Rhythm Factory

By day, the Rhythm Factory is a cafe and doesn't look that special, although the Thai food is quite good. It's in a rundown part of East London but close to the trendy Shoreditch and Brick Lane areas.

The Rhythm Factory can be a meeting place at the end of the day or a place to party at the weekend.

The music is diverse and the atmosphere is laid back. Weekend club nights are popular and are open till 5am. The 400 capacity venue has 3 club rooms. Pete Doherty plays here regularly.

The best thing about the Rhythm Factory is the no pretension, be yourself attitude.

16-18 Whitechapel Rd
London
E1 1EW

Nearest Tube Station:
Aldgate East / Whitechapel

Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

View the original article here

Grimmauld Place

There is some uncertainty about the location of Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the Black family and the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix between 1996-1997. But as number 12 can't be seen by Muggles I think we can accept this is the most likely location at Claremont Square, N1 (a short walk from King's Cross station).

Lincoln's Inn Fields was used as the street outside no. 12 Grimmauld Place in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).

Grimmauld Place is a play on "Grim Old Place" and the Georgian buildings in the square, while well-maintained these days, could well have been much more grimy in the past.

View the original article here

Geffrye Museum

The Geffrye Museum in east London gives a wonderful insight into how Londoners have lived over the years. It's a museum of English domestic interiors and has room sets from 1600 right up to today. Each period room in the Geffrye Museum is a fine example of how middle-class English folk lived at the time, with wonderful original furniture, textiles, paintings and accessories. Look carefully in each room and you'll find something you didn't see before, such as the chess set in the Regency room or the cord for calling servants in the Victorian room (it's to the left of the mirror).

When you get to the end of the period rooms you'll find the stairs and lift to the downstairs exhibition area which regularly changes. Exhibitions have included West Indian Front Rooms (living rooms), Domestic Archaeology and Ceramics in the City.

Don't worry about what to do with your days shopping bags as cloakrooms with free lockers are located right by the entrances so you can leave all your days purchases safely.

If you are looking for ideas to recreate a period room at home or just like looking round other people's houses (and who doesn't!) the Geffrye Museum offers something for all. They run special holiday events for children and have a full calendar of seasonal festivities. Christmas is an amazing time to visit as all of the period rooms are transformed for the annual Christmas Past exhibition. Give the Geffrye a call for the latest details on +44 (0) 20 7739 9893.

The Geffrye Museum is well used by local residents and the staff have built a strong relationship with local schools and colleges. Children can be kept busy with specially designed worksheets available to print before you go from their web site or just ask on arrival. Staff really do make a concerted effort to help you enjoy your visit.

The Geffrye Museum is set in 18th century almshouses (housing for the old, sick and poor). The building and grounds were saved in 1910, primarily to protect the garden at the front as the Hackney area was lacking green space, but by 1914 the Geffrye Museum opened. Why not take in the peace and calm while sitting on one of the wooden benches and let the children run around for a bit? Also don't miss the lovingly restored herb and period gardens behind the building open during the summer months (1 April - 31 October).

When you've had a good look round the museum and gardens, take a stroll down the road to 124 Kingsland Road to Troy café. Run by a seriously hospitable Turkish family they will always make you feel welcome whether you only fancy a coffee or a full hot meal.

Museum location:
136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2, which is not far from Liverpool Street station or Old Street station.
There is a bus stop right outside and local bus drivers will let you know when you reach the right stop. Buses also have an announcement for each stop and will say, "Geffrye Museum".

Museum opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday 12pm -5pm.

Admission:
Free. What more could you want?

View the original article here

Lost Property

Transport for London finds over 160,000 pieces of lost property each year on buses, Tubes, taxis, trains, trams and stations. If you've lost something how can you try to claim it back?

Property found on buses, London Overground (trains) or the Tube may be held locally for a few days before being sent on to TfL's Lost Property Office. Property usually arrives between two and seven days after it was lost.

If you have lost your property within the past two days you may telephone or visit the relevant bus station or garage, or specific station where you lost your property.

Property lost on Docklands Light Railway is kept in the Security Hut at the DLR offices at Poplar station, which can be contacted 24 hours a day on 020 7363 9550. Lost property is held at Poplar for 48 hours, after this period it is then forwarded on to TfL's Lost Property Office.

Property found in London taxis (black cabs) is handed in to a police station by the driver before being forwarded to TfL's Lost Property Office. Property can take up to seven days to arrive when sent from police stations.

For any items sent to TfL's Lost Property Office you can use the TfL lost property form online at tfl.gov.uk/lpo to find out if your property has been found.

When reporting lost property, do provide a detailed description. Due to the high volume of enquiries, you need to include any unique characteristics rather than giving a generic description such as 'set of keys' as this will ensure your enquiry has the greatest chance of success. Mobile phone enquiries require either a SIM card number or IMEI number, which can be obtained from your airtime provider.

For property lost on river services, trams, coaches or in minicabs, contact the operator directly.

Lost property enquiries are searched for a period of 21 days from the submitted date of loss. All enquiries will be responded to whether or not they have been successful. If you follow up on an enquiry, please ensure the operator is aware of your original enquiry.

If you are picking property up for another person, their written authorization will be required. Personal Identification will be required in all cases of property collection.

TfL Lost Property Office
200 Baker Street
London
NW1 5RZ
Telephone: 0845 330 9882 (8.30am-4pm), Monday-Friday, except bank holidays)

In line with legislation, charges are made for restoring property to customers. These range from £1 to £20 depending on the item. For example, an umbrella would be £1 and a laptop £20.

Lost property is held for three months from the date of loss. After that, unclaimed items are disposed of. Most are given to charity but higher value items are auctioned, the proceeds of which go towards the cost of running the lost property service. No profit is made.

A stuffed puffer fish, human skulls, breast implants and a lawnmower are just some of the unusual items the Lost Property Office has received over the years. But the most unusual item to arrive at the TfL Lost Property Office has to be a coffin. Now, how would you forget that?!

Mobile phones and umbrellas are common items, and false teeth are also plentiful. The most common items are books, bags, and items of clothing.

View the original article here

Trafalgar Square Sights

Canada House - Trafalgar Square Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London

© Laura Porter, licensed to About.com, Inc.Canada House is on the west side of Trafalgar Square. It is made from warm Bath stone, and was devised by Robert Smirke who also designed the British Museum.Canada House has retained much its original neoclassical interior.

See photos and find out more about Canada House.

View the original article here

Best Pub Pie in London

Head upstairs to the first floor Pie Room of the Newman Arms for its home-baked pies with seven favorite fillings and many specials every day, often requested by customers. They try to use organic ingredients and source locally wherever possible. steak and kidney pie remains a constant at the top of the menu, closely followed by steak and kidney pudding. I've even heard there's a vegetarian option so I might be trying this myself soon.

Address: Newman Arms, Rathbone Street, off Charlotte St, W1 1NG

View the original article here

My Favorite Afternoon Teas in London

I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that this Covent Garden hotel could offer such a lovely afternoon tea for well under half the price of the five star hotels in town. True, it's not The Ritz, but Kingsway Hall Hotel afternoon tea is well-presented, delicious, served by excellent staff and all at a bargain price.

View the original article here