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One Day London Travel Museum Guide
by Pat Stevens
http://www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk
A single day maneuvering through London's museums will
prove to be very enlightening and educational. With
perhaps the world's highest concentration of museums per
square mile, the choices are as varied as the tastes of
the visitors. An itinerary of one day, depending on
energy levels, can prove to be absolutely packed to the
brim with not a moment to spare. This one-day guide will
provide the most interesting options for a packed
itinerary, and for those who want a calmer day, pick and
choose what sounds best for your energy and speed levels.
As everyone knows, London can be expensive; as not
everyone knows, some of London's best museums, like the
British Museum, are free of charge. Thus, an itinerary is
provided for those who want to spend the minimum of money
seeing the maximum of London's culture. On the other
hand, some of the best museums, like the Tower of London,
are quite pricey. The London Pass can be an economical
solution, giving free entry to countless London
attractions for a set fee. Tourist-oriented museums, like
Madame Tussauds wax museum, are a category in themselves,
perfect for the day when the visitor seeks entertaining
education rather than analytical thought in a museum
visit. So, let this article be your guide through the
best that London's museums have to offer for minimal or
free admission fees, through the benefits of the London
Pass, and through the attraction museums that provide fun
and fast-lane learning.
The museums in London whose permanent collections
are free of admission are not too few in number, and will
fill up your one day of London travel. To start, the
British Museum is one of the world's best-known museums,
showcasing one of the widest collections of world cultural
history. Some highlights are the Rosetta stone; the first
known image of Christ; Lindow Man, whose well-preserved
2000-year-old body was found in a bog; and the Reading
Room, where Lenin, among others, studied and wrote plans
for his Revolution that would affect the whole world.
After this contact with world heritage, promenade over to
the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, where you can
see art by Europe's best painters and sculptors. Nearby
is the National Portrait Gallery, concentrating its
collection on England's most famous citizens throughout
the centuries. For a change of taste, follow up with the
Tate, London's best modern art museum, with paintings,
photo exhibitions and installations. If you have time at
the end of the day, conclude with the Museum of London,
informing its visitors about London's history and
culture. If you're interested in London, this museum is
for you; and, presumably, you are interested in London if
you've traveled all the way to get here!
When you think of the distance you've traveled to
get to London, you may think it worth spending a few
pounds while you are here. The one-day London Pass costs
27 pounds (it can be bought in combination with an
Underground Travelcard for 32 pounds), gives you free
access to countless museums, castles, and other places of
interest, saving you a good sum of money at the end of the
day. In this sample itinerary, you would save 30 pounds:
start off at Kensington Palace, former home of Princess
Diana, and enjoy the museum as well as the grounds and
gardens. Next, St. Paul's Cathedral is a stunning
architectural achievement, offering stunning views of
London from its cupola. Shakespeare's renovated Globe
Theatre will have the bard charm you "encore" with his wit
as you learn more about him and his theater. In the
afternoon, climb up Tower Bridge and learn about the
history and construction of this world famous bridge.
Conclude the afternoon with a tour of the Tower of London,
which will glitter your eyes with the Crown Jewels, and
turn your stomach with the tortures and mystery
surrounding the prisoners of this VIP prison, which
definitely lacked in VIP treatment. Finally, wind the
evening down with a discounted West End show, to give you
a full and well-spent day discovering London's culture.
For those seeking to discover London's culture in a
more interactive setting, attraction museums are ideal.
The London Dungeon mixes history with a haunted house
theme, with museum employees and wax figures unexpectedly
frightening the visitors. In the north of London are the
London Planetarium and the neighboring Madame Tussaud's
wax museum, which not only houses the world's largest and
most up to date collection of wax figures, but also the
most life-like ~ you will likely take a double take to
make sure Prince William isn't really standing in front of
you. For those who want to stand at the location
where "time begins", the nearby town of Greenwich, home of
the Prime Meridian, will impress you. There you can visit
the Royal Observatory, enjoy the beautiful park at the
base of the Observatory's hill, the National Maritime
Museum, the famous Cutty Sark ship, and get a feel for an
English village, so close to the metropolis of London.
Whether you choose to partake of the free
collections of London's museums, the countless options
that the London Pass provides, or the attraction museums
both in and near to London, you will be happy with the
result. London's museums are very well organized and are
full of surprising facts about the city that jump out at
you from paintings, photos, sculptures, documents,
architecture, and wax figures! Any visitor is bound to be
surprised and impressed by the London they see guided by
its museums.
This article was written by Pat Stevens with support from
The Jesmond Dene Hotel, a family run bed and breakfast
located within walking distance to King's Cross station.
To learn more about how bed and breakfasts can add to your
London travel experience, please visit
http://www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk/
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