London Travel News

French Laundry to pop-up in London

2011-08-20T16:32:00.003-04:00

It's never easy to get a reservation at the French Laundry, Napa Valley's premier restaurant. And those lucky souls who do get in pay dearly for the honor (fixed price menu=$270). London will get a chance to try their luck when a temporary version of the French Laundry pops-up inside Harrod's Georgian Restaurant October 1-10. Details on the undoubtedly quixotic book process for the London edition will be posted on Harrod's events website.

Outrageous ticket costs at London churches?

2011-04-04T13:07:00.003-04:00

How much would you expect to pay to tour a cathedral? For many visitors, the answer is "It's a church, shouldn't it be free?" But that's certainly not the case in London. Entry to Westminster Abbey? £16 ($26). St. Paul's Cathedral costs £12.50 ($20). Smaller churches aren't quite as pricey. St. Martin-in-the-Fields lets visitors tour for free; St. Clement Danes church is also gratis.

To be fair, the big London religious sites do admit worshipers free for services. And the wear and tear of all the other visitors does impose operating costs on the historic buildings, which is part of the reason for the ticket costs.

Strikes? Get ready

2011-01-10T15:31:00.002-05:00

Three potential strikes that could have a direct impact on London tourism:

British Airways cabin crew appears ready to authorize yet another strike against the airline. Timing? No earlier than February.

Fuel tanker drivers in Britain also contemplating strike action. Not coincidentally, the drivers are a member of the same union as the BA cabin crew.

London Underground workers—also notoriously strike-prone—are considering a strike to coincide with Prince William's wedding in April. While William is not a frequent rider, thousands of others who want to see the wedding events could be affected.

Inflation?

2010-12-30T13:55:00.003-05:00

And now a word from the wallet:

Prices on the London public transport network (bus, underground, etc) are going up by an average of almost 7 percent on January 2.

On January 4, the Value Added Tax in the UK will increase from the current 17.5 percent to a whopping 20 percent.

The UK inflation rate (consumer prices) went up 3.3 percent in November 2010.

Another Tube strike (sigh!)

2010-11-02T22:10:00.002-04:00

Yet another strike by London Underground unionized workers is underway. Services are expected to be problematical through Wednesday (Nov. 3).

More info on Transport for London's website.

London's swanky Savoy Hotel glitters again

2010-10-08T20:53:00.003-04:00

After a three-year facelift, the grande dame of London hotels is open again. See the story on Examiner.com.

Terrorism alert for Americans traveling in Europe

2010-10-02T21:43:00.001-04:00

U.S. considering travel alert for Americans traveling in Europe. Follow the story

Aliens are landing at Royal Albert Hall

2010-10-01T12:05:00.004-04:00

The venerable Royal Albert Hall is one of the premier performance spaces in London. Apparently, they've taken the word "space" literally with a series of events between October 25 and October 31. Close Encounters are family-oriented performances and exhibits centered around the theme of space (travel, astronomy and more).

For information on the series, see the Royal Albert Hall's website.

Border control officer strike may delay travelers to Britain

2010-09-16T21:41:00.002-04:00

Possible strike by Immigration and Border Agency staff may cause airport, port, delays next week. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Palace doors closing soon

2010-09-13T12:21:00.002-04:00

The Queen returns from (extended) summer vacation and locks the doors to Buckingham Palace on October 1. Visitors have until then to tour the palace, or wait until next summer.

No airport strike

2010-08-17T09:26:00.002-04:00

The planned strike by airport workers at Heathrow and other UK airports has been called off. A tentative settlement has been worked out between airport operator BAA and 6,000-plus workers.

Now (not) boarding at Heathrow Airport?

2010-08-11T22:43:00.000-04:00

Heathrow strike is possible later this month. Follow the new on Examiner.com

"Unite" means "strike"?

2010-07-18T21:39:00.002-04:00

After disrupting travel for thousands of British Airways travelers over the past several months, the Unite labor union has a new target: the airports. Union members who work for airport operator BAA are voting on whether to strike. Results to be known on August 12. Strike could close Heathrow Airport and five other UK airports.

Good deal to Heathrow

2010-07-16T13:59:00.002-04:00

The fastest way between central London and Heathrow Airport is to take the Heathrow Express train service—but speed comes at a price. Now through September 5, two or more travelers can book the Express at 50 percent off the usual roundtrip fare.

If it's Bastille Day we must be in...London?

2010-07-10T13:30:00.001-04:00

On July 11th, London holds the largest Bastille Day celebration outside of France. Read the story.

Hey kids! Free theater (theatre) in London

2010-06-30T21:00:00.002-04:00

A great deal on taking the kids to the theater in London: free. Well, one child goes free with each paying adult. And some of the big name West End shows are included. Read about the upcoming Kids Week event on Examiner.com

London is dancing in the streets

2010-06-30T20:58:00.001-04:00

July in London features the Big Dance–and other dance-related events. Read more on Examiner.com

British Airways union in a striking mood

2010-05-31T14:07:00.001-04:00

Unite union planning yet another strike vote. Follow the story on Examiner.com

BA strike is more than just a labor dispute

2010-05-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

The strike has become personal...pitting an airline CEO against a labor union chief. Follow the story on Examiner.com

BA strike begins

2010-05-23T23:46:00.001-04:00

After a war of words waged in the media, the British Airways cabin crew union strike has begun. Story on Examiner.com

Union offers to suspend May 24 British Airways strike

2010-05-23T15:17:00.001-04:00

Updated story on Examiner.com

Strike by British Airways cabin crew begins May 24

2010-05-23T11:25:00.000-04:00

Negotiations fail after protesters interrupt. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Tensions flare at last minute talks between British Airways and union

2010-05-22T15:19:00.001-04:00

Union and BA "so close" to settlement...then the protesters crashed the party. Details on Examiner.com

British Airways strike resurrected by court ruling

2010-05-20T09:28:00.001-04:00

Ruling allows strike to restart as early as May 24. No word on further talks. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Strike stopped, but some BA flights canceled

2010-05-18T18:39:00.002-04:00

A British court has stopped a strike at British Airways, but some flights are still canceled. Appeal of ruling slated for May 20. For details: European Travel on Examiner.com

Britain adjusts flight rules for volcanic ash

2010-05-18T17:35:00.002-04:00

New rules allow limited flying in moderate ash concentrations. May lead to fewer delays, airport closings. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Court stops British Airways strike

2010-05-17T14:58:00.001-04:00

Strike by cabin crew, planned to start on May 18, has been blocked by a British court. Details to follow.

London airports reopened

2010-05-17T11:13:00.001-04:00

London airports are now reopened after a briefly closing due to volcanic ash aloft. Some restrictions remain in Ireland and western Scotland. Follow the story on our Examiner.com page

London airports closed

2010-05-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

Heathrow, Gatwick and other airports are closed until at least 07:00 (local) Monday. Follow the story.

Ash cloud closes some British and Irish airports

2010-05-16T10:41:00.001-04:00

Updates on closings of some Irish and UK airports—follow the story on Examiner.com

Ash may cloud British skies again

2010-05-15T13:34:00.000-04:00

Airport closings possible on May 16. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Talks possible in British Airways strike

2010-05-14T16:21:00.001-04:00

Vague hopes of mediation to avert the impending strike by British Airways cabin crew. Follow the story on Examiner.com

New strike at British Airways

2010-05-10T12:22:00.002-04:00

Cabin crew will walk out for 20 days in May and June. Follow the story on our Examiner.com column.

British Airways cabin crew seem destined to strike again

2010-05-06T19:08:00.002-04:00

Follow the story on our Examiner.com column.

Ash clears from Ireland and northern UK

2010-05-06T19:07:00.001-04:00

Volcanic ash clouds drifted out and all Ireland and UK airports are operating. This could change as the volcano–and the weather–change.

Volcano may force new airspace restrictions in Ireland

2010-05-03T15:35:00.001-04:00

Follow the latest on our Examiner.com column

West End Live returns with free theatre

2010-04-26T12:29:00.002-04:00

London's thriving live theatre industry celebrates its productions with the West End Live festival June 19 and 20 in Leicester Square. The event features performances by the casts of several shows, music, and other activities.

UK and European airports reopen

2010-04-20T21:25:00.001-04:00

Most UK flights operating on Wednesday. Details on Examiner.com

UK and European airports reopen

2010-04-20T21:24:00.002-04:00

Most flights will operate in the UK and Europe on Wednesday April 21. Details here.

Tuesday resumption of London flights in doubt

2010-04-19T19:03:00.002-04:00

Fresh volcanic activity may derail plans to re-open London airports on Tuesday. Follow the story here.

Britain flights grounded through Monday

2010-04-18T22:58:00.001-04:00

British airlines cancel flights through Monday - details here

Half of European flights may fly Monday

2010-04-18T15:50:00.001-04:00

Latest comments from European officials show that the flight ban may be loosened. No firm word from UK officials. Follow the story here.

British Airways cancels flights through April 18

2010-04-17T13:12:00.003-04:00

British Airways cancels its complete flight schedule through Sunday, April 18 due to volcanic eruption in Iceland. See our updated coverage on Examiner.com

London airports still closed

2010-04-17T11:52:00.002-04:00

All London airports and UK airspace closed until at least 7 a.m. Sunday (London time). Almost all northern and central European flights grounded. Ash continues to spew from Iceland's volcanic eruption. See our continuing coverage here.

Like a bad disaster movie...

2010-04-16T10:05:00.001-04:00

...with a cast of thousands—Europe Versus Volcano.

See our updates on the latest air traffic restrictions and flight cancellations

British election coming...tourists unfazed

2010-04-05T18:30:00.003-04:00

Britain will have its first national election in five years on May 6.

Now, British elections are quirky affairs to American eyes. First, the Prime Minister–in this case Labour Party leader Gordon Brown–has to trek over to Buckingham Palace and get permission from the Queen to dissolve Parliament. Some Brits would probably be happy enough to end the process right there, sans Parliament, given the scandals that have plagued the body in recent years.

But, no, carry on they must. Next step is to announce an election date–which has already been done, at least informally.

Oddly enough, Prime Minister Brown's call for elections may lead to his defeat and removal from office. Again, from an American perspective, this parliamentary procedure seems absurd. Call an election when you think you may not win? Huh? Not to worry, Mr. Brown would likely remain a member of Parliament, albeit no longer the PM.

And finally, this election is about more than just who is going to be prime minister. Some polls indicate that after the election results are tallied, parliament may be "hung" (again, something that a good portion of the British electorate may think is perfectly fine if it were literally true). A hung parliament means that no party has a clear majority. That can lead to a coalition government or to a repeat election.

And is any of this relevant to a tourist heading to Britain? In a word, "no." Oh sure, there will be a surfeit of pre-election hoopla in the British media, but it's not as if pubs are closed on election day or any such nonsense.

Olympic Ugly?

2010-04-02T16:25:00.002-04:00

London's mayor Boris Johnson announced construction of a tower-like structure to mark the site of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games. Reactions came fast and furious, but compliments were rare, as art critics and ordinary London residents weighed in on the design of the Orbit.

British Airways strike update

2010-03-28T22:08:00.001-04:00

With a second strike by its cabin crew underway, British Airways has managed to keep most of its transatlantic schedule intact. The latest strike ends on March 30.

On March 27, British Airways flight schedule status at major US airports included:

New York area–five out of seven departing and arriving flights were operating.

Washington area–all four flights from/to London were flying.

Los Angeles–two out of three scheduled flights to/from London remain on the schedule.

Chicago–all flights operating (two each way)

Atlanta, Dallas–the single scheduled arriving and departing flights were operating in both cities.

Travelers should check the British Airways website frequently for updates and information on rescheduling.

During the strike period, the airline has reduced some on-board and other services, such as meal selection and special baggage services. No word on whether the Unite cabin crew union will call for additional walkouts in April.

British Airways strike one step closer

2010-03-10T15:55:00.001-05:00

For the latest on the potential strike by British Airways cabin crew, see our updates on Examiner.com

The long and winding road

2010-02-25T17:36:00.002-05:00

Abbey Road Studios, made famous by the Beatles iconic Abbey Road album, are apparently not up for sale after all. According to EMI, the owner of the recording studios, the property will not be sold, but the company is looking at option to enhance and preserve the historic property. Step one in that process came this week as the site was designated a Grade II historic property by the UK government.

National Trust may purchase Abbey Road Studios

2010-02-18T12:48:00.003-05:00

Abbey Road Studios–where the Beatles recorded countless hits–is up for sale. The historic significance of the site has generated calls for the British National Trust to purchase the studios. For more information, see the National Trust website.

Dirty digs

2010-01-22T10:50:00.002-05:00

Here are the ten dirtiest hotels in the United Kingdom–with a fair proportion of London representatives–according to a survey by TripAdvisor.com:

1. Grosvenor Hotel, Blackpool, United Kingdom
2. Park Hotel, London, United Kingdom
3. Boston Court Hotel, London, United Kingdom
4. Cromwell Crown, London, United Kingdom
5. Corbigoe Hotel, London, United Kingdom
6. Earls Court Gardens Hotel, London, United Kingdom
7. Blair Victoria & Tudor Inn Hotel, London, United Kingdom
8. Minster Hotel, York, United Kingdom
9. Radnor Bayswater Hotel, London, United Kingdom
10. Hanover Hotel, London, United Kingdom

Yuck!

A solution to BA's labor ills?

2010-01-07T10:39:00.001-05:00

British Airways and its cabin crew union will enter talks to head off a possible strike. In December, a British court blocked a planned twelve day strike by British Airways cabin crew members. The court action helped the airline avoid major disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.

Unite, the union representing BA cabin crew, had announced plans to hold a new vote in January with a potenital strike in February.

The planned December strike's length was unprecedented and the action appeared to have a high level of support among union members. Over 12,500 workers were expected to participate in the walkout. The planned strike followed announced job reductions and changes in staffing levels in response to continued operating losses at British Airways.

British Airways' last strike was in 1997. The airline and its unions reached last minute agreements to avoid a potential strike in 2007.

Eurostar trains attempt Tuesday restart

2009-12-21T22:45:00.002-05:00

Eurostar will operate limited train service on Tuesday Dec 22. Only passengers holding tickets for canceled Dec 19-20 trains will be allowed. Details at Eurostar website.

Follow our updates on Twitter and Examiner.com

British Airways holiday strike postponed

2009-12-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

A planned strike by British Airways cabin crew has been delayed by legal action. The massive work stoppage was scheduled for 12 days starting December 20. A new strike vote seems likely, but any rescheduled strike will probably not happen before late January.

Underground action

2009-11-23T16:44:00.002-05:00

Workers for London's Underground (subway) system have decided to take job action "short of a strike" in their latest dispute with management. There is also a continuing conflict between workers and operators of many London bus lines, primarily in east London. This has already caused one strike and the situation remains unresolved.

Christmas events abound

2009-11-19T21:33:00.002-05:00

We're tracking holiday events on the updates page of our Let's Take the Kids to London website. Some of the highlights include plays, Christmas markets, fairs, holiday-themed walks, shopping events, ice skating, even a Christmas with Shakespeare event at the Globe Theatre.

Olympics: tourism boost or bane?

2009-11-11T20:21:00.003-05:00

There's a battle of "spin" going on between London tourism and Olympic officials and the European Tour Operators Association. The ETOA has a study that says London tourism will be hurt–not helped–by the 2012 Olympic Games. Read the reasons in our recent Examiner.com article.

In an apparent retort, the CEO of VisitLondon claims that while not all visitors will attend sporting events "many want to take advantage of the buzz around London as the host city." Visitors will also benefit from new hotel facilities, transportation improvements, and other offshoots of the Olympic effort, according the the tourism agency.

BA (potential) strike FAQs

2009-11-09T15:09:00.003-05:00

Who may go on strike? About 2, 500 cabin crew members of the Unite union.
Why are they considering a strike? British Airways wants to cut current staff and reduce compensation for new hires.
Why is the airline doing this? BA has suffered huge financial losses recently. Some industry experts think the airline is in some danger of bankruptcy if it doesn't make changes soon.
When will the strike vote be taken? Starts November 16 and ends on December 14.
What's the earliest possible strike date? December 21.
Likelihood of actual strike? Really, who knows? But the prospect seems very possible.
Isn't someone going to court over this? Of course...it's the "age of litigation" after all. The union talked about legal action to block job cuts, then backed off. The airline has gotten injunctions against strikes in the past.
Should I change my plans to fly British Airways? If you're flying before December 21, there's little chance of a problem. After that, it's hard to tell. If your trip is time-critical, or during the holidays, you may want to think about options.
If I already have paid for tickets, can I make a change? In past "labor events" airlines tried to maintain flight schedules and/or try to re-book passengers on other flights. Most airlines will waive penalties for rebooking....but not until a strike is actually underway. And rebooking during peak holiday periods will be difficult.

Snail mail crawling again

2009-11-05T13:39:00.003-05:00

Royal Mail workers have called off strike action until at least after the December holiday season. The British postal service has recently suffered through a series of one-day strikes and disruptions to deliveries.

Lord Mayor's Show

2009-11-03T21:03:00.005-05:00

Don't confuse the Lord Mayor of the City of London:

with the Mayor of London:

the Lord Mayor is a much better dresser, even though the he "rules" over only a small portion of London. And with that sartorial splendor comes the chance to really dress up and throw one heck of a party–the Lord Mayor's Show.

This year's show is November 7th, starting with a parade and military aircraft flyover at 11am at Mansion House, then to St. Paul's Cathdral, then on to the Royal Courts of Justice where the new Lord Mayor is sworn in. Afterwards, at 5pm the new Lord Mayor gets to light the fuse of a fireworks display on the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges.

BA strike seems likely, future is murky

2009-11-01T09:57:00.002-05:00

This week financial pundits have raised a question that's been on the minds of many British Airways' customers: will the airline go bankrupt? It's a bit like asking the same question a few years ago about General Motors. Both are (were) mammoth institutions, employing thousands, and with operations spread across the globe. But the recipe for disaster are remarkably similar: soaring labor costs, huge pension liabilities, worker unrest, rising fuel and other operating costs, an aging infrastructure, and stumbling management.

So the question about British Airways is a fair, although disturbing one: can the airline survive? Losses this year could be record setting and a strike near the Christmas holidays is a very real possibility. That action–which would seem suicidal for labor and management–may be a pivotal point in the future of BA.

2009-10-23T14:25:00.002-04:00

Halloween at the London Zoo features family-oriented events during animal adventureaaargh! October 24th through November 1st. Lots of activities and, of course, the obligatory "feeding pumpkins to the animals." Zoo fun comes with a price though–over £60 ($99) for a family of four.

Halloween...no longer under the radar in the UK

2009-10-10T15:46:00.006-04:00

Not so long ago, Halloween barely made a ripple in the Britain's pool of holiday celebrations. Seen mainly as an American commercial event, Halloween decorations, costumes, and parties were rare. Not so anymore...creeping commercialism has propelled Halloween into High Street shops in Britain. Even staid Fortnum and Mason department store on London's ritzy Picadilly Street has a (small) selection of costly Halloween goodies...like the £60 ($95) Casket of Chocolate shown at left.

British Airways heading for labor showdown

2009-10-08T05:01:00.002-04:00

British Airways--reeling under continued operating losses--has imposed job cuts and other reductions. Although BA has labor agreements with some of its unions, cabin crew members are not on board and their union plans to call for a strike vote.

If a strike is authorized, it will be several months before any action begins. The current timeline looks like the December holiday season. A strike is not necessarily going to happen, especially if talks get underway. Stay tuned.

Where's Boris?

2009-09-18T23:10:00.002-04:00

Every city of size seems to have one--a mayor with an ego to match. The London government website has good info. It also has more photos of mayor Boris Johnson than you can count.

• Boris at the New York Stock Exchange (careful man, those guys are dangerous!)
• Boris taking a bicycle ride with a lovely model (at least some caution here too)
• Boris shaking hands with the mayor of New York (he may buy lunch...he's RICH)
• Boris attending London Fashion Week (there's no explaining this one...Boris is a horrible dresser!)

What the Dickens?

2009-09-14T11:52:00.002-04:00

The folks at Disney have a new film opening this fall and the premier is going to be in London on November 3. Disney's A Christmas Carol premier will coincide with lighting of holiday displays on Regent and Oxford streets and Leicester Square.

A walk in the Cotswolds

2009-09-09T22:56:00.003-04:00

We'll be reporting on a 50 mile hike along England's famed Cotswold Way later this month. Planned route is Broad Campden (Chipping Campden) south through Stanton, Winchombe, Charlton Kings, Birdlip (love that one!) to Painswick. Here's a link to the official trail site.

A strike by any other name....

2009-09-06T11:41:00.002-04:00

London Midland railways canceled virtually all its train service Sunday, 6 September due to a lack of drivers (engineers). Seems the contract between the railroad and its workers doesn't require anyone to work on Sundays, so this time nobody showed up.

Is that any way to run a railroad?

BA and unions heading for strike?

2009-09-04T10:23:00.002-04:00

Like all airlines, British Airways is struggling to cut costs to offset terrible market conditions. And BA is a high-cost airline, with fully unionized staff and crews. The airline's desires to cut costs (read that: lay-off staff) is colliding with the unions' desires to maintain maximum employment.

The first inklings of a possible strike by BA workers--sometime in the late fall or just before December holidays. A lot can change in that time though.

You talkin' English?

2009-08-30T17:38:00.004-04:00

Monday is a "bank holiday" in the UK. That's a happy event where bankers, and almost everyone else, take the day off, much like a Federal holiday in the US. But the phrase bank holiday has a much darker connotation in the United States--it hearkens back to the Great Depression where bank holidays were declared to stave off massive withdrawals and bank failures.

So enjoy this bank holiday without fear of further damage to the banking system.

Perhaps the smartest airport, but not in London

2009-08-18T10:29:00.002-04:00

Overzealous officials at a small airport near Oxford, England have renamed the airport London Oxford. Not that many overseas travelers will be given the choice of flying into "London" Oxford, but still, the airport is in Oxford, not London 60 miles away.

A play about Enron? We've already seen the sequel(s)

2009-08-11T20:38:00.002-04:00

This play should have been unique, but there have been so many big names in the corporate walk of shame since Enron, this threatens to become a theatrical genre. Well, if you can remember your history, Enron was a scandal to end all scandals...now it's a play at the Royal Court Theatre, from 17 September through 7 November. Maybe they'll send a video of the production to Bernie Madoff.

"Every why hath a wherefore"

2009-08-05T16:01:00.002-04:00

And thou shouldst get thee to the Globe Theatre. Why? The Comedy of Errors, perchance. Or any other fine fare from the Bard, presented in true Elizabethan fashion during the 2009 season which ends in October. And if thou canst not attend a play, at least tour the theatre. Forsooth.

I don't know art, but I know what I like

2009-07-29T15:32:00.002-04:00

If your artistic sensibilities lean toward Dogs Playing Poker, then the upcoming London Exhibition for The Society of Feline Artists might have some appeal. Whoops...that's feline artists. Well dog lovers might want to give this one a pass, but cat lovers mark your calendars: 28 August through 18 September at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery.

Wonder how they keep the cat hair out of the paint?

Fast trains ready for Olympic race

2009-07-28T12:17:00.002-04:00

New Javelin trains that will whisk spectators to the 2012 London Olympic park are already up and running--really running at speeds averaging 114 miles per hour. The new trains operate from London to Stratford now and will provide essentially a shuttle service from London's St. Pancras station to the Olympic venues during the Games.

HRH POW & DOC and YOU

2009-07-23T22:17:00.002-04:00

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles and Camilla) cordially invite you to their official residence (Clarence House, not a palace, but nice digs in central London) during the Summer Opening (while Charles and Camilla are on vacation, and it's a nice long vacation too--from August 5th through September 27th!)

Check the Royal Collection website for details.

Keeping the past from disappearing

2009-07-21T14:23:00.002-04:00

One of the more important players in historic preservation in the United Kingdom is the National Trust. The Trust owns and maintains thousands of historic properties and important open space in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. American visitors can join/donate to the U.S. affiliate, Royal Oak Foundation, and membership provides free entry to National Trust properties.

Summer season silliness

2009-07-13T12:56:00.003-04:00

In startling proof that many London lawyers--and the city's risk managers--must be on vacation, a motocross rider jumped across the partially-raised Tower Bridge yesterday. The rider added a backflip mid-Thames, just for effect. So what's this all about? Publicity for a commercial motocross event at London's Battersea Power Station in late August.

Play it again

2009-07-11T10:08:00.002-04:00

Thirty street pianos have been placed throughout central London in an effort to get passersby to pluck out a tune and interact with other music lovers. Amateurs and professions have been attracted to create impromptu performances. The pianos will be in place through mid-July.

London Underground is underwater.

2009-07-10T13:05:00.002-04:00

Adding to the woes of London's subway system--a projected £112 million operating deficit in 2009. Reasons? Fewer passengers than forecast and a fare structure that links fare increases to inflation (which has been slowing). According to the London Assembly, the deficit could get even larger...they're talking £1.7 billion by 2018.

Wonder if this means fares will go up? Hmmmmm....

More Tube strikes...redux

2009-07-08T22:06:00.002-04:00

The labor situation for the London Underground seems back to normal. And by "normal" we refer to the subway system's sorry history of threatened strikes, actual strikes, and ensuing transportation chaos. After walkouts in June, nothing seems resolved and further strikes are a distinct possibility.

On a pedestal

2009-07-07T09:29:00.002-04:00

Between now and October, thousands of ordinary people will get their hour of fame atop a vacant plinth in London's Trafalgar Square. To watch this oddity, log on to the event's website (or stop by the square).

Oh no! Andy does a "Tim"

2009-07-03T13:56:00.002-04:00

Fans at The All England Tennis and Croquet Club once again suffer at the results from this year's Wimbledon championship. Scotsman Andy Murray ("He's not English, but he's close enough") failed to win his match against Andy Roddick. British fans have lived this before when their hopes were repeatedly raised, then dashed, by Tim Henman.

Tennis flu?

2009-07-02T12:55:00.002-04:00

Media reports indicate that influenza may have surfaced at the Wimbledon tennis championship, causing some non-marquee players to withdraw. H1N1 appears widespread in the UK at present.

"Helloooooo!...Can you spare a quid?"

2009-06-29T11:45:00.003-04:00

The Guardian news organization reports that the Queen is short of cash. Who isn't? you might ask. Like many non-profits, the Queen has been forced to tap reserve funds to maintain the royal household, particularly focusing on upkeep of royal residences. The situation at Buckingham Palace is allegedly so acute that a piece of the facade once fell off and narrowly missed Princess Anne!

And what does it cost the average Brit to maintain the monarchy? About 69pence per person each year--or about $1.15. And when will the queen's cash reserves run out? At current rates, by the year 2012.

Things are tough all over.

Triller Live becomes Jackson tribute

2009-06-27T14:59:00.002-04:00

Thriller Live, playing at London's Lyric Theatre, is dealing with the death of its inspirational figure--singer Michael Jackson. The show goes on, perhaps now even more popular than ever.

A Tube by any other name would smell as sweet?,

2009-06-25T18:22:00.002-04:00

How would Shakespeare fare as a rider on the London Underground? The mind reels at the thought! Well, the subway system is meeting the Bard halfway, in a manner of speaking, as it adds quotes by famous writers and thinkers to its otherwise mundane train and station announcements.

To mind the gap, or not to mind the gap. That is the question.

The Fourth, with Franklin, in London

2009-06-21T12:54:00.004-04:00

Americans in London on July 3rd may want to get a headstart on celebrating Independence Day by visiting the Benjamin Franklin House. That museum is holding a cake and champagne celebration on July 3rd at noon. The Franklin House is a unique place to visit--Franklin's home when he worked in London before the American Revolution.

MORE Tube strikes ?!?!

2009-06-20T00:13:00.002-04:00

Talks are underway to try and avoid additional strikes on London's Underground (Tube). Workers are seeking a 5 percent pay raise and promise of no layoffs. Observation: in this economy, many workers are happy just to have a job!

British Airways in the news

2009-06-14T21:53:00.002-04:00

An American deal?
Willie Walsh, head of British Airways, predicts approval of an alliance with American Airlines by year end.
Let's not strike
BA faces the same pressures as most of the world's airlines: passengers are scarce in the current economy and some form of downsizing is inevitable. That probably means layoffs, but in the British corporate world that often means strikes by employee unions. BA is in talks to work out some accommodation with its unions to avoid the prospect of industrial action (strikes).

While waiting for the Underground strike to end

2009-06-11T20:04:00.002-04:00

Those striking drivers starting annual salary is 40,000 pounds (over $66,000). They get 43 days of paid vacation (plus holidays) per year. And they work a grueling 36 hour work week. So, while millions of people around the world are out of work due to no fault of their own, what do the Underground workers do? They go on strike. Sorry, but "Mind the Gap" just doesn't quite cover it.

Here's to you, Ben

2009-06-06T03:22:00.003-04:00

When iconic Big Ben chimes on Sunday, it will begin its 150th year of timekeeping. The venerable mechanism has been marking time for a century and a half, with only a handful of breaks for repairs and weather-related events (the clock froze on cold New Years).

Before you rent a bicycle in London....

2009-05-24T19:59:00.003-04:00

Consider this: London's mayor narrowly injury while riding through city streets when a truck (lorry) crashed into a car next to him. To his credit, the mayor was supposedly researching potential bike routes at the time.

Lively London

2009-05-23T17:27:00.002-04:00

Free music, entertainment, and snippets from theatre shows...they're all part of this year's West End Live on 20-21 June in Leicester Square. No tickets required, but expect large crowds at this popular event.

You're a wizard

2009-05-18T22:37:00.003-04:00

Filming of the final film(s) in the blockbuster Harry Potter series is reportedly underway. And there have been "sightings" of the films stars on location in London and elsewhere in the UK. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows doesn't arrive in theaters for a while, but Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will open in July. Among the London sights to make a film appearance--the Millennium Bridge.

Corrective "Eye" surgery

2009-05-18T11:29:00.002-04:00

The owners of the London Eye are planning to refurbish the 32 observation capsules on the riverside tourist attraction. The capsules suffered from inadequate heating/ventilation systems and the upgrade should improve passenger comfort. Of course, the London Eye operators are adding some things that may not do much to improve the ride: such as video screens and wi-fi connectivity. These sound like potential distractions, rather than improvements, to one of the top sightseeing venues in London. But we'll have to see what the finished product looks like.

The Eye will continue operating during the renovations.

Parks and plays

2009-05-15T15:43:00.002-04:00

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre begins its season on May 25th with a bit 'o the Bard (Much Ado About Nothing), then a bit more of Will (The Tempest), some Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), some Broadway (Hello Dolly) and more. One of the best things about this theatre is its location: right in the middle of beautiful Regent's Park.

A London bridge falling down

2009-05-12T21:58:00.002-04:00

Several people were injured Monday when an elevator (lift) in the Tower Bridge Exhibition malfunctioned. Press reports vary, but the elevator dropped 10 to 30 feet, injuring six people onboard. The Exhibition is a popular tourist attraction that highlights the inner workings of the iconic London bridge near the Tower of London. The Exhibition is temporarily closed, but the bridge is open to traffic.

London Travel News

French Laundry to pop-up in London

Outrageous ticket costs at London churches?

Strikes? Get ready

Inflation?

Another Tube strike (sigh!)

London's swanky Savoy Hotel glitters again

Terrorism alert for Americans traveling in Europe

Aliens are landing at Royal Albert Hall

Border control officer strike may delay travelers to Britain

Palace doors closing soon

No airport strike

Now (not) boarding at Heathrow Airport?

"Unite" means "strike"?

Good deal to Heathrow

If it's Bastille Day we must be in...London?

Hey kids! Free theater (theatre) in London

London is dancing in the streets

British Airways union in a striking mood

BA strike is more than just a labor dispute

BA strike begins

Union offers to suspend May 24 British Airways strike

Strike by British Airways cabin crew begins May 24

Tensions flare at last minute talks between British Airways and union

British Airways strike resurrected by court ruling

Strike stopped, but some BA flights canceled

Britain adjusts flight rules for volcanic ash

Court stops British Airways strike

London airports reopened

London airports closed

Ash cloud closes some British and Irish airports

Ash may cloud British skies again

Talks possible in British Airways strike

New strike at British Airways

British Airways cabin crew seem destined to strike again

Ash clears from Ireland and northern UK

Volcano may force new airspace restrictions in Ireland

West End Live returns with free theatre

UK and European airports reopen

UK and European airports reopen

Tuesday resumption of London flights in doubt

Britain flights grounded through Monday

Half of European flights may fly Monday

British Airways cancels flights through April 18

London airports still closed

Like a bad disaster movie...

British election coming...tourists unfazed

Olympic Ugly?

British Airways strike update

British Airways strike one step closer

The long and winding road

National Trust may purchase Abbey Road Studios

Dirty digs

A solution to BA's labor ills?

More Eurostar problems

Eurostar trains attempt Tuesday restart

British Airways holiday strike postponed

Underground action

Christmas events abound

Olympics: tourism boost or bane?

BA (potential) strike FAQs

Snail mail crawling again

Lord Mayor's Show

BA strike seems likely, future is murky

Halloween...no longer under the radar in the UK

British Airways heading for labor showdown

Where's Boris?

What the Dickens?

A walk in the Cotswolds

A strike by any other name....

BA and unions heading for strike?

You talkin' English?

Perhaps the smartest airport, but not in London

A play about Enron? We've already seen the sequel(s)

"Every why hath a wherefore"

I don't know art, but I know what I like

Fast trains ready for Olympic race

HRH POW & DOC and YOU

Keeping the past from disappearing

Summer season silliness