London & Partners

From 4 Feb TropicalExtravaganza Festival. Vibrantblooms in the Princess ofWales Conservatory. Daily09.30-16.15. Admission£13.90, child free.Kew, Richmond, TW9. 020 8332 5655. kew.org Ë KewGardens. Off map.ROYAL MEWSBuilt by John Nash in 1825,this beautiful space housesthe Queen’s cars, horsesand coaches (including theGold State Coach). Witnessdaily life and learn aboutits history and ceremonialroutines. Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00. Admission £8.25,child £5.20. Joint ticketswith the Queen’s Gallery(p. 45) available.The Mall, SW1. 020 7766 7300. royalcollection.org.ukË Victoria/Green Park.Map D6.ROYAL OBSERVATORYGreenwich Mean Time ismeasured here – stand onthe Meridian Line and be intwo hemispheres at once,or visit the Peter HarrisonPlanetarium for shows.Until 19 Feb AstronomyPhotographer Of The Year2011. See stunning imagesof outer space. Subjectsinclude the Milky Way andstars. Daily 10.00-17.00;Planetarium times vary.Admission £7, child free;Planetarium £6.50,child £4.50.Greenwich Park, SE10. 020 8858 4422. nmm.ac.uk Ë CuttySark, or take a boat(p. 38). Map inset.ROYAL OPERA HOUSELondon’s most famous operavenue, and home to theRoyal Ballet, dates back tothe 19th century. The Velvet,Gilt And Glamour auditoriumtour lasts 45 mins. Tickets£8. The Backstage tourlasts one hour and 15 mins.Tickets £10.50, child £7.Tour times and dates vary,please check.Bow Street, WC2. 0207304 4000. roh.org.ukË Covent Garden. Map B6.SEA LIFELONDON AQUARIUMOne of Europe’s largestaquaria. Around-the-globefish displays, walk-throughtank tunnels and 500species of marine life,including sharks. Penguins:Ice Adventure reveals whatlife is like in the Antarcticwith gentoo penguins. Mon-Thurs 10.00-18.00; Fri-Sun10.00-19.00. Admission£19.02, child £14.04.Joint ticket with LondonEye, London Dungeon andMadame Tussauds available.County Hall, WestminsterBridge Road, SE1. 08716 631 678. visitsealife.com/londonË Westminster. Map D6.SHAKESPEARE’SGLOBEBeautiful reconstructionof William Shakespeare’soriginal Elizabethan theatre.Take a backstage tour todiscover theatrical tricks ofthe trade and a fascinatingexhibition on the Bard’s lifeand plays. Daily 10.00-17.00.Admission £12.50, child £8.New Globe Walk, SE1. 020 7902 1400. shakespearesglobe.com Ë Southwark.Map C8.SOMERSET HOUSEThis striking 18th-centurybuilding houses theCourtauld Gallery (p. 45),and offers guided toursevery Thurs and Sat, timesvary. Embankment level daily10.00-18.00; River Terraceand Seamen’s Hall daily,08.00-23.00; courtyard daily07.30-23.00. Admission free.Strand, WC2. 0207845 4600. somersethouse.org.uk Ë Temple/Embankment. Map C6.SPENCER HOUSEThe largest private palace inLondon, Spencer House hasmagnificent 18th-centuryinteriors, restored to theirformer splendor. Sun 10.30-17.45 (by guided tour only).Tours £12, child £10.27 St. James’s Place, SW1. 020 7514 1958. spencerhouse.co.ukË Green Park. Map C5.SIGHTSEEINGA MAGICAL SEASON OF UNIQUE EVENTS AND EXPERIENCESJoin in the Limited Edition London magic with yourchance to WIN AN AMAZING 5 NIGHT STAY IN LONDON!The prize includes return travel for 2 people over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend4 nights in a luxury suite at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill1 night safari sleepover at ZSL London ZooTickets to Phantom of the OperaChampagne Experience for 2 on the EDF Energy London EyeA Fortnum & Mason picnic hamper£100 worth of D&D restaurant vouchers£100 Westfield London shopping vouchersEntry to the Picasso and Modern British Art exhibition at Tate BritainFOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENTER* GO TOVISITLONDON.COM*terms and conditions involved, closing date 31/03/12February 2012|LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com |35