London has many sites and attractions but usually the most prominent tourist destinations are not really specifically children’s attractions. If you’re traveling with children you’ll want to squeeze in sites that your children will like.

Here are three places in London that you can visit, which your children will have fun exploring:

Diana Memorial Playground

The Diana Memorial Playground is a place that has been designed with children in mind. The place is a memorial to the late Princess Diana and is located in Kensington Gardens. The gardens are located near Kensington Palace, which was Diana’s residence when she was still alive. Children below 12 years old can play in the playground, which feature many attractions, the most prominent being a large pirate ship that children can climb on and explore. Staff are on hand to supervise the visitors. As an added safety precaution, adults can only enter the playground if they are accompanied by a child.

Museum of London Docklands

The London Docklands Museum showcases London’s rich history as one of the world’s greatest ports. The museum, which is located inside a 200 year old warehouse, also contains the Mudlarks play area. Children up to 12 years old can play here. The playground, keeping in tune with the museum, has a docks theme, where kids can do various activities like load a tea clipper, weigh various cargo and explore the other attractions.

The Science Museum

Children will have a lot of fun exploring The Science Museum’s permanent collection, which is located over seven floors of galleries. Aside from the permanent collection, other activities are also held here like film screenings. Children will particularly love the flight simulator, the actual Apollo 10 command module and a rich display showcasing the evolution of technology.

About The Author

Derek Gallimore works for Boutique London Lets, where visitors can book luxury apartments in London.

The public is so interested in the pregnancy of celebrity moms.  However, the interest goes far more for royal pregnancies because these babies are not only the children of well-known people, they are also heirs to a throne.  Royal pregnancies will always be associated with royal succession since an heir’s position moves with the addition of  each child.

Every appearance, whether public or private is highly anticipated with special focus on the physical condition of the mother and her growing tummy.  Even fashion statements are noted and scrutinized by the public who seems to be forever hungry for every bit of trivia and information about the pregnancy.  It is no secret how reporters find ways to invade the private moments of the royalties and they do it because they know there will always be readers who will appreciate it.

Royal pregnancies also sometimes start a trend in baby names. Health problems experienced in pregnancy also receive fair share in discussion.  Also, there is the inevitable comparison between royalties during their respective pregnancies.

Queen Elizabeth II Image: followpics.com

Princess Diana Image: usmagazine.com

Princess Ann Image: usmagazine.com

Duchess of York Image: usmagazine.com

The great interest in royal pregnancies arises not only from the natural inclination towards wanting to know about specific details in the lives of famous people. Much as the public would like to see the physical changes undergone by a royal mother, there is a lingering question that always persists.  This is the question of what particular effect will the new baby bring in terms of royal succession.

It is no secret that the chances of those who are farther down the line to ascend to the throne becomes slimmer as the members of the family of those who are first in line increases.  With the coming of the child of Prince William of Wales for example, the place of his brother Prince Henry of Wales will move down one notch.  The ranking of all those next in line will naturally be affected.

There are very serious matters that concern royal succession including the prohibition of having Catholic heirs to the throne and the preference for the male gender  regardless of birth sequence. These issues would probably take some time to be settled, if they are indeed to be changed at all. In the mean time, the public’s obsession with royal pregnancies continues.

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

Image: thefashionfoot.com

England is one country that has produced a number of popular cars. They have graced the roads of various countries since the olden times and some have been well preserved.

Classic cars are a worthy investment. They can still run and can last long if you know how to keep its mileage low each year. And should you decide to sell it at a later time, their value appreciates which means you can earn a significant profit from it.

The Jaguar E-Type is one of the famous English classic cars. A luxury sports car launched in 1961, it has a stylish design and can run as fast as the modern sports car.

The Lotus Esprit is Britain’s version of the Ferrari. It gained popularity after appearing in the James Bond film entitled The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977.

The Triumph Spitfire is considered a great example of British engineering excellence. It boasts of a stylish design and was one of the more affordable sports cars during its time.

The Saab 900 is another favorite classic car in the U.K. Launched in 1979, it features a low closed cabin and angular style.

The Morgan 4/4 has a unique style and considered to have the longest production run back in 1936. It was one sports car that stood out from the crowd.

Learn more about the vintage cars and the most dangerous ones on the road in this inforgraphic we’re sharing below.

Source: CheapAutoInsurance.Org

Formerly known as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, The Commonwealth of Nations is an intergovernmental organization which developed from the former members of the British Empire.  With the present 54 member states, only Rwanda and Mozambique were not members of the Empire. The framework as outlined in the Singapore Declaration guides the operation of this organization.

The current members of the Commonwealth include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica  The Gambia,  Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India , Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Lone, Singapore, Solomo Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, and Zambia.  In its history, there were four member countries which were dissolved consisting of Malaya and Newfoundland; two withdrawn members including Ireland and Zimbabwe; and one suspended member  which is Fiji.

At present, there are six countries applying for membership namely Algeria, Madagascar, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. Queen Elizabeth II is the symbolic Head of the Commonwealth although she has no political power over the member-countries. The goals of the Commonwealth is founded on the principles of democracy, good governance, individual liberty, free trade, world peace, human rights, and rule of law, among others.  The Commonwealth functions like an international organization more than a political association with no country exercising any control over the others.

About the Author:

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

Image: ilga.org

A visit to the London Transport Museum is the best way to learn about the city’s transport heritage. Situated in the Covent Garden Piazza, its permanent location, the museum showcases old vehicles preserved since the 1920’s. From a small collection of two Victorian horse buses and a motorbus, the collection has grown to include all modes of transport such as bicycles, taxis, trams and river vessels to art (posters, films and photographs) and design works.

The museum’s main objective is to relate to visitors the evolution of the city’s transportation system from the past to the present and even up to the future. Different exhibitions are in place with themes such as public transport at war, London’s massive expansion in the 20th century and world city comparisons.

A library is also available providing valuable research materials plus a museum depot which stores more than 370,000 items not displayed at the Covent Garden building. The depot, however, is open to the public only during special events.

For this year 2013, heritage vehicle runs and other exciting events are lined up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground entitled Tube 150. It was in January 1863 when the world’s first underground train made its first journey beneath London’s streets from Paddington to Farringdon. In its first six months alone, the train accommodated some 26,000 passengers.

Worth noting here is the fact that the London Transport Museum goes beyond merely displaying artifacts and transportation collections. Inside are shops where souvenir items such as posters, gifts, clothes, toys and vintage house ware can be purchased as well as a café and bar at the Upper Deck that offers snacks and drinks.

This popular tourist attraction is open daily starting at 10 a.m. except on Fridays which opens at 11 a.m. Individual tickets can be purchased but large groups can avail of lower fees. Guided tours are offered as well.

If visiting London is not possible, learning about this historical museum and the city’s different modes of transport can be done through its website ltmuseum.co.uk. The site provides comprehensive information covering everything you’d like to know from the history and collections to upcoming events and activities. A blog is also available where visitors can get updates on the museum’s activities, people and other valuable details.

Photo via londontown

About the guest author:

Regine is a travel writer who hopes to visit the London Transport Museum someday. She frequently visits Expedia for some great deals.

The door is the usual entry point so make sure this is a sturdy one and does not have a letter box. Burglars can peep through the boxes and put devices through them.

Investing in a quality and reliable alarm system should be a priority. This is a must today as burglaries continue unabated with many of them occurring in residential properties.

Before purchasing, however, be able to determine your lifestyle, needs and how much you can afford. Learn about the different types being offered by providers and the benefits of each.

Make sure the system you get covers the various areas of your home including doors and windows as well as rooms not occupied at night. A security device that involves sensors that detect movements around the house is also best to use. These should be easily activated even at night in other rooms not occupied.

An alarm system that sets off with a loud sound is the most basic and affordable option. Most, if not all, burglars scram away in seconds when they hear the alarm sound. This type can be connected to the police such that when the alarm is set off, the law enforcement authorities are immediately alerted.

A simple sensor system with a dialer accessory is a good alternative as well. This can be connected to several phone lines and has the capability of dialing preselected numbers once the system detects an attempt to intrude into your home.

You may also opt for the monitored security system which allows you or a monitoring station with several staff to view in real time the situation inside your house while nobody’s there. To have your home monitored 24 hours a day, you need to pay a monthly fee to a company that offers this service.

If you don’t feel comfortable letting other people see what’s inside your home, you can take the responsibility of monitoring it using your mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet. Doing the monitoring yourself is also cost effective.

For this type, you will have to install surveillance cameras or the CCTV in the different parts of the house (such as the garage, loft, cupboard, bedroom) to let you see what’s going on there. Most of them are quite advanced with some in very small sizes that can be hidden behind walls or cabinets without easily being noticed.

Photo via archiexpo

About the guest author:

Daniel is a freelance writer who prefers to monitor his home through his mobile phone. Check out http://www.securitychoice.com for details on the different home security systems.

Image: vayama.com

Visiting foreign countries would require travelers to observe the prevailing standards of etiquette in the place of destination.  Failure to observe this could result to misunderstanding or unintentional insult to locals.  England also has its specific do’s which visitors should observe while in the country.

The British have been known to maintain a stiff upper lip in their behavior.  They are known for being more formal than Americans.  Although there has been considerable relaxation of this formality, there are still certain standards of etiquette that need to be observed by locals and foreign visitors as well.

Visitors to England can take their cue from  what they observe once they are in the country.  If totally unsure of what to do, it might be best to inquire from friends and associates.  A little research can go a long way before visiting the country.

The basics are rather similar to other culture’s observance of common courtesy and good manners.  The three magic words consisting of please, thank you, and sorry form a large part of everyday conversation in England.  Shaking of hands is an acceptable form of greeting for long-time acquaintances while kissing on the cheek is fairly common between female friends.  When visiting a family, it is considered good manners to bring a gift either in the form of flowers, wine, or candy.

Waiting in line for one’s turn is seriously observed in England.  People using the escalator should always stay on the right side to permit people coming from the other direction to pass on the left side.  Tipping should be done in a manner that will not be interpreted as showing-off.  This includes the place and the amount of the tip.  People who do not drink alcohol can go to English pubs which are more like places to meet new friends rather than bars associated with drinking alcohol.

About the Author:

Teresa is a professional researcher-writer in a wide range of topics.

The direct broadcast satellite service known as DirecTV is a popular choice among homeowners in the U.S. This service broadcasts quality satellite television programming in various locations and requires the installation of a dish.

Most providers of DirecTV are able to install the satellite dish upon the request of new subscribers. Normally, though, they will charge a certain fee for the installation process.

To save on costs, you can install the dish yourself with the help of another person. It’s not a difficult task because it only needs a little adjusting of the device in front of your house and monitoring of the TV reception which should be done by your assistant. No other bulky and heavy tools are needed as well.

As in other types of satellite dish, it is very important to know the best location to install it outside of your home or apartment building. The exact location needs to be calculated based on your zip code. This will be your first task once you’ve set up the cable box and your TV.

When subscribing to DirecTV, you will be provided with a cable box, a satellite dish, a mounting bracket and some cables that will help you connect the cable box to the TV. As soon as you’ve wired them, you can switch on the television and go to the set up channel.

Your first goal is to find the right coordinates for your satellite dish. You have two options to find the exact location – visit the DirecTV website and use the online dish pointing tool or go to your television’s guide.

On your TV, you should click Action and then Guide when you’re in the set up channel. In the list of options provided, click the Set Up menu to go to the next screen with another list.

Click the box that says Installation and on the next screen, choose Position from the dropdown menu when you click the arrow down. Then on the Zip Code box, enter your zip code which should next direct you to the positioning instructions.

List down the information provided including the elevation number and the azimuth or the compass direction. Once you’re done, go back to the signal page and you can now start installing the dish outside with another person monitoring the TV signal. The ideal signal you need to achieve is 87 or higher.

When you have the right coordinates while installing the dish, you will only have to adjust it slowly to get the strongest signal and once you got it, you can now secure the dish.

Photo via diyexplore

About the guest author:

Jeremiah is a hands-on dad who happily claims to have installed their satellite dish via the DIY way. For more information about this digital TV service, visit Direc2TV.

Image: ehow

Preserving the environment is always top of mind among people and organizations worldwide concerned about the state of Mother Earth. Governments, in particular, are taking steps to ensure that their citizens and companies within their jurisdiction follow laws that will help safeguard their surroundings.

In the U.K., England and Wales follow best practices on the use of satellite television, notably the dish antenna. The objectives are to protect the environment, to raise awareness among homeowners on the proper positioning of satellite dishes and to help retailers and installers provide better advise and service to families.

It is a must for homeowners to properly select and position a dish in such a way that it has less impact on the environment. The neighborhood and the public will also have to be taken into consideration.

Specifically, the dish needs to be positioned away from the front part of the building or anywhere that can be seen by people. It has to be placed on a rear wall of the building, in a roof valley or behind a chimney stack or parapet. If it’s not possible to position it in a less obvious manner on the building, it has to be placed instead in the garden hidden by shrubs.

The color of the dish is also of prime importance. Ideally, it has to blend with the background in order to hide its appearance from public eye. A transparent or mesh type of dish is often most recommended.
With regards to size, keep in mind to purchase one that does not exceed the minimum requirement. The ideal size is 90 cm or the measurement across any dimension of the antenna.

Before you decide on where to position your dish, though, make sure that you get the consent of your landlord or owner if you’re renting flat or you’re a leaseholder. Obtaining a planning permission is very important because failure to do so will only add costs particularly if you’ll be required to re-site the dish at your own expense. It has to be secured first before installation can commence.

You may also need to secure the necessary planning permit or listed building consent. This should be done if you reside in a listed building or one that has special historic or architectural interest. Consulting with a local planning department is a good idea.

Finally, choose a reputable supplier and qualified installer to ensure that government requirements are met when installing your satellite dish. Following the proper guidelines is a must to save you from additional expenses.

About the guest author:

Thomas is a writer and environmentalist from Surrey. He is also a subscriber of Satellite TV HQ.

Image: theportlandpick

For many British households, a traditional tea time practice of eating biscuits for an afternoon tea is still common.  It is observed when friends come for a quick visit and hunger pangs are felt when dinner is still quite far off.  Tea and biscuits became an ideal solution.

Biscuits are baked flour-based products which find their equivalent in American cookies although the latter has a generally softer consistency.  Although there is much confusion with these two terms because of their adaption in different contexts, there appears to be a common consensus that biscuits refer to the hard, crisp, dry baked products.  This English delicacy has served as the perfect combination for afternoon tea.

The afternoon tea is also referred to as low tea in contrast to high tea which is actually dinner, being in the heavier side.  The time set for this is about four or five in the afternoon and never goes beyond seven in the evening.  The start of this practice has been attributed to Anna Marie Stanhope, the Duchess of Bedford who was one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting.

This practice was said to have been prompted by the Duchess “sinking feeling” at about four in the afternoon which is believed to have been caused by meager noon meals.  It was also said that what started out as a simple sneaking out of bread stuffs and a pot of tea graduated into the afternoon tea which consists of invited guests enjoying small cakes and sandwiches, sweets, and tea.

There are three types of afternoon tea including cream tea, light tea, and full tea.  Present afternoon tea observation in England now follows three courses comprised of savouries, scones, and pastries, in such particular order.  Tea of course is served throughout.