2009 is coming up and if you decide to make a trip to London, there are some must-do sights you need to place firmly on your radar.
1. London Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge open since 1894, is not only an engineering marvel, it’s defiantly a must-do on any traveler’s list when visiting London. You can visit this marvel and see all the history it has to offer as well as all the pomp and circumstance that still surrounds the Bridge itself, all while getting a spectacular view of the River Thames.
Between the two large towers, there is a walkway where you can walk through and see great sights such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf, The London Eye, and the Greenwich. Be sure to check out the many exhibits which show the exciting history of the building and evolution of the Tower Bridge. You can also arrange to see a private tour of the tower. Be sure while you are there to check out the Victorian Engine Rooms where you can see some of the original steam engines.
The Tower Bridge is open April 1 through Sept. 30th from 10:00-18:30 with the last entry at 17:30. They are also open Oct. 1 through March 31 from 9:30-18:00 with the last entry at 17:00. You can contact them at +44 (0) 207 403 3761 for more information. The admission is 6.00 for adults, 3.00 for children aged 5 to 15, 4.50 for students with student I.D., 4.50 for seniors, 10.00 for one adult and two children, 12.00 for two adults and one child, and 14.00 for two adult and two children. For those five and under and also for people with disabilities, admission is free.
You can get to the tower by bus by using the bus lines 15, 25, 40, 42, 47, 78, 100, D1, P11, and RV1. You can also go by train by the London Bridge, Fenchurch Street or Tower Gateway DLR stations. You can use the tube as well on Tower Hill on District and Circle lines or the London Bridge through the Northern and Jubilee Lines. The Tower Bridge also has a car park near to Tower Hill Coach and Car Park on 50 Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DP.
2. Buckingham Palace
Another famed site to see is Buckingham Palace which is most commonly known as the residency of Her Majesty, the Queen of England. The best time to visit is during August and September when The queen takes her holiday in Scotland and the nineteen official state rooms are open to tourists. These rooms are the heart and soul of this place which is not only a residence, but also where the heads of The Royal Family and officials conduct their business. You can see beautiful paintings from such artists as Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, and Canaletto, as well as remarkable sculptures such as the Sèvres porcelain. You can also see the Palace garden which houses more than 30 kinds of birds and 350 fauna.
If you have little ones, aged 5-11, they will be interested in the family activities provided at the Palace. You can use the audio guides that are provided and as a family answer quizzes while touring the grounds. For something really special, check out their ceremony of The Changing of the Guard which takes place every day at 11:30 from May until the end of July.
You are allowed to use your camera and phones, for private use only in the Palace garden. The phones cannot be used anywhere else in the palace. You can also purchase bottled water and ice-cream in the Palace garden and can find a wide range of souvenirs in their shop.
For that behind-the-scenes view of Buckingham Place, you can do no better than do book a personal guided tour. You can have your very own expert guide who knows the ins and outs of the palace show you around the palace and get you into places that other guests just don’t get to see. The tour is available on these selected dates: Jan. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, and the 30. It is also available on Feb. 1, 11, 12, and on April 13. The tour costs 65 per person and you get a lot for the price. Along with a 2 hour tour, you get a guidebook, a glass of champagne, and a 20 percent discount in the Royal Collection shop, in addition to seeing up to 30 sites. The tour can be booked online or by phone at +44 (0)20 7766 7322 and comes with a booking fee of 1.25 per ticket. All credit cards are accepted.
The hours of operation are Aug. 1 through Sept. 27, 2009 from 9:45-18:00 with the last admission at 15:45. Each tour takes about two to two and a half hours, so plan for that.
There are two types of tickets. The first will let you into the State rooms. Tickets are 16.50 per adult, 15.00 for those over 60 and for students with student ID, and those under 17, can get in for 9.50. If you have any children under 5 they can get in free. The price for a family of two adults and three children under 17 is 44.00.
A Royal Day Out is a ticket that will give you access to all three sites: The State Rooms, the Royal Mews, and The Queen’s Gallery which includes Buckingham Palace. The latter part is only open on August 1-Sept. 27. The tickets are as follows: 29.50 for adults, 26.50 for those over 60 and students with student IDs, 16.50 for those under 17, and free for children under 5. The price for a family of two adults and three children under 17 is 78.00. You can buy your tickets online or by telephone at (+44) (0)20 7766 7300 with a booking fee of 1.25. You can also buy them at the Ticket Office at the Visitor’s Entrance at Buckingham Palace Road, from hours 9:15-17:00 from July 12-Sept. 27.
You can get there by train through the London Victoria, by the Underground through the Victoria, Green Park, and the Hyde Park Corner, or by bus on routes 11, 21 239, C1, or C10. You can also drive there taking the London Congestion Charge Zone. Check out their website at cclondon.com. They are located at Buckingham Palace, SW1A, 1AA. Check out their website at royalcollection.org.uk.
3. Westminster Abbey
If you want a truly memorable experience, visit Westminster Abbey. It is an actual church that you can visit during the week where you can see all kinds of memorabilia of English history such as the saddle, sword, and helm and shield that Henry the V carried at his funeral in 1422 and the Coronation chair of Mary the II. You can also see the replicas of the rehearsals for coronations and many other royal and historical artifacts.
There is no dress code to tour the Abbey, although it is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as some of the floor may be uneven. Also, since you will be in a church, be sure to dress respectfully. You are not allowed to use photography anywhere in the Abbey. You can take photos in the garden for your won personal use. If you would like to obtain pictures of the Abbey’s inside, you can buy postcards of it in the gift shop. You can use your cell phone in the Cloisters and the garden only, but not in the Abbey. If you’re in the mood for a snack, check out The Coffee Club in The Abbey in either the north cloister or the Sanctuary outside the West Towers of the Abbey. You can buy both hot and cold beverages, as well as a variety of snacks. The Abbey, the Chapter House, Pvx Chamber, and Museum do not allow food or drink inside. There are bathrooms near the Poet’s Corner.
The Abbey is open Mon. through Sat. and on Sun. and religious holidays, it is only open for worship services. You can tour the Abbey from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and the last time to get in is 1:30 p.m.
The cost of admission is 12.00 for adults and 9.00 for those 16 and under, as well as 60 and over. For a family of four, it is 28.00 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Westminster Abbey is located at The Chapter Office, 20 Dean’s Yard, Westminster Abbey, London, SW1P 3PA. You can contact them at +44 (0) 20 7222 5152 or e-mail them at info@westminster-abbey.org.
Photo of sunset over London, UK, originally posted by *spud*
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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About the author
Anna is a writer/researcher who specializes in travel writing. She earned her B.A. in Mass Communications from The University of Tulsa, making her the first person in her family to do so. She has been writing professionally since 2005 and is happily married to her best friend.
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