Top London vacation attractions and taxi companies: While EGLL and EGKK are 24/7 airports, night slots are not usually available for GA. EGLL is one of the busiest airports in the world, operating at about 98% capacity. If you need to change a confirmed slot time, it may be hours before the next slot becomes available. This limits operating flexibility, especially if you have passengers who do not always keep to schedule. Special customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) clearance is possible within one of two EGLL VIP clearance areas — the Royal and Windsor suites — for an additional charge of about 1,500 £ per use. Discover extra details at taxi to stansted.
A cathedral to culture, the V&A is a world-class museum championing the very best of decorative art and design. High-profile ticketed exhibitions often sell out, but the permanent exhibits are fascinating, free to visit (book a ticket and time slot through a new and socially distanced system) and include a mini pet cemetery. The world’s first all-porcelain courtyard created by architect Amanda Levete with 11,000 handmade tiles. When it catches the sunlight, the glittering ceramics make London look like 1960s Rome.
The magnificent York Minster is second in importance in the Church of England only to the cathedral at Canterbury. It stands in the center of historic York, surrounded by half-timbered homes and shops, medieval guildhalls, and churches. In turn, York’s romantic streets are surrounded by three miles of magnificent town walls that you can walk atop for spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. While here, visit the National Railway Museum, one of England’s most visited tourist attractions. York is also a good base from which to explore northeast England, in particular the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Elsewhere in this corner of the country, you’ll find some of England’s most beautiful historic towns and cities, including Durham – famous for its castle and cathedral – and Beverley, which also boasts an attractive minster.
With a ride-on Thomas the Tank Engine and a pink Hello Kitty World, Drusillas is ideal for pre-teens. An extensive zoo will keep kids entertained for ages before they hit the banana boat swings, gigantic outdoor play area, indoor soft-play and rides. Discover moments in history immortalised in Lego bricks, enjoy a 4D motion ride, try out some real science experiments and learn all about constellations at this dynamic science centre for under-12s. In the winter months enjoy a slippin’ good time at the Life Centre ice rink.
Have a magical day out with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter. See first-hand the sets, costumes and props used in all the Harry Potter films, and step inside some of the films’ locations including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s hut. It’s the ultimate Harry Potter experience! Book in advance for one of the bestselling London tours. Buy a 24-hour ticket and enjoy the freedom to hop on and off the sightseeing buses and explore some of London’s most famous places, such as Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. Read even more information at skybridgecars.com.
If you get yourself to Heathrow Airport with plenty of time to spare, you can escape the crowds in one of the many lounges dotted around the airport. However, unless you have a membership of a loyalty program or you’re traveling business class, you have to pay to enter. We recommend the No 1 Lounge at terminal 3 to retreat for a couple of hours before your departure. Sometimes, if you’re planning on purchasing a newspaper, accessing the Wi-Fi and splurging on drinks and food, it’s cheaper to pay for the lounge and get it all for free. You’ll also be able to enjoy some stunning views of the runway while you wait to be called to your gate for departure.
A beacon of London’s enduring spirit, famously standing strong during the Blitz, Sir Christopher Wren’s domed structure replaced the original Gothic cathedral that was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Inside, 259 steps take visitors to the Whispering Gallery within the dome’s interior while the Golden Gallery on the outside offers sensational city views. Deep inside the cathedral’s crypt is the resting place of Wren himself. Stretching across the River Severn in Shropshire, this was the first iron bridge in the world, giving the name to the town that grew around it. The 100-foot (30m) structure was built by Abraham Darby III, based on a design by local architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard. It opened in 1781 but was closed for crossing in 1934 until the restoration of the bridge was completed in 2019.