World Heritage Sites That Should Be Included In Your London Tour

London is a magical place to visit that all should undertake at some point in their life. Compiling a list of sites and attractions to see while on your tour can be difficult. With so much to see and so little time, including everything you want in your tour itinerary can almost impossible. To help you here is a few of the world heritage sites and other attractions that should form the core of your London tour.

Naturally, as such a historic city you will want to see some of the rich heritage while on your tour of London. The city has been a major settlement for two millennia, since the Roman times. Throughout history London has been at the forefront of development in the UK, its political centre, as well as the administrative capital, it still acts as beacon for many today who wish to undertake a magical tour.

Located in the city are four world heritage sites, these should definitely be included on your tour. The first of these world heritage sites is the Palace of Westminster, the heart of British politics it is also known as the Houses of Parliament. The site has been a political centre throughout history while the current facade is a Victorian creation with remnants of the original Westminster hall. It should be included in you tour itinerary as one of the most recognisable sites in the world, standing underneath Big Ben as he strikes is an experienced not to be missed.

The second world heritage site in London that should at least play a part in your tour is the Tower of London. This is the most historic of all the city’s attractions and is defiantly worth a visit. This fortress has a rich and chequered history; the original White Tower stands as a sign of Norman dominance and the invasion of William the Conqueror. The outlying buildings, walls and moat are a later creation but have definitely seen some of the most tumultuous events in British history, the beheading of Anne Boleyn, the imprisonment of Elizabeth I, and the scene of torture and executions for traitors against the crown. Also, the crown jewels are located at the tower showing the opulence of the British monarchy’s decorative adornments.

Greenwich is the third world heritage site within London that should be included in your tour. The Royal Naval College is a building of note designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of London. The maritime history of the Greenwich site is rich and is also the location of the Greenwich Meridian Line, the international centre of time and date zones. The outstanding collection of houses and mansions in this area of London make this site an architectural paradise and the reason it is considered a world heritage site. For those interested in maritime history of the Royal Navy this is a must see attraction, and should be included in the itinerary of your tour.

The fourth and final world heritage site in London is the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. This garden possesses a large collection of botanical glasshouses of varying ages and is a tourist attraction in its own right. The plants and seed collections are of international importance and Kew still acts as a functioning centre for botanical research. This beautiful setting is as far away from the hustle and bustle of the city as possible and as part of your tour will allow you to relax in the lush greenery before you head back into the throng of people.

These world heritage sites are of international importance and should be included as the principal attractions whilst on you London tour. When in the city these attractions are a welcome excursion; combined with the many activities that you can undertake make a vacation in London a wholly rewarding experience.

Fabulous London Events to Highlight Your Summer Holidays

London is the largest urban area and capital of England and the United Kingdom. An important settlement for two millennia, London’s history goes back to its founding by the Romans. Since its settlement, London has been part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the English Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gothic Revival. The city’s core, the ancient City of London, still retains its limited mediaeval boundaries; but since at least the 19th century the name “”London”" has also referred to the whole metropolis which has developed around it. Today the bulk of this conurbation forms the London region of England and the Greater London administrative area, with its own elected mayor and assembly.

The great city of London, capital of England and the United Kingdom, is an effervescent treat for the senses at anytime of year, but it truly blooms during the summer. From breathtaking flowers and raucous festivals to world-famous athletic competitions and musical extravaganzas, London, in fact even just the Kensington borough of London, is absolutely brimming with exciting UK holiday attractions.

So plan a reservation at one of the excellent Kensington hotels in central London, and get in on the action. Here are just a few recommendations to get you started:

Chelsea Flower Show – May 20-24, 2008

A highlight of the London events calendar every year since 1862, the Chelsea Flower Show has steadily grown into one of the world’s premier horticultural exhibits, featuring dynamic flower and gardening displays by renowned industry leaders and generating crowds in excess of 150,000 people, including members of the British Royal Family (although they usually attend only private sessions).

Much like an upscale fashion show, the Chelsea Flower Show has an air of invention and excitement about it. New breeds of plant are debuted regularly, and the event receives considerable coverage by local and even national media. Particular exhibit categories include flowers of course, gardens, trees, vegetables, scientific exhibits, and floristry, and awards are presented at the end of the show.

The show is hosted at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, not far from the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum hotel near Chelsea. The grounds are as beautiful as the flowers themselves, but they are limited, so act quickly if you want to be one of the lucky visitors of the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Championships Wimbledon – June 23 – July 6, 2008

Known worldwide simply as Wimbledon, and well deserving of single-name status, The Championships Wimbledon is not only the world’s oldest major tennis championship, it is its most revered. With roots dating back to 1877, The Championships are a staple of the London sports scene and prove to be one of the biggest spectator draws in the UK year after year.

The tournament is held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, founded only nine years before the Championships began. The venue’s adherence to the rich tradition of the sport is evident in the refusal to remake the courts with artificial turf or clay. In fact, Wimbledon is the last remaining Grand Slam event to be played on grass.

The Championships Wimbledon are also unique for reserving “day of” tickets for the three primary play courts, including Courts 1 & 2 and the Centre Court. Each court holds 200-300 seats over for potential spectators to purchase the day of the event. Obviously, these tickets sell out very quickly and usually require that you queue up overnight to have any chance at all. Nevertheless, the thrill of seeing one of the world’s most lauded sporting events makes it well worth it.

Hard Rock Calling – June 28-29, 2008

Formerly Hyde Park Calling, the newly-titled Hard Rock Calling is a boisterous yet family-friendly music festival hosted in London’s legendary Hyde Park. For its first two years, 2006 and 2007, the festival was named after its venue, but in 2008 it will make the switch over to “Hard Rock Calling” to better associate the event with its founding sponsor, the Hard Rock Café brand of restaurants and casinos.

Although still a young festival, Hard Rock Calling has grown quickly from two stages with 20 acts to three stages presenting over 36 bands during the two days of the festival, and the young age also hasn’t stopped it from generating some big headliners. While many of the second and third stage acts are still unannounced, the mainstage has garnered a number of heavy hitters for 2008:

Saturday, June 28: Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, and more
Sunday, June 29: The Police, KT Tunstall, Starsailor, and more

Designated as one of London’s Royal Parks, Hyde Park is as famous for hosting mass demonstrations and protests as it is for rock concerts, and it will just as thrilling to visit the park itself as Hard Rock Calling. It’s not to be missed!

The Great British Beer Festival – August 5-9, 2008

If you’re browsing hotels in Kensington for your holidays in the UK and they happen to fall in early August, why pass up a chance to visit the biggest pub in the world? That’s exactly how the annual Great British Beer Festival presents itself and the proof will be right before your eyes. Hosted at Earls Court with a floor space the size of an airplane hanger, the festival is veritable flood of exciting ales, lagers, and ciders all available for your tasting pleasure with an upfront ticket price.

The show floor boasts over 450 different beers, a diverse blend including several local favorites along with imported varieties. You’re free to tackle the exhibits at your own pace, or you can attend an official beer tasting seminar to enhance your perspective on the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage.

To keep you entertained, as if it wasn’t entertaining enough, the festival hosts traditional pub games through the event and hearty food concessions are also available. Admission runs from £6 for a single day up to £25 for a weeklong pass, so get out there and get tasting.

And that’s just the start! London and Kensington in summertime are bursting with exciting holiday options for couples and families alike. Get in on the action!