Delegates may be interested in the following activities, suggested by staff of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), while they are visiting London:
Real Food Market at Convent Garden
Located in Covent Garden and is open every Thursday from April 2011. The market is celebrated as one of central London’s finest food markets. You will find everything from loose tea leaves to speciality cupcakes; spiced salami to the freshest bread and pastries! Check out the Real Food Market at Covent Garden if you are in pursuit of gastronomic bliss!
http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/events-entertainment-culture/articles/the-return-of-the-real-food-market
Australian Landscape at the British Museum
Experience an authentic Australian landscape in the in the Heart of London at the British Museum with free entry until 16th October 2011.. Discover unique and highly endangered plant species here harvested from across the diverse Australian landscape.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/australian_season/australia_landscape.aspx
Tours of the Olympics 2012 venues and sites
As London countdown to the 2012 Olympics, be part of the magic and experience the Olympic site village through a walking tour, and See the Olympic Park taking shape before your eyes.
Summer at Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew famed for their contribution to botanical understanding and species development. Travel the World this Summer with Kew Gardens and experience plant life from all corners of the world!
Notting Hill Carnival
28 August 2011 – 29 August 2011. The Nottinghill Carnival is the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe, and has been held every August Bank Holiday since 1966. Each year the streets of Nottinghill come alive with the vibrant sounds and smells of Europe’s biggest street festival. Come and experience vibrant colourful costumes, traditional Caribbean music and exotic footstalls.
Brick Lane Market in Spitalfields
An authentic East End London experience; with Jewish bagel shops, Bangladeshi curry houses, Indian sari silks. This chaotic and bustling marker attracts lots of young Londoners, in search of second-hand furniture, unusual clothes and bits of this-and-that
Chiswick House and Grounds
Chiswick House is among the most glorious examples of 18th century British architecture and makes a fascinating day out in West London.
London Walks – Discovery Walks
An ideal way to experience and discover one of the world’s greatest cities. You can leave behind the busy main roads and the well-frequented tourist haunts and discover the backstreets and hidden places where the history of this wonderful City was forged. Popular walks include, Jack the Ripper Tour, or for the really brave, London Ghost Walks.
River boat trips with the Thames Clipper
Just over half an hour to Greenwich from Embankment or London Eye, or go on to Woolwich to travel through the Thames barrier (and where you can visit both the Greenwich Heritage Centre and Firepower artillery museum). The Thames Clipper service is fast and frequent; and a perfect way to admire London’s finest landmarks, with on-board refreshments available.
A Beatles Magical Mystery Tour of London
Operated by London Walks, the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour is a unique opportunity to imagine The Beatles and the swinging 60s in London, by visiting some of the Beatles favourite haunts.
The Museum of London Docklands
Uncover London’s long history as a port through stories of trade, migration and commerce. The Museum of London Docklands displays the Port and River collection and explores the story of London’s river, port and people from Roman settlement, through to the recent regeneration of Docklands.
The Geffrye Museum
The Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch which shows the changing style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day; the museum depicts the quintessential style of English middle-class living rooms.
Woodlands Restaurant
Try some authentic South Indian food in London’s Piccadilly. Woodlands serve the finest, most authentic Indian vegetarian food in London in their restaurant located in the heart of London.
Liberty London – The Department Store
Today Liberty is the leading destination store in London, a wonderful emporium where the latest fashions sit alongside design classics. The Liberty is a great place for shopping, or to simply admire the buildings impressive and the beautiful interior and architecture!
Highgate Cemetery
Karl Marx and a host of other celebrities from years gone by are buried here. It’s a fascinating place, full of history and ancient relics, and a guided tour is recommended.
London’s Southbank
Take a walk on the Southbank from the London Eye east-wards towards Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre. The Southbank is always lively with an excellent view of the river and the iconic London sky-line, and plenty of cultural and gourmet distractions en-route. This Summer celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain; with music, art work and exhibitions lining the Southbank.
The Saatchi in Sloane Square
The Saatchi Gallery aims to provide an innovative forum for contemporary art, presenting work by largely unseen young artists or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. The gallery is full of some spectacular and exciting work from some new and up-and-coming artists.
Buckingham Palace
23 July 2011 – 3 October 2011. Get an exclusive chance to see the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress on display in the Buckingham Palace State Rooms. Kate Middleton wore chose British designed Alexander McQueen for her dress, and the gown will go on display alongside the shoes, earrings and tiara worn by the Duchess on the 29 April 2011.
The BBC Proms
The BBC Proms is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall.
15 July 2011 – 10 September 2011
A Cockroach Tour of the Science Museum
A day in the life of a cockroach!! Find out what it’s like to be one of the planet’s true survivors. Get an education like never before – a fresh approach on the nature of the human race, all from the point of view of a cockroach.
London Street Photography at the Museum of London
Open until 4 September 2011, free entry. Showcase of an extraordinary collection of London street photography; with over 200 candid images of everyday life on the streets of London. Travel through time and explore how street photography has evolved from 1860 to present day, from sepia horse-drawn carriage scenes to 21st century Londoners clutching at their Starbucks!
Hand-drawn London at the Museum of London
Open until 11 September 2011, free entry. Hand-drawn mapping is not factual, nor utilised as a Geographical tool; but it is based upon the individual experiences, perceptions and imaginations of Londoners. The maps have been created by the public’s personal projections of their relationship with London’s landscape.