London Museums & Zoo with Leo & Netty

 London Museums & Zoo 

Our holiday started with an animal adventure at the infamous London Zoo where the slithering snakes and ancient crocodiles captured our attention down in the reptile house. We encountered majestic lions, basking in the sun and it was lovely to see the lioness and her cubs all cuddled up.

The adorable penguins waddled around and showed off their graceful swimming skills; we did our best impressions. An amazing experience was walking through the colobus monkey enclosure. We had to be let in by the keeper so they wouldn’t escape. As we walked over the bridge these furry animals were literally by our feet. We had to be careful not to tread on their tales. It was just amazing to be so close to them.

Our next museum took us to the world famous Science Museum, founded in 1857. It offers a fascinating look at the evolution of science and technology, featuring exhibits ranging from the earliest steam engines to cutting-edge space exploration. Some of the highlights included the Apollo 10 Command Module, the first jet engine, and the stunning James Webb Space Telescope model. One of the most memorable parts of the visit was watching the Blue Planet film in 3D. The stunning visuals made it feel as though the ocean creatures were swimming right in front of us! 

At the heart of Covent Garden, we visited the fascinating London Transport Museum. Originally built in 1830 as a flower market, the building was renovated in 1970 into this captivating museum. The museum takes you on a journey through the evolution of London’s transport system, starting with the horse-drawn buses of the early days and progressing through to the sleek, modern Underground system. The museum’s collection, spanning over 200 years, includes an array of iconic vehicles, from vintage buses and trams to the world’s very first underground steam train. We were thrilled to step inside some of these historic vehicles, including the opportunity to try our hands at driving a Tube train simulator, take the wheel of a Route Master bus, and even navigate an electric bus. The interactive exhibits allowed us to immerse ourselves fully in the history and development of London's transport system

It was off to witness the spectacular Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle. Perched on a chalk hill overlooking the River Thames, Windsor Castle is not only the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world but also a living monument to nearly a thousand years of British history. The Changing of the Guard ceremony was nothing short of magnificent, and it filled us with pride. We learned about the devastating fire in 1992 that destroyed the royal apartments, and we marvelled at their beautiful restoration. The grandeur of the castle and its historical significance were truly awe-inspiring. In the afternoon, we visited St. George’s Chapel, the site of the royal weddings of Harry and Meghan, as well as the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It was a solemn and reflective moment as we paid our respects.

Later, we spent time strolling through Windsor itself, exploring quaint streets and picking up more souvenirs 

A must was visiting the Natural History Museum, which houses over 80 million specimens. Stepping into the grand Hintze Hall, we were greeted by Hope, the awe-inspiring 25-meter-long blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. We explored the exhibits on everything from prehistoric dinosaurs to dazzling gems and minerals.

Our last stop of the holiday was at the iconic British Museum. Founded in 1753, this world-renowned institution is home to an extraordinary collection of over eight million artifacts. The museum covers human history, art, and culture, with exhibits that span centuries and civilizations. Among the highlights of our visit were the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, and the famous Egyptian mummies. 

Motor Madness & Silverstone with Darren & Matt

 Motor Madness & Silverstone 

Our fantastic group of guys were giddy with excitement as we made our way to the Formula Fast race track for our go-karting session. The indoor karting track looked amazing, with thrilling tight bends. After donning our racing suits and helmets, we received a thorough safety briefing and karting tutorial. The racing began in two groups, with Andrew emerging victorious in the first race, clocking the fastest lap time of 43.09 seconds. The second race was just as exciting, with Matthew taking the win and the fastest lap time of 45.5 seconds. 

The competitive spirit was high, and everyone had a blast, with a medal ceremony capping off the fun. 

We headed to the legendary Silverstone racetrack, home of the British Grand Prix. The group was buzzing with excitement, eager to visit the iconic circuit they had seen countless times on TV. As we approached Silverstone, a cheer erupted from the group as we caught our first glimpse of the grandstands. Entering the museum, we were greeted by the stunning sight of one of Lewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes F1 cars suspended from the rafters—a true showstopper. We were awe-struck by the collection of racing cars, motorcycles, and other motorsport memorabilia. Highlights included the famous Lewis Hamilton go-kart from his early racing days and a newly arrived Aston Martin safety car, which had only just been added to the exhibit.

 Just as we arrived at the famous Luffield Corner, three touring cars sped onto the track. The group cheered enthusiastically as the drivers waved at us, and the excitement was clear to see.

Today we headed to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. To our delight, we were treated to the sight of a Spitfire starting its engines and soaring into the sky right in front of us. A few minutes later, an American P-51 Mustang took off as well, making for an unforgettable experience. The museum’s exhibits were captivating, with the group marvelling at the aircraft and asking the knowledgeable staff plenty of questions. The highlight of the day was boarding a Concorde and discovering just how small it was inside—what a unique experience. As we continued our tour, we were lucky enough to witness a Hurricane take to the skies, thrilling everyone in the group. 

Things heated up down a the bowling alley where the guys showed great sportsmanship cheering each other on! There were high scores and even a few strikes! 

Another great find was the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum. The museum proved to be an absolute treasure trove of cinematic history, with original sets, props, and costumes from some of the biggest box-office hits in film and TV. From Indiana Jones’ iconic fedora hat to Han Solo’s blaster, the exhibits were nothing short of mesmerizing. A particular highlight was the section dedicated to Doctor Who, featuring an original TARDIS, Cybermen, and costumes from various incarnations of the Doctor. 

We took on the Volcano Falls Adventure Golf course, where we faced off in a round of challenging but fun crazy golf, surrounded by dinosaurs. Ian claimed victory, and we celebrated with ice creams all round.