Families and Dinosaurs - Visiting the London Museum of Natural History

Tips for visiting the London Museum of Natural History
By Mark Fitzgerald

On our itinerary, we put down 2 London attractions to visit as a single activity -- the London Museum of Natural History and the London Museum of Science.  As a family we are not sure which we will do and it is highly dependent on the day. Though both have activities for the entire family, the science museum lends itself to our older kids and the natural history museum to the younger ones. We will decide who is most restless and start in the appropriate museum.

Dinosaurs in the Natural History museum

The afternoon seems to be a poor choice of time to attend. Lines can be long even in March. Though it appears to be worst on the weekends, standing outside in the rain waiting to get in is never a good prospect. A tip for visiting the London Natural History Museum is to use the side door that tends to have shorter lines. Conveniently located on Exhibition Road, it is right next to the main entrance of the Science Museum.

The price to visit museum is free, though there are some temporary exhibits that may cost.  You can simply make a donation; they are happy to take your money. In reading reviews some people felt pressured to buy a museum guide, for a £1 donation. I don’t think that will be a problem for us. When in doubt we can print the map below.  The London Pass does not buy us anything special for this attraction.

The highlight of the Natural History Museum appears to be the dinosaurs. You can see them at ground level or a high level walk. Check to see how busy the high walk is before heading up to that level. It is narrow and hard to pass people. The museum is color coded by zones. The dinosaurs are in the blue zone.

Entering the Red Zone of the Natural History Museum

The red zone of the museum is about the forces of the earth: volcanoes, earthquakes, geology, etc.  The green zone is about minerals, birds, fossils and creepy crawlies.  You can enter a life sized termite mound or go head to head against an interactive arachnid.  The orange zone is dedicated to Darwin; it includes the Wildlife Garden which is open from April through October.

Another big draw is the architecture is self.  The building opened in 1881 and is designed in the Romanesque style.  It looks like a cross between a large church and a palace -- lots of arched ceilings and buttresses.  It makes for a caverness feeling in the main hall.  Each zone has its own bathroom, for the most part on the ground level.  They do have WiFi in the museum that you can use.  Make sure that your phone is set correctly.

The nearest London Tube station is South Kensington which is served by the District, Piccadilly, and Circle Lines. We will be walking from Harrods about a 1/2 mile down the road, so we will not be using London Transport option.  There is always the option of riding a bike.  The bike dock for Barclays Cycle Hire is just outside of the Exhibition Road entrance.

You can also use the bike dock on the other side of the museum, on Queen's Gate Rd, and stop to take a picture with the statue of Lord Baden-Powell, the father of the scouting movement.  

Floor Plan of the London Natural History Museum:

Map of the Science Museum and Natural History Museum:

To get a preview of the museum check out William Brougham's overview:

Going on a family vacation builds memories, provides life changing experiences and helps teach about the world we live in.  Take time to explore, enjoy and have fun.  If the London Natural History Museum sounded interesting you may also like the British Museum.  You can also look at our entire list of London Attractions.

#London

#LondonNaturalHistory

Exposing your family to Shakespeare

Tips for Visiting Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
by Mark Fitzgerald

The Globe Theatre

There are at least three ways of visiting the Globe Theatre attraction in London.

1. You can stop by the outside, look around and take pictures.  
2. You can take a tour of the theater and its visitors center.  
3. Or you can go and watch a play.

The theater itself is situated right on the Southbank side of the Thames River.  It is about a 5 minute walk across the Millennium Bridge from St. Paul's Cathedral.  It is right next door to the Tate Modern Museum.  You can arrive via boat by the Bankside pier.  The nearest London Tube stations are Southwark on the Jubilee and Blackfriars on the Circle and District Lines.  They are both about a .6 mile (1 kilometer) walk.

There is not a lot to see on the outside of the theater.   Really all you get to do is take a picture of the tutor style building.  But if you are just passing by it is still worth doing.  If you want to see the inside you have to pay to take a tour and visit the exhibition.

The entrance to the exhibition is on the east side on a road called New Globe Walk.  You can use the London Pass to gain entrance, but it does not reserve nor put you to the front of the line for a tour.  There is a family ticket that will give you a discount for 2 adults and up to 3 children.  You can buy online but there does not appear to be a discount for doing so.

Outside the Globe Theater

Tours depart every 30 minutes starting at 9:30 AM and last about 40 minutes.  They are the least busy in the morning hours, but claim that it is rare to have to wait more than 30 minutes for a tour.  They recommend an hour for the exhibit hall, and that can be split before and after your tour.  While on tour you do not get on stage but get to see all around.  They are often asked about going backstage, but they are quick to point out that Elizabethan theaters didn't have a backstage.  The exhibit hall may close early on days they have matinees.

Just like in times of old, if you choose to watch a show at the theater you have the choice of seats or standing.  If you choose to be a goundling and stand, it will set you back £5 a person.  Seats start at £15 and go up.    Remember it is an open air theater.  Their season runs from April through October so many times it will be chilly.  You can rent seat cushions and lap blankets.  The show goes on rain or shine.  Those seated are protected by the roof but the groundlings are at the mercy of the elements.

As fun as it would be to be on the ground, a seat sounds mighty appealing.  If you choose to be a groundling you will need to find the sign to queue up.  The closer to the front of the line, the closer to the front of the stage.  Make sure to have your tickets before entering the line.

The theatre is not an exact recreation of the original.  It is fully accessible for those that have trouble with stairs and has bathrooms throughout the facility.  If you are in a wheelchair and wish to watch the show some of the seating is difficult to access.  Email the theater beforehand to make arrangements.

Shakespeare can be long, especially for children.  It is still so cultural and part of our history, it is worth a visit.  We are undecided on whether to go on the tour or just take pictures outside.  Either way we will be visiting the Globe Theatre.

Floor Plan of the Globe Theater:

Map of the Globe Theatre:

Walk to the Globe Theater (Click to Enlarge)

A highlight of the Globe Theater:

Going on a family vacation builds memories, provides life changing experiences and helps teach about the world we live in. Take time to explore, enjoy and have fun. If the Globe Theater sounded interesting you may also like Westminster Abbey. You can also look at our entire list of London Attractions.

#London
#Shakespeare

Shopping with the family in London

A beadle at Burlington Arcade

An Afternoon Window Shopping with the Family on Regents Street
By Mark Fitzgerald

What I love about London is the combination of old and new where you can combine the tradition, pomp and circumstance with cutting edge fashion, culture and technology. Window shopping in London's West End pulls together architecture of the early 1800s and the styles of today.

We plan to spend a couple of hours just looking and taking a mile walk  (1.6 kilometers) starting at the Burlington Arcade, heading over to Piccadilly Circus and Lillywhites.  We then end up at Liberty department store.

The Burlington Arcade would be considered the precursor to the modern mall. Wikipedia says it was built "for the sale of jewelry and fancy articles of fashionable demand, for the gratification of the public." As you enter this arcade you will like be greeted by a Beadle, or an usher at the entrance, complete in top hat. This walkway will bring you past some spectacular windows of some very high end and interesting stores.

Start out on the north side of Burlington Arcade and walk south to Piccadilly. As you come out turn left and head down to Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly has similarities to Times Square in New York, as it has neon lights, advertisements and the like. There is also the fountain and statue of Eros.

Piccadilly Circus

Directly fronting Piccadilly Circus is Lillywhites. This sporting goods store, and common London tourist attraction, has been here since 1925. Wander around to see sporting gear and team memorabilia for soccer, rugby, cricket and other sports common to England. Afterwards work your way out on to Regent Street and head north.

Regent Street has a little something for everyone. You may be interested in Hamley's Toys, a monster seven story toy store.  Maybe a gigantic Apple Store is more up your alley. Or perhaps unique food is of interest to you. You will want to visit the East India Company. There is also an abundance of stores that may be in your neighborhood - Nike, Levi's, Bose and Tommy Hilfiger.

Liberty Department Store

We want to end up at Liberty's department Store.   Housed just off of Regent St, in a large Tudor facade building, Liberty sells unique gifts, novelties, clothes, and home-wares. You may want to stop in just to get a scone with clotted cream and jam at the Liberty Cafe on the 2nd floor. Or simply that you need to go and that AllinLondon.com ranked the ground floor bathroom in the shoe department as "second to none".

London Transport flanks the beginning and end points of this shopping route. Oxford Circus is the fourth busiest Underground station in the system. It is serviced by the Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines. The other side is Piccadilly Circus, with the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, not to mention 16 bus routes that pass through. You can also use Green Park with the Victoria, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.  If you are using Barclay Bikes, there is a station just to the north and east of Burlington Arcade on Sackville Street and another between Liberty and Oxford Circus station.

Map of walking route:

And for a bit of a preview of what Liberty is like:

Going on a family vacation builds memories, provides life changing experiences and helps teach about the world we live in. Take time to explore, enjoy and have fun. If this tour Regents Street sounded interesting, you may also like Fat Tire Bike Tours. You can also look at our entire list of London Attractions.

#London

#RegentStreet

Visit Station Jim at Slough Railway Station

A landmark to see when passing through Slough Station
By Mark Fitzgerald

If your journey to Windsor Castle takes you through Slough Station take a moment to go over to platform 5 and find Station Jim.  Who is station Jim you may ask?  He is a Canine Collector of course.  A what?

Station Jim on display at Slough Station

Station Jim was a dog that was found at the railway station in Slough in 1894.  The small puppy was taught tricks and to stay off the tracks.  He became a town mascot of sorts.  The people loved him.

Before long he someone strapped on a coin collection box to raise money for Widows and Orphans.  He started out slow until someone taught him to bark each time he received a coin.  Over two years he collected £40 (£40.00 in 1896 is equivalent to £3,822.71 in 2013).

But the good times didn't last.  He died in 1896.  The community paid to have him stuffed and put on display.  Over a hundred years later Station Jim is still with us standing guard over Slough Station.

Overlooking London with your family from atop the London Eye

London Eye at Night

Tips for visiting the London Eye
By Mark Fitzgerald

The London Eye has quickly become an iconic experience for first time visitors to London despite being only 14 years old. This London attraction will give you a 30 minute ride to see the sites of London. It will top out at 443 feet (135 meters) with stunning views of Westminster and Lambeth.

The kids are excited to visit.  I think this is two fold - it is something they have heard of and it is a Ferris wheel (e.g. it moves).  Personally I would rather see London from the View from the Shard.  You are higher up and you get to stay until you are ready to leave.  

Summer Line at the London Eye

One of the most challenging aspects of visiting the London Eye is figuring out which ticket to buy.  I find it fascinating that you need a buying guide to select which ticket is best for your Ferris wheel experience.

1. You have to decide if you want to buy online or in person.  You have to do this at least 4 days in advanced, but it saves money.
2. Then you have to decide if you want a standard or fast track ticket.  The fast track allows you to go to the front of the line - kind of like Disney's fast pass.  
3. Next you have to decide to buy the flexi option.  This allows you to visit without having to preselect an arrival time.

One of the reasons for the complexity of ticket prices is the weather.  No one really want to sight-see in the middle of a rain cloud.  The cheapest option is to buy a standard ticket online 4 days in advance.  This will tie you to a day and a specific time - rain or shine.  Flexi options allow you to either select a day within the week or a time with a specified day.  

The fast track sound appealing but with a capacity of 1,600 people per hour, it isn't always needed.  The line moves pretty quick.  London Eye is at its busiest during the months of July and August. In the off season the Eye opens at 10:00 AM and goes until 8:30 at night.  The busiest time of the day would be from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

A video from London Landmarks highlights the London Eye.

Apart from buying online there isn't a lot of discounts.  You can get a family pass that will cover a family of four.  There is no help from the London Pass on this one.  If you buy online you print off your tickets at home and go straight to the boarding lines.  If you are buying on site the ticket office is located inside County Hall, which is the building directly next to the London Eye.

Bathrooms are also located in the County Hall building.  Since you may be in line for 20 minutes and there are no bathrooms on board the 30 minute ride you may want to hit the facilities before starting.

The closest London Tube station is Waterloo. When you exit follow the signs for South Bank. You can also arrive via Riverboat at the Millenium Pier or if your kids are older consider using Barclays Cycle Hire bicycles.

London Eye Attraction's map:


Map of area around London Eye:


#London
#LondonEye

Go see the Roman Wall when visiting the Tower of London

Trajan at the Roman Wall

A landmark to see when visiting the Tower of London
By Mark Fitzgerald

London Transport makes it easy to get to the Tower of London. Several bus stops, a London Tube station and connection to the Docklands Light Rail (DLR). Most of these converge just to the North of the Tower of London. This is also where you can find remains of the great Roman Wall that surrounded the City of London.

Nearly 2000 years ago the Roman’s occupied the City of London and made it a fortified walled city. It became a major center of trade. The wall was nearly 3 miles (5 kilometers) long and in places was 20 feet tall (6 meters). The City of London (not to be confused with London – see below) is still defined by where the wall was.

So when visiting the Tower of London take a few minutes to explore before going in. Most people cross Tower Hill road by using an underpass. The wall, along with a statue of Trajan, is right next to this underpass. Also in this area is the Tower Hill Sundial. Along the perimeter is a history of the area starting with the Roman Conquest in 43 AD and the walls being built.

To fully understand the difference between London and the City of London please make sure see this short, yet highly entertaining video by CGP Grey:

#london

#romanwall

#toweroflondon

Using Barclay Cycle Hire to Speed Your Family Along

Tips for using Barclay Bicycles in London
By Mark Fitzgerald

Barclay Cycle Hire appears to be a wonderful alternative to getting on the tube for every little trip. For about the same cost as a ride on the bus you can gain access to bicycles all over the city for the entire day.

Here is the quick version of how it works - For the purposes of our blog we have planned staying in a flat right next to Paddington station. Just outside the station is a fleet of blue bikes with a computer terminal next to them. You walk up to the terminal and you insert £2 and you go an unlock a bike. You can then ride the bike anywhere you wish.

Docked Bikes at a Barclays Cycle Hire

Let's say we plan to go to Banqueting House to start your day. This is 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers) through the parks and will take you 25 minutes.  Once you get to your destination find the nearest dock and lock up your bike with the other Barclay Bikes.

As long as you are under 30 minutes the trip does not cost any additional money and you can check the bike out as many times during the day as you need. You do not always get the same bike back. It is a pass to use the system. If you go over the 30 minutes you will be charged £1. Make sure when you dock the bike, the green light comes on. This indicates that the bike has registered as being returned.

There are two downsides for our family - first insurance will not cover you if you are under 14. Though tall and could handle the bikes, half of our clan would not qualify. The other down side is you can only checkout 4 per credit card. We would need to go through the hassle of using multiple cards.

The system is part of London Transport and is an excellent alternative to taking the London Tube.  London Transport put together a YouTube video on how this all works.

#barclaycycle

#londontransport