BBC Experience
Broadcasting House,
Portland House,
London W1
Tel: 0870 603 0304
U Oxford Circus/Great Portland Street |
Explore the world, history and future of the BBC. Try your hand at being a TV and Radio Presenter! by being a Sports Commentator or a Weather Forecaster. Tours are every 15 minutes and are for 1.5/2 hours.
Admission: adult £6.50 child £4.50
Open: Mon 1300-1630, Tue-Fri 0930-1630, Sat, Sun 0930-1730 |
Big Ben
Parliament Square,
London SW1
U Westminster |
The world famous London clock with a 13.5 ton bell which strikes on the hour. It is a huge building; the Tower is 320 feet high, the clock face 23 feet wide and the minute hands are 14 feet long. |
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1
Tel: 020 7839 1377
U St James Park/Green Park, U/T Victoria |
Built in 1703 this is the London Palace of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Tour the State Rooms, which include the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery and the State Dining Room.
Admission: adult £10.00 child £5.00
Open: from 6 Aug-3 Oct only, daily 0930. Last entry 1630. Ticket office opens 0900 and closes when the last ticket has been sold. Tickets may be purchased in advance. |
Cabinet War Rooms
Clive Steps,
King Charles Street,
London SW1
Tel: 020 7930 6961
U Westminster |
The actual underground headquarters used during World War II by Sir Winston Churchill and the Government with 21 historic rooms including the Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room and the Prime Minister’s Room
Admission: adult £4.80 child £2.40
Open: Apr-Sep daily 0930-1800; Oct-Mar daily 1000-1800 (last admission 1715). Closed 24-26 Dec |
Changing of the Guard – Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace,
London SW1
Tel: 0891 505452 (Info Line)
U Victoria / St James’s Park / Green Park |
The ceremony takes place daily at 1130 from mid-Apr to end of Jul and on alternate days at 1130 from Aug to mid-Apr. Cancelled in very wet weather. It lasts 40 mins and takes place inside the Palace railings and can be watched from outside. The Queen’s Guard accompanied by a band leaves Wellington Barracks at 1127 and marches via Birdcage Walk to the Palace. |
Changing of the Guard – Horse Guards Parade
Whitehall,
London SW1
U Embankment / Charing Cross / Westminster |
The ceremony takes place daily throughout the year at 1100 Mon-Sat and at 1000 on Sun. The Queens Life Guard leaves Hyde Park Barracks at 1028 Mon-Sat and at 0928 on Sun. It rides to Horse Guards Parade via Hyde Park Corner, Constitution Hill and The Mall. |
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court,
East Molesey,
Surrey
Tel: 020 8781 9500
U Hampton Court – 30 mins from Waterloo |
The oldest, largest and most magnificent Tudor Palace in England and the residence of Henry VIII and other Royals since. Set in extensive gardens and parkland on the banks of the River Thames, it contains many fine paintings and tapestries and includes State, King’s and Georgian Apartments, Tudor kitchens, Royal tennis courts and the famous Maze.
Admission: adult £9.25 child £6.10 (maze only a £2.10 c £1.50)
Open: mid Mar-late Oct, Mon 1015-1800, Tue-Sun 0930-1800; mid Oct-mid Mar, Mon 1015-1630, Tue-Sun 0930-1630, Closed 24-26 Dec |
HMS Belfast
Morgans Lane,
Tooley,
London SE1
Tel: 020 7940 6320
U/T London Bridge, U Tower Hill |
Europe’s only surviving big gun armoured warship from the Second World War. Explore all nine decks of this historic cruiser from the Captain’s Bridge to the massive Boiler and Engine Rooms well below the ship’s waterline. Operate her light anti-aircraft guns and experience what life must have been like for the crew by visiting the Officer’s cabins and Mess decks.
Admission: adult £ 3.70 child £2.20
Open: Mar-Oct daily 1000-1800 (last admission 1715); Nov-Feb daily 1000-1700 (last admission 1615). Closed 24-26 Dec |
Houses of Parliament
Parliament Square,
London SW1
Tel: 020 7219 3000
U Westminster |
Huge Victorian Gothic Building built in 1860 and previously a chief Royal residence it is home to the sittings of Parliament. For admission to watch the debates when Parliament is in session which is usually mid Oct to end Jul, except week following Christmas and Easter, you need to apply in advance (usually a wait of several weeks) to a Member of Parliament, or your consulate or High Commission or queue at St Stephen’s entrance for the Strangers Gallery only when Parliament is in session.
Free Admission
Open: House sits Mon-Thur 1430-2000, Wed and most Fridays 0930-1600. |
Kensington Palace State Apartments
Kensington Gardens,
London W8
Tel: 020 7937 9561
U Queensway / High Street Kensington |
State Apartments including furniture from Stuart-Hanoverian periods, ceiling paintings and Victorian rooms. Also works of art from the Royal Collection and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.
Admission: adult £7.50 child £5.35
Open: Mar-Oct, daily 1000, last entry 1700. Oct-Mar, Wed-Sun 1000, last entry 1500. |
London Aquarium
The County Hall,
Riverside Building,
Westminster Bridge Road,
London SE1
Tel: 020 7967 8000
U Westminster / Blackfriars, U/T Waterloo
|
The new £25 million London Aquarium is one of Europe’s largest exhibits of fish and marine life featuring thousands of aquatic specimens with over 350 species of fish from all over the world. Killer sharks to spectacular moon jellies, sea horses and lethal stingrays.
Admission: adult £8.00 child £5.00
Open: daily 1000-1800 |
London Brass Rubbing Centre
The Crypt,
St Martin-in-the Fields Church,
Trafalgar Square,
London WC2
Tel: 020 7930 9306
U/T Charing Cross |
Unusual and traditional brass rubbings including knights, unicorns and kings. No experience necessary as materials and help are provided.
Free admission with small charge for making rubbings
Open: Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1200-1800. Closed Good Fri and 25 Dec. |
London Dungeon
28-34 Tooley Street,
London SE1
Tel: 020 7403 7221
U/T London Bridge |
The world’s first medieval horror museum is famous for its gruesome and macabre scenes of medieval torture, murders and executions. Realistic scenes include The Great Fire of London, Jack the Ripper Experience and The Theatre of the Guillotine. There is also the new ‘Judgement Day’ ride experience, which casts the visitor in the role of the condemned, where you board a barge to travel along a waterway to meet your fate!
Admission: adult £8.95 child £6.50
Open: Apr-Sep, daily 1000-1830 (last admission 1730); Oct-Mar 1000-1730 (last admission 1630). Closed 25 Dec |
London Planetarium
Marylebone Road,
London NW1
Tel: 020 7486 1121
U Baker Street |
Experience a virtual reality trip through the gallery of astronomy and space travel before taking your reclining seat for the star show ‘Planetary Quest’
Admission: adult £5.85 child £3.85
Open: star shows last 30 mins and take place Mon-Fri from 1220 and then every 40 mins until 1700 (last show). On Sat, Sun and during school holidays shows take place every 40 mins from 1020-1700. Closed 25 Dec |
Madame Tussaud’s
Marylebone Road,
London NW1
Tel: 020 7935 6861
U Baker Street
|
World famous collection of wax figures of famous people in themed settings including Superstars, The Chamber of Horrors and ‘The Spirit of London’, a time-taxi trip through London’s history.
Admission: adult £9.25 child £6.10
Open: Mon-Fri 1000-1730, Sat, Sun 0930-1730. Easter, Jun, Jul, Aug 0900-1730. Closed 25 Dec |
Millennium Experience
Royal Naval College,
King William Walk,
Cutty Sark Gardens,
Greenwich,
London SE10
Tel: 020 8305 3456
T Greenwich/Maze Hill |
To celebrate the Millennium this is the world’s largest and most ambitious project. Get to know The Dome with models of its interior/exterior, full architect’s drawings, graphic displays and video touch screens. Explore the exciting informed themed exhibitions in surrounding satellite display areas. The experience will also include a spectacular multi-media show in the central plaza.
Free admission
Open: Mon-Fri 1100-1900, Sat, Sun 1000-1800 |
Rock Circus
London Pavilion,
Piccadilly Circus,
London W1
Tel: 020 7734 7203
U Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square |
The ‘rock ‘n’ roll sister’ to Madame Tussauds’s, celebrates the story of rock and pop music from the 1950’s to the present day. Where with spectacular robotic figures, lasers and videos the spirit of rock speaks, sings, moves and touches you.
Admission: adult £8.25 child £6.25
Open: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 1100-2100, Tue 1200-2100, Fri, Sat 1100-2200. Easter and summer holidays 1000-2100. Closed 25 Dec |
Segaworld (in the Trocadero Centre)
1 Piccadilly Circus,
London W1
Tel: 020 7734 2777
U Piccadilly Circus |
World’s largest futuristic indoor entertainment park with six floors of some of the world’s best interactive rides set in themed areas together with high-tech video games.
Free admission
Open: daily 1000-2400 (until 0100 Fri and Sat). Closed 25 Dec |
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Churchyard,
London EC4
Tel: 020 7236 4128
U St Paul’s |
The world famous and London’s most magnificent landmark designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675-1710. It captures the peculiarly English trait of compromise, combining Gothic precedent and new ideals, while balancing large-scale forms of human detail. 100 feet above the floor is the famous Whispering gallery where whispers against the wall on the side can be heard near the wall opposite. For great panoramic views over London go up to the Golden gallery at 281 feet via open metal stairs between the inner and other domes.
Admission: adult £4.00 child £2.00
Open: for worship Mon-Sat 0715-1800, Sun 0745-1800; Cathedral Sightseeing Mon-Sat 0830-1600: Crypt and Ambulatory 0845-1600: Galleries Mon-Sat 0930-1600. Special services or events may close some or all parts of the cathedral. Entrance charge only applies Mon-Sat 0830-1600 |
Tower Bridge Experience
London SE1
Tel: 020 7378 1928
U Tower Hill, U/T London Bridge |
A state of the art exhibition of London’s world famous Tower Bridge revealing its history, how it works and experience the wonders of its Victorian engineering. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the capital from the high level walkways 140ft above the River Thames.
Admission: adult £5.95 child £3.95 family ticket £14.95
Open: Apr-Oct daily 1000-1830; Nov-Mar 0930-1800 (last tickets 1.25 hours before closing). Closed Dec 24-26, Jan 1 and 27 |
Tower of London
Tower Hill,
London EC3
Tel: 020 7709 0765
U Tower Hill
T Fenchurch Street |
Originally built to defend the River approach to London it is now guarded by the famous ‘Beefeaters’. This historic 900-year-old building has been a Palace, Prison and Execution site. See the priceless Crown Jewels, Traitor’s Gate, the Royal Armouries and Firearms and the Famous Ravens.
Admission: adult £9.50 child £6.25 family £31.00 for 2 adults and 3 children.
Open: 1 Mar-31 Oct, Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800; 1 Nov-end of Feb, Tue-Sat 0900-1700, Mon and Sun 1000-1700. Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan |
Trocadero (Includes Segaworld)
1 Piccadilly Circus,
London W1
Tel: 020 7434 0030
U Piccadilly Circus |
The largest one-stop entertainment destination house in Europe with white knuckle rides, state of the art video games, hi-tech exhibitions, screen entertainment’s, attractions and themed restaurants. Attractions include Segaworld, Pepsi MAX Drop ride that drops you 120 ft, Madame Tussauds’s Rock Circus, Funland and Laserbowl, Virgin Multiplex 3D Cinema, Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Café.
Free admission
Open: daily 1000-midnight. Closed 25 Dec |
Westminster Abbey
Parliament Square,
London SW1
Tel: 020 7222 5152
U Westminster |
An architectural masterpiece of the middle ages and the venue of Kings and Queens being crowned, Royal marriages and the burials of many famous British monarchs. There is also the well-known Poets’ Corner.
Admission to the Abbey: adult £5.00 child £2.00 family ticket £10.00
Open: Nave and Cloisters daily 0800-1800/ Royal Chapels Mon-Fri 0920-1645, Sat 0920-1800 (closed 14.45-1600)/ Chapter House daily 1000-1700. |
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