SIGHTSEEING St Martin-in-the-Fields
This aristocratic palace was built in 1766 by Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Princess Diana. See the eight state rooms on a guided tour. Sun 10.30am-5.30pm; Mon pre-booked groups only. Adult £15; child £12. www.spencerhouse.co.uk. 27 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NR. T: 020-7514 1958. E7. Station: Green Park.
Palladian church with tours, a brass-rubbing centre and live classical music. Regular, free lunchtime concerts from 1pm. 4 Dec: Gala Evening. During the 1950s, the church presented an annual nativity performance to raise money. In 1958, Ralph Vaughan Williams agreed to compose the music especially for St Martin-in-the-Fields. This year the tradition is revived; 7pm-10pm; £150. 8 Dec: Blessing of the Crib in Trafalgar Square. This ceremony includes a candlelit procession and a real donkey; 5.30pm-6.30pm. Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Admission free; brass rubbing from £4.50. www.stmartin-inthe-fields.org. Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ. T: 020-7766 1100. E8. Station: Charing Cross.
St Katharine Docks
18 Stafford Terrace This house offers an insight into the personal life of Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, who lived here from 1875 with his family. A highlight of your visit will be the costumed actor tour, on which you’ll meet Mrs Sambourne or her parlour maid Mrs Reffell for a dramatic account based on old diaries. Check for special tours, times and prices. www.rbkc.gov.uk. 18 Stafford Terrace, W8 7BH. T: 020-7602 3316. Off map. Station: High Street Kensington.
Discover the secrets of the Underground
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Hidden London
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Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece, part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, is home to a neoclassical chapel and the Painted Hall, which recently reopened following a major conservation project. Its enhanced undercroft space now includes a new gallery, while you can also see the foundations of King Henry VIII’s birthplace, Greenwich Palace. Daily 10am-5pm. General admission free; Painted Hall adult £12; child free. www.ornc.org. King William Walk, SE10 9NN. T: 020-8269 4799. Off map. Station: Cutty Sark/Greenwich.
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Old Royal Naval College
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This central London marina dates back to the 11th century. It’s home to regular markets, shops, art galleries and restaurants. www.skdocks.co.uk. 50 St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LA. T: 020-7264 5287. Off map. Station: Tower Hill.
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The waxwork of the Queen that is currently on display at Madame Tussauds is the 23rd to have been made. Images of the clay head were sent to Buckingham Palace during the creative process
Spencer House
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DID YOU KNOW?
Experience disused station tours and an immersive exhibition that delves deeper into a mysterious subterranean world.
The Royal Observatory
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Stand astride the historic Prime Meridian, where east meets west, to take your place at the centre of the world. Uncover the history of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and see clocks and timepieces that have completely changed how we live. Daily 10am-5pm. Adult £16; child £8. Joint tickets with Cutty Sark available. Book online to save. Audio guide tour available. www.rmg.co.uk. Blackheath Ave, SE10 8XJ. T: 020-8858 4422. Off map. Station: Greenwich/Maze Hill/Cutty Sark.
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The View from The Shard
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One of Europe’s largest aquariums with 500 species of global marine life and walk-through tank tunnels, including a glass walkway above a school of sharks. You can also snorkel with sharks (£150 including admission), while the Rainforest Adventure attraction is your chance to see snapping turtles and the world’s largest species of spider. Please check for times and prices. www.sealife.co.uk/london. County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB. T: 0333321 2001. F8. Station: Westminster/Waterloo. Ascend the tallest building in Western Europe in a high-speed lift that travels at six metres per second (p. 24). At 309m up, on a clear day you can see as far as Windsor from the open-air sky deck at level 72. Check out the two bars, or make a Saturday night of it at a silent disco on 7 & 14 Dec; £37.50, book online. Daily from 10am; check for closing times. Adult from £27.20; child from £21.25. www.theviewfromtheshard.com. 32 London Bridge St, SE1 9SG. T: 0844-499 7111. E10. Station: London Bridge.
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THE QUEEN WAXWORK COURTESY OF MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON
Sea Life London
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