Borough Market: a unique corner of London

Why not visit the Borough Market, a unique corner of London and the country’s most renowned food market?

Borough Market

Right on the vibrant South Bank, our Southwark Serviced Apartments are conveniently just a short walk from the London's Oldest Fruit & Veg Market.

It is more than a place to buy and sell food. It’s a unique corner of London that captures its rich culinary history. A source of quality British and international produce, it is also the busiest, and the most popular for gourmet goodies. It’s a place where people come to discover the tastes, aromas, textures and colours that only fresh, seasonal food can offer.

Located in Southwark Street and Borough High Street just south of Southwark Cathedral on the southern end of London Bridge, the wholesale market operates on all weekday mornings from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., but the retail market operates only on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Borough Market has become a fashionable place to buy food. It has been promoted by British television chefs and has been used as a film set. Notable films with scenes filmed in the streets around the market include: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). It also appeared in the Savage Garden music video for Hold Me.

Delights at Borough Market

The options of delights to try here are really endless, so... Buon Appetito! 

For more detailed information about Southwark area, make sure to check out our Southwark location guide. 

by Sara Laccone

Top 4 reasons to celebrate New Year's in London

New Year's Eve is one of the best party nights of the year, as people all around the world come to London to celebrate the start of 2013 by watching the spectacular New Years Eve fireworks in London!

1. New Years Eve fireworks show

Getty Images

The New Years Eve fireworks in London takes place at the London Eye, South Bank on Monday 31st December 2012, and is due to begin shortly before midnight and the event is free to attend.

The best views of the fireworks are from Westminster Bridge and the north embankment of the River Thames, directly in front of the London Eye. 

From our Waterloo Penthouse Serviced Apartment you and your family can even see the fireworks from the balcony of your apartment. In fact, it is positioned high above the London skyline on the 7th floor and it offers two balconies and exceptional views across to the iconic London Eye.

Totally Cool Pix.com

2. Boat parties on a River Thames

What better way to end the 2012 and start your 2013 than see London's riverside landmarks at their glittering best on a River cruise down the Thames? 

You can celebrate New Years Eve on the River Thames and enjoy in style one of the boat parties where you will experience a fantastic cruise by night.

They generally include buffet, live music and drinks. 

3. New Years Eve theatre shows

If you are a theater lover, then for you London offers great shows for New Years Eve. Here’s a list of performances. 

4. Enjoy free transport

And if you are already worried about the transportation, you will be happy to hear that the Tube is open for New Years Eve night (is not a secret that the trains in London run until between 12:00 am - 12:30 am) and you will enjoy free transport.

There is free travel available on the Tube to help partygoers in and out of the centre of town for a few hours (usually Tube services will be free from 11.45pm 31st December to 4.30am 1st January). 

Moreover, the pubs and restaurants are open till late hours of the morning and have special New Year’s parties for you to rock all night long! 

Join us on Facebook and Twitter and you won’t miss next week post as we guide you through where to celebrate New Years Eve in London.

The Chocolate Festival-London

This winter from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 Dicember 2012, The Chocolate Festival returns to Southbank Centre for the 9^th gastronomic celebration of all things chocolate.

The admission is free and you can taste the delights of the world’s best chocolatiers, chat to Britain’s best artisan chocolate producers and pick up delectable gifts for friends and family.

Moreover, a series of free tutored tastings, talks and demonstrations will be available in the Chocolate Cookery Theatre, coordinated by renowned chef and culinary expert Valentina Harris. 

Boutique London Lets has a number of apartments for rent in this area. In particular, some of London's most spectacular attractions (The London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Southbank) are just a short walk away from our Waterloo Serviced Apartments, not to mention access to some of the best transport links (City & nationwide) from Waterloo station. In this way you can visit the Chocolate Festival and make the most of it. 

So tell us How do you like your chocolate?

Top things to do at Christmas in London

Here at Boutique London Lets we have put together a guide with the best things to do in London this Christmas. 

Ice Skating 

Get your skates on and choose your best outdoor ice rinks to visit. Here you can find a complete guide. 

The Nutcracker – Royal Opera House

One magical Christmas Eve, young Clara creeps downstairs to retrieve her favourite present, but a mysterious magician, Drosselmeyer, is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. Every year, the show cements itself further as one of the best loved (and most accessible) of ballets. 

Carols by Candlelight – Royal Albert Hall 

If there is anything that is guaranteed to get you in the festive mood, it’s a Christmas carol service – and there is nowhere more impressive than one by candlelight at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Christmas Markets and Fairs

Head out and get your shopping done in festive style at a selection of Christmas markets and Fairs in London. They suit all tastes!

Reindeer Lodge at London Zoo 

Santa will be waiting to greet children in his winter lodge, a custom-designed grotto built in the fairytale setting from mid-November, where they can tell him their Christmas wish-list. 

Christmas Past at Geffrye Museum

Step back through the centuries and discover the origins and meanings of some of the rich and vibrant traditions of Christmas past, from feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games, hanging up stockings, sending cards, decorating the tree and throwing cocktail parties.

London Architecture Walks

You will have a fantastic opportunity to see London as you have never seen it before taking a magical night tour through London’s glittering streets this December and see some of the world’s best Christmas street illuminations and displays. 

… Happy Christmas everyone!

                                                                                               

'Floating address': living on a boat in London

Walking along London Regents Canal you can see some iconic ‘floating address’.

There are thought to be around 15,000 people living aboard canal boats in the UK. They are found throughout the canals, rivers and coasts; in cities, in the country and in harbours.  Some cruise continuously, some are permanently moored and the others mix cruising and mooring to suit themselves.

Some live in narrow boats, some in sea-going craft, some in houseboats. 

Even the Virgin group millionaire Richard Branson has lived in this amazing boat in Little Venice for many years when he had just begun his Virgin business. 

Many people are finding living on water is the perfect solution to owning their own home in an area that would usually be priced above their budget.

It seems the old idea of a retired couple slowly cruising their way around the UK's waterways isn't always accurate anymore because many professional people now own these boats.

But what is it really like living on a boat?

Boutique London Lets gives you a sneak peek with this video.

Despite living on water is not a lifestyle that would suit everyone, you can try this experience and buy a ticket for a trip on traditional canal narrow boats along the historic Regents Canal for the moment!

Fancy that of London? Where to find the most original souvenirs in London

There are so many souvenir shops, stalls, and stands for tourists in London that you cannot even imagine. Knowing where to go will save you time and money.

Boutique London lets picks the best places where you can find the most original souvenirs in London:

Photo thanks to Nomadic Pursuits

Baker Street Emporium 

It is located 1 minute walk from Baker Street Underground station and next to the London Planetarium and Madame Tussaud's, the store has been decorated throughout in the style of Sherlock Holmes' 19th Century London, complete with a replica of his study for people to have their photo taken. There is also a Guardsmen, a Bobby, a Beafeater and the man himself to have your photo taken with.

Haymarket

Located in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, this is one of the oldest gift shops in the country, trading for well over 400 years in the Heart of London's West End.

In this store they used to sell Churchill's famous cigars!

British Museum

Located directly opposite the British Museum, and a short distance from Tottenham Court Road underground station, it is the fanciest souvenir shop there could be. You will find ceramics, plates, clothing, books, frames, jewellery, magnets and even coins and stamps!

Crest of London

This is a famous souvenir chain. It has 7 centrally located stores around the West End of London with a wide range of iconic, fun and stylish London gifts. 

M&M’s World London 

The London store of this delicious chocolate world features a mock-up of a London bus where you can have your photo taken with an M&Ms character! It is a perfect place where you can buy toys, clothes, mugs, kitchenware and keychains rather than focussing only on chocolate. 

After Noah 

However, if you are looking for retro gifts, traditional toys and unique greetings cards, After Noah is the right place for you. 

James Smith & Sons

It is generally recognised that London has been the home of the best umbrellas and walking sticks and they are pleased to be able to continue that tradition.

It is a perfect example of Victorian shop front design and has remained virtually unaltered in 140 years. Inside, it is a unique experience where you can buy a perfect and original gift. 

And don't forget to check out the gift shops at London's museums, which often have unique and entertaining products derived from their collections. You will have a good chance to find something unique! 

Top ideas for a family weekend in London

This Saturday here at Boutique London Lets we have tried to think about some ideas for a family weekend in London.

What is the best way to get the most out of your visit to London? 

There is always something going on for children and families and there are plenty of free things to do for children in London too.

• LONDON ZOO

ZSL London Zoo

With so much to see and do, a visit to ZSL London Zoo is the perfect day out for people of all ages.

There are over 720 different species of animal and special events!

• KENSINGTON PALACE

Kensington Palace is now re-open after a £12million, two-year transformation project. It has a variety of activities and tours available that will entertain family groups.

• MUSEUMS

London can offer you a wide range of kids and family friendly museums such as The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Museum of London, Horniman Museum and Gardens and the legendary HMS Belfast ship. 

Most of them offer special programmes, free activities for young visitors and they are free!

• LONDON AQUARIUM

There is a lot going on at SEA LIFE London Aquarium. You can even see and experience the feeding times. Check all the latest events!

• HACKNEY CITYFARM

 Children and adults will have the opportunity to get up close to a range of farmyard animals. They also organize events which often have an educational or environmental theme

• THE TOWER OF LONDON

They have a wide range of activities and tours available at the Tower of London to entertain families. And don’t forget to pick up a Medieval Palace family trail at the Welcome Centre when you arrive!

• PLANETARIUM, GREENWICH

You can take your kids to the Planetarium and explore and experience with them the wonders of the night sky. The Planetarium can fly you into the heart of the Sun, transport you to distant galaxies, show you the birth of a star or land you on Mars.

• CYCLING

London on two wheels? Why not? It could be a different and a funny way to discover London with the London Cycle Hire Scheme. Cycling is a fun activity for the whole family! You simply need to swipe your Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card and purchase your access period (but don’t worry one bike costs one pound for 24h).

• SPORTS STADIUM TOURS

Football fan? Have you ever considered a stadium tours? London is your football heaven with Arsenal Stadium, Chelsea Stadium and Tottenham Stadium.

Don’t forget that children under 5 travel free at any time in London and all children aged 5-10 years can travel for free anywhere at any time without a ticket or Oyster Photocard.

London Jazz Festival: 9 - 18 November

What better way to start the new month with The London Jazz Festival? 

Boutique London Lets gives you the essentials on one of the London's biggest music festival. Produced by Serious in association with BBC Radio 3, The London Jazz Festival, which runs from 9 to 18 November, is aiming to take jazz to a massive audience, in one of UK's landmark music events.

History

The beginnings: Camden Jazz Week

In the 1970s, the London Borough of Camden had decided to organize The Camden Jazz Week to introduce key international figures, including many of the emerging Europeans, and always committed to UK artists.

Imelda May

Emergence of the London Jazz Festival

The 1992 is the year of the transition that saw the evolution of The London Jazz Festival.

Taking the mix of international and British artists—and a commitment to education activity—that had been at the heart of the Camden weeks, the new Festival began to spread its wings, with the intention of celebrating the place of jazz in a city which was becoming at ease with its rich cultural diversity, and drawing in the venues across London that present music throughout the year.

The London Jazz Festival will host some of jazz's biggest stars, including Herbie Hancock playing his first ever UK solo show, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Jan Garbarek, Tigran Hamasyan and Paco de Lucia. 

Over 40 hours of the festival's live music will be broadcast on Radio 3, while workshops, talks, masterclasses and films will provide opportunities for thousands of people to get involved.

Check here to discover  What's On and the Event Calendar of the festival.