As the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress 2023 in London draws closer, we are introducing a weekly Newsletter to ensure all delegates and members who are attending the congress can get regular updates, tips, and the progress made so far!
A Message From Our Co-Chairs
This week we bring to you an update into the location of the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress; London. There are many activities to do and this newsletter aims to showcase just a few activities London has to offer and introduce you to one of the key staples of the UK, the pubs! This is a three-part guide so stay tuned for next week where we will bring you even more things to do in London! We still have tickets to the Guildhall and time is running out to buy your tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don't miss out!
Welcome to London
London. Home to nearly 9 million people, Buckingham Palace and the infamous James Bond, it's one of the most diverse cities in the world, with with more Indian restaurants than Delhi and Mumbai combined! There are so many attractions to choose from such as walking through Madam Tussauds where your can meeting your favourite celebrities and even the Royals to amazing indoor theme parks and beautiful roof-top bars that show the London skyline, there's so much to do! To help you out, here's our three-part handy guide on what to do in London.
It is important to note that though we have a day dedicated to visiting London, on Day 4, there are times during this congress where you have the opportunity to explore London for a few hours more! More details will follow with a schedule arriving soon. Similarly, we will be providing you transport to London, however there will be no transport back to the hotel.
Your Updates
London's Pub Culture
The humble pub is focal point for communities, work colleagues and friends to meet up, drink eat and listen to some music, be it live or a house playlist! The pubs were first introduced by the Romans as more road networks sprung up across the country. During the period of the Anglo-Saxons many established alehouses were out of their homes and by the year 1577, England and Wales already had around 14,202 alehouses, 1,631 inns, and 329 taverns recorded which equals one pub for every 187 people. The modern day pubs started in the 19th century with a Beerhouse Act of 1830 which allowed pubs to be purpose-built, have unique architecture, and stand out from regular houses and competition.
We love our pubs so much, that we have Tube stations named after them: Swiss Cottage, Angel, Elephant and Castle, Royal Oak, Maida Vale and Manor House to name a few. Aside from drinking and gossiping about your co-workers, some pubs now have activities you can do. For example the award-winning Fight Club which has a amazing multi-player digital darts games. Have a drink, play some darts and compete against your friends to find out who is the true darts champion. Pubs are not just for drinking, the UK has some amazing award winning gastropubs which serve a meal as well, even to the point of them having a Michelin star such as The Harwood Arms.
They can be found across almost every corner, street and by stations for easy access. We even have some beautiful historic pubs that still open today such as the The George Inn in London bridge which has been open since 1583. Even the great Shakespeare himself would often frequent this pub!
To showcase our passion for our pubs The Old Bank of England on Fleet Street was previously divided into two distinct taverns then demolished and was restored in 1994 to its former opulence.
The interior of the pubs can range from the classic parlour look such as the Old Bank of England, The Black Friar pub and the the Dog and Duck to modern-day dining with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating such as the pub chain All Bar One.
Experience London's Culture
Come visit our famous landmarks: Big Ben, the London eye and Buckingham Palace. Yes, that's correct, there are tickets to visit the ICONIC Palace. Gain privileged access to one of the official residences of His Majesty the King and admire the beautiful collections on display as you make your way through the State Rooms. These rooms are used to receive and entertain their guests on state, ceremonial, and official occasions.
Discover London's landmarks from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park to St. James' Park even to the Tower of London and the famous London Dungeons all without walking, through our many hop-on-hop-off buses and tours! You can also travel down the River Thames on a boat for a mini cruise or on a speedboat and see London from a different perspective! We have award-winning musicals across the famous West End where there are shows ranging from Les Miserable to Hamilton.
Harry Potter Experiences
If you're a fan of Harry Potter movies or books, come and immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter on a walking tour. Get sorted into your Hogwarts House before seeing Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron Inn.
Your walk takes you to real-life movie locations, such as the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the London Eye. You can even try to wizard your way onto Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station!
You can discover the filming magic at Warner Brothers Studio in Watford and walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the wonders of the Wizarding World!
The Guildhall
Don't forget to buy your tickets to the Guildhall and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Immerse yourselves in 600 years of tradition and beauty. It has Hindu-gothic architecture showcases the beautiful, intricate high roofing and glass-stained windows! Coming to the Guildhall offers value for money. Meals typically cost over £30 without drinks and clubbing can cost you upwards of £70. So why not spend that money on an an unforgettable evening!
If you are on the fence, and you may be receiving a subsidy such as the FEZANA Subsidy, buy your tickets as soon as you can because you have that unique opportunity to mingle with some of our really high-level guests! It will be a night you will never forget! With amazing performances planned for the evening, a delicious 3 course meal and a welcome into the Guildhall, do not miss this opportunity pass. Meet with influential Zoroastrians to open doors in your career, gain exclusive access to a Royal venue
FAQ of the week
As a reminder, for the Add-On evening, unfortunately we are not able to provide a visa letter solely for this event. Visa letters will only be issued for delegates attending the full congress from the 21st to 26th July. For any other questions click on our website for more details.
Directions to the Radisson Blu hotel on Bath Road.
As mentioned previously, you have an opportunity to explore London on Day 4 and across few hours more during the congress. Here's a guide on how to get back to the hotel:
Via London Underground. Take the Piccadilly Line to Hatton Cross and leave the building and turn right. There's a bus stop by the bridge and take the 285 bus heading towards Heathrow. Ask the driver for the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel on Bath Road. The hotel will be on your right hand side.
Via Heathrow Express is a fast-track train from Paddington to Heathrow. Take the Heathrow Express train to Terminals 1-3. There you can either take bus 111, 285 or 140
Or there's always Uber or hailing down a black taxi!