Tag Archives: London

Wellington Arch

Posted on May 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

 

London South East Tour GuidesSome of England’s rarest treasures are now on display at the Quadriga Gallery in Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner. English Heritage is marking the centenary of the Ancient Monuments Act thorough out the year and this is the second of four exhibitions. The parliamentary Act recognised the state’s duty to protect historic sites and relics –we are supremely grateful for their foresight.

 

One of the items on display is a bronze steelyard weight in the form of a bearded satyr discovered at Richborough Roman fort near Sandwich in Kent. Richborough was the first Roman fort built in Britain under the orders of Aulus Plautius Commander of the Roman army which invaded Britain in 43 and was known at the time as Rutupiae. 

Richborough continued in importance through the ages; it became a secret World War I installation  used to ferry troops and supplies to the trenches. After the war it silted up and became disused. It was revived in World War II and part of the Mulberry Harbour installation, used in the Normandy landings, was built there. Today the ruins of the fort are another English Heritage site and well worth a visit down to this lovely corner of Kent – and you just know what you are going to have to have for lunch – courtesy of the 4th Earl!

The Wellington Arch was built to commemorate the victories of the Duke of Wellington whose country seat as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was Walmer Castle just down the road from Sandwich – preserved by – you’ve guessed it – English Heritage, why not spend a day in Kent this weekend.

London South East Tour GuidesJust in case it has slipped your memory:-   A  steelyard is a straight-beam balance with arms of unequal length incorporating a counterweight which slides along the calibrated longer arm to counterbalance the load and indicate its weight.

 

Steelyards of different sizes were used to weigh loads ranging from ounces to tons. A small steelyard could be a foot or less in length and thus conveniently used as a portable device that merchants and traders could use to weigh small ounce-sized items of merchandise.  The largest steelyards were three stories tall and used to weigh fully laden horse-drawn carts!

 

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Lord Astor – town and country

Posted on February 28, 2013 by | Comments Off

Edwardian Picnic
Thinking ahead to a beautiful summer, put these dates in your diary for a little piece of upper class nostalgia. Hever Castle in Kent is creating an Edwardian weekend 25-27 May 2013. Enjoy the pleasures of an Edwardian country weekend when ‘Lord Astor’ and his guests take lunch on the lawn against the backdrop of Hever Castle. This new event recreates life in the Edwardian era (Downton Abbey et al) and shows what life was like in a grand country residence in the early twentieth century.

‘The Big Edwardian Picnic’ promises fun for all the family, with prizes for the best dressed Edwardian boy and girl each day. Visitors will meet the butler, the lady’s maid and cook in an interactive play outlining life below stairs when the Astor family hosted lavish house parties at Hever Castle.

Two Temple PlaceIf you can’t wait for a dash of Astor until May, then get along to Two Temple Place, Embankment, London. This opulent property was built for American millionaire William Waldorf Astor in 1895 as his London town house, complete with baronial hall and it is truly magnificent.

A Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach by Stanhope A. Forbes

It has been in use as a public art gallery since 2011 and the current  exhibition AMONGST HEROES : the artist in working Cornwall currently on display, it really is breathtaking in its quality of light and gritty realism and all the better for being free! Click on the link for opening hours details.

If you cannot make it to Kent this summer you will certainly want to go to Cornwall – STAY VACATIONS are so us!

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Received by Royalty

Posted on December 12, 2012 by | Comments Off

Buckingham PalaceIf you acquired a taste for  English monarchy whilst watching the marvellous Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, then you’ll want to know about a new opportunity to visit the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace in London.

Nearly twenty years ago Her Majesty opened the Palace doors to help pay for the renovations at fire-damaged Windsor Castle – the ‘annus horribilis’ of 1992. Once sufficient funds had been raised, the Palace was to have become private once more, but due to popular demand the tours have continued each year through the summer months. This winter, the Palace is providing on selected dates only  from 22nd December -3rd February 2013, exclusive tours of the majestic State Rooms at the Palace.

The State Rooms are where the Royal Family receives, rewards and entertains important visitors from both home and around the world. So, if you wish to practice your Regal Reception (sorry, no guarantee that HM will be in attendance), then book now as these tickets are bound to go fast.

The 21/2 special tour includes a glass of champagne, a copy of the Palace’s official guidebook and a 20% discount on Palace gift shop purchases.

For information on how to book your tour click on the picture of the Palace.

Have a right royal time!

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Many Congratulations to all!

Posted on June 19, 2012 by | Comments Off

The Winners & Runners-Up in the 2012 Group Travel Awards have just been announced. South East Tour Guides are delighted to see so many companies that they already work with have been included – very well deserved to all and we look forward to continuing to do business together!

PLACES YOU VISIT – ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS

1a) Best Attraction for Group Visits: Long Visit (more than a two hour visit)
WINNER: Buckingham Palace, London
RUNNER-UP: The Tower of London
Mentioned:  Canterbury Cathedral
Dickens World, Kent

1b) Best Attraction for Group Visits: Short Visit (less than two hour visit)
WINNER: EDF Energy London Eye
RUNNER-UP: St Paul’s Cathedral, London
Mentioned:  The Household Calvary Museum, London
The Houses of Parliament, London
Windsor Castle, Berkshire

2) Best Animal or Sea Life Attraction
WINNER: Longleat Safari & Adventure Park, Wiltshire
RUNNER-UP: West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, Worcestershire 
Mentioned: SEA LIFE London Aquarium
3) Best Overseas Attraction for Groups

WINNER: Disneyland Paris, France
RUNNER-UP: Nausicaa, France
4) Best UK Destination for Groups
WINNER: London
RUNNER-UP: Manchester
Mentioned:  Canterbury  Salisbury

5) Best Overseas City or Country for Groups
WINNER: Germany
RUNNER-UP: Belgium

6) Best Shopping Venue for Groups
WINNER: Oswaldtwistle Mills, Lancashire
RUNNER-UP: The Trafford Centre, Manchester
Mentioned: Westfield Shopping Centre, London

7) Best Live Stage / Theatrical Performance
WINNER: War Horse
RUNNER-UP: Les Misérables
GHOST The Musical   Jersey Boys
Mamma Mia!    The Lion King   Wicked

8) Best Event for Groups
WINNER: Royal Ascot
RUNNER-UP: Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Norfolk
Mentioned:
Dickensian Christmas Festival, Rochester
Ideal Home Show, London
RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, London
9) Best Canal or Riverboat Operator for Groups
WINNER: French Brothers, Windsor
RUNNER-UP: City Cruises, London
Mentioned:  Bateaux London
 
10) Best Ocean Cruise Line Operator for Groups
WINNER: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
RUNNER-UP: Saga
Mentioned:  Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Cunard  MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line  P&O Cruises

 11) Best Specialist Cruise Line Operator for Groups

WINNER:Hurtigruten
RUNNER-UP: CroisiEurope

WHERE YOU STAY – ACCOMMODATION

12) Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain or Group

WINNER: Daish’s Hotels
RUNNER-UP: Britannia Hotels
Best Western
Oceana Hotels & Leisure
Park Inn (Rezidor Hotel Group)
Puma Hotels Collection (formerly Barcélo UK)
Warner Leisure Hotels

13) Best Individual Hotel for Groups

WINNER: St Kilda Hotel, Llandudno
RUNNER-UP: The Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
Mentioned: The Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne
The Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone

 14) Best All-Inclusive Group Holiday Venue

WINNER: Potters Leisure Resort, Norfolk
RUNNER-UP: Cricket St Thomas Hotel, Somerset (Warner Leisure Hotels)
Mentioned: Butlins Bognor Regis, West Sussex

15) Best University Accommodation for Groups

WINNER: University of Kent
RUNNER-UP: St Aidan’s College at Durham University
Mentioned: Imperial College, London, Kings College, London

HOW YOU GET THERE – TRANSPORT

16a & 16b) Best Coach Operator
There are two awards in this category: Best Coach Operator: Small Fleet and Best Coach Operator: Large Fleet

16a) Best Coach Operator: Small Fleet

WINNER: Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, East Sussex
RUNNER-UP: Chiltern Travel, Ilford
16b) Best Coach Operator: Large Fleet
WINNER: Edwards Coaches, Pontypridd
RUNNER-UP: Epsom Coaches, Surrey
Mentioned: Lucketts Travel, Fareham

17) Best Sea Crossing Operator for Groups

WINNER: Stena Line
RUNNER-UP: Eurotunnel
Condor Ferries,  Eurostar
Irish Ferries,  P&O Ferries
Red Funnel

18 ) Best Airline for Groups

WINNER: Jet2.com
RUNNER-UP: Flybe
British Airways   easyJet
Emirates              Lufthansa
Virgin Atlantic  Singapore Airlines

HELP & ASSISTANCE – GROUP FACILITIES & INFORMATION

19) Best Company or Venue Offering Guided Tours
WINNER: City & Village Tours
RUNNER-UP: Houses of Parliament, London
BBC Television Centre Tour, London
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Highclere Castle, Berkshire
Royal Opera House London
Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon

20) Best Provision of Disabled Facilities

WINNER: Legoland, Windsor
RUNNER-UP: Warwick Castle
Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Cadogan Hall, London
Warner Leisure Hotels

21) Best Group Catering Facilities

WINNER: Planet Hollywood, London
RUNNER-UP: Central Hall Westminster, London
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
Rainforest Café, London
Shaka Zulu, London
The Orangery at Kew Palace, London

22) Best Information Product for Groups website or printed

WINNER: English Heritage Group Visits Guide 2011/12
RUNNER-UP: The National Trust Groups Guide 2011
Encore Advance Groups Bookings Brochure
Historic Royal Palaces http://www.hrp.org.uk
Just for Groups http://www.justforgroups.co.uk
Leeds Castle http://www.leeds-castle.com
Merlin Groups http://www.merlingroups.co.uk (formerly http://www.groupfundays.co.uk)

23) Best Group Ticketing Agency

WINNER: Encore Tickets 
RUNNER-UP: Group Line 
ATG Tickets
Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Groups
See Groups
The Ticket Factory
Ticketmaster Groups

24a and 24b) Best Group Tour Operator
There are two awards in this category reflecting the number of groups carried by each company (not the size of the company):
Best Group Tour Operator: Small Carrier and Best Group Tour Operator: Large Carrier

24a) Best Group Tour Operator: Small Carrier

WINNER: Tailored Travel RUNNER-UP: Diamond Holidays, Leicestershire
23b) Best Group Tour Operator: Large Carrier
WINNER: Airedale Tours, West Yorkshire
RUNNER-UP: InterChoice, Wolverhampton
Mentioned:
JAG Travel, Surrey
Saga, Kent
The Travel Adventure, East Sussex

Best Overall Group Supplier
Airedale Tours

Outstanding Contribution to Group Travel by an Individual
Steve Plummer

Editor’s Award for Innovation in Tourism
CHOCOLATE – York’s Sweet Story

The Little Treasures Award

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising


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Leicester Square – town and country

Posted on May 26, 2012 by | Comments Off

Leicester Square in London has just re-opened after its £15.3million facelift and is looking fantastic; light and bright  for the daytime & chic and sleek for the evening film premieres for which it is  world famous . This picture shows the recently renovated Swiss Glockenspiel and the exit to Piccadilly Circus with the Union flags already in place for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

But this London square is not the original Leicester Square, that is located in the village of Penshurst in Kent, nestling just outside the walls of Penshurst Place by St John’s Church.

The original Leicester Square was so named after the Earls of Leicester whose family seat was the magnificent stately pile Penshurst Place, a favourite country house of King Henry VIII & later Queen Elizabeth I.

But back to London, shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666 Robert Sidney, the second Earl of Leicester built a mansion on the north side of the Square named Leicester House s that he had a town house that complemented his country house.

The town estate stretched from present day Lisle Street (commemorating another title of the Sydney family)  to Whitehall.

It was one of the most important addresses in London, often the venue for grand parties attended by royals and dignitaries, including diarist John Evelyn, playwright William Wycherley and the poet Dryden. The future George II lived here in 1717.

So, old or modern, town or country, it’s all in a name; just check you know which one you are planning to visit, one is distinctly quieter than the other!

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Panorama par Excellence

Posted on March 20, 2012 by | Comments Off

South East Tour Guides have now completed their training to guide around the Olympic venues in London and what a venue to finish with – just look at that view! This picture was taken from Greenwich Observatory where the Prime Meridian of the World lies, looking down over the park to The Queen’s House, the River Thames & then over the water to the great city of London. Far to the left, with a little imagination, you can just make out the office tower affectionately known by Londoners as The Gherkin; Canary Wharf in the centre; & the O2 Centre on the extreme right.

If you have tickets for the Olympic Equestrian Events you are in for a real treat combining fantastic horsemanship with beautiful cityscapes, an unusual juxtaposition only possible in the newly named Royal Borough of Greenwich.

If you prefer your sport a little wetter but no less lively, then look out onto the Thames on Wednesday  25 July 2012 for The Arrival Parade of an entire  flotilla of around 20 Tall Ships sailing in convoy into London to inaugurate the spectacular maritime event Sail Royal Greenwich 2012. The fleet will be accompanied by up to 200 smaller vessels. The Tall Ships will gather in the Thames estuary in Gravesend, Tilbury before sailing into Greenwich.

The first to arrive seen on the Thames this week under power, is Thalassa, & I’ve sneaked in a copied picture of her under sail.

Horses : tall ships- both poetry in motion, impossible to choose between them.

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Putting the Spring back in our Step

Posted on March 15, 2012 by | Comments Off

This week has been marvellous for its spring weather & South East Tour Guides have been fortunate enough to be spending the time at the Olympic Park, and it is truly inspiring. We have been sped around the Park in a little pink bus getting to know all the different buildings; tramped the perimeter & recce-ed the local area with a fine toothcomb; and we love it all.Here are just a few photos to show you how things are shaping up for the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Rings are currently residing in the King George V Docks, waiting in the wings to be floated back up the River Thames to adorn London Bridge.
Olympic Games
The Aquatics Centre shows off
the daffodils in the bottom left of
the frame -there really is intention for this Olympic Park to be a long-term legacy to London, why else plant bulbs which will be well & truly over by August? They will be bright & cheerful again next year– a reassuring sign of the promised forward planning.
Olympic Games
Olympic Games
And so that you can say you saw it here first (we do go that extra mile just for you Dear Reader) here’s the grass inside the Olympic Athletics Stadium; home grown in Scunthorpe.
Olympic Games

And finally just because we can and we’re proud ………

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So you thought you knew London

Posted on March 7, 2012 by | Comments Off

Test your Knowledge with a brilliant new app for iPhone & iPad which plays with London’s geography in ways you’d never dreamed of.

London Jigsaw takes the main features of the capital – social, geographical, sights, current events – & scrambles them up; all you have to do is drag them back to their appropriate locations.

  • Can you match the Olympic sports to their venues?
  • Where exactly are the 32 boroughs located?
  • Perhaps you’d fare better at the green spaces & parks?
  • How about the main sights & tourist attractions?

The interactive puzzle is cleverly produced, with textured objects & good sound effects (listen out for the cute birdsong when you place a park correctly). The levels are timed, allowing you to challenge previous high scores and link up to the Games Centre for global high scores.

It’s not only great fun, but an intelligent way to get better acquainted with our great capital city, but don’t give up on the A to Z just yet. Enjoy!

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Not tired of London, just need a break

Posted on February 19, 2012 by | Comments Off

London is the greatest capital in the world, but we all have to get out of town sometimes to chill & recharge batteries & getting out is a whole lot easier than getting in, as long as you don’t join the commuter rush in the evenings. Travel out south of the M25 orbital motorway & you find a different world of green rural leafiness. The county of Kent has more historic castles and stately homes than any other county in England. Hever Castle near Sevenoaks (just 35 mins on a train out of Charing Cross & 25 miles from central London) is a pocket sized ‘chocolate box’ castle to die for – literally – it was the family home of Anne Boleyn, that ill-fated second wife of King Henry VIII (you remember; divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived). More recently a water maze has been added; great fun for kids of all ages – take spare clothes with you. In the summer jousting tournaments take place here, so if you are a fan of ‘Shakespeare in Love’ this is the place for you.

Knole House residing in its 1000 acre deer park in Sevenoaks, is known as the Calendar House because it has 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards. It is said that King Harold  marched past here on his way to meet William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Now owned by the National Trust & well worth a visit. Home to some exquisite silver furniture, the original Knole sofa and the childhood home of Vita Sackville West.

Also just off the M25 motorway is Sir Winston Churchill’s country manor preserved just as it was when he lived there – see his collection of water colours – (he exhibited at the Royal Academy), the famous wall he built and the pond by which he sat when he needed quiet thinking time. He bought the house because “the view possessed him” – take a look for yourself.

Further south into rural Kent are the ancient hop fields with their oast houses and apple orchards – all still put to gainful use at the oldest brewery in the country at Faversham, plus new microbreweries springing up where visits and samplings are actively encouraged. Something positive coming out of climate change, is the improvement in English wine, previously viewed as a bit of a joke, the wines are now taking gold medals and the sparkling wines beat many champagnes in blind tastings. Guess which Very Important Wedding they were served at recently!

Continue south to Leeds Castle (no, not that Leeds, this one is near Ledham) to see the castle owned by six queens through history – a real treat – a proper fortified castle with a moat and dungeons, ghosts and quite possibly dragons! If dungeons are your thing then carry on to the coast to see Dover Castle. Seven layers of tunnels and rooms have been cut into the chalk cliff underneath the castle. “He who holds the castle, holds the key to England” – one of the largest, oldest and strongest castles in England. On a clear day you can see across the English Channel to France, just 22 miles away – even if you don’t take a trip over there, your mobile phone will probably pick up the French networks which is the next best thing.

On the Isle of Thanet at the tip of Kent you come to Broadstairs and the summer home of Charles Dickens who spent a great deal of time in Kent. 2012 is the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, you can be certain that there are lots of celebrations throughout the year.

Not everything in Kent is old, in Margate the Turner Contemporary Gallery recently opened with exhibitions of modern art and rave reviews. Turning your back to France now and heading along the north Kent coast stop in at Whitstable, renown throughout the Roman Empire for its excellent oysters, there are still plenty to sample today in a charming little seaside town which appears to be about 20 years behind the rest of the country. There’s something for everyone in Kent and none of it more than 70 miles from central London – perfect!

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How’s your street performance?

Posted on November 24, 2011 by | Comments Off

London’s Covent Garden is famous for its bustling market, trendy shops & its street performers, you’ll see jugglers, musicians, acrobats, comedians, magicians…all sorts.

And now it could be you too.

The last auditions of the year take place on Monday 28th November when aspiring entertainers will be given precisely three minutes to impress the six judges. The judges come from the Courtyard Musicians Association, the Street Performers Association & representatives from Covent Garden itself.

 Within seven days of the audition, every performer will receive written feedback regarding their act, and told whether or not they have passed.

If you’ve got what it takes  to perform in front of a huge crowd at one of London’s most famous tourist spots turn up on Monday 10.30am sharp.

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