Take a cruise on the river Thames
A Thames river cruise is without doubt one of the best ways to see London, weaving through the heart of the city and past so many of its most famous attractions. See and experience the sights and splendour of this great city from the relaxed comfort of a City Cruises modern, all-weather boats. With open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows you’d be sure to have a great time no matter what the English weather has in store! The boat also has access and facilities for wheelchairs. An all day hop-on-hop-off ticket normal ticket price: Adult: £13.50 Child: £6.50.
Walk in the footsteps of traitors
The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous fortresses and has seen service as royal palace, prison, armoury and even a zoo. The ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and pampered ravens strut the grounds. At least six ravens are kept at the Tower at all times, in accordance with the belief that if they are absent, the kingdom will fall. Listen to Shady, a beefeater at the Tower of London, talks about the myth behind the royal decree that states that there must be six ravens in the tower at all times. Constructed over 900 years ago by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London is steeped in a rich history. This fortress was expanded by many medieval kings and is a grand structure used by Royals through the years as a refuge and powerbase. The ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn (mother for Queen Elizabeth I) was beheaded in 1536 for treason against King Henry VIII, allegedly haunts the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried. It is said that she walks around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. And so goes the song I used to sing as a wee lass “With her head tucked underneath her arm she walks the bloody tower…”
Read:
Traitors Executed in the Tower of London
The Princes in the Tower of London
See where William and Katherine Middleton married
It’s no doubt, Westminster Abbey was the perfect venue for the Royal wedding this year. It’s just a short walk from the Thames and really is a must-see venue. It is the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, a living church, a royal peculiar and home to the unique pageant of British history. This beautiful gothic church is a Unesco World Heritage Site popular with many visitors to London. The abbey host free London events throughout the eyar including brass bands (a particular favourite of mine), recitals and children's events. Westminster Abbey also has it's own YouTube channel where you can watch videos of the Abbey including that of the Royal Weding 2011.
See The Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Dress
When the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out of her vintage Rolls Royce in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress on her wedding day she stepped into fashion history. An astonishing two billion people from around the world watched the royal wedding, including myself and 50 others at a street party in Camden Town. Now is your chance to see 'that dress' up close and personal. Kate Middleton's bridal gown had been on display in London as part of Buckingham Palace's annual summer opening. More than 600,000 members of the public passed through the doors of the Queen’s London residence.The £10m proceeds from the summer opening will go towards the upkeep of the Royal Collection, comprised of paintings, furniture and antiques collected by monarchs over the past 500 years and held in trust by the Queen on behalf of the nation. Visitors had the chance to see the world famous ivory satin gazar dress with a fitted bodice up close and examine the fine handmade lace appliqué floral detailing which worked so well on film. The ivory silk tulle veil decorated with embroidered flowers that the Duchess wore on her big day will also be on display as well as the diamond encrusted Cartier tiara that held the veil in place. The Duchess was lent the tiara for the day by the Queen, representing her something borrowed. The impressive nine-foot train is opened out displaying the dress in all its glory.
If you would like the opportunity to see the dress the exhibition at Buckingham Palace is now closed but fear not. The dress will be on display at the Design Museum, in Shad Thames along the southbank of the river Thames from February 8th 2012.
Royal Wedding Dress Accessories
With all that material it was difficult to see the detail on The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding shoes. At the exhibition you can the ivory embroidered bridal shoes which were also designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The diamond earrings given to the Duchess by her family are also exhibited. They bear acorns in a nod to the Middleton family's new coat of arms.
The Royal Wedding Cake
Visitors will also be see the marvelous royal wedding cake created by Fiona Cairns, complete with a mark made by the happy couple as they cut it with a ceremonial sword.
Video of Alexander McQuee designer Sarah Burton:The special exhibition also features a video of Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton talking about her inspiration for the dress and the intricate design process.
Take a tour of the Olympic 2012 site
If you are visiting London before August 2012 then a guided tour of the 2012 Olympic site will fill you in on the preparations for the 2012 London Olympics as well as the plans for the site after the games are a distant memory. They take place at 11am everyday. You also get to see a few hidden gems along London's waterway. The tour is led by a qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide so you will be sure to have a well researched and presented tour. You can book online or just turn up at the Bromley-by-Bow underground station.
Gaze at the stars
Entitled 'Glamour of the Gods,' admire the beauty of Hollywood stars from the 1920s and beyond at this National Portrait Gallery exhibition. With captivating images from both stage and screen, this exhibition oozes with glitz and glamour.
Visit Tudor London
Hampton Court Palace is the former home of the flamboyant King Henry VIII, he extended and developed this grand palace after acquiring it in the 1520's. Its many royal occupants have ensured the palace has fabulous furnishings, tapestries and paintings. Set in 60 acres of formal gardens, which include the famous maze and Great Vine, this palace is well worth a visit. The powerful 1966 film A Man for All Seasons directed by Fred Zinneman was filmed on location at Hampton Court Palace. My favourite part of Hampton Court Palace are the tapestries which are simply amazing. I had more appreciation of the amount of skill, cost and effort involved when creating a tapestry after reading The Lady and The Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. Watch the video to learn a little more about the tapestries at Hampton Court Palace.
See London from up above
Explore the dizzy heights of London in a transparent egg shaped capsule. Located near Waterloo and Charing Cross station, the London Eye gives spectacular views of our capital. Say hello to the 'little people' as you discover a new perspective of our much-loved city
UK World War history
The Churchill War Rooms are dedicated to the life of the ‘greatest Briton’, Sir Winston Churchill, and the secret underground headquarters that were the nerve centre of Britain’s war effort. This maze of historic rooms once buzzed with planning and plotting, strategies and secrets. Walk the dimly-lit corridors and discover the rooms that changed history. The first London museum of its kind, the Churchill War Rooms covers all ninety years of Winston Churchill’s life, divided into five chapters: his early year’s as British Prime Minister starting May 1940; his later years; his childhood; his early political career and the period famously known as the ‘Gathering Storm’. I happily spent 2 hours wandering around. Admission: Adult £15.95*. *Includes voluntary donation.
Of course going to these places all adds up. The London Pass is a great way to save money.
Weekends Only
If browsing market stalls is your thing, then pay a visit to the one with the best atmosphere in London. Diverse, vibrant, and full of items you might not find elsewhere, Greenwich Market is certainly worth a visit on a weekend afternoon.
Sundays Only
For a Sunday shopping spree take a trip to Wembley Market. On Sundays the Wembley Stadium car park is transformed to offer bargain hunters a real treat. Europe’s largest Sunday market, the place is awash with goods galore, from clothes and gadgets to food and music. Whether you've perfected your haggling skills or not, you’re bound to come away with bags full of bargains.
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Read:
Kensington - A Royal Village - walk
The Printers of Fleet Street, London - walk
Traitors Executed in the Tower of London
The Princes in the Tower of London
