The top cities between Saffron Walden and Windsor are London, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Reading, Richmond-upon-Thames, St. Albans, Guildford, Rochester, Chelmsford, and Aylesbury. London is the most popular city on the route. It's 1 hour from Saffron Walden and less than an hour from Windsor.
Located on the River Cam in eastern England, Cambridge is a city renowned for its prestigious University of Cambridge, which dates back to 1209. The town boasts several university colleges, including King’s and Trinity with their impressive Gothic architecture and St John's featuring the iconic Great Gate from the 16th century. Visitors can explore various university museums dedicated to archaeology, anthropology, polar exploration, science history and zoology.
2% as popular as London
13 minutes off the main route, 25% of way to Windsor
Chelmsford, a city in Essex, England, is located northeast of London and offers a mix of history and modern attractions. Visitors can explore the restored interiors and expansive parkland of Hylands House, built in 1730, or admire the stained glass and colorful ceiling at Chelmsford Cathedral. The Essex Regiment Museum showcases military artifacts such as weaponry and uniforms. For nature enthusiasts, RHS Garden Hyde Hall provides hilltop views along with rose gardens and woodland areas.
0% as popular as London
17 minutes off the main route, 38% of way to Windsor
Need a place to stay?
WhereWhere are you going
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Rochester, a charming town in Kent, England, is situated at the lowest bridging point of the River Medway. It forms a conurbation with neighboring towns and offers delightful experiences for visitors. The Rochester Farmers Market, held every 3rd Sunday of the month, boasts an array of fresh produce and delectable treats. For unique crafts and collectibles, the Rochester City Village & Artisan Market on every 2nd Saturday is a must-visit.
0% as popular as London
30 minutes off the main route, 49% of way to Windsor
Milton Keynes, the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, England, is located about 50 miles north-west of London. With a population of 264,349 in its urban area as of the 2021 Census, it offers a variety of dining options including Harvester Eastlake and a new Route 66 American diner in the city center. These establishments serve fresh and flavorful grills, salads, and American cuisine to cater to diverse tastes.
1% as popular as London
23 minutes off the main route, 56% of way to Windsor
London, the vibrant capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a city that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern-day attractions. From the iconic Houses of Parliament and the renowned 'Big Ben' clock tower to the majestic Westminster Abbey, London is steeped in historical significance dating back to Roman times. The city also offers contemporary experiences such as panoramic views from the London Eye observation wheel and a thriving cultural complex along the South Bank of River Thames.
Most popular city on this route
17 minutes off the main route, 57% of way to Windsor
I'll never travel to Windsor without this trip planner again
St. Albans, located in the commuter belt north of London, is a historic city known for its centuries-old cathedral with medieval wall paintings. The city's Verulamium Park houses ornamental lakes and the remains of an ancient Roman wall, along with the Verulamium Museum displaying Roman artifacts like mosaics and the Sandridge Hoard of gold coins. As the oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, St. Albans also boasts a 2nd-century Roman theatre nearby.
0% as popular as London
6 minutes off the main route, 62% of way to Windsor
Aylesbury, located in central England, is a charming town known for its well-preserved historic architecture. The old town area boasts an array of Georgian, Jacobean, and Tudor buildings, particularly around the 13th-century St. Mary’s Church. Visitors can delve into local history and culture at the Bucks County Museum, which also houses the engaging Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery featuring characters from the beloved author's books.
0% as popular as London
24 minutes off the main route, 63% of way to Windsor
Richmond, located in South West London, is an affluent residential district bordering the River Thames. Families are drawn to this picturesque area for its highly-regarded schools and the expansive Richmond Park where herds of deer roam freely. The town offers a mix of suburban and country living with its eclectic shops, dining options, and performances at Richmond Theatre. This riverside setting provides a peaceful atmosphere and access to various attractions such as Kew Gardens and museums.
1% as popular as London
15 minutes off the main route, 73% of way to Windsor
Guildford, a town in southern England, is home to the medieval Guildford Castle and its landscaped gardens. The 17th-century Guildford House features a gallery with rotating exhibitions, while Loseley Park offers a 16th-century manor house and walled garden. Additionally, visitors can explore Victorian paintings and sculptures at the nearby Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village. The city is known for its thriving shopping scene, boasting designer brands, boutiques, independent retailers, and three shopping centers.
0% as popular as London
22 minutes off the main route, 74% of way to Windsor
The town of Reading, located in the south of England, is a bustling hub with a rich history. It hosts an annual rock music festival that draws large crowds. The town centre is dotted with shops and eateries overlooking the Thames and Kennet rivers. Visitors can explore the Reading Museum to learn more about the region's past, including a replica of the Bayeux Tapestry from Victorian times.
0% as popular as London
20 minutes off the main route, 80% of way to Windsor
Best stops along Saffron Walden to Windsor drive
The top stops along the way from Saffron Walden to Windsor (with short detours) are lastminute.com London Eye, The British Museum, and Tower of London. Other popular stops include London Underground Limited, IWM Duxford, and Hever Castle & Gardens.
Kentwell Hall is a magnificent red brick stately home that puts on historical re-enactments and events. The property boasts of beautiful parkland, stunning gardens, and a working farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the mansion with its authentic period pieces or spend time admiring the equally impressive gardens. The Halloween event is particularly noteworthy for the time and effort invested in it. While there is a decent cafe available, the menu options are limited.
Absolutely wonderful. It takes about an hour to tour the entire mansion but is well worth it. Everything is true period pieces, not replicas, and the gardens are equally as impressive.
Lynda Nunez — Google review
This is a lovely and beautiful place to visit. Although there have been many restorations through the years, which make it hard to really guess what’s original, you get a great sense of history and tradition. And also how it must have been to live in such a beautiful place back in the 1500’s.
What particularly stands out are the gardens. They are all that you come to expect from an English garden. And more. Green, lush and full of beautiful flowers and plants.
This place is nice to visit with the family. Definitely recommended!
Marc Lelieveld — Google review
A truly magical family home, lovingly and carefully thought out refurbishments, wonderful guide book, detailed signage, FABULOUS TOPIARY, fairyland grounds and wonderous gardens and home farm. Took two teenage sons and even they had a fantastic day. Loved the garden games, free to use, at the end near the gates. Topped off the day with a game of croquet and Pick up Sticks. Would highly recommend. Well done the family for doing such a wonderful job on the house!
Anna Jermain — Google review
Lovely privately owned house and garden just on the edge of Long Melford, also has a tea room, walled garden with ancient apple trees, nice walks round the grounds and some fabulous topiary hedges it even has a moat round the house so if someone from just stop oil is there and they fall in you can save them by taking your foot off their heads, that's if you wanted to 😳. Definitely visit.
Honest Opinion — Google review
Marvellous. Absolutely amazing. Real feel of a tudor building which is still used as a family home. Many fully furnished rooms open to the public in a house fully surrounded with a beautiful moat. There are formal gardens beyond. This is a most excellent historic home visit for all the family. Every room contains a description by the owner of the history of the room and the renovations the family has made. (Our country and history are reliant on such committed and caring people) Tea room does everything you might want but is IMHO a little pricey. There is the picnic area as an alternative. The house and gardens have limited opening hours so check first. Our best day out on a Suffolk holiday.
MikeHt1000 — Google review
Beautiful tudor building which is being lovingly restored by its current custodians. It is so huge I seriously do not envy them the task. Different from a lit of stately homes or historic houses in that the family still use the whole building which is nice. Beautiful grounds too and a super friendly darling of a horse! This is a working farm roo so sheep and pigs are around to look at. So sweet seeing the little lambs.
Well worth a visit.
Adele James — Google review
An epic day out for going back in time and appreciating our heritage. The Tudor reenactments are superb and the team live it so well. Never a dull moment here. Great grounds and lots to learn. Fully recommended.
G M — Google review
Fabulous day out at the stunning Kentwell Hall on Easter Monday with my 12 yr old daughter. Really interesting looking around the house and talking to the Tudor actors about medieval life. Great time of year to visit with the lambs and beautiful daffodils. The gardens were lovely. Delicious cakes in the tearoom too. Definitely recommend, especially on event days like this as lots to see and do.
Kerry Harbrow — Google review
A beautiful, well maintained place! It looks great on a sunny day and the house is very grand. The tickets were so expensive! They close at 4pm, which is early. Instead of charging lots of money, perhaps you could stay open longer? They put in a lot of time and effort into the Halloween event. Was very impressed. There is a decent cafe, which is cheap and fast serving, but quite a limited menu. A brilliant day out!
Toby robson — Google review
I love bringing friends here! It's just like everyone popped out for half an hour when you walk around. So we'll preserved and presented!
Impressive throughout, lovely grounds and my favorite tree carved in such an amazing way!
Highly recommend a visit here!!!!
Geoff Grove — Google review
This is a lovely place to visit. The grounds and the gardens are stunning and the house itself is so interesting. The owners' love and passion for the house shines through all the information that you see. The little information sheets in each room are very well judged to give you just enough detail to keep you interested and help you understand the significant points of what you're seeing.
And Kentwell has a lovely Cafe area enhanced by a visiting peacock!
Angela Leonard — Google review
Very educational and a very well worth place to visit. The staff were all in Tudor costume which made the experience even more enjoyable, you can visit different parts of the halls buildings to see first hand how the Tudors worked back in those days. It is NOT EH ot NT so you must pay to enter. The car park area is a pleasant place to have a picnic if not to busy. Be warned, in some rooms you may experience something??👻 But this is a very pleasant day out.
Ricky Bull — Google review
Beautiful Tudor home and gardens full of furnishings from the period.
They have amazing reenactment events throughout the year and are always true to the period and interactive. We love coming here and will return again! I highly recommend a visit.
Kris — Google review
Very educational, great full day out! Really takes you back in time with the volunteers in old fashioned costumes. Had a great time. Well worth a visit with or without children
Mandy Davey — Google review
We have been coming here with our family for more than twenty five years and it never ceases to please. The recreation days are still as delightful as ever and all the 'Tudors' you encounter during the day, both in the house and grounds, remain in character and are polite and respectful. My grandchildren were enthralled by everything they saw and loved taking part in the processions and other activities. They are already asking to go back. So glad this beautiful place is as lovely as it ever was.
Beverley Claydon — Google review
Excellent fun at Easter. The 'Tudors' played their part well and remained in character all day. Games for the children were fun and well organised. Really good fun.
Steve Walsh — Google review
An absolutely amazing place and a real hidden gem. We loved that we could walk around without anyone watching over us in the moat house and the house, but being respectful to this being a family home. I have never taken so many photos and said OMG so many times in each room.
We only came across two members of staff, one in the ticket office and the other in the tea room and both ladies were very friendly and helpful. We will definitely be revisiting.
Sheila Hammond — Google review
We love Kentwell Hall!
I have been coming here since I was a teenager and celebrating the May day festival. Yesterday I took my husband and 2 children. Its such a wonderful place to visit and experience how it may have been in the Tudor era. Its made even more special with the May day Celebration and crowning of the May Queen. We will be back next year, without a doubt. They also accept Blue Peter badges at a 20% discount which was brilliant.
GEMMA LOVITT — Google review
Great family day out over Easter.
The Easter egg hunt was a great way to make sure the kids explored the grounds.
All reenactment actors were great and very interactive and told you how things were done.
The grounds are really fun to explore especially the small holding where they had 3 week old lambs.
Also the Cafe onsite is very good value considering there is nothing else around.
Adrian Gray — Google review
We had the most fabulous day out at kentwell for its Tudor Mayday celebrations. We loved meeting all the Tudors and the all the pageantry of the mayday parade and play. Really enjoyed seeing all the tudors food being prepared and seeing them at their crafts and instruments. Was such an incredible immersive experience. I thought the tickets were fantastic value for the whole day’s experience as probably about the same price as a national trust property entry with nothing else going on. I was also impressed by the cafes offer, nice quiche and salads and lovely ham from the farm on site as well as delicious cakes. We went with our 3.5 year old and 13 week old and managed to navigate okay with our small wheeled pram around the grounds. We will be back!
bryony silverwood — Google review
Fantastic day out with kids aged 6, 7 and 12 yo. Beautiful house full of interesting things. Great games to play on the lawn. Kids loved feeding the fish and playing on the maze. Garden absolutely stunning. Would love to return.
Natalie Lowdell — Google review
Surprisingly the house is very poor maintained, considering the pricy ticket fee (£20 pp). Comparing to other houses/gardens/ castles we have been to before, I would say this is not worth the price, however, cafe was okay, food was tasty, again very pricy for a sausage roll with salad/ quiche with salad (£10 pp)
To conclude, there’s better places to visit nearby! the other hall down the road was much better!
Aidan Marsh — Google review
Unfortunately bought tickets for the Easter Monday.. but couldn't go due to getting the Flu..But I know this place is Fantastic, a Great place for an interesting Day out with the Family. Beautiful Gardens, Fantastic House, Lovely Tudors!! Been going since I was at Junior School.. I'm 51yrs now!! It's Brilliant, been to a 1940's open air concert too Absolutely Recommend, you'll Love it if you Love our History!! Don't forget your Groat's tho!! For the Time Tunnel!!😉☺️☺️
Samantha Piech — Google review
An amazing place to visit. I really enjoyed walking around the gardens and admiring the beautiful daffodils and fruit trees in bloom.
I also loved the way the 'Tudors' were so informative and managed to maintain the act of speaking as though in Medieval times.
I was particularly enthralled by the two alchemists making a small quantity of gunpowder and telling us how, and what, an alchemist would have studied in Tudor times.
Thanks too to the ladies who showed me how to attach a ruff and to the lady who was entrusted to read and scribe letters in the Middle Ages. Fascinating.
The house is incredibly interesting and serves as a perfect example of how landowners and their staff would have lived in the time of Henry VIII.
Seeing the lambs and sheep too, was a highlight - we even caught a glimpse of a hare speeding across the land, some pigs and a peacock too.
Wel
Kentwell hall is worth a visit. The cafe is reasonably priced with good food and desserts and the whole venue is great for children.
Gill Atacocugu — Google review
We were lucky to visit on a Tudor life weekend. Many volunteers dress in authentic costume and carry out the tasks that were essential to daily life. There are musicians, potters, spinners, weavers, metal workers, cooks, dairy, etc. , all working, but ready to tell you what they are doing and why.
Even if we had visited on an ordinary weekend, there would still have been plenty to see in the house, its working buildings and gardens.
Susan Bell — Google review
Incredible place full of history, plenty to see and lovely peaceful gardens. Great café too. A little expensive but a lot goes to restoration and maintenance. Well recommended.
Barry Richards — Google review
4.6
(1250)
•
4.5
(806)
High Street, Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9BA, United Kingdom
Melford Hall, a National Trust property, was once owned by the family of Beatrix Potter and features a tearoom and extensive gardens. While it may not be completely Tudor due to fires and modernizations in Georgian times and the 1950s, it still offers beautiful rooms to explore, including those with incorrect windows and out-of-scale dimensions. Visitors can enjoy cake on the lawn and admire the lovely garden. Knowledgeable volunteers offer personal guided tours throughout every room.
Not as Tudor as it might be. Fires, modernization (in Georgian times and in the 1950s) mean that the windows are wrong and some of the rooms are out of scale for Tudor times. But it is still a lovely place to eat cake on the lawn and tread the stairs and the rooms. Nice garden too. At the end of the day I was fortunate to be given a lovely personal guided tour through every room by different volunteers who obviously enjoyed imparting their knowledge and knew it well. A wonderful experience and a credit to all the staff. The lemon, lime and orange cake was a taste from heaven.
Simon ?Red Simon? Geoghegan — Google review
Melford Hall is a lovely estate. It’s not strictly a Tudor building as it’s had centuries of redevelopment and restoration work caused by changes in fashion and also a fire.
Nevertheless, it’s a great location to peruse the gardens and historic property. The lawn adjacent to property is a lovely location to spend time with family with its various games, such as croquet, placed there by the National Trust for us to play with.
The volunteers are friendly and very informative, and one gave us a guided tour around the grounds whilst talking about Melford Hall’s links to monastic history.
There’s a small cafeteria in the property to get food and drink.
Melford Hall is a wonderful day to out when visiting the local area.
Simon Jones — Google review
Beautiful gardens and house. Well worth a visit. Good toilet facilities and a tea room too with outdoor seating.
Katherine Schutte — Google review
My wife and I decided to visit Melford Hall, as, to our shame, we only live down the road and have never visited. It was a Friday afternoon and the car park was already getting busy. I imagine at peak times, it would be difficult to get parked. The tour guide volunteers are very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. It is well worth a visit, as it has an interesting story.
Peter Holmes — Google review
This was a lovely place to visit. I have seen larger houses, and grander houses, but this one has amazing features to enjoy, including a fantastic staircase, which one of the guides encourages people to pose on and feel like a star!
The guides in the rooms, and the guide who delivered the introductory talk, were all such friendly people who happily shared their knowledge.
The tea rooms were in different rooms (or outside) and felt quite relaxing. The grounds included croquet and a summer folly, which you should try and see for the view from the steps and the quirky appearance.
Parking is free. Be aware the house seems to open at midday, although you can go for a walk before. For me, it was the guides who made the £10 admission fee worth the money.
Nicky Hirst — Google review
Good day out, Melford hall is worth a visit. Staff are very helpful, friendly & informative. Worth hearing informal introduction talk by house volunteer to understand the history. Cafe has food options pasties,scones,cake or sandwich. Seating is available inside or outside on the lawn. Formal gardens were smaller than expected but had area's to interest young children as well. Long Melford was also a interesting village with historical buildings.
Lee 900 — Google review
Very interesting nutshell and full talks. We enjoyed the park, the house and the gardens.
Julia Firth — Google review
This is a beautiful house to enjoy, unlike many NT houses, this one felt you could actually live there!
The room guides are excellent, adding depth to the experience.
We also received the most amazing care, as my husband is recovering from spine surgery, he is not as mobile, we were made to feel that nothing was too much trouble, allowing us to park right outside the Hall & giving him a verbal tour of the upstairs as he couldn't manage the stairs.
Hannah Ghoorahoo — Google review
An interesting National Trust country house with knowledgeable guides in most rooms. We spent a couple of hours here and enjoyed it. Before doing the tour we had a light lunch in the cafe, the food was good and the staff attentive. The only negative was that there appeared to be only two public loos in the whole place.
steve.r hudson — Google review
A lovely day out. The house is really interesting and still feels like a grand family home, the grounds are gorgeous and the food was lovely. All the staff were very friendly and helpful x
Karin Klompe — Google review
Opened at 12 ,lots of people arrived then. Short walk to house. Tea room is small so had to queue but not long. Lovely houses as are the grounds. There is also a walk about a mile you can walk your dog after ,cows in enclosed section so on lead best
Angela Mortimer — Google review
Really interesting history at this National Trust site. Plenty to see in the hall.
It had just opened when we arrived so a bit of a queue for the toilets 🚻
Cafe had a great range. I can recommend the cornish pasty 😋
Garden is small but cool. Plenty of outdoor seating. I loved the "dessert tower" and tree lined corridor.
Highly recommended
Mark Burgess — Google review
Really beautiful Hall, the guides are lovely lady’s and gents with lots of knowledge about the hall and extremely friendly to us all!
Stroll around the outside gardens, lovely history with Beatrix Potter and her stories as well
Mikayla Bryon — Google review
Melford Hall is rather fine, and offers an evidential tour through the centuries, from Reformation to the almost-present. The gardens are limited but fine, with some beautifully planted borders. As with almost every National Trust property, the excellent staff and volunteers range from the incredibly informed to the affably devoted. The cool 50s-decor café was a nice surprise, and the idea of hanging large paintings of old, long deceased antecedents in what were meant to be young ladies' bedrooms was preposterously amusing. Worth the admission!
Adrian Leonard — Google review
This isn’t a huge National Trust property, but still very enjoyable. They appear to have a good army of volunteers in the house and gardens, and we were given a comprehensive talk on the history of the property before we toured round. Several of the rooms had volunteers who were only too happy to tell you about the room. One of the former owners (C19th?) was a keen collector of stained glass and there are some interesting windows made of complete pieces and a number of broken scraps, which have quite a modern feel.
The gardens are not big, but there is a nice herbaceous border against a wall and you can just about see the crinkle-crankle wall on the south side.
Susan Bell — Google review
Really enjoyed the visit. Thought only small part of the house is open for public so it was nice surprise to find tgat large part of the first floor is available for viewing. House has light and bright atmosphere. There were two talks available on the day I visited, one about the house in the main hall and one about the garden.
Marketa — Google review
4.5
(1070)
•
4.0
(459)
Melford Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury CO10 9AA, United Kingdom
Braintree Village is a shopping center with outlet stores offering popular fashion, perfume, and home & kitchen brands. It's a hotspot for serious shoppers seeking international brand deals. The district also offers family-friendly activities like catching a film, bowling, and trying the climbing wall at Namco. Visitors praise the good selection of shops with great bargains and many dining options. The village is easy to navigate and not overly crowded, making it an enjoyable experience for shoppers.
A nice outlet - not too big but a great range of shops, from high street (M&S) to higher end (Ralph Lauren/Hugo Boss). Has plenty of places for a coffee pit-stop and also has cinema/restaurants across from it if you wanted to make a full day of your trip (that's if you don't spend the whole day shopping!!)
Lauren Robinson — Google review
Nice spacious outlet! There’s plenty of places for you to park and we had a great time as it wasn’t crowded or that busy for a Sunday afternoon.
It’s great for walking around due to there being zebra crossings in the right areas. Braintree is so well managed, with plenty of stores. Stores you didn’t even think you’d like to see like Haribo.
It’s a good change from Bicester Village if you’re looking for an outlet that isn’t focused on luxury goods.
Helen Bui — Google review
Good outlet.
Around 1 hour and half driving from central of london.
Also, in the back of the outlet there is many big stores like Next, T.k.max, sport direct and more.
There also cinema and namco entertainment.
Ahmed — Google review
Nicely laid out outlet mall. Not massive and not that many shops. Typical stores you would expect to find in a UK outlet mall.
Prices are nothing special but again not too different from what you get at any outlet mall in UK.
If you are used to shopping at outlet malls in the UK then you will be very pleased visiting. If you are used to shopping in the US then you will be quite disappointed with the prices and number of shops.
Tuoyo-E — Google review
Great place for all your shopping needs especially clothing, footwear etc. Good range of designer outlets, with great deals.
As all the shops are on ground level hence no problems for wheel chair users.
There are a few car parks which are free to park for six hours. Food outlets are close to carpark.
Overall a good place to spend a day shopping and finding some great deals.
Faheem Shah — Google review
Nice selection of small stores. Christmas decorations were very nice. Not entirely outlet prices tbh. You can find same deals cheaper online. But the beauty store was the bomb !
MARIE ?NLondonPT? WILSON — Google review
Decent shopping mall with good brands to choose from. The free parking for 6 hours is a bonus. The customer service team prompt in answering queries. The food options weren’t particularly bad, but tolerable brands. Overall the staff in most of the shop were relaxed and friendly.
Emily Robinson — Google review
Really enjoyed my trip, great selection of shops 👌 easily found my way around. I found it more realistic than other outlet centres as it offers more retailers at a sensible price level rather than just the top notch designers taking the majority of the units.
Paul Barrett — Google review
Nice little day out. Different from usual. Had a lot of good deals. I've got myself a pair of shoes from nike. But needs a more variety of shops with lower price ranges but this place is more of outlets so always find something
David Y — Google review
An excellent place to visit. England is not London only. There are these places to visit too. Lovely places with coffee shops, stores, monuments, you name it. It was a pleasure and lots of fresh air to breathe. Come and visit.
Carlos Reis — Google review
Good selection of shops with good bargains , many nice places to eat. It’s not big so easy to navigate, you can’t miss any stores. The staff were very polite and friendly in every shop. We spent about 4 hours there on Saturday, it wasn’t crowded at all. I didn’t have a car as it was serviced in the nearby garage so I particularly liked “drop it” facility offered in Guest Services unit. We were able to leave our shopping bags there and continue shopping without extra “baggage “. The young man in Guest Services was extremely helpful and polite. I will definitely return.
Kasia T. — Google review
Excellent comfortable shopping experience at Freeport, quality branded clothing - and if judicious - you may get a good deal.
Take care with timing your visit, Friday's and weekends are going to be extra busy leading up to Xmas.
Oh and there's an Ice rink!
Free parking for 6 hours.
Graham Arthur — Google review
A very good shopping outlet in Braintree. Around 75 shops with many designer shops here including Hackett, Tommy Hilfiger, Hollister, Adidas and Boss. There is an M&S clothing store as well as a food store. Also many places to eat and drink. There is plenty of parking. Opening hours are 10am-6pm Monday - Friday 10am-5pm on Sunday and 9am-7pm on Saturday.
Eddie Rogers — Google review
I wouldn't go back. First impressions were positive...easy to get to by car and good parking. But walking into the 'village', you're hit by the fact it feels soulless...like on the verge of closing down. Admittedly I went on a day when the weather wasn't great in Oct...but still.
Prices are generally not good value such that you'd prob be better shopping on the high street. The stock definitely feels like it was outlet stock. If you're after a specific item you need like a coat you'd be OK, but anything else just isn't attractive enough to catch your eye if you're browsing for a bargain. Some shops hit and miss...like they can't be bothered welcoming you...guess they don't mind going bankrupt then.
So in summary...not worth making a special trip to unless you lived in Braintree! 💯
J — Google review
Been there for the first time on boxing day,place was packed.Got nice bargains from Ralph lauren outlet, Tommy hilfiger, adidas and couple more outlets.More food shops and toilets would be great as I felt there isn't enough.
Neeraja Abhilash — Google review
I like the place, great shops , a real big free parking and it worth driving 40 mins to get there
I love NIKE, Tommy, Calvin Klein, VANS, M&S and many others , prices are really affordable
Every time we buy delicious churros there
Highly recommended!
Great Notley Country Park, located in Braintree, Essex, is a vast public parkland that offers an array of activities suitable for the entire family. In addition to a bistro serving delicious meals, visitors can engage in horse riding and cycling along the designated paths, or partake in bird-watching or fishing for those seeking a more serene experience. The park also boasts numerous sports fields ideal for football enthusiasts; children can enjoy play areas while adventurers can test their courage on the famous sky ropes.
Lovely area of nature, with lots of playground bits spread out throughout the park. Our littlun loved riding her bike around discovering more and more exciting things to play on. Great for adults & kids alike with a nice cafe near the car park side
Ben Slater — Google review
Excavations in Great Notley revealed the remains of Iron Age and Roman settlements with a series of enclosures overlaid with a Roman development on the site of the Skyline Business Park. It is thought that there was a series of occupations on the site from the late Iron Age onwards, which included brewing, farming and the production of textiles.
Great Notley Country Park however is relatively new, having been created from the remnants of Gt Notley Village when it was developed as part of the new 'self-sustaining' garden village.
It has grown up with the community surrounding it, and is quite unique in that its wildflower meadows, lakes and other landmarks were created from scratch and over the years have grown and developed in to what you see today.
Whether you're an adventurer at heart or just want to relax and unwind in Essex's beautiful countryside, Great Notley Country Park offers the perfect day out for all the family.
Covering 100 acres of open space the park is home to Sky Ropes, the fun, family friendly high ropes adventure course as well as Essex’s longest kid’s play trail.
Jump, swing, slide, crawl and climb your way around 1.2km of fun including giant seesaws, swing scales, rope climbers, slides, forts and a large sand play area.
Looking for something a bit quieter? The park also offers some lovely areas to explore and enjoy nature including a fishing lake and wildflower meadows. It’s popular for a wide range of activities including birdwatching, walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, football, picnics and kite-flying.
Read our summer Wildflower Walks blog to find out more about what you can spot.
Great Notley Country Park is delighted to have been awarded Green Flag status again this year as well as being nominated for the Fields in Trust Award for Best UK Park.
Eating & Drinking
The café currently offers outdoor seating and takeaways, serving a range of sandwiches, snacks and drinks, with menus changing seasonally. This includes a selection of ice cream flavours, perfect for hot summer days, and coffee and hot chocolate for when you need to warm up.
AKCreation — Google review
Had a great time with our nieces who were down from Leeds.
They enjoyed using the play area, & were down while the inflatables were on, so they enjoyed the added bonus of that.
Our dog also enjoyed the walk.
Sadly only one thing let down the park. The lack of waste bins, we didn't find any. (Only the ice cream van had a black bag). The dog waste bins were overflowing with human rubbish.
There were empty plastic bottles & sandwich wrappers scattered around.
We obviously repacked our rubbish into our picnic bag & took it home. Unfortunately not everyone did!
Happy to pay the parking charges for the upkeep of the park, but to have no bins isn't good.
Michelle Roberts — Google review
If you're in South Essex thinking this will be a bit of a drive, you'll find it's well worth it. For pre school kids this will be a wonderland they don't want to leave especially on a school day when it's quiet. For older kids it's a constant adventure and young teens a nice place to hang out. Thoughtfully laid out play areas are dotted around the site. For adults it's got fantastic views, great to exercise and cycle, dog friendly, I've even seen a horse riding club up trooping around. The slopes and mounds make a walk or run more of a challenge. Perfect for picnics and it also has a cafe. Freeport with an abundance of restaurants is a 7 min drive away. In all its a good spot to spend your time, visit!!!
Michelle-Allyson Oworu — Google review
Perfect size park with different kinds of playgrounds spread across the whole park which makes the experience even more fun for the kids.
It's not 5 stars because the cafe was closed during the bank holiday, sky rope was also closed and the football pitches were only available after paying quite expensive fees.
Car park fees were not cheap but reasonable, especially if you plan to stay more than 4 hours.
Worth the visit.
Bruno Vianna — Google review
Great place to take the kids, good facilities,cafe at the entrance. High ropes climbing(requires booking), country paths, play areas, zip line and a lake with fishing jetties.
Stephen Wright — Google review
Lovely outdoor space for a walk and for the kids to have a good day out. Nice play areas set up along a nice trail walk.
Out door climbing wooden structure available at a cost.
Will most certainly go again.
Kirstan MacDonald — Google review
The park provides a perfect setting for leisurely walks, family picnics, and outdoor activities. Children can enjoy the well-designed play areas, and the park's serene atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for relaxation. Overall, the Park is a wonderful destination for a day of outdoor enjoyment and tranquility.
sujith vs — Google review
I’d have given 4/5 but the toilets were closed! Yes, closed and in a public area too. Many pathways need attention as there are some dangerous parts especially for cyclists especially if you are elderly like my wife and I who enjoy cycling. Other than these gripes, a very pleasant recreational area for all ages.
John Richardson — Google review
Small child loved the play trail and the Sky Ropes! Cafe was closed, but worth looking at Cafe Plaza just south of the park if you're planning on eating- spend £9.50 in the cafe and you get free parking for the entire day (and the country park parking charges are HIGH!)
Emily Henley — Google review
Lovely country park to visit. The play trail is brilliant for all the family. It has lakes which you can fish in (licence required). Sky ropes, Charges apply, an All Weather Football pitch which cab be booked via Braintree district website. Highly recommend
Matthew Fuller — Google review
Excellent facilities, lots of play equipment, leafy gravel paths and fishing lake. Cafe and toilets on site.
Stuart Todd — Google review
Excellent country park for families with young children. Lots of play equipment and space to run around. A couple need repairs but lots to do and working. Had a great visit.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a site managed by a horticulture charity, featuring a bold and impressive Dry Garden with architectural plants. The garden also houses a bird hide, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. It is well-suited for families as evidenced by the number of visitors who bring their children along to explore the grounds. Special events such as flower shows and Glow are held at regular intervals, providing even more opportunities for entertainment.
It is very well said, " A beauty is joy for ever". Must visit this place, if you like visiting gardens, love open green places.
The Garden Hall has very good facilities even for people having difficulty in walking. Very clean and green huge garden, children play area, cafeteria, restaurants, toilet facilities. Very friendly staff members. The staff 's hard work and their love towards the nature can be seen clearly.
Ample Free parking areas... ..Just loving it !!!
Keshu Maini — Google review
Nice, but we was a few days ago. Generaly expensive (£38 for 2 adults and 6y girl) because small amount flowers. But tulips look great. Lovely playground.
Anna Lis — Google review
Been to the RHS Hyde Hall 3-5 times. Always had a brilliant time going there and never gets old or boring. Went to a couple of special events, the flower show and Glow. We take our 2 year old and she loves running around the grounds.
There is a garden centre, cafe and plenty of amenities for staying the day. The cafe does Vegan and Veggie food too, which is a plus for us and is very nice.
Things for improving, but only because we have them would be Electric car charge points for visitors coming further afield. Lots of parking otherwise.
The photos and videos posted are of our night at Glow.
phil jellett — Google review
I became a member a couple of years ago as it’s great value for money with just a couple of visits with free entry, discounted event tickets and more perks too. Hyde Hall is stunning, an ever changing landscape that means that every time you go there’s something different to see and experience. The big site with bordering woodlands and diverse plant life means you can easily spend a half day here, with good toilet facilities, a great cafe (if not a little slow sometimes - but it’s to be expected on busy days - but the service is friendly and the food is great!). Coffee here is good too. Most recent visit was for the Glow event, and lit up after dark it brings a whole new dimension - the trail was varied and winding with audio in some places too. A perfect winter event experience, with great mulled wine as well.
Mike Bromfield — Google review
Lovely gardens to visit, no matter what time of year you go.
If visiting more than once, you could consider an RHS membership as a guest goes in free of charge.
Great place for kids to run around safely.
Cafes quite pricey, but nothing to stop you taking a picnic.
phil copeland — Google review
Beautiful gardens, with lots to see. Very family friendly, with picnic areas and lots of benches everywhere. The cafe at the entrance is lovely for children's food, and basic cafe food (I had a cheese scone- delicious.) There is also a lovely restaurant in the centre of the gardens, where the food smelled great. The gardens themselves were very diverse, with great use of landscaping and sculpture. Depending on how long you want to be there, it takes about a couple of hours to walk around at a leisurely potter.
There is a well stocked shop that sells lots of plants and pots as well as lovely gifts, cards and homewares. Staff were friendly and polite and the loos were clean. I went in half term and it didn't feel particularly crowded despite the car park being nearly full.
Stephanie McClean — Google review
This is such a serene space, it's your choice of pace to explore the grounds. There's something for all taste and such an inspiration. Definitely one of my places to reconnect with nature. It's great to see families enjoying the outdoors with beautiful open spaces. Take a picnic or eat at any of the three places to choose from. Plenty of parking and facilities.
TRACEY HOBDEN — Google review
Took my kids here this Christmas to see the garden covered in beautiful lights it was a lovely experience. The kids enjoyed the views its peaceful even with all the other visitors. The garden was lit up beautifully. I plan to return in the summer during the day to see the gardens properly. Nice couple hours out.
Bills (Bills) — Google review
Great winter garden, still a lot going on in all the plant areas, busy place for this time of the year, despite the bitter wind blowing right upumm! Lunch was good, mega jacket potatoes with generous fillings and a half decent cuppa. Going back in the spring to see the changes.
G Matthews — Google review
Beautiful grounds took advantage of their annual membership and visit regularly.
Ice cream is very over priced the cakes on the other hand taste amazing and are well worth the price.
Toilet are clean.
Three eateries.
Lovely picnic area.
Ideal for people of all ages from little tots upwards.
Kids play area is great for ages 2-10 then they out grow it a little.
The sights are always changing due to the constant variations of planting.
You could go once a week and see something new each visit.
Kelly Jones — Google review
A lovely place with amazing displays of plants. Great grounds with plenty of space to let the kids run around and play.
Cafe serves lovely food and the staff there are happy and friendly.
Thanks to Volunteer Cliff who explained a great route to see everything as it was our first time 😀.
Garden centre staff were a bit distracted in their plexiglass till boxes though.
Overall an excellent visit.
Paul Blackett — Google review
Beautiful gardens to visit with lots to see, a very nice tea room with lovely views across the gardens and Essex countryside. Not particularly cheap but definitely worth a visit. It is set in the heart of the beautiful Essex countryside so for the ladies and some men if it has rained it's best not to wear your white stilettos. 😁
Honest Opinion — Google review
A lovely visit to Hyde Hall in early August, after many years, with a friend who volunteers there. It was the annual show & excellent to see all the stalls. Had a walk around part of the gardens. Lovely cuppa & a chat at the hilltop restaurant. The gardens have changed beyond recognition since my last visit. The volunteers are so friendly & helpful. A huge area for car parking & an area for coaches.
Carolyn Hobbs — Google review
We went to see the light show between Christmas and New Year every year. Excellent ! Great welcome walk around outside, easy accessible with all gravel paths. No muddy shoes/boots. The lights were great with shops for drinks and eats and the main shop open at the end.
Matthew Evans — Google review
The daffodils and other spring flowers are making a good show around the garden.
The garden itself has been improved since my last visit and mor work is being undertaken.
How nice to have a freshly made sandwich and soup (at a price!)
Mike Brook — Google review
My wife and I took my Mum to see the 'GLOW' light experience at Hyde Hall.
Absolutely amazing display.
All staff encounters were friendly and cheerful, even with the cold weather on that night.
Would highly recommend a visit as very good value for money.
Len Levey — Google review
This is a lovely place to visit for a walk, explore, and perhaps a bite to eat. We enjoyed the beautiful gardens and then had tea in the Hilltop cafe with wonderful views of the surrounding area.
Admission is fairly expensive at £13 (without giftaid donation) per adult, but you can see the investment goes into maintaining this site and its facilities. Plenty of toilets, baby changing rooms, seating areas (indoor and out), and areas to find peace and tranquillity.
The restaurant is pleasant, with lots of seating. The usual snacks, cakes, and beverages are on offer at the expected prices.
A lovely few hours spent here, we look forward to another visit for one of the many events/exhibitions they have throughout the year.
Henry Spurgeon — Google review
A good sized garden/grounds for walking about in, with a restaurant and couple of cafes (depending on the season). Staff here are super friendly and knowledgeable, with a great shop (the RHS plants tend to be a bit more expensive than other places, but the quality is normally always there too). Not as big as RHS Wisley, but this way you can cover the whole estate, and they have a great variety of gardens. Bird song wad in abundance in early Spring here! Have been several times.
Colin Hall — Google review
Gardens looked lovely, even in winter, with only a few flowers blooming. Trees looked fabulous. Some parts of the garden were not accessible and roped off due to the amount of rain recently. We visited again in the evening and saw the glow. Spectacular.
Christine Turner — Google review
4.6
(2635)
•
4.5
(1375)
Creephedge Ln, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET, United Kingdom
This museum is home to a vast collection of artifacts from different cultures, including art from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It's one of the most popular museums in Cambridge, and its galleries are filled with famous paintings by such artists as Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Turner. The museum also has a wide range of historical artefacts from medieval manuscripts to ancient Egyptian and Roman antiquities.
Absolutely excellent museum.
Came on the bank Holiday to see the Hockney exhibition. It has been spaced out throughout the museum so you get to see more.
Really great exhibits on offer and extremely well presented.
Free entry, very nice gift shop.
Toilets in basement.
Chad Greenblatt — Google review
Excellent Cambridge museum. The current exhibition: Islanders The Making of the Mediterranean - which runs until 4 June - is spellbinding. It spans thousands of years, from neolithic Crete to Roman period Sardinia and includes an object that is 9,000 years old. The exhibition is free is free to enter but a ticket is required.
The museum's permanent collection is also amazing; I particularly like the ceramic pieces that are on display.
John Carr (Corinne and John) — Google review
Worth to visit this beautiful museum which is holding historical stuff from all over the world. It’s free and in centre location of Cambridge city. Building itself is a beautiful architecture.
Not big as London Museum but still offering a lot from all over the world specially Egyptian, Greek, Roman etc which is spreading different time period.
win task — Google review
The most beautiful museum and feels a bit like British museum from the outside. Highly recommended to visit once in a lifetime. Entry is free so check out this place. I love visiting museums 😇
Muhammed Wafi — Google review
We visited the Fitzwilliam on a Thursday morning, having pre-booked free entry. I've visited many museums but I think this might be one of the most fascinating smaller collections I've seen. In May 2022, they cleverly juxtaposed David Hockney's exhibition pieces alongside permanent and older work that resembled them, it was very well done. Highly recommend when in Cambridge.
Eva S. — Google review
Loved this museum. From medieval armors and weapons to ancient Roman Empire or even Egypt. The collection is superb and worths your time to pay it a visit. When you want to take a break there is a coffee/tea shop near the souvenirs.
I really enjoyed my time here and definitely I'll return as I didn't had enough time to explore it properly.
Raul Gavris — Google review
The museum is definitely worth a visit!
A great place with an impressive number of paintings and antiques from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Unique collections of famous artists, interesting artifacts, sculptures, porcelain, armour. Everyone will find something for themselves! Admission to the Museum is free!
sergiusz pawlowski — Google review
An enormous range of artworks, some especially famous ones such as Monet's. Great selection of flower still lifes, along with religious artworks. Art is sorted by country of origin. There is a gigantic collection of ceramics, varying in age. The gift shop is large and quite good, there is also a café.
William North — Google review
Lovely well maintained museum. Plenty to see. Cafe was average price but delicious cakes and coffee. Toilets on site were clean. Well done Fitzwilliam museum. If in Cambridge, you must take time to visit, and it's free entry.
Antonia m — Google review
One of the must visit places in Cambridge!
It is like a small version of the British Museum but less crowded, so you can feel free to explore around and admire all the exhibitions here.
Better expected spending 1-2hrs to visit here
ling ling — Google review
One of the best museums in Cambridge.
The entrance architecture is stunning as it is inspired by ancient Greek temples.
Lots of paintings, historical weapons, statues, and objects.
The entrance is free of charge and you get to see a lot of things, a must-stop when visiting Cambridge.
Francesco Marchini — Google review
Fantastic morning went to side entrance told you can book a slot but let us in because numbers were low i think due to covid will only let a certain amount of people in at any time .plenty of volunteers to guide you round or answer any questions nice cafe for drinks and snacks great museum shop aswell great experience
jonathan gilbert — Google review
Nice Museum to visit, my son wanted to see the Egyptian items. You could spend a couple of hours walking around looking at the interesting artifacts. You have to book your tickets online before you go. Its free to visit or you can make a donation if you like.
Tina E — Google review
Beautiful museum, which is definitely worth a visit! It's free and there are also a gift shop and a cafe. There is a lot to see, so you would need a few hours to see all the galleries. You can see art from all over the world and you can see artefacts from different time periods. There are sections dedicated to Egyptian, Greek and Roman history, just to name a few.
Rosi Petkova — Google review
Great museum, really fascinating array of things on display, there's really something for everyone. The building's architecture is also gorgeous and there's a lot to see just by looking up.
Sarah Davey — Google review
Beautiful place to explore the art and antiquities. Plenty of rooms to explore and learn more about art and world history. Have lovely cafe place too and if you would love to get souvenirs they have shop for that too. Easy access to toilets. Definitely a must see place when visiting Cambridge.
Indy Ro — Google review
Amazing place!
Full of interesting history (from Romans to Egypt, Japanese etc etc.).
Very nice displays with detailed describtions. The art and pictures gallery upstairs was exceptional too, full of nice pictures.
The museum is situated in the heart of Cambridge (good location).
And all this wonderful experience was Free of charge!
Andrejus S — Google review
Excellent museum. Free entry to permanent exhibitions. Or did I walk in unnoticed? Grand building. Parking nearby not cheap but worth a visit or several. Lots of pottery and trinkets but some great art. Handy cafe. Affable varied staff appear everywhere. Blake exhibition to pay to see at this time. But had to pick up someone at Cambridge North.
Mark Corbo — Google review
Most impressive entrance hall. Vast collection of very cool items. Love the Egyptian rooms and the Armour section. Very good cafe and gift shop. Bus stops right outside.
Benomaly (Benomaly) — Google review
It was such a beautiful experience at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Although most of the art works are appreciated by just viewing and not touching, they’re still worth viewing. The entire museum is really big and the facilities are also good. It’s a very picturesque place, has a disability entrance as well. There’s also a table with supplies to draw and paint. Helpful assistants as well. We appreciated the moment.
Jewel Ike-Obioha — Google review
One of the best museums in Cambridge if you are on a quick day trip (as ours were unexpected). We entered without a ticket,as it's only until January I guess.
The paintings were fascinating. Much to see about Egyptian culture and sculptures. Not sure about the European potteries, didn't feel authentic.
PS: do not fell for the shop and cafe, overpriced, you can get most of them around Cambridge City for less
Jabin Farha — Google review
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is a special place full of interesting things to see and do. Here's a simple guide to help you plan your visit:
Getting Tickets:
Getting tickets is easy. The admission is free for all. Just show up and enter. However, you need to do prior booking for exhibitions.
Parking:
There's no parking at the museum, but you can find limited parking nearby on the streets or in parking garages. It might be a short walk, but the museum is in a convenient location.
Accessibility:
The museum wants everyone to be able to visit. They have ramps and elevators for people who use wheelchairs. They also have accessible bathrooms to make sure everyone feels comfortable.
What to See:
Inside the museum, you'll find all sorts of interesting things. There are old artifacts and modern artworks to explore. It is divided region wise. The museum is easy to walk around, so you can take your time looking at everything. Moreover, they allow you to take pictures without the flash.
Guided Tours:
If you want to learn even more about the exhibits, you can join a guided tour. Knowledgeable guides will tell you interesting facts about the things you see. It's a great way to learn new things!
Café and Gift Shop:
After you've seen everything, you can relax in the museum café. They have drinks and snacks to enjoy. Don't forget to visit the gift shop too, where you can buy souvenirs to remember your visit.
Syed Ashiqur Rahman — Google review
4.6
(6931)
•
4.5
(3671)
Trumpington St, Cambridge, CB2 1RB, United Kingdom
King's College Chapel is an iconic building in Cambridge, England. The chapel is famous for its fan-vaulted ceiling and choir. Some people find the church quaint while others find it overrated. The smell of manure from nearby cows detracts from the experience for many tourists visiting Cambridge.
It was an amazing day to explore more Cambridge city. So decided to go to Kings College Chapel.
Just an amazing architecture n mind blowing stain glass windows work. Spectacular ceiling work with wonderful details. I even can’t explain how I was feeling to b there. Just beautiful place to visit if ur visiting Cambridge. Worth to give it a go. Spent very short but quality time there.
win task — Google review
Breathtaking chapel. Been local for all my life and have recently gone in. Well worth the wait. Beautiful structure.
The grounds are quite something as well. Worth a visit in summer to see everything in flower.
Conor May — Google review
King's College Chapel, nestled in the heart of Cambridge, is a breathtaking architectural masterpiece that enchants travelers with its timeless beauty and historical significance. Its soaring Gothic spires and intricate stained glass windows evoke a sense of awe and wonder, offering visitors a glimpse into centuries of religious and academic tradition. The chapel's central location within the picturesque King's College campus makes it easily accessible for tourists exploring the charming city of Cambridge. Inside, visitors are treated to sublime acoustics during the chapel's renowned choral performances, adding a magical dimension to the experience. However, the chapel's popularity as a tourist attraction can lead to long queues, especially during peak seasons, which may require patience from travelers eager to explore its interior. Additionally, while entry to regular services is free, there may be admission fees for special events or concerts, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious travelers. Despite these potential drawbacks, King's College Chapel remains a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich history and architectural splendor of Cambridge.
mete atasoy — Google review
As seen on the Christmas day service but with the live wow factor. We were treated to some organ music and a gentleman playing the harp which added to the atmosphere. The history of the chapel is fascinating and the staff were very helpful and approachable. One place I would love to go again, just to hear the choir.
Kate Reynolds — Google review
One of the oldest colleges in Cambridge with a huge history!
You can enter with a ticket to visit the place where it is wonderful. There you can read about its history and admire its magnificent architecture!
You must first go if you want to see all the places to be informed if you allow entry all seasons and all hours in advance. There is a period when due to exams or other events you are not allowed to enter everywhere.
Kerry Cole — Google review
Went there last week and it was very beautiful inside, particularly the fan vaulted ceiling, the choir benches and the golden organ. The side rooms were full of history about the red and white roses (Tudor dynasty, the 3 kings who built the chapel: Henry VI, Henry VII, Henry VIII), as well as the construction techniques and architecture. I lived in Cambridge since 2012 and honestly this is the second best tourist destination in Cambridge. (the first is punting)
Vincent Rainardi — Google review
The words are too small to express the grandiose architecture exposed in front of my eyes. The history of it, the perfect garden near it, the small details, perfect of this building is extreme. I surely recommend it
Ellis — Google review
Beautiful historical building with an astounding architecture. It's a good visit if you like history. The ceiling was breathtaking.
Jorge Baptista — Google review
I always say Yes to historical old buildings. It is so amazing how are built these old College Chapels etc. These old buildings are so luxurious, with lot of secrets. Maybe I don't see the reason why I need pay money to visit God house. But still was very exciting place.
Laura Minde — Google review
Undoubtedly the most iconic building in Cambridge and one of Europe's finest late Perpendicular Gothic English buildings. Indeed, the Chapel features the world's largest fan vault.
The foundation stone of King’s College Chapel was laid on 25th July 1446 by King Henry VI, but was not fully complete, including some of the finest stained glass windows in the world, until 1547 under King Henry VIII.
Most days the chapel opens for sightseeing at 9:30am, with final entry 3:15pm; though make sure to check in advance because this can vary. A self guided tour is £11 (or £8.50 for students or children). Well worth it for a place that literally oozes history.
If you found my review interesting please leave a quick thumbs up 👍 Thank you!
Sam Saltwell — Google review
It’s astonishing especially the inside. All the details on the vaulted ceiling and the coloured glasses is breathtaking. It’s has a very nice walk as well to the Backs which you can walk across the bridge and see the punts in the water with a whole view of the Kings college and the chapel. It is a million dollar view.
Milad Sayyadi — Google review
Very interesting beautiful building. Seemed strange to be in a Chapel which was full of youngsters creating quite a bit of noise. It was actually quite refreshing. Found the information leaflet really helpful.
You can buy tickets from shop opposite King's College.
Sally Smith — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking. Feels like a refreshing experience every time I walk into it. As well as the spectacular fan vault ceiling, and beautiful stained glass, some other nice things about it are definitely the organ, candlelit events/services, and, if you’re lucky, it’s heated flooring. Worth coming to visit!
Xing Yu Yi — Google review
Amazing masonry. Unbelievable that most of it has survived now than 500 years, that's what the patronage of Henry VIII meant I suppose. A couple of really interesting explanation areas, I would have perused a lot more thoroughly if alone.
It seems rather expensive, but I'm glad we visited.
Ali — Google review
One cannot visit Cambridge without visiting King's College Chapel (a shop opposite sells tickets). There is a detailed exhibition of its history and a pamphlet guide. A stunning place!
Jon — Google review
Got very lucky today to have a chance to see this spectacular Chapel. King’s College Chapel is prime example of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture. It’s the second biggest Chapel in the world and features the world's largest fan vault. Beautiful and stunning stained glass windows around whole Chapel 12 windows on each side.
Window 1 - The Lamb of God and the Wedding at Cana,
Window 2 - Christ and Jairus’ daughter and calling the fishermen,
Window 3 - The transfiguration and Christ with the disciples,
Window 4 - Lazarus and preparation for the Passover,
Window 5 - The last supper and its Old Testament antecedent, manna in the desert,
Window 6 - The Light of the World,
Window 7 - The Bread of Life,
Window 8 - The Lamb of God,
Window 9 - Christ of Revelation,
Window 10 - The Good Shepherd,
Window 11 - Jesus appears to his disciples,
Window 12 - The Ascension of Christ and Elijah etc.
Peaceful and magnificent chapel where you can come to enjoy the beauty of the place itself and have time to think about life and merge with the wonderful atmosphere. If you get luck you can attend the chapel when they have their own choir singing.
Indy Ro — Google review
The second biggest chapel in the world and incredibly beautiful as well. It's kept in perfect shape, the history behind it is really interesting and the tour guides will tell you everything there is to know about this masterpiece.
Francesco Marchini — Google review
Fantastic place to visit. Amazing architecture to look at and wonder at the skills of the craftsmen that took so long to build it. 30 years for the stained glass windows to give you some idea. Then walk down to the Cam via the backs.
Andrew Woods — Google review
The cathedral boasts impressive and unusual architecture, especially notable in the design of its ceiling. The informational displays in the side areas are well-prepared and intriguing, offering insights into the cathedral's history and significance. Visitors will appreciate the availability of flyers in many different languages, catering to an international audience. Additionally, the surrounding garden area is beautifully maintained, providing a serene setting for a short stroll. The price is a bit high.
The Audley End House and Gardens, a magnificent Jacobean mansion now owned by English Heritage, was originally built on an ambitious scale by the first Earl of Suffolk. After its purchase in 1668 by Charles II, it became a royal palace and is now one of England's grandest country homes. The lavishly decorated rooms are adorned with priceless furniture and paintings, while the fine landscaped park was designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.
I love it here, such a beautiful place.
As you would expect from an English Heritage property it is very well presented.
The grounds are vast and that makes it very easy to spend many hours here just enjoying the outside as well as the inside.
Depending on the day you go there are activities and demonstrations that you can watch and be part of....really interesting and educational.
If you have children there's a lovely play area as well as lots of space to run around
The food in the cafe was excellent with seating inside and out
A fab place to spend the day
Debra Roberts — Google review
Great park and house. Made for a lovely weekend. Nice to explore and relax in the gardens.
Restaurant should have been better staffed so a full menu could be available. The Cornish Pasties and sausage rolls were good, but I would have preferred a few choices.
Johnniewon — Google review
It was so quick and easy to get to this place and park, but I would recommend getting a membership as it makes it even easier. The house and gardens were wonderful, I took loads of pictures because I found it so fantastic. I would definitely recommend visiting this place. Absolutely stunning house with tons of history and entertainment for any children you might bring with you. They have a few different interactions within the house for children to take part in, staff dressed as the characters that would have lived there around the house, dressing up areas in the children’s bedrooms and play areas inside along with puzzles to play with. So overall Audley End would be a great place to take the whole family as it provides entertainment for the children and history sites for the adults. There is also a play area in the gardens further away from the house for the children to play in, with a cafe. Absolutely amazing place to visit. I would totally recommend it for a nice day out! 😋
Lily Cole — Google review
An interesting place and something different from the normal English Heritage property. The last entry to the hall is 15:00, inside you will find an amazing entrance hall. You are free to wonder round with information boards in each room and a volunteer on hand. There is no photography allowed in the hall, but you can get a guidebook with pictures in. The gardens are well kept with plenty of benches. Cafe, gift shop and toilets.
Ashley Lightfoot — Google review
Driving in to Audley End feels like you're entering a scene from Downton abbey, it's just stunning. We loved our visit and knew we were entering somewhere pretty special.
You will need around 3-4 hours to visit if you want to just wander through the house and extensive gardens. We wished we had taken a picnic though as the grounds are stunning and there is ample space to set down a blanket and enjoy the environment. There is a cafe where you can buy lunch, cakes, drinks etc.
We missed the shows and demonstrations they offer due to lack of planning on our part, it was a last minute decision to visit. I would recommend looking online to see what is going on before you go.
The curators have explained everything perfectly, you get a real sense of the story and what it was like to live in the house.
There is a lot to see, the visitors were multi generational and of mixed abilities, there are steps and there is a lot of walking but there are also plenty of places to rest, I think if you take it easy most of the house could be enjoyed by all. I didn't see any lifts inside but there may have been.
No photography is allowed in the main house unfortunately but the do have a guide book to buy if you would like to show friends and family what it's like inside.
We didn't get a chance to do the miniature steam railway which is just opposite the main entrance, they do say always leave something to go back for though and that is good reason to return. My advice, make this a full day visit, there is ample to do for people aged 2-102
Richard Adlem (Rich) — Google review
Audley end house and gardens make a great day out. Attended the ww2 weekend which was absolutely brilliant and would certainly come again next year. And to get away from all the crowds, the grounds are quite something too.
John Gregory — Google review
Audley End House was just opening up for spring when we arrived. There were few visitors when we arrived just after midday and we toured the house first. The house itself is well set out with knowledge guides and information sheets in the main rooms. The nursery was particularly interactive for kids (the rest not so much). Some of the rooms were poorly lit, presumably for the preservation of the exhibits, stuffed animals & birds, tapestries etc. The ceilings are spectacular ... so don't forget to look up.
The tea room has an odd layout and the queue was substantial at lunchtime. By 2pm they still had plenty left (the pasties were a favourite) and the staff were helpful. The dining area was tight, especially with prams & pushchairs. Highchairs are available but I could see several mums were not impressed by their cleanliness. The plates, bowls, cutlery etc. was all disposable but some metal forks/knives/spoons were available in the 'dresser' if you know where to look.
The kitchen gardens are tidy but uninspiring as they are not growing anything yet, and we didn't have time to see the stables as they shut at 3:30.
The shop was small but as they are changing the products lots were half price. They are clearly developing some additional spaces, a shop and seating in the courtyard area.
Alison Martindale — Google review
This was our Sunday afternoon sorted!
Plenty to see plenty of history and above all very child friendly, activities within the house for children areas for you to just sit and take in the history and even on this visit one of the staff members was playing the piano which was very pleasant, two lady servants in the kitchen areas was very in character telling us what they was up to for who and then whT they will do when they clock of from the working quarters (loved it).
The tea rooms was reasonably priced and a nice amount on offer for lunch and snacks.
Children's play area was good and toilets at hand in multiple places.
Plenty of pick nick areas and space.
Well worth the 2 hour drive.
Will 100% be visiting again.
Scott Arnold — Google review
Audley End makes a gentle day out. Plenty of room to stroll and enjoy some scenery. If you need some greenery and ducks it's perfect! We really enjoyed the gardens in spring.
The house is interesting, especially if you like classic portraits. But the more curious things are explained to you by the staff. Worth asking!
Only downside was the price for refreshments. Plenty of room for picnics tho.
tracy smith — Google review
Peaceful and relaxing gardens with historical interest. Worth a visit if you're a member of English heritage. Many different places, walled garden, historic house, seasonal garden displays. Two cafes and a small kids playground. Quite a few picnic tables. The river cam provides a beautiful backdrop.
A Rehman — Google review
Beautiful house containing some amazing pieces. Love that some of the staff around the grounds are in costume and in character. The grounds are vast and beautiful. Horses in the stables are gorgeous and of great temperament. Cafe and toilet facilities are of good high standard. Lovely little play area just before heading back to the carpark for the kids to let go of that last bit of steam and for you to relax with a coffee.
Diane Boswell — Google review
English heritage site, stately home, gardens, cafe and playground. We had a fantastic time walking around and taking in the history. There's just enough going on to keep you entertained for a few hours, followed by a few hours just sitting on the grass under one of the lovely trees... just relaxing.
Haps — Google review
Wow! This place is incredible. The house is huge with lots of history and beautiful/different things to look at. You get to see the children's nursery, the dairy, the servants area, the laundry, the meat store and much more. The grounds are extensive with lots of lovely places to sit. You get to see the stables, an organic vegetable garden and the most beautiful set of ponds and a river with waterfalls. Both adults and children thoroughly enjoyed our day out.
Emily Ward — Google review
This is a remarkable building which has been incredibly preserved to give visitors a real taste of history. Once visited it becomes clear why it is one of the jewels in the English Heritage collection. There are many well furnished rooms to look around and a decent tea room to relax in. The gardens seemed to be quite decent but I didn't have time to tour them properly. The one part I did try to visit, the walled garden, was unfortunately closed.
The main reason I have not been able to award this place the full five stars is because of their ban on photography in the main house. I can understand there being no flash photography but no photography at all seems excessive. I am aphantasic which means I can't picture images in my mind so photos are really important to me as a memory. No photos means I have no real memory of the building at all which is a huge disappointment. I would strongly encourage English Heritage to look again at this ban to see if it can be relaxed.
Apart from that it is a wonderful place that I would encourage anyone to visit.
Vincent Malone — Google review
Beautiful piece of architecture, well-informed and friendly staff, plenty to see and explore. We had a great day out with our 6 year old. We had lots of fun despite the rain. Good playground too.
Monika Pick — Google review
A quintessential stately home set in Capability Brown landscaping. English Heritage have done very good job with the conservation and balanced our a accesss to the house so we can best enjoy it. Brilliant.
Paul Lethbridge — Google review
Great place to visit. Staff and volunteers are very helpful and friendly. The rooms are really good and volunteers are great at telling their history. Nice cafe and reasonably priced food.
eric simms — Google review
10/10. A bit pricey but worth to pay the entrance fee and visit the magnificent interior of the house along with the outside rooms and gardens which are really big and so beautiful, looked after. Had an amazing day out in there and you can also have a cuppa and some snacks or food :)
Andreea Anghel — Google review
Really lovely English Heritage property. Beautiful grounds and plenty to do for children including playground and a nursery with toys and dressing up items. Riders stop horses so children can stroke them.
Fiona Riseley — Google review
Fantastic place! Full of history and art. Visited before, but some rooms were closed because of the pandemic.
The volunteers are so knowledgeable and happy to help with any questions.
The staff is amazing too, friendly and welcoming.
Lots of space for parking, and a lovely café for the necessary tea/ coffee afterwards.
We'll definitely visit again.
(I suggest becoming an English Heritage member though)
Antonis Kalogerakis — Google review
This was a really enjoyable rainy day out. Lovely walking around and learning the history of the family and their grand home. Met one of the horses close up and got to ask questions about him. My girls played in the little park. Not much in the way of lunch choices, and really long queues but we did get to the restaurant late. We would love to return in the summer to enjoy the grounds more.
Zoey Dowell — Google review
Great for a walk in the grounds and the house is small but lovely to walk around. Nice cafe with a good selection of hot and cold sandwiches, pies etc cute shops. Not a whole day out but ideal for an afternoon visit
julie francis — Google review
So wonderful to see, and the tour guides were awesome! We watch The Victorian Way, and it was a delight to see where the magic happens! So pleased it's been opened for the public! We will be back!
Georgestown Inn — Google review
4.6
(5301)
•
4.0
(1602)
Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF, United Kingdom
The River Cam flows through Cambridge into the Great Ouse and is a popular spot for punting and small boat rides. The river has been the subject of many poems and stories, most notably by Lord Byron.
As soon as my boat start journey I feel I’m in a magical land for the time of my River Cam tour on the punt. Can’t explain the atmosphere in words. A must experience thing in the whole of Cambridge.
The weather was cold but bright day and got some pics. I would recommend not focusing on taking pictures much coz you’ll loose the feel of the punting trip. This river is a source of great nature beauty, swans, bridges as well as colleges universities n many historical buildings. There must b lovely walks especially in summer or spring when the weather is on peak n gives u all to make an amazing atmosphere.
win task — Google review
If you’re in Cambridge, make sure to go “punting” on the River Cam. Rent a boat for £30, spend a few hours paddling down the river. You’ll cross the Bridge of Sighs, the Mathematical Bridge, and many others. Many guided tours available. The red boats offer alcohol for sale. Excellent leisure activity in the afternoon with family or friends.
Leo Ariel — Google review
Wonderful calm and serene river thru the city of Cambridge
Salahuddin Shahed — Google review
Just go for a walk along the banks of the river, it's exceptionally beautiful during springtime!
Vasileios Stergios — Google review
A charming riverside to spend your weekend! with some famous colleges to keep you architectural company...throw in a picnic and there you are in Paradise! 👍✌
Amudha Khan — Google review
I was in a magical land for that one hour in River Cam on the punt. Can’t explain the ambience in words. A must must visit in the whole of UK.
We went in late November, but the weather was kind and got some amazing pictures. I would recommend not focusing on taking pictures much coz you’ll loose the feel of the punting trip.
Nowfal Jalal — Google review
River cam is one of the most peaceful rivers I have ever come across. The river is a popular attraction in Cambridge as visitors can have the opportunity to experience punting.
The surrounding of the river is very relaxing and tranquil. This place is a must-visit for visitors who are planning a trip to Cambridge!
Ting Ting — Google review
Beautiful natural scenes along the river. A must visit!
Sarah Ahmed — Google review
Beautiful river flowing through the centre of Cambridge. Lovely to see people enjoying the river and all the boats
Caz Cutts — Google review
The total experience of punting down the River Cam in the educational city of Cambridge was so awesome. It was exciting and calming at the same time, passing under various bridges and flanked by historic buildings like St. John's College and Queen's College among others. The views are picturesque and breathtakingly beautiful.
ritu nanda — Google review
4.5
(328)
•
4.5
(2457)
United Kingdom
I'll never travel to Windsor without this trip planner again
IWM Duxford is the largest aviation museum in Europe, featuring 200 vintage aircrafts and a vast airfield showcasing military and civilian vehicles. The exhibits cover both World War I and II, with a particular focus on American civil and military aircraft outside of the USA. The museum provides an all-day experience for families, with informative displays in each area. Conservation efforts are visible throughout the museum, which offers reasonably priced cafes as well as outdoor picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
Fantastic day out. First time using our membership. No queues. Took picnic and there were plenty of benches near children's play area. Cafe gave good service for hot drinks. Area very clean and well kept. Wonderful exhibitions. Highly recommended. Loved watching some planes landing and taking off.
Lucy Hyde — Google review
Probably the best war museum in the UK! Have visited many times throughout my life, with friends and family, for displays events and just days out and it never disappoints. So a wide range of vehicles and aircraft for every enthusiast to enjoy. Stepped in history and So much to see and do, definitely worth the visit. I highly recommend the classic wings fights as it was an amazing experience to go up in a 1930s aircraft and see the stunning aerial views of the region. Will definitely be back in the future!
Samuel Harrison — Google review
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to fly into Duxford, as it provided me with a unique experience. Upon landing, I walked straight off the runway and into the museum, which immediately immersed me in the atmosphere.
Accompanying me on this visit was a disabled passenger, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the museum offers complimentary onsite wheelchairs. This thoughtful provision made the entire experience more accessible and convenient for my companion.
We spent a significant amount of time exploring the various hangars, each filled with captivating exhibits and historical artifacts. The sheer magnitude of the collection was awe-inspiring, allowing us to delve deep into aviation history.
After our museum tour, we decided to take a break and enjoy a delightful homemade meal. We found a comfortable spot on one of the many benches or tables conveniently located outside, which offered a picturesque view of the active runway. As we dined, we had the privilege of witnessing numerous visiting aircraft and even witnessed some impressive aerobatic displays above the runway. However, the highlight of the day was undeniably the exhilarating sight of a Spitfire soaring past in a breathtakingly fast flyby.
Although our visit was thoroughly enjoyable, there was one minor inconvenience we encountered. The distance between the various hangars proved to be quite significant, especially considering our limited time and the presence of a disabled passenger. Unfortunately, the shuttle bus service that would have facilitated our movement between the starting and ending points was out of service during our visit. It would have been immensely helpful to have this service available.
Despite this small setback, our overall trip to Duxford left a lasting impression, and we are already making plans to return. I wholeheartedly recommend this museum to everyone, whether you're interested in exploring the exhibits or even considering the unique opportunity to fly into the airfield itself. The experience is truly remarkable and is sure to leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for aviation history.
Ali Javed — Google review
We are absolutely blown away by how fantastic the museum is. There is so much to see. We will definitely be having another visit. The facilities are excellent with plenty of picnic seating and the cafe has lovely food. All the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. I can't praise them enough. Well done to IWM Duxford.
Tricia Black — Google review
It doesn't matter how many times you come here it still an interesting place. The plane collection is always worth a visit. You can fly on various planes if that takes your fancy for that special occasion. The American hangar is well worth a visit. The B52 Bomber is massive taking up half of the hanger. The Black Bird spy plane is also here.
paul adams — Google review
What a fabulous place, we had our Christmas party here. It was awesome . Friendly knowledgeable staff, great atmosphere, good food but most importantly amazing planes. What's not to love?! Also if you are a visitor in the day time the sunset is stunning
Evil Edna — Google review
I was lucky enough to be able to fly in a Spitfire as a 60th birthday present from my daughters. It was an incredible experience and brought me pure joy. The staff were fantastic and very friendly which just added to the whole day.
Each of the buildings holds history within its walls and it's worth taking your time to absorb everything.
Julie Gale — Google review
Definitely all day experience. So much to do and great place for families. Good amount of information in each area. Great to see conservation in action. Cafes reasonably priced and good food. Do recommend taking a picnic as not much space to sit in cafes but plenty of outdoor space. Would come back again
Liz Joesbury-Clarke — Google review
Absolutely stunning experience. You can see all types of war vehicles, from aircraft (my favourite was the SR-71, beautiful one), through mortars and artillery to tanks from WW1, WW2 and modern ones. Also, boarding Concorde and seeing it in real life was amazing. When you are walking from one building to another, you will have an opportunity to see beautiful airplanes perform breathtaking acrobatic stunts. Although the t-shirt I picked in the souvenir shop was already sold out, they have a nice collection of items that are worth buying. 10/10, not visiting it would be a massive mistake.
Andrej Polansky — Google review
Really enjoyed it. Not too crowded and lots to see. I was lucky on the day, as weather was great and there were a lot of planes flying around so we got to see some Hurricane aerobatics and some other WWII planes flying about. Would recommend.
David Wallace — Google review
Brilliant museum but be prepared for lots of walking. Wonderful displays and plenty to see. Obviously the theme is on war machines but there are some civil planes. It would be fantastic if the museum could have a dedicated section for this. Well worth a visit.
T Chan — Google review
If you love planes, tanks or history this is an amazing day out, great displays with good write ups that interest all ages. The workshop hangers are incredible to watch a spitfire or hurricane being restored or given inspections. The workshops also smell amazing.
It's a lot of walking and lots to see, we got distracted by everything and went for lunch late, by which time the food choices were limited. Go, enjoy, read and by the end of the day you will be able to recognize which is a hurricane or spitfire, P51 or thunderbolt
Daniel Groves — Google review
Brilliant places to see such wonders of the skies! Took all the hours available to see all the hangers and still did not have enough time, so prepare well and your time. Staff excellent, and the volunteers went above and beyond to help. Definitely be back.
Paul Moseley — Google review
Warning, allow a full day for your visit! We visited especially to see the Spitfire display and were not disappointed, however each and every hanger and display holds marvels of air travel whether it be commercial airlines, first world war aircraft, spitfires or more modern machinery of warfare. It's an absorbing place with stacks of history which make it the ideal setting for an aircraft museum. Sometimes the information provided is a little scant but use Google to supplement the knowledge provided, a great way to spend a day, if you're lucky you might catch some vintage machinery airborne. Well worth the entry fee.
Mark Bennett — Google review
First of all, I would just like to start this review by saying wow. If you are planning a visit, please allocate at least a whole day here. There is so much to do and see you can easily make a day or two of it. I visited with a friend, and the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the very friendly staff who were happy to help us with any questions or queries. There truly is a bit of everything here, from WW2 era fighters like the spitfire and hurricane to current models like the typhoon. Maybe that's not your thing? No problem! There's a vast range of civilian aircraft, too, many of which are open to go inside. These range from a prototype Concorde to a full VC10. This is without mentioning the amazing American section where you can truly appreciate the size of a B52, get up close with an SR71, and many other aircraft! Maybe the aircraft in general is not your interest? Again, you are covered as there is a massive collection of land vehicles in their own dedicated building. Highly recommended for everyone to do.
Alex Murdie — Google review
This is the best museum ever to my humble opinion in combination with my interests, which are not a plane or a history nutter ones, but still liking the subject.
If you care at least a little bit about your children, do them and yourself a big favour and buy those tickets asap. I would recommend a bit of a research in advance to know what is there, why and what is interesting about it. There are wonderful signs and everything, but still.
My Number One ever, the reason I've visited there first time for and will always keep me going back, is SR-71. This is the best aeronautical achievement of humankind of all times (again - my humble opinion).
I try to go at least once a year (no kids), but will one day I will buy that membership and even the birds there will roll their eyes when they see me for 437 375 294 636th time 😂
Distance is the only reason I cannot afford to volunteer, otherwise I would put my TV in the bin and probably spend more time volunteering than at my actual workplace.
Are you still reading? Come on then, see you there!
Yosif Anchev — Google review
Duxford is a truly wonderful place to visit with a huge range of aircraft that are both static and flying, and a fantastic land museum with a range of tanks and vehicles from multiple eras. There is so much to learn and you can spend a long day here so I'd highly recommend getting there early, say to start the day 10am to 10.30am, as this gives lots of time to look around in a relaxed and leisurely way. There's often planes flying around too so you can often see a mini air show on days that are not official airshows. Really amazing and very special place that played a crucial role during the Second World War. Highly recommended and a great place for kids and families to visit.
Danny Hewitt — Google review
very good time spent here and lots to see, helpful stuff to answer any questions even depending when you go they have some good shows and events on. but in general see few odd planes take flight.
unfortunately only down side is, where its so big its spread out to far and inbetween, it can be a struggle for elderly people to walk it all. rented mobility scooters would be ideal for the elderly just because purely on the size of the place just a suggestion.
Mark Hoy — Google review
Battle of Britain Day. What an amazing place Duxford is. It's a brilliant day out on any day of the week but today took this to another level.
We arrived early to take in the hangars and stands. The American Hangar is my favourite. The flying started at 1pm and there was a tremendous array of WW2 aircraft to enjoy.
The Red Arrows put on a great show towards the end but the icing on the cake was the Lancaster and Sally B flying together for the first time in decades. The cherry on top was the 16 Spitfires and Hurricanes that made up the big wing who performed two passes.
Having flown in a Spitfire, the next item on the aviation bucket list was to go inside a B17. As luck would have it and for 20 very happily spent pounds I was given a very thorough tour inside and out by a super enthusiastic crew member. It was quite a humbling experience to actually stand in the place that countless brave airmen risked their lives whilst under fire. A similar feeling to when I flew in the Spitfire, the B17 is a truly wonderful aircraft.
The only slight gripe was being forced to turn left out of the carpark added a rather large detour to our journey, not that it mattered. An awesome day and I will be back again... and again... and probably again!
Tom Raffield — Google review
Really good educational day out for solo or group visits. So much to look at here in the different hangers and displays. They are constantly being updated and refurbished to upkeep the exhibits. Lovely gift shop at the end to pick up merchandise and small gifts. Entry is reasonably priced too.
Charlie Brown — Google review
My partner and I became members last year. Great value for money as you get access to lots of other museums such as the Churchill War Rooms, Imperial War Museum London etc. Always very friendly staff and pleasant experience. You can tell the other visitors appreciate history and engineering. The cafe caters for gluten free with jacket potatoes and chips. Could do with some gluten free cakes perhaps. The toilets are very clean. There is simply too much to see in one day hence we have been 3 times in the last 12 months. My sister has now also joined and thoroughly loved it. They provide a taxi for elderly guests as there is a fair bit of walking between hangers. The best hanger is where the engineers are actively working on planes. People often miss this one. If you visit during the week they will be there. During the summer there are constant flights, you can book a short pleasure flight. I plan to do this next time in the warmer months. The shop as well has something to cater for every budget. It seems as though the item profits also go back to the charity as they are all Imperial War Museum branded. I like to see this.
U. Customer — Google review
We visited yesterday and had the most incredible day out. I had not been since I was a child, and now I was taking my son to experience the museums.
The selection of planes in the various hangers is mind-blowing. The exhibitions are very well thought out, and it all flows impeccably.
We recommend going to the very last exhibition first, then working back to the start. We walked for about 5 hours, but there are options for shuttle buses to areas for those who might need this.
We spent the entire day there and feel like we barely scratched the surface. It's definitely worth a few visits to allow yourself to soak everything in.
The obvious stars of the show are the Blackbird, B-52, Tornado, Harrier, Lancaster, Spitfire...there's a huge list. I was impressed with many of the obscure and lesser known planes and vehicles such as the one man German sub.
A very well thought out and maintained museum that must be one of the best in the world for this subject matter.
Sean Mayes — Google review
Duxford is such a well run, curated and interesting museum. They've done an impressive job of bringing the exhibits together so that they tie in nicely. All the staff and volunteers are exceptionally friendly, professional, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I can't recommend the annual membership highly enough so you can return and learn more each time.
Giles Olley — Google review
In The Cockpit ~ Spitfire N3200 Experience.
For Christmas I gifted my son this wonderful opportunity to be able to sit in the cockpit of a beautiful, historic Spitfire.
Mick, the expert IWM guide, kindly let me sit in whilst he gave us a thoroughly informative talk about the Spitfire’s history.
Then my son was able to sit in the cockpit whilst Mick explained the controls and what the conditions would have been like.
The whole experience was incredible, I cannot recommend it enough. Plus the proceeds go towards the N3200 and keeping her airworthy. A very memorable day!
Susannah — Google review
This museum is massive and 100% worth the trip/money! This is a full day out it took us (2 adults and 2children) 4/5 hours to complete all the buildings. There are cafes and toilets throughout the whole facility and a really nice gift shop.
Rachel Kemper — Google review
So many planes and so little time! A great day out with so much to see that you do really need most of the day to get round everything. A lot of walking but it's mostly flat. They also run a regular mini bus service between hangers.
Claire Dragon — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing. A must for anyone you just can't believe how these planes look in real life. Advice your looking at at least 4hrs to get round it all. The volunteer staff honestly are what make this place what it is they are a credit to the place, also try the chilly dog from the cafe near the entrance. Overall very happy and worth the money awsum experience
Gary W — Google review
Came here yesterday really good day out highly recommend! Clean well organised modern museum. Cost £67 for 2 adults 1 child with no donation which I thought was a little excessive. Food and drink are expensive aswell so bring your own!
Tony Henry — Google review
4.8
(16118)
•
4.5
(4399)
IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge, CB22 4QR, United Kingdom
If youre a fan of naval history, or just want to learn more about the navy, then youll definitely want to visit the Historic Dockyard Chatham. You can explore the docks and see some of the most influential ships in British history, including a WWII Destroyer, a Cold War submarine, and a Victorian Sloop. The museum is valid for one year and has free roam so you can explore as much as you like.
Haven't been here in nearly 30 years, and I must say, it was as enjoyable now as it was then.
A no rush walk around for all the family.
We had cream teas in the Mess House and it was lovely.
Definitely a fantastic day out for young and old alike.
And if your nimble Ocelot will be a doddle.
dc bloss — Google review
Excellent place, our second visit. Note arrive early as there is lots to see plus book visiting slots for the rope walk and submarine. I did not do the submarine this time as not not as agile. However there are a few ships old and modern you can walk around. There are lifts to some areas in site but not ship or submarine obviously.
Great big life boat section and non dockyard items that can be viewed as well. Some items you can try to feel the hands on experience. Great models with all the ships for the battle of the River plate. Etc. Great cafe and the soup was delicious 😋
Abi Stevens — Google review
Went to the gaming festival. Girls had a great day. It was pricey. Can of soft drink £2.50. highly recommend taking your own bottle. Free water tap to refill available. Everyone was really friendly and answered all their questions. All the staff were helpful.
Jane Hitchcock — Google review
We had such a good visit! Wish we'd left more time to explore as plenty to look at!
I wimped out on the submarine tour as I have a bad back and didn't want to try crouching through the holes but my 6'6" partner managed it fine!
Your ticket is valid for a year and unlimited? visits.
Parking super easy and free, few dodgy holes in the overflow car park though 😅
We got a nice sandwich, crisps and drink in the tea room, it was about £7 each.
Not sure what was on for the children, as it was kind of a date day.
All in all recommend it as a trip out, going to go back at some point but make it a whole day trip and not a few hours like we ended up doing!
Rachel — Google review
My trip to the Dockyard was for the Call the Midwife tour but I have to say Dockyard staff were lovely and you can tell they really do love their jobs.
The Call the Midwife tour was fantastic. Irene who was the tour guide was amazing and she knew so much about the show. It was nice stepping into 1950s-60s Poplar and finding out how certain parts of the show was filmed. The highlight was the room full of props and sets just for those on the tour.
The tour is 90 minutes and you are walking the whole time so wear sensible shoes but I highly recommend going on the tour.
Alex Kettle — Google review
Fantastic day out. Lots to see and plenty to do. Ships and submarines to board and wander around, interactive activities for all ages and bags of history to learn about. A visit to the Ropery is a must. A thoroughly fun-filled day at a very interesting working historic dockyard. 10/10
Paul Simmons — Google review
Absolutely loved our day here with the kids, there is so much to do, we didn't get to do everything we wanted to. So we're glad our tickets last a whole year !! We'll definitely be returning during the summer holidays. We enjoyed our ropery tour, the lady who did it was lovely, funny and informative and kept the kids entertained! Then to the submarine tour which was also amazing, the gentleman who did that was really kind, I suffer with claustrophobia so was really scared about going in and he was very kind about it all and said I can exit whenever I want to. The whole experience was worthwhile.
Jennie Bartholomew — Google review
Meet the Midwife Experience, absolutely fantastic. Guide was excellent.
Loved the dock yard, so much to see and do, need to return as even though spend a day there still missed bits. Worth every penny.
Boats and Submarine not suitable for young children as lots of climbing up and down ladders.
Kim Hodgson — Google review
What a place! Really enjoyed the day out here, staff are so knowledgeable about all the artifacts on display and the history some of them know Is amazing. Made to feel very welcome on each display.
Ropery was 100% the best display of the day.
Well be returning again soon,as the ticket has 1 year expiry date. Bonus 👍
Del Boy — Google review
Amazing place, full of historic gems and part of our naval history. Staff are friendly and willing to tell you extra nuggets of information that add to the story of the dockyard. Food was tasty in both food outlets and priced in a similar way to others in the local area. A brilliant day out for adults and children.
pamela johns — Google review
Had such an excellent day here. Booked the Call the Midwife walking tour for Easter Sunday. This was highly informative and took us to parts of the dockyard that I probably would not have ventured to otherwise. Reading about it beforehand I was deeply underwhelmed by the idea of the Ropery but in reality it is epic and I loved the smell in the place where they made it. The tour also included access to the props from the TV series and all the locations are identified. If you are not interested in that there are so many other things to do including plenty of eating places and the Commanders House Gardens. This is also a wedding venue apparently. I loved going on the boats and especially the lifeboat museum. I love the RNLI and glad to see they have such a huge profile..especially their work in the channel.
My only regret is that I didn't get there sooner as I could have stayed another couple of hours.
Julia King — Google review
Brilliant day. Spent 6 wonderful hours here with children. A unique experience to have a tour of a submarine by an ex Royal Navy serviceman who has actually served on it! Excellent exhibitions and definitely worth walking along to the rope making gallery (longest brick building in Europe). The cafe is overstretched, long queue, slow to bring food, ran out of baked potatoes by 5 past one, but the paninis were very tasty and the children ate everything.
Emma Nugent — Google review
Visiting the Rochester area for a couple of days, we went to the docks today.
There is so much to see and we didn't see it all. Entry tickets let you revist again for a year, so we might need to do that.
It is work booking the rope making demonstration, if it is available. It was really interesting. Going into a submarine was very good too, if you feel up to going into a confined space.
It was a really hot day when we went and had to buy drinks. I recommend taking a water bottle with you.
Finally, the docks are not close to anywhere else, apart from a shopping centre. It is a long walk to the nearest station, so ending up getting taxis. This may prove too expensive, so I would recommend checking out bus routes and planning accordingly, if you are not driving.
Adrian Walding — Google review
The site is large and the exhibits are very interesting. The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly, with a special mention to the team in the roppery who were exceptional. The tour of the submarine was also extraordinary, never to be forgotten.
We had a fabulous time and still didn't see it all. We will gladly return.
Buying our tickets online was good value.
Janice Magor — Google review
I took my Mum to the Historic Dockyard for the Call the Midwife set tour, for mothers day, and we had a wonderful day. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, the set tour was fascinating, and there was so much more to see and do that we just didn't have time for it all and we will be going back. In particular, we are very interested in the 200th anniversary lifeboat exhibit and the Oscelot submarine! Highly recommended.
Kim Stafford — Google review
All of the staff were very nice and friendly. The complex is large with apparently lots to see. However you need an interest in this specific type of history to thoroughly enjoy it. We went for a "Call The Midwife" tour which was great and well worth the price. The rope making building and demonstration was surprisingly interesting and well done. I didn't truly "love" the Dockyard merely because I wasn't as interested in most of it, but I didn't feel comfortable only giving 4 stars when this is a personal preference and the site and staff were overall great.
Chris Bern — Google review
Very beautiful museum, hostrical and show the technology of all kind of sailing including the submarines, actually we couldn't finsh it in one day, therefore we will visit is again
We took our lunch in restaurant there and the food and service were excellent, the staff are very friendly and helpful, my family and I enjoyed a lot 👍
Highly recommend to visit
Salman Abu Assali — Google review
Thoroughly enjoyed or time there, approximately 3 hours , we had to cut short our visit as we had something else planned later in the day but will be revisiting in the spring to see the other exhibits.
The staff were all really pleasant, informative , and fun .We couldn’t wish for more.
The free parking and admission allowing you to visit all year around made it great value for money.
Excellent
lester mutton — Google review
We had a wonderful time at our visit to Santa. Very well put together. Kept our son interested the whole way around. Also the most important thing was to hand deliver his Christmas wishlist :-) He already asked if we can come and visit him next year again.
Barbara Breska — Google review
Lots of exhibits to see. highlight for me was going down in the submarine Ocelot very interesting. Everyone on site was extremely knowledgeable didn’t have to ask many questions which is always good. Couple of cafes/restaurants on site serving sensibly priced food. Try to avoid eating at peak times however as it took quite a long time to get to the table. Good facilities for children (even though I didn’t bring any) noticed a couple of play areas and children’s activities on site. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys looking round old ships and how they used to make the ropes, rigging and maintain them. Also had quite a few military pieces of machinery and Second World War vehicles & equipment. Would definitely revisit.
The Mountfitchet Castle is a replica of a historical castle and village that dates back to 1066. The site offers an enjoyable day of exploration, featuring a reconstructed castle and Norman village complete with animals, knights, and costumed characters. Visitors can also enjoy the tea room and gift shop located on the premises. The location is steeped in history, making it an excellent destination for those interested in the past.
4.5
(553)
12 Grove Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Stansted CM24 8SP, UK
Rochester Cathedral is a historical structure built in Norman style with a Romanesque facade. The library door dates back to the 14th century and daily services are held by the Church of England. The cathedral features a medieval wall painting depicting the wheel of fortune, which can be viewed along with an audio-visual experience. Its proximity to the castle and accessibility via railway station adds to its appeal.
England 2nd oldest cathedral. In very good condition. Well worth it to walk around and have a look inside. Free 2 hours parking nearby. We had a lunch near the cathedral in a pub and had a stroll around the cathedral. Recommend to all.
e tradecom (e-tradecom) — Google review
This is a very nice cathedral, and unlike some cathedrals it was completely FREE to enter! The people working there were nice and friendly too. The crypt had some fantastic lighting that I have never seen before in a cathedral, and it also had a cafe!
Leon Leon — Google review
The Cathedral Rochester is a beautiful and historic church of Norman architecture in Rochester, Kent. It is the second oldest cathedral in England, founded by Bishop Justus in 604. The present building dates back to the work of Bishop Gundulf in 1083, and has a stunning Romanesque facade, a magnificent nave, and a crypt. The cathedral is open to visitors and offers guided tours, exhibitions, concerts, and services. The staff are friendly and informative, and the admission is free (donations are welcome). The cathedral has a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, and is a must-see for anyone who loves history, art, or religion.
shibin kurian — Google review
Lovely to visit Rochester Cathedral. It is just behind the small high street. Parked in a short stay car park which has a bit of castle wall and is next to high street. Just a short walk to Cathedral. Toilets are outside in cloister area. Super cafe is in crypt. Castle is close.
Gill P — Google review
Visited the Cathedral to see the new art installation 'The Leaves on the Trees'. Steel maple leaves in various stages of 'decay' are laid out on the floor, each with the word Hope stamped on them. Beautiful.
Mary Roberts — Google review
Rochester Cathedral is a World Heritage site and is the second oldest cathedral in England, after Canterbury. It was founded in 604 AD. It is built in a Norman, Gothic style, and it is listed as Grade I.
In front of it, there is a beautiful Catalpa Tree that is over 100 years old. As you go inside, you step into another world: an imposing and majestic world filled with music played the Quire (choir) and 'lighted' by the beautiful stained glass. The pipe organ is perfectly calibrated and sounds like an angelic music.
There are many relics and tombs and coat of arms around the cathedral, and everything is just fantastic.the cathedral also has a gorgeous backyard.
The staff are friendly and welcoming
cristi cristian — Google review
A very decent looking cathedral. Free to enter. There’s a small shop and a donations box inside. There is also a cafe in the crypt. Toilets are found in a nice garden outside. The pane glass windows are lovely. Part the church was roped off for evensong. There was a huge dark wood panel table in the church with a useful informational display. It was a nice short visit.
Leaburn — Google review
I came here on a Sunday, three months ago, but could not enter because there was a service in progress. So, yesterday, I returned when the cathedral was quiet and had a leisurely tour. Staff were very friendly and helpful and pointed out things to see, including the medieval wall painting of the wheel of fortune (and accompanying audio-visual experience). The cathedral is small and very old. The west front is the best part of the exterior, with an ancient entrance gate. Proximity to the castle adds to the experience as does accessibility to the nearby railway station.
Ian Yates — Google review
Absolutely love this Cathedral!
Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest cathedral in England.
It was founded in AD 604.
The present building was initiated by Bishop Gundulf in 1080.
The architecture is Norman, Gothic and Early-English Perpendicular with a fine crypt, medieval wall paintings and a magnificent 15th century chapter room doorway
Every time we are in the area, we are popping in there.
It is free to enter and so beautiful inside.
You can light the candle there.
Also, you can learn a lot about the history from the museum, which located on the lower floor there too.
Irina Springate — Google review
Great history at the cathedral. We went on a day of free entry, and we were happynro donate because of the beautiful history being preserved. We will surely go back again. Great customer service too, there were people around who were happy to tell more about the place and its history.
Funmi O — Google review
I had the privilege and pleasure to attend a wedding ceremony at Rochester Cathedral. What an experience to behold! This is an exceptional building with excellent architectural features and rich history.
Mario de Freitas — Google review
Beautiful little cathedral with a mix of Romanesque and gothic styles, within easy reach of London on the high speed train. Check to make sure it's not shut for a service before you go (although we just went a bit later in the day to compensate).
Geoffrey Berg — Google review
Fantastic historical location and perfect locale for a wedding! We were lucky enough to tell the story of the wedding of the Dean's very own daughter and what a fantastic day it was! We can't wait to return next year for another wedding to tell the next story in the chapter of this wonderful family's tapestry! All the best from MykeyDayPhotography!
Mykey — Google review
Love the light show. It was absolutely amazing and made even more spectacular as it was within the cathedral. The event was well organised, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. The cathedral itself is beautiful, one of my favourite places to visit for events.
Jane Farley — Google review
A beautiful little cathedral. It's probably the most tastfully beautiful cathedral I've visited. The cathedral organ looks amazing with its delicately painted decoration, as does the cathedral ceiling, which also has painted detailing. I was also lucky enough to see a fosilised black oak table on display at the time. Beautiful.
Richard Sharp — Google review
Rochester is not famous to Korean people. However, my curiosity dragged me into this cathedral. It was a beautiful, cozy and calm place. People working in this cathedral were very kind with smiling.
삿포로맥주 — Google review
We were too late again, after 4 a clock, so we didn't see the inside of this stunning Chatedral.
Till next time, I took some pictures from outside ♥️♥️♥️
pomana smaranda nicoleta — Google review
A spectacular cathedral, well worth the visit , with a rich historical history.great for tour groups and school outings , impressive history of a dark oak tables recovered from a peat bog swamp carbon dated as old as 5000 years its an impressive piece of ancient history.
Mike Daly — Google review
This is the 2nd oldest Cathedral in the country and so has a lot to offer in relation to it's architecture.
Although not very big as far as newer Cathedrals go, there is still a lot to see with the view from one end to the other through the organ pipes amazing.
Here there is also the "Table for the nation" which is a truly amazing to see and read the history of. The wood is 5000 years old.
A lot of the cathedral is accessible to disabled people, and if you use a wheelchair rather than a scooter like I do, you can explore more than I was able to. The building is extremely old and you can see they have done their best within these confines.
The staff there were really helpful, and there is good parking very close by.
Michael Stevens — Google review
Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular churches and Cathedrals I've ever been. There is not entrance fee, however you have the ability to make a donation if you want to. In the underground area there is a cafe in order to enjoy some sweets, snacks or your favourite coffee. It is often used in order to conduct some events. If you visit Rochester, it is a place you have to visit.
Panos Iliopoulos — Google review
4.7
(2012)
•
4.5
(1193)
Garth House, The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX, United Kingdom
Rochester Castle is an 11th century Norman castle with a spacious keep that offers stunning views of the River Medway. Visitors can take tours and enjoy picnics on the grounds, which offer plenty of green space for children to play on or tarmac for biking and scooting. The steep climb up to the top of the castle is worth it for breathtaking views of the cathedral and river.
Absolutely beautiful.
Lovely outing with children. Good picnic spot. Lots of green space for little kids to play or tarmac for scooting and biking
Beautiful view of the cathedral and Medway river.
The castle is a must to visit. It's a steep climb but with a lot of rest stops. I did it with my 6 month old in a baby carrier. The views at the top of the castle are breathtaking.
Castle grounds have a cafe selling yummy ice cream, hot drinks snacks and burgers.
Odette Van Tonder — Google review
A great castle, ruin only. Nice location next to the cathedral. Great views from the top of the keep, obviously many stairs involved. Little shop at the entrance and a little cafe/ ice cream shop in the castle grounds. Castle itself has a fee the grounds are free. Parking available chargeable.
Steven Moseley — Google review
Plenty of parking. No ques, not busy. Lovely friendly, helpful staff. Amazing historical castle to visit, the views from the castle were breath taking!
Helen Webb — Google review
Was at Christmas Market and quickly visited for the great views at the top of Castle.
Not a place you would travel to visit specifically, but would recommend as part of a visit to Rochester, particularly if you're a heritage member (didn't check individual admission prices).
Lloyd Smissen — Google review
One of two castles in this area, the other being Upnor castle. This one is by far more impressive. You can enter the tower and climb to the top for a fee (British Heritage members enter for free).
Mark Sidloi — Google review
Very beautiful view from top. Also the folks at the gate are very informative. Please be aware before you go, it's plain climbing of stairs. Obviously 1000 year old stairs
Abay Wicks — Google review
A great way to pass an hour or so. There are a lot of steps and although there is a side access to the castle grounds there is no disabled access to the castle itself.
Still worth a visit if you can manage the stairs and very reasonable entry fee
lee graham (Gompz70) — Google review
Wonderful castle to visit with over 200 steps to clamber around. If you don't like heights, you might not be keen on this! It's all safe though, and there's several benches to sit down and catch your breath on! Reasonably priced, probably takes about 45 minutes to go round and read about from the info boards. Dramatic views from the top across Rochester and beyond.
Steve McDonough-Cooper — Google review
This was a fascinating place to visit.
Entry prices aren’t excessive and I had a concession price too.
The actual rooms of the castle have gone, but there are panels to show what was there when the castle was in use.
The path through the castle goes via some steep and uneven spiral staircases, so some care is needed, especially when people are going the other way. There’s a warning at the entry, it says there are 200 steps.
There are some very nice views of the cathedral.
Peter Meade — Google review
No trip is complete to Rochester without visiting the castle. Was given an audio tour to learn more about the history, which I highly recommend. NB, there are a lot of steps to climb but a great view from the top 👌
John Gregory — Google review
Went for the Xmas market/fayre. Didnt pay to go into the tower, entry into the grounds was free. Nice castle still in good condition. Recommend going at Xmas when there is a huge number of stalls. There is a great Xmas feel to the fayre, even snow machines blowing snow around.
steve&alfie — Google review
Great castle and grounds. I would recommend going, however, be prepared to take a while to park if you are travelling by car. There is no car park so all the parking around is either, packed, very tight for big cars or out the way. Bearing in mind the castle is in the middle of town.
David Burgess — Google review
A small but interesting castle (keep?) with simple but well presented information and, most importantly, fantastic views when you make it to the top. 200ish steps but not difficult and plenty of places to rest on the way up if you need them.
Jon Roberts — Google review
A lovely place to visit with great views from the top. A great castle to walk around, lots of stairs and lots to see around it. Small gift shop at the entrance. Really enjoyed it here and will definitely come again.
Caroline B — Google review
A great castle ruin to attend for an hour or so.
There is a small gift shop, as well as multiple information boards throughout the castle to read all about the history and the different types of rooms that used to be there.
As others note, there are a lot of staircases, some of which are very tight, so please keep that in mind!
It’s very near to Rochester High Street as well as the Cathedral, which is free to enter.
Would recommend!
Jon — Google review
I love visiting Rochester Castle, it's a beautiful and historic place with stunning views of the river and the town. The castle grounds are well maintained and perfect for a picnic or a stroll. Me and my fiancée have spent many romantic evenings there, watching the sunset and the lights of the bridge. The castle itself is impressive and worth exploring, especially the keep with its medieval features. The staff are friendly and informative, and the admission fee for the castle is reasonable. I would highly recommend Rochester Castle to anyone who loves history, nature, or romance.
shibin kurian — Google review
The is an open castle part of the English Heritage. A good walk going the up stairs and seeing pictures of how each floor used to look many years. You can see the square holes in the walls of where the wooden structure use to sit. The top of castle gives you the best 360 views of Rochester especially when it's sunny. It was a bit windy when we went, best to try and go on a hot day with no breeze. Still an enjoyable visit, there a live concert and funfair event on the castle grounds. Recommend!
Pravin Mistry — Google review
Great family day out grounds are level for pushchairs and wheelchairs but the castle itself is up steps and then over 100 steps to the top of the castle. Inside castle is not suitable for pushchairs wheelchairs or people with mobility issues.
One great feature in this castle was there were a number of boxes that you sniff to experience the smells of the castle when it was a working castle back in time. Grounds are great for kids to run around and have a picnic.
Gillian Selby — Google review
What an amazing castle! It lets you experience a great view of the river Medway and Rochester Cathedral! It’s a beautiful place itself with a good history and wasn’t busy at all on the day I went.
Owen Bowen — Google review
I've been here for the second time today, first seen 2 years ago, worth the visit. 👍♥️
A lot of history behind, it is not massive but still one of the impressive places u can visit in Kent.
♥️♥️♥️
Rochester Castle stands on the east bank of the River Medway in Rochester, Kent, South East England. The 12th-century keep or stone tower, which is the castle's most prominent feature, is one of the best preserved in England or France
pomana smaranda nicoleta — Google review
Good day out. Castle isn't very big, but well preserved. There's the Cathedral next to it, which is worth visiting. Also the museum at the top of the high street. Come and visit.
Saimonas Gailiunas — Google review
The castle is close to the back of the cathedral. There an ice cream kiosk in the entrance. There is a small car park.You need to climb stairs to get in the main Norman keep doorway to pay. Owned by English Heritage. It is a tall keep, on many floors. You can get to top and the views are great.
Gill P — Google review
The day I visited the castle, it was on the same day as the Dickensian Festival and Christmas Market and it was very busy. I have been to many English Heritage sites, but there is something about this castle that makes me very anxious... probably the height of the place as you make your way up.
I didn't stay for very long as there were many people around, but I hope to visit again around May/ June in 2024 when it is also a lot warmer. I will also see if I am brave enough to go all the way to the top then too.
Sean Meston — Google review
An English Heritage run attraction. There is a charge to enter but you get an audio guide. There are also useful displays around the castle to help explain what you’re seeing and the history. Lots of signs regarding dead pigeons though we never saw any. There are lots of steps so one to avoid if you have mobility issues. The steps can be steep but ok for most, including kids. Can go on the roof and look down on the Cathedral. Learned a lot about the history of the castle. There’s a shop to peruse too but souvenirs were on the expensive end.
Old MacDonald's Farm is a small, family-run farm with the usual zoo suspects, alpacas, wallabies and owls, plus kid's rides. The staff are friendly and amazing at their jobs, the play areas are all five stars, and the food is also very tasty and served quickly. There is always someone there to clean up any mess quickly. There is plenty of parking available. This place was fantastic for a family day out!
Amazing experience with my little ones.... Everyone enjoyed everything... Especially the tractor rides.. Playing in the sand... And little animals aswell💖definitely we are going back for another adventures💖
Alexandra Balcu — Google review
Fun experience with family. Farm animals with facts in detail were very helpful. Highly recommended. Exploring the whole farm and trying different rides was interesting. As we visited on Friday the fun event for kids was tattooing. The overall experience was wonderful.
Sony Issac — Google review
The whole place is very wonderful! The kids love it! The rides are all inclusive with your tickets so you do not have to pay any extra for the rides. There isn’t a very long wait and we went on Mother’s Day and the longest line we waited in was only 15 minutes, so not bad at all! The farm itself is really nice they have a lot of animals, we loved the rabbits!
The food and drinks is nice, play areas are very nice too. Would wholeheartedly recommend this as a fun and entertaining weekend out with the family, lots of things to do to keep the little ones happy! The service was wonderful thank you so much!
Andreea Delia — Google review
Great family fun day out. They have a lot to offer for your little ones. Different animals to see. Multiple soft play area and playgrounds. And the rides are very child friendly. Doggy ride was the favourite. Friendly staff too! Will definitely be back.
ejay cruz — Google review
Overall a very enjoyable experience. We went on Easter Monday so lots going on on the day. Parking is tight if your not there for the opening hour so get in early like we did. There was lots to keep my 6yr old busy and happy and lots of interactive play areas to keep them active and there mind buzzing. We spent the best part of 4.5hrs there so definitely made the most of the day. Face painting / painter was amazing and my daughter loved her Baby Chic mask. As I say, overall a great, enjoyable and fund experience for us all
Nick West — Google review
We have been before to old Macdonald’s farm but not for a long time. We went today (Friday 8th of April) and we could not fault it. The staff are so friendly and amazing at their jobs! The play areas, farm and rides are all five star! My little boy aged 9 loved every part of it and thoroughly enjoyed the whole day! We can’t wait to come back! The food was also really tasty and served extremely quickly! There was always someone there to clean up any mess really quickly! There is loads of parking too! I cannot fault this place at all! Fantastic family day out!
Gemma Lucas — Google review
This farm and fun park is an amazing place to visit if you have kids.. This place is close to M25 and the park has ample parking space. We had so much fun and the day we spent there will stay in our memory forever. We visited the park during the Halloween festival and there were extra attractions during this time such as haunted house , pumpkin patch ,pick your pumpkin etc. There are a variety of animals in the farm such as alpacas, rabbits, cows, meerkats, kangaroos etc . It is a Wheelchair user friendly park as well. As we visited this place during Halloween festival /school holiday time , the park was quite busy /crowded which is expected. There were long queues in front of the coffee shops/ food shops and that is the only thing I didn’t enjoy. Overall , we had a lovely experience there.
E K — Google review
Plenty of play areas and rides to keep our 3yo and 7yo entertained. It's a shame you can't get up close to most of the animals and some are even too far away to see. Food and drink prices are highest I've seen at similar venues (£2.20 for a small carton of juice and nearly £8 for two hot drinks). Love the themed cows dotted around.
Dan Hutson — Google review
The place was definitely a very good experience for us.
It was easy to find. The parking ground was full of cars, but the overflow car park had plenty of space left. It is very good that even the overflow car park has bins.
We went after 2pm which was much cheaper for the three of us. 3 hours has exhausted our child anyway.
The park have lots of hand wash places available and it is very recommended to use it as often as possible. There is plenty of rides and other stuff, playgrounds and soft plays. It is very good that lots of playgrounds are covered by shades, it was very pleasant even in a hot day.
Few little one person ride machines are working with coins, so it is suggested to have few pound with you as cash if your child is that age.
There are different farm animals around the park, there is opportunity to feed them, but not from hand to mouth. They are to roam free in their own place, not really interested in visiting humans. In the park there is plenty of little kiosks offering food, drinks, freshly made donut 🍩 ice cream. A cup of coffee was £3.70 which is quite pricey but well.. other food stuff like burger and chips and combos like this was £6-8 (if my memory serves right) all kiosks had accepted card.
I saw lot of ppl with buggies, but the walking paths are grainy, not concrete, so if your child is over 3, I would probably skip buggies unless you have a nice big wheel on it.
I tried to put rules of rides as photo as well as one of the cafe kiosk’s offer too.
Definitely a great day, we will be visiting again.
veronika szabo — Google review
We had a fantastic day. Attended with a 6 year old and a 1 year old. Enough to do for both of them. The Halloween festival was great and set up really well. We will definitely be returning in the summer and even thinking Christmas.
Tanya Carter — Google review
Amazing place to take my 5 yr old son. He enjoyed it to the fullest. We stayed in the farm for 5 hrs till closure and he would still want to spend more time. Spending time with farm animals to the wonderful events, from the awesome rides to delightful food - I would recommend this place for everyone having kid less than 6-7 yr old to visit OMD. Time flies here, so make sure you come in early to experience it all.
Milin Shah — Google review
Well maintain, We had a GREAT DAY!
I been here 5 years ago with my nephew, this time I taking my own 3 year old boy!
Everything still pretty well maintaining, bring back all lovely memory I had.
My kid loves all the rides (especially the TRACTOR, we manage to ride 4 times), queue was not long and it was very quick.
Few different type and age range of playgrounds, and we got surprise there is a MAGIC shows too.
The burger is nice, fried are super crispy. Good variety of food and drink and couple food stall make us easy to reach when we need.
If you kids want a quiet afternoon nap, can consider go near the event tent area. It is quiet and calm when no event is held.
It is not huge but good for little one , and plenty of hand wash facility.
Personally I don't like the petting animal, I find the animal are stress and keep trying to run away from kid.
Y YF — Google review
It so existed than we expected. The very first time we experienced snowfall was in December (11th Dec) from my history in London. It was not very crowded when we visited in the morning. But, during the daytime average crowd. The waiting time was a maximum of 5 minutes for a ride. A Hot coffee break and 2 rides then a Hot snack break and 2 rides. So the Cafe and quick food service was amazing, but the queue was longer than any rides. 😆
We enjoyed it a lot as a family. Hope you guys will have a great time this holiday. Merry Christmas.🎄🎅❄️
Ramji Kannan — Google review
Great family day out.
It gets very busy so you have to pre-book tickets online. Get in early to find parking on site which is free.
It has a nice range of animals and a few shows to entertain young kids. Has a few places to eat and get hot drinks and desserts.
The best part of the farm is the rides and play areas that come included in the purchase of the ticket.
Highly recommended if you have children under the age of 10.
Bash Hussain — Google review
Highly recommend and great day out for your little one!
You can buy food to feed the animals, where there’s little slots to put the food down. I would suggest buy at least 4 packets so your little one can go round feeding most of them.
There’s food stands and picnic areas where you can bring your own snacks to sit down and eat.
It’s playful and fun. So much to do and see here.
Second time he’s been here and we would come again.
Thank you for accommodating.
Bon Bon?s Beauty — Google review
This was an amazing day out with the family. There are activities for children of all ages, from soft play to tractor rides, petting animals and little rollercoasters. It was fantastic. I also really appreciated how halal was also catered.
We booked in advance which also meant we saved a little money. The circus was a summer feature and the children really enjoyed it. The train ride was definitely one of the highlights. The driver was full of energy and even brought some of the animals up close for everyone to see
Definitely will be coming back here again.
A Khatun — Google review
For the first time today we spent the day at the Halloween half term! We all had such a wonderful day. There was so much to do for the children and the staff were so friendly. We was greated as soon as we got into the park by two lovely staff member's. I would like to make a shout out to warren who worked on reception. We was visiting with a family member who has additional needs but there was some confusion with the ticket. Upon arrival he was wonderful! Very understanding and helpful. He apologised for the mix up and made sure we got a wristband for the rides. We have been many places similar in the past but this was the first time we have been treated so well and warren was very calm about the situation which made it so much smoother entry. Very pleased & will be visiting again. 100% would recommend.
Laura Evans — Google review
A fun filled day spent with kid who loved the rides and animals. They have various rides like tractor, train, crazy barn, horse adventures, a carousel horse ride and a roller coaster (high restriction of 1.2 meter applies) etc. They have a gigantic slide but is only suitable for kids up to 10 years of age. There are animals such as cows, alpacas, meerkats, guinea pigs, tortoises, rabbits, sheep, goats and chickens etc. They have a soft play area for kids. I would suggest to buy tickets online as you get a slight discount. Children under 2 go free. Cafe is good too and plenty of parking spaces. Friendly staff.
Arif Khan — Google review
First time here. Parking space is good. Price is reasonable although adult charges are high for the use. Weather was ok albeit a bit rainy. Most rides were on. Lots of play areas for children of different age. Farm animals and some other animals (wallabies etc.) spread around. Had coffee from one of the stands which I wouldn’t recommend. Did not try the food. It must be much nicer to visit during spring/summer.
Glafkos Havariyoun — Google review
As we didnt check that, not sure, but we think that its better to have a car or taks Uber, as this nice place is away from common roots. Otherwise very nice place to spend a day in summer with your children. There are farm animals kids can learn about, funny statues of farm animals, a lots of places to run, have fun and if your kid is not too much into pigs, goats or chicken, there are few rides even I as adult enjoyed. We celebrated 2yo Birthday and it was awesome and he enjoyed every bit. Try it!
Olafs Osipenko — Google review
Amazing day for a Christmas outing for a 1yr old. Cannot wait to bring a 2yr old back next year. Well done for the Christmas experience
Great value for money.
Food and drinks were all reasonably priced.
Burger was the best option, chicken burger over fried and extremely greasy.
Apart from that had a wonderful day with family. Thank you
J Low — Google review
Brilliant place...considering we went in the pouring rain, yes there is a lot to do outside but there was soft play inside and the odd thing inside too. Even a few protected rides.
This was our first visit and pleasantly surprised that there is concrete flooring throughout the farm so no need for wellies.
We will be back!
Especially as we got a free entrance ticket for my son from attending the Christmas event. We even got a little drawstring bag on entrance with some bits and bobs too.
Debbie Alleyn — Google review
A fantastic festive experience for all the family! We have been to Old MacDonald Farm once before but not during Christmas time. The Christmas parade was really sweet, the singing sisters were great and seeing Santa walking around was lovely, especially when it started 'snowing'.
Natasha Cosstick — Google review
Not been before, always saw from the motorway and glad we booked for this Halloween 🎃 was a great day out! Brilliant for kids, great selection of animals easy to see, feeding is optional on some which is great, rides are really good decorations was good too. Great photo opportunity’s too for halloween. All kids had a ticket for free pumpkin which thought was a lovely thought. Efficient parking facilities. The cafe option, could do with an enclosed indoors for rainy day, was lucky with the weather on our day.
The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Kent offers a variety of entertainment including theatre productions, music performances and stand-up comedy shows featuring both established and emerging talent. From December 11th to January 2nd 2022, tickets for these events range from £16.00 to £67.50. The venue provides a great overall experience with efficient processing by staff and easy-to-follow directions once inside.
Great overall experience from start to finish. There was queuing outside before entering but it was very quick to get to the entrance. Fast and efficient processing by staff. Very easy to follow direction once inside and staff were very helpful and efficient. The show was amazing and had an great time. The space inside was just right. Not too big or too small. Just right. The seating was okay but long legs at the front near the side would struggle to be comfortable with the lack of room to sit. Apart from that a superb overall experience.
Chris ?EMBA? Bushcraft — Google review
Took my daughter to tayormania
Seated on the elevated section towards the back and had a great view.
Ordered drinks at the interval to our seats.
Great evening.
Neil Duguid — Google review
Not too big so sitting in row j you still had an excellent view. It was spacious enough and set out well with the seats from row g in the stalls, going up a level slightly for each row. This meant that the children were able to see the show even when there were adults sitting in front of them.
blitzodon sparrow — Google review
Comfortable seating, enough leg room for a 6' person to sit comfortably, and the seats are raked at good angle. We sat in row M and the view of the stage was excellent. The theatre is clean and tidy throughout, friendly staff, and plenty of parking nearby. I've only given 4 stars as the refreshments from the coffee kiosk are ridiculously overpriced.
lulu shake — Google review
Not Open for Business due to RAAC. However as you approach the building there are signs to Orchard West, the temporary building that has been erected to replace the original building . Uncomfortable seats and all on the same level , no incline. if you find yourself behind a tall person be prepared for a restricted view.. I am not a Pantomime person but the family loved it
Dee Dee — Google review
An amazing night all off non-stop rock anthems thanks to all the team at the orchard theatre and the cast of The Classic Rock Show
Kevin Foster — Google review
The Cher Show itself was fantastic, first class entertainment, as was the Russell Brand show, that we came to see here in 2021. But the customer service skills of certain members of staff was disgusting! We arrived and were greeted by a very nice young man, very professional and polite who checked our tickets, then another fella in the coffee shop, who again was faultless. But as we walk into the auditorium, a horrible lady (who turned out to be the duty manager) shouted "Can you get out, we're not open!". Feeling like school children, we turned around, with others that had followed us and my wife replies "Sorry the door was open?", And again she responded with "No the we are clearly closed so you can't come in!" We were shocked at the treatment we had received, and complained to another lady outside. It's a shame because the show was faultless, but we spent most of it being very angry about the treatment we received! Then another lady tried to snatched the tickets from my wife's hand when we attempted to go back in a while later. We assume they both went on the same customer service training?? Don't think we'll be coming back, think it's worth paying extra and going into the West end tbh. You get a much better experience!
Luke Church — Google review
I highly recommend this venue, they have brilliant shows, good facilities, there is a bar and a small restaurant here too… they have a small shop selling hot drinks and nibbles - the parking is easy and not too expensive (currently £3) all the Staff are very friendly and the Managers are professional if you have any issues… I have seen so many shows here - I would also like to mention that the Staff back stage do a fantastic job too (they are in my book - the unsung heroes) the seating is good too. It is nice clean there, 10/10 for a local Theatre.
Melanie Steinberg — Google review
Lovely local theatre.plenty of good shows.coffee shop bar & restaurant .friendly helpful staff.see summer youth project school of rock.really great show.pictures of our new state of art theatre going up.bit shed looking to me.supposed to be seeing show on Sunday 19th
Amy Worley — Google review
Saw Blood. Brothers last night in the ‘temporary’ building.
Amazing show! Loved it! Cast got a standing ovation at the end. Well deserved.
New temporary site: Seats in the front are not so bit difficult to see the floor of the stage (important at end of this show). Seats at back half of the venue are tiered.
Teresa Tennant — Google review
Love going, have been to some great shows this year. As a disabled persons I am able to park close by. Easy disabled entrance. Just back from seeing Tina, what an amazing show, brought back so many memories of seeing the great lady live. Well done Holly Bannis you done Tina proud, outstanding performance from the whole cast.
Julie Nelson — Google review
Nice theatre. Easy entry process with QR code. Bars and snacks at reasonable prices. We had Circle C20-23 and had a great view. Seats were very comfortable with plenty of leg room.
Paris Hunt — Google review
The Orchard has a lot to offer for all age's. They have so much variety I wouldn't be able to list them all, however I can say children love the pantomimes and seeing their favourite books or TV shows coming to life.
Now for the adults they have a wide variety from 80s dance nights, comedian, musicals and so much more.
There is a great restaurant that you can book ahead of the performances or you can order smaller versions in the bar area. The price's are resemble and there is a good variety, you can choose from 6 starters, a beautiful range of bread chunks, then the show stopping mains the desert is served for you during the interval however you would have to go back up to the dining area. Or you can get the ice cream tubs from the ushers and front of house they have a super variety of ice cream and sorbet. There is one huge downfall I wish the ice cream staff in the foyer would clean the scoop more because let's be fair I'm gluten free due to an allergy and I've had sorbet that had the chocolate brownie ice cream on it. I get there is a lot of people to serve but cross contamination isn't right!
I have eaten here on many occasions and the food has been great until the new menu came in a few weeks ago and omg the food is spicy! So if you can't handle spicy foods tell the staff so an alternative can be sorted. For me I wished they kept the Jambalaya chicken and I know others have said they hoped the beer battered fish would have stayed.
I like other people would love to have a separate menu that was for persons like myself that are Gluten Free or have allergies so we know what foods we are able to have instead of asking the waiter or manager what is available and them have to go back and forth. It would be great to order at the same time as the persons you come with.
Sorry I might add if you are unable to get upstairs due to mobility issues you wouldn't be able to sit in the restaurant however the staff are absolutely amazing and welcoming to have your meal in the bar. The staff I can never fault them they are always super helpful and accommodating even to the point a customer that was unable to go to the restaurant for their desert a wounderful young lady that works front of house went a got the food and bought it to the person during the interval where they sat. So the staff are great!
Some of a few photos I've taken!
Marie Clark — Google review
My daughter and I went to see the wonderful
House of Jo Jo. 10 stars for the show 1 star for the seats. When we go to a dance show we do not want to see head and shoulders of artistes! Why are the stalls all the same level!!!! It’s ridiculous. When I booked the tickets the view of the stage was perfect but last night 24 April it was poor. Will not be going back to Orchard West. Everybody around us felt disappointed. Great atmosphere and great show no reflection on you or your fabulous troupe Jo Jo ⭐️
Pat Carey — Google review
Orchard West, temporary theatre, anything but temporary looking, spacious foyer, loads of staff, not a lot of leg room. Show was brilliant
Tracey Gregg — Google review
WHEN WILL U OPEN THEATRE AGAIN PLS? 🙏
We went 2day & saw absolutely brill show Blood Brothers. This was gonna be our 1st visit in this theatre but we were very disappointed with Pop Up SET up & here are reasons WHY:
1. Even thought we sat @ 1st section in front the stage, we could not see much as seats are in the same hight all the way till the last row, meaning = we saw everybody only Waist Up 😕... When they sit or lay on the stage we could not see anything at all 😶🌫️.
Infront me was very tall man so I was bended on 1side constantly.
2. Very long ques @ 2wc
3. 4 tables only 2 accommodate everybody bfr show?!
4. Staff /lady sitting next 2us /row T/ was opening really noisy sweets 6x per the whole play with each sweet taking 3min to open!
Super Annoying 🙄 & also very disrespectful 👀 to paying theatre lovers. Some1 even told her off but she didn't care much.
5. Super uncomfortable Seats, not very accommodating 4 3hrs show... More 2the point... When some1 in Yr row move the whole row moves as every seat is connected!!!
6. BTW there is no mention of theatre being closed & where is this Pop Up located on Yr Web site at all. There was lots of ppl trying 2find out where 2go after going in circles around it several times. There should b some 1 showing ppl where 2go as there was 2much staff inside not doing much.... At one point we saw carer with lady on wheelchair trying find they way in... Shambles 🤯
M * — Google review
Great theatre, decently sized! Seen a number of shows at The Orchard. Staff are always friendly, atmosphere is always good and easy to enter and leave.
Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, located in Kents Bird of Prey Centre, offers a diverse range of bird species including eagles, falcons, owls, and an Andean condor. Visitors can enjoy informative flying demonstrations and explore both indoor and outdoor aviaries. In addition to the spectacular bird displays, the center also features a reptile house with various reptile species, as well as meerkats, camels, arctic foxes, and coati mundi.
Had an amazing time visiting this wildlife centre the animals looked well cared for and happy.
We were privileged to do a husky walk experience that we shared with two additional couples separate to our booking we walked Chester and he was a pleasure to walk with. Well behaved and attentive. I really loved being able to stoke him as well.
My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with our guide who was knowledgeable and friendly.
The views on the walk were incredible and serene and it would be amazing to re visit.
I’d also like to compliment the staff who did the eagle flying talk at 12 they were very entertaining and again highly knowledgeable they made sure to enable everyone to see the birds equally and also spoke to children in the audience in a very respectful and educational manner.
I really cannot wait to come. The only thing I would want to do differently is if there was the chance to spend more time to stroke and fuss on the dogs because they are so wonderful. Thank you for having us eagle heights
Danielle Payne — Google review
We've been a couple of times now; once for the husky experience and a stay over night (although the second part is no longer available) and today for the VIP experience with our nieces. We all absolutely loved it and would be happy to recommend.
We got a personal tour (in a group) with M who worked there and was so lovely and passionate about all of the animals at the Foundation. Meeting the huskies was amazing (and lucked out that there were puppies). Then there are 2 bird shows (12 and 3pm) which were fab; informative but also brilliant to see the birds in flight. Then we got a special opportunity to meet Winston, a tiny adorable owl.
We also got to enjoy the lovely grounds, kids play area for our nieces and the cafe too. Others were on experiences like meet the meerkats, walk alpacas or huskies and it all looked great. Very happy to recommend this great place and wonderful, passionate and extremely knowledgeable team. Thanks so much!
Lucy Newark — Google review
We've just got back from a day out at Eagle Heights, it's our first time and it was really enjoyable. A beautiful spot filled with magnificent birds of prey. The displays that Paul and the team put on are fantastic. So informative and they keep you engaged and interested,all while making you feel safe around the animals who themselves seemed well looked after and happy to par take. Would definitely recommend.
Kirsty Lewis — Google review
Absolutely fabulous. We've been to many bird of prey centres but this ine is just wonderful. We'd booked afternoon tea and enjoyed the morning and afternoon flying displays included in that price, so great value for money. It was a really lovely 'tea', great staff, good facilities, and Paul who did the displays was just so entertaining and knowledgeable.
We shall definitely go back, and will recommend this place to all our friends.
Jackie Skinner — Google review
We spend a wonderful time here!
We enjoyed our Alpaca Walk very much!
We were met by the alpaca owner/the guide, he told us the main information about the experience, and we started our walk with one alpaca each. It was unforgettable!
Thank you very much!
There are also so many animals to see! And other experiences to do. We recommend you to come here and spend some nice quality time! :)
Bearito Bunnito — Google review
A fantastic experience with these magnificent eagles, each one had a completely different personality! Emma and Chloe were lovely, friendly and so knowledgeable, putting us at ease as we were both feeling a bit nervous at first. The centre is run by passionate and caring people, it really deserves a visit and support. Thank you for an unforgettable afternoon, we loved it and look forward to another visit for the owl experience.
EN Clubb — Google review
What an incredible stay at Eagle Heights. Can't reccommend this place enough. Beautiful scenery, amazing accommodation, lovely and well cared for animals, staff that care so much...the list goes on. Fabulous for couples and families. We will be back, meeting the husky and learning about the magnificent animals was a highlight. Thank you so much to our guide and all the staff.
Lucy Holder — Google review
Nice little place with great staff who puts the animals first.
We had booked a husky hike experience for May half term, but were unable to attend due to train strikes. The staff were very helpful and responded quickly with possibility of rebooking on alternative date.
Upon arriving on the new date, we were informed that the weather was unsafe for the dogs to hike (too warm). Instead of the hike they have offered a kennel tour. They have also offered an alternative arrangement, if we were not interested in the alternative experience.
We were interested and we were able to meet most of the rescued huskies and spend over an hour with them, meeting and cuddling each and every one of them. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone had the best experience and both us and the huskies were safe.
We had the best time and very likely be back soon.
Tomas Chytil — Google review
Great centre! We did a wonderful walk with alpacas. Our guide was very good, knowledgeable, caring of his animals and good humoured and fun. We stayed on to watch the bird displays (awesome). Lovely venue for children and adults alike. Highly recommend
Frankie Williams — Google review
Fantastic experience here! Definitely a must do if you're in the area. Lots of different species of birds to see and other animals. The display is a must too. Emily was brilliant and we learnt a lot of facts! A wonderful day out
Despina — Google review
Gifted a VIP experience day at Christmas. Highly knowledgeable, passionate staff. Great guide, M! Experience day included guided tour, front row seats of flying display, meeting with some of the huskies.
Marie Sachdeva — Google review
Very enjoyable and educational experience. It's worth planning your visit around one of the daily displays. You will learn lots about birds, their personalities, and training efforts. Wear some boots or footwear you don't mind getting muddy and wrap up warm for the outside display. There is also a cafe, toilets and gift shop.
Russell Carr — Google review
I bought an owl experience for my husband and we finally got around to doing it yesterday. We had a wonderful time. The handler Chloe was extremely knowledgeable and was so friendly. We felt at ease the whole time. The birds are sooo lovely too.
Georgia Taban — Google review
My experience was amazing, meeting the animals and getting the opportunity to hold little Winston was amazing lovely little day out and very accommodating for everyone, people are lovely and friendly.
Hannah Beckett — Google review
Had a wonderful time at Eagle Heights, came to walk some huskies, got to walk Deedee and Panda, who were both lovely, and it was a nice walk through the nearby forest and farms. They know where they want to go, so definitely recommend some strong legs and you'll be walking at a quick pace to keep up, but the weather was great, and it was a fun time.
After we got to see the meerkats and wonderful selection of bird in their twice daily bird show. It was a hot day, so the birds got tired fast, but it was amazing to see them in action.
Will definitely be returning. May try and do the husky kennel tour in order to spend a bit more time with the lovely dogs, we also paid to adopt Deedee after our walk with her as she was a sweetie.
Rob Raven — Google review
4.7
(1754)
•
4.5
(1517)
Lullingstone Ln, Eynsford, Dartford DA4 0JB, United Kingdom
The Lee Valley White Water Centre is a great place to go rafting, canoeing and kayaking, as well as having a range of other activities like disc golf and water Wipeout. The venue is well-maintained and offers plenty of opportunity for fun in all weather conditions.
Fantastic first experience for my two children (9 and 8).
The water centre is a hidden little gem that is well maintained to high standards!
Charlie was the instructor for the session and he was great! My kids took to him from the get go due to his very friendly, helpful and engaging delivery methods (a credit to the centre!).
The cafe and sand pit was an additional bonus as we were able to pickup post activity ice cream and my youngest have a little play before we left (free car parking for 4hrs as long as your car is registered at reception).
Mohsin V (MV) — Google review
We picked a beautiful day to visit my favourite Lea Valley White Water Rafting Centre. Great for a Sunday afternoon walk with plenty of things to see and of course you can always book to do some white water rafting. Looks so much fun!
Susan Sullivan — Google review
Great to visit even if you don't get in the water!
Half a dozen of us used the White Water Centre as a halfway point between us all and it was perfect for a walk around, a bite to eat and to watch what was going on!
The bar and food was great - especially the burgers, wraps and sides out on the terrace.
Then you're straight out either for a walk around Lee Valley up the canal or around the water course itself - interesting to see it without water in it too!
A great place to chill out and relax with friends.
Rich Arrowsmith — Google review
Beautiful open space alongside Canals. Great place for both nature enthusiasts, adventurers, young and old, also great for family picnics, birdwatching, cycling and dog walking
Mary Jane Lewis — Google review
Great fun great surroundings, whether a spectator or participant. Lots of water related activities supervised by enthusiastic experts. Young and old will find an activity to enjoy.
simon hayday — Google review
I visited here ss a surprise for my hubby who wanted to go kayaking for the first time. The price was very reasonable. There is white water rafting or a quieter area. The lady who looked after the group was really nice and helpful. She showed them what to do and really helped my hubby. He said it was fantastic. There are seats where you can be a spectator and a cafe for food and drinks. I would recommend you take your own as it was expensive
Karen Stockwell — Google review
I had a rafting experience as a surprise birthday present. I was hoping for a book a a cuppa...but no!
Instead all kitted up, we head for the raft. As there were only two of us, three instructors came Rory, Ty and Josh. They were fabulous, I had the best time ever. I laughed and screamed in equal measure, I also drank a fair bit of the water.
Being someone who likes to be in control I had none. I can not recommend highly enough. Wonderful facilities, amazing fun and brilliant staff. As for my son, I have words but none of the above.
Fay Cordingley — Google review
This is an amazing centre and a great legacy of the 2012 Olympics. If you like canoes then you have to visit. It also has a cafe that is open to visitors which is quite handy. It's a bit functional, and you wouldn't visit just for the food, but it gets the job done.
Damian Cannon — Google review
My daughter was going to this place for white water rafting on Saturday so I tagged along to take pictures.
What an amazing place for rafting , canoeing and many more water activities. I am really impressed by their safety measures.
If you haven't been you must pay this place a visit. Lots of parking and a nice cafe with indoors and outdoor sitting.
I see many people on leisure walking and having picnic or lunch at the cafe.
Sue Chong — Google review
A very enjoyable experience white water rafting with my family. Our instructor was very friendly and reassuring and the rapids were very fun. I couldn't stop laughing when my sisters fell out of the boat. Even when one of us did fall out there was someone nearby on the side ready to throw a rope if needed. A great time would 100% recommend
Thomas Starling — Google review
Seems like a lovely place to experience white water rapids in a variety of guises and with the added bonus of extremely attentive staff to rescue you if you get in some bother. You can also get pizzas and beeros and other things and it's got a massive outdoor area for sitting and whiling the day away.
Jethro Perkins — Google review
Great facilities. We were there to watch the kayak world championships, which was a very well organised event from a spectator point of view.
Kim Wood — Google review
Kayaking park and play is great! Especially if there's no rafts. The taverna on the terrace is good for a drink and food, and the cafe is pretty good too. This is a great facility and legacy of the 2012 Olympics. A range of activities are available for all the family. Take a visit to the water sports shop above and below too!
Craig Jones — Google review
Did rodeo rafting with a few friends. Great to do something different on a crisp October day. Outside terrace is nice but cafe needs a little improvement - no oat milk, no apple juice and had run out of quite a bit of food by 3pm Sunday.
Fee Schmidt-Soltau — Google review
Well appointed and well laid out water centre with multiple areas for practice and competition. Car park is functional and storage for equipment is robust. The food and seating area offer a selection of food and drinks with a series of views of the main course.
Staff were friendly and polite throughout and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit
Mike McConnell (Lorcav) — Google review
This place was real good fun. We did the rafting in a boat of 9 and it was a lot of fun. It can get quite vigorous at times but was great fun all around. The water wasn’t as cold as expected and this is obviously helped with the wetsuits
Bobby Budd — Google review
Lovely place but restaurant needs more drink options for kids (only had fizzy drinks, OJ or iced tea). Need to keep on top of cleaning too. Would love a better play area. Is the sand pit coming back?
Victoria Sylvester — Google review
Great white-water course, legacy for beginners and the Olympic course for the more experienced. You need to book to be assessed first. Lovely water quality.
daveabc12 — Google review
4.6
(3380)
•
5.0
(1919)
Station Rd, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB, United Kingdom
The Paradise Wildlife Park is a Hertfordshire zoo that features an enormous collection of 800+ animals from all over the world. You're allowed to feed and touch the animals, making it a great day out for kids. The park is well maintained and staffed by knowledgeable and helpful zookeepers.
This place surprised me of its beautiful decor, cute fauna variety and an amazing dinosaur section added to it. We were lucky to see all the animals relaxing in the sun & the interactive dinosaurs roaring with realistic bodily movements. Whether you love The Lion King or Jurassic Park, this place is a must!
Ruby Webb — Google review
We visited the Paradise wildlife park to do a Tickle a Tapir experience. It's a lovely park. Lots of food places. Good exhibits and viewpoints for the enclosures.
The experience was amazing. The keeper Joe was so friendly and very informative. It was lovely to meet Tim and Tamara the Tapirs. They were very content to be fussed over.
The Tigers were active and one was even taking a dip in the pool which apparently is relatively rare.
We didn't do the dinosaur walk but it looked really good. A great place to take children as there are lots of play parks etc.
All staff we encountered were really friendly and welcoming.
Highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.
Myfanw Jones — Google review
We visited this place for the 3rd time in 3 years. Kids still love it. Dinosaur walk was good fun with educational facts written next to each one. Great place to take photos. Zoo was also amazing, everything close by so don’t need to walk a lot to get from one place to another. Good variety of animals and managed to see most with good views. Dinosaur meet and greet, jungle dance shows, and the children’s soft play area were a great addition. They even have a dedicated multi faith prayer room which was very convenient.
Suleman Ahmed — Google review
Absolutely fantastic. Extremely underrated zoo! There is a wide range of animals to see and you can also pay for special interactions, (tickle a tapir) which are great add ons! You can easily navigate around the park and get up close to some of them which is great!
The dinosaur world is a great perk and makes the zoo unique. Was very impressing. An excellent choice for kids! Great value for money
despina kalozoes — Google review
Really enjoyable visit. Came for the day without kids and had a nice time. It wasn’t too busy or crowded at any point. Plenty of toilets dotted throughout the park. The food options seemed good and varied, and there were plenty of picnic tables and benches to sit on with your own food as well.
Some of the habitats are great - we particular loved the sun bears. They were so fun to watch! Others seemed a bit small and lacking and made us uncomfortable. I do hope they continue to update throughout and improve this.
I also had the red panda feeding experience which was delightful. The keeper who accompanied me was really lovely to talk to and I enjoyed asking her questions. I wish the experience could have been longer but I suppose with only one panda at the moment who isn’t bothered by bamboo, it was bound to be a bit short.
Overall a lovely visit.
Erin J — Google review
Brilliant. We went on the summer evening night event. The zoo, entertainment and staff were so nice. Our toddler went free as he is under 2 and for the both of us it cost £32.40 (we had a discount code so got £3.60 off). It's small and not huge. No queues or rush. We got to relax and enjoy it. Highly recommend it.
Razia Ali — Google review
Yes yes yes!!! I haven’t been to the park in 7 years and today went with my 8 year old and 1 year old. I often find it hard to find things to do that will suit both my children due to their age gap. However this was perfect!! I love the size of the park not too big not too small. The animals enclosures were massive and clean. The eating facilities had a great view of the enclosures. Felt like the tiger who came to tea moment. My son was worried about a snake as she was submerged in water, and her head seemed to be stuck between the rocks. We found a keeper who acted very quickly walking with my son and talking about his favourite animal on the park. She said the snake looked okay but would get someone from the reptile department to take a look. 5 minutes later she was back with another keeper! These animals are clearly well looked after.
The Dino park is a great addition and is so well done and blew me away. Both my children were a little scared so showed you how realistic it was!
They do have works being completed but this had no effect on our day out and no disruption. The work spaces are covered with the plans and this is a great way of communicating the change from the normal blank canvas.
However not having prams in one of the eating facilities wasn’t great. It wouldn’t have been a problem if the pram park was next to or directly outside the eating facilities but it was not, or you had a spare pair of hands. I sat my children down and managed to make sure my pram was tucked in as much as possible. A staff member asked me to remove it however I said this was impractical as a parent on my own. She said say she could look after my children while I moved it, but this wasn't okay for me. In the end she did offer to take it out for me. I spoke to a women while waiting for the changing facilities and she said that’s why she won’t eat in there. Also I hope with the new big plans for this zoo they do invest in more changing facilities. I had to wait 15+ minutes to change my daughter. This is why I have had to take a star away.
Lastly this zoo has amazing customer service, was second to none even with the pram saga. From the staff on the gates to the cafes and zoo keepers. We will definitely be back time and time again. Your staff are a credit to the zoo and I do hope you share this review with them!
P.s please can you add the Capybara to the adoption list or on the junior zoo keeper ☺️
Well done 👌🏻
Nisha Taylor — Google review
Fantastic Family Day Out at Hertfordshire Zoo!
My family and I visited Hertfordshire Zoo on a sunny warm day and had an incredible experience from start to finish. Arriving around 11am, parking was a breeze with friendly staff guiding us to overflow when necessary. We were pleasantly surprised to find no long queues at the gates.
The zoo itself is well-kept and maintained, offering something for everyone. With my 16-month-old daughter, 12-year-old son, my partner's 9-year-old daughter, and her parents, it truly catered to the entire family. Informational spots were plentiful, allowing us to learn while having fun.
The highlight for our children was undoubtedly the Dinosaur park, which provided a magical and unique experience. The staff were not only friendly but incredibly informative. When my daughter inquired about the constant plant watering, a staff member took the time to explain its importance and even offered to involve her in the process.
We made full use of the on-site facilities, from restaurants to little shacks, and especially enjoyed the well-maintained splash park. Overall, Hertfordshire Zoo provided us with a memorable day out filled with fun, learning, and friendly faces. Highly recommended for families looking for a fantastic day of adventure!
Nirmal Perera — Google review
Great day out with friends.
Visited the park because of a wedding celebration which took place in the event marquee.
Had a chance to explore the park and it was definitely worth it. Would come back here again.
Great selection of different animals which all appear well looked after and treated well.
On your feet for the entire time so wear comfortable shoes.
Chris Lowes — Google review
Visited with a lovely friend, 101 years of age, for a birthday treat with her daughter. What a fabulous day we had. She had a feed the big cats experience and fed a tiger. A lovely extremely kind and knowledgeable keeper guided her through the experience beautifully. I cannot rate this experience high enough. All the staff polite and friendly. We spent all day enjoying the animals and a nice lunch. The dinosaurs were amazing too. Definitely will be back.
Andi's Dog Training — Google review
Lovely wildlife park. We went during a dinner festival on a Friday evening the kids absolutely loved the music, dancing and the animals of course. It's very friendly and compact. My only criticism would be the quality of food available- not the best particularly for the prices you pay. Overall though, great fun!!
Rohit Alimchandani — Google review
The Zoo is divided into 2 sections. A dinosaur park and a more traditional zoo. The dinosaur park is good fun but more for small children while the Zoo is top class! Some great enclosures, with amazing views of the animals.
James Bowker — Google review
First time visit and very impressed. Scary dinosaur park was impressive, wonderful collection of stunning animals, kiddies enjoyed the play parks and splash area. Plenty of loo's. Easy to walk around and with a buggy. Foody places plentiful and two placed with views of the bears and tiger! Staff happy and helpful.
Colin Waring — Google review
We were fortunate enough to visit our of school holiday time -the local schools had gone back after Easter.
My family (children 4 and 6) had a lovely time. The dinosaurs were excellent and are based on the Jurassic World ones which include some of the hybrids - which my son absolutely loved!
It wasn't busy for us, but I imagine it can get quite busy as the place is rather compact. I wouldn't have enjoyed it had we had to queue up for everything. There is a lot of see and do and it's easy to get round in the day.
There is a splash area so if warm, children can get into their swimwear and have fun splash time.
The soft play is good too.
Take snacks and drinks because there aren't that many places to get these things from.
Born of the Sea — Google review
This is one of the best Zoos around, simple as that!
For young children it’s brilliant, so clean and well maintained - plenty of things to see and do, plus the soft play and multiple play areas help to keep them entertained. The park is laid out in a way it always feels like an adventure. You turn a corner and suddenly there’s a massive monkey enclosure, or a big bird display area.
The dinosaur adventure is fantastic too, combined with the train ride entertained the little ones for ages.
My only criticism is the lion enclosure feels a little small .. we had an amazing view of 3 beautiful white lions but perhaps their enclosure could be bigger.
I didn’t try the food, there’s plenty of places for picnics and I always find it easier bringing our own stuff.
Will definitely coming back when the beat enclosure opens
Beetyd — Google review
Second time visiting. It was such an amazing experience. Spent a whole day there. Visited the animals and managed to have quality time with my family playing golf as it was all private. Kids loved the play area, which had big slides, large trucks, swings, etc. Kids also loved the dinasour train journey. Was able to sit and enjoy eating in the cafe. I would definitely go again.
Shamima Begum — Google review
I’ve not been to Paradise Park for probably around 25 years and the memories I have from back then absolutely do not match up to what I experienced this weekend!
There is tons for the family to do. We arrived around half 10 and didn’t see our first animal until nearly 1, but that’s not a bad thing. The kids were in love with all the splash pool, play areas, the World of Dinosaurs, mini golf, more play areas and more. When we finally made our way to the animals we again wasn’t disappointed. We’ve been to a number of wildlife parks now and outside of the big ones (like London/Chester Zoo) here was easily the best so far. The park isn’t absolutely sprawling so you’re walking for miles but every area has a really good amount of space. The animals that we did see all looked very happy and comfortable, but unfortunately for us a lot of them were a bit too shy to come out and play. There is absolutely tons of interactive elements to most of the animals enclosures so the kids were never short of something to do between animals.
Food and drinks wasn’t too badly priced either.
I guess you could argue that the Paradise Park of today is a bit like the ship of theseus… So much has changed, is it even the same place it once was? The literal only thing I could spot that hadn’t been changed or removed was the red Dennis firetruck in the play area.
David Norman — Google review
I’ve visited twice within the past few months. The first was a day visit at the end of summer/beginning of autumn whilst it was still warm. My toddler had the best time ;we all did) from seeing the animals from different levels to the indoor unlimited soft play to the outdoor splash park and other play areas. I can see why families buy the membership packages. We revisited more recently to see the dinosaurs at night. My toddler is obsessed with dinosaurs and this was a night to remember with the lighting, dinosaur shows and meet and greets and silent disco. Would definitely visit again.
Tanesha Bryson — Google review
Brilliant. I last went around 25 years ago so it's claimed a lot. The gift shop was brilliant, the food was surprisingly nice and the animals looked well looked after. The enclosures looked really good and spacious considering it's a smaller place and we ran out of time for my 2 year old to go on the slides etc but she would've loved it. There's so much space so even when it's busy, you're not having to push past people. We spoke to a zoo keeper in the car park who had just finished their shift and he had great things to say about the place. He also said the staff know so much and love it when visitors ask them questions although people usually don't ask them as they think they're too busy. He said "please ask us questions. We've always got time to answer questions about the animals". Highly recommended and we'll definitely be coming back in the warmer months and with more of the family!
We visited on a Monday during half term in October for my daughter's 2nd birthday.
C Perrin — Google review
Had a great day out at Paradise Wildlife Park. It was much bigger than I thought it would be. The zoo was very clean and kept well and the layout and enclosures made animals easy to see while still giving them plenty of room. No giant animals but still so many animals to see and a few I've not seen in other zoos. We had lunch there which was reasonable and the burgers were really tasty. We played crazy golf which was fun and super cheap! We popped into the speedway museum which was fantastic as we both love motorbikes and the gentlemen gave us so much information we learnt loads. Great day out.
Becky James — Google review
We are longtime members of the zoo (back from when it was Paradise Wildlife Park) and it's hands down one of our favourite places to still go, even though our kids are tween/teenagers now.
There is so much to do, for all ages, whatever the weather, and all for one price as the entry covers the zoo itself, all the animals talks, playground, paddling pool, car museum, indoor soft play & cafe, playgrounds and the amazing Dinosaur walk.
The variety of animals feels just right and they are constantly making improvements and adding new or improved habitats/enclosures, all beautifully planned and finished. My personal favourites are the otters and the red pandas.
There is a good restaurant on site plus plenty of covered picnic areas, plus snack/coffee kiosks and ice cream!
Lots of events throughout the years plus late openings in the summer. A huge choice of animal encounters and experiences offer, plus so much great conservation and charity work both here and abroad.
Ample free parking, plenty of toilets, baby change and extremely accessible for buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters as so much is ramped. This means everyone can get a great view of the animals.
A great place that we will continue to visit and support 🙂
Rachel Ellen — Google review
Great Zoo for the smaller child, you can see the animals so close and my boy loved the world of dinosaurs so much.
The food is also reasonably priced and great park and soft play facilities.
Great day out for small children and no need for a pram as there’s little amount of walking between animals.
Joe Imberg — Google review
Took the children up to see Hertfordshire Zoo (the one from One Zoo Three!) and we had a wonderful time. We met Cameron and Aaron too!
The animals were great, the staff were super friendly and it just felt like a really nice place to work and be a part of. We saw a few talks and also the bird display (excellent).
The dinosaur park there was also AMAZING. Well worth doing. Use the timings on the leaflet you get on the way in to plan your day and you'll have a great time.
So yeah, we're absolutely going to be coming back again soon:)
James Whatley — Google review
Oh how wonderful it was to finally visit this beautiful place 🥰 after watching it on telly for so long with the kids, we all had a wonderful day ❤️ so much to see and so much information provided about the animals! All the staff are happy to provide more information and happy to when asked questions by the children and you can tell they love their jobs 🥰 we were even more privileged when we met Cam and Taylor, who took the time with my children who spotted them and were very excited to met them. The children treated them like old friends and Taylor and Cam were wonderful, thank you so much 🥰
Sam C-L — Google review
Thoroughly enjoyed my time there with my children. I have been here when it was paradise wildlife park many moons ago however returning back now with five children all under 10 was brilliant. The children had an amazing time and the new Jurassic park feature was brilliant 2. Free face painting for adults and children was also a nice touch.
Shahnuaz Meah — Google review
We had a look at this place a few days ago and wanted to check this out for the new year and something to kick off the new 2024 year.
Arrived there with no traffic getting in and a great go and stop signal system before you enter the carpark.
Very quick service getting in and being the time of the year half the stalls were closed.
The park area was wicked for my daughter she loved it.
Seeing the animals as well was a wicked treat to see and what we paid as well. And we will definitely go back.
The cafe was good priced and good food.
Josh Lloyd — Google review
Had a lovely day here, was very clean, they have just been doing up the Zoo and looks really nice.
Took two of us around 2 hours 30 to walk around everything and watch abit of the bird show (due to the rain they couldn't show all the birds as some do not fly in the rain like owls)
Was really short walks between all of the areas.
Was a great day out.
Bradley Perkins — Google review
Really nice zoo ,went in half term and wasn't to busy,zoo was clean and tidy staff was very friendly and polite .
We saw an array of animals from lions to snakes to the cute family of otters my daughter liked the baby otters the best .
The dinosaur walk was good ,the dinosaurs move and roar (not all but most) which made it that much better as an experience for the kids .
We did the zoo plus stop for lunch etc in a couple of hours,probably need 3-4 hours depending on your family ,but it's nice as it's not too big great for younger children, in my opinion, as younger children can tire easily and get bored .
There are talks in the day at certain times about the animals if you want to listen watch .
And in school holidays there are live shows on stage ie singing and dancing and you can meet rex the dinosaur 🦕.
There a couple of play areas ,one outdoor ,one under a canopy type and another indoor soft play so plenty to keep children happy .
There is food available but we took lunch as with all places can be expensive
Overall really nice day and we would definitely go again 😁
jojo x — Google review
All in all it is okay. Disagree with how small the enclosures are for majority of the animals. Im sure these cages can be made bigger given the prices they charge for entering and food/drink, it is really quite devastating to see animals in enclosures this size. I would recommend you going if you don’t care about the tiny enclosures these animals are in.
Carmen — Google review
Absolutely brilliant day, we met up with my son, daughter in law & 2 grandsons. They loved it, so much to do & see, they loved the dinosaurs. The weather was perfect too, what more could you ask for. Thank you for a fantastic day out, it's definitely worth a visit 😊 🦕🦖🦁🐒🐫
Sandra Joy — Google review
Lots to see and do, dinosaur really, train ride, kiddies play areas, animals etc. Good food and drink options or areas for picnics. Loved it so much we applied for annual passes at the end of the day and they deducted our entry fee we'd paid from the annual amount. All round fab time.
Shannon O'Hare — Google review
4.6
(8537)
•
4.5
(2588)
White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA, United Kingdom
The Tower of London is a famous landmark in London that houses Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. It is home to centuries of bloody history, including scenes of prisoners being hanged, drawn and quartered.
Certainly a must see if you are traveling to London! The history of the Tower is hard to comprehend when you consider that the place is older than the United States. Lots of history to take in from the jail cells, torture machines, to the tower, the ravens, and all of the armament, weapons and cannons to see. The Tower also has the Crown Jewels on display. I would plan to arrive early if you do not wish to stand in line for extended periods to see the Crown Jewels. They are worth seeing though…especially if you want to see diamonds, emeralds and sapphires the size of golf balls. Unfortunately, photos of the jewels are not allowed or I would post some.
As others have mentioned, there are a lot of stairs, narrow spiraling staircases and some narrow corridors to walk through. That said, it was certainly one of the many highlights on our London trip. I’ve seen people give estimates of time for this visit. I would say 3-4 hours is probably a good estimate (not including a long waiting time in line for jewels). We read some of the signage on displays and then just passed by others. If you are the type who reads it all, maybe longer.
S. M. (Smacks) — Google review
Great day out, lots of history and beautiful views of the castle and Tower Bridge and a nice cafe inside. You can follow a guided tour or purchase an audio guide, though neither is particularly needed as there is plenty of information displayed in all parts of the castle. Not really suitable for buggies or wheelchairs as there is lots of stair climbing involved.
Melissa Mattingley — Google review
Admission was a little steep but totally worth it. We paid under £30 per person, but it varies by date and what website you purchase through. We bought tickets in person and not in advance.
As soon as we walked in there was a beefeater starting a complimentary tour. He was very funny and informative, and explain the history of the castle and the surrounding areas with a lot of detail given to the history of executions here.
There is also an audio tour available at an additional cost.
We left his tour to go explore by ourselves and we saw the king's Chambers which were fascinating and included a marker in the chapel where King Henry VI was assassinated. Awesome. There were active guards marching around who still live inside the castle.
Actors were doing a play in the courtyard by the White Tower. There were plenty of bathrooms and a couple of cool gift shops.
You could easily spend three or more hours here.
As with most attractions in the city, parking could be a problem but we did not have a car.
Oliver Warne — Google review
Amazing! The Beefeater was just brilliant. Everything about this place was perfect. Amazing day out with tons of history and stories. All ages will enjoy this place.
I was on a company excursion, so I can’t tell you about waiting times etc.
Andy Holmes — Google review
It was a wonderful experience and a great place to visit. The history of the place is amazing. It is advisable to take the guided tour as the guide really knows his stuff and gives you some great insights into the history of the place and also gives good advice on what to visit next as the place is a really big place. You really need at least 4 to 5 hours to see the place properly and to learn about the history of the place and to take some lovely pictures. Well worth a visit.
Paul Evans — Google review
A great place to come and and explore some of the history of London. Came here on a flying visit so didn't get a lot of time for a detailed visit although I would highly recommend. There's lots of interesting facts as you work your way around the map given to you as well you order yours tickets at the office. The crown jewels is another area definitely worth a visit although no photos are allowed to be taken here. Will definitely come back again for a more detailed visit.
Andrea moulton — Google review
Fascinating history, guided tours are amazing and definitely worth while so you can learn more about what you are looking at. Lots of information around the tower though. Make sure you look at the map so you don't miss any sections as it can get quite confusing as to where you've been. The gift shop is full of lovely souvenirs.
Jessica Roberts — Google review
Absolutely worth a visit make sure you’ve got the legs for it there’s a lot of walking to do. We did the 45 minute tour guide well worth it. Saw the guards and importantly visited the white tower and the Crown Jewels. Unfortunately we got there later than expected and then found out the tower closed at 16:30. If you haven’t been go visit it is a must see my 9 year immensely enjoyed it.
Paul Kalsi — Google review
I came for my second visit in a little under 50 years! I was in awe of the architecture of the building and at how deceivingly big it was inside. I came along with a local community group and we took a tour with Wayne, a resident Beefeater. He was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour! After eating our packed lunch, we decided to take a look at the crown jewels. The queue was quite long but it moved pretty fast. As we were waiting, we were greeted with the amazing views around the tower grounds. It was a tad cold and windy but I'm sure it's beautiful in the summer.
Going in to see the crown jewels, I was a little disappointed at the way it was displayed. It was quite dark and sparse inside. The crowns themselves were amazing, such beautiful jewels.
I would have liked to take a bit more of a trip around the other areas but on a quieter day. That's the only thing I don't enjoy, too many people around.
Tracey-Anne — Google review
A very interesting place to visit. the place is steeped in history. We all read about it in textbooks and saw it in movies. Incredible feeling. The treasure chest is simply amazing. Crown of the Queen! Cool! Very cool staff. And these crows)))) I recommend without hesitation! Use the audio guide.
???????? ???????? — Google review
A must see for any London travelers interested in its rich history. Enjoy this amazing castle and all of its nooks of deep history. There are a lot of steps so keep this in mind. It's easy to get tickets and although there are a lot of people, it's easy to navigate throughout. Tons of amazing photo opportunities. Have fun!
Jason Woodland — Google review
This is a beautiful site to see. This is where the Crown Jewels are held and was a big fortress!! I mostly came here just to see the Crown Jewels, even though some of them were out due to the Coronation of Charles III, but this place was an amazing place to visit. But this use to be, and still is, a military fortress. A little fun fact, during WWI, the Tower of London did military training, even though it was still open to the public visiting the place. I just find that extremely interesting.
The Tower of London is one staple of London history, British history, and Royal history. The The Royal Family has their Crowned Jewels here where you can see them on display. Dating back to 1066, but made famous by William I (William the Conqueror) when he moved here in 1078. Kings William I (William the Conqueror), King Henry III, and King Richard I were living here at one point all adding to the historical site. The Tower of London has been a fortress for the majority of its time, but I found interesting is that it was used as a prison until WWII, with soldiers training here with the prisoners on a different side of the site. You can go see the Crowned Jewels here, which were amazing to see (there's no photography while seeing the Crowned Jewels). I truly enjoy walking the grounds here and seeing some of the Crowned Jewels the British Royal Family has to offer.
Traveling Pierogi — Google review
One of the main tourist attractions. We were here on a weekday in September. Although it was quite busy, there were no queues and it didn’t feel crowded. Extensive collection of weapons and armor, and interesting history of the place. The animal statues made of wire are awesome!
Jan Verheyen — Google review
Amazing tourist attraction of this wonderful place,it is one of the most visited places nowadays since the Royal Jewels are guarded here. The Royal jewels are amazingly displayed, and the history of them is well explained all along the place. Big queue for the Crown Jewels once you got inside the Tower, but well worth the wait. I suggest everything try to come early in the morning around the 8:30 slot. It will not be crowded at that time. There are lots of things to see inside the tower. The Cafe inside is a great place to take relief. The exit is beside the Thames with awesome views of Tower Bridge.
We thought it will take 2-3 hours but we spend almost 5 hrs. The fortress is maintained properly. The audio guide helps you a lot when you are in. The Ammunition department is amazing.
I will definitely come back to visit them again whenever possible.
Rohit Patange — Google review
Fantastic history. Beef eaters were brilliant at informing us of the history of the place. He made it so entertaining. Made us laugh.
There are many stairs to climb.
Looking at the beautiful crowns and museums to walk around were educational.
Worth visiting.
Maria Merrydew — Google review
A wonderful place to visit when you are in London. It covers a little bit of the history of the city, military, history, and a unique look at the growth of the monarchy throughout history, including viewings, and tours of the royal jewels. There is a lot of information about the architecture of the building, and the views are amazing. I would highly recommend it to people and families.
Sean Kinney — Google review
Amazing place to visit! We had recently come from Ireland and to hear the different pieces of British and Irish history intertwine was really neat! I highly recommend paying the extra bit for the audio tour once you get inside. It helps give you a little bit extra that you can’t get from just reading all the signs. I also recommend getting there before noon so you have enough time to see everything!
Joshua Carter — Google review
It is a very cool experience. You get to step back in time, seeing things from a long time ago. There is a lot of history and information to read and take in, so many cool things.
I would recommend buying tickets in advance for 9am. I was dropped off at about 8:05 and was able to get some good pictures of the exterior of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. There are a few coffee shops around, so you can grab some coffee before the line opens. I got in line at about 8:30 and was towards the front.
I would recommend going to the Crown Jewels first as you will have a bit of space before the crowds decend on the attraction and there is a long wait. Even if you have a voucher for a guide book, I would get it after.
If you have a voucher for a guide book, the place is on the right hand side of the building, the audio guides are on the left. So, if there is a huge line on the left, don't worry, you can slip in and get the book. The books are in several languages, and there is a option for the kids book.
Benjamin Flores — Google review
Hadn't been in around 20 years, was pleasantly surprised that there were many activities for both children and adults. The crown jewels exhibition is better than I remembered. Would recommend spending around 4h here in total.
Adam Daneshmend — Google review
If you visit London, you cannot say that you have been there if you have not visited the Tower of London. This is a wonderful fortress close of the Thames River, very well conserved, and has beautiful inner views. It is highly recommended to buy the tickets online because there are long lines of people waiting to buy tickets. I loved the place and highly recommend it.
Carlos Ledezma — Google review
A great day out. Its worth getting there for opening and going straight to see the Crown jewels. That way there will be minimal queues and you may get to spend longer in the crowns room than you would later on.
The rest of the Tower is great and an amazing deep dive in the English history. You really should go at least once in your life.
If you do everything it’s easily a whole day.
kenneth giles — Google review
The Tower of London boasts a rich history and stunning architecture. While the highlight is undoubtedly the Crown Jewels, the site offers a glimpse into England's royal past. However, for those seeking more diverse attractions, the experience might feel somewhat limited. Nevertheless, the Crown Jewels alone make it a memorable visit. Book your tickets in advance before you visit.
Subhankar Das — Google review
Very enjoyable day out with lots of interesting facts and history about the people who lived - and died - there. Well worth the ticket price. Downside: no restaurant or cafe, only food and drink kiosks with outside seating
margaret trojan — Google review
We had cold, extremely windy weather with spots of rain for our guided tour (early April) but our Beefeater was very entertaining. It was so fun roaming around everywhere! Felt like a maze, with little hallways, lots of spiral staircases and bridges to cross. Gorgeous views of the Tower Bridge, too.
Jessie Thomas — Google review
Sadly I didn't get to go into the tower it self due to time problems and the ever occurring problem of me being broke. But the outside was more then worth my while. The whole castle is massive. Like way bigger then I thought it would be. And the architecture and surrounding views made for a lovely stroll through London.
Jonas Maenhout — Google review
Really enjoyed visiting the Tower of London. I visited with my daughters year as a school trip, so unfortunately our look around was a lot more rushed than I would have liked, but loved what I saw.
Seeing the armor for the kings & horses, the weaponry & where torturing happened was great. Walking around the site where Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Jane Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey & others were executed & seeing the Traitors Gate where people would have come into the grounds & the towers where they would have been kept was brilliant. Seeing the Crown Jewels was amazing. They were so beautiful. The craftsmanship of the clothing, armour, jewelry, flags & tapestries was breathtaking. Seeing the guards on patrol was awesome & there are lots of people around who you can talk to and ask about the Tower to get more of a historical experience. There's an interactive room where you can get involved with things in there which was great and the chapel was beautiful.
There are some steep stairs and spiral staircases in places which some might find difficult, but all-in-all I really had a great time. Seeing as our visit was hugely restricted due to it being a school trip, I'd love to give back with my family for a whole day.
Donna Rider — Google review
Wow, the Tower of London was even more incredible than I imagined! From the moment I walked through the gates, I felt transported back in time. The Yeoman Warders were fantastic storytellers, bringing the castle's rich history to life with humor and enthusiasm.
The Crown Jewels were, of course, a highlight – it's hard to believe they're real! But I also loved exploring the White Tower, wandering the medieval walls, and even spotting a few ravens (those cheeky birds!).
Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique London experience, the Tower of London is a must-see. Just be prepared to be amazed!
Tips for your visit:
* Get your tickets online beforehand to skip the queues, especially during peak season.
* Take advantage of the free Yeoman Warder tours – they're the best way to learn about the castle's secrets.
* Allow plenty of time to explore – there's so much to see and do.
* Wear comfortable shoes – you'll be doing a lot of walking.
I hope this helps! Have a fantastic time at the Tower of London!
The iconic Tower Bridge, built in 1894, spans the River Thames and is a major tourist attraction in London. It's currently one of the London Bridge box girder style bridges, which was built from concrete and steel. The current bridge won't fall down any time soon!
It felt very safe, was beautiful history getting to see it. If you want to go here tell everyone you want to go to or get directions for the "tower bridge' or the drivers take you to a flat bridge that is also called the London bridge. Yep it happened to me so be more knowledgeable than I was.
Also a great little walk between the flat London bridge and the river with restaurants and coffee places. Very romantic little stroll ...London was amazing!!!
#shepherdgirl Neasa Barnes — Google review
Firstly, although the staff were great at sorting me out when I didn't have a paper ticket and just one on my phone, it is not good that paper tickets are needed (and they printed mine out). In today's age and ecological crisis, paper should not be needed. They need to sort that.
There is no wheelchair access that I could see. Lots of stairs both up and down so be aware! There's also not a huge amount to see in the towers themselves. Considering this is not a free attraction, I would expect more.
Having said that, DO go to the engine rooms. That was excellent and informative. Well worth the trip.
Overall, just about worth it for the price. Don't make it your big trip of the day though. It's fun but short.
Ken Powell — Google review
“Visiting Tower Bridge in London was an absolute delight! From the moment I set foot on this iconic landmark, I was captivated by its grandeur and historical significance. The majestic structure, with its towering towers and intricate Victorian architecture, truly exemplifies the architectural marvels of the past.
As I strolled along the high-level walkways, I was treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the River Thames and the cityscape beyond. The glass floors added an exhilarating touch, allowing me to marvel at the bustling traffic passing below my feet. It was an experience that made me feel both connected to the city’s vibrant energy and humbled by its rich history.
Inside the bridge’s exhibition, I was immersed in its fascinating story through interactive displays and informative exhibits. Learning about the construction and engineering feats behind Tower Bridge deepened my appreciation for this iconic landmark. The highlight, of course, was witnessing the bridge open up to let a passing ship through—an awe-inspiring moment that reminded me of its vital role in facilitating maritime trade.
The staff at Tower Bridge were friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and provide insights into its heritage. Their passion for the bridge’s legacy was evident, making the visit even more enjoyable.
Overall, my visit to Tower Bridge was an unforgettable experience. It’s a must-see attraction for anyone visiting London, offering a perfect blend of history, architecture, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a memorable experience, Tower Bridge will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.”
I hope you find this review helpful!
rohit bamane — Google review
It's a must visit historic place in the centre of London. Very old and Iconic place. The beauty of the bridge can be seen from long distance. I feel everyone should get a ticket and must see the engine room along with the history of the tower from day one. There is a lot of information provided at the top of the bridge. When you walk on the glass way you will definitely get goosebumps. The place is always crowded so when you visit please make sure you have done the advance tickets booking as on arrival the queue will be quite long and you will end up waiting in line for an hour or more. If you want to take more pics and make reels better come early in the morning so it will be very less crowded. When you go inside the tower at multiple places washrooms are available. In short I must visit the place.
Rohit Patange — Google review
Undoubtedly a main photo spot in London, Tower Bridge stands as one of the city's most iconic landmarks, attracting visitors from across the globe. Its majestic structure, flanked by the iconic towers, creates an unforgettable backdrop for photographs. As one of the biggest attractions in London and a globally recognized symbol, it offers countless picture-perfect spots, whether capturing its silhouette against the skyline, witnessing its mesmerizing evening illumination, or simply savoring the grandeur of this architectural gem. With its remarkable history, striking design, and ample photo opportunities, Tower Bridge rightfully stands among the world's most celebrated and photographed attractions
Fayiz Mannisseri — Google review
Tower Bridge, standing just beyond the Tower of London, is more than just a bridge; it’s a journey through London’s heart. A short stroll across this iconic structure offers breathtaking views (yes, in a good way; enter Seinfeld reference) and a sense of history.
Crossing over the Thames, you’ll find yourself on a scenic walkway, a perfect vantage point for soaking in panoramic sights. From here, the Tower of London looms impressively, while the London Bridge and the sprawling cityscape stretch out beyond.
It’s a spot where the beauty of London is seen and felt. Tower Bridge is a inexpensive gateway to some of the most picturesque views.
Patrick R. — Google review
No visit to London can ever be complete without a visit to the Tower Bridge. Undoubtedly one of London's most famous monuments and with good reason. First of the bridge is massive and filled with details. Walking across it feels truly magical. Gazing upwards toward the towers is almost as enchanting as the view you have from up here. A must in London if ever there was one.
Jonas Maenhout — Google review
It was a great experience to enter the Tower Bridge towers, go up and down the stairs and especially walk the two walkways above street & river level. The glass floors were really cool. They don't extend across all the way but only in the middle of both walks, and for people who don't like it there is a wooden walkway to the side so this is suitable even for the less daring. You get a great panorama from up there. The engine rooms also come with the ticket & you get to see how the bridge was operated in steam engine time.
S. Dreg — Google review
The Tower Bridge. Now while there’s no cost to cross the bridge I would highly recommend purchasing tickets to go across up top. It’s well worth the steps. If you need to take a lift one is available but seeing the staircases, and all the factual, historical information they give you on the way up makes it all the more worth it.
We bought tickets for 13.30 and arrived a bit early, and the staff didn’t mind us getting in the queue. It was a bit long but moved very quickly, again you could take the lift or the stairs we chose the stairs (we were told there’s somewhere around 260 of them). As you walk up the stairs there are posts and placards that tell you all sorts of facts regarding the material that went into the bridge and other fascinating details. The wood creaking stairs only adds to the experience. Once at the top there’s a spot to rest even before going to the upper bridges.
You may think the entire upper bridge is “glass bottom” it isn’t, but each side does have a small section where if not to crowded you can even lie down and take a photo. You’ll walk all the way across one, down the other and turn around where then you can decide you next move.
Once down the stairs they send you off to the Engine Room which is also included and the gift shop. This alone has been such a worth while part of our visit, I would highly recommend it.
Cassandra P — Google review
This review is for the paid attraction to go to the top:
Great view on one side. Tickets are much cheaper compared to other attractions, but that's not an excuse to throw in so many people into each batch. If the top was a bit less crowded, it would've been great.
Sanmegh Thokade — Google review
Like many people I was also confused that this the London Bridge BUT when I visited I came to know that this is Tower Bridge. A marvel, gorgeous structure over the river Thames. The view is only good if you see it from a far distance. If the weather is good, you can walk across the bridge. There is a ticket to go up and if you are really interested to more about this deeply.
Digamber Naswa — Google review
Another must visit in London. The most beautiful bridge in London I would say. Lovely pics from every angle.
Very busy place however you can do like we did and go very early to get pictures without hundreds of people behind us.
We had blue sky which made our visit a bit better despite the cold weather.
Be careful of people not following the signs which tell you which way to walk, a shame because it would make the crossing smoother.
Karen Avilez — Google review
Visited the iconic London Tower Bridge and was utterly captivated by its timeless elegance. The intricate architecture tells a story of history and craftsmanship that leaves you in awe. Whether you walk across during the day, with the city bustling around you, or experience the magical lights at night, every moment is a feast for the senses.
The bridge not only offers spectacular panoramic views of London but also serves as a testament to the city's rich heritage. It's a photographer's paradise—every angle is postcard-worthy.
Surrounded by charming cafes and the serene flow of the river, the atmosphere is simply enchanting. London Tower Bridge isn't just a structure; it's a journey through time and a must-visit for anyone seeking a touch of magic in the heart of the city.
Rahul Sahukar r — Google review
Great experience overall. You can wait to buy tickets to go up into the tower and view the engine rooms. I thought it was a fun event and fairly cheap compared to other sites around the city (£30 for a family of three). We waited 40 min to get tickets. They also have pre-purchase tickets or time reservation to hold your spot in line at a specific time for you to jump the line.
C & T VDH — Google review
Fabulous views and reasonably priced. The mirror above the glass floor was a newer addition I hadn't seen before. Although taking the lift would have been easier we enjoyed the climbing the steps up reading facts along the way, it made the top a treat. Photos from the top came out really well 👍Small children enjoyed the engine and pump room, it is very well restored.
Buffa Bee — Google review
The beautiful tower bridge. (Tourists often confuse this to be the London bridge.)
Well this is a bridge too, and check out the pictures to see how amazing it looks when a big ship passes and the bridge is open. This is one of a kind bridge. To know more about its construction do visit inside the tower bridge. It’s amazing to see vehicles crossing under you.
Great tourist spot , walk the bridge to see it in detail. It’s a must do in London!
Nivedita Narayan — Google review
It’s a very nice touristic place.. there are restaurants near by where you can also enjoy the view.. we took a walk on the bridge. If you want to walk on the top where there see through glass there is a payment of either 13 or 20 pounds but the tower itself is closed you can just walk along the corridor from one side to the other. Walking down though is free and it’s a must see when you visit London
Alhan Shaker — Google review
This historic gem located in the heart of London is an absolute must-see. It's an iconic testament to the city's rich history, standing proudly as a symbol of its heritage.
I highly recommend getting a ticket that includes a visit to the engine room and a journey through the tower's captivating history from its inception. The wealth of information provided at the top of the bridge offers a deep dive into its past, enriching your experience.
Walking on the glass pathway is an unforgettable thrill, sending shivers down your spine as you take in the breathtaking views. It's important to note that this place is always bustling with visitors. To make the most of your visit, I strongly advise booking your tickets in advance. Arriving without pre-booked tickets might result in lengthy queues, which could mean waiting for an hour or even longer.
For those seeking the perfect photo opportunities or aiming to capture stunning reels, consider arriving early in the morning when the crowds are thinner. Additionally, you'll find conveniently located washrooms at various spots within the tower, ensuring a comfortable visit.
Lucas Kovács — Google review
Such a great iconic building to see with your own eyes. So much detail on the buildings. Awesome views all around. Great gift shop close by. Nice walk over the bridge towards the tower of London.
Sally Sawyer — Google review
We visited London on a family trip and visited here. The scene of the bridge opening was awe-inspiring. It was amazing to actually see a scene that I had only seen on TV. Even when viewed from various angles, you can feel its diverse charm. I haven't been there at night yet, but I would like to visit at night if I get the chance.
Taeik Hwang — Google review
One of the most iconic, if not THE iconic bridges in the world. It’s painted and colorful and easily walkable. Nice wide sidewalks for pedestrians and lots of traffic of course. Stairs at each end. Views of the Tower of London and the River Thames and other very significant buildings of London.
The bridge is lit up at night and is even more glorious.
BerryTheCat — Google review
To see this bridge in person still leaves one in amazement. A very iconic part of London, indeed. We went there on a weekend and the area was understandably packed. At around 11am, the queue for the walk above was already long. We did not opt to go up for personal reasons, but I bet the views above are breathtaking, could be literally.
Roan — Google review
Great experience finally learning the detailed history of an iconic landmark of London. We have all seen this marvel before in books and movies. To learn all about and actually touch and see the striking views from the top is a must! The staff are all helpful kind and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend going up to the walkway and experiencing the glass floor! Highly recommended
Nick Pastore — Google review
Revisited the museum and experience inside the two towers after 20 years.. . Well presented with history, facts, events and helpful staff that gave us more information. The fun part is to walk on the glass walkway! I dare you to try it!! 🤩 Engine room on ground level is good too. It’s an amazing architecture and engineering.
Doris Chan — Google review
It’s one of the most iconic bridges in London and it’s definitely worth a visit. You can cross the bridge for free on the ground level (where the cars are driving). But it’s also possible to go to the top of the bridge if you are willing to pay for it. You can enjoy a great view to either side of the bridge. It’s nice to cross the river as a pedestrian but if you find a bus that crosses there it’ll be just as good.
Lucas Edelmann — Google review
A magnificent example of Victorian Gothic architecture! This iconic drawbridge leaves every visitor awe-struck with its grandeur and technical genius. The panoramic view from the walkway reveals splendid cityscapes. An intriguing piece of history lies within the engine rooms, taking you back to the industrial revolution era. A perfect blend of beauty, history, and engineering marvel. The bustling neighborhood adds charm to the overall experience.
Chartwell is a preserved estate in Kent that holds significant historical value as it was once the family home of renowned British politician Sir Winston Churchill. The National Trust site boasts well-manicured grounds, including Churchill's lake swimming pool and a kitchen garden that supplies produce for the onsite Landemere Cafe. The house itself has been kept unchanged since the 1930s and is open to visitors, with an exhibition showcasing fifty of Churchill's personal items being a new highlight for 2019.
It's a very pretty romantic place. Churchill had bought this for his wife Clementine and since then, it had to become their family home. He had a separate unit which he used as his studio. It's full of his own paintings. Nice time to visit the garden to see the blue bells too. Many small ponds adorned the land. He was very good at masonry work too. The little playhouse he built himself for his children still survives. Loved the whole place.
Kumudu Studds — Google review
I absolutely loved this place, I had been a few times as a child and it has such presence that I remember most of it. The work by the volunteers is admirable, they really know their stuff and they make the experience even better for learning.
I would definitely recommend that you do the private art viewing, we had someone called Neil and he even gave a tour of a special room, not open to the general public. The gardens were beautiful and you will find yourself wandering around and time will fly by.
Toby Driskell — Google review
Had a great time at Chartwell yesterday! There is plenty of parking space available and good cafe and toilet facilities. The grounds are vast and excellent for families or dog walkers. The house itself is extremely interesting and full of information about Churchill and his time here, his studio is very interesting as well. You can get amazing views of the county from his garden as well. Would highly recommend and will very likely visit again.
Peter Hart — Google review
I visited this charming house last week (July 23') with my 3 month old in a sling. The house and gardens are beautiful! Great cafes - always a must. Thank you to the friendly and knowledgeable staff for their help calling the bus to take me and the buggy back to the car park!
Josephine Morris — Google review
Amazing experience learning about Churchill's residence. Gorgeous house and grounds. Walking paths all over. Beautiful gardens and ponds with black swans. Playgrounds for kids. Studio showing his artwork on the walls. Public toilets. Lots of parking. Cute gift shop and book store. Great place to take photos inside and outside. Kids all over enjoying the grass to run and play. Loved this experience as a visitor from the USA. Thank you to the volunteers who taught us so much!
Diane Johnstone — Google review
Great day out here whilst staying in the Kent area. House was lovely to visit and you get a timed ticket so this allows a steady stream of people through. Exhibitions about Churchill are really informative and you can visit his studio with artwork on show. Gardens and grounds are fab in their own right, especially when we visited in spring and lots of blossom was around. Good cafe and shop and adventure area for the kids, dogs are welcome in parts of cafe and on wider grounds I think.
Highly recommended, staff / volunteers are friendly and approachable.
You may be lucky and see Jock VI around the grounds (unfortunately I didn't)
Hannah Rapley — Google review
Winston Churchill’s home, studio, and beautiful expansive gardens.
This is absolutely worth a visit for people of all ages and abilities (and maybe even your furry four legged friends) as it has fairly accessible walking paths, play area and house hunt activity for kids, interesting information for the history buffs, and beautiful gardens and walking paths for seeing nature.
Recommend getting house tickets in advance to avoid possible disappointment in busy times.
Also try to join the studio talk (basically a mini one room tour) if possible as it gives an interesting insight into his love for painting.
There is quite a bit of parking but this can get full on summer weekends.
The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, and next door is a nice National Trust gift shop and bookshop.
Becky T — Google review
Lovely place to visit. The home of Sir Winston Churchill. Lots of information on his life during the war and his love of painting and his garden. Beautiful setting in the vale of Kent. Well worth a visit.
Linda Bentley — Google review
Both house and garden were delightful and, naturally, very interesting since Winston Churchill's life was varied, fascinating and hugely influential. The café was efficient, very important since I believe this is the most popular National Trust property in the country. Visits to the house are timed to ensure that the house doesn't get too crowded but, even so, we didn't have to queue to get into the house.
Andrew Miller — Google review
Great place. Plenty to explore. It is quite nice to hike all the way up to see the tree house, but I wouldn't recommend to go with baby stroller. The car parking costs £4.40 for non heritage member.
Yu Sakuragi — Google review
I have been wanting to go here for a long time, finally made it on Good Friday. It didn't disappoint. Stunning grounds and property. Lovely home of Winston Churchill and family. Loved the gallery with alot of Winston's paintings. Would highly recommend.
Kate Morris — Google review
This home is amazing! You know and feel that you are walking in the footsteps of a family. Practically touching their famous lives. Soo special.
On top of it you are guided, informed and served by an incredibly friendly, well informed and helpful staff, they are the gift on top of a perfect experience.
Thomas Overbeck — Google review
Lovely day out. Gardens are so beautiful. Best take a picnic and enjoy the sounds, smells and views.
The house itself is very interesting with a museum all about the great man himself.
Give yourself at least 3 hours
Rowena Bush — Google review
Grounds not as extensive as if imagined. Nice woodland walk though as well as house and other points of interest. Two cafes but further one may be seasonal as it was closed. Main cafe v busy but staff coped well. Gardens looking great (Oct) but lake has a lot of high fencing and around it atm.
Jef Crow — Google review
Absolutely fantastic house, gardens and ground of Winston Churchill. You can make a day trip to this national trust property. We went a few years back but it was too late to visit the house. Car parking is free for the member, and you just need to scan your membership card to get a ticket, otherwise is £4 for the whole day by cash/ coins. You can also get the parking ticket at the ticket office paying by car. There is cafe, toilets, plants sales at the entrance of the property. You then can get map and free audio guides. You will be giving a timed tickets to go to see inside of house.
If the weather is good, you can bring some picnic and a blanket to have next to the pond near the rose garden and the house.
The house is well worth visit. You go in from the front of the house and show your tickets. Very nice pictures, uniforms and collections of the arts. ..
You can then go to the studio to see some of Churchill’s paintings.
Remember to see the garden and go for a walk in the woodland. There are a couple of play areas and the tree house in route.
We had a enjoyable day here. Recommended for all.
e tradecom (e-tradecom) — Google review
Visited for the Easter trail that is being put on by National Trust. Great little trail, was really engaging for the children and took them around the small gardens with plenty to see and the. At the end they got a little egg as a prize which went well with their book and Bunny ears both thoroughly enjoyed it. My 6 yo says it's he best trail he has done! Took advantage and visited the house which I haven't been too since I was a child. Really nice house kept in good order considering the footfall it must get. Very friendly people in all the rooms who said hello to the kids and were on hand to impart the fantastic knowledge they have sadly having a 2 year old in tow we didn't have the chance but I will definitely come back when they are bigger or we can get someone to have them for the day. Grounds are expensive and plenty of walks which look like a good day out for another time. Toilets were very clean and the shop looked immaculate. Didn't get to the cafe this time so maybe next.
S Kidd — Google review
The home of Winston Churchill.
It was a very interesting visit to the home of the great man, with unique insights into his personal and family life while living at Chartwell.
The house is full of historic detail and facts, including Churchill's political career, especially through the turbulent years of World War Two.
The small museum within the house, which contains gifts from world leaders, from Stalin to Kennedy, is highly recommended.
We walked around the well maintained grounds, but there are some sloping footpaths which could be tricky if you have a mobility issue.
Located in the grounds are Churchill's studio, where there are many examples of his paintings. A further walk revealed a small brick playhouse which Churchill built himself for his beloved children.
Restaurant facilities were very good, clean and well attended by the staff, with a good choice of food and drink.
All in all we spent about three hours here and will definitely go back later in the year.
Highly recommended!
Roger Polden — Google review
Beautiful, didn't go in the house this time. Some of the paths are closed, but plenty still good for a wander. Sat near the cottage garden looking out over the veg/chickens/tulips garden and had lunch. So beautiful, even saw a couple of butterflies.
Car park is on the side of a hill, cute cafe and shop near as well.
Aj Powell — Google review
I have mobility issues, but off-road wheelchairs are available in the centre, complete with a map. However, instructions are not great. Some areas are impossible to access. Ramp to house, but wheelchairs don't fit through doors. I recommend you use the virtual tours available via computer. Beautiful place those and well worth a visit and great Easter egg hunt 😀
alison Finlay — Google review
Lovely place as with most of National Trust's sites.
Architecture, History, and landscape all coming together to bring you an amazing experience.
Not a great fan of Churchill, you have to admit he was a multifaceted personality. Accomplished painter too.
The highlight for me is the dining room.
Relatively near London. Easy to reach by car.
Antonis Kalogerakis — Google review
Fabulous place. The house is beautiful with lots of history. Loved the dining room. In my opinion this the pearl of the house. Gardens amazing. Definitely worth to visit.
Anna K — Google review
My wife and I decided on a visit at the last moment one morning, and we probably did not do enough research on it, because when we arrived we didn't quite believe how much there was to see! It was absolutely amazing! We started off by visiting the studio where many of Winston Churchill's original artwork is displayed, but even the scenery on walking to it was breathtaking, with ponds and lakes and views miles into the distance. The walled garden was fascinating, and we sat above it for a while to appreciate the vista! The really huge, old trees kept me focused on how old the whole place must have been, and the walk back to the main house was equally worth the time. As for the house and contents, well, just incredible is about the best of describing it. It was a great day out, and just how good it was proved to be a topic for conversation on the way home.
Nick — Google review
It’s a 5* for the family!
Came today for a walk around the grounds and it didn’t disappoint: big gardens to walk around, up & down and ensure kids and dogs get exhausted. Beware that it is fairly muddy so manoeuvring a pram in the fields can get quite tricky but it well worth it.
House is closed for refurbishment but there is a small exhibition and the studios are lovely with all the paintings.
Eventually the cafe has fresh and tasty food along with friendly staff.
David Aobadia — Google review
Without a doubt one of my favourite National Trust visits. Yes, it's a beautiful place, stunning views and obviously the home of Winston Churchill, but I found the guides here outstanding.
Incredibly passionate and informative, they were incredibly engaging and made the house come to life.
Jo G — Google review
The house, gardens, woodland and the history make Chartwell a worthwhile visit, as a National Trust member we've been numerous times during all seasons & weather and have never been disappointed. Nice shop and large cafe (with usual National Trust prices!)
Hever Castle is a 13th century castle and childhood home of Anne Boleyn, located in Hever, Kent. The castle is an incredible place to get married with its lavish furnishings and stunning gardens. There are two rooms that can accommodate 64 guests each and the views from the castle grounds are breath-taking.
A great day out with a lot to offer. If you like Tudor history you can see plenty in the Castle, but for me, the gardens were the highlight. Huge and mature, the main gardens are impressive. The Italian Gardens were spectacular and worth the trip to me. Columns, water, statues, tulips. Dramatic and beautiful.
We did not see everything and shall probably return to see more.
MBK Wildlife Photography — Google review
Honestly, nothing can do it justice. The castle is wonderful, especially at Christmas. The grounds are exquisite. The staff and volunteers are helpful and knowledgeable.
The bed and breakfast is absolutely better than anything you can imagine. The rooms ate incredible, the service wonderful and the breakfast ( and dinner if you are able to dine there) excellent.
Honestly, just cannot enthuse enough about this place. It has become our favourite.
Adele James — Google review
What a lovely day out. We'd been before twice, but not been for a good few years. The sun was out and the flowers in bloom. There was a little cold wind but we found a sheltered spot for our picnic. There was a little queue for the castle but definitely worth the wait. There is an audio tour while in the castle, very informative. Both the water and hedge mazes are great fun. The gardens are amazing and must take ages to tend. The lake was lovely but the cold wind blew in from there. There were plenty of food vans around and a couple of restaurants but we did not buy coffee in the pavilion as there was over a 30min wait to get coffee, they need to sort this out as that is not acceptable. Overall excellent day out that I would recommend
simon futcher — Google review
Lovely day out with plenty to do. Good parking within walking distance. Entry process smooth. Beautiful gardens, roses, lake. Historic tour of House recommended and the audio guide added to the experience. Food outlets are good. Small museum to the Kent soldiers. Children's play area. Boating Lake.
Recommended as a lovely day out with something for everyone.
Valerie D — Google review
Probably has become my no 1 favourite castle to visit.
Beautiful castle and surroundings, loved every minute of it. Highly recommend to do the lake walk, takes an hour but worth it!
Fun day out here, so much to see and do, lots of ducks!
Kimberley A — Google review
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Hever Castle yesterday. The history of the house is very interesting. The gardens are really beautiful. There's a lot for kids to do. The water maze,in particular, was a big hit with the youngsters.
Well worth a visit, go there if you can.
Mark Griffin — Google review
A beautiful place , gardens are lovely with something new to see round every corner. The water maze was fun , and happily we solved the yew maze too! The moat cafe had enough food options including vegan ones to satisfy all of us. Close to Halloween when we were there and we chatted to a vampire, spotted a ghost and saw lots of crashed witches. Well worth a visit for adults and children alike.
suzanne shaw — Google review
Beautiful castle with great exhibitions and lots of great informative staff. It also has lovely gardens and a very nice walk around the lake on the grounds. Definitely worth multiple visits for the many different events held throughout the year
Glenn McCain — Google review
Wonderful family-friendly experience.
The gardens are absolutely amazing, regardless of the time of the year you go, there's something special going on.
The playground is insane, a real add-on to the visit ! Beautiful walk around the lake to finish, lovely food selection and plants/gifts to buy.
Marie Anselot — Google review
Beautiful place. We stayed in the castle B&B and was able to wander around the garden before it was open to the public. Great place to spend the day with kids. The kids audio guide in the castle is great fun. It kept us entertained for nearly 2 hours.
maria gonzalez — Google review
Visited a couple of weeks ago, so worth the visit of the garden and castle. Well kept and interesting audio guide, plus kiddies playground was superb. Archery was fun, payable separately in cash. A couple of places to eat and have coffee. Shop was well stock too. Seen a wedding held there and bride photos taken in front of the castle
Diana Manasieva — Google review
Such a beautiful place. Visiting the castle felt like time travel, but we loved the huge park even more. The rose garden is amazing. Everything is looked after so well and there is so much to discover :)) Perfect destination for a wonderful day trip
Claire J. — Google review
Great day out. Been here before but not during the jousting competitions. Great experience and they involve the kids so it's fairly family friendly. Would recommend a walk around the gardens and the castle (even though the castle itself is quite small). A lot more food options than last time I went, and the gift shop is pretty decent. Very tidy overall and very helpful staff.
Craig Higginson — Google review
Great place!!! Castle is amazing. It is not big, which is good and when you walk through all the rooms you are not feeling tired. You enjoy everything. The gardens and the lake (especially Italian gardens) blow your mind. Thoroughly recommended!!!
Natalia Pronina — Google review
A friend had toured the castle and grounds and mentioned that there was a B and B. We were only in the UK 6 nights and only had one night to spend here--and I'm glad that we did.
The Falstaff and Bremly rooms were wonderful and the staff was even better. We took their recommendations for places to eat and all were top notch.
And then there is the castle--what a treat.
Brian Hamilton — Google review
An absolute gem of a place. Beautifully maintained with plenty to see and do. We got to see plenty of the castle interior and I’m sure it will be even better following the offing renovations. An amazing slice of British history. The cafe was also good with decent coffee and cake.
Drew B — Google review
I stayed at Hever Castle for the night, hoping to get my head down to study. This didn't happen because there is far too much to see and it is absolutely beautiful! Friendly helpful staff. Lovely room with everything you need. Stunning surroundings. You can wonder the grounds after all the visitors leave, and you're also given entry into the castle. I would highly recommend
Corene Hughes — Google review
What an amazing day we had!! Steeped in local history! We got the family ticket which allowed us in to the gardens and around the castle which a has an excellent audio tour to accompany it! Parking is free! You can take a picnic or buy from the many food stalls available! Dogs are allowed on leads and there is a huge adventure playground for the kids! We drove from West London which took around 60 mins on a bank holiday. I would highly recommend!
Nils Fearons — Google review
We had no idea how much time we would need to see and experience all. Which means, we have to come back for sure.
This place is amazing. And so many activities going on. We did only book the gardens, but with watching the jousting, the weaponry demonstration, the battle of the knights and visiting the Italian garden and lake, time was running away from us.
Great day out. Most people bring there own picnic as there is ample space to rest on the various lawns throughout the park.
Definitely a place for a family. Kids will be entertained, as there is so much going on for kids of all ages.
We loved it. Next time we will be visiting, we will come much earlier and leave time for a visit of the castle as well.
There is lots of parking space available for free and wheelchair accessible as well.
Sabine Eifert — Google review
We loved it. What a wonderful place to visit. The history of the Boleyn family and its relationship with Henry VIII is prominent on display.
The grounds are spectacular and the craftsmanship in the castle is amazing.
The staff were extremely helpful and friendly.
I would definitely recommend the trip.
Shane Giddings — Google review
Really great park to visit! Especially for kids, but we went as a family and a dog! Dogs are allowed around the garden but not inside the castle.
There are loads of activities for everyone, interesting architecture.
We went on the boats which was about 19£ for 30 minutes and definitely worth it!
There are people dressed up in costumes and interesting stands to see from back in the old times.
For families I would recommend, even for a walk as a couple. There are entrance fees but no fees of parking.
STASKA S — Google review
Lovely place buzzing of joy and wondercolours of autumn as we visited on an October Sunday. Everything for everyone- military museum at entrance, history castle with lots of information, great Halloween decor, fair selection of snack and cold or warm drinks to buy, nice souvenir and gardening shop, amazing gardens and maze. Highly recommended either for family, friends, romantic or just for a day out !!! Hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.
S. Alexandra — Google review
A great place to visit if you enjoy both history and gardens. If you like to know more about the Tudor era, you must visit Hever castle. It's a beautiful house, and it has great gardens filled with pretty flowers and different types of maze. It's a pleasant place to visit with family and friends.
Fatemeh Ghaedi — Google review
The tiniest castle I have ever seen! So interesting history and the most versatile cool garden with fun mazes. I enjoyed the walk so much despite the weather wasn’t the best.Why 4*? I found it a bit cheeky to charge full price when most of the rooms in the castle were under refurb. Also, the cafe girls have no manners or customer service skills. There was chaos and dirty tables in the cafeteria. Dog friendly castle and garden was a plus 🐕
Nusynasy S — Google review
Excellent day out. Lovely gardens, interesting house. Almost too much for a single day trip. Can be a longish walk back to the car park. Very helpful staff. Water maze on a hot day good for kids. Food a tad expensive but to be expected.
Neil green — Google review
Great castle to visit. Packed with stuff and interesting stories of the history. It set in massive grounds with gardens and a lovely lake. Very picturesque. Look out for the animal topiary. The snowdrops are lovely at the moment in February with some daffodils as well. The tour for £3 is very worthwhile with extra stories and more rooms to visit.
Denis Parker — Google review
Beautiful garden and palace! A bit pricey but well worth it. Ticket with palace entrance include audio guide for all—-kids version as well and very entertaining! Lovely garden and amazing shop, don’t forget to visit the miniature Tudor models tucked at the back of the shop! A gem!
Estef Vargas — Google review
A lovely visit to Hever Castle.
I went with my 85 year old Father and he loved it too We had been many years ago,so we were overdue a return visit.
Highly recommend it for a relaxing day out and the history of the castle itself if fascinating. The Maypole dancing was really fun to watch and the Sheriff of Nottingham and his crew were brilliant too.
Penny Atkinson — Google review
A really enjoyable day out. Huge gardens and lots of walks to see, lakes, waterfalls, colourful and aromatic plants. The Castle is beautiful, crammed full of history, ranging from hundreds of years ago to (fairly) recent. Staff are very friendly and welcome. Our guide, Susan, was very interesting on the behind the scenes tour which was well worth the £3 each. Would go again and at different times of the year to get full experience of the gardens.
Samantha Hale — Google review
Fabulous castle with fascinating history. We had a behind the scenes tour with an excellent guide who was so knowledgeable and kept our small group very interested. We visited in the spring and saw lots of daffodils and other spring flowers. The gardens are immaculate and absolutely amazing. Would love to visit in the summer to see the summer flowers. Definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend.
Melanie King — Google review
It is time to breath history here. The gardens are amazing. I recommend you to dish out the additional fee to enter the building. We even paid an extra to have the behind the scenes on the unfinished section of the internal renovation, the lady guide was very informative and we had a lovely tour
Yalcin Trana — Google review
The most special place with gorgeous gardens. No end of people spend so much time here making it pristine and beautiful, all I can say is thank you and hats off to your talent! Fabulous acer trees to be admired here amongst other things!
H J/X — Google review
The castle is filled with some very interesting history which is relayed through a free audio guide. Unfortunately a number of the rooms are currently closed to the public.
There are ample grounds to explore, a maze to get trapped in and well manicured gardens.
NSLondon — Google review
A delightful.plsce to visit for a wander amongst beautiful gardens, lake & explore the history of the castle. Clean and well maintained. We look a picnic as food/drink.prices are typically high in such places & they were here too. A nice day out.
Jane Spray — Google review
4.7
(11158)
•
4.5
(3846)
Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG, United Kingdom
The British Museum, established in 1753 with collections from Sir Hans Sloane, houses over eight million items from around the world. It offers themed departments such as Ancient Egypt and Sudan, Greece and Rome, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Despite its renowned antiquities like the Elgin Marbles, it's also toddler-friendly with a Families Desk in the Great Court for guidance and Museum Explorer Trails for kids.
Superb few hours here with our first visit. Allow loads of time as there is so much to see and explore. There is something for everyone and would recommend going to each level. Although it's free entry it's worth doing a donation as well. My grandchildren are also fascinated with the museum. Plenty of facilities to make the visit more enjoyable.
John Anglin — Google review
Excellent experience. Beautiful place outside and inside. Many interesting collections. Enough to do here for a whole day.. Download the app and you have your personal audio guide for all the exhibits throughout the museum. Food and drink is sold on site, and a nice gift shop to get yourself a memoir.
Yahya Vali — Google review
Some of the most precious objects in the world gathered in one place for the pleasure of the public. An incredible archive of human history, a life affirming glimpse into the past and an outstanding reminder of the depth of man's ingenuity.
Don't miss it. If your time is limited, plan ahead. Identify the objects or exhibits you want to see. A week wouldn't be long enough, to take the time, to appreciate every incredible treasure there is to see.
Rigby S — Google review
Fantastic experience! The staff were very helpful and the displays and exhibits were marvellous. Everything was laid out logically and spaciously.
The only negative point is there isn’t a lot of seating and it can be quite tiresome. More benches and seats are definitely needed.
Lee Harrison — Google review
Absolutely divine place! Everyone must visit The British Museum at least ones in a lifetime. But to be honest one whole day will be not enough to explore all rooms and exhibitions. We will return!
This is an outstanding experience with super comfortable amenities, delicious food, great rest zones, a lot of entertainment for kids. Can’t describe my love to The British Museum enough!
Hanna Vielkova — Google review
Amazing experience and all for free! The history of the museum and its additions is a story within itself. The Egyptian section really tapped into imagining what life was like for them. The original museum building being staged how it was originally designed to be used was an insight into society and their interpretation of other cultures at that time. Absolutely fantastic and a Covid safe place to visit. It's hard to describe all the magnificent collections, you'll need to visit yourself 🙂
milin patel — Google review
A wonderful experience on a very wet London day. We arrived mid morning and we were expecting to queue but we went in easily despite the security inspection. There is no cost so no awful queue like the Louvre. We were able to leave coats, bags and umbrellas at the cloakroom for a very reasonable price. This freed us up to enjoy the museum. It is huge! We got a free map then decided to buy the guidebook and study it before setting out. We went to the 3rd floor first and booked for lunch at the restaurant. We then did the 3rd floor which is vast before an EXCELLENT, late lunch. Then down to the ground floor galleries. Unfortunately, the Parthenon galleries were closed but there was so much to see that it really did not matter. Keep some energy: The gift shops and book shops were amazing but since we are travelling light, we had to resist.
We made a donation because this fantastic museum is still free. Enjoy!
Alice Newton — Google review
As a big history buff, the British Museum certainly didn't disappoint me. I was at the museum with my family, and it was an experience I will never forget.
Even though there were a lot of people and the museum seemed a bit cluttered, once you got to the areas where there weren't so many people, it was a dream come true for me. Beautiful and containing descriptions, I spent several hours in the museum. I liked the passage of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Japan the best. But the most interesting exhibit was undoubtedly Rosetta Stone. Although I understand that for someone who is not so interested in history, the museum may seem boring. For me, it was an experience ! won't soon forget and if l'm ever in London again, I'll definitely go again.
Кристофер — Google review
It’s a giant museum. There are many floors and many sessions. There are many samples from different continents and regions of the world (I wonder how they all ended up there?). You need almost a whole day to be able to see everything very calmly and absorb all the information. However it is a unique opportunity and you must do it, even more so that admission is free.
Jeferson Kozenieski Couto — Google review
Love this place, wish I could spend more time in this place. It is quite big and I only toured a portion of it. First of all it is free so expect a lot of tourists. Large atrium with a great gift shop. The artifacts are all on the side of the building, and they are nicely preserved. I really liked the Egyptian, Greek and Asian artifacts. Bathroom situation is not great, so plan accordingly.
Wuji Fei — Google review
I keep coming back here as it is such a wonderful museum. There is so much to see and you could spend an entire day exploring. It's an absolute labyrinth so a map is advisable. It was a hot day and the museum was quite warm so dress accordingly. There are some temperature controlled areas and seating throughout, should you need a rest or cool off
Robert Broglia — Google review
Our third museum visit on the same day. This was always our go to museum on past visits to London.
There is so much to learn and rediscover here, and we love the Assyrian and Egyptian exhibits.
Also, the huge covered roof creates such a wonderful place, with the two cafe dining areas bookending the souvenir store.
The reading room upstairs is also a must visit.
Entrance is free but you need to book your date and time online in advance.
steven lim — Google review
The British Museum houses an extensive and diverse collection of history, culture, and art around the world. The exhibits are well-organized and provide insightful context.
We spent about 4h walking around and absorbing history. You can definitely spend more time because it's huge and requires a lot of walking.
Entry to the museum is free!
Would recommend doing homework on what you'd like to see the most and plan your route before your visit.
We took a map and clearly indicated "must see" which made it easier to navigate.
Overall, it's a must-visit destination.
Highly recommended!
Mubashira Khan — Google review
Amazing place to visit, just not happy about the booking time slots, still have to join the long queue, there is no separate queue for advance bookings. Also when you book online you have to pay donations although it says it's free. But people on the day just join the queue and no-one put any money in the donation boxes. So what's the point booking in advance. I will say just go on the day join the queue and off you go. Great collections from different parts of the world especially Egypt.
S Ahmed — Google review
Fantastic museum!
If you're visiting with children under 16, go to the family centre (-1) to get a free locker to put your coats and other stuff away. You will also find a space to sit and eat your lunch.
Caroline Vanheukelom — Google review
I've wanted to come here for quote sometime. Some fantastic artifacts on display here spanning different cultures and time periods. I really recommend but be prepared if go during school holiday a huge queue outside as you have to queue to have your bag checked before entering. So much to see you could spend absolutely hours here. I can't comment on the cafe as I didn't visit there but a stall outside a had an amazing late from.
Corinne Dyer — Google review
Super worth visiting, a great collection. Staff (security at the entrance) super helpful and friendly. Queue can take a bit long because it’s very busy, you need to book your tickets before hand (but it’s free). If you like to really read and aprons the items, save something around 2-4hr for this visit. For those who carry big backpacks, there is a shopping right in front of the main entrance that you can leave you luggage for £6.
Highly recommend!
Thais B — Google review
A vast amount of historical heritage in one place. Many civilizations, an immense museum. Be prepared to spend over 6 hours to visit the museum; it's commendable that there are places to buy food and drinks within the museum.
Book your tickets before the visit to enter more quickly, and also, do not carry a backpack as it will expedite your entry; you won't have to go through a check.
Nesovic Vladimir — Google review
Have been many times before but went to see the temporary “Legion, Life in the Roman Army” exhibit. Totally spaced it and didn’t preorder the free timed entry and had to kill some time at the Starbucks across the street. Once in I explored some of the favorites - Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Japan, and China.
The Legion exhibit was interesting. There were some wonderful looking artifacts and the displays were well arranged. I liked the idea of following along in the foot steps of a single person. My one complaint is with the patrons, not the museum - when the place is full and there are others looking at the same display, don’t be thoughtless and constant in front of the thing like it’s your own little party. Be aware and be considerate.
Michael Blair — Google review
4.7
(150031)
•
4.5
(74133)
Great Russell St, London, WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
One of London's most popular tourist attractions, the London Eye offers panoramic views of the city from its 443-foot wheel. The Eye is busiest during holiday periods, but can be visited at any time of year and provides an excellent opportunity to see the capital from above.
Fantastic staff and attraction. Very convenient location and easy access. This is a very busy area, but it is well signed and easy to navigate. There are many services on site and you can enjoy the surroundings before and after the ride. The ride itself is fantastic and offers wonderful views of London - especially if you are a picture taker. The pricing is reasonable and you can also bundle with other attractions. We did find this a bit confusing, until we were helped by a friendly staff member. You do have to watch times as they gave us a tight connection to the next attraction - no worries though as there was a wait time there. Well worth the time and cost
ken smith — Google review
Another must do in London. Panoramic views from the sky. The booking and other arrangements can be done via the website and it's quite smooth overall. The views from up top are stunning! Thames river, London bridge, tower bridge and Many of the legendary buildings can be seen. The design of the eye itself is pretty cool :) I'd strongly recommend this :)
Ajit Bhaskar — Google review
I had an absolutely fantastic experience on the London Eye during my husband's birthday weekend! We decided to purchase tickets in advance using discount vouchers we found online, which turned out to be a great idea.
Even though it was a busy day, our early arrival—30 minutes before our scheduled slot—ensured that we didn't face any waiting time. Staff was very friendly and cooperative. The entire family had an amazing time, and we got the chance to experience not just one, but two incredible performances, one was magic show and the other one was music show. The restroom was clean, though it's worth mentioning that there is a fee for using them. The weather was perfect, allowing us to spend a delightful 4 to 5 hours enjoying the stunning views and vibrant atmosphere. For those planning to visit with kids, I recommend bringing along some snacks and water to keep everyone energized. All in all, it was an unforgettable day.
Yusra Aijaz — Google review
The London Eye is an iconic modern marvel that offers a unique perspective of the city's skyline. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, this giant observation wheel is a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring London.
The experience of riding the London Eye is nothing short of breathtaking. As you ascend slowly in one of the spacious glass capsules, you're treated to panoramic views of London's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben, the Shard, and St. Paul's Cathedral. The slow rotation ensures you have ample time to take in the sights, and the bird's-eye view of the bustling city below is both mesmerizing and tranquil.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, providing interesting insights into the history and geography of London throughout the journey. Whether you visit during the day to enjoy the city bathed in sunlight or at night when it's illuminated by thousands of lights, the view is equally enchanting.
While the ticket prices may seem a bit steep, the London Eye delivers an unforgettable experience that's well worth the cost. It's an excellent way to gain a new perspective on London and create lasting memories. Whether you're a tourist or a local, a ride on the London Eye is an essential part of your London adventure.
Shiva Chaitanya — Google review
Fantastic staff and attraction. Very convenient location and easy access. This is a very busy area, but it is well signed and easy to navigate. There are many services on site and you can enjoy the surroundings before and after the ride. The ride itself is fantastic and offers wonderful views of London - especially if you are a picture taker. The pricing is reasonable and you can also bundle with other attractions. We did find this a bit confusing, until we were helped by a friendly staff member. Well worth the time and cost. Amazing views of London especially the views from the top! Completely enjoyed the flight
Akshay Kotattil — Google review
It's London's must do tourist attraction. You can see for miles around and have a great view onto the Thames and houses of Parliament. It's always busy, so it always has a queue of tourists waiting to get on, but the queue is well managed and keeps moving all the time, as the eye doesn't actually stop turning, you are skillfully managed on and off the cabin as it moves slowly along the ground section. You can take bags on, which are checked by security, and take as many photos as you like. On a clear day, you can see as far as Scotland 😉.
Paul Garner — Google review
Repeat visit after ~6 years. This time we bought advance tickets using some discount vouchers. Experience this time was much better as I think the overall crowd was smaller (not sure why). It was still plenty busy but the staff were quite good at guiding the people and sticking to the promised time slots which made the queue go quicker.
The ride itself was as wonderful as last time. Thankfully the little rain earlier had cleared off and it was pretty clear for the duration. Excellent views as expected.
Overall I think its a bit steeply priced (for repeat visits) but using discount vouchers made it reasonable. Definitely a must-do for first visit and in decent weather conditions!
Kartik Pawar — Google review
Great tourist attraction. I'm pleased that pods are not overloaded with people. You have space to move about and take in the different 360-degree views of the capital. We've been lucky on the occasions we've ridden the eye and gad sunny and clear days. I think nighttime would also be an amazing experience.
The mechanism is slow and smooth. You hardly feel the motion as this rotates, and the inside was clean and smelt fresh.
It is surprising how high you feel when you reach the top, so if you struggle with heights, there's seating in the centre of the pod if needed.
This attraction is permanently busy, and rightly so. A great attraction to visit and experience in London.
Sean Mayes — Google review
Super cool experience. Got to see so much of London from this height!
Recommend going with a friend, especially if you have any fear of heights.
The line was long but moved fast. And there's even a chance to get a photo of you via green screen during the wait.
Highly recommend you get tickets prior. Just makes it easier.
Joshua Hopkins — Google review
A must do/see! London eye was such a cool experience! Book in advance and choose the flex pass for a few more pounds. We rode the London Eye at night and the view was amazing! I’m sure you can see more during the daytime , but the lit up London view was pretty magical! Heads up - you’re probably going to want to buy everything at the London Eye gift shop. But if you walk just across the way to the other gift shop (literally, right across) you will save some money and have more souvenir options.
Kristelle Cruz — Google review
The line's quite long but it's worth the wait. I really recommend to buy the tickets online.
Amazing view. You can see the landmarks of London clearly inside the capsule and there's also seats inside if you ever get tired of standing.
Evita Cindy — Google review
This is one of the best attractions in London! We went at night and had a pleasant experience looking at the city lights. The ride itself was safe and slow moving. It was definitely elderly friendly. They don’t overcrowd people into each “pod”. It’s pricey, but worth every penny.
Moon Jung Lee — Google review
The London Eye is the Most amazing experience. It is accessible within walking distance of the Tube stations and the view is absolutely INCREDIBLE!
I have had the privilege of doing this outing on the London Eye a few times and each time is more amazing than the next.
Don't miss out on a few hours to enjoy. The tickets are available on line and make sure to book the fast track pass. Much quicker and easier than the queue.
Carolyn Botha — Google review
The view is nice, but the windows are not very clean and the reflection of the light limits the quality of the photos that can be taken. The tickets have an entry time, but the queue control is not the best and you could spend two hours in the line. If you want to queue less (20 minutes) you have to buy the ticket that costs 15 pounds more. The ride takes approximately 25 minutes.
Carlos Ramos — Google review
It was an amazing experience looking the whole London city on the top of Eye 🎡 👀. You can see Big Ben, House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, The Shard, Tower Bridge and many more.
The only thing that was concerning, waiting queue was too long on the weekend especially during this summer time. I was tired standing for an hour and affected my experience to fully enjoy. Also, the position of sun 🌞 during that time ⏲️ , just between afternoon and evening facing towards me and sun rays blocking the other side to see freely. This is why I would recommend a time of early morning and the time during sunset 🌇 is even better (of course not during long summer days because of early closing time).
In the end, I would love to see evening view hopefully during the next visit.
Sameer Gangat — Google review
Just look at these photos; it's worth the money you pay to ride the wheel. It's breathtaking. My advice is to buy the ticket in advance and opt for fast pass. We were there last Christmas, and it took us less than 5 minutes to get on. It costs a bit more, but it's worth every euro you spend. It's essential to go on it if you're in London.
Haridian Correa — Google review
Leisure walk by the riverbank. A great place for photos taking. Along the river walk there are many make shift stalls that sells food, snacks, desserts and souvenirs. The day we went were cloudy hence many photos taken does not turn out to our expectations. Very crowded too hence photos taking are a bit challenging. London Eye, Big Ben and Tower Bridge are within walking from one another.
SN P — Google review
I can't describe how the view from the London eye appealed to me. Although it is quite an expensive experience, it is well worth it.
Beautiful view and wonderful photos. Short waiting time and one round takes about 30 minutes. You can see the river Thames, the British Parliament and Big Ben. I recommend it!
Кристофер — Google review
One of the best viewing decks in London. The total trip is around 45-60 mins. The most preferred time to visit is during sunset because you will get to see some amazing sunset views. The night view from a distance is just majestic. Book your tickets online and u can select the slot of your preference.
Aditya Balpande — Google review
Twas a very busy day but the queue moved quickly. Great experience, hardly felt like the wheel was moving hence I was relaxed the whole considering that I'm afraid of heights. Take note you have to be quick swift when getting on and off the ride as it doesn't stop, I saw very old people get on with fair amount of ease. We used our phones to take pictures but there's an option to take one before and as the ride ends and this is charged separately.
Charmaine Moyo — Google review
We booked the champagne experience. Well worth the extra dollars! Our host Beatrice was absolutely amazing! Very friendly welcoming and professional. She is very knowledgeable and can take a cracker of a photo! The actual ride was pretty awesome views were unreal. Lucky enough to go on a beautiful day :)
Nathan Hilton — Google review
Enjoy 360° panoramic views of London. Plan ahead and pay for the Fast Pass, it is 100% worth it to skip the long lines. Once inside, the ride around is about 30-40 minutes. There’s a bench in the middle to sit and enjoy or you can stand around to get a closer look. Fun experience for both adults and children.
Alan YDR — Google review
One of the highlights of London. Well worth the price. Book your tickets in advance. Even with a ticket, you have to wait a while. The cabins offer stunning 360 degree views of the city below.
Beat A. Schwendimann — Google review
The queue moved fast. The breathtaking views made it worth the wait. Took the students on a school trip, and they were captivated by the expansive scenery, couldn't stop gazing at it.
Sandra Incendiario — Google review
My first experience from inside. The view is very unique. I saw the city from a different perspective. That was really nice. The glass of the capsule was well prepared for people who like to take pictures. There is nothing wrong with this attraction except the entrance fee😁
Thank you🤩
Ales Tvrdy — Google review
The line was long but moved very quickly so it didn’t feel long at all. The eye moves at a slower pace so it is not scary getting on or off while it is moving. They do stop for people that need extra time to move. There is a small, very limited seating area in the middle of the pod, so if you are the last to enter you might not get a seat. The entire pod is clear so you can get a full clear view from every angle. There is a photo at the end and the side of the photo is labeled in the pod. It is a nice tourist experience.
P Reviews — Google review
4.5
(172686)
•
4.5
(89926)
Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
The National Gallery in London is a museum that features the works of some of historys most celebrated European painters, from the medieval period to the early 20th century.
I love the way the National Gallery have made visits easier by proposing three different routes - the A, B or C. This makes a visit there more manageable. In the past, I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the vastness of the collections.
The artworks were beautifully displayed but noisy schoolchildren fooling around and amateur artists plonked right in front of some paintings blocking your frontal view tended to mar slightly the wonderful experience. On the whole, though, it was a wonderful experience.
Liz Biggs — Google review
It always takes my breath away. I love to go in and find my favourite paintings even if I have only got 45 minutes! The joy that this treasured building is free to enter makes it possible to do this - and makes me so proud. I used to go straight for the museums…. Till the first time I went in! I was stunned by the depth of Turner’s paintings and the sheer size of some….. and the way they glow. Pictures cannot do it justice. Always try and make time for the gift shop. Look up at the ceilings…. Look down at the floors. Magnificent.
Fran Bradley — Google review
So huge, and wonderfully designed. The most famous pieces are scattered around which I think works well for the museum, as in places like the Louvre there isn't much done to prevent bottlenecking, whilst here I was able to see well known paintings easily without overcrowding, so I was able to enjoy them too! The spaces are very light and open. The exhibition on St Francis was very interesting, too. Like many museums in the UK the admission is free, and it would certainly be worth a visit even if it wasn't!
Honor Doherty — Google review
One of the best galleries in London with loads and loads of art works. You can spend a whole day there because there is that much to see. Make sure to take a note of the must see ones before you visit so that you don't miss out on them.
Arun Joy — Google review
Wonderful museum. It was a school holiday, so there were lots of children there as well. Incredibly well presented. Room after room of beautiful masterpieces. We could have spent two full days there.
Bill Thane — Google review
I mean, you kind of know what you're getting into when it comes to London's great collection of art. You'll find art from each period over the last 500 years, names you'll recognize both big and small.
Plan to spend at least an hour, and try to avoid a busy time if you can as it does get crowded. If you are going during a busy period, then definitely buy tickets in advance.
Jason Wieczorek — Google review
Lovely museum with free admission, though do prebook a ticket so you can skip the long line waiting to buy tickets. Well laid out, so fairly easy to follow rooms in sequence and not miss anything. Raphael is still the best in my opinion, and he didn’t disappoint here. One of the best art collections in the world - do not miss.
Travel with rakesh — Google review
One of the best art museums located in the heart of London at the famous Trafalgar square.
You have to book tickets in advance online, however, entry is totally free and in case of non rush hours they do not even check your tickets which mean you don't have to stand in queue as well.
In addition to the portraits and the paintings the architecture of the gallery from the inside is really wonderful.
Recommended for a long visit for art lovers but even if you are not an art lover - still recommended for a quick visit if you're in Trafalgar Square.
Abdul Samad — Google review
This art museum is beautiful, the building and the paintings are great. The gallery is free to visit! They could easily charge £1 or £2 per person entrance fee for maintaining this property and it’s collections. Anyway, thanks to the British government for being so generous! I would surly recommend this place for any art lovers.
Tabitha Munshi — Google review
The National Gallery in London is huge, has extraordinary priceless paintings, ample seating, lovely architecture and admission is free to everyone. Of course, it merits 5 stars.
Bathrooms close around 20 minutes to closing, so time wisely.
I had taken a bus to Leicester Square, but it is easier to go to Trafalgar Square to locate the museum.
Kelly Cambridgeport — Google review
Lovely experience for me and my teenage Son. Really nice setting and amazing paintings. Always wanted to see these legendary exhibitions.
I would 100% recommend to pre book your place/tickets as the queues were insane!
Andy Keen — Google review
A vast collection of paintings by most renowned artists from Europe is on display here. Arts enthusiasts and professionals would enjoy going through these paintings. Please note, If you’re carrying a backpack, the security team would ask you to wear it on your front door.
Suresh G — Google review
It's a lovely location with many priceless works of art. The best part is that it's free. It is well worth your time to reserve a shift, or little more than four hours, so that you may take advantage of everything the National Gallery has to offer. Yes, the structure itself is a work of art; take your time and appreciate each picture, each tale, each room.
Bonifacio Roger — Google review
The National Gallery of London offers an incredible array of artworks, showcasing the talents of masters like Monet, Rousseau, and Van Gogh. The fact that admission is free is truly remarkable, allowing anyone to appreciate these masterpieces without financial barriers. While tickets aren't required, the option to make a donation supports the gallery's ongoing efforts. Overall, it provides a great experience for art enthusiasts and visitors alike.
Konstantina L — Google review
Incredible experience at national gallery!! Great paintings, really well maintained galleries, very clean and a lot of benches to rest and enjoy the paintings further. The gallery is vast and there's always so much to learn about the portraits themselves and even the little shop has a choice selection of good stuff often at decent prices.
Akshay Kotattil — Google review
A great place to visit especially for those who is into art.
The national gallery is such a beautiful building and can be visited for free. It is completely accessible with lifts for anyone who needs it, including prams.
Some exhibits can cost money to visit and you should check before you go in case you would like to pay to see something extra.
Abdulaziz — Google review
We were at the Gallery on a weekday (Monday). We couldn't buy a ticket in advance as there were no free slots. We stood in a queue, but it took no more than 10 minutes.
The expositions in the gallery are divided into sectors, very convenient navigation. I recommend a visit.
Also, I recommend visiting the room with the work of Leonardo Davinci. The hall opens after 11:00 as the painting is very sensitive to light. Photo attached)
Julia K. — Google review
i love it!
one of the best displays i’ve ever seen.
mainly because the description given are not just pure facts with painter name, but a clear outline of the paint work + storyline to explain the painting. it gives life to the work done.
also, some of the paintings are quite thought provoking!
Yess Min — Google review
What's not to like? A superb collection of some of the finest paintings in the world. I used to wander to the gallery when I was younger and ga\e in awe at the incredible skill and artistry of the painters. I hadn't been back for so many years that I had forgotten just how great this gallery is. I cannot recommend it enough.
Joe Sidonio — Google review
Another iconic place to visit in London. There are two sections here, one is paid, tickets available online. The other area is open to all visitors for no entree fees. We get to see different form of art from across the world. It's beautiful , well preserved and a good source of learning and inspiration for all the art enthusiasts and others.
Amit Sinha — Google review
I had a great time exploring the National Gallery in London. The variety of artists and their works on display is truly impressive. Each artwork has its own story, and I found myself getting completely absorbed, feeling inspired by the creativity and history around me.
I easily spent an hour just wandering, looking at the paintings, and reading about them. There's so much to see that I could have spent even longer there. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for a culturally enriching experience, the National Gallery is definitely worth a visit.
The atmosphere is great for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in art and get a glimpse of different eras and styles. Highly recommended for a fulfilling and inspiring visit!
Story & Motion — Google review
Super place for a family outing! The large number of exhibits combined with their diversity will provide hours of sightseeing. We spent more than 3h and had to move quickly. The opportunity to see the greatest works of painting up close makes this a must-see place while in London.
P K — Google review
If you are a connoisseur of art then this place is a must visit for you. They have a beautiful collection. Many great artists' works are on display here and it's completely free (expect some special displays which are tickted). I spent a wonderful day here and would recommend this place to anyone who has an eye for art.
nabamita roy — Google review
Free and worth your time. There are works of the masters you will recognize- Van Gogh , Monet, and Rembrandt. It’s also incredibly curated with incredibly kind staff that will answer any question. A London must do. (I didn’t have a ticket, there is a no ticket free line I only waited 10 minutes)
Laura W — Google review
Absolutely worth it! The building itself is amazing with a stunning interior design. If you are an art enthusiast, then the art work here is a must! Great collection of paintings from the best art pieces throughout the centuries. Highly recommended.
As for always British museums, this one is also free.
Elena — Google review
I’m not a museum-goer, so this review is from the point of view of someone who got outvoted on what to do. Turns out, this place was actually pretty cool. Seeing some of these 10 million dollar-plus paintings in person was incredible.
Michael Dobbins — Google review
I love it!
Amazing gallery to learn more about British history, full with beautiful paintings and portraits.
The architecture is wonderful too and it’s free 😄
You only pay for some special exhibitions and you can have guided tours for free
sarra arfaoui — Google review
What a treat!! A wonderful collection.
This was a great opportunity to see amazing works for free. I love this concept. We're students and often skip museums because of the cost. There was a reasonable amount of people and we didn't experience long lines.
Olivia Mercedez — Google review
It is a beautiful place full of precious pieces of art. And best of all, it’s free. It is very worthwhile for you to book a shift, or just over 4 hours to be able to enjoy everything that the National Gallery has to offer. Don’t pass quickly, but admire each painting, every story and every room, because yes, the building is a masterpiece apart.
Jeferson Kozenieski Couto — Google review
My wife was taking part in a sketching class outside whilst I wandered around inside! Who's who of painters covering 500+ years from the incredible fine detail of Canaletto's paintings of Venice to the broad brush strokes of Van Gogh. Free entry, just took a few minutes to get through the bag check. Also a bit of a queue for a free special exhibition - The Last Caravaggio.
Melvyn Rook — Google review
Never been before and will definitely be going again on next visit to London.
We took 1.5 hours and only got round about 1/4 so it's most of a full day to really do the whole place.
There is a small lift which can easily take wheelchair or prams, enough space around exhibits as well to get around
We did not have tickets so had to go to back entrance, queue went down quickly, just standard bag checks.
Philip Tall — Google review
Worth a visit if you are an art lover- some beautiful pieces from many famous artists such as Van Gogh and Monet. Can definitely get busy in rooms with the more famous paintings, some patience was required to be able to view and admire some but definitely worth the wait!
Lucy Benoist — Google review
Super super super recommended! Arm yourself with comfortable shoes and clothes because it will take between 3 and 4 hours, but make sure you make time for this incredible gallery! So well organised, so full of beauty and such lovely staff!
Elisabetta Borzini — Google review
4.7
(48607)
•
4.5
(40692)
Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
Big Ben is a cultural landmark located in London, England. The bell on the clocktower rings once every hour, and it has been called "the world's most famous clock". The tower, which is 16 stories high, was built between 1858 and 1868.
Lovely place. A great tourist place. Always big crowds. However, it is worth coming here. The Big Ben building is an extraordinary architectural craftsmanship. Today, after renovation, it looks like new. I highly recommend visiting this place in London.
Raff Tatee — Google review
What a classic structure made during 1860s.
View from London eye is also worth viewing.
There are many other tourist attractions near this place, which is definitely gonna take your day, and still you may want to come here again.
Amazing tourist attraction in London. Vibes are great here 😁
You can easily reach here through train.
Westminster or Embankment is the nearest station.
Shikha Rajpoot — Google review
Completely astonishing experience! The place is temporarily closed however it is worth visiting even from out. The view from the bridge is unforgettable!
There's a small gift shop which offers pretty good gifting articles about London at a very reasonable price.
You can enjoy an amazing view of London Eye and Big Ben from the bridge with the pleasant air papering you.
Master piece!
Mumbaikar Indian — Google review
Is unbelievable how beautiful this structure is in real life when you see it in person. It is humongous and it looks pristine for its age.
To think the time it took to build it and the precision of the clock is mesmerizing. Some very smart people made this work for all to enjoy.
Justin Baron — Google review
Big Ben, standing tall beside the River Thames, is an architectural masterpiece that transcends time. Its iconic clock face and resounding chimes contribute to the timeless charm of London's skyline. Whether admired from Westminster Bridge or explored up close, Big Ben encapsulates the city's history and culture. A symbol of precision and endurance, this landmark stands as a testament to London's enduring legacy. Visiting Big Ben is not just a glimpse into the past, but an immersive experience in the heart of a vibrant metropolis.
Pallab Jyoti Nath — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking each time I've been lucky enough to see it! 😊 When in London, I always make it a priority to stop past and take in its beauty. Definitely recommend seeing it if and when you go to London.
Erin Bennett — Google review
A London land mark and iconic structure craftsmanship at its best. Nice to see the scaffolding coming down after the £80m make over. Unfortunately today 8th April scaffolding hit the building whilst been removed. Hopefully not too much damage.
Howard Turner — Google review
Majestic, huge, historic and elegant at the same time. A beautifully-looking building. Unfortunately it's still closed, but just by looking at it, taking photos from every angle possible is so much fun. If you are visiting London, it's a must-see attraction.
Ehab Zahran — Google review
Very impressive overall, even from the outside. We went at night and revisited in the morning, both were beautiful. Midday, this place is SWARMED with tens of thousands of people. I recommend going early in the morning or around sunset to enjoy the views in peace.
Ege Temizkan — Google review
Big Ben or Elizabeth's tower is one of the most well-known attractions in London. The view is lovely! Thought no matter when you are visiting London it's an extremely crowded place. I would recommend to have a quick stroll under Big Ben and continue to the next closest bridge to have a complete view of Thames river and Big Ben.
Vegard K — Google review
Big Ben is actually the name of the 13.5 ton weighing big bell inside the tower which had been the nickname and has been renamed with the Elizabeth tower.
And this is a really an icon of London and famous for its movements’ accuracy and reliability of telling time by striking bells every 15 min. Clock and dial design is very classic
As a part of the Parliament, I think this tower completes the perfection and beauty of the buildings which you may feel better when enjoying the night view. Without this, the Parliament would be a little bit boring even if its appearance is also fantastic. You can see and enjoy this structure from Trafalga square as well when facing the Whitehall. There are also may tourists spots like Westminster abbey, London eye and so on nearby so that you must visit and enjoy the nice view and sound from the clock tower.
Francis C. K — Google review
This is a great building, its grandeur is comparable to the fame of this palace. The highlight might be the big ben watch, I've seen a lot in movies but only now have the opportunity to see it with my own eyes. It's hard to forget
Nicholas Cunningham — Google review
Seeing Big Ben in person is an awe-inspiring experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The towering clock tower is an iconic symbol of London and its rich history, and it is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city.
From a distance, the clock tower is a stunning sight to behold, with its intricate Gothic architecture and towering height visible from many parts of the city. As you get closer, you'll be able to see the clock faces up close, and you'll be amazed at the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into creating them.
If you're lucky enough to be in the area when the clock chimes, you'll be treated to a truly magical experience. The sound of the bell echoing across the city is a truly unforgettable experience that you'll cherish for years to come.
In summary, seeing Big Ben in London is an experience that should not be missed. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who loves beautiful sights, Big Ben is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Alan Murphy — Google review
London's iconic Big Ben is a must-visit landmark that truly encapsulates the essence of this magnificent city. As a traveler, I was fortunate enough to witness the grandeur of this architectural masterpiece, and it left an indelible impression on me.
First and foremost, the sheer size and beauty of Big Ben are awe-inspiring. Standing tall against the London skyline, it is a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and vision of its creators. The intricate details and the ornate clock face are a sight to behold, offering a true visual treat for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Aside from its striking appearance, Big Ben carries significant historical weight. It has witnessed pivotal moments in London's history and stands as a symbol of the city's resilience and endurance. Seeing this landmark in person made me feel connected to the past and present, as if time itself were encapsulated within its walls.
In conclusion, Big Ben is a must-see destination for anyone visiting London. Its historical significance, architectural brilliance, and prime location make it an iconic symbol of the city. Standing beneath its towering presence, once cannot help but be captivated by the timeless charm and palpable sense of history it exudes. London would not be the same without Big Ben, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced its magic firsthand.
Elias Chelala — Google review
London's iconic Big Ben is a must-visit landmark that truly encapsulates the essence of this magnificent city. As a traveler, I was fortunate enough to witness the grandeur of this architectural masterpiece, and it left an indelible impression on me.First and foremost, the sheer size and beauty of Big Ben are awe-inspiring. Standing tall against the London skyline, it is a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and vision of its creators. The intricate details and the ornate clock face are a sight to behold, offering a true visual treat for history and architecture enthusiasts.Aside from its striking appearance, Big Ben carries significant historical weight. It has witnessed pivotal moments in London's history and stands as a symbol of the city's resilience and endurance. Seeing this landmark in person made me feel connected to the past and present, as if time itself were encapsulated within its walls.
In conclusion, Big Ben is a must-see destination for anyone visiting London. Its historical significance, architectural brilliance, and prime location make it an iconic symbol of the city. Standing beneath its towering presence, once cannot help but be captivated by the timeless charm and palpable sense of history it exudes. London would not be the same without Big Ben, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced its magic firsthand.
Ankon Malakar — Google review
My visit to Big Ben in London was an awe-inspiring experience. The iconic clock tower's grandeur and rich history left me in complete admiration. The panoramic views of the city from this historical landmark were simply breathtaking.
RayZ — Google review
Beautiful landmark.
The street in front of it is very crowded, over the bridge you’ve got a nice view, but if you go the other direction in front of Parliament Square Garden you will have a nice view and not very crowded to take photos.
Juan Sebastián Parra Martínez — Google review
Very nice place. It is romantic and beautiful. Even though London is somehow gloomy when I was there, but it is still pretty as it is.
I believe its original name is Elizabeth Tower, somehow it is known more as Big Ben.
Be careful about your stuffs, it is very crowded
Sendy Alfandy — Google review
One of iconic landmarks of London, definitely worth a visit ( both on the outside and inside)
Unfortunately inside tour visits are fastly sold out and during my trip there I couldn't book a ticket.
The walk around the sight, at sunset and then by evening was wonderful, beautiful views.
Nadia Mustafa — Google review
It's a great view when they're not doing works on it or on the street. Night time pictures of Big Ben are great. You can take pictures from the bridge and towards the London Eye. Westminster Abbey and the House Guards are near. On occasions you can enter parliament but I've never been so find out times and details if you want to go in. Don't expect amenities nearby. Also, very few places for coffee, only a couple where you can sit down but not easy to find. Best cafes are five minutes away towards Victoria or Trafalgar but quite full most of the time. The London eye is near over the bridge and on the way you can see the London Aquarium, my kids loved it. Also, its an easy walk to St James park and Buckingham Palace. I find the park particularly nice with all the birds in the lake and the views towards the palace but better seen/enjoyed in good weather. There are toilets there as well as a couple of kiosks for snacks and drinks.
3xtra Solar — Google review
Big Ben, one of London's most iconic landmarks, stands tall and proud beside the River Thames, serving as a symbol of the city's rich history and enduring resilience. Despite its popular name, Big Ben actually refers to the Great Bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower, which is part of the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament.
Completed in 1859, the Elizabeth Tower, with its magnificent clock face and towering presence, quickly became a beloved emblem of London's skyline. The Great Bell, which weighs over 13 tons, chimes melodiously every hour, marking the passage of time with its deep, resonant tones. Its name, "Big Ben," is believed to have been derived from the nickname of Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works at the time of the tower's construction.
Over the years, Big Ben has endured wartime bombings, renovations, and even occasional maintenance hiccups, but it has remained steadfast as a symbol of London's resilience and endurance. Its timeless beauty and majestic presence continue to captivate visitors from around the world, who flock to admire its grandeur and snap photos against the backdrop of the historic Westminster Palace.
Despite undergoing restoration works in recent years to address structural issues and ensure its longevity, Big Ben still stands as a timeless symbol of London's past, present, and future. As the heart of the city beats to the rhythm of its chimes, Big Ben remains a cherished icon, reminding us of London's enduring spirit and the timeless allure of its historic landmarks.
T atts — Google review
The beautiful and iconic Big Ben and the London Eye around. A lovely place to see. Lots of people all around. Just beware of pick pockets in operation.
Celso Dolendo IV — Google review
The tower clock is something incredible to watch. It gives 2 different vibes when standing there in daylight and also at night. Both give different feelings.
The London eye is visible from here which makes it more attractive.
Less crowds, very near, but the road is busy with traffic.
The building, first listed as Grade II in 1970, was upgraded to Grade I in 2011.
In 2013, it was announced that 55 Broadway would be converted into luxury apartments, once London Underground moved operations from the building in 2015 to their new headquarters in the Olympic Park, Stratford, London.
In May 2014, it was announced that the architects, TateHindle, would lead the redevelopment and, in June 2015, planning permission and listed building consent was granted: however, this was not implemented and the planning permission expired in June 2018.
In September 2019, a long-term lease of the property was sold by Transport for London for £120 million to Integrity International Group, founded by Tony Matharu.
In May 2020, it was announced that Blue Orchid Hotels, a subsidiary of Integrity International, would convert the structure into a luxury hotel. (Wiki)
Let's hope they don't change much of its beauty..
Eduardas Rybakas — Google review
At first I was worried I wouldn’t be able to follow the system or get myself lost. Which I did, end up going the wrong way. But it’s actually so easy to follow, it’s good to make a few errors as then you will be conscious of ensuring you’re on the right tube. London Underground is amazing and it is really easy to get around and see places. I would walk around central London. Use the underground when going further afield.
The trains are very regular, you will find they can get very busy, packed. Don’t feel you need to squeeze in, just wait for the next train as it will add to your experience and enjoy it better.
As you would anywhere just be vigilant of your surroundings. I felt very safe, as a solo traveler I was very surprised.
Neeta Jassal — Google review
As a visitor, you can’t ask for a better system to get about to major museums, etc. You get to ride with both the working class and executives alike.
Iconic London !
Takes a little getting used to, if you need to travel in the City, it’s the way to go.
As a visitor, we purchased a Visitor Oyster Card online, it’s a fantastic deal.
Recommended.
W Perry — Google review
This is a good way to get around London. The new trains and updated stations are good. It is easy to get a ticket and to get around. However, the ventilation is poor, horrible, hot, and sweaty. It makes for an unbearable and uncomfortable ride. However, some of the trains and train stations have proper ventilation and air but most do not. I only take one train with no transfers, which is all that I can bear, and walk just to be outside where I can breath easy. I caution you to only ride when necessary and recommend you walk outside if able.
Melissa Woodforlk-Whyte — Google review
Coming from Manchester we need this in the city....
Yes its a bit dim, dark and dirty....
But what a brilliant, cheap and quick way to get around....
Savage 88 — Google review
These shops are all closed for good. I could rattle on about the good old days, (people actually pay to hear about it) and a book would be better; it would take a book, pdf, file, whatever to explain how much it has changed. Point?
Many but the main one is: Thanks to Bid Rigging the same people keep getting rich fulfilling contracts that do nothing but cosmetic change. I'd rather see the old retailers (driven out by sky high rent, business taxes, business rates that the the big corporate retailers. Btw/ if you come to London be prepared to lug your suitcase up and down many flights of stairs. Of course the bureaucracy will point to "no step access" (only lawsuits by disabled brought that in) and there are more lifts (elevators), yes this is better than nothing - - lucky find one lift 20 years ago. The old, dirty, extremely noisy rolling stock in Central London is the same. Recently you could still find "MetroCamell" 1973. John Lennon probably on one.
Sure, they Spent £16 Billion over budget and late) on a new Elizabeth Line. It's a nice reflection on what we have - - tourists are in central London for the sights, not off to Abby Wood (the other one) and to have them riding the clittering, clanking, clattering collection of caligenous junk - - (think Wizard of Oz to the Tin Man) is a disgrace.
Cliff TAYLOR — Google review
Cheap fast efficient travel for our sightseeing trips. Easy to use gates and pricing simple capped and taken from our banks.
helen chambers — Google review
Crowded, stuffy place, too many people in London, but its easy to use, it gets you to your destination on time
Epsom Downs Racecourse, a historic flat horse racecourse dating back to the 17th century, is renowned as the home of the prestigious Epsom Derby. Located just 30 minutes from central London, this venue offers a blend of sporting culture and heritage. It also serves as an adaptable space for events such as weddings. The surrounding area of Tadworth in Surrey provides a traditional countryside lifestyle within close proximity to city life, making it an attractive place to live.
I’d never been to the racecourse before, but it was easy to find from Tadworth Station. A nice lady pointed me in the right direction as I exited the station and it was about a 10-minute walk.
It’s much bigger than I expected, and the surrounding views are beautiful. When I got there it was foggy, but by the time I left the sun had come out, there were more people on the Downs (and lots of dogs!), and lots of footpaths. A photo can’t properly capture how spectacular the view is.
Nolly S — Google review
Great day!!
We attended a corporate incentive fun day.
Parking was clearly signposted and right by the main entrance to our own private enclosure.
With all the other parking spaces and the entrance gates all in plain sight and access.
The entrance and enclosure was extremely well laid out, entry was easy and very well organised, the facilities were plentiful.
The VIP area was very special, seating was comfortable in the Marquee and the staff were friendly. The main bar was really organised and never too busy or long queues.
There was a great atmosphere, good crowds everybody really enjoyed the day.
The view from Upper Tattenham was fabulous, as they pounded the ground on the straight to the finish.
We had our own betting booths to put our bets in for each race, no excessive queues for that either!
It was great weather for most of the day, we had a spit of rain but the marquee was under cover.
The enclosure chairs and picnic tables were very clean, well spaced out and easy to get around.
Great day and would highly recommend it.
The Food and Travel Guru — Google review
Wonderful walks over the Downs. Just be prepared to share your dog walk with horse riders....
L Cronin — Google review
Fantastic views, great place to go for evening walks next to the race course. Recommend to try when around here
Abilash — Google review
A very busy day weather was not great, unfortunately wet , and I did not feel my best, but a lot of people attended this meeting.
Graham Aldridge — Google review
Love it here. Very busy on Mother's Day but staff still wearing masks which is very good of them. Great food, lovely staff (wonderful Polish lady), great views. What's not to like
Peter Halliday — Google review
Rightly known worldwide for hosting the premier and most prestigious horseracing Derby around. How fitting was it that we witnessed the remarkable ninth Epsom Derby win for the Irish trainer supreme Aidan O'Brien with his latest equine superstar Auguste Rodin. Jockey Ryan Moore rode him with supreme patience and skill to win in an exciting and exhilarating finish. If you haven't attended this remarkable Racecourse already put a note in your diary to do so as soon as possible, you won't regret it.
thomas colgan — Google review
Nice place, middle of great countryside on the Epsom Downs, great for walking when no events.
Also have some nice little concerts and events here in addition to the horse racing.
Tim Husain — Google review
I live locally so walk my dog quite a lot on the downs. Its great. Just be aware that you can only let your dog off the lead after 12 in the afternoon and the gates then close at 5.
Bill Stampton — Google review
Lovely open land to walk have a picnic a beer in the 3 adjacent pubs or food.
Or watch the horse racing on the world's greatest race the Derby or be fascinated by the speed of the 5 furlong race the fastest 5 furlong race in the world!
The views across 5 counties on a clear day are amazing see Wembley stadium, the london eye and big ben
With binoculars!
Jonathan Burns — Google review
Went to an " Inspiring events" Ramadan fair. Lovely venue and parking. Staff were extremely helpful from the car park guide to the staff inside who guided me to the cash point machine ( unfortunately both not working today- perhaps before big selling events these things should be sorted?)
Definitely recommend. Easy to find and easy to park.
Smd — Google review
Always a great place for walks, runs, watching the Derby, etc. Views are spectacular. Worth a visit if in the area and/or want a new place in Surrey to explore.
Alex Carratu — Google review
Went to see the 2023 Derby race there with friends, it was a unique experience. Food and drinks are very expensive, better to get a jug of Pimm's rather than a glass and the pizza is good in taste and portion. Definitely recommend to try it once.
Rani Jayan — Google review
Very nice racecourse but it is sad to see the cruelty those horses are put to. I hope this will soon be just a sad history of the past of animal cruelty…
Csaba Toth — Google review
Amazing place and views. Good for wedding venues.
Ammara Naeem — Google review
Great location for the races. Food could be better and it's not a cheap day out. But it's great fun! Family fun day well worth it if u have kids
Will Thompson — Google review
The picturesque scenery surrounding the race course was breathtaking. The well-maintained facilities and amenities provided a comfortable experience. Overall, Epsom Race Course is a great location for both events and leisure activities.
Prince Kumar — Google review
4.5
(3356)
•
4.0
(292)
Tattenham Corner Rd, Epsom, KT18 5LQ, United Kingdom