Ramadan Mubarak in London

Ramadan Mubarak in London

Today is the finish of an important religious time in Muslim countries and cultures around the world. It is a Generous Month of the year – Ramadan (“Ramadan Kareem”). We would like to dedicate this article to all our Muslim friends and to wish them a very happy and glorious Ramadan!

Short Let London would like to get an insight into the traditions and meaning of this religious holiday. Ramadan takes its origin from the holly book Quran, according to which this is when the prophet Muhammad first received the revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. It is a ninth month in Islamic calendar and starts after the astronomical new moon, as it usually marks the beginning of a new month. Ramadan is the sacred month of the year and also the time of fasting, which is obligatory among all adult Muslims, as long as they are not ill, pregnant or travelling. From dawn until sunset people should restrain themselves from consuming food, drinking, smoking and having sexual relations or swearing.

London has no bad weather, every weather is fun!

Speaking about typical London weather many of us would picture foggy streets with dull and grey sky above the Big Ben. Well, it may be just partly true, rarely you experience foggy weather in London nowadays. The weather in London has temperate oceanic climate and distinguishes four classical seasons.  London is beautiful and attractive in any season. It is nice and exciting to visit its sights and events at any time of the year. 

Gumtree: useful tools if you are looking for a short let apartments

Gumtree Short Let London

Looking for a flat to rent, searching a job, selling an old car or wanting to advertise guitar lessons – every Londoner checks Gumtree website first. Gumtree London is a large and popular advertisement website, where you can find all sorts of offers and deals. The main categories there are Cars, Vans & Motorbikes; Jobs; Flats & Houses; Services; For Sale; Competitions; Pets and Community. Each of these categories consists of a group of lists. For example, if you look at Flats & Houses, you have a choice of properties for rent, for sale or share. Accordingly, these groups subdivide into listings that are more particular to your need. You can manage the search on Gumtree different ways for your interest, price rate, location, etc.  

A manual to surviving the heat-wave in London

We have been waiting for this for so long and now when summer has properly landed into town, everyone starts complaining about the scorching weather, overcrowded parks and hot sweaty transport. To help you to avoid the discomfort and enjoy summer in London, Short Let London has prepared a manual for you on surviving the heat wave.

To get that feeling of being on a holiday you do not need to be on a fancy resort, just go to the seaside, as we know England is surrounded and washed by the sea waters. Brighton is the most popular town on the coast and it is situated not far from London, but bear in mind that it gets too crowded over the weekend so you will hardly find a comfortable spot on the beach. If you want more relaxing weekend away then head to some other coast towns, there are many of them, which are not less beautiful or remote: Southend-on-Sea, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Hastings, Portsmouth, Bournemouth to name just a few. If you have more time for visiting England then we would recommend going to the Cornwall also known as “The World`s End” and is known for its outstanding nature beauty.

However, if you prefer to stay in the city of London we are happy to give you the list of the best outdoor swimming pools and lidos in London. Luckily, there are some good places to seek a rescue from the high temperature and have a nice dip, Hampstead Heath Ponds are just on the doorstep of Short Let London apartments and flats for rent in London. There are three ponds in Hampstead – for men, for women and a mixed pond, you can enjoy the marvellous scenery, unchlorinated waters and wild nature, including swans and ducks. Another favourite is Tooting Bec Lido – the largest open-air swimming pool in the UK and it has been around since 1906. On the south from Hampstead Heath is Parliament Hill Lido (you can get there from Gospel Oak Overgorund), it is famous for its cold and shimmery water, created by stainless steel liner (the only one in the UK), there is also a cafe if you need to get a chilling drink. In Central London we love Oasis Sports Centre – a real oasis near Covent Garden and Holborn with outdoor terrace, heated swimming pool and a cafe; and Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park – a swimming area in the main pond of the park. It doesn’t get any more central than this and when you are in Hyde Park, why not to visit a Serpentine Gallery, where a new installation Serpentine Pavilion is designed by Japanese artist Sou Fujimoto. The other outdoor swimming pools are Pools on the Parks Richmond, Park Road Leisure Centre, Brockwell Lido (Dulwich), Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, London Fields Lido, Hampton Lido and The Berkley Hotel stylish outdoor pool in Knightsbridge (as well as very pricey).

To stay cool and well in the heat just follow some simple rules and tips: always have a bottle of water with you in case you feel dizzy, wear the shades and protect yourself with a stylish hat, wearing comfortable clothing is also crucial, choose cotton and linen fabrics, avoid the synthetics, cool yourself with your favourite iced coffee, frappuccino, ice-cream and healthy smoothies. This is a perfect weather to embrace the sunny beams so try to spend as much time outdoor as you can – some ideas are parks, rooftop bars and gardens, open air theatres and cinemas, Short Let London will be happy to assist you during your short stay in London. Please contact our team if you need an apartment in London to let: www.shortlet-london.com

5 advantages of renting a private apartment for your holiday in London

Rent a private apartment for your holiday in London

Renting a private apartment or flat for short stay in London is a very attractive and favourable option for visitors, who are coming to London for holidays, in business trips, students and interns, or UK citizens in between homes. Holidays apartments and short term rentals have several advantages against staying in the hotel; here is a brief recapitulation from Short Let London.

Apartment for your holiday in London:

1. First of all, vacation homes and rentals are significantly cheaper than hotel prices; this is a perfect solution for budget travellers and a way to save money for your entertainment and leisure time. Especially prices in Central London hotels are extortionate, and it is possible to find affordable apartment for rent in good location.
    
2. Secondly, you can enjoy your privacy in the flat, where only you have access to, without no one (e.g. room service) disturbing you. Unlike shared accommodation or hostels, which are only slightly cheaper, you won`t have to share any of the facilities with other tenants, the bathroom is en-suite and the fitted kitchen is for your own use.
    
3. You will have a privilege to feel the comfort of home in your privately rented apartment, as here you have freedom to carry out every day activity.
    
4. Self-catering flat means you can cook your favourite meals or even have breakfast and coffee in bed. This is cheaper than eating out each day, and you will not be bored of the same breakfast menu served in hotels every morning.
    
5. Security is another advantage of a rented home. Short let apartments are usually safer than public hotels, where cleaning staff have access to your room. For Short Let London the safety of its customers is among priorities. You will have private keys to your apartment and a security lock, so always remember to double lock the doors and your belonging will be safe. Rental agency is also responsible for fixing any damages and maintaining the properties in working living conditions to high standards.

Short Let London will help you to find a perfect and comfortable place that will be your short term home during your holiday in London.

The BBC Good Food Show London 14/16 November 2014

The BBC Good Food Show London welcomes the food-lovers and gourmands from 14-16 November at Olympia, Kensington. The three-day show brings the best food ingredients, drinks and fine wine to London. There are many delicious things to experience this year. The best food producers, restaurateurs and brands are displaying their selection of good food to the experts and ordinary Londoners. The new event of this year is The Super Theatre, where we all can watch a celebrity chef cooking live on stage. Famous TV-foodie stars, Mery Berry, Paul Hollywood, Michel Roux Jr, John Torode and Gregg Wallace will gladly demonstrate their delicious recipes and share cooking tips with us. Wine admirers may sample and enjoy wine from all parts of the world in The Wine Cellar. Also visiting The Wine Market gives you a good opportunity to stock up your own cellar for forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Find your accommodation in London for the BBC Good Food Show London 2014

London Zoo Lates is back! London's wildest night out!

ZSL London Zoo has prepared a real surprise for Londoners and visitors of the city this summer. London Zoo Lates is a unique and extraordinary event for real party animals, unbelievable chance to see London Zoo during the night time. Every Friday during the months of June and July it will be open until late, 10.00 in the evening. This is not a zoo like you used to know it, with the sunset it turns into a wild party place where the visitors who are only over 18 are allowed. You will get a chance to enjoy a glass of your favourite  drink, roaming around the vast zoo territory and glancing at the animals who are not ready to go to sleep yet as the music can be heard over the place along with the laughter of happy human beings, who feel like real animal friends on such night. 

 

Zoo Lates can be perfect both for a romantic night out with your beloved ones as you can find an isolated place and feel closer to nature and each other, or for a bunch of mates who like to party in an exclusive atmosphere. You might bring your own picnic or even dress up in animal costumes and explore your inner wild side. Some reviews has been not very positive and people were complaining for turning the zoo into a too much loud place or not happy with some guys who probably had emptied few too many glasses, but Zoo Lates is definitely a place for individuals with courage and lion character. ZSL London Zoo is one of the most popular tourists attractions in London, it is a stunning place to see where you can find almost every specimen (over 750) of wild nature and where most comfortable living conditions are created for the animals, who are very well looked after. If you are in London this summer and coming here even for short stay, Short Let London recommends to visit London Zoo and its Zoo Lates event. Do something different on your holiday and you will get unforgetable experience, this is opportunity not to be missed. And while you are having fun in London we will be happy to take care of your short term accommodation, leaving you more time to enjoy your wild nights out!