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Three Must-Dos when Visiting London
In London, the capital city of England, there is something for everyone to make their visit a memorable one. More than five hundred museums and art galleries of varying size and contents can be found in London. There is always an exhibition, show or event happening somewhere in London.
London’s four major international airports make it very accessible to the rest of the world. There are several methods of transportation you could choose after landing in London. It is east to get around London by public transport – bus, train and tube lines are numerous and generally well-serviced. London has hundreds of things to do and a multitude of great places to visit. Below are three of the best things to see and do when visiting London.
Buckingham Palace – Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous palaces and is the official home of Queen Elizabeth II. If you are visiting London in summer you can visit the State Rooms as they are open to the public then. Buckingham Palace was acquired by King George III for Queen Charlotte, and has a long and colourful history.
George IV decided to convert the house into a palace. The Palace became the official residence of Queen Victoria in 1837. 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. Artwork such as that of Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Vermeer adorn the walls of the palace. It is also possible to take a tour of the 29-acre gardens, as well as visit the annual exhibitions which take place there. This is definitely a must see when on holiday in London.
The British Museum – The British Museum is world renowned for its collection of objects exploring the history and culture of man. Over seven million objects are housed within this impressive museum. Exhibits which range from prehistoric to modern are housed in the museum, which was founded in 1753. Famous pieces include the Portland Vase, the Parthenon Sculptures and the Rosetta Stone.
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. Other dedicated areas within the museum house the Percival David Collection of Chinese Art, as well as areas for Medieval Europe, and Watches and Clocks, among other things. 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. “Boarding a flight” on the London Eye will give you an entirely different perspective on this amazing city. At 135 metres, this riverside wheel is both impressive and imposing. You can see a full 360-degree view of the city through the glass pods. You can see for twenty-five miles in all directions on a clear day.
As well as getting a birds-eye view of London’s sights, such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and Canary Wharf, on a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle. It has a slow but steady pace and it takes around thirty minutes to complete one revolution. Expect to be standing a long time in queues for both tickets and boarding as this is a hugely popular attraction. If you want to save yourself some time you can book via the internet. There are a variety of packages available depending on your needs. It’s possible to upgrade to Fast track which lets you check-in 15 minutes prior. 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.
After one visit to London you will most likely want to come back for more. You can easily get around this vast historic city by taxi cab if you have the budget!There are both licensed and unlicensed minicabs operating in London. London – like New York – is famous for its taxis, except for that these ones are black and are called Hackney cabs. These are licensed and it is recommended that you stick to using these during your visit to London.
All of London’s main airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and City – also house car hire companies if you prefer this option to public transport. The airports have excellent facilities for motorists, and you can hire a self-drive or even chauffeur-driven vehicle.
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. Do however make sure to ask for details as to what you should do if you experience a breakdown and at all costs make sure that cover is for a 24-hour breakdown service! Other insurance products may be offered to give you added peace of mind – for instance key or windscreen insurance – which may incur extra costs. Ensure that you are aware of what it is you are signing! It’s often better to stick with a larger car hire firm such as Hertz, Budget or Avis.
You may prefer to use the excellent public transport system instead of hiring a car to get you to your hotel or bed and breakfast (B&B). Rail links from London to other cities and towns around the country are frequent – including to the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Brighton which is also a popular tourist location and holiday resort.
London is a beautiful and fascinating place to visit at any time of the year. With such a multitude of sights to see, things to do, places to visit or clubs to party in, you will always be able to find something exciting to do while visiting London. 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.
British Museum The Parthenon Sculptures Egyptian blue