The Borough Council has been run by the Conservatives since it was formed post 1973 Local…read moreGovernment Act. The building is large and under utilized following cuts in staffing and provision of services. I am giving two stars as I have experienced better especially the services and facilities provided at the new Civic Center in the London Borough of Hounslow.

Strangely this station actually feels a lot like a suburban railway station, particularly one in…read moreSydney. What is odd with regards to this station is that the trains don't actually stop here but rather go out to the regions. In a way it has a lot to do with England's privatised system, but it's a station, and it isn't bad at all.

I don't know why the hired people that don't know anything . I ask for the top up they tell me yo…read moreneed to top your bank account so why am I using oyster ? To top my bank account I sail is anything wrong with the machine she just tell top your bank account so annoying

Given my choice of airline, I don't often fly out of Terminal 4, but it still has a lot going for…read moreit when I have. Fast security times due to multiple entry points allows you a little pre-flight buffer if you arrive closer to departure. Use some of that saved time to hit up the quick or slow dining options before you depart: The Commission, Star Light, Caviar House for you high-rollers, Prince of Wales for the rest of us, and of course (of course) Pret! Pro tip 1: since they never put flight gates up until 1 hour before, walk down toward gate 14 to hang out in a less-crowded space instead of right beyond security. Also kids will love the play area there, and head up the stairs to the birds eye runway view (everybody loves that--even an elevator). Pro tip 2: T4 by TfL means train transfer (Piccadilly and Elizabeth) unless you get the every-30-min T4 direct. You know I'll return, because if my ticket says T4 what else am I gonna do?

The other cities in Europe have something to learn from London. When you land in a new city, it can…read morebe daunting to try to figure out how to utilize the public transportation. But in London, things are made much easier because you can use your apple pay to tap in and tap out. Easy peasy lemon squeezie! The airport is far from the city center- about an hour ride. So get ready to get comfy!

A tiny library, offering only a most basic selection of mainly fiction, but as it is part of the…read morelarger Reading library system it is easy to order books in from one of the other libraries. More importantly, this is the site of the Reading Toy Library and can be an extremely helpful place for parents to cheaply offer their children a wide selection of toys and children's books.

Southcote must be the best in Reading being a Reading Library user since the early 1940's i have…read moreused several but moving to Soutcote three years ago i found a treasure. The staff are so, so helpful. I go to the regular talks and usualy there are 50, or 60 there for an interesting hour. They help not just me order books but all their clients get the same friendly help. If you go in on a morning when toddlers and mums are there you see the Librarian leading the little ones. I find it Unbelievable that it is being squeesed into the community center. But thank you all you good folk who help us while you still can.

beautiful cemetery…read more the scenery is gorgeous. lots of nature to take in. plenty of people take their daily walks here so it is cool to be one in the routines.

OMG this place is so cool. It was fun to see all the old tombstones and take a break from the…read morebustling streets. Peaceful spot for a walk with my sweetheart.

To my Yelp friend Dean C - Found this great UK brewery. Sorry, but it is kinda far away from the…read moredowntown tourist London area. But it is worth it since it is a "brewery mall." Quality/Quantity - Small simple menu done very well. Including the beer, good beer! My self made flight was good. I was worried that I ordered too many... All my beers were good. Can I suggest adding flights to your menu? Guest beers are also offered, see picture. Kegged wines, wines on tap. Pizza was great, sorry if I offended the "chef" by asking for parmesan cheese. I guess extra parmesan cheese is an Italian thing, not a UK thing...? We ordered the sweet potato, stilton & walnut pizza. Gluten free and vegan options are also available. Atmosphere - Amazing space, huge, indoor/outdoor, two stories, etc. Also outdoor on the river. Lounge area, picnic tables, "pallet" benches, barrel tables, etc. Semi open kitchen, see picture. Good people watching space. You can walk to the other breweries if you want to try more. Plenty of clean bathrooms on both floors. Also thanks for the outside/separate sinks in the upstairs restrooms. Dog friendly. Monthly events. DJ's on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Service - Menus and prices clear and plentiful. Hit and miss, but that's okay because I am drinking good beer and fairly easy going. Cool inclusive culture, see picture. Reservations available for groups of 4 or more. Price - 24 pounds + tip. Owner Comment - FYI, your website link on Yelp does not work for me...? But I can find it via Google.

Popped by here last Sunday and found the industrial environment buzzing. Cavernous space, cool…read moremusic playing (synthie-nu wave stuff) and intriguing pizza selection. I settled on the Kashmiri dal and whilst I was skeptical the bartender assured me it was delicious. And she was spot on although deeming it pizza is a misnomer: it's more of a crispy flatbread. Anyway the flavours were delicious!!! I was really skeptical of how the dal, banana slices and chili flakes would all go together but it was spicy, fragrant and tough to not eat all in one go (got it for takeaway). Really cool space on the canal as well with lots of seating indoors and a bit more limited outdoors. Almost right across from the overground. Plus dog-friendly!!

My first visit to London was awesome. The city has a rich and interesting history. The number…read moremuseums filled with world treasures is daunting and wonderful. And I can't forget to mention the fabulous restaurants. The food is fantastic. I found that getting around the city easy with the abundance of public transportation. I rode buses, the Tube and boats across different parts of the city. I also enjoyed walking throughout the city where I could discover new sites and interact with people. The people are friendly and helpful. I felt safe in areas that I visited. In the week that I visited, I saw and took tours of four churches, five museums, two palaces, several bridges and the London Tower. The architecture is amazing. I found buying tickets online easy and, for the most part, affordable. I was grateful for the free museum admissions. (Thank you, Prince Albert!) The museums do request donations to help with operating costs. What to bring: layered clothing, good walking shoes (expect uneven pavement), an umbrella (expect rain), a credit card with chip (many venues and most of the transportation requires contactless payment). I used a free app called Citymapper that will tell you how to get anywhere, what it will cost and how long it will take.

Had to scratch my head on some of the raving reviews about the food and overall essence of London…read more The distance between most of the historic landmarks were too spread out and hard on my old feet - a tourist trap for sure. Most of the flights to Europe usually start at the Heathrow airport in central London and is the busiest in the United Kingdom. Our flight from Ft Lauderdale to London was a long painful nine hours and the airport was crazy packed. Upon arrival, we hailed a cab, well actually ordered one thru a phone app. A classic English black car called a Hackney Carriage arrived to take us to our boutique hotel. Had to get used to the cockney accents. We were warned by many about the "pick pockets" in the tourist rich areas and our group almost became a victim, but some others were not that lucky. After that, my head stayed on a swivel for the rest of our trip. Strangely, none of the police carry guns as an ultra liberal policy that lets the public think that the police are merely citizens in uniform. Not sure if this strategy is working due to the sounds of constant police car sirens echoing the entire time, especially around Big Ben. Also got stuck in the center of a massive LGBTQ protest. Two fun activities in London that I highly recommend as a tourist are shopping on Carnaby Street in SOHO, the London Eye ferris wheel and a cruise on the Thames River. If you're going on this cruise bring a jacket. Now a little about the food issue. London food was very bland with 'fish & chips' at the centerpoint of every menu amongst a few other English dishes. Took a guided tour of the old English pubs which was not expensive with a few notable craft beers. Decent time in London with friends viewing the detailed architecture, but other than that, the city itself is very overrated and would hesitate to return.

Westminster Abbey was one of the highlights of our visit to London. We arranged for a special…read moreMedieval Monastery tour of the Abby that included learning in-depth history. The 90 minute tour cost £15 plus general admission. We booked on-line two weeks in advance. We arrived early with our tickets stamped for opening at 9:30. Security staff scans and queues up visitors by ticket times and there was a line that had well over a thousand people waiting to enter. All general admission visitors are given a headset with a wonderful guided tour upon entering. There is a logical pathway to follow and learn about the Abbey. Hannah was our private tour guide. She was wealth of information about the history of the Abbey and the people that were important. As part of the tour we had access to parts of the facility that were not part of the normal tour route. We were also allowed to sit in the choir seating for a brief lecture. It was invigorating to sit where royalty had been. The tour is fabulous and very worth the money. The Abbey is mostly French Gothic, but a mix of styles as different King's added on sections and chapels during their reigns. Much of the Abbey was restored after the damage caused by looting after the Reformation and additional damage caused by the WWII Blitz bombing. Most of the stained glass has been replaced. The history dates back over 1000 years and we saw evidence of an ancient door and uncovered mosaics. There is a lot to see, including graves of many notable people and royalty. Restrooms are available towards the end of the tour (but expect a line). There is a cafeteria and several gift shops. Current renovations are adding additional guest restrooms. Wear comfortable walking shoes, expect uneven floors. Arrive a bit early to go through security. I highly recommend a visit. I wouldn't bring young children.

This highly visited tourist attraction was founded in 960 AD. That's insane! It was rebuilt in…read more1245. Also insane! UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist must see, especially if your first time in London. Incredible Gothic architecture that's really wonderful to be able to see up close and personal. Nothing short of awe-inspiring. Super close to Houses of Parliament which makes for easier sightseeing.

Once you've taken in and walked across the nearby Tower Bridge there is just no comparison as the…read moreLondon Bridge is plain and basic by look and design. Sure, its a fully functional way to cross over the Thames and take in some sights and pictures but that's. London Bridge seems more famous by name and had been featured in songs and movies but the few times I walked across it while in town for the London Marathon it felt underwhelming. Still, the bridge is iconic with a long history and worth a visit.

Visiting the iconic Tower Bridge in London was one of those experiences that truly lives up to the…read morehype. Standing beside the River Thames, the bridge is even more impressive in person, with its grand towers and intricate details that instantly make you feel connected to London's history. Walking across it offers beautiful views of the city--on one side, the modern skyline with skyscrapers, and on the other, classic landmarks that remind you how timeless London really is. The atmosphere around Tower Bridge is lively but not overwhelming, making it a great spot to pause, take photos, and simply take it all in. Watching boats pass beneath the bridge adds to the charm