From Shellie:
With our host family at work and school, the boys and I ventured into London on our own, successfully navigating the London subway system (the Tube).
I think this is a good time to explain my travel philosophy (yes, I have one!). Whether you have children or not, I think it’s important to travel like a child. By that I mean, look to experience a place rather than observe it. My boys – and frankly I, as well – have a museum/cathedral/castle limit. And while London, especially, has much to offer in the way of free museums, churches, and palaces, I tried to plan a more kid-friendly day.
Our first stop: Westminster Abbey. I’m a sucker for the Royals and was eager to see where Prince William and Kate recently wed; Aidan – not so much. And when we arrived to the church in late morning to find a long line, we skipped it. Yep, skipped the Abbey. While I was initially disappointed, we later were rewarded with a treat that we would have otherwise missed!
Travel Tip 3: Pay in Cash at Westminster Abbey
If you visit the Abbey, go at 9:30 a.m. when it opens. There are two lines: cash and credit. The cash line is considerably shorter!
Travel Tip 4: Watch the Changing of the Guard online
Ok, I’m going to say it: skip the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. To get a front row seat for the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, you need to be in place by about 10:30 a.m. It’s not worth it. Before we left for the day, the boys watched an online video to get an understanding and close up view of what happens. We saw the guards in person at Wellington Barracks a few minutes before they left. Then we walked to Buckingham Palace where thousands of people were waiting, snapped a few pictures, grabbed a quick peak from the side of the palace, and left. Best decision of the day!
After the Changing of the Guard, we stumbled onto a 41-gun salute in St. James Park in honor of Prince Philip’s 92nd birthday. In a few days (once I figure out how to edit video on my iPad), check it out under VIDEOS.
Buckingham Palace is not open in June to tours; instead we visited the Royal Mews. In a short 45-minute tour, we saw the stables (no horses) and the lavish carriages belonging to the Royal Family. The Gold State Coach used for coronations is quite something! Aidan, like many British, is still trying to wrap his head around why this family owns so much!
Now to the boys’ favorite part of the day: the tour of Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club. From Nathan: Chelsea FC is one of the more accomplished football (soccer) teams in the world. We got to tour their stadium. It was smaller than I expected. My favorite part was the home locker room, complete with player jerseys. From Aidan: It was so awesome!
Our day ended with a spin on the London Eye. Originally, I wasn’t going to fork over the $68 for our family of 3, but it was a spectacular view and gave the kids an appreciation of London’s size.
Looks a little funky since I stitched several photos together, but you get the idea.
The Palace of Westminster (Parliament) with the Elizabeth Town (Big Ben) and Westminster Bridge viewed from across the Thames River.
Doesn’t get more London than this… red double-decker buses and Big Ben.
Big Ben on a gray, overcast London day. This was our first sight emerging from the Tube on Day 4.
Finally, something taller than Nathan! 🙂
This is one of my favorite photos of the day, maybe because there’s just a glimmer of blue sky!
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan with Big Ben and Parliament in the distance.
The state of Churchill looks on to Parliament and Big Ben.
Statue of Winston Churchill across from Parliament.
The lines outside Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey, the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and the wedding of Prince William and Kate.
Obviously signed for Americans and other foreign tourists.
The band plays at Wellington Barracks before heading to Buckingham Palace. At the Palace, they played Stevie Wonder and Happy Birthday to Prince Phillip!
Guards at Wellington Barrack just before the march to Buckingham Palace.
Crowds line the street, waiting for the Changing of the Guard parade.
More spectators awaiting the Changing of the Guard.
Side gate to Buckingham Palace grounds
Beautiful gilding on the gates to Buckingham Palace.
Nathan’s height pays off!
One of many guards at Buckingham Palace about to be relieved of his duties.
Aidan found himself a spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, that is until a palace police officer politely told him to get down.
This guard will be on duty for the next two hours. Aidan described the job as “boring.”
Main gate of Buckingham Palace.
We stumbled on a special treat: front row seats for a gun salute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen’s husband. Today was his 92nd birthday!
There are six cannons. Each takes several turns firing. In all, there were 41 shots – 21. We were told by an older British man standing next to us that the Royals always get a 41-gun salute.
As Aidan is signaling, the cannons are LOUD!
After the gun salute, the horses gallop back to retrieve the cannons.
It’s amazing how quickly they hook the cannons to the horses.
And off they go. Note the “dancing” horse on the left. It was all very regal.
This the stable area, though there were no horses inside on this day. The Queen personally selects the name of each horse. Many are named for cities or countries in the Commonwealth.
The Irish State Coach is traditionally used by the Monarch to travel from Buckingham Palace to Palace of Westminster to formally open the new session of Parliament.
The Australian Coach was a gift to the Queen from Australia on it’s Bicentennial in 1988.
On the Australian Coach, a kangaroo and emu have been hand painted.
Queen Elizabeth rode in the Scottish Coach to the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011.
No, the horses and riders aren’t real, but don’t they look like they could be? The carriage weighs 4 tons and is drawn by 8 horses. There’s a secret to how they get it out of this room.
The Golden State Coach
Incredible craftsmanship.
The London Eye on the banks of the Thames River.
The London Eye is like a space-age Ferris wheel. It’s also completely wheelchair-accessible.
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan on their way to the top of the London Eye.
Nathan takes in the amazing view!
Aidan and Nathan gaze down from the London Eye.
Shellie atop the London Eye.
Looks a little funky since I stitched several photos together, but you get the idea.
Nathan and Aidan outside Stamford Bridge.
Aidan practicing his skills in the football museum.
Nathan and Aidan eagerly awaiting tour.
Pass to tour Stamford Bridge.
The good seats at Stamford Bridge.
Nathan and Aidan practice for future press conferences.
Chelsea FC logo.
The meager away team locker room.
Home locker room, complete with team jerseys.
Walking out of tunnel to pitch.
Nathan gives the traditional tap.
Aidan sits in player chair on field.
Aidan and Nathan next to the pitch.
Aidan’s souvenir from Stamford Bridge.
Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC.
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Travel Tip 3: Pay in Cash at Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace is not open in June to tours; instead we visited the Royal Mews. In a short 45-minute tour, we saw the stables (no horses) and the lavish carriages belonging to the Royal Family. The Gold State Coach used for coronations is quite something! Aidan, like many British, is still trying to wrap his head around why this family owns so much!
DUDE!!! Chelsea, really! Cool.
Yes, boys were psyched. Ask Kevin if he got his Land Rover photo. 🙂