Thu. Oct 10th, 2024

Explore London this summer with expert local advice from Thistle Hotels and Blue Badge Tours, and get closer to the capital than ever before. For families looking for a free bespoke guide to exploring London Thistle Hotels has teamed up with The Blue Badge Tours to create three new exciting routes that put the kids in charge for a fun-filled family day out – the Thistle Be Closer tours.

Expertly curated by Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Eve Milner, the Be Closer to the Action, Be Closer to London’s Hidden History and Be Closer to Delicious Delights tours take families on a journey across the capital, each lasting around three hours, with plenty of top tips of what to do, see, taste and discover.

Hosted on the interactive London Covered map, and available to guests staying at the  seven central London Thistle Hotels throughout the summer, the Be Closer tours take families through destinations including vibrant Soho, historic Farringdon, culinary Chinatown and maritime Greenwich.

Be Closer to the action

Visit www.londoncovered.glhhotels.com/BeCloserToTheAction 

For families looking for something extra during their stay in London, the Be Closer to the Action tour takes them on a fun-filled family day out. Highlights include; The Emirates Highline, a trip through The Thames Tunnel, a ride on the driverless DLR train, exploring Greenwich Park and all-aboard the Thames Clipper to the London Eye.

Be Closer to London’s hidden history

Visit www.londoncovered.glhhotels.com/BeCloserToLondonsHistory

In line with the current Key Stage 2 curriculum, why not brush up on your Roman and British knowledge on the Be Closer to London’s hidden history tour. Meander through ancient streets, explore a buried Roman amphitheatre, stroll through the Museum of London and discover the site of grisly executions.

Be Closer to delicious delights 

Visit www.londoncovered.glhhotels.com/BeCloserToDeliciousDelights

Delve deep into the delicious food scene in London; start with some food art at the National Gallery before heading into culinary Chinatown, sample fabulous French fancies in Soho, and nibble on some of London’s best cheeses in Neal’s Yard, before gorging on chocolate delights to end a day of foodie heaven.

Eve Milner, Blue Badge Tourist guide, said: “The three ‘Thistle Be Closer tours’ have been carefully curated to help families get under the skin of the great city of London, bringing them closer to the action, the culture and the food hotspots by giving local insight into some the city’s hidden gems.

“Having guided families around this great city for more than 15 years, I have created each route to allow plenty of sightseeing, food and drink stops and of course lots of photo opportunities to capture memories of their visit.”

With seven stunning locations in the heart of London, Thistle Hotels is the perfect place to get closer to the capital this summer. www.thistle.com/BeCloser

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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