The Barbican is an area you can explore with a library, conservatory, rotating art installations,…read moreand miscellaneous events. You should check when the events are, because it could interfere with the areas being available for a visit. There was also a beautiful outdoor area that would have been amazing to sit at the café outdoors and admire the scenery, but unfortunately it was raining at the time of our visit and it would not have been as enjoyable to sit outdoors here. Would definitely come back to explore more, and hoping the weather will be better in the future.

Very disappointing experience. I'll start with the good. The front desk staff was incredible,…read morevery friendly and very helpful. Unfortunately, the concierge was probably the worst ever. I received a package via Amazon and showed him the details from the Amazon email. He condescendingly asked me where it was on his list, where it wasn't printed, and stressed that if it wasn't there they did not get a package. I cannot put into words how condescending he was. I left for dinner worried the package was lost or misdelivered. When I returned, he was no longer there so I asked the great front desk staff if they had received a package for me. They remembered getting something and checked a few places, long story short is they found the package. Again, kudos to the front desk who went the extra mile for me, but why was the concierge so negativistic and self assured. Another positive was the fitness Centre, which had some great equipment, including a nice rower and treadmill. Unfortunately, the smell in the hallway leading to the fitness centre almost made me sick every day. A couple other challenges from the property. The room is what I would have imagined a jail cell. A small mattress just thrown into a corner. Also, the door to the bathroom slammed every time I went in, I am sure not very pleasant for my neighbors. Also the fire alarm went off at 7 am my last night, the cherry on top.

My wife and I visited the Guildhall Gallery in September 2024 and thankfully was one of the only…read moreattractions that was not completely overun with people. Therefore we were able to fully enjoy the lecture, the walking tour, and the museum operated by the Guildhall. We booked our tickets for the Roman Amphitheatre tour weeks in advance, and there were a dozen or so guests in our group. The tour is hosted by Dr Andrew Lane, the archaeologist who led the team that discovered the ruins. His personal and professional insight were priceless, just ever-so fascinating to a Roman history nerd like myself. To the amusement of my other half, I asked many questions, and Dr Lane took plenty of time to answer them. After the lecture and a tour of the amphitheatre exhibit, Dr Lane took us on a walking tour around the remains of the Roman Wall. The walk is short and easy, with several stops along the way to discuss the ruins we were looking at, their origins, their role in Roman London. The walk culminates in a Barbican parking lot normally closed to the public where the ruins of a gate entrance to the Roman Fort are hidden. This tour was a highlight of my visit. Having grown up in London and lived there for 30 years, I never knew such ancient relics survived here. It was a really great time spent reacquainting myself with my home town. This tour takes place one day a month. It is highly recommended to time your visit with a trip to the amphitheatre and to do the full tour.

London was once a Roman City and had all that Romans enjoyed within it…read more The Romans arrived around AD47 and the 2 small hills of St Pauls & Leadenhall were selected as sites for a new town. In 1988 Museum of London archaeologists discovered a Roman amphitheatre here - London's only one ever discovered.The impressive historical landmark was first unearthed by Museum of London archaeologists in 1988, and, nearly 15 years later, the doors to the amphitheatre have been opened to the public for the first time. The amphitheatre was first discovered when short stretches of Roman wall were observed at the bottom of four archaeological investigation trenches. The findings were instantly famous and the site became a protected monument. An arena that was oval in shape and approximately 100 metres long by 80 metres wide. The inner perimeter walls marking the amphitheatre's east entrance - upon which temporary seating would have been erected for public occasions. St Augustine in the 4th Century describes a visit to a London Roman amphitheatre made by his friend Alypius: ...the whole place was seething with savage enthusiasm, but he shut the doors of his eyes and forbade his soul to go out into a scene of such evil. If only he could have blocked up his ears too. For in the course of the fight some man fell; there was a great roar from the whole mass of spectators he was overcome by curiosity and opened his eyes, feeling perfectly prepared to treat whatever he might see with scorn and to rise above it He saw the blood and he gulped down the savagery drunk with the lust of blood. He was no longer the man who had come there but was one of the crowd to which he had come. Following dismantling and abandonment in the 4th century the site of the amphitheatre lay derelict and empty for hundreds of years. It was only in the mid 11th century that pressure on space in bustling Saxon and Norman London led to the reoccupation of the area. Roman London's Amphitheatre can be accessed via the Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, London. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-4pm (admission until half an hour before closing). Entry: £2.50 for adults, free after 3.30pm. Concessions £1. Children free and free to all on Fridays. There is no extra charge to enter the amphitheatre.

' I was greatly entertained by Christopher West's talk about Charles Dickens and early Victorian…read moreLondon. He gave us an enormous amount of fascinating information, and it seemed impossible not to be stimulated by his gushing enthusiasm and passion for the subject. I am not a Dickens expert, so was attracted by getting all the background. There was a lot of fun and laughter, particularly with his vivid description of the primitive sewerage system (or lack of)! Congratulations too, at looking the part so well. The pub was typically Dickensian, though I was pleased to get a good cup of coffee from the friendly staff. The location was excellent, next to London Bridge and Borough Market. I'm only sorry now, that I didn't stay for dinner after the talk- the food looked great'.

'After visiting the outside of the Globe Theatre I suddenly realised just how little I know about…read moreheritage and literature, so I went to Christopher West's talk about Charles Dickens. I really enjoyed it (surprise) and came out feeling like an all time expert. His enthusiasm was non stop, and he brought alive the noise and squalor of London all those years ago. I don't know how he could talk through all those whiskers. I liked the pub as well- it seemed a perfect setting, and Christopher pointed out that it was central to many of Dickens activities'.

I think this is another one of those places which id government funded which usually means cultural…read morework which is directly related to the community. It's nice to have these places and worth a visit if you're in the area.

Classes, classes and more classes. Took my Dad to a…read moresahajayoga meet-up here. He enjoyed it. There was just one person at the reception to handle my questions and he pretty much took care of everything. It might look like an old building, but I'm sure it is rich with several amazing classes, martial arts, meditation, music and what not. If you live around here, go in and check out the time table, you might find something for yourself.

I visited Greenwich West for the first time recently to attend Emma McCarthy's monthly Hoop Club…read more(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40193317501) - 2 hours of hula hooping fabulousness for all abilities. I'd assumed I was heading to a fitness centre but in fact the building is unassuming and pretty low key. It feels more like a big house than a fitness complex but has good facilities and, most importantly for hooping, high ceilings. There was a band rehearsing a few rooms down the corridor from us which lent a nice ambience to the place, and it's right near the market and shops for a post-hooping feast.

I am always pleased to see this little community halls being put to good use,this one seems to have…read morea lot of activities for both younge and elder members of its community.on tuesdays and wednesdays it as from open access for children,with gives them access to computors for help with homework and play from 4.30 till 6.30 pm Thursday 10 am till 4 pm it as a food stall its named the Food Co-op a inexpensive accessable local supply of fresh fruit and veg via food markets,also a over 50s club from 2-4 pm and saturday as access to computors for adults from 9 30 to 4 30 there also bible classes at different times and other activities,well worth a phone call