Let’s Book Holiday Travel Blog

Getting There:

By Tube

The Jubilee Line to North Greenwich for The O2 (Zone 2).

Canary Wharf in 5 minutes
London Bridge or Stratford in 10 minutes
Waterloo in 15 minutes
Bond Street in 20 minutes

The Jubilee line is the only Underground route that connects with all others - so not only can London residents reach us with no hassle, National Rail passengers from all over the UK can too. The walk from North Greenwich underground station to The O2 is approximately 200m.

By Thames Clippers river services

Thames Clippers is the leading scheduled commuter service on the River Thames. Enjoy travelling to and from The O2 with our fleet of hi-speed catamarans and relax in the spacious and comfortable seating, enjoy the variety of snacks and refreshments available or simply watch the stunning views of some of the cities most famous sites along the river. Operating between Central London and The O2 with departures from major piers every 20 mins.

Thames Clippers operates The O2 Express on arena event nights at The O2. The express service from Waterloo Pier direct to The O2 is the perfect way to complete your night out at the world’s most popular music venue. Travel on the high speed luxury catamarans direct to QEII Pier at The O2 in under 30 minutes! Departures every 30 mins from Waterloo Pier 3 hours prior to an arena event start time. After the event, the first departure from QEII Pier is 15 mins after the event finishes.

Tickets available online, on piers or onboard. Visit www.thamesclippers.com for details or to purchase tickets in advance.

By bus

Seven TfL bus routes operate to and from The O2 including three 24 hour bus services. Key destinations include Stratford, Charlton, Greenwich, Lewisham, Woolwich, Eltham, North Kent and Central London. Please visit www.tfl.gov.uk for timetable information.

By The O2 Shuttle

The O2 Shuttle bus service operates to Charing Cross to link up with the extensive London night bus network as well as Waterloo mainline station. Services leave from North Greenwich bus station from Bus Stop D.

By car

The M25 (London orbital), the A2/A20 (from the South East) and the M11 (from the North) all offer good access and The O2 is clearly signposted.

Car Parks are available onsite offering a customer friendly ticketless pre-book system. Tickets can also be purchased upon arrival subject to availability. Additional services available including VIP drop off points.

- The O2 postcode is SE10 0DX

By coach

National Express is the UK’s leading travel provider and is making travel simpler by serving dedicated coaches to selected events at The O2 from all major towns and cities across the UK.
National Express Coach Services

We have 67 coach bays. Coach parking for day visiting is at a rate of £25 which is paid on arrival at the coach park by cash or credit card. The coach park is situated next to The David Beckham Academy.

By taxi and private hire

North Greenwich station has its own dedicated taxi rank for up to 50 black taxis! Private hire taxis are also available on event nights at the main entrance of The O2. Please call Greenwich Express Cars to pre-book: 020 8858 6661.

By Docklands Light Railway

Just one stop via the Jubilee line from Canary Wharf or Canning Town.

By National Rail

Charlton mainline station is just a short ride on either a 486, 472 or 161 bus from North Greenwich underground station. All these buses start their route from North Greenwich underground so there is no confusion as to which way to go!

Southeastern runs services to Charlton train station. Turn left out of the station and catch 486, 422 or N472 buses to North Greenwich, taking you approximately 10 mins to reach the front door of The O2.

By bicycle

Various cycle routes lead to The O2 and on arrival we have 500 cycle racks available to use in all car parks and North Greenwich station.

By foot

Amble along the river around the historic and leafy Greenwich Peninsula to get to us. The scenery is excellent.

By Eurostar

The current network takes the Eurostar into St. Pancras, from where you only need to jump on the Northern Line down to London Bridge where you can then change for the Jubilee Line.

By air

London City Airport is just 15 minutes from The O2 offering easy access from all over the UK and Europe (35 destinations). Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead are only 50 minutes by train. Private aircraft are best flying in and out of London City Airport or Biggin Hill.

For transport enquiries, please contact:
customerservices@theo2.co.uk

At the museum of Kent Life, one can discover the rich and vibrant history of the people who lived and worked in the ‘Garden of England’ over the past 150 years. It is a place where you can step back in time and re-discover the rural life of Kent on a beautiful 28 acre farm, leaving behind the modern world and experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of country life in Kent.

Once there, one can view many buildings from around the County, which have been saved from destruction, and perfectly rebuilt and restored to their true essence. The last five years have witnessed the addition of Petts Farmhouse, Ulcombe Village Hall, Old & Water Cottages, Cuxton Chapel and a new Agricultural Store. We are constantly seeking to add new buildings and displays to the site.

The Museum of Kent Life is one of the few remaining places in Britain where hops are grown, harvested, dried and packed in the magnificent double Oast house by hand, using only time honored, traditional techniques. This process is celebrated at the annual Hop Festival in September.

Many varieties of farmyard animals including sheep, cows, pigs, horse, rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, rescued goats and bottle fed lambs are also reared. Adults and children can pet and sometimes hold the animals as the Cobtree Young Farmers have trained and handled them all on site. The Cobtree Young Farmers meet every Saturday at the Museum to keep their animals clean and healthy.

The Museum shop has a wide range of both traditional and modern Museum merchandise. We sell our very own Museum of Kent Life canvas bags to promote a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. These bags are ideal for shopping and storage. The shop can also provide school, group or birthday party goody bags, catered to your requirements and budget.

The Museum also offers a wealth of other opportunities such as a developing nature trail, an independent craft village which includes stained glass, pottery and practicing artists, weddings, functions, children’s birthday parties, archeological finds, a gallery where local works are often displayed, friends and volunteers, group discounts, tailor-made packages and workshops for schools. The Museum is one of the only Museums in Britain to be reachable by boat and much more!

Location

The Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree
Lock Lane
Sandling
Maidstone
Kent ME14 3AU

Getting There

By Road
The Museum is located next to the M20, five minutes from the centre of Maidstone. It is one hour from London and 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and ports.

M20 Coast bound: Exit at Junction 6. Take the 3rd exit at the first roundabout & 3rd exit on the second roundabout towards Aylesford. The Museum is on the left past The Village Hotel.

M20 London bound: Get into the Maidstone/Chatham filter lane and exit at Junction 6. Then take the 4th exit off the large roundabout towards Aylesford. The Museum is on the left past The Village Hotel.

By Public Transport
Frequent direct train services from London Victoria and London Bridge (60 minutes journey time) or stations in Kent to Maidstone East or West Stations with taxi or bus 155.

By River Boat
The Kentish Lady sails from outside the Archbishop’s Palace opposite the Court House in the centre of Maidstone, just five minutes walk from Maidstone West, 10 minutes from Maidstone East and a few minutes from the Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre. Please call 01622 753740 to check sailing times.

In the Mayor of London website, one can find a section with Virtual Tours of London, which I think is a very good idea! There’s a virtual tour of many of the main attractions and interesting sites in London.

I have been asked by a friend of mine visiting London which are the main parks in London. I suggested the website of the Royal Parks in London, which I believe is a good reference point. It includes information about the main parks in London, as well as events and activities which are being organised. It has good detailed information about the location, history and architecture and events taking place in the park.

Here’s a list of the main parks in London, which I believe are worth a visit:

• St James Park
• Green Park
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Greenwich Park
• Regent’s Park

The above is a list of parks which I have visited. The Royal Parks website also includes other parks, which I haven’t been to yet:

• Richmond Park
• Bushy Park
• Brompton Cemetry

When in London, a visit to one or more of the above parks is surely a must!! Some of them are located quite close to each other, so one can combine a visit to one or more parks at the same time. Why not spend some time relaxing on a bench, or walking round the park. It’s a very relaxing way to spend an hour or so!

The O2 Arena is situated in Greenwich, London. The O2 is a large entertainment district including an indoor arena, a music club, a cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas and bars and restaurants, built within a large dome-shaped building (formerly the Millennium Dome), on the Greenwich peninsula in south-east London, UK.

The arena at The O2 truly creates a new benchmark in what both fan and performer can and should expect from a rock or pop concert in the UK. You will only see the world’s hottest and most sought after acts on this stage…and what a way to enjoy them! With perfect sight-lines from every angle, crystal clear acoustics, obscenely comfy seating, wide concourses between aisles and a huge variety of snack and drink options to enjoy throughout the show.

The O2 arena can be transformed from a concert venue into a breathtaking world class sporting arena within hours and will proudly host major events throughout the year. The O2 are dedicated to promoting and supporting British sport, and as an official partner of London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games it will be hosting both the gymnastics and basketball finals.

Getting There:

By Tube

The Jubilee Line to North Greenwich for The O2 (Zone 2).

Canary Wharf in 5 minutes
London Bridge or Stratford in 10 minutes
Waterloo in 15 minutes
Bond Street in 20 minutes

The Jubilee line is the only Underground route that connects with all others - so not only can London residents reach us with no hassle, National Rail passengers from all over the UK can too. The walk from North Greenwich underground station to The O2 is approximately 200m.

By Thames Clippers river services

Thames Clippers is the leading scheduled commuter service on the River Thames. Enjoy travelling to and from The O2 with our fleet of hi-speed catamarans and relax in the spacious and comfortable seating, enjoy the variety of snacks and refreshments available or simply watch the stunning views of some of the cities most famous sites along the river. Operating between Central London and The O2 with departures from major piers every 20 mins.

Thames Clippers operates The O2 Express on arena event nights at The O2. The express service from Waterloo Pier direct to The O2 is the perfect way to complete your night out at the world’s most popular music venue. Travel on the high speed luxury catamarans direct to QEII Pier at The O2 in under 30 minutes! Departures every 30 mins from Waterloo Pier 3 hours prior to an arena event start time. After the event, the first departure from QEII Pier is 15 mins after the event finishes.

Tickets available online, on piers or onboard. Visit www.thamesclippers.com for details or to purchase tickets in advance.

By bus

Seven TfL bus routes operate to and from The O2 including three 24 hour bus services. Key destinations include Stratford, Charlton, Greenwich, Lewisham, Woolwich, Eltham, North Kent and Central London. Please visit www.tfl.gov.uk for timetable information.

By The O2 Shuttle

The O2 Shuttle bus service operates to Charing Cross to link up with the extensive London night bus network as well as Waterloo mainline station. Services leave from North Greenwich bus station from Bus Stop D.

By car

The M25 (London orbital), the A2/A20 (from the South East) and the M11 (from the North) all offer good access and The O2 is clearly signposted.

Car Parks are available onsite offering a customer friendly ticketless pre-book system. Tickets can also be purchased upon arrival subject to availability. Additional services available including VIP drop off points.

- The O2 postcode is SE10 0DX

By coach

National Express is the UK’s leading travel provider and is making travel simpler by serving dedicated coaches to selected events at The O2 from all major towns and cities across the UK.
National Express Coach Services

We have 67 coach bays. Coach parking for day visiting is at a rate of £25 which is paid on arrival at the coach park by cash or credit card. The coach park is situated next to The David Beckham Academy.

By taxi and private hire

North Greenwich station has its own dedicated taxi rank for up to 50 black taxis! Private hire taxis are also available on event nights at the main entrance of The O2. Please call Greenwich Express Cars to pre-book: 020 8858 6661.

By Docklands Light Railway

Just one stop via the Jubilee line from Canary Wharf or Canning Town.

By National Rail

Charlton mainline station is just a short ride on either a 486, 472 or 161 bus from North Greenwich underground station. All these buses start their route from North Greenwich underground so there is no confusion as to which way to go!

Southeastern runs services to Charlton train station. Turn left out of the station and catch 486, 422 or N472 buses to North Greenwich, taking you approximately 10 mins to reach the front door of The O2.

By bicycle

Various cycle routes lead to The O2 and on arrival we have 500 cycle racks available to use in all car parks and North Greenwich station.

By foot

Amble along the river around the historic and leafy Greenwich Peninsula to get to us. The scenery is excellent.

By Eurostar

The current network takes the Eurostar into St. Pancras, from where you only need to jump on the Northern Line down to London Bridge where you can then change for the Jubilee Line.

By air

London City Airport is just 15 minutes from The O2 offering easy access from all over the UK and Europe (35 destinations). Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead are only 50 minutes by train. Private aircraft are best flying in and out of London City Airport or Biggin Hill.

For transport enquiries, please contact:
customerservices@theo2.co.uk

Advent Windows in Greenwich is a project organised by St Alfege Church, whereby Greenwich homes, shops, pubs, schools and community groups open their windows in a living Advent Calendar. A window will open every day between December 1st and 24th 2008. All windows will be on show between Christmas and January 5th.

This year’s theme is Hopes and fears. Each window is being prepared by volunteers using a range of media, from multimedia installations to paintings, models and stained glass. Seeing them all will take approximately two hours, a perfect advent stroll round Greenwich. You can find out further information by logging onto www.st-alfege.org, by emailing adventwindows@hotmail.com or by ringing 0208 858 6828.

A number of London’s top tourist attractions are transformed in ice rinks during the festive season. With eleven rinks to choose from, you are bound to find one near you! And for this year, for the first time ever, the O2 will be transformed, since there will be two artificial 45 metre indoor ski slopes! Thus, you’ll be able to ski, snowboard or even snow tube.

Ice rinks guide

Alexandra Palace

Open all year round
Monday to Friday 11am-1.30pm/2-5.30pm, Weekends 10.30am-12.30pm / 2-4.30pm, Evenings Friday to Sunday, 8.30-11pm

Get your skates on whatever the weather at Ally Pally’s indoor rink. There’s loads of other icy activities on offer too.

Tickets: Adults £6 / Kids & concessions £5 (weekdays daytime) / Adults £7 / Kids and concessions £6 (evenings & weekends)
Where: Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London N22
Tube: Wood Green

ASDA’s Battersea Winter Wonderland

24 to 30 November
11am to 9pm (last ticket 8pm) daily

Combine shopping and skating for one special week only at ASDA! Call 08700 666 844 for tickets

Tickets:£6Where: Elspeth Open Space, Lavender Hill, London SW11
BR: Clapham Junction
Bluewater

6 November 2008 to 3 January 2009from 10am to 10pm daily.

Combine your Christmas shopping with a visit to Bluewater’s new outdoor ice rink in the Water Circus.

Tickets: Adults £10/£7.50 (off peak), under-12s £7.50/£5 (off peak), family ticket £28/£20 (off peak).
Where: Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent DA9
BR: Greenhithe for Bluewater
Broadgate Ice

15 November 2008 to 8 March 2009
Mon/Tue/Fri noon-2pm/3-5pm/6-8.30pm, Wed/Thur noon-2pm/3-5pm then private hire, Weekends 11am-1pm/2-4pm/5-8.30pm

Enjoy the City’s circular ice rink and combine the pleasure with a trip to the conveniently nearby Spitalfields Market.

Tickets: Adults £8, Concessions and under-16s £5, Skate hire: £2 adults.
Where: Broadgate Circle, London EC2
BR/Tube: Liverpool Street
Canary Wharf

22 November 2008 to 22 February 2009
Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10.30pm, Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Take to the ice, against the backdrop of the famous Canary Wharf towers.

Tickets: Adults £10 to £12, Concessions and 12-16s £9, under-12s £7.50, Family ticket £32 (four).
Where: Canada Square Park, London E14
Tube: Canary Wharf
Ealing Ice Rink

28 November 2008 to 4 January 2009
9.45am to 10pm daily (closed Xmas Day).

Enjoy the atmosphere at this family-friendly outdoor rink, among the trees at Ealing’s Haven Green.

Tickets: Adults £8.50-9.50 / Kids & concessions £7.50
Where: Haven Green, London W5
Tube: Ealing Broadway
Hampstead Heath

29 November 2008 to 18 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Enjoy a brisk walk on the heath followed by a session on the ice, perfect for a winter day out.

Tickets: Adults £9.50, under-12s £7, family ticket £28.
Where: Parliament Hill Fields, London NW5
Tube: Archway / Kentish Town

To purchase Hampstead Heath Ice Rink tickets please call 01268 764 437
Hampton Court

29 November 2008 to to 11 January 2008
10am to 10pm daily.

Hampton Court Palace and the Thames provide a splendid backdrop to this outdoor rink.

Tickets: Adults £9.50, under-12s £7.50, student and OAP concessions £8, family ticket £30.
Where: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8
BR: Hampton Court
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

22 November 2008 to 4 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Set inside the grounds of the splendid Somerset House, alongside the Thames.

Tickets: Adults £10 / Children £7.50 / Family ticket (4) £28.
Where: The Strand, London WC2
Tube: Embankment
Kew Gardens

29 November 2008 to 4 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Combine ice skating with a trip to beautiful Kew Gardens.

Tickets: Adults £11.50/£10 (off peak) / Children £8/7.50 (off peak) / Family ticket(4) £32/£30 (off peak)
Where: The Strand, London WC2
Tube/BR: Kew Gardens
Natural History Museum

6 November 2008 to 18 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Take a day out to visit one of London’s finest museums and chill out with a spin on the ice.

Tickets: Adults £10.50 to £12; under-12s £7.50; Family ticket £30, UB40, students and OAP concessions £9.50 before 4pm and £11 from 4pm to closing.
Where: Cromwell Road, London SW7
Tube: South Kensington
The Slopes at The O2

27 November 2008 to 25 January 2009
11am to 10pm daily.

Continuing its transformation, The O2 opens two 45 metre indoor ski slopes where you’ll be able to try skiing, snowboarding and even snow tubing! The slopes are for those with experience only, but don’t worry if you haven’t any as there’s expert tuition available too!

Tickets: Ski/snowboard: £15, Snow tube: £8.
Where: The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London SE10
Tube: North Greenwich

Private Lessons available by contacting the O2’s Groups department on: 0844 844 2121.
Somerset House

19 November 2008 to 25 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Set inside the grounds of the splendid Somerset House, alongside the Thames.

Tickets: Adults £10 /£12.50 evenings/£15 late, under-12s £7, family ticket £29.
Where: The Strand, London WC2
Tube: Embankment
Tower of London

22 November 2008 to 11 January 2009
10am to 10pm daily.

Outdoor skating by the Thames in the grounds of one of the capital’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Tickets: Adults £12/£10 (off peak), Concessions: £11 / £9.50 (off peak) under-16s: £8/£7.50 (off peak) family ticket: £32/£30 (off peak).
Where: Tower of London, London EC3
Tube: Fenchurch St / London Bridge

If you are a shopaholic, or just enjoy window shopping, then Westfield shopping centre in London is your ultimate shopping destination!

It has over 265 speciality stores, a 16-screen state-ofthe-art cinema complex, bars, restaurants,
a library and more!

If you have made up your mind, and decided to visit, then have a look at the following useful links:

• For directions on getting there, choose your prefered mode of transport here
• check the shopping centre opening hours

If you are planning on visiting Dublin, then you might want to have a look at this Dublin tourist information website, which I discovered this morning.

Dublin is one of the places I am hoping to be able to visit soon. I have never been to Ireland before, but I know there are a lot of things to see and do, especially the countryside! From pictures I have seen, the scenery is breathtaking! I think a good idea would be to visit Dublin, and then explore the neighbouring counties.

The 2008 Lord Mayor’s Show

The 2008 Lord Mayor’s Show will be on Saturday 8 November at 11am. Over 6100 people are going to take part in the 2008 Lord Mayor’s Show, including 2000 servicemen and women, 220 vehicles, 71 floats, 13 marching bands, 21 carriages including the glorious State Coach and of course the giant figures of the City’s guardians Gog and Magog. The procession is 3 miles long but fits into a route of only 1.7 miles: if you want to find out how that works, you’ll have to come and see!

The start of the procession is at 11.00am, after a thrilling and immaculately timed aircraft flypast. The procession then follows the traditional route through the streets of the City to the Royal Courts of Justice where the Lord Mayor Elect takes his oath of allegiance to the Sovereign before the Lord Chief Justice and the Judges of the Queen’s Bench Division.

The procession pauses as the Lord Mayor takes his oath and then at 1pm it sets off on the return journey from Victoria Embankment to Mansion House, where the newly sworn-in Lord Mayor arrives to be greeted by the City Aldermen and Livery Company Masters in their colourful gowns.

If you are planning on being there and visiting, then have a look at the timetable for the procession for further details.

History

There has been a Lord Mayor of London ever since 1189, when Henry Fitzailwyn first held office.

It wasn’t until 1215, when King John granted a Charter allowing the City’s citizens to elect their own mayor, that the Lord Mayor’s Show actually came into being. The Charter stipulated that the new Mayor must be presented to the Sovereign for approval and to swear fealty to the Crown, so each year the newly elected Mayor had to travel from the City to Westminster to pledge allegiance.

The Lord Mayor has been making that yearly journey for 784 years, surviving plague and fire and countless wars and insurrections. The modern Lord Mayor’s procession is a direct descendant of that first journey to Westminster and the pageantry of Pepys and Canaletto is recognisable today.

Over the years the Mayor’s Journey became so splendid that it became known as the Lord Mayor’s Show. Today’s Shows are a wonderful mixture of past, present and future with today’s businesses, Livery Companies, charities, Her Majesty’s Forces, the City Police and Londoners from all walks of life coming together to enjoy a splendid celebration of the City’s tradition and future.

The Lord Mayor’s procession winds through nearly 800 years of London’s history, marching unscathed through everything from the black death to the blitz. In the 17th century it was inconvenienced by the building site that would later become St Paul’s Cathedral. In the twentieth it was the first event ever to be broadcast live on television. In the 21st, it’s a day out for half a million people, with millions more watching on the BBC.

The loyalty of the Lord Mayor is probably less questionable now than it was in 1215, but the newly elected Mayor must still make his way to the Royal Courts of Justice to pledge allegiance to the Crown, just as Dick Whittington did in 1397 (and again in 1406 and 1419). As you watch the Lord Mayor’s coach go by, remember that someone stood in exactly that spot 450 years ago and marvelled at the sight of a camel on its way to meet Elizabeth I.

The modern procession is over three miles long – 1.3 miles longer than the route it follows – and starts at 11am after an RAF flypast. It travels from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the Lord Mayor takes an oath of allegiance to the sovereign before the Lord Chief Justice and the judges of the Queen’s Bench Division. The procession sets off on the return journey from Victoria Embankment to Mansion House at 1pm and returns to Mansion House at about 2.30, then the day finishes with one of London’s grandest firework displays at 5 o’clock from a barge moored in the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges.

Getting There
The police have asked to mention that the Strand area gets very busy at lunchtime, partly due to the three-mile procession that has been folded into its side streets. It’s very hard to get through there, a lot of the roads can’t be crossed, and people coming to see the return leg of the procession are sometimes unable to get through in time. It’s worth avoiding the whole area if you can.
By tube

Several tube stations will bring you out right on the processional route: St Pauls is on the outward leg, Blackfriars and Mansion House on the return leg, and Bank is on both.

Several other stations are within a very easy walk: Cannon Street, Monument and Moorgate are only a minute or two away, and Temple is close to the Royal Courts. They’re all on the map.

All these stations – especially Bank and St Pauls – are likely to be busy: leave a bit more time than usual for your journey, and please be patient leaving the station.

By bike

Bikes are a great way to get to the Show, but please lock them up some way away from the route and walk the last bit. The police will remove any bikes attached to railings on or near the route, and wheeling a bike through the crowds will not win you many friends.

By bus

The buses will get you as far as Liverpool Street, Old Street, Kingsway or the South Bank, any of which are within walking distance of the Show. Buses will not be travelling through the City, and many will be subject to diversions and delays as a result. The map of roads closed will give you a good idea of how close your bus is likely to get.