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London Tours Can Be Fun And Cultural Too

by: ElizabethCampbell
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Looking for culture, history, and fun, then look no further than London, the capital of England. The appeal of London holds no bounds, and there is plenty of things to do, and places to see that will be of interest to everyone. The Queen, Royal Family and their various homes and traditions are what first attract people to London. Getting around to see all these attractions can be a bit of a headache. If you prefer to do things at your own pace, then getting around by underground is probably best. There are underground stations on virtually every street corner (or so it seems), so finding one near to where you are visiting is not a problem. If you prefer for someone else to do the 'leg work' for you, then there are numerous tours that one could take.

When visiting London the easiest way to see everything you want is by booking a tour. For the more energetic there is a walking tour. There are also tours specifically for the younger generation. One of the favoured tours is on an open top 'red bus' (weather permitting), a rare sight these days. Other interesting tours are those of the taverns, historic monuments and 'rock and roll' tours.

In the world there can be no more culturally and ethnically diverse a city as London. The population of London is more than seven million with over 300 different languages are spoken in London schools. To experience this enormous array of different cultures, one only has to walk about as each culture is generally represented in small, distinct, areas of the city. As you move from one area to the next you will notice small and subtle changes until you find yourself in a completely different environment.

One thing about London which many folk find extremely exciting is the vast number of shops and shopping opportunities. Camden Town is very popular with its colourful array of shops and stores. If browsing through the markets is more your cup of tea then there are numerous exciting examples in London, the oldest is Billingsgate Fish Market which originates from around 500 BC, and only moved to the Isle of Dogs in 1962. London also boasts the longest street market in the United Kingdom (Walthastowe Market).

London has many sights and things to do for the tourist interested in Literature. William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the famous poet and playwright has connections with London. His famous Globe Theatre was sited in London, and even though the original theatre no longer exists, it is possible to visit and watch performances at the newly constructed Globe Theatre, which is close to the site of Shakespeare's original theatre. There are a lot of different tours available with a Shakespearean connection.

The original Globe was constructed from 1598 to 1609 and William Shakespeare, as well as being a writer and actor there, was one the shareholders. It was during one of the more spectacular performances that the theatre burnt down, apparently a canon set alight the thatch roof. Rebuilding and repair quickly commenced and the theatre was ready for business again in 1614. Sadly it was forced to close for good by the Puritans, and flattened in 1644.

Another celebrated author that comes to mind when touring London is Dickens. He resided in numerous locales across the city, but not all of them are still around today. One home, 48 Doughty Street is still around and is the venue for the Dickens Museum. His earliest residence was 16 Bayham Street in Camden where he stayed a young boy. This residence no longer exists but there is a plaque at 141 Bayham Street commemorating him. In the place where one residence stood is a tower block. That particular home was 1 Devonshire Terrace and the tower blocks address is 15-17 Marylebone Road.

There has been a fantastic book market in London since 1982. OUtside the National Film Theatre one will find South Bank Book Market. The book market takes place at the weekend all year round, the only difference being the opening times, longer in the summer (10.30am - 6.30 pm) and shorter in the winter (12pm - 5.30 pm). Bargains galore can be found amongst the many secondhand book stalls.