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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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UK US Chocolate Bars

 © Laura Porter, licensed to About.com, Inc.Some UK and US chocolate bars are said to be the same but I did a taste test with friends (from the UK, US, and elsewhere) to find out it this was true. I chose the nearest equivalent bars and we assessed them side by side to see which was better. We looked at appearance, texture, etc. but really it was the taste test that decided things.

Click through the next pages to see which chocolate bars did well in our completely unscientific test.

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Notting Hill Film Locations

The 1999 British romantic comedy movie Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts still encourages visitors to the Notting Hill area every week looking for the now famous locations around Portobello Road Market.

Notting Hill Movie (Buy Direct) | Notting Hill Movie Soundtrack (Buy Direct)

To help you find the key film locations I've linked them here as a self-guided walking tour starting from Notting Hill Gate tube station. The walk is about 2 miles long and will take under an hour from start to finish.

At 103 Notting Hill Gate, next to/opposite Notting Hill Gate tube station (depending on which exit you take) you'll find the Coronet Cinema. This is where William (Hugh Grant) watched Helix, the sci-fi movie short film starring Anna Scott (Julia Roberts).

The Coronet opened in 1898 as a theatre and was such a well-respected venue that King Edward VII saw a performance here and Sir John Gielgud saw his first Shakespeare play at the Coronet. Today it is a popular cinema for the local community and has current releases at better prices than in the West End.

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Somerset House Ice Rink

Ice skating at Somerset House is London's most glamorous winter treat. Set in the spectacular 18th century courtyard, with its glittering Tiffany Christmas tree, Somerset House offers the perfect location for open air skating in London this winter.

Ticket information (includes free skate hire): (2011 details below - awaiting 2012 info)
£10.50-£15 for adults
£7.50 and £8.50 for children
£17 Club nights (no children admitted)
Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Special Early bird offer: £7.50 for selected morning sessions for all ages across the season.
Storytelling around the Tiffany Tree. Free. No advance booking required.
Booking: somersethouse.org.uk or phone 0844 847 1520 (booking fee applies).

Teatime with Tiffany
Family afternoon skate sessions with ice dance experts, and a free Tiffany teatime treat with a hot chocolate or tea, and a glass of champagne for adults.

Storytelling around the Tiffany Christmas Tree
Free children's story telling sessions with top children's authors. The Tiffany Tree is decorated with illuminated carousel animals, each one inspired by the magical characters found on a secret carousel from Central Park, and adorned with twinkling lights reminiscent of the night-time New York skyline.

Club Nights
Thursdays-Saturdays late will feature a carefully crafted line-up of the best club djs, including the Nextmen and The Loose Cannons, and this year, for the first time, will feature programming in collaboration with four major festivals, Winterwell, Giles Peterson's Worldwide Festival, Snowbombing and Lovebox.

Skate School
The only ice rink to have an Olympic Gold medallist as patron, Jayne Torvill sets the standard for people of all ages and abilities to learn how to skate at Somerset House. Big Dance, the national dance initiative of London Festival 2012, is presenting free lunchtime Big Ice Dance Workouts led by English National Ballet. There's also the ever popular children's Penguin Club and lessons for the adults too.

Shopping
The iconic Tiffany Shop is selling Tiffany jewelry, gourmet chocolates, candy canes and lollypops, and a special limited edition range of seasonal gifts. The Wrap Up Shop will sell luxurious cashmere and woollen products by the best of British brands.

Address: Somerset House, The Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Nearest Tube Stations: Covent Garden Charing Cross Embankment

Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

Official Website: somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

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Rock & Soul Plaice

 Rock & Sole Plaice, Covent Garden, London

© Laura PorterRock & Soul Plaice is London's oldest fish and chip shop. Established in 1871, Rock & Soul Plaice is popular with locals and tourists all day long. The outdoor tables are lit by strings of lights in the trees which makes it a good choice for a summer's evening.47 Endell Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9AJMonday to Saturday: 11.30am - 11pm
Sunday: 12pm - 10pmAllergy sufferers should be aware they use groundnut oil for frying.

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Ministry of Magic - Visitors Entrance

The Ministry of Magic was entered via a red telephone box in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Harry and Mr Weasley were going to Harry's hearing on charges of using magic in front of Muggles. You won't find the telephone box here as it was only a prop for filming. The archway over the street is also not in the place you'd expect to find it after watching the movie.

The location is just off Trafalgar Square. Walk down Northumberland Avenue or Whitehall and Great Scotland Yard is a road running between the two. Look for the junction with Scotland Place and you'll see the archway over Scotland Place but as this road was considered too short, filming was done on Great Scotland Yard and the archway over the road was added in line with the first lamppost - covering the doorway where the men are talking in this photo - and the red telephone box was placed in front of that, just before the first window.

Nearby attractions include the London Nose and the World's Smallest Police Box in Trafalgar Square, the Household Cavalry Museum, plus the Changing of the Guards and the Four O'Clock Parade at Horseguard's Parade.

You might also like to try a Harry Potter Walking Tour of London (Buy Direct).

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World's Smallest Police Station?

See the Trafalgar Square Hidden Gems Video which includes this police box.

In the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square, unnoticed by most visitors, is what many have called the world's smallest police station. There's only room for one inside and these days it is used as a storage room by the cleaners.

Trafalgar Square has always been a center for protests so the tiny police station was built into the original plans as a lookout post so the authorities could keep a check on the many marches and protests.

Is This the World's Smallest Police Station?
Common opinion says that accolade must go a phone booth in Carrabelle, Florida. I would suspect the internal dimensions of both 'police stations' is similar but the London one is certainly larger and taller.

Other unsual findings in the area includes the London Nose and a Harry Potter Film Location in London.

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London Eye Ice Rink

This winter the EDF Energy London Eye is bringing back Eyeskate, and it promises to be bigger and better than last year! Guests are invited to glide across the ice under the silhouette of London's most iconic landmark, where they can also opt to experience the London Eye or the London Eye River Cruise to enjoy the best of London's Christmas offerings.

Opening Times:
November: 12pm to 9pm
December: 10am to 9pm
Not open Christmas Day.
Last skating session is 5pm on Christmas Eve and 3pm on New Year's Eve.

Book online for a 10% discount: http://www.londoneye.com/.

Ice Skating Ticket information:
Off peak: Monday to Friday:
Adult: £10.50
Child (5-15 years): £7.50
Family: £32.50

Peak: Saturday and Sunday and the Christmas period (17 December to 6 January):
Adult: £12.50
Child (5-15 years): £9.50
Family: £39.60

45 minute skating sessions. Tickets include skate hire.

Important Note:
Tickets for the London Eye eyeskate can be bought individually and do not have to be purchased in conjunction with a ticket for the London Eye.

London Eye has lots of Christmas specials. For all the details and booking see: http://www.londoneye.com/.

Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

Quick Review: I've visited this ice rink this season with my five year old daughter. It's quite a small rink but the location is lovely, right in front of the London Eye. For younger skaters there are orange plastic 'seals' for them to either ride on or hold onto and push. My daughter enjoyed both options but I have to say I actually preferred her riding the seal so I could push as I let go of the side of the rink for the first time! There's no cloakroom but you can leave a small bag with your shoes when collecting skates. There are no 'double blades' for younger skaters so my daughter wore standard ice skates for the first time. There is just one Ice Marshall on the rink but he was great at giving out tips and picking us up when needed. Another fun and recommended London ice rink.

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Nutcracker Family Friendly

English National Ballet offer family friendly performances where children under 5 are welcome. I took my 2 year old daughter to see The Nutcracker as part of the English National Ballet Christmas season. English National Ballet has performed The Nutcracker as part of its Christmas season every year since 1950.

See also review of ENB's The Nutcracker (non-family friendly performance).

English National Ballet have a very colorful version of the E.T.A. Hoffman story which makes it great for the kids. The sets and costumes are by Gerald Scarfe and the choreography is by Christopher Hampson.

This eccentric retelling of the classic Christmas ballet includes snowflakes dancing out of a giant fridge, an evil mice sword fight in the dead of night, and an origami bird to whisk the heroine Clara away to the Kingdom of the Sweets.

You can find out everything you've ever wanted to know about The Nutcracker from these great resources on the About.com Dance site: All About The Nutcracker Ballet.

The family sitting next to me and my daughter told me they come every year for this performance and I could see from the fact that nearly every seat was taken that it was an extremely popular event.

The Grandma the other side of me told me I would be amazed how quiet the children were during the ballet and she was right, it was extraordinary.

For the first Act I think all the children were captivated by the fun antics on stage. I'd told my daughter the basic story: Christmas house party, Clara gets a nutcracker doll, brother breaks it, Drosselmeyer mends it, kids go to bed, Clara gets up, doll comes to life, fights with mice, Nutcracker is hurt, Clara kisses him, all good. To the Land of Snow with lots of snowflakes dancing out of a giant fridge. You know, the usual stuff.

My daughter sat on my lap for Act I and talked me through what she saw on stage. Even without words, it seemed all the children were very capable of following the story. And even at two years old, my daughter was totally captivated by the performance, especially during the house party as she (and I) loved the family characters.

Act II involves the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince, plus entertainment from lots of characters in the Kingdom of the Sweets before the Grand Finale. My daughter wasn't so keen to sit still during this Act but she wanted to dance like the Sugar Plum Fairy and spent most of the second Act spinning around in front of her chair.

The only downside was the end when my daughter was most upset it had to finish. She was having far too much fun!

Once you have booked your tickets for an English National Ballet family friendly performance then why not enjoy the whole day in central London? You could spend the morning in the National Gallery following a family trail or audio guide. I would also recommend using the ArtStart touch screen system to plan your own tour. There are plenty of themed suggestions such as monsters or exotic animals.

Lunch could be at the National Dining Rooms within the National Gallery or cross the road to the Cafe in the Crypt at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Both welcome families.

After lunch, arrive at the London Coliseum by 2pm for a 2.30pm performance. It can get a bit busy with young families arriving so it's best to give yourself plenty of time.

Enjoy the ballet performance and afterwards go to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas tree lit up and listen to the carol singers.

You could stay for dinner at Gaby's Deli or head home and collapse. It's been a long day!

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London Eye 4D Experience

The London Eye 4D Film Experience started in August 2009 and is included in the London Eye ticket price. It is a fantastic 4D film to entertain you before your trip on the London Eye. The 4D effects are superb and this short film has the only 3D aerial footage of London.The 4D Cinema entrance is in the County Hall London Eye Ticket Hall so after buying your ticket go straight to the '4D Experience' where you'll be issued with 3D glasses.

As you may need to wait before entering the cinema, there's a short film before going in about the creation of the London Eye. There are no words as the images explain all.

About 160 visitors will pass through the 4D cinema every 8 minutes so don't worry about waiting as the cinema is more spacious than it first seems.

The bright pink cinema is all standing and is on four levels. The top level is fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.

Put on your glasses and enjoy. There are no words and the images are set to the music of Coldplay and Goldfrapp.

The story is about a little girl visiting London with her father and she wants to be higher to get a better view so they come to the London Eye. She loves it and starts imagining what it would be like to see London from a bird's eye view and we're off soaring around the sky with the only 3D aerial footage of London. The bird is a seagull (not a pigeon) and it hovers so you think you could touch it. (Go on, reach out and try!)

We view London from up high and see parties such as the Chinese dragons at Chinese New Year and the fireworks at the London Eye for New Year's Eve. But what makes it 4D?

Oh this is the fun stuff as you're not only watching (in 3D) but all your senses are involved. You see dry ice around your feet when you arrive and that's just the start. When it snows on screen guess what happens? Yes, it snows in the cinema! When the children play with bubbles guess what happens? You got it, there are bubbles in the cinema. And when you watch the fireworks you can really smell them (sorry, no fireworks in the cinema.) It rains on screen and oh my, you can feel it.

Oh wow. For a short film (less than four minutes) before the main attraction you think you've come for, you are going to love this free extra.

I stood there with my mouth wide open at the end as did many others. It's fantastic! It just seems mad that you get splashed (only a little so don't worry) and can feel the wind in your hair.

The effects are Hollywood standard as no expense was spared. And I love the fact the little girl is 'normal' and not a stage school kid. She looks thrilled, and the audience are thrilled for her.

I was lucky enough to try the film three times on the first day and I still want to go back for more!

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Halloween in London

This Halloween, the The London Eye has The Witch Academy, a magical school of mysticism and sorcery for children and their families. Classes will run throughout the October half-term break and youngsters will need to work together to find the two missing witches to graduate at The Witch Academy and enjoy a bespoke Halloween Storytelling experience on the London Eye.

Visitors can also take a spook-tacular cruise along the River Thames on the London Eye River Cruise where you can enjoy a chilling cocktail and monster mash to the spooky sounds of the devilish DJ while discovering the history of the mysterious River Thames and hear the tales of the river and marvel at the riverside landmarks.

With every ticket purchased you receive free entry to the London Eye 4D Experience. Book at http://www.londoneye.com/

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