Bluewater shopping centre by Hardo

Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead is home to the Snow Centre, which brings the outside indoors. To take part in some adrenaline-fueled sports, you can travel from London Euston to Hemel Hempstead train station in just 30 minutes. The centre offers a number of value family packages so this is a great activity for the kids, especially if skiing in the south of France is out of your budget.

Bluewater

Bluewater is a great day out, especially if you want to shop till you drop without the mania of Oxford Street. With 100s of retailers including House of Fraser and John Lewis, you will undoubtedly find whatever your heart desires. Don’t fancy shopping? Throughout Bluewater there are plenty of elegant restaurants, cafes and bars to unwind and relax in. So whether you fancy a three course meal or a burger and a beer Bluewater will have it. If shopping or dining out doesn’t appeal then maybe try to plan your trip around one of Bluewater’s many celebrity appearances or take a trip to the cinema. Or why not make the day of it, and do all four, making the most out of your trip? Best of all, Bluewater is only a 45 minute drive from central London.

Whitstable

Another 45 minutes down the road, you can put your feet in the salty water of the English channel in the cobbled town of Whitstable. Famous for the annual summer oyster festival and its maritime heritage, Whitstable offers a very picturesque harbour and rows of sun-bleached beach huts. The fish and chip shops in the town are a hidden treasure, with many shops having queues of customers winding out the doors. Gaze out across the shingle shore line, eat your paper-wrapped dinner and then enjoy the breeze through your hair.

Henley-on-Thames

A trip to Henley-on-Thames offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in some traditional British cream tea in the heart of Oxfordshire. The winding Thames meanders through the old market town proudly, with old pubs dotted on every corner. Henley is also home to a stunning stone bridge that encapsulates the Thames at its best. With Henley less than an hour away from busy central London, the town offers the perfect day trip for cream teas, scones and long walks. Truly idyllic.

Windsor Castle by gailf548

Windsor Castle

Only 45 minutes from London, you can find one of Britain’s largest tourist attractions, Windsor Castle. Being easily accessible by rail and road, the castle is busy all year round. The Queen’s favourite residence boasts romantic architecture and elegant state rooms and with more than 900 years of history on the site, this gem of English cultural heritage makes for the perfect day trip.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DAVID ILIFF

The London Eye

This attraction is a really great way to see the city (and a lot cheaper than a helicopter ride) and on a clear day you can see as far as 25 miles, but even on a not so clear day the views over London are still stunning. It’s the world’s largest observation wheel and takes about 30 minutes to do one revolution. If tickets are booked in advance they cost from £15.00 per adult but concessions are available for children and OAPs. If you turn up on the day expect to pay from £25.00 per adult, no concessions, and if you fancy it you can either hire an entire capsule, which can hold up to about 25 people.

Tower of London

Situated on the northern side of Tower Bridge (an attraction in its own right) this iconic building houses far more than just one sight for its viewer. The Tower of London is known for holding the crown jewels, but it began life as a show of power under the Norman invader, William the Conqueror. The tower then went on to become a prison to Sir Walter Raleigh and even two of Henry VIII’s wives. Entry to the tower costs from £18.00 per adult or £47.00 for family made up of two adults and up to 6 children. For those who fancy a good pint and some food afterwards cross Tower Bridge and about 50 metres down the road is a great pub on the left hand side called ‘The Draft House’; ask them for their pork scratching’s, they’re amazing!

Shopping

For those of you who love high street shopping nowhere comes as famous as Oxford Street. If you fancy more designer wear then Regent Street runs immediately across it. For those who love something a bit more alternative and niche, without having to go far, then Carnaby Street, which runs immediately parallel to the East of Regent Street is a fantastic experience; it’s Christmas decorations and lights are also always something to behold.

There are so many things you can do in London but the three above provide a good range of things you could do all in one or two days, depending on how much shopping you intend to do!

Why not spend your bank holidays 2012 seeing the sights of London; however, if you plan to go early in the year check, when do the clocks go forward? You don’t want to miss your flight!

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