Tour exquisite London England with the Globus family of brands and discover the Crown Jewels, Shakespeare, symphonies and more
The Globus family of brands offers more ways to experience London England on a variety of pre-formed to custom-designed itineraries. They reveal the most sought-after sights as well as the hidden gems along the way, offering flexibility, choice, and a pace that best fits the way your group wants to travel.
Britain is the home of Shakespeare, the Loch Ness Monster, Prince William, The Beatles, Stella McCartney, James Bond, Harry Potter, Wimbledon, and of course, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With some of the best theaters in the world, most of the museums and art galleries are free. In addition, they’ve got a culinary offering to rival any other country in the world. It’s this mix of old and new, classic and contemporary, that keeps things fresh in Britain and keeps travelers coming back.
Aerial view of London England
Symbols of London England
London is full of iconic attractions that immediately conjure up an image of the capital city.
Thames Barrier
For one, the Thames Barrier opened in 1984, is a rather futuristic structure that protects the city from flooding. Guided tours include the information center’s exhibits and a walk out onto the riverfront to see the barrier close up.
Tower Bridge Exhibition
A visit to the Tower Bridge Exhibition inside Tower Bridge includes viewing the Victorian engine rooms, along with excellent photo opportunities from the high walkways spanning the Thames. In addition, groups can book private evening tours and behind-the-scenes visits.
Tower Bridge in London England
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Also offering great views, the dome at St. Paul’s Cathedral is 500 steps up but worth it for the unique perspective of the city. Visitors to this London landmark will also be able to see the famous Whispering Gallery, where whispers at one end can be heard at the other.
London Eye
On the opposite side of the river, Merlin Entertainments’ London Eye has been one of the most popular attractions since opening in 2000. The giant Ferris wheel has 32 capsules that continuously move and provide spectacular views over London. In fact, groups can opt to hire out their own private capsule, with or without a guide. Each capsule holds a maximum of 25 people.
London Eye on the River Thames
Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London is one of the most famous symbols of London England. The well-preserved medieval fortress was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 as a watchtower. Additionally, it was used as a prison and saw several executions and murders, including that of Anne Boleyn.
Buckingham Palace
The State Rooms and Gardens at Buckingham Palace are open to the public for group tours. Visitors will have more than three hours to explore the exquisite grounds, take pictures and enjoy the royal surroundings.
Houses of Parliament
Tours of the Houses of Parliament can also be taken and need to be booked in advance. These are available on Saturdays and Sundays all year round and every day during the summer recess (usually between August and September).
Westminster Abbey
Nearby is the site of almost all royal burials in London England over the last 500 years, the magnificent Westminster Abbey. In fact, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place there on April 29, 2011.
Westminster Abbey, London England
Where the Wild Things Are
Although wildlife is not something your group might associate with London England, there are plenty of havens to spot animal and plant life.
London Zoo and the Sea Life London Aquarium
In Regent’s Park, the London Zoo is home to almost 750 different animal species, including penguins, meerkats, lions, giraffes, tigers, gorillas, komodo dragons and moon jellyfish. Sea Life London Aquarium, set within County Hall next to the London Eye, hosts one of the largest collections of marine life in Europe, including 11 different shark species.
London Zoo
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington includes the popular dinosaur gallery. Come face to face with a T-Rex, a life-sized reproduction of a blue whale and the Darwin Centre Cocoon, which focuses on the process of evolution.
Kew Gardens
On the outskirts of the city, the beautifully landscaped Kew Gardens features 33,000 different plant species as well as the Pagoda and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage.
Out of the Ordinary London England Attractions
London England has many attractions that don’t fit a particular mold or have a quirky or gruesome air about them.
Princess Diana wax figure at Madame Tussauds in London England
Madame Tussauds London England
For example, Madame Tussauds is something of a London institution and features lifelike waxworks of various stars and world leaders. On your visit here, glimpse likenesses of Barack Obama, David Beckham, Prince William, Michael Jackson, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
London Dungeon
Not for the faint-hearted, the London Dungeon near London Bridge features exhibits on torture and the macabre. In addition, they offer two rides – Extremis: Drop Ride to Doom and Traitor: Boat Ride to Hell. Live actors also roam around, providing theater and jumping out of the shadows at people. Combined tickets for other Merlin attractions (including the London Eye, Sea Life London Aquarium and Madame Tussauds) are available.
London Bridge Experience
Just across the road, in the vaults deep beneath London Bridge, the London Bridge Experience combines drama with history. Witness a variety of actors bring the past to life, including the Black Death, the Vikings and the Great Fire. All tickets include entry to the London Tombs (the more intense part of the tour, which can be skipped by members of the party who prefer not to do this).
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
Also nearby are the IWM’s Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, where Winston Churchill ran operations during World War II. The rooms have been left more or less untouched since the doors were closed for the last time the day after VJ Day in 1945.
Hunterian Museum
For a particularly quirky option, the Museum of the London College of Surgeons, the Hunterian Museum in Holborn, collects medical specimens and oddities. The museum displays over 70,000 artifacts and instruments both ancient and modern.
Evening Entertainment
Britain is always on the cutting edge of cool. From the Burlesque Revival to the modern reincarnation of the supper club.
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra gives groups of 10 or more a discount as well as other benefits, including a free talk before the performance and free tea and coffee. Past concerts included “Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1,” “Ivan the Terrible” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
London England is also home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which is based at Cadogan Hall. They play a series of concerts throughout the year, not just at their home venue, but also at the likes of the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall. Previous concerts include “Tchaikovsky” and “Film Music” galas.
Royal Opera House
During the evenings, the Royal Opera House is the venue for world-class productions from the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet. Concerts in the past include “Hansel and Gretel,” “Giselle” and “Swan Lake.” During the day, backstage tours are available.
Costumes are displayed at the Royal Opera House in London England
London England Party Bus
If you’re worried you’ll end up all dressed up with nowhere to go in the evenings, the Party Bus might be an option. Various packages are available – taking in dinner, comedy and nightspots – with travel between them all on a specially decked out red bus.
West End Shows
London England always has a first-class range of West End shows to choose from. Popular musicals at present include Dirty Dancing, We Will Rock You, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and Wicked, with new musicals The Wizard of Oz and Shrek are also previously enjoyed performances.
London England Globus Tour Packages
Britain Sampler, Globus’ most popular Britain vacation, offers you the best of this great land. Guided sightseeing shows you all the famous landmarks in London: Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and visits to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard, if held. Head southwest to admire the breathtaking gardens at Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, then venture on to the Salisbury Cathedral, the Roman excavations of Bath, the Cotswolds village of Stow, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. Travel north through the Lake District, pausing in Wordsworth’s Grasmere and Gretna Green before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Admire the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. In medieval York, enjoy a walking tour that features the York Minster and the narrow Shambles. Return to London by way of the market town of Stamford and the university city of Cambridge.
London Group Travel Booking Information
VisitBritain is the national tourism agency, responsible for promoting tourism to Britain worldwide. Working in partnership with Visit London, Visit England, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and hundreds of other travel organizations in Britain and North America. Globus is a key partner for your group planning needs. Tap into their expertise.
For further details on Globus pre-formed or custom itineraries visit the Globus family of brands website or request a call from your Group Business Development Manager by completing the form below or by calling 866-821-2752.
For further information on group travel opportunities, e-mail VisitBritain at traveltradeinfo@visitbritain.org or log on to www.visitbritain.org/travel-trade
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