London Day Tours
London Special interests
Airbases in East Anglia, WW2
Althorp House
Antiques
Archaeology
Architectural London
Bloomsbury Group
British Museum
Charles Dickens
Children
Churchill
Crop Circles from the Air
D-Day: Normandy Tour by Private Plane
Da Vinci Code, London
Da Vinci Code, Paris
Early Christianity
Elderly
England's Gardens
Film and Television
Fun for Children
Hampstead & Highgate
Harry Potter
Inside the Houses of Parliament
Jane Austen
John Wesley
Kids
Legal London
Literary London
London Museums and Galleries
London Tube Tours
London by Night
Mary Queen of Scots
Military
Normandy D-Day Beaches by Private Plane
Normandy & Mont St Michel by Private Plane
Prehistoric Wessex
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Princess Diana
Special Needs & Wheelchairs
Stately Homes, Castles & Gardens
Stonehenge at Dusk or Dawn
VIP, London by Night
Vita Sackville-West
Wine and Beer
Winston Churchill
William Morris
WWll Airbases, East Anglia
Althorp
Althorp is the ancestral home of the Spencer family, where Diana Princess of Wales grew up and the place of her resting. Also visit the University city of Oxford, the picturesque Cotswolds and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.
Antiques
Outside London: visit the Cotswolds, a beautiful region of unspoiled towns, pretty stone cottages and beautiful countryside which offers some of the most romantic antique hunting in England. The antique shops are so close to one another that in a full day, clients can easily visit quite a few without too much driving.
In London: visit Portobello Road Market, Camden Passage - when open - for interesting curios, Bermondsey Market for professionals, Jermyn Street, Bond Street and other markets. Please let us know the day you are interested in touring as the markets are not open every day.
Architectural London
Discover the different periods of London Architecture with your own guide: Roman Architecture, Norman Churches, timber-framed medieval domestic building, Wren's classical churches, Robert Adams's Eighteenth Century great houses, the Neoclassical Architecture of John Nash and the post-1945 architecture of Richard Rogers, Terry Farrell and others.
Bloomsbury Group
In London visit Bloomsbury Square, Gordon Square, Fitzroy Square, Lytton Street and other locations associated with the Stephen sisters, Vanessa and Virginia, the Omega Workshops and the homes of Virginia Woolf.
Outside London visit Sissinghurst, the world famous gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicholson, Knole, a magnificent house set in an extensive deer park owned by Lord Sackville, Charleston, discovered by Virginia and Leonard Woolf when Virginia's sister was looking for a place in the country and Monk's House where Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard lived in 1919.
Charles Dickens
Most places associated with Dickens - where he spent his childhood, his holidays, his honeymoon, where he wrote his books, the towns and the countryside that inspired him - remain unchanged and provide added understanding of this brilliant novelist.
Early Christianity
It was in 597 that Pope Gregory sent Saint Augustine to re-establish Christianity in Britain - your tour starts with a stone cross commemorating his landing 1,400 years ago.
Film and Television Locations
Harry Potter, Bridget Jones, New: Pride and Prejudice,The Remains of the Day, Braveheart, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, Sense and Sensibility, Brideshead Revisited, All Creatures Great and Small ... Britain's most historic sights have provided the backdrops for some cinema's greatest moments.
Fun for Children
Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Maid Marion and the bad Sheriff of Nottingham; HMS Victory where Nelson lay wounded, Henry VIII's battleship the Mary Rose, and HMS Warrior, England's first armoured battleship, a lively and noisy Fort where they can fire guns and handle swords, ever enjoyable Legoland a short drive from Windsor Castle or one of the many theme parks.
Hampstead & Highgate
Visit Hampstead and Highgate, two of London's most delightful villages away from the hustle and bustle of town, separated by the meadows and lakes of Hampstead Heath. Home to a great number of writers, artists and politicians, the famous figures who lived here include Constable, Keats and Freud to name a few. Also visit Kenwood House - a stunning neoclassical mansion remodelled by Robert Adam surrounded by woodland, lakes and parkland. The house contains paintings by Turner, Rembrandt, and Gainsborough.
Inside the Houses of Parliament
Experience an exclusive personal tour of the Houses of Parliament, known as the Palace of Westminster.
Jane Austen
Visit her birthplace, the house where she died, her grave and memorial and the towns and countryside that so inspired her writing as well as the beautiful locations in which her novels were made into films.
John Wesley
In London, see the places associated with John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of the Methodist Church. Visit the Chapel in which he preached and his House with his possessions on display. If you are also interested in seeing other London sights, you can visit these places as part of a 7 hour London tour.
Out of London, visit Oxford, the oldest university city in England, home of Christ Church, where Wesley attended together with his brother Charles. You can visit Christ Church as part of a 9 hour Oxford tour, or 9 hour Cotswolds.
Legal London
Legal London can be divided into two parts - the historical and the present day justice system. The historical tour includes four great Inns of Court which originated in the 13th century. The present day can visit Bow Street Magistrate Court (the lowest court in the land), the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, the House of Lords (the highest court in the land) and the Royal Court of Justice. With the exception of the House of Lords, the public are able to enter these courts and see them in action.
Literary Tours
See the country of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stephenson and Thomas Hardy; places associated with Ruskin, Wordsworth, Vita Sackville-West and the Bloomsbury group including Virginia Woolf and D H Lawrence; the homes of the Brontes, George Bernard Shaw, Keats and Henry James and the castle in which Rudyard Kipling lived.
Mary Queen of Scots
Cousin of the powerful Elizabeth I who was the daughter of Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots is one of history's most romantic women whose exciting but finally tragic life never lost its fascination for writers, film producers and the public.
Prehistoric Wessex
The carefully shaped stones, the accurately horizontal lintel of 30 Sarsens, the trilithon horseshoe and the midsummer sunrise alignment are unique to Stonehenge and make it the most important prehistoric monument in Europe. However for the real zealot the rich archaeological landscape offers a large number of prehistoric temples, Neolithic harvest hills for fertility rituals and communal tombs.
Special Needs
Some of England's ancient buildings are not always accessible by wheelchair, but an increasing number of historic sights are.
Stonehenge at Dusk or Dawn
In the evening after Stonehenge is closed to the public, or at dawn, we can arrange for you to visit this awe-inspiring prehistoric monument and walk among the giant sarsen stones towering 21 ft (6.4 m) high and weighing up to 50 tons. Marvel at how stones of such monumental scale were quarried, transported and erected 5,000 years ago when the only tools available were made of wood, bone and stone.
William Morris
The greatest of the nineteenth century designers who died over 100 years ago, created textiles, stained glass, wallpapers and carpets to counteract the over-fussy decoration of the Victorian era; they are timeless and as popular now as ever they have been.
Wine and Beer
"The Garden of England" grows wonderful grapes - see wine-making at its best and taste some of the fine produce. Kent also grows a good quality of hop, essential for brewing top quality beer and visit to a hop farm is a most interesting experience.
Winston Churchill
In London, visit the sights associated with Sir Winston Churchill, recently voted the greatest Briton of all time. In London see the Cabinet War Rooms, St Margaret's Westminster where he married, Palace Gate where he lived in London, his statue in Parliament Square and memorial in the Abbey.
Outside London, either visit his birthplace at magnificent Blenheim Palace and his grave at Bladon - or Chartwell in Kent, his home from 1924 to 1965.
All sights could be visited on an overnight tour.
London by Night
See the London that comes to life at night with all the major sights spectacularly floodlit: the West End, the River Thames, elegant Chelsea, the deserted City - London's financial heart - Soho with its many nightclubs, restaurants and bustling Chinatown. Visit a typical pub, The George in Southwark, The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden, The Anchor or Dirty Dick's on the river or The Grenadier in Belgravia.
The famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is well worth a look and gives children a chance to see the Queen's soldiers take part in this historic ceremony
The Tower of London - The Tower is full of stories of intrigue, execution & murder. Its 900 years of existence has been a palace, a prison and a setting for many famous executions - including two of Henry VIII's unfortunate wives. Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters) still patrol the grounds and can tell a few tales of ghostly happenings at night...
London Zoo - opened in 1828 this is one of London's most popular attractions for all the family. Children can watch the Keepers feed the animals and can also take part in one of the exciting and informative shows featuring some of the zoo's most intriguing residents...
Madame Tussauds - Wax portraits of famous and infamous world figures on display in such settings as The Garden Party and the Grand Hall. An exciting new addition is the 'Spirit of London' where you can travel in a 'time taxi' to experience the captial's fascinating history. There is also the renowned Chambers of Horrors - recreating some of the most horrific scenes of crime and punishment from London's history...
Hamleys Toy Shop - Probably the most famous (and largest) toy shop in the world - small and big kids alike will enjoy looking at (and playing with) the amazing range of toys, games and books on sale.
London Dungeon - This world-famous horror museum has state of the art special effects depicting scenes of torture, death and murder in spine-chilling detail. The London Dungeon is not recommended for children under the age of 10.
Museums for Kids
Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood - This branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum is dedicated to toys from the seventeenth century to the present day.
Pollock's Toy Museum - This fascinating museum is devoted to puppets and stages from Pollock's theatres. Toy theatre performances are held during school holidays.
The Natural History Museum - See the Dinosaurs at this beautiful museum which combines interactive displays with traditional exhibitions showing how life has evolved on our planet, a lifelike, animatronic T-Rex, a magnicent collection of fossils and more.
The Science Museum - An exciting and innovative museum that has many interactive displays which enable children to take part in scientific experiments themselves.
The London Transport Museum - This museum tells the colourful story of travel, people and the growth of London. As well as the unique working exhibits, historic vehicles and famous London Transport posters, there are special exhibitions and family activities at times.
The Cabinet War Rooms - Any child interested in history will be fascinated with Sir Winston Churchill's underground headquarters during the Second World War. See 21 historic rooms including the Cabinet Room, transatlantic telephone room, map room and Churchill's bedroom.
Imperial War Museum - Although this fascinating museum has an impressive display of 20th century tanks, artillery, bombs and aircraft, it also manages to provide a thought-provoking and poignant insight into how war has affected everyday people throughout the 20th-century, by using impressive displays and personal exhibits. Particularly educational for children is the First World War front-line trench and a blitzed London street from the Second World War.
Parks
Regent's Park - as well as housing the famous London Zoo, this park is surrounded by beautiful buildings and you can stroll around the rose garden or watch the open-air theatre in the summer.
Kensington Gardens - set in the grounds of Kensington Palace - once Princess Diana's London residence - these beautiful gardens are now home to an imaginative children's adventure playround, dedicated to her memory.
Hyde Park - The Serpentine lake, where you can go boating, is one of the highlights of this park which also has restaurants, an art gallery and the infamous 'Speakers' Corner'.
St James's Park - Come here to feed the ducks and swans, or watch the pelicans at play!
Hampstead Heath - This beautiful open space is located in the midst of north London and nearby Parliament Hill offers stunning views of St Paul's, the City and the West End.
Richmond Park - This is the biggest royal park in London and offers children the opportunity to see roaming deer and for parents to take in the magnificent river views.
Golders Hill Park - Perfect for the whole family, this park has an attractive walled garden, a deer enclosure and children's zoo.
Teenagers London
Camden Town and Market - An exciting and colourful market that sells a wide range of fashion, arts and crafts and other interesting bric-a-brac - a must for the fashion-conscious young shopper who likes to pick up a bargain...
Covent Garden - The open-air cafes and bars, its famous piazza, street entertainers, stylish shops and markets make Covent Garden a definite hit for the young and young at heart.
Notting Hill - Since the hit comedy film 'Notting Hill' with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, people are flocking to this 'hip' part of London to sample the cafes, shops, markets and unique atmosphere of this London village.
The Trocadero - This urban indoor theme park in one of the largest in Europe and offers the latest in high-tech and virtual reality entertainment.
The Rock Circus - Situated in the Trocadero, the skills and artistry of Madame Tussaud's wax works combine with the technology of the future to tell the story of rock and pop from 1950s to present day.
Outside London
Hampton Court - Built in 1514, this beautiful Palace situated along the River Thames, was a favourite residence of the infamous Henry VIII. Five of his wives lived here and the ghosts of two (Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard) supposedly haunt it. Parents can literally 'lose' their kids for an hour or so by letting them try their luck in the famous maze, whilst you can stroll about the stunning gardens. Costumed guides take you on a fascinating tour of the State Rooms and can explain in detail the rich history and events which surround them, plus a visit to the Tudor Kitchens and the world's largest grape vine is a must... An advantage of Hampton Court & Windsor (below) are that they are not that far from central London.
Warwick Castle - situated on the banks of the Avon, is one of the finest medieval fortresses in England and is a real hit with the young and old alike. Using waxwork exhibits to bring to life the rich history of the castle, it shows imaginatively scenes from its time as a medieval household preparing for battle, plus the Castle as a venue for a royal party in 1898. Kids will also love the gruesome dungeon, torture chamber and ghost tower, whilst parents cannot fail to be impressed by the stunning 60 acres of grounds landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. (Jouster at Warwick Castle pictured left).
Hever Castle - This romantic 13th-century moated castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn - Henry VIII's ill-fated second wife. Especially appealing to children are the two exciting mazes including the Water Maze and the Hedge Maze, plus the Miniture Model Houses Exhibition and the variety of special events throughout the season including jousting, falconry and archery.
Windsor Castle - For any child with an interest in the British Royal Family a visit to England's largest royal residence provides an unrivalled insight into 900 years of history - all in a single day. With magnificent State Apartments, St. George's Chapel, burial place of Kings and Queens, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House, exquisitely perfect to the tiniest detail, there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.
Legoland is a theme park dedicated to the imagination and creativity of children aged 2 to 13 and is set in 150 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland. There are themed playscapes, building workshops, interactive rides and shows plus the wonderful Legoland model towns from around the world. You can combine a visit to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court with a visit to Legoland.
Oxford University will please the kids more than ever before. Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter films were set there including Hogwarts' library, hospital, dining room and staircase (pictured right). Please note that there is a minimum age for admission to the library.
British Museum Tour
Available privately daytimes and Thursday/Friday evenings.
A highlights tour of the largest English language museum in the world. Founded in 1753, the British Museum is home to one of the world's great collections of treasures from ancient civilisations and is London's best loved museum.
Starting in Museum's Great Hall, the fantastic new space created for the millennium, we set off on a tour of treasures from ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome and Britain. Discover the mysteries of the Rosetta stone - the carved inscriptions that revealed the secret of the hieroglyphs.
We then head upstairs to investigate the secrets of ancient Egypt with a visit to the finest collection of mummies outside Cairo: meet Ginger, a 5000 year old mummy whose body was preserved perfectly in the sand and say hello to Rameses the Great, the Pharaoh who had over 70 children. Discover how a mummy is made. We then visit the classical world of Greece and the fantastic Elgin Marbles, the beautiful sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens. We look at the oldest writing in the world, and see the Lewis Chess set which inspired the chess pieces in Harry Potter. Suitable for adults and Children from 8 upwards.
National Gallery, Highlights tour
Available privately daytimes and Wednesday evenings
The National Gallery houses Britain's greatest art collection - with 2,400 paintings spanning 500 years of European art history including works by Boticelli, Michelangelo, Rubens, Titian, Van Gough, Manet and Monet.
A tour of the gallery's greatest paintings takes in Van Eyck's masterful oil The Arnolfini Portrait, with its mysterious symbols. We look at works by the renowned Florentine artist Boticelli as well as Bronzini's sensual Venus and Cupid, with its messages of love. We discover the secrets behind Holbein's imposing Ambassadors and the troubled times of the Henry VIII, and then on to Leonardo's Madonna of the Rocks and the great works of Raphael. We follow the life of Rembrandt in one of the finest collections of paintings by the Dutch master outside Holland, and then look at the great British painters: Constable's most famous work the Haywain, and recently voted the nation's favourite painting - Turner's Fighting Temeraire. We finish our tour with the paintings of Manet, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
National Portrait Gallery, Great Britons
Available privately daytimes and Thursday/Friday evenings.
Find out more about the people who shaped Britain: meet Henry VIII and discover the fate of each of his six wives. We then visit the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and her favourite men Raleigh and Drake who plundered the Spanish and created England's first colonies.
We continue with Sir Isaac Newton, the man who discovered gravity, but did you know he invented the cat flap? Then follow the career of Winston Churchill Britain's illustrious war time Prime Minister. Into the photography section to discuss the lives of John Lennon, the Beatles and Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web
Houses of Parliament Tours
Experience an exclusive private tour inside the Houses of Parliament.
Originally built in the 11th century, the current structure is in the lavishly decorated Neo-Gothic style and since the 16th century has been the seat of the two Houses, the Lords and the Commons.
View the Queen's Robing Chamber, where the Monarchs get changed for the State Opening of Parliament, the Royal Gallery where Prime Ministers and Presidents have stood addressing Parliament, the Princes Chamber and antechamber to the House of Lords, the Lords Chamber and throne. In the House of Commons, stand at the dispatch box where Prime Ministers from Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher have stood. Also see the Great Hall remained unchanged from the original Palace of Westminster where Kings resided and where the mother of Parliament was founded.
The British Museum, with collections of archaeology, prints, drawings, coins and medals and various exhibitions. Good access, with lifts.
The National Gallery with an unrivalled collection of Western painting from 13th to 20th centuries. Very good access.
The National Portrait Gallery with a fascinating collection of portraits and photographs of Britain's most important subjects. Good access and helpful staff.
Westminster Abbey - the resting place of Britain's monarchs and the setting for coronations. Apart from The Henry VII Chapel, there is a small step into the Abbey and most other areas are quite accessible by wheelchair.
St Paul's Cathedral - Christopher Wren's masterpiece built after the Great Fire of London has many memorials to famous figures and popular heroes, such as Lord Nelson in the crypt. All areas are accessible including the crypt where there is a lift between floors. Only the Whispering Gallery is not accessible.
London Zoo - up to 90% accessible to wheelchair users. Some areas need help to access from members of staff.
Madame Tussaud's - Wax portraits of famous and infamous world figures on display in such settings as The Garden Party and the Grand Hall. Nearly all areas are accessible by wheelchairs; timed tickets need to be booked in advance.
Victoria & Albert Museum - contains one of the world's widest collections of art, clothes, sculpture, watercolours and musical instruments. Only 5 galleries are inaccessible by wheelchairs. The museum has lifts and is at least 85% accessible.
The Tower of London - the ground level of this historic fortress can be visited by wheelchair. 'So-so' accessibility. The White Tower and the Crown Jewels are also accessible by lift.
Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace
This is a popular tour because it gives one the experience of genuine English villages - it also has the advantage of being an 'outdoors' tour and villages like Broadway and Burford can be easily seen by wheelchair.
Blenheim Palace, the magnificent home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill, is also practically 100% accessible. There is a ramp outside and once inside everything is flat and wide open. This is one of England's most stunning Stately Homes. Only the private apartments on the second floor are inaccessible.
Windsor, Eton & Hampton Court
Visit Windsor Castle, England's largest royal residence with magnificent State Apartments which clients can see in full as there is a lift. Queen Mary's Dolls' House is not accessible by wheelchair.
Hampton Court, built in 1514 and beautifully situated on the Thames, was a favourite residence of Henry VIII. There is a lift to the first floors.
A panoramic tour of the famous public school where boys are still dressed in traditional black tail coats is included too.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Your guide will drive you via the beautiful University City of Oxford (the colleges have varying accessibility) , and Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill (good accessibility) to Stratford, immortalised by William Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Properties have a fair degree of accessibility. The Exhibition, Garden and Birthplace can be visited in a wheelchair but not the first floor. The ground floor of Hall's Croft and Mary Arden's House can be visited too. Anne Hathaway's Cottage is not suited to wheelchair users but the gardens are.
Thames Valley
Like the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace this is a scenic and panoramic tour. It follows the River Thames along its historic route through small pretty towns such as Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead, Cookham, Marlow, Soning and Henley. Enjoy a pint of beer in a riverside pub or traditional afternoon tea and scones in one of the many quaint tea shops.
Leeds Castle & Sissinghurst Gardens
Visit one of England's most famous fairy-tale castles, built over 1,000 years ago in the middle of two lakes and surrounded by magnificent gardens. The castle can be accessed by wheelchair but there is no lift to the first floor. The lovely gardens at Sissinghurst, created by Vita Sackville-West around the tower of Sissinghurst Castle, can be visited easily.
Bath, Salisbury & Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Although some of the sights in Bath are difficult to access by wheelchair, Stonehenge, Europe's most important prehistoric monument, has no steps or obstacles, making it one of the most accessible attractions in Britain. 13th century Salisbury Cathedral also has good access.
London Special interests
Airbases in East Anglia, WW2
Althorp House
Antiques
Archaeology
Architectural London
Bloomsbury Group
British Museum
Charles Dickens
Children
Churchill
Crop Circles from the Air
D-Day: Normandy Tour by Private Plane
Da Vinci Code, London
Da Vinci Code, Paris
Early Christianity
Elderly
England's Gardens
Film and Television
Fun for Children
Hampstead & Highgate
Harry Potter
Inside the Houses of Parliament
Jane Austen
John Wesley
Kids
Legal London
Literary London
London Museums and Galleries
London Tube Tours
London by Night
Mary Queen of Scots
Military
Normandy D-Day Beaches by Private Plane
Normandy & Mont St Michel by Private Plane
Prehistoric Wessex
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Princess Diana
Special Needs & Wheelchairs
Stately Homes, Castles & Gardens
Stonehenge at Dusk or Dawn
VIP, London by Night
Vita Sackville-West
Wine and Beer
Winston Churchill
William Morris
WWll Airbases, East Anglia
Althorp
Althorp is the ancestral home of the Spencer family, where Diana Princess of Wales grew up and the place of her resting. Also visit the University city of Oxford, the picturesque Cotswolds and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.
Antiques
Outside London: visit the Cotswolds, a beautiful region of unspoiled towns, pretty stone cottages and beautiful countryside which offers some of the most romantic antique hunting in England. The antique shops are so close to one another that in a full day, clients can easily visit quite a few without too much driving.
In London: visit Portobello Road Market, Camden Passage - when open - for interesting curios, Bermondsey Market for professionals, Jermyn Street, Bond Street and other markets. Please let us know the day you are interested in touring as the markets are not open every day.
Architectural London
Discover the different periods of London Architecture with your own guide: Roman Architecture, Norman Churches, timber-framed medieval domestic building, Wren's classical churches, Robert Adams's Eighteenth Century great houses, the Neoclassical Architecture of John Nash and the post-1945 architecture of Richard Rogers, Terry Farrell and others.
Bloomsbury Group
In London visit Bloomsbury Square, Gordon Square, Fitzroy Square, Lytton Street and other locations associated with the Stephen sisters, Vanessa and Virginia, the Omega Workshops and the homes of Virginia Woolf.
Outside London visit Sissinghurst, the world famous gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicholson, Knole, a magnificent house set in an extensive deer park owned by Lord Sackville, Charleston, discovered by Virginia and Leonard Woolf when Virginia's sister was looking for a place in the country and Monk's House where Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard lived in 1919.
Charles Dickens
Most places associated with Dickens - where he spent his childhood, his holidays, his honeymoon, where he wrote his books, the towns and the countryside that inspired him - remain unchanged and provide added understanding of this brilliant novelist.
Early Christianity
It was in 597 that Pope Gregory sent Saint Augustine to re-establish Christianity in Britain - your tour starts with a stone cross commemorating his landing 1,400 years ago.
Film and Television Locations
Harry Potter, Bridget Jones, New: Pride and Prejudice,The Remains of the Day, Braveheart, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, Sense and Sensibility, Brideshead Revisited, All Creatures Great and Small ... Britain's most historic sights have provided the backdrops for some cinema's greatest moments.
Fun for Children
Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Maid Marion and the bad Sheriff of Nottingham; HMS Victory where Nelson lay wounded, Henry VIII's battleship the Mary Rose, and HMS Warrior, England's first armoured battleship, a lively and noisy Fort where they can fire guns and handle swords, ever enjoyable Legoland a short drive from Windsor Castle or one of the many theme parks.
Hampstead & Highgate
Visit Hampstead and Highgate, two of London's most delightful villages away from the hustle and bustle of town, separated by the meadows and lakes of Hampstead Heath. Home to a great number of writers, artists and politicians, the famous figures who lived here include Constable, Keats and Freud to name a few. Also visit Kenwood House - a stunning neoclassical mansion remodelled by Robert Adam surrounded by woodland, lakes and parkland. The house contains paintings by Turner, Rembrandt, and Gainsborough.
Inside the Houses of Parliament
Experience an exclusive personal tour of the Houses of Parliament, known as the Palace of Westminster.
Jane Austen
Visit her birthplace, the house where she died, her grave and memorial and the towns and countryside that so inspired her writing as well as the beautiful locations in which her novels were made into films.
John Wesley
In London, see the places associated with John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of the Methodist Church. Visit the Chapel in which he preached and his House with his possessions on display. If you are also interested in seeing other London sights, you can visit these places as part of a 7 hour London tour.
Out of London, visit Oxford, the oldest university city in England, home of Christ Church, where Wesley attended together with his brother Charles. You can visit Christ Church as part of a 9 hour Oxford tour, or 9 hour Cotswolds.
Legal London
Legal London can be divided into two parts - the historical and the present day justice system. The historical tour includes four great Inns of Court which originated in the 13th century. The present day can visit Bow Street Magistrate Court (the lowest court in the land), the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, the House of Lords (the highest court in the land) and the Royal Court of Justice. With the exception of the House of Lords, the public are able to enter these courts and see them in action.
Literary Tours
See the country of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stephenson and Thomas Hardy; places associated with Ruskin, Wordsworth, Vita Sackville-West and the Bloomsbury group including Virginia Woolf and D H Lawrence; the homes of the Brontes, George Bernard Shaw, Keats and Henry James and the castle in which Rudyard Kipling lived.
Mary Queen of Scots
Cousin of the powerful Elizabeth I who was the daughter of Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots is one of history's most romantic women whose exciting but finally tragic life never lost its fascination for writers, film producers and the public.
Prehistoric Wessex
The carefully shaped stones, the accurately horizontal lintel of 30 Sarsens, the trilithon horseshoe and the midsummer sunrise alignment are unique to Stonehenge and make it the most important prehistoric monument in Europe. However for the real zealot the rich archaeological landscape offers a large number of prehistoric temples, Neolithic harvest hills for fertility rituals and communal tombs.
Special Needs
Some of England's ancient buildings are not always accessible by wheelchair, but an increasing number of historic sights are.
Stonehenge at Dusk or Dawn
In the evening after Stonehenge is closed to the public, or at dawn, we can arrange for you to visit this awe-inspiring prehistoric monument and walk among the giant sarsen stones towering 21 ft (6.4 m) high and weighing up to 50 tons. Marvel at how stones of such monumental scale were quarried, transported and erected 5,000 years ago when the only tools available were made of wood, bone and stone.
William Morris
The greatest of the nineteenth century designers who died over 100 years ago, created textiles, stained glass, wallpapers and carpets to counteract the over-fussy decoration of the Victorian era; they are timeless and as popular now as ever they have been.
Wine and Beer
"The Garden of England" grows wonderful grapes - see wine-making at its best and taste some of the fine produce. Kent also grows a good quality of hop, essential for brewing top quality beer and visit to a hop farm is a most interesting experience.
Winston Churchill
In London, visit the sights associated with Sir Winston Churchill, recently voted the greatest Briton of all time. In London see the Cabinet War Rooms, St Margaret's Westminster where he married, Palace Gate where he lived in London, his statue in Parliament Square and memorial in the Abbey.
Outside London, either visit his birthplace at magnificent Blenheim Palace and his grave at Bladon - or Chartwell in Kent, his home from 1924 to 1965.
All sights could be visited on an overnight tour.
London by Night
See the London that comes to life at night with all the major sights spectacularly floodlit: the West End, the River Thames, elegant Chelsea, the deserted City - London's financial heart - Soho with its many nightclubs, restaurants and bustling Chinatown. Visit a typical pub, The George in Southwark, The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden, The Anchor or Dirty Dick's on the river or The Grenadier in Belgravia.
The famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is well worth a look and gives children a chance to see the Queen's soldiers take part in this historic ceremony
The Tower of London - The Tower is full of stories of intrigue, execution & murder. Its 900 years of existence has been a palace, a prison and a setting for many famous executions - including two of Henry VIII's unfortunate wives. Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters) still patrol the grounds and can tell a few tales of ghostly happenings at night...
London Zoo - opened in 1828 this is one of London's most popular attractions for all the family. Children can watch the Keepers feed the animals and can also take part in one of the exciting and informative shows featuring some of the zoo's most intriguing residents...
Madame Tussauds - Wax portraits of famous and infamous world figures on display in such settings as The Garden Party and the Grand Hall. An exciting new addition is the 'Spirit of London' where you can travel in a 'time taxi' to experience the captial's fascinating history. There is also the renowned Chambers of Horrors - recreating some of the most horrific scenes of crime and punishment from London's history...
Hamleys Toy Shop - Probably the most famous (and largest) toy shop in the world - small and big kids alike will enjoy looking at (and playing with) the amazing range of toys, games and books on sale.
London Dungeon - This world-famous horror museum has state of the art special effects depicting scenes of torture, death and murder in spine-chilling detail. The London Dungeon is not recommended for children under the age of 10.
Museums for Kids
Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood - This branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum is dedicated to toys from the seventeenth century to the present day.
Pollock's Toy Museum - This fascinating museum is devoted to puppets and stages from Pollock's theatres. Toy theatre performances are held during school holidays.
The Natural History Museum - See the Dinosaurs at this beautiful museum which combines interactive displays with traditional exhibitions showing how life has evolved on our planet, a lifelike, animatronic T-Rex, a magnicent collection of fossils and more.
The Science Museum - An exciting and innovative museum that has many interactive displays which enable children to take part in scientific experiments themselves.
The London Transport Museum - This museum tells the colourful story of travel, people and the growth of London. As well as the unique working exhibits, historic vehicles and famous London Transport posters, there are special exhibitions and family activities at times.
The Cabinet War Rooms - Any child interested in history will be fascinated with Sir Winston Churchill's underground headquarters during the Second World War. See 21 historic rooms including the Cabinet Room, transatlantic telephone room, map room and Churchill's bedroom.
Imperial War Museum - Although this fascinating museum has an impressive display of 20th century tanks, artillery, bombs and aircraft, it also manages to provide a thought-provoking and poignant insight into how war has affected everyday people throughout the 20th-century, by using impressive displays and personal exhibits. Particularly educational for children is the First World War front-line trench and a blitzed London street from the Second World War.
Parks
Regent's Park - as well as housing the famous London Zoo, this park is surrounded by beautiful buildings and you can stroll around the rose garden or watch the open-air theatre in the summer.
Kensington Gardens - set in the grounds of Kensington Palace - once Princess Diana's London residence - these beautiful gardens are now home to an imaginative children's adventure playround, dedicated to her memory.
Hyde Park - The Serpentine lake, where you can go boating, is one of the highlights of this park which also has restaurants, an art gallery and the infamous 'Speakers' Corner'.
St James's Park - Come here to feed the ducks and swans, or watch the pelicans at play!
Hampstead Heath - This beautiful open space is located in the midst of north London and nearby Parliament Hill offers stunning views of St Paul's, the City and the West End.
Richmond Park - This is the biggest royal park in London and offers children the opportunity to see roaming deer and for parents to take in the magnificent river views.
Golders Hill Park - Perfect for the whole family, this park has an attractive walled garden, a deer enclosure and children's zoo.
Teenagers London
Camden Town and Market - An exciting and colourful market that sells a wide range of fashion, arts and crafts and other interesting bric-a-brac - a must for the fashion-conscious young shopper who likes to pick up a bargain...
Covent Garden - The open-air cafes and bars, its famous piazza, street entertainers, stylish shops and markets make Covent Garden a definite hit for the young and young at heart.
Notting Hill - Since the hit comedy film 'Notting Hill' with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, people are flocking to this 'hip' part of London to sample the cafes, shops, markets and unique atmosphere of this London village.
The Trocadero - This urban indoor theme park in one of the largest in Europe and offers the latest in high-tech and virtual reality entertainment.
The Rock Circus - Situated in the Trocadero, the skills and artistry of Madame Tussaud's wax works combine with the technology of the future to tell the story of rock and pop from 1950s to present day.
Outside London
Hampton Court - Built in 1514, this beautiful Palace situated along the River Thames, was a favourite residence of the infamous Henry VIII. Five of his wives lived here and the ghosts of two (Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard) supposedly haunt it. Parents can literally 'lose' their kids for an hour or so by letting them try their luck in the famous maze, whilst you can stroll about the stunning gardens. Costumed guides take you on a fascinating tour of the State Rooms and can explain in detail the rich history and events which surround them, plus a visit to the Tudor Kitchens and the world's largest grape vine is a must... An advantage of Hampton Court & Windsor (below) are that they are not that far from central London.
Warwick Castle - situated on the banks of the Avon, is one of the finest medieval fortresses in England and is a real hit with the young and old alike. Using waxwork exhibits to bring to life the rich history of the castle, it shows imaginatively scenes from its time as a medieval household preparing for battle, plus the Castle as a venue for a royal party in 1898. Kids will also love the gruesome dungeon, torture chamber and ghost tower, whilst parents cannot fail to be impressed by the stunning 60 acres of grounds landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. (Jouster at Warwick Castle pictured left).
Hever Castle - This romantic 13th-century moated castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn - Henry VIII's ill-fated second wife. Especially appealing to children are the two exciting mazes including the Water Maze and the Hedge Maze, plus the Miniture Model Houses Exhibition and the variety of special events throughout the season including jousting, falconry and archery.
Windsor Castle - For any child with an interest in the British Royal Family a visit to England's largest royal residence provides an unrivalled insight into 900 years of history - all in a single day. With magnificent State Apartments, St. George's Chapel, burial place of Kings and Queens, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House, exquisitely perfect to the tiniest detail, there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.
Legoland is a theme park dedicated to the imagination and creativity of children aged 2 to 13 and is set in 150 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland. There are themed playscapes, building workshops, interactive rides and shows plus the wonderful Legoland model towns from around the world. You can combine a visit to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court with a visit to Legoland.
Oxford University will please the kids more than ever before. Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter films were set there including Hogwarts' library, hospital, dining room and staircase (pictured right). Please note that there is a minimum age for admission to the library.
British Museum Tour
Available privately daytimes and Thursday/Friday evenings.
A highlights tour of the largest English language museum in the world. Founded in 1753, the British Museum is home to one of the world's great collections of treasures from ancient civilisations and is London's best loved museum.
Starting in Museum's Great Hall, the fantastic new space created for the millennium, we set off on a tour of treasures from ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome and Britain. Discover the mysteries of the Rosetta stone - the carved inscriptions that revealed the secret of the hieroglyphs.
We then head upstairs to investigate the secrets of ancient Egypt with a visit to the finest collection of mummies outside Cairo: meet Ginger, a 5000 year old mummy whose body was preserved perfectly in the sand and say hello to Rameses the Great, the Pharaoh who had over 70 children. Discover how a mummy is made. We then visit the classical world of Greece and the fantastic Elgin Marbles, the beautiful sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens. We look at the oldest writing in the world, and see the Lewis Chess set which inspired the chess pieces in Harry Potter. Suitable for adults and Children from 8 upwards.
National Gallery, Highlights tour
Available privately daytimes and Wednesday evenings
The National Gallery houses Britain's greatest art collection - with 2,400 paintings spanning 500 years of European art history including works by Boticelli, Michelangelo, Rubens, Titian, Van Gough, Manet and Monet.
A tour of the gallery's greatest paintings takes in Van Eyck's masterful oil The Arnolfini Portrait, with its mysterious symbols. We look at works by the renowned Florentine artist Boticelli as well as Bronzini's sensual Venus and Cupid, with its messages of love. We discover the secrets behind Holbein's imposing Ambassadors and the troubled times of the Henry VIII, and then on to Leonardo's Madonna of the Rocks and the great works of Raphael. We follow the life of Rembrandt in one of the finest collections of paintings by the Dutch master outside Holland, and then look at the great British painters: Constable's most famous work the Haywain, and recently voted the nation's favourite painting - Turner's Fighting Temeraire. We finish our tour with the paintings of Manet, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
National Portrait Gallery, Great Britons
Available privately daytimes and Thursday/Friday evenings.
Find out more about the people who shaped Britain: meet Henry VIII and discover the fate of each of his six wives. We then visit the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and her favourite men Raleigh and Drake who plundered the Spanish and created England's first colonies.
We continue with Sir Isaac Newton, the man who discovered gravity, but did you know he invented the cat flap? Then follow the career of Winston Churchill Britain's illustrious war time Prime Minister. Into the photography section to discuss the lives of John Lennon, the Beatles and Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web
Houses of Parliament Tours
Experience an exclusive private tour inside the Houses of Parliament.
Originally built in the 11th century, the current structure is in the lavishly decorated Neo-Gothic style and since the 16th century has been the seat of the two Houses, the Lords and the Commons.
View the Queen's Robing Chamber, where the Monarchs get changed for the State Opening of Parliament, the Royal Gallery where Prime Ministers and Presidents have stood addressing Parliament, the Princes Chamber and antechamber to the House of Lords, the Lords Chamber and throne. In the House of Commons, stand at the dispatch box where Prime Ministers from Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher have stood. Also see the Great Hall remained unchanged from the original Palace of Westminster where Kings resided and where the mother of Parliament was founded.
The British Museum, with collections of archaeology, prints, drawings, coins and medals and various exhibitions. Good access, with lifts.
The National Gallery with an unrivalled collection of Western painting from 13th to 20th centuries. Very good access.
The National Portrait Gallery with a fascinating collection of portraits and photographs of Britain's most important subjects. Good access and helpful staff.
Westminster Abbey - the resting place of Britain's monarchs and the setting for coronations. Apart from The Henry VII Chapel, there is a small step into the Abbey and most other areas are quite accessible by wheelchair.
St Paul's Cathedral - Christopher Wren's masterpiece built after the Great Fire of London has many memorials to famous figures and popular heroes, such as Lord Nelson in the crypt. All areas are accessible including the crypt where there is a lift between floors. Only the Whispering Gallery is not accessible.
London Zoo - up to 90% accessible to wheelchair users. Some areas need help to access from members of staff.
Madame Tussaud's - Wax portraits of famous and infamous world figures on display in such settings as The Garden Party and the Grand Hall. Nearly all areas are accessible by wheelchairs; timed tickets need to be booked in advance.
Victoria & Albert Museum - contains one of the world's widest collections of art, clothes, sculpture, watercolours and musical instruments. Only 5 galleries are inaccessible by wheelchairs. The museum has lifts and is at least 85% accessible.
The Tower of London - the ground level of this historic fortress can be visited by wheelchair. 'So-so' accessibility. The White Tower and the Crown Jewels are also accessible by lift.
Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace
This is a popular tour because it gives one the experience of genuine English villages - it also has the advantage of being an 'outdoors' tour and villages like Broadway and Burford can be easily seen by wheelchair.
Blenheim Palace, the magnificent home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill, is also practically 100% accessible. There is a ramp outside and once inside everything is flat and wide open. This is one of England's most stunning Stately Homes. Only the private apartments on the second floor are inaccessible.
Windsor, Eton & Hampton Court
Visit Windsor Castle, England's largest royal residence with magnificent State Apartments which clients can see in full as there is a lift. Queen Mary's Dolls' House is not accessible by wheelchair.
Hampton Court, built in 1514 and beautifully situated on the Thames, was a favourite residence of Henry VIII. There is a lift to the first floors.
A panoramic tour of the famous public school where boys are still dressed in traditional black tail coats is included too.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Your guide will drive you via the beautiful University City of Oxford (the colleges have varying accessibility) , and Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill (good accessibility) to Stratford, immortalised by William Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Properties have a fair degree of accessibility. The Exhibition, Garden and Birthplace can be visited in a wheelchair but not the first floor. The ground floor of Hall's Croft and Mary Arden's House can be visited too. Anne Hathaway's Cottage is not suited to wheelchair users but the gardens are.
Thames Valley
Like the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace this is a scenic and panoramic tour. It follows the River Thames along its historic route through small pretty towns such as Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead, Cookham, Marlow, Soning and Henley. Enjoy a pint of beer in a riverside pub or traditional afternoon tea and scones in one of the many quaint tea shops.
Leeds Castle & Sissinghurst Gardens
Visit one of England's most famous fairy-tale castles, built over 1,000 years ago in the middle of two lakes and surrounded by magnificent gardens. The castle can be accessed by wheelchair but there is no lift to the first floor. The lovely gardens at Sissinghurst, created by Vita Sackville-West around the tower of Sissinghurst Castle, can be visited easily.
Bath, Salisbury & Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Although some of the sights in Bath are difficult to access by wheelchair, Stonehenge, Europe's most important prehistoric monument, has no steps or obstacles, making it one of the most accessible attractions in Britain. 13th century Salisbury Cathedral also has good access.
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