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London as a Christmas shopping destination really has few equals. We may not have the huge centralised markets of Cologne and Nuremburg, but the variety and volume of shops and markets across the [...]]]>

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London as a Christmas shopping destination really has few equals. We may not have the huge centralised markets of Cologne and Nuremburg, but the variety and volume of shops and markets across the city is unparalleled. December in London can be a little chilly to be trekking the streets between markets, even for hardened natives, so jump in a warm licensed London black taxi cab, warm your feet up and spend a weekend in the innumerable fascinating Christmas markets of London. Here are some tried and tested favourites:

Hyde Park

Hyde Park ‘s Winter Wonderland celebration has become a star feature of a London Christmas. Its location in the centre of the city and its huge array of rides, attractions and entertainment are key to its appeal, but the German-style Christmas market is also unmissable. Hand-crafted toys, art, ornaments and gifts are on display, and chilly travellers can warm themselves with German mulled wine, bratwurst, crepes and gingerbread, among other things. Entry is free, and the Wonderland is constantly being updated and improved upon, ensuring that every year is fresh and exciting.

Hyde Park Corner is the closest tube station

Chocolate Festival

You thought it was too good to be true, but the Southbank Centre this year sees the return of the Chocolate Festival. This three-day event will provide a large number of very happy people with the chance to participate in chocolate classes and workshops. The market will be serviced by chocolatiers from all over the country displaying wares ranging from traditional chocolate bars to savoury chocolate snacks and beautifully crafted chocolate shoes.

Southbank Centre closest tube station is Waterloo

Smithfield Market

There are many of us for whom Christmas dinner is an underrated art, and an eagerly-anticipated highlight of the festive season. Luckily, we don’t have to settle for a Tescos turkey when London has one of the largest meat markets in Europe . Smithfield Market has been a place to buy top-quality turkeys, geese, sausages, bacon and stuffing (among many other items) for over a thousand years, so you would rightly expect that they know what they’re doing. The beautiful iron awnings are slightly more recent, but have given this venerable market the roof it always deserved.

Smithfield Market closest tube station is Farringdon

Borough Market

Borough market has recently become the premier destination for food buffs in London , and Christmas is a time for the merchants to flex their muscles and provide some unique produce. Traditional and international flavours mix freely, with an emphasis on excellent quality and an artisan sensibility. Man for some reason cannot live on meat alone, and there is simply no better place in London for picking up your roast dinner’s veggie option.

Borough Market closest tube station is London Bridge

Natural History Museum Christmas Fair

One to compliment a day out with the kids, the Natural History Museum’s Christmas Fair is small but well-formed. Located at the foot of the stunning Natural History Museum, the Christmas Fair offers 38 stalls selling crafts and traditional foods out of festive little wooden huts. The fair’s ice rink is the first to open every year, and is now a pretty major attraction for experts and novices alike.

Natural History Museum closest tube station is South Kensington

Cologne Christmas Market

Stretching along the south bank of the Thames between the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, the Cologne Christmas Market is the closest you can find to the real thing in London . Handcrafted toys and gifts are on sale in a magical atmosphere of beautifully-lit wooden chalets. All the best warming German cuisine can be found here, and kids can spend their time hunting for Santa’s Secret Village, where (a man dressed as) Santa will entertain them with a 30 minute show.

Cologne Christmas Market closest tube station is Embankment

Bio: Tim Harding is a freelance writer living and working in Central London . He is the editor of London hotel website TubeHotels.com and if he had to choose is probably most excited about the chocolate festival but please don’t make him choose.

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London’s Charing Cross Road area is renowned for its book shops. A day’s shopping there can yield Christmas presents that will be cherished for years to come.

One such [...]]]>

The Little Buddha - a new book by Claus Mikosch

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London’s Charing Cross Road area is renowned for its book shops. A day’s shopping there can yield Christmas presents that will be cherished for years to come.

One such book is The Little Buddha, a new book by Claus Mikosch (illustrations by Rosie May Harrison).

The Little Buddha was written by my friend Claus Mikosch back in 2007. The original writing was done in German. However, soon Claus realized that the common language of his friends is English, and so he translated it to be able to share it better. After a few changes and proofreads, the only thing missing were some good visual images of the story. Finding an illustrator who would identify with The Little Buddha was easier said than done. Finally in 2010, his patience was rewarded. Rosie May Harrison, a good friend and highly talented artist from Andalucía, provided the missing pieces by creating a number of truly beautiful images for a truly special book.

Synopsis

One day The Little Buddha gets tired of sitting all the time alone under his Bodhi tree, and so he goes travelling. His journey leads him to a big city, to a dark cave in the forest, to the sea, and to the desert. Always being curious, he encounters many different people and many different stories…

The Chapters:

The Courageous Widow
The Smart Professor
The Unsuccessful Merchant
The Man without Time
The Blind Witch
The Patient Gardener
The Happy Baker
The Warrior
The Old Fishermen
The Rich Peasant Woman
A Mighty King
The Sad Clown

A Review by Catherine Donnelly

The Little Buddha is a gem. An inspirational journey which crosses universal themes, it has a charming simplicity which makes it easily accessible to a wide range of readers, both children and adults alike. The little Buddha, beset by wanderlust, decides to leave his safe and familiar abode under the big old Bodhi tree and go on ‘holiday’. Journeying through the world for the first time, he is bursting with enthusiasm and wide-eyed anticipation. He will not be disappointed, for the little Buddha finds something to learn from in any situation, and from every person he meets along the way. The resulting adventures are uplifting, laughter-inducing and frequently thought-provoking, as his child-like eyes struggle to make sense of the world he encounters.

Through the telling and sharing of stories, the narrative follows a parable-like structure. But while The Little Buddha is a spiritual journey, the author avoids sermonizing. The Buddha’s bafflement at elements of the society he encounters (the rigidity of tradition, the pursuit of wealth above happiness, the senseless commoditisation of time) gently ridicules the manner in which many individuals over-complicate their lives, and while his reactions are purposefully naïve, the simple insights he offers have a resonant depth. A delightful lesson in the art of listening and learning, The Little Buddha is a reminder that sometimes we just need to listen to ourselves. And that nothing beats a simple story well-told.

To Friendship

Claus has dedicated the book “To Friendship”. I am proud to be among his many friends and wish him much success. Claus is a talented musician, song-writer, author, and homeopath. I hope you will give a copy of The Little Buddha to someone you love this Christmas.

The Little Buddha is available at independent bookstores in Maidstone, Brighton, Exeter, Glastonbury, and London. And through Amazon.co.uk

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To Book one of our Licensed London Black Taxis for your London Christmas shopping trip:

• by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
• online – use our booking form
• or send us a message with any questions you might have

————————————————————

www.london-taxis.net

+44 (0)7779 336 612

Book one of our Licensed London Taxis Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

Are you a Bead Addict? Do you have Bead Fever? Bead shopping in London is a sure cure. London has some fabulous bead shops. Here is your London Bead Shop Guide, compliments of London Black Taxis.

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Plans to destroy the popular Elephant and Castle landmark have been scrapped after Southwark council decided to rehouse the 6ft figure in the heart of the planned £1.5bn development

One of the most iconic ­statues in London has been saved from the scrap [...]]]>

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Plans to destroy the popular Elephant and Castle landmark have been scrapped after Southwark council decided to rehouse the 6ft figure in the heart of the planned £1.5bn development

One of the most iconic ­statues in London has been saved from the scrap heap.

The Elephant and Castle figure has stood guard over the dated south London shopping ­centre of the same name since the 1960s.

Now Southwark council has pledged to preserve the 6ft red elephant, despite having given the go-ahead to an ambitious £1.5bn regeneration scheme that would see the centre demolished.

The statue will be rehoused at the heart of the new development, which will include 5,200 homes and a new shopping area.

A council spokesman said: “The statue was due to be ­removed and broken up. But it is such an iconic piece of street furniture that we know holds a special place in local ­residents’ hearts.”

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There are still some corners of London where quirky fashion, contemporary art, & cultural food thrives.

Go East to find areas that thrive with items crafted by young British designers. Brick Lane is one of those areas.

An old building that [...]]]>

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There are still some corners of London where quirky fashion, contemporary art, & cultural food thrives.

Go East to find areas that thrive with items crafted by young British designers. Brick Lane is one of those areas.

An old building that used to be the Truman Brewery stands out from the rest of the street and is packed with independent shops. The Truman Brewery has been an important creative and cultural hub.

One shop at the old brewery sells clothing made out recycled material. You can make a one-of-a-kind item from one of your old garments; just bring it to the shop and the designer will make it into a new item for you. Other shops sell vintage clothing. You can get an East London Quirky Shopping guide from visitlondon.com

Many shops in the area encourage young designers to display their collections by offering affordable rental rates, allowing talent scouts from major chains to find budding designers.

Besides Brick Lane and the Truman Brewery, East London has several neighborhoods boasting dozens of independent shops. Socially aware shoppers can buy a wedge card from www.wedgecard.co.uk for 10 pounds, of which 5 goes to a local charity. The card allows you to support local shops while obtaining special offers and discounts from over 150 businesses in the East End.

Apart from shopping, East London is also increasingly known for contemporary art, with many galleries, museums and shops. With more than 80 art galleries, there’s something for everyone’s taste in the East End. Don’t miss the famous WhiteCube and Whitechapel Art Gallery, but also look out for hidden gems scattered all around this area waiting to be discovered. Dozens of the area’s galleries host cultural events and contemporary art exhibitions.

And talk about food! If you’re after comfort food, Brick Lane is THE place for bagels and baltis. If you are craving a curry or just need a quick bite, head for the famous Brick Lane Beigel Bake, which is ALWAYS open–24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (You are sure to see one or two London Black Taxi drivers in there at any time of the day or night!)

At visitlondon.com, you can download a guide called DIY East that will show you where to find East London’s quirky fashion, comtemporary art, and posh (and not so posh) nosh.

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Prior to the makeover, Liberty’s layout felt cluttered and slightly claustrophobic. Without losing retail space the shop has been transformed by the use of big mirrors, revealing windows and removing doors. The space is dotted with comfy sofas, creating calm zones for shoppers and their companions to take a breather and [...]]]>

Prior to the makeover, Liberty’s layout felt cluttered and slightly claustrophobic. Without losing retail space the shop has been transformed by the use of big mirrors, revealing windows and removing doors. The space is dotted with comfy sofas, creating calm zones for shoppers and their companions to take a breather and relax. Original design features of the six-floor store, like the wood paneling taken from two former Royal Navy ships and a central atrium, remain.

Liberty, located in Central London’s Regent Street, was founded by Arthur Lazenby in 1875 as an oriental-import emporium. Over the years, fabrics, furnishings and decoration departments were introduced as well as jewelry, arts and crafts, and cosmetics, with a particular emphasis on eccentricity. No less an trendsetter than Oscar Wilde once described it as “the chosen resort of the artistic shopper.”

Liberty has a history of collaborating with influential artists. Soon after it opened artists and designers like Aubrey Beardsley, Paul Poiret and Dante Gabriel Rossetti helped produce its first range of floral prints. That relationship between store and artist has continued: The Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry — whose public alter ego, Claire, is a proud devotee of the store — is one of six contemporary artists working on the current range of fabrics. One of his designs is made up of a tangle of bicycles, another is inspired by the recent BBC costume drama “Cranford.”

For anyone who wants to create their own designs there is a fabric, knitting wool and haberdashery section. Knitting, crochet, patchwork, sewing and ragdoll-making lessons are bookable.

A respite from retail therapy can be taken in any of the 3 eateries within the store: a champagne and oyster bar; a tea room; and Café Liberty.

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