There’s a llama nuzzling my chin. Her name is Truffle, she’s just turned 16-months-old and I’m about to take her for a walk.
I first became aware of the phenomenon of llama treks last year, over in Ireland watching a travel programme about a trip to a B&B in the countryside. Where they had llamas. And people took these llamas for a walk and it was calming, and it was restful, and it looked wonderful – a new form of mindfulness (being in the moment with a llama) and a more interesting way of meditating (thinking about a llama while walking). I googled llama treks and found a few places around Ireland that offered them. I read up on them all, then returned to London and did nothing more about it.
But the llama universe was clearly looking out for me. Because just six weeks later I had an invite from the Merry Harriers Inn in Surrey – not too far from where I live – for an overnight visit. And they had llamas…
I meet all ten of the llamas before we set off on the trek. Mungo is coming with us – he’s a few years older than Truffle and he’ll be walking with Fi – she’s a human (who says she has the best job in the world, leading llama treks year-round, weather permitting). I also meet Lorenzo, the baby of the family, just 8-months-old and too young yet for treks.
Llamas are friendly creatures, curious and loving and beautiful to look at. They are the stuff of viral videos. And they smile. Kittens – so over!
The only thing is, because they have three stomachs, they really like to eat a lot, spend 16 hours a day feeding – and don’t intend to stop just because they’re walking. So, I spend a substantial amount of the time trying to coax Truffle out of the hedges and away from foliage as we walk. With my inordinate charm? No, with a box of carrots, literally dangling a carrot in front of her to move her along. It’s quite a treat having her snuffle them out of my open palm though. Llamas, it turns out, also have ridiculously soft faces.
Treks take a couple of hours through the fields and countryside paths behind the Merrier Harriers inn. Or you can make a real trip of it and take a picnic (the llamas will carry the picnic basket and you can even have champagne).
When I’m not hanging out with llamas, I’m chilling in my shepherd’s hut or hobnobbing with the locals in the bar. There are five luxury huts set up in a field across the road from the inn and if this is a shepherd’s life, sign me up for a flock and crook now.
The inn also has accommodation in rooms over the pub or in pretty garden huts out the back (with views of the llamas). The inn itself is a 16the century pub – watercolours of it hang in Tate Britain – and serves food all day, with much of the produce sourced locally (some of it from their own garden).
The nearest station is Milford and trains run every hour from Clapham Junction, journey time is 40 minutes and then it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to the inn. If you’re driving, it’s off the A3 – follow the signs Milford and Haslemere.
The Merry Harriers is located in Hambledon in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is rather outstandingly beautiful. But mainly, there are llamas.
OWN YOUR OWN LLAMA (mug): And now, the smiling llama has become immortalised in ‘mug’ – as part of a fundraising appeal to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, set up by Lenses of Croydon. Photographer Robert Wilson Jr is a member of the group and donated this fabulous llama pic as part of the project. Read more and buy the mug here. (Other mugs are also available!)
I also wrote about the experience for The Scotsman – you can read the article here (it’s on page 2 – don’t panic
The Merry Harriers, Hambledon Road, Surrey GU8 4DR; phone 01428 682883; email enquiries@merryharriers.com. Inn rooms from £115 per night, garden rooms £110, shepherds’ huts £195, B&B
Photos copyright Rob Wilson Jnr at Fluid4Sight and Merry Harriers
After a week of wind and rain and a storm called Brendan (Brendan, seriously?), the hip replacement playing up (sometimes I wonder if they actually left the old one in) and general January “bleh”, Sunday’s glorious sunshine was like a bolt of energy from a beautiful blue sky. The weather called for a walk – and a proper walk, none of your urban strolling around a city park.
I went to Woldingham – 15 minutes from East Croydon on the train. Mainly because I like the name (it also happens to be the next station after Upper Warlingham, try being the announcer on that train with a hangover). But also because looking at the map of the area surrounding Croydon, Woldingham is on the edge of a big green bit.
I downloaded the All Trails app before I set off so I could follow a walking route – it was useless. I could see an overview of a possible route but to download the detail would have cost me a year’s subscription fee. So I did it the old-fashioned way and printed – yes, printed – the Woldingham Countryside Walk.
From information board outside Woldingham station, turn right along Church Road. Just before Church Road Farm, turn right over railway bridge and left towards Marden Park Farm. Continue up gently sloping bridleway, taking in views across the valley.
This is proper countryside – glorious vistas and sweeping views, made all the better by that huge expanse of blue sky and sunshine. There’s still signs of this morning’s frost, as well last week’s rains and God is that ‘gently sloping bridleway’ muddy. Don’t try this with trainers.
Bear right on tarmac road and then left through iron gates on to Horse Chestnut Avenue. Worth a look back to see view of 19th century mansion, once part of the Marden Park estate, established by Sir Robert Clayton, Lord Mayor of London.
Right, so I can’t see any sight of the 19th century mansion but it’s still a very nice view. Lord Clayton was a local 17th century politician, owned a bank and rebuilt St Thomas’ Hospital in London, though clearly had nothing to do with the mansion, which is now Woldingham School.
At South Lodge, bear left and then turn immediately left through squeeze gap into Marden Park. Climb steep 200m section of path with care.
It was steep but the view from the top of the hill was worth it – looking over Godstone and Bletchingley and, according to my map, views as far as the South Downs on a clear day. Which was news to me. I thought I was in the South Downs. But no. Turns out this is the North Downs.
The North Downs, according to my info, has inspired the likes of JM Turner, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Winston Churchill and Charles Darwin both lived nearby. The North Downs Way runs 153 miles from Surrey into Kent, following the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury Cathedral. Being fond of a cathedral, I like the idea of walking to Canterbury. But that’s for another day.
For now, I’m veering off my guided walk, 3 miles in. There’s another 3 miles to go if I want to stay on this route and end up back at Woldingham station. But a wander back down the hill to South Lodge leads me to “ancient woodland”.
Then this.
No, I wasn’t expecting that either. But then this.
So I follow the path down the road towards the vineyard, walking into clear blue sky.
And I come to this!
Result! Godstone Vineyard, a winery, cafe and wine shop bang in the middle of my healthy countryside walk. In the sunshine. So I take off my mucky boots, sit outside in the sunshine and a very nice lady brings me a cream tea.
The vineyard was set up in 1985 and currently produces about 15,000 bottles of local sparkling wine every year from its 10 acres. I had a small sample of both wines they produce – the white (excellent) and the rose (even more excellent, fine bodied and not the slightly wishy washy liquid rose can often be). Then I sat for another while in the sun, sipping a glass of sparkling wine, and thinking how much I love countryside walks. No wonder they’re so popular. I’m really looking forward to my next one.
(Just to finish off, I should probably say that after tea and a scone with jam and a glass of wine, plus a couple of small wine samples, I couldn’t face the next 3 miles to complete the walk – especially since I’d wandered off the route to the vineyard. So I got an Uber to take me the couple of miles to Caterham station, and from there got a bus to East Croydon. Countryside walks. Fabulous.)
From ice skating, light trails and spending the night in the home of the Christmas card, see our round-up for festive inspiration in 2018
Go ice skating
Some of the London ice rinks are open already – you can get your skates on at the National History Museum, on its wonderful rink in front of the historical building, surround by light-bedecked trees. There’s a café bar overlooking the rink if you’re not a skater – treat yourself to a hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Until 6 January, tickets from £12 adults, £8.80 children, £39.60 families; Nhm.ac.uk
Once the outdoor fun is over, pop inside to check out the stunning images in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (tickets £15/£9)
One of the most beautiful rinks in London, Skate at Somerset House (pictured above) takes place in the iconic building’s courtyard, under a 40ft Christmas tree. Hosted in association with Fortnum & Mason, after the skating visit alpine inspired restaurant Fortnum’s Lodge or shop at Fortnum’s Christmas Arcade.
There’s a skate school where you can learn to skate or brush up your skills; alternatively book a Skate Mate to provide assistance for novice skaters – available for 3 to 15 people, (cost £35 in addition to the price of your skating ticket). Special Skate Lates will feature leading DJs and artists on rink-side decks.
The rink is also open to wheelchair users and there are special dedicated wheelchair sessions.
From November 14 to January 13; £11 adults, £8.50 children; Somersethouse.org.uk
The ice rink at the Tower of London gives visitors a chance to skate in the moat surrounding one of London’s most famous landmarks, with stunning views of the Tower and the river Thames.
From November 23 to January 6; £14.50; Toweroflondonicerink.co.uk
Visit Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland for a chance to skate on the biggest outdoor rink in the UK, surrounding the park’s Victorian bandstand, and illuminated with over 100,000 lights. Afterwards, check out the park’s Christmas markets, Magical Ice Kingdom, Enchanted Forest, Santa Land and fairground rides.Read more about the Winter Wonderland Christmas market here.
From November 22 to January 6; £9.50 adults, £7.50 children, £30 family: Hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Skate around Henry VIII’s sixteenth-century pad at the Hampton Court Palace ice rink, a very picturesque backdrop, especially when lit up after dark.
From November 23 to Jan 6, £14.50; Hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
Christmas days and nights out
London Zoo is celebrating Christmas with a fabulous magical light trail and is also giving visitors a chance to upgrade to a VIP sleepover experience and spend the night in the zoo as well! From 4.45pm, the zoo will be transformed into a magical wonderland of twinkling decorations, illuminated animal sculptures, singing trees, light tunnels, festive food treats and surprises. Meanwhile, overnight guests will be staying in one of the zoo’s cosy lodges – nestled in the heart of the Land of the Lions! Are you brave enough…
Select dates from 22 November to 1 January; £16.50 adults, £10.50 children, £52 family, under-3’s and carers free
Overnight stay includes lodge accommodation, tour of Land of the Lions guided by ZSL’s experienced hosts, access to Christmas light trail, 2-course buffet dinner, behind-the-scenes tour, early morning zoo tours, full English breakfast, 2-day access to the zoo and exclusive discounts; from £378
Zsl.org
Winter at Southbank Centre is a packed programme of festive fun and entertainment. It includes two new family shows: Circus 1903 (from the award-winning War Horse puppeteers), running from 19 December to 5 January at the Royal Festival Hall, and Rumpelstiltskin at the Queen Elizabeth Hall from 13 December to 6 January.
The roofs of the Hayward Gallery, Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall will be illuminated by David Batchelor’s Sixty Minute Spectrum project, featuring a variety of coloured flashing lights in every colour of the rainbow.
Handel’s Messiah will be performed by Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall on 16 December, with an afternoon of timeless classics earlier that day in the Hall, with Christmas at the Movies.
Free events include a traditional festive Caribbean music concert, Argentinian tango performances and lessons, Strictly Winter Ballroom and swing classes, and 30-minute performances by a variety of choirs in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall from December 11 to 23.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, the traditional Southbank winter market will be taking place outside, with a range of alpine lodge stalls, pop-up bars and festive food and drink. Read more about London’s Christmas markets here.
From 9 November to 6 January (Christmas market until 27 December); Southbankcentre.co.uk
In Greenwich, the Royal Observatory’s festive programme includes Christmas Stars, an investigation of what the night sky has to offer in December as we head toward Christmas in this festive-themed show. Presented live by a Royal Observatory astronomer, the show will look at the moon, constellations and planets.
Runs throughout December; £8 adults, £5.35 children; Rmg.co.uk
A Christmas concert under the hull of Greenwich’s Cutty Sark features Merry Opera performing Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as sea shanties and a reading of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, Christmas at Sea, which is 150 years old this year.
16 December; £25, includes a mulled cider and mince pie slice; Rmg.co.uk
Take a tour of the Queen’s House in Greenwich to discover the fascinating royal history and iconic architecture of this ‘house of delight.
Throughout December 2018 and January 2019; £10 adults
On 6 December Christmas in the Queen’s House offers candlelit tours of the house, carol singers, a lecture on pageantry, wreath workshop, mulled wine and mince pies (£8). Rmg.co.uk
Festive Family Fun at London Transport Museum features a magical forest, with twinkling lights and trees, Santa’s Secret Christmas Cabin, storytelling sessions, craft workshops and a musical Christmas vintage bus tour around the lights and sights of London.
From 1 December to 6 January; £16 adults, free for children; Ltmuseum.co.uk
Escape the capital
Spend the night in the home of the creator of the first Christmas card, Sir John Calcott Horsley, who established Orestone Manor in south Devon. The 19th century Georgian Manor is now a family-run, luxurious country house hotel, set in landscaped gardens overlooking Lyme bay. It’s run by husband and wife chefs, Neil and Catherine D’Allen, who have scooped double AA Rosettes for their restaurant and double gold-wins in the Taste of the West hotel and restaurant awards.
Pictured above, the very first Christmas card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and drawn by John Horsley at Orestone in 1843. 1,000 cards were printed and sold, but today just under 20 are in existence – you can see one at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. But you can send your own ‘original’ card (in reproduction) from Orestone in the run up to Christmas this year, with special packages available for stays at the Manor until 23 December.
Orestone Manor was also the scene of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s National Portrait Gallery painting, created by Sir Horsley (his brother-in-law) on the Manor’s lawn.
Overnight stays from £110; Orestonemanor.com
More festive frolics
Our favourite Christmas markets in the UK and Europe for 2018
Visit a cathedral: see our top picks in London and South East England
1. Discover your natural fashionista at the V&A
Always a hit, the V&A fashion exhibition series has turned its attention to the natural world for its latest offering, Fashioned from Nature. Running until January 2019, it explores the complex relationship between fashion and the natural world since 1600, showing how fashion continues to draw on the beauty and power of nature for inspiration. Featured items include Emma Watson’s Calvin Klein dress made from recycled plastic bottles, a cape of cockerel feathers, a pineapple fibre clutch bag and clothes and accessories from Christian Dior, Dries van Noten and Philip Treacy. £12
2. Admire child artists at the National Gallery
The 23rd annual Take One Picture exhibition showcases the work of children from across the UK, who each year are invited to focus on one of its paintings and respond creatively to its themes and subject matter, historical context or composition. This year it’s the turn of Penelope with the Suitors by the Italian Renaissance painter Pintoricchio, which dates from about 1509 and the resulting exhibition ranges from portraiture and printmaking to flag designs and depictions of voyages. Free
3. Hang with the bugs at the Science Museum
Superbugs: The Fight for Our Lives explores the bacteria that lives inside us – some harmless, some less so. Find out how some bugs are fighting back against antibiotics, watch a film to step into a world without antibiotics and use virtual reality to explore the secrets of bacteria and play the most dangerous game in the world in the Superbugs Arcade. Free
4. Visit the tropical butterfly house at the Natural History Museum
Get close to hundreds of live butterflies and moths from Africa, Asia and the Americas. Take a jungle trail through the winged ones, find out fascinating butterfly facts and learn more about their behaviour and diversity. £5.85
5. Take a small one to the Tate
At Tate Modern on the third Saturday every month, children aged 8 to 14 and their families get to create a shared artwork using themes, ideas and materials inspired by an artist’s way of working (free).
6. Become a superhero at London Zoo
The Superheroes and Villains experience invites kids to join the Zoological Society of London’s vets, keepers and scientists in their epic battle against three of Earth’s toughest enemies: plastic, poaching and climate change. Afterwards, the junior superheroes can explore the Zoo and its 19,000 animals. Free with admission price to the Zoo, from £21.90
7. Find your inner child at V&A Museum of Childhood
The Museum of Childhood is the largest institution of its kind in the world. It holds the nation’s childhood collections and is an international leader in engaging audiences in the material culture and experiences of childhood. It also runs regular workshops, events and activities for kids and is a great resource for parents, particularly in holiday time.
8. Brush up on Shakespeare at The Globe
The theatre’s summer season includes Hamlet, As You Like It, The Winter’s Tale and Othello. It’s the perfect trip for teens who are going to be studying Shakespeare in the coming terms; The Globe truly brings the plays to life. From £5
9. Feast your eyes on the Goblet of Fire
Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter is currently celebrating all things Goblet of Fire in this new feature running for almost five months at the studios. The Goblet of Fire returns to the Great Hall for the first time since filming ended with live demonstrations showing visitors how the parchment pieces were propelled out to reveal the Triwizard champions. Many new props and costumes from the Triwizard Tournament will also be on display including those belonging to Barty Crouch Jr and Fred and George Weasley. From £31
10. See T H E U N S E E N Chloropleth flag at Somerset House
Visit the iconic courtyard at this wonderful London landmark to see this specially created flag change colour. Reflecting the impact of pollution on the environment around Somerset House, the flag uses a chromic colour change compound, which reacts in real-time to ultraviolet (UV) radiation – pictured at the top of the page. See the Union Jack when radiation exposure is low but once it’s high, the flag becomes monochrome. Free
11. Dig deep at London Transport Museum
The museum’s latest gallery, Digging Deeper explores the history of tunnels and a new exhibition reveals some of the secrets behind Crossrail. You can also go on a London adventure to discover some of the jobs required to keep the city moving, playing all sorts of characters along the way – Tube drivers, gardeners, track maintenance workers, cleaners and poster designers. £17.50, under-18s free
12. Get to know your teeth at Wellcome collection
From vampires and tooth fairies to barber-surgeons and professional dentists, Teeth traces the evolution of our relationship with our teeth and what they say about us. It features over 150 objects, including cartoons and caricatures, protective amulets, toothpaste advertisements and a range of chairs, drills and training tools. Free
13. Hoist the sails on the Cutty Sark
Summer events at the Cutty Sark, the 19th century British clipper sailing ship and the fastest of its time, include the All Aboard Game where kids get to climb the rigging, scrub the decks, hoist the sails and create their own maritime themed board-game to take home with them and the Sailors’ Challenge game where they try to outwit the crew for a ship takeover. Events free with admission, £12.15/£6.30
14. Head into space at the Royal Observatory
Holiday to Space in the observatory’s planetarium is filled with spectacular close up views of the planets and a chance to go on a sing-along adventure to find the great big bear. (£8.20)
15. Be inspired at Dulwich Picture Gallery
The current show, a retrospective of the British artist Edward Bawden, master printmaker, illustrator, watercolourist and designer, presents a fascinating collection of his work, showcasing everything from fine art works to advertising posters. (£16.50)
16. Walk with dinosaurs in Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace dinosaur sculptures were commissioned in 1852 for the park at the Crystal Palace, following its move from Hyde Park, and unveiled in 1854 as the first dinosaur sculptures in the world. They represented the latest scientific knowledge at the time, though some are incorrect by modern standards but nevertheless they are Grade 1 listed. Free
17. Create a masterpiece at the Horniman
Colour: The Rainbow Revealed explores the endless ways in which colour shapes our world and the animal world. It has lots of family-friendly displays and interactive games including an Art Machine where you can create your own vibrant masterpiece, a Mood Room with multi-coloured lights, and a Colour Café to learn why only certain colours tempt our taste buds. £7.70/£4.40
18. Immerse yourself in culture at the Southbank Centre
Exhibitions, concerts, storytelling, literature, dance and much more – check out the hugely varied programme running throughout the summer at the Southbank Centre, with a large amount of free events taking place every day. Upcoming highlights include the centre’s classical programme of over 200 concerts and Lee Bul’s transformation of the Hayward Gallery into an immersive dream-like landscape.
19. Step into the House of Dreams
Open only on very selected days of the year, the House of Dreams is a private house in East Dulwich, where every wall, ceiling and surface is covered with a very personal collection of random items, fashioned together by artist and owner Stephen Wright. It has everything from old Christmas decorations, crockery and broken toys to intricate mosaics and life-sized sculptures of fantastical characters. From £5
20. Visit an ancient woodland
While you’re in East Dulwich, check out one of London’s lesser known green spaces nearby, the historic Sydenham Hill Wood, which is the last remaining part of the ancient Great North Wood. This nine-hectare patch of dense woodland once covered all of south London from Deptford to Selhurst. Free
21. Treat the kids to a very special afternoon tea
Add a touch of glamour to your day out with Hamleys’ children’s afternoon tea in The Langham hotel. As well as a sumptuous tea (£29), they’ll also receive a Hamleys’ teddy bear. The kids’ tea, with jigsaw puzzle sandwiches and DIY cake treats, is served alongside the Wedgwood afternoon tea for adults, but the big people won’t get a bear.
22. Feel like royalty at the Royal Lancaster
So the much-talked-about Royal Wedding is over but you can still experience the royal treatment at this sumptuous 5-star London address and treat yourself to a stylish afternoon tea. From £35, children’s menu £15
23. Have fun at The Arch
The Family Fun package at The Arch starts from £390 and includes a complimentary extra bed or cot, special family menu, a visit from Archie the puppy, kids’ evening milk and cookie, bathrobe with slippers and lots of toys available from the toy box. A family Full English breakfast, soft drinks minibar, Sky HD package, Nespresso machine and Jing tea are also included.
24. Visit the Queen’s favourite UK hotel
Okay, hands-up, it can’t be said FOR SURE that this is the Queen’s favourite hotel but it’s just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, known to have hosted the monarch’s private birthday parties and the only hotel in the UK with a Royal Warrant. Its Bring The Family to the Goring package includes overnight accommodation for two adults and up to two children in interconnecting or adjacent rooms, full English or continental breakfast each morning, evening cocktails for parents and mocktails for children, V.I. (little) P. amenities, unlimited WiFi, complimentary mineral water and daily newspaper. From £750 per night. And – speaking of Royal Weddings – this is where Catherine Middleton stayed the night before she married Prince William.
25. Eat your way around Asia
Image by Robert Wilson Jr – Fluid4Sight
Bang Bang Oriental is London’s biggest Asian food hall and a complete delight for the taste buds with 24 different traders offering their wares in a light, airy, visually stunning space in north London. With everything from Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Indian to Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian, the dishes are authentic, the chefs are happy to chat and help you make your choices and the vibe is ‘relaxed restaurant’ rather than ‘soulless food hall’.
Here you’ll find what has been named as ‘the best roast duck in the world’ (Financial Times) at the Bang Bang branch of the famous Chinatown institution Four Seasons; Japanese delicacy Yakitori grill at Yaki Ya Grill, served with the authentic Yaki Ya sauce that takes 48 hours to prepare; a rare find in London – Indonesian cuisine – at Bang Bang’s newest addition, Makatcha, with its signature Rendang dishes; and Malaysian flavours of peanuts, curry and zingy salads from Kuala Lumpur at Coconut Tree, serving a big selection of halal dishes with colours that pop from the vibrant green plates.
Image by Robert Wilson Jr – Fluid4Sight
There’s bubble tea from Taiwan at Chatime, using tapioca to provide the popping bubbles in a range of flavoursome refreshing teas and juices and desserts to finish at Wonderful Patisseries, with its famous green tea ice cream served in a fish shaped cone.
Prices are extremely reasonable and you can have a slap-up meal for under a tenner; 399 Edgeware Rd, NW9
26. Dine in the City
For central London dining in an area that was once almost exclusively the preserve of ‘suits’ but is now fast becoming one of London’s buzziest destinations, head for the Bloomberg Arcade in the heart of the City. An all-star restaurant line up has moved into the covered pedestrian arcade running through Bloomberg’s new European headquarters. Inspired by the idea of creative cuisines from all across the world, dining options include Caravan, Homeslice, Vinoteca and Bleecker Burger.
27. Join Captain Cook’s explorations to the South Pacific and Antarctic
Running through the summer at the British Library, James Cook: The Voyages explores the three famous Captain Cook expeditions to the South Pacific and Antarctica, as well as the colonisation of New Zealand and parts of Australia for Britain. These are today very controversial missions and the Library doesn’t shy away from this. It presents period pieces like the journals and log books from the voyages, letters, maps and drawings alongside contemporary videos that present a modern perspective on what it means to be ‘colonised’ and how that can continue to impact through the generations. The exhibition is sponsored by cruise line Ponant, a company that offers contemporary travellers a chance to follow in the footsteps of famous explorers like Cook and travel the world in a less controversial and much more luxurious way. £14
28. Be inspired by London
The Museum of London is a fantastic place to engage with the city’s fascinating history and offers a chance to wander through Roman, Medieval, Victorian and contemporary London – as well as discover its earliest history before the city was even built. Current temporary exhibitions include suffragettes, fatbergs and London by night. Free
29. Eat cheese like a Queen
Did you know that the royals’ favourite cheesemonger is Paxton & Whitfield? It’s one of the most famous cheese purveyors in the city and now has teamed up with the Academy of Cheese, to offer one of the first UK industry recognised cheese training programmes. Designed for both amateur foodies and professional cheese lovers, it runs on June 13 (£195).
30. Take the train for less
Think about taking the train to the city because there are lots of great savings available if you’re in the know. For example, you can save up to one third off most of your train fares if you have a railcard – which costs just £30 for the year and also gets you lots of great discounts in various attractions and events around the UK. There are lots of different options available – like the 16-25 railcard (which is also open to people over 26 who are in full time education), the Family & Friends Railcard which offers one third off most adult fares and 60% off kids’ fares in the UK, a Seniors railcard once you’re over 60 and a Disabled Persons railcard if you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, which entitles both you and a friend to the discount.
There’s a Network railcard for anyone over 16 travelling in the South East, offering one third off most rail fares in the area and with this one you can take up to three adults and four children with you, who also get the discount.
All of the railcards can be registered onto your Oyster card when you’re travelling within London so you continue to get the discounts on the Tube, Docklands Light Rail and London train services. And they’re also available digitally to download onto your phone.
Get more information at www.railcard.co.uk
Read more about London: Being Grace Kelly at the Connaught Hotel
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