Merlin Venues

Merlin Venues runs the sort of attractions that dominate London's tourist map - think the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the Aquarium on the South Bank. Walk past any of them and you'll spot the branding. They're the company behind most of the big paid-entry experiences that visitors queue up for when they hit the capital.

It's worth knowing they exist as an umbrella operator rather than a single place. If you're planning a London visit and fancy bundling a few attractions together, they often sell combination tickets that work out cheaper than buying separately. The London Eye alone can eat a decent chunk of your holiday budget, so checking whether they've got any multi-venue deals makes sense before you hand over your card.

Families with younger kids will find plenty to occupy a day or two - the Aquarium keeps them entertained for a solid couple of hours, and Madame Tussauds rarely disappoints the under-twelves. Teenagers might roll their eyes at the wax figures but tend to quite like the Eye, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles.

If you're staying at Lovat Parks just up the road, you're well positioned for hitting central London. The drive in takes about thirty minutes depending on traffic. Book tickets online beforehand to skip queues and often grab a few quid off. Frankly, London has better free attractions than you can shake a stick at - museums, galleries, parks - but if you want the big commercial experiences, Merlin runs the show.