Interesting But Less Popular Places To Visit On A Trip To London

 If you are planning a trip to London in the near future, if it is your first time there will be places you will want to see.  Tower Bridge, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace will probably rank highly on your list of tourist attractions you want to visit.  However, if you have been to London before or don’t like following the crowds, below you will find some great alternatives to the more obvious attractions.

Take In A Panoramic View Of (Miniature) London

A great way to start any trip to London is by taking a look at a fully panoramic bird’s eye view of the city, with a nice twist.  At New London Architecture’s offices along from Goodge Street, you will find a 1:1500 scale model of the capital.  It covers everything from the Docks, Battersea and Kings Cross over to Paddington and as well as including all the more recognisable buildings and areas, it also features some of the major transport links and buildings that are proposed for the future.

Speedy’s Cafe, Camden

The name perhaps won’t mean anything immediately, until you figure out that Speedy’s Cafe is the same cafe that has been used as a location on BBC’s modern take on Sherlock Holmes starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.  To their credit, the owners haven’t turned it into a tourist trap, though you can buy a t-shirt and mug if you fancy it.  However, as well as being a famous location in a drama series, it does serve a terrific full English breakfast; so if you do decide to visit,do so on an empty stomach.

Forget Kew Gardens, Visit The Barbican

Kew Gardens is obviously a very popular place for lovers of all things floral.  However, there is no need to go all the way out there when you can take a wander and a gander through tropical gardens at a more central location.  The Barbican is a residential estate that was built in the 60’s and is home to the biggest conference centre in Europe, a labyrinthine, a museum and a school.  That is not all the Barbican has to offer though, because right slap bang in the middle is a conservatory that is the second biggest in the capital.  There you can see a plethora of exotic fish, birds and tropical plants.

The Skateboard Graveyard, Hungerford Bridge

Have you ever wondered where skateboards go when they die?  The answer to that query can be found at Hungerford Bridge, at the southern pier.  From 2009, the bridge has been used as a final resting place for cherished boards that have seen their best days.

Woodhenge, a sister of Stonehenge

This is one of the best free English Heritage sites that is located nearby Stonehenge. Woodhenge was built slightly later than Stonehenge and is a series of small wooden stumps. The site is also home to many ancient findings including neolithic items which people used to create the ancient site. 

Drink At The BFI’s Hidden Bar

If you are a lover of film and theatre, then the BFI is and should be high on your list of places to visit anyway.  However, there is an extra special reason for going if you like to uncover secrets.  When you are in the Benugo Bar, take a close look at the bookshelf and you may be able to find the secret door that leads through to a hidden bar.  The Drawing Room is a quaint little place that serves canapés and cocktails to those who venture through the secret doorway.

While we would never want to discourage you from visiting the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square or any of the other countless, famous sites the city has to offer; the above shows just what else there is if you dig a little deeper.  We hope if you taking a trip, with Guideline Coaches for instance, that you enjoy London.

Top Tips When Visiting England

Many of us have sampled some of the most incredible countries on the planet. Yet one of the smallest offers plenty, even for the seasoned traveller. England is small but perfectly formed. And it is home to many beautiful and wonderful sights. Some are natural, and many are man-made. There are cities and countryside to explore. And you can still find great local traditions and cuisine in each area to delight.

 

Don't just see Stonehenge

When taking a trip across England many visitors will venture across to Stonehenge, but dont forget there are lots of attractions near Stonehenge too. One of the most popular attractions is Woodhenge, which has just as interesting a history of Stonehenge dating back to 2500BC. You also have Avebury which is not far either and the great thing about both of these attractions is that they are free so you dont have to worry about money!

Avebury in all its glory

Check Out Somerset

Somerset is steeped in tradition. It is also home to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Bath has a long history of healing and relaxation. The Romans took advantage of the natural spas, and they built incredible structures to protect them. These baths remain, and can still be used. Somerset is also home to several market towns. But it is the quaint villages that make this county so desirable. Unique cottages and stunning countryside offer any holidaymaker a wonderful experience.

Don't underestimate Essex

Essex is also a very ancient county with incredible cities and stunning countryside. It is one of the larger counties in England but also boasts plenty of coastlines. The proximity to London makes this area highly desirable to commuters and vacationers. Ancient churches dominate the landscape of villages and towns alike. But the attractions of towns like Southend-on-Sea are not to be missed. There is 8 miles of coastline that can be walked or cycled along. And some of it can even be enjoyed as you ride the train into London. Southend is also home to some of the best Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the area.

 

There's more to London than you might think

When you think of London, you may immediately visualise the tourist hotspots. Big Ben and the London Eye are among some of the most popular. But London has plenty more to offer. There is far more green space than you may think. Parks and pleasant country walks can be found all over the place. Beautiful gardens and decorative buildings sit side by side away from the bustle of the city roads. Of course, many people choose to stay in the exclusive five-star hotels available. But you can still find homely accommodation with a budget when you rent an apartment.

Don't think about traditional transport

Narrowboats and canal boats are an amazing way to travel some England’s most picturesque waterways. There is often plenty of wildlife to see, and incredible towpaths to explore by bicycle or on foot. For a quiet, country exploration with a unique form of accommodation, this kind of vacation can not be beaten. There are working canals and leisure canals all over England, but the most popular are in the East. You can rent your own boat, or stay aboard a larger one with bed and breakfast facilities.

So much more than you think

It’s unlikely that you will ever see everything there is in England, which is why its important to ensure you really think about what you want to see. There really is something for everyone in this little country. Beautiful natural wonders like the Lake District and incredible man-made structures like Stonehenge can pique anyone’s interest. Whether you love the cities or adore the countryside, try England for your next holiday.

5 Of The Best Historical Sites To Visit In Britain

Everyone loves a little slice of History. Even if History wasn't one of your best subjects at school, there's just something magical about visiting an ancient castle or a crumbling monument. In Britain, we're spoilt for choice with these attractions, and there is no shortage of beautiful sites to visit up and down the nation.

So, whether you're planning a family trip out, a romantic getaway or a full-blown holiday, I have you covered. If you're visiting Britain, or you live here anyway, here are the five best historical sites you should have on your radar.

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle, located in Warwickshire in the south of England, is one of the most giant castles in Britain. It's awe-inspiring, and no pictures can do it justice. It's a beautiful castle surrounded by water and will take you quite a bit of time to look around.

Stonehenge

After more than 5,000 years of standing, Stonehenge is stronger than ever. It's a great, circular rock formation that genuinely has to be seen to be believed. The reasons why it was built in the first place remain a mystery to this day, making it a fine place for inquisitive minds.

Stonehenge tours are relatively common nowadays, which should make it easier for you to pay a visit. Typically, you aren't allowed to walk among the rocks, but special access visits can be arranged to let you do so. If you are looking for a quick way to visit Stonehenge from London but don't have your own transport then one of the most popular ways is to take a Stonehenge Express tour from London. 

Tower of London

Home of HRH Queen Elizebeth Crown Jewels, the Tower of London is one of the most famous landmarks on the planet. Used in Hollywood movies and TV dramas alike, the tower is a perfect day out for families as well as couples. It's quite pricey to visit but is worth every penny. Controlling the tower has always been key to managing our country, and walking around it, you truly get a sense of its power.

York Dungeon

While the York Dungeon isn't a historical site itself, it's chock full of so much interesting historical information. Everyone has watched the Horrible History TV show, and York Dungeon lets you live it. Literally.

You'll be taken on a tour of a dark, gloomy 1551 England, through historical events like the great plague and the reign of Dick Turpin. There are actors playing some genuinely eccentric characters, and along the way, you'll get to participate in a number of gruesome acts. These include attending a court, listening to the murderous tales at the Golden Fleece and visiting a torture chamber.

The tour lasts about ninety minutes, so it is perfect for a quick afternoon trip down to the city centre. It could be pretty dark for kids, so I'd do some research before you take them down there.

Bronte Parsonage Museum

The Bronte Museum is open in honour of the Bronte sisters – Charlotte, Anne and Emily. It's their former home in Haworth, West Yorkshire, and is the place that inspired many Bronte novels. The owner of the house, Patrick Bronte, died in 1861, and the Bronte museum opened to the public in 1895.

Top Places To See In The UK When Visiting

There are never enough bank holidays in the year! Most people visit their family during bank holidays, turning them into a weekend packed with travelling, eating cakes, drinking tea, and playing with the grandparents. But, there’s another way to make the most of your bank holiday weekends: Use them to visit the UK with your children. Take them through the history of the country they live, little step by little step so that each day they can better understand what it is made of. Besides, there are some great historical sites around that will beat any good night story!

St Paul’s Cathedral

If you live in London or around, St Paul’s is not only an iconic monument but it is also one of the most recognizable place on the capital. While Saint Paul’s might seem a little too grown-up for young children, the cathedral is still running exhibitions and tours about the Great Fire until April 2017. These tours are family friendly, and will certainly be a great peak for your children into the past of London in a playful and pleasant way. But the cathedral offers too some interesting activities such as an acoustic experiment in the Whispering Gallery under the dome, or a stunning view of London if you feel up for a climb. 

Stonehenge – The Mysterious Stone Circle

Stonehenge is only 2 hours away by coach from London, so if you live in London or are staying there for a few days, this is definitely a site to consider. You can check the london to stonehenge tours here for more information about how to get there. Some tours even offer entries to additional sites, such as the Roman baths in Bath, which will guarantee a weekend packed with adventures. Stonehenge is a quiet spot that attracts young and old visitors with its mysterious stone circle. There are numerous theories about their position and purpose, but when visiting the site it’s best to leave it to the imagination of your children. The site is fully equipped to keep children entertained so, this will be a great day out for all.

Warwick Castle

Warwick castle is one of the most complete medieval castle in the UK. Built along the River Avon, Warwick castle is packed with activities to keep adults and children entertained all day! You will find medieval battles for your children to join in – don’t worry, these are harmless! – shows, bird flying, and even a dungeon exhibition that is suitable for older children. It’s a day out that will be exciting and rich in history too. Warwick castle is renowned for its historical reconstruction and its costumes, so that you will feel like you’re walking in the past! 

Hadrian’s Wall

A visit to the Hadrian’s Wall can be organized by coaches, with a friendly guide. While this might sound like a difficult location, you will find plenty of roman sites around the wall, in Hexham, as well as falconry days out that will keep your children entertained. If the day is becoming too much for the kids, there’s a great playground area in Haltwhistle called Crackers Soft Play, that will lighten up their spirits!

Its cold in London... what shall we do?

When it is cold and wet in London, one of the greatest things people can do is to get on and get out of the smoky city of London, there is so much to witness in the rest of the UK and it doesn’t matter if it is raining! What a lot of visitors will then choose to do is to experience a a small amount of of the many popular sightseeing tours from London and out and about across the UK with businesses such as Sightseeing Tours London who offer knowledgeable guides and luxury coaches.

One of the most admired tours is, London to Stonehenge and Bath Tour this is a wonderful option for visitors to the UK for the first time as it allows you the tourist to saunter around and take in the wonderful and ancient stones of Stonehenge - it is fascinating that these stones have been strongly standing in their situation for over 5000 years and will carry on to do so... envisage the different meteorological conditions they have seen, I think we would all be quite battered after standing out in the UK conditions for that long! And then after 45 minutes at Stonehenge, tourists can head over to the magnificent and trendy city of Bath and see the old Roman Baths (maybe even take a swim) and wonder the streets of Bath while popping into a pub on the route for an English pint! Bath really is fabulous and there are a small amount of other cities that has its architecture, it is simply magnificent to gaze at and the bars, parks and restaurants will often mean a lot of visitors will actually not want to find their way back from Bath to London, but as a substitute they will actually stay on in Bath for an added night as it really is somewhere you will want to stay for that small piece longer.

So whatever you make your mind up to do while visiting the city of London when the driving rain and wind are striking you hard, make sure you head away of the city on one of the many tours presented and see some of the other fantastic places on offer to you. There are a immense deal of choices of sightseeing tours on offer to you including places such as Warwick, Paris and Edinburgh from firms such as Sightseeing Tours London and many more, they include the likes of Evan Evans, Premium Tours and Golden Tours to name but a few.

London Eye Tickets Discount

If you are planning a trip to London and you are not planning to try a trip on the London Eye then you are very naughty! The London Eye is one of London’s premier attractions, every day thousand of people take London Sightseeing Tours but many of them do not see London from a completely new perspective… a birds eye view!

If you contact Sightseeing Tours London they offer you some great prices on London Eye Tickets and you should really take them up on the offers, they offer fast track tickets so you don’t have to queue and the tickets are discounted too so you would be a fool to miss out on this great opportunity. You can take night time flights or day time flights, and they even do Valentines Day specials which involve champagne! The London Eye is London’s leading tourist attraction for a reason and you should try it out!

So why not try one of the London Tours by coach during the day and then later in the afternoon hop on the London Eye and try a pick out the great places you saw that day and see them from a slightly different angle! It really will be worth it!

London day tours from SightseeingToursLondon.co.uk

When deciding on coming to London, people will sort out their flights and hotels and once that is all confirmed they then look to what they are going to see. This is where a great site comes in as they are the go too people when it comes to organizing your London day tours!

Sightseeing Tours London, offer guided tours across London and the UK and even to Paris – they will pick you up from your central London Hotel and take you on your tour and then at the end of the day they will drop you back.

They use luxury coaches that are state of the art, low in emissions and offer air conditioning and comfortable seats so you can enjoy your day tour. They also offer you regular stops for food and drinks and bathroom breaks, the guides are extremely professional and experienced and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the places you are visiting.

The guides are also able to offer you recommendations of things to see also and they also can offer you London Eye Tickets at a reduced rate, these are also fast track tickets so there is no need to queue! This is something we would all love, seeing London but with no waiting! So don't hesitate and booking your day tour today with Sightseeing Tours London and you can expect a professional and experienced company to look after you from beginning to end.