At the end of September, PokerStars Ambassador Lex Veldhuis will be hosting the second edition of Lex Live at the Aspers Casino in Westfield Stratford City.
That’s in London, baby.
Whether it’s recalling all of the hotels that you wanted to buy on Mayfair and Park Lane in your earlier years playing Monopoly, watching scenes of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, cheering one of the city’s football teams or laughing to episodes of Fleabag, we’ve all had a piece of London in our lives at some point.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit this metropolis yet, then there’s no better time than for Lex Live 2.
The 10-day festival runs from September 27 through October 6, 2019, and here’s a guide to England’s capital if you’re planning to visit for the first time.
HOW DO I GET TO LONDON?
If you’re flying into Heathrow Airport, keep in mind that it is the third busiest in the world, so give yourself plenty of time to get through it. Gatwick airport is smaller and less busy, but it’s still a London airport, so expect some hustle and bustle.
Both airports are linked to London via express train services, with Heathrow taking you to London Paddington station, and Gatwick taking you to London Victoria station.
If you’re arriving via the Eurostar, you’ll be pulling into London at St Pancras International.
From there, the most efficient and budget way to get around in London is using The Tube. It’s the city’s version of the subway or metro and connects most of metropolitan London, turning it into an underground maze of exceptional transport throughout central London Town. Wherever you need to go, you can be sure there’s a line on The Tube to get you there.
WHERE IS LEX LIVE 2 TAKING PLACE?
As mentioned, Lex Live 2 will be held at the Aspers Casino in Westfield Stratford City.
The casino is located on level 3 at Westfield Stratford City, easily accessible from The Street, Car Park B & the World Food Court. Here’s how to get there:
BY TUBE AND TRAIN
Stratford Station
Take one of the following services to Stratford Station and then follow the signs to Westfield Stratford City:
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Jubilee and Central lines
National Rail services operated by Greater Anglia and c2c
London Overground services
Stratford International Station
Take one of the following services to Stratford International Station and then follow the signs to Westfield Stratford City:
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
SouthEastern High Speed 1 services
BY BUS
Take one of the following services to Stratford and then follow the signs to Westfield Stratford City:
25 IIford – Oxford Circus
69 Canning Town – Walthamstow
86 Romford
97 Chingford – Walthamstow
104 Manor Park
108 Lewisham
158 Chingford Mount
238 Barking
241 Prince Regent
257 Walthamstow
262 East Beckton
276 Newham General Hospital – Stoke Newington
308 Clapton Park – Wanstead
339 Shadwell – Leytonstone
388 Blackfriars
425 Clapton
473 North Woolwich
D8 Crossharbour
BY CAR
If you’re travelling by car, head to Car Park B of Westfield Stratford City and use the lifts to access the casino. If you’re using a sat nav, you can use the postcode, E20 1EJ.
The shopping centre is easily accessible via the A11, A12, A13, A102, A406, M11 and M25.
Remember that parking charges apply at Westfield Stratford City. For more details, click here.https://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/centre-info/getting-here#CAR
BY TAXI AND UBER
Drop Off
When using a taxi, your driver will drop you at taxi rank near Stratford station. Once you’ve been dropped off follow the signs to Westfield Stratford City.
Your Uber driver will drop you off outside Waitrose on the Lower Ground Floor near Car Park A. The quickest way to the casino from here, is via The Street.
Pick Up
When leaving Westfield Stratford City, taxis are available from the taxi rank in Montfichet Road, outside the Ticket Hall at Stratford station (near Starbucks and M&S Food Hall on the Lower Ground Floor). There is also a taxi rank on Westfield Avenue near Chestnut Plaza.
For Uber pick ups, request a ride in the app from Westfield Stratford City and meet your driver outside Waitrose on the Lower Ground Floor near Car Park A.
Licensed Taxi Numbers:
Stratford City Cars’ – 020 8555 5555
Radio Taxis – 020 7272 0272
One-Number Taxi – 0871 871 8710
Computer Cab – 020 7908 0207
Dial-a-Cab – 020 7253 5000
Call-A-Cab – 020 8901 4444
London Black Taxis – 07779 336 612
HOW DO I SEE THE SIGHTS?
The easiest way to squeeze in the major sights in town is to jump on one of the many tour buses, including the infamous double-decker buses, but it’s actually possible to see the sights in one day while on foot (with the occasional ride on The Tube).
Being such a huge city, the main attractions are surprisingly closer to each other than you may think, and if not, there will be an underground station nearby.
Keep in mind that England is certainly not known for its sunshine and when Lex Live 2 takes place winter will be creeping closer. The average temperature at that time will be between 60-65°F (15-17°C), so be sure to bring some warm clothes.
Here’s a list of just some of the many things to see and do while in town during Lex Live 2:
Leicester Square — a taste of the West End’s cinema and entertainment capital, described as one big, youthful party.
Piccadilly Circus — Connected to Leicester Square, this is London’s version of New York’s Times Square, a busy thoroughfare of London’s West End.
Buckingham Palace — a jaw-dropping dose of gargantuan royal residency. There’s never a time during the day when there aren’t groups of people outside of the gates snapping pictures. For £17.50 you can get a tour inside the property, but be sure to go before Oct. 3 since that’s when they close for the season.
St James’s Park — a peaceful escape from the city buzz as you walk through from Buckingham Palace at one end of the park, to The Ritz at the other.
River Thames — the mammoth sights continue with the waterside such as Big Ben, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Tower Bridge a little further down.
WHERE IS GOOD FOR SHOPPING IN LONDON?
Harrods — situated in the fancy Knightsbridge area, Harrods is the most extravagant department store you will probably ever seen. It’s unlikely you will open your wallet, but it’s definitely worth a look.
Oxford Street — The world-famous shopping district that’s much more affordable for the average person than Harrods. Here is where you’ll find all of the mainstream brands.
Carnaby London — A dainty, boutique shopping and nightlife district close to Leicester Square that is a refreshing contrast from the grandness of the surrounding areas.
Portobello Road — this street is filled with one of the many markets around London. This one is in the heart of Notting Hill and is considered the most popular for vintage items.
Camden Market — Another world-famous market in London, this is for those after something more alternative.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL EVENTS ON IN LONDON DURING LEX LIVE 2?
NFL London Games 2019 — Oct. 6 through Nov. 3: There are four NFL games in London just after Lex Live 2, including the Oakland Raiders vs Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 6.
London Restaurant Festival — Oct. 1 through 31: A citywide celebration of eating out, from Michelin-starred restaurants to neighbourhood bistros, this festival is all about lifting the lid on London’s finest cooking.
London Film Festival — Oct. 2 through 13: if you have some free time during Lex Live 2, you could catch the UK’s biggest celebration of international cinema.
Totally Thames — Sept. 1 through 30: celebrate the Thames and its culture with a programme of river-inspired art, pop-up live performances and boat races.
Japan Matsuri 2019 — Sunday 29 September: London’s very own festival of Japanese culture – Japan Matsuri – returns on Sunday, 29 September 2019 in Trafalgar Square in the centre of the city. A regular fixture now in the London calendar, this free annual festival brings people together to enjoy Japanese food, music, dance, and activities for all the family.
Frieze art fairs — Oct. 2 through 6: explore two of the most influential events on the art scene in one place with the world-renowned Frieze London and Frieze Masters art fairs.
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