There's over 100 things to do around the area. With most places only 5 minutes to 55 minutes away and you can be sure of an excellent day out without loads of traveling. Phasels wood has a 16 seater, full seat-belted minibus with driver for trips to any of the following places.

A CAPITAL VISIT
Phasels Wood is ideally situated for a visit to London. Trains to London Euston leave Apsley station every 30 minutes. Apsley station is only 1.5 miles from the site, a few minutes drive or 30 minutes walk. Apsley station is nearer to Phasels Wood than Kings Langley station. Phasels minibus is available for hire to take you there and pick you up.

Leisure World – Jarman Park, only 5 minutes from Phasels Wood, it is the nearest and most adventurous leisure centre. It offers the following activities:
Ice Skating - Silver Blades themed ice rink, Jarman Park (01442 292202) email: silverblades-hemelhempstead@luminar.co.uk
Swimming - Aquasplash indoor tropical water park, Jarman Park (01442 292203) email: aquasplash-hemelhempstead@luminar.co.uk
Space bowl, super flume, tyre ride, drag race, multi slide, falling rapids and lazy river.
Tenpin Bowling - Hotshots Tenpin Bowl, Jarman Park - Bookings (01442 292208) email: hotshots-hemelhempstead@luminar.co.uk
20 bowling lanes plus American pool
Bowls - Indoor Bowls, Jarman Park - Bookings (01442 292207)
Facilities include 7 rinks, bar, seating arena & changing rooms. Bowls and shoe hire available.
Cinema - Odeon, Jarman Park - 24 hour filmline & booking info. (0870 50 50 007) booking fee reqd.
8 screen complex

Whipsnade Zoo was voted zoo of the year in the Good Britain Guide 2002. Many animals such as wallabies roam freely, there are bird and sealion displays and a steam railway and passage through Asia experience. www.zsl.org/whipsnade/

For a fun filled day full of excitement head for LEGOLAND® Windsor. Enjoy over 50 interactive rides, attractions, live shows, building workshops and driving schools, not to mention around 47 million LEGO® bricks, that are sure to keep everyone entertained. www.LEGOLAND.co.uk

If you're looking for a thrilling day out and want to share it with all your mates, Thorpe Park provides the ultimate venue for groups of all sizes, particularly if you are celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or club outing. If you are group of 10 or more you can take advantage of our special group discounts.

Chessington World of Adventures - 90% of the parks rides and attractions are suitable for children under 12, and with all our family facilities and services, Chessington is THE theme park where families come first. www.chessington.co.uk/

Visit Hollywood Bowl and you will experience a complete bowling & leisure experience - 26 or more lanes of tenpin bowling, vibrant bars, quality café food and state of the art video games. www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk

Hemel Ski Centre, St. Albans Hill (01442 241321) (email: communicate@hemelski.co.uk)
Dry Ski Slope - skiing and snowboarding. 180 meter main slope, wave run, training & nursery slopes, ski lifts, apres ski cafe bar, shop.

The Marlowes Shopping Centre has an excellent range of shops and services. Major stores include Marks & Spencer, Littlewoods, Argos and Wilkinson complemented by a wide range of national multiples and specialists. Household names such as River Island, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Body Shop, Bay Trading, Goldsmiths, Clarks, Tie Rack, Mothercare and Dixons can be found with everything from arts, books, cosmetics, fashions, gifts, food, homewares and sportswares available. www.themarlowes.co.uk

Visit the English School of Falconry, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade. Set in the magnificent grounds of the Shuttleworth mansion, you can see more than 300 birds - vultures, falcons, hawks and eagles. Walk through the owl aviary or watch regular, themed flying demonstrations. www.birdsofpreycentre.co.uk

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton. Buckinghamshire. This centre houses one of Britain's largest private collections with exhibits ranging from main line and express engines to steam hauled vintage trains. www.bucksrailcentre.org

Aldenham Country Park has a small animal farm, adventure play gear, nature trail and a fantastic Winnie The Pooh 100 Acre Wood to walk round, visiting all Christopher Robin's friends.

Dunstable Downs, near Dunstable, Herts. The Downs offer 130 acres of public access in The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with circular walks, a picnic area, a visitor centre and spectacular views. The Downs are used by hang-gliders and visitors can also watch traditional gliders taking off and landing at the London Gliding Club below. Open all year. 01582 890612

Verulamium Museum is on the site of one the major cities in Roman Britain. Inside there are recreated Roman rooms with hands-on discovery areas and some of the finest Roman mosaics. Then after you've exhausted the museum, go for a walk around scenic lake and play park - don't forget to feed the ducks! www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/verulamium_museum.htm

Woodside Animal Farm, Slip End, Beds. Hundreds of birds and animals to see and feed including monkeys, goats and llamas. There's also crazy golf, a bouncy castle and trampolines. www.woodsidefarm.co.uk

Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage. A 120-acre park with an 11-acre lake for windsurfing and sailing. The park has a boating lake, play area and a wildfowl sanctuary. www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/fairlands/

For great family entertainment Gulliver's Land in Milton Keynes is one of the best days out for the younger family. Aimed at children between the ages of 2 - 13 years, it is safe and fun with over 30 rides and attractions. www.gulliversfun.co.uk/

Woburn Safari Park. Britain's largest drive-through safari park offers action-packed leisure facilities and animal contact areas. See lions, tigers, bears and wolves at close quarters. www.woburnsafari.co.uk/

Leighton Buzzard Railway. This is an award winning restored narrow gauge railway offering visitors a five-and-a- half-mile train journey lasting 65 minutes. The railway has over 50 locomotives, including 11 steam engines, to see or ride behind. www.buzzrail.co.uk/

The Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury. Experience the magic of Roald Dahl with a visit to the award winning hands-on gallery for children where finding out has never been so much fun. Discover inventions with Willy Wonka, go inside the Giant Peach, crawl along Fantastic Mr Fox's tunnel, ride in the Great Glass Elevator and boggle your brain and baffle your eyes! www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum/dahl/index.stm

Bletchley Park, Bletchley, Bucks, also known as 'Station X', was home to the famous codebreakers of the Second World War and the birthplace of modern computing and communications. It is now a heritage site run by a charitable Trust with historic buildings, exhibitions and tours for visitors The Mansion houses the extensive Churchill Memorabilia Collection, the Toy Museum and the Post Office famous for its first day covers. Follow the Cryptology Trail, the trail of a coded message from its interception to decode and interpretation. See the famous Enigma Machine which was the main coding device for German armed forces and rail system. They believed its codes were unbreakable. www.bletchleypark.org.uk/

Ashridge Park, near Tring, Herts. This magnificent and varied estate runs across the borders of Herts and Bucks, along the main ridge of the Chiltern Hills. There are woodlands, commons and chalk downland, supporting a rich variety of wildlife and offering splendid walks through outstanding scenery. 01442 851227

De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, near London Colney, Herts. Located at Salisbury Hall, birthplace of the famous Mosquito aircraft, the museum covers all aspects of the de Havilland aircraft company and its products. The hangers house 28 different aircraft. You can get into the cockpit of the first prototype Mosquito, and there's a fight simulator. www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk/

Lee Valley Park. From Ware in Hertfordshire to the River Thames at East India Dock Basin, the Lee Valley Regional Park provides leisure activities which suit all ages, tastes and abilities. Stretching 23 miles on both sides of the River Lee, the unique natural features of this 10,000 acre area have been shaped to provide a mosaic of countryside areas, urban green spaces, heritage sites, country parks, nature reserves and lake and riverside trails. www.leevalleypark.org.uk/

Bedford Butterfly Park, Wilden.For a really enjoyable outing in any weather, visit Bedford Butterfly Park. Set in 10 acres of wildflower haymeadows, our global Conservation Park has something for everyone. Inside, meander through a wonderful landscape of waterfalls, ponds and tropical plants, and be amazed at the spectacular butterflies as they fly overhead. Outside there are many other attractions and activities for all ages. www.bedford-butterflies.co.uk/

Hatfield House, Hatfield. Built by Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I in 1611, it stands within its own great park and is currently home to the 6th Marquess of Salisbury. www.hatfield-house.co.uk/

St Tiggywinkles, Haddenham, Bucks. Europe's first Wildlife Teaching Hospital now has a visitor centre, where you can enjoy a fun and educational stroll through gardens and paddocks, meet some of our permanent disabled residents and learn how you can help prevent injuries to wildlife in and around your own gardens, parks and schools. With the aid of interpretation boards, the latest CCTV equipment and the hospitals own videos, visitors can see the pioneering work undertaken by St Tiggywinkles everyday, without disturbing our patients. www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/

Old Gaol, Buckingham. The Old Gaol building is unique. It was built in 1748 and is one of the oldest purpose-built prisons in the UK. The 1839 cells, with their double doors and peepholes, still remain, one recreated with the Gaoler and his prisoner still there. Visitors can enter the cell and experience the lonely blackness as the door closes behind them, and listen to the Gaoler telling the story of the Gaol in the Buck’n’shire accent. An Education Centre provides activities for children and hands-on materials for families and teachers on school visits. www.mkheritage.co.uk/ogb/

Paradise Wildlife Centre, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, is a truly special place with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The park has an excellent range of animals including tigers, lions, red pandas, cheetahs, birds of prey, reptiles, monkeys, zebra, camels and reindeer. www.pwpark.com/

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks. Saved from demolition and moved brick by brick to our country setting. It's hard to imagine that our collection of barns, granaries and even the tin chapel have ever been anywhere else! Step back in time and get a feel of the forties in our fully furnished Prefab or experience 50 AD at the Iron Age House or walk into a picture of our rural past at the farm. You can also try brick making, rag rug making, straw plaiting or enjoying demonstrations of blacksmithing or storytelling in the Iron Age House. www.coam.org.uk/

Cassiobury Park, Watford. This is a large green space, features a range of recreational resources including a children's paddling pool, tennis courts, a bowling green and croquet lawn. A miniature railway is a popular attraction during summer months. Cassiobury's acres of green space also provide a perfect setting in which to simply relax.

Rare Breeds Centre, Woburn Common, near Beaconsfield. This 40 acre site will appeal to children and adults alike. There are lots of opportunities to observe the animals closely in an enjoyable atmosphere and there are regular new arrivals including baby lambs, piglets and kid goats to see, depending on the season. The interesting, varied, educational and fun hands-on activities include bottle feeding lambs, piggies tea time, cow and goat milking and an improved "Rabbit World". There is also an indoor playbarn with bale climb and ride on toys, 9-hole crazy golf, an adventure play area with a slide and sandpits and a special area for under fives, tractor and trailer rides and cart rides, weather permitting, a tea room and plenty of areas set aside for picnics. www.oddsfarm.co.uk/

Knebworth Park, Old Knebworth, Stevenage. Home of the Lytton family since 1490. Beautiful formal gardens including a Jekyll herb garden, are planted maze and wilderness walks. British Raj exhibition. The 250 acre park includes extensive children's adventure playground and deer park. Special events in summer. www.knebworthhouse.com/

Mead Open Farm - with over 200 animals to see and lots of things that will help to make a visit a great day out for all the children. There is an adventure log play area, ride on pedal tractors, large sandpit and plenty of space for energetic children to unleash their energy in a safe environment. A Heated Indoor Playbarn with Ballpool, Ride on Toys, Soft Play Area, Spiral Tube Slide, Motion sphere, Inflatable and Country Cottage Activity House. www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/

Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066 is the only motte & bailey castle in the world that has been faithfully reconstructed on its original site. A unique time capsule that is steeped in history, enabling the visitor to travel back to Norman England and experience life as it was in 1066. Wander around the village, behind the castle walls, and enter into the many houses, then smell the fires and experience the ambience of an ancient bygone lifestyle, whilst mingling with the many animals that roam freely within the village and listen out for the echoes of long-forgotten voices.............. www.mountfitchetcastle.co.uk/

Aylesbury Karting - serving Buckinghamshire
Track is tarmac with a split level and 310metres racing line. Tight and twisty it is a great circuit for racers of all abilities, and presents many challenges. www.karting-nation.co.uk/karting_in_/Buckinghamshire.asp

The Paper Trail project is a unique activity-based industrial 'exploration' centre built around an historic, fully working paper mill. It offers public access into the heart of a real working environment and is complemented by an active business & industrial enterprise hub. Located in Hemel Hempstead at Frogmore Mill and Apsley Mill - the birthplace of paper's industrial revolution - the project allows visitors to learn about and experience: the past of an industry that helped shape the modern world, the present of commercial recycled papermaking (on a Victorian, steam driven machine) the future of one of the world's few inherently sustainable industries - paper. www.thepapertrail.org.uk/

Imperial War Museum Duxford - Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base. www.duxford.iwm.org.uk

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre - Half of the Museum tells the fascinating story of Roald Dahl’s life. The other half focuses on the process of creative writing. The displays include original documents, a replica of Roald Dahl's writing hut, top tips from today's leading authors and lots of interactive games. Perfect to spark the imaginations of children and adults. www.roalddahlmuseum.org

TopGolf is a fun point-scoring game played at a high-tech driving range. The game appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike and players of all ages. TopGolf is a state-of-the-art practice facility and exciting leisure activity. TopGolf is a world first and has been made possible thanks to a tiny microchip inside each golf ball. It also offers a unique outdoor 18 hole putting journey that puts the true meaning of adventure into Adventure Golf! www.topgolf.co.uk/watford.htm

Binghams Children Farm - Friendly animals, Scarecrow treasure hunts, nature trails, tractor rides and school holiday workshops, learn how to make Bird-boxes, Scarecrows, Corn dollies and join in on a Bug safari and much more!

Tring Zoological Museum - The museum is one of the finest collections of stuffed mammals, birds, reptiles and insects in the UK. It includes examples of several animals now extinct, and a model of a dodo! The collection was given to the nation by Walter Rothschild on his death in 1937. It is now part of the Natural History Museum. Visit the galleries and come face to face with a full-sized gorilla, a huge anaconda or an extinct giant moa, just a few of the 4,000 animals on display! www.nhm.ac.uk

The Harlequin is a premier shopping centre and creates the focus for Watford town centre and it's shopping offer. There are over 130 stores, including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, BHS, Next and many of your favourite high-street names, plus special one-off stores. At The Harlequin, you will find facilities for those of differing abilities, children and parents - including toilets, baby change area, allocated parking spaces and a Shopmobility Scheme. www.the-harlequin-watford.co.uk

Quasar, The Times Building, The Marlowes (01442 213200) - The largest quasar centre in the world, styled on the crystal maze with 4 games zones: future world, wild west, medieval and world war II. Age 6 years and over, membership available. www.laserarena.co.uk/QRHEMELHEMPSTEADARENA.htm

Bekonscot Model Village, is the world's oldest model village. Bekonscot is different from other model villages; this is an entire miniature kingdom stuck firmly in an idyllic 1930s timewarp. There are six little villages in a 1½ acre miniature landscape of farms and fields, castles and churches, woods, lakes and rolling hills. Walking around, you’ll tower over the tiny population enjoying the fun of the fair, beaches, zoo and tramway, or lazily watching the cricket on the village green. Each village is linked by one of Britain's largest public outdoor model railways. www.bekonscot.com/

The Hell Fire Caves - The Caves are an ideal visit for all the family and especially children - their imaginations can be set free. The attraction consists of almost a mile of underground passages with various figures depicting the life and times of the members of the infamous Hellfire Club.. The Hellfire Club originally met at Medmenham Abbey on the River Thames. After this burnt down accidentally they reputedly then held many of their meetings in the Caves, some three hundred feet underground and half a mile from the entrance! Visit the Caves and be guided by the voice of Sir Francis Dashwood - he will guide you down to the inner-sanctum (Hell) which lies directly below Heaven (St Lawrence's Church) some 300 feet directly above your head.
Sir Francis' audio commentary gives the complete history of the Caves and much more besides. www.hellfirecaves.co.uk

The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban - The cathedral is a centre of worship and mission with a world renowned musical tradition and a highly regarded Education Centre. Ecumenical links are strong with honorary ecumenical chaplains from the Roman Catholic, Free Church, Lutheran and Russian Orthodox traditions. Regular services are conducted in the cathedral by the ecumenical chaplains who take full part in the life of the place. www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk

The Aquadrome, offers 100 acres of water, woodland and semi-landscaped parkland with walks including 1.6km scenic Alder trail, picnic areas, bbq area, enclosed dog free area, childrens playground, refreshment kiosk and disabled access. There are a variety of water-based sports clubs including fishing on a daily ticket basis, windsurfing, water skiing, saling and kayaking.

Willows farm At the unique Willows Farm Village families discover their true animal instincts - roaming free in the countryside, flocking together to cuddle up to some of the cutest inhabitants and running wild with the adventure activities! www.willowsfarmvillage.com

Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre - Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS, Tel: 01442 228188, includes a new swimming pool complex, gymnastics centre, sports hall, Life Fitness Personal Performance Centre, a sports café and up to date facilities for all kinds of sporting activities for everyone. Disabled Facilities: Available

Pitstone Wharf Canal Boat Trips - you can join a 1½ hours trip to Marsworth and back. Drinks and snacks are available on board. From Pitstone Wharf the boat heads south passing another marina and a local boat club before ascending through two locks. After the two locks the boat continues south passing a back pumping station and a five hundred year old thatched building. Marsworth's old village wharf - still in use by British Waterways - is soon reached and the boat turns in the entrance to the Aylesbury arm of the canal to return via the same route to Pitstone Wharf. Passengers cannot alight from the boat during this cruise.

Reach Out Projects, Waterways Experience - Based on the Grand Union Canal close to Hemel Hempstead you will find our 3 boats ready to provide a day or holiday trip for a wide range of voluntary and community groups. Two are wide beam boats with a skipper and can be hired for day or residential trips. The third is a narrow boat, which is available to groups on a self steer basis. We have over 20 years of experience using the canals and have gained a high reputation for work with people who have disabilities or special needs of whatever age. We recommend a journey southwards for day trips. Cruising slowly through the countryside, you may enjoy the plants and wildlife that you will see along the way, as well as the quaint hump backed bridges and the essential locks that we will work our way through. www.reachoutprojects.org.uk

Hendon Royal Air Force Museum - Occupying ten acres of what was once the historic Hendon Aerodrome, the first thing you'll notice about the RAF Museum is its sheer size and scope. In more than 260,000 sq ft of exhibition halls we have over seventy aircraft and lots of other exhibits, covering the whole history of aviation from its beginnings, to the Eurofighter of the 21st Century. Importantly, the museum is not a dry and dusty collection of remote objects. Our aim is to recreate as much of the aviation experience as possible, offering you the chance to come face to face with literally hundreds of fascinating displays, aircraft and exhibitions. www.rafmuseum.org or www.aboutbritain.com/RoyalAirForceMuseumhendon.htm?RefID%3D1504170

Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre is one of our largest multi-purpose leisure facilities, situated in Verulamium Park in the heart of St Albans. Home to most of our brands and primary sporting activities, the range of activities offered here is second to none. Most of the City's largest events take place in the surrounding parkland, for example the Half Marathon, Fun Fairs, Firework Displays, and the Carnival, making this the biggest and best attraction in St Albans.

Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. Visitors can walk around the State Apartments, extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace. For part of the year visitors can also see the Semi State rooms, which are some of the most splendid interiors in the castle. They are furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour.Within the Castle complex there are many additional attractions, including the Drawings Gallery, Queen Mary's dolls' house, and the fourteenth-century St. George's Chapel, the burial place of ten sovereigns and setting for many Royal weddings. www.royal.gov.uk

Go Ape - A network of rope bridges, trapezes and death slides that stretches for roughly a mile through the tree canopy … this impressively extensive cat’s cradle of ropes, netting and platforms, set high in the trees is an aerial assault course called Go Ape. www.goape.co.uk

Waddesdon Manor houses one of the finest collections of French 18th century decorative arts in the world. The furniture, Savonnerie carpets and Sèvres porcelain ranks in importance with the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris. There is also a fine collection of portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds and works by Dutch and Flemish Masters of the 17th century, all lovingly assembled over 35 years by Ferdinand to please his guests at weekend House Parties. Outside, his creation includes a Rococo-style aviary, flamboyant bedding on the Parterre, winding walks, colourful trees and panoramic views. www.waddesdon.org.uk

Hoo Hill Maze - Shefford – Tel: 01462 813475. Hoo Hill maze can be found in mid-Bedfordshire on the outskirts of Shefford on the road to Hitchin. Set in a private orchard, the maze covers an area of 30 square metres and rises to a height of two metres, which prevents cheating when attempting to navigate the puzzle other than for the tallest of individuals. Hoo Hill is an excellent example of a multicursal maze puzzle as it has dead end turns, branches linking pathways together and a central goal which you must aspire to reach before trying to find your way back out again. For the young, and young at heart, there is an extension of the maze.

Batchworth Lock Canal Centre - A thriving section of the Grand Union Canal with extensive walks in and around the canal and lakes. The visitor centre provides information, sells souvenirs and ice creams. Every weekend the Batchworth Brasserie offers hot and cold food and live music. Explore historic ROGER, the last wooden boat to trade on the Grand Union. Tel: 01923 778382

Royston Cave is unique, with the only comparable cave being found in Czechoslovakia. It has a circular, bell-shaped chamber with medieval pagan carvings on the walls.
The caves origins are unknown, but it is thought that the Knights Templar used the caves in the 13th century. The cave was accidentally rediscovered in 1742 by a workman digging a hole. Tel: 01763 245484

Welwyn Roman Baths - A third century bathing suite, the one surviving feature of a Roman villa, ingeniously preserved in a vault under the A1(M) at Welwyn village.It provides a fascinating insight into how the Romans bathed. Displays show how people lived and worked in the Roman countryside. www.welhat.gov.uk

The Shuttleworth Collection is in a quiet countryside setting, actually on an old fashioned all grass aerodrome with eight hangars. These hangars comprise an aeroplane engineering workshop, a garage and coachroom, and the remainder house the world famous collection of aircraft. The Shuttleworth Collection shows a unique flying collection showcasing the first one hundred years of flight. www.shuttleworth.org

Places to visit in London - Only 25 minutes by train from Phasels Wood

Madame Tussaud's Most large towns have waxworks museums, and this is just another one, albeit much bigger. It's a big crowd puller - the queues can be horrendous - but you can pre-book a ticket online and walk jauntily by the unfortunates if you wish. Have your photo taken next to Prince Charles (if the crowd will part for long enough) Also on the site is the planetarium, which is much like all other planetaria, only more so. We think there are much better things to do in London, especially considering the steep admission price - thousands disagree.
It's on the Marylebone Road, 100 yards from Baker Street tube, and conveniently close to Sherlock Holmes' alleged residence which maintains a small 'Museum' - visit only if you're a diehard fan. Recently tourists have taken to having their photo taken by the horrible statue of Sherlock Holmes outside Baker Street tube.
If you get that stuffy feeling after Tussaud's walk 400 yards north to Regent's Park - and beyond to Primrose Hill for a great view over London. On the weekend it's an easy walk right through to Camden Market. www.madame-tussauds.co.uk

The London Dungeon In the bowels of London Bridge Station this famous waxwork museum of torture focuses on the dark side of life. As such it can paint an artificially grim portrait of London: Jack the Ripper is small fry by today's serial killer standards. Stocks, executions, torture machines, rats, plague are the main crowd attractions. The queues stretch right up Duke St Hill for at least 100 metres, unemployed actors in 'period' costume and ghoulish make-up keep them amused while they're waiting.Life in London was undoubtedly hard for the poor or those who for some reason were ostracised by society, worth remembering as you go round, for example, Hampton Court which paints an equally biased view of a rosy Olde England.
Their recently opened Paris branch for some reason claims it's the original - we suspect branches will be spring up everywhere. There a restaurant inside and sometimes nightclubs are held there. Their very atmospheric website gives you a flavour of the place. www.londondungeons.co.uk

London Eye A huge modern version of Vienna's Prater Ferris wheel which dominates the river skyline opposite Parliament. Queues were horrendous, but the new ticketing system has improved things markedly. The capsules can get very hot in sunny weather - you can book a whole capsule if you wish. Take a telephoto lens if you want to get good photos from the top - London is a big, big city.
Our favorite natural vantage points are at the top of Greenwich Hill - near the Ranger's House or the Observatory there which are much more atmospheric as the sun slices, Bunuel fashion, down the city skyscrapers. Another good vantage point is Parliament Hill, on Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill in Regent's Park. As far as the wheel goes make sure there's good weather before you go up as it's a really depressing ride when it's rainy and overcast. Usually closed for annual maintenance at the end of January/beginning of February, but this can shift so check their website. www.londoneye.com

London Aquarium If it's just fish you're after then the aquarium in County Hall (vide infra) has great atmosphere and is quite beautiful, with its Easter Island statues immersed in a multi-story pool. Well designed and well put together, it's not very 'London' but more a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city - that is if there are no school parties around. www.londonaquarium.co.uk

The Royal Artillery Exhibition Aimed at kids or big kids, and military enthusiasts it promises lots of big bangs and huge explosions. Artillery is a broad term: it was the British use of Artillery that decided the battles of Crecy and Agincourt (the longbow), as well as Trafalgar (sea cannon) and the Gulf War (howitzers and rocket based systems). www.firepower.org.uk

Kew Gardens A spectacular site laid out over acres in a pleasant and wealthy London suburb, it's a great place for a sunny afternoon - it doesn't work so well in bad weather as the various hothouses and exhibits are somewhat spread out over the site. Kew house, the smallest of the London Royal Palaces, is currently closed for refurbishment, but the 'English' garden and the herb garden are excellent. wwww.rbgkew.org.uk

London Zoo Currently spearheading the cultural transition from 'Zoo' in the Victorian sense to 'Conservation resource' this is still a great way to see animals in their more or less natural environment. Nationally, and internationally it cedes to Chester Zoo, where 'cruelty free captivity' was pioneered. Feeding time for the penguins and apes are a firm favorite, and the insect house is a marvel. Great location at the north end of Regent's park. Convenient for Camden Market, Madame Tussauds and walking along the canal. www.londonzoo.co.uk

HMS Belfast Part of the Imperial War Museum, this battleship moored beside Tower Bridge is for the enthusiast only, but it's still impressive that people went to sea, let alone to battle in these tin cans. The Maritime Museum in Greenwich has earlier examples of Britannia's warhorses. For non-maritime firepower there's the new Royal Artillery museum. www.iwm.org.uk

Tower Bridge Experience We like Tower Bridge, it's a real achievement of Victorian engineering, and looks great, especially at night when it's well illuminated. We don't think it's necessary to go inside to appreciate it, though the engines that lift the two drawbridges are a miracle. The bridge is opened on average once a week - it's timetabled and you can find out when in advance - which is quite spectacular. If there's a large yacht moored next to HMS Belfast then it's probable that it'll have to go out through the raised bridge soon - check at the ticket office or on their website. www.towerbridge.co.uk

Imperial War Museum Has transformed itself from a celebration of military achievement and different ways of killing into a museum about the experience of war. Good for kids, with excellent actors doing mini-tours in costume. The new Holocaust exhibition is quite a bold step, the Blitz gallery is atmospheric and their changing exhibitions are world-class. Housed in a former lunatic asylum, which we think just about sums up militarism. Free entry. www.iwm.org.uk

Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition. The bard, who 'reposes' in Westminster Abbey, would probably approve of Sam Wannamaker's efforts to reconstruct his stomping ground, next to Southwark Bridge, using original techniques and materials. Theatre going in the 17thC was quite a different experience to today's, sometimes more bleak, requiring the audience's imagination as sets were either minimal as at the Globe, or infinitely more grand with theatres competing for the most lavish stage machinery - with effects to rival 'Miss Saigon'. Tickets for the shows sell out in advance as it's a very coach party thing to do, but day tickets as groundlings (standing - often there are a few free seats you can creep into) are usually available. The standard of the productions improved markedly in 2001 from a low base and now are among the best in London, especially if Mark Rylance is playing. www.shakespears-globe.org

Science Museum - Admission to the Science Museum is now free for everyone!
We are open seven days a week, from 10.00 to 18.00. The Museum is closed from 24 to 26 December. The Science Museum holds the world's largest and most significant collection illustrating the history and contemporary practice of science, technology, medicine and industry. The Museum welcomes about 1.6 million visitors per year and is one of the top ten tourist attractions in the UK. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Natural History museum is one of the worlds finest and largest museums of natural history with hundreds of exhibits, many interactive, ranging from the volcano experience to the dinosaurs exhibition. Creepy-Crawlies exhibition, blue whale, earths treasury,dinosaurs etc. You can join highlight and themed guided tours of the Museum, which start near the Life Galleries entrance. Free map/information leaflet on admission The Central Hall, with its Victorian architecture and Dinosaur skeleton. www.nhm.ac.uk

Pollock's Toy Museum Somewhat eccentric small museum on the Corner of Scala Street behind Goodge Street tube, given over to a stunning collection of toys - very much a collector's corner. Its rival, the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood - out east on the central line, but linked to the Victoria and Albert Museum has much more the feel of an institution. The latter has an excellent collection of Children's books, but Bethnal Green, although an up-and-coming gay outpost, is a bit of a way out and there's little else round there, so if you're interested, Pollock's gets our vote. There's also a museum of mechanical toys in the basement of Covent Garden market. www.pollockstoymuseum.com

Changing of The Guard Happens at all the Royal Palaces so you don't have to endure the crush at Buckingham Palace. Smaller ceremonies are held at St James' Palace and Windsor. Doesn't happen every day at Buckingham Palace and some of the guards regiments are quite dowdy in appearance. But when there's a full ceremony with the regimental band marching out of the Guards' Barracks (on Birdcage Walk to the left of the Palace as you're facing it) and the soldiers are dressed in red with full busbees it can be all Pomp and Circumstance. And it's free. The Guard Change takes place at 11:30 daily from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.

Tate Modern Situated on the South Bank of the Thames, joined to the North bank by a special pedestrian bridge. This former power station has been superbly converted into the World's biggest collection of Modern Art. And it's free. The two huge floors cover the complete century - there's a whole room devoted to Rothko. The fifth is much better and scores points for mentioning modern art's huge debt to African art. It gets extremely crowded at weekends, though. Open daily 10.00-18.00, Friday & Saturday until 22.00. www.tate.org.uk

National Gallery Vast gallery on the north side of Trafalgar Square, with an impressive collection of Western European art from the middle ages to the early 20thC.Its wise to do the East Wing, North Wing and the Sainsbury/West Wings in separate trips, or you may find yourself becoming oblivious to the quality of the exhibits. We prefer it to the Louvre or the De Gaulle in Lille because it doesn't push boring 18thC landscapes in your face, nor flaunt patriotic canvases. We particularly like the Sainsbury Wing, a modern extension where the lighting makes the medieval work shine out - featuring the beautiful Wilton Diptych. There's a useful bus outside that links it to the two Tates. Also bus route RV1 links it to the major riverside attractions. Open daily 10.00-18.00, 21.00 on Wednesdays. www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Hampton Court Palace A beautiful castle on the meadows of the river Lugg, backed by a steep wooded escarpment and surrounded by woodland and grounds of 1,000 acres. Founded by King Henry in the early 15th century the castle has been completely restored. The Van Kampen Gardens at Hampton Court are spectacular and although a recent development, are now receiving national recognition. www.hamptoncourt.org.uk

The BBC You can tour the BBC studios just opposite White City tube station. Book by calling 0870 6030304. We suggest you also ring the ticket office and get some tickets for the same day to see a show being filmed. You can also visit TV Recordings.com which allows you to book AND print free tickets for commercial TV shows online. If tickets are available you can print them off at any time and just head off for the show, even on the day of the record. You know if you have got your tickets instantly...no waiting around to see if they turn up in the post. Some good comedy shows available. www.bbc.co.uk/tours/

The West End contains the best theatres in the world. Whatever your taste there is sure to be a show to suit you. From comedy right through to romance and horror. www.londonshows.com

The National Maritime Museum (NMM) was formally established by Act of Parliament in 1934 and opened to the public by King George VI on 27 April 1937. It includes the 17th-century Queen's House and, from the 1950s, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The collections comprise about 2.48 million items, many on loan to museums elsewhere in Britain. The public galleries at Greenwich display a thematically arranged selection and the remainder is accessible for public interest and research in various ways. The majority of the NMM's small-boat collection is on display at the new National Maritime Museum, Cornwall, at Falmouth. www.nmm.ac.uk

Fashion and Textile Museum Now open after a very long gestation period. This garish orange and pink museum in Bermondsey Street SE1 is not a historical nor in any way intellectual experience (for that visit the V & A) but a kind of Fashion Cafe without the burgers, or a Tussauds without the wax. Its appeal, as far as we can see, is to teenage girls who want to see the dresses worn by the stars: a somewhat narrow, though dedicated audience. The world of fashion is a very shallow one indeed, the Emperor's clothes lose something without having the emperor inside. www.ftmlondon.org

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Her Majesty the Queen and serves as both home and office. Today the State Rooms are used extensively by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. During August and September when The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms are open to visitors. www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page570.asp : (+44) (0) 20 77667321

Shopping - There sure aren’t places short to shop in London. London boasts some of the most famous shops in the world, were you could spend days shopping. Two of the most visited and interesting shops are Harrods and Hamleys. Harrods opens from 10am until 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 12am until 6pm on Sundays. Hamleys is one of the finest toy stores in the world, with seven floors, you wont be short of toys to choose from! www.harrods.com and www.hamleys.co.uk

Theatre Museum - Part of the V & A, this small museum in Covent Garden traces the history of one of Britain's other main achievements: though it's for enthusiasts only - seeing a show at the Globe (as a 'groundling' it's cheap and easy) or doing the backstage tour at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (a couple of hundred meters away) might be a better bet

.St Pauls Cathedral. The Crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral is the largest in Europe & offers a wonderful corporate dining experience for larger events. The inspiring surroundings are the final resting places of some of the nation’s greatest heroes, poets & scientists including Sir Christopher Wren & Lord Nelson. The conference suite, for smaller events, combines the peace & splendor of Sir Christopher Wren’s neoclassical masterpiece with the comfort & convenience of 21st-century facilities. Music, gifts & guided tours can be arranged to enhance your event & leave a lasting memory for your guests. www.stpauls.co.uk

Tower of London - The Tower is one of London's most popular visitor attractions and forms a stunning riverside backdrop. The Tower of London came into existence following the Norman conquest (1066) and the need to colonise and defend England. Since then it has been used as a prison, palace, place of execution and a showcase for the Crown Jewels.
After King Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church it housed religious prisoners including two of Henry VIII's six wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard), both of whom were beheaded on the scaffolds at Tower Green. Visitors can also see the Crown Jewels, which are still used by the Royal Family today. There's also the chance to meet the Yeoman Warders ('Beefeaters'), who have been protecting the Tower since the 14th century. Oh, and remember to keep an eye out for the infamous ravens. Legend has it that Charles II was told that if the ravens ever left the Tower then the monarchy would fall. So keep your eyes peeled! www.toweroflondontour.com

London Butterfly House - At the London Butterfly House in Syon Park, there are hundreds of free-flying butterflies in an exotic jungle setting. Giant spiders, leaf cutting ants, and many other small insects keep them company, nestling innocently among the tropical trees and shrubs. Syon Park itself is a beautiful setting for an afternoon picnic and the tropical houses are truly impressive. Children of all ages will be absolutely thrilled by the extensive collection of poisonous spiders and scorpions... great stuff. The Butterfly House is open daily from 10:00. Last admission is at 17:00 in summer and 15:30 in winter. www.londonbutterflyhouse.com

Victoria and Albert Museum - The V&A, as it is affectionately known, is one of the most influential museums of decorative arts in the world. With over 145 galleries to explore, covering some 7 miles, the V&A is a visual feast of fine and applied arts. Originally founded in 1852, to enthuse and educate British manufacturers and designers, it is now home to a stunning collection of some four million artefacts ranging from ceramics and costume to metalwork and sculpture. Visitors can delve into the fascinating Dress Collection that features samples from historical dress to 21st century haute-couture. Or you may prefer the celebrated Arts and Crafts interiors of the Morris and Gamble Rooms? Often cited as housing the greatest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside Italy, the V&A also boasts an amazing collection of textiles, jewellery and 20th century art and design. The British Galleries, which opened to great acclaim in November 2001, explore British design from Chippendale to Morris, Adam to Mackintosh. Highlights include the Great Bed of Ward as mentioned in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', and James II's wedding suit.

Open Top Bus Tours - The Original Tour provides more than just a great way to travel around London. Founded in 1951 at the time of The Festival of Britain and now the largest and most popular sightseeing operator in the world, it has become established as THE essential introduction to London. The Hop-on Hop-off service allows you to board any of our famous London sightseeing buses along all of our tour routes at over 90 different stops with an entertaining 'live-guided' commentary in English or a wide choice of other languages. www.theoriginaltour.com

London Duck Tours - An incredible and unique way to see the sites of London - an exciting road and river adventure appealing to visitors of all ages!Departing from County Hall, the amphibious vehicles drive past famous London landmarks such as Big Ben & The House of Parliament, London transport museum - Why not indulge in a day of discovery and interactivity at London's Transport Museum? You can learn about 200 years of transport history in the capital and get to grips with the oldest public transport system in the world. The aim of the museum is to examine the development of the capital and engage visitors in a debate about the future of London transport.

London Transport Museum Furnished with all sorts of memorabilia - from uniforms, posters and tickets, to horse buses, electric trams and trolleybuses - the museum proves a fascinating way of looking at 200 years of London history. So get your skates on, head for Covent Garden, and have some transport fun. You can press buttons, turn wheels and spin signs in the Kid Zones, meet characters from the past, or just go for a peaceful drive in a bus or tube simulator. The choice is yours but don't stand still... get moving! www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/museum/SE000033.html

Cutty Sark Clipper Ship - This is the last and most famous tea-clipper. Visitors can explore every part of the ship including the Lower Hold, with its collection of figureheads, and the Tween Deck, which tells the story of the Cutty Sark and has a display of ship pictures and models. The cabins have been reconstructed to show life at sea in the 1870s. www.cuttysark.org.uk

Covent Gardens - Covent Garden hosts events and celebrations in all manner of ways all through the year, and the daily routine includes street entertainment performances seven days a week. Many of Europe’s most celebrated theatres, museums, galleries and other places of interest are here; there is always plenty to see and do in and around Covent Garden.www.coventgardenlife.com or www.coventgarden.uk.com

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms The underground headquarters used by Winston Churchill and the British Government during World War Two are located in the heart of ceremonial London. Visitors can view a complex of 21 historic rooms, including the Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room and Map Room, protected by a reinforced concrete slab. An audio guide which includes first-hand accounts of life in the War Rooms, is included in the admission price. Today, the Cabinet War Rooms may be seen exactly as they were when British history was shaped within them. An additional extension houses the first museum devoted solely to Winston Churchill - voted the 'Greatest Briton' in a 2002 BBC poll. The exhibition examines Churchill's many roles as a leader, statesman, politician, soldier, father, husband and son. Visitors can gain an insight into Churchill's lesser-known - and often controversial - qualities and traits as well as his celebrated role as one of the greatest leaders of his time. www.iwm.org.uk

London Canal Museum - The London Canal Museum is housed in a former ice warehouse built c1862-3 for famous ice cream maker, Carlo Gatti. The exibits are diverse and all encompassing, spanning the history of the ice trade and ice cream as well as the canals themselves. You can see inside a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals, and find out about the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. You can also peer down into the huge Victorian ice well used to store ice imported from Norway. www.canalmuseum.org.uk

Museum of London - To get a real taste of London life over the last 2000 years, head for the Museum of London - the world's largest urban history museum. Documenting the growth of this vast metropolis from the prehistoric to the present day, the museum contains over 1.1 million objects, many rescued from archaeological digs or during building works in the City of London. Visitors can marvel at the staggering collection of over 47,000 objects from Roman London. Exhibits range from the buckles, brooches and belt-fittings of the medieval period, to the extensive glass collection from the 17th century. Favourite displays include recreated street scenes, interiors and the Victorian shop fronts. The galleries cover topics ranging from Macabre London to London Children and London Entertains. See at first hand paraphernalia from the Suffragettes' Movement, the skulls of those thought to have been massacred by Queen Boudica (AD 60-61) and the Lord Mayor's coach (1757) which is still used during the Lord Mayor's Show today. The World City Galleries explore London between 1789-1914, highlights of which include Wellington's boots and Queen Victoria's Parliamentary robes. www.museumoflondon.org.uk

The Houses of Parliament - otherwise known as The Palace of Westminster, stands on the site where Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the first half of the eleventh century. In 1547 the royal residence was moved to Whitehall Palace, but the Lords continued to meet at Westminster, while the commons met in St. Stephen's Chapel. Ever since these early times, the Palace of Westminster has been home to the English Parliament. www.aboutbritain.com

Westminster Abbey is the place of the coronation, marriage and burial of British monarchs, except Edward V and Edward VIII since 1066. Visitors can see the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Tombs and Shrine of Edward the Confessor, the Coronation Chair, Lady Chapel and Poets' Corner, the Royal Chapels etc. The current building dates largely from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries. www.westminster-abbey.org
The British Museum’s African, Asian, European and Ancient world collections include real-life legends like the Rosetta Stone and Easter Island statue, masterpieces like the Lewis Chessmen and Michelangelo cartoon, and iconic objects, from the oldest man-made tools on earth to the first known image of Christ – and all before you get to the mummies.Discover 2 million years of the world’s most inspiring history and culture as expert guides bring icons of human civilisation to life. www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Earls Court and Olympia – for conferences, exhibitions, shows, fairs and live music. This place has it all. www.eco.co.uk

Wembley Complex - Purpose built for flexibility and accessibility Wembley Conference & Exhibition Centre offers visitors a first-class venue for business and public events. The world famous Wembley Arena is London's must play venue attracting the most legendary artists in the music industry and host to many prestigious sporting events, as well as the new Wembley stadium. www.wembley.co.uk

Lords Cricket Ground is named after Thomas Lord, a fine bowler who was approached to establish a flat and fair ground for the increasingly popular elitist sport of the mid seventeen hundreds. The decision was made because the noblemen and aristocracy who played the game became tired of the crowds that gathered to watch them play. The first match ever to be played on the ground was between Middlesex and Essex in 1787. Tel: 020 7616 8500

Piccadilly Circus is so named after a speciality of a local 17th Century tailor, Robert Baker, who sold stiff collars known as 'picadils', and now is a popular area for shopping in London.
Trafalgar square - Trafalgar Square, set in central London, is one of Britain's great tourist attractions. A visit to the capital would be incomplete without going to marvel at Nelsons Column and the four giant lions at its base, or to admire the lovely splashing fountains and to feed the pigeons, who have made their home here. Built to commemorate Admiral Nelson, the square was named after the Spanish Cape Trafalgar where his last battle was won. www.aboutbritain.com

St. Katherine Docks - For over a thousand years the site of St Katharine Docks has been a focus of commerce and human endeavour. From King Edgar's bequest in the 10th century throughout the turbulent middle ages and Elizabethan times, to the founding of the dock we can see today, St Katharine's has played an important part in the life of London. www.skdocks.co.uk

Royal Albert Hall - Internationally renowned venue offering visitors a wide variety of entertainment - classical music, rock and pop events, jazz, sporting events, spectacular galas, banquets and balls. The summer music season, known as the 'Proms', is the highlight of the classical calendar, and may well be the best regular classical event in the world. www.royalalberthall.com

Hyde Park is one of London's finest landscapes and covers 140 hectares (350 acres). Hyde Park provides facilities for many different leisure activities and sports as well as being the focal point for public events of all sizes. The park also contains the Diana Princess of Wales memorial fountain. www.royalparks.gov.uk
Kensington Palace was once a favoured home of some of Britain`s most famous kings and queens and the setting for many great events and dramas in royal history. This timeline shows some of the most significant events that took place here. Its gardens run parallel with Hyde Park, next to the Serpentine. www.hrp.org.uk

St. James's Palace is the senior Palace of the Sovereign, with a long history as a Royal residence. As the home of several members of the Royal Family and their household offices. Today St. James's Palace remains a busy working palace. The State Apartments are sometimes used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, as well as for other ceremonial and formal occasions. They often host receptions for charities with which members of the Royal Family are involved. it is often in use for official functions. www.royal.gov.uk

The Thames Barrier has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. It is certainly a very impressive work of engineering. The barrier itself comprises nine, huge piers set at intervals across the river, which form six main shipping lanes and four smaller channels. Between these piers are steel gates, up to 200ft (60.6m) wide that lay in a concrete cradle on the sea bed (some 50ft - 15m below the surface). www.theheritagetrail.co.uk

Big Ben is one of London's best-known landmarks, and looks most spectacular at night when the clock faces are illuminated. You even know when parliament is in session, because a light shines above the clock face. The four dials of the clock are 23 feet square, the minute hand is 14 feet long and the figures are 2 feet high. Minutely regulated with a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum, Big Ben is an excellent timekeeper, which has rarely stopped.