15 experiences in London

With Trafalgar’s London Explorer, it’s an immersive leisurely paced trip that includes all the must-see and must do places of interest. Liesa Bissett, Trafalgar’s European Product Development Director shares her top 15 travel experiences for London:

See the Changing of the Guard at the Buckingham Palace. The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and usually takes place at 11.30am from April to end of July, and on alternate dates for the rest of the year.

Take a tour of Kensington Palace, once home to Diana, Princess of Wales and now housing the private apartments of her son Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton. Enjoy a traditional English cream tea in the palace’s orangery.

Visit the Tower of London, an iconic castle built in 1066 to see the magnificent Crown Jewels and meet the Yeoman Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress also known as Beefeaters.

Catch a West End Musical – from the ever popular Wicked that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, to Abba musical Mamma Mia, or timeless classic Les Miserables, these impressive stage productions will definitely impress.

Enjoy a culinary experience at Chef Gordon Ramsay’s newest London eateries – Heddon Street Kitchen located just off Regent’s Street, in the heart of the West End. London has some of the finest restaurants and chefs in Europe and there is a plethora of choice for fine dining.

Browse through the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Free to visit, it features the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

Tennis fans should make arrangements to travel toWimbledon and visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.

Head over to South Bank and spend the day exploring the various arts and entertainment venues between the London eye and Tower Bridge. From Shakespeare Globe, a reconstruction of an Elizabethan open-air playhouse, to BFI Southbank, Tate Modern and South Bank Centre, home to the world-famous Royal Festival Hall, there is a constant hive of activities taking place.

Westminster Abbey has been the traditional location of the coronation of kings and queens and the burial site for the English, and later, the British monarchs. Pay your respects at the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier and find out why this church lost its cathedral status.

Enjoy a Trafalgar Cultural Insight into the daily lives of Londoners and the market traditions which have been passed down for generations at Borough Market, London’s most renowned food market. A source of exceptional British and international produce, it is a haven for anybody who cares about the quality and provenance of the food they eat – chefs, restaurateurs, passionate amateur cooks and people who just happen to love eating and drinking.

Enjoy a meal in a vibrant historic pub – with so many wonderful traditional pubs to share with our guests –we pick one in the city and one in Greenwich for a traditional experience.

Cruise down the Thames from just below the iconic London Eye to Greenwich to enjoy the view of some of London’s most historic buildings. Greenwich is recognised for its cultural heritage: the grandeur and sheer beauty of its buildings; its royal history, as the birthplace of both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Home to the Meridian Line, Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College including the fabulous Painted Hall, London’s cable car, Greenwich Market, Greenwich Park and the O2 arena, it is one of the world’s most popular film locations with films like Thor: The Dark World, Dark Knight Rises, Sherlock Holmes and The King’s Speech all featuring scenes filmed there.

Take a leisurely stroll through picturesque Hyde Park, one of London’s best loved parks and free to visit. Huge and centrally located, the park has more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow and rose gardens. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is also located in the park.

Visit the British Museum, home to a remarkable collection that spans over two million years of human history. Savour the treasures of world cultures under one roof.  World-famous objects such as Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone found in Egypt, the museum has a vast collection of world art and artefacts and is free to all visitors.

London has a treasure trove of shopping opportunities. From familiar brands to small boutiques – there is plenty of choice to spend your dollars! Pick up unique designer items or shop for fantastic clothes and shoes – the choice is yours! From Oxford Street to Regent Street and Bond Street, Selfridges to Harrods or Harvey Nichols, check out the shopping map of London here!

And a special one for those missing curry, visit Brick Lane’s many Indian restaurants and take your pick on which curry you like most! See here for a rank the different restaurants.

Author Info :

Liesa Bissett, Trafalgar’s European Product Development Director

Picture Credits:

Trafalgar