Author:  Colleen

Howdy there, Pilgrims! It’s time for another round-up of Thanksgiving dinners in London if you’re making an international relocation to London from the US in time for the holiday.

I’ve blogged before about how I, as a fellow American expat living in London, have been able to find the traditional fixin’s for a Thanksgiving meal (like Stove Top stuffing and pumpkin pie) at the South Kensington Partridges in London (there’s another in Chelsea on the King’s Road, and the American Food Store is alternative located in Holland Park). That helped me out with my quick-n-dirty attempts at the feast when more formal meal plans had to be scrapped at the last-minute. It’s also tougher to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner given limited time constraints if you and your spouse or partner both have jobs in London, as we for obvious reasons don’t get the day off here in the UK. Unless you’re planning to use one of your vacation days to do it, that’ll be a real challenge to stuff the bird in the oven in time. Luckily, you’ll have Whole Foods at your disposal (the world’s largest one is located on London’s Kensington High Street), as they offer an American Thanksgiving menu that will prepare you entire meal, bodda-boom-bodda-bing.

If you’re not inclined to either cook or have to wash dishes, though, there are plenty of London venues that usually serve up a Thanksgiving feast or near-enough equivalent. So let’s gives thanks to the following if they’re continuing to do so this year (be sure to confirm with them in case they don’t specifically display their Thanksgiving menu on their website):

The City:
Missouri Angel near Tower Hill/Aldgate
Texas Embassy Cantina near Trafalgar Square
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House near Tower Hill

North London:
Belushi’s in Camden
The Breakfast Club in Angel and Hoxton

East London:
The Marksman Pub in Shoreditch
The Medieval Banquet in East Smithfield (St. Katharine’s Docks near Tower Hill)
Belushi’s in Greenwich

South Bank:
Tentazioni in Bermondsey
Belushi’s in London Bridge

West End:
Automat in Mayfair
Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair
Butlers Restaurant at The Chesterfield in Mayfair
The Reading Room at Claridge’s in Mayfair
HIX at the Albemarle in Mayfair
PJ’s Grill in Covent Garden
Christopher’s American Bar & Grill in Covent Garden
Belushi’s in Covent Garden
Planet Hollywood in Haymarket
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House in Soho
The Breakfast Club in Soho
Eagle Bar Diner in Soho/Noho (off Oxford Street)
Villandry in Marylebone
Cafe Luc in Marylebone

West/Southwest London:
The Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge
Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge
Henry J. Beans in Chelsea
Big Easy in Chelsea
PJ’s Bar & Grill in South Kensington
Babylon at The Roof Gardens on High Street Kensington
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House in Clapham and Fulham
Belushi’s in Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, and Hammersmith

We welcome comments here if you know of any other restaurants hosting Thanksgiving in London this year! And even if you’re not relocating to London for Thanksgiving this year, at least you know that it does exist in London if you know where to find it. In the meantime, the London Relocation agency is thankful that you’re here checking out our site right now and would love to chat with you about finding your London apartment—a new home for spending the holidays in London.

The 425, a classic double-decker bus, took a diverted route this morning.  I didn’t share in the irritation of the other commuters. Instead, I optimistically blasted my music, slouched in my upper-deck seat and let my earphone’s melodies dance with the dynamic streets of London.  Many have suggested I do an official bus tour, to view all the “must-see” attractions.  If you do see a tour, I recommend to bring music.  Tune out the mechanical tour-guide and see the city to the backdrop of your favourite song.  If you, like me, are not willing to pay the 30 £ to see a tour, check out the bus routes and bounce around from place to place for free.

Living in London – As English as… - Image via Flickr

One of the things most people struggle with when moving to London is adapting to day to day living. When you’re moving to London, you must try to push that concern to one side so that your enthusiasm for the big move isn’t dampened by your anxiety for how it could fail. I think what really helps to ease the transition is discovering something that you like about your new home. It really isn’t that hard (unless you’re determined not to find anything you’ll like).

My personal list of favorite things about living in London probably amount to all the clichés that I’ve discovered are truisms. I mean the kind of things you read about in books or see in movies and then come over here and you discover that it’s just the way you pictured it in your head.  Like bangers and mash.

It really does sound like the simplest meal ever, doesn’t it? And it is. It really is. But it’s also very tasty. And when you combine ‘simple cooking’ with ‘very tasty’ you get what is officially the top recipe on The Lazy Person’s List of Cooking. Honestly, it really doesn’t get much better than this. Get some bangers (sausages if you’re new to this English thing), potatoes, baked beans (you could try gravy if you wanted but I did say this was for lazy people) and bread. Fry up the sausages, cook the potatoes and mash them, put the baked beans into a pot, get them hot and toast the bread. Now, arguably speaking, that’s more of a sentence than it is a recipe. But, like I said, it’s very tasty.

And if you’re the lazy sort of person and if it’s been a particularly trying day at the office, you could do far worse than stopping at your local Tesco’s on your way home from work, picking up the necessary ingredients and heading home for some (All together now) Bangers and Mash! It might not be up there on the list of the most wholesome meals you could eat while living in London, but it’s quick, easy and very English.​

Living in London – You’re English now!- Image via Flickr

There are so many English traditions that are worth experiencing when you’re moving to London. From quaint affectations and mannerisms, to a completely different way of eating; delving into English traditions is going to be one of the more fun aspects of settling into your new London rental and life in London.

Learn the proper deployment of the word bollocks. It basically means ‘balls’ but to my ears, it sounds a lot more tasteful. Useful for many occasions, just don’t confuse it with ‘dogs bollocks’ which is ‘bollocks’’ complete opposite!

‘Going down the pub for a pint’. I’m almost certain that there can’t be anything more English than this and if you’re an American moving to London, it really won’t take you that long to adjust to this tradition. Ever gone to a bar for a beer after work? Pretty much the same thing, except in England they sometimes do it during working hours too! A measure of a pint is equivalent to 470 ml, just to make it easier for you to wrap your head around the concept of a pint. With regards to my earlier blog about English traditions, many pubs will even have Bangers and Mash on the menu, so you’ve got that as an option.

In a similar vein, back home in the States, we have the NFL, here we have the English Premier League.  That’s for football, i.e. soccer, but don’t call it soccer. Call it football. Every year, starting around the middle of August and going through to May of the next year, the nation’s top football teams compete for the honor of ending the season on top of the Premier League. We’re talking about Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal. It’s pretty much the most hotly contested sports competition in England, bar none. And if you’d like to get an idea of how big a deal the Premier League is, get a few tickets for the next match between Manchester United and Liverpool. Trust me, the level of rivalry between these two teams and the drama that each match promises won’t leave you bored.

Essentially, you could have yourself an extremely English day if you just did the three things I mentioned in this blog. Head down to the pub where you’ll get yourself a pint along with some bangers and mash, perhaps. Stay at the pub and watch the football there. Or go to the football with your mates, where you’ll shout “bollocks!” every time your team concedes a goal and describe your team’s performance as “complete bollocks” at the end (Alternatively, should your team win, you can describe them as the “dog’s bollocks”). And then you can go to pub again and drown your sorrows or celebrate your win with a pint.

You’re living in London. Act like it!​

Living in London – Smile for the Camera!- Image via Wikipedia

One of my favorite things about living in London is catching the city I live in on the telly. And I don’t just mean EastEnders (though that’s fun too). I mean watching a movie and suddenly seeing a part of the city you visit quite regularly. Like watching ‘Mission Impossible’ and spotting Bankside located nearby to London’s Southwark Bridge. Or an unnervingly empty and desolate Piccadilly Circus in ‘28 Days Later’. It can be loads of fun playing ‘spot-the-location’ while sitting on your couch watching movies or amongst an audience at the cinema. Here are some of my favorite examples of London in the movies.

28 Days Later – Like I said, hugely unnerving. The part where Cillian Murphy runs around the city looking for someone, anyone, and not finding a soul gave me shivers given how I much I take it for granted the huge crowds I see in the city.

Notting Hill – Obvious choice this but, given the millions of people that have been inspired by this film to visit and move to London, it has to come into this list. It really does help to show off the city. For any true Londoner, the last bit with them tearing through city, fighting traffic is both funny and thrilling.

The Bourne Ultimatum – it’s doubtful that anyone has gone sprinting around Waterloo station quite as frantically as Matt Damon does in this film, but for anyone who’s experienced the mad crush of people in one of the busiest train stations in the world, this is fantastically exciting.

Shaun of the Dead – A favourite for film buffs in general and not just Londoners. North Londoners will probably spot Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Finsbury Park in the background.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – two words: Millennium Bridge.

I guess you could say that it’s not exactly a list of top class cinema (more crowd-pleasers, actually), but I think all these films help to show off the swinging city. There must be hundreds of films that could be added to this list, so maybe this blog needs a sequel. And who knows, spend enough time exploring London, and you might spot yourself on the telly if you’re lucky. ​

Living in London – Summer Shopping- Image via Flickr

If you’re living in London and you’re lucky enough to have some cash to throw around, why not take advantage of the fact that London is, without a doubt, one of the shopping capitals of the world. You’ve got your choice of places to carry your wallet to and a plethora of things to buy for you to kit out your London flat. It’s a big city so there’s loads of shopping opportunities for you to explore.

Let’s start with the obvious – Harrods. The store has about one million square feet of selling space and over 300 departments, including the world famous Food Hall. So you won’t struggle to find anything for dinner.

Also pay a visit to Covent Garden, for the best in High Street fashion. Up till the 1960s Covent Garden was more likely to be recognized for its fruit and veg market, but these days, its popular visit for the tourist looking for famous fashion labels and its top quality restaurants.

Do you have kids? Then it’s only right that you make a stop at Hamleys, the biggest and most famous toy shop in the entire world. Don’t think that you’ll only be able to stop for a quick fifteen minutes, and be in and out. When a toy store takes up six floors packed from top to bottom with toys and games, you’ll have to devote an entire day to taking it all. And if feels a bit indulgent to be taken in by all this kiddie fare, just remind yourself that it’s not just for play, as Hamleys is over one hundred years old, which makes a valid part of London’s history.

Or are you a bit of a bookworm? Get thee down to Charing Cross Road, noted for its many book stores, from comic book stores to those stocking the classics to second hand book stores, you won’t leave disappointed.

And if you’re are in the vicinity of Charing Cross Road, head to St. Giles’ Circus where you’ll find Tottenham Road, where you’ll find anything and everything you’ll need to kit yourself out with the latest that electronics has to offer.

Shopping in London is an experience, whether you’re getting your groceries delivered to you London apartment, or you’re striding down the High Street on a Saturday morning looking for that perfect outfit.

Living in London – Home is Where the Heart is…- Image via Wikipedia

If you’re an American moving to London, one of the things that you’ll struggle to overcome is the feeling of homesickness that will sweep over you occasionally. It’s not enough to just will yourself to adapt or to focus on your work so that the aching feeling of being away from home will go away. Sometimes you’re just going to miss home and all that comes with it, like pancakes, BBQ, the 4th of July or having your family and friends over for the Super Bowl.

It doesn’t matter either that you can make your own pancakes or buy them, that you could try getting a grill and some marinade and giving the BBQ a shot (weather withstanding), that London also has a 4^th of July on its calendar (albeit, not with quite the same fanfare) or that the Super Bowl can be broadcast over in England as well (internet streaming helps in a big way in this case).

An adage that I really have taken to heart is that it’s not just where you go, what you do, but what matters above all is who you’re with. You’re not alone while you’re living in London. Turns out that there are over forty four thousand Americans staying in London. Not only that, but they get together pretty regularly and also have websites dedicated to that effect. It won’t be quite the same as walking in your mom’s front door for Thanksgiving Dinner, but spending an evening with people from back home can really help to ease the transition that comes with moving from one country to the next.

You can meet with groups as diverse as students studying in London, families that have pulled up roots to move here, an American TV Nights group (no, seriously) and all other sorts. So even if you are struggling with the big move, it helps to understand that there are others that have been there before and may even be experiencing what you’re experiencing at the same time. You can tear your hair out about the problems of moving to a new country, or you can laugh about it with someone who shares your pain.

Give it a shot. It’s like America, but in London.

Living in London – Ghostly Goings On- Image via Wikipedia

You’re settled into your new London rental; done the tourist sights and now you may be looking for something a little different. As an American living in London, it may interest you to know that the city is almost two thousand years old. Scattered all over the city are many old buildings, many of which date back to the fifteenth century.

No, this isn’t another history lesson. Something far more enticing: ghosts.

London, you see, is as famous for its numerous haunted buildings as it is for being the home of the Royal Family and there are a number of tours for you to take that show off various haunted areas of London.

The Tower of London is a popular visit for ghost-fans, seeing as it was used as a prison and saw its fair share of executions (including beheadings). Henry VI is supposed to be one of the ghosts holding residence there and legend has it that his ghost supposedly appears as the clock nears midnight, walking back and forth till the clock hits twelve.

Another famous tale of the haunted Tower of London tells of Mr. Arthur Crick, a custody guard for the tower. Apparently, he decided to take a rest from his rounds and had just slipped his shoe off and sat down when he heard a voice behind him whispering, “There’s only you and I here.” To which Mr. Crick replied, “Just let me get this bloody shoe on and there only be you.”

Another of the Tower’s famous undead residents is the ghost of Anne Boleyn, former Queen of England and married to Henry VIII. When Henry grew tired of his wife, he ordered her beheaded and her remains were buried within the Tower’s grounds. Anne’s ghost is said to be seen roaming the grounds quite frequently, scaring the living daylights of anyone who crosses her path.

Over at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End, the ghost of the theatre’s former manager, Mr. John Buckstone, who passed away over one hundred years ago, still haunts the theatre, with his voice often being heard in the backstage dressing rooms.

So if you’ve just moved to London and you’ve got the nerve to try it, take up one of London’s Haunted Tours.

Living In London – People and Personalities - Image via Wikipedia

While you’re living in London and indeed even in your own country, you notice people and services that have been influenced, aided and developed by one of the most famous Londoner’s of all time. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that an entire part of our entertainment today has been influenced by this man. Without him, we’d have no CSI, no Law and Order, no 24, and very possibly we’d never have seen Don Johnson starring in Miami Vice in the 1980’s. Okay the last one probably isn’t a huge loss, but the modern police force and investigation techniques are the work of one outstanding man: Sir Robert Peel

Sir Robert Peel

With a diverse background and a myriad of interests this man is the founder of the Metropolitan police Force and Prime Minister of England bringing about great social reforms in working conditions, industry and prisons. Born in 1788, this great Londoner has had a far reaching effect on the modern police force across the globe, as well as being active in politics and social reform until his death in 1850. A statue stands in Parliament Square right outside the Palace of Westminster.

Peel helped create the modern police force and to this day, London uniformed police officers are known as “Bobbies” as a tribute to Sir Robert. The other less affectionate term is “Peelers”, but unless you’re on the other side of the law, you’ll only ever see them as Bobbies on the Beat, patrolling the streets of London in their unique uniform and proudly acting as ambassadors for their city and their country.

One of the most important aspects of the police reform that Sir Robert placed into action concerned the ethics of behavior and investigation. This was the forerunner of the exacting standards in forensic investigation that have to be used before a person can be arrested of a crime. “The police are the public and the public are the police”, Sir Robert was fond of saying.

As a politician, Sir Robert Peel is most famous for his Factory Act. This Act of Parliament cam down strongly against wealthy industrialists who had made their fortunes on the backs of children and sweat shops. The Act regulated the amount of hours that children could work, and introduced the first basic machinery safety standards. In his second term in office as Prime Minister, he repealed the Corn Laws which protected the landowners by restricting foreign imports. Despite knowing that it could bring about the end of his political career, Peel forged ahead and broke the monopoly that had been one of the causes of the Irish Famine.

To be a police officer during the time of Sir Robert was an exacting position and required you to wear your uniform both on and off duty. London police were equipped with a wooden baton, a pair of handcuffs and a wooden rattle to raise an alarm if need ​be. The rattle was later replaced by a whistle.

To this day, uniformed police officers are not armed in the United Kingdom, which is a testament to the respect that many people have for the police force. His legacy will remain for as long as there are Bobbies on the beat, fighting crime and helping you back to your new London apartment after you’ve lost your way. Go on I dare you, just ask a Bobby for directions and you’ll see how friendly and professional they are.​

Living In London – Weekend Away - Image via Flickr

You cannot escape the history of this city if you’re going to be living in London. It is all around you. From the earliest examples of the Roman wall built two thousand years ago to the buildings that still remain from before the Great Fire of London. The massive fire that wiped out large areas of London during 1666 was not all bad for London. The fire had the effect of being able to wipe out much of the scourge that that swept across Europe for hundreds of years: The Black Death.

“A ring, a ring of roses, a pocketful of posies, a tissue, a tissue, we all fall down!”

A childhood nursery rhyme with sinister origins, while this has not been attributed directly to the Black Death, it is the most commonly accepted origin of the rhyme. Sung today by millions of children, they do not know the devastation that preceded this little ditty.

The reference to the roses is based on the rashes that appeared on the body of a person with the Bubonic plague, and the sneezing is the flue like symptoms that follow. Falling down? Well, that is death…The Black Death.

The Black Death does not just cover one period of history in the world. There have been instances bubonic plague recorded right back to the 7^th century. The largest recorded epidemic was in Europe and started in the 14^th century. At different time it was under control, but would always break out again in different cities and countries until the 18^th century. It has been called by many different names across different countries and eras. In London it was known as the Great Plague of London and reached it height and end during the year 1666, as a result of the fire that burned most of the city.

The Black Death reached Europe in 1340 on Italian boats that were from the east. It is said to have originated in china and was carried to Europe on the fleas which were in turn carried on the rats that were found on many of the merchant ships sailing from the East.

How do you know if you’ve caught the Black Death?

There is no point in getting alarmed, there are very few modern cases of bubonic plague, but if you do develop any of these symptoms, you should probably get to a hospital sharpish!

The appearance of a rash, possibly caused by flea bites, is the first sign, and very soon after that there are swellings that develop under the armpits, in the groin area and on the neck. These swelling are filled with pus and they spread rapidly across the body. ​After that there is the appearance of black spots all around the infected areas which also spread across the body. Followed by fever, vomiting and death, the entire cycle takes between 5 and 7 days. Pretty grim if you consider the medical care available at the time. Antibiotics had not yet been developed, and there was little that could be done to stop the plague from spreading through the crowded and unsanitary street of London.

The Destruction of Europe and England

During the 14^th century the Black Death was responsible for the deaths of nearly 200 million people. Although the plague does not last long, in England it was to keep breaking out for over 400 hundred years. At its height in 1666 it killed over 35 000 people in a few months. This is a direct result of the living conditions at the time. The streets and houses that were close together, sewage that was not disposed of and a host of social ills that affected the city. The overcrowding of London was a huge factor in the rapidly spreading Great Fire of London, which burned the plague out.

There is very little chance of a recurrence of the bubonic plague in modern times, because of the antibiotics and other drugs that have been developed, there have only been a few hundred reported cases of bubonic plague since the end of WWII. ​