The liberal use of consonants in its language makes Wales a terrific Scrabble challenge – and also the home of some of the oddest and funniest place names in the world.

Where else would you find the UK’s longest place name? That’s Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch  in case you were wondering, a town in North Wales that means “The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St Tysilio’s of the red cave”. And if you can pronounce that, you’re probably due some kind of award from the Welsh Tourist Board!

But ridiculously long names aside, Wales has few rivals when it comes to picturesque but often baffling place names. Many are based on the Welsh language but the centuries-old influence of English is evident, along with some leftovers from the Romans and the Vikings among other invaders.

Speak up, you’re mumbling

Mumbles, a district of Swansea, is most famous today as the birthplace of Hollywood A-lister Catherine Zeta Jones. Thankfully Catherine’s enunciation in her movies is much better than that of her town …

Meanwhile, Golly, near Wrexham, sounds more like an exclamation of surprise than an actual place. If you’re feeling particularly chirpy, then Happy Valley, near Llandudno, has to be the place for you and the more romantic will find Red Roses, in Carmarthenshire, hard to resist

Screw Packet Lane in Newport once did exactly what it said on the tin – was a lane leading down to the port where steam packets (ships) once docked to unload their cargo. And St Mellons in Cardiff takes its name from the 6th century saint St Melaine who is presumed to have been born in that area.

Mold, the county town of Flintshire, can trace its name back to the Anglo-Normans who pushed into Wales in the 12th century. It might sound like something that’s slightly off but the actual meaning is “high hill”.

Quirky though these names might be, they don’t quite always capture how hilarious some Welsh place names can actually be.

Hilarity, with knobs on

In the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons stands the unfortunately named Lord Hereford’s Knob. Surely it’s only the bravest of hikers or hill walkers who will happily tell the world they’re going to conquer the “Knob”?

At least the Knob stands alone – no one has to put that down as his or her address. Unlike the unfortunate residents of Sodom, in Flintshire, who might be expecting the wrath of the Almighty to be visited upon them most days. Biblical wrath can be very debilitating.

And while Sodom is worth a giggle, you’ll really struggle to contain your mirth at the revelation that Three Cocks, Bullyhole Bottom and Penisarwaen are actual places and not creations of The Goon Show or Little Britain. Absolutely 100 per cent real too is Tarts Hill, in Flintshire.

But it’s not all tittering – there are also pants, lots of pants. Pant in Welsh means hollow or valley so, naturally, many place names incorporate this. And when combined with other names, there’s no doubt that pants makes us laugh – a lot. So there’s Pant-y-Felin Road in Swansea – say it fast and you’ll get the gag. The caravan park allegedly called Pant-y-Girdle near Prestatyn may indeed be an urban myth!

Splott on the horizon

In Cardiff you’ll find the working class district of Splott – like a lot of Welsh place names, its origins can be traced to English, meaning “blot” or “patch of land”. If you thought about it, it’d be rather obvious, a bit like Stop-and-Call, now part of Goodwich and Fishguard. No one seems quite sure of how it came by its name but it does seem rather obvious when you realise there’s a railway station nearby.

Fiddler’s Elbow is even more obvious. This nature reserve in the Upper Wye Valley is known for its shape, a sharp right turn, leading you to assume it was named simply because of its geography.

And if you consider the “w” can be read as a “u”, Plwmp makes a whole lot more sense. Actually it makes even more sense when you realise pwmp is Welsh for “pump” – seems a statement of the bleedin’ obvious but in the land where the consonant appears to have vanquished the vowel, sometimes the obvious needs pointing out!

Whether it’s odd pronunciations or bizarre combinations of words, Scotland really does seem to be in a league of its own when it comes to unusual, odd or downright hilarious place names.

Sure, the Americans and the Australians have attempted to wrestle Scotland’s crown with the likes of Intercourse or Boing Boing. And the English might think that Ugley and Titty Ho are a winning combination but really – can anyone better Backside? How about Hen Poo?

From the Highlands to the Lowlands, the islands to her cities, Scotland can rightfully lay claim to some of the funniest, most bizarre place names around. And the explanation for that is the mix of languages and peoples who have lived here for thousands of years. The Gaelic influence is hugely strong, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, while Norse can be seen all over Orkney and Shetland. Edinburgh can look to France and the Auld Alliance to explain many place names around Scotland’s capital.

It’s surreal thing

Let’s start in Orkney where things might be bad if you live in a place called Grimness or Odness but it could be worse – what about the hamlet of Twatt? The word derives from the Norse and means “parcel of land” but the rest of the UK tends to use it as a rather offensive insult.

And if you think having Twatt as your home address would be a smidge embarrassing, spare a thought for the residents of the Butt of Lewis (on the Hebridean island of the same name), of Buttock Point in Argyllshire and of Backside in Aberdeenshire.

Come to think of it, Aberdeenshire and the northeast in particular might be considered to have a monopoly on place names that raise a chuckle.

Who wouldn’t snigger when confronted with Banffshire’s Yondertown of Knock for the first time? Perhaps you can keep a straight face while visiting Shaggart, near Inverurie? If all else fails, you can get Lost – no surprise that fans of the cult US television show made a habit of nicking the welcome signs to this Aberdeenshire village.

At least none of the aforementioned places can be accused of being Dull – that epithet belongs to a Perthshire village, the residents of which are probably grateful that they’re not Tarty or that they can be accused of raking Muck. And after all that, everyone will be glad to alight upon the Rest and Be Thankful, that welcome summit to a tortuous Argyllshire road.

Titter ye not

All these odd names aren’t simply smut and double entendres. You could argue that Lord Berkeley’s Knob, near Glencoe, is more of a single entendre! As indeed is the West Lothian village of Slackend. And there’s simply nothing more to be said when mentioning Rotten Bottom, in Dumfries and Galloway.

But yes, there really is more to Scotland’s standout place names than just having a giggle at names that have another, ruder meaning. In fact, names that look, on the face of it, to be easy to say often have a very different pronunciation.

The Glasgow suburb of Milngavie is actually pronounced as “Milguy”, while the town of Strathaven in Lanarkshire, famous for its toffee, should be said as “Straven”.

Generations of schoolchildren have sung of The Wee Kirkcudbright Centipede but if you want to join in, you should know that you enunciate that particular town as “Kircoobray”.

Then there’s the infamous Scots “ch”, as in loch, but let’s not even go there – just remember that it’s not LOCK! You’ll need that “ch” to pronounce Auchenshuggle, immortalised as the last tram stop in Glasgow, and Ecclefechan, the Dumfriesshire town that was the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle.

The shortest place name in the UK is also in Dumfries – Ae, pronounced “Ay”, is also one of the UK’s youngest villages, established in 1947 by the Forestry Commission at the centre of a forest.

For centuries, Scotland enjoyed a warm relationship with France known as the Auld Alliance and Edinburgh’s streets and districts often pay testament to that era, none more so than Little France, the site of which is now the city’s Royal Infirmary. There hasn’t been the same Russian influence in Scotland yet you’ll still find a little hamlet called Moscow in Ayrshire.

There’s great fun to be had in exploring Scotland’s weirdest, funniest and oddest place names – maybe you can have Jam tomorrow?

Aside from the more serious implications, the affect that the history of England has had on place names has made for plenty of strange, funny and downright silly place names right up to the present day. This article will cover some of the most prominent places that will be sure to make you laugh, cringe, or face palm in disgust.

Old Sodom Lane, Wiltshire
This beautiful country lane in Wiltshire is characteristically English, with quant hedgerows, farms and idyllic country houses. Its name however is not quite so quaint and not quite so idyllic.

Pity Me, County Durham
This interesting name given to a village in County Durham could be the result of many things, though there is no certainty over how the name came to be. The name could have arisen because the area was considered to be desolate and unfertile, or the result of a myth in which Saint Cuthbert cried out “Pity me!” when his coffin was fumbled and dropped by careless monks on the way to Durham.

Great Snoring and Little Snoring, Norfolk
The great thing about Great Snoring and Little Snoring is that they are sleepy little English villages, with a name given that in hindsight seems very appropriate. The reason for the name of these villages is not their sleepy nature however, but more than likely the result of a famous inhabitant of the area named Snear.

Beer, Devon
Like many areas of England, Devon is famous for its beer, and the village of Beer, though the village’s name is of no bearing to the alcoholic drink, but more than likely named in relation to the Anglo Saxon word for ‘grove’ – Beauru.

Screw Packet Lane, Newport
This lane would be the perfect place for a home improvement store to set up their business these days, but the name arises from something very different. The lane in question used to run next to the River Usk, which is where many small boats (known as packets) would dock. By the 19th century these packets were mounted with propellers (known as screws), and hence Screw Packet Lane was born.

No Place, County Durham
There’s no place like No Place in County Durham, which is a quiet and unassuming hamlet situated between Stanley and Beamish, and used to refer to a collection of cottages which are no longer standing there. A popular theory for the name of the hamlet is that it stood between two separate parishes who would neither accept responsibility for them. Another theory is that the name is actually a shortened version of the previously titled ‘near place’. Regardless of the origins, its inhabitants will always be proud to have No Place in England.

Blakehopeburnhaugh, Northumberland
This is the longest place name that England has to offer, and is a quaint and picturesque farmstead hamlet situated in the Redesdale Forest. The name has very pragmatic Anglo-Saxon origins, and the modern name arises from a translation of ‘black valley stream’ combined with ‘flat riverside land’.

Land of The Prince Bishops, County Durham
This is easily one of the most grand and dramatic place names England has to offer, and the reasoning behind the name is suitably intriguing. During the reign of William the Conqueror was the invention of the post of Prince Bishop, which was a combination of the old monarch powers of the Earls of Northumberland, and the religious power of the Bishops of Durham. The Prince Bishops had important duties, such as keeping control and order to the northern territories of England, and preventing Scottish invasion.

Hole, Devon
It might sound like a dive, but this area could have been the first gold mine in the country. The name most likely derives from the Old English Hol, for a place in a hollow.

With other places such as Wyre Piddle, Pratt’s Bottom, Devil’s Lapful, Faggot, Shitterton and Lower Slaughter, one can only imagine the origins of their names.

Fast Growing Companies

Prominent start ups that have made it big in recent years include 7Digital, Eventbrite, INQ Mobile, Last.fm, Mendeley, Mind Candy, Moo Print, Playfish, SpliceTV, Spotify, Stylistpick, Ustwo, We7 and more.

Splice TV, a Shoreditch based post-production company deserves special mention. Established in 2002 with a single editing suite housed in a 500 sq. ft. leased premises, the company has since then grown to having 19 suites and employing 22 full time staff in a 3300 sq ft freehold facility.

Mind Candy is a leading online social gaming developer. The “Moshi Monsters” online game it has developed has alone contributed about $100 million in sales. The company is valued at over $200 million and employs 100 people. It plans a major expansion that would double in head count and increase its valuation.

Ustwo designs user interface for mobile operating systems and applications.

Buongiorno employs more than 100 creative designers and offers a plethora of mobile solutions. The Tech city is the major business hub for this Milan based company.

Small to Medium Companies

East London is home to about 514 small to medium tech companies. An overwhelming majority of such companies offer creative and innovative services in the media and entertainment spheres.

East London is awash with design agencies. A few popular ones include 120 Degrees, Atmos, Digit, IDEO, Living Group and Luckybite. Companies such as Albion London, Biff New Media, Blyk, Geocast, Kontera, Sparkpr, Carter, Codilink and Profusion specialise in digital advertising and marketing.

There are literally hundreds of gaming and media creation companies in East London. A few prominent ones are Digi Nut, MoodShare, Red Ant, Uber, Lab10 and Mind Candy.

Companies such as Ad.IQ, BigDog Interactive, Open Signal Maps, Barometa, Dabblerr.com, Nestoria and Squadify focus exclusively on developing mobile and online apps.

Popular companies such as 7Digital, Folder Media, Last.fm, MusicMetric and State 51 provide sound and music development.

Large Firms

While much of the thrust is on start-ups and small and medium companies, East London also has its fair share of big companies noted for their creativity and innovation. Three companies that top this list are Barclays, BT and Virgin.

Google, noted for its creativity world over, has developed a seven-story office building in Bonhill Street to run workshops, showcase new products and provide office space for local start-ups.

Government Support

The government is committed to promoting creative companies in East London. A case in point is the £1 million funding competition launched by Tech City Launchpad in May 2011, aimed specifically at creative and digital businesses in the Old Street and Shoreditch areas. Companies interested in availing themselves of this funding enter a competition and the successful participants receive a maximum of £100,000 or 50 percent of the total project cost estimate, whichever is higher, for their creative projects.

Among the winners of this competition in 2011 were Clearer Partners, a media innovation studio that provides hands-on rapid prototyping and bespoke development services for organisations such as the UK Parliament, BBC and others.

The Technology Strategy Board match projects with funding by conducting workshops that involve business angels, venture capitalists and large companies interested in supporting start-ups.

The IC tomorrow digital test bed programme, located at Shoreditch, allows application providers, service providers and rights owners the facility of a trial management system.

The why behind the weird and the wonderful

In the London area, place names are usually named after landmarks and historical buildings, the trades and occupations that took place in a given area, the people who were vain enough to permanently imprint their contribution to the city, or after common London events, fairs and occasions.

Examples such as East Poultry Avenue and Shoulder of Mutton alley relate to food markets, and Silver Street points clearly to a long past silver smiths, but don’t get complacent in these methods of reasoning because there are many names which will catch you out, such as Pudding Lane which is the place where the Great Fire of 1666 begun. You might think a careless cook left the hob on while baking, but in-fact the term pudding was delightfully an old term for animal entrails. Mincing Lane is a source of laughs for many nowadays, but back then it was not so, as the word derives from the old English word for nuns, being a much holier term than today’s connotation. There are plenty of other street names that will make you giggle, such as the well-known Cockspur Street which connects Pall Mall and Trafalgar Square, Cheapside, Batman Close located in Shepherd’s Bush and Kitcat Terrace. There are also some more enchanting names such as Half Moon Street, named after the Half Moon Inn which once stood there, and Paradise Walk, though anyone who has actually walked down this street will tell you it is anything but a paradise.

Town planners were obviously unafraid in being practical to the point of absurdity, for example Spitalfields, which was named in response to the Plague and the fields here that were used for the many plague hospitals during the crisis.

Bleeding Heart Yard

The ominously named cobbled ‘Bleeding Heart Yard’ is located in the City of London’s Farringdon area, inconspicuously found off of Greville Street. There are two possible reasons for why this yard was named so, one being very harmless and the other not quite so harmless. The urban legend is that the name commemorates the gruesome murder of the Lady Elizabeth Hatton, who was related by marriage to the Queen Elizabeth I’s Lord Chancellor. She was apparently found in 1626 “torn limb from limb” on the cobblestones, but with her heart still pumping blood. The more realistic explanation for the name however is that it was named after ‘The Bleeding Heart’ Pub located nearby on Charles Street.

Knightrider Street

Located between the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral, you would be forgiven for thinking that this name pays homage to the popular 80’s American show, and the all-powerful David Hasselholf. In fact, it is most likely named after a knight’s procession which travelled from the Tower of London to Smithfield, where they would take part in popular jousting tournaments.

Cripplegate

The political incorrectness of this name raises many eyebrows, but this gate and the small region outside the gate with the same name, was long an important landmark for early London before its destruction during the Second World War. The gate was already present when the first city wall was built, serving a Roman fort around 120 AD. No-one is sure over the origins of this name, though apparently it could derive from cripples who would apparently beg by the gate. It could also derive from the Anglo Saxon word ‘crepel’ which means underground passageway.

Next time you’re walking around London, make sure you check the signs – you’ll never know what you might find!

The Tower of London

The Yeoman warder tour (or beefeater as they are commonly known) is an entertaining and insightful tour of the Tower of London. A Yeoman warder will guide you through the history of the palace and the monarchy and provide information on the palace’s architecture, as well as grisly tales of the torturing of Guy Fawkes and the lives and deaths of Henry VIII and his wives.

After the tour you have the opportunity to wander around the Tower of London and see such sights as the ravens, of which seven currently reside next to the Wakefield Tower. Discover the history of the ravens and the legend surrounding them.

In the White Tower, the Fit for a King exhibition displays a collection of royal armoury dating back 500yrs, which has been used for both battle and sport. Historical displays include the silvered armour worn by Henry VIII which was decorated to celebrate his marriage to Katherine of Aragon.

To book online go to hrp.org.uk.

Blood and Tears walk

The blood and tears walk begins at Barbican station and proceeds through London’s darkened streets and alleyways, exploring the haunts of historical villains and serial killers, such as Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd. By the time you reach the end of the tour at Holborn tube station, you will have been regaled (and possibly terrified) by tales of murderers, grave robbers and the supernatural.

Tip: Remember to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes as this tour lasts for 2hrs and moves at a fairly brisk pace.

Jack the Ripper Tour

Similarly, the Jack the Ripper tour will take you on a journey through London to visit some infamous locations from history, such as Mitre Square, where Jack the Ripper claimed two victims, and Hanbury street, the place where one of the Ripper’s victims was found, severely mutilated.

Buckingham Palace Tour

If horror doesn’t appeal to you, the Buckingham Palace tour is a more sedate option. From 30th June onwards, the palace opens it’s doors to the public for the summer months. Visitors can explore nineteen state rooms, which display paintings by artists such as Rembrandt and Canaletto. The tour ends with a walk through the south side of the garden.

To celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee, Buckingham Palace is exhibiting a collection of diamonds which have been worn by different members of royalty over the past 200yrs. Examples of jewellery on display include the Coronation necklace and earrings, which have been worn by Queen Victoria, the Queen mother, and more recently the Queen.

An exclusive tour is also available at the price of £65 per person and includes the official guidebook and a glass of champagne. The exclusive tour is led by an expert who will guide you through the history of the palace and the art and furniture on display.

Tickets can be booked through ‘the Royal Collection’ website.

D-Day Duck WWII Tour

The D-Day Duck tour is an adventurous ride by road and river that will show you around important WWII sights, such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Cabinet war rooms. Listen to war stories from the Blitz before splashing into the River Thames and discovering the vital role of the Duck in the Normandy beach landings.

Each Duck can seat up to 30 people and are available for private hire from londonducktours.co.uk.

Charles Dickens London Tour

This is an opportunity for literary fans to walk in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and explore the parts of Victorian London that were the inspiration for novels such as Oliver and A Christmas Carol.

The knowledgeable guide will provide you with information about the novelist’s own rags to riches story, along with quotes from his famous books, that bring the history and perils of Dickensian London to life.

For more information go to dickenslondontours.co.uk.

1. Virgin London Marathon

Perhaps the most popular and well publicised charity run held in London, possibly the world, the London Marathon started in 1981 and has grown exponentially since that date. With around 20,000 applicants in its first year, just short of 7,000 were chosen to run the race and not all of these finished. Since the first run, nearly 820,000 people have completed the marathon, with a staggering 36,550 people completing the race in 2010 alone. Due to the high level of entrants and sponsorship, around £500 million has been raised to benefit charities since 1981.

The London Marathon generally has one or two official charities which are given automatic entries to the race, to help their fundraising. There is then a “Golden Bond Scheme” which allows other charities to buy guaranteed places, costing £300, and allows entrance to runners who were denied a ballot place. Currently, there are around 750 British charities and 15,000 guaranteed places associated with the race, with 500 additional charities guaranteed one entry place every five years under the “Silver Bond Scheme”.

The London Marathon course is 26 miles long, starting in Blackheath, before going through Charlton and Woolwich. Runners then head past Greenwich and cross the River Thames at Tower Bridge, before passing the Canary Wharf. Towards the end of the race, runners head through Parliament Square and past Buckingham Palace. Initially, the finishing point was Constitution Hill but was changed to the Mall in 1994, which has been the ending point of the race ever since.

2. Great Gorilla Run

The Great Gorilla run is a fast and fun-filled event which involves around 1,000 entrants, dressed as gorillas, running through the streets of London; fancy dress is an obligation for this run. The event started in 2003 and since then there have been thousands of entrants, helping to raise money and awareness for their cause. This charity focuses on trying to save an endangered species, the mountain gorilla, of which there are around 700 left in the world. Other areas of focus for this charity include biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction in Africa.

The course itself is relatively short, encompassing a route of 7 kilometres through London City and Bankside. Included in the route is the Tower Bridge and Tate Modern Gallery and the whole course can be walked, ran or jogged. From inception to present day, runners following this course have helped to secure over £1 million for the charity.

3. The MoonWalk London 2012

This event is organised by Walk the Walk, a grant making charity, which helps to raise money for breast cancer causes and also encourages people to become fitter and live healthier. As the name suggests, this event can only be walked, not ran, by all participants; any people caught running could potentially be asked to leave the course.

This event promotes everyone uniting towards a single aim and having fun in the process. All participants are sent a pack before the event which contains things such as hats and the trademark bra for the event. All people walking in the event, including men, have to wear a bra during the event as this has helped to raise awareness for the event and promotes solidarity.

There are two courses available, a half marathon and a full marathon, each of which starts and ends in Hyde Park. The event is held at night and entrants are given a coloured number which dictates the time they will start walking. Entrants have to raise at least £100 and has 15,000 walkers; all of this money is used to help breast cancer causes and promote healthy living.

There are few establishments that can compete with what the offices at 64 Knightsbridge have to offer. These amazing office spaces are located close to the green spaces of Hyde Park. The offices at 64 Knightsbridge have a beautiful old front to their building, adding to the appeal to the building, with a very modern feel to the interior. The building has a beautiful classical façade with a business centre that has modern artworks and the latest up to date business technology. The well equipped office spaces are of a very high standard, with meeting rooms, conference rooms and a large boardroom, everything that you will need to run your business to the high standard that is expected in this business capital.

These office spaces are also fully serviced, with all the supporting technology that you could possible want located onsite, including catering and also partner privileges at the five star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel.

This exclusive centre is the perfect location for your business to be situated, as with such a prestigious location, it will be easy to impress potential and existing clients with the beautiful surroundings. You could take them for a walk through Hyde Park, to any of the fine dining establishments nearby or to the world famous Harrods store.

Notting Hill is also a very sought after location for the higher end of office location, which was of course made popular by the film of the same name. Ledbury Mews North is situated in the W11 area of London, close to Ledbury Road and Westbourne Grove. This office space is a beautiful example of a traditional mews and is in a nice and quiet location, being situated on a no through road which also has restricted parking, which also allows for easy loading and allows for temporary parking.

Regents Street in Mayfair is also one of the most desirable places to have you business located. There are offices available here to rent which have been recently renovated to the expected very high standard. The modern and highly equipped offices are situated in magnificent Grade 2 listed buildings. Rent available on these highly sought after offices can be paid for between 3 months and 5 years.

If you’re in, or are going to, London, and have any interest in improving your photography skills and taking real photos of the city that you can be proud of, there are plenty of tours to choose from, including:

London Photo Tours and Workshops

With a name like that, there’s no mistaking what this company offers. In fact, they offer a very diverse listing of tours, such as:

1. South Bank Photography Tour.
The South Bank is a cultural hot spot of London, It’s an ideal location for photographers, not only for its proximity to some interesting buildings, but also for its great views of the River Thames, all the way eastwards to St Paul’s Cathedral. This tour focuses (no pun intended) on technical matters such as exposure settings, panning and composition. The locale offers a wide variety of subject matter, from striking architecture to colourful street entertainers, to the fascinatingly varied river traffic making its way up and down the Thames. (londonphototours.co.uk)

2. Women-only Photography Tour 
This is a more select photography sightseeing tour open to a maximum of four women at a time. Run by a female professional photographer, the locations are varied, and the tour takes in quite a few of the best known ones, including: Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and other interesting places in central London.

There are other tours also available from this company, including exclusive tours for those who prefer private tuition and guidance.

Photo Walks of London

Tours offered by this company cover many famous sights of London, including the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and many more. All the usual techniques, tricks and tips of good photography are covered in detail. As well as giving technical advice on all matters photographic, the tutors pride themselves on giving visitors useful advice on having a good time in London. Anything you need to know about restaurants, bars, clubs, theatres, shops, hotels, etc., just ask the experts. (photowalksoflondon.com)

Camera Trails

This company offers some unique and interesting photo tours. As with the others, you can be sure of expert knowledge both in photography, as well as in local knowledge of the various places they take you to. Among the short courses that are offered by this company, their Urban East and Night Lights tours (or ‘trails’ as they prefer to call them) are different and popular.  (cameratrails.com)

1. Urban East tour 
London’s famous East End is steeped in history, and this tour teaches you to capture something of the unique atmosphere that the rest of the world associates with Charles Dickens, Jack the Ripper and many more colourful East End characters. The course needs to be booked in advance, and it sets off from Liverpool Street Station at around 11AM on scheduled days. The whole tour takes around five hours including refreshment breaks.

2. Night light Tour
Night photography involves different techniques. The brightly lit shopping and entertainments centres are where this tour heads for. Capturing the dazzling neon displays of the West End needs a bit of know-how, if you also want to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the area. The tutors are on hand to give advice, tuition and ensure the end results aren’t disappointing.

Those are just a few of the photographic tours available in London aimed at helping amateurs to improve their photographic skills and to capture images that are a cut above typical snapshots. If you and your camera are going to be in the vicinity of the many world famous sights of London, a photography sightseeing tour run by local experts is well worth considering.

The overall Gross Value Added (GVA) for London represents around 45% of the overall sector at some £52 billion and the sector as a whole contributed tax revenues of £53.4bn.
Of the total employed in the City, 42% or 135,000 are employed in the financial sector (from cityoflondon.gov.uk 2009).

Classed as one of three key financial centres around the world, London plays host to many of the leading banks as well as the Stock Exchange and whilst The City is home to some, the influential banking and financial institutions have also spread into the Canary Wharf area. Only four of the top five UK banks are based in the City the other is in Edinburgh (RBS).

The top four London banks are: HSBC (Canary Wharf), Lloyds (City), Barclays (Canary Wharf) and Standard Chartered (City). Between them these four have market values of ~£240 bn. and assets of ~£5,500 bn.

Their employment numbers are substantial, however it is difficult to obtain exact numbers of how many are employed specifically within the 135,000 in the City of London. For that reason we look at the whole of the UK; HSBC alone has 85,000 employees in the UK, spread around its major brank and city centre network. Lloyds, in which the British Government holds a minority stake, indicates that it employs in excess of 104,000 (2010 figures). Barclays employs 146,000 (as at 2011) and Standard Chartered, 84,000.

Looking at Operating Income and stated gross margins for 2010, each is a substantial business:
HSBC – £12 bn. profit £8.3 bn.
Lloyds – £281 m, (£258 m)
Barclays – £3 bn. (profit not stated)
Standard Chartered – £3.85 bn. (profit not stated)

What is clear is that the banking sector within the UK, let alone the world has gone through an upheaval that is unprecedented and it may take some time to settle into a stable sector again. The British Government is under increasing pressure to return Lloyds to the private sector once more and is looking at many options including the restructuring of the bank into two separate – corporate and personal banking streams. Given their relative financial strength, HSBC, Barclays and Standard Chartered have demonstrated their ability to weather the financial maelstrom despite calls within Government to review and deconstruct the so called bonus culture.

Alongside the major banks, the city is home to the main regulatory body of The Bank of England, an institution to whom the key players look for guidance. It sets the level of interest (Bank Base Rate), currently at 0.5% (for a record three-years), and manages and monitors inflation by intervention in specific sectors as and when required. It is also responsible for the total amount of money flowing through the UK economy and regularly reviews this.

Lloyds, the insurance house, is also established in The City, and home to around fifty of the world’s largest insurance businesses with access to assets in excess of £40,000 bn. to support its infrastructure of risk underwriting and provides cover for every sector of business around the Globe. In excess of 20% of its revenue is derived in the UK.

Finally, the London Stock Exchange – often abbreviated to LSE, is one of the half dozen trading platforms around the world that are seen as the metre by which investors judge the health of commerce. It hosts a number of UK based indices – e.g. the FTSE 100, whereby the value of a business is posted daily in terms of its share price and capitalisation. In sheer scale, the level of activity is huge and in 2010 its market capitalisation was claimed to be £2.27 trillion spread across some 3,000 individual business listings.