London Black Taxi Tours 0203 00 44 953

Listen to The British Beat

LBT Tours — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:48:44 +0000

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Origin of British Beat Music

Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat (for bands from Liverpool beside the River Mersey) is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s.

British Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo-wop, skiffle, R&B and soul. The beat movement provided most of the bands responsible for the British invasion of the American pop charts in the period after 1964.

British Beat Music also provided the model for many important developments in pop and rock music, including the format of the rock group around lead, rhythm and bass guitars with drums.

London in the ’60s and ’70s

The ’60s and ’70s saw an explosion of “British Beat” music: a fusion of rock, doo wop, R&B, jazz, blues, folk, and soul.

Pioneer groups such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks lived and performed in London while making their mark on modern musical history.

Listening to the British Beat

Well, now it’s 2012, and the way we listen to music has drastically changed.

We have progressed from vinyl, to cassette, to 8-track (U.S.), to reel-to-reel, to CD, to mini-discs, to MP3, to iTunes, and now to Spotify.

Just for fun, we created a “British Beat” Spotify Playlist, which you can listen to here. Just press the Play button.

Visit the Home of the British Beat

See the London landmarks and hear the stories that shaped the history of the British Beat and Rock ‘n’ Roll. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and many more lived and performed in London while making their mark on modern musical history.

Join us for the best Rock ‘N’ Roll Tour in London.

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Spring Tour of London Parks

LBT Tours — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:11:33 +0000

Book a London taxi tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

Some of this country’s most spectacular parks are in our capital city. You may not associate open green spaces with inner city locations. If you’ve never experienced a London Park, the spring time is a fantastic time to make their acquaintance.

More often than not visitors to London come for the shops, museums and sights but pay little attention to the amazing parks that London has to offer. Residents and locals however are well acquainted and you’ll find plenty to do and see. One of the best things about these beautiful oases is that enjoying them is free!

The most popular parks are the Royal Parks and many of these are clustered around the main sights. St James Park and Green Park border the grounds of Buckingham Palace, and St James Park incorporates The Mall. Covering 58 acres, St. James is fantastic in the spring with plenty of greenery and lakes. The water is home to the obligatory ducks and geese, but Green Park is also home to a more surprising pod of pelicans.

Green Park is a little smaller than St James at 47 acres and tends to be a little more peaceful than its buzzing neighbour with plenty of greenery and mature trees which really come into their own with blossoms and fresh green leaves.

Also in the thick of it are Hyde Park and Kensington Park. Hyde Park is one of London’s most popular parks; with over 4000 trees over 350 acres it encompasses, meadowlands, lakes, horse rides and plenty of opportunities to chill and take it easy. It is also where they hold the annual Proms in the Park and Party in the Park. Its neighbouring Kensington Park is slightly smaller at 275 acres and is more `formal` than Hyde Park. Here you will find avenues of trees, formal flower beds, The Albert Memorial and a statue of Peter Pan as well as the Peter Pan themed Diana Memorial Playground.

Regents Park has been popular with Londoners for around 150 years. The 410 acres incorporates the largest outdoor sports arena in London. Climb Primrose Hill for some spectacular London views or visit nearby London Zoo. The park also boasts an open air theatre and a number of cafes where you can chill out. It’s easy to forget you’re in London here.

At 2500 acres and with a herd of free roaming deer, Richmond Park is by far London’s biggest park and has royal connections that date back to the 13th Century. With its elevated position there are amazing views on clear days where you can see the River Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. The spring is a great time to discover the park’s woodlands, ponds and flower gardens and the park is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

London is full of parks and open spaces which really come into their own when the sun starts to shine and the weather warms and they are easy to get to on the tube, on foot, or by taxi. On our London Taxi Tours, you can drive down The Mall with Green Park and St. James Park on either side or visit whichever London park takes your fancy.

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

London by Night

LBT Tours — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:08:02 +0000

Book a London taxi tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

London is a vibrant city by day, but at night it truly comes alive

By night, London takes on a completely different look, with bright lights and buzzing streets and there are literally hundreds of restaurants, theatres, museums, bars, cafes and clubs, all vying for your business.

Museums

One great option, in which you can combine a sociable night out with a little bit of culture, would be to visit a late-night museum. You will be able to take in an exhibition, visit a new gallery or join a guided tour. There are plenty of museums open late at night, including Sir John Soane`s Museum, which on its monthly late openings is completely lit by candles, giving it a uniquely atmospheric aesthetic appeal. The Science Museum is also open late (until 10pm), once a month and generally on a Wednesday and the National Portrait Gallery is open weekly until 9 p.m.

Cinema

For film lovers, London offers the best in cinemas. All of the latest films are shown in cinemas in every part of London, so you just need to find your nearest cinema. If you are anywhere near the Portobello Road, the Electric has rather luxurious leather armchairs for seating and each one has its own footstool and a table.

Tours

There is no better way to see the nighttime splendor of London than in the comfort of an iconic London Black Taxi. Our London By Night Taxi Tour is, in a word, dazzling. You will be treated to live commentary by your London cabbie, who is a specially trained London tour guide. See the historic London landmarks and learn about the deeds of the great people who shaped English History.

Clubs

Another obvious but great choice is to go late-night clubbing and the options here are vast. There are some clubs which are particularly renowned for playing certain types of music. You can choose what type of music you want to dance the night away to, ranging from indie, house, hard dance and rave, hip hop, pop, retro, freestyle and many more. Also, some of the more famous clubs will have specific DJs or special events at certain times of the year, such as Valentine`s Day. It`s worth keeping your eyes out for these.

Of course, what you choose to do in London at night depends greatly on who is in your group. If you are with children or pensioners, neither would be particularly pleased with a rave at the Star of Bethnal Green, London E2. But you might!

Theatre

However, no matter how old or young your group, everyone loves a good show. If it`s shows you are looking for, London is definitely the place to be, day or night! There are a vast range of them on at all times of the year and some do not require advance booking. Despite this, sometimes a bit of forward planning on these occasions does help and there are plenty of tickets available online. When it comes to choosing the best show or play, Boxoffice have some really great options, including pre-theatre restaurant deals that help you to really make a night of it.

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

London Taxi Tours

LBT Tours — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:24:22 +0000

Book a London taxi tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

If you would like an informed commentary as you tour around London in comfort, there is no one better than a London black cab driver. Equally eloquent on solving the international financial crisis, unemployment and all politics, black cab drivers know every inch of London and how best to avoid the city’s frequent traffic snarl-ups.

Visit all of London`s famous landmarks, from Buckingham Palace to the London Eye and from Westminster Abbey to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Not only is your driver a qualified tour guide, but black taxis are comfortable for those who need wheelchair and other disabled access. You will have lots of opportunities to stop and take photos.

Enjoy the trip down the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, past the Admiralty Arch. This stretch of central London road is closed to all tourist transport except black cabs.

Try arranging a trip on the London Eye to see London from the world`s highest wheel. A trip in one of the 32 glass capsules takes just 30 minutes. Parking spaces for black cab tours around the Eye and neighbouring County Hall are plentiful so there is no need to worry about walking too far.

Take a black cab for a day out of London to visit 900 years of history at Windsor Castle. You are able to visit the Castle`s state apartments and St. George’s Chapel, finishing off with lunch at one of Windsor`s historic pubs or restaurants. After lunch, drive down from Windsor by the riverside to Runnymede where, in 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta, the document that founded much of English law.

For a fascinating experience of ghoulish London, take a cab to Whitechapel in East London where Jack the Ripper committed his murders. On the way, pass the Old Bailey court that stands alongside the site of Newgate Prison with its debtor`s gate set within the old walls of London.

Hunt for bargains at Brick Lane and Spitalfields Markets before seeing the Olympic site at Stratford. Finish the day at Maritime Greenwich, a World Heritage Site with beautiful riverside buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

For both fun and education, there is no better place than South Kensington in south west London. The Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums are located in a convenient location around Exhibition Road. Take in dinosaurs, inter-galactic travel and Medieval tapestries before stopping off for afternoon tea at Harrods department store.

It is only 100 miles from London to Bath, a city of Georgian beauty in the county of Somerset. The London taxi can take you to see the Roman Baths, Assembly Rooms and the iconic Royal Crescent with plenty of photo opportunities. The return trip takes in Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire and the Neolithic stones at Stonehenge. If you have time, you can even drive into Salisbury and see Britain`s most magnificent cathedral, or drive through Oxford instead and see this ancient city’s Dreaming Spires.

You will be back in London in time to collect Boxoffice tickets for the theatre in the evening. After the theatre, arrange a trip around London at night and see the riverside lit up in glorious splendour.

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Family Enjoys Harry Potter Tour

LBT Tours — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:11:26 +0000

Book a London taxi tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

This week, Anne and her family enjoyed our Harry Potter Taxi Tour of London. They were so pleased with their tour, that Anne sent us this email directly after the tour:

Martin was their tour guide. Martin loves doing Harry Potter Tours. In fact, he has installed a screen in his taxi so that his customers can watch Harry Potter film clips as they travel around London on their tour! What could be better than that?

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Free London Walking Tours

LBT Tours — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:07:42 +0000

Book a London taxi tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

Walking around London is the best way to get to know the city. Along the way, you can stop at many famous places that offer free admission.

We have put together a list of links for you to the various websites that offer free self-guided walks of London and some free led walks as well:

London Walks offers free, downloadable walking tours for your iPod, iPad, iPhone smartphone or other MP3 device. You can hear the sounds of London as you walk. Directions, walking routes, and the history of London and the buildings and sights you pass are all featured as the walks progress. The downloads are free, but you can donate $25 to receive a disk containing all walks.

South Bank London has five guides in the “Walk This Way” series that explore intriguing pockets of architecture and history along the River Thames.

Walk London has worked with the local authorities to develop an impressive network of quality walking routes. This site has something to offer whether you are looking for a place to feed the ducks, a short stroll in your lunch hour, or an energetic walk to pep you up.

Walk4Life has free led walks all over London on the weekend of Saturday January 28 2011 and Sunday January 29 2011

The Magician offers a free Harry Potter Walk of London. They will email you a booklet that you can download and print off. You can then follow the Harry Potter London walk step by step.

London For Free has information and maps for various free self-guided walking tours. Each one covers a different part of London. Simply choose the area you want to explore, print the walk, and go London sightseeing for free.

Walking for Health has all the latest news, events, and other useful information to get you walking in the capital.

Time Out – London Walks offers printable PDF walking guides for north, east, south, and west London.

London Gardens Trust offers a way to explore the lesser-known gardens and green spaces in the capital. Using their guides, you will discover a range of garden squares, small parks, churchyards and community gardens, which together reflect the history of London from Roman times to the present day.

Walks of London is the website of Richard Jones who has been a pioneering figure on the London walking tour scene for the last 25 years. His website is a great resource for information about free London walks.

London Tool Kit offers free self-guided walking tours of London. Their four walks cover the main areas of Central London that a first-time visitor will want to cover.

So take a walk around London, and see what the Capital has to offer. There are some fabulous places to explore and some great walks connecting them. You’ll be surprised just how much you can cover and just how much more you will see by walking.

And don’t forget to look up! The best part of London’s architecture is not at street level!

Alternative Tours

If walking London is not for you, maybe a tour of London in a comfortable and iconic London taxi would be just the thing.

We offer several Taxi Tours of London, as well as tours of the surrounding countryside:

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a London taxi tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Musical Denmark Street – London’s Tin Pan Alley

LBT Tours — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:29:39 +0000

Book a tour online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

Long before there was Abbey Road, Denmark Street was home to London’s musicians.

Most of the buildings date from the 1800s. Then rents were cheap, and so struggling artists, composers, and musicians found a place to live that was close to the theatres and pubs of Soho. Music publishers set up their businesses here around the 1890s, supplying the musicians of nearby theatres and music halls.

In the 1930s, the street was becoming renowned for music publishing, and shop windows displayed pianos and guitars. In the 1960s, recording studios started setting up.

Regent Sounds Studio opened at 4 Denmark Street in 1963. The Rolling Stones recorded their first album here. Many are the stories about the Kinks, ELP, and Hendrix recording in the basement. In 1974, new cutting-edge recording technology attracted Stevie Wonder.

ITV filmed a piece on Denmark Street, which you can watch below:

David Bowie set up residence in a camper van on the street near his studios! Bob Marley bought his very first guitar here. Celebrity musicians always have and always will flock here. You never know who you might see.

Denmark Street is an essential London destination for music lovers. An enthusiastic musical community still exists today in the friendly atmosphere of this London side street. There’s always music wafting from basements, shop windows, and balconies and plenty of shops to browse.

You can visit Denmark Street, as well as other famous Rock ‘n’ Roll locations on our London Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour.

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

Book a tour online
or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
or send us a message with any questions you might have

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Chinese New Year in London

LBT Tours — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:09:45 +0000

Book one of our London Taxi Tours Online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

The Chinese New Year in London is a unique and traditional festival.

Do you want to immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the East? Then don’t just read travel blogs; come celebrate the Chinese New Year in London! For many years, London has been the home of Europe’s largest Chinese community.

The Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year) does not have a fixed date. It occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2012, it falls on January 23rd (to be exact, at 15:40 on 23-Jan-12 in China’s time zone).

2012 will be The Year of the Dragon. To commemorate this momentous year, the Chinese New Year parade in London will occur on 29th January 2012.

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year in Chinese communities. In the days leading up to the Chinese New Year, people clean their houses, repay debts, buy new clothes and have their hair cut. A celebratory meal is held on the eve of the new year, with many traditional dishes served, and fireworks and firecrackers are let off to see in the new year.

With the start of the new year, Lion Dances pass through the streets to bring good luck to the households and businesses they visit. The drums, gongs and cymbals that accompany the Lion Dance are used to scare away evil and bad luck.

Watch one of the 2011 Lion Dances in London’s Chinatown

2012

2012 is set to be an auspicious year for London, and the Chinese New Year celebrations will be unforgettable. Large numbers of people will attend, so go early to admire the Chinese artists’ performances, jugglers, and dancers. Walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue to stop at the stands and enjoy your traditional Chinese cuisine or buy dragons, firecrackers, and fireworks.

Come celebrate the Chinese New Year in London to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!

This article was brought to you by the Trip and Travel Blog and London Black Taxi Tours

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To Book one of our London Taxi Tours:

by phone – +44 (0)203 00 44 953
online – use our booking form
or send us a message with any questions you might have

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www.londonblacktaxis.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Rock ‘n’ Roll Taxi Tour of London

LBT Tours — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:57:32 +0000

Hear and See London’s Rock ‘n’ Roll History

You will be treated to live commentary by your London cabbie, who is a specially trained London tour guide and an expert in London’s Rock ‘n’ Roll History

Hear the stories of these places and people that shaped the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

The British Beat

The ’60s and ’70s saw an explosion of “British Beat” music, a fusion of rock, doo wop, R&B, jazz, blues, folk, and soul.

Pioneer groups such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks lived and performed in London while making their mark on modern musical history.

See the places and hear the stories of these legends that shaped the history of Rock n Roll.

The Fab Four

In 1963, The Beatles migrated from Liverpool to London. Your tour will take you to

Abbey Road’s iconic zebra crossing (get the camera ready!)
Abbey Road Studios
London Palladium, where the Beatles first live TV performance took place
Apple Headquarters
Indica Gallery, where John met Yoko
Macca’s London pad in St. Johns Wood
and more

Even more…

On your tour, you will see other monumental London landmarks and hear the stories of

The Rolling Stones
The Who
Elton John
Jimmy Hendrix
and other Rock legends

Price

£70 per hour
Minimum 2 hours

Tour Length

Tour time: 2 hours

However, more time can be arranged. Just let us know.

Customise Your Tour

Want more Beatles? Less Beatles and more Stones? Maybe Hendrix and Pink Floyd are more your cup of tea. Just let us know the Rock that you love, and we will do our best to tailor the tour to suit you.

After Tour Nibbles

If you want to stay in the groove, we can recommend one of London’s Rock ‘n’ Roll cafes, including

Hard Rock Cafe

Bill Wyman’s “Sticky Fingers Cafe“

Ace Cafe London

Wheel Chair Accessible

All taxis are wheelchair accessible. Please mention at time of booking if you have an electric wheelchair, as we will ensure that you have a slightly larger taxi.

Pickups

We will pick you up and drop you off at any Central London location, inclusive in the price.
No need to take public transport across town just to start your tour! We will greet you at your door and see you safely back again.

Flight Layover Tours

If you have a long flight layover and would like a tour of London or the English countryside, we can pick you up at the airport and deliver you back in time for your departing flight. An extra fare for the airport pick-up and return will apply, so please mention this at the time of booking.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

Need Advice?

Which tour to take? Which tour company to use? Our Why Book With Us page might help you decide.

Additional Price Information

No administration fees, credit card fees, or taxes will be added to the Tour Price.

Pick-ups and drop-offs within Central London are included in the Tour Price.

Pick-ups and drop-offs outside of Central London will incur an additional meter fare, which will be subject to our very reasonable administration/booking fee (Please read our lovely Terms and Conditions.). Any questions, just ask!

A Classic Way to Tour the Capital

LBT Tours — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:30:11 +0000

Book one of our London Black Taxi Tours Online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

A classic London taxi is a great way to tour the capital. The black taxi has long been one of London`s most iconic symbols. We specialise in taxi-based tours of London. Our London Black Taxi Tours are a great way to see the sights, from the well-known to the surprising, the spooky and the exhilarating. Your tour guide and cab driver are one and the same. Anyone who knows London knows that the only people with the real Knowledge of the city are the famous London Taxi drivers.

We offer a range of tours with something suitable for everyone. The taxis are wheelchair friendly and can pick up and drop off customers at any Central London location. Taxis can access routes that the tour buses cannot always get to, plus the comfort and privacy of a private cab beats a windy bus any day.

The London Highlights Tour is the perfect introduction to London. The tour includes well known sights such as Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, and The London Eye. Along the way, you will see and be introduced to many other landmarks and sights of London. Those enjoying the tour will also enjoy a fascinating history of London as told by your guide.

Other tours we provide include the magical Harry Potter Tour. This tour is suitable for budding wizards, potty Potter fans, or just about anyone who has enjoyed the books or films. Highlights include a photo opportunity at the famous Platform 9 ¾ and a trip to Leadenhall Market, home of the Leaky Cauldron.

Anyone looking for some chilling and mysterious insights into London`s history may fancy the Jack the Ripper Tour. The tour includes the murder sites and the notorious east London pubs where the Ripper met his victims. Your guide will have specialist knowledge of all things `Ripper-related` and will be able to answer all your questions.

London is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the world, which means the Haunted London Tour is in high demand. Visiting some of London`s most notoriously haunted addresses such as 50 Berkeley Square in Mayfair and The Grenadier Pub in Belgravia is on the agenda.

There is also an opportunity to take a Customised Tour of London. This can include some of your own ideas or alternatively some suggestions from the cabbie themselves. This tour is great for those with children who may need to stop at a park or for food along the way.

Tours are not just for tourists, even those living and working in the capital can be both entertained and educated by a London Black Taxi tour. The tours are a great way to impress a client, and we can pick up and drop off from your office space in London.

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To Book one of our London Black Taxi Tours:

by phone – +44 (0)203 00 44 953
online
or send us a message with any questions you might have

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www.londonblacktaxis.net
www.londonblacktaxitours.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953