London's Classic Sights and Hidden Histories: A Self-guided Audio Tour

London , United Kingdom

London's Classic Sights and Hidden Histories: A Self-guided Audio Tour

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About this experience

You may be familiar to the most famous sights of London, but are you familiar with the history, stories and characters behind them? This tour takes in a range of central London's most iconic spots, ideal for plenty of photo ops whilst allowing you to learn the hidden histories behind famous buildings.

Throughout, you'll be rewarded with plenty of facts and trivia that are guaranteed to shed new light on parts of London you thought you knew. This is a stair-free route through the streets of London suitable for wheelchair users.

The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

Available options

Classic Sights and Hidden Histories London Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap

What's included

Lifetime access to the 'Classic Sights and Hidden Histories' tour

VoiceMap Application

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1 Pass by

Queen Victoria was the first ruler to call Buckingham Palace her official residence in 1837. She oversaw huge changes to the "tiny" palace, including new wings and ballrooms, as well as the installation of gas lights, and then electricity in 1887.

Stop 2 Pass by

St James' Palace is the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom. Although it's no longer the main living space of the monarch, it is the formal gathering spot of the Accession Council and the London residence of some minor members of the royal family.

Stop 3 Pass by

St Paul’s Cathedral has been there for over 300 years. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and was just one of the 52 churches he built after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Stop 4 Pass by

The 18ft tall statue of Nelson in Trafalgar Square has stood atop its column since 1854, looking towards the Houses of Parliament.This statue is commonly said to be the very centre of London! It took fifteen years to construct.

Stop 5 Pass by

Westminster Abbey is where all the kings and queens of this country have been crowned, from William the Conqueror in 1066, to our current Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. A large number of monarchs are also buried here, so it's where their reign begins and ends.

Stop 6 Pass by

Winston Churchill worked at the famous Cabinet War Rooms throughout WW2. Winston Churchill was the figurehead for England’s steadfast role against the conflict that engulfed the world.

Stop 7 Pass by

The build-up of the plot to blow up Parliament began with Queen Elizabeth I, who came to the throne in 1558. She ran Protestant England, and effectively made Catholicism illegal. If you didn’t go to church and take the oath of Supremacy to the Queen, you were charged with treason.

Stop 8 Pass by

Did you know that the tower itself is not actually named Big Ben? For most of its life it had the very functional, very Victorian name of ‘Clock Tower’. And then, in commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, it was renamed ‘Elizabeth Tower’. So how then did this clock tower come to be known as Big Ben? The name actually refers to the bell inside the clock tower.

Stop 9 Pass by

At 135 metres high, the London Eye it’s the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe. Every component of the wheel had to be designed and built from scratch and floated up the Thames on barges, assembled flat on piled platforms in the river.

What's not included

Smartphone

Transportation

Food/drinks

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Available languages

Audio guide

EN NL

Written guide

EN NL

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This tour is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting point

The tour starts outside the South Side exit of Green Park underground station on Piccadilly. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

Important notes

VOICEMAP CODE
───
Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
2. Create an account
3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me

About London

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and dynamic cultural scene. From the ancient Tower of London to the modern Shard, the city offers a blend of the old and the new, making it a fascinating destination for travelers from around the world.

Top Attractions

Tower of London

A historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames. It has served as a royal palace, prison, armory, and treasury. The Crown Jewels are also housed here.

Historical 2-3 hours £28 (adult ticket)

Buckingham Palace

The official residence of the British monarch. Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony and tour the State Rooms during the summer.

Historical 1-2 hours £27.50 (adult ticket for State Rooms)

The British Museum

One of the world's largest and most comprehensive museums, housing a vast collection of artifacts from around the globe.

Museum 2-3 hours Free (special exhibitions may have a charge)

The London Eye

A giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, offering panoramic views of the city.

Entertainment 30 minutes £27-£33 (adult ticket)

Westminster Abbey

A large, mainly Gothic abbey church just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK and the traditional place of coronation and burial for English and, later, British monarchs.

Religious 1-2 hours £27 (adult ticket)

Tower Bridge

An iconic symbol of London, this combined bascule and suspension bridge spans the River Thames. Visitors can explore the bridge's walkways and the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

Architecture 1-2 hours £11 (adult ticket for the exhibition)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Fish and Chips

A classic British dish consisting of battered and fried fish, usually cod or haddock, served with thick-cut chips (fries).

Dinner Contains gluten and fish

Full English Breakfast

A hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, and toast.

Breakfast Contains meat and gluten

Afternoon Tea

A quintessential British tradition involving a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a variety of pastries, all served with tea.

Snack Can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets

Sunday Roast

A traditional British meal served on Sundays, featuring roasted meat (usually beef, lamb, or chicken), Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, vegetables, and gravy.

Dinner Contains meat and gluten

Popular Activities

Rock climbing Kayaking on the Thames Cycling tours Afternoon tea Spas and wellness centers Punting on the River Cam Museum visits Theater performances

Best Time to Visit

June to August

Summer is the peak tourist season in London, with long daylight hours and a variety of festivals and events. The weather is generally pleasant, though it can be unpredictable.

15°C to 25°C 59°F to 77°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: English
English: Widely spoken

Currency

British Pound (GBP)

Time Zone

GMT (UTC+0) or BST (UTC+1) during daylight saving time

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

London is generally safe for travelers, but like any major city, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Important Precautions:

• Keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services

Getting there

By air

Heathrow Airport • 23 km from city center
Gatwick Airport • 40 km from city center

By train

London Waterloo, London King's Cross

By bus

Victoria Coach Station, Earls Court, Farringdon

Getting around

Public transport

The Tube is the fastest and most efficient way to get around London. It operates from early morning until late at night and covers all major attractions.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Bolt

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Westminster Camden Town Soho Notting Hill Shoreditch Greenwich

Day trips

Windsor Castle

34 km from London • Half day to full day

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and it's one of the official residences of the British monarch.

Stonehenge

130 km from London • Full day

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument consisting of a ring of standing stones, located in the English county of Wiltshire.

Brighton

80 km from London • Full day

Brighton is a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, lively atmosphere, and eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Festivals

Notting Hill Carnival • Last Sunday and Monday of August London Film Festival • October New Year's Eve Fireworks • December 31

Pro tips

Use an Oyster card or contactless payment for cheaper and more convenient public transportation
Book tickets in advance for popular attractions to skip the queue and save money
Explore the city's neighborhoods and markets for a unique and authentic experience
Try the local street food and international cuisine at markets like Borough Market and Camden Market
Visit the city's parks and gardens for a peaceful escape from the bustling streets