We’ve all heard of London Theatre and of course Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.  Well, today you can enjoy both along with over 50 otherLondon Attractions with only 1 Ticket: The London Pass.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is in fact long gone - closed by Puritans in 1642 and taken down 2 years later. Fortunately for fans of the bard, there’s a faithful reproduction housed only a few hundred meters from the original site.

The consuming passion of too-little known American actor Sam Wanamaker, the Globe offers performances of Shakespeare’s plays during the summer along with tours of the facility. Wanamaker died shortly after construction began.

Though no drawings of the interior of the original are known to exist, every care has been taken to faithfully recreate the theatre. Scholarly studies from the intervening 400 years have allowed designers to make the reconstruction close to the original. A sketch made in 1596 of the presumed-similar Swan Theatre is just one example.

Some modern concessions to safety, such as the installation of overhead sprinklers, have been made. But the visitor will find both the exterior and the interior very much what he or she would expect from the time Elizabethan actors trod the boards. The round, white background with dark trim, the thatched roof (the first allowed in London since the Great Fire of 1666) and hundreds of details make seeing the site a journey back in time.

Though destroyed in 1644, the exact location was rediscovered in 1989 when remnants of the original foundations were discovered beneath Anchor Terrace on Southwark Bridge Road. Legal and other restrictions prevented rebuilding on the original site. But the new site is close enough by and the recreation accurate enough to allow the original to be easily imagined.

That imagination can be aided by taking one of the offered tours of the building. Knowledgeable guides direct groups around the nearly circular building showing the high balconies and the low wooden benches near the front.

At favorable times, when no rehearsals are being held, tours also take in parts of the 12m(40ft) wide by 9m(30ft) deep stage. Guides explain how special effects of the time were created, including use of the trap door and the large, open area under the stage. With luck, you’ll catch a sword-fighting exhibition.

It continues into exhibition rooms showing artifacts and facsimiles of the period. A table with writing implements of the type Shakespeare used is evident along with several other ’scene setting’ chairs and decorative items.

There’s also a gift store adjoining the modern lobby where recordings, photos and cards, and (of course) the plays can be purchased.

Visitors can purchase tickets to the professionally staged plays and enjoy being a groundling or an aristocrat. ‘Groundlings’ were theatre goers who sat or stood near the front. By contrast to today, the area provided cheaper admission. Well-to-do merchants and royalty, or simply the well connected, sat further back and higher.

On these wooden benches, under the open sky visitors can turn around before the play begins (there is no curtain to raise) and see the 1,500 souls assembled to watch the performance. (The original theatre held 3,000.)

Then, at the first trumpet, turn your attention to the stage and be held rapt by a dramatic and faithful rendering of one literature’s greatest plays.

The Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is easy to reach via the London Underground, i.e. ‘the tube’ or subway. Exit at St Paul’s Cathedral station. The theatre is opposite.

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On your visit to London, plan to spend a bit of time at the London Zoo and London Aquarium.

London has such a long history, filled with great churches, monuments, art and history museums that seeking nature here often isn’t what immediately comes to mind. But that’s an error, since London is home to one of the oldest zoos in existence and one of the newest aquariums.

The London Zoo was first established in 1828 to house animals for scientific study. (At the time, Britain could boast the foremost naturalists in the world. Probably no single country could claim the number one spot today. Science, like business, has gone global.) Nearly twenty years passed before the facility was opened to the public.

When it did it was, of course, a smashing success. Most Londoners of the day - bereft of photographs, not to mention television and the Internet - had never seen such exotic animals as a pygmy hippopotamus or a lowland gorilla or even a simple penguin.

Today’s visitors are more fortunate. Along with the interesting Victorian architecture there are hundreds of species to see. Everything from snouted cobras to Komodo dragons to Partula snails are still on display. The Reptile house was opened in 1849, the Insect House in 1881. More ‘modern’ facilities have been added over the years, such as the Round House (1933) to hold gorillas and the Penguin Pool (1934). The penguins have been moved to a new facility since.

But far from being stuck in the past, the London Zoo has made efforts to alter the habitats to conform to the latest conservation efforts. Though old by some standards, the Snowdon aviary (1964) is still one of the most popular attractions.

Visitors here can walk through and observe dozens of exotic bird species. A winding path and bridge over a stream provides a tranquil setting to observe African Waterfowl. Hornbills make there presence known as visitors encroach on their territory.

The Mappin Terraces remain a favorite. An artificial mountain built to house bears, it has an aquarium underneath. And the ‘Meet the Monkeys’ continues to attract kids and adults alike. The squirrel monkeys took up residence in 2005 and proved to be very popular. The facility carefully recreates their natural Bolivian rainforest habitat.

Innovative programs continue today. The Zoo recently began a selective program that allows residents to ‘adopt’ animals. For a fee, they can care for penguins and others under the guidance of a trained staff member. Many of the larger species have been moved to Whipsnade Zoo, 600 acres about 59km (35 miles) outside London.

The Zoo is about a 10 minute walk from Camden Station in Regents Park.

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Across town is one of the newest animal attractions in the area. The London Aquarium opened in 1997 and continues to draw. With over 350 species in 50 displays, it houses species of shark and native fishes.

Two large tanks cover two floors and house rays that visitors can actually pet. They seem to like the interaction, according to many. Fortunately, the piranhas housed in the London Aquarium are harder to reach. Although they might enjoy the interaction, too!

The London Aquarium is easy to reach via the London Underground, i.e. ‘the tube’ or subway. Exit at Westminster, directly across from the Houses of Parliament.

But, don’t miss the other wonderful attractions that London has to offer.  In addition to the London Zoo and Aquarium, see over 50 other London Attractions - 1 Ticket: The London Pass.

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Kensington Palace and Gardens should be on your list of places to see while in London. Additionally, you can see 50 London Attractions - 1 Ticket: The London Pass

Kensington Palace has been home to royalty from long before Queen Victoria’s birth there in 1819 to Princess Diana’s residence until her death to today.

Still in use as a working Royal Residence, there are nonetheless many areas open to public viewing - and have been since Queen Victoria opened the State Apartments to the public in 1899.

The Red Saloon, for example, on the Garden Floor was the location of Queen Victoria’s first Privy Council in June, 1837 and has been restored to its original appearance.

The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection is an exhibit of gowns worn by various royal personages from the 18th century to the present. Even the Hats and Handbags are on display at the Palace, showing over seventy hats belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.

Nearby are the King’s Apartments with several paintings and other works of art from the Royal Collection.

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In contrast to the splendor of the King’s Apartments, and discreetly far away, are the subdued Queen’s Apartments. Built and furnished for Queen Mary II in the mid-17th century. There are several ‘family portraits’ and many original furnishings.

The Victorian Rooms are accessible, including Victoria’s bedroom where she first learned of her accession to the throne. The rooms are furnished with many of Victoria’s and Albert’s personal effects.

First constructed for the Earl of Nottingham in 1661, the interior of the palace isn’t the only impressive sight. Outside are the extensive and varied Kensington Gardens with a number of things to do and see.

Designed and landscaped under the watchful eye of George II’s wife, Queen Caroline, the expansive gardens adjoin Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Combined, the Gardens and Hyde Park total 637 acres.

Serpentine Lake forms one of the many attractions, equally popular with boaters and birds. Winding around, it’s over a mile around, fed by an underground river. In addition, there’s the Round Pond for feeding ducks and sailing model boats.

On the banks of the Serpentine the gardens contain an oft-visited bronze sculpture of Peter Pan, cast in 1912. There’s also an Elfin Oak, almost as old, ornately carved with elves and fairytale creatures. Outside the entrance is a sculpture of the late Queen Victoria, made by her daughter.

There are elaborate Italianate fountains and dozens of quiet paths. But there are also areas for kite flying and rollerblading. At the southeast corner is Wellington’s Arch, leading to Green Park (next to Buckingham Palace).

A recent addition is the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. A large, granite-block structure, it remains very popular several years after her death. The area is often festooned with flowers.

After you’ve tired yourself out, be sure to visit the Albert Hall, completed in 1871 as a memorial to the Queen’s consort. The oval hall has an impressive iron and glass domed roof. The 5,000 seat theater holds regular concerts and is a must-see.

Kensington Palace and gardens are easily accessible via the tube (the London Underground subway system). Exit at High Street Kensington.

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