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.