TRAVEL TRADE GUIDE 2011 - London & Partners

Tate Britain10MTate Britain presents the world’slargest collection of British art withmore than 500 years of creativity toexplore, from Turner and Constableto contemporary works in theArt Now series. Displays of thisextensive collection are free andare complemented by specialticketed exhibitions.Open: Daily 10.00-18.00Closed 24-26 DecEntry: Free, except for special exhibitionsGroup: 10. Must pre-book onContact: Emily Barnes, GroupSales Managertate.org.uk/britain Pimlico / VauxhallTate Modern7QHoused in a disused power station,Tate Modern is the UK’s largestmodern art gallery presentingmasterpieces by Dalí, Picasso,Warhol and Matisse. Visit the artcollections for free or catch one ofthe excellent exhibitions that arepresented throughout the year.Open: Sun-Thu 10.00-18.00, Fri & Sat10.00-22.00Entry: Free, except for major loanexhibitionsGroup: 10. Must pre-bookContact: Emily Barnes, GroupSales Managertate.org.uk/modern Southwark/St Paul’sTower Bridge Exhibition 7TEnter the ‘Most Famous Bridgein the World’ to experiencestunning panoramic views acrossEast and West London from thehigh-level walkways, 140ft abovethe Thames. Learn about the historyof the bridge before visiting themagnificent Victorian Engine Roomsand gift shop for the second partof the tour.Open: Daily. Closed 25-26 DecEntry: Prices valid until 31 March 2011. A£7, C £3, under-5s free, concessions £5,family, A 2C £11, 2A 1C £14,2A 2C £16, 2A 4C £18Group: 10+, discounts available. Pleasesee website for detailsContact: Carrie Halltowerbridge.org.uk/ London Bridge Tower Hill DLR Tower GatewayTower of London (HRP) 6TThe Tower of London spans over900 years of British history.Fortress, palace, prison, arsenal andgarrison, it is one of thebest-preserved and most-famousfortified buildings in the world, andhouses the priceless Crown Jewels,armouries, Yeoman Wardersand ravens.Open: Tue-Sat 09.00-18.00, Sun &Mon 10.00-18.00 (Mar-Oct); Tue-Sat09.00-16.00, Sun & Mon 10.00-16.00(Nov-Feb). Last entry one hourbefore closure. Closed 24-26 Dec& 1 JanEntry: A £17, C £9.50, concessions£14.50, family £47. (2010 prices.Check website for latest prices)Group: 15+, 10% discount availableContact: David Mileshrp.org.uk Tower Hill DLR Tower GatewayTwo Willow Road (NT)Designed and built by ErnöGoldfinger in 1939. The centralhouse of a terrace of three, it isone of Britain’s most importantexamples of modernist architecture,and is filled with furniture alsodesigned by Goldfinger. The artcollection includes a number ofsignificant British and European20th-century works.Open: 5 Mar-30 Oct, Wed-Sun11.00-17.00Entry: A £5.80, C £2.80, family £14.50Group: £5.50. Must pre-bookContact: Custodiannationaltrust.org.uk HampsteadThe V&A Museumof ChildhoodThe Museum of Childhood is part ofthe V&A and houses a world-famouscollection of dolls and dolls’ houses,games, puppets, toys, children’scostume and furniture. The museumexplores the history of childhoodfrom the 16th century to the presentday, so there is something of interestto everyone.Open: Daily 10.00-17.45, lastadmission 17.30Entry: FreeGroup: 10. Should pre-book on+44 (0)20 8983 5205museumofchildhood.org.uk Bethnal GreenVictoria and9EAlbert MuseumWhere can visitors see ceramics,fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork,photographs, sculpture, textiles andpaintings? Where else but the V&A,one of the world’s leading museumsof art and design, and home to3,000 years’ worth of amazingartefacts from many of the world’srichest cultures.Open: Daily 10.00-17.45,Fri 10.00-22.00Entry: Free. Separate charges toexhibitions may applyGroup: Contact or groups@vam.ac.ukvam.ac.uk South KensingtonVinopolis7SSet under the soaring arches of aformer railway viaduct, Vinopolisoffers wine and spirit enthusiaststhe opportunity to learn more aboutthe history of their favourite tipples,and how to fully appreciate themthrough a variety of wine tours andtasting events. Whether learninghow wine is produced, how to matchcheese and wine or how to shake acocktail like a professional, there issomething for everyone to enjoy.Open: Thu-Sat 12.00-22.00 & Sun12.00-18.00 (last admission two hoursbefore closing). Please check website forbank holiday and Dec opening hoursEntry: Prices start from £19.50Group: Discounts availableContact: Tour Salesvinopolis.co.uk/ London BridgeWallace Collection 5HThe Wallace Collection is a nationalmuseum, displaying superb worksof art in a historic Londontownhouse. The collection wasacquired principally in the 19thcentury by the third and fourthMarquesses of Hertford andSir Richard Wallace, the illegitimateson of the fourth Marquess.Open: Mon-Sun 10.00-17.00Entry: Freewallacecollection.org Bond StreetWellcome Collection 3LWellcome Collection is agroundbreaking space devoted toexploring the connections betweenmedicine, life and art. Contemplatewhat it means to be human throughthe extraordinary collections of morethan 1,500 exhibits and artworksexploring the past, present andfuture of medicine. Nowhere elsewill visitors find ancient sex aids,shrunken heads, royal hair, a DNAsequencing robot and a Picassodrawing under one roof.Open: Galleries: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00(Thu 22.00), closed Mon. Library: Mon,Wed & Fri 10.00-18.00 (Tue & Fri 20.00),closed Sun. Café & bookshop: dailyEntry: FreeGroup: Group visits welcome, freeguided tours of galleries for pre-bookedgroups of 8-20Contact: Kirsten Warren, VisitorServices Managerwellcomecollection.org Euston Square/Warren Street/ King’s Cross St Pancras/EustonWestminster Abbey 9MThis world-famous church presentsa stunning trip through the historyof the British Isles. A workingchurch, the Abbey is home tocountless tombs and memorials tothe most famous kings and queens,statesmen and soldiers, poetsand priests.Open: Mon-Fri 09.30-15.30, Sat 09.30-13.30, Sun closed for worship.Entry: A £12, concessions (under-16s,over-60s, student cards) £9,C under 11 freeGroup: £9Contact: Duncan Jeffery, Headof Communicationswestminster-abbey.org Westminster/St James’s Park/ Waterloo/VictoriaWinston Churchill’s 7TBritain at War ExperienceExperience what life was like forpeople in war-torn London duringthe Second World War. “This isa unique attraction, like somethingout of Universal Studios” – DameVera Lynn. Featuring evacuation,rationing, weddings, bomb disposaland gas masks. See it! Feel it!Breathe it!Open: Daily 10.00-18.00 (Apr-Sep);daily 10.00-17.00 (Oct-Mar).Closed 24-26 Dec. Last admittanceone hour before closureEntry: £12.95, concessions £6.50,C £5.50, family £29Group: 10. Must pre-bookbritainatwar.co.uk/ London Bridge58 visitlondon.com/trade