Buckingham Palace and other London, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Buckingham Palace the official London residence of the Queen and you can visit the magnificent State Rooms. Open daily in summer.

If you don't have time to visit the palace just try to come and see the changing of the guards. It's so beautiful and worth the effort to come and see it. I had a wonderful time to see this and even though it was cloudy day with some rain we did see it.

Guard Mounting takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am, and lasts about 45 minutes. There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather. During the autumn and winter, Guard Mounting takes place on alternate dates, but it is held daily during spring and summer.

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Phone: 020 7321 2233
Address: The Mall, SW1
Directions: Tube: Victoria or Green Park Tube
Website: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=30#prices

The British Museum is the oldest, and one of the largest museums in the world. Where else can you see some of the greatest treasures of all time under one roof?

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Phone: 0 20 7323 8299
Address: Great Russell Street, WC1
Directions: Holborn tube
Website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Madame Tussaud's Waxwork Museum is house the world famous collection of wax figures. The main attraction for us was Princess Diana's and now she stands right opposite the royal family.

Of course all the kids just love David Beckham's and long queue to Brad Pitt too.

Opening Times: Weekdays 09:00-17:30
Weekends 09:00-18:00
Admission: Pound Sterling19.99 adults, 15.99 children

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Phone: +44 (0)20 7935 6861
Address: Marylebone Road, NW1
Directions: Baker Street tube
Website: http://www.madame-tussauds.com

Hyde is a London Royal Park which Henry VIII acquired in 1536 (it had been owned by the monks of Westminster Abbey before that). A large area of open space in the city centre of 630 acres and a perimeter of 4 miles. It has the memorials at Marble Arch at the east side and Kensington palace at the west. You can also see the Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's monument to her husband.

The park is a good place for a walk and you can sit on the bench and read a book, soak up the sun in spring and summer months.

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Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge
Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes
Website: http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/hyde.htm

Hampton Court Palace the oldest surviving Tudor palace in England of King Henry VII. You can visit the State Apartments, Tudor kitchens, 60 acre riverside gardens and the maze is fantastic. If you visit Hampton court do visit the maze its lots of fun and be a kid again and get lost in it. Do visit the palace garden and grounds it's so beautiful especially the rose garden in spring time.

Rumors has it the ghost of Henry's fifth wife, Catherine Howard still haunt the Haunted Gallery.

The palace is home to the world's oldest vine planted in 1768 and still produces up to 700Ibs(318kg) of grapes each year.

You ticket will allow you entry to Henry VIII, the King's and Queen's State Apartments, Wolsey and Georgian rooms, Andrea Mantegna 's ,Triumphs of Caesar, Tudor kitchens, the cloisters and courtyards, Maze and the Great Vine and the palace gardens
You can also get on the guided tour or take a sound guide.

Opening and Closing Times:

27 March - 29 October 2005 - Open: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
Last admission: 17.00
30 October 2005 - 25 March 2006 - Open: Daily 10:00 - 16:30
Last admission: 15.30
26 March - 28 October 2006 -Open: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
Last admission: 17.00
Closed: 24-28 October, 24-26th December

Entrance: Adult: Pound Sterling11.50, Child: Pound Sterling7.50

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Phone: 0 20 8781 9500
Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Directions: Network Rail from Waterloo to Hampton Court (30 minutes from Waterloo).
Website: http://dev.hrp.precedenthost.co.uk/webcode/hampton
Other Contact: www.hanpton-court-palace.org.uk

Once a private country house, but now visitors can visit Kensington Palace which was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to Princess Diana between 1981-1997.

I did not go in the palace. I stayed at Thistle Kensington Park hotel which is right opposite the palace garden so I went on a walk around the garden and finally discovered the palace, as I do not have the time did not get to go in but manage to get a brochure about the palace.

On permanent display inside the palace are the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection with outfits from the 18th century to the present day including a range of glamorous dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II and unique evening gowns modeled by Diana, Princess of Wales.

It also house 18th Orangery and Sunken Garden designed to host elaborate court entertainments during the reign of Queen Anne.

Opening and Closing Times:

1 March - 31 Oct 2005 -Open: Daily 10:00-18:00
Last admission: 17:00
1 Nov 2005 - 28 Feb 2006 -Open: Daily 10:00-17:00
Last admission: 16:00
Closed: 24-26 December

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St Paul's Cathedral is one of the world's most famous cathedrals, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. This classical cathedral represents inspiration and craftsmanship on a grand scale.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:30-16:00
Admission: Pound Sterling 7 adults, 6 concs, 3 kids

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Phone: 0 20 7236 4128
Address: St Pauls Churchyard, EC4
Directions: St Pauls tube
Website: http://www.stpauls.co.uk

This is a wonderful gallery with international modern art from 1900 to now. Art works from Dali, Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. It will take a whole day and you still have not seen half of the art pieces.

Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10.00-18.00
Friday, Saturday 10.00-22.00

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Phone: 0 20 7887 8000
Address: Bankside, SE1
Directions: Southwark or Blackfriars tubes

This is the most famous bridges in the world with a spectacular views from the high level walkways 140ft above the Thames.

The bridge was built in 1886-1894. In the north towers, there's an exhibition which explains the history of Tower Bridge.

Opening Hours: open daily 09:30-18:00 (Last admission 5:00pm)
Admission: Adult Pound Sterling 4.50,
Child (age 5-15) Pound Sterling 3.00

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Phone: 020 7626 3065
Address: Tower Bridge Road, EC3/SE1
Directions: Tower Hill or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk

The Tower of London, formally a palace, prison and now guarded by the Beefeaters, this is where the priceless Crown Jewels are kept and the famous ravens.

If you join the tour they will tell you where the notorious second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, was beheaded. Visit the chapel and see the crown jewels which are heavily guarded. White Tower and the Jewel Tower and visit the Traitors Gate and the Tower Green.

Go there early morning and take your time to explore the area and all the buildings.
Opening and Closing Times:

1 March-31 Oct -Open: Tue-Sat 9:00-18:00, Sun-Mon 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00)
1 Nov-28 Feb 2006 -Open: Tue-Sat 9:00-17:00, Sun-Mon 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:00)
Closed: 24-26 December, 1 January

Admission: adults Pound Sterling12, kids Pound Sterling7.80, concess Pound Sterling9

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Phone: 0 20 7709 0765
Address: Tower Hill, EC3
Directions: Tower Hill tube or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.armouries.org.uk/tower/
Other Contact: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk