted.
2. The London Eye, one of the most popular tourist attractions in London is fully wheelchair accessible. It is the tallest observation wheel in the world.
3. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens are fully accessible and disabled toilets are located at the entrance. Guide dogs are allowed in every part of the gardens and if you need to hire a wheelchair it can be booked in advance.
4. At the London Zoo, many exhibits are displayed at a height which is suitable for people in wheelchairs and most of the zoo will be accessible. Disabled toilets are available. Admission is free for the companion traveler of wheelchair users, but those with guide dogs should know that guide dogs cannot be admitted.  You can make arrangements to have a guide dog looked after while a zoo volunteer guides you around the zoo.
5. The Cabinet War Rooms, used as headquarters by Winston Churchill in World War II have 21 underground rooms and are a real must-see for any history buff. All rooms are wheelchair accessible, disabled toilets are available and guide dogs are permitted in the museum. There are also some visual and hearing impaired aids available.
6. Wheelchair users have access to the horror of the London Dungeons as do guide dogs. Disabled toilets are available.
7. The Tower of London, on the other hand, is largely inaccessible for wheelchair users due to the cobbled steps and narrow corridors. One area which is, however, accessible is the Crown Jewels area and an access guide is provided. Phone Visitor Services in advance to arrange for free assistance from the access guide.
8. The Gothic architecture and exquisite craftsmanship of Westminster Abbey should not be missed. Steeped in history with the weddings and funerals of famous Monarchs and the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the Abbey has excellent wheelchair access.  Guide dogs are allowed in all parts of the building and visual and hearing resources are also available.
9. At St. Paul’s Cathedral only one part is inaccessible to wheelchair users – the American Chapel. Disabled access is via an elevator and assistance is available should it be required. Guide dogs are welcome and touch and audio provisions are in place for the visual and hearing impaired.
10. If you want to see some famous but waxy faces at Madame Tussauds it is strongly recommended that you book in advance as the museum has strict health and safety rules and only three wheelchairs are permitted into the museum at one time. Priority admission will be given to wheelchair users who have pre-booked their visit. Entry is free for everyone who holds a valid disability registration card.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Shutterstock

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This guest post was provided by Gowrings Mobility.  Gowrings are leading the way in wheelchair accessible vehicles, with a wide range of new and used mobility cars.

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You’ve seen Phantom of the Opera, and maybe even the sequel, Love Never Dies, so what’s next for your theatre breaks in London?

London’s West End is home to a number of theaters offering everything from the decadent larger musicals and big stars (Wicked, Jersey Boys, and The Lion King) to smaller venues offering the new, quirky, or debuting (The 39 Steps, The Woman in Black, Love Story).

If you’re a theater buff like me, pretty much any choice of show will be a good one. My tastes run the gamut and I’m game for almost anything – even productions that I’ve seen numerous times.  But if you aren’t sure what to see or how to choose you can throw caution to the wind and let someone else decide, or you can do your homework and make your selections.

Here are a few of the top shows for your consideration:

• Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies - “Based on a classic French thriller about a terrifying and legendary figure who emerges from the depths of The Paris Opera House and manifests the mythic opera ghost in terrifying reality” Phantom is one of the classics of theater.  It’s sequel, Love Never Dies picks up the story 10 years later.  These would make a great one-two punch for a weekend of theater.
• Wicked - “Experience this unforgettable, award-winning musical and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the land of Oz..”
• Chicago – “The kiss-and-tell story of chorus girl Roxie who kills her lover; Velma Kelly, the glamorous double-murderer and Billy Flynn, the slick and manipulative lawyer keeping them from death row while promising to make them stars, has all the topicality of our celebrity-seeking times.”

Want to laugh?  Try a comedy:

• Legally Blonde – “When her boyfriend dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School.”
• Mamma Mia! – “On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past to the island they last visited 20 years ago.”  Full of rocking songs by ABBA.
• Priscilla Queen of the Desert – “PRISCILLA tells the heart-warming and uplifting story of Bernadette, Tick, and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.”

If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, consider these:

• The Lion King – “At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba – the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Prideland.”
• Shrek, the Musical – “Join Shrek, our unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey, as they set off on an adventure to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon.”
• The Wizard of Oz – “Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires.”

Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, a girls getaway, or a family night out, the London theater scene in lively and vibrant offering great choices for everyone.  What are you waiting for?

Photo credit: Andy Bird via flickr

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by Hotel Direct UK; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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