{"id":10448,"date":"2019-01-21T15:06:44","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T15:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldentours.com\/travelblog?p=10448"},"modified":"2025-01-16T09:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T09:38:48","slug":"hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-london-blue-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldentours.com\/travelblog\/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-london-blue-route","title":{"rendered":"Reasons You Should Take an Open Top Bus Tour in London"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There’s no better way to discover a new city than with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, especially in London. With so much to see and do, it’s almost impossible to fit it all in with the bustling Tube journeys. That’s why our open top bus tours<\/a> are such a hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Golden Tours Blue Route drops you to the doorstep of every tourist\u2019s (and Londoner\u2019s for that matter) favourite locations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Golden<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Driving you through Parliament Square, home to the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, hop off here and practice your curtsy as you head into the most famous royal venue in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Westminster Abbey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built over 1,000 years ago, Westminster Abbey<\/a> is one of the most iconic landmarks in the UK. In April 2011, it was the royal wedding venue for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Before royal weddings were streamed to millions of people across the globe, the Abbey was home to Benedictine monks. It was also transformed by King Edward the Confessor as a royal burial church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Westminster<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These days, the Abbey beholds many of England\u2019s most prized royal memories. It was the location of the longest-serving British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s, coronation. With a ticket, you\u2019ll get to see the historic Coronation Chair as well as Poets\u2019 Corner where the likes of Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer and Thomas Hardy are buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitehall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Get back on the bus and hop-off at London\u2019s Whitehall. Walk down the vast street and come up to the black metal gates of Downing Street. Try to catch a glimpse of the British Prime Minister at number 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Whitehall\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to discover more about Britain\u2019s Prime Ministers, then Churchill\u2019s War Rooms<\/a> are just a few minutes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Churchill\u2019s War Rooms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This museum is unlike any other in London; it houses an underground complex that the British government used during WWII. Head beneath the Treasury and wander the huge expanse of rooms that were hidden from German bombing raids. Hear how Churchill and his government plotted against Hitler and his army in the Cabinet War Rooms, the Map Room and Churchill\u2019s secret communications room. See his bedroom, his kitchen and much more on this fascinating walk through 1930\u2019s Wartime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Churchill's<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Household Cavalry Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along Whitehall, you\u2019ll find the iconic Household Calvary Museum<\/a>, home to the history and accomplishments of the Household Calvary. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be the King\u2019s Bodyguard. Dress-up in the Cavalryman attire, see the Calvary in action and the working stables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Household<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trafalgar Square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trafalgar Square is one of the most famous locations in London. It’s named after the Battle of Trafalgar and home to the towering 19th<\/sup> century National Gallery<\/a>. You\u2019ll get to see the giant statue of Nelson\u2019s Column and the four bronze lions that protect it alongside the huge water fountain. Also, many street performers and artists spend their days in this vast public square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trafalgar<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Strand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got tickets to one of London\u2019s spectacular theatre shows like Dream Girls or Kinky Boots, you\u2019ll need to hop-off at The Strand. As one of the most famous areas in the capital, it\u2019s got more secrets than you could ever imagine. It\u2019s often claimed that Guy Fawkes\u2019 Gunpowder Plot was thought up in the Duck and Drake Tavern on The Strand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleet Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Known as the printing and publishing area of London, Fleet Street has housed some of the most famous media outlets in the country. Most newspaper establishments have left this iconic street but it\u2019s maintained its reputation as the media hub of the capital. But that\u2019s not the only thing Fleet Street is known for. Did you know that the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd, once lived on Fleet Street?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Paul\u2019s Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our hop-on hop-off London bus tour takes you to arguably the most famous landmark in London, St Paul\u2019s Cathedral<\/a>. Often referred to as \u2018the beating heart of the capital\u2019, it’s one of our most popular stops. Sitting on the highest point of the City of London, St Paul\u2019s is a real sight to behold. It was designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren and has held many famous services. These include Sir Winston Churchill\u2019s funeral, the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana\u2019s royal wedding and Queen Victoria\u2019s Jubilee celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"St<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Venture inside to enjoy the three famous galleries: the Golden Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Whispering Gallery. The Golden Gallery sits at the top of St Paul\u2019s in the dome, 85 metres from the Cathedral Floor and over 500 steps up. It gives you exceptional views of the Cathedral and London where you can spot Tate Modern and Shakespeare\u2019s Globe. The Stone Gallery is the next gallery at 53 metres above the Cathedral floor, followed by the Whispering Gallery. Although it\u2019s the lowest gallery of them all, the Whispering Gallery is famous for its \u2018whispering powers\u2019. Stand on one side of the wall, whisper and hear it across the wall \u2013 try it for yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The formidable Tower of London<\/a> no longer fills Londoners with dread but hundreds of years ago, it was a place of brutal torture and imprisonment. From the 11th<\/sup> century, it held some of the most notorious criminals in the country including those who had committed the ultimate betrayal of treason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tower<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tower, however, was not only a prison. It\u2019s also been the home of the Royal Mint, an armoury, the guarding place for the Crown Jewels and more shockingly, a zoo! The Royal Zoo held bears, lions and a whole host of terrifying wild beasts that you can now learn more about at the Royal Beasts Exhibition inside the Tower of London as well as come up close to the exquisite Crown Jewels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tate Modern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hop-off at Tate Modern<\/a> for a walk through the history of art from the 16th<\/sup> century to the present day. The collection houses art from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and across the world. It showcases the versatility of contemporary artwork and is an unmissable treat for any culture-lovers visiting the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The London Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular stops on our tour is the UK\u2019s most visited attraction, the London Eye<\/a>. At 135 metres above ground level, the London Eye\u2019s<\/a> iconic glass capsules give you spectacular panoramic views of the capital as you\u2019re taken on a 30-minute ride. You\u2019ll get to see Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and even as far as Windsor Castle on a good day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"London<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The area that surrounds the London Eye is a bustling playground for tourists. With the likes of the London Dungeon<\/a>, Shrek\u2019s Adventure and the SEA LIFE London Aquarium all within seconds of the Eye, it\u2019s the perfect location to explore for hours on end. You\u2019ll get to enjoy fish and chips by the Thames or a delicious gelato from the pop-up stalls before watching one of the many singers and musicians that line Southbank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Imperial War Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Discover stories of real-life war survivors and learn of wartime experience with hundreds of fascinating artefacts from World War One and World War Two with a visit to the Imperial War Museum<\/a>. When you arrive, you\u2019ll see the 15-inch guns from HMS Ramillies and HMS Resolution outside the Museum which gives you just a taste of what you are to find inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blue route is just one of 4 routes that we offer along with over 70 stops to explore. See the hop-on hop-off London route map here<\/a> and the full range of London Tour packages<\/a> available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget to tag us in your sightseeing adventures @goldentoursuk<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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