- Tower Bridge - Karl Roberts
London has so many high seasons for the tourist trade that visiting the most popular and famous attractions and landmarks can make the experience a not all together good one, especially for those that aren’t free. As well as the end of summer, Christmas and Easter there are also the numerous bank holidays and half terms that will see queues for attractions being over three hours long. Add to this the weekends and the issue of getting from a to b and the reason for a well organised trip speak for themselves. What to visit and when can be broken down into groups based on local geography and timescale.
North Westminster – 1 day
Exiting the tube at Baker Street or hopping of the bus, the buses announce the stops; Madame Tussauds is not only signposted but visible. This is a very busy attraction and can see some very lengthy queues in high season. One way to combat this is to by a ticket in advance; this won’t necessarily mean no queues but allows priority entrance so is a lot quicker. It is worth noting that this site is operated by the Merlin Group which owns many other attractions including the London Eye and London Dungeons. Purchasing a combo ticket gives priority entrance to their other sites which can be used later in the week and saves some money.
From Baker Street the London Zoo is accessible by bus or foot. Walking is a particular pleasure in good weather as it is a simple stroll through Regents Park and allows a little reflection after the crowds or a chance to walk off that lunch. Pre purchasing tickets for the Zoo is also recommended as whilst it is a more open space it is a popular destination for large groups and schools. After the Zoo it would be getting late and a visit to any other paid attraction means being rushed out once the doors are closed. From here however Marble Arch is within a short bus or train ride, Marble Arch Station, which is at the top of Oxford Street allowing a little time for some retail therapy. Also in this area are Hyde Park, The Sherlock Holmes Museum and The Beatles Store.
South Westminster – 1-2 days
Down by the Thames is where the most cultural sites are found and are best accessed from Westminster Station. Greeted on exit from the station by the towering Big Ben the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street are all within a stones throw of each other. Westminster Abbey offers an audio guide tour or a more detailed Marshal lead tour but as it is a church opening times may vary. Houses of Parliament have a guided tour only and pre booking is highly recommended.
After marvelling at the architecture of the Houses of Parliament and the spiritual grandeur of Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace or the London Eye are the most natural way of continuing. The London Eye can be seen from the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace is signposted. Buckingham Palace has various tours available and also offers pre-paid options as well as combo tickets to other Royal Households, once again ideal for saving money and queue busting. At The London Eye the variety of street performers add some extra value to the visit. Other Highlights in this area are The Movieum, The London Aquarium, and the Churchill Museum & War Rooms.
City of London – 1 – day
There are three notable sites in this area and it is best to start from Tower Hill Station which leads straight to the entrance for the infamous Tower of London. This is the busiest attraction in London so be prepared for the crowds but it does have the advantage of being open planned and having no controlled route. After taking some time marvelling at the Ravens and the Crown Jewels, Tower Bridge is practically connected to the Tower. Not only is this worth a visit for the views but also for the fascinating story of the bridge’s history and construction.
As evening approaches the time is ideal for a scare and nearby London Bridge area has two options, The London Bridge Experience or The London Dungeons. This can be easily walked to or serviced by local buses and tube. Once again a pre paid ticket option is available and advised to slow down waiting time. The London Bridge Experience relates specifically to the ever changing famous bridge whilst the London Dungeons presents a broader experience of the city’s gory history. Also in the immediate area are St Katherine’s Dock, a great place for lunch, HMS Belfast and London Bridge market, less famous than it’s Camden counterpart but equally worth a look.
Things to note
Whilst buying a pre paid ticket slows down the waiting time it does not mean queuing will be entirely avoided so this should factor in any planning. At the weekends the tube undergoes upgrade works which close part or all of some lines, check the Transport for London website for details. Most paid attractions have one entrance and one exit so the journey should be completed fully, backtracking for a quick exit can waste time. Another option is the guided bus tours which offer a hop on, hop off service and sell tickets to many of the attractions. Don’t buy tickets off the street, ever. There is so much more in London than just these attractions but they are the most popular that have entrance fees.
Karl Roberts - Taking the alternative education route with regards to the advancement of my writing career I studied History at university graduating in ...
