Houses of Parliament and other London, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

One of the MOST magnifiicent buildings in London, the Palace of Westminster. Without a doubt. There is so much detail and artistry on the walls of this building - it is quite spectacular!

This gorgeous gothic masterpiece was built between 1840 and 1888 by Charles Barry.

He wanted to ensure that this building blended in with the neighbouring Westminster Abbey across the road. In this he succeeded!

This is where the British Parliament sit. It has evolved into the nation's sovereign power, while the monarchy remains sovereign in name only.

It contains the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

It is still the most spectacular piece of architecture in London I think. The high relief artwork and gargoyles and intricate lace detail is absolutely gorgeous!

Info re guided tours in the website below.

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Address: Parliament Square, SW1
Directions: Westminster tube
Website: http://www.parliament.uk

Tower Bridge was completed in 1894, after 8 years of construction.

Many people don't realise why it was even built in the first place, or why it is so different from London's other bridges.

Originally, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames. As London developed and grew, so did her infrastructure.. roads, buildings and bridges, and the Tower Bridge was one of the things built.

Driven by oil and electricity since 1976, the huge bascules are nowadays still operated by using hydraulic power.

On the Tower tour you can view the engine room etc. It is a nice tour, not too long, and inexpensive.

When you see it you will be amazed.

It's majestic, with its thick bolts and sturdiness. If you are in luck you will see it open up and allow a larger (taller) boat through.... but I have never been fortunate enough to see this. Yet ;)

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Phone: 0 20 7626 3065
Address: Tower Bridge Road, EC3/SE1
Directions: Tower Hill or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk

This was a thoroughly enjoyable tour.

Not only was it not horrendously expensive, it was enjoyable, you werent rushed, it was informative and not too long-winded.

Of course it had the obligatory Tower Shop at the end of it, as these places always do, but it was a good tour.

Inside, we looked through the telescopes mounted on the wall, out over the Thames. It was really lovely, the feeling of standing over the Thames... all that water under you! :)

They have a short film explaining the hydraulic system and some history about the Tower, and then you go down into the original engine rooms.

They hire both sides of the bridge area out for parties and special events... what a stunning venue to hold an occasion to remember - above the Thames!

I hate to think of the cost involved, but if money was no object, then this must be one of the most sought-after venues in London :)

A good tour.! They even laid out the red carpet for us ;)

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Phone: 0 20 7626 3065
Address: Tower Bridge Road, EC3/SE1
Directions: Tower Hill or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk

We are huge theatre goers, and have seen Mousetrap (Agatha Christie) - the longest running theatre production in London, Phantom of the Opera (three times!!!), Les Miserables, Lion King (twice!!), Stomp, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mamma Mia since living in London.

Tickets can cost alot though, especially when you add onto that the pre-theatre dinner you will have too.

A good plan (although risky) is to go to the theatre on the day/day before the actual production and they then give away tickets at brilliant prices through cancellations. But of course, you have no choice over where to sit, and if you are in a group, you may not get to sit together, which is not ideal.

Lastminute.com has a good online theatre booking system, one which we have used a few times.

Another thought is to go to theatres like the Orange Theatre in Richmond (zone 4), or Wimbledon Theatre (zone 3), which, although they are not seen in the class of a 'professional' West End play, are often just as good! We saw 84 Charing Cross Road and thoroughly enjoyed it, amongst others.

The Polka Theatre is a children's Theatre in Wimbledon that is really fantastic for kiddies, aimed towards them, and equally, professional.

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Phone: 020 7493 4731
Address: London West End
Directions: London West End
Website: www.londontheatre.co.uk
Other Contact: lashmars@londontheatre.co.uk

A place for child and adult alike. The London Aquarium is the place to be.

You can have unlimited entry when you purchase an annual card that allows you to visit the aquarium as many times as you wish in a calendar year.

This venue is part of the 2for1 scheme, where a travel card holder can take a 'guest' for free along with them.

You have to have your travel card on you though to qualify for this free ticket.

More info re a fish adoptee program, the 2for1 scheme plus some really interesting facts are found on their website!

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Phone: +44 (0) 20 7967 8000
Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7P
Directions: Alongside the Thames near Westminster, between the Dali Museum and the London Eye - hard to miss! :)
Website: www.londonaquarium.co.uk/
Other Contact: info@londonaquarium.co.uk

St Pauls is one of the key sights in London for visitors. Even as someone living and working in London, I get as excited when I see it as someone who sees it for the first time :)

The original cathedral dedicated to St Paul was built in 640AD... the current cathedral is the fourth one to stand on this site, beautifully designed by Christopher Wren.

Mnay important events have taken place here in its history: The Queens Jubilee Celebration, some famous funerals (Winston Churchill being one of them), Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding to name a few.

It is full to the brim with the history of London and its inhabitants. Well worth a visit!

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Phone: 020 7246 8357
Address: St Pauls Churchyard London EC4M 8AD
Directions: Across the road from St Pauls tube station
Website: http://www.stpauls.co.uk

There are various entrances into Kew Gardens. We went in through the ornate gates on the Kew side.

The queues were long (It was Easter Sunday, apparently the BUSIEST day of the year for them) We queued outside for 40 minutes, then went in.

First stop, Kew Palace!

Kew Palace is absolutely beautiful. Stunning. Three floors have been opened to the public again after 10 years, after extensive renovation work.

It was built in 1631 and is where Queen Charlotte and their family lived. She loved it. She died in the house, in a chair.

This gives you an intimate glimpse into the Royal lives that once lived and loved here.

Entrance is £5 for adults and £3 for kids.

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Phone: +44 (0)20 8332 5622
Address: Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Directions: Kew Gardens Station, District Line
Website: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk

After viewing Kew Palace, we hopped onto the little train that takes you around the Gardens.. we didn’t have much time here (only an afternoon), so thought this would be the best way to view it.

It was super, except for the fact we had VERY noisy and disruptive kids behind us the whole trip. We battled to hear the commentary as a result. It cost us £3.50 each.

We saw a lot though and will go back and bring a picnic and do it properly. There are 300 acres to see after all!

The gardens are a mix of order and wildness it seems to me. They have formal landscaped sections, green houses and less cultivated areas.

The Chinese pagoda reaches high into the sky and is Kew’s most recognisable feature.

Something that piqued my fancy was the Grass Garden. I have a deep love and fascination of paper, enjoy making it and using it to create. Inside the garden there are over 600 varieties of grasses from all over the world.

Next door is the Wood House, where they explain how to make paper and its origins. All very interesting!

On the little train we also drove quite close to the Thames River, where we could see people walking, playing ball and cycling. We think a picnic would go down well there! So, we will be back in summer!

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Phone: +44 (0)20 8332 5622
Address: Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Directions: Kew Gardens Station, District Line
Website: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk

*CLINK*

Just screams prison, does it not?

The Clink Prison in Borough is the oldest prison in England. It burnt down in 1780, and the museum was opened in its place to showcase this prison of old.

Located in an old warehouse in this little alley, the museum gives the visitor an idea of what it was like for prisoners at that time. How punishment was meted out and what they ate.

Gruesome stuff indeed!

We recently went to the prison museum for a VT meeting, and had a good time, reading all the information, imagining the terror and grime, and re-enacting some things... like guillotining!

I think Sarah and Marion felt pity on the poor bloke in the first photo! It's really scary how people were treated in these days!

They have all kinds of torture equipment on display, but the one that got to me the most (and I think others in the group too!) was the boot.

The prisoner's foot was placed in it, along with shards of wood. The wood was then watered... and it swelled up, crushing the foot in the process!

The story goes that the foot would then drop off when it was lifted out of the shoe. Just lovely :(

Toyin galantly volunteered for this picture... Alan seems to be enjoying it all too much though!!!???

It is found next to Vinopolis, is quite nondescript and easy to miss.

Warning: this museum is not at all wheelchair friendly! I also did not take the last picture, it was by one of the VT members, please could you let me know if it was you? Thanks!

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Phone: 020 7403 0900
Address: Clink Street, South Bank
Directions: London Bridge is the nearest tube
Website: www.clink.co.uk

This is one seriously famous ship! Sir Francis Drake’s 16th Century Tudor Galleon was the model for this ship. It is an accurate reconstruction of it.

This ship is a history museum, and has all kinds of tours available, for adults and children alike.

The tours range from a regular self-guided tour of the ship, to actually staying overnight and eating and being dressed as they did in the Tudor times! This is for school groups and families, and costs £39.95 per person.

An interesting titbit of information was that Queen Elizabeth I knighted Sir Francis Drake in 1581 on the original Golden Hinde, and then ordered that the ship become a history museum to all and be preserved forever.

Please remember that this ship undegoes regular maintenance as it is an actual ship, and needs to remain sea worthy. Best to check their website/phone them to see when their next scheduled maintenance work is.

We met up at 2pm at The Golden Hinde for a VT meeting recently.

I would pick the day they were having a pirate party of course! I chatted to a girl pirate and she said they do this type of thing often... dress up... and walk around with strangers in the party group to various destinations in the area.

Not my idea of a party, but they seemed to be having fun!

I did not take the last photo, it was taken by a VT member, if it was you, please let me know, thanks!

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Phone: 0207 403 0123
Address: Pickford Wharf, Clink Street London SE1 9DG
Directions: Unit 1 and 2, Pickford Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG (full address too long for above)
Website: www.goldenhinde.co.uk
Other Contact: magdalena@goldenhinde.co.uk