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SITEMAP. See the best of London with The Original London Sightseeing Tour. Board the famous open-top buses and enjoy entertaining live-guided commentaries in English or digitally recorded multi-lingual commentaries in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian or Japanese. You will receive a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket that can be used on all 5 of their tour routes and will also include a fantastic free Thames Cruise as well as the unique Kids' Club which provides an educational but fun alternative for 5-12 year olds. The Original Tour operates daily from 9am to 5pm except Christmas Day. The buses run every 20 minutes LONDON LINKS. A flight on the London Eye, the world's highest observation, is an unrivalled experience. As you rise to an incredible 135 metres above the River Thames, the 30 minute rotation provides stunning panoramic views of the city and reveals parts of London which are simply not visible from the ground. For a truly stunning view, visit at sunset or after dark and see the city awash with colour and famous landmarks floodlit. Each capsule is fully enclosed, air-conditioned and holds up to 25 passengers with bench seating provided. Enjoy a 40 minute sightseeing cruise on the Thames with fascinating live commentary presented by trained guides. Audio commentary also available in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Japanese. Highlights include the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare's Globe, HMS Belfast, the 'wobbly' Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern. The cruise departs from Waterloo pier at the London Eye. The boat has both in-door seating and a sun deck and is fully wheel chair accessible. Toilets are available onboard. 1st TIME 2 LONDON. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses and home to the Crown Jewels Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house. CONTACT W2L. Enjoy fast track entry to Madame Tussauds. At Madame Tussauds you will experience what it is like to be famous as you join a host of the world’s hottest celebrities with a range of interactive experiences. We’re giving you a VIP pass to join the celebs in Blush to sing, dance and perform with Beyonce, Britney, and Kylie and make J-Lo blush, Or can you put twinkle in Robbie Williams’ eye or give Brad Pitt’s bum a squeeze without him having you escorted off the premises! Have your say on international politics at a press conference with Tony Blair and George Bush and join the Queen for a private audience. Welcome2London Home.  Tourist Information
London is the place where the historic past and the vibrant present come alive. A blend of history, ground-breaking architecture and culture has created an amazing and constantly evolving city. TOURIST INFO. London is a very accessible city; it has five international airports, an efficient road network and extensive Underground, train, bus, and taxi services. The city is famous for a wealth of history and culture. Home to Britain’s national art collections, the Royal family and a host of major attractions, London’s rich history, striking architecture and over 200 museums offer a unique cultural experience.
LONDON SIGHTSEEING.  London is one of the world’s most remarkable and exciting cities. It has something to offer every type of traveller. This vibrant metropolis embraces the diverse cultures of its population, reflected through cuisine, shops, music and colourful festivals.
LONDON ATTRACTIONS. London is home to some of the world's most famous landmarks. Take a personal driver/guided seven hour tour around this ancient city taking in some of the most magnificent sights you can imagine. The gothic towers of London Bridge, the awe and splendour of the Houses of Parliament with its famous Big Ben tower, to the majesty of the Queen's home, Buckingham Palace and the lights and sounds of London's centre of nightlife, Piccadilly Circus.
Windsor Castle was described by Samuel Pepys as “the most romantic castle that is in the World”. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodeled by successive kings and queens. A visit to the Castle includes the magnificent State Apartments, lavishly furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection; St George’s Chapel, the Drawings Gallery, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and from October to March, Georges IV’s sumptuous private apartments. Kensington Palace has been a royal residence since 1689 and part of the palace remains a private residence for members of the Royal Family today. Visitors can explore the magnificent State Apartments and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, which includes dresses worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. Package includes multilingual sound guide in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognisable bridges in the World. At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can enjoy breath-taking views from the high-level walkways and learn about the history of the Bridge and how it was built. You can then visit the Victorian engine rooms, home to the original steam engines that used to power the bridge. Enjoy fast track entry to the London Dungeons. A unique combination of real history, horror and humour bring gruesome goings-on back to life in the 21st century. The London Dungeon invites you to a unique feast of fun with history’s horrible bits. Live actors, a ride, shows and special effects transport you back to those black, bleak times. Are you brave enough to delve into the darkest chapters of history.
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» Cockney Rhyming Slang - Londons 'other' Language

A light-hearted look at English as spoken by Londoners (Cockneys)

Cockney rhyming slang has uncertain roots. It is said that it was once spoken by the thieves of London. It would certainly have been a very effective code, being incomprehensible to the authorities or any eavesdroppers who were not familiar with the slang. There is little evidence, however, to suggest that it was particularly widespread.

The problem in researching its origins is that it was largely a spoken language with very few written records. What is more, if it was a secret code used by traders, entertainers, and thieves, then the secret has been well kept. We will never be certain how widespread its usage once may have been.

The Cockneys were – and for the mostpart still are – working class Londoners. The word comes from cockeneyes (14th century) which means eggs that are misshapen, as if laid by a cock. The word went through a series of usages over the centuries, and it came to be used to refer to city folk, ignorant of 'real life'.

Nowadays the definition of Cockney is often one which originated during the 17th century. It refers to anyone born within the sound of Bow-bells. These are the bells in the tower of St. Mary-le-Bow, commonly but in fact erroneously called Big Ben (Big Ben is not the tower, but the largest of its bells). The term is still usually used in a somewhat derogatory sense.


During the 19th Century, the criminal underworld in London developed their own secret language, often based on rhyming slang. A few of the more common and interesting words are tabulated here.
Enjoy ...
Pearly King
Expression Meaning Notes / Examples
have a butchers take a look from butcher's hook = look
as in "take a butchers at that"
north and south mouth  
plates feet from plates of meat = feet
as in "you've got big plates"
boat race face as in "nice legs, shame about the boat race"
skin and blister sister  
trouble wife from trouble and strife = wife
as in "going home to the trouble"
dustbin lids kids / children  
whistle suit from whistle and flute = suit
as in "do you like the whistle?"
Adam and Eve believe as in "would you Adam and Eve it?"
Rosie Lea tea as in "I'd love a cup of rosie"
Mutt and Jeff deaf  
oily rag fag = cigarette as in "I'm going for an oily"
jam jar car  
mince pies eyes as in "feast your mincers on this"
pen and ink stink as in "cor! what a pen and ink"
porky lie from pork pies = lies
as in "he's telling porkies"
Barnet hair from Barnet Fair = hair
as in "he's losing his Barnet"
Brahms pissed (i.e. "drunk") from Brahms and Liszt = pissed
Gregories glasses / spectacles from Gregory Pecks = specs
Titfer hat from tit for tat = hat
apples and pears stairs  
Jimmy urinate from Jimmy Riddle = piddle
borassic broke / skint from borassic lint = skint
as in "can't go out, I'm borassic"
two and eight state as in "he's in a bit of a two and eight"
Bertie Woofter gay man from Bertie Woofter = poofter
China mate / friend from China plate = mate
as in "how are you, my old China"
Khyber buttocks from Khyber Pass = arse
rabbit and pork talk as in "Don't rabbit so much"
tea leaf thief  
potato mould cold as in "it's a bit taters in here"
dog and bone phone as in "you're wanted on the dog and bone"
loaf head from loaf of bread = head
as in "Use your loaf"
brown bread dead  
battle cruiser boozer boozer = pub = public house (a place to drink)
elbows and knees trees  
gold watch Scotch Scotch = whiskey
pride and Joy boy Take the pride and joy to the match
current bun Sun I'm going out to get a bit of current bun
dicky shirt from dicky dirt = shirt
pots and pans hands  
Peckham Rye tie named after a place in London
Hampstead Heath teeth named after a place in London
jugs ears from jugs of beers = ears
Errol Flynn chin  
almonds socks from almond rocks = socks
ones and twos
rhythm and blues
shoes  
daisies boots from daisy roots = boots
bird prison from bird lime = time as in "doing bird"

Other London Slang

Expression Meaning Notes / Examples
leave it out stop it  
the filth the police "look out it's the filth"
doing porridge serving a prison sentence  
beak judge "going up before the beak"
screw prison officer "the worst thing about porridge is the screws"
fence handler of stolen goods  
gladrags best clothes "get your gladrags on; We're going out"
nark police informer "he's a copper's nark"
grass up to inform on "I was grassed up"
nonce sexual offender  
snout tobacco  
sussed out found out "I was sussed out by the filth"
rumbled found out "We've been rumbled"
stitched up set up "We've been stitched up"
loan shark unofficial money lender  
bother a fight "Are you looking for bother?"
guv boss  

 

 

 

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Cockney rhyming slang began in London around the 1850's as a statement of independence felt by those who prided themselves on having been born within the sound of Bow Bells

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