Capital ideas

It would be impossible to come up with a definitive list of all there is to see & do in the Capital, so here's a selective guide to some attractions & activities you mightn't have thought about before.

A mere 30-minute train journey from the centre of town takes you to the home of rugby - otherwise known as Twickenham Stadium in south-west London.   It's here you'll find the Museum of Rugby, the largest collection of rugby memorabilia in the world.   Paintings, original pieces of playing kit, & hours of match footage give an interesting account of the sport's history, from its humble beginnings at Rugby School in Warwickshire to its status as a professional, international sport.

            In keeping with the nature of the game, you can expect an active tour of the museum & stadium.   You'll get to test your strength on a scrummaging machine, peek inside the England dressing room, sit in the seat of your favourite player, run onto the field from the players' tunnel, & drink from the so-called magic fountain (you'll need to go on a tour to find out where the name comes from - we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise).

            The Museum of Rugby's open Tuesday to Sunday.   Entrance includes a tour of the stadium, except on match & event days.   Call 0870 405 2001 or email museum@rfu.com before you go to avoid disappointment.   Providing there are at least 15 people in your group, you can benefit from a 10% discount.  

Just over the river from Twickenham you'll find the BBC Television Centre in White City.   It's just an eight-mile journey from the stadium, so the two venues are easily visited on the same day.   As tours go, the BBC offers one of the best; in fact, it was named 'Best Company or Venue Offering Guided Tours' at this year's Group Travel Awards.

            Over the years, classic shows like Morecambe & Wise, Fawlty Towers & Only Fools & Horses were recorded in the BBC building.   Today it's home to Strictly Come Dancing, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, The Catherine Tate Show & Little Britain among many other programmes, including the nightly news.

            The great thing about a tour of a television centre is its unpredictability: you never know what - or whom - you'll see on any given day.   Whenever possible, visits include the chance to watch a programme in rehearsal, as well as peek inside the dressing rooms, studios & weather centre.   You'll also get the chance to experience TV production firsthand by taking part in a quiz or reading the news in an interactive studio.

Earlier this year, BBC Tours introduced a new memorabilia exhibit, which includes the original Gordon the Gopher & Pudsey Bear, plus props from various BBC shows.   A word of warning: don't be fooled by the gory-looking human torso.   It's just a prosthetic chest that was used for an operation on Holby City.

            For more information about the tour or to purchase tickets, call the booking line on 0870 603 0304 or go to www.bbc.co.uk/tours.   Pre-booking's essential, & groups benefit from discounted rates.

A 15-minute drive north of White City takes you to the Hampstead Theatre, one of London's newest theatre venues.   The state-of-the-art building celebrates its third anniversary this year, but the actual theatre company has a much longer history.   Founded over 43 years ago in a scout hall in Hampstead Village, Hampstead Theatre Company's developed an international reputation for the presentation of new plays.   Its success is evident when you look at the number of Hampstead Theatre productions that make it to the West End & Broadway.

            From 23 November to 23 December, Hampstead Theatre premieres The Glass House, a new play by Ryan Craig that grapples with the timely issues of free speech, personal liberty, & security & peace within the community.

            Ticket prices vary according to the day of the week.   You also have the option of booking spots for the Supper Club on 5 December, which includes a post-show supper with members of the cast.   Ring 020 7722 9301 for further details or to book tickets.

There are loads of interesting ways to spend the day in London, but sitting in traffic isn't one of them.   A guided sightseeing tour's a great way to make the most of your sitting time, & you can count on London Ducktours for an adventurous turn around the Capital.   Half-bus, half-boat, the vehicle used on a Ducktour's an actual amphibious DUKW that was used to take troops ashore for the D-Day landings in 1944.

            The 75-minute tour takes you around the City of Westminster before plunging into the Thames to continue the tour by boat.   And for those of you looking for even bigger thrills, keep an eye out for London Ducktour's James Bond package, which is set to launch at the end of November.   The tour features fictional & factual information about 007's London, & includes private hire of both the duck & James Bond room at Planet Hollywood, a tour guide, food & welcome drink.   For bookings or more information, ring 020 7928 3132 or email groups@londonducktours.co.uk.

When it comes to art galleries, you're spoiled for choice in London.   The National Gallery, Tate Britain & Tate   Modern are a few of the big name attractions, but you'll also find world-class exhibits at many of the Capital's smaller venues.

            Guildhall Art Gallery's a good example.   From 6 November to 4 March you can see the first William Powell Frith retrospective in more than 50 years.   After William Hogarth, Frith's recognised as one of the greatest painters of the British social scene.   He enjoyed great success in the 1850s, & his 1858 composition Derby Day was so popular, the Royal Academy put up rails in front of his work to hold back the admiring crowds.

Guildhall's exhibit includes work borrowed from galleries across the UK, & includes Derby Day from Tate Britain & The Railway Station from the University of London.   Ring 020 7332 3700 for more information.

Established in 1926, The Women's Library at London Metropolitan University has one of the best collections of women's history in the world.   Posters, banners, books, magazines & photograph document - & celebrate - the lives of British women.

            Free customised tours, new exhibitions, as well as an excellent location near Spitalfields Market make The Women's Library a worthwhile stop on your tour of the city.   Give them a ring on 020 7320 3505 to discuss your visit & to make a booking; alternatively, try moreinfo@thewomenslibraryac.uk.

Let's face it.   If you're travelling to London from a distance, you need a few days to make the most of your trip to the Capital.   London's not exactly known for its cheap accommodation, but with a bit of advance planning you can bag your group a bargain.

From the end of June until the middle of September, King's College London opens its halls of residence to a wide variety of groups, offering well-situated accommodation that doesn't compromise on quality.

            There are great group rates for parties of 10 or more at the university's Waterloo, London Bridge, Hampstead, & Denmark Hill locations.   For a copy of King's Conference & Vacation Bureau brochure, ring 020 7848 1700 or email stopover@kcl.ac.uk.