London – Culturista Life

Where to have breakfast in London

5 Feb 20195 Feb 2019Posted in LondonTagged breakfast, LondonLeave a comment

Whenever visiting a new city, finding good food can become a bit tricky. You do not know where you are or what is near you, or even if the restaurants around you are worth it. The most important meal of the day, however, is pretty easy to manage and enjoy. You simply find a bakery or cafe you want to visit and start your day from there.

We have gathered some of the most delicious cheap-eat cafes for a great breakfast. Some of them are quite famous and a MUST when you are in London, while others are hidden gems that you would never think of visiting.

The Breakfast Club

By far the most famous breakfast spot in town. With more than 6 locations it is considered a must. The cafe pays homage to the John Hughes movie with posters on the walls, creating a warm and fun space. The dishes we recommend for you are the Salted Caramel Banoffee Pancakes and the Huevos Al Benny.

Breakfast Menu

Locations: Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Oxford

Hours: Check for opening times for each location as they may differ

Kennington Lane Cafe

One of the busiest cafes at all times, since you can have more meals than breakfast and even create your own breakfast. This family-run cafe provides excellent service even at the busiest hours, as well as tasty and big portions. The dishes we recommend for you are the Kennington Special and Veggie Brunch.

Breakfast Menu

Location: 383 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, London SE11 5QY

Hours: 07:00 – 16:00

New London Cafe

Lovely atmosphere with a very nice decor. The service is excellent and fast. As for the food, it is simply delicious. So delicious, that you might go back the next day. The dishes we recommend for you are the Crepes with chicken, mushrooms, sweet corn & cheese, the classic and the pancakes with banana and Nutella.

Location: 216 St Paul’s Rd, Mildmay Ward, London N1 2LL

Hours: Monday to Sunday 08:00 – 17:30

Over Under Coffee

It may be small, but it sure is worth visiting. The menu might be a bit limited in options BUT makes up for it in taste. Everything is simply delicious, including the coffee. What makes Over Under Coffee unique, is that there is something for everybody, even those who prefer a gluten-free and vegan breakfast. The dishes we recommend for you are the Parma ham and cheese, the avocado toast and the pancakes.

Location: 181A Earls Court Road SW5 9RB

Hours: Monday to Friday 06:30 – 16:30

Saturday 08:00 – 16:30

Sunday 09:00 – 16:30

The Pompidou Cafe

pompidou-cafe-london-england-uk-cth3h2 — by Alamy

An ideal place to visit whether you want breakfast or lunch. The big portions and the great taste will sure satisfy you. The ingredients are fresh and the service quick and perfect. The dishes we recommend for you are the ham, cheese, and mushroom omelette as well as the bacon and sausage baguette.

Location: 284 Pentonville Road, King’s Cross, London N1 9NR

Hours: Monday to Sunday 07:00 – 17:00

The Good Egg

If you want a twist in your breakfast and brunch, then the Good Egg will not dissappoint, since they offer a variety of very interesting dishes. The service and food are excellent and that is why you may find a long waiting line on the weekends.

Location: Ground Floor, Kingly Court Kingly Street, Soho, London W1B 5PW

Hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 23:00

Friday 08:00 – 12:00

Saturday 09:00 – 12:00

Sunday 10:00 – 18:00

Regency Café

An old fashioned but authentic English cafe with the best traditional English breakfast. Why visit? Regency cafe offers delicious breakfast in very big portions and in great prices.

Location: Regency Cafe, 17-19 Regency St, Westminster, London SW1P 4BY, UK

Hours: Monday to Friday 07:00 – 14:30, 16:00 – 19:15

Saturday 7:00 – 12:00

All pictures were taken for the restaurants´official site & facebook pages

The Best London Photography Locations

28 Jan 201928 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged London, photographyLeave a comment

With almost 42 million tourists visiting London each year, it is the second most visited destination in Europe after Paris. People want to explore the city´s nightlife, art scene, theatres, sightseeing and get a small taste of what it is like to be a Londoner.

Tower Bridge

Yes, it is a cliche. Yes, you will definitely visit. But oh!!! It is so worth it. The views and the area around are simply breathtaking and one of the best areas in London. Tall and modern buildings along with the endless Thames River, make it a perfect location with multiple photography spots.

The Shard

Within a walking distance of 12 minutes from the Tower Bridge, you can visit the glorious Shard. This skyscraper stands tall at 309.7 meters and is the 5th tallest building in Europe. An ideal site for those who want to get panoramic views of London. The sight is especially impressing during the night.

Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

Probably the most famous area in London for tourists. On a daily basis, thousands of tourists visit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to get the perfect picture of the iconic buildings. Sadly, Big Ben will not be visible until 2021, as it is under construction. During the night the view of Canary Wharf still is astonishing.

Piccadilly Circus

A beautiful and major traffic section in the heart of London, with a huge video billboard that can be seen from any side. It might be one of the most visited places as well, but if you just be patient you can take some amazing shots.

Leadenhall Market

The stunning architecture of the Leadenhall Market has attracted a lot of film directors, as it makes for an ideal filming location for any type of movie. In fact, the famous Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter movies was located there. All stores close around have opening times from 09:00 until 20:00 from Monday to Friday. Those interested can visit the market when everything is closed for some pretty impressive photographs.

Natural History Museum

Another architectural masterpiece which on the outside is very pretty and spacious, but it is the inside that catches the eye. The Romanesque architecture is considered a work of art on its own. Although it is always crowded, you can still take advantage of the people and take amazing pictures. The best feature of the museum is the upstairs floor that has no exhibitions and it is truly remarkable.

Millennium Bridge

The most photographed bridge in London after Tower Bridge. The views from all sides are astonishing. Photographing St. Paul´s Cathedral while on the bridge can be a great addition to your portfolio. Make the time to also visit at night.

Why is the Natural History Museum in London a Must

27 Jan 201927 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged free, London, museums, Natural History MuseumLeave a comment

The National History Museum in London is located in the Exhibition Road in South Kensington. It contains an incredible variety of specimens (about 80 million) including animals, minerals, insects and a paleontology collection, which includes one of the most famous dinosaur exhibitions.

Museum Zones

The museum is divided into four zones. The green zone contains mineral, fossil, reptile, bird and insect specimens. Besides that, you can visit the Vault, a gallery of breathtaking emeralds, diamonds, amethysts, and other gems.

The blue zone is about life diversity, including mammals, fish, reptiles, dinosaurs and the Human Biology section. This zone is definitely one you will find yourself spend a lot of time there. The Human Biology section lets everyone know about DNA, cells, memory testing and the nervous system through very fun and educational games around the section. The Dinosaur part is truly interesting. You can see a ‘live’ T-Rex dinosaur and hear it roar and move.

In the orange zone, you will find the Darwin Center, which presents butterflies, beetles, high plants, tarantulas and herbs, and the Wildlife Garden, which is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and is basically a garden with over 3130 species. A memorial to those who lost their lives in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami is located in the Darwin courtyard.

The red zone is all about Earth, from human evolution to volcanoes and earthquakes. You can see everything from the beginning of Earth’s creation, such as extinct species, sea creatures and evidence found on flying reptiles and dinosaur-birds. Make sure to get in the earthquake simulator and experience the Kobe earthquake in Japan.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, the National History Museum is an excellent choice if you have the time to visit. It is extremely interesting and beautiful with fun educational games in all zones. It will always be crowded, but it is free to enter unless you want to make a donation of 2 pounds.

Other Info

Location: The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD

Hours: Open daily 10.00-17.50

Entrance Fee: Admission is free. There is a charge for some temporary exhibitions.

The Top Harry Potter Film Locations & Attractions in London

23 Jan 201923 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged attractions, film, harry potter, London, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul´s CathedralLeave a comment

In 2001, the first Harry Potter film was released, creating a frenzy. Since then, it has become a brand that London has taken full advantage of. Fans are still obsessed with the wizarding world that was created and still buy different souvenirs, such as cups, scarfs, socks, and others.

When in London people want to visit the Harry Potter attractions. Some areas that you will definitely visit in London, you might not even know they were locations that the movie was filmed at or inspired by.

Warner Bros Studios

A true fan of Harry Potter must visit the Warner Bros Studio, which is filled with props, costumes and the sets of the movie. Get ready to explore Diagon Alley, step into the Great Hall and explore the Forbidden Forest.

Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR

Hours: Monday to Sunday 08:00 – 22:00

Tickets: Prices start at £43.00 for adults

Harry Potter & The Cursed Child

This is a two-part stage play created by Jack Thorne. The story picks up 19 years after the events of The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and follows Harry who is now an employee in the Ministry of Magic and his son Albus, who is just about to attend Hogwarts for the first time. The show is currently booking to 29 September 2019, and the next ticket release will be in Spring 2019. There are two parts of the play. You can either book them together or separately. Part One lasts 2 hours and 40 minutes, while Part Two lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Location: Palace Theatre, 113 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5AY

Tickets: Detailed Info

King’s Cross Station

The glorious Platform 9 3⁄4, which was used by Hogwarts students is located in the King´s Cross Station. The station has signs that will lead you there. The souvenir shop of Platform 9 3⁄4 is also located there. The opening hours are the same for both the Platform and the shop. Keep in mind that you can walk to the platform and take any pictures you want. If you want a professional photo taken, you will be charged £9.50 for 1 photo, £15 for 2, and £20 for 3.

Location: Kings Cross Station, Kings Cross, London N1 9AP

Hours: Daily 08:00 to 22:00

Sunday 09:00 to 09:00

Tickets: Free

St. Paul´s Cathedral

st-pauls-geometric-stairs — http://www.standard.co.uk

In the Prisoner of Azkaban, students use the St. Paul´s Cathedral dramatic staircase to go to Professor Trelawney’s Divination class.

Location: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

Hours: Monday to Saturday 08:30 – 16:30

(Galleries open at 09:30)

Tickets: £20 for adults, £17.50 for students & 60+, £8.50 for children

Leadenhall Market

The splendid Diagon Alley that all fans fell in love with, is located in the Leadenhall Market. When Harry and Hagrid visit the market for the first time, they later enter the Leaky Cauldron Pub through a blue door. This blue door is located at 42 Bull’s Head Passage and even though it used to be an empty shop, it is currently an optician.

Location: Gracechurch St, London, EC3V 1LT

Hours: Detailed opening hours of each shop – Stores

Piccadilly Circus

One of the most memorable scenes in The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is when Harry, Ron, and Hermione flee to Piccadilly Circus after the Death Eaters invade Bill´s wedding. Piccadilly Circus is one of the most famous areas to visit in London. You will end up there one way or another.

Millennium Bridge

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the 6th movie starts with one of the most impressive scenes during which the Death Eaters destroy the Millennium Bridge. The bridge connects the Tate Museum to St. Paul´s Cathedral.

High Commission of Australia

5 minutes from Covent Garden, you can find the Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The interior of the bank was the one that was actually used in the movie. The bank is as grand as it seems on screen. Sadly, you cannot enter the building unless you need an Australian visa, but you may be lucky and find a guard that will let you take a quick look.

10 Museums to visit in London for FREE

21 Jan 201922 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged attractions, free, London, museums, Natural History MuseumLeave a comment

1. British Museum

The British Museum is one of the largest and most famous museums in Europe. You will find artworks on human history, art and culture originating from all over the world. Some of the departments are of Ancient Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 17:30

Fridays open until 20:30

Location: Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

2. Natural History Museum

A true gem of London, where you may find yourself spending hours in there, without even realizing it. With more than 80 million items on zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology, and mineralogy the Natural History Museum has become a MUST. What makes educational, entertaining and interesting is the fact that there is a lot of interaction for the visitors.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 17:00

Sunday 14:00 – 17:00

Location: Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD

3. National Gallery

With a collection of more than 2,300 paintings, the National Gallery stands in the middle of Trafalgar Square. Some of the paintings displayed are by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, El Greco, Claude Monet, and Michelangelo, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Friday open until 21:00

Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

4. Science Museum

a-young-wonderlab-visitor-is-reflected-inside-the-infinity-boxes-exhibit-r-plastiques-photography — http://www.standard.co.uk

With a collection of more than 300,000 items, the Science museum is an extremely interesting and fun museum. The galleries are of the modern world, flights (including the very first jet engine), robots, space, and others, with most of them being interactive.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Location: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD

5. Museum of London

It’s all about London. By visiting this museum, you can fully explore the history of London from prehistoric times until now. Learn everything about the Great Fire and the years before and after. Explore the times of Medieval and Roman London, as well as the revolutions in technology, fashion and culture, and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Location: 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN

6. V&A Museum

With 4.5 million objects, the Victoria & Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. The collections display costumes, textiles, photographs, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, etc from Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 17:45

Friday until 22:00

Location: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

7. National Maritime Museum

yangki-suara-711647-unsplash — Yangki Suara

For those who love navigation, ships and sea history, the National Maritime Museum is a great choice for an afternoon in London. The museum includes paintings, ship models and flags. When there, be sure to visit the Caird Library, the world’s largest maritime library, with over 8000 rare books, 20.000 periodicals, 100.000 books etc.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 17:00

Location: Park Row, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF

8. Tate Modern

The country’s national modern art museum is ideal for those that want to explore the British culture from an artistic point of view.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Location: Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG

9. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

Being a part of UCL, the Petrie Museum has 80.000 artifacts of Egyptian Archaeology. The collection is fascinating with many unique items, such as the oldest dress, the only veterinary papyrus, and the largest architectural drawing.

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 13:00 – 17:00

Closed 17 Apr – 22 Apr 2019

Location: Malet Pl, Camden Town, London WC1E 6BT

10. Design Museum

DESIGN MUSEUM - JOHN PAWSON / OMA - london - 2016 — http://www.archdaily.com

The museum was founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran and it is located in Kensington. In 2018 the museum won the European Museum of the Year Award. Even though the entrance is free of charge, there is a small fee for the temporary exhibitions for those who wish to see them.

The museum´s exhibitions deal with contemporary designs in fashion, architecture, transport, product, and graphic design.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Location: Kensington High Street; London, W8; England

5 essential things you will need for your trip to London

21 Jan 201921 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged London, tipsLeave a comment

Going to London is always exciting and you know you are about to have a great time. However, when you arrive you may come across some unpleasant and unplanned surprises.

1. Currency

The United Kingdom has its own currency (GBP), which means you have to exchange money before or while your trip. What you can do is research the various rates in your country and in London and figure out which is the best country to make your exchange.

Just remember that upon arriving, you will need a few cash for your transportation. Exchanging money at the airport is a big NO NO, as you will be easily charged with way more. A great option is to pay for your personal credit card since the costs are minimal compared to what you would lose in an exchange.

2. Power

Imagine arriving in London and finally going to your hotel. All you want is to charge your phone and go explore London while taking amazing pictures. To your disappointment, you realize that the electrical plugs are different.

They use a three pin plug that is different from what is used in Europe. You can either purchase an adaptor before your trip or in the worst case scenario every mini market has one, but you will pay a little more for it.

3. Water

Tap water is safe to drink in the UK and Ireland. In fact, it is not only safe but one of the cleanest in the world. However, some people may not find the taste so pleasing in some cases. The water from your hotel may have a different taste from the water in a restaurant.

One tip of advice is to always have a water bottle with you and fill it up in your hotel, as bottled water can be expensive.

4. Internet Access

Finding internet is not that difficult in London. Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes have WiFi. Now, with roaming, if you travel to the UK from another European country, you can use your personal Internet data without extra charges.

It is extremely important to know that while in the Underground (Metro), having a signal is impossible. So be prepared and figure out how to go to your destination beforehand.

5. Safety

Generally, London is a safe city. But when you are in such a big city a lot of unfortunate incidents can be expected. Just always keep your belongings close to you and preferably zip all your bags.

You should be aware of your whereabouts at all times and never forget that cars drive on the left so when always check the street before crossing.

How to get around London: A guide to Public Transportation

21 Jan 201921 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged London, tips, transportationLeave a comment

Getting a ticket for transportation in London, can be quite tricky for first-time visitors. People can easily get the wrong type of ticket for them and end up paying way more. Transportation in London is already quite expensive, so hopefully, this guide will help you save money.

Cash

Cash is the worst option for travelling in London since cash fares are way higher than the payment or Oyster ones. It is only a good option if you only need one ticket, in case you do not have a contactless payment card.

Contactless Payment Card

A Contactless Payment Card is a very good option for those who own American Express, Master Card and Visa cards that have been enabled for contactless transactions. You can easily use it by touching in and out on the yellow reader at the beginning and end of every travel.

A big advantage of using this type of payment method is its convenience. You can use a card you already own, without having to charge it. However, keep in mind that there are also some disadvantages, such as not being able to apply various discounts for children or the elderly when paying for a ticket. Also, you must always check if you have been charged a foreign fee for your transaction.

Oyster Card

The most popular payment way in London is by far the Oyster card. Most London visitors buy an Oyster card no matter how many days their visit is because they want to keep the card as a souvenir. Why keep a card as a souvenir?

Only because it represents the rhythm and life in London. There is no Londoner that does not use the Oyster card. In case you buy one and do not need it afterwards, you can always return it and take your money back. But how does it work?

You can buy your Oyster from most TfL Visitor Centres, which you will find in most Tube stations. The price is £5.00 and you need to add £5.00 more, which will not be taken away from your balance. It is better if you put around £15.00 in total since you will spend all of them.

After purchasing the Oyster, you can go anywhere you want without worrying about tickets. Don’t forget to touch in and out on the yellow reader at the beginning and end of every Tube, DLR and London Overground journey to make sure you get the cheapest fare.

Children under 11 travel free on most public transport services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, or with a 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard.

Each time you use your Oyster on the way in or out, you can always see how much you were charged and how much money you have left. Recharge your card by placing it on the charging cubic machines and once you select the amount of money you want to add, pay and place the card again so that the transaction can be completed.

The most important thing you need to know about the Oyster is the daily price capping. After using the card for about 2 days, on the third day, the card will cap at some point. Based on your average use of the card, when you reach the average of the 2 previous days, you do not get charged anymore.

TIPS ON SAVING MONEY

Get an Oyster card

A single fare in central London costs £4.90 when you pay in cash. Use an Oyster or contactless card and pay just £2.40.
Use the same card all day long to make the most savings when making multiple journeys. Contactless users benefit from both a daily and weekly cap.

Travel with buses instead of the Tube

A single bus fare costs just £1.50, while unlimited bus travel on a contactless card costs £4.50.
Make the most of it, by having a second bus journey for free within the same hour of travel.

Travel Off-Peak

Αvoid travelling between Monday and Friday from 06:30 to 09:30, and 16:00 to 19:00 in Zone 1. During these times you will be charged way more for any travel.