If you’re attending a Magic: The Gathering event in London, such as CommandFest UK at Twickenham, we have put together some information to help you, your friends and your family get the most out of your stay.
There is little need for an introduction when it comes to visiting London and the multitude of exciting things to do and places to see there. As the capital city, it’s a very popular destination served by a comprehensive network of transport links and roads, making it very accessible. There’s also a diverse range of accommodation with something to suit everyone if you are planning on staying overnight, for a week-end or for even longer.
London can trace its history as a large settlement back to the Romans but the area was originally settled by hunter gatherers around 6,000 BC, and there is evidence of Bronze Age bridges (from 2,150 BC) and Iron Age forts (from 800 BC) near the River Thames. The oldest evidence of a settlement here was revealed by Archaeologists to be a large Mesolithic timber structure (approximately 6,500 years old) at Vauxhall. The city now has a wonderful collection of easily recognisable buildings that make it a popular tourist destination. From the iconic Houses of Parliament to Big Ben, the London Eye to Westminster Abbey there are some fantastic panoramic views to be found across the city. London is, of course, also famous for Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Royal family, which sees over 1 million visitors each year.
Travelling to a London event
The transport network serving London makes it easy to get to from most parts of the country. With six airports linking the city to other airports across the UK, and further afield, it is also easy to get here by air. Public transport links each airport to the city centre with regular buses and trains.
There are multiple main railway hubs in London linking in all directions to the rest of the UK and beyond. These include:
· London Waterloo Station
· Charing Cross Station
· Euston Station
· Fenchurch Street Station
· King's Cross Station
· Liverpool Street Station
· London Bridge Station
· Marylebone Station
· Paddington Station
· Victoria Station
· St. Pancras International Railway Station
Examples of just some of the fastest train times include: Manchester to London in just 2 hours and 6 minutes, Birmingham to London in just over 1 hour 45 minutes and just over 90 minutes from Portsmouth.
The M1, M3, M4, M11, M20, M25 and M40 motorways are all in or near London, connecting the city to the rest of the country.
It is worth noting, however, that congestion charges and the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) are in operation across all London boroughs if you are considering travelling to London by car. Vehicles that don’t meet the emissions standards must pay a daily charge (currently £12.50). London does not have any Park and Ride systems either so parking can be difficult.
National Express coaches also arrive regularly in central London from across the UK, with a number of drop-off points, and offer a good alternative to travelling by car.
Getting to Twickenham for a Magic: The Gathering Event
Getting in to central London is easy and there are public transport connections to all other parts of the city including Twickenham Stadium (now known as Allianz Stadium, which is located at 200 Whitton Rd, Twickenham TW2 7BA).
Twickenham Rail Station is a 10 minute walk from the stadium and can be reached on South Western Railways from London Waterloo heading west or from Reading or Windsor & Eton Riverside heading east.
The stadium’s nearest tube stations are Hounslow East on the Piccadilly Line or Richmond on the District Line with bus connections from both to the stadium. There are also several bus routes that serve Twickenham Stadium including routes 281, 481 and 681.
Twickenham is only about 6 miles from Heathrow and there are multiple bus and tube options that take between half-an-hour to an hour depending on the Terminal you are travelling from. Heathrow Terminal 4 has a direct bus route (route 490) to central Twickenham that takes just over half-an-hour.
If you’re planning on travelling by car, remember ULEZ includes the TW2 Twickenham postcode and all areas leading to Twickenham Stadium. However, if that doesn’t deter you, there are good road links from the M3, M4 and M25 and free parking at the stadium.
Accommodation near Twickenham
If you plan on devoting your whole week-end to CommandFest or other MTG events at Twickenham Stadium then you may find these accommodation suggestions helpful:
Travelodge Hotel at Regal House, London Rd, Twickenham TW1 3QS – Just what you’d expect from a budget hotel and less than a mile from the stadium. There are also other Travelodge Hotels nearby in Teddington and Richmond.
London Twickenham Stadium Hotel at 198 Whitton Rd, Twickenham TW2 7BA – If you want to splash out then this 4-star hotel is part of the Radisson chain. And, as it’s name suggests, it’s located right at the stadium.
Hotels in Richmond – There are multiple hotels in Richmond-upon-Thames such as the Shandon Hotel, NOX Richmond and The Orange Tree, which give you the option to be close to a wider variety of bars and restaurants in the evening and with good public transport links to both Twickenham Stadium and central London.
Central London accommodation
If you are travelling a good distance to London, or if you would like to take in a few of the capital’s sights whilst you are here, you may want to stay in central London overnight or for longer. Fortunately, there are plenty of accommodation options to be found in London as you would expect of a capital city. There is something suitable for most budgets, and no shortage of chain hotels. We have put together a few inexpensive suggestions:
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus at Great Windmill St, London W1D 7DH – A minimalist, budget hotel in the heart of the West End and only a minute’s walk to Piccadilly Circus tube station on the Piccadilly line. It’s also less than 10 minutes' walk from Covent Garden for pubs, bars and restaurants - or a bit of retail therapy.
YHA London Earl's Court at 38 Bolton Gardens, London SW5 0AQ – A very affordable option that you will find in London is Youth Hostels. With dormitory-style rooms or rooms that sleep 2 – 3 people, these are a clean, comfortable option with very reasonably priced breakfasts. Just 5 minutes’ walk from Earl’s Court tube on the District Line.
Airbnb – For those looking to spend a few nights in London, an Airbnb property may be the most cost-effective solution, but it’s worth checking prices as budget hotels or hostels can be cheaper. You can find Airbnb properties on the outskirts near good transport links as well as some more centrally located.
Restaurants near Twickenham
Here’s just a small selection of places to eat:
The Shack 68, Twickenham, TW1 3QS for burgers, barbecue food and a lively atmosphere at a family-run pub.
Shiuli, Twickenham, TW1 4BN for contemporary Indian food with good veggie and vegan options in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Royal Oak, Twickenham, TW1 3AB (not far from Twickenham Station) for traditional pub food plus more contemporary dishes and yummy puds such as sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream. Also serves fresh beer from two copper tanks hanging over the bar.
Happy to go further afield or looking for more choice of eateries? Head over to Richmond for reliable chains restaurants like Bill’s, Megan’s and Cote. Or for independent places try Tapas Brindisa, Mada Turkish or Rosa's Thai.
More restaurants across the city
London is a melting pot when it comes to restaurants, and you will find something to suit every taste bud or food craving. All of the usual chain restaurants have several locations in different areas of the city, making it easy to find your favourite. However, you will also find plenty of independent options to explore as well.
Roti King, 40 Doric Way, London NW1 1LH —This small, unassuming restaurant is easy to miss. However, it is very popular for its authentic cuisine. Serving Malaysian and Singaporean street food, it is frequently visited by those wanting a taste of home, which adds to its authenticity. Expect queues at busy times.
Padella, The Frames Business Centre 1 Phipp Street, Clapton EC2A 4PS – An affordable restaurant specialising in Italian food with an emphasis on fresh pasta. This restaurant is a holder of the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand and well worth a visit.
Smoking Goat Shoreditch at 64 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ – There are plenty of Thai restaurants in London. However, Smoking Goat is popular for its friendly vibe. Serving authentic street food-inspired dishes, the food is a genuine taste of Thailand.
Rudy’s Pizza (various locations) – This is a small chain with excellent traditional Neapolitan pizzas that are well worth trying (trust us!). Their restaurants can be found in Queensway, Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Soho and Tottenham Court Road.
Of course, if you are not sure where you want to eat but have a cuisine in mind you could just see what you can find. For Chinese cuisine, head to Chinatown (nearest underground station – Leicester Square). The closest tube station to Little Italy in Soho is Charing Cross, and Brick Lane (E1) is where you will find the highest concentration of Indian restaurants.
Things to do in London
As well as attending a Magic: The Gathering London event such as CommandFest, there is plenty to keep you busy both in central London and West London. Here are some ideas:
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens (TW9 3AE), officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is one of the world’s most renowned botanical gardens. It was established in 1759 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its contributions to plant science and conservation. The gardens span 300 acres (121 hectares) and contain more than 50,000 different plant species from across the world. Don’t miss the Palm House which is one of the most iconic structures in Kew Gardens, and home to a vast collection of tropical plants, many of which are rare or endangered.
Hampton Court
Hampton Court Palace (East Molesey KT8 9AU) is a magnificent historic royal palace located on the banks of the River Thames in southwest London. It was originally built in 1515 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey but was given to Henry VIII in 152, and became one of the king's favourite residences. Hampton Court combines Tudor and Baroque styles with the older part of the palace, built under Henry VIII, well known for its red brick Tudor architecture. Later extensions, particularly during William III and Mary II’s reigns, are in the grand Baroque style.
Don’t forget to visit Henry's Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the kitchens, which were designed to feed the large royal court. In the grounds you’ll find the famous Hampton Court Maze, planted in the late 1600s, and one of the oldest surviving hedge mazes in the world. Also The Great Vine, planted in 1768, which is the largest grapevine in the world.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park (TW10 5HS) is the largest of London’s Royal Parks, covering around 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) in southwest London. Located in the borough of Richmond upon Thames, the park is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a European Special Area of Conservation. It has wide, open landscapes, ancient woodland, and free-roaming deer and provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Apart from the deer, the park is rich in wildlife. It supports a variety of species, including woodpeckers, kestrels, and parakeets. The ponds and wetlands within the park also attract waterfowl and other aquatic species.
Central London museums
There is no denying that visiting a big city like London can be expensive, however, there are plenty of things to do for free. In 2001 the government made many museums free to visit and some of them still are. The Science Museum on Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD, the Victoria & Albert Museum on Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL and the Natural History Museum, also on Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD are all great options that offer plenty of different exhibitions to keep everyone entertained.
A tropical paradise
And if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets then the Barbican Conservatory at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS is the place to go. A tropical paradise in the heart of a concrete jungle with over 2000 species of plant.
A bus tour
If this is your first visit to London, then you will probably want to take in as many sights as possible. The best way to do this is to sign up for one of the many guided bus tours that operate in the city. Many have hop-on-hop-off tickets so you can get a closer look at some of the places of interest along the way.
Comentários