Two weeks ago I found myself at a very boring conference in London. Having spent an almost sleepless night in a main-road hotel above a train station, I was in danger of dozing off. Outside, however, the skies were clear and blue and the temperatures unseasonably warm. I waited ‘til twelve, took advantage of the free lunch and then legged it to TrafalgarSquare to take an open top bus tour round the capital for the rest of the afternoon.
The first bus to come along was the Big Bus Tour. I would have got on it whatever the price and wherever it was going in truth, but I was very pleased to discover that for £15 quid I was entitled to 3 bus tours and 1 boat ride up the Thames as many times as I wanted over the next 24 hours. Also, I could get on and off the buses at the many designated stops whenever I liked.
Fantastic. I whipped out my cash and took my place on the ‘red’ tour which was to last one and a half to two hours depending on traffic.
The bus was an open top one with the front 4 rows of seats on the upper deck covered. I sat half way along on a non-padded but surprisingly comfortable seat.
Basically, the ‘red’ tour takes in Westminster and The City, thus most of the sights we all know and associate with our capital city.
On this tour I saw Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Hyde Park, Green Park, Marble Arch, St Paul’s, the London Eye, Parliament old and new, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Waterloo Bridge (from which you get the most amazing view of London), Tower Bridge and much, much more.
The guide was superb. He was warm, friendly and professional, and had very detailed knowledge of the city. Most of his jokes were even funny, and his presence really made the tour interesting. Along the way he pointed out loads of places I’d never heard of that had fascinating histories and were a pleasure to see. He was also happy to answer questions and generally chat with the punters.
Though I’ve been to London many times I’d never seen all of the famous sights and this tour not only enabled me to do that, but to finally get a handle on the place as a whole and how the different districts relate to each other both geographically and historically.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to take the other tours, so never got to see the Mall, Buck palace, the Globe Theatre and other buildings I would have liked. Neither did I have time to take the boat trip from the Tower up to the city centre.
For me it was well worth the 15 quid just to take the one tour, and the whole package represents exceptional value for money. Oh yes, and your ticket also gets you discount at restaurants and attractions too.
Next time I go to London I’ll buy my ticket and do the lot, and I’d highly recommend the Big Bus Tour to anyone wanting to take the tourist trail.
It’s a relaxing, entertaining and fascinating journey through living history.
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Being a Londoner, I've never got round to doing for years. You've reminded me. Next time our Canadian friend stays, we're deffo going on it. BTW, that f*****g Energy Efficiency pop-up nearly put me off writing this - I sympathise. Chris
herbb 11.11.2001 13:20
sounds like value for money, what was the guide´s name?
LostWitness 11.11.2001 11:32
I did one of these once - the tour guide was drunk, and as we turned a rather sharp corner, he disappeared down the stairs. Well, it was the highlight of the tour for me! :O)
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Nov 10th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
