London & Partners

SIGHTSEEING
These are the capital’s top
sightseeing attractions.
References are to the
Central London Map on
p. 49-51. Times and prices
are correct at time of press,
but do call to check –
they can change at short
notice. Many attractions
offer admission discounts
when purchasing tickets in
advance online.
To dial the United
Kingdom remove the first
0 and add +44.
KEY:
: Telephone
Ë : London Underground
Ë : London Overground
Ë : Docklands Light Railway
t : National Rail
: Website
Main Attractions
APSLEY HOUSE
Known as ‘Number One
London’, this elegant house
at Hyde Park Corner
was the first Duke Of
Wellington’s home. Sat-Sun
10.00-16.00. Admission
£6.50, child £3.90.
149 Piccadilly, W1. 020
7499 5676. englishheritage.org.uk
Ë Hyde
Park Corner. Map C4.
BANQUETING HOUSE
This grand old building was
designed by Inigo Jones for
James I, with an exquisite
painted ceiling by celebrated
baroque artist Peter Paul
Rubens. Mon-Sun 10.00-
17.00. Check for closures.
Admission £5, child free.
Whitehall, SW1. 020
3166 6154. hrp.org.uk
Ë t Charing Cross.
Map C6.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Discover the Queen’s
palatial London residence.
Until 3 Feb Exclusive Tour.
Special guided tour of the
State Rooms with their
gilded ceilings, glittering
chandeliers and magnificent
collection of art and
antiques. Tours last more
than two hours and include
a glass of champagne.
Tickets £65. Check for
dates and times. Advanced
booking essential (p. 18).
The Mall, SW1.
020 7766 7300.
royalcollection.org.uk
Ë t Victoria, Ë Green
Park. Map D5.
CEREMONY OF
THE KEYS
Each night since 1340, the
Tower of London’s
(p. 34) outer gates are
locked at 21.53 and the
keys are delivered to the
warden. To watch for free,
send names, dates and an
SAE to: Ceremony Of The
Keys Office, HM Tower
Of London, EC3N 4AB, at
least two months ahead of
your visit.
Tower Of London, Tower
Hill, EC3. 020 3166
6278. hrp.org.uk
Ë Tower Hill. Map C9.
CHANGING THE GUARD
At 11.30 on alternate
scheduled days, witness the
changing of the Queen’s
Guard on Buckingham
Palace forecourt. No guard
change in very wet weather.
Buckingham Palace,
The Mall, SW1. 020
7766 7300. royal.gov.uk
Ë t Victoria, Ë Green
Park. Map D5.
The Mounted Guard
Changing Ceremony takes
place Mon-Sat 11.00;
Sun 10.00.
Horse Guards Parade,
Whitehall, SW1. 020
7414 3269. army.mod.
uk/events Ë St. James’s
Park/Green Park. Map C6.
CHELSEA FC STADIUM
TOURS & MUSEUM
Tour Stamford Bridge to see
the dressing rooms and walk
through the players’ tunnel.
Tours commence every
30 mins daily 10.00-15.00,
except on match days and
the day before Champions
League home matches.
Museum only £10, child £8.
Tour and museum admission
£18, child £12.
Stamford Bridge,
Fulham Road, SW6.
08719 841 955.
chelseafc.com/tours
Ë Fulham Broadway.
Off map.
Top: Big Bus Tours at
St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Bottom: FA Cup replica on
Wembley Stadium Tours.
CUTTY SARK
This internationally famous
19th-century ship is the
last surviving tea clipper in
the world. Reopened last
year after major restoration
works, the ship now offers
visitors the opportunity to
explore above and below
decks, with interactive
displays to enhance the
experience. Mon-Sun
10.00-17.00. Admission
£12, child £6.50.
King William Walk, SE10.
020 8858 2698.
cuttysark.org.uk
Ë Cutty Sark. Map inset.
DISCOVER CHILDREN’S
STORY CENTRE
Children’s museum and
creative literary centre.
Until 13 Jan The House
Where Winter Lives.
The centre’s basement
is transformed into a
magical frozen forest for
an immersive experience
aimed at young children.
Times vary. Tickets £8, child
£6 (includes Story Trail and
Garden). Daily 10.00-17.00.
General admission £4.50.
383-387 High Street, E15.
020 8536 5555.
discover.org.uk
Ë Ë t Stratford. Off
map.
ELTHAM PALACE
The remains of a medieval
palace, Henry VIII’s boyhood
home and a 20th-century art
deco masterpiece, designed
by the wealthy Courtaulds.
Extraordinary décor,
especially the dining room.
The gardens combine Tudor
and art deco elements. Sun-
Wed 10.00-17.00. Admission
£9.60, child £5.80.
Eltham, Greenwich, SE9.
020 8294 2548.
english-heritage.org.uk
t Eltham. Off map.
FENTON HOUSE
This handsome 17th-century
redbrick house, formerly
owned by the late Lady
Katherine Binning, is filled
with a world-class collection
of Oriental, European and
English porcelain and early
keyboard instruments.
There’s also a charming
garden (p. 18). Wed-Sun
11.00-17.00. Admission
£6.50, child £3.
Windmill Hill, NW3.
020 7435 3471.
nationaltrust.org.uk
Ë Hampstead. Off map.
FULHAM FC
STADIUM TOURS
Visit Craven Cottage,
home of London’s oldest
professional football club.
Tours include the Trophy
Lounge and changing rooms.
Regular tours daily 11.15.
Ticket £10.50, child £7.50.
Match tickets from £30,
child £20.
Stevenage Road, SW6.
08432 081 234.
fulhamfc.com
Ë Putney Bridge. Off map.
GO APE!
An exhilarating treetop
adventure playground
brilliant for outdoorsy types
of all ages. Negotiate
ladders, precarious bridges
and ziplines while attached
to a reassuring harness. The
enthusiastic staff provide
a full safety briefing and
TOP IMAGE © BIG BUS TOURS; WEMBLEY STADIUM IMAGE © SASHA WOOD
26 | visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|January 2013