Great Britain for Families: London, Windermere & Edinburgh

Discover the contemporary elegance of Novotel London West. Whether you choose this hotel for business or leisure, you are sure to be tempted by the international cuisine. Just minutes from three of London's main tube lines, it is the perfect location for successful meetings. Experience West London at Novotel.

Check out all the wonderful things London has to offer in a day when you hop on board the Tootbus London Discovery tour! Make your way around, experience the heart of the city, and see London's top landmarks from the open-top deck of the bus including the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, St. James Palace and many more. Take advantage of the incredible views of the capital from above to pinpoint all the places you want to see up close. Follow your hit list, hop off the bus at the nearest stop and explore more in-depth. Choose to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or climb the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. Food lovers may find a piece of paradise at Borough Market, one of the best food markets in London. As the day falls, opt for a ride on the London Eye or enjoy a fun night out in Soho. If you are traveling with children, try our child-friendly channel, it will keep them entertained! Upon first validation, your ticket is valid for 24 hours. You can hop on and hop off, an unlimited number of times within the validity period. Download the Tootbus app to easily find your way around, follow the buses in real-time, and follow self-guided walking tours to help you explore further. The validity of the pass starts at the point of redemption and you can use it an unlimited number of times until the pass is no longer valid.

The Harry Potter books and film series have enthralled and captivated the world - now you can follow in the footsteps of the world's most famous wizard and take a magical journey throughout London with this Harry Potter themed walking tour. Your expert guide will take you on a spellbinding tour of the city and London Underground to show you the exact locations where Harry filmed key scenes of this epic tale, whisking you through. Starting at Westminster, you'll make your way to the Ministry of Magic; find the entrance to the 'Leaky Cauldron' before taking a walk down the real 'Diagon Alley', then stand in the very spot where the Death Eaters destroyed the famous Millennium Bridge. You'll not only see the locations where the films were shot, you'll discover the magic behind locations such as Cecil and Goodwin Courts, and how these enchanting locations provided the inspiration for this wizarding adventure to unfold. Your tour will conclude at Platform 9 3/4- where you can make your own way to Hogwarts! Please note that admission(s) to the London Underground is/are not included. An Oyster Card or Travel Card is required to participate on this tour. Oyster Cards can be pre-booked or purchased in destination.

Millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since they first opened over 200 years ago, and it remains as popular as ever. There are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good old-fashioned curiosity. Today's visitors are sent on a unique, emotionally-charged journey through the realms of the powerful and famous. The museum-style ropes and poles have gone so guests can truly get up-close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights and historical icons, reliving the times, events and moments that made the world talk about them.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides a thrilling new opportunity to explore the magic of the world-renowned Harry Potter film series - the most successful of all time. This unique walking tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes and props. It also reveals some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and breathtaking animatronics that made these films so hugely popular all over the world. Refreshments are available from the Studio Cafe freshly prepared hot soups and snacks, salads, sandwiches and afternoon treats are available (own account). There's also a Studio Shop stocked with a wide range of gifts and souvenirs to remind you of the day you spent immersed in The Making of Harry Potter. A wonderful day out for the entire family, and fully accessible to all!

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, which is used only in summer; snooker and a table tennis table are also available. 09/08db) The hotel is has one of the best locations in the area. It is based in the centre of Bowness and on the shores of the Lake Windermere. With it's own extensive gardens, fantastic view of the lake and its village centre location it's convenient whether you want peace and quiet or a piece of the action.

This tour is the ideal way to explore the favorite places associated with Beatrix Potter. The first part of the journey takes you to Hill Top Farm where she wrote many of her famous children's stories in this 17th-century cottage. You will have the opportunity to go into the house (additional charge required please check with National Trust - not open on Fridays), explore the garden and visit the shop.

Continue onto the medieval village of Hawkshead with a little time to explore its many delightful features. There is plenty of photo opportunities as William Wordsworth's old Grammar School is located here.

Onwards then, to the renowned beauty spot of Tarn Hows before descending to Coniston for the lake cruise to Brantwood. The final part of the tour takes you through the spectacular Yewdale Valley.

Highlights of the Beatrix Potter's Favourite Countryside Tour are Beatrix Potter's Hilltop Farm Hawkshead, Tarn Hows, Cruise on Coniston and Tour through Yewdale Valley.

The hotel is located in the historical heart of the city, right next door to Haymarket station and only 4 minutes away on foot to Edinburgh International Conference Center. Varied selection of cafes, bars and restaurants are situated next to the hotel. Explore the numerous sights and events of the city such as Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, Murrayfield Stadium and much more. The hotel offers many modern rooms equipped with free Wi-fi. Have a refreshing start to the day with a an abundant Scottish breakfast buffet and enjoy traditional and modern dishes at the restaurant. Modern and well-equipped meeting room venues are available for business meetings.

Entertainment - 17th Century style! An evening of spine-tingling storytelling awaits you. How best to experience our grim and ghostly past? Just as our ghoulish ancestors did... with gusto! The infamous 'Edinburgh mob' loved the 'entertainment' of blood, guts and gore. And there was plenty provided! Especially at the Mercat Cross. Hear grisly tales of witchcraft, torture and restless spirits as you venture down medieval closes and descend into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults. As night darkens, savour a welcome drink by candle-light, as you weave tales in your atmospheric, underground cellar. Visit where the ghosts of Edinburgh's past still haunt her present...

You depart Edinburgh and travel past Linlithgow palace and Stirling Castle. To the north is the National Wallace Monument, which commemorates Scotland's great hero, William Wallace.

You pass close to the location where William Wallace defeated the English army in 1297, and after this take a short stop for coffee at Callander.

The scenery changes dramatically as you venture further into the Highlands. The flat plains of the lowlands transform into shimmering lochs, rugged mountains, and forest-filled glens. The alluring beauty makes it easy to forget this was once a battleground of the fiercely territorial Highland clans.

You then head down to Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe, where you'll be mesmerised by the beautiful cliff faces and steep slopes.

After Glencoe, you enter a deep glacial valley, known as the Great Glen. Passing through the town of Fort William you travel in the shadow of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, before arriving at Fort Augustus on the shore of Loch Ness.

At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep, Loch Ness is the largest loch by volume in Scotland. The loch is best known for the legendary Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"), and you can take the opportunity to go in search of the monster on a fantastic boat cruise. Or you can simply enjoy the beautiful scenery on the banks.

Fort Augustus boasts the Caledonian Canal, which is a great spot to relax and watch the boats sail by. You stop here with time to eat lunch and take in the scenery around Scotland's most famous loch.

From Loch Ness, you head south through the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Your route travels alongside Loch Laggan (the setting for the BBC series 'Monarch of the Glen'), over the Drumochter Pass and past 13th century Blair Castle.

You continue south through the forests of Perthshire and make a short refreshment stop on the way. South of Perth you drive past Loch Leven. Then it's over the Queensferry Crossing before returning to Edinburgh.

The beautiful city is waiting for you. The best way to explore Edinburgh is to follow your feet. Where the buses can't take you, and the guide books don't show you is where the real stories can be found - the closes, wynds, courtyards and homes of Old Edinburgh. This walking tour will paint a vivid picture of the colourful past and people - see the secrets and tell the tales - the culture, crime and politics of Scotland's capital. This is an experience shared by Mercat historians.

Your experience of the medieval city is then completed with a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been and inspired by it. Visit the Castle and let your Mercat guide reveal its remarkable history.