Visit Queen's Gallery is located right next to Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews, two other superb sites to visit during your stay in London!

This article will help you plan your trip to the Queen's Gallery and decide if it's an art gallery you want to see in London.

Queen's Gallery: article summary

Queen's Gallery: a unique art gallery

The Queen's Gallery is a public art gallery that houses up to 450 pieces from the Queen's private collection.

The exhibition changes three or four times a year, so you have the chance to see a variety of different works of art.

A variety of themes for an enriching experience

Exhibitions at the Queen's Gallery are organized and presented according to a specific theme.

All the artworks in this specific exhibition revolve around this theme, so you get a deeper understanding.

Many themes are aimed at a wide audience, while others are more niche.

The website features a list of the year's exhibitions, so you can decide whether or not you're interested.

Queen's Gallery: how to plan your visit?

All the exhibitions are well organized and spread over several rooms. Popular exhibitions like Leonardo da Vinci can get a little crowded, but it's often pretty quiet.

This is especially true if you're visiting on a weekday. Tickets can be purchased directly from the Royal Trust Collection website, or on site when you arrive at the Queen's Gallery.

How much do gallery tickets cost?

Ticket prices are as follows:

• 13,50 £ per adult
• 10,80 £ for students
• 6,70 £ for under-17s

Children under 5 enjoy free admission.

Discounts are also available for groups of 15 or more. Information can also be found at Royal Trust Collection website.

Queen's Gallery: opt for combined tickets

Combination tickets are also available. These tickets give you access to other tourist sites in the area. Buckingham Palace at a lower cost than buying each ticket separately.

This combined ticket gives you access to the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews. Both royal sites are open all year round, so you can visit them whenever you're in London.

Combined ticket prices for the Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews are as follows:

• 23,00 £ per adult
• 19,50 £ for students
• 12,00 £ for under-17s

Reduced rates are also available for groups of 15 or more.

Savings do not exceed a few euros per ticket, but a combined ticket will still save you some money.

Royal Day Out

Royal Day Out gives you access to the Queen's Gallery, the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace.

This is a full-day ticket with entrance times for each site and it's perfect for all lovers of royalty!

You start the day with a visit to the Queen's Gallery, then move on to the Royal Mews and finish at Buckingham Palace.

Ticket prices for Royal Day Out are as follows:

• 49,00 £ per adult
• 42,00 £ for students
• 26,50 £ for under-17s

Again, the savings aren't huge with the Royal Day Out ticket, but it's worth it if you're interested in all three sites.

Queen's Gallery: extras included with your ticket

Your ticket includes an audio guide describing the work of art you are viewing. It includes information about the artist, historical information and information about the work itself.

It's very detailed, and you can click on another record to find out even more about the individual parts.

The audioguide is prepared by the exhibition curator and often includes experts also explain certain aspects.

Your ticket also includes free use of the lockers and checkroom if you don't want to carry your coat or bag. You may be asked to put your bag in a locker if it's larger, so be prepared for that.

The Queen's Gallery is a must-see when visiting London. If you're a fan of the royal family, you'll find what you're looking for here.

Shrek's Adventure is a unique indoor tourist attraction in London.

It lets children come face-to-face with characters such as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and many more.

In this article, I take you on a tour of this universe.

Shrek's Adventure: article summary

Shrek's Adventure: a unique experience with Shrek

Shrek's Adventure offers ten hilarious shows featuring classic sets from the many Shrek movies, a breathtaking 4D adventure with special effects and fantastic DreamWorks animation.

Most importantly, a guided tour allows children to help decipher the code and save Shrek for his safe return to his beloved swamp.

In addition to meeting Donkey, Princess Fiona, Gingy, Puss in Boots, Pinocchio and Shrek himself, visitors will also be able to meet friends of Shrek from Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda.

What you can do in this attraction

On site, there are many attractions to try. You can enjoy themed activities such as :

• A visit with Cinderella in Shrek's swamp
• Getting lost in the dizzying maze of mirrors
• Board the DreamWorks Tours magical 4 D bus
• Take part in ten live shows on the theme of fairy tales
• Learn to be a Viking in Berk
• Discover your fortune in Esmeralda's crystal ball
• Learn fascinating facts about Shrek and the gang
• Preparing a spell at Muffin Man
• A walk in the spooky forest
• Saving Pinocchio from the wheel of torture

Shrek's Adventure: how to get there?

Several means of public transport can help you get to your destination. You can take :

• Visit metro and exit at Waterloo stations, WestminsterEmbankment and Charing Cross
• Visit bus via lines 77, 211 and 381.

What can you expect from a visit to the park?  

Each tour lasts around 75 minutes and, although there's no age limit, the attraction is probably best visited by children aged 6 to 12.

In addition, all children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Please note that the time indicated on your ticket is not the actual show time, but the time at which you will be allowed to enter the building and queue.

All visitors must arrive within the time indicated on your booking confirmation and you must bring a printed version of the booking with you on your visit.

The entrance to Shrek's Adventure is all on one level, with no steps. access to the second floor is by elevator.

There is a buggy park located on the second floor, and all buggies must be left in the park and folded up before you leave for your tour.

Shrek's Adventure: amenities and services

All bags and coats must be brought with you on the tour and must not be left in the buggy park area.

There are toilets on the second floor, and we strongly recommend that you or a child in your group use them before the tour begins.

All visitors will have their photo taken before the tour begins and will be able to pick up their photo. after the visit for £25.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets for Shrek's Adventure cost :

• 27 £ (at the door) or £18.90 (online) for adults aged 16 and over
• 21,85 £ (at the door) or £15.30 (online) for children

Children under three get in free.

Tickets for the Shrektacular ticket cost :

• 36,50 £ (at the door) or £26.45 (online) for adults
• 31,35 £ (at the door) or £23 (online) for children

Once again, children under three can enter free of charge.

All visitors can purchase a photo book (which includes five photos of your group during the tour). at the end of your visit for £25.

A visit to Shrek's Adventure is an enjoyable experience for the whole family. During your trip to London, you'll discover an exceptional place and share a moment with your children.

Take the train from London to Bath allows you to reach a pleasant town in the west of England.

Bath's charms, from its Roman baths to its medieval abbey and welcoming alleyways, make it a must-see destination from London.

In this article, I explain how to get there and what you can find on site.

Train between London and Bath: article summary

Train between London and Bath: comfortable and environmentally friendly

The easiest way to from London to Bath is to take the train.

The train journey from London Paddington station to Bath Spa station takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. On the way, you can enjoy the English countryside.

The train journey is fast and pleasant. However, other options are at your disposal to reach this city.

Taking the bus to Bath

If trains aren't suitable, the bus is a valid alternative. However, the journey from London to Bath takes around 2.5 hours, longer than the train, and costs around £10 per journey.

If you have a little more time, the bus is a good alternative for your trip. To make sure you don't miss out on any of the activities on offer, I recommend taking the bus early in the morning. You'll then be able to enjoy a full day in the beautiful streets of Bath.

Renting a car

Driving from London to Bath takes around 2.5 hours, or even longer at peak times. This option is not recommended for a day trip. because of the comparatively longer time and cost involved.

Tips for buying your tickets

When buying tickets, note that fares vary according to rush hour. Choose round-trip tickets to save money.

If you prefer a guided experience, day trips from London to Bath are available, offering a complete overview of the city.

Train from London to Bath: Roman baths

Tucked away behind the Roman Baths on York Street, Bath's new World Heritage Centre, which is free to enter, explains just why. the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Colourful, interactive information panels highlight key attributes:

• Hot springs
• Roman remains
• Georgian lifestyle and architecture
• The town's lovely green setting

You can also learn a little more about how and why Bath is part of the UNESCO's second list of major European spa towns.

Explore Bath Abbey

There was a church on the site of Bath Abbey as early as Saxon times. What you see today dates from 1499.

It is one of the last ecclesiastical buildings in England built in the perpendicular style and, despite its name, it's really just a parish church.

Interior highlights include the fan-vaulted ceiling and hundreds of memorials on the walls and floor.

A £19 million restoration project stabilized the crumbling ground and harnessed the city's hot springs to provide environmentally-friendly underfloor heating.

Train from London to Bath: immerse yourself in the natural waters of Thermae Bath Spa

A two-hour session at the New Royal Bath at Thermae Bath Spa, the resort's main spa, gives you access to the 34-degree Celsius waters of an open-air rooftop pool and the largest indoor Minerva bath, as well as hammams and saunas.

On weekday mornings, you can also book a session in the spa's historic and much more intimate Cross Bath, which can accommodate up to 10 people.

The city of Bath is a wonderful place to discover. During your trip to London, you can take advantage of a train journey to get there and appreciate all Bath has to offer.

Make a visit Stonehengeto enjoy a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It dates from around the same time as Egypt's Great Pyramid.

Today, I'm going to tell you more about this place and what you can find there.

Visit Stonehenge: article summary

Visit Stonehenge: origins and evolution of the monument

The Stonehenge monument dates back some 5,000 years to the Neolithic period. It was originally a circular moat surrounding the remains of 64 cremations, known as the Aubrey Holes. It is the largest known Neolithic cemetery in the British Isles.

The stones themselves didn't start arriving until around 2,500 years BCThe site continued to develop until the Bronze Age.

The huge sandstone stones were dragged here from Salisbury Plain. It is thought that it took around 200 men about 12 days to pull a single stone from the shore. Marlborough Downs to Stonehenge.

The smallest stones came from the Preseli hills in West Wales, 250 km away.

Historical significance for the country

Stonehenge was once Britain's largest temple. The immense menhirs are methodically arranged to align themselves with the passage of the sun and the changing seasons.

The site has continued to evolve throughout history, with people returning for over 100 generations. as a place of worship and to honor their ancestors.

Visit Stonehenge: the site's recent history

In more recent history, Stonehenge was bought at auction in 1915 for £6,600 by a local man named Cecil Chubb.

Fortunately for us, he gave it to the British people three years later. It has now been restored by English Heritage, and the surrounding land is gradually being restored. restored to their original habitats by the National Trust.

Some practical information for visitors

Today, the number of people allowed to enter the inner site has been limited and the nearby road has been removed to facilitate conservation efforts.

The rather unpopular fence surrounding the site was added to protect the stones from graffiti.

Visit Stonehenge: what are the opening hours?

Stonehenge opens to tourists :

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the winter months
• 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. spring, summer and autumn

Make sure you know that the last entry is two hours before closing time.

How much does admission cost?

Admission is free for English Heritage members and National Trust members in England, but you still need to book your time slot in advance.

Overseas visitors who are not part of a tour can obtain a pass for the English heritage attractions that gives you free entry to over 100 English heritage sites.

If you are not part of a program, you will have to pay for your tickets. Pre-booked tickets for adults cost £20 and £12 for children.

Valuable tips for an optimal visit

It's easy to make the trip to Stonehenge on your own, but to get the most out of your visit, it's best to do some research and learn about the site's history at the visitor center before seeing the stones.

You can download a free audio guide to Stonehenge from English Heritage, which will give you much more context on what you're seeing.

How to get to Stonehenge

One of the best full-day excursions from London is the day trip to Stonehenge Inner Circle and Windsor.

Get up close and personal with Stonehenge's ancient stones on an after-hours guided tour.

If you're using public transport, the best way is to take a train to Salisbury. If you'd like to know more, I've written a full article on how to get there. to Stonehenge from London.

A visit to Stonehenge is a must when you're on vacation in England. You can discover one of the oldest sites in the world and soak up its special atmosphere.

The road to Thameslink classic train from Bedford to Brighton runs through central London, literally linking one side of the Thames to the other, hence the name Thameslink.

Today, I'd like to tell you more about it.

Thameslink train: article summary

Thameslink train: a line with many faces

These are :

• A commuter line if you live in St Albans
• From a metro double if you live in North London
• An inter-terminal shuttle bus if you're crossing the city
• A leisure itinerary if you're going to the beach
• From a Gatwick airport shuttle and Luton

The Thameslink is versatile and adapts to every passenger.

That said, Thameslink doesn't fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, which is why I think it's well and truly the best rail line we have in Europe, and maybe even in the world.

Independence and efficient management

Thameslink is an anomaly in the rail network. Although it appears on the Underground map, it is not managed by the Mayor of London and does not belong entirely to a single Network Rail region.

More importantly, it was not tainted by the failure of any politician to deliver on a manifesto promise.

Thameslink train: a project unlike any other

Before it opens, Crossrail is already hated by everyone who should benefit from it, as every London mayor and transport secretary has promised to open it quickly and failed.

The same can be said of High Speed 2. Thameslink has no intention of taking HS2 to the next level. or do London like Crossrail.

The quiet success of Thameslink

The Thameslink program was originally called Thameslink 2000, a plan to enhance the line's services and provide it with new trains and stations.

It has been delivered about 20 years lateto the disdain of its commuters.

Local impact of Thameslink trains

Any improvement to the Luton Airport Parkway is an indirect benefit for London, any changes to City Thameslink have an impact on Haywards Heath commuters.

How efficient is the Thameslink network?

A journey from central London to almost anywhere on the Thameslink network is always the fastest with Thameslink, even if much of it runs parallel to the M1 or M25.

A journey from St Pancras to St Albans takes 17 minutes. By car, it's an hour on a good day.

This is the only way the railroads can achieve a "modal shift", where people abandon environmentally unfriendly cars for more environmentally friendly trains.

The challenge of speed on Thameslink

It takes so much longer to get to St Albans using a different method that the train is the only way to do it.

You would only adopt the alternative method if you absolutely had to. It is something Thameslink does well.

Reassuring, efficient service

You can find Thameslink 24/7 on social networks, every train now has on-board announcements and screens, every station is usually accompanied by a member of staff.

Thameslink train: safety, accessibility and passenger satisfaction

On a Thameslink train, you can see from one end of the train to the other. there's WiFiSo even if something goes wrong, you've got the signal and reception to fix it.

The metro has an uneven signal, often no WiFi and often no video surveillance in many cases.

You also see Thameslink security staff and BTP all night on board Thameslink trains and that's reassuring, it's a good deterrent and ultimately adds to our perception of the railroad as a good, reliable transport option.

Thameslink isn't perfect. The Luton-Rainham train is weird. Trains could do with more side tables and power sockets. Peak fares are expensive. However, it's the best rail line in Europe. What's more enjoy the London area during your stay!

For music fans, there's nothing better than visiting Abbey Road Studio on a trip to London.

Today, I'd like to take a closer look at this establishment.

Abbey Road Studio: article summary

Abbey Road Studio: history and foundation

From classic rock'n'roll and pop to modern hip-hop, this studio has empowered many legendary bands and artists.

Sharing much of the musical input to the music industry, it has become the platform for all types of musicians to take off successfully.

An iconic location

The studio is located at 3 Abbey Road in the city of Westminster. The company first appeared in November 1931 as The Gramophone Company Limited. It later became Electric and Musical Industries, also known as EMI.

EMI owned the studio until 2013, until Universal Music Group took it over.

Some innovations over time

The studio was inaugurated with a grand opening performance of Land of Hope & Glory conducted by Sir Edward Elgar on November 12, 1931.

With the help of EMI engineer Alan Blumlein, the studio equips itself with modern recording technology and important innovations for musicians.

A creative space

The 9-room studio was fully equipped to allow artists to perform, rehearse and record.

The tools and equipment were developed by those who introduced numerous advanced audio techniques such as dual artificial tracking.

After two decades, the studio began presenting not only classical music, but also renowned jazz and rock'n'roll bands.

Abbey Road Studio: an inseparable Beatles studio

From Sir Cliff Richard's "Move It" to the legendary Beatles, London's entire musical world gathered at the Abbey Road studio.

With each passing year, new artists take possession of the studio while keeping its heritage intact.

The Beatles' name is closely linked to that of the studio. One of their most important albums, recorded at Studio Two, was a worldwide success. The album was called "Abbey Road".

The band has recorded a total of 210 songs over the course of its career, 190 of which were recorded in this studio.

A wide variety of musical styles

Not only the Beatles, but some of Pink Floyd's musical creations were born in this studio. World-famous artists who have recorded in this studio include :

• Aretha Franklin
• Shirley Bassey
• The Hollies

Abbey Road Studio: an important space for cinema

With the progress of audio recording and sound effects in film, Abbey Road began to support filmmakers and audio directors by helping them to create the very best backgrounds and soundtracks.

The soundtracks to some legendary films were created in this studio. These include films such as :

• Adventurers of the Lost Ark
• The Lord of the Rings trilogy
• The Harry Potter series
• Skyfall
• Black Panther
• The Shape of Water
• Gravity

Although the studio has nothing to do with the success of these films' soundtracks, it's worth noting that most of them have won or been nominated for Oscars. for the best background music and sound design.

A place for musical education

With the meteoric progress of the recording studio, the company created an educational facility to learn more about music.

The Abbey Road Institute opened in March 2015, welcoming thousands of students for learn music production and audio engineering.

It quickly became a hit with music lovers the world over as it expanded its branches across the globe to Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Miami, Sydney and Paris.

The campuses benefit from modern, advanced audio technologies for music. It offers an advanced degree in music production and sound engineering, the same course in every school to provide an unbiased musical educational experience.

There are also additional courses such as :

• The fundamentals of music theory
• The song production master class
• Preparing your portfolio as a musician

Abbey Road Studio is a must-see when visiting London. You can also take a photo on the famous crosswalk the Beatles' cover.