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Horseguards Parade
Jewel Tower
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
Full Index Of London’s Attractions & Sights
PLEASE NOTE: Admission prices given are for one adult at time of listing.
Please confirm current admission prices using the website link provided
Horseguards Parade
Free
On the same side of Whitehall as Downing Street is Horse Guards Parade. which leads to St James Park and backs on the garden of 10 Downing Street. It was part of the former Palace of Whitehall. This area’s military history can be traced back to the reign of King Henry V111 when it used for tournaments. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st it was used annually for military display put on to commemorate her birthday. Ever since it has hosted military parades, reviews and other official events.
Every year on the first, second or third Saturday in June the parade to celebrate the sovereign’s official birthday hosts the Trooping of the Colour Parade. The first two parades are dress rehearsals for the the official birthday on the third Saturday. This somewhat complex parade involves six contingents of foot soldiers (each made up of 70 foot soldiers and three officers) positioning themselves in a rotating manner so that each contingent in turn can be inspected by the Sovereign.
On a daily basis the official Changing of the Guard at Horseguards Parade is changed at 11am (10.am on Sundays). More information on Changing the Guard is given in our Royal Places section. Information on other military ceremonies is given at the link below.
Horse Guards Parade
Whitehall
London SW1
Jewel Tower
£3.20 – some concessions
The Jewel Tower, originally called the King’s Privy Wardrobe, dates from the fourteenth century and was the treasure house of Edward III. The tower, with its ribbed vault, was one of two buildings to withstand the fire in 1834 that destroyed the rest of the medieval Palace of Westminster. This English Heritage site puts on various exhibitions often detailing the history of Parliament in addition to telling it’s own 700 year history which is often overlooked.
Free Admission Here With This Pass !
Abingdon Street
London SW1P 3
020 7222 2219
Kew Gardens
£10.75 – Children under 17 free
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have a long history, developing from two Royal Gardens in the eighteenth century, but existing in some form long before. The Gardens are an impressive 300 acres and have been designated a World Heritage Site. There are over 40,000 types of plants in seven glass houses. There are also two art galleries.
A recently installed innovation is the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway (rhizotron derived from the Greek word for ‘root’ and xstrata being ex-strata; above ground). The walkway enables one to view the trees from below the ground and up to a height of 18 metres.
Free Admission Here With This Pass !
Royal Botanic Gardens, near Lichfield Road, (or by Ferry Lane for car park), Kew,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB
Tel: 020 8332 5000
