World Travel Guide

City Guide  - London  - Excursions
Excursions

For a Half Day

Kew Gardens:
On the western edge of the city, beside the River Thames, lie the Royal Botanic Gardens (tel: (020) 8940 1171).

The 121-hectare (300-acre) site was first planted in the seventeenth century and is now a horticulturist's heaven. The glasshouses, including the beautiful Palm House, shelter rare orchids and palms. Transport to the gardens is by Underground to Kew Gardens or rail from Waterloo to Kew Bridge. Admission costs £5 (concessions available).

Hampton Court:
Built by Cardinal Wolsey in the early sixteenth century and later owned by Henry VIII, Hampton Court (tel: (020) 8781 9500) occupies a riverside site 23km (14 miles) southwest of London. Highlights of the former palace include Henry VIII's Great Hall, the State Apartments designed by Christopher Wren and the unmissable Tudor Kitchens. In the gardens, visitors get happily lost in the famous maze. Admission costs £10.50 (concessions available). Trains from Waterloo station are supplemented by boat services along the River Thames in the summer.

Barnes Wetland Centre:
Work on the first wetland environment ever to be created in a capital city, Barnes Wetland Centre (tel: (020) 8409 4400; web site: www.wetlandcentre.org.uk), was started back in 1995. The former 42-hectare (105-acre) disused reservoir has been transformed into an oasis for a multitude of watery wildlife, with the addition of 30 reformed lakes, ponds and marshland. The 250m (819ft) of boardwalk, the 3.4km (two miles) of pathways and seven viewing hides provide close-up access to water-loving birds, mammals and insects from across Britain and around the world. There is also a visitor centre. Admission costs £11.50 (concessions available). Transport is by Underground to Hammersmith, then free shuttle bus.

For a Whole Day

Brighton:
During the height of the 'Cool Britannia' cultural explosion Brighton emerged as the trendy coastal retreat of choice and today is still home to a vibrant bar and nightclub scene. Located on the south coast, and easily accessible from Victoria station, Brighton's tourist attractions include the Royal Pavilion (George IV's summer retreat), the beach and pier, and the old town around the Lanes.

Oxford:
The 'dreaming spires' are a 90-minute drive northwest of central London. Harbouring one of the oldest universities in Europe, Oxford is steeped in history and traditions but is also a bustling commercial city with good shops and pubs. Trains to Oxford depart from Paddington station; 24-hour Oxford Tube and CityLink coaches leave from just outside Victoria train station.

Cambridge:
97 kilometres (60 miles) north of London, the historic university town of Cambridge is characterised by a concentration of cobbled streets and stunning architecture. Highlights include King's College Chapel, Christ's College gardens and the Wren Library at Trinity College. There are trains to Cambridge from King's Cross and Liverpool Street station and National Express coaches from Victoria Coach Station.



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