RICHMOND PARK

RICHMOND PARK

Richmond Park, extending over some 955 hectares (2,360 acres), is a heritage landscape of national importance. The Park was enclosed as a hunting park by Charles I in 1637 and still retains many ingredients of a medieval deer park. Essential to its character is the rich landscape of semi-natural acidic grassland, areas of bog and bracken, wetland, woodland and ancient parkland trees, and the herds of fallow and red deer that still roam the park. In 1992 the park was notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature.Amenities * Pembroke Lodge - cafeteria (telephone 0208-940 8207) 1 November - 31 March: 10 am until 30 minutes before park closes 1 April - 31 October: weekdays 10 am - 5.30 pm, weekends 10 am - 7 pm * Pembroke Lodge - light music lunchtimes, early afternoons (Friday to Sunday, late June to end of August) * Kiosks - 10 am to 30 minutes before park closes * Golf courses restaurant - open all year from 8 am during daylight hours * Two public golf courses (for booking telephone 0208-876 3205) * Sailing model boats on the pond near Sheen Gate - beware, some of the banks are steep * Horse-riding (no stables or hiring facilities in the park) anywhere in the park up to 12 noon and after 6 pm (or till park closes), except for enclosed areas, footpaths and areas of mown grass. After these times, horse-riding must be confined to the roads, the riding tracks all around the park and the riding ring; also confined to tracks at all times when notices displayed. * Playground at Petersham Gate * Fishing on Pen Ponds (with licence) * Cycling on cycle tracks and al roads (except those closed by notice)Park opening times The park opens at 7.00 am in summer, 7.30 am in winter and closes at duskPark office Telephone: 0208-948 3209Postal address: Superintendent's Office, Holly Lodge, Bog Lodge Yard,Richmond Park, Surrey TW10 5H

REGENT'S PARK AND PRIMROSE HILL

REGENT'S PARK AND PRIMROSE HILL

Regent's Park has evolved from the 1811 plans of John Nash, Crown Architect and friend of the Prince Regent, who, to raise revenue for the Crown, designed a private residential estate set in parkland. The site is gently undulating rising to the steep conical summit of Primrose Hill from which there are fine views of Westminster and the City. Many changes have taken place within the framework of Nash's original scheme. The area now open to the public exceeds 400 acres, predominately open parkland but supporting a wide range of facilities and amenities including fine gardens, a lake with islands, heronry and waterfowl collection, sports and catering facilities, children's playgrounds and an Open Air Theatre.Amenities * Open Air Theatre (end May to early September - advance booking is essential: telephone 0207-486 2431) * Bandstands (a variety of concerts, lunchtime and evening) * Lake-side theatre (occasional) * Rose Garden Buffet * Toilets for the disabled and nappy-changing room by the Chester Gate Tea House * Broad Walk Tea House * Tennis and netball courts and tea pavilion (booking office and changing rooms) * Tennis and golf school * Bernhard Baron Pavilion (changing rooms) * Athletics track * Cricket * Blind cricket * Softball pitches * Rounders pitches * Football * Rugby * Hockey * Playgrounds (3, each with attendant) * Puppet shows and other children's activities on weekdays throughout August * Boating: on main lake, April to September - rowing, electric launch * Children's pool: rowing, canoeing, pedalos * London Zoo (entrance in Outer Circle with coach and car parks) * Waterbus (on Regent's Canal)
Park opening times The park is open from 5 a.m. until dusk all year round.Park information office.Telephone: 0207-486 7905Postal address: Park Manager, The Store Yard, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4NR

ROCK CIRCUS

ROCK CIRCUS

London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus, London W1. Telephone: (0207) 734 7203. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. Sun-Thu 11.00-21.00; Tue 12.00-21.00; Fri 11.00-22.00.
Award-winning attraction telling the story of rock and pop music by using videos, archive film and personal stereo sound. Moving and static wax figures help to revive the performances of the stars.

QUASAR

QUASAR

Trocadero Centre, Coventry Street, London W1. Telephone: (0207) 734 8151. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. Sun-Thu 10.00-23.00; Fri.Sat 10.00-00.00.
Live action laser game where up to 40 people at one time enter the futuristic fantasy game arena and escape from the real world.

LONDON DUNGEON

LONDON DUNGEON

28-34 Tooley Street, London SE1. Telephone: (0207) 403 0606. Tube: London Bridge. Daily 10.00-18.30 (last admission 17.30).
Wander at will through the dark slimy vastness of the London Dungeon which depicts the gorier aspects of British history.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Hampton Court, East Molesey, Surrey. Telephone: (0208) 781 9500. BR: Hampton Court. Mon 10.15-18.00; Tue-Sun 09.30-18.00.

The grandest Tudor residence in England, the Royal Palace, was begun in 1514 by Wolsey and developed by Henry VIII who created the magnificent roof of the Chapel Royal. In the late 17th century Wren designed the State apartments for William III. The King's apartments, badly damaged by fire in 1986, are now restored to their former glory. Wander through the ornamental gardens and the famous William III's maze
Also see the Great Vine and Henry VIII's Real Tennis Court.

GREENWICH

GREENWICH

Maze Hill or Greenwich. Thameside area famous for its maritime history. Royal Naval College with magnificent Painted Hall and beautiful chapel. Telephone: (0208) 858 2154. Fri-Wed 14.30-17.00 (last admission 16.30).

The 'Cutty Sark' is the last of the clipper ships. Telephone: (0208) 858 3445. Mon-Sat 10.00-18.00; Sun 12.00-18.00.

The Queen's House, splendidly restored to its former glory as Queen Henrietta Maria's royal palace. The interior is lavishly decorated. Telephone: (0208) 858 4422. Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00; Sun 14.00-17.00.

The Old Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park, founded by Charles II in 1675, has the Greenwich Meridian Line and historical astronomical instruments. Telephone: (0208) 858 4422. Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00; Sun 14.00-17.00.

Passport tickets to all attractions 7.95, child 5.45.

CABINET WAR ROOMS

CABINET WAR ROOMS

Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1. Telephone: (0207) 930 6961. Tube: Westminster. Daily 19.30-18.00 (last admission 17.15).

The underground suite of 21 rooms used by Churchill and the War Cabinet to protect them against air attack between 1939 and 1945. Preserved exactly as they were left.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1. Tube: Victoria.

Originally built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, this has been the London residence of the Royal Family since 1837. The Royal Standard flies above the Palace when the Queen is in residence. State Rooms open 7 August-28 September only (See Future Events section for details).

Changing of the Guard takes place here.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN LONDON

Founded by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and is rich in heritage.There are many places of interest to visit, which are listed below in alphabetical order.

Bank of England Museum

At the Bank of England Museum, within the Bank of England, you can ogle gold bars, a unique collection of bank notes and the pikes and muskets once used to defend the bank. Examine the intricacies of note production, then head for the dealing desk for live information on the money markets. Closed weekends

Tube Station: Bank on Central and Northern Lines Telephone: 0207 601 5545

The National Gallery

The National Gallery has one of the most world's finest permanent collections of western European paintings, dating back to 1260. It's a treasure grove of greats, who include Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Rembrandt as well as the Post-Impressionists and Picasso. Paintings are divided chronologically, making any visit a journey through art history.

Tube Station: Charing Cross on Northern and Bakerloo Lines
Leicester Square on Northern and Piccadilly Lines

Houses of Parliament

For a debate with pomp and ceremony take a seat in the public gallery at the Houses of Parliament. These are much in demand so prepare to queue. The House sits Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 14:30, Wednesday at 10:00 and most Fridays at 9:30.

Tube Station: Westminster on Circle and District Lines Telephone: 0207 219 3000

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is an excellent place for a walk, with 790 acres of woodland and grass. There are also three ponds where you can swim for free. One is for women only, secluded and surrounded by fencing and trees. There's a men's pond and a recently refurbished mixed pond. All have changing rooms with cold showers.

Tube Station: Hampstead on Northern Line for Hampstead Heath and mixed pond
Kentish Town for men's and women's pond on Northern Line

Piazza at Covent Garden

The traffic-free area around the Piazza at Covent Garden is a haven for buskers, who perform with permission from the Council. All have to pass an audition so the standard is high. Musicians, clowns and jugglers are the main attractions, but be warned: they often invite the audiences to participate

Tube Station: Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line

Big Auction Houses

One of London's best free shows is to watch an auction at one of the Big Auction Houses. Sales are of everything from old master paintings and furniture to rock and roll memorabilia and wines. Items are displayed for a few days before sales, or you can sit among the dealers and watch the auction itself
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Sotheby's: 0207 493 8080 Christie's: 0207 839 9060 Phillips: 0207 629 6602 Bonhams: 0207 393 3900

COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE

COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE

Kensington High Street, London W8. Telephone: (0207) 603 4535. Tube: High Street Kensington. Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00; Sun 14.00-17.00.

Over 50 countries of the Commonwealth organises their own exhibition, presenting a fasci nating look at their history, landscape, wildlife, crafts and culture.

CHISWICK HOUSE

CHISWICK HOUSE

Burlington Lane, London W4. Telephone: (0208) 995 0508. BR: Chiswick. Daily 10.00-13.00, 14.00-18.00.

Outstanding example of classical 18th century architecture designed by the Earl of Burlington.

THE ROYAL MEWS

THE ROYAL MEWS

Buckingham Palace, London SW1. Telephone: (0207) 799 2331. Tube: Victoria. Tue-Thu 12.00-16.00 (last admission 15.30).

View Her Majesty The Queen's carriage horses, carriages and harness used on State occasions, also the Coronation Coach which was built in 1761.