London with kids: 5 unexpected, fuss-free ways to explore the city. If you're one of many looking to snap your own photo of one of the most photographed buildings in the world, the best vantage point is from Westminster Bridge. What to do: Eat an original Portuguese tart at Pastis de Belm before riding the Ascensor da Bica a mountain cable car that will take you through some of the quaintest streets in all of Lisbon. Marisa Mndez, Senior Editor. With its imposing dome one of the largest in the world St. Paul's forms a predominant spot along London's skyline. You can also combine a ride on the London Eye with a guided boat tour. She currently lives in London. Best for royalty: The Goring. The collection was assembled in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace and then donated to Great Britain. Astrid Thornton, the founder of the travel guide site Seek Scandinavia, adds that June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit Denmark because the days are longer and the temperatures are a bit higher. Here's how to make the most of ittop things to do and see, plus where to eat and stay. Travelers enjoy their trips to Greenwich, with many complimenting the Greenwich Market's variety of food stalls and shops. People have visited this gorgeous country more than anywhere elseand it's not the U.S. You should start checking these places off your list ASAP, experts say. The tournament runs from July 3 to 16 in 2023, though public ballot ticket sales ended in December 2022 and hospitality tickets via Keith Prowse have sold out. Altogether Oxford is a terrific, and easy, day out of London. A new lake, intended to bring environmental benefits to the whole of Wisley and colonized by mollusks, damselflies, dragonflies, and amphibians, surrounds The Glasshouse. One of the best places to visit on a road trip from London in Wales is Barry Island especially if you're looking for a trip to the seaside for some tasty fish and chips and easy hikes around the coast. Looking for cheap graphic T-shirts and dresses? Even for those of us who have not been dyed-in-the-wool Harry Potter fans, it's endlessly fascinating and entertaining. You'll also want to take the Golden Circle tour for the Geysir hot spring, the double-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, *and* a tectonic rift at Thingvellir National Park. Getty Images/iStockphoto. In sum, Reykjavk = the ultimate destination for any nature lover, Where to stay: Kex Hostel, Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Langham, Boston. Flights from London are short so it's perfect for a short break! *cue stomach grumbling*, Where to stay: La Banda Rooftop Hostel, Hilton Garden Inn Sevilla, Trip time: One hour and 15 minutes via plane (round-trip tickets as low as $27). 17 dreamy day trips from London. The park's semi-circular flower beds the Memorial Gardens which sit beside Buckingham are one of its major attractions. Despite its name, the large complex has a long history as a palace, a fortress and a prison. http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts, Trip report - London June 2023 with Family of 6, Suggestions for sights to see - royal focus. Start your journey in London 1. 5 easy cities to travel to from London | Evan Evans Tours Though you'll find a cafe and souvenir shop on-site, Windsor (the town) offers a bevy of dining and shopping options. La Pelosa Beach, Stintino, Sardinia, Italy. 12 Best Day trips from London by train (+logistics, tips & maps) A quick disclaimer Piccadilly Circus is not an actual circus, as some travelers have expected; rather, the name refers to thecircle(circus), off which a handful of major roads spoke. Some added their own personal touches, which can still be seen. The New Forest. Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based freelance health/wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer. Paris, France Eiffel Tower Few travel destinations fuel the imagination quite like Paris. You'll have to hike up 528 steps, but after catching your breath you'll enjoy far-reaching views of the River Thames, theTate Modern, and Shakespeare's Globe. General admission tickets are 16 pounds (about $22) for adults and 12 pounds (about $16.50) for anyone under 16. Kensington Palace home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family sits on the gardens' western edge. Best . Among the permanent collections, the V&A also offers diverse temporary exhibitions and free weekly public lectures. Special exhibits tend to focus on individual artists, such as Frans Hals and Peter Paul Rubens. The building's famed 20,000-square-foot iron roof was the largest unsupported dome in the world when it was installed in 1869 (two years before the hall officially opened). With fewer restrictions, you can easily travel to these attractive destinations. It's a knockout! Also, be aware that travel guidelines are continually changing, so you'll want to monitor your destination's official tourism website for up-to-date info as you get closer to your trip, and the U.S. State Department website before returning. "With COVID restrictions well in the rear-view, there aren't many better options to satisfy your inner wanderlust with rich culture, idyllic beaches, amazing historical sites, and sumptuous food," she says. Just know that you can hop the Eurostar from St Pancras and be there in two and a half hours. More than 100 chic boutiques are all discount designer outlets. The park is flanked one side by the Mall, a route for royal processions that bisects the gardens and on another by the Horse Guards Parade, a parade ground where the annual Trooping the Colour is held. Keep in mind that Westminster Bridge connects two of the city's most popular attractions (London Eyeand Parliament), and as a result is almost always very crowded. Londoners and out-of-towners alike enjoy spending a morning (or afternoon) at the Camden Market. 10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries - Earth Trekkers What to do: Get spooked at Greyfriars Kirkyard (a cemetery known for its ~haunted~ happenings), climb up Arthur's Seat to take in the Edinburgh skyline, and explore Edinburgh Castle. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. Scenic Drive from London to the Surrey Hills. What to do: Have a soak in the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa with salt- and algae-rich water nestled into a lava field that looks like it fell from Mars. We're talking colorful homes and picturesque balconies, people. While some travelers say the London Eye is an absolute must-do, others found the experience to be overrated. Additionally, runners race through St. James's park as the final leg of the annual London Marathon. Piccadilly Circus And Trafalgar Square - Must Visit Places. Four days isn't long to see (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What are the best places to visit from that location? News, Politics, Culture, Life, Entertainment, and more. On the tour, you'll have access to the 19 State Rooms where the kingand members of the royal family host guests for state, ceremonial and official affairs. If you thought London was the be-all and end-all of fashionable shopping, a short train journey to Bicester Village will open your eyes. 8 years ago Save Hi all, I'm planning to travel to London to visit with a friend over Thanksgiving. No matter how many pictures you've seen of this iconic landmark, watching it rise up from Salisbury Plain is heart-stopping. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60416952', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');London to Amsterdam and fly home from there. To make the most of your visit, reviewers highly recommended climbing to the top of the dome to the Golden Gallery. 28 Best Stops on a London to Edinburgh Drive 1. Walking along the River Thames to see popular sights like Big Ben, Finding a souvenir made by a local at a crafts market, Admiring the intricate graves at Highgate Cemetery, Exploring a myriad of neon signs at Gods Own Junkyard, London's celebrated neighborhoods, such as Notting Hill, Greenwich, Covent Garden and Soho, Visit Harrods for extraordinary Christmas displays inside and out, See the lights at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Shop for gifts at one of the city's Christmas markets, Admire the Christmas lights and displays around the city (Bond, Carnaby, Regent and Oxford streets are particular favorites, as is Covent Garden), Experience Christmas at Hogwarts at the Warner Bros. Food on offer ranges from traditional fish and chips to Middle Eastern fare, hot dogs and Portuguese tarts. Where to stay: The Grand Brighton, Hotel du Vin Brighton, Trip time: One hour and five minutes via plane (round-trip tickets as low as $84) / One hour and 53 minutes via Eurostar train (round-trip tickets as low as $56). Step through halls where history was made time and again by visiting the British Parliament. The maze-like corridors tell the story of this volatile time period, centering on the larger-than-life leader that Churchill was. The Cotswolds 2. After a long winter (and an even longer pandemic), many people are itching to get away. But there are real treasures to be found. The British Museum is both an architectural beauty and a trove of some of the world's most noted antiquities. from. in Best Places to Visit in Europe for 2023-2024; See All 6 Rankings. You can find the Camden Market off of the Camden Town, or Chalk Farm Tube stops, as well as the Camden Road Overground stop. And just like Hyde Park, you'll find plenty to do here. We spent about five hours there, making the apparently high ticket prices surprisingly good value for money. Stonehenge. Steeped in the history of Tudor court intrigue, the house was begun in the 13th century and made into a comfortable Tudor home by the Bullen (or Boleyn) family. 11 best European train trips from London - Time Out The 15 Most Beautiful Beaches In Europe By European Best - Forbes One of the finest examples of the work of 18th-century landscape architect Launcelot "Capability" Brown. Whether it's people on their way to work in the morning, shoppers en route to the chain store-lined Oxford Street (just a few blocks north) or lively club and bar hoppers passing through at night, Piccadilly is always thrumming with activity. It's only one of the attractions of the funky seaside resort known as London's beach. Just a note that the below prices are in USD and the trip times are approximate! This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Inside, you'll find the 350-year-old exhibition, "Line of Kings," which includes suits of armor worn by Henry VIII, Charles I, and James II. Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire 10. And while various interests tried to decide what to do with, it was saved for posterity. Along with the grand interiors, the State Rooms, where kings and queens have entertained guests on both official and ceremonial occasions, are also a witness to history. A gruesome exhibition of armor, instruments of execution, and torture, A Victorian Ropery - still in action, with a "rope walk" that's a quarter of a mile long, Covered slips where ships hulls were constructed, A multi-media exhibition in the Mast and Mould Loft (where you can still see the outlines of HMS Trafalgar scribed on the wooden floor), Three 19th century drydocks, one of which holds a diesel submarine retired in the 1960s that you can board. Among the treasures you might see at the Ashmolean are drawings by Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Rembrandt; a Stradivarius Violin; ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern porcelain and glass; the coins with the heads of Nero and Henry VIII, and lots more. By the way, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And there's plenty more to do for every member of the family: Throughout the summer months, Hever Castle also hosts a variety of events including jousting tournaments, demonstrations of longbow warfare and a summer performing arts festival in its open-air theatre, with matinee and evening performances. Personally I would recommend a leisurely visit to London, taking in one or two day trips to relatively nearby places elsewhere in England. Those who aren't vaccinated just need to present a negative test taken within 72 hours of entry. Maps, travel tips and more. 101 things to do in London - Things to Do - visitlondon.com Why not plan a Brighton getaway? Castles, famous movie sets, great discount shopping, historic homes, and gardens are all less than two hours from London. If you're planning to take a trip for the Fourth of July weekend, get ready for busy airports and roads.. AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or farther from home over the . For instance, if you're a bibliophile, consider a visit to the Poets' Corner. Time taken by train: 1 hour 17 mins. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Architecture-enthusiasts find the building, especially its glass atrium, stunning and the tours informative. Recent visitors loved the variety of paintings at the National Gallery, saying that travelers may need more than a day to get a glimpse at all the masterpieces that grace its never-ending halls. Others note it's very family-friendly, so you should expect tons of kids during a visit (unless you visit in the late afternoon, when the museum says it's a bit quieter). From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon Sculptures to Mesopotamian objects, the British Museum is a history buff's dream containing artifacts in the millions. How to get to Victoria Station from Heathrow? I think most people would recommend spending all nine days in New York, with, possibly, a day trip on the train to Philadelphia. A trip to the New Forest is about as close as you can get to going on safari without buying a plane ticket. Find the best places to visit and things to do with our list of the top day trips from London, England. The strong coffee culture means there are an endless amount of cafs lining every street you walk down. London Dungeon - Go Through 1000 Years Of History. William the Conqueror picked the site, west of London overlooking the Thames and it has been a Royal residence and fortress ever since - almost 950 years. Besides its glorious interiors and wine cellars, it has a devilish maze with an exit through a scary grotto, two playgrounds for pretending to be knights and ladies, a dog collar museum with more than 100 unusual and historic examples, several restaurants, a covered pavilion for temporary exhibits and a full schedule of family-friendly events. Strolling through the castle's magnificent gardens before stopping for lunch or a cup of tea makes a really fine UK day out. Phoenix. And of course, don't forget to soak up some sun; Barceloneta and Nova Icria are two beaches you don't want to miss. Morris believed a garden should "clothe" a house and the gardens at The Red House have been landscaped according to drawings and pictures of Morris's original designs. The building itself never fails to impress architecture enthusiasts. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its world famous collection of plants has been developing for more than 100 years and there is always something new to see, any time of year. US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. UK travel tip: To keep transportation costs down, try to book your train or coach tickets well in advance to take advantage of the lowest fares. Car enthusiasts from all over the world come to admire more than 100 years of automobiles, plus star cars, movie cars, and James Bond cars. The historic buildings of the dockyards are popular backdrops for filmmakers. 1. To minimize time outside, consider the following: Christmas in London is every bit as magical as the media makes it out to be. For more travel tips, don't miss The 10 Best U.S. Cities Every Traveler Should See. TIP: Get the London City Pass (discounts, free entry, priority entry and free boat ride on the Thames) and check out these Harry Potter tours So, ready to bust out the passport and start packing your suitcase? Times have changed, and these styles have, too. Ightham is as charming a Kentish village as you can imagine - but it's the sort of place with so many dark happenings in its history that Agatha Christie would have rubbed her hands together with glee. 33 Easy Day Trips from London by Train Last updated on 01/07/2023 by Bridget Whether you want to breathe in a lungful of sea air, explore more of England's history or revel in its green and pleasant land, there are countless options for day trips from London. Where to stay: NOFO Hotel, Hilton Stockholm Slussen, Grand Htel, Trip time: One hour and 23 minutes via train, What to do: Snap one million photos of the Pulteney Bridge (featured above) before visiting the Roman Baths equipped with original Roman pavements and thermal springs. What to do: Run to Oxford if you like all things medieval and quaint! What to do: The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, I'm sure you know the drill. Registered Office: London & Partners, 169 Union Street, London, SE1 0LL. I would suggest spending: 1 whole day in and around Hampstead and Highgate, 1 whole day at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (also known as Kew Gardens), Most of 1 day at Hampton Court Palace/Bushy Park, 1 whole day (at least) seeing the V&A, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, and Hyde Park (adding on Brompton Oratory, Leighton House Museum, Holland Park, and Portobello Road if time permits, which it probably won't). Located in the posh Notting Hill neighborhood (made famous by the Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts movie of the same name), the market stretches down the long Portobello Road, which is considered to be the area's high street (or main street). The good news is, as more and more countries have dropped some of their entry requirements, travel around the world is becoming easier than it's been in yearsparticularly for the vaccinated.