ACTIVITIES
The London Experience
We hope you enjoy exploring our exciting city!
ABOUT THEÂ ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT
Friday 1st April
10 years of stunning city views from the UK’s tallest sculpture, thrilling twists and turns down the world’s longest tunnel slide, and unforgettable memories! Join us in celebrating 10 years of the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Created by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, the magnificent, ruby red looping structure of the ArcelorMittal Orbit is an iconic symbol of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London 2012 Games.
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Your visit starts at the base of the sculpture, exploring Anish Kapoor’s red lattice tower as it twists and turns above you. The lifts will whisk you 80m up to the viewing platforms and their distinctive panorama of London.
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When it's time to go...you can take the slide - or come down the 455 stairs with their specially designed soundscape soundtrack of London echoing around you.
THE SLIDE
WHAT TO EXPECT
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"Adrenaline has reached new heights at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, giving you experiences unlike anywhere else in the capital. Call yourself a dare-devil? Then tick the world’s longest tunnel Slide off your bucket list!
At 178m long, the 12 twists and turns wind through the UK’s tallest sculpture finishing with a devilish corkscrew section named the ‘bettfeder’ – after the German word for ‘bedspring’.
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During the descent, you’ll catch glimpses of the Park and London’s skyline through the transparent sections before plunging into darkness – leaving your mind to guess which direction you’ll drop next!
THE VIEWING PLATFORM
WHAT TO EXPECT
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At the summit, there is an amazing 360-degree view of London and the waterways, green spaces and iconic sporting arenas that make up Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Memories of 2012 come flooding back as you look down on the undulating roof of Zaha Hadid’s London Aquatics Centre, the Lee Valley Velopark and the stunning London Stadium, new home of West Ham United FC.
You’ll see a host of the most iconic buildings on the city’s skyline – the Shard, the Gherkin, Big Ben, the BT Tower, Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena as well as new additions to the landscape including the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater. With views of up to 20 miles, from here London’s horizon takes in Alexandra Palace to the north, Wembley Stadium to the west, the Crystal Palace transmitter to the south and Epping Forest to the east. Football fans can see five of London’s finest football grounds.
ABOUT THEÂ THAMES CRUISE
Saturday 2nd April
Your tour bus ticket includes a cruise with 'City Cruises" on the River Thames between Tower Millennium Pier and Westminster Pier.
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IMPORTANT - in order to board the cruise - you will need to have your ticket validated.
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Where - validate your ticket with one of the Big Bus Tour Customer Service staff at their bus stop in front of the Tower of London.
One of the London Study Tour's team will be there to assist you.
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Once your ticket has been validated - you can head over to the Tower Millennium Pier to catch your cruise.
FROM TOWER MILLENNIUM PIER
At Tower Millennium Pier you are surrounded by history and iconic London architecture. From the Pier you can see
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The Tower of London
Tower Bridge
TO WESTMINSTER PIER
Westminster Pier is located on the north side of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, next to Westminster Bridge and opposite The London Eye.
ABOUT THE BIG BUS TOUR
Saturday 2nd April
Your tour bus ticket is a hop-on-hop off service that allows you to explore London with ease.
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You can choose to stay on the bus and do the full route, listening to commentary on London's highlights as you go.
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Or hop off at the stops to see the sights up close... then return to the bus stop to catch the next service and continue your journey.
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Remember though - keep an eye on the time so you don't miss out on the last bus! The times are being regularly updated due to Covid but don't worry - we'll let you know the latest timings before you head off.
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You can choose to finish your tour at any of the stops and enjoy dinner and sightseeing in Central London at your leisure.
(Then use your travel card to get back to the hotel - remember its valid for Zones 1-4)
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Download the BigBus Tour App for real-time bus tracking and live arrival times at their Bus Stops and to plan which routes to take and where you'd like to get on and off.
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The App will also give you directions to your closest Big Bus Tour from your location.
THE SIGHTS INCLUDE
The hop-on, hop-off bus tour showcases the best of London, from exclusive Belgravia in the west, to Tower Bridge in the east, through the West End and past top landmarks including Marble Arch, Harrods, Kensington Palace & Notting Hill.
POPULAR STOPS TO HOP OFF
Popular stops to hop off are:
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Buckingham Palace
Trafalgar Square
Downing Street
Piccadilly Circus
ABOUT THE EMIRATES CABLE CAR
Monday 4th April
Glide above the Thames in the Emirates Air Line cable car and take in aerial views of London's skyline, as you travel from the Royal Docks at ExCeL London to The O2 on the North Greenwich Peninsula.
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Not only is the Emirates Cable Car a convenient and fun way to travel across the river, but it also provides stunning views on the area as well as the ability to see for miles around!
FUN FACTS
the Emirates Cable Car system is 1km (0.62 miles) in length
the highest elevation on the Emirates Cable Car is 295ft (90m)
it is capable of carrying 2,500 passengers per hour in each direction
FUN FACTS
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the approximate speed of the cars is 6m/s
there are 34 gondolas
each is capable of carrying 10 passengers.
ABOUT THE O2 ARENA
Monday 3rd April
After your Education Programme finishes on Monday, you'll have time for lunch and to explore The O2. Originally called the Millennium Dome, this amazing venue opened to the public on 1st January 2000 as a tourist attraction exhibiting the "best of British" and as a celebration of the new millennium.   Now The O2 is owned and operated by AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. It is one of the world's busiest music arenas
LUNCH AND SHOPPING AT THE O2
Outlet shopping includes brands like Calvin Klein, Clarins, Hobbs, Sunglass Hut, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger and more.
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Click on the link below to view the options for lunch at The O2 Arena
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MORE TO DO
While at The O2 you can also check out:
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Oxygen Freejumping
Hollywood Bowl
Boom Battle Bar
TOCA Social - interactive football