SIGHTSEEINGThese are <strong>London</strong>’s topsightseeing attractions.References are to theCentral Map on p. 66-68.Times and prices arecorrect at time of press,but do call beforehand tocheck – they can changeat short notice. Manyattractions offer admissiondiscounts online.DINOSAUrSUNLEASHEDFantastic interactive learningexperience for children.discover 22 incredibly lifekEY:% : TelephoneË : <strong>London</strong> UndergroundË : <strong>London</strong> OvergroundË : Docklands Light railwayt : Overland Train: : WebsiteM ain A ttractionsAPSLEY HOUSEKnown as ‘number one<strong>London</strong>’, this elegant housewas home to the first dukeof Wellington, who defeatednapoleon. See its wonderfulcollection of art, furnishings,porcelain and sculpture.4,5,11,12,18,19,25,26 Junroad to Waterloo Festival.annual event celebratingsignificant events aroundthe battle of Waterloo (p.34). Wed-Sat 11.00-17.00.admission £6.30, child £3.80.149 Piccadilly, W1. % 0207499 5676. : englishheritage.org.ukË HydePark Corner. Map C4.BANQUETING HOUSEdesigned by inigo Jonesfor James i, and with anexquisite ceiling by PeterPaul rubens, this was afavourite spot of Charles i.6 Jun Summer is a Comin’in. rebecca rudge, donaldmaxwell and pianist Charleseconomou offer wit andmelody. tickets £22.50including lunch. mon-Sat10.00-17.00, but it can closeat short notice. admission£5, child free.Whitehall, SW1. % 0203166 6154. : hrp.org.ukË Charing Cross. Map C6.BATTErSEA PArkLarge, elegant park by theriver thames. Lovely walksand attractions, plus greatviews across the river(p. 12). there’s also a sweetchildren’s zoo ( % 020 79245826. : batterseaparkzoo.co.uk). daily 08.00-dusk,park free. Zoo daily 10.00-17.00; admission £7.95,child £6.50.Battersea Park, SW11.% 020 8871 7537.t Battersea Park.Off map.BFI IMAX CINEMAthe biggest screen in britain– 26m by 20m – showsa range of blockbusters,animation and family filmsin 3d, 2d and widescreen.times and prices vary.1 Charlie Chaplin Walk,South Bank, SE1.% 020 7199 6000. : bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_imaxË Waterloo. Map C7.CErEMONY OFTHE kEYSeach night since 1340, theouter gates of the tower of<strong>London</strong> (p. 49) are lockedand the keys delivered tothe resident governor at21.53. Visitors are admittedfor free but you need to sendnames, dates and an Saeto: Ceremony of the Keysoffice, hm tower of <strong>London</strong>,eC3n 4ab at least twomonths ahead of your visit.Tower of <strong>London</strong>, TowerHill, EC3. % 020 31666278. : hrp.org.ukË Tower Hill. Map C9.CHANGING THE GUArDdaily at 11.30 witness thechanging of the Queen’sguard on buckinghamPalace forecourt. the bestviews are by the railings.no guard change in verywet weather.The Mall, SW1.% 020 7766 7300.: royalcollection.org.ukË Victoria/Green Park.Map C5.the mounted guardChanging Ceremony takesplace daily at horse guardsParade. mon-Fri 11.00;Sun 10.00. the householdCavalry’s two squadronsalternate daily.Horse Guards Parade,Whitehall, SW1. % 0207414 2390. : army.mod.uk/events Ë St James’sPark/Green Park. Map C6.CHELSEA FC STADIUMTOUrS & MUSEUMtouring Stamford bridge,home of Chelsea FootballClub, is an experience thatcan be enjoyed by all ages.get your hands on thehistoric barclays PremierLeague trophy and FaCup in the club’s museum.tours operate daily, every30 mins from 11.00-15.00,except on match days andthe day before ChampionsLeague home matches.admission £15.Stamford Bridge, FulhamRoad, SW6. % 08719 841955. : chelseafc.com/tours Ë Fulham Broadway.Off map.CHELSEA PHYSICGArDENFounded in 1673, thisverdant gem was anapothecaries’ garden fortraining apprentices. its fouracres hold superb botanicspecimens and rare species,including a host of naturalmedicines from aroundthe world. 1 Jun Lotionsand Potions. the history ofmedicine for kids. 2 Jungarden Photography. Familyactivity. tues-Fri 12.00-17.00;Sun and bank holidays12.00-18.00. admission £8,child £5.66 Royal Hospital Road,SW3. % 020 7349 6458.: chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Ë Sloane Square.Off map.CHUrCHILLWAr rOOMSSir Winston Churchill foughtWorld War ii from this fortifiedbasement. there’s a museumto the great statesman. UntilAug 2013 Undercover – Lifein Churchill’s bunker. a 70thanniversary exhibition revealswhat it was like to work here.daily 09.30-18.00. admission£15.95, child free.Clive Steps, King CharlesStreet, SW1. % 020 79306961. : iwm.org.ukË Westminster. Map D4.Military magnificenceenjoy pomp and pageantry with two wonderfully britishevents. on 8-9 Jun, Beating the Retreat sees the massedbands and Corps of drums of the household division,supported by other military groups, offer an evening of drillmarching, music and drumming. it dates back to the 16thcentury, when the beating of drums and the parading ofPost guards heralded the closing of the camp gates andthe lowering of flags at the end of the day. Ceremony startsat 21.00. tickets from £15 (horseguards Parade, SW1.% 08448 472 435. : guardsbeating retreat.comË St James’s Park. map C6).on 11 Jun, to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday,her personal soldiers perform Trooping The Colour.Some 1,400 men, 200 horses and 400 musicians in tenbands will march and play as one. in the culmination ofthe ceremony, which starts at 10.00, the Queen will drivedown the ranks. no tickets available; watch from the mall(: royal.gov.uk Ë St James’s Park. map d/C5).beating the retreat image © mod/beating the retreat26 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | June 2011
Exhibition open dailyTower HillDiscover the world’s most magnificent collectionof royal jewels, still used todayTower of <strong>London</strong>Premier partnerFind out more atwww.hrp.org.uk
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