THINGS TO DO – Page 15

November 19, 2013 by: Sunny London

How to make Winter Wonderland wheely fun!

No proper Londoner misses Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park! It kicks off this year on November 22^nd at 5pm and lasts until January 4th. It’s one of the most anticipated annual events in town and is for any age.

You can skate in the ice rink, shop in the Christmas markets, visit the famous Bavarian Village and go to Santa Land for a visit with Father Christmas.

Perhaps you might wish to have a stein at the Star Tavern and Village Square and then pop over for a pint at The Carousel Bar while dancing to a live DJ as you spin 360 degrees? Ok, maybe don’t do them in that order, but they are both very fun!

I’ll be honest, those pictures were a bit staged. I’m not a beer drinker. It was too great of a photo opp to skip.

I actually really enjoy champagne, and of course, Winter Wonderland has that too. For £55-£60, you can purchase a VIP Pod on the Giant Observation Wheel.

It seats four people per pod. This price is for the whole pod, not per person. (Phew!) For an additional £30, you can have a bottle of champagne for your ride. It’s a bit pricey for an experience that lasts 12-15 minutes, but for a special occasion or bucket-list activity, I recommend it. However, it can be rather comical.

You begin by booking your tickets in advance online. That’s not complicated, but it does require gambling on the weather forecast for your plans. When you arrive, you need to let the attendants know you have special tickets, and then you wait in a designated area.

Once you receive your bottle of bubbly, you board your pod and off you go- 60 metres up in the air. Unfortunately, the night we went it was a bit rainy and very windy. Our pod’s door didn’t quite close all the way, so I was frantic about our safety. Pounding a bottle of champagne while trying to snap pictures of the view as the pod shook from the wind was hilarious. Drink, snap, look, scream. Drink, snap, look, scream.

We had a blast. Also, we purchased some ride tokens and rode one of the roller coasters. As a girl who grew up in Orlando’s theme parks, I have to say the coaster was pretty thrilling.

If you can, try to avoid a Saturday, as it’s the busiest day for attendance. There were a few occasions last year when they did stop allowing people to enter Winter Wonderland because of high crowd levels, but certainly make the effort to go this year if you are in London.

Please let me know about your experience!

November 12, 2013 by: Sunny London

Hyde Park, Santa and warm, bubbly water

Santa Land, the Giant Observation Wheel, and the Bavarian Village. In just over a week Hyde Park will be completely transformed in to a magical Winter Wonderland.

While these six weeks of outrageous holiday revelry are a highlight of the Christmas season for many Londoners (including me!), Hyde Park’s other attractions throughout the year add to its allure.

Going for a 5 mile run on one of the park’s footpaths is one of my favorite activities on a Sunny in London day. Taking a boat ride on the Serpentine is high on my list of must do’s. However, even though I know it’s popular to swim in the water, I think it’s best for me to leave that with these two…

With all of these adventure opportunities, sometimes people forget that Hyde Park is also the location of three different memorials. The most recognized is the Albert Memorial, which Queen Victoria commissioned in memory of Prince Albert.

It’s located north of the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Gardens.

Next, there’s a 7 July Memorial which features 52 pillars honoring the victims of the 7 July 2005 London Bombings.

Finally, the Diana Memorial Fountain opened in 2004, and for me it’s the most captivating. It’s built from pieces of granite, is intended to reflect her life, and symbolises her quality and openness.

After a little research with Royal Parks, I learned the water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. Also, it’s continuously being refreshed and is drawn from London’s water table.

The sparkling, flowing water and serenity in this area beautifully balance the chaotic atmosphere of the Christmassy festivities featured in Winter Wonderland. It’s certainly one of my favorite places to find sunny adventures in London.

What activities in Hyde Park would you recommend?

November 5, 2013 by: Sunny London

The Charles Dickens Museum and a curious conversation with Nan

Prior to living in London I was preparing for a holiday trip here and had one of my most memorable weekly phone calls with my Grandmother. Because she never had opportunities to travel internationally, she was very curious about life across the pond. She asked, “So, what do they do for Christmas over there? Do they celebrate it?”

I responded playfully to her innocent question, “Grandma! Helllllooo??? CHARLES. DICKENSSSSS. They INVENTED Christmas!”

Without hesitation, she fired back, “Sunny!!!! JESUS INVENTED CHRISTMAS!”

There’s nothing like a verbal smackdown from your 87-year old Grandmother.

While she is undeniably right, it also is fair to say that historians would support the fact that Charles Dickens shares responsibility for creating much of the way Christmas is celebrated today in America and the UK.

After my trip, I explained the similarities and differences between the cultures during the holiday season to my Grandmother, which I know is the information she really wanted through her question.

As we roll in to the holiday season, I feel it’s best to start by recognising one of England’s most influential literary and cultural figures.

On a beautiful sunny in London day, I visited the Charles Dickens Museum on 48 Doughty Street in Bloomsbury. It’s where he lived from 1837 to 1839 and wrote ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Nicholas Nickleby’.

After paying £8 for an adult ticket, I spent about an hour and a half walking through the residence.

During my time, I stood in Dickens’ study. I’m sure any literary lover could appreciate how I examined the desk and books and attempted to transcend in to the mind of the author in the very room where he crafted his tales.

Another treat was walking around his Dining Room. As I stared at the artifacts, I envied how much information they had absorbed. I’m sure many great, colorful conversations were captured in these walls.

Throughout the home, there were treasured works of art crafted for the novelist.

In the basement, I enjoyed seeing the Kitchen, Scullery and Washhouse where servants maintained the household’s daily activities.

When I made it to the top floor, I saw the most powerful display. Dickens, a strong social commentator, made the biggest statement about his life to me when I stepped in to a room which displayed this…

The description with it indicated that Dickens forever wanted a reminder of his past by obtaining bars from the Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison in which his father spent time during his childhood.

Quotations from his very successful works decorated the room’s walls.

If you’re looking to celebrate the impact Charles Dickens made on the written word and the holiday season, a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum is well worth your time. The staff was exceptionally knowledgable and friendly.

October 28, 2013 by: Sunny London

Curious what the London Harry Potter Studio Tour involves?

Butterbeer, Diagon Alley, Dumbledore’s office… Attending the London Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros is an experience for every aspiring muggle!

Any true Harry Potter fan waiting for the underground has stared at a Charing Cross Station platform and thought… Where is it?… Could I do it?

Platform 9 ¾.

We believe in the magical world of Harry Potter. Whether it’s through reading the novels and/or seeing the films, we love the story of the most famous orphan with supernatural powers and know he exists somewhere.

Since we aren’t actually going to try to run through a wall at Charing Cross (I hope), we have two realistic options for a glimpse in to his world: the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando.

This year I visited both.

Foremost, the London tour tickets must be booked and purchased in advance. The studio’s webpage is fairly simple. From the available options, you select the day and time you want to attend. If you are planning on touring in the summer months, I suggest you book weeks in advance. (For non-Londoners, the studio is no where near Central London, so check out a map and consider transportation before you plan your day.)

The tour claims to be three hours in duration, but that’s not necessarily the case.

First, you MUST arrive early, because the staff will begin the tour’s queue 10-15 minutes prior to its start time. As you wait, you will see the infamous “cupboard under the stairs.”

Much like attractions at Universal Studios, once the doors open, you are herded with the tour group in to a large room while you hear an energetic employee deliver a speech. Next, you move with the crowd in to a cinema and see a short film.

After the movie, you pass through the giant doors in to the Great Hall and feel the immense excitement of what it could be like to attend Hogwarts. This is the last time you are with a structured group.

Next, you move at your own pace through the Big Room to view the costumes, sets and props, which are displayed like museum exhibits and have signs detailing their relevance to the film.

When you are ready, you can enjoy some fresh air in the Backlot while you sip butterbeer and view a replica of Harry’s house. (Note: no matter what you hear, there’s no alcohol in the beer!)

For the second part of the tour, you see the fascinating Creature Shop which displays animatronics used in the films.

As you venture in to Diagon Alley, you’ll be impressed with the color and creative displays but shocked because it’s been dramatically reconstructed several times for the many films. Therefore it’s a bit small, especially in comparison to what Universal Studios features.

The Art Department is intriguing, but the most breathtaking experience is seeing the Model Room as you end your tour.

Well, that’s actually not the last stop. To keep up with the marketing “spirit” of modern day theme parks, you are dumped in to the gift shop as your last location.

Throughout my journey, I tried to absorb every detail and finished in a little over two hours. Even though I have worked in the film industry and know many of the “behind the scenes” secrets and tricks, I developed an even stronger appreciation for the masterful JK Rowling and the film’s production crew/cast. It’s an experience any fan would value at least once, but you’ll have to read my post on Harry Potter’s Wizarding World in Orlando to see how the two experiences compare!

I’d love to hear about your comments about the London Harry Potter Studio Tour or try to answer questions you might have if you are planning to go. Please leave them below. For questions to ask yourself to determine if the Warner Bros Studio Tour is worth it, watch this…

And, if you’re looking for more Harry Potter Things to Do in London, this video below is for you.

October 25, 2013 by: Sunny London

Battersea Park, without a Boris bike, on a sunny London day

I had the courage to move to another country, but I still don’t have the courage to rent a Boris Bike.

For readers not yet familiar with this term…Voila!

Meet the Boris Bike, affectionately nicknamed after London’s Mayor Boris Johnson.

This bike sharing scheme began in 2010 and is a popular mode of transportation for Londoners. Well, except this one, who seriously lacks athletic coordination and the ability to maneuver a bike through crooked streets with high speed European drivers and big, big busses!

Since biking it isn’t an option for me on a Sunny in London day, I choose to explore and get exercise on foot. It’s much safer for everyone.

Many times I have gone for a jog through Regent’s Park or Hyde Park, because London’s parks offer such an invigorating experience, especially when the sun is in full force. On this particular day, I wanted to venture south of the Thames to see Battersea Park. Since I’ve only lived in Central London and North London, I have much to learn about what’s south of the river.

I took the Tube to Sloane Square, walked leisurely along the Chelsea Embankment and crossed the Albert Bridge to Battersea Park.

The Victorian park opened in 1858 and it’s most noteworthy landmark is the Peace Pagoda.

It’s too far for me to travel each day for a run, but for those who are closer, I learned the Carriage Drive Circuit is 2.8km and the Park “Boundary” route (Riverside Terrace and Street Pavements) is 3.5km.

However, strolling through the park and absorbing the scenery and serenity was well worth the journey. An extra special treat for this Sunny in London day was a lunch in the beer garden at the Prince of Wales Pub, a gorgeous Victorian pub which is one of the many Faucet Inn locations I have enjoyed since moving to London.

October 15, 2013 by: Sunny London

Icebar by Icehotel: A super chill venue

Would you ever believe that one of the best experiences this Florida girl has had so far in London involved paying to be in subzero temperatures for 40 minutes?

The ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL offers a truly unique entertainment experience. Located on Heddon Street, one of Central London’s most vibrant side streets, the ICEBAR London is perfect for an exhilarating date night or a large party. We were lucky enough to know that it required an advance reservation and made it weeks ahead of time.

I was a bit nervous before the adventure, because I was not sure if I would enjoy being in a bar made of ice for 40 minutes.

A pre-game drink in the lounge to melt the jitters solved that problem!

As our reservation time got closer, we joined the queue of people who seemed equally as curious and excited about taking the plunge. Once we approached the entrance to the bar, I could see staff members quickly preparing each guest. When it was my turn, a friendly staff member threw a designer thermal cape with hood and attached gloves over me.

“Off you go!”

It was true. The walls, bar and tables were entirely made of pure ice.

After the initial shock of the temperature, we quickly ordered our first drink that, yes, came in a glass made of ice.

The bartender advised us to make sure we rotated the glass as we sipped. Within minutes, it was obvious why. The glasses began melting around the rims.

Next, all the people who received their drinks began going mad with photos, including me.

After a few minutes, we needed to put our gloves back on our freezing hands, so we decided it was time a great time to order a second round.

The bartender made excellent suggestions that were personalized for us both.

He also offered to take a few pictures for us so we could avoid those hideous misaligned selfies. His photographic savvy showed quickly when he suggested how we should stage ourselves and drinks for fabulous photos.

The 40 minutes zipped by, and despite the Arctic temperature, I was never too uncomfortable. Most likely, it was the dancing and excitement that made the frigid air warm and exhilarating.

On this busy, fully-booked Friday night, I also didn’t feel too crowded, because the establishment was keen to monitor the bookings and ensured the experience was top quality for everyone.

Once our time ended, we did stay to have dinner in the belowzero restaurant + lounge, and the meal was fabulous.

The ICEBAR is an excellent venue for both Londoners and tourists to have a hot night on Heddon Street.

Please note, the IceBar closed in early Spring 2020. This post was updated on 14 April 2020 to reflect this.

October 12, 2013 by: Sunny London

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Covent Garden

The first time I lived in London, I was interning with NBC News and sharing a flat with four girls in Bloomsbury on Great Russell Street next to the British Museum. Even though the Covent Garden Piazza was only a half mile south of my flat, it took me a month to figure out how to walk there and back without getting incredibly lost. I blame the halfway point- the Seven Dials.

Each time I made it to the Seven Dials, I felt like Dorothy staring at the Scarecrow and wondering which road to take. They all seemed paved with yellow bricks leading to Oz. The combination of side streets I could choose was endless, and each one was lined with specialty stores, restaurants, spas and entertainment venues. It also didn’t help that there was a pub blurring my vision every 20 meters.

In 2012 I was planning for my second move to London when a colleague, a British expat in America, gave me sacred advice. She felt that for a permanent international move, a person should find a location in the foreign city that serves as a “happy place.” On days when I felt homesick, defeated or in need of motivation, I should have a location that provided inspiration and a reminder of why I made the choice to live as an expat.

I chose Covent Garden.

It’s the place where, regardless of the weather, I always feel sunshine.

Covent Garden Piazza