What makes London special? (hotels, living, price)

[ian6479]

Originally Posted by Mulhall

I think it's the largest in height and size as a structure and building rather than in terms of capacity.

At the time it was built it was the most expensive stadium in the world. It was overtaken by meadowlands in New York last year. I really like Wembley - it's a fantastic stadium for sports, and a far better venue for music than the O2 in my opinion. The acoustics are horrible at the O2.

[paull805]

I think the o2 is an amazing venue.

[albion]

And then there are the London markets. Borough market in Southwark is my favourite, fantastic food as well.

[sunshineleith]

Originally Posted by paull805

I think the o2 is an amazing venue.

I agree! Easy to get to, an excellent selection of restaurants and bars and the "VIP" area is brilliant. Thus far I have seen Coldplay, Eddie Izzard, Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance (and something else there which is escaping my morning brain!) The Coldplay concert was a m a z i n g.

I think the concerts and shows are one thing that I love about London - there is always something on! Last week was my first time at the Barbican - another great venue. London rocks!

[Mulhall]

In 2008 the London School of Economics published 'A Cultural Audit of London' comaoring the city with some of it's main rivals.

The report, by a team including Dr Andy Pratt of LSE's Urban Research Centre, compared the museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, bookshops and festivals of London with those of New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo. In many categories, London came out ahead. The study revealed the city employs more than 550,000 people in the creative and cultural sectors, adding £20 billion to London's economy.

The report concludes; 'London's mix of traditional and youth cultures is a vital element of its vibrancy - contributing to its ability to attract tourists, visitors and students from across the world.'

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/news/archives/2008/culturecapital.aspx

http://static.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/docs/cultural-audit.pdf

Some of the main statistical findings of the report in relation to London, Paris and New York were:

Number of National Museums

LDN - 22

NYC - 16

Paris - 19

Number of Other Museums

LDN - 162

NYC - 85

Paris - 138

Total Visits to Top Five Museums and Galleries Per Year (Millions)

LDN - 20.4

NYC - 8.3

Paris - 20.2

Number of Major Theatres

LDN - 55

NYC - 39

Paris - n/a

Total Number of Theatres and Concert Halls

LDN - 215

NYC -111

Paris - 158

Number of Theatrical Performaces at Major Theatres Per Year

LDN - 17,285

NYC - 12,045

Paris - 15,598

Number of Music Performances Per Year

LDN - 32,292

NYC - 22,204

Paris - 3,612

Number of Festivals

LDN - 200

NYC - 81

Paris - 40

Number of International H.E Students

LDN - 85,718

NYC - 64,253

Paris - 50,158

Number of Specialist Art and Design Institutions

LDN - 12

NYC - 7

Paris - 3

Number of Public Libraries

LDN - 395

NYC - 255

Paris - 303

Number of Book Loans by Public Libraries Per Year (Million)

LDN - 38

NYC - 15

Paris - n/a

Number of Nightclubs, Disco's and Dance Halls

LDN - 306

NYC - 279

Paris - 277

Number of Bars

LDN - 3,117

NYC - 1,800

Paris - 2,618

Number of UNESCO World Heritage Site

LDN - 4

NYC - 1

Paris - 2

Percentage of Land Accounted For by Green Space and Water

LDN - 66%

NYC - 5%

Paris - n/a

[Mulhall]

Originally Posted by ian6479

At the time it was built it was the most expensive stadium in the world. It was overtaken by meadowlands in New York last year. I really like Wembley - it's a fantastic stadium for sports, and a far better venue for music than the O2 in my opinion. The acoustics are horrible at the O2.

Lets also not forget that London also has Twickenham and the new Olympic Stadium as well as massive premiership football stadiums, two world class cricket grounds in Lords and the Oval, Wimbledon (tennis) and Kempton Park (horse Racing).

Twickenham Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Jezer]

My word Mulhall- the London Tourist Board should take you on for this Olympic year!

[Baldrick]

Twickenham at an international or Army/Navy game during the National Anthem is a proper lump in the throat moment.... Whether your patriotic or not.

[Mulhall]

Originally Posted by Jezer

My word Mulhall- the London Tourist Board should take you on for this Olympic year!

Like to do me bit, particuarly as there is a lot of London bashing on some of the international threads.

I am proud of all of Britain though and not just London.

[Baldrick]

Originally Posted by Mulhall

Like to do me bit, particuarly as there is a lot of London bashing on some of the international threads.

I am proud of all of Britain though and not just London.

Hussar!