SIGHTSEEINGKENWOOD HOUSEThis stunning neoclassicalhouse, designed by RobertAdam, is on HampsteadHeath (p. 29) and holdsworks by Rembrandt, Turnerand Gainsborough. Greatcafé and lovely grounds.Daily 11.30-16.00;park stays open later.Admission free.Hampstead Lane, NW3.% 020 8348 1286.: english-heritage.org.uk Ë Archway/GoldersGreen. Off map.KEW palacEThis small but perfectlyformedpalace nestles in theRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew(p. 38). It was where GeorgeIII hid from the public duringhis attacks of madness in theearly 1800s. Until 25 SepGeorge III In Caricature. Howthe King was portrayed in thepopular press. Mon 11.00-17.00; Tues-Sun 10.00-17.00.Admission £5.30; child free.Kew, Richmond, TW9.% 0844 482 7777.: hrp.org.uk Ë KewGardens. Off map.lONDON brIDGEExpErIENcEWhat starts out as a historylesson, describing the pastlife of the 1,700-yearold<strong>London</strong> Bridge, soonbecomes something ratherscarier. Hold onto your hatsfor a thrilling and terrifyingexperience of a darker city.Plenty of live action shockslie in store. Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00; Sat-Sun 10.00-18.00.Admission £23, child £17.2-4 Tooley Street, SE1.% 08000 434 666.: thelondonbridgeexperience.comË <strong>London</strong> Bridge. Map C9.lONDON DUNGEONSpectacular sets, live actorsand state-of-the-art specialeffects evoke ghoulishencounters from Britain’spast – not for small childrenor the faint-hearted. Pricesand times vary dependingon visit date and time – visitwebsite. Joint tickets with<strong>London</strong> Eye (p. 29), <strong>London</strong>Aquarium (p. 43) andMadame Tussauds (below).28-34 Tooley Street, SE1.battle stationsIndulge yourlittle (or big)boy’s warlikeside with twofascinatingexhibitions.At HMSBelfast(p. 31)look outfor the new interactive operations room (above) with asimulated radar, perfect for sailors-to-be. And until 5Jun discover Ship’s Conversations, which reveals whatNavy slang meant and how much of it crept into everydayconversation as popular phrases, and you’ll discover why, ifyou don’t ‘toe the line’, you’ll be at ‘loggerheads’.Meanwhile, every weekend in June learn the ins and outsof one of Britain’s most important battles in the Road ToWaterloo Festival. At Apsley House (p. 26), celebrate theevents leading up to this decisive victory, plus the battle ofWaterloo itself, won by the Duke of Wellesley who lived here.Look out for costumed tales of life in the army at this timeand meet mounted cavalrymen. Adults £7.90, child £4.70.% 020 7403 7221.: thedungeons.comË <strong>London</strong> Bridge. Map C9.lONDON WETlaNDcENTrEA wonderful 42-hectarewildlife reserve with morethan 100 species of rareand wild birds, varioustours, children’s play areas,bird-spotting hides and theWater’s Edge Café(p. 17). Enjoy the Berkeley34 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | June 2011
THE ROYAL MEWSBUCKINGHAM PALACEOne of the finest working stables and home to theroyal collection of historic coaches and carriagesVisit the Royal Mews after Changing the Guardat Buckingham PalaceOpen daily, 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:15)Closed 4 and 11 JuneEntrance to the Royal Mews is on Buckingham Palace Road020 7766 7302 www.royalcollection.org.uk Victoria