Picadilly Circus To Get A Major Facelift for London 2012

The New and Improved Piccadilly Circus

When Americans think of quintessential London landmarks, Piccadilly Circus is in the top ten attractions. This famous London landmark is going to undergo a face lift. I have been to Piccadilly Circus many times, and found it to be not very pedestrian friendly, however all of that is going to change. Piccadilly Circus will be undergoing a £14m renovation to make the landmark more pedestrian friendly.

This new face lift for the iconic landmark is in perpetration for the London 2012 summer Olympics The redesign allows for more traffic to flow through the area, to accomdate future congestion that will be caused by the games. Colin Barrow leader of Westminster Council said:

“In 2012 our capital will capture the world’s attention and our plans to transform Piccadilly Circus and the surrounding area will ensure visitors are as impressed by the city’s streets and all they have to offer, as they are with the sporting talent many will have travelled so far to see.”

I will be excited to see this new redesign of this iconic landmark. Another landmark, in Piccadilly Circus will also undergo some renovations, The Trocadero is due to be completely redeveloped and turned into an innovative budget hotel. This wonderful landmark was previously a mall. I must say without an malice, it was one of the strangest places I have ever been to.  The mall has since closed, and a new hotel will occupy the Trocadero by 2012.

What’s the best way to get into central London from Heathrow Airport?

Well, it depends. By far the cheapest way to get into London from Heathrow is to take the Tube on the Picadilly line. It’s no more than a regular zone 6 Tube fare (about $15 or so). The journey is 45 minutes or so and you get to see a lot of London as you come in from the suburbs. However, it’s can be annoying dealing with a lot of luggage, especially during rush hour – where you will most likely earn the hate of Londoners.

The quickest way into central London from Heathrow is to take the Heathrow Express train – it only take 15 minutes and drops you off in the center of London at Paddington Station. It’s a bit pricey though – £16.50 (about $25), each way. More than twice what the Tube costs. But it saves time. You catch it right in the terminal so it’s easy to be from the plane into central London within 30 minutes.

The most expensive option by far is to take a taxi cab from the airport into central London. It’s the most scenic – you’ll get to see London from a new perspective and usually the cabbies are talkative and nice. Expect to spend £50+ each way though. Also, traffic is just the same as any other major city and sitting in it is no fun in London.

There are many services that run mini-buses from the airport and most will drop you off at your hotel. But it’s a little pricey as well and you have to travel all around London as the other passengers are dropped off.

So if you’re looking to save money then take the Tube – if you can afford it, I would recommend the Heathrow Express.

New US Embassy in London Revealed – What Do You Think?

The current US Embassy in London is one of the ugliest buildings I’ve ever seen and an eyesore on beautiful Grosvenor Square. Due to security reasons and various other issues – we’re going to be building a new embassy south of the river in Nine elms.

Generally the US keeps what these things a secret for security purposes, but that was no match for the UK planning authorities. The US needs planning permission just like everyone else, so some images of the design were recently released and it doesn’t look half bad. It’s modern, glass clad and features innovative security measures. It’s also going to cost $1 billion.

Here are some pictures:

I like it. What do you guys think of the new American Embassy in London?

Help Answering an Age Old Question: Is the Tube or a Taxi Cheaper?

When it comes to traveling around central London – tourist and locals alike have many options. Usually the Tube is the cheapest way to get around.

But in the days of rising Tube fares and the convenience of London Black Taxi Cabs – often one wonders, which is cheaper?

Well, as Apple likes to say, there’s an app for that.

The London Taxi Fare app is a great little tool. It will tell you how much a taxi will be between any two destinations in London. Not only that it uses GPS location tracking to let you know how much it would be to get from your exact spot to where you want to go. It also tells you how long the journey will take.

This would have been incredibly useful on our last trip to London.

The app is pretty cheap at only $.99! Well worth the money!

Check it out in iTunes here: 

Anglophile Alert: Win an Alice in Wonderland Themed Trip to London from Organix

File this under strange contest sponsors. Ogranix – some health and beauty product line I’ve never heard of – is sponsoring an Alice and Wonderland themed contest to win a free trip to London.

The contest is sponsored by Delta airlines and you’ll win airfare and a stay at a London hotel.

Prize Details:

ONE GRAND PRIZE: The Grand Prize shall consist of a trip for two (2) to London, England, including round trip coach air transportation from an airport closest to winner’s residence to an airport in London, England; and room accommodations (double occupancy). The Grand Prize trip is furnished by Delta Vacations.

Enter quickly – the contest ends March 10, 2010!

Click here to enter.

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