The Toyshop - 'batteries, atmosphere and gadgets included'


"If you need to do a hundred and one little things to an album worth of tunes it's an ideal space." - Plan B

Where To Stay


If you need a hotel there is a good selection to be found not too far away. Here are a few suggestions:-


# Guoman Tower Hotel
St Katherines Way, London E1Q 1LD
Tel: 0870 333 9106
Website: www.guoman.com

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and very close to the financial district, this four-star hotel offers well-equipped bedrooms, apartments and suites, all with superb views overlooking St Katherine's Dock. The Guoman Tower is a large and modern hotel designed for business guests or those wanting to indulge. The hotel is about 20 minutes walk from the studio.

# London Bridge Hotel
8-18 London Bridge, London, SE1 9SG
Tel: 020 7855 2200
Website: http://www.london-bridge-hotel.co.uk

SE1's most prestigious hotel also includes the Borough Bar and Georgetown restaurant. It boasts 119 rooms, and its four-star delights are just a stone's throw from London Bridge Station, St Thomas' Hospital, Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and Tate Modern are just a short walk away, while The City of London is just across the river. The studio is approximately 20 minutes walk.

# Hilton Hotel London Bridge
5 More London Place, Tooley Street, London SE1 2BY
Tel: 020 3002 4300
Website: http://www.london-bridge-hotel.co.uk

Hilton Tower Bridge has just opened it's swanky (245 bedroom) doors to grateful guests and, as you'd expect, offers the very best service, including 9 meeting rooms, a top restaurant, lively bar and wireless broadband internet access throughout. The studio is just 15 minutes walk away

# Novotel London City South
53-61 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HH
Tel: 020 7089 0400
Fax: 020 7089 0410
Website: http://www.novotel.com

New hotel close to Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe. St Paul's Cathedral is a short walk across the River Thames and all 182 bedrooms feature a brand new and stylish design. The hotel has 7 meeting rooms for up to 100 people theatre-style and a Garden Brasserie restaurant (with room service) serving a selection of international dishes. Guests can relax in Clinks Bar, which has a dedicated area with numerous modem points, or workout in the rooftop leisure and fitness suite - exclusive to guests - with gym, sauna and steam room. The studio is approximately 25 minutes walk away.


# Premier Travel Inn Tower Bridge
159 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LP
Tel: 0870 2383303
Fax: 020 7940 3719
Website: www.premiertravelinn.com/

City centre version of the popular motel. 196 rooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, phone, dataport and tea/coffee facilities. There is also a restaurant & bar. Now with Wi-Fi internet access. Only 10 minutes walk from the studio.

# Southwark Rose Hotel
43-47 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HH
Tel: 020 7015 1480
Fax: 020 7015 1481
Website: www.southwarkrosehotel.co.uk

The Southwark Rose Hotel is the first new-build boutique hotel in London. Its centrally located, close to Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe, while all rooms are en-suite with Sky television, refreshment facilities, safes, electric blackout blinds to ensure a good night's sleep, and telephones with modem connections. The restaurant serves breakfast daily as well as providing a quality dinner menu. It's no more than 25 minutes walk from the studio.


# Express by Holiday Inn
103-109 Southwark Street, London, SE1
Tel: 020 7401 2525
Website: www.expressbyholidayinns.co.uk

Modern 90-room hotel just south of Blackfriars Bridge, very handy for the Tate Modern art gallery and The Globe. A "cheerful, friendly hotel" offering "great value", according to quotable sorts. Approximately 25 minutes walk from the studio.

# Euracom Apartments Tower Bridge
Queen Elizabeth Street, London SE1 2JG
Website: www.euracom.co.uk

10 plush apartments ranging in size from studios that can sleep two people to two bedroom, two bath apartments that can sleep up to six. Leisure club with gym and indoor pool available to residents. The company has accommodation all over town. These particular flats are approximately 15 minute walk from Leroy Street.

# Maltings Place
Maltings Place, Tower Bridge Road, Southwark, SE1
Tel: 020 7407 2778
Website: www.euracom.co.uk/maltings_place

Located 5 minutes from Miloco's Leroy Street premises, Maltings Place cosist of some fantastic apartments at at a range of prices. They include £450 / week for a studio flat, £550 / week for a one bedroom, or £775 / week for a two bedroom flat. We have a special deal with the owners, so to book one of the apartments, get in touch with us at the Miloco office, on 020-7232-0008.

Stamford Street Apartments
127 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NQ
Tel: 020 7848 1700
Fax: 020 7848 1717
Website: www.kcl.ac.uk/kcvb

Located in Waterloo, this is a hall of residence belonging to King's College London and is available during the summer vacation to groups and individuals. The residence has 543 single ensuite rooms arranged in self-contained apartments. Discounts are available for students, groups and long-stays. Enquiries and bookings should be made at King's Conference & Vacation Bureau. Check availabilty and book online. Cheap and cheerful.

The Elephant & Castle Pub
Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6BN


For cheap accommodation, 27 rooms are available in the gloriously non-descript concrete block just opposite the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre . With views of the 'unique charms' of this undeniably pink shopping centre, your blinkers are sure to be working overtime.