The London Explorer with LondonPass

Central London, London, England Greater London

Recommendation added: 08/05/2006 13:24
By: Yerrell1 (YSUK rating +203)

Yerrell1 has been thanked 14 times for this contribution

"As I visit London quite a lot, it felt only right that I produced this review. Its not a review all about London, but what I would recommend as a day out, based on places I have visited. This guide is ideal for those planning a daytrip to London for the first time, or regulars looking for something different. It is a one-day, structured plan, to make the most of your day, and it starts here....

First things first; save yourself time, and a lot of Money by ordering a London Pass (www.londonpass.com) It costs around £29 per adult, and £15 for a child. This might sound like a lot, but you get SO much for that - For example, free entry to loads of attractions, museums, amusements etc! Everything in my London Explorer guide becomes FREE with the London Pass, and although not essential, I would highly recommend it. If you have no time to buy online before you go, they can be purchased at various outlets throughout London. Check with information points etc in subway and train stations for details. Lets get on to London now. Get a train! It is by far the easiest way into the capital from any part of the country. Ensure you get an underground day pass included in your ticket. You will no doubt arrive at Euston, hopefully nice and early (9am ideal) Then the day really begins.....

PART ONE - London Zoo
There is no better way than to start your day than a visit to London Zoo. Spread across a large area, it is home to many different types of animals, and is fun for the young and old alike. To get there from your starting block of Euston, grab the tube to Regents Park. Entry will be free with your london pass, otherwise will cost about £14 for an adult. Allow a good 1 hr 30 minutes to tour round, by which time it will be 11am. Spend a little time checking out Regents Park and what it has to offer, including The British Library, home to the Di Vinci notebooks.

PART TWO - Sherlock Holmes Museum
Its back on the tube now, hopefully its about midday. Take the tube from Regents Park, and head to Baker Street (not far to walk either) Now comes the Culture bit; A visit to the Sherlock Holmes museum. Sherlock Holmes lived at 221 baker street for about 20 years. The Museum is dedicated to the life of Sherlock Holmes, and his life, and makes an interesting visit indeed, defiantly not to be missed. It has been compassionately redecorated and modernised and looks really good, exactly how it should be!

PART THREE - Vinopolis 1:30pm
Back on the tube, from Baker Street to London Bridge. A short walk will get you to Vinopolis, London's leading wine tasting experience. Costing £12.50 usually, it is free with your London Pass. You get to tour many of the wine regions and taste the world (The World of wine that is!) It is an intriguing experience, and will certainly warm you up for the rest of the day. Tour guides are on hand to show you exactly how you are meant to taste wine - even wine haters won't be able to help themselves! After this visit, check out the amazing Millennium Bridge (5 min walk) It spans the river Thames, and a walk across will take you to St Paul's Cathedral for a quick outside browse at its architecture.

PART FOUR - HARRODS
Its about 3pm now, and I am sure you will be hungry, so why not visit Harrods? My wallet won't reach to that, I hear you say! It will, it's cheaper than you might think. First of all you need to get there! Take the tube to Knightsbridge, and Harrods is seconds away. Have a look through the wonderful store, and then head to the restaurant for a buffet. It is about £15 per person last time I went, but will be the best eating experience you have ever had. Also, show your London pass, and get a free glass of wine, or fresh juice with your meal! How about that? Spend an hour here, then its time for the next attraction....

PART FIVE - SIGHTSEEING
You have had some good experiences, your full up from lunch, and now you want to take some pictures and see the sights. Here's how to do it, tube style. Knightsbridge to Green Park; View Buckingham Palace in all its glory, watch the changing of the guards etc. Green Park to Westminster; Check out the houses of parliament and Big Ben. Take many pictures! Westminster to Wimbledon; Check out the famous Wimbledon Tennis Grounds, and take a quick tour in the Museum (providing its before 5pm and you are ahead of schedule) Its free with your London Card. Then Westminster to Leicester Square; Finish with a bit of shopping in Soho and Chinatown. Pick up some unusual foods, or simply browse adult shops if thats what you like! Now, its getting late, probably about 6pm; so grab the tube back to Euston, and return home, with wonderful memories.

Now that's a day I would recommend! Varied, Fun and something for everyone. Of course, you can change it a little, for example, skip Harrods and go for a wonderful buffet in Chinatown (Yum!) or change the Vinapolis wine tour for The War Museum. There are so many things to do, it would be impossible to get everything into a year, let alone a day. I hope you will get a London Pass though, as it offers so many different benefits! Here's some more highlights of what you can use it for, with the usual cost next to it (free with London pass)

Tower of London £14.50

St Paul's Cathedral £9.00

Tower Bridge Exhibition £5.50
Catamaran Cruisers River Cruise £8.20
London Aquarium £9.75
Kensington Palace £11.00
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre £8.50
Windsor Castle £12.50
HMS Belfast £8.00
Hampton Court Palace £12.00
London Zoo £14.00
Royal Mews £6.00

Further details can be found on the London Pass website www.londonpass.com

Some useful extras for you to print off and use for your journey:

Underground Map:

http://www.oxfordtube.com/assets/london/underground_map.jpg

Underground Route Planner (advisable to work out routes before you go) - www.tubeplanner.com

Addresses and contact details for mentioned attractions in my review:

London Zoo: Outer Circle, Regents Park, London; 02077223333
British Library:
Sherlock Holmes Museum: 221b Baker Street, London; 020 7935 8866
Vinapolis: 1 Bank End, London, SE1; 0870 241 4040
Harrods: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge; 02077301234
Other details can be found on www.londonpass.com

More London Plans coming soon, look out for Yerrell1 on youstayuk!"