This UK holiday is remarkable for its freedom – ideal as a family holiday or group vacation. Caravan holiday parks are packed full of fun activities and amusements to keep kids and teens happy all the way through your family holiday. A caravan holiday park is a great place to spend weekends and holidays. Some people find the lifestyle that good that they have a permanent residence.

Although Caravan holiday parks are located in a holiday area, you will find that it is usually away from the usual crowds that frequent busier destinations. Many caravan parks are close to natural attractions and beaches. You have access to a wide range of facilities, and as many caravan parks are approaching resort status, these facilities are top class. Most caravan parks offer various accommodation styles for the children and pets, as well as recreations and games.

Caravan parks are a great option in the UK especially when traveling with children and even if you don’t have a caravan or even a tent. UK Camping and caravan parks are some of the best in the world, not only for their locations, but also for the facilities that they provide. The Havenholidays.com website is a simple guide to what is available around the UK. The caravan parks listed are a great idea for low budget holidays.

The most common London attractions are those which surround the British monarchy. Most London attractions are all within walking distance. The West End, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace and a host of other London attractions are less than 30 minutes away from the city. There is a diverse mix of London attractions suitable for both the younger and older travelers.

Another popular London attraction is the London Eye, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the world’s largest ferris wheel. Travelling around London can be expensive, so if your looking for a budget holiday,then you could be interested in discovering what free London attractions are on offer.

Mr. Fortrey’s descendants wisely leased the Jacobean mansion to Queen Caroline in 1728 for 99 years for ‘the rent of £100 and a fat doe’. The Queen made an excellent bargain.

For the price, she received a palace and gardens that are now the rival of any in the world. Though small by contemporary standards the 21m(70ft) by 15m(50ft) structure has been recently restored to its former splendor. The ten year project has had stellar results, even down to some excellent and unique Flemish brickwork.

Renovated to the period of 1804 when it was the home of King George III, there are now on display uncovered secret rooms and exhibits of the monarch’s many interests in art, science, music and the like. (Yes, that king. The one who gave ‘the colonies’ all the trouble. Apparently, he didn’t find it that good to be king.)

Included is the restored doll’s house of the princesses as well as numerous paintings that would have been seen daily by the king, his wife Queen Charlotte and their fifteen children. (Yes, that’s fifteen.) The second floor is very much as it was 200 years ago.

Open to the public since Queen Victoria’s decree, except for the restoration interval, the palace has several other attractions. Not least of these are the world-famous Royal Botanic gardens outside the palace.

Beginning as a mere nine acres in 1751, the plants and grounds have, well, blossomed to its current three hundred. It’s estimated that the gardens house as much as 12% of examples of the world’s known plant species.

Ever popular is the Chinese Pagoda with its excellent view of the landscape, erected in 1761. There are six large Victorian greenhouses, such as the glass and iron Palm House from 1848. Palm House was one of the first uses of wrought iron on a large scale.

Not far away is the Crystal Palace erected for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Temperate House, twice the size of Palm House, was added in 1860.

The Grass Garden is one of the more unusual offerings for a botanical museum, housing over 600 varieties of grass. There’s even the fascinating Wood Museum explaining to visitors how paper is manufactured.

Kew has long been home to extraordinary botanical science. The first successful effort to cultivate rubber trees outside South America took place on the grounds.

But there are more modern efforts as well. In 1987, Kew gained the Princess of Wales Conservatory, opened by Princess Diana. The structure houses experiments carried out within 10 different climate zones in the interior.

While at the Palace and Gardens don’t miss seeing Queen Charlotte’s cottage. At the right time of year, bluebells cover the grounds.

Kew Palace and Gardens is about 45 minutes outside central London on the District Line, Kew Gardens Station. The grounds are a 10-minute walk from the station. You can rest after the walk, though. Just hop the trolley that takes you around to the eight zones into which the 300 acres is divided.

Still in use as a working Royal Residence, there are nonetheless many areas open to public viewing – and have been since Queen Victoria opened the State Apartments to the public in 1899.

The Red Saloon, for example, on the Garden Floor was the location of Queen Victoria’s first Privy Council in June, 1837 and has been restored to its original appearance.

The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection is an exhibit of gowns worn by various royal personages from the 18th century to the present. Even the Hats and Handbags are on display at the Palace, showing over seventy hats belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.

Nearby are the King’s Apartments with several paintings and other works of art from the Royal Collection.

In contrast to the splendor of the King’s Apartments, and discreetly far away, are the subdued Queen’s Apartments. Built and furnished for Queen Mary II in the mid-17th century. There are several ‘family portraits’ and many original furnishings.

The Victorian Rooms are accessible, including Victoria’s bedroom where she first learned of her accession to the throne. The rooms are furnished with many of Victoria’s and Albert’s personal effects.

First constructed for the Earl of Nottingham in 1661, the interior of the palace isn’t the only impressive sight. Outside are the extensive and varied Kensington Gardens with a number of things to do and see.

Designed and landscaped under the watchful eye of George II’s wife, Queen Caroline, the expansive gardens adjoin Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Combined, the Gardens and Hyde Park total 637 acres.

Serpentine Lake forms one of the many attractions, equally popular with boaters and birds. Winding around, it’s over a mile around, fed by an underground river. In addition, there’s the Round Pond for feeding ducks and sailing model boats.

On the banks of the Serpentine the gardens contain an oft-visited bronze sculpture of Peter Pan, cast in 1912. There’s also an Elfin Oak, almost as old, ornately carved with elves and fairytale creatures. Outside the entrance is a sculpture of the late Queen Victoria, made by her daughter.

There are elaborate Italianate fountains and dozens of quiet paths. But there are also areas for kite flying and rollerblading. At the southeast corner is Wellington’s Arch, leading to Green Park (next to Buckingham Palace).

A recent addition is the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. A large, granite-block structure, it remains very popular several years after her death. The area is often festooned with flowers.

After you’ve tired yourself out, be sure to visit the Albert Hall, completed in 1871 as a memorial to the Queen’s consort. The oval hall has an impressive iron and glass domed roof. The 5,000 seat theater holds regular concerts and is a must-see.

The palace and gardens are easily accessible via the tube (the London Underground subway system). Exit at High Street Kensington.

The land forming the park was first acquired by Henry VIII from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536. While Henry used the park for deer hunting, the horseback riding today is strictly not for sport.

Casual and relaxing, the trails are abundant but riders must bring their own horses. Visitors can often see the Royal Horse Artillery riding on horseback through the park early in the morning.

First made accessible to the public by King James I in the early 17th century, the park is split by the Serpentine, a river dammed to make an artificial lake. The idea was originated by the wife of King George II, an avid gardener. Boat rides on the lake remain a popular activity.

Perhaps the oldest park in London, these 350 acres (140 hectares) contain peaceful walks through gardens and woods, boats for hire, venues for music concerts and is very nearby several stellar pubs and restaurants. There’s even a pet cemetery and during the summer, Sunday concerts are held at the Bandstand.

In the north east corner, at the end of Oxford Street is the famous Marble Arch. The structure was built as a gateway to Buckingham Palace but moved to the park in 1851.

Several monuments located in the park are worth a look. The latest tribute is to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The fountain is surrounded by and composed of 545 pieces of Cornish granite and the water flows through a complex design into a calm pool. There are three bridges that cross the water over the heart of the fountain.

Sports abound on the many fields, including tennis (6 courts, with a changing pavilion and cafe), a six rink flat bowling green and spontaneous soccer games. The Magenge at the end of the Sports Field offers a children’s playground to amuse the younger kids.

Nearby the park is the Four Seasons Hotel Bar where visitors thirsty from the activity can cool off and get refreshed in a wonderful, upscale environment. The Conservatory in Lanesborough offers a piano bar and great dining.

For those interested in something a little more lively, there’s the Met Bar at the Metropolitan Hotel. Patronized by celebrities, it remains a popular venue. The Rose & Crown pub in Mayfair is probably the rowdiest of the lot, for those who like their entertainment loud and crowded.

Then, there’s the Colony Club for those who like to gamble, and (for service personnel) the Royal Air Force Club isn’t far away. For great dining, the Petrus at The Berkeley Hotel is unbeatable, having rightfully earned its Michelin Star.

The park lies between Bayswater Road to the north and Knightsbridge to the south, with Park Lane to the east and Kensington Gardens to the west. The park is easily reached by the tube (the London Underground, the subway system). Exit at the Hyde Park Corner station.

The world’s greatest department store was established on its current site in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, a wholesale grocer. Harrod’s son Charles Digby rapidly grew the business and by 1880 employed 100 staff.

Never one to be bowed by setbacks, not even a devastating fire in 1883, Harrods went on to make all its Christmas deliveries in that year and many since. Whether flying fresh fish to Alfred Hitchcock or embalming Sigmund Freud’s body, the store that promises ‘Everything to Everybody Everywhere’ never fails to deliver.

Much of the architectural additions – including terracotta tiles and Art Nouveau windows topped with a baroque dome – can still be seen by a careful observer. What you won’t see is the original Winnie-the-Pooh. A.A. Milne took that home for his son, Christopher Robin.

Throughout the decades Harrods has housed a funeral service, a lending library, and even sold airplanes and elephants. Today, the selection is possibly larger. The expansion began when the Fayed family acquired the House of Fraser Group (and thereby Harrods) for £615 million ($1.1 billion) in 1985. Another £300 million investment for refurbishment has brought the department store to its current peak.

For those looking not merely to buy – but to experience – on any given day you may find opera singers performing at the top of the Egyptian Escalators or a future star serving at one of the counters. Pierce Brosnan once worked in the Pharmacy and the original Darth Vader was a fitness consultant in the sports department.

While your ‘assistant’ is booking theater tickets, have a facial in the salon or relax at the Irish spa. When you’re done, visit Donatella Versace discussing a new perfume.

But for those who do want to shop… Wow!

In these seven floors, once housing the world’s first escalator, can be found 4.5 acres of… well, everything. And thanks to the 12,000 lightbulbs you’ll have no difficulty seeing it. Even if all you want is a humble drink of cool water, you can have a sip drawn from one of the under-the-site artesian wells. (The deepest is 489 ft, 149 m).

Here you can purchase any of over 300 varieties of cheese or have a unique chocolate drink, such as an Italian ’suckao’ available from the Chocolate Bar. You could even purchase your own custom-made Madame Tussaud’s waxwork – for a mere £250,000 ($442,000). If you’re on a budget, you can bid for the £20,000 ($35,000) 24-karat gold Lindt bunny.

On the way out, since you haven’t any money left, take a look at the extraordinary chandeliers or the specialized jewelry. But be sure to bring your ear plugs and elbow pads. Harrods is full not only of a million square feet of merchandise, but hordes of shoppers and visitors from all over the world.

Harrods is easily accessible via the tube (the London Underground subway system). Exit at the Knightsbridge station.

Much of the building was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House (as it was then known) was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a private residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard.

When Queen Victoria discovered the lack of several ‘necessary’ rooms – such as a formal ballroom, a nursery, visitor’s bedrooms and others – major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle. The Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park, where it still resides near Speaker’s Corner. With the refacing using Portland stone in 1913, the palace received its last major change.

Still actively used as both residence and offices, over 50,000 guests and invited diplomats visit per year who interact with over 400 individuals for whom this is ‘the office’. Nevertheless, several parts of the palace are open to the public.

During August and September, the West Wing admits visitors who can view the State Rooms. At other times of the year, various parts are open, where tourists can view spectacular jewels, dressing gowns, furniture and the building itself.

The Queen’s Gallery near the Royal Mews (stables and, later, a garage) is open year-round and has an ever changing display of objects owned by ‘the British nation’. Here you can see original paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and other great artists.

The Royal Mews are also open to the public, where you can see 30 horses and the golden State Coach. The four-ton coach, pulled by eight horses, is used for coronations and other state functions.

Outside, the 40-acre garden presents a peaceful walk full of well-tended flowers and shrubs and a superb view of the lake.

Of course, the major attraction outside is the ‘Changing of the Guard’, or as it’s more formally known: the Guard Mounting. Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign since 1660, but today the task is carried out at Buckingham by soldiers drawn mostly from the regiments of the Foot Guards.

A Guards’ band plays a traditional military march as one set of guards replaces the other. When the Queen is in residence, four sentries stand at the front of the building. While she’s away, the contingent is reduced to two.

In their traditional red tunic and bearskins, with the distinctive helmet, the guards are highly trained to avoid interacting with the many visitors who try to distract them. Occasionally, other Commonwealth units participate in guard duty, as do the Scots Guards and the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The Guard Mounting ceremony is performed at 11:30 am and lasts for about 45 minutes, though it’s skipped sometimes owing to inclement weather. The Palace location is easily accessible by the tube (the London Underground subway system). Green Park is to the north of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station and St. James Park stations are to the south.

The name derives from the original Palace of Whitehall, home to royalty and its ministers for centuries until destroyed by fire in 1698. Fortunately for today’s visitors The Banqueting House, completed in 1622, survived.

Used today for official receptions, the 17th century building is a remarkable work of art inside and out. One of the most outstanding examples of Italian Renaissance in London, the view from the street is spectacular.

But the interior is no less worth a visit. Inside, there are dozens of paintings, decorative items and furniture from the period and later. Visitors can also enjoy lunchtime concerts of classical baroque while they dine.

Nearby are the beautiful Whitehall Gardens. Hosting several memorial sculptures, including one of the famous Gordon of Khartoum, the setting is a pleasant oasis within bustling London. Parts of the destroyed Palace of Whitehall can still be seen, including the wine cellars.

Further along are The Admiralty, the Ministry of Defence building and Horse Guards Parade. Be sure not to miss the two mounted Horse Guards, bedecked in colorful uniforms capped by plumed helmets. If you’re visiting in June, arrive in time to see the ‘Trooping the Color’ ceremony held to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday.

Continuing the military theme, Trafalgar Square merits a visit where you can see the statue of Lord Nelson in the plaza built to honor his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. At least, you could if it weren’t atop a column 53m (174 ft) high.

Fortunately, you don’t need binoculars to get a good look at the four bronze lions at the base. Designed by the renowned Sir Edwin Landseer, the large sculptures constitute some of his best work.

There are several other outdoor sights, including the Cenotaph. Designed to commemorate the fallen of WWI, the empty tomb is the site of a Royal ceremony held in November to honor them.

A recent addition is the excellent Churchill Museum. Used by the famed statesman during WWII to house war planning activity, the Cabinet War Rooms and other areas have been completely restored to the period.

Visitors can see Churchill’s private living quarters within the War Rooms and there are dozens of memorabilia about. The £13.5 million ($24 million) Churchill Project has accurately depicted the scenes the British leader and his aides would have seen and lived with.

At the end, Whitehall becomes Parliament Street. Visitors can see Big Ben and (by prior arrangement) view debates from the public galleries of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. Tours are available for two months during the summer when Parliament is out of session (’not sitting’, as the British say).

Whitehall is easy to reach via the Tube (the London Underground, i.e. subway). Exit at Westminster.

A perfect blend of ancient and modern, London has over 200 galleries and 300 museums, and 150 events a day to interest the traveler. One could see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels in the morning and the Tate art museums in the afternoon. Or visit Parliament early then shop at Harrods later.

Westminster Abbey is the burial place of kings, poets and scientists, and a short distance from the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Cathedrals and churches that rival the best of France or Italy are here, especially the must-see St. Paul’s Cathedral.

For those who might have enjoyed Wall Street in New York, London has its own – and much older – version in The City. This hub actually has roots that go back thousands of years, since before money was even invented.

There are Inns galore also dating back a thousand years or more and several outstanding parks, such as St James, Hyde Park or Regents with the famous gardens and the even more famous zoo. Holland park has an opera house and Japanese gardens and Kensington the amazing gardens and the Royal costume collection.

Speaking of gardens, be sure not to overlook Covent Garden. Not really gardens at all, the area is a spectacular array of theaters, shops and more where the street performers compete with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops for tourists’ attention. The Royal Opera house is here, for those who prefer a different style of entertainment.

London’s famous outdoor markets also go back centuries, where the antique hunting at Portobello Road is unmatched anywhere. Borough Market has been thriving here for over a thousand years. The atmosphere in some is almost like a Moroccan bazarre. And, for those who like their burgers bizarre, you can get an ostrich patty cooked to taste.

But after all that shopping one is bound to be hungry and tired. The West End offers a variety of pubs at a range of prices and quality of cuisine. Then after a meal, the weary traveler can see a show that rivals the best of Broadway. Many actually begin in London and only later travel to New York.

Museums abound. The Victoria & Albert, named for the famous 19th century queen and her consort, the Natural History and Science museums, and the world-renowned British Museum could each form a day’s excursion.

But newer attractions are also worthwhile. The London Eye, build at the turn of the millennium, continues to attract visitors as if 2000 weren’t years earlier. It touts the world’s largest ferris wheel and a 30-minute boat ride in a glass gondola that offers views of Big Ben and the River Thames. And the Tate Modern, opened in the same year features Picasso, Matisse and other famous names of 20th century art.

So, once you’ve explored all those venues thoroughly, come back and we’ll lay out another five years of places to see and things to do.