Are you looking for a bustling entertainment and culture hub in Central London? Leicester Square is your ideal destination. The area is known for its vibrant entertainment scene, cinemas, restaurants, and shops. Also, it is the home of several iconic landmarks, such as Leicester square garden and Odeon Leicester Square, among others. Keep reading as we share three famous landmarks and attractions in Leicester Square.

#1. Leicester Square Gardens

The Leicester Square Gardens is one of the important attractions in Leicester Square. This public park is located in the centre of Leicester Square and is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling city. It features beautiful fountains, benches, and a small playground.

#2. M&M’s World

M&M’s World is a popular tourist attraction in Leicester Square, London. This four-story store is dedicated to the famous candy brand M&M’s and offers a wide range of merchandise and activities related to the brand.

Inside the store, visitors can find various colourful M&M products, such as clothing, kitchenware, toys, and plenty of M&M candy.

#3. Odeon Leicester Square

This historic cinema is located in the heart of Leicester Square, London. It is one of the UK’s largest and most popular cinemas and has been a top destination for film enthusiasts and celebrities since its opening in 1937.

The cinema has a seating capacity of 1,680 and is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, making it a popular venue for film premieres and other special events.

Bangkok has a sophisticated drinking culture but isn’t known for its Thailand craft beers. Committed brewers in Bangkok are turning to one another to feed the city’s burgeoning craft beer market with beers infused with authentic Thai flavours as demand for them rises. Mitr, Thailand’s first collaborative brewery, opened its doors for business, and now there are more brewpubs than ever in the nation, propelling Bangkok to new craft beer heights. Among the notable Thai craft beers available in Bangkok you may try are:

Sandport Broken Sword Red Ale

Sandport was founded by a group of friends who have a passion for both rock music and beer, thus the name. A once-underground brewery, Bang Bang IPA won bronze at the 2017 Australian International Beer Awards, solidifying its place as one of Thailand’s most celebrated brews.

Mahanakhon White Ale

Mahanakhon Brewery’s White Ale is a little less out there. The witbier’s typical flavour comes from the usage of wheat that is similar to that grown in Belgium. Bangkok’s thick, hot heat pairs well with the beer’s crisp flavour. The beer has become more common in the city’s shops and watering holes after it won awards at the 2017 World Beer Awards.

Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale

Chalawan, brewed in Phuket’s Full Moon Brewery and named after the cruel but lovely crocodile king of Thai mythology, is a well-balanced pale lager with just the right amount of sweetness and bitterness. Full Moon is at the forefront of the burgeoning Thai craft beer industry, having won gold for their Chalawan beer at the 2016 World Beer Awards.

Happy New Beer Pilsner

You can celebrate Happy New Beer every day of the year thanks to the brewery’s head brewer, famous for using copious amounts of hops and incorporating local mineral water into his brews. Their first brewery was located in Khao Yai, and their pilsner, which mixes classic flavour with hints of tropical fruit, is incredibly pleasant. Even more refreshing is their Grapefruit New England IPA.

LFW (London Fashion Week) is a popular clothing trade show known to take place in February and September in the British Capital. It’s among the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks and presents itself as a trade event attracting press attention.

History of LFW

Learn About LFW History

Organised by the BFC(British Fashion Council) for the London Development Agency (LDA) with help from the BIS, LFW first took place in 1983. The show was held in West London in a car park, and tents were erected outside the Commonwealth Institute in South Kensington. Young designers who debuted here include David Fielden, Betty Jackson and the Gibraltar-born John Galliano.

LFW Events

Visitors Will See New Collections from World’s Best Designers London Fashion Week 2023 promises to offer unmissable fashion events to the British Capital. Visitors will get a chance to see the latest catwalk ranges and hear from industry experts. LFW activities celebrate some of the latest trends from over 100 international and British designers, spanning menswear, womenswear and gender-neutral designs. The five-day LFW festival runs as a digital-first festival, and there’s a limited number of RSVP-required in-person and invitation-only events. Visitors should expect exhilarating shows from big names, including Simone Rocha, Richard Quinn and Roksanda.

There will also be rising-star designers, such as Halpern, Knwls and Nensi Dojaka. London Fashion Week showcases some of the most exciting new talents in the industry, thanks to the presence in the British Capital of some of the leading fashion universities and colleges.

Visitors should not miss the LFW 2023, as it will allow them to delve into the latest womenswear, menswear and gender-neutral collections.

Here is a site with more information about LFW

Here is why the Bonfire Night, also referred to as Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes, is celebrated annually in the UK on November 5th

History of the Bonfire Night

Every year on November 5th, Bonfires or Fireworks are lit in the UK to commemorate the failed attempt by Guy (Guido) Fawkes to blow up the government. The foiled attempt, also known as the Gunpowder Plot, took place in 1605 as Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. The attack intended to get rid of James I and his ministers and form a government headed by the Catholic church. Since England was a protestant country, those behind the plot wanted the country to return to Catholicism.

How the Gunpowder unravelled

The plot was to bomb the Houses of Parliament by placing them underneath the building and blowing it up. However, the plot was foiled when a letter was discovered by one of King James I’s men. Those involved were flashed out and later executed.

When does Bonfire Night take place?

The event takes place on November 5th each year in commemoration of the date the plot backfired. Had it gone to plan, it could have caused the death of the King, his ministers and even civilian casualties. When members of the public learnt of the ordeal, they started lighting bonfires in the city to celebrate the failed Gunpowder Plot. Even with the unpleasant celebrations over the years, the event has become a way for friends and loved ones to get warm beside bonfires.

The Bangkok canals hold a much deep and significant history and culture of the capital. The waterways became a significant symbol of the city in the 19th century.

Though the canals have become more polluted and smelly, they serve as historical relics of the city. Located at the heart of the city, the Landmark Bangkok Hotel is one of the best ways to see how the canals manoeuvre through the city.

Here is the story of the Bangkok canals.

The First Canals.

The first canals were created in the 16th century as a means to speed the voyage of foreign merchants. The creation resulted in a substantial change in the course of the Chao Phraya River.

More canals were built with the four major ones being: Bangkok Noi, Bang Ramat, Bangkok Yai, and Taling Chan. The canals continued to split and become more hence dubbing the city as “Venice of the East.”

Originally a means of Protection

In the 18th century, the city of Ayutthaya was burnt and destroyed by the Burmese. As a result, Thais built canals as a better means of defense.

Further, as a means of defense, king Taksin built a moat to protect Rattanakosin Island, home to the Grand Palace. A second moat was constructed under King Rama 1 to further expand the city. These moats were connected by two small canals hence protecting the island in every direction possible.

As threats decreased, most canals were destroyed and only two remained – the Mahakan Fort and Phra Sumen. The canals were then used for other purposes other than protection.

A major way of Life

Through the 19th century, the Bangkok canals become a major form of transport and irrigation to the ever-expanding city. Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and Khlong Saen Saeb are the two major canals that can still be found in the city today.

Thonburi Canal, west of Chao Phraya River, remains one of the best ways to explore the city. There are various types of boats to choose from if you want to visit the city via water.

Moreover, the canals played a central part in the spiritual aspects of Thais. Temples were built around areas with canals to form a symbolic connection with the waters. As a result, the canals significantly shaped the landscape of Bangkok.

Conclusion

From the 16th century, the canals played a major role in Thai life. They offered communities with services such as irrigation, transportation, and even controlled floods. Although most of the canals are no more, they contribute significantly to the rich history and culture of Bangkok.