London, England
Airing Date: Jun 7th, 2008
Modern LondonLondon, the host of the 2012 Olympics, is considered the most volatile and ever-changing city in Europe, where the thriving scene is constantly shifting and evolving. An interesting blend of traditional, royalist and futuristic architecture and design, the constantly emerging and contemporary themes are represented in the city's culture, fashion, bars and cafes and now the transportation modes of good ol' London.
Eurostar now calls the recently face-lifted and unique London landmark St Pancras International, home. Even Eurostar's trains have been brought up to higher speeds with the inauguration of High Speed 1 (also known as HS1), the UK's first-ever high-speed rail line. Services are reputed to have cut travel time by 20 minutes with London to Paris Gare du Nord taking two hours and 15 minutes, London to Brussels one-hour and 51 minutes and London to Lille around one-hour and 20 minutes. This new improved service has seen more than 60,000 Australians jump on board the Eurostar in 2007.
A staggering $800 million was spent on St Pancras International's architectural restoration. The revamp included many high-end and grand retail and hospitality outlets, not forgetting the longest champagne bar in Europe, at over 90 metres!
The station first opened in 1868 and William Barlow's train shed was considered a spectacular feat of Victorian engineering in its time, holding the world record for the largest enclosed space for many years. The roof is 689ft long by 100ft high with a 243ft span.
Today, St Pancras remains one of the greatest Victorian buildings in London, with its outstanding Victorian Gothic architecture. A replica of the famous St. Pancras station clock has been constructed by its original makers Dent and hangs high above the station platform.
Sharp dressing is required for such travels and if the retail stores at St Pancras aren't enough, a visit to the buzzing Carnaby Street reveals the epicentre of cutting-edge threads and the ultimate in quirky shopping.
A pedestrian shopping street in London that was placed firmly on the map in the swinging sixties, is located in the area of 'Carnaby' in the district of Soho, near Oxford Street. In the 70s and 80s Carnaby Street was left to run down. However, the 90s saw a major renewal and today the area is regarded as one of the hippest places to shop in London. The Carnaby village consists of a total of 12 pedestrian streets encompassing 119 retailers, including 3 hair salons and a film studio.
Major fashion retailers, including Stella Macartney, now have stores there. Many celebrities are known to frequent in and around Carnaby Street, including Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Kenya West and Keira Knightly, making the district an ideal locale for some celebrity spotting.
Further InformationLondon, ENGLAND
British Airways fly return to London from
$2405 ex Sydney
www.britishairways.com
Prices correct at 22/05/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply.EurostarIf travelling from St Pancras International to Paris, Fully Flexible Standard Class prices start from $318 one-way
For Bookings call T: 0044-1233-617-575
or go online at www.eurostar.com
St Pancras InternationalPh:44 (0)20 7843 4250
St Pancras International, Pancras Road, London, NW1 2QP
www.stpancras.com
Carnaby Streetwww.carnaby.co.uk
The Great Frog10 Ganton Street
Ph: +44-20-7439-9357
www.thegreatfroglondon.com
info@thegreatfroglondon.com
Chateaux RouxNewburgh Street
Ph: +44-871-2003351
www.chateauroux.co.uk
The FaceMarlborough Court
Ph: +44 -2074394706
Visit Londonwww.visitlondon.com
Visit Britainwww.visitbritain.com.au
