London Trails
What are the London trails?
Our London trails will hopefully give you some ideas for things to do and places to visit - some can be followed in a half-day, others might take longer. If you would like to put forward your suggestions, we’ll be pleased to hear from you!
Bankside for FamiliesHave you wondered what it’s like to sail aboard a Tudor galleon? Start your day with a storytelling session on board the Golden Hinde with costumed actors to experience first hand the wonderful story of the voyage of Sir Francis Drake and learn of life aboard the Golden Hinde.
Heading west, pop into the Clink Prison , where children can touch and handle original artefacts including torture devices and items of punishment.
In the afternoon follow the river walkway westwards to Tate Modern and join the drop in ‘Start Weekend Sessions’ - a selection of challenging but fun object and paper-based games to be played in the gallery. | | |
The London Sports TrailTracing the history of four of our national games - association football, rugby union, tennis and cricket - the trail takes in some of the major sports venues and museums currently open to the public and all with 2for1 offers! The venues can, of course, be visited separately.
The trail begins at Twickenham, the home of English Rugby Union where the Museum of Rugby & Twickenham Stadium Tours chronicles the history of the game across the globe. From Twickenham, take the train to Wimbledon for the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and experience the traditions, triumphs, sights and sounds of the most coveted title in tennis through its many interactives. | |  |
The next stop on the trail is
Chelsea FC Museum & Tour at Stamford Bridge near Fulham Broadway on the District Line. Built to commemorate the centenary year of ‘The Blues’ this great visitor attraction pays tribute to the past 100 years of the Stamford Bridge side.
From here, go to St John’s Wood for a visit to
the Lord’s Tour within Lord’s Cricket Ground. A sporting arena for almost 200 years, this is the spiritual home of the world’s greatest cricket players.
Exploring the past, present and future of sport, fans of all ages will enjoy an unforgettable experience. With preparations for the Olympics in 2012 well under way, London truly has it all!
The Hilltops of South LondonHalf day option
This trail will lead you through some extraordinary sights of south London. Prepare to be amazed by … the oldest public art gallery in the country, the school that dates back to the 1600s, the museum inspired by one man’s passion for the wonders of the world. From some of the highest points of the capital, you will see all this - and more!
This half day itinerary suggestion starts at the Horniman Museum and Gardens with free admission, where you will be treated to a unique range of exhibitions, events and activities illustrating the cultural and natural world. | |  |
After a stroll around the Museum Gardens, walk through historic
Dulwich Park to the Dulwich Picture Gallery with 2for1 admission, to view a magnificent collection of old master paintings. The collection is one of the oldest in Great Britain, put together between 1790 and 1795. A short detour takes in the famous independent school
Dulwich College (which numbers among its former pupils Bob Monkhouse and Raymond Chandler).
This trail begins at the awe-inspiring Canary Wharf station on the Jubilee line (also accessible by the Docklands Light Railway). Marvel at recent developments before visiting the Museum in Docklands with our 2for1 offer, covering the history of the area by themes of River, Port and People. Back on the Jubilee Line one stop to Canada Water, you change for the East London Line (open until 23 Dec) to Wapping to begin your unique insight into the Great Briton, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. You will travel through the Thames Tunnel, the oldest section of tunnel in the London Underground, and the birthplace of urban transport, before visiting The Brunel Museum (admission charge), in Rotherhithe for the history of this great feat of engineering.
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Walk from Rotherhithe along the Thames Path for approximately 25 minutes to Butler’s Wharf for
the Design Museum with our 2for1 offer, a display of international design and architecture, with a focus on modern design history. Walking a little way beyond Tower Bridge, you see City Hall before visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition with its breathtaking views 45 metres above the Thames, using our 2for1 offer. The trail ends at Tower Hill station.
Cool Camden, Trendy Islington| This trail begins at Kings Cross where a short walk takes you to the London Canal Museum with our 2for1 offer, for a fascinating insight into the history of canals. You can either walk to your next stop or take the Victoria Line from King’s Cross to Highbury & Islington for the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art with our 2for1 offer. This gallery brings together some of the finest and most important works created by Italian artists during the first half of the 20th century and is Britain’s only gallery devoted to modern Italian art. Time permitting explore fashionable Islington, before travelling on the North London Line to engage your artistic talents at the recently renovated Camden Arts Centre and a visit to the Ben Uri Gallery in St John’s Wood. | |  |
This has the world’s largest collection of work by Anglo Jewish artists. With a fascinating 90-year history, this gallery is Britain’s longest established Jewish arts and cultural institution.
Bright Lights and City SquaresTake the Underground to Bond Street and begin this trail in the exclusive district of Mayfair at Grosvenor Square, the location of the American Embassy and the September 11 Memorial Garden. Celebrate the life and works of George Frideric Handel at the Handel House Museum with our 2for1 offer in Brook Street, where the renowned composer once lived. The restored Georgian house creates the perfect setting for live music, 18th century furniture and fine art that evoke the spirit of Handel’s time. Walk across New Bond Street to Hanover Square and visit St George’s, the church where Handel was a parishioner.
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Make your way to the magnificent Trafalgar Square with its statues and monuments and admire
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Stroll through Leicester Square to the Photographers’ Gallery, a prime venue for contemporary photography. Walk along Long Acre to Covent Garden where bustling market stalls surround the specialist shops, cafes and wine bars in the central piazza, and street performers add to the enjoyment. Here, the new Royal Opera House, home to
the Royal Opera and
Royal Ballet companies, is open to all every day. From here walk to
Somerset House in the Strand - this is one of London’s historic squares recently opened to the public. Wonderful displays can be enjoyed at the
Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery with our 2for1 offer, famed for its Impressionist art, the Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms with our 2for1 offer. A short walk up Kingsway takes you to
the Hunterian Museum in Lincoln’s Inn and a little further north to the newly opened
Cartoon Museum with our 2for1 offer, in Bloomsbury.