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Health & Fitness

London Travel Tips


When I married my good looking U.S. Marine officer 45 years ago, we agreed that my secret code was “I need shoes”.  That meant I was homesick for fish and chips, sticky toffee pudding, a shandy (half beer and half lemonade), and Marks and Sparks (Marks & Spencer’s department store).   I have been lucky enough to make  two or three trips home to England each year.    How many people do you know who has visited London over a hundred times?

Being in the travel business, I always look at new hotels, apartments, visit recommended restaurants, and write articles for the travel industry so I can share my expertise with those who don’t have the knowledge of the destination.

My younger sister, who lives in Cambridge is always delighted to meet me in town and shop, explore, and go to whatever shows and/or concerts that tickle our fancy.   

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When I was offered the chance to visit two hotels, which are new to the Signature Travel Network Hotel Directory, I jumped at the opportunity.   I stayed at Cliveden, in Berkshire, 30 minutes from London’s Heathrow Airport, and St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London.   I’ve written an article on each hotel.

People used to joke about British food but these days, there are lots of Michelin Star restaurants all over the land.   Even the local pubs have gone all gourmet.

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Best way to see London is on foot, but you always carry a brolly since the weather can change every five minutes.   I never used a taxi, but instead took a public double decker bus when I needed to get somewhere.  One should buy an Oyster Card from the hotel concierge, which saves you money on both buses and trains.

One of my favorite walks is from the Warwick Avenue Station (Bakerloo Underground line) to Angel Station (Northern Underground line).   It’s over four miles, and on our walk we stopped at the Warwick Castle Pub in Warwick Place and the floating café in Little Venice for refreshments.  Camden Lock Market is at the half way stage.  The arts and crafts market is open on Saturdays and Sundays.  Camden Passages antiques market in Islington is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays and sells books on Thursdays.  The canal side walk opens at 7.30 AM on weekdays and 9 AM on Sundays.   It is Smashing, there is lots to see  and on top of it all you go through Regent’s Park.  From April to October take a canal cruise (Camden Locks to Little Venice) which is a fun thing to do.

A great place to take children is Kings Cross Station where you can stand in the queue to have your photo taken at platform 9 ¾ , which is famous in the Harry Potter movies.  You can see half his luggage cart which has disappeared through the wall.   The children hang onto Harry’s scarf and with huge eyes sparkling with excitement, expect to be pulled through the wall by magic.

 The British Library is next door to St. Pancras, where you can see the Magna Carta, the most important document in British History.  The Magna Carta stamp collection is fun to look at too.   They have a wonderful display for children, Paddington Bear and Wind in the Willows all shown low down, where the youngsters can look at them.  In the library there is also a great café.

Two good restaurants in this area are the Grain Store, and Shimpies.   

If you stay at the St.Pancras Renaissance Hotel, they will take your luggage to the Eurostar train to Paris, and escort you to your seat.    Many people just go for the day, with it only being a 2 hrs.10 minutes train ride ( city center to city center).   If you were going by plane, you would still be standing in the security line at Heathrow. It is a lovely station, has great shopping, and is posh.

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/King%27s_Cross_Station

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel  at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.







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