London

British Isles

1 Quote
2 An Introduction to the Capital of Great Britain
3 Appearance
4 Boroughs of London
5 Climate
6 Economy
7 History
- 7.1 The Mists of Prehistory
8 Location
9 Population
10 Arenas
11 Attractions
12 Bridges
13 Clubs
14 Castles
15 Cemeteries
- 15.1 The Famous Seven Cemeteries of London
- 15.2 London's Other Cemeteries
16 Churches
17 Crime
18 Citizens of London
19 Current Events
20 Financial Institutions
21 Galleries
22 Government
23 Hospitals
24 Hotels & Hostels
25 Landmarks
26 Monasteries
27 Monuments
28 Mortals
29 Museums
30 Night Life
31 Parks
32 Private Residences
33 Pubs
34 Restaurants
35 Ruins
36 Schools
37 Shops
38 Supermarkets
39 Theatres
40 Transportation
41 Vampires of the City
- 41.1 The Traditions
- 41.2 Guilt by Association - No Caitiff in London
- 41.3 The Court of Avalon - London's Camarilla in Exile
42 Websites

Quote

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson

An Introduction to the Capital of Great Britain

A Note of Welcome: Dearest Kindred,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to London, the greatest city of the European Union and seat of both Lady Anne Bowesley, Queen of London and the House of Windsor and its heir-apparent Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. I am certain that I do not need to inform a guest such as yourself of the details pertaining to the singular honor the Queen has granted you by giving you leave to remain in this mighty metropolis. You are, for the time being, a welcome guest in this, the greatest of all cities on the face of the Earth.

Of course, such an honor brings with it certain obligations and responsibilities that I am sure you will find it your pleasure to perform. A society such as ours can function only with the clearest of guidelines and strictures and any violation of said strictures will be met with the appropriate punishment. I hardly need mention the possible severity of such a chastisement. London, both by day and by night, is a city where law reigns supreme. People know their place in society and, while they may work to better it, until they have achieved that worthy aim they do not step beyond those bounds for fear of losing the approbation of their peers. You would, my Kindred, do well to remember that in the coming nights. The particular demands of our own society will be made clear to you in the in the normal way. I feel it is my duty, though, to guide you through the onerous task of dining out in our first weeks in London.

If I may make a distinction here, one would do well to note the difference between the city, which is London in its wider sense, and the City, which is the square mile within London's medieval city walls in which the major financial business of the city is transacted. Displaying an ignorance of this distinction is a certain way to mark yourself as an uncivilized buffoon from some rural retreat.

While this letter contains much worthy advice, I would caution you against hoarding it for many nights. Read, learn, and act upon what is within. Then, destroy it utterly, for you know the penalty for transgression against our primary custom. This letter is dispatched to you with the approval of Lady Anne, and the urchin who carried it is tied to us by the oath that cannot be broken. Its security and secrecy are your responsibility and your responsibility alone.

Dining Out: As a newcomer to this city, I suspect that it is unlikely that you have made appropriate arrangements for a regular supply of sustenance to your lodgings. I thus offer a few guidelines for a gentleman or lady of our society who seeks to dine with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience. When selecting your repast for the evening, one would do well to consider the social stratification of London society among the kine. They define themselves clearly into three classes, each of which carries its own set of responsibilities and manners of behaving.

The Working Class: The lower or working class is composed of those men and women who work with their hands to make a living. They are the laborers, dockworkers, cabbies and cleaners of London. They undertake the manual tasks that keep this city running, yet which require little in the way of higher thought or initiative. Their clothes match their station in life: simple, shoddily fit yet robust and often somewhat dirty. Among themselves, their manner is coarse and bawdy, yet they show due deference to those of higher status within the city, at least upon the surface. Their discussions in the mean and overcrowded slums they call home are of a quite different tone. The dwellings of such folk can be found in particular parts of the city. The East End houses many of them, for example, providing a ready source of menial labor for both the City itself and the transportation hubs that facilitate communication and transaction with the rest of the world.

Those among us whose manner or linage brands them as part of this lower class will find themselves able to dine easily and freely in such parts of town. They run the risk of consuming a meal tainted by alcohol or the wide variety of drugs that many people of all classes use to distract themselves from the reality of their lives. London can be a harsh mistress for those too weak to or ignorant to seize the opportunities offered, as you will no doubt discover.

The Middle Class: The middle classes are those who make their living from the skills of their minds. They are the scholars, businessmen and lawyers of the city; the very lifeblood, if I may venture such a play on words, of London's power and wealth. Most are well educated and some of them, if their fathers or mothers were successful, may well have attended one of the better boarding schools that dot the English countryside. Their clothes are stylish and well made, though they are not prone to the excesses of fashion that often characterize the upper classes. On the whole, they are a dour, serious lot with strong work ethic and traditional and strict moral and religious beliefs that lead them to repress their emotions and passions. This, of course, makes them deliciously easy to manipulate and ideal dining companions for our Kindred.

Many of the middle classes reside in the center of the city, in areas a short walk from their places of employment. The houses of Mayfair, Knightsbridge and even the better parts of Soho are home to them. Of course, there are other places suitable for such a person, but I will not trouble you with the complexities of London's geography just yet. Many of the middle classes now choose to live in the new suburban areas of London, developing thanks to the rapid growth of London's splendid railway network. Many of our kind have found such places to be suitable location for an evening meal, though one would do well to consult with General Sir Arthur Halesworth before making such a journey. Protocols must be observed in such matters.

>The Upper Class: The upper classes are composed of those families who have ruled London, England and the whole of the United Kingdom by day for much of the last millennium. They consist of those people whose birthright is aristocracy. They are the lords and ladies, barons, baronets and baronesses of the mortal world. You can be recognize them by their expensive, exquisitely fashionable and beautifully constructed attire, their arrogance and, more often than not, their utter debauchery. Most have enough financial resources to negate the need to work, and so they lose themselves in such pastimes as hunting, politics, military service or sexual adventuring. You should discount them as potential dining partners: to even move on the fringes of their society requires a particular station of birth, significant wealth and a member of the their ranks who is prepared to offer you an introduction. Those of the Kindred who are in a position to do so are often loath to provide such an introduction to one like yourself easily, at least without a significant price being attached to it.

The upper class's right to rule is unquestioned but rarely exercised. The twin houses of the United Kingdom's parliament, housed in Westminster, work together to create the legislation that determines personal and national destiny. The House of Commons, voted for by men and women of all classes, decides upon the nature of the legislation needed and the house of Lords, in which the men and women of the upper classes sit by right, advise and aid their inferiors by dint of their long experience and noble upbringing.

Many of our kind feel themselves compelled to build some form of influence over mortal society. If you, too, suffer from this affliction, you would be well advised to steer a course toward the middle classes rather than the upper classes. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, the middle classes offer greater influence over the day-to-day running of society, trade and politics. You will find that the right pressure applied on a member of this class can bring a most satisfactory conclusion to pass. Members of the house of Commons are particularly susceptible to pressure of the financial variety. Many of them consider such incentives to be an accepted means of supplementing the stipend they receive for their service in the House.

A Note of Caution: Those people who have been knighted by her Majesty and are now known as "Sir" are usually members of the middle classes whose service to the crown has been such that they are subject to special recognition or reward. They occupy a place in society that is both within the echelons of the upper middle classes and the lower upper classes. Thus, they can often be a useful bridge between the two strata of society.

In Conclusion: The living people of London are well aware of their place in the social order and are inherently suspicious of any who attempt to move in circles that do not match their standing. Your clothes, manner of speech and bearing will all mark you as a member of a particular class. You should attempt to dine amongst those kine who are of your own apparent class. Any attempt to do otherwise will, unless you are skilled indeed in your choice and manner of dining, attract unwelcome attention and render your chances of remaining within this city somewhat negligible. For example, a gentleman or lady of the middle classes who is found walking the slums of Hackney will be subject to the query and rumor amongst those people who are the lower class, and indeed may attract the attention of the Metropolitan Police.

I hope that his short work was sufficiently edifying and will prevent any embarrassing misdemeanors in the near future. I look forward to your further education in Elysium in the nights to come.

I remain, sir or lady, your most obedient servant,

Stephen Lenoir - E.S.Q.

The Union Jack

Appearance

The Thames at Sunset

Boroughs of London

The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.

Inner London: City of London; City of Westminster; Kensington and Chelsea; Hammersmith and Fulham; Wandsworth; Lambeth; Southwark; Tower Hamlets; Hackney - Jack the Ripper Strikes Again!; Islington; Camden; Brent

Outer London: Ealing; Hounslow; Richmond upon Thames; Kingston upon Thames; Merton; Sutton; Croydon; Bromley; Lewisham; Greenwich; Bexley; Havering; Barking and Dagenham; Redbridge; Newham; Waltham Forest - Anastasius has influence and domain in this district.; Haringey; Enfield; Barnet; Harrow; Hillingdon

Near London: Mentmore Village - The Coterie Haven.; Radlett Town - The Alastor's Secret Haven.

Climate

Economy

History

Historical Key: Plain "black" text denotes mortal events, while text in "maroon" denote Cainite historical events and "blue" text represent events pertaining to Wraiths and their Grand Necropolis of London.

An Introduction to the Author: My name is Faramund Magnus, I am childe of Marconius the First Kiasyd and Grand-Childe of Lucian who is often referred to as Lasombra in the modern nights. I was born a member of a Germanic tribe know only as the Chauci. My people's ancestral lands lay between the river Weser and the river Elbe. The Romans referred to them as the 'Greater Chauci', probably because our tribes were only partially hostile to the southern invaders, though it is also possible that term came about because my tribe was quite mercenary and hired out as irregulars in the Roman Legions.

As I espouse an ethic of truth rather than falsehood, I will not regale you with a history of false grandeur. My father and brothers were only lesser chieftains of the Chauci and as a youth I was sold by my brother into the service of the Roman irregulars to insure his succession to what little wealth our father had obtained during his career as a mercenary.

At the time, I hated my brother, but in retrospect, I should have thanked him with a thousand kisses. Life in the irregulars of the Roman Legions was not a pleasant experience, but it did offer a number of opportunities for an enterprising youth. Unfortunately, I was not an enterprising youth, rather I was ignorant, lazy and quarrelsome and viewed the Romans as pigs. But, I digress.

Unlike some of the ancient Cainites I have met, I was not a royal hostage given over to Rome's tender care to ensure parental loyalty to the Empire and receiving a classical education into the bargain. No, rather I was of the lowest station in the Empire, save for the position of slave. My days consisted of mind numbing military exercises or in back breaking labor because I could not keep my mouth shut. It was only by chance that I would come to learn the Roman letters, this is not to say that I could not speak the Roman tongue, but rather that I could not read. One could not survive in the Empire without being able to speak the Latin language, though the common tongue of the people was nothing like that of the aristocratic patricians.

During the late 4th century of the so-called common era, a foederatus or soldier mercenary, such as myself, who fought on the lowest rung of the Legions could expect an exciting, if short life. For that reason, among others, I was invited to join the brotherhood of Mithras. At that time, virtually the entire Roman Army was given over to the faith of Mithras. My invitation to join was not a special invitation, but a opportunity extended to all fighting men. In retrospect, I sometimes wonder why I attended that invitation to join the Brotherhood of Mithras, ultimately, my decision was based more on boredom than any proper reason for attendance. In the end, it does not really matter, I did chance to attend and in the deep places of Rome, I came face to face with a god. It did not happen immediately, nor did it happen quickly, but it did eventually happen.

How can I describe the sublime glory that was being in the presence of Mithras? The answer is that I cannot, if you have had the honor of meeting Mithras, then you understand my meaning, if not, that honor is not something I can put into words. I had been a brother warrior of Mithras for perhaps ten years when I was invited to a very special occasion: the sacrifice of the bull-woman. In all likelihood, you have no idea of what I speak and it is not my intention to educate you upon that matter at this time. Suffice it to say, that this event was a very rare and extraordinary religious event for the local mithraeum. I came in the company of a lover and fellow warrior for precisely the aforementioned opportunity; you see, the Mithraic mysteries were not a religion of faith, but of experience. Rather than just choosing to believe in abstract deities, the followers of Mithras had to progress through a series of mysteries that would ultimately qualify them to meet their god in person.

I can tell you this, meeting a god does change your perspective and afterwards, I decided to change my life. After a decade of fighting for the Legions, I was entitled to adjourn my service, receive citizenship and take up a private life. I never saw my brother again, but word did come to me years later that he had died in a border dispute with another tribe, at that time, I offered sacrifices to Mithras and took myself to a brothel to celebrate his life. There is no point in reciting the remainder of my mortal life, the important part was that I had met Mithras, though it would be centuries later, I would meet him again in a faraway land called Britain.

It was near the end of my life, as my eyesight was waning and my health was poor that I met another sublime being - Marconius. I would not be surprised to hear you admit that you had never heard of Marconius, ignorance is not a crime, though perhaps it should be. Marconius was simply the first Kiasyd vampire, the father of an eldritch bloodline and my sire. But, that is an altogether different story, that you may have the honor of hearing if you survive the curse long enough.

The final point of my recitation is about to begin, pay attention callow youths. Why would I recite ancient history and what some would call hallowed secrets to a group of simpering neonates? Because a teacher needs a resume. How else can you know that you are not being spoon fed misinformation and propaganda? Mythras is gone, Lady Anne Bowesley sits upon the throne and you were either born into the Court of Avalon or migrated here from some dark, desolate and altogether unimportant hinterland. If you would know the truth or my version of it, then I invite you to stay and by all means take notes as modern educators have completely abandoned the method Loci. Of course, my rational for sharing my rare view of Cainite history remains vague, but perhaps you should chalk it up to an elder's need to share his wisdom in a pedantic and pedagogic fashion or perhaps I just never learned to keep my mouth shut - either could be equally true. I will leave you to decide that for yourself, just remember, the truth comes with a price.

- Vestra in aeternitate, Faramund Magnus

The Mists of Prehistory

Location

Population

Urban (8,278,251) - 2009 census
Metro Area (13,709,000) - 2009 census

Arenas

The O2 Arena - Largest venue in the United Kingdom.

Attractions

File:Night elizabeth tower london.jpg

Elizabeth Tower & Big Ben at Night

The London Eye at Night

Bridges

File:Blue hour tower bridge london.jpg

Tower Bridge - Opened 30 June 1894

File:Night london bridge & shard moon.jpg

London Bridge looking towards the London Shard by Moonlight

Clubs

Brooks's

Carfax Abbey -- Goth Club & Anarch Hangout.

Castles

File:Buckinghamnight.jpg Buckingham Palace - The active residence of the royal family.
Banqueting House

Buckingham Palace: The active residence of the British royal family.

Hampton Court Palace: The western most castle, or rather palace of the royals in London, it is most famous for its association with Henry VIII who made it his primary residence. It is not a true castle, but is really a stately palace built in the late renaissance fashion.

Kensington Palace: The favorite residence of the royals until they found favor with Buckingham, it is both a palace and park. It was also the preferred residence of Princess Diana before her death. It is a very popular tourist attraction.

Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage

The Tower of London: The first and primary castle built by the Normans after their invasion, it has protected London for over 900 years.

Windsor Castle: Located on the edge of London, the castle serves as a secondary residence for the royals and is very popular tourist attraction.

File:London Tower.jpg The Tower of London - Est.1066 A.D.

Cemeteries

Highgate Cemetery

Historically, the cemeteries of London were inner city church-yards, that towards the end of the 17th century became increasingly overcrowded and the source of disease and epidemics. In response, seven new cemeteries were built to deal with this problem. Only Bunhill Fields Burial Ground is older, it was built as burial ground for non-conformists, religious or otherwise. Of the eight below, seven are famous, while Nunhead Cemetery seems to languish in ignominy.

The Famous Seven Cemeteries of London

-- Kensal Green Cemetery -- Est.1832
-- West Norwood Cemetery -- Est.1837 Seward
-- Highgate Cemetery -- Est.1839
-- Abney Park Cemetery -- Est.1840
-- Brompton Cemetery -- Est.1840
-- Nunhead Cemetery -- Est.1840
-- Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park -- Est.1841

London's Other Cemeteries

-- Bunhill Fields Burial Ground -- Est.1665
-- Tottenham Cemetary -- Reconquest Objective 1

Churches

-- St Paul's Cathedral
-- Westminster Abbey

Crime

Citizens of London

Current Events

Financial Institutions

London's Royal Exchange - Est.1565

Galleries

London is one of the most populous cities in Europe and indeed the world, thus, it comes as no surprise that it is a center of art and culture with literally hundred, perhaps thousands of art galleries. As beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and there are over 14 million such beholders in London, galleries and what passes for them literally litter the city. Depending on your taste, the quality and quantity of London's art scene varies from night to night, and only a true aficionado would be able to delve the glamorous showroom extravaganzas, glitzy parties showings and cold-water flat revivals to separate the dross from that sublime perfection called art. What follows is a select sampling of London's most famous and enduring art showrooms, some have survived for decades, others for centuries and some may be more immortal than the Kindred who frequent them.

Barbican Art Gallery: Part of the Barbican Centre for arts and conferences, and one of two galleries at the Barbican. The Gallery has a changing programme of major photography, fine art and design exhibitions. Admission charges for exhibitions vary.

Hayward Gallery: Hayward Gallery, part of Southbank Centre on the South Bank of the Thames, has a long history of presenting work by the world’s most adventurous and innovative artists. In addition to putting on major exhibitions and commissioning new artworks in the gallery, the Hayward also organizes projects, installations and talks inside and outside other venues across Southbank Centre. It is the only gallery in the world created in the Brutalist style of architecture – a striking concrete form that Londoners either love or hate. Hayward Gallery has hosted striking exhibitions by Antony Gormley, Dan Flavin, Roy Lichtenstein, Tracey Emin as well as surveys of the Arts Council Collection.

Museum of Contemporary Art: The Museum of Contemporary Art, formerly the Saatchi Gallery was established by Charles Saatchi in 1985. It is well known for controversial contemporary pieces of art and displays of work by relatively unknown artists. In 1992 it held the Young British Artists shows, a fixture for several years where Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin rose to fame. These shows featured Hirst’s famous pickled animals and coloured spots, and Emin’s unmade bed and tent (which was destroyed in a fire in 2006). The gallery was originally housed on Boundary Road, St John’s Wood, and moved to County Hall, Westminster in 2003. Its current site is at the Duke of York’s Headquarters where it has been since 2008. In 2012 the gallery was given to the public and was renamed to the Museum of Contemporary Art.

National Gallery: The National Gallery displays over 2000 Western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century. Discover inspiring art by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. The pictures in the collection belong to the public and admission to see them is free. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults.

National Portrait Gallery: The National Portrait Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of personalities and faces, from the late Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors come face to face with the people who have shaped British history from kings and queens to musicians and film stars. Artists featured range from Holbein to Hockney and the collection includes work across all media, from painting and sculpture to photography and video.

As well as the permanent displays, the National Portrait Gallery has a diverse programme of exhibitions and free events and a stunning rooftop restaurant with spectacular views across the London skyline.

Royal Academy of Arts: The Royal Academy of Arts, founded in 1768, is the oldest fine arts institution in Britain. Situated in the heart of London's West End on Piccadilly, it is universally renowned for hosting some of the capital's finest temporary and touring exhibitions. Its annual Summer Exhibition, running since the institution first opened, displays select work from up and coming artists and by academicians.

Serpentine Gallery: One of London's best-loved contemporary art galleries, with a programme of modern and contemporary art exhibitions from Andy Warhol to Piero Manzoni, Cindy Sherman and Chris Ofili. Admission free, architectural pavilion with cafe during the summer and an art bookshop in the gallery.

Somerset House: Somerset House is a spectacular neo-classical building in the heart of London, sitting between the Strand and the River Thames. During summer months 55 fountains dance in the courtyard, and in winter you can skate on London's favourite ice rink. Somerset House also hosts open-air concerts and films, contemporary art and design exhibitions, family workshops and free guided tours of spaces usually hidden to visitors.

The mission of Somerset House Trust is to conserve and maintain Somerset House to the highest standards and to develop the site as a public space which is universally recognized as a world class visitor attraction and centre of excellence for culture and the arts.

Tate Britain: London's Tate Britain holds the largest collection of British art in the world from 1500 to the present day. You'll find masterpieces by Gainsborough, Hogarth, Millais, Whistler, as well as outstanding modern and contemporary artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, and Damien Hirst. We also have the largest collection of works by JMW Turner in the world.

Tate Modern: A visit to London isn't complete without a trip to Tate Modern.

Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.

Whitechapel Art Gallery: For more than a century the Whitechapel Gallery has premiered world-class artists from modern masters such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo to contemporaries such as Sophie Calle, Lucian Freud, Gilbert & George and Mark Wallinger.

With beautiful galleries, exhibitions, artist commissions, collection displays, historic archives, education resources, inspiring art courses, dining room and bookshop, the Gallery is open all year round, so there is always something free to see.

The Gallery is a touchstone for contemporary art internationally, plays a central role in London’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of the world’s most vibrant contemporary art quarter.

Government

Westminster Palace & Elizabeth Tower viewed from the Westminster Bridge at Night

Hospitals

Below are a list of 12 hospitals rated highly by a variety of sources.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: Central London hospital offering the widest range of paediatric specialties in the country.

London Bridge Hospital: Central London hospital offering a wide range of highly specialised medical, surgical and diagnostic services.

Moorfields Eye Hospital: A health trust providing ophthalmic care to NHS and private patients throughout London.

Royal Free Hospital: NHS Trust hospital in Hampstead. The trust offers a major accident service, all branches of surgery and medicine, paediatrics, maternity services, care of the elderly services and an adolescent psychiatric service.

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust: NHS Trust incorporating St George's Hospital in Tooting, Bolingbroke Hospital in Battersea and the Wolfson Centre for neurorehabilitation in Wimbledon.

The Cromwell Hospital: Independent hospital in Kensington specialising in radiotherapy and oncology, liver disease, the Neurosciences and cardiothoracic disorders.

The Harley Street Clinic: Oncology unit and acute care hospital also specialising in adult and paediatric cardiac surgery.

The Lister Hospital: Private hospital in the heart of Chelsea.

The Portland Hospital: London's only private hospital dedicated entirely to women and children.

The Princess Grace Hospital: Private hospital and acute care facility situated in the heart of Marylebone.

The Royal Marsden Hospital: Leading independent cancer centre specialising in cancer diagnosis, treatment and research.

The Wellington Hospital: Large purpose-built private hospital located in St John's Wood.

Hotels & Hostels

Claridge's Hotel - winter 2012

Claridge's - Mayfair - Est.1812 (as Mivart's Hotel): Claridge's is a 5-star hotel located at the corner of Brook Street and Davies Street in London. Originally located in a conventional London terraced house, and it grew by expanding into neighbouring houses. In 1854, the founder sold the hotel to a Mr and Mrs Claridge, who owned a smaller hotel next door. They combined the two operations, and after trading for a time as "Mivart's at Claridge's", they settled on the current name. The reputation of the hotel was confirmed in 1860 when Empress Eugenie made an extended visit and entertained Queen Victoria at the hotel.

Richard D'Oyly Carte, the nineteenth century theatrical impressario and founder of the rival Savoy Hotel, purchased Claridge's in 1894, as part of The Savoy Group, and shortly afterwards demolished the old buildings and replaced them with the present ones. This was prompted by the need to install modern facilities such as lifts and en suite bathrooms. The new Claridge's, built by George Trollope & Sons, opened in 1898. It is a Grade II listed building. The hotel currently has 203 rooms and suites.

After the First World War, Claridge's flourished due to demand from aristocrats who no longer maintained a London house, and under the leadership of Carte's son, Rupert D'Oyly Carte, a new extension was built in the 1920s. Peter II of Yugoslavia and his wife spent much of the Second World War in exile at Claridge's, and suite 212 was ceded by the United Kingdom to Yugoslavia for a single day (17 July 1945) to allow their heir, Crown Prince Alexander, to be born on Yugoslav soil. In December 1951 West German chancellor Konrad Adenauer secretly met with World Jewish Congress president Nahum Goldmann at Claridge's to begin negotiations on German reparations to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust.

Well-known actors, directors and entertainers who have used Claridge's include Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, regular visitor Alfred Hitchcock, Brad Pitt, Mick Jagger, U2 and Mariah Carey. The hotel lobby and several guestrooms appear in the 2001 Stephen Poliakoff BBC television drama Perfect Strangers.

In 2005, The Savoy Group, including Claridge's, was sold to Quinlan Private, which sold off the Savoy Hotel and Savoy Theatre and renamed the group Maybourne Hotel Group. In 2007 Claridge's gained worldwide media coverage by introducing a Water Menu containing various bottled waters sourced globally and from the United Kingdom such as Malmberg and Iskilde.

As of 2009, Claridge's continues to be owned and managed by Maybourne Hotel Group, which also includes two other five-star luxury hotels in London, The Berkeley and The Connaught.

Note - It has long-standing connections with royalty that have led to it sometimes being referred to as an "annexe to Buckingham Palace". During the Second World War, it was neutral territory as the base of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia's forces in exile and home of Peter II of Yugoslavia.

The Dorchester - Mayfair - Est.1931: Looking across the soft green swathes of Hyde Park, The Dorchester is one of the most desirable places in the world to stay. A luxury Mayfair hotel of great repute, it embodies the highest of traditional values, with spacious rooms and suites of great charm, glorious dining and entertaining, and a spa of exquisite indulgence. For over half a century the hotel has remained a pinnacle of luxury and ease.

Superbly located in the heart of London's Mayfair on Park Lane, between Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner, The Dorchester is close to exclusive London shopping in Bond Street and Knightsbridge and is within easy access of many London attractions including Buckingham Palace, West End theatres, the Royal Albert Hall and the National Gallery.

The Langham Hotel - circa 2010

Langham Hotel - Marylebone - Est.1865: The prestigious Langham Hotel, London opened in 1865 as England, and Europe's first Grand Hotel. As a renowned London Hotel with a distinctive charm and character, it has hosted royalty, foreign dignitaries and celebrities in luxury for over 140 years.

A Victorian landmark with an exceptionally rich heritage, the Langham Hotel, London was restored and expanded in the 1990's, with much of the original interior still intact. In 2004, this luxury hotel in London became the flagship property of Langham Hotels International, and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

A luxury London Hotel with 427 bedrooms, including the Infinity Suite, London's finest two-bedroom hotel suite, Langham Hotel, London provides an oasis of tranquility, perfect for business travellers during the week, and leisure guests expecting more privacy in weekends.

For the best dining experience, visit the Memories Restaurant, one of London's best restaurants featuring a stylish and eclectic menu combining the best of French and British cuisines in this five star luxury London Hotel.

Ghosts of the Langham Hotel

http://www.hauntedrooms.co.uk/the-langham-hotel-london

The Ritz Hotel - circa 2012

Ritz Hotel - Piccadilly - Est.1906

The Savoy Hotel - circa 2010

The Savoy Hotel - The Strand - City of Westminster - Est.1889: Built by the nineteenth century impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte with profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan operas. It was the first in the Savoy group of hotels and restaurants owned by Carte's family for over a century. It was also the first luxury hotel in Britain, introducing electric lights throughout the hotel, electric lifts, bathrooms inside most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold running water and many other innovations. Carte hired manager César Ritz and French chef Auguste Escoffier, who established an unprecedented standard of quality in hotel service, entertainment and elegant dining, attracting royalty and other wealthy guests and diners. Winston Churchill frequently took his cabinet to lunch at the hotel.

The hotel became Carte's most successful venture. Its bands, Savoy Orpheans and the Savoy Havana Band, became famous, and other entertainers (who were also often guests) included George Gershwin, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne and Noël Coward. Famous guests have included Edward VII, Enrico Caruso, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Truman, Judy Garland, Babe Ruth, Laurence Olivier, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbra Streisand, The Beatles and numerous others.

The hotel is now managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. It has been called "London's most famous hotel" and remains one of London's most prestigious and opulent hotels, with 268 rooms and panoramic views of the River Thames across Savoy Place and the Thames Embankment. The hotel closed in December 2007 for extensive renovations and reopened in October 2010.

Landmarks

Monasteries

Curzon Park Abbey - is one of three monasteries of nuns in the English Benedictine Congregation.

Ealing Abbey - is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastic foundation on Castlebar Hill in Ealing. It is part of the English Benedictine Congregation.

Monuments

Mortals

Gregory Mathewson -- Professional Chauffeur & Guide

Museums

-- The British Museum -- Great Russell Street - Bloomsbury - Borough of Camden - Est.1753
-- Crossness Engines Trust

Night Life

Parks

-- Hyde Park
-- Regent's Park

Private Residences

Pubs

File:World's end night.jpg

The World's End Pub

World's End: The World’s End pub is an iconic drinking hole on Camden High St. The World’s End is said to be the largest pub in Europe. Located in cool, bohemian Camden Town, the pub is one of the most popular London attractions with those indie kids who flock to Camden for a night out.

The World’s End has been a famous north London landmark for many decades. The pub prides itself on its eclectic range of clientele that reflect the bohemian, ‘anything goes’ feel of Camden Town. Beneath The World’s End lies the Underworld music venue, which is one of Britain’s most famous small music venues and very popular with fans of indie and alternative rock music. The Underworld has hosted such luminaries as Radiohead, Suede and the Foo Fighters.

The World’s End is truly a huge pub. It has two large bars and a superb mezzanine balcony. The pub is full of atmosphere and an essential part of a night out in Camden Town.

Nearest Tube / Railway Station

Camden Town (Northern Line)

Borough = London Borough of Camden

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday from 11:00am to 11:00pm

Sunday from 12:00pm to 10:30pm

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is an historic pub located on the world-famous Fleet Street in London’s square mile. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese dates back to the 17th century, although a pub stood on this location as long ago as 1538. The pub is one of the most popular London attractions with those tourists that enjoy authentic pubs as well as Charles Dickens enthusiasts.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was a favourite haunt of Victorian author Charles Dickens, one of the most acclaimed and popular literary figures of all time. It is thought that the pub’s unique, gloomy character influenced many of Dickens’ darker characters; indeed Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is mentioned to in Dickens’ 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities. A whole host of other famous patrons have frequented the pub over the centuries, including Samuel Johnson and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has no natural light which generates an idiosyncratic gloomy charm, wonderfully evocative of Victorian London. A visit to the pub is a great idea for those London tourists who fancy a pint or two after visiting some of the terrific nearby attractions such as The Monument or St Paul’s Cathedral.

Nearest Tube/Railway Station

Blackfriars (Circle Line; District Line)

Borough = London Borough of The City of London

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday from 11:00am to 11:00pm

Sunday from 12:00pm to 7:00pm

Restaurants

Ruins

Schools

Shops

Supermarkets

Theatres

Transportation

Airports: London Heathrow Airport - Located in the London Borough Hillingdon in West London.

Bus Network: London Buses; Tramlink

Cycling: Cycling in London has enjoyed a renaissance since the turn of the Millennium. Cyclists enjoy a cheaper, and often quicker, way around town than those by public transport or car, and the launch of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in July 2010 has been successful and generally well received.

Ports: Port of London; Port of Tilbury

Rail System: The London Underground - The Tube or Underground.

Vampires of the City

The Traditions

The Blood Laws of Mithras

Guilt by Association - No Caitiff in London

The Admonition -- Written in a spidery Gothic hand with black magic marker on the back wall of one of the Kindred only rooms of Carfax Abbey.

There are no resident Caitiff in London; if there ever were, they were probably killed off or driven out centuries ago. The effete clans of the British Camarilla have no use for the clanless and their kind are hunted and extinguished by the very capable Scourge of London. Those seen in company with one of the clanless will lose station and reputation with the Court of Avalon; those actually aiding the Caitiff are risking their unlives as the existence of the clanless is seen as violation of the Masquerade. Punishment for consorting with or aiding the clanless is punishable by a swift and merciless death at the hands of London's two sheriffs or worse, a general Blood Hunt in which the heart's blood of the offender is the prize.

The Court of Avalon - London's Camarilla in Exile

The Sabbat of London

While the London Sabbat are vastly outnumbered by their Camarilla counterparts, what they lack in numbers, they make up for in individual power. Most of the London Sabbat are elders in their own right and they have grown tired of living in the shadows of the London. The few young Sabbat that Lady Astor accepts into the ranks of the London Sabbat must prove themselves to her satisfaction, both in skill and in their potential for subterfuge.