LONDON - OH THE SIGHTS TO SEE
- "Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."
- - Miriam Beard
THE PLACES WE'VE BEEN:
1)BIG BEN/PARLIAMENT
Address: Westminster, London
SW1A 0AA
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Big+Ben/@51.500729,-0.124625,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x487604c38c8cd1d9:0xb78f2474b9a45aa9
Tour cost: Adults: 17.50 Euro, Children 5-15: 7 Euro, Children under 5 FREE
Tour HRS: 9.20am to 4.30pm (except Monday to Friday between 13 April and 6 May 2015, 12.40pm to 4.45pm)
Tour website: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/tours-of-parliament/audio-tours/
"Parliament examines what the Government is doing, makes new laws, holds the power to set taxes and debates the issues of the day. The House of Commons and House of Lords each play an important role in Parliament's work."
Big Ben definitely makes for some great photographs and with Westminster Abbey and the London Eye walking distance away it is a staple for London tourist. Sitting right on the River Thames the views and photo opportunities are endless. I say it's a must go.
2)WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Address: 20 Deans Yd
Cost:FREEWestminster, LondonSW1P 3PACost of entry: Adults: 17 Euro, children 6-16: 9 Euro, 5 and under FREE. They also have specials for a family of 2 adults and 1 child for 40 Euro and for a family of 2 adults and 2 children for 45 EuroHRS: vary, check their website for the dates you would like to go http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/opening-timesThis Gothic style church located in Westminster (hence the name) was the location of the wedding seen 'round the world of Will & Kate in April of 2011. The construction of the present church begun in 1245 so you can imagine the history behind those walls. You could probably spend a whole day at the Abbey, in addition to the chapel their are tours (guided and audio), a cafe and terrace TIP kids eat FREE all day every day in the Cellarium Cafe (you get one free kids meal for every adult meal purchased) they serve breakfast, lunch and have an afternoon tea menu. There is the Abbey Shop to buy souvenirs, the Abbey gardens and a museum (open from 10.30-16.00) With over 1,000 years of history this is a must go for any history buff.
3)LONDON EYE
Address: London SE1 7PB
United KingdomCost: Adults: 21.50 Euro, children 4 & up: 15.50 Euro, children under 4 are FREEI would strongly recommend going their main website (https://www.londoneye.com/) to view all available options for tickets and experiences. They have the most basic package of a standard ride around the wheel to a champagne experience to a wine and chocolate tasting experience. It's a flexible experience offering great family memories or a romantic date night. The lights of London are gorgeous in the evening and a day time ride offers up the ability to see the city of London until the city meets the horizon. On the last quarter of the ride on the way down there is a camera on the frame of the London Eye where you can smile and have your picture taken to purchase later in the gift shop. The entire ride took between 30-40 minutes. Our 4 year old did great and really enjoyed the views although the last 5-10 mins he grew a little antsy. Bring a water with you and use the bathroom first - once you are going up you are stuck there until you carriage comes around again.
The capsule below us, the Thames in the background
Big Ben across the street! Spectacular view. 4)TOWER OF LONDONAddress: London EC3N 4ABUnited KingdomCost: Adults: 22.00 Euro, children 5-15: 11 Euro, 5 and under are FREE (The price does fluxuate through out the year so be sure to check the website for current pricing)HRS: Tues-Sat 09.00-17.30; Sun-Mon 10.00-17.30 (these are summer hours, winter hours closing time will be 16.30)The Tower of London offers up so much history, mystique and beauty one could almost cry as they gush over the 949 year old castle. It offers up stories of love, hate, murder, family and royalty like a soap opera stretched out over a thousand years. Located on the North bank of the Thames River it's about a 15 minute cab ride from the London Eye next to the famous Tower Bridge (or as some call it, the London Bridge...although totally inaccurate, the real London Bridge is rather dull and boring). For all of us addicted to caffeine I must insert here that there is a Starbucks across from the ticket booth for the Tower of London. I would strongly recommend reading up on the history of the tower before you go as there is so much of it but with all of our busy lives and little time to do much of anything they do offer up a FREE tour called the Yeoman Warder Tour. This tour begins at the front entrance every 30 minutes and lasts about an hour. For a list of activities the tower holds click here http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/Familyactivities and for those of you who love to be scared try one of their twilight tours, for more info click here http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/TowerTwilightTours.The tower is also home to the crown jewels which house 23,578 gems and the stories behind them. It also holds the largest diamond ever found (I know ladies...try not to cry when you have to leave). Inside you will also find the 800 year old Coronation Spoon, The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross (a 530 carat diamond!) crowns, crowns and more crowns! This building within the tower is under armed guard at all hours.
The Sovereign's Sceptre with CrossThe Sovereign's Sceptre with CrossWithin the tower itself is almost a little city. You will not run out of things to do or see while there. There are shops and little cafes to eat at and a day of fun waiting to be had. TIP there is a Red Rover Cruise Tour dock outside the tower walls that you could catch and ride back up to the London Eye/Big Ben dock that is breath taking and relaxing....continued review below.
All caffeine addicts everywhere - relax, you can get your fix before entering the Tower.
An entire building is dedicated to armor and weapons
The view from one of the walk ways in the Tower.
A city within the walls, truly incredible
Some rooms are still displayed how they would've been years ago. 5)RED ROVER CRUISE TOURThis was such a fun little cruise and was a pleasant time to relax while floating down the Thames after walking all day around the Tower of London. Our sore feet and aching backs were delighted to get a break as we took in the sights of London sitting comfortably in a chair. The boat is a guided tour and our tour guide was hilarious! He was well worth the money spent alone. At the bottom level of the little boat is a place to get snacks and refreshments. The cruises take off every 30 minutes and has multiple stops. It really is a great way to get around to some of the major sights off the Thames River. We didn't get a chance to, but I'd imagine the cruise is all the more magic at night with the city lit up. My only TIP is to bring a jacket as the nights do get cold on the water and since you are sitting on top of the boat exposed with no roof it can be breezy.
6)HYDE PARKOut of all of London, this was my absolute favorite thing we did. It was calm, relaxing and playful. Hyde park is absolutely huge (covering about 350 acres) and can easily take all day. It's such a calming atmosphere that as you wander around you will see people (who are not homeless by the way) just taking naps in the middle of the park...we even seen some people with ducks snuggling up to them as they all slept. There were gardens within Hyde park that were beginning to bloom and a cute little cafe right off The Serpentine lake. You'll also find the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park. I'll give you 2 of our favorite things we did:THE BOAT HOUSE - This is open April-October 31st from 10.00 AM until sundown. You can rent either a rowing boat or a pedal boat (The pedal boat will definitely make for a good time) It is 12 Euro per adult and 5 Euro per child per hour. We stopped at the snack stand for food and drinks, pedaled out to the middle of the lake and had a picnic while in our boat. Believe me, after about 30 minutes you are ready to turn around and bring the boat back your legs hurt so bad. It's a beautiful site though as you pedal your way down the lake to see more and more of Hyde park and all the wildlife in between the shores and on the little islands.FEEDING THE WILDLIFE - This was so much fun for us. The squirrels and birds in the park are obviously comfortable with people as they will come right up to your hands and eat little bits of food from your palm. They will follow you around if you try to leave and you will probably be tempted to take the little furry things home with you - just remember you can't! :) So bring some popcorn or bread, a blanket and a camera and enjoy the afternoon in the park!For a list of all the things Hyde Park has to offer please visit their website.
Being from a desert, this was unlike anything I've ever seen
I could've fed these little guys for hours
A little cafe area at the end of the Serpentine
Check out the chucks pedaling away
You can RENT these chairs and lounge around the park...unfortunately for us, everyone watched my husband struggle for about 10 minutes to open the chairs and set them up before anybody told us that - I think they were enjoying our ignorance a little too much.
7)TRAFALGAR SQUARE
There are some of the most remarkable trees in Hyde Park I've ever seen...this being my favorite one. Address:WestminsterLondon WC2N 5DNOnce known as Charring Cross, Trafalgar Square is London's largest square. It is often referred to as the heart of the city - filled with statues, fountains, restaurants and shops it's a relaxing place to wander around. The National Gallery is located right in the square (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/) and there are often musicians playing for tips. There's a wonderful little coffee shop called Caffe Nero where you can people watch through the large windows and sip on your favorite beverage. We did a lot of shopping around this area and took care of everyone's souvenirs to bring home.
THE PLACES WE DIDN'T GO BUT ARE AMONG THE TOP SIGHTS:1)BUCKINGHAM PALACEAlthough our hotel was about a 5 minute walk from the Palace, we didn't go. Too much to see and do for the short time we were there. We drove past it several times though and it was stunning. Built in 1703 it is draped with elegance and beauty. You can visit the state rooms of the palace certain days and times of the year (for that info please click here http://www.changing-the-guard.com/visiting-buckingham-palace.html) and there is the famous Changing of the Guard that takes place on certain dates and times (for the current schedule please check the website here http://www.changing-the-guard.com/dates-times.html) I understand why for some this is a must go; however, I think there are better options around the city to spend your time on.
2)British MuseumAddress:Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
HRS: Everyday, except Jan 1 & Dec 24-26 from 10.00-17.30
Dedicated to culture and human history the museum holds some 8 million pieces. It first opened to the public in 1759 and has housed history and expanded for new history every since. They have FREE activities for the kids (http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/family_visits.aspx) and a few places to eat inside. It's a great way to save money and spend a day learning and growing. For more info on current exhibits check their website here http://www.britishmuseum.org/
3)The Churchill War Rooms
Address:Clive Steps
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AQ
Cost: Adults: 18 Euro, children 5-15: 9 EuroHRS: Everyday 10.00-6.00, except Dec 24-26This underground complex held a British government command center during World War II. In this museum you will see the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum. For more info click here http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-roomsThere is plenty more to see and do in London! These were just some of my favorites and some I wish we had the time for. If you need any additional info just contact me and I'll provide what I can. Until next time...Happy travels my fellow gypsies!
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