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Living In London – Taking A Break

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Living In London – Taking A Break- Image via Wikipedia

Author: Belinda

The public holidays in London England are quite generous and you will find that you have some great long weekends where you can take of and explore the city or ever further afield. Living in London will be one of the most exciting times of your life. You’ll get the chance to experience this cosmopolitan city and immerse yourself in British culture and the way of life. When you have settled into your new job and your new London rental then you might want to take some time off to explore the city and your new home.

Public holidays in England are called bank holidays and all schools and most businesses do not work on the day. Banks are also closed but there shops and grocery stores open across the country, especially in London. If the bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday then the Monday will be given as a substitute making a rather nice lengthy weekend for you to get away for a mini-break.

Public, or bank holidays are rather different from holidays in the rest of the world. For example, Thanksgiving is not celebrated in England, although many expat Americans and Canadians celebrate the day with all of the traditional trimmings sourced from stores that cater to the expat population in London. The public holidays can also change each year: In 2011, there is a special bank holiday on the 29^th of April in honour of the Royal Wedding.

Bank Holidays in 2011:

1 January: New Years Day

22 April: Good Friday

24 April: Easter Sunday

25 April: Easter Monday

29 April: Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding

2 May: May Day Bank Holiday

30 May: Spring Bank Holiday

29 August: Summer Bank Holiday

25 December: Christmas Day

26 December: Boxing Day

27 December: Christmas Day Bank Holiday (because Christmas day falls on a Sunday)

Having these little breaks throughout the year gives people the chance to relax and enjoy their off time before and after the long summer holiday, which is when most people in England take their annual holidays. The summer holiday is usually between June and August with schools and businesses returning to work in the first week in September. Many Londoners try to get out of London claiming to be avoiding the massive influx of tourists, but if this is your first year in London then you stay and take advantage of all of the great tourist attractions that are laid on. Living in London means that you will know the city already and you will be able to head off to visit some of the Best of British during the summer.

Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, boxing day, canadians moving to london, Christmas, Easter, Easter Monday, England, London, london facts, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Royal Wedding, things to know about london, tips on living in london
Posted in Living in London, London, England History, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »

Living in London – “Rain drops keep falling on my head…”

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Living in London – “Rain drops keep falling on my head…”- Image via Flickr

Author: Belinda

If you are considering moving to London then you may have heard about the awful weather that you will have to experience. The truth is, that talking about the weather in England is something of a national pastime. As a foreigner it is however not acceptable to moan about the weather. A little English quirk that will probably take some getting used to.

The weather in London is not as bad as you might expect although the winters can be cold because they are accompanied by rain and sleet, which make travelling in London a slippery and often potentially dangerous choice. Another reason why it is always best to use the public transport system. It does rain a lot in London and England as a whole, but the summers are particularly fine and hot and you’ll soon be like a Londoner who rushes out in a strappy vest at the first sign of spring.

What is absolutely outstanding is the magnificent changes of the seasons and if you are lucky enough to live in London for a year or more, you will be treated to some of the most stunning displays of nature. There are a number of parks in London and it is one of the most treed cities in the world, so you’ll have a chance to marvel at the delicate signs of spring that make their way through the earth just when you think you cannot stand another moment of winter. The displays of spring flowers in the parks in London will have you out and about in no time at all. Spring seems to meander slowly into summer after Easter and you’ll start feeling the heat, especially if you live in the city, during May. June, July and August are the summer months in England and most people take their yearly vacation at this time of year to make the most of the warm temperatures and the longer day light hours. It can stay light until at least 10 pm during the height of summer, so you’ll be able to enjoy long walks in the balmy evening air through the verdant parks and neighborhoods of London.

Autumn, or Fall as it is known as in America, is one of the most beautiful seasons in London. Not yet cold enough for a winter coat, the air is crisp and yet it is still warm enough to sit outdoors and enjoy a last picnic before the cold of winter sets in. the great thing abo9ut most homes in London is that they are centrally heated. All you have to do is switch on your central heating at the beginning of winter and you’ll have a cozy and warm London apartment waiting for you at the end of the day. Living in London offers so much in terms of changing weather and it will give you the chance to see the seasons change and the beauty of city living.

Tags: Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, Easter, England, fun facts about london england, London, london facts, move to London, moving to London England, United States, Weather, Winter
Posted in Living in London, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »

Flat Stanley-n-Me: UK Bank Holiday in London

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

I’m finding myself at a loss for something London-y to write today, simply because London was rather uneventful this past weekend, at least in my area. The beautiful thing about national bank holidays is that everyone gets the days off, across the board. Easter did not usually mean time off for me in the States, but here in the UK we all just reveled in the glory that is a 4-day weekend!

Very exciting indeed when you’re formulating travel plans as it seems most Brits did…as I wandered around the city, I heard more French spoken than English, leading me to deduce that England and France swapped populations for the weekend. Many Brits do have vacation homes in France, and Spring regularly brings the French here en masse, especially student groups on field trips. How amazing would that have been in grade school or high school…rather than hopping into an uncomfortable, plastic green seat on the yellow school bus to go to a planetarium the next town over, you’re crossing the Channel to see castles and palaces and museums that house the likes of the Rosetta Stone and the actual bunker in which Churchill’s administration strategized during World War II as the sirens blared.

So while my local neighborhood wasn’t exactly buzzing—it was a virtual ghost-town with every restaurant and store shut down (except for Starbucks!)…good thing I was stocked up in my rations at home…—London’s city centre was crawling with tourists. If you’re moving to London, the longer you live here, the less you will be inclined to submerge yourself in the thick of these crowds, but I did it for the love a nephew: this Auntie had a mission to accomplish for my nephew’s school project. So let’s just say that while my husband was among the many locals who fled England for other countries (he went on an awesome trip with his buddies, biking from Dijon to Lyon, France), “Flat Stanley” escorted me on a most lovely afternoon through Westminster and St. James’s Park. Though a grey Easter day, the daffodils and tree blossoms were enough to illuminate the day and infuse new life into London…just in time for everyone to return last night and wake this city back up for some full-time livin’.

Join in on the international playtime—let London Relocation Ltd. speedily find you a London flat so you’ll have a homebase for your assorted holiday adventures!