London
Travelling to London
With a large population living in London all rushing
around wanting to get somewhere you could be in the
way along with your backpack. So before you leave home
you need to have a few things first. Like visas for
instance.
Whether you are coming here to
live, work or travel your way around London you need
one before you leave. The UK government website www.ukvisas.gov.uk
is here to help you get the required information for
the purpose of your visit. The website has local contacts
fro British Missions where you live and you can download
application forms. If you live in South Africa, Australia
and New Zealand you can get in touch with 1st contact,
their Kickstart London Programme is designed to take
away the hassle of your trip by helping with bank accounts,
advice on before you leave and finding your way around.
If you are backpacking you way through London pick up
a copy of Backpacker magazine or newspaper this provides
you with information on where to stay, what’s
on, how to find work and are available from most tube
stations or at the airports.
Travelcards are available to you
when travelling around London. Depending on where you
are going, when you are to travel and for how long.
For further information on the Travelcard information
can be obtained from a nearest tube station.
London is an easy city to get to from any where in the
world. Having five international airports, underground,
trains, bus, taxis and a motorway network all help you
to get to this great city and all of the tourist attractions
that London has.
Metropolitan London
London is a multi-cultural city and has many different
cultures and communities. This can be seen in the many
different types of food, music, in one of the festivals,
and street markets that are in London. Here you can
mix with different cultures without even leaving London.
Sport in London
London has 13 professional football teams, the cricket
grounds of Lords and Oval, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis
Championships, Twickenham Rugby Union stadium, so London
gives you plenty of options of what to watch.
As London hosts many known sporting events and the more
unusual sports in 2003 so if you are not keen on participating
in sports you can watch the events in many bars or live
at the event. So get booking.
London has the facilities for golf, cricket tennis,
football, rugby, cycling, go karting, horse riding,
running, swimming and other water events, as well as
greyhound and horse racing. And there are parks around
London in which you can go swimming, running horse riding,
walking and much more. London has many parks, including
Battersea, Green, Greenwich, Hampstead Heath, Hyde,
Reagents, Richmond, St James, London Oases as well as
the smaller parks.
Historic London
If you are the die hard partygoer at some stage you
would want to take a break and relax and what better
way to do that than discovering the historical side
of London.
Visiting, the many free exhibitions, that offer you
the chance, to discover the many collections of art
in the museums in London. Or if you like the wilder
side then you can explore the zoo and nature at Kew
Gardens. And the many other attractions on offer to
you like the Tower of London for example.
Accommodation London
When arriving in London whether that it be by train
or plane it can be a bit daunting. And staying in London
doesn’t have to be expensive, you can still have
as much fun in a good cheaper version of the big hotels.
You can also stay in B&Bs, in budget hotels and
hostels, camping for as little as £10 as night
with security, good facilities and convenient locations.
If you came to London to learn and practise your English
or continue with your studies London is a great place
to come. And if you came to the city and plan to stay
for longer periods you will need to find away of paying
for it.
If you are a Citizen of the Commonwealth you can apply
for a two year working visa. Which means you can have
up to 50% working and the rest you can use to explore
this wonderful city, the rest of the UK and Europe.
Another way is to apply to employment agencies who can
find you work and give you are starting place. For reputable
agencies these can be found in the Backpacker magazine
or newspaper.
As you will be working in the UK you will have to pay
UK tax and need a national insurance number to be employed
in the UK. For further information, visit www.1stcontact.co.uk
if you live in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Shopping in London
London has a vast amount of places to go shopping in
the city. Have designer discount outlet stores, for
the latest fashions at discount prices. Also you can
but your clothes from the high street stores where you
can find sales and bargains at Knightsbridge, Sloane
Street and Bond Street for designer labels. And the
bigger the original price tag, the bigger the bargain.
If that isn’t enough for you there are the chain
stores like Dagenham’s and Marks and Spencers.
London also has its markets where you can find quirky
things. You also have your boutiques and antiques shops
too.
London gay community
London is known world wide for being on of the gay capitals
of the world. Offering great shopping, metropolitan
cuisine to die for and a good nightlife.
London for free
While you are discovering London take up the opportunity
of visiting the many free museums, attractions, special
collections, music which is held in the streets, churches
and concert halls and events.
For detailed
information about other aspects of London click below:
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