Site Visits
London has a fantastic range of museums, galleries, palaces and churches - Get more out of your visit by having Justin bring the places alive in an informative and entertaining way:
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British Museum
The UK's leading museum of artefacts from all ages and all continents. The tour would take in objects from the Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian, Roman and Islamic empires, as well as those plucky Celts. If people wanted in-depth information on objects from other civilizations - a little notice would be appreciated.
Covent Garden
What started out in the seventeenth century as London's first luxury neighbourhood is once more a highly desirable place to live, work and shop. Based around Inigo Jones's piazza - London's first planned square, it has become a popular place for locals and visitors alike to relax and be entertained by the street performers.
Greenwich
A UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in the UK's maritime history. Christopher Wren built the breathtaking Greenwich Naval Hospital here in the time of our merry monarch, Charles II. Visit the stunning Painted Hall of Sir James Thornhill, where Britain's greatest ever naval hero laid in state after losing his life yet saving the day - at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. There is also the sumptuous Queen's House - the first neo-classical building this country saw. Further up the hill is the Royal Observatory and the picturesque Greenwich park.
Hampton Court
Pivotal moments in the life of our most memorable of kings, Henry VIII, happened here at Hampton Court. Come and visit his kitchens and state apartments, where he fed 1,200 people every day. This former royal palace is a unique fusion of different architectural styles - the south end of the palace having been built 250 years later by the king of architects - Sir Christopher Wren, housing the magnificent King's Apartments lived in by our Dutch king - William III.
National Gallery
The UK's leading gallery of fine art. Take a trip through time as we visit the various masters of different ages. From leading artists of the early Renaissance, all the way through to the Impressionists of the late 19th Century. (Add - Titian, Da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Reubens, Vealquez, JMW Turner, Monet, Renoir and Van Gough are just a selection of the highlights tour.
Sir John Soane's Museum
The late18th and early19th Century architect's home in Lincoln's Inn Fields is a unique folly that has to be seen to be believed. The original instigator of the lateral conversion, he turned two houses into one and mastered the use of the skylight like nobody has since his day. He collected a bewildering array of beautiful objects over the course of his life, and yet this house is so much more then a museum.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
The biggest crowds currently to be found along Bankside are milling around this place, a spectacular reconstruction of the five-sided playhouse where most of William Shakespeare's later works were first performed. The thatched-roofed theatre uses only natural light and the minimum of scenery, and has shows running until mid-September.
St Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's Classical-Baroque masterpiece in the City became the symbol of London in the darkest days of the Blitz. The only domed cathedral in the country has just had a $40 million restoration, and has never looked so incredible.
Tate Britain
The UK's leading gallery of British Art. Tate Britain is full of wonderful British paintings from the 16th Century all the way up to the start of the 20th Century. Constable, Gainsborough, Reynolds, JMW Turner and the Pre-Raphaelites all feature inside.
Tate Modern
The country's most visited attraction has been a massive success since its recent opening in 2000. Set in the cavernous shell of the former Bankside Power Station, it is world-class in its display of modern art. Come and get the low-down on all those 'isms' that just seem downright confusing! - 'Fauvism', 'Expressionism', 'Cubism', 'Futurism', 'Surrealism', 'Minimalism' and 'Conceptualism'.
Tower of London
It has served many purposes in its time. A royal palace, prison, armoury, observatory, public record office, zoo and home - of course - to the Crown Jewels. Come and hear the many stories about fantastic, violent and - at times - surreal events that have happened behind these walls over almost a millennia. Only the Yeoman Warders and Blue Badge guides are allowed to give tours around London's premier fortress.
Westminster Abbey
This has been the site of 38 coronations and 29 royal burials since built by Henry III back in the 1200's. Steeped in history, it is the best place to find out about the monarchy and major characters from other walks of life - poets, writers, statesmen, scientists and musicians. Only Abbey Vergers and Blue Badge Guides are allowed to give tours around the Abbey.
Windsor Castle
Her Majesty The Queen's second residence is a palace within a castle. It is the oldest working castle in the world. St George's Chapel is a wonderful example of the last stage of Gothic architecture in this country, and the State Apartments are impressive in both the quality and quantity of their furnishings and decor.
How you can contact Justin:
Tel: +44 (0) 7818 275 155
Email: info@justinroxburgh.com
Online: fill out the form on the right!