Travel and Lifestyle for Oil and Gas: A recommendation of places to eat and things to do to make the most of your visit to London for the EAGE Annual 2019, June 3rd-6th.
Making The Most of Your Trip to London for the EAGE Annual 2019
View of the Coca Cola London Eye on the River Thames.
London is calling! Calling all geoscientists and engineers in oil, gas and energy. In just a few weeks thousands of industry professionals from around the world will be gathering in the capital city of quaint and scenic England, for what is set to be the largest multi-disciplinary geoscience event in the annual oil and gas calendar. The EAGE Annual 2019 will open its doors at the Ice Breaker on Monday 3rd June, followed by several days of exhibition and technical conference. The event will give companies and individuals the chance to showcase their latest products, present in technical sessions and share a wealth of geoscience knowledge amongst like-minded professionals.
So, in light of this, we thought it the perfect opportunity to recommend a few things to do to help you make the most of your trip to London for the EAGE Annual 2019. At the beginning of summer we can hope for, but not count on, some nice weather to help extend the days and allow you make more of your evenings strolling around this beautiful and historic city.
Quick Things to See and Do in London
Like many cities, London has so much on offer – it really is a tough task for us to whittle down a list of our top places to visit whilst there. Unfortunately, the usual haunts and some of the more renowned places to visit are not so close the ExCel, often requiring a few changes on the London Underground and DLR to reach; however, most are within an hour’s journey time. So, factoring in that time is of the essence and knowing that your visit may be short, with little time to spare, we have based these recommendations on places you can visit just by passing by for a photo or two and spending a short while soaking in the ambience. There are, of course, many other popular locations you can visit such as Madame Tussaud’s, the Harry Potter studios, the London Dungeons, etc. but you may not have the time to squeeze in the hours deserved to truly enjoy these experiences.
On the plus side – most of the recommendations below have well known areas in the nearby vicinity to grab a bite to eat and wind down for the evening – often serving food and drink until late. For these though, you will be best doing your own research for the best recommendations.
Palace of Westminster and Big Ben
Palace of Westminster and Big Men illuminated at dusk.
Taking anywhere from 35 to 45 mins to reach, you’ll need to hop on the DLR at Prince Regent station by the conference centre, change at Canning Town and then take the Jubilee Line on the London Underground straight to Westminster Station.
In addition to being one of the most iconic buildings to feature on London’s postcards, it’s the perfect chance to grab a selfie by one of the most popular backdrops used in British tele-broadcasting and political news features. Close by, you’ll also find a pleasant walk along the Thames to the riverside South Bank for a choice of places to eat and drink. You could also check out the boat bars and restaurants at Embankment.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial.
For all those that think “Royal Family” when you hear of England, then this is a place you have to see. Whether it be for the Changing of the Guard, or to see with your own eyes one of the residences of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. From the conference centre, the journey could take between 40 minutes to an hour. Take the DLR from Prince Regent station, change at Canning Town for the Jubilee Line and disembark at Green Park Station.
You can then take a nice stroll through Green Park, which should be looking lush this time of year, before revelling in the palace in all its glory.
Tower of London
Tower Bridge, visible from side walk of the Thames near the Tower of London.
First built in 1078, with additions, extensions and rebuilds dating up until 1399, the Tower of London is as iconic as it is historic. Not only rich in history, a trip here offers you the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the many picturesque castles that crown the British landscape, without leaving the city limits. It will probably take you 30-40 minutes to reach via the DLR from Prince Regent station. Take the line direct to Tower Gateway and then enjoy a short walk past the Tower Hill Memorial and into the castle grounds (please check opening times if you wish to access the grounds). After that you can enjoy a Thames-side walk where you will also be able to see Tower Bridge in one direction and London Bridge in the other.
Covent Garden
Main square and roofed market in Covent Garden.
Less sites to see but perhaps more for the enjoyment of the experience. Enjoy a selection of shopping, from boutique to high street names as well as a good selection of cosy independent, culinarily-trending and popular well-known restaurants. The main square is characterised by quaint cobbled paving and a roofed market. There are many bars where, if weather permits and you’re lucky enough to get a seat outside, you can relax in and soak in the ambience. Depending on the time of day you travel, this trip could take between 45 minutes to over an hour from the conference centre. Jump on the DLR to Canning Town and change for the Piccadilly Underground Line to Covent Garden. A word of caution; there are 193 steps to climb from disembarking the train at Covent Garden Underground Station to reaching the cobbled, ground-level streets and you’ll certainly feel the burning in your thighs and calves as you reach the top. However, don’t worry, if you’re not up for the challenge then there is a lift – but it can get a little crowded during rush hour.
Whether you could make it in time after the conference days to catch an evening performance of some world-famous musicals and plays is questionable, but if you have the chance before or after the event then I’d recommended checking out what shows are currently open in the many theatres in the area.
Places to Eat in London
As London is so vast, with what seems like new area trending every six months, narrowing down a recommendation of restaurants is an almost impossible task. As there is so much variety, and the choice purely subjective to the individual, we feel this is research best done by you and your colleagues on the basis of whatever takes your fancy at the time. Also, whilst on your wanders about the city, you are likely to come across the perfect place for dinner without even planning it!
That being said, we won’t shy from the challenge to recommended just a few places!
Balthazar Restaurant, Covent Garden
Situated in the middle of Covent Garden, serving French bistro food, good wine and an American whisky bar, Balthazar Restaurant offers a wonderfully classic setting to enjoy very decent food. Balthazar prides itself on its great selection of classic French brasserie and bistro dishes combining the best ingredients with the most traditional methods to produce great quality food.
Competitively priced, for London (!), this place does come highly recommended by yours truly and I would strongly urge starting your meal with the French onion soup! More info…
Rules, Covent Garden
Established in 1798, Rules is the London’s oldest restaurant. With this novelty under its belt, and the renowned top quality of its classically British food, securing a reservation at a preferred time can be hard to achieve. I have yet to enjoy the experience, but as I visit the city quite often, I am savouring my moment there for the festive period of December.
However, if you don’t visit often, I would suggest you try to get booked in – imagine returning home to your friends and family to say you’ve dined in London’s oldest restaurant! More info…
Sarastro Restaurant, Drury Lane
A truly unforgettable dining experience! Sarastro combines drama, eclectic decor and exotic cuisine, offering a unique atmosphere that indulges site, sound and taste. You could spend the duration of your time there, not in conversation, but in awe of your surroundings and the many different things to feast your eyes upon – particularly if you like the quirky and unusual.
Booking is highly recommended, and having experienced the unforgettable first-hand, I wouldn’t hesitate to return in a heartbeat. More info…
Restaurants Near ExCel London
We know, it’s easy to make all of these recommendations but it’s also no secret that the time to enjoy some non-work-related shenanigans at these events case be almost impossible to come by. And, of course, we can’t forget that the main reason we are attending these events, is to work! Although somewhat limited, there is a half-decent selection of some well-reviewed dining locations in the area. For these though, we think it much better you do your own research as it might well just depend on what time you manage to finish your day at the conference and exhibition.
GEO ExPro at EAGE Annual 2019
GEO ExPro are delighted to be joining the EAGE as media partners for the event and we look forward to welcoming you all in London in June. Free copies of the magazine will be available at designated media bins around the conference and exhibition hall and you can also pick up your copy at our booth (#101) situated near the ‘Coffee Plaza & Seating Area’ near the visitor’s entrance (S11). Pop by our booth to sign up for our free weekly digital geoscience bulletin and to enter into various raffles for your chance to win some great prizes.
As a thank you to our loyal clients we also have our annual ad raffle, which gives our advertisers the chance to win a full-page ad. If you don’t currently advertise and are looking to raise brand awareness and extend your global reach, this is a great incentive for you consider GEO ExPro magazine in your ad plan. To qualify for the raffle you have until 11:00 am on 6th June to confirm your booking! For qualification criteria, ad raffling times and contact details, click here.
Recommended Reading on the Geology of London
Before heading to the EAGE Annual 2019 in London, here are a few recommended GEO ExPro articles relating to the geology of London.
London Pavement Geology
Staff Writer
A new website and smartphone App for geologists brings the pavements and buildings of London to life.
This article appeared in Vol. 13, No. 5 – 2016
The Geology of London
Diana Clements
With the Olympics upon us it is an appropriate time to reveal the geology of London for our visitors. A brief introduction to the geology is followed by five itineraries that have been selected to give an overview of what can still be seen, despite a population of nearly eight million.
This article appeared in Vol. 9, No. 3 – 2012
