IgoUgo

London Journals

Golden Jubilee London

Best of IgoUgo

An August 2002 trip to London by cls223

Windsor Castle Photo - London, England More Photos
Quote: The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Being able to visit one of my favorite cities at this special time is something I'll always remember.
  • Cheer!
  • Flag
  • Print

Golden Jubilee London Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Windsor Castle Photo - London, England
Quote:
Though many of the main Jubilee celebrations are finished, there are still events going on through the end of the year, including special exhibits and extended hours at various attractions. My favorite event this trip was a visit to Windsor Castle (my first), and knowing that perhaps I was walking in "royal footsteps". Quick Tips: My favorite London activities? Taking a walk along the Thames, having a pint with the locals in a neighborhood pub, visiting the British Museum, shopping at one of the local markets, visiting places like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Before you go, check out www.visitlondon.com, the London Tourist Board website, to see what’s on during the time of y...Read More

Ambassadors Hotel Best of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Ambassadors Hotel in Bloomsbury"

Quote:
I’d found this hotel through a London hotel booking agency and was pleased to find a hotel in London for under $100 (US) a night. The booking agency is Asatours Ltd, and I thought they offered a good variety of hotels at reasonable prices. I would highly recommend them and would not hesitate to use them again, though as a general rule I prefer to find my own lodgings. The Ambassadors Hotel in Bloomsbury is located just minutes from Euston Station, which for my purposes was an excellent location. The lobby, meeting rooms and restaurant areas of the hotel are sparkling clean and modern looking. Unfortunately, the rooms themselves do not live up to the promise of the public areas. My ...Read More

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

Ambassadors Hotel
16 COLLINGHAM ROAD
London, England
44 20 73731075

Quote:
This is a no-frills place that offers decent Cantonese-style cuisine at modest prices. The menu is quite extensive, and is available for take away as well as dining in. Three course set dinners are offered at about $12 (US). While the entrees offered with the set dinners are mostly noodle and rice dishes, there are quite a few to choose from, and these are accompanied by a choice of starters. The dining areas are small and plain, with just a few pieces of Chinese artwork on the walls. On my visit I selected Spring Roll as my starter, followed by an entree of Shrimp with Green Peppers and Black Bean Sauce. The spring rolls were crisp and hot, and filled with ground meat and vegetables. I ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

China House Restaurant
51 Marchmount Street
London, England
(020) 7713-0866

Quote:
I'd made arrangements to meet Steve, one of IGOUGO's London-based guides on Sunday evening. As much as I wanted to take Steve up on his offer to show me the fleshpots of London, I was tired from my day exploring Windsor Castle and so I opted for a chat over a few beers at a nearby pub. This cozy old pub is named for Lord John Russell, who built Russell Square, and who was also the first Master of the Horse at the Royal Mews. You can tell that this is definitely a "neighborhood pub", with its pictures of a local rugby team adorning the walls. As Steve told me, "you’re the only tourist in here". There are picnic tables outside for warm summer evenings (we did sit outside a while before the it g...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

Lord John Russell Pub
Corner of Marchmount Street and Cartwright Gardens
London, England

The Royal Mews Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

A State Coach Photo - The Royal Mews, London, England
Quote:
I had visited the Royal Mews on my first trip to London in 1992; at that time it seemed as though no one had heard of it, and I had the place almost entirely to myself. Ten years later, the Golden Jubilee had brought many tourists, though I only had to wait in line a few minutes to get my ticket. In the 13th century a Royal Mews was built at Charing Cross in London on a site where the National Gallery now stands. King George III needed space for his carriages and built the stables today seen behind Buckingham House. When George IV ascended the throne in 1820, he commissioned John Nash, his favorite architect, to remodel the house and rebuild the stables. It was discovered that there were p...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

The Royal Mews
Buckingham Palace Road Saint James
London, England SW1A 1AA
020 7766 7302

Windsor Castle Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Windsor Castle - Part 1"

Windsor Castle Photo - Windsor Castle, London, England
Quote:
Travel by rail from Paddington Station is about $9 (US) roundtrip. The trip from Paddington to Slough (where you change trains to Windsor) took about 40 minutes. At Slough I followed the crowds, figuring (correctly, as it turned out) that I’d probably end up on the train for Windsor. Windsor Castle is one of the Queen’s official residences, and has been inhabited for over 900 years. Just past St. George’s gate there is a pictorial history of the Castle and its construction. One of the most interesting parts was the display showing the reconstruction of Windsor Castle after the fire in November 1992. The fire began in the Lantern Gallery of the Castle. Windsor Castle’s restoration was com...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

Windsor Castle
Windsor
Berkshire, England SR4 1NJ
+44 1753 869 898

Windsor Castle Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Windsor Castle - Part 2"

Windsor Castle Photo - Windsor Castle, London, England
Quote:
The next room I visited was the King’s Drawing Room, beautifully done with gold fabric on the walls. Even over the shuffle of tourists’ feet, it’s possible to hear a clock gently chiming the hour. The King’s Bed Chamber has a gold-canopied bed, with red fabric-covered walls. A door leads to the King’s Dressing Room. I was a little surprised, as I didn’t see any closets...until I walked to the next room, said to be the King’s Closet. To me, it looked more like a sitting room, probably about 20 x 18 feet, with a lovely marble fireplace. The Queen’s Ballroom was rather narrow and long, and was one of my favorite rooms. Walls are teal and gold fabric with the ceiling painted white and embelli...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 29, 2002

Windsor Castle
Windsor
Berkshire, England SR4 1NJ
+44 1753 869 898

About the Writer

cls223

cls223
Chicago, Illinois

Popular London Hotels

K+K Hotel George
User Rating: 4 out of 5
City Inn Westminster
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Rubens at the Palace
User Rating: 4 out of 5
The Royal Horseguards
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Holiday Inn Kensington
User Rating: 4 out of 5

Tower of London
User Rating: 5 out of 5
National Gallery
User Rating: 5 out of 5
British Museum
User Rating: 5 out of 5
Imperial War Museum London
User Rating: 4 out of 5
St Paul's Cathedral
User Rating: 4 out of 5