The Household Cavalry Museum sits within Horse Guards in Whitehall, central London, one of the city’s most historic buildings. Dating from 1750, it is still the headquarters of the Household Division, in which the Household Cavalry has performed the Queen’s Life Guard in a daily ceremony that has remained broadly unchanged for over 350 years. The Household Cavalry The Household Cavalry was formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II and now consists of the two senior regiments of the British Army – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals. We have two roles: as a mounted regiment (on horseback), we guard Her Majesty The Queen on ceremonial occasions in London and across the UK and are a key part of the Royal pageantry; as an operational regiment we serve around the world in armoured fighting vehicles. We currently have units deployed on active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our fighting capacity is matched by our strategic role in international peace keeping and humanitarian operations. Changing of the Guard Everyday at 11:00am, the Household Calvary has their own changing of the guard just as the soldiers do at Buckingham Palace a short walk away. The ceremony is viewable from behind Horse Guards at the edge of St. James' Park. I would suggest seeing the Palace Guards on day and the Household Calvary another day. One item of note, when there is bad weather the Palace guards do not change, but the Calvary changes regardless. At 4:00pm each day, there is a dismount ceremony along the front of the building on Whitehall. Museum Information The Household Cavalry Museum Horse Guards Whitehall London SW1A 2AX Phone: 020 7930 3070 Open daily 10am - 6pm April to October 10am - 5pm November to March During the period mid - May to mid – June, due to the use of Horse Guards Parade for ceremonial rehearsals in the lead up to the Queen’s Birthday Parade (2nd Saturday in June), The Museum is closed some weekday mornings , the two preceding Saturday mornings and occasionally at very short notice at other times for security and operational reasons. Admission Adults: £7.00 Children (aged 5-16) and Concessions: £5.00 Family ticket (2 adults & 3 children): £18.00 CHANGING OF THE GUARD IS FREE!!! For more info on Horse Guards and the Calvary Museum, check out the official website below! Cheers!
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This along with Harrods and Borough Market will be one of my shopping delights when I get to London. Located on the famous shopping street know as Piccadilly, it is probably the dominated name when it comes to shopping. It is famous for its longevity since 1707 and for being the Queen's Grocer. Fortnum & Mason is recognised internationally for its high quality goods and as an iconic British symbol. It has held many Royal Warrants over the past 150 years. Founded as a grocery store, Fortnum's reputation was built on supplying quality food, and saw rapid growth throughout the Victorian era. Though Fortnum's developed into a department store, it continues to focus on stocking a variety of exotic, speciality and also 'basic' provisions. The store has since opened several other departments, such as the Gentlemen's department on the top floor. It is also the location of a celebrated tea shop and several restaurants. William Fortnum was a footman in the royal household of Queen Anne. The Royal Family’s insistence on having new candles every night meant a lot of half-used wax which William Fortnum promptly resold for a tidy profit. The enterprising William Fortnum also had a sideline business as a grocer. He convinced his landlord, Hugh Mason, to be his associate, and they founded the first Fortnum & Mason store in Mason's small shop in St James's Market in 1707. In 1761, William Fortnum's grandson Charles went into the service of Queen Charlotte and the Royal Court affiliation led to an increase in business. Fortnum & Mason claims to have invented the Scotch egg in 1738. The store began to stock speciality items, namely ready-to-eat luxury meals such as fresh poultry or game served in aspic jelly. During the Napoleonic Wars, the emporium supplied dried fruit, spices and other preserves to the British officers and during the Victorian era it was frequently called upon to provide food for prestigious Court functions. Queen Victoria even sent shipments of Fortnum and Mason's concentrated beef tea to Florence Nightingale's hospitals during the Crimean War. On March 1,2012 was an historic day at Fortnum & Mason. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the store to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. It was also an opportunity for Her Majesty to inspect the 60 unique Diamond Jubilee products created in celebration of her reign. One of these was a service tin – filled with tea and biscuits – that we sent to 17,000 British servicemen and women across the globe. At the foot of the sparkling spiral staircase lies the fabulous Food Hall, filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, superior meat, fish and crustacea, delicatessen delicacies, a variety of baked treats, superb cheeses and pantry provisions of all kinds, not to mention the Fortnum’s Takeaway Counter. Here, too, you will find the Customer Collection point as well as our famous Wines & Spirits department and the gourmet delights of the 1707 Wine Bar. On the Ground Floor you will find tea and coffee, confectionery and a considerable range of honey and preserves, as well as Fortnum's famous hampers, including the capacity to create one's own bespoke hamper. Here, too, are the Gallery and Fountain Restaurants, offering delicious food and drink just a few steps from the shop floor The First Floor is home to the well-stocked Cookshop and also features books, china and glass. Here too you will find the Demonstration Kitchen and their famous Hampers. For refreshment, visit The Parlour, which offers ice creams, light meals, tea, coffee and other drinks. The Second Floor is filled with ladies’ fashion accessories such as hats, jewelry, lingerie and handbags, as well as perfume, cosmetics, toiletries, luxurious soft furnishings and bed and bath linen. The Children’s section offers traditional toys and beautiful clothes. Visit also The Beauty Rooms, their elegant in-store spa. On the Third Floor you will find an abundance of gentleman’s accessories, gifts and toiletries, leather goods, luggage, games, stationery and a personal gift-wrapping service. The fourth floor was made home to the much-loved St James’s Restaurant in good time for their 250th anniversary in 1957, and specialized in superb dining and fine afternoon tea. So for generations afternoon tea has been an essential part of any visit to 181 Piccadilly. On 1 March 2012, with enormous joy and excitement, the refurbished St James’s restaurant was opened by HM the Queen accompanied by Their Royal Highness's the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, and renamed The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Information
181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER. Telephone +44 (0)207 734 8040 Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm Sunday 12noon - 6pm For info on restaurant menus, takeaway menus, ordering or to shop online, check out the official Fortnum and Masons website below. Cheers! I personally think that next to Tower Bridge, this is the best looking bridge in London. My favorite on-screen moment that this bridge has had, is in the opening scene of 2009's Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, when Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters destroy it. I am not saying that it was a good thing that it was destroyed but, it was kind of spectacular to see all of the bearings and structures of it to be put to the test. If that makes sense to you. In the late 1990s, an architectural competition was organized by the Southwark Council and RIBA Competitions, to look for designs of a pedestrian crossing over the River Thames in between St. Paul's Cathedral and what is now the Tate Modern. Over 200 designs were submitted, but only one was finally chosen. The winning entry was an innovative "blade of light" effort from Arup, Foster and Partners and Sir Anthony Caro. Due to height restrictions, and to improve the view, the bridge's suspension design had the supporting cables below the deck level, giving a very shallow profile. The bridge has two river piers and is made of three main sections of 81 meters (266 ft), 144 meters (472 ft) and 108 meters (354 ft) (North to South) with a total structure length of 325 meters (1,066 ft); the aluminium deck is 4 meters (13 ft) wide. The eight suspension cables are tensioned to pull with a force of 2,000 tons against the piers set into each bank — enough to support a working load of 5,000 people on the bridge at one time. On regular circumstances it is necessary to receive an Act of Parliament before a bridge can be built across the River Thames, but this time it was approved by the City of London and the Royal Borough of Southwark. The project was funded by the Millennium Commission and the London Bridge Trust. The bridge was completed at a cost of £18.2M (£2.2M over budget). Construction began in late 1998 and the main works of the bridge started on April 29, 1999. The bridge officially opened on June 10, 2000. Londoners nicknamed the bridge the "Wobbly Bridge" after participants in a charity walk on behalf of Save the Children to open the bridge felt an unexpected and, for some, uncomfortable swaying motion on the first two days after the bridge opened. The bridge was closed later that day, and after two days of limited access the bridge was closed for almost two years while modifications were made to eliminate the wobble entirely. After extensive analysis by the engineers,the problem was fixed by the retrofitting of 37 fluid-viscous dampers (energy dissipating) to control horizontal movement and 52 tuned mass dampers (inertial) to control vertical movement. This took from May 2001 to January 2002 and cost £5M. After a period of testing, the bridge was successfully re-opened on 22 February 2002. The bridge has not been subject to significant vibration since. In spite of the successful fix of the problem, the affectionate "wobbly bridge" epithet remains in common usage among Londoners. The bridge to this day, remains along with Big Ben, and Tower Bridge as one of London's Icons with its alignment with St. Paul's Cathedral. I shall include this as one of the attractions I visit in London and hopefully I won't run into any Death Eaters on the walk across! Cheers! Since opening in March 2000, The London Eye has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain. The London Eye is the UK’s most popular paid for visitor attraction The London Eye is the vision of David Marks and Julia Barfield, a husband and wife architect team. The wheel design was used as a metaphor for the end of the 20th century, and time turning into the new millennium. Constructing The London Eye was a massive challenge. It’s the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world, rising high above the London skyline at 135 metres. It was a piece of daring innovation and revolutionary design which combined the best of British design, architecture and engineering with an exceptional team of experts. The wheel was constructed in sections which were floated up the Thames on barges and assembled lying flat on piled platforms in the river. Once the wheel was complete it was lifted into an upright position by a strand jack system made by Enerpac. It was first raised at 2 degrees per hour until it reached 65 degrees, then left in that position for a week while engineers prepared for the second phase of the lift. The project was European with major components coming from six countries: the steel was supplied from the UK and fabricated in The Netherlands by the Dutch company Hollandia, the cables came from Italy, the bearings came from Germany (FAG/Schaeffler Group), the spindle and hub were cast in the Czech Republic, the capsules were made by Poma in France (and the glass for these came from Italy), and the electrical components from the UK. The Capsules- The London Eye passenger capsules incorporate an entirely new design form for an observation wheel. Instead of being suspended under the wheel they turn within circular mounting rings fixed to the outside of the main rim. The result is a stunning 360 degree panoramic view from the top of the wheel. The London eye has 32 capsules, representing the 32 boroughs of London. Capsules have 360 degree views, a heating and cooling system and bench seating. The Cables- Any visitor to the London Eye can’t help but be amazed by the incredible six back-stay cables holding the wheel in place. And then, when you look up you see the wheel cables stretching across the rim and the wheel. The wheel cables include 16 rim rotation cables, and 64 spoke cables, which are similar to bicycle spokes, holding the rim tight to the central spindle. Foundation- The main foundation for the London Eye is situated underneath the A-frame legs; it required 2,200 tons of concrete and 44 concrete piles - each of which is 33 meters deep. The second foundation, the tension foundation holding the back-stay cables behind the wheel, used 1,200 tons of concrete. Spindle- At the center of the London Eye is the vast hub and spindle. The main elements were manufactured in cast steel. The spindle itself was too large to cast as a single piece so instead was produced in eight smaller sections. Two further castings, in the form of great rings form the main structural element of the hub. The hub is a rolled steel tube forming the spacer that holds them apart. All the casting was carried out by Skoda Steel. The London Eye was formally opened by then Prime Minister Tony Blair on 31 December 1999, although it was not opened to the public until 9 March 2000 because of technical problems. On 2 June 2013, a passenger capsule was named the Coronation Capsule to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Tourist Information
THE LONDON EYE HAS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OPENING TIMES AS WELL AS VARIOUS KINDS OF TICKET. SO TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE TOURIST INFORMATION ON TICKETS, OPENING TIMES, ETC. CLICK ON THE OFFICIAL SITE BELOW! Cheers! My high school art teacher would kill me if I did not intend to talk about and visit the Tate Modern Art Gallery. She taught us about this gallery in our studies on modern art. She spoke of this as one of the premier modern art museums in the world. I hope you will think so too! In December 1992 the Tate Trustees announced their intention to create a separate gallery for international modern and contemporary art in London. The former Bankside Power Station was selected as the new gallery site in 1994. The following year, Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron were appointed to convert the building into a gallery. That their proposal retained much of the original character of the building was a key factor in this decision. The iconic power station, built in two phases between 1947 and 1963, was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It consisted of a stunning turbine hall, 35 metres high and 152 metres long, with the boiler house alongside it and a single central chimney. However, apart from a remaining operational London Electricity sub-station the site had been redundant since 1981. In 1996 the design plans were unveiled and, following a £12 million grant from the English Partnerships regeneration agency, the site was purchased and work began. The huge machinery was removed and the building was stripped back to its original steel structure and brickwork. The turbine hall became a dramatic entrance and display area and the boiler house became the galleries. Since it opened in May 2000, more than 40 million people have visited Tate Modern. It is one of the UK’s top three tourist attractions and generates an estimated £100 million in economic benefits to London annually. Just a quick look at the list of artist's whose art hangs or is on display here are: Pablo Picasso (below), Salvador Dali (below), Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock (below), and Claude Monet. Tourist Information:
Opening Times: Sunday-Thursday: 10am-6pm Friday-Saturday: 10am-10pm Admission: Admission to the Tate Modern is FREE!! For all of the information including the exhibitions, events, history, etc. Check out the official website below. Cheers! As one of the top 10 churches in the world, it is London's premier place of worship as well as a major tourist attraction. From the top of its dome, it also commands the second best view of London. If you want a real insight into religious history or architecture, check out St. Paul's. For more than one thousand four hundred years, a cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the City. Frequently at the centr of national events, traditions have been observed here and radical new ideas have found expression under the iconic dome. In many cases these events have left some physical record as well as echoes in the intangible memory of the building. The present Cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain's most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth to have stood on the site. It was built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and services began in 1697. This was the first cathedral to be built after the English Reformation in the sixteenth-century, when Henry VIII removed the Church of England from the jurisdiction of the Pope and the Crown took control of the life of the church. The three hundred year old building is therefore a relative newcomer to a site which has witnessed Christian Worship for over one thousand four hundred years. This brief history looks at just a few of the individuals and events which have shaped the history of St Paul’s Cathedral. For more info on the history of the Cathedral, check out the official website at the bottom. Activities to do at St. Pauls: Climb the Dome: Climb up the dome to the Whispering Gallery and try out its unique acoustics; a whisper on one side can be heard clearly 100 feet away. Climb 271 more steps and reach the Golden Gallery at the very top of the dome where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across London. Go on a touchscreen multimedia tour: Fly-through videos of the dome galleries and zoomable close-ups of breathtaking mosaics and paintings will help you see more of St Paul’s than has ever been possible before. Multimedia Guides and Guided Tours reveal all about the history, architecture and daily life of the cathedral. Discover the crypt: Make your way underground and explore the Cathedral’s foremost burial place. In the crypt lie some of the nation’s heroes including the Cathedral’s architect Sir Christopher Wren as well as the magnificent tombs of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Travel back in time in an immersive film experience: Our 270˚ film exhibition, Oculus; an eye into St Paul's,brings 1400 years of history to life. Oculus takes you on a journey through the history and daily life of St Paul's Cathedral.Virtual access films take visitors up to the dome and galleries without leaving the ground. Treat yourself to afternoon tea: Relax after your visit with quintessentially English afternoon tea in The Restaurant at St Paul’s. You can enjoy delicate sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, a sumptuous variety of cakes and perhaps a glass or two of English sparkling wine. Tourist Information: Opening Times The Sightseeing times are Mondays-Saturdays: 8:30am-4pm! Sundays are for worship only! To check out the daily worship schedule, check out the official website below. Admission Prices for Tours: Adults (18+yrs) £16.50 Concessions (Students & Seniors) £14.50 Children (6-17yrs) £7.50 Family Ticket(2 Adults + 2 Children) Children (6-17yrs) £40.00 For all other information including worship times, history, and ticket purchases, check out the official website below! Cheers!
As a soon-to-be chef, this would be the food and drink highlight of London for me. I first fell in love with this location when I saw it on an episode of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa. It was a special entitled "Barefoot in London". She and her husband Jeffrey took a vacation to London. She had the luxury of having Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall's journalist brother give her a tour of Borough Market. I was astounded by all of the locally produced goods and the lovely British looking atmosphere. I know when I go to London, I will spend the better part of a day just strolling and eating through the stalls of this glorious market. Borough has long been synonymous with food markets and as far back as the 11th century, London Bridge attracted traders selling grain, fish, vegetables and livestock. In the 13th century traders were relocated to what is now Borough High Street and a market has existed there ever since. In 1755, the market was closed by Parliament, but a group of Southwark residents raised £6,000 to buy a patch of land known locally as The Triangle, once the churchyard of St Margaret’s, and reopened the market. The Triangle, where you’ll find Northfield Farm and Furness Fish and Game, is still at the heart of the market today. The market still feeds this core community and has grown to over 100 individual stalls. Alongside the original fruit, veg, bakers and butchers we now sell a huge variety of British and international produce. All of the traders share a love of food and many of them make, grow or rear the produce they sell so now, just as in 1755, the customers know exactly where their shopping has come from. The market ensures high standards of produce by employing a food quality panel of impartial experts who ensure that the taste, provenance and quality of foods sold here are all regularly measured and maintained and we support small traders to meet these standards. With its vibrant and friendly atmosphere, Borough Market will always be at the heart of the local community. Its unique standing within the area has recently been marked by a Blue Plaque, voted for by the people of Southwark, marking its place as London's Oldest Fruit & Veg Market. Information on the Market Opening Times Open for Lunch- Monday - Tuesday: 10am-5pm Full Market Wednesday-Thursday: 10am-5pm Fridays: 10am-6pm Saturdays: 8am-5pm Travel Information Borough Market is easily accessed by public transport. It is a few seconds walk from a major train station, on countless bus routes and even provide bike racks for keen cyclists. If you’re travelling to the Market using public transport, Transport for London’s Journey Planner, which you’ll find to the right of this page, is a useful tool. The address is: 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL Travel by train and underground: The Market is located next to London Bridge Station which is serviced by the Jubilee and Northern Lines on the Underground and by overground trains from all over London and the south of England. To find us, simply exit the station following the exit signs for Borough High Street. Travel by bus: If you’re travelling by bus, stops at London Bridge, Borough High Street or Southwark Street will leave you right by the Market. Travel by bike: We provide bike racks so you can cycle to and from the Market. You’ll find the racks in Jubilee Space.If you’re using a Barclays Cycle Hire bike, the nearest docking stations are located on Southwark Street and Park Street. We are also easily reached by foot or along the Thames Path on the Southbank or over London Bridge from the City. Travel by car: There are now a limited number of parking spaces available in Jubilee Place for customers unable to use other forms of transport or wishing to make larger purchases. Charges are £4 for a maximum stay of 2 hrs. Jubilee Place now also provides electric car charging bays and mobility scooter hire. The parking scheme will operate from: 09:45-3:15 Monday-Tuesday 10:45-5:15 Wednesday-Thursday 11:45-6:15 Friday 07:45-5:15 Saturday For more information on the market such as maps, vendors, and floor plans; check out the official website below. Cheers!
Next to Big Ben this is probably the most recognizable piece of architecture in London. It is one of the top 10 most famous bridges in the world for its iconic look and design. It all began in the middle of the 19th century. With all of the new development in the eastern part of London, a new river crossing was needed down river from London Bridge. A normal bridge was not an option, because it would obstruct the entrance of ships with tall masts. So a committee had to be formed to solve the problem. Over fifty different designs were submitted to the committee. It wasn't until 1884 that Sir Horace Jones, an architect for the city of London submitted a brilliant design. Jones' engineer, Sir John Wolfe Barry, devised the idea of a bascule bridge with two towers built on piers. The central span was split into two equal bascules or leaves, which could be raised to allow river traffic to pass. The two side-spans were suspension bridges, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. Construction started in 1886 and took eight years with five major contractors. Two massive piers, containing over 70,000 tons of concrete,were sunk into the riverbed to support the construction. Over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the towers and walkways. This was then clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone, both to protect the underlying steel-work and to give the bridge a pleasing appearance. Jones died in 1887 and George D. Stevenson took over the project. Stevenson replaced Jones's original brick façade with the more ornate Victorian Gothic style, which makes the bridge a distinctive landmark, and was intended to harmonize the bridge with the nearby Tower of London. The total cost of construction was £1,184,000 (£118 million as of 2014). The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet (61 m) between the towers is split into two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to an angle of 86 degrees to allow river traffic to pass. The bascules, weighing over 1,000 tons each, are counterbalanced to minimise the force required and allow raising in five minutes. The two side-spans are suspension bridges, each 270 feet (82 m) long, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. The pedestrian walkways are 143 feet (44 m) above the river at high tide. A visit to Tower Bridge Exhibition is the most exciting way to explore and experience the most famous Bridge in the world. Within the Bridge's iconic structure and magnificent Victorian Engine rooms there is plenty to see and do! After watching a new animated video about why Tower Bridge was built, guests can walk into the high level Walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames. This offers visitors the chance to admire stunning panoramic views of London, spying such popular landmarks as St Paul's Cathedral and the Monument to the west and St Katharine Docks leading to Canary Wharf to the east. Tourist Info for the Tower Bridge Exhibition: Opening Times April - September (Summer) - 10:00am - 5:30pm October - March (Winter) - 9:30am - 4:00pm Tickets Adults £9.00 Child (aged 5-15) £3.90 Child (under 5) Free Concessions £6.30 Family tickets from £14.10 Disabled/Carer Free How to Get There The main entrance of Tower Bridge Exhibition is located at the North West Tower of the Bridge; allowing entrance into the Bridge’s iconic structure. On exiting the Bridge, follow the painted blue line on the floor which leads you directly to the magnificent Victorian Engine Rooms and the second part of your tour, located on the south side of the Bridge at river level on Shad Thames. By Bus: The following bus routes will take you to Tower Bridge: 15, 42, 78,100, RV1. By Tube: Tower Hill station can be accessed from the District and Circle lines to the north side of the Bridge. London Bridge station crosses the Northern and Jubilee lines brings you to the south bank of the River Thames with Tower Bridge just a short walk away. By Train: Reach Tower Bridge Exhibition from either London Bridge, Fenchurch Street or Tower Gateway DLR Stations. By Car: The nearest car park is Tower Hill Coach and Car Park situated at 50 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6DP, situated next to the Tower of London. For more info on Tower Bridge and the Tower Bridge Exhibition, check out the official page below. Cheers! I think it only fitting to start my first London Attraction post on the oldest building in London itself...The Tower of London! This great fortress was built by William the Conquerer in 1066 A.D. when the Normans invaded England from France. After taking the throne of England for himself, William had to have a castle and a fortress. As Rick Steves said "the idea was to put fifteen feet of stone between him and his enemy." Over the centuries this building has seen monarchs, traitors, and enemies being held prisoner, executions and murder. It has had many uses over the centuries: a prison, mint, zoo, and a royal palace (which it still is to this day). But, it is probably the busiest site in London. It is the home of the greatest collection of Crown Jewels in the world. It houses among others: the Imperial State crown, St. Edward's Coronation Crown,the Sword of State,and the Golden Orb. It also includes crowns belonging to Queen Victoria, and the late Queen Mother. The Tower is also known for the resident Ravens. Legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress. It was Charles II, according to the stories, who first insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected. It is for that reason that there are always six ravens at the tower at any time with a seventh as an insurance policy. The other main residents of the Tower are the Yeoman Warders known as "Beefeaters". The ‘Beefeaters’, as they are nicknamed, have long been symbols of London and Britain. It is thought their nickname is derived from their position in the Royal Bodyguard, which permitted them to eat as much beef as they wanted from the king's table. They are a detachment of the ‘Yeomen of the Guard’the Queen's personal bodyguards, and they’ve formed the Royal Bodyguard since at least 1509. Their origins stretch back as far as the reign of Edward IV (1461-83). Yeoman Warders are required to have served in the armed forces with an honorable record for at least 22 years. The current contingent of warders have experienced serving in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, Bosnia, the first and second Gulf conflicts and in Afghanistan. They are happy to answer your questions about the Tower and are some of the most photographed guards in London! A Yeoman Warder tour is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the Tower. Join one of these famous tours where Yeoman Warders (popularly known as ‘Beefeaters’) will entertain you with tales of intrigue, imprisonment, execution, torture and much more.The tours begin every 30 mins (last tour 3:30 in summer, 2:30 in winter). Tours last approximately 60 mins and start near the main entrance. The tour is included in the ticket admission. The Tower also was home to many exotic animals from around the world. Since the reign of King John animals were kept at the Tower for the entertainment and curiosity of the court. Everything from elephants to tigers, kangaroos and ostriches lived in what was known as the Royal Menagerie. Under James I, the bloody sport of baiting became very popular and a platform was built over the dens so that the King and his courtiers could watch lions, bears and dogs being made to fight each other to the death. The Menagerie finally closed after several incidents where the animals had escaped and attacked each other, visitors and Tower staff. The Duke of Wellington, who was Constable of the Tower, ordered the animals to leave and in 1832 they arrived at their new home in London Zoo. Here is one great tip that myself and Rick Steves would both agree on. The most popular things to do at the Tower are to see the Crown Jewels and to take a Beefeater Tour. To get the best experience without having to wait a long time, go to the Tower early and go straight for the Crown Jewels then go on a Beefeater tour afterwards. This way you avoid long lines and practically have the jewels to yourself. Or, if you go in the late afternoon, you will have shorter lines at the Jewels. It is most busy at mid-day. It is less busy right at opening or close to closing. Bottom line, save time when you can. Here is all the essential Tower Tourist Information:
Opening Times: Mar 1 - Oct 31 (Summer) Tue-Sat- 9:00am-5:30pm, Sun-Mon- 10:00am-5:30pm Nov 1- Feb 28 (Winter) Tue-Sat- 9:00am-4:30pm, Sun-Mon- 10:00am-4:30pm Ticket Prices: Gate Price Online Price Adult £22.00 £20.90 Child (5-15) £11.00 £10.45 Concession £18.70 £17.60 Family £59.00 £55.55 For all of the travel information as well as guidelines and prohibited items, and all that sort of stuff, check out the official website for the Tower below! Cheers! Hi readers, here is part two of my "Planning a Smart Itinerary" Chapter. This part is basically just my own personal itinerary that I will use when I go to London. I have spent four months working on an itinerary. Learning the routes, streets and memorizing the streets of London. After about 10 revisions, this is the final product, and I believe the best itinerary for myself to follow. This includes sites important to me. This is in no way to tempt others to follow. Others may want to visit other sites. I am just giving you a backbone example of how smart planning can pay off! So here you have it. The final part of the first chapter of my London Travel Tips book...
I will now give you an example of a smart itinerary. This is my personal itinerary. I shall list the sites and the part of London it involves, and give prices and whether they are included on the London Pass (which I shall discuss in a later section). The sites are listed in order of how they will be visited. My itinerary begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Day 1- Monday (Westminster): · Westminster Abbey- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. · The Queen’s Gallery @ Buckingham Palace- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. · The Mall · Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery- National Gallery is free admittance. · Covent Garden- It being a Monday means it is antique day at the market. Check website for schedule of events. · Horse Guards Parade- No Admittance. Photo or video opportunities only. Changing of the Guard at 11:00 am. · Downing Street- No Admittance. Photo or video opportunities only. Day 2- Tuesday (Southbank/ The City): · Tower of London- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance · Tower Bridge Exhibition- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. · Tate Modern Gallery- Free attraction. · St. Paul’s Cathedral- Ticket required. Not included on the London Pass. · Borough Market- Food market. Free admittance. Day 3- Wednesday (Bloomsbury/ Westminster): · King’s Cross Station- My purpose of checking out this premier London station is my being a Harry Potter fan. There is the Harry Potter Shop @ Platform 9 ¾. As well as a trolley disappearing into the wall at the platform. · British Museum and Library- Free London Attraction. I would suggest if planning this as a spot on your itinerary, prepare to spend at the least 3-4 hours at this museum. · Churchill War Rooms and Museum- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. · Houses of Parliament- Free entry when Parliament is in session. Enter through the Cromwell Green Visitors entrance. Upon entering you will be asked if you want to visit the Lords or Commons. I would suggest the Lords, due to long lines to see the commons (plus once you finish over at the Lords you can wander over to the Commons). Expect long lines and long wait once inside. It is worse on Wednesdays when the Prime Minster is there for questions. The best time to go would be in the afternoon. · Thames River Cruise @ Westminster Pier- Ticket are required, unless you have a London Pass. The London Pass gives the bearer benefit of a 1 day hop on and off. I shall be taking a cruise from Westminster Pier down to Tower Bridge and back. A one way trip is around 30 minutes, roundtrip about an hour. If you want a longer trip, you can stay on all the way down to Greenwich. Day 4- Thursday (Hampton Court/ Kensington/ Westminster): · Hampton Court Palace- Ticket is required, unless you have a London Pass which then it is free. For transport you must take a train. It takes around 30-35 minutes by train from London. · Harrods Department Store- Largest department store in Europe in the midst of Kensington in West London. · London Eye- Ticket required. Tickets are sold through British Airways. Day 5 – Friday (Kensington): · Kensington Palace and Gardens- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. · Natural History Museum- Free attraction. Plan to spend a good 2-3 hours. · Victoria and Albert Museum- Free Attraction. Directly across from the Natural History Museum. Again, plan to spend a good 2 hours. Day 6- Saturday (Windsor/ Piccadilly): · Windsor Castle- entrance fee is needed, unless buying a London Pass, in which case it is free admittance. Transport by train from London takes around 35-45 minutes. · St. James’ Palace- No Admittance. Photo and Video opportunities only. · Shopping in Piccadilly- (Fortnum and Masons, Waterstones, Lillywhites, Cool Britannia). · Piccadilly Circus- The famous square is a tourist flocking destination. Day 7- Sunday (Westminster/ Airport): · Changing of the Guard @ Buckingham Palace- 11:00am-12:30pm every day. Best to arrive by 10:30am for a good viewing spot by the gate at the Palace. · Head to the airport for home…. This of course is my personal pleasure list for London. I of course want to see more but like I said, you can’t possibly fit everything you want into one trip. If you don’t get to everything on your London Travel dreams list, don’t worry. Always assume that you will return. Like I say, once you visit London it will be your next mission in life to return. For Rick’s planning tips click on the link below. I hope you enjoyed my personal itinerary for London. I shall start chapter 2 soon.... |
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