Three Favourite Things to do in London

Posted: March 8th, 2010 | Author: our-travel-reporter | Filed under: Other Travel | Tags: car hire, gap insurance, public transport, taxis, tourist attractions, travel, visiting London | 3 Comments »

In London, the capital city of England, there is something for everyone to make their visit a memorable one. There are over three hundred museums and more than two hundred galleries in London. There is always something going on.

There are four airports with many hundreds of arrivals to and departures from London every day, making it easy to get to from virtually anywhere in the world. You can choose between several transportation options after landing in London. The easiest and cheapest way to get around London is by using the buses, trains and tubes. London has hundreds of things to do and a multitude of great places to visit. The below is just a taster of some of London’s most popular tourist attractions.

Buckingham Palace – Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous palaces and is the official home of Queen Elizabeth II. In summer you can visit the State Rooms themselves as they open to the public. This palace has a long and colourful history since the time of King George III who acquired it for his wife Queen Charlotte.

It was George IV who turned the house into a palace. It was Queen Victoria, in 1837, who became the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace. During ceremonial occasions, the Royal family still use the State Rooms to receive and entertain guests. Some of the finest English and French furniture in the world can be found in the lavishly decorated rooms. The works of painters such as Poussin, Vermeer, Rubens and Rembrandt adorn the walls. Annual exhibitions and regular tours also take place in the 29-acre gardens. You really must see this if you are visiting London.

The British Museum – The British Museum is world renowned for its collection of objects exploring the history and culture of man. This impressive museum is home to over seven million objects. The museum was founded in 1753 and houses exhibits which range from prehistoric to modern. The Rosetta Stone, the Portland Vase and the Parthenon Sculptures are a few of the most notable items on display there.

It has a world renowned Egyptian collection of mummies and there is a special tomb like room dedicated to the life of the wealthy Egyptian, Negamun. The museum also has areas dedicated to Medieval Europe, Watches and Clocks, and the Percival David Collection of Chinese Art. The Great Court – the large central glass globe – is the hub of the museum. It is the largest covered public square in Europe and was designed by Lord Norman Foster. You would not see everything inside if you spent days trying.

The London Eye – The modern icon that is the London Eye - also called the Millennium Wheel - is a must see when visiting London. You will get a whole new perspective on this beautiful city by “boarding a flight”. Standing at an impressive 135 metres tall, this awesome riverside wheel is a famous part of London’s modern skyline. A person seated in one of the glass pods can see a 360-degree view of London. It’s possible on a clear day to see twenty-five miles all around.

You will get a fantastic birds-eye-view of many of London’s top attractions, including big Ben, Canary Wharf and the Houses of Parliament – even as far as Windsor castle on a clear day. Its slow and steady pace completes one revolution in about thirty minutes. This hugely popular attraction is always busy, so expect long queues for buying tickets and to board. You can book online if you want to save yourself some time. There are a variety of packages available depending on your needs. Buying a Fast Track ticket will help you avoid the queues, allowing you to check in 15 minutes before. If the fancy takes you it’s possible to have a glass of champagne or a personal London guide. A panoramic view of this historic city is made possible in this way.

Many people love to return to London often. You can easily get around this vast historic city by taxi cab if you have the budget!London has minicab operators which are both licensed and unlicensed. Like New York, London is know for its familiar taxi-cabs – here they are black rather than yellow and are called Hackney cabs. These are all licensed and it is better to use these that the often less reputable “minicab” taxis.

If public transport or taxis are not your preferred option, you can easily hire a car from any of London’s airports. You can easily find both self-drive and chauffeur-driven vehicles for hire at the airports.

Make sure you read the rental agreement properly so that you know exactly what you will be liable for if you should have an accident. Other specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance will generally be taken care of by the hire car company so you do not need to worry about these things. Always ask for details of who to call if you are unlucky enough to break down, and ensure the cover you are getting is for 24-hour call-outs! You may be also be offered additional insurance products which will cost you more but give you added peace of mind, such as key or windscreen insurance. Just make sure that you know what you are signing! Reputable car hire companies available include Hertz, Avis and Budget to name a few.

Although hiring a car is a great way to get to your hotel or Bed and Breakfast, the public transport is excellent in the United Kingdom. There are regular trains to and from all of London’s major railway stations and several trains per hour to Brighton, a vibrant and cosmopolitan seaside resort often dubbed “London-by-the Sea”.

London is a beautiful place to visit no matter the time of year. There is always a sight to see, an exhibition to visit or a fun place to dance, eat or drink in London – you will always be able to find something exciting to do during your visit. As the famous Samuel Johnson quotation goes:

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.

This short city review was brought to you by London’s’ Most Popular Online GAP Insurance and Car Warranty Supplier the Click4Group.

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