London Explorer

London · Hampton Court · Windsor
Experience the magic and mystery of English History

Day One:

On arrival at your London Airport, you will be met by your UK Connection Representative and transferred to your London accommodation. Depending upon arrival times there may be time for a self-guided, walking orientation tour of the area around your accommodation followed by dinner at a choice of centrally located restaurants.

Day Two:

A full day Guided Sightseeing Tour by Coach.
Your tour will take you past many of London's most famous monuments - the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square with the statue of Lord Nelson, Pall Mall and much more. Extended stops are made at: the magnificent Gothic Westminster Abbey which has been the site of every coronation since 1066; Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard to witness the Queen's Foot Guard in their red tunics and bearskins marching to the accompaniment of a military band; you will enjoy a walk around bustling Covent Garden the former fruit market now a piazza lined with shops, street entertainers; City of London to earn about the Great Fire of 1666 the Bank of England and the home of the Lord Mayor, The Mansion House and on to Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral.
Dinner this evening in a central London restaurant or at your accommodation.

Day Three:

After breakfast, we make a visit to the National Gallery Britain's premier art gallery and home to one of the finest international collections of Art. From here it is a short walk across the Charing Cross Footbridge to the London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in the world.
This afternoon we travel across the city to Knightsbridge to visit a choice of The Natural History, the Science and/or The Victoria and Albert Museums. Time then for a visit to Britain's finest store at Harrods and/or some less expensive shopping in Oxford Street.
Dinner and overnight.

Day Four: Hampton Court & Windsor

Today we leave the city to explore some of the most famous royal residences around the capital.
We start our day at Hampton Court Palace on the banks of the River Thames surrounded by parkland, dating back nearly 500 years. Henry VIII rebuilt and extended the buildings and all the subsequent royals stayed here, until it was used to imprison Charles I during the Civil War. You will see the state apartments, containing a large part of the Queen's art collection, and also visit the spectacular formal gardens, set in over 60 acres. From here it is a short drive to Windsor and its Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Your visit includes Queen Mary's Dolls' House, and St George's Chapel. The town of Windsor itself has many interesting buildings dating from the 17th century. The Old King's Head, is said to be where William Shakespeare wrote "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and just before Windsor Bridge is Sir Christopher Wren's House. Across the bridge lies famous Eton College founded in 1440, during the reign of Henry VI. You will also visit Runnymede Island where King John was forced to seal the Magna Carta in June 1215.
Tonight, after dinner, you have a seat for one of London's top a West End plays such as The Lion King, Oliver, or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Day Five: Tower of London

Finish your London stay in style with a morning in The Tower of London with a close up viewing of the awesome Crown Jewels. During its 1000-year history this impressive fortress has been a royal palace, a prison, the Royal Mint and even a zoo. It has seen three Queens of England beheaded, and the torture of numerous prisoners, stretched on the rack and crushed in the Scavenger's Daughter. You will also see the famous Crown Jewels including the Coronation Crown, the dazzling Cullinan diamonds and the exquisite Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Perhaps some last minute shopping before your return transfer to your London airport for your return flight home.

Call UK Connection on +44 1273 648 240
or email us at international@ukconnection.co.uk for more information

• Buckingham Palace
• Downing Street & Whitehall
• Westminster Abbey
• The Houses of Parliament
• River Thames Boat Trip
• London Eye
• Natural History and/or Science Museum
• Harrods Store
• West End Theatre Tickets
• The Tower of London
• Hampton Court Palace
• Windsor Castle