TRAVEL TRADE GUIDE 2011 - London & Partners

Red House (NT)Commissioned by William Morris in1859 and designed by Philip Webb,Red House is a seminal building inthe history of domestic architecture.It was acquired by the National Trustin January 2003 and opened to thepublic just six months later, therebyenabling visitors to see the propertyat this transitional stage in its history.Open: 2 Mar-30 Oct, Wed-Sun11.00-16.30, 4 Nov-18 Dec, Fri-Sun11.00-16.30, open bank holidays.Admission is by pre-booked guided tourbefore 14.00Entry: A £7.20, C £3.60, family £18Group: Discount entry, £5.90nationaltrust.org.uk BexleyheathRipley’s Believe it or Not! 6LWelcome to the world of Ripley’sBelieve it or Not!, where truth isstranger than fiction. London’sbiggest new family attractionfeatures over 500 bizarre exhibitsincluding a model of Tower Bridgemade out of matchsticks, anupside-down tea party and theworld’s tallest man.Open: 10.00-00.00Entry: A £17.95, C (5-15) £13.95,C (under 5) free, family (2 adults, 2children) £59.95, concessions £15.95Group: 10+, 20% discount whenbooking in advanceContact: Alka Chandolia, Head of Sales& Marketingripleyslondon.com Piccadilly CircusRoyal Academy of Arts 6KThe Royal Academy of Arts is one ofthe UK’s leading art galleries andhosts some of the most striking fineart shows to be found in the city.Situated in the heart of the WestEnd, the RA is within easy walkingdistance of two Underground stations,Piccadilly Circus and Green Park.Open: Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun 10.00-18.00,Fri 10.00-22.00 (last admission 30 minbefore closing). Closed 24-26 DecEntry: Varies according to exhibitionGroup: Special ticket price for groups.Must be +10, must pre-book. Forbookings please call 020 7300 8027 oremail groupbookings@royalacademy.org.ukContact: Maria Salvatierraroyalacademy.org.uk Green Park/Piccadilly CircusThe Royal Air ForceMuseumThe Royal Air Force MuseumLondon boasts a world-classcollection of aircraft, integrated withspecial exhibitions, films, interactivesand artwork all offering a fun andeducative day for children aged fiveto 95. Located in north London,accessible by Underground and offJunction 4 of the M1.Open: Daily 10.00-18.00. Closed24-26 & 31 Dec, 1 & 10-14 JanEntry: FreeGroup: Refuel Meal Deals for groups onrequest; driver benefits offered; privatetours for groups available on requestContact: Anji Patelrafmuseum.org ColindaleRoyal Mews8KExplore the Royal Mews, one of thefinest working stables in existence,with a multi-language audio guide.See the dazzling Gold State coachor possibly catch a glimpse of theroyal Windsor Grey and ClevelandBay horses during this unique tour.Open: Aug-Sep open daily 10.00-17.00(last admission 16.15). Mar-July & Octopen daily, except Fri 11.00-16.00 (lastadmission 15.15)Entry: A £7.75, concessions £7,C £5Group: 10% discount for groups of 15+Contact: Ticket Sales andInformation Officeroyalcollection.org.uk/ Victoria Green ParkRoyal Observatory 12KKGreenwichThe Royal Observatory Greenwich isthe home of Greenwich Mean Timeand the famous Prime Meridian ofthe World. It is a museum of timeand astronomy and also housesLondon’s only public planetarium,which provides a magnificentintroduction to the mysteries andwonders of the night sky.Open: Daily 10.00-17.00; summeropening times apply. For furtherinformation, visit nmm.ac.uk.Closed 24-26 DecEntry: Admission free. Charges applyto planetarium shows, some specialexhibitions and events. For furtherinformation, visit nmm.ac.ukGroup: 10. Must pre-bookContact: David Salmon,Marketing Officerrog.nmm.ac.uk Greenwich DLR Cutty SarkSt Martin-in-the-Fields 6MSt Martin-in-the-Fields, amuch-loved and much-imitatediconic 18th-century church has justcompleted a £36 million renewal.New interpretation, entertainmentspaces and facilities for visitorswith disabilities, in addition to 350classical music concerts per year,plus weekly jazz nights, traditionalbrass rubbing, a shop and the LesRoutiers award-winning Café inthe Crypt.Open: Church open all year round;London Brass Rubbing Centre andShop: Mon-Wed 10.00-19.00, Thu-Sat10.00-21.00, Sun 11.30-18.00. Café inthe Crypt: Mon-Wed 8.00-20.00, Thu-Sat8.00-21.00, Sun 11.00-18.00Entry: Free, but charges for brassrubbings from £4.50. Audio tours £3.50.Group: 16. Discounts available forpre-booked evening concerts and brassrubbing. Bespoke group menus and tourinformation available upon requestContact: Julie Emig, Head of Marketingsmitf.org/ Charing CrossSt Paul’s Cathedral 5QA cathedral dedicated to St Paul hasoverlooked the City of London since604AD. The current cathedral – thefourth to occupy this site – wasdesigned by the court architectSir Christopher Wren, and builtbetween 1675 and 1710 after itspredecessor was destroyed in theGreat Fire of London.Open: Mon-Sat 08.30-16.00 (lastadmission). Closed to sightseers onSun, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesdayand Good Fri. The Cathedral sometimescloses for special services or events.Please check the Events Diary at stpauls.co.uk or call (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00)Entry: A £11, senior £10, student £8.50,C £3.50, family £25.50 (2A + 2C)Group: 10+ A £10, senior £9, student£7.50, C £3 (6-16 years). No need topre-bookContact: Lynn Johnsonstpauls.co.uk St Paul’sScience Museum 9EThe Science Museum has over12,000 objects, from spaceshipsto steam trains to contemporary artpieces. Enjoy science hands-on inthe interactive galleries, visit aspecial exhibition, ride on simulatorsor enjoy a film in the IMAX3D cinema.Open: Daily 10.00-18.00. Closed24-26 DecEntry: Free to museum. Charges apply toIMAX 3D cinema, simulators and somespecial exhibitions.Group: 10. Discounts applysciencemuseum.org.uk South KensingtonSomerset House6NSomerset House is a spectacularneo-classical building in the heartof London, sitting between theStrand and the River Thames.During the summer months a ‘grove’of 55 fountains dance in thecourtyard, and in winter you canskate on one of London’s favouriteice rinks. Somerset House alsohosts open-air concerts and films,contemporary art and designexhibitions, family workshops andfree guided tours of spaces usuallyhidden to visitors. The opening up ofone of London’s most important18th-century buildings has been oneof the greatest success stories ofthe past decade. It has beentransformed from its days asa government office to a vibrantcultural hub for London.Open: Daily 10.00-18.00. Closed25 DecEntry: Free but charges may apply tocertain exhibitions somersethouse.org.uk/ Charing Cross/Waterloo Covent Garden/Embankment/TempleSutton House (NT)A unique survivor in London’s EastEnd, Sutton House was built in 1535by Sir Ralph Sadleir, a rising star atthe court of Henry VIII. It becamehome to successive merchants,Huguenot silk-weavers, Victorianschoolmistresses and Edwardianclergy and, although altered overthe years, remains an essentiallyTudor house.Open: 3 Feb-18 Dec, Thu-Sun12.00-16.00. Closed Good Fri.Open bank hol MonEntry: A £3, C £1, family £6.90Group: 15, £2.70. Must pre-bookContact: Custodiannationaltrust.org.uk Hackney CentralATTRACTIONS & SIGHTSEEINGTravel Trade Guide 57