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London: Sights & Places of Interest
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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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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. http://www.cotswolds.info/ |
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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. 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 Website: http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/ High Street Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8HG United Kingdom Tel. +44(0)1594 812388 Fax: +44 (0)1594 812330 |
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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 Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel 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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