Love London – Fall 2018 Activities

Sign-ups for Fall 2018 are now open on the main Love London page. Here, read a few more details about the various activities on offer as you make your choices. Remember you may request up to four events, and the sooner you submit your options, the more likely it is you will receive your top picks! Make sure you review the calendar for any scheduling clashes before ranking your preferences. Questions and concerns should be directed to ldnprogramming@syr.edu.

 

Friday, 31 August

  • Historic Bloomsbury
    Bloomsbury is considered by many to be the literary heart of London. This is a relaxing and pleasurable stroll through a beautiful and peaceful area of central London, which is notable both for its delightful garden squares and for its many inspiring buildings inhabited by iconic authors.
  • Open Top Bus
    Take a seat on the top deck of the bus and get ready to surround yourself with the intoxicating sights and sounds of London. This is a great introduction to all the best landmarks and attractions.

 

Saturday, 1 September

  • House of Parliament Tour (two time slots available – see schedule)
    Find out how Parliament works as you travel through the Commons Chamber and the Lords Chamber; follow in the footsteps of the Queen at the State Opening; and be inspired by Westminster Hall, which is almost 1,000 years old.
  • Westminster Abbey
    Westminster Abbey occupies a unique place in the nation’s heart. It has hosted special occasions such as Coronations, Royal Weddings and Memorial Services for hundreds of years. Even in recent times it has played host to memorable and poignant moments such as: the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. Inside you will see the coronation chair & coronation theatre, multiple tombs (royals, artists eg. Dickens, scientists eg. Darwin & Newton – and now also Stephen Hawking), the tomb of unknown warrior (the oldest in the world), and of course spectacular Gothic architecture.
  • Churchill War Rooms
    The underground headquarters of the British High Command served as the nerve centre of Britain’s war effort during World War II. This secret WW2 bunker and museum tells the story of Winston Churchill’s life and legacy.
  • St Paul’s Cathedral
    An architectural masterpiece with a magnificent dome, St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most recognizable sites. The 17th-century cathedral boasts a rich history as host of the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill.

 

Sunday, 2 September

  • Buckingham Palace Visit (two time slots available – see schedule)
    Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous landmarks. Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence and administrative office of the British royal family since the 19th century and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world.
  • Tower of London Tour (two time slots available – see schedule)
    Built by William the Conquerer in the early 1080s the Towers role has been as a fortress, palace and prison. One of the main reasons to visit the Tower is to see the working collection of Crown Jewels.
  • Windsor Castle
    Factor in a short trip outside London to visit the impressive and historic Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle has been the home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years. It is an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, whose standard flies from the Round Tower when Her Majesty is in residence. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also ‘tied the knot’ here earlier this year!
  • London Eye Flight
    The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, and has become a global icon and the modern symbol of Britain’s capital. The half-hour experience showcases breath-taking 360-degrees views of the capital and its famous landmarks.

 

Monday, 3 September

  • Othello
    Watch a classic tragedy at Shakespeare’s outdoor Globe Theatre.
  • The Jungle
    The Playhouse Theatre has been transformed to accommodate Miriam Buether’s immersive set design. A production about nationality, community and identity, “The Jungle” is a pertinent play that shares the stories of loss, hope and fear from the resilient residents of Europe’s largest refugee camp.

 

Tuesday, 4 September

  • The Lieutenant of Inishmore
    “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” is set in 1993, against the backdrop of the Irish peace process. It follows hyper-violent republican paramilitary Mad Padraic, who sets off on a furious rampage when he realises that his beloved cat has come to a sad end.

 

Wednesday, 5 September

  • Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
    Inspired by a true story, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” is the multi-award-winning hit musical for today. Jamie New is a sixteen-year-old Brit living on a council estate in Sheffield. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.

 

Thursday, 6 September

  • Dream Girls
    Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical roller coaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.
  • Kinky Boots
    Fabulously sassy, uplifting and ever so kinky, this Tony Award-winning musical has been dazzling audiences. Inspired by true events, “Kinky Boots” takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

 

Friday, 7 September

  • Brighton
    Nicknamed ‘London by the Sea’, Brighton packs a big personality. It’s known for its Bohemian bustle, trendy shopping Laines, pretty pebble beaches, pier and seaside recreation, and special cultural and culinary appeal.
  • Canterbury
    Once one of medieval Europe’s great places of pilgrimages, you have the chance to explore the cobbled streets and hidden gems of this world-famous Cathedral city.
  • ‘Classic London’ Cycle
    Cycle through central London, covering the classic sights that light up the capital’s skyline from Westminster to the City of London.
  • Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
    Kew Gardens, called the Royal Botanic Gardens, contain virtually all the known seeds in the world. It hosts many species of trees and plants, some in enormous greenhouses. The pleasant atmosphere of this historic site provides a gentle escape from the social and academic pressure of travel abroad.
  • Wimbledon Tour
    From humble beginnings to the world’s most coveted title in tennis, this tour explores the story behind the first Championships and visits No. 1 Court, the Picnic Terraces (the famous hill), the Millennium Building – including the press areas – and the iconic Centre Court.
  • Chelsea Stadium Tour
    This classic, 60-minute guided tour has been enjoyed by millions of visitors from around the world and includes both home and away dressing rooms, the press room, the players’ tunnel, pitchside, and much more.

 

Saturday, 8 September

  • Walking Tour: Soho
    Soho has been London’s playground for more than two centuries – where poseurs, spivs, chancers, bohemians, cynics, drunks and wide boys have come to spend their money. Explore the streets of Soho and discover the history of London’s louche and libertine party zone.
  • Walking Tour: Portobello Road
    Exploring West. Portobello Road – which runs straight through the Notting Hill area – is home to one of the best-loved street markets in London. Known for its second-hand clothes and antiques, the area is also a browser’s paradise with shop after shop. The wide ranges of food options make any visitor spoiled for choice.
  • Walking Tour: The City Old & New (with Shard visit)
    On this walk, you will get to see some of London’s most iconic landmarks and modern architecture. The tour will finish with a visit to London’s highest and best view: The Shard.
  • Walking Tour: Spitalfields & Shoreditch
    Exploring East. A visit to London should include a visit to the East End areas of Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch. These areas have transformed from being amongst the most run-down of London to becoming fashionable, exciting and vibrant, with a myriad of bars, restaurants, clubs and galleries as well as independent and quirky shops. These areas are a centre for street culture and street art. The tour will focus on the dynamic street art scene as well as the historical and cultural aspects of the area.

 

Saturday, 9 September

  • Walking Tour: Hidden Spaces
    Off the beaten track areas of The City, this tour will peek into bombed out churches, pocket gardens, medieval lanes, tucked away churches, Roman remains, and old courtyards – as well as incorporating some of the unmissable sights, of course.
  • Walking Tour: Camden
    Exploring North. This walk combines the very best London has to offer: beautiful parks, busy markets, one of the most impressive views of the city, and the quaint little streets where famous writers, poets and revolutionaries made their homes. You’ll see the vibrant Camden Market and the iconic surrounding neighbourhood, famous for its music scene in the ’70s (Pink Floyd, Cream), ’90s (Oasis, Blur, Pulp) and present day (recently the home of tragic singer Amy Winehouse).
  • Walking Tour: Fashion in Mayfair
    You will walk along some of the larger shopping streets and into the smaller quirky areas. This walk will lead you along some of the best-known shops in the world and into a street of designers where those in the know like to be seen shopping!
    You will hear about couture designs and see where some of the designers who were a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales, have their outlets. You will see where fashion blends with art in the world of window dressing and where shopping is the whole experience…
  • Walking Tour: Brixton
    Exploring South. Brixton is a lively place and a fascinating alternative to the regular sites of London. There are lots of interesting sides to Brixton: its social history includes immigration and the arrival of the Afro-Caribbean community in the 1950s, a process of gentrification that is still underway, and famous past residents like David Bowie.