London Bus

A Traveller’s Guide to London

A city that is home to over 8.5 million people and has welcomed over 17.4 million visitors in 2014, London is one of Europe’s perpetually popular cities.

Beyond just being the nation’s capital, the so-called Big Smoke has plenty to offer visitors hailing from the UK and overseas. From the historic city centre to world-famous landmarks, restaurants, shopping and much more; travellers passing through London have a great deal to explore.

Getting Around

There are numerous apps and maps that can help you navigate around London’s vast cityscape and various different methods of travel depending on what you want to see, your budget, and your level of fitness.

If taking in the main sights in central London (Travel Zone 1), visitors can make do with walking. However, if travelling throughout the remaining zones (Zones 2-6), availing of London’s excellent transport system is a great way to get around. While Day Passes are available, visitors planning to spend more time in London may want to consider an Oyster Card. Available to use on the tube and buses, this plastic card is reloadable with pay-as-you-go fares, and often works out to be the most cost-effective method of getting around if you will be travelling a lot throughout London.

Of course, these aren’t your only options. There is no shortage of historic black cabs in London, and the affectionately nicknamed “Boris bikes” for rent are a great way to explore the city, especially along the waterways of the canal.

(Helpful hint – the Citymapper app can help you navigate around London, calculating routes via tube, bus, car and on foot).

Things to See

When it comes to visiting iconic landmarks and historic sites, visitors to London are spoiled for choice. Some of the most popular attractions in the city include:

Big Ben – Officially called the Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben as it’s more commonly known is the clock tower situated at the end of the Palace of Westminster. Arguably one of the most recognisable sites in London, the clock has stood since 1858, and visitors can hear the bells ring out each hour, on the hour.

Houses of Parliament

Tower of London – Built at the dawn of the 11th century by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London has served as both royal residence and of course a prison to house some of the most high-profile criminals of the day. Today, visitors can explore more than 20 towers in this fortified stronghold, along with an impressive collection of Crown Jewels.

The Shard – Once the tallest building in Europe, The Shard is an impressive glass skyscraper situated in Southwark. From the top of the building’s 72 floors, you can enjoy incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the city.

The Shard
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

London Eye – Another popular way to take in views of the city skyline is via a 30-minute “flight” aboard the London Eye, a large observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames. Standing 443ft tall, the wheel enables visitors to view many of the key landmarks in the city.

London eye

St Paul’s Cathedral – St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with only the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica being larger. It was built under Sir Christopher Wren, making it a true wonder to behold especially for lovers of Baroque architecture.

Buckingham Palace – Of course, no trip to London would be complete without a visit to the official London residence of the Royal family. Tours inside are available during the summer months, while visitors throughout the rest of the year can enjoy the majestic palace along with a walk down the historic mall.

Buckingham Palace

Other points of interest include the British Museum, Tate Modern, Westminster Abbey and Shakespeare’s Globe.

Areas to Visit

There are many distinctive neighbourhoods to discover in London. Mayfair is one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods, having been home to many famous artists, writers, scientists and philosophers over the last few centuries. In Mayfair, you’ll discover some of the most beautiful parks in London and some of the finest dining in the country. Many of the parks are lined with a number of breathtaking 18th century mansions, including the former studio of legendary fashion photographer Terence Donovan, which is currently on the market for a cool £18million.

Mayfair
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Notting Hill is also one of London’s most desirable and recognisable areas, filled with world-famous events, restaurants, galleries and theatres. Vintage lovers should flock to Stoke Newington to take advantage of pubs, cafes, and boutiques, while those who love the nightlife will have no shortage of things to do in Soho.

Final tips:

  • Buying tickets in advance can often help you save money, and there are plenty of free attractions to enjoy too.
  • Keep an eye out for happy hour offers to save on food and drink.
  • Explore markets to find great deals and experience authentic London.

 

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Revisiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Back in July 2015 we visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and found that there was so much to see and do that you could not fit it all into one day.

On New Years Eve we headed to Portsmouth to visit Spinnaker Tower and as we have annual passes to the dockyard we decided to head back and see what we missed back in July.

Our first port off call was HMS Warrior 1860 which was the fastest, largest and most powerful warship in the world when she was launched. She was Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship and the pride of Queen Victoria’s Fleet with a combination of iron sides, which offered protection from the exploding shells and the ability to carry large guns, changed the nature of marine warfare.

HMS Warrior

HMS Warrior has been beautifully restored both inside and out and provides a valuable insight into what life was like onboard an elite warship from the Victorian era.

HMS Warrior

Once we had finished we had a bit of a breather and headed into Action Stations where the kids got to steam around the activity centre, fire (pretend) guns, fly helicopters in a simulator and try out some science experiments.

Action Stations

Last time we visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we looked around HMS Victory ourselves, stopping to ask the guides who were dotted around the ship questions. This time we had a set time to visit and went around on a small group with a guide that explained everything in fine detail. It was fascinating looking into the lives of those on board and I was surprised at how engaged Eliza and Isaac were – both asked lots of questions. Sebby on the other hand decided it was time for a snooze on Daddy’s shoulder.

HMS Victory

Our final ship of the day opened in August 2015 and was the HMS M.33 and the sole remaining British veteran of the bloody Dardanelles Campaign of 1915-1916, and the Russian Civil War which followed. The ship is one of just three British warships from World War I still in existence.

HMS M.33 was built in 1915 on the orders of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill. She was a floating gun platform designed to bombard coastal positions from the sea and she was a lot smaller than I initially imagined.

HMS M.33

We were greeted aboard the ship and told some of her history and then were allowed to wander unaccompanied throughout the ship. We were warned that it was dark inside and at one point of the tour, there were videos being projected against the walls with loud acoustics of guns and warfare. I would have liked to stay and watch more of this as it was fascinating, but the kids were scared so we may go back and revisit when they are at school, but the kids were told to look out for the ships cat which kept them busy.

HMS M.33

By now the weather was starting to close in and it started pouring with rain. We had planned returning to Spinnaker Tower to take in the view in the dark but the weather got the better of us, so we headed back to Action Stations so Isaac could do the climbing wall which had been too busy before.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Of course the boys wanted to man the guns again so I decided to have a go too – strangely therapeutic blowing up pretend arm vehicles!!

It was a very wet and windy walk back to the car, but was a lovely way to spend New Years Eve and we ended the year as we started – adventurously!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Spinnaker Tower

Climbing High in Spinnaker Tower

Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and we have been itching to climb it since it first opened way back in 2005.

Ten years on and we have finally made it!

The weather has been quite frankly awful in recent weeks with torrential rain and high winds, but we saw a break in the pattern of a few hours and decided to make the most of it. My weather app on my phone told me that we had a period of six hours which promised to be dry, however we did start to worry it may be a wasted journey as the heaven’s opened for most of the 45 minutes drive to Portsmouth but as we arrived the sun made an appearance too.

We were surprised that the signposts led us to Gunwharf Quay as I had assumed it was closer to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, but we found it tucked behind some restaurants on the Quay. Our bags were searched and we were scanned by metal detectors at the entrance before purchasing our tickets and having our photo taken on a green screen.

It was then time to take the express lift which takes all of 30 seconds to the first of the Three view Decks whilst the lift operator told us what to expect.

With full height glass walls which surround you on three sides, it really is a WOW! moment as you exit the lift as the windows allow you uninterrupted panoramic views across the city, harbour, sea and coastline. At this point you are 100m above sea level and if you are brave enough there is Sky Walk to walk across (or jump if you are my children). The unique glass floor is made up of 4 panes, each of which measure 2050 x 950mm, giving the floor at total area of 7.79m2. The overall thickness of the glass is 60mm and can hold a total weight of 288 stone – plenty of room to run across.

Spinnaker Tower

Of course the real treat is the breathtaking 350 degree city, country and seascapes which stretches over 23 miles.  The weather wasn’t perfect for us although we did manage to witness a brief sunny spell, but it was fascinating watching a storm front rolling across the Isle of Wight, brushing past us and then heading back out over the sea. A great learning opportunity for the kids.

Spinnaker Tower

We also had a fantastic view of the dockyard and HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. There are several i-View monitors on this floor which are interactive multi-touch screens which allow you to find out more about the many points of interest in the view, zoom in to get a closer look and switch between a clear day or magical night-time view. Isaac even got to drive a speedboat!

Spinnaker Tower

You can take the lift up to the 2nd and 3rd viewing decks but we chose to take the stairs, heading for Deck 3 first which is the highest deck with an altitude of 110m above sea level. When we were told in the lift that this deck was open to the elements I was looking forward to seeing the views without rain spotted glass in front of me, but sadly, the Sky Deck only lets the wind catch your hair as it is just the roof which is missing, with a large net like material above your heads.

Deck 2 is home to Cafe in the Clouds which offers hot and cold drinks and cakes to enjoy along with the breathtaking views.

Spinnaker Tower

We spent about an hour and a half in the tower and our hands were stamped so we could return anytime during the day, however we decided to head to the dockyard to look around some of the ships we had missed on our previous visit.

Spinnaker Tower

Saturday is Caption Day – 2nd January 2016 #satcap

Good Morning!

Welcome to the first Saturday is Caption Day #satcap of 2016.

If you have not taken part before please come and join in. Simply find a funny / cheeky / captionable photo and upload it to your blog with a sentence or three about it. Then link it up with me below and visit the other people who link up and have a giggle as you come up with some humourous captions!

This week we have been in that strange abyss between Christmas and New Year where nobody knows what day or time it is, so we decided to get out and explore. We ended up at Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth and on the viewing deck they still had their Christmas Tree up with a place to sit beside it.

Can you caption this:

Spinnaker Tower

SatCap

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