Top Five Things to do in London in 2012

Top Five Things to do in London in 2012
It has seemed a long time coming, but the Olympic Games finally return to London this year. Hordes of visitors, fans and competitors will be descending on the UK capital during the summer to soak up the atmosphere of the Games and enjoy the spectacle of the finest athletes on the planet competing for medals. Already established as one of the most exciting cities in the world whether you want to experience days of excitement, glamour or family fun or soak up the scintillating nightlife, London offers something for everyone. 

Don’t wait for the Olympics to enjoy the city, here are five things to do in London this year:

Tuck into some hearty London grub London’s gastronomic scene is renowned around the world, with Michelin-starred restaurants galore. But for a taste of old fashioned London tuck into some hearty tucker which would have top class athletes running a mile. Pie, mash and jellied eels are traditional working class favourites which have been enjoyed on the famous streets for centuries. For bargain grub in surroundings that ooze character, try the historic Manze’s in Tower Bridge Road, which has served up pie, mash and jellied eels for 110 years.

Go to a secret party
It doesn’t get much cooler than supping cocktails in a basement bar so secret it doesn’t even have a sign on the door. Underground nightlife has always thrived in London with innovative promoters, artists and musicians keen to push the boundaries. The Candlelight Club is a 1920s-styled pop-up bar at a secret London location, while Nightjar with its hidden doorway in Shoreditch recreates the clandestine thrill of speakeasy illegal drinking dens in prohibition-era USA.

Take in a West End show
While crowds will flock to the Olympic village and its sporting arenas, visitors have been packing out London’s West End every week for decades for an altogether different form of live entertainment. With world class shows such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Thriller and The Lion King, whether you’re a theatre novice or seasoned theatre-goer, London’s theatres offer something for all tastes.

Enjoy a bird’s eye view
The Olympic Stadium is the latest addition to London’s iconic skyline and you can admire it along with endless other landmarks from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament if you take to the skies. Sightseeing helicopter tours offer a stylish way to get a unique perspective on the city, while the London Eye is a relaxing way to enjoy spectacular and far-reaching views.

Get athletic in the park
You can live the Olympic dream by tackling some of the routes which sportsmen and women will be taking on during the games themselves, with a enjoyable walk, run or stroll through some of London’s best parks. Famous Hyde Park will host the triathlon events, while pentathletes will be running through Greenwich Park, both of which are well worth a visit in their own right.

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Five of the Best UK Photo Opportunities

Take your camera to snap the best of BritainThere are so many reasons to visit the UK for your annual holiday, from the rich heritage of cities like London and Edinburgh to the stunning beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and the Cornwall coast. Any visitor to Britain needs to pack a number of items before leaving home, of course, but the camera simply has to be on top of the list. Here are five spots that provide jaw-dropping photo opportunities.



The London Skyline
The UK’s capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, and few world cities can boast the sheer number of iconic landmarks as London. It seems there are photo opportunities at almost every corner, but for the very best it’s necessary to find a high viewpoint. Suggested locations include the balcony of the Oxo Tower, a pod on the London Eye or perhaps the passenger walkway at the top of Tower Bridge.

The Angel of the North
The United Kingdom is home to a huge number of highly impressive statues, but few of them can take the breath away quite like the Angel of the North. Designed by Anthony Gormley and completed in 1998, it overlooks the main A1 road. Motorists speed past it every day, but tourists who are in the area are strongly advised to stop at a safe vantage point and take a few pictures. The statue stands 66 feet in height and the distinctive wings are almost 180 feet wide.

Liverpool Waterfront
Liverpool has an impressive maritime heritage, and the local docks were at one time a vital link between Britain and the rest of the world. These days, partly because the area has undergone a significant regeneration, it’s now a popular destination for tourists from across the globe. The Albert Dock in particular is especially worthy of a few snaps, especially on a clear day when the buildings are reflected in the water.

Barafundle Beach
No matter where you are in the UK, you are never more than 70 miles from the sea, and the country is home to some of the most picturesque coastal locations in the world. Barafundle is a stunning beach that has become something of a cause célèbre in recent years. Located in Wales in the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire, it has become recognized as one of the best seaside photo opportunities in the country.

Bamburgh Castle
There are plenty of historic castles and fortresses in the UK, and Northumberland is reputedly home to more than any other county. Although a great many of these fortifications will be worth photographing, the most impressive has to be the castle at Bamburgh. The backdrop of the North Sea provides the perfect framing for any image.


David Showell lives in southern England and is a keen photographer. He works for a Belfast car hire company.