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Be Truly Thankful This ThanksgivingFor a Visit to London and Some Uniquely British Experiences5 November 2005 is Bonfire Night. Bonfires are lit and there are fireworks displays all over London (and the UK) to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up James I and his Parliament. The plot's most famous conspirator, Guy Fawkes, ("The Guy") is burned as an effigy. Although the official anniversary is on the 5th, bonfires and firework displays start up to 2 weeks before and go on for a week after the actual date. More details at: www.bonefire.org/guy
No visit to London is complete without a trip to the theatre, shopping and good eating! Theatre productions of particular note are: Billy Elliot - The Musical (music by Elton John), Kevin Spacey making his UK Shakespearian debut as the doomed king in Richard II, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, A Few Good Men (gripping) and The Producers (hilarious); as well as such favourites as Mary Poppins, Guys and Dolls and High Society (with Jerry Hall). www.whatsonstage.com is a great web site to see what's on and to book your tickets.
London is one of the world's most diverse cities for eating - every national cuisine is represented and the city boasts a number of truly world class restaurants. www.london-eating.co.uk is a good site to explore the possibilities. Where to stay without it costing you an arm and a leg? If you are two or more, staying in a vacation rental often works out cheaper than a hotel. Coach House London Vacation Rentals is the leading specialist in short term central London rentals. They have over 75 properties on their books, ranging from cosy apartments just for 2 to grand mansions that will sleep up to 12. They are a fully accredited member of Visit London – the official visitor organisation for London. Full details of their services and all their properties, together with suggested itineraries and a helpful list of things to see and do can be found at: www.rentals.chslondon.com. Or, for a real British experience, stay at the Coach House (www.coachhouse.chslondon.com), a charming old Victorian Coach House, and experience true English style hospitality. Prices from $58 (Euro45) per person per night and this includes a real English breakfast. Edited by Erika Wright Hamleys photo by "2005 Hamleys" |
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November 2005 will be The Lord Mayor's Show. The inauguration of the new Lord
Mayor of the City of London. The first Lord Mayor's Show was held in 1215 when
King John's Charter stipulated that the new Lord Mayor must swear an oath of
allegiance to the King and also to literally 'show' himself to the people. Since
then only major disasters such as the Black Death have stopped the show. The
Lord Mayor's procession used to travel down the River Thames - hence the term
'floats', however since 1757 Lord Mayors have travelled in the famous ceremonial
gold coach. In the 21st century, it's a great day out for many Londoners. More
details:
For shopping, if you need help deciding
where to go, visit: