Most people, including the toddlers, know the famous London Bridge. But not all are aware that several London Bridge actually exist in the city.

There are a number of historical bridges in London named London Bridge. Situated in the central part of the city, they span the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark.

One is the Tower Bridge, also a popular structure, situated further down the Thames River. It is often mistaken as the London Bridge. Then there’s the Putney Bridge which opened in 1729 and which is the only bridge in Britain to have a medieval church at both ends (St. Mary’s Church on the south and All Saints Church on the north).

The original London Bridge, however, is the one that boasts of having the longest history. It was the first and only bridge over the River Thames until 1729 when the Putney Bridge was built.

Attractions Nearby

Touring the London Bridge can be done by foot or through a river cruise during the day or night. It is an exciting experience as the area surrounding it is abuzz with activities. Close to the structure are bars, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.

The tallest building in Western Europe known as The Shard is one popular attraction nearby. This is where the best views of London can be experienced.

Those looking for food should not miss the Borough Market just across the road from the London Bridge station. With more than 70 stalls in place, one can find here all sorts of cheese, vegetables, cakes, breads, fish and meat. It’s the oldest food market in the U.K., by the way.

From there, tourists can also visit The Golden Hinde which is a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon. There’s also the Southwark Cathedral considered to be the city’s oldest Gothic church.

Public Transport Links

London Bridge is easily accessible owing to the availability of public transport links. For one, the London Bridge station is in place and is part of the overland rail network. From this station, people can go to Kent, Sussex, South London, Luton airport and Gatwick airport.

If you will be traveling around London, the rail network can also be used to go to Charing Cross, St Pancras International, Cannon Street and Waterloo East. The Jubilee and Northern Tube lines are another alternative and they can bring you to the north, west, east and central parts of the city.

But if you want to see the sights while going to your destinations, the buses including the double decker buses are a good choice as well. Finally if you’re after a little adventure and want to feel the breeze, touring the city by bicycle is recommended. A bike docking station for the London Cycle Hire Scheme is available on Duke Street Hill.

When it comes to music, London takes pride in having produced The Beatles. This English rock band made history owing to its four members and the rock and roll songs they created that the world still loves up to now.

Formed in Liverpool in 1960, the Fab Four gained popularity in the United Kingdom right after their first hit entitled “Love Me Do” released in 1962. During the most part of their career, the band recorded their songs at the Abbey Road Studios. The recording studio is named after its location, Abbey Road in London’s Westminster area particularly along St John’s Wood. [Read more…]

While London is often explored by land, one of the best ways to see the city’s amazing views is through a cruise via the river or canal. The Thames River cruise is a popular choice in the city but if you want to explore the hidden gems, a Regent Canal cruise provides a different view and offers an opportunity to see the city’s natural wildlife.

Considered as London’s best kept secrets, the Regent Canal features eight and a half stretch of waterway and boasts of wildflowers, butterflies, cormorants, heron and moorhens. In addition, there are many notable structures you will see along the way as your boat goes down the Canal. The Regent’s Canal connects to the River Thames at the Limehouse Basin where all types of boats can be found.

Sights to See

The Canal Theatre Cafe is one of the sights to see during your cruise. Situated in Little Venice, it is where the longest running comedy show in the world takes place. [Read more…]

Each year, numerous young people from the different parts of the world aspire to secure a scholarship in the U.K. in various fields of study. The demand for scholarships particularly for postgraduate and fellowship programs is always so great the reason why interested applicants must submit their papers as early as possible.

The British government through its British Council takes charge in making decisions regarding the number of scholarships and the funding scheme. Other than schools, organizations, the European Commission, trusts, research councils and employers also offer scholarships and fellowships. Fellowships are normally towards academic, research or professional development.

Governments offer scholarships to foreign students as their contribution to international development cooperation and as a way to promote the internationalization of their education systems. The U.K. is among developed countries that award government-funded scholarships to international students worldwide notably those with outstanding marks.
[Read more…]

When you’re planning on travelling a large distance in a short amount of time, generally the best way to transport yourself is by car. However, this may be easier said than done if you’re planning to drive in the UK. In order to obtain the licensing to legally drive in the UK, drivers must pass both a theoretical driving test and a practical driving test. According to Wikipedia, only 43 percent of people who take the practical test each year pass and only 51.6 percent of people who take the theoretical test pass. For these reasons, it’s important to adequately prepare yourself before attempting to get a UK driver’s license.

Remembering the History

Some may wonder why the British driving requirements are so much stricter than say America’s. This answer all comes down to the history of how this country was set up. Judd Birdsall, contributor to The Guardian, reminds us that Britain has eight times the population density as the US and much of the city infrastructure has been around for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, there weren’t motor vehicles, meaning the windy and narrow roads were created mainly for carriages and coaches. For these reasons, safety on the road is vital, resulting in much more difficult and intense driver’s testing than other countries around the world. [Read more…]

In the United Kingdom, castles are everywhere. In fact, the place is home to some of the world’s oldest and largest castles.

The Normans are credited for building many of England’s castles. It was after 1066 when the massive castle building programme was launched in the country on the orders of William the Conqueror.

Apart from serving as a place of residence, the castles were a way for the Normans to expand their presence in England and take control of the English people. They were considered to be a sign of Norman power.

We share here some of the oldest castles you should not miss exploring if you get the chance to visit the U.K. [Read more…]