London Vacations
By Elizabeth Harrin
England's capital is historic, beautiful and friendly, but packed with so
many attractions it is hard to know what to do first. If you are
preparing to be one of 21 million visitors London receives every year
and are prepared to brave the sometimes erratic weather, start
planning your days out with this guide to the top sites.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
The official London residence of the Queen. Between April and July
the Changing of the Guard takes place at 11.30 am. You can watch
the Foot Guards in their red tunics and bearskin hats through the
gates of the palace; the event lasts around 45 minutes and takes
place every other day outside of summer. During August and
September you can take a tour of the State Rooms and see some of
the artworks from the Royal Collection.
www.royal.gov.uk
THE LONDON DUNGEON
The world’s first medieval horror museum. Wander through the
replica streets of old London to learn about Jack the Ripper. Take a
boat ride to Hell. Situated underneath London Bridge Station at
Tooley Street, this is not an attraction for very young children or those
with a nervous disposition. The costumed exhibits have an alarming
habit of springing to life before you!
www.thedungeons.com
THE TOWER OF LONDON
Visit the Crown Jewels, stand on the spot where three queens were
beheaded and chat to the Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms
about the history of this 900-year old fortress. Make the journey there
an event in its own right by taking a riverboat to Tower Hill from
Charing Cross.
www.hrp.org.uk
THE LONDON EYE
Take a flight on the world’s largest observation wheel, on the South
Bank of the Thames opposite Big Ben. This is one of the newest
additions to London’s skyline and one of the best ways to see the
city. The 30 minute ride offers fantastic views over the capital, and an
experience even if the weather is not kind. Prices and times vary
depending on the season. Hop off at Waterloo tube earlier in the day,
as it is best to book tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
www.ba-londoneye.com
HAMLEYS
Even if you leave the kids behind, Hamley’s toy shop on Regent Street
is an essential stop. Seven floors of games and toys, loads of staff to
demonstrate the latest gadgets and a veritable zoo of stuffed
creatures really do make this the most magical toy store. Personally I
find it hard to get past the magicians demonstrating their tricks on the
ground floor, but if you make it up the escalators you’ll be amazed by
the displays.
www.hamleys.com
COVENT GARDEN
This market stands on the longest continually inhabited part of
London. Whatever the weather the undercover shopping precinct has
something for everyone and you can sit and eat lunch watching the
free street entertainment. This area has a huge concentration of arts
and cultural activities so while you are here stop in at the Royal Opera
House, or if you’d prefer to find out more about how public transport
has changed the lives of Londoners, visit the London Transport
Museum on the east side of the Piazza.
www.coventgarden.uk.com
SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE
Underneath the reconstructed theatre at New Globe Walk, Bankside
lies an exhibition that explains what theatre was like in Shakespeare’
s time: watch a sword fight, speak to the actors and check out their
Elizabethan clothing and take part in the interactive displays.
Throughout the summer you can also watch plays as the audience
would have done in the 1600’s – standing up and taking your
chances with the rain!
www.shakespeares-globe.org
HYDE PARK
Escape the feel of the city by taking a packed lunch or a Frisbee to
Hyde Park Corner tube and loosing yourself in the 350 acres of
parkland. Londoners have been doing this for years – in 1655 many
of them came to camp in the park to avoid the Plague. Take a boat
out on the lake, strap on your roller skates, eat ice creams from one of
the many refreshment stands or just watch the locals taking a break.
At Speaker’s Corner listen to the debates of the day: since 1872
people have been allowed to speak here on any subject they want to.
www.royalparks.gov.uk
HMS BELFAST
This World War II cruiser is moored on the Thames and you can take
tours exploring the nine decks and the vast Boiler and Engine Rooms
sunk well under the water. The Life at Sea exhibition explains what it
was really like when the ship was operational during the war. The
nearest tube is London Bridge.
hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk
THE SCIENCE MUSEUM
The Science Museum on Exhibition Road is one of London’s free
museums and a great way to spend a few hours exploring the
advances in medicine, science and technology. The displays have
evolved since the museum was created in 1857 and today you can
find out about the body, space and loads of other things with many
hands-on and interactive displays. There are charges for some
special exhibitions such as the IMAX cinema. The nearest tube is
South Kensington.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
By Elizabeth Harrin
England's capital is historic, beautiful and friendly, but packed with so
many attractions it is hard to know what to do first. If you are
preparing to be one of 21 million visitors London receives every year
and are prepared to brave the sometimes erratic weather, start
planning your days out with this guide to the top sites.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
The official London residence of the Queen. Between April and July
the Changing of the Guard takes place at 11.30 am. You can watch
the Foot Guards in their red tunics and bearskin hats through the
gates of the palace; the event lasts around 45 minutes and takes
place every other day outside of summer. During August and
September you can take a tour of the State Rooms and see some of
the artworks from the Royal Collection.
www.royal.gov.uk
THE LONDON DUNGEON
The world’s first medieval horror museum. Wander through the
replica streets of old London to learn about Jack the Ripper. Take a
boat ride to Hell. Situated underneath London Bridge Station at
Tooley Street, this is not an attraction for very young children or those
with a nervous disposition. The costumed exhibits have an alarming
habit of springing to life before you!
www.thedungeons.com
THE TOWER OF LONDON
Visit the Crown Jewels, stand on the spot where three queens were
beheaded and chat to the Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms
about the history of this 900-year old fortress. Make the journey there
an event in its own right by taking a riverboat to Tower Hill from
Charing Cross.
www.hrp.org.uk
THE LONDON EYE
Take a flight on the world’s largest observation wheel, on the South
Bank of the Thames opposite Big Ben. This is one of the newest
additions to London’s skyline and one of the best ways to see the
city. The 30 minute ride offers fantastic views over the capital, and an
experience even if the weather is not kind. Prices and times vary
depending on the season. Hop off at Waterloo tube earlier in the day,
as it is best to book tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
www.ba-londoneye.com
HAMLEYS
Even if you leave the kids behind, Hamley’s toy shop on Regent Street
is an essential stop. Seven floors of games and toys, loads of staff to
demonstrate the latest gadgets and a veritable zoo of stuffed
creatures really do make this the most magical toy store. Personally I
find it hard to get past the magicians demonstrating their tricks on the
ground floor, but if you make it up the escalators you’ll be amazed by
the displays.
www.hamleys.com
COVENT GARDEN
This market stands on the longest continually inhabited part of
London. Whatever the weather the undercover shopping precinct has
something for everyone and you can sit and eat lunch watching the
free street entertainment. This area has a huge concentration of arts
and cultural activities so while you are here stop in at the Royal Opera
House, or if you’d prefer to find out more about how public transport
has changed the lives of Londoners, visit the London Transport
Museum on the east side of the Piazza.
www.coventgarden.uk.com
SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE
Underneath the reconstructed theatre at New Globe Walk, Bankside
lies an exhibition that explains what theatre was like in Shakespeare’
s time: watch a sword fight, speak to the actors and check out their
Elizabethan clothing and take part in the interactive displays.
Throughout the summer you can also watch plays as the audience
would have done in the 1600’s – standing up and taking your
chances with the rain!
www.shakespeares-globe.org
HYDE PARK
Escape the feel of the city by taking a packed lunch or a Frisbee to
Hyde Park Corner tube and loosing yourself in the 350 acres of
parkland. Londoners have been doing this for years – in 1655 many
of them came to camp in the park to avoid the Plague. Take a boat
out on the lake, strap on your roller skates, eat ice creams from one of
the many refreshment stands or just watch the locals taking a break.
At Speaker’s Corner listen to the debates of the day: since 1872
people have been allowed to speak here on any subject they want to.
www.royalparks.gov.uk
HMS BELFAST
This World War II cruiser is moored on the Thames and you can take
tours exploring the nine decks and the vast Boiler and Engine Rooms
sunk well under the water. The Life at Sea exhibition explains what it
was really like when the ship was operational during the war. The
nearest tube is London Bridge.
hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk
THE SCIENCE MUSEUM
The Science Museum on Exhibition Road is one of London’s free
museums and a great way to spend a few hours exploring the
advances in medicine, science and technology. The displays have
evolved since the museum was created in 1857 and today you can
find out about the body, space and loads of other things with many
hands-on and interactive displays. There are charges for some
special exhibitions such as the IMAX cinema. The nearest tube is
South Kensington.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
LONDON HOTELS
CHEAP LONDON HOTELS
LONDON HOTEL SPECIALS
LONDON HOTEL
CHEAP LONDON HOTELS
LONDON HOTEL SPECIALS
LONDON HOTEL
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN
LONDON ENGLAND
LONDON ENGLAND
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