So those of you studying English in London would have probably would have heard the news that it is going to get colder, much colder.  All you will really want to do is stay inside, wrapped up in your bed. DONT DO IT! No matter what the weather is there is still so much to see and do in London. And this Wednesday one of the best museums opens its doors just to adults for loads of fun and games.

‘Lates’ at the Science Museum gives the chance to adults to explore the museum without loads of little kids running about. This months evening is all about gaming and the science of gaming. Ever thought of playing a computer game with 49 other people? Well this will be your chance. What about flying a RAF plane? You will also have the chance to do that! There will also be a silent disco for you to dance the evening away.

The science museum is regarded as one of the best of the world, so this is definitely worth a visit!

The Christmas period is a great time to come and study English in London. Here in London we really do get into the Christmas mood and this year is no exception. There are a range of different activities across the City and this week, 2 of the colourful of events begin in the capital.

Firstly we have the marvellously Winter Wonderland in Hyde park. From Friday there will be a huge fun fair with an ice rink and giant wheel. Entry into the park as normal is free with you only having to pay for the rides you want to go on. It is sure to be a lively experience with lots of different things to do. (/)

Alternatively we have the Cologne Christmas Market that comes to the Southbank Centre at the end of this week. Going down the Queen’s Walk (from the Southbank Centre to the London Eye) there will be a German style market where you can buy lots of different gifts, a lot of them hand-crafted, and even try so German specialities like mulled wine. have a look at their websites

Both are well worth a visit. Have a great weekend!

Stuck for something to do this weekend? Well if you are studying English in London why don’t you pop down to the city of London on Saturday afternoon for the Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks.

Run by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Lord Mayors show is a 3 mile long parade across the City, the heart of the financial district of London. There will be over 6,000 people involved in the parade, 20 marching bands, 71 floats and the 253 year old gold State Coach that will carry the Lord Mayor around. Starting at Mansion House the parade will go though St Paul’s and the Royal Courts. Ending back at Mansion House around 2.30pm, the festivities will move to Victoria Embankment (Temple Station and between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges) and the South Bank for one of London’s most spectacular fireworks display.  

So instead of saying in and complaining about the cold come out, see the parade and fireworks and enjoy this beautiful city they call London.

It might seem a bit odd to be talking about ice skating when the temperature in London is 16 degrees and people are walking around in shirt sleeves but today is the start of the London outdoors skating season, so while you are studying English in London you should really take advantage of the opportunity to skate in some absolutely fantastic locations. The Natural History Museum rink in South Kensington opened yesterday but personally I think the best one is at Somerset House – that opens on 23rd November, There are some other fantastic locations are the Tower of London and Hyde Park and there are also rinks at shopping centres (in Westfield for example) and in the City – next to Canary Wharf. Check out the full listings on their website

This Friday marks the great British celebration Guy Fawkes night or Fireworks night. Across London there will be numerous Fireworks displays for you to enjoy if you are studying English in London.

 Guy Fawkes Night is a celebration of the failure of the gunpowder plot of 5^th November 1605 in which a group of Catholic men, including the ring leader Guy Fawkes, tried to blow up Parliament and the King because they wanted England to become a Catholic country again. The men hid gunpowder under the House of Lords with the aim of blowing up Parliament. However their plan was spoilt as the King became aware of the plot. Guy Fawkes and others were found with the explosives and arrested. All the men were executed and their heads were placed on spikes outside the House of Lords as a warning to others. A law was even passed by Parliament making Guy Fawkes nights a yearly event.

 Although it is no longer law, Guy Fawkes nights is still one of the biggest celebrations in Britain. Across the country there will be hundreds of fireworks displays for everyone to enjoy. And here in London, there will be displays all over the capital.  Here are some coming up over the weekend:

Clapham Common Fireworks

One of the biggest displays in the capital

 Southwark Park Fireworks

 Close to London Bridge there will be a variety of hot food and drinks on sale.

 Victoria Park Fireworks

Called ‘Remember, Remember’ and I’m sure it will be a great night.

All these firework shows are free and well worth a visit this weekend. There are other shows all over London but you might have to pay to get in (you can always stand outside the park and look upwards though)

If your in and around UIC and the Oxford Circus area this evening, why not head down to Oxford Street around 6pm when the Christmas lights will be switched on. The lights are some of the most famous in the world and mark the start of the Christmas season in Central London.  All the shops will be opened late, so it’s a great change to do some early Christmas shopping under the stars!