London: Difference between revisions
([http://www.thebuskingproject.com/location/United-Kingdom/London thebuskingproject.com London page]) |
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{{City | {{City | ||
|country=United Kingdom | |country=United Kingdom | ||
|introduction='''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. | |||
|transport=It's worth knowing that London is HUGE (third biggest city in Europe). Traveling inside London takes much longer than reaching it from outside, especially during rush hour. | |||
=== Public Transport === | |||
''See [[Transport for London]].'' | |||
Distances inside London are huge, so it's quite probable you'll be using public transport inside the city (if you manage to navigate inside London by hitchhiking, please tell us about it!) | |||
* If you're not just going in and out, '''get an Oyster card''' - it's much cheaper and you can use it for any public transport (even river buses!). The information [http://https://tfl.gov.uk/ TFL] provides is very extensive; [http://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=1660 Here] is where you can find the fare between any two places. | |||
* '''Traveling cheap:''' Public transport prices can be high and depends on the zones between which you're traveling, day of the week and time in the day. You can try to get as close to your zone as possible (distance is not important - only zone numbers matter). E.g if you're going to Bethnal Green in zone 2, it would be better to reach zones 1 or 3 than 4 or 5. Use [http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf this map] or search the station to see which zone it's in. | |||
A bus (or tram) will always be cheaper than other transport (they have a fixed price of £1.5, and your second ride within an hour is free). | |||
* '''Planning journeys:''' Use the Citymapper app - it usually works better than Google Maps and also shows prices. | |||
* '''Negative balance''': If you don't have enough money on your Oyster for the next ride, you can still take the Tube/train - as long as you have ''some'' amount of money, you'll be able to pass, but will end up with a negative balance. If you're leaving London, this probably doesn't matter, so you don't have to bother charging for your last ride. Keep in mind that the train system is separate from the Tube/Overground/DLR, so if you're taking the Tube and then the train, you need to have a positive balance upon leaving the Tube. | |||
* '''Megabus''' have cheap services to several cities around the UK - in some cases it might be cheaper to use these than to get to/from the hitchhiking spot outside the city (unless you're willing to walk for several hours). | |||
|accommodation=There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleep. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad off. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside. | |accommodation=There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleep. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad off. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside. | ||
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=== Squatting === | === Squatting === | ||
London | London used to have an abundance of [[squat]]s, but it has recently become more difficult. While it is still legal to squat commercial property (warehouses, offices, shops), it is illegal to squat residential buildings (if you admit you are doing this to the cops, you might be sentenced to jail time.) | ||
There are still a good couple of squats all around London. Most squats are places where people live and go about their normal business, so don't expect too much from them. Perhaps it would be good to find some friendly squatters by word of mouth or on [http://www.couchsurfing.com couchsurfing] or similar. | |||
Don't worry about the negative connotations associated with squats. They generally aren't crackhouses or scabies-infested punk hangouts. People of all types squat in London and their homes are usually very nice. They are especially helpful if you're planning to stick around for a while, but can also be great if you're just passing through. | |||
Resources | |||
* For all information on squatting in the UK: the '''[http://www.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is helpful for people that are planning to find a place to live and cannot really help you find a place to crash. It's located at the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and is another great place to meet squatters as well as get online for free. The address is Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QX. (Tel. 020-32160099) | |||
* There are still some remnants of squatting communities in North London, North East London, and South London. If you want to meet some people, go to the [http://www.squatter.org.uk/for-new-squatters/practical-squatting-nights/ practical squatting nights] taking place every week (alternating). | |||
* For more info on social centers in London, check out [http://www.socialcentresnetwork.org.uk/ Autonomous London]. | |||
Generally though, it has become harder to track squats down or just pop up, as there are fewer, and more and more evictions, which means less space. This should in no way discourage you, however! | |||
'''[http://www. | There is a strong community of squatters especially in the north east of London where a new group has been set for resistance and solidarity. | ||
* The North East London Squatters Network are having meetings every month as well as a mailing list etc... For more info, get in touch with the '''[http://www.hackneysocialcentre.blogspot.com/ Hackney Social Centre]''' .. (unfortunately this has now been evicted). | |||
The '''[http://www.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is helpful for people that are planning to find a place to live and cannot really help you find a place to crash. It's located at the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and is another great place to meet squatters as well as get online for free. The address is Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QX. (Tel. 020-32160099) | * '''[http://www.rampart.co.nr/ rampART]''' is a squatted social center in [[Whitechapel]], east London. This place isn't a residential squat, but they do have a "crash room" for visitors. They make it clear that it is not a tourist hostel so you needn't bother them unless you are interested in getting involved with their project for some time while you're there. To stay, you need to contact them well ahead of time. If nothing else, it's a great place to meet squatters and find a place to stay. They also have free internet! (As of last month rampART was evicted by the [[police]] and is no more.) Interestingly, the new place at Bowl Court Road that was squatted a few months ago has already been evicted (August 2008). | ||
* The '''[http://www.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is helpful for people that are planning to find a place to live and cannot really help you find a place to crash. It's located at the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and is another great place to meet squatters as well as get online for free. The address is Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QX. (Tel. 020-32160099) | |||
* There is another squat social centre on [http://socialcentre.org.uk 195 Mare Street] | |||
* There is something called London Nomad Community Space on 1 Rochester Square, Camden. | |||
For more current information check the websites links in [[squatting]]. | |||
The twitter account for [https://twitter.com/AntiRaids the Anti Raids Network] will tell you when are police are waiting for black riders outside stations, or are about to raid a squat. They also have a [http://antiraids.net/about/ website]. They may also give you information about immigration checks & raids in London. | |||
|bewelcome-link=http://www.bewelcome.org/places/United%20Kingdom/GB/England/ENG/London/2643743 | |||
|food=Cheap and free food abounds in London. | |food=Cheap and free food abounds in London. | ||
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Go to the Apple store (on Regent St. near Oxford Circus), ask any '''local''' around Piccadilly or Regent or Oxford street and they should be able to tell you the exact location. | Go to the Apple store (on Regent St. near Oxford Circus), ask any '''local''' around Piccadilly or Regent or Oxford street and they should be able to tell you the exact location. | ||
|busking=[http://www.thebuskingproject.com/location/United-Kingdom/London thebuskingproject.com London page] | |busking=* [http://www.thebuskingproject.com/location/United-Kingdom/London thebuskingproject.com London page] | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/10038446819/permalink/10152717083356820/ Discussion about busking in London] on FB | |||
}} | }} | ||
[[trash:London]] | [[trash:London]] | ||