Visiting London with the Family

London is great for families. Children can have a great time, learn something new and be inspired. Here are a couple of things to plan on your next family vacation to London.

1. The Saatchi Gallery- An art gallery that is specifically geared towards a younger audience and it is free!

2. Cartoon Museum - On 23rd February 2006 London's first cartoon museum opened to the public. Situated at 35 Little Russell Street, a stone's throw from The British Museum, The Cartoon Museum exhibits the very finest examples of British cartoons, caricature, and comic art from the 18th century to the present day.

3. Museum of London Docklands - From Roman settlement to Docklands’ regeneration, unlock the history of London’s river, port and people in this historic warehouse. Entry to the Museum is FREE of charge all year round. The Mudlarks gallery at the Museum of London Docklands provides an exciting and informative, interactive play area for children and their parents that reflects some aspects of the story of old and new Docklands as explored in the other galleries of the Museum.

4. The Unicorn Theater – The UK’s first purpose-built children’s theater with shows aimed at kids from 4 -12

5. Hyde Park – One of London’s famous historic landscapes covering 350 acres. There is something for everyone in Hyde Park. With over 4000 trees, a lake, meadow, horserides and more it is easy to forget you are in the middle of London.

6. Horniman Museum and Gardens – Another great free museum. A family-friendly anthropology museum with exhibits from around the world and hands-on experiences for children.

7. Science Museum - This free museum is world renowned for its historic collections, awe-inspiring galleries and inspirational exhibitions.

8. Museum of Childhood – Another free museum the V&A Museum of Childhood in London's Bethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood-related objects and artefacts, spanning the 1600s to the present day. The collection features toys - including dolls, dolls' houses, puppets and teddy bears - games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography.

9. The Golden Hinde- ondon's replica of Sir Francis Drakes warship offering visitors an unforgettable Living History Experience. The Golden Hinde is a full-sized reconstruction of the Tudor warship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in 1577 – 1580.

10. Hamleys – Your children will be blown away by this 7 floor toy store. The flagship store is considered one of London's major tourist attractions, and receives about five million visitors a year.

Visit London with your family and Celtic Tours on our London Program.

Visit London

Celtic Tours London Program is an excellent way to see all the famous sites of London. Visitors will enjoy this great itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival

Arrival to Heathrow Airport. Meet you driver for the transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 2 London

This morning, after your breakfast, enjoy a short walking tour of the City of London. See sights such as Parliament Square, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square.

The afternoon is free for you to explore London at your leisure. Take a flight on the London Eye, visit the Tate Gallery, enjoy people watching Hyde Park or celebrity spotting on Primrose Hill.

Day 3 Tower of London

Today you will visit the tower of London, the ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and ravens strut the grounds. The Tower of London, founded by William the Conquerer in 1066-7, holds some of the most remarkable stories from across the centuries. Despite a grim reputation as a place of torture and death, this powerful and enduring fortress has been enjoyed as a royal palace, served as an armoury and for a number of years even housed a zoo! Gaze up at the massive White Tower, tiptoe through a kings' medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels. The famous Yeoman Warders have bloody tales to tell; stand where heads rolled and prisoners wept. The Tower held many famous prisoners, from the highest levels of society; some in astonishing comfort and others less so… Visit the places of their confinement and read the graffiti left by prisoners from over 500 years ago. From 26 July 2008 replicas of mighty siege weapons will be positioned in the Moat, you may even be able to help shoot one! Imagine what it was like to attack and defend this powerful fortress, learn the stories of the Tower under attack and of the soldiers who defended it.

Day 4 Bath & Stonehenge

Your first stop of the day will be at the mystical and monumental site of Stonehenge. 5,000-year-old Stonehenge is Europe's most famous prehistoric site and, though we know from the stone's alignment that worship of the sun and moon took place here, the rituals themselves and the methods of construction are still shrouded in mystery. After your visit, continue on to the beautiful town of Salisbury. You will have free time for your own lunch, shopping in the quaint old streets, and perhaps your own visit to Salisbury Cathedral, one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Britain and the tallest in England (123m/404ft). Started in 1220 it was completed by 1258 to reflect the glory of God in stone and glass, and it has always been a setting for great occasions. Continue on to Bath; Bath is Jane Austen country and this ancient city retains so much of its Georgian charm that Austen fans will recognise many streets and squares from her novels. You will view the magnificent Royal Crescent, perhaps the most attractive street in the country, and visit the preserved and fascinating Roman Baths.

Day 5 Departure

Meet your driver for the transfer to Heathrow Airport

Visit Celtic Tours website to learn more about our London Program.

The Tower of London

Visit the Tower of London, the ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and ravens strut the grounds. Despite a grim reputation as a place of torture and death, this powerful and enduring fortress has been enjoyed as a royal palace, served as an armory and for a number of years even housed a zoo!

In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build a massive stone tower at the centre of his London fortress. Nothing like it had ever been seen before. Immense, the Tower of London dominated the skyline for miles around. The Tower was protected by Roman walls on two sides, ditches to the north and west up to 25 ft wide and 11 ft deep and an earthwork topped by a wooden palisade. Although many later kings and queens stayed at the Tower, it was never intended as the main royal residence nor was it meant as the first line of defense against invading armies. The Tower’s primary function was as a fortress-stronghold, a role that remained unchanged right up until the late 19th century.

The Tower of London holds some of the most remarkable stories from across the centuries. Gaze up at the massive White Tower, tiptoe through a kings' medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels. The famous Yeoman Warders have bloody tales to tell; stand where heads rolled and prisoners wept. The Tower held many famous prisoners, from the highest levels of society; some in astonishing comfort and others less so… Visit the places of their confinement and read the graffiti left by prisoners from over 500 years ago.

Visit the Tower of London with Celtic Tours on our newest tour of London: the London Program.

London Program: Our Newest Tour of London

London Program

Explore London with Celtic Tours London Program. Visit the most famous attractions in London including the Tower of London , the Roman Baths and Stonehenge!

Your London Program Includes:

* 4 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Private transfer from Heathrow airport to hotel and back for 4 people
* Half-day private English speaking guide for walking tour of London on Day 2
* Entrance to Tower of London (independent -day 3)
* Full day private touring on mini coach with English speaking guide on Day 4
* Entrance to Roman Baths and Museum of Bath on Day 4
* Entrance to Stonehenge on Day 4
* Service and VAT

Take a vacation in London with Celtic Tours. Learn more about our new London Program.

Heart of England Coach Tour

Heart of England

Celtic Tour's new and unique program brings you some of the most famous landmarks in England, great for those with limited time!

Your Heart of England Includes:

* 3 nights in traditional & unique accommodation, rooms with ensuite facilities
* Experienced Driver/Guide
* All mini-coach transportation
* Full English cooked breakfast daily
* Three-course evening meals x 2
* Entrance fees as listed: Christ Church, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, Anne Hathway's Cottage, Stratford, Roman Baths Pump House, Bath, Lacock Abbey, Stonehenge, Wiltshire, Windsor Castle

Join Celtic Tours on this new tour of England: The Heart of England.

Best of Britain Tour

Your Best of Britain Tour Includes:

* 9 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*


ITINERARY


Day 1 Arrival at own discretion in London. Collect your hire car and make the short trip to Cambridge. There should be some time to this charming University town with its ancient colleges, stunning architecture and medieval streets. Overnight in the Cambridge area.

Day 2 You might want to spend some more time in the morning discovering Cambridge. Late morning though it is time to depart and head for the north of England. On your way to the North of England we suggest a stop in the Peak District. The Peak District's natural beauty and sheep-grazed crags contrast with the factories of nearby valley towns. Visit Chatsworth House and Gardens, one of Britain's most impressive stately homes. The house has beautiful gardens, landsaped in the 1760s by Capability Brown and developed by the head gardener, Joseph Paxton , in the mid-19th century. Overnight in York/Harrogate area

Day 3 In the morning we will have time to explore York, the quaint town in the North of England. The city of York has retained so much of its medieval structure that walking into its centre is like entering a living museum. Walking through the town you will see the famous York Minster, the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. After exploring York your journey will take you to Edinburgh via Jedburgh and Melrose. Stop at picturesque Jedburgh Abbey to learn about the Augustinian monks who once lived here and Melrose Abbey, once one of the richest abbeys in Scotland. It is here that Robert the Bruce's heart is said to be buried. Overnight in Edinburgh, where you will be staying for 2 nights.

Day 4 Spend the morning discovering Edinburgh with all its nooks and crannies. Scotland's capital city is really made up of 2 smaller “towns”. Edinburgh's medieval origins were in the narrow cobbled streets around the Royal Mile - a long road linking the 2 ancient royal residences. The city has been the home of great politicians, religious leaders and inventors throughout the centuries. Nearby are the university and the new Scottish Parliament while the city skyline is dominated by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Later, in contrast, admire the elegant tree-lined crescents of the 18th century “New Town” - built by Robert Adam in the classical style of that era and representing the largest area of conserved Georgian architecture in Europe. Overnight in Edinburgh again.....Learn More about the Best of Britain Tour
*Upgrades to automatic and larger cars available for a supplement.