One of London's six royal parks, Regent's Park remains one of the must-sees when visiting the city.

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

Here we go!

Regent's Park: article summary

Regent's Park: the history of the place

The 160-hectare park was first acquired by Henry VIII and the area has been used mainly for as a hunting park until 1649.

In 1811, the future King George IV hired John Nash to redevelop the area. Villas were built in the park for the royal family's many friends.

The park remained closed to the public until the official opening of Queen Mary Gardens and the Inner Circle in the 1930s, and has since been a popular tourist destination in London.

Today, Regent's Park offers a multitude of different outdoor activities for tourists and locals alike, and its sports facilities alone cover almost a third of the area.

Why visit this place?

As well as venturing to nearby Primrose Hill for views over London's rooftops, or watching gorillas and lions at London Zoo, there are plenty of other tourist attractions to choose from in and around Regent's Park.

A must-see for any London tourist would be to attend a show at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Only four productions a year take place at the theater between May and September.

Another major attraction located in The Regent's Park is The Hub, which is popular with tourists and locals alike. Here, visitors can enjoy games of soccer, tennis, softball, rugby and even cricket, as well as a variety of other sports. There's also a lake nearby with boats and pedalos for hire.

Nature lovers will appreciate the group of gardens scattered throughout the park, one of the most popular being St. John's Lodge Gardens. The gardens were designed in 1889 by Robert Weir Schultz for the neighboring St. John's Lodge.

Regent's Park: how to get there?

The park is very well served by public transport. So you can get to this place :

• Visit metrothe nearest station is Regent's Park and Great Portland Street
• Visit bus via routes 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 30, 74, 82, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, 453 and C2.

Eating in the heart of the park

If you fancy a bite to eat during your visit to Regent's Park, Regent's Bar & Kitchen is located close to the open-air theater and Queen Mary's Gardens.

You can also sit out on a terrace on a hot summer's day, the Smokehouse offers a delicious open-air barbecue, and the BoatHouse Cafe also features a large sitting area on the terrace.

There's also :

• The Hub Cafe
• The Espresso Bar
• The Regent's Park Tennis Center Cafe

Regent's Park: when to visit?

Regent's Park opens daily at 5 a.m., but closing times depend on the month.

During the summer months, between May and July, the park closes at 9:30 p.m.. During the winter months, between November and February, the park can close at 4:30 pm.

Regent's Bar & Kitchen opens daily from 8 am to 8 pm, although opening times vary throughout the year.

The Smokehouse and Espresso Bar are both open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Tennis Center Café is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

How much does it cost to visit the park?

Visits to the park are free of charge. However, if you wish to use the pedal boats on the lake, you will have to pay :

• 10 £ for adults
• 7 £ for children
• 28 £ for family pedal-boat rentals for two adults and up to three children

Regent's Park is a great place to visit if you want to take a break from your London adventure. You can then set off again to explore the city, of this green stopover.

There are several prices to visit the famous Tower of London.

Getting tickets for the Tower is relatively straightforward, and there are a number of different ways to do it.

Today, let's take a closer look at all this information.

Tower of London Awards: article summary

Tower of London prices: how to get tickets

Before I talk about prices, let me tell you how to get your Tower of London tickets. There are many ways to get tickets for the Tower of London.

Book your ticket online

Online booking is the cheapest way to reserve tickets for the Tower. You can visit the Tower's official website Tower of London and buy tickets here.

If you book online, you are not obliged to reserve for a specific date. However, it is important to remember that your ticket will be valid for seven days from the date of purchase. from the day of your reservation.

So there's no point in booking months in advance. Finally, to find out more about online ticket sales, please visit this link.

Book your ticket on site

Tickets can be purchased on the day of your visit to the Tower. However, these tickets are more expensive than if you buy them online.

What's more, the Tower of London is a popular attraction, especially on bank holidays and weekends, queues at ticket offices can be quite long.

The ticket offices are directly opposite the Tower of London, and you'll see them as you head towards the attraction.

How much does admission cost?

Tickets for the Tower of London are the cheapest if you buy them online. Don't forget that your ticket price includes a free guided tour by one of the Tower's Yeoman Warders de la Tour.

It also includes admission to the Tour Blanche, activity trails for children and admission to any temporary exhibitions taking place at the time of your visit.

As far as prices are concerned, you should expect to pay

• 37 £ for adults
• 18,50 £ for under-18s

The prices shown here, in relation to tickets purchased on the day, include what the Tower describes as a "voluntary donation". It's up to you to decide whether or not to pay, and you're not obliged to indicate the price on your ticket.

Without the donation, rates are :

• 33,60 £ per adult
• 16,80 £ per child

If you decide to make a donation, this money will be used to raise funds for to restore the Tower's central drawbridge.

Tower of London Awards: think membership card

If you'd also like to visit some of London's other historic palaces, it might be worth considering paying for a membership card.

With the card, you'll enjoy free, unlimited access to the sites, as well as other benefits including discounts at site restaurants, special member events and a subscription to the member magazine.

For more details on how much membership costs, what it entitles you to and how to obtain it, visit the membership page on Tower of London official website.

How to get a discount on tickets

If you book tickets for the Tower of London online, you can get a discount. It's the obvious way to get a discount on the Tower.

It is also possible to obtain a discount on the Tower of London and nearby attractions if you have a membership card.

If you come to the Tower of London in a group of fifteen or more, you'll also be entitled to certain discounts.

The Tower of London is one of the main monuments to visit on your trip to the English capital. Knowing how much it costs will help you budget for your outing. to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.

You wish to visit London in 3 days?

The city is big, lively, filled with incredible architecture, ancient monuments, excellent international cuisine and incredible shopping.

Today, I'm taking you to the streets of the English capital to discover these wonders.

Visit London in 3 days: article summary

Visit London in 3 days: what to do on the first day?

Your first day in London should be spent familiarizing yourself with the most popular sights.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge is one of 35 bridges linking the north and south banks of the river. Across the bridge, on the north side, is the Palace of Westminsterthe seat of the English Parliament and also known as Houses of Parliament.

It's where the UK's House of Commons and House of Lords meet, and where all the major decisions are made. There's always a buzz of energy around the square!

The famous clock tower actually bears the correct name of Elizabeth Towerbut it is more commonly known by its nickname of Big Ben.

This famous clock tower was renovated very recently and the clock remained silent for 5 years. The clock and its iconic bells finally returned to normal service in 2022.

Visit London in 3 days in London: Westminster Abbey

Not far from the Palace of Westminster is theWestminster Abbey. Iconic events take place here, the royal family usually marries here, and national funerals and coronations are held at Westminster Abbey.

Of course, the year 2023 saw the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey, and the Queen's funeral took place there the year before.

The current building dates back to 1245, but has been the scene of royal events. since William the Conqueror was crowned here in 1066.

Since then, it has hosted over 40 coronations of British monarchs, as well as weddings and funerals.

Visiting Westminster Abbey is a wonderful thing to add to your London itinerary, the building itself is incredible and inside is a huge collection of artworks and objects.

Enjoy the view from the London Eye

Originally opened in 2000 as the Millennium Wheel, the London Eye is now London's most popular paid tourist attraction.

Visit London Eye is probably the most expensive attraction you'll come across during your 3 days in London, but the view is well worth it.

Buckingham Palace

Visit Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official royal residence in London and one of the few royal palaces still fully operational today.

You can buy tickets to visit the sumptuous cabins of the royal palace and admire its exquisite furniture, sculptures and paintings.

Visit London in 3 days: Hyde Park or Green Park

Hyde Park and Green Park are both London's Royal Parks. If you're lucky enough to have good weather, a walk and a good picnic or a bike ride in the park will be a great way to spend a few hours.

Expand your visit on the second day

The second day of your London itinerary can be a slightly easier start. Start with a hearty breakfast before heading to Tower Bridge, then on to the Tower of London and admire the incredible crown jewels!

Visit London in 3 days in London: the Tower of London

Famous as the site of many royal executions and imprisonments, the Tower of London is one of the iconic sites you must visit during your 3 days in London.

Originally founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 to repel hostile Londoners, the Tower of London still stands in the middle of the city.

The Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval fortress that has been continually built and rebuilt over the centuries.

The Tower of London also houses the Crown Jewels, which, of course, you can't afford to miss.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is another of the city's most famous and striking landmarks. After you've finished at the Tower of London, you can head over to this bridge for some photo opportunities.

Visit London in 3 days : Covent Garden

As night falls, people fill the streets Covent GardenWe're ready to serve you delicious food, attend theater and opera performances, drink lots of beer and enjoy the many street performances.

Covent Garden is always bustling, but it's in the evening that it really comes alive. Make sure a visit here is part of your London itinerary.

Visit London in 3 days in London: end your stay in style

Today, for your London itinerary, you can head a little outside central London to please for your inner Harry Potter fan.

Visit Warner Bros. Studios in London

Just an hour from London is the Warner Bros Studio Tour Londonwhere the eight Harry Potter films were created.

Here, you'll see how the films came to life. You'll see many movie sets, such as :

• Le Chemin de Traverse
• Dumbledore's office
• The Gryffindor common room
• The Ministry of Magic

You'll also see the real costumes and accessories used in the films.

Visit London in 3 days: St Paul's Cathedral, London

Visit Saint Paul's Cathedral is one of London's most famous buildings. You can see its dome from many parts of the city.

Built between 1675 and 1710, St. Paul's Cathedral is a magnificent historical gem, both inside and out. The surrounding gardens also offer a wonderful place to relax and admire the beauty of the church!

The Millennium Bridge

Visit Millennium Bridge is a great work of architecture and engineering. From the bridge, you can admire the London skyline and the River Thames, and once you've reached the other end, you can take a photo of the bridge, with the grand and magnificent dome of St. Paul's overlooking the buildings in the background.

Browse the Harrods store

When it comes to shopping, Harrods is as luxurious as it gets. This department store is high on every visitor's list, because it's so much more than just a department store.

When Harrods first opened its doors, it was renowned for being the store where you could buy everything. The store now offers a selection of ethical and eco-friendly products. is home to many of the world's most iconic luxury brands.

Visit London in 3 days in London: the Natural History Museum

Visit Museum of Natural History is fast becoming a favorite spot for all who visit. And it's not just because admission is free! It's one of the best museums in London.

This museum features specimens from different eras of history, including dinosaurs, whales, butterflies, lizards and beetles, and all this could not be more interesting, especially if you visit with your family.

Spending 3 days in London is a unique opportunity to discover the city in its broadest sense. By staying a little longer, you'll be able to deepen your visit and discover other wonders.

Apsley House is London's only aristocratic manor house open to the public.

This is the historic home of the Duke of Wellington, the "Iron Duke".

After defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, he became the most famous man in Europe.

Today, discovering the history of the place as well as the things you can see there.

Apsley House: article summary

Apsley House: at a glance

Although Apsley House is located near the entrance to Hyde ParkYou may not even know it's there. Despite its distinctions, Apsley House remains a hidden gem in London. A place where you can admire world-class paintings in a sumptuous interior.

During a visit, you can explore the Duke's private quarters and state rooms.

You'll get a glimpse into the life of the great soldier and two-time Prime Minister, whose descendants still own a suite in the house.

What can you see in this neoclassical residence?

As you enter the museum, you'll see an 11-foot-tall marble statue of Napoleon, clad only in a vine leaf. It stands at the foot of the main staircase.

Napoleon himself commissioned the great neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova to create it for him. Napoleon wanted imitating the Roman emperors who presented themselves as gods.

But he didn't like the final product. After Napoleon's defeat, Wellington bought it as a war trophy.

This is one of the many images of Napoleon he acquired for his home.

Stop by the museum hall

This room is filled with a large number of porcelain services given to the Duke by grateful European monarchs. It is essentially a private treasure.

The Prussian decor features military scenes from scenes of Wellington's life.

The central cabinet houses the most famous object: the Egyptian centerpiece. It was made for Josephine Bonaparte in 1809 on the occasion of her divorce from Napoleon. It was later given to Wellington by Louis VIII of France.

You can also see the enormous Waterloo shield, elaborate candelabras and swords in gold and silver.

The shield was inspired by Homer's description of Achilles' shield. It depicts Wellington in the center and his ten great campaigns in the surrounding relief.

Apsley House: spend some time in the Piccadilly lounge

The interior was designed by fashionable architect Robert Adam. It was later redecorated by Benjamin West.

Key features include yellow silk satin walls, ceiling frieze and marble fireplace.

Wellington loved music and used it as a kind of music hall. The famous opera composer Rossini even performed here.

There are some fine Dutch paintings in the room, as well as the Waterloo Dispatch. This is a large painting by David Wilkie depicting his victory over Napoleon, read aloud.

Discover the immense State Dining Room

It was here that the annual Waterloo banquets were held from 1821 to 1830.

It was a gathering for former generals and royal guests. In the center is a vermeil masterpiece.

The central figure represents four continents, paying tribute to the armies.

Wellington was reputed to be a fussy eater, neither eating nor drinking much. But he was known as a gracious host and a witty conversationalist.

Apsley House: the yellow lounge

At the time of the first Duke, this was used as an additional salon.

The original furniture included a Greek sofa in white and gold. Striped silk shelves decorated the walls.

There is a bust of Canova donated by the artist himself. It is one of four "ideal" heads created by Canova for British gentlemen. who helped return the treasures looted by Napoleon to the Louvre.

Stop by the striped living room

It was a room where Wellington and his guests relaxed before dinner.

This is also where the Duke exhibited his growing collection of portraits, becoming a personal hall of fame for his military friends.

There are three full-length portraits of the famous British artist Thomas Lawrence.

The decor is quite distinctive, with stripes everywhere. Certainly not to my taste.

Visit the impressive Waterloo Gallery

This gallery is one of the UK's largest and most sumptuous interiors.

It was added to the top of the house to accommodate the annual Waterloo banquet, the dinner organized to celebrate Napoleon's defeat.

With this addition, Apsley House went from aristocratic townhouse to palace status.

The architectural style of the room evokes the era of Louis XIV of France. The gallery windows have sliding shutters fitted with mirrors.

The gallery was designed to be lit by natural light. As a result, the ceiling has an iron and glass roof.

Much of the design is courtesy of Harriet Arbuthnot. But she didn't get her way when it came to wall color.

There are plenty of sofas to sit on and admire the magnificent room and paintings.

Apsley House is a must-see when you visit London. Here you can discover the chic style of the English aristocrats of the time.

Visit Bakerloo Line est une ligne qui relie Elephant and Castle à Harrow & Wealdstone.

Focus sur cette ligne de métro très apprécié des Londoniens.

Bakerloo Line : sommaire de l’article

Bakerloo Line : en bref

La Bakerloo Line est une ligne du métro de Londres. Elle traverse quelques gares majeures telles que :

• Waterloo
• Paddington
• Baker Street
• Oxford Circus
• Piccadilly Circus
• Marylebone
• Willesden Junction

La ligne traverse les zones 1, 2, 3, 4 et 5 et compte 25 arrêts différents sur toute la ligne. Mais il y a beaucoup de secrets sur la ligne que peu de gens connaissent.

Une ligne de métro rempli de secrets

Le premier secret est que la Bakerloo Line est la plus lente du réseau du London Underground, et je suis sûr que cela ne surprendra pas beaucoup de ceux qui l’empruntent.

L’une des principales raisons est qu’elle n’est pas automatisée comme la plupart des autres lignes. En effet, les conducteurs roulent souvent lentement pour éviter de heurter l’autre rame qui se trouve probablement non loin devant eux.

Bakerloo Line : des conducteurs dans le noir

Les conducteurs du métro sont dans le noir complet. Cela est dû au fait qu’ils n’ont que la lumière provenant du petit panneau de commande dans la cabine, donc la lumière la plus lumineuse qu’ils voient est lorsqu’ils entrent dans une station souterraine ou lorsqu’ils sont dehors à la lumière du jour.

Cependant, c’est le Bakerloo qui voit le moins de lumière, car il est principalement entièrement souterrain. Cela s’applique à toutes les lignes du métro de Londres.

La plupart d’entre eux se trouvent au-dessus du sol, exposant ainsi le conducteur à beaucoup plus de lumière que la seule lumière visible à l’arrivée à une gare.

Une ligne de métro en constante évolution

Stanmore est actuellement la fin de la Jubilee Line. Cependant, c’était autrefois le terminus de la ligne Bakerloo pendant environ 40 ans.

Son terminus actuel est Harrow & Wealdstone, mais la ligne n’est pas toujours allée aussi loin, car elle se terminait auparavant à Stonebridge Park.

Marylebone avait prévu de s’appeler « Great Central » et cela est encore visible aujourd’hui, car il y a encore des carreaux qui portent cette inscription sur le mur des quais de la Bakerloo Line. Cependant, les plans ont changé et c’est désormais connu sous le nom de Marylebone.

Bakerloo Line : l’un des seuls arrêts dans la zone 1

La ligne comprend également un arrêt dans la zone 1, ce qui est très rare dans le métro de Londres.

Néanmoins, les projets d’expansion d’Elephant and Castle à Lewisham pourraient changer cela à l’avenir.

Regents Park est l’une des seules stations de métro sur toute la ligne qui n’a pas de bâtiment de gare, mais juste un trou dans le sol qui mène aux stations.

Ce n’est pas la station la plus proche du zoo de Londres, mais plutôt de Camden Town. Regents Park se trouve à environ vingt minutes à pied du zoo de Londres.

There are many secrets tout au long du réseau du métro de Londres, et nous avons exploré ici ceux de la Bakerloo Line. Vous en savez maintenant beaucoup plus sur cette ligne de métro mythique de Londres.

Il n’est pas simple de visiter la Banqueting House.

En effet, cet établissement ne réserve que quelques jours de visites par an.

Dans cet article, focus sur ce que vous devez savoir sur ce palais.

Banqueting House : sommaire de l’article

Banqueting House: en bref

La Banqueting House est le seul bâtiment survivant du vaste palais de Whitehall, détruit par un incendie il y a près de 300 ans.

La Maison des Banquets est un refuge bienvenu loin de l’agitation de la ville et un trésor caché pour tous ceux qui s’intéressent à l’art et à l’architecture. Sa peinture au plafond de Rubens n’est qu’une des œuvres d’art exposées.

D’autres lieux du site incluent la grande salle du roi Jacques Iᵉʳ, le sous-sol et le site où Charles Iᵉʳ fut exécuté le 30 janvier 1649.

Une architecture exceptionnelle

Le bâtiment est important sur le plan architectural, car il a été le premier bâtiment en Angleterre à être construit dans le style néoclassique.

Il a été conçu par Inigo Jones en s’inspirant d’Andrea Palladio et achevé en 1622. On le considère comme un bâtiment emblématique qui a changé le visage de l’architecture britannique.

La Maison des Banquets n’est ouverte pour des visites guidées qu’en 2024.

Que voir à la Banqueting House ?

Le plafond de la Maison des Banquets est l’une des œuvres les plus célèbres de Sir Peter Paul Rubens et la seule peinture au plafond de l’artiste flamand qui ait survécu.

Outre la peinture du plafond de Rubens, la Banqueting House abrite également un tableau de Charles Iᵉʳ de Daniel Mytens et un buste en bronze de Jacques Iᵉʳ, réalisé par Hubert Le Sueur en 1639.

Le sous-sol de la Banqueting House a été conçu comme un bar. Les visiteurs du sous-sol peuvent regarder une vidéo sur le roi Charles Iᵉʳ et l’histoire du bâtiment, ainsi que des expositions sur Inigo Jones et les événements qui s’y sont déroulés.

Où se trouve la Maison des Banquets ?

La Banqueting House se situe à Whitehall, juste en face du Household Cavalry Museum et du Horse Guards Parade.

Elle se trouve à cinq minutes à pied de la station de métro Charing Cross et à peine plus loin de la gare de Charing Cross et des stations de metro Embankment et Westminster.

Quand pouvez-vous visiter le lieu ?

L’entrée se fait uniquement par visite guidée, les visites n’ayant lieu que les jours suivants en 2024 :

• Dimanche 7 janvier 2024
• Dimanche 28 janvier 2024
• Dimanche 11 février 2024

je vous conseille de réserver les visites en ligne longtemps à l’avance. En effet, de par la rareté des visites proposées, il se peut que celles-ci soient épuisées depuis des mois.

Proposée sur très peu de plannings touristiques, la Banqueting House est un lieu important à visiter à Londres. Légèrement à l’écart des principaux sites, vous découvrirez un endroit exclusif qui conte encore aujourd’hui la grandeur passée de Londres.