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Ana
has put together some suggested itineraries for you. |
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1 Day Tour |
On your first day, what better way to start your day than
to visit the
Tower of London!
Fantastic views! Next, I suggest going to the
London Zoo to see many fabulous animals and exhibits. In the
afternoon, I suggest going to the
Windsor Castle and
then taking a cruise with the
Catamaran Cruisers.
In the late afternoon, I suggest going to the
Shakespeare’s Globe Tour & Exhibition - a tour that is a must
see! |
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2 Day Tour |
On the second day, I recommend visiting
The British Museum and for lunch, the
Albert
Pub. You could spend a week or a month going through all of
the fabulous museums and area attractions! I suggest going to this
website for London Pass which is a very complete guide of activities to
do in London, and seeing which sparks your interest the most. Plan to do
these tours for 2 or 3 days. |
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3 Day Tour |
On your third day, take a drive through the picturesque
countryside of the
Cotswolds. The honey-colored and
thatched cottages have a special charm. Along the way, make a few stops
at the local markets. Make a stop at the city of
Gloucester.
You will have time to explore the
Cathedral
and the renovated
Victorian docks before driving
south through the the
Forest of
Dean to
Chepstow, site of
the oldest stone castle in Wales. It would be advised that you
can drive onward to Brickouse,
and spend a few nights there while exploring this part of the area.
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4 Day Tour |
In the morning, head off to
Cardiff, the capital of Wales.
You can then head off to the
Museum of Welsh Life at Saint Fagans. There is a grand display of
Welsh buildings, some dating back hundreds of years. You can then head
on to the burial place of ancient Celtic Kings, and see the rugged coastline where ship
wreckers lured ships to their destruction and smugglers landed their
contraband.
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5 Day Tour |
Today, if you are a tennis
buff interested in history as well, visit the
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
Take a tour through the
HMS Belfast,
a floating museum filled with history of one of the Royal Navy's biggest
ships during World War II. For lunch, visit the famous
Planet Hollywood for one of their fabulous meals! In
the afternoon, visit the Jewel Tower for an interesting tour.
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6 Day Tour |
Be sure to contact local visitor's centers for local
events that are going on. Links with local event information: http://visitlondon.com/ http://londontown.com/ |
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The Tower of London For over 900 years the Tower has dominated the city of London and today is still one of the capital's most prominent landmarks and a world famous visitor attraction. Throughout its long history the Tower has served as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, an arsenal, royal mint, menagerie and jewel house. Discover its long and eventful history, its buildings and collections including the Crown Jewels and Royal Armouries. Address: The Tower of London, Tower Hill, London EC3 Phone: 0870 756 60 60 Hours: 1 March - 31 October: Monday-Saturday: 9am - 6pm, Sunday: 10am - 6pm 1 November - 28 February: Tuesday-Saturday: 9am - 5pm, Sunday-Monday: 10am - 5pm (last admission 4pm) Closed: 24-26 December, 1 January 2004 |
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The
Albert Pub
is a
classic traditional pub steeped in history. Features include the Prime
Ministers Gallery, the division bell, Queen Victoria’s napkin and the
original etched glass windows. Fully air conditioned throughout, it
allows you to wine and dine in comfort. The ground floor bar has both
hot and cold food counters with a splendid array of home-cooked dishes
to suit all tastes. The first floor boasts a renowned Carver Restaurant
– three roasts are available every day, as well as fish and vegetarian
dishes.
London
Pass holders receive a free pint with every bar meal or a free bottle of
wine when 2 or more dine in the restaurant. |
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Catamaran
Cruisers Discover the heart of London with a memorable sightseeing cruise. Cruise along the River Thames and enjoy breathtaking views of some of London’s best loved attractions. Key sites include: The Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe. The London Pass offers you a choice of cruises. Try the 50 minute multi-lingual circular cruise with musical enhancements. Phone: 020 7987 1185 Address: Embankment Pier, London WC2 |
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Shakespeare’s Globe was founded by
the pioneering American actor Sam Wanamaker and has become one of
London’s most successful theatres and top visitor attractions. The
theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the 1599 open-air playhouse
where Shakespeare wrote many of his greatest plays. Resident
storytellers introduce visitors to all aspects of the Globe, historical
and contemporary, including Sam Wanamaker’s epic struggle to recreate
the theatre for which Shakespeare wrote many of his works.
The
London Pass offers free entry and 15% discount in the shop (excluding
books) |
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In the heart of Regent's Park is
London Zoo, a 36 acre conservation centre which houses
more than 650 species. London Zoo's animal collection includes
invertebrates, reptiles, fish, birds, and small and large mammals such
as lions, tigers, gorillas, giraffes and bears. The event program
entertains all year round - don’t miss the amazing Animals in Action
display, where the finest leaping, climbing and flying stars show off
their skills. Address: Regent's Park, London NW1 Phone: 020 7722 3333 Hours: Daily: 10:00am – 5:30pm (last admission: 3:00pm) Closed: 25 December |
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The British Museum
holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and
antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain’s
architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in
existence. The museum celebrates its 250th anniversary this year and
will see the re-opening of the King’s Library. Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1 Phone: 020 7323 8000 Museum Opening Times: Saturday-Wednesday: 10am -5:30pm Thursday and Friday: 10am - 8.30pm Closed: 24-26 December, 1 January & 18 April |
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900 years ago
Windsor Castle was built for William
the Conqueror to guard the Western approach to London. Today the castle
is still a working palace and is opened as much as Royal commitments
allow. The areas destroyed by the fire in 1992 have been completely
restored including the splendid St George's Hall. |
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The City of Gloucester has a unique history from its Roman foundations to its Victorian docklands. Gloucester is a vibrant multicultural city that combines historic architecture with a unique blend of visitor attractions, festivals and entertainment, a collection of high street and specialist shops and a mouth watering array of tea shops, restaurants, wine bars and pubs offer food and drink for all tastes. The city is overlooked by the Cotswolds Hills in the lush Severn Valley and is easily accessible from all corners of the country. |
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Gloucester Cathedral |
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Gloucester Docks/Waterways |
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Forest of Dean - It
should soon become apparent that you will never be able to see
everything there is on offer in one trip. The Forest of Dean, Vale of
Leadon and Wye Valley, has something to offer everybody, young and old,
looking for an active or a relaxing break. The Forest of Dean has a
wealth of places to stay, from cosy bed and breakfast accommodation to
fine hotels, caravanning or camping. The forest system of rides and
tracks is always open to walkers, and there are waymarked tracks which
traverse the forest, for which leaflets are available, starting from the
principal car parks and picnic areas. There are also special tracks for
mountain bikes. (http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/visitor/places/index.htm) Directions: The Royal Forest of Dean is approximately 120 miles west of London (via the M4), 65 miles from Birmingham (via the M5), and approximately 35 miles from Bristol to the centre of the forest. Location: Forest Web Windyridge, Archenfield Road, Ross-On-Wye Herefordshire HR9 5AY United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0)7769 684458 Fax: +44 (0)870 705 8754 Email: info@fweb.org.uk Email: webmaster@fweb.org.uk Website: http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/ Tourist Information Centre High Street Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8HG United Kingdom Tel. +44(0)1594 812388 Fax: +44 (0)1594 812330 Email: tourism@fdean.gov.uk |
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"If there is a castle that comes close to matching
Harlech in historical importance, that castle is surely
Chepstow. Chepstow is a Norman
castle perched high above the banks of the river Wye in southeast Wales.
Construction began at Chepstow in 1067, less than a year after William
the Conqueror was crowned King of England. While Edward had his master
castle builder in the person of James of St. George, the Conqueror, some
200 years earlier, had his equal in the person of his loyal Norman lord
William FitzOsbern. FitzOsbern's fortresses were the vehicles from which
the new king consolidated control of his newly conquered lands. Chepstow
Castle became the key launching point for expeditions into Wales,
expeditions that eventually subdued the rebellious population." (http://www.castlewales.com/chepstow.html) |
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"The Museum of Welsh Life
opened on 7 July 1948. Since then, it has established itself as one of
Europe's foremost open air museums, becoming Wales' most popular
heritage attraction. The Museum shows how the people of Wales lived,
worked and spent their leisure time over the last five hundred years;
and over the past fifty years it has inspired generations of visitors
with an appreciation of Welsh history and tradition. The Museum stands
in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th century
manor house generously donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of
Plymouth. Hours: Open: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm daily; Open Bank Holiday Mondays." (http://www.nmgw.ac.uk/) Address: St. Fagans, Cardiff, CF5 6XB. Tel +44 (0)29 20573500 |
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WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS MUSEUM -
Highlights include view over Centre Court and the Championships’
trophies. Memorabilia and mementos are on display representing the
history of lawn tennis. Also videos of great players in action and
interactive quiz. Museum shop and restaurant. Tube: Southfields then
15-minute walk. The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Church Rd, SW19 Phone: 011 44 20 8946 6131 Daily 10.30am-5pm. Except during and prior to Championships. Fee Charged. |
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Planet Hollywood -
Enjoy a great meal at one of the world's most exciting restaurants.
Diners can expect to see some of the world's most valuable movie and
television memorabilia. Among the hundreds of artifacts on display are
items of well known memorabilia with London connections. Address: Planet Hollywood, Coventry Street, London W1 Phone: 020 7287 1000 Sunday-Thursday: 12:00pm - 11:00pm Friday-Saturday: 12:00pm - 12:00am Closed: 25 December Click here for your Planet Hollywood Coupon! |
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Launched in
1938, HMS Belfast was the Royal
Navy’s biggest and most powerful warship during the Second World War,
with a crew of over 950 officers and men. Today she is a unique floating
museum offering a fascinating glimpse of naval life. You can explore her
nine decks including the massive boiler and engine rooms, operate the
anti-aircraft guns and experience what life was like for those on board. |
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Jewel Tower Edward III had the Jewel Tower built c.1365 to house his personal treasures, with a moat dug around it for extra protection. It is virtually unaltered today, and is one of only two complete buildings remaining from the medieval Palace of Westminster. Administrated by English Heritage, the Jewel Tower now houses the exhibition Parliament Past and Present. Address: Jewel Tower, Abingdon Street, London SW1 Phone: 020 7222 2219 Hours: 1 April–30 September 2003, Daily: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 1 October –31 October 2003, Daily: 10:00 am - 5pm 1 November–31 March 2004, Daily: 10:00 am - 4pm Closed: 24-26 December, 1 January |
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London FAQs, Insider Tips and Links |
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If you
have any question, comments or if you have any full or half day trips
you would like to add, we would be very happy to share them with the
world! |
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