Holiday Inspiration: London

The Queen's residence Come and visit Buckingham Palace, the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen. You can explore the magnificent State Rooms, lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection. Your visit includes the special exhibition Royal Fabergé, a dazzling display of over 100 masterpieces from Imperial Easter Eggs and jewel-encrusted boxes to miniature carvings of favourite royal pets Changing the Guard During the summer, the new set of guards march their way from Wellington Barracks to the Palace forecourt. The march is accompanied by a marching band and takes around five minutes in total. The whole ceremony lasts approximately 40 minutes from start to finish. Useful Information With a special three-in-one ticket, you can spend a day visiting the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Or, take an exclusive after-hours, evening tour including a glass of champagne. For more information How to get there ? Tube - VICTORIA Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA Things to do in London this summer     Book your journey

Part of English tradition Lord's was established in 1787 by Thomas Lord and is the home of the  Marylebone Cricket Club, guardian of the laws of the game and its guiding spirit.  The MCC Museum is a treasure house of cricketing history. Guided tour of Lord's Cricket ground including the Long Room,  MCC Museum, Real Tennis Court, Mound/Grand Stand, Investec Media Centre and Indoor School. Tours of Lord's Cricket Ground are available throughout the year. When your expert guide leads you around this world-famous arena you will tread in the footsteps of the giants of the game, from W G Grace to Ian Botham. Useful Information Opening hours Month Times - Mon-Fri Times - Sat & Sun August 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm Sep-Oct 10am, 11am, 12noon, 2pm & 3pm 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm Nov-Dec 10am, 11am,12noon, & 2pm 11am, 12noon, 1pm, & 2pm No tours Dec 25/26 and Jan 1 When planning your trip for a Lord's Tour, please note that tour timings and schedules may differ on match days, and that no tours take place during Test matches, One Day Internationals and the Yorkshire Bank40 Final. For more information How to get there ? Tube- St Johns Wood Lords Cricket Ground, St. Johns Wood Road, NW8 8QN, London Tel : +44 (0)20 7289 1611 Book your journey

Trooping the Colour Horse Guards fronts Horse Guards Parade, the vast parade ground where the Queen takes the salute at the Trooping of The Colour ceremony on her official birthday. The building was designed by William Kent, the then Chief Architect to George II. Horse Guards is constantly guarded by troopers of the Household Cavalry. Two mounted cavalry troopers are posted outside daily from 10:00 to 16:00, and are relieved every hour. The Queen's Life Guard are the mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry who guard the official entrance to St James's Palace and >Buckingham Palace outside Horse Guards in Whitehall. An incredible event so representative of British tradition! Useful Information The Guard Changing Ceremony takes place each weekday at 11:00 and at 10:00 on Sundays and is performed by The Queen's Life Guard. For more information How to get there ? Tube – Convent Garden, Westminster Address : Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AX Tel : +44 (0)20 7414 2357 Book your journey

Art exhibitions and displays The Gallery displays priceless works of art dating from about 1250 to 1900. You can see works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Tuner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. There are special exhibitions, lectures, guided tours and holiday events for both adults and children. Special events For details of special events at the National Gallery go tohttp://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/ Useful information Free entry - Open daily 1000 to 1800 and Fridays 1000 to 2100. Allow a minimum of 5 hours for your visit.  For more information How to get there ? Tube - Charing Cross The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN Book your journey

The largest royal park One of London’s finest historic landscapes covering 350 acres. There is something for everyone in Hyde Park. With over 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, horse rides and more. Useful Information The park is open until midnight daily. There is lots to do including boating, childrens playground, cafe’s, deck chairs and swimming.  For more information How to get there ? Tube - Lancaster Gate & Marble Arch - Central Line Hyde Park Corner & Knightsbridge - Piccadilly line Book your journey

Visit the British Museum A museum of human history and culture. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. Find out more http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on.aspx Useful Information The Museum is free to all visitors and is open daily 10.00 –17.30 There are free daily talks and tours. For more information How to get there ? Tube : Holborn, Tottenham Court Road or Russel square. Tel : 020 7323 8299 Book your journey