Exploring London with Gren Tours
London is a city of great contrast. On one end of the spectrum it is a cutting-edge vibrant metropolis and on the other it is a historic attraction with some of the oldest buildings and infrastructures not only in England, but in the entire world. There are more than enough inspirational itineraries and specialist tours to last a lifetime but if your schedule is limited and you want to see as much as possible in one day, then Gren Tours is for you.
Gren Tours is run by the Institution of Tourist Guiding’s ‘Blue Badge’ qualified guide, Glen Portch. Glen specialises in bespoke, private tours of London and Great Britain for individuals and groups.
There are many popular destinations within easy reach of London and Glen can take you on day trips to towns and attractions including Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford. If you want to venture further afield, then multi-day trips can be arranged, whilst Glen can also start your tour from airports and cruise ship terminals finishing at your hotel. If you are in transit and have spare time between flights for a brief tour, Glen will gladly oblige – helping you discover the history, legends and intrigue of this amazing city.
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Tower of London
After taking control of the country in 1066, William the Conqueror (King William I) built the Tower of London with the purpose of serving as the main residence of the King. In order to deter possible rebellions he also constructed the strategically placed Baynard Castle (between where Blackfriars station and St Paul’s Cathedral now stand) as a nearby defence for his new home. Soon after London replaced Winchester as the capital of England and the city has played host to the royal family ever since.
Aside from serving as a royal residence, this magnificent fortress has been used as an observatory, a zoo and a place of execution and torture for those who offended the Crown. Despite its elegant architecture and fascinating façade, the confines of this clad Caen stone building has garnered a reputation as one of the most famous haunted places in the entire world. Few attractions can boast a history quite as dark and peculiar as the Tower of London.
For nearly 900 years, traitors, kings, queens, saints and sinners have been held here against their will. The Tower of London earned the nickname ‘The Bloody Tower,’ due to the large number of people that have been executed or left to rot in their cells. Prisoners who met their grizzly fate inside the Tower included Sir Thomas More, Guy Fawkes, Lady Jane Grey and Anne Boleyn; while the last execution was as recent as the Second World War when a German spy was shot in 1941.
Follow in the footsteps of the Tower’s most famous residents during a tour of the chilling Prisoners’ Exhibition. On this eerie walk you will see the scores of graffiti etched into the walls by prisoners in the Beauchamp Tower, hear the stories of torture in the Cradle Tower, and explore the luxurious Bloody Tower cell that was home to Sir Walter Raleigh for an incredible 13 years over three separate spells in captivity between 1592 and the date of his execution in 1618.
The Crown Jewels
On a more pleasant note, the Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels. Allow yourself to be dazzled by the 23,578 gems that represent an awe-inspiring symbol of British monarchy. The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still used in coronation and national ceremonies today.
The extraordinary collection includes The Imperial State Crown (1937), worn by the Queen at each State Opening of Parliament. Although it is one of the youngest crowns in the collection, it holds a number of much older gems from a previous crown which weakened under the weight of the gemstones. Another highlight includes the enormous 530.2 carat Cullinan I diamond, or Great Star of Africa. Added to the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross (1661) in 1910, it remains the largest colourless cut diamond in the world.
Although Coronation ceremonies have taken place since William the Conqueror took the throne in 1066, most of the crown jewels from this era were permanently destroyed upon the orders of Oliver Cromwell. After taking over parliament by force in 1653, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth ordered the Crown Jewels to be broken up, symbolising the destruction of the monarchy. By the time the royalists resumed control in 1660 all that remained was the ampoule and spoon. The 800 year old silver-gilt Coronation Spoon is still used at the Coronation for holy oil and is the oldest item on display.
Buckingham Palace
When you think of the Royal Family, the first thing that comes to mind is Buckingham Palace. It is the official residence and office of the Royal Family and serves as a truly iconic building which is the focal point of royal life.
Throughout the centuries, Britain’s kings and queens have built or bought palaces to serve as family homes, workplaces and centres of government. After the Tower of London, a further three official residences – the Palace of Westminster, the Palace of Whitehall and St James’s Palace – existed prior to moving to the current location of Buckingham Palace during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1837.
The Palace is very much a working building and the centrepiece of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. It houses the offices of those who support the day-to-day activities and duties of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and their immediate family. Given the large network of security and support staff you would not want to be charged with the duties of cleaning this grand and opulent residence. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. That’s plenty of space for Queen Elizabeth II’s royal corgis to run around in!
Buckingham Palace is also the venue for great Royal ceremonies, State Visits and Investitures, all of which are organised by the Royal Household. If you strike lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a very important figurehead either arriving or departing during your visit. You can also witness the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, a splendid ritual which highlights the much loved pomp of the British Monarchy.
Westminster Abbey
As the venue for royal coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066, Westminster Abbey is steeped in regal tradition and elegance. This stunning gothic construction boasts an immense interior, completed by an abundance of fine engravings, etchings and stained glass windows. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a ‘Royal Peculiar’ which means the Dean is directly answerable to the monarch.
The monumental building has played a central role in every important royal ceremony for the last few hundred years. Westminster Abbey has witnessed 16 royal weddings, countless royal and state funerals, and is the focal point of religious activity on an annual basis. Following the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at this traditional venue in 2011, interest in the Royal family could not be any higher.
WestminsterAbbey is as equally appreciated for its historical importance as it is for its religious significance. The Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Many of the nation’s great men and women from almost every century of these islands’ past can be found resting within its grounds, including kings and queens, statesmen and politicians, lawyers, warriors, clerics, writers, artists and musicians. Principal among them is St Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066, whose shrine is at the heart of the Abbey. Other notable burials include the tombs of Queen Elizabeth I, Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral embodies the heritage of the British people. Cathedrals serve a wide community, and St Paul’s is no different; people are drawn to this revered landmark, bringing them together in celebration and remembrance.
St. Paul’s resplendent dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline. The highest point in the capital until 1962, St Paul’s occupies a significant place in the national identity of the British population. Many important services have been held in the cathedral over the decades, such as the funeral services of Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, and more recently, Margaret Thatcher, Jubilee celebrations in honour of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. Despite being used as a venue for national and royal events, however, St. Paul’s remains a busy working church, with hourly prayer and daily services.
The beloved cathedral that stands today was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1669, after the previous structure was decimated by the Great Fire of London. It was the greatest project of the age and took 40 years to complete. An architectural feat, the Cathedral is open to visitors who wish to take in the splendour for themselves. Climb the dome to the Whispering Gallery and test out the unique acoustics; a whisper on one side can be clearly heard 100 feet away, or leave the skyline behind and descend into the crypt; the final resting place for some of the Nation’s heroes, such as the Duke of Wellington and the Cathedral’s eminent designer himself.
A Magical Day Out – Harry Potter Tour
Oxford, just an hour and 30 minutes outside of London, is the home of the oldest university in the English speaking world. This prestigious university is particular famed for its different colleges which house communities of students; these colleges are enclosed in separate buildings comprising of dormitories, a chapel and communal dining halls – features not too dissimilar from a certain School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as conceived by the brilliant children’s writer J.K. Rowling. The archaic buildings of Oxford’s colleges, so surrounded in tradition (and just a little mystery) formed the perfect backdrop for scenes from arguably the most successful movie franchise of all time. With Gren Tours, you can discover the magical word of Harry Potter.
After enjoying lunch in Oxford – or, if you’d prefer, in a country pub – you’ll journey on (though sadly not by broom) to the Warner Brothers Studios at Levesden for the ‘Making of Harry Potter’ tour. Delve into the incredibly detailed wizarding world and go behind the scenes, discovering film sets, costumes, props and the animatronics used in the making of the eight movie franchise. This incredible tour takes approximately three hours, in which Hogwarts and Diagon Alley are magically brought to life before your eyes. Leaving the enchanting studios behind, your group will return to central London to visit some of the film locations shot around the city, including Kings Cross Station and Platform 9 ¾, where the Hogwarts Express departs every 1 September for another year of magical adventures.
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Discover Downton Abbey
Since it first aired in the UK in 2010, Downton Abbey has taken the world by storm. Created by Julian Fellowes (renowned actor, novelist, screenwriter and director) the award winning drama series depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in post-Edwardian England, as various historical events – including the sinking of Titanic and the outbreak of the First World War – have a direct impact on their lives. Rapidly growing in recognition, the show has gone on to become one of the most widely watched televisions shows in the world. Although set in the County of Yorkshire the series is filmed in Bampton in Oxfordshire, whilst the resplendent Highclere Castle of Hampshire provides its stunning façade for exterior shots of the ‘abbey’.
Set amidst 1,000 acres of parkland, Highclere Castle is currently home to the eight Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. The present stately home was built in the 19th Century by Charles Barry, the same architect who designed London’s Houses of Parliament. Fans of the hit show can now visit Bampton and Highclere Castle and descend into the Downton world of privilege and propriety with Gren Tours, on a number of exciting itineraries.
A 10 hour tour of Oxford, Bampton & Highclere Castle is a popular option for those who want to combine British history with their love for the show. After exploring the ancient architecture of Oxford, guests will have time for souvenir shopping before enjoying lunch either in the city or en-route to Bampton. Upon reaching the picturesque village, visitors are offered an ample 30 minutes for photography before travelling on towards the Highclere, eager for the first glimpse of the resplendent castle. After spending an intriguing two hours exploring Highclere, the delightful tour will draw to a close with a two hour journey back to London. It is important to note that Highclere Castle is not open all year.
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