London continues to be a top UK destination for international travellers, and indeed for travellers from other parts of the UK. It is a fascinating and exciting city with a genuine pulse, rich history, and loads of interesting attractions.
When travelling with a group, you will want to ensure you get around efficiently, and smartly.
Depending on the size of your group, you may want to consider coach hire, or for a smaller group (say a family or sporting team), mini bus hire in London, will be an economical and satisfactory choice.
Planning to travel this way is much better than organised group tours, because you have total freedom and flexibility in the itinerary. But just how do you decide what that itinerary should be? This article can help with some suggestions.
Buckingham Palace
If there’s one place every visitor to London wants to see, it is Buckingham Palace. The famous changing of the guard (which can be seen from outside) is of course a major drawcard. It’s now also possible during the summer months to get a tour of 19 out of the 775 rooms in the palace.
Gawking from outside the gates is free, but you might have a tough time seeing much with the hordes of visitors snapping selfies all around you. The tours inside the palace do cost money, but group discounts are available if you book in advance.
Tower of London
The Tower of London isn’t far behind Buckingham Palace in terms of recognition and popularity. Despite it’s macabre history as a political prison, and famous tales of restless spirits wandering the supposedly haunted halls, everyone wants to have a gander.
The reality of the Tower of London is not quite as sinister as the myths surrounding it. While technically used as a prison from 1100 to 1952, it did not house many inmates, and those it did accommodate were mainly famous people for one reason or another.
This is a great destination for history buffs, as well as those who enjoy a bit of intrigue and mystery (especially when it is of a spooky nature).
Tickets are £24.80 for adults and £11.50 for children.
The British Museum
London has plenty of museums to visit, and a good place to start is the British Museum which first opened in 1753.
There you will see a fascinating collection of rare and exotic artefacts from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone which is what allowed modern historians to translate ancient Sumerian and Egyptian writing.
Admission is completely free, so it is a good choice for an interesting visit when travelling on a budget.
The National Gallery
Another great free place to visit, especially of interest to those who love art. At the National Gallery you will be able to view more than 2000 paintings by famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Van Gogh (among many others).
The building itself is also a magnificent and picturesque work of architectural art, and fits right in to its Trafalgar Square surroundings.
The Natural History Museum
Want another free place to visit? The Natural History Museum is a good place to go with children. A fun and educational place, with many well planned exhibits. The dinosaurs are a key attraction.
Hyde Park and St James’s Park
Favourite hang outs for spies during the Cold War, these parks may be in the heart of the action, but they’re also serene and ideal places to relax. Hyde Park is massive, with a huge lake (swimming and boating are allowed). During winter, at certain times, ice skating is also possible.
St James’s Park is not far from Buckingham Palace, and is most famous for its pelican population. Owls, bats, and other birds also enjoy the surroundings.
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Here’s another place that’s perfect for kids, or even just the young-at-heart. This is the studio where the Harry Potter films were made, and you’ll be able to visit many of the authentic sets from the films, view some of the props, and learn about the real magic that made the films possible.
Tickets are a whopping £69 for adults and £64 for children, so be prepared for that. Of course there is a gift shop, café, and food shops waiting to get even more money out of you. For many, however, this is a highlight of their London visit, so it may be well worth the expense.
Shrek’s Adventure, London
For a more budget-friendly attraction suited to kids, Shrek’s Adventure adequately fits the bill. Tickets are just £24.90 for adults and £19.20 for children, and that gets you access to live shows, rides, set visits, and opportunities to meet characters from Shrek’s movies.
The London Eye
For spectacular views over London (if you can open your eyes, that is), the London Eye is a huge wheel that will get you above all the sights. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete a circuit, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views and take some snaps. Tickets are £23 for adults and £16.25 for children.
London has plenty more sights to see, and you won’t be able to do them all in a day. Plan your trip carefully and make sure you arrange good transport in advance to make sure you can see as much as possible in the time you have available.