St Paul’s. An inside view The nave is the starting point for a journey into St Paul’s, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. There is so much to see and do at St Paul’s Cathedral. The Crypt, The Monuments, The Art, The Whispering Gallery and one of the best views in <strong>London</strong> from the Golden Gallery. Use a touch screen multimedia guide, join a guided tour, or take part in an immersive film experience.Visit St Paul’s and discover more than you would expect. Monday - Saturday 8.30am - 4pm (except on special occasions) www.stpauls.co.uk
IMAGE © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO The Royal Parks Winter is a quiet time to visit these beautiful open spaces, many of which were once the grounds of royal homes, and now property of the Crown. Filled with fun activities or offering a peaceful retreat from city life this month, they form some of the biggest green areas in <strong>London</strong>. Usually open from 07.00 until dusk, but check individual times at royalparks.org.uk Bushy Park, Hampton, Middlesex. A charming park north of Hampton Court Palace. t Hampton Court/ Teddington. Off map. Green Park, SW1. A peaceful haven near St. James’s Park. Ë Green Park. Map C4-5/D4-5. Greenwich Park, SE10. Encompassing the Royal Observatory (p. 33) and offering spectacular views. Ë t Greenwich and Ë Cutty Sark. Map inset. Hyde Park, W2. Swim (in summer), boat on the lake, ride horses, or listen to speeches at Speakers’ Corner. Ë Hyde Park Corner/Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch. Map C3-4/D3. Kensington Gardens, W8. The grounds of Kensington Palace and a continuation of Hyde Park. Ë Lancaster Gate/Queensway. Map C1-2/D2. Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, NW1. Home to ZSL <strong>London</strong> Zoo (p. 38), plus fabulous views from the hill Ë Baker Street/Regent’s Park. Map A3/4. Richmond Park, TW10. <strong>London</strong>’s largest open space was once a royal hunting ground. Ë Ë t Richmond. Off map. St. James’s Park, SW1. Pretty ornamental park with a lake. Ë St. James’s Park. Map C5/D5. OTHER PARKS AND HEATHS INCLUDE: Battersea Park, SW11. Large, elegant Victorian park by the River Thames. Lovely walks, a small zoo, and great views across the river. t Battersea Park. Off map. Hampstead Heath, NW3. Ancient parkland covering 790 acres and boasting wonderful views (especially from Parliament Hill), sports fields and Kenwood House. Ë Hampstead/Tufnell Park/Belsize Park. Off map. Holland Park, W8. Enchanting park with a Japanesestyle Kyoto Garden. Ë Holland Park. Off map. St. James’s Park £45, concessions £40. 0800 542 1200. greenwichroyaltours. com Ë t Greenwich/ Cutty Sark. Map inset. JACK THE RIPPER TOUR Richard Jones of <strong>London</strong> Walking Tours is an author of books on Jack The Ripper, and leads these popular walking tours with his expert knowledge. It’s an informative, intriguing and chilling look at the city’s most fearsome former resident. Numbers are limited for a better experience. Booking is essential. Tours depart daily from outside Ë Aldgate East at 19.00. Tickets £9. 020 8530 8443. rippertour.com LONDON TOWN WALKS Tailor-made walking tour company offering a range of guided routes, including Ye Olde City Of <strong>London</strong> Walk (p. 10), which departs from Ë Monument to take walkers on a journey through the city’s hidden past. Call for dates and times. Tickets £10. 07849 759 012. londontownwalks.com LONDON WALKS <strong>London</strong>’s oldest walking tour company offers more than 300 walks. Favourites include the Jack The Ripper Walk (departing daily at 19.30, plus Sat 15.00 from Ë Tower Hill) and Charles Dickens’ <strong>London</strong> (p. 10). Enjoy spooky stories on the spine-tingling Ghost Walks, every night at 19.30. Tickets £9, under-15s free (with adult). 020 7624 3978. walks.com ORIGINAL LONDON SIGHTSEEING WALKS Walks leave daily from the centrally-located Original <strong>London</strong> Visitor Centre and include Changing The Guard (departing 10.30), Rock ‘n’ Roll (13.00), and Jack The Ripper (15.30 from Ë Tower Hill). Free with the Original <strong>London</strong> Sightseeing Tour. 17-19 Cockspur Street, W1. 020 8877 1722. theoriginaltour.com Ë Charing Cross. Map C6. Out Of Town These are some of the top attractions within a two-hour reach of <strong>London</strong>. Times and prices may vary, so please call the individual venues, or a Tourist Information Centre, before visiting. Train times from stations are approximate. BLENHEIM PALACE This beautiful English baroque palace and World Heritage Site was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Enjoy the State Rooms plus grounds designed by famous landscape architect Capability Brown. Until 14 Dec A Christmas Journey – The Story Of Three Kings. The palace is decorated with an exotic eastern Three Kings Trail (p. 12). Daily 10.30-17.30. Admission £20, child £11. Woodstock, Oxfordshire. 01993 811 091. blenheimpalace.com t Paddington to Oxford (one hour). DICKENS WORLD The world of Charles Dickens’ novels comes to life in spectacular style with a Victorian-fronted square and buildings including an austere school, a haunted house and the Great Expectations boat ride. Character actors stage regular shows including A Christmas Carol in the main square and interact with visitors. Mon-Fri10.00-16.30; Sat-Sun 10.00-17.30. Admission £13, child £8. Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4. 01634 890 421. dickensworld.co.uk t <strong>London</strong> Victoria to Chatham (50 mins). HEVER CASTLE Incredibly romantic 16thcentury moated castle, home to the tragic Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I’s mother. The December 2012|LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com | 43 SIGHTSEEING
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