Visiting London – Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park
A visit to London would bring out the old and new vibes. It is a splash splash of the modern and the medieval and even the ancient. Here’s a look at traveling to London and the places to check out.
The first thing would be getting down at Heathrow Airport (if you are traveling from outside London).
How to get to London City centre from Heathrow Airport (LHR)-
From Heathrow the centre of the city is well connected by tube (underground), rail, taxi, bus. There are manned information counters from where one can obtain details about travel in the city and London-sight seeing. Also there are brochures and maps at various places in the airport which is really helpful for a new visitor to the city.
Traveling and sight seeing on your own in London is very convenient. From Heathrow one can take the
Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. It takes about fifteen minutes from Terminal 1,2, & 3 and about twenty-five minutes from Terminal 4. Paddington is a hub – you can get the tube and buses to other parts of the city from the station itself. Four of the Tube lines pass through Paddington viz. Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, District and Circle. The buses to and from this place are route numbers 7, 15, 23, 27, 36, 205, 436 and 705. Another way to get to central London is through the Heathrow Connect. This also takes about 25 minutes to Paddington, but it is cheaper than the Express.
Apart from getting to Paddington using the above, there are other ways to get to central London. The airport is connected to the Tube and also has bus services running. In the airport the signs would lead one to a ramp near the exit through which you descend to the Rail and Tube services. One can take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground and then change according to destination. For instance one can change to the Jubilee Line from the Piccadilly line by getting down at Green Park station. The main lines of the Underground are Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City.
If one is coming TO Heathrow from the west, then one option would be RailAir. RailAir runs a coach service from Reading to Heathrow Terminal 1, 2 and 3 with a free transfer to terminal 4. Sight seeing in London is very convenient if one uses the London Underground. Many of the tourist places and landmarks are covered by it.
How to get to London City center from Heathrow Airport (LHR)-
From Heathrow, the center of the city is well connected by tube (underground), rail, taxi, bus. There are manned information counters from where one can obtain details about travel in the city and London-sight seeing. Also, there are brochures and maps at various places in the airport which is really helpful for a new visitor to the city.
Traveling and sightseeing on your own in London is very convenient. From Heathrow, one can take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. It takes about fifteen minutes from Terminals 1,2, & 3 and about twenty-five minutes from Terminal 4. Paddington is a hub – you can get the tube and buses to other parts of the city from the station itself. Four of the Tube lines pass through Paddington viz. Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, District, and Circle. The buses to and from this place are route numbers 7, 15, 23, 27, 36, 205, 436, and 705. Another way to get to central London is through the Heathrow Connect. This also takes about 25 minutes to Paddington, but it is cheaper than the Express.
Apart from getting to Paddington using the above, there are other ways to get to central London. The airport is connected to the Tube and also has bus services running. In the airport, the signs would lead one to a ramp near the exit through which you descend to the Rail and Tube services. One can take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground and then change according to destination. For instance, one can change to the Jubilee Line from the Piccadilly line by getting down at Green Park station. The main lines of the Underground are Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City.
If one is coming TO Heathrow from the west, then one option would be RailAir. RailAir runs a coach service from Reading to Heathrow Terminal 1, 2 and 3 with a free transfer to terminal 4. Sightseeing in London is very convenient if one uses the London Underground. Many of the tourist places and landmarks are covered by it.
There are some must-see places in London. In case you are in London for a couple of days or are stretched for time here are some of the places you can check out.
Buckingham Palace
The official London residence of the British Monarch, Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognizable London Landmarks and dates back to the 18th century. The site however had changed ownership and purpose of use since the 16th century. In 1703 the Duke of Buckingham and Normandy had a house built here which forms the architectural core of the current building. It became the principal residence of the monarch when Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 and decided to make this her main residence.
Today Buckingham Palace serves as the office and London residence of The Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. The State Rooms here are used by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State and official occasions. The Palace’s nineteen state rooms are open to visitors during the months of August and September when the Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland.
The tours available in 2008 along with the ticket prices and timings and contact details are available at the official site.
The London Eye
The London Eye is an Observation Wheel built in 1999 and located on the west end of Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames. It is also known as the Millennium Wheel. It was sponsored mainly by British Airways. Until 2005 it was jointly held by the BA, Marks Barfield, and the Tussauds Group. Today Tussauds group has cent percent ownership. The wheel is 443 ft. (135 meters) high. It consists of 32 air-conditioned capsules which can hold about 25 people. It rotates very slowly – about 0.5 mph (0.9 km/h). Hence it does not need to stop for loading/unloading people – unless required as in the case of the elderly or disabled. The London Eye was built in the Netherlands. It was floated up the Thames in sections and assembled lying flat. Thereafter it was lifted up with the help of cranes. With its strategic location at the heart of London, it affords a beautiful view of the city from above. On a clear day one can see up to 25 miles (40km) around – even get a view of Windsor Castle.
How to get to the London eye –
By Tube (Subway) -Waterloo Station
Westminster Station
By Bus – Routes 77, 211 and 381.
By rail – Waterloo Mainline Train Station (about 5 minutes)
Charing Cross Mainline Train station (about 15-20 minutes)
Visiting the London Eye is one of the most popular things to do in London and is a great way to enjoy the city with your family. It is not just the views and the attraction itself that make it so popular, but the fact that it is open all year round and is perfect for families. Visiting the London Eye also helps you to avoid the queues and crowds that are common in other tourist attractions.
Piccadilly Circus
This is a famous road junction of five roads in London’s West End. Built in 1819 it was meant to connect Regent Street with the major shopping area of Piccadilly. Piccadilly derives its name from a 17th-century frilled collar called piccadil. The tailor who made these collars lived in this area.
Today this circular area also connects the theaters on Shaftesbury Avenue as well as the Haymarket, Coventry Street (onwards to Leicester Square), and Glasshouse Street. The circus is well known for its brightly lit neon signs and the Shaftesbury memorial fountain with the Statue of Eros (a pagan God of Love). The fountain, made of bronze while the statue is made of aluminum, was erected in 1893 in recognition of Lord Shaftesbury’s philanthropic activities towards the poor.
From Piccadilly Circus, other areas of entertainment like Trafalgar Square and Chinatown can be easily reached by walking.
Piccadilly is a major shopping area with most of the world’s famous and exclusive brands having their store here. The stores are located on Piccadilly and also the stretch of Old Bond St. continuing to New Bond St. and further. All about the stores in Piccadilly are dealt with, in the following related articles.
How to reach Piccadilly Circus –
Tube: Nearest being Piccadilly Circus
Rail: The Charing Cross Mainline Rail Station.
Trafalgar Square
This square is considered a center of democracy where the public can hold rallies and demonstrations at weekends on various political, religious, and general issues. It is a centrally located open space with historic importance where people can just spend time or participated in the various events that take place here throughout the year.
The area which covers the Square today was originally the courtyard of the Great Mews Stabling of Whitehall Palace. In the early 18th century the Mews were put out of use by the Royal family and it was decided to make this a place open to the public. John Nash, the architect, gave the initial plan for the Square in 1812. In 1830 it was named Trafalgar Square. Over the subsequent years, the Square has evolved. Other famous architects who have contributed to its development include William Wilkins, Sir Charles Barry, Sir Edwin Landseer (the bronze lions set up in 1867) William Railton (Nelson’s Column erected in 1843), etc. Apart from Nelson’s Column, the Square has fountains and statues.
The Square has a Café which also has a bar. It is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. It is wheelchair accessible. The public toilets are situated at the base of the central staircase. They are open from 8 AM to 8 PM.
For the safety and convenience of the visitors the Heritage Wardens were introduced in 2000. They are at the square 24/7 and helps with information on the Square attractions and facilities as also assistance during events.
How to get to Trafalgar Square
Tube: Charing Cross (on the Bakerloo & Northern Lines) which has an exit on Trafalgar Square.
Other stations close by, from where the Square is easily accessed are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines), Embankment (On Bakerloo, Northern, District and Circle lines) and Piccadilly Circus (on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines).
Bus: Routes 139, 159, 176, 453, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 77A, 88, 91, 13, 15, 23, 24, 53.
Some routes start/end near the square. They are N2, N5, N18, N20, N21, N26, N29, N41, N47, N50, N89, N91, N97, N279, N381 and 53.
Other routes which touch Trafalgar Square are N3, N9, N11, N13, N15, N36, N44, N52, N77, N155, N159, N343, 6, 12, 23, 24, 88, 139, 176, 453.
Charing Cross Mainline Rail Station is also nearby – within walking distance of the Square.
Hyde Park
This is a 350-acre park in Central London. One can easily reach there through the London Underground – at the Hyde Park Corner station on the Piccadilly line between Knightsbridge and Green Park. In the 16th century, this area was a deer park and used for hunts. Henry VII acquired this land in 1536. It was for Private use until James I gave limited access to the gentlefolk and later in 1637 Charles I opened it to the public. The Park is divided into two by the Serpentine Lake built in 1733 and designed by Charles Bridgeman. The memorial to Princess Diana is also in this park. Its timings are 10 AM – 8 PM (April-August), 10 AM -7 PM (September), 10 AM – 6 PM (March & October), 10 AM – 4 PM (Nov to Feb). It is closed for about 20 days in November for annual maintenance. A number of motion pictures have been filmed in this Park. These include “The Happy breed” (1944), Genevieve(1953), “A touch of class” (1973) etc.
The Park has a number of facilities. There is a playground, a lake, The Lookout where children can learn about nature and wildlife, toilets, restaurants, and cafes. The Park is accessible to disabled individuals. For people who find it difficult to walk around the Park, there are Electric buggies available. These give half an hour drives around with get on/get off facility.
The Park is open from 5 AM to Midnight throughout the year.
How to get to Hyde Park
Tube: Lancaster gate & Marble Arch on the Central Line. Hyde Park Corner & Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly Line.
Bus : Numbers 6, 7, 10, 16, 52, 73, 82, 390, 414 (from North London); Numbers 8, 15, 30, 38, 274 (from East); Numbers 2, 36, 137, 436 (from South); Numbers 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 148, 414 (from West).
Car : Pay and Display parking on West Carriage Drive and in Car Parks at either end of Serpentine Bridge. But available parking space is limited.
Contact: The Park Office, Rangers Lodge, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UH, Tele. +44 (0)20 7298 2100, Fax. +44 (0)20 7402 3298
Contacting Police: In an emergency phone 999, A non-emergency within the Royal Parks call 020 7706 7272
There is also an official journey/trip planner.