Explore London

Welcome to our London blog!  Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend spark or a visitor planning your first big city adventure, we’ve documented every step of our journey through the capital.  We cover it all, from the world famous landmarks and the roar of the crowd at Wembley Stadium to the hidden gems tucked away.  Most importantly, we know the city can be pricey, so we’ve packed this page with our favourite money saving tips to help you experience the best of London without breaking the bank.  This is your guide to the ultimate (and affordable) London experience.

Your Ultimate Guide to Days Out in London, Honest Reviews & Exclusive Offers

A Winter Wonderland of Bricks: Our Festive Trip to Legoland Windsor at Christmas Time

3 Jan 2025 12:50

This year Nanna surprised the boys at Christmas, with a minibreak to visit Warner Brothers Studios Tour: The making of Harry Potter.  Tucked in between Christmas and New Year, we took a short 2 night trip to Hemel Hempstead and whilst we were down south looking for other activities for the kids, we found tickets to visit Legoland Windsor at Christmas.  Legoland Windsor is a fantastic place to visit any time of year, but it comes alive during the Christmas season.  Twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a sprinkling of Lego magic transform the park into a winter wonderland.  Our recent visit was nothing short of magical, and I'm here to share all the festive fun with you!

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Stepping into the Magic: Our Visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour

1 Jan 2025 19:35

A trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is a chance to step behind the scenes, explore the magic that brought the beloved books and films to life, and immerse yourself in the world of witchcraft and wizardry.  We recently had the opportunity to visit, and we're here to share our experience and tips for making the most of your own magical journey.

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Top Tips for Your London Trip

Travel Smart: Always use contactless or an Oyster card.

Book Ahead: For popular spots like the Sky Garden, you need to book weeks in advance even if it's free.

Look Up: London’s best architecture is often above the shop fronts.

Download Citymapper: It’s much more reliable than Google Maps for navigating the Tube.

Special Offers, Deals and Discounts

Traveling to the capital can be pricey, but it doesn't have to be. We keep this section updated with the latest ways to save on your London days out.

Join the Adventure 

We are constantly adding new blogs about the amazing places that we visit across the North West along with our top tips, hidden gems and photos from our travels.  Is there a specific spot you’d like us to review next?

Want more live updates? Follow Explore with the Cookes on Instagram and TikTok for daily videos of our adventures.

Explore More of the UK 

Follow our blogs around the UK, for the latest tips and reviews. 

North West Travel Blog

Wales Travel Blog

West Midlands Travel Blog

Yorkshire Travel Blog

Need Help Planning your Perfect Trip?

Planning holidays is our speciality, without proper planning you risk missing out on visiting incredible places or just not spending your time and money wisely.  Whether you work full time, have children that take up your time or just don't know where to look, we can help!  Our personal travel planner services are designed to turn your average holiday into the trip of a lifetime.  Click the link below to find out more.