Richmond Park out in the west of London is the jewel in the crown of the 8 Royal Parks. Spring is a great time to visit – especially the Isabella Plantation with its delightful evergreen azaleas. Another must-see is the fantastic views from King Henry’s Mound in the gardens of Pembroke Lodge – to the east is the Thames Valley.
The Royal Observatory is home to time and space and is in Greenwich. Both the Prime Meridian of the world and London’s only planetarium are found here. Within the dome of the museum is the largest refracting telescope in the country. The galleries hold the original marine chronometers. These were special clocks designed to work at sea.
One of the best-known shopping streets in London, Regents Street gets its name from the Prince Regent who became George IV in 1820. As Regent, although he lived in Carlton Terrace close to St James’ Park, he was planning to build himself a new palace in Regents Park and naturally wanted a brand new royal thoroughfare to link the two residences.
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Next time you visit London, with or without a Blue Badge guide, I would recommend you pay a visit to the sumptuous Harrods Food Halls – each selling deliciously fresh produce. The most stunning of all is the former Meat and Fish Hall. Last year it became the new Dining Hall, with a collection of dine-in restaurants.
Harrods is owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which bought the store from Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed a decade ago. You’ll often find supercharged supercars outside the store carrying Kuwaiti & Qatari plates. Much of Al-Fayed’s legacy remains.
As a Blue Badge tourist guide, I have noticed that visitors are always very excited to be shown Harrods department store in London. The very name conjures up images of luxury and quality. Due to its history, clientele and location, it is arguably the most well-known department store on the planet.
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Piccadilly is one of the leading art galleries of London. Most people enter the Royal Academy through the front entrance on Piccadilly. However, the back entrance is just as impressive and for the first time in the building’s history, both front and back are now connected. Gone are the days...
The Royal Mews is home to the historic royal carriages and is run by The Royal Collection Trust. Many of their vehicles have to be kept in perfect condition because they may be called into action at a moment’s notice. One of the highlights is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. It was made in NSW, Australia to mark 60 years.
Ahhh the great British country garden – something we excel at here in the UK and nowhere more so than the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Surely the ultimate botanic gardens of the world? A paradise tucked away in the southwest of London. It is a wonderful place to visit whatever the season, and never feels busy.
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