A Luxury Family Adventure in London

London is one of the most exhilarating and diverse cities in the world. This thriving metropolis has a rich history evident at every street corner and yet it continues to innovate, reinvent itself and lead the world.

Westminster Abbey stands next to the magnificent Houses of Parliament and is steeped in more than 1,000 years of history. It has been the setting for every coronation since 1066, as well as 16 royal weddings. It is one of Britain's most important religious buildings, and here you'll discover a panorama of British history. Please note that the abbey is a working institution and subject to last minute closures.

Channel you inner James Bond with a speed boat trip down the Thames. This exhilarating ride will take you past some of London most impressive landmarks as you speed your way past all the regular cruise boats. Once under Tower Bridge, hold on tight as your experienced skipper powers up and blasts you all the way to Canary Wharf and back!

London’s unofficial culture mile, the Southbank, boasts free exhibitions, movies at the British Film Institute and shows at the National Theatre. To escape the crowds, either dive into Southwark Cathedral where Shakespeare worshipped or head around the corner to the George Inn, the only remaining galleried inn in London.

Head over to the Southbank which is lined with world-class cultural institutions, including Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Step back in time as you enter into this reconstruction of Shakespeare's premier venue, where people still flock to see productions of the Bard's work.

One of the city's most famous landmarks, the Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, it saw several phases of expansion, mainly under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. Although not its primary purpose, the Tower is perhaps best known as a prison, a function it performed from 1100 right up until 1952. A highlight for many are the Crown Jewels. Still regularly used by The Queen in important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament, they are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy, holding deep religious and cultural significance in the nation’s history.

Embark on a tour of London with an expert guide to discover the city’s connections with the Harry Potter movies. Along the way you’ll see some of the capital’s most iconic sites, including Piccadilly Circus which was featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I. Your guide will show you some of the more intimate sites too, including Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station and Leadenhall Market, which was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Discover the narrow streets around Brick Lane, a vibrant part of town in London's East End, a traditional working-class district that has continually reinvented itself over the centuries. Home to generations of immigrants from 18th-century French Huguenots, a Jewish community and, in the late 20th century, the South Asian community, each have left their mark on the area. This mark is seen in the form of the bagel houses to the row of Bangladeshi-run Indian restaurants: London's very own Curry Mile. Over the last decade, Brick Lane has attracted a young creative crowd and now the area is adorned with street art, vintage shops, cafes, lively bars and market stalls. With your guide, get a feel for its vibe, its street art, and its history - a stark contrast to the gleaming glass skyscrapers that loom overhead from just yards away

Britain is renowned for its pomp and ceremony and the British Royal Family is the most famous in the world. Today you'll join your guide for a walk through the heart of Royal London. Walk past the halls of government power in Whitehall to Horse Guards Parade, a vast ceremonial parading ground where the Queen’s troops are often found practicing their horsemanship. Here’s there’s a little museum that tells the story of the Household Cavalry. Take a walk through St. James’s Park to see Buckingham Palace, official residence of the Queen. Nearby is the Royal Mews and the guardians of the Gold State Coach. The Mews are a working stables and in addition to historic carriages, it’s also sometimes possible to see the horses.

Buried deep under the government buildings of Whitehall are the historic Churchill War Rooms. This is the place from which Churchill strategized during World War II and it remains incredibly atmospheric today.

The pastel-coloured houses lining the streets of Notting Hill were the backdrop to the hit movie starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant and are just as picturesque in real life. The centre of activity is Portobello Road with its famous Saturday antiques market.

Try your hand at baking traditional English scones and enjoy afternoon tea at a private house. Learn how to make Scottish Shortbread and Devonshire Scones in an historic London house. Between the shortbread and scone making, your host will describe a selection of teas and demonstrate how to make a "perfect pot of English style tea."

After the baking you will withdraw to the sitting room and eat what you have just made, together with some cucumber sandwiches and homemade banana bread. All aspects of afternoon tea etiquette are covered in the class.

Walk via the Maritime Museum up the steep hill to the Royal Observatory, the site from where Greenwich Mean Time is calculated. With buildings dating back to 1675 you’ll also see the Greenwich Meridian line in the cobblestones outside. You can actually stand with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and the other in the Western Hemisphere! Walk back down to Greenwich town centre with its bustling craft market and the grand old tea clipper Cutty Sark.

Windsor Castle is still very much a working castle, and is the favourite home of Her Majesty the Queen. The magnificent state rooms provide an overview of architectural and interior design over the centuries and there is no shortage of stories about the characters who once filled these rooms. Windsor town is also a perfect place for some souvenir shopping. Please note that the castle is a working institution and subject to last minute closures.

Hampton Court Palace is a Tudor masterpiece. Henry VIII's vast kitchens are unique and the palace continued to grow up until the 17th century. The result is a wonderful tapestry of English architecture, tomes of fascinating stories and some of the most beautiful gardens in London.