LONDON

SIGHTSEEINGThe O2, Peninsula Square,SE10 0DX. theo2.co.uk/upattheo2 Ë NorthGreenwich. Map inset.THE VAULTThe Hard Rock Cafe’srevamped rock ‘n’ rollmemorabilia museum,located beneath theLondon Rock Shop,contains some trulyimpressive items, includingthe unique bustier fromMadonna’s BlondeAmbition tour. Daily12.00-21.00. Admissionfree.The Vault, Rock Shop, TheHard Rock Cafe London,150 Old Park Lane, W1K1QZ. hardrock.comË Hyde Park Corner.Map D4.VINOPOLISDiscover wines and spiritsfrom around the world ontours, plus master classesand tasting events. Tworestaurants offer foodand wine deals. Wed18.00-21.30; Thurs & Fri14.00- 21.30; Sat 12.00-21.30; Sun 12.00-16.00(last admission two hoursbefore closing). Tastingsfrom £27.1 Bank End, SE1 9BU. 020 7940 8300. vinopolis.co.ukË t London Bridge.Map C8.WARNER BROS.STUDIO TOURLONDONExplore behind thescenes on The MakingOf Harry Potter tour for atruly magical experience.Visitors can witness someof the series’ most iconicfilm sets, including theGreat Hall, Hagrid’s Hut,Diagon Alley and theGryffindor Common Room.Advanced, timed ticketsonly online. Mon-Fri10.00-17.00, weekends,bank holidays and schoolholidays 10.00-18.00.Admission £29,child £21.50.Studio Tour Drive,Leavesden, Hertfordshire,WD25 7LS. 08450 840900. wbstudiotour.co.uk t Watford Junction.Off Map.WELLINGTON ARCHClimb to the viewinggalleries of thismagnificent arch, whichstands astride Hyde ParkCorner for panoramicviews over the RoyalParks and Houses OfParliament. There is alsoan exhibition about thearch’s history. Wed-Sun10.00-17.00. Admission£4, child £2.40.Apsley Way, Hyde ParkCorner, W1J 7JZ. 020 7930 2726. english-heritage.org.uk Ë Hyde Park Corner.Map D4.WESTMINSTERABBEYConsecrated in 1065, thismagnificent abbey is thecrowning and burial siteof most English monarchs.It also houses Poets’Corner, the burial place ofCharles Dickens and otherfamous writers. There isa free 30-minute organrecital every Sun 17.45.Mon-Tues & Thurs-Fri09.30-16.30; Wed 09.30-19.00; Sat 09.30-14.30.Admission £18, child £8,under-11s free; tour £3.Broad Sanctuary, SW1P3PA. 020 7222 5152. westminster-abbey.orgË Westminster. Map D6.ZSL LONDON ZOOImmerse yourself in theanimal kingdom at theworld’s oldest scientificzoo, with more than 750species represented,including gorillas,meerkats, giraffes, lionsand zebras. There’s acolourful Aquarium andan exotic Reptile Housetoo. Make sure you don’tmiss Rainforest Live andPenguin Beach. Checkout the new Tiger Territoryand its endangeredSumatran residents.Zoo daily 10.00-16.00.Admission from £21,child £17.Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY.The Royal ParksSpring is a charming time to visit these beautifulopen spaces, many of which were once the groundsof royal homes and are now property of the Crown.Filled with fun activities or offering a retreat from citylife, they form some of the biggest green areas inLondon. Usually open from 07.00 until dusk, but checkindividual times at royalparks.org.ukBushy Park, Hampton, Middlesex. A charming parknorth of Hampton Court Palace. t Hampton Court/Teddington. Off map.Green Park, SW1. A peaceful haven near St. James’sPark. Ë Green Park. Map C4-5/D4-5.Greenwich Park, SE10. Encompassing the RoyalObservatory (p. 37) 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 KensingtonPalace and a continuation of Hyde Park.Ë Lancaster Gate/Queensway. Map C1-2/D2.Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, NW1. Home toZSL London Zoo (p. 40), plus fabulous views from thehill. Ë Baker Street/Regent’s Park. Map A3/4.Richmond Park, SW10. London’s largest open spacewas once a royal hunting ground. Ë Ë t Richmond.Off map.St. James’s Park, SW1. Pretty ornamental park witha lake. Ë St. James’s Park. Map C5/D5.OTHER PARKS AND HEATHS INCLUDE:Battersea Park, SW11. Large, elegant Victorian park bythe River Thames. Lovely walks, a small zoo and greatviews across the river. t Battersea Park. Off map.Hampstead Heath, NW3. Ancient parkland covering790 acres and boasting wonderful views (especiallyfrom Parliament Hill), sports fields and KenwoodHouse. Ë Hampstead/Tufnell Park/Belsize Park. Offmap. Holland Park, W8. Enchanting park witha Japanese-style garden. Ë Holland Park. Off map.An avenue of plane treesin Green ParkGREEN PARK IMAGE © ANNE MARIE BRISCOMBE40 | visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|May 2013