THINGS TO DO

July 31, 2022 by: Sunny London

Things to Do in London Bridge Area

If you’re looking for things to do in London, starting in the London Bridge area is smart. This is because there so many iconic things to do and see within walking distance of London Bridge. Also, there are great transport links not only to other areas of London but also to cities that offer fantastic day trips.

However, let’s be clear that you need to know the difference between Tower Bridge and London Bridge. The first is far more iconic. London Bridge is not photogenic at all!

In the photo below, you can see Tower Bridge. For this article on Things to Do in London Bridge, everything I will communicate is to the right of Tower Bridge and down the photo (or South side of the Thames). London Bridge would be the next bridge in London, if it had made it in to the bottom borders of this shot I took at the View from the Shard.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Naturally, we’ll start with visiting the Tower of London, which is the attraction I always say is THE one not to miss when you’re visiting London. You will want to allocate a half day to this experience. I’ve written advice about it separately and will link all relevant articles from Sunny in London below.

It’s an attraction that is part of the London Pass, which can be beneficial if you plan your daily activities by order of the neighbourhood you are visiting.

I’ve included Tower of London here because if you are staying in the London Bridge area, or South of the River Thames, you should walk to the Tower of London. Taking public transport or a cab might actually be more time consuming than walking.

Also, after you spend a few hours at this historic attraction, you might want to visit Tower Bridge. Yes, it’s more than just a bridge to walk across and take selfies around. For a relatively cheap price, you can tour the engine rooms and talk pictures on the glass walkway.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- ‘City Hall’

Just near Tower Bridge is the building formerly known as City Hall. Previous London mayors have referred to it in silly, derogatory ways. The nicest name I can include here is when Boris Johnson called it ‘The Onion.’

In the end of 2021, Mayor Sadiq Khan relocated the office to Royal Victoria Docks in East London. His reasons were he felt he could save over £55 million in rent over the course of five years.

Right around this building is where you will find the best Christmas market in London. Again, you can find more on that if you are planning to visit London during Christmas in the articles suggested at the end. You can also see a lot of this, if you prefer to watch rather than read, in the Things to Do in London Bridge YouTube video below.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Boat Tours

Boat Tours are a great way to get around London and to see many iconic buildings quickly in the open air. While there is no dock specifically for London Bridge on tours like those offered by City Cruises, you are very close to two docks. You could get a boat from Tower Pier or take a short walk the other direction on the South side of the River to London Eye Pier. Heading to the Greenwich area of London from either of these makes for a very enjoyable second part of your day.

Greenwich is great for those who have nautical interests. However, you can also tour the HMS Belfast right near London Bridge if you don’t want to leave this general area and save time. It is a Second World War Ship.

Additionally, there is a replica of The Golden Hinde that would be a fast, fun thing to do in London. It’s also part of the London Pass and doesn’t take long to enjoy. The fact that it’s right next to The Old Thameside Inn pub is pretty nice too!

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- View from the Shard

Aside from a helicopter ride over London, The View from the Shard offers the highest views of London. Although, this also means it is one of the highest priced things to do in London Bridge area. Actually, it might be the highest costing tourist attraction in town.

Initially when I moved to London as an American 10 years ago, I thought this was a fantastic experience. Now that I have been able to visit nearly every London attraction, I’ve discovered others I recommend first. The View from the Shard is quite posh. The building has some of London’s best restaurants and bars. The hotel inside it The Shangri-La is certainly one of the best if you want to really splurge for a special occasion.

However, if you are on a budget when you travel to London, you could hit the Sky Garden instead for free. It has nearly as amazing views but it is in the City of London. You can see the Sky Garden in the image below taken from the View from the Shard. It’s the big white building and the observation deck can be seen at the top.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Other Activities

I’ve never been to the London Bridge Experience. It’s an interactive walk through experience with live actors that play characters from the past 2000 years of London Bridge. As someone who grew up in Florida and worked at Universal Studios Florida, I am naturally more critical of attractions like this. Given Walt Disney World and the theme park where I worked set the global standard for experiences like this, I am not a good judge of whether or not this one would be fun. The few attractions like this that I have visited in London have been really disappointing.

However, in terms of setting global standards for literature and drama, you can’t disagree with a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. This is probably considered more the Bankside area of London, rather than London Bridge. But, it is a short walk and would be silly to use public transportation to get there if you were at London Bridge. You can tour this attraction and attend performances.

Practically adjacent to Shakespeare’s Globe is Tate Modern. I have visited here once or twice. But without being trained in modern art or having a natural interest, it’s not a place I gravitate toward visiting in London regularly. However, a big tip I will give you about going to Tate Modern is to make sure you take time to visit the observation areas on the top floor. Again, the views of London are fantastic. It’s also free because most museums in London do not charge for admission.

Another highlight of the area is Southwark Cathedral. Not only can you attend mass at this Christian church but also you can explore it. Because it plays an active role in the community, it would be best to check in advance of whether or not it is restricted due to a service or event taking place.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Hay’s Galleria

Unlike an American ‘galleria’, the Hay’s Galleria is not a ginormous shopping mall with numerous floors and a hundred stores. But it’s a really nice place to walk through and maybe have something to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants.

In 1987 it was redesigned and modelled on Milan’s Galleria on the Piazza del Duomo. The shopping arcade has a Victorian style glass roof. It has a bronze moving sculpture with the face of a man and body of an industrial-age ship named The Navigators. During Christmas it also has a beautiful Christmas tree.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Final Thoughts

You could easily spend several days on these things to do in London Bridge, if you had that kind of time during one trip to London. Not mentioned in any detail in this article is the fact that there are tons of places to eat in the London Bridge area. Perhaps the most popular are Borough Market and Vinegar Yard. I will publish another YouTube video soon just on pubs and places to eat in this area.

To make sure you don’t miss any updates about London, you can subscribe to the Sunny News weekly email. It features Mr. Sunny’s Pub of the Week and all the latest happenings around town that you must know.

SUBSCRIBE TO SUNNY NEWS

What questions do you have about these things to do in London? Have you already been to any of these attractions or experiences and can offer advice to those visiting London?

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Related Articles

Things to Do Near Tower of London
London Bridge Christmas Market
Royal Things to Do in London– YouTube video
Things to Know about Visiting London at Christmas– YouTube video
Stonehenge and Bath Tour – Day Trips from London
Things to Book in Advance for a London Trip

July 24, 2022 by: Sunny London

Things to Do in London – August

Finding things to do in London during the month of August each year is never a challenge. There are tons of annual activities around London that last the whole month. Additionally, there are always special events that celebrate unique activities happening in the different neighbourhoods.

Whether you are interested in things to do that are foodie, music or art related, there are endless options to keep you busy. And since it’s generally a warm, sunny month when most people use their annual leave to soak up the rays, there are tons of outdoor festivals scheduled too.

Below I’ll show you highlights of the popular things to do and give you a tip on what not to miss for the future.

Things to Do in London – August Hot Tickets

This year the item that is already sold out for the month is the Jurassic World exhibition at ExCel London. It’s an immersive experience which brings you face to face with life-size dinosaurs. You would have the chance to walk through the world-famous Jurassic World gates and see the film franchise brought to life. It’s for ages 16+. If this interests you, there are limited availability tickets in September. As of this publication, October and November have good availability.

Things to Do in London – August All Month

Surrealism Beyond Borders at Tate Modern- ends 29th August. Here you can discover how surrealism has inspired and united artists around the world.
BBC Proms- ends 10th September. It’s the annual celebration of classical music at Royal Albert Hall. This year it will include the newly formed Ukranian Freedom Orchestra.
Superbloom- ends 18th September. Through an additional entry fee with your Tower of London ticket you take a walk through what was previously the moat surrounding this iconic London landmark. Now, the moat is transformed into a sea of flowers to celebrate the Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
Windsor Castle- The Queen’s Coronation exhibition ends 26th September. Included in your admission to Windsor Castle is the opportunity to see the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by The Queen that day.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre- ends 28th August. See the all-singing adaptation of the kids’ novel (and famous Disney cartoon) 101 Dalmations.
Somerset House ‘This Bright Land’- ends 29th August. The courtyard will be transformed into a winter wonderland open to all. There will be day and night performances, music, dance, talks, workshops and more.
- Wonder Garden Clubhouse & Pop-ups are stunning sensory experiences for both mind and body from world-leading beauty and wellness brands like Jo Malone, MAC Cosmetics, Aveda, Origins and Bobbi Brown.
- Friday Night Parties will be held on 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

Things to Do in London – August Candlelight Concerts

Held at various locations around London, these concerts feature live artists illuminated by candlelight at London’s most iconic venues.

A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral until 25 August
A Candlelight Tribute to Avicii – 14 August
A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac – 16 August
Hans Zimmer’s Best Works at Central Hall Westminster – 27 August

Additional Concerts:

O2 Arena- Christina Aguilera (5th August)
Wembley Stadium – Coldplay (12th-20th August)

Things to Do in London – Afternoon Tea Week

Held the second week of August (8-12th) each year, Afternoon Tea week celebrates the tradition of Afternoon Tea. You’ll find many locations will offer a special, such as a free glass of champagne, to accompany their delicious sweet and savoury treats.

Things to Do in London – August Limited Dates

Canary Wharf’s Summer Lights festival- ends 20th August. Launching on the Summer Solstice, these installations are designed specifically to celebrate the long hours of natural light available on summer days in London. It has 11 new installations, as well as 6 permanent pieces, plus an exhibition of hand-blown glass in the Lobby of One Canada Square.
Carnaby Summer Festival- from 8th-21st August. Visit this area of London to experience tons of free activities. Included in the festival are free workshops such as pottery, painting, candle making, and life drawing. There will also be tons of giveaways from Carnaby shops and restaurants.
King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard- from 10th-21st August. This will be a free music festival with world famous performers. There will be live concerts every evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and ‘Family Sundays’ from 1pm-6pm.
London Craft Beer Festival in Tobacco Dock- 12th-13th August. Enjoy 100 craft breweries, including 25 US beer makers.
Covent Garden Ice Cream Festival – 19th August-4th September
Field Day- 20th August. This is a music festival at Victoria Park. It will be led by The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk 3D and Peggy Gou. It lasts from Midday-11pm.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival- 26th August-11 September. London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. It’s organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to celebrate cultural vibrancy.

Things to Do in London – August Bank Holiday Weekend (27th-29th)

Notting Hill, West London – After a two year hiatus due to Covid 19, Europe’s Biggest Street Festival returns and will have an estimated 2.5 million attendees.
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival – features street food, pop-up bars, boutique drinks, artisan producers, drinks masterclasses, pop-up ProCook Cookery School, circus skills, fete games, face painting, music and shopping.

Things to Do in London – August COMING SOON

On 27th July Winter Wonderland email subscribers can purchase tickets for this year’s festivities. The Christmas themed amusement park will open on 18th November and run until 2nd January 2023.

To make sure you don’t miss any future monthly updates about Things to Do in London, be sure to subscribe to the Sunny News weekly email which is sent every Sunday. And watch for daily updates about things happening in London on my TikTok.

May 22, 2022 by: Sunny London

ROYAL Things to Do in London

If you want to experience a slice of what it’s like to be a Queen, there are many royal things to do in London and the surrounding area. I’ve lived as an American in London for nearly 10 years and also have UK citizenship.

Through my experiences as a London blogger and YouTuber with my London born husband, I have visited all of London’s top attractions. There are quite a few that qualify for royal things to do. If you’re a fan of the Queen, you won’t want to miss them if you’re visiting London.

Royal Things to Do in London- Visit a Palace

Foremost, there are far too many royal things to do in London for one trip. You might want to choose which ones to visit based on your hotel’s location, other planned activities or historic interest.

Buckingham Palace

It’s probably the most recognisable palaces in the world. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms and is one of the few working palaces remaining in the world. However, most people just see it from outside the gates. During the summer months you can tour 19 State Rooms, if you pre-book tickets via the Royal Collection Trust website.

While you are there, you could also watch the Changing of the Guard. It takes place at 10.45am and generally lasts around 45 minutes. This event doesn’t happen every day, so plan on checking times and possibilities before you plan on seeing popular London attraction.

Kensington Palace

This is the home to young royals and has been for over 300 years. Kensington Palace is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. Additionally, it is the birthplace of Queen Victoria.

Regarding royal things to do in London, if you’re a fan of the Victorian era or Princess Diana, this is somewhere you must visit. It frequently has exhibitions devoted to these two individuals and generally isn’t too crowded. You might want to designate 2 hours for this experience.

The Kensington Palace Pavilion is the only place in London where you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the grounds of a royal palace. The Orangery Restaurant is the perfect location for an elegant lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea. It’s next to Kensington Palace in the Kensington Gardens. Queen Anne used it for entertaining and held parties in the Orangery.

If you’d like to see everything I am outlining, I have made a YouTube video for you.

Hampton Court Palace

This is going to be a day trip, if you are planning to visit. Hampton Court Palace is about 12 miles south west of central London on the River Thames. It’s in the borough of Richmond Upon Thames, which is truly beautiful.

If you’re a fan of the Tudor period in English history, this is well worth your time. Its focus is on the public drama and private lives of Henry VIII and ‘company’. If you look in to Hampton Court Palace, you’ll see it frequently has festivals and events happening on the grounds.

Things to do there include garden history tours and artisan food festivals. You may even find a cookery and roasting event that shares what life was like working in King Henry VIII’s kitchens in the 16th century.

HM Tower of London

Whether you like tourist traps, history or just want to have the most British experience in London- I always suggest as the top thing to do in London on your first visit is a trip to the Tower of London.

It’s an iconic castle, secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. I’ve been there several times and the best advice I can give you about visiting is to go when the weather is sunny. Most of the experience takes place outside. As part of your admission you can see the Crown Jewels and take a tour with an iconic Beefeater. They are humorous, informative and something you wouldn’t want to miss while at the Tower of London.

Additionally, like most attractions in London, you will want to arrive very early in the day because it does become quite crowded. It’s probably the most popular royal thing to do in London.

For more about what to plan around a day there, you’ll want to read this advice on Things to Do Near the Tower of London.

Trooping the Colour

This royal thing to do in London marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign and has done this for over 260 years. To Americans, I would explain it as a military parade. It starts around Buckingham Palace and heads down The Mall. Members of the Royal Family are included either on horseback or in carriages.

In America, you see the country’s flag outside houses on cars, etc frequently. However, the Union Jack seems to only fly or be waved on ceremonious occasions like that of Trooping the Colour. It’s not to be confused with Saint George’s Cross, which is specifically for England.

Visit the Royal Mews

If you would like to dress up as a royal footman and learn how to harness a horse- you can do this at the Royal Mews stables. It’s responsible for all the road travel arrangements for The Queen and members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Mews are home to historic royal carriages and one of the finest working stables in existence.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

This is a one off event in London for 2022. It’s dedicated to celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of service. It also includes an extra Bank Holiday as part of the noteworthy events. It’s unlikely that day will be added to future calendars. The outline of events are below.

Thursday 2nd June

The Queen’s birthday parade (Trooping the Colour) will feature 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. It will close with a Royal Air Force fly past which the members of the Royal family will watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Friday 3rd June

There is a service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Saturday 4th June

Her Majesty the Queen and her family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs. There will be a Platinum Party at the Palace and a BBC special live concert. Tickets are available through a ballot.

Sunday 5th June

This will be Platinum Jubilee Pageant and the Big Lunch. It encourages communities to get together. It’s designed to help people feel less lonely. It’s basically organised street parties in neighbourhoods. For example, most local streets could have sections which are closed that day and devoted to people assembling together to celebrate the national event.

Windsor Castle

This is what the Queen has fondly referred to as her ‘weekend home’ since she considers Buckingham Palace her office. The castle was originally built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. It’s generally the Queen’s main residence. Windsor Castle is located in Berkshire- outside of London. Visiting here is a day trip outside of London. You may even wish to stay over night.

In 1992 there was a fire that destroyed 115 rooms which was devastating for Her Majesty. This royal thing to do in London is especially beautiful during the Christmas season. You’ll want to book those tickets as early as possible, if it’s one of your priorities.

The people I know who live in Windsor feel that the Changing of the Guard experience in Windsor far surpasses that of the Buckingham Palace. It’s generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, I’ve been there on a Saturday when it was canceled that morning, so consider this if you’re making a special trip there just to see it.

Windsor is my favourite day trip from London. You’ll find these helpful if you want to visit: Where to Stay Near Windsor Castle at Christmas, Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle, Windsor Castle MacDonald Hotel Review.

Westminster Abbey

This has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place for kings, queens, poets, musicians, scientists and even politicians. You can easily pair it with a trip to Buckingham Palace, since they are very close together.

It’s held 16 royal weddings, including William and Kate’s ceremony.

Afternoon Tea

It’s well known in England that the Queen has afternoon tea daily. While there are countless locations around London where you can have it, the Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea is regarded as the most royal.

Fortnum & Mason has a long and close relationship with the royal family. It holds two royal warrants. A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales or their Households. The Monarch decides who may grant Royal Warrants.

Therefore, if you want to shop or eat like a royal, Fortnum and Mason is the place to be, especially for afternoon tea.

G&T

Most British people also know the Queen likes a good drink. It’s said that she really fancies a nice G&T- like most people here. Her cocktail recipe is alleged to be two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, with a slice of lemon and lots of ice.

So, if visiting London isn’t on your horizon this year, you can always chill with the latest season of The Crown on Netflix while sipping your favourite gin and tonic.

Final Thoughts:

If you’ve done other Royal Things to Do in London and can share advice on those experiences with everyone, please put them in the comments. And for more help planning a London trip, I’ve included some popular articles and videos I’ve created below.

If you want regular updates, subscribe to the Sunny News email. Each week you’ll receive Mr Sunny’s Pub of the Week suggestions, plus current information on what’s happening in London. I publish several daily updates on TikTok too.

More London Advice:

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
What You MUST Book in Advance for London
What to Know about Healthy Food and Drink Trends 2020
What to Book Ahead in London (YouTube video)
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

January 30, 2022 by: Sunny London

How to See Live TV Shows in London- Get Audience Tickets

Have you ever been an audience member for the recording of a television talk show? If you’re interested in how to see live tv shows in London, it’s actually not too hard to get audience tickets.

Keep reading if you want to learn how to get free tickets and what happens when you go to see a live tv show in London. At the end, I share what happens specifically at the Graham Norton Show in London. You’ll also find out about the huge mistake I made while being an audience member and how you can easily avoid it.

How to See Live Shows- General Advice

You’ll find that most television programmes that are recorded in front of a live audience are filmed in either Hollywood, New York or London. Ironically, even though I lived New York for 10 years, I actually never attended a show recording there. But I have been to many in Hollywood and several in London. The process is mostly the same.

If you’ve read the blog’s About page, you know that Mr Sunny and I met while working at NBC News- London Bureau. Ironically in the 10 years he worked as a sound and camera man for the News Bureau, he actually never witnessed a whole talk show being recorded live in front of a studio audience. He mostly covered wars and ad hoc recordings like press interviews or international events. So even with a long television news career- there were things he found interesting and new when we attended a recording of the Graham Norton Show recently.

how-to-see-live-tv-shows-in-london-get-audience-tickets-graham-norton-show

How to See Live Shows- The Process

The process to get audience tickets in both Hollywood and London hasn’t changed much in 15 years. That’s when I attended my first live television show recording.

Depending on the amount of space needed for a show, it might be shot in an area outside the city. If a really large sound stage is needed, you will not find the filming location easily accessible if you’re a tourist without a car and a half day on your itinerary to devote to the experience. So, the first step to researching opportunities is to look at a map and identify where you need to go.

For example, The Masked Singer UK is filmed at the old RAF airfield in Bovingdon in Hertfordshire. This is not near Central London and would be quite an expensive trip to take via a cab or hired car service. However, The One Show is filmed right in Central London at Broadcasting House, the BBC headquarters, near the Langham Hotel and Regent Street.

Audience tickets are free and organised by a separate company. For the Graham Norton Show, we got our tickets through SRO Audiences. If you want tickets for The Masked Singer UK, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, or other shows, another popular company that gets audience tickets in London is Lost in TV.

You apply online to get audience tickets for live television shows and then get notified via email if you were successful a few days before the show date. Watch your junk mail carefully, if you apply!

If you get that lucky email, be sure to read every word of it. The email will outline the procedures for attending. Also, you will find a declaration that the ticket attachment does NOT guarantee your seats. Audience show tickets are not like cinema, broadway or airline tickets.

Foremost, they overbook shows due to a percentage of no shows that occur. Since people tend to care less about losing free tickets- (or maybe even the celebrities that are on the show once they find out who they are), the audience ticket company will anticipate an unpredictable amount of unused seats.

Also- stars can be unpredictable. I learned this from a few years of working in VIP tours, special events and publicity at Universal Studios Florida. Celebrities in all areas (sports, television, film, music, etc) can can be quite feisty, inconsiderate and demanding. This means they might cancel their promotional appearances with extremely short notice.

Current events can also change show schedules. A global pandemic and the guidelines for life and travel also affected the availability of live studio audiences too.

So, the big idea here is just because you get a confirmation email doesn’t mean your bum is getting a seat. You should be ready for anything after that email.

In fact, on the day of the show, the studio executives, the host, celebrity guests or production crew could ask for a big number of tickets for their friends. This happened to me once in Hollywood. Even though we were some of the first to arrive at the studio that night, we didn’t know until the last minute whether or not they would have room for us. Apparently the host had made a large request for his friends to have tickets that day. If this happens- and you’re just a general audience member with an email confirmation- no seats for you!

Actual seat assignments can be determined by a first come, first served distribution. And sometimes it could depend on who you are and how you look. Face it, if you don’t look like the show’s target audience, they might not want you to fill one of the seats.

How to See Live Shows in London- The Entry Process

Start working for your seat by arriving to the studio earlier than the time indicated on the email. And be ready to queue when you do. How early you arrive is a judgment you should make about popularity of the show and the guests scheduled for that recording. Keep reading for our arrival time the night of our Graham Norton Show experience.

Assuming you have a chance of getting in and haven’t been beaten by tons of people already, you will show your email to a production staff member. If approved, you’ll probably get a wrist band and then go through a brief security search.

Then, you will likely queue again. If the email indicates a time when they’ll likely let you in, don’t bank on it. I’ve never been to one that opened the doors on time. They’re generally late by around 15 minutes.

Keep in mind, you likely won’t be seated as an audience member according to the time you arrived. They will likely prioritise seating based on if you fit the show’s television target audience age and appearance. And, if you aren’t dressed similar to the look they target or you are wearing colours they suggest you don’t wear- then it’s the back row of the studio for you!

You will also want to be pleasant the whole time you are waiting and remember to smile often in the queue. They will be watching and don’t want show guests to look miserable if the camera pans past them during the recording.

How to See Live Shows- When You Get a Seat

Something that actually is a little different from the first shows I attended in the mid-noughties is the activity of taking pre-show pictures or video. Now you can take both before the live television show recording actually starts. It’s actually encouraged. My guess is that the free promotion the studio can get through audience members’ social media accounts has had a big effect on why you can do this now.

You do not have to sign a formal NDA. Now, when I attended the production of The Crown, I felt like I had to sign my life away in a non-disclosure agreement. However, I attended as a special guest of a producer and they don’t distribute ‘show’ tickets- ever.

You will sit in an auditorium or cinema style arrangement. The seats will incline so the higher level is on top. And don’t even think the show will start on time.

Your first impression once you realise you actually have a seat is that everything is much smaller than what you pictured. The set isn’t nearly as large and as spacious as you imagined. Additionally, you will probably think the host and celebrity guests are small too. But, the cameras will strike you as ginormous and will likely include large jibs.

There will be a warm-up comedian who is quite good and will extend his performance based on what he sees is happening around him in terms of if the crew is ready.

How to See Live Shows- Once the Show and Recording Start

Once the show begins recording and the host comes out on stage, you will be trapped in your seat until it’s over. In fact, it could run continuously for twice what the actual broadcast of the show running time.

Keep in mind that you are watching a production, not live theatre. There can be retakes at any given moment. Also, cameras could be stationary in front of you for a little bit or a long time. They could block your view substantially, depending on where you are sitting. However, there will be large monitors projecting close up shots of what’s happening. This is similar to a music concert.

It really helps to be a fan of the live show for which you get audience tickets. In the Graham Norton Show it could actually guarantee you a seat and even get you a quick feature in the actual broadcast.

The second the director decides the recording is over, the production crew will begin striking the set or preparing for the next recording. This is the only part of the process that I have ever seen happen at lightning speed like clock work EVERY time!

The show you see as a live audience member will likely air later that evening or the next evening.

How to See Live Shows- The Graham Norton Show in London Tickets

We attended this live television studio recording of the show on 27th January. It was right when major Covid restrictions eased in London. Keep in mind that this means in a normal year it wasn’t peak season for tourists. So, your experience in the summer with no pandemic could be very different.

We entered three dates as options in our online request for two tickets and also had to enter our age. You must be 18 to attend. They also could’ve been trying to determine if we fell in to their target audience age range.

3-4 days before the show I received an email indicating we had tickets. The next day I received an email inquiring if we wanted to submit ideas for the ‘Red Chair’ experience. We did not wish to do this. However, I am pretty sure that the people who had been picked for it got priority seats.

The ticket email also indicated we could get a discount at some of the restaurants in the television centre. We chose to do this, but learned later we probably did it at the wrong time.

How to See Live Shows- Travel Arrangements

The show is filmed at the BBC Television Centre in West London (White City). We drove from North London and parked at Westfield Shopping Centre. We didn’t know where to park but suggest if you do this that you park by John Lewis. The cost was around £8.50, which included roughly from 3.15pm-9.30pm.

If you take the Underground, Wood Lane station is literally across from the centre. So try to get out there.

We talked quickly to security staff outside and they explained what generally happens for the ticket process. Based on their information, we decided to arrive about 15-20 minutes before our email suggested. You’ll probably want to have a quick chat with them also to see if they can offer any suggestions. However, they know anything is possible so won’t guarantee anything.

We had a quick and super expensive drink at The Broadcaster around 3.45pm while we waited for a restaurant to open.

There were several places in Television Centre to eat and drink that would give us a discount if we presented our show tickets. We chose Homeslice because we love their pizza and did a previous collaboration with them. We later learned that most people use their ticket discount AFTER the show ends.

how-to-see-live-tv-shows-in-london-get-audience-tickets-graham-norton-show-pizza-homeslice

After we finished and paid for our pizza at 5pm, we walked over to the security area where a queue of about 75-100 people already had formed. I showed our QR ticket code via my mobile, we got two wristbands, had temperature checks and went swiftly through security. We then received another wrist band.

Next we waited in an uncovered area outside for about an hour without moving. This is the only time I have been ever happy in London that it gets dark early in the winter. I can’t imagine waiting in the summer on a hot sunny day. The sun could really be pounding on your head. Rain could make it miserable too.

Mr Sunny speculated that about 20 people who arrived at around 5.45pm or later were not admitted.

People with violet or purple wristbands were called to go in to the studio first. I’m guessing these were people with Priority seats. Perhaps the people that had a ‘Red Chair’ story accepted?

Then they moved us in by rows. So if you were A you went in, then B, then C. From there it seemed D, etc were just the batches of people in front of us. So I guess at that point we were in order of our seats in the queue. My wrist band indicated F24 and that did turn out to be my seat number.

We had the chance to use the loo quickly and I filled up my empty plastic water bottle. We were in our seats around 6:20pm. We sat for about a half an hour watching the crew prepare.

The warm up comedian was amazing and did a lot of audience interaction- most of which was voluntary from members who responded to his questions.

We learned seconds before the cameras went live that the one A list celebrity scheduled to be on the show was joining it via Zoom. You could feel the excitement of the audience drop several levels. However, the stars that were there were fantastic to see live.

The recording process ended around 9pm, so we were held in the seats for around 2 1/2 hours. They did not stop or take breaks for audience members. They filmed the musician twice for reasons we don’t really know. Once celebrity guests left, Graham Norton continued to shoot several ‘trails’, as he referred to them. They were the various intros for all the places the show is syndicated.

Perhaps they could’ve explained to the studio audience a little better what was happening. I was able to follow along because I have worked in television. But, people who have never been behind the scenes in the industry could’ve found some activities confusing. They also shot a few cutaway shots separately at the end of things like the musician waving. Then they realised there was a continuity error with a book Graham Norton had used in the opening and where he had placed it after. So they moved it back to its original location and reshot a few cutaways to introduce segments.

It was interesting to see how they so quickly knew what to reshoot to make the final edit fast and seamless. Graham Norton received several directions through his ear piece and literally jumped right in to doing the retakes in an instant.

How to See Live Shows- Tips for You and a Mistake NOT to Make

My biggest mistake was having a big meal and filling my water bottle prior to the show starting. I never imagined a 50 minute show would film for two hours. My experiences in Hollywood seeing live shows as an audience member were not like this. It was a really long time to sit after eating a lot and drinking a full water bottle, if you know what I mean.

I have one really big tip for you on this particular show, if you really want to guarantee yourself entry and a good seat- and probably some national screen time. You should have or create a REALLY good ‘Red Chair’ story!

Please add comments about how your experience of being in an audience compares to everything I have written. I’d love to answer any questions you have about the shows I have seen in London. I also have a blog post on seeing stars at Red Carpet Film Premieres in London that could be of interest to you.

For more behind the scenes views on London’s food, life, events and culture, you can subscribe to the Sunny News emails.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SUNNY NEWS

December 19, 2021 by: Sunny London

Visiting London at Christmas

Considering visiting London at Christmas? Perhaps you’ve been enticed by all the beautiful photos you’ve seen on Instagram? Maybe you know someone who went to London at Christmas and told you about it? Or perhaps you’ve seen a British Christmas movie that got you curious?

I’ve lived in London for eight years and London at Christmas is by far when the town is the most beautiful. Mr Sunny and I make it our mission every year to visit as many Christmas markets, holiday activities and decorated locations as we can.

This means I can give you all the information for visiting London at Christmas in a way that will save you time and money because it’s from behind the scenes of a local’s perspective.

You can read the text below. Or- watch the YouTube video I published which shares shots of the points I explain.

Visiting London at Christmas- Weather

First, just stop fantasizing about snow caps on Big Ben and Parliament.

In eight years, I have seen snow on maybe 6 days in London. Two, maybe three, of those days were in December. Plus- the famous clock tower has been covered in scaffold for the past few years. So any ‘naked’ photos you’ve seen of it are unrealistic at the moment.

A lot of what you see as iconic London in winter photos are very carefully edited images on Instagram.

And they’re outdated.

The average temperature is between 40-50 degrees. And yes, it can rain often in December.

You also should know that the days are very short in comparison to America, especially in the southern US states.

Daylight begins around 8am and ends by 4pm.

Visiting London at Christmas- Book Early

The two attractions that will sell out fastest are Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Kew Gardens. So be sure in the end of July that you are watching for those ticket release dates. You actually didn’t need tickets for Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland until 2021. Because, Covid changed that.

My weekly emails in which I share all the behind the scenes news of London’s food, life and culture will let you know when the booking dates for 2022 will be. And- in the emails you can learn Mr Sunny’s Pub of the Week suggestion.

Visiting London at Christmas- Lights and Decorations

Like many cosmopolitan cities, the lights and decorations are magical. However, knowing which ones to see and how to group them together will help you plan your trip when visiting London at Christmas.

I suggest you see these four areas together since they’re in close proximity to each other:

Covent Garden
Regent Street
Bond Street
Oxford Street

Then, if you have more time to explore, you should visit Leadenhall Market, Duke of York Square and Christmas by the River at London Bridge.

However, if you are pressed for time and don’t mind spending money to save aggravation, you should book a London Christmas lights bus tour that takes you past the main attractions in one easy trip.

You will sacrifice all the selfies in the individual areas, but if you’re not looking to practice your low light photography skills and glow up your Insta, then it could be a viable option for you.

Visiting London at Christmas- Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

There’s also another idea for those who want to double up on festive activities. Just before Covid hit I had the chance to take a Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in Town. There are a few considerations that I bring up in my article that you’ll want to take before booking, but I had a lot of fun on my adventure that night.

christmas-afternoon-tea-on-a-bus-in-london-brigits-bakery

Visiting London at Christmas- Store And Restaurant Decorations

Not only should you be ready for all the major Department stores to show their festive flair, but also there are other places that make a big effort to decorate for the holidays.

Department Store windows not to miss:

Oxford Street- John Lewis and Selfridges
Regent Street- Hamley’s
Carnaby Street- Liberty of London
Knightsbridge- Harrods and Harvey Nichols

Specialty Locations:

Clos Maggiore, restaurant in Covent Garden
Annabel’s- private members’ club in Mayfair
The Ivy, locations throughout London
Tiffany’s- Bond Street

Visiting London at Christmas- Trees to See

Since London is a city that is quite big, there are beautiful Christmas trees spread out over many places.

The best ones each year to visit in London are ranked below from best to least preferred:

Covent Garden
Somerset House
Christmas by the River, London Bridge Hay’s Galleria
King’s Cross St Pancras International Station
Trafalgar Square

If you’re from New York City, you will likely think that Trafalgar Square will be the iconic London Christmas Tree to see because of its ‘famous’ location.

If that’s the case, you’ll probably want to watch the video I reference above to get the skinny on why you could be wasting your time with the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree.

Visiting London at Christmas- Food to Eat

As a foodie, I must mention the culinary highlights of the season that you should consider.

Festive afternoon teas at luxury hotels
Street food at Christmas markets
Christmas sandwiches at chain shops like Pret a Manger
Christmas burgers

In fact, I’ve already made a video just about the food you should eat at Christmas in London.

Visiting London at Christmas- Getting Around Town

Transportation around London is where you will find a big difference in what people visiting London need and what is actually available.

In summary, it can be limited.

For example, on Christmas Day there are no busses, overground trains or underground stations operation trains. So, if you’re flying in to London on Christmas Day, book a car service in advance and know that the prices will exceed anything you’ve seen elsewhere on the internet.

Additionally, I’ve been at many Central London stations in December where they temporarily closed at peak times due to overcrowding. Yes, I eventually got on a train. But, rather than being trapped underground with masses of people, I stood in a large, unorganised crowd outside the station and waited for it to reopen.

Also in 2021 the TFL (Transportation for London) held several strike actions on key shopping and travel weekends. Luckily, I was able to plan around them because of the advance notice. However, if you’re on a trip visiting London at Christmas, you will want to keep these possibilities of closures and delays in mind.

Visiting London at Christmas- Pubs

While you might not be able to catch a ride easily on public transportation, you can always count on the Brits for a place to drink during the holidays.

You’ll find many pubs and restaurants open on Christmas Day, but again the best ones will be booked early. To learn more about the special things London Pubs do at Christmas, watch the video below.

Visiting London at Christmas- No Guarantees

Through Covid, we’ve learned that even the most beloved restaurants and activities could cease at any time.

In 2021 we’ve seen the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve fireworks for the second year in a row. Also, the Night Tube, which is usually free on New Year’s Eve, will be charging ticket fees.

Your best bet is to plan for the unexpected and be willing to adapt, reschedule or cancel.

Visiting London at Christmas- The Queen

If you know- you know. And that means- you tune in at 3pm to watch the Queen’s Speech if you know how to truly be a subject of the Crown.

Each year Her Majesty the Queen addresses the United Kingdom. Her speech usually features a theme of unity and inspiration. However, this year I anticipate it will be quite somber.

She has lost her life companion and we’re no longer part of the European Union. Further, it’s the second year we’ve fought a virus and have restrictions on our holiday festivities. She also has a son who is entrenched in an American billionaire’s scandalous activities with female minors.

And then there’s those two that have popped off to the US and used every avenue they could to prosper from her Royal heritage.

Yeah, we’ll all tune in this year and be keen to hear her address.

God Save the Queen. She needs it!

Visiting London at Christmas- Boxing Day

While British people can’t really articulate a clear idea of what this Bank Holiday really means, it’s important to know about what actually happens if you’re visiting London at Christmas.

You can research the history behind the day after Christmas to find it’s true derivation. However, British people traditionally eat leftovers (Bubble and Squeak) and hit the Boxing Day sales at all the retail stores.

Over the past few years the impact of these sales has been decreased by the adoption of Black Friday sales in England.

I have no idea why, since Black Friday is a truly American shopping concept and I review that in the video below.

Nonetheless, if you’re visiting London at Christmas you’ll want to be prepared for what happens during the Boxing Day sales.

Department store queues can be long before they open but most Londoners aren’t too fussed about being the first ones in shops, unlike Americans. You will find crowds later in the day so it’s best to hit those deals early to avoid disappointment.

I scored some amazing prices on shoes at Selfridges the year I set my alarm and started shopping a few hours after sunrise.

Visiting London at Christmas- Final Thoughts

What are your biggest questions and concerns about visiting London at Christmas that you think I can answer? Please write them in the comments below.

I have tons of articles on the topic on my blog as well as video. You don’t want to miss those for more ideas about how to plan your trip to visit London at Christmas.

December 3, 2021 by: Sunny London

Christmas Differences between the UK and USA

‘Do they celebrate Christmas over there?’ My American grandmother asked me this question once during our weekly phone call.

I think what she meant was, ‘What do they do for Christmas in England?’ or rather, ‘What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA?’

Most Americans have visions created by Charles Dickens dancing in their heads. They think Christmas celebrations in London involve Brits eating goose and hoping Jacob Marley doesn’t knock on their door.

So, just to keep things real, I asked Mr. Sunny to explain what he thinks Americans do for Christmas. His response, “Watch silly television. Have pancakes and syrup and bacon that isn’t really bacon for breakfast. Eat dinner which is roast turkey with mashed potatoes and country gravy that’s thick like what you get at KFC and corn, like creamed corn.’

He also added, ‘Being American you probably don’t drink too much, like us English.’

Well then.

To learn more about what he means, you’ll want to watch this video on London pubs at Christmas.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Santa?

First, the Brits refer to Santa Claus as ‘Father Christmas.’ It’s a very tough thing for me to remember when I am in a conversation with my English mates. Next, they say ‘Happy Christmas’ instead of Merry Christmas.

Ok then, that’s sorted.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
On Your Mark!

I still can’t figure out when Christmas in starts England. In August, I’ve been approached by staff members in pubs about booking a Christmas party. In October, it’s common for #Christmas to trend on Twitter in London.

Americans are notorious for excessive advertising and gluttony, but we still have an official line for the start of Christmas celebrations. Thank you, Thanksgiving.

In America, once the dinner dishes are cleared at the Thanksgiving table, it’s time to get your Christmas gear on. (Oh yeah, if you’d like my brother-in-law’s recipe for How to Fry a Turkey, read here)

That actually could mean battle gear for beating crowds at malls. Up until recently, Black Friday was only an American shopping phenomenon. It didn’t really exist in England. However, for some reason England had an onslaught of sales and super deals the day after ‘Thanksgiving’ in 2014. I still can’t figure out why.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Decorations

You’ve probably all seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Home Alone.

Most Americans decorate their houses entirely in lights and other festive ornaments. That’s not just a Hollywood portrayal.

In suburban areas of America, great rivalries take place during the holidays to see who can have the most glorious display of Christmas covering their house and yard. It can be quite a competitive atmosphere. And, then there’s some that take the decorating opportunity to raise money for charitable causes. Check out this YouTube video which features the ‘Best of Star Wars Music Christmas Lights Show’

In the suburbs of London, I rarely see houses decorated on a street. Usually 2-3 houses out of both street sides have some lights. The lights seem to be tossed haphazardly around a tree.

However, if you travel just 20 miles outside of London, you can see Hogwarts in the Snow, which is the Warner Bros Studio Tour (AKA Harry Potter Tour) covered in Christmas decorations.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Television

One of the toughest Christmas differences between the UK and USA for me is television. I just can’t seem to find Christmas specials on TV in London, except for an occasional channel offer. Movies24 runs old Hallmark Christmas movies. But, I need my claymation and old school Christmas shows on constant replay to really get in the spirit.

In America, the titles below (Christmas Classics for Kids, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Fred Claus) are each on a few times a week. I had to buy them in London because they are never on television during the holidays.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Christmas Crackers

I learned about Christmas crackers the first Christmas I spent in London. Its concept is similar to a Thanksgiving wishbone but much prettier.

A Christmas cracker is a cardboard tube which has a present inside it. The tube is wrapped in colourful, festive paper. There is a banger inside the cracker, two strips of chemically impregnated paper that react with friction so that when the cracker is pulled apart by two people, the cracker makes a bang. This causes a loud snapping noise. The person holding the larger end gets to keep the prize inside. Note- since these are ‘explosives’ you can’t put them in your suitcase. So, unless you buy them in the US, you can’t take Christmas Crackers home as souvenirs if you’re visiting from America.

These are some of my favourite themed Christmas Crackers:

Mini Piccadilly Crackers
Snowy Christmas Crackers
Red Rudolph Christmas Crackers
Christmas Teatime Crackers

Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
The Pub

It is tradition to go to your ‘local’ in England on Christmas Day. The times I have been to our local pub on Christmas, it is absolutely packed. People bring their kids and dogs for a few hours to celebrate the holiday. It’s open from about 12-2pm.

No, the kids and dogs aren’t drinking. Well, the dogs might get a few licks of beer here and there, but please don’t think the Brits are freely giving beer to their little ones. However, entire families are present and it’s joyous. The beer is also flowing pretty steady.

In this video, I show you the most iconic London Pubs to Visit at Christmas and fill you in on everything you need to know about festive drinking in London. (As if it’s any different from any other day!)

Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
Boxing Day

I still don’t understand Boxing Day. Traditionally, December 26th was a day that servants received presents. Literally, they would receive boxes with presents inside from their employers.

What I do know is that since it’s a Bank Holiday, not much is open. Well, the pubs are open. Oh, and slowly there’s more and more shopping going on here on this ‘Bank Holiday.’

In America, the post-holiday sales kick off on this day.

Christmas- Similarities between the UK and USA:

Despite these differences, there are also some things that are in fact the same on both sides of the pond.
– There are major sales after Christmas. In London, they’re referred to as the ‘January sales’ and last a little bit longer than American retail sales.
– Stores play Christmas music throughout the season. In England, it seems Paul McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ and George Michael’s ‘Last Christmas’ are rotated around every other song. I’ve never once heard Madonna’s ‘Santa Baby.’ I’m grateful for that.
– All those ‘happy holidays’ tend to drive some of us over the edge. Family arguments are at their peak in both the UK and USA over this stretch of time.
– Ugly sweaters/jumpers exist everywhere.
– We all like to open presents for Christmas.
– The red ‘Starbucks’ cup arrival is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season in the UK and the USA.

I write quite a bit often about Christmas Things to Do in London on my blog.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss behind the scenes news about London’s food, life, culture and events is to subscribe to the Sunny News email. If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates which shows you what’s happening here and gives advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London.

For example, the video below outlines what you need to know about the changes to Winter Wonderland due to the pandemic.

If there is a specific topic or question you want covered, you can always request it in the comments section below or in a video’s comments.

What can you add to these Christmas differences between the UK and USA? What do you think of Mr. Sunny’s guess that there’s more drinking in England for Christmas than in America?

November 22, 2016 by: Sunny London

What British People Eat for Christmas

Before my first holiday trip to London, my family asked what British people eat for Christmas. I arrived in the beginning of January the first time I lived in London and didn’t stay an entire calendar year. So, I wasn’t actually sure how to answer everyone.

Would it be just like how it was depicted in ‘A Christmas Carol’? Do they really eat pheasant or goose now? Was that just the Victorian era or true English tradition?

I relied heavily on my English husband (London born) for ideas to share with you, as well as a little research. After living here four years, what British people eat for Christmas still has me curious. I enjoy some of their holiday foods and drinks. Others- not so much!

While no person’s Christmas dinner plate is ever the same, there are some general items that you see at a British holiday meal.

And of course, there’s an entire experience just in London Pubs at Christmas that you’ll want to know too…

If you’re British, be sure to add your additions and thoughts to what British people eat for Christmas in the comments below or on the YouTube videos. American friends, what other things about living in London as an American expat would you like to know?

If you’re visiting London for the holidays, the blog has tons of things to do for Christmas. There is also a very popular feature about Christmas Differences Between the UK and USA. Be sure to subscribe to the blog’s newsletter so you don’t miss any fun events in London or expat advice too!

What’s on your Christmas dinner plate this year? Do you eat a meal at home or book a table at a restaurant? Do you have the same selection annually or does it depend on how your family is traveling?

December 11, 2021 by: Sunny London

London Bridge Christmas Market

What Christmas Market is the best for a person who loves London and Christmas? The London Bridge Christmas Market! If you haven’t been there yet, you must put this on your Christmas bucket list for a London trip.

If you’ve been reading the Sunny News on my blog, you know that I am super excited about Winter Wonderland every year in London because it combines theme parks and Christmas. As a girl who grew up in Florida who has a festive spirit, this is the dreamiest place to be during the holidays.

That was until Mr Sunny took me to ‘Christmas by the River’. This area is also known as London Bridge City. It’s billed as the ‘most scenic Christmas market under the stars.’ And once you go, you know.

General Information

Like nearly everything in London, it was closed in 2020. However, it’s up and running for 2021. It officially opened on 16th November and will remain operational (we hope!) until 2nd January 2022.

The daily hours are Sunday-Wednesday 11.00am-21.00pm and Thursday-Saturday 11.00am-22.00pm.

Additional holiday hours to note are:

Christmas Eve- 11.00am-17.00pm
Christmas Day- closed
New Year’s Eve- 11.00am-20.00pm
2nd January- 11.00am-17.00pm

London Bridge Christmas Market- Where is the market?

It’s located on the south riverside of the Thames. However, if you’re from London, you would know this because you actually know which bridge is London Bridge. Most people who are not familiar with London mistakenly think that the iconic Tower Bridge is London Bridge.You also know where the overground and underground station is too. It’s a popular one for linking to overground trains, as well as trains to Gatwick airport.

While they are not too far from each other, there is a big difference between the two. The London Bridge Christmas Market is basically located between these two famous bridges.

If you’re arriving via one of the train stations, walk to Hay’s Galleria when you leave the station. The Christmas tree is always a beautiful place to grab a few pictures for your Instagram. Plus, the Hay’s on the River cocktail bar is not something you would want to miss due to its gorgeous holiday decor.

london-bridge-christmas-market-hays-galleria-tree

london-bridge-christmas-market-hays-galleria

Once you have a little sip of some spirits, exit the galleria toward the Thames. Most of the London Bridge Christmas Market stalls are to the east, which is in the direction of the unmissable Tower Bridge. We did find a few heading west toward the London Eye.

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Eat and Drink

As a foodies, this is where Mr Sunny and I put most of our attention. Of course Mr Sunny was sussing out the beer opportunities as soon as we arrived.

Perhaps the most obvious beer stop is The Horniman at Hays. This Nicholson’s pub is popular for the after work crowd. The tables outside give you views of the most iconic features of London’s skyline. However, this clearly is available year round. So, what’s specifically there for holidays?

There are several pop up bars in the London Bridge Christmas Market. We stopped in the Riverside Lodge. Since we visited the market late on a Thursday afternoon, it wasn’t busy at all. However, there was a small table for a DJ, so I imagine it gets pretty lively at night.

We did notice a few people sitting inside who were not having cocktails, mulled wine or beer and were simply sipping coffee or eating food they purchased from other stalls. This was despite the numerous signs outside the Riverside Lodge that indicated it was for their specific customers only. However, later I will attempt to provide reasoning for why these people took cover in this area.

london-bridge-christmas-market-riverside-lodge-bar

Mr Sunny and I walked the length of the London Bridge Christmas Market observing all of the food options presented at the stalls. The selection has a range of international cuisines including: Thai, Mexican, German, Chinese and Indian. You can also find fried chicken and burgers.

While many looked tempting, we opted for our traditional Christmas market street food favourite- sausage. Our Polish sausages were cut in half and lined with grated cheese (that’s ‘shredded’ for my American readers). We felt they were better and a little cheaper than what we had this year at Winter Wonderland. Except for one thing. Again, you’ll hear about the one big negative to our visit in a minute.

And of course, what London Christmas Market would be complete without the temptation of seasonal sweets!

You’ll find endless options. They include winter themed macarons, crepes packed with Nutella and the hottest item at the London Bridge Christmas Market- coloured pancakes.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to grab a shot of the pancakes but you can easily see them all over Instagram since they’re mega popular this year.

I did have a Biscoff macaron and it was literally melt in my mouth AHHHHH-may-zing!

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Buy

If you’re hitting the markets actually to shop, rather than eat and drink like us, then you will also find the London Bridge Christmas Market a better option in comparison to the others around London.

Aside from the typical snow globes and Christmas ornaments, you can also find a stall for London Souvenir maker To Home From London. This company offers an eclectic selection of items including kitchenware, accessories, home decor, apparel and stationary. It doesn’t look like the typical tourist trappy stuff either.

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Beware of

You’re probably thinking that I will suggest to watch your wallet because there are pickpockets at the London Bridge Christmas Market. London has always had a reputation for petty thieves running around town. However, this is far more serious…

You seriously need to beware of the seagulls and this location.

It wasn’t until I had my first ever Cornish pasty ripped violently from my hands when I was visiting St. Ives that I learned the power, aggression and determination these creatures carry.

Be sure to have a plan for where you are going to eat your treats under cover as soon as you purchase them, or you could be a victim like me. They are lurking around all the food stalls and they are really, really, really BIG!

Mr Sunny and I immediately took our polish sausages to a little alcove area and devoured them without being attacked. We actually didn’t see anyone have their food grabbed from them while we were there, but trust me- it’s very possible!

London Bridge Christmas Market: Final Thoughts

If you want all the benefits of a London atmosphere and fantastic photo opportunities with it as your backdrop, then the Christmas by the River market is a holiday activity you can’t miss. If you go, be sure to dress extra warm since it does get a bit chilly by the river. I would love to know what you think of it too.

What are your favourite London experiences that you recommend to people?

April 14, 2014 by: Sunny London

A London Blogger’s Weekend in Hawaii, Mexico and…

At the close of yet another sunny weekend, I wanted to give you a little peek at a London blogger’s life.

My Friday night started with an Internations event at Kona Kai.

515 Fulham Rd, London SW6 1HD

It took me 90 minutes to get to Fulham because I live in North London.

Although the whole place was reserved for this expat organisation, I struggled to meet people. The venue and drinks, however, were fantastic.

A bartender even gave me two free ones. It definitely influenced this London blogger’s opinion of the club. 😉

However, since I was making little progress in meeting people, I left after one hour.

Saturday more than made up for this flop. Mina from Kings Road Rocks invited me to join her at Catherine’s birthday bash at La Bodega Negra, a Mexican restaurant. Catherine writes Lux Life: A Lifestyle Blog and is very, very cool.

9 Old Compton Street W1D 5JF

I didn’t take many pictures inside La Bodega Negra because it was packed. And, well, I had way too much champagne to attempt a focused shot.

Catherine co-hosted the party with club promoter Diego Bivero-Volpe. Damn, can they throw a loco party!

In the early evening it ended, but Mina and I discovered the bar downstairs. Check it out if you go there!

On Sunday morning, I realised how stupid it was to drink champagne with tequila.

It hurts me just to look at that picture now.

Somehow I managed to make it to the London Blogger Brunch that Catherine organised in Marylebone for 11am.

109 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RX

I thoroughly enjoyed my food and time with 13 other London bloggers. At these events the chatter and connections run deep. Cheers to Catherine for throwing an epic party and hosting a fabulous brunch in less than 24 hours!

The Providores gave each of us complimentary porridge. Many bloggers ordered the French toast stuffed with banana and pecans with grilled smoked streaky bacon and vanilla verjus syrup. I had the hot-smoked salmon, two poached eggs and spinach on caraway toast with yuzu hollandaise. Yummy!

After brunch, I took a stroll down South Molton Street.

Next I headed through the Theatre District.

And of course, I ended up in my favourite hood, Covent Garden.

In less than two weeks I have a big birthday. I plan to spend the whole day wandering this area again. Any suggestions on where I should have dinner? Any restaurants need a London blogger’s review?

(Could I be any more cheeky or shameless?) 😉

I decided to take a slow walk down Monmouth Street to visit my super favourites: Kiehl’s, Caudalie, Hotel Chocolat, and Monmouth Coffee Company. Too bad the last one was closed because it was Sunday. 🙁

And, if you’ve read Sunny in London before, you know I can’t resist the original Neal’s Yard Remedies in Neal’s Yard.

I caught a sneaky photo of these two because I have never seen a pizza this big in my life. Had I not just polished off brunch, I would’ve sat down and invited myself to help them…

This pub was showing a popular sports game, but since I still had a Big Bodega hangover, I steered clear.

Then, I finally made my way to the Piazza, which was filled with its usual suspects and something new…

I couldn’t quite figure out what the big media circus was all about. Maybe you can tell me?

Despite Friday’s disappointment, my London blogger’s weekend was filled with sun and fun. Have you been to any of these places, Sunny friends? Where do you suggest I celebrate my birthday on April 26th? It’s a Saturday, so I want it to be outrageous!

April 9, 2014 by: Sunny London

Guess the London Monuments Game, 2nd EDITION!

It’s time to play Guess the London Monuments again! If you’re a regular Sunny reader and played the 1st edition, you know the rules. (Actually, there aren’t any, because rules aren’t FUN!)

The only thing you have to do is slowly scroll down your screen while you read the clues to guess these famous landmarks. I’m not offering prizes. It’s just for fun. Good luck. LET’s GO!

London Monuments #1-

This is the residence of a woman the British nicknamed “Brenda.” It’s filled with priceless works of art. However, it isn’t a museum or art gallery.

Here’s what’s outside the front door…

We’ll step out a little wider…

If we walk a few steps closer, we see this memorial built in 1913.

Here’s another angle of the Queen Victoria’s Memorial.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m royally disappointed.

ANSWER: Buckingham Palace

It has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

London Monuments #2-

The largest bronze sculpture in Europe crowns this monument.

It was built in 1825-7 as part of a campaign to improve the Royal Parks. It’s located in Hyde Park. Currently, you can visit it and see the ‘Carscapes: How the Motorcar Reshaped England’ exhibition.

ANSWER: Wellington Arch
It was intended as a victory arch proclaiming Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon. Did you know that you can see spectacular views of sunny London on its balconies?

London Monuments #3-

On my About page, I write about living on Great Russell Street while attending the Florida State University’s Study Abroad Program. This treasure of history is down that street. Here’s the stunning inside…

It’s famous for many things, but mostly because it’s the home of this rockin’ piece of work…

That’s the Rosetta Stone. It provided the key to the modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Haven’t guessed the name of the historic location yet? Here’s an exterior shot that you can muse over…

Well, sunny friends… if you don’t know this British classic by now, it’s…

ANSWER: The British Museum

London Monuments #4-

From 1910 to 1982, this ridiculously famous location wasn’t open to the public.

I guess in 1982 they decided to bridge the gap. Here’s a wider view if you haven’t guessed it already…

I can’t really connect much more for you, Sunny friends.

ANSWER: Tower Bridge

London Monuments #5-

Finally, this is the headquarters for the United Grand Lodge of England. That’s one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.

Members have included:
– Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
– Rudyard Kipling
– Peter Sellers
– Ernest Borgnine
– Harry Houdini
– ‘Smokin Joe’ Frazier
– Sir Winston Churchill

Do you know the name? It’s located on 60 Great Queen Street in Covent Garden. Here it is…

You might recognise it from:
– Agatha Christie’s Poirot, TV film
– Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, film adaptation
– Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London, film
– Sherlock Holmes, 2009 film

ANSWER: The Freemason’s Hall

So, this concludes the 2nd edition of our game, Sunny friends.

Let me know in the comments below how you ‘scored’. Feel free to share the link on a social network so others can test their London landmark skills too. I can certainly publish one more, if you’d like the sun and fun to continue!