May 16, 2013

Left luggage facilities in London

I have a late flight. Where can I leave my bags?

London secure luggage facilities

This must be one of the questions we are asked most regularly. Late night flights and morning check-outs from apartments do not ever go together in the busier times of year. Who wants to leave an apartment at 10am, only to have to wait until 8pm for the flight? What do you do with your bags now that London stations no longer have locker services?

We try to adapt to your needs and arrange for you to leave your bags in a secure place, but it’s not always possible. Here’s a list of the main London train stations which provide the best and most secure left luggage facilities.

Left Luggage Facilities at London Train Stations

Excess Baggage operates left luggage services at:

It costs £8.50 per item for 24 hours and £5 for each additional 24 hours.

Left Luggage Facilities at London Airports

Excess Baggage operates left luggage services at:

London Heathrow Airport

Baggage services at London Heathrow Airport:

London Heathrow Terminal 1 Arrivals. Near lifts for Heathrow Express. 6am-11pm
London Heathrow Terminal 3 Arrivals. Near Car Hire desks. 5am-11pm
London Heathrow Terminal 4 Arrivals. Arrivals Hall West End. 5.30am-11pm
London Heathrow Terminal 5 Arrivals. UK Arrivals End. 5.30am-11pm.

London Gatwick Airport

Left luggage services at London Gatwick Airport:

London Gatwick South Terminal. Arrivals Hall. Open 24 hours
London Gatwick North Terminal. The Avenue, second floor. 5am-9pm.

Other London Airports

There are also left luggage facilities (not run by Excess Baggage) at:

London City Airport: Log your bags at the Information Desk. £5 per item per 24 hours
London Luton Airport: Next to the Outsize Baggage Unit on the Check-in Concourse. Open 24 hours a day. £6 per item per 24 hours
London Stansted Airport: Next to Monsoon, between check-in Zones G and H. Open 24 hours a day. £10 per 24 hours or part thereafter.

Left Luggage Facilities at Victoria Coach Station

There are also left luggage facilities at Victoria Coach Station. See the Transport for London website for details.

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February 24, 2013

Visit London in March

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: 14 to 24 February, London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, stay near British Museum, stay near Courtauld Gallery, stay near Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells London, stay near Somerset House, stay near Soutbank London SE1 — admin @ 10:44 pm

London is looking forward to Women of The World Festival on Southbank, from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 March. This is an annual global celebration of women’s achievements, as well as a serious discussion around the obstacles faced by women around the world. The programme comprises talks, concerts, gigs, debates and free music, exhibitions and workshops. There is also a marketplace. On International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March, Women of The World hosts the mass speed-mentoring event – a great networking opportunity. Check out the website for more information >>here

Affordable Art Fair is back at Battersea Park from 7 to 10 March, too. Over 100 galleries will be showing paintings, original artist-made prints, sculpture and photography. This is the perfect place to find wonderful work by yet-undiscovered talent, as well as established names. Everything is on sale and priced between £40 and £4000. Advance tickets available online >> here

London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, from 14 to 24 February, opens with a gala showing of Jeffrey Schwarz’s highly enlightening documentary I Am Divine (take tissues). From then til Margarita, the closing film, 27th London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival makes Southbank the place to be for an inspired programme of features, shorts and documentaries, with industry events, an award ceremony and packed-out club nights at the weekends. Pick up the LGFF programme at BFI on Southbank or look and book >>online

Near River Thames, in Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House on the Strand, where Becoming Picasso: Paris 1901 reunites major paintings from the master’s debut exhibition. The show was a success in 1901. It launched Picasso’s career in Paris at the tender age of nineteen. More information on >> Courtauld Gallery website

The biggest special exhibition at The British Museum this Spring looks back at Ice Age Art: Arrival of The Modern Mind. British Museum is a vast and varied space, though. In Room 91, Social Fabric: African Textiles today takes a fresh look at the history, manufacture, social significance and artistic influence of cloth across the African continent.

At Sadler’s Wells Theatre, in Clerkenwell, from 15 to 27 March, 10^th Annual Flamenco Festival offers a programme of dance and music from the very finest contemporary flamenco artistes of our time. See the full programme and book tickets >>Sadler’s Wells website

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January 23, 2013

London in February

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: Chinese New Year London 2013, holiday rental close to Somerset House London, London apartment rental 15 - 19 February, London citybreak February, London holiday rental apartment Soho, stay apartment near London Fashion Week, vacation rental City of London, vacation rental London Soho — admin @ 2:31 pm

Chinese and Vietnamese New Year is celebrated on a grand scale in London. Londons Chinese New Year celebrations are said to be the largest outside Asia. Everyone joins in. On 10th February 2013, we will be happy to welcome the Year of The Snake. Of course, the festivities are centred in Chinatown, close to Leicester Square in the south of Soho. Holiday rental apartment POLLY sleeps 4 people, less than 5 minutes walk from Gerard Street, at the centre of London Chinatown.

For Chinese New Year, there is always a big stage in Trafalgar Square, too, where music and dance performances, readings and speakers are greeted with great enthusiasm. The lion dance brings good luck to restaurateurs and shop owners in the neighbourhood and all Londoners hope to see the dragon dance; an auspicious start to the New Year. Chintaown London website

A Valentine’s citybreak in a London apartment would be a really romantic gift. Stay in BETSEY, within 5 minutes walk of Hatton Garden, Londons jewellery quarter, if you intend to shop for a ring (or any other special piece of jewellery, for that matter). The area has any number of excellent restaurants for dîner a deux. For a long, late breakfast or lovely lunch, Clerkenwell Kitchen, 3 minutes walk from the apartment door, is highly recommended.

It’s worth mentioning that, whenever you stay in a holiday rental apartment directly managed by Big Red London, we are always happy to arrange a ‘welcome’ hamper of essential items or special treats, when requested at least 48 hours before arrival.

From 15th to 19th February, London Fashion Week AW2013 includes 60 catwalk shows and 90 exhibitors at Somerset House on The Strand, with more at showrooms around town. All Big Red London Covent Garden apartments are within easy walking distance of Somerset House and those in Wellington Street are only 4 minutes walk away. The largest, WELLINGTON 3 sleeps 6 people.

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January 15, 2013

London in January

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: London Eye January, London International Mime Festival 2013, London January, Soho Theatre, stay near london Art Fair, stay near London Business Design Centre, visiting London in January — admin @ 5:34 pm

Visit London in January and you’re highly unlikely to find blue skies and sunshine. However, you will find a great place to stay with Big Red London and there’s plenty to see and do.

From 16 to 20 January, at Business Design Centre in Islington, London Art Fair presents the greatest names in contemporary British art. With solo shows, curated group displays and large-scale installations, over 100 galleries present work from emerging and established artists. Throughout the Fair, an extensive range of tours, talks and performances ensure that your visit will be as informative as it is enriching. London Art Fair website

London International Mime Festival runs from 10 to 27 January at seven venues around London, including Barbican, Soho Theatre and Southbank Centre. As well as spectacular physical and visual theatre from all over the world, London International Mime Festival includes workshops on How To Be Stupid, The Pleasure of Juggling and Making Theatre Without Words, among other themes. London International Mime Festival website

Perhaps the biggest exhibition in London this month is way out west in South Kensington. Hollywood Costume at V&A includes Dorothy’s much-coveted ruby slippers, Darth Vader and fabulous frocks from films like Elizabeth and Marie Antoinette. Three galleries displaying many of the best-known wardrobes from the last 100 years of cinema means that this exhibition is hugely popular and sdvance tickets have now all sold There are tickets available from the box office each day, though. Inside Hollywood Costume at V&A

Sales shopping continues in London for much of the month of January. It’s an especially good opportunity to visit some of the smaller clothing boutiques around Soho and Shoreditch, where you can can treat yourself to the very best of London style at very fair prices.

There are always nightlife options too numerous to mention, too. We recommend that you head to Soho, Shoreditch or Clerkenwell to party, any night of the week.

We would not advise booking a ride on London Eye in advance, if you come to London in January. Frequent heavy cloud cover means it is best to wait and see whether any day of your visit is clear enough to see further than the opposite bank of River Thames. If not, do please come back to London a bit later in the year, when clear skies make great fun of this most iconic attraction.

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December 20, 2012

Holiday Season Opening Hours

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: Christmas Opening Hours — admin @ 2:48 pm

Wishing a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all of our guests, landlords and property owners.

The office opening hours over the holiday season:
Closed from Saturday 22nd December until Thursday 27th December, when the office will re-open at 0930h.

Closed from 1200h GMT on 31st December 2012 until Wednesday 2nd January 2013, when the office is open from 0930h GMT until 1800h GMT, as usual.

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October 26, 2012

London Citybreak for Christmas Shopping?

Filed under: Around London Town,West End — Tags: apartments near London West End stores, Christmas shopping citybreak in London, London Christmas, London Christmas shopping, London citybreak December, London citybreak Noveber, Oxford Street London, Regent Street London — admin @ 7:47 pm

Oxford Street, London W1
Christmas Lights 5^th November 2012 until 5 January 2013
Outside Marks & Spencer’s on Oxford Street (near Marble Arch) on 5^th November, Leona Lewis twinkled and Robbie Williams flicked the switch that lit up London’s most famous shopping street for Christmas. As always, Oxford Street was filled with cheering onlookers for this event. The lights will look gorgeous every day until 5 January. Don’t forget Selfridge’s Christmas-themed windows; certainly spectacular. Let the Christmas shopping begin!

Regent Street Christmas Lights, London W1
Christmas Lights 13^th November 2012 until 5 January 2013
On Regent Street, the Christmas lights ceremony begins on Tuesday 13 November at 5.30pm. There will be live music from big names including the soaring voice of operatic tenor Noah Stewart. Olympic and Paralympic athletes will also take to the stage to enjoy the finale: a fireworks display. Regent Street retailers will be marking the event with various in-store activities.

Southbank Centre Christmas Market, London SE1
16 November until 23 December 2012
Between London Eye and Southbank Centre, the wooden huts of this German-style Christmas market include a pocket money priced stall, a kid’s craft stall for card making and elsewhere, lots of great gift ideas for all ages.

Dazzle at National Theatre, Southbank London SE1
5 November 2012 to 6 January 2013
The largest and the longest-running exhibition of contemporary jewellery in Europe. Thousands of pieces for sale from new names as well as established designers mean that you are sure to find original approaches to the craft. Dazzle Specials focuses on the work of silversmiths and printmakers. There is also a section devoted to men’s jewellery and accessories.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2012
23 November 2012 to 6 January 2013
The presence of a giant observation wheel, an illuminated ice rink (it’s the biggest outdoor rink in Britain) and two circuses make Hyde Park Winter Wonderland much more than a shopping experience. Although most events and attractions are ticketed, entry to Santaland and to the Christmas Market, where you will find all manner of seasonal treats on sale, is free.

All our London West End holiday rental apartments are ideal for a citybreak near West End shopping.

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October 22, 2012

Gay and Lesbian holiday accommodation in London

Filed under: Around London Town,West End — Tags: gay and lesbian accommodation, gay holiday accommodation, gay holiday company, gay-friendly holiday rentals, lesbian holiday apartments in london, lgbt London — admin @ 5:52 pm

Our gay friendly accommodation in Soho and Covent Garden, is available for short stays of 3 nights, 4 weeks, a month or more! As a gay owned and managed business, we have sought the best locations for you to explore London’s gay scene.

Gay and Lesbian Accommodation in London

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October 2, 2012

Six of The Best Bookshops in Central London

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: Bloomsbury bookshop, Clerkenwell bookshop, Covent Garden bookshop, holiday reading, London bookshops, Soho bookshop — admin @ 9:03 pm

Foyles 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, Covent Garden, WC2
Monday to Friday 9.30am-9pm & Sunday 11.30am-6pm
Set across 5 floors, Foyles holds the widest range of titles available from any bookshop in UK. It’s a great place to go as a group; you can explore the areas that interest you most indviudally and then, arrange to meet in the café to share the pleasure of your purchases over tea and cake. Look out for the dates of signings, readings and literary events.

Gay’s The Word 66 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury London WC1
Monday to Saturday 10am-6.30pm & Sunday 10am-6pm
At the heart of Bloomsbury, Marchmont Street has several excellent bookshops but as the only dedicated lesbian & gay bookshop in UK, Gay’s The Word is very special indeed. Here, you’ll find a huge range of fiction, theory and magazines with queer themes, from pulp to profound. There are regular events and a lesbian discussion group every Wednesday.

Koenig Books 80 Charing Cross Rd, Covent Garden, London WC2
Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm & Sunday to 10am-6pm
Specialising in art, architecture and photography, Koenig Books is filled with visual inspiration. There’s another shop at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park. These are, of course, branches of the enormous art bookstore Buchhandlung Walther Koenig, in Cologne.

Clerkenwell Tales 30 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1
Monday to Friday 10am-7pm & Saturday 11am-6pm
Run by booklovers for booklovers, Clerkenwell Tales is a great local independent that hosts some very special events. You’ll be sorry to learn that you missed the evening when both China Miéville and Cory Doctorow spoke. Never mind; Clerkenwell Tales always offers an excellent choice of new fiction, classics and non-fiction.

Gosh! 1 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1
Monday to Sunday 10.30am-7pm
In the middle of Soho, devoted to the culture of comics. From translated European albums to mainstream superhero antics and vintage children’s books to contemporary graphic fiction, with lots of cutting-edge small press by both local and international artists. There are book launches, signings and music in the shop is by Dirty Soup.

Atlantis Bookshop 49A Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1
Monday to Saturday 10.30am-6pm
Close to British Museum, London’s oldest independent occult bookshop, opened in 1922. Between then and now, many of the most famous figures from the world of the occult have come to Atlantis Bookshop to buy, to talk, and, apparently, to take tea.
Workshops, talks and exhibitions, as well as lots of books for occultists and magicians.

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August 22, 2012

Do You REALLY Want to Stay Near The Airport?

Filed under: Around London Town,Business and Executive Travel — admin @ 11:28 am

A comment on our post about travel around Central London got us talking about why you might try to find a holiday rental apartment near London airport. Frankly, we couldn’t think of any good reason.

London is served by 5 airports. Heathrow Airport is the largest. It takes about 50 minutes to travel to Central London from Heathrow by tube (Piccadilly Line). Heathrow Express train will get you to Paddington from the airport in less time. You can find hotels and serviced apartments near Heathrow Airport but you won’t find theatres, street markets or iconic London landmarks.

Gatwick Airport isn’t actually in London at all. It’s located in leafy Sussex. The nearest town is Crawley. Not famed for its fine art, museums, live music scene or nightlife, Crawley is best-known for being close to Gatwick Airport. Take the First Capital Connect train to Farringdon Station in just under 45 minutes or the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station in 30 minutes. The journey is not cheap (about £18.00 for an anytime return ticket) so we advise that you to make it just twice; into London from Gatwick Airport and then, back again to fly home.

Luton Airport is not in London, either. Luton, in Bedfordshire, was once the home of English hat-making. The local football team, Luton Town, founded in 1885, is nicknamed ‘The Hatters’. Apart from these facts, you need to know that trains into splendid St Pancras International Station from Luton Airport take 30 minutes.

Stansted Airport, in Essex, is close to the borders with Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Trains from Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street Station, London EC2, take 50 minutes. A return ticket costs around £30.00.

Finally, there’s London City Airport where the staff are friendly and the air is calm. City Airport really is in London. It’s located in travel zone 3. Getting to and from City on public transport is quick and easy via Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and the tube network. However, City Airport is much smaller than the all the other London airports, with just one runway, serving destinations in Europe only.

Now, do you REALLY want to stay in an apartment near Gatwick airport when you visit London?

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June 28, 2012

London Holiday Apartments Close to Stations

Filed under: Around London Town — Tags: apartment near to tube station, Bloomsbury apartment, Clerkenwell, Covent Garden, Farringdon, holiday rental apartment near station, London buses, London double decker buses, London Eye, St Pancras International Station, vacation rental apartment close to station, vacation rental apartment near tube — admin @ 2:45 pm

“Is the apartment close to a station?” The most frequently-asked question from guests ready to book an apartment online. We can always answer “yes”.

All Big Red London holiday and short-let serviced apartments are located in London, Zone 1. The nearest station is within 5 or 6 minutes walk and an easy journey from Heathrow Aiport or from Luton, Stansted and City airports. Trains run direct from Gatwick Aiport to Farringdon Station (local to Clerkenwell) so getting to our holiday lets from any London airport is as stress-free as can be.

Many people visiting London for the first time don’t know that once you have arrived in Central London, there is rarely any need to take the tube or underground train again Not until it’s time to travel back to the airport, anyway. Red buses are very frequent and a fun way to travel around town. Travel by bus is also a lot cheaper than tube travel.

The vast spread of Greater London belies the fact that City of London and Soho in Londons West End are only about 4km (2.5 miles) apart. Clerkenwell is on the border of both City and West End, close to Holborn and 20 minutes walk from Bloomsbury. Then, London Eye and Southbank arts quarter, just across River Thames, are 1km away from Covent Garden and 2km from Bloomsbury. The 341 bus from Clerkenwell will get you to Waterloo (nearest station to London Eye) in about 12 minutes.

Travelling around Central London at street level, you will see so much more. The London landscape encompasses grandiose 19th Century architecture, built in the days of empire, alongside optimistic 1950s modernism and great views of ‘The Shard of Glass ‘ which is the tallest building in the European Union.

London red buses may not always take the most direct route from your Point A to Point B but along the way, you are likely to enjoy many sights and aspects of London life that the guidebooks do not mention.

Travelling by bus can also be a great way to meet Londoners. Local manners dictate that no-one talks to strangers on the tube but on the buses, it’s generally considered acceptable to engage your fellow travellers in conversation.

More information about the London transport network >>>HERE

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