Happy Anniversary! Great Historical Reasons to Visit London in 2016

LONDON, April 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

If you are thinking of making your first visit to London this year, you could not have picked a better time!

In 2016 the city will be celebrating several significant anniversaries. Visitors can join in the fun, and learn more about the stories behind some of London's most important historical events, with the popular London Pass sightseeing card (http://www.londonpass.com).

950th anniversary of the Norman Conquest 

In 1066 the Normans, led by Duke William, invaded and changed England for ever. After defeating the Saxon King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, William's forces marched on London to secure the kingdom. William was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066 and left his own mark on the city in later years by ordering the construction of the Tower of London.

Normally £22 at the Tower of London and £20 at Westminster Abbey, entry to both historic attractions is included with the London Pass. London Pass holders can also take advantage of fast-track entry at the Tower of London, enabling them to skip the lines at this world-famous landmark. 

400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death 

Britain's greatest dramatist William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, leaving behind an unrivalled body of work. Among the institutions marking the anniversary throughout 2016 is Shakespeare's Globe Theatre , a modern-day reconstruction of the 1599 playhouse in which the playwright was a shareholder and which saw the performance of many of his later works. Just 750 yards from the spot of the original, Shakespeare's Globe offers an unparalleled insight into the writer's life and the world of Elizabethan drama.Normally priced at £15, entry is included with the London Pass.

350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London 

Shortly after midnight on 2 September 1666 a fire broke out at a bakery on Pudding Lane, raging for four days and destroying the homes of 70,000 inhabitants within the original Roman walls of the old City of London. In the aftermath of the Great Fire, King Charles II ordered the destroyed areas to be rebuilt using stone rather than wood, ensuring that such a tragedy could never happen again.

Charles also ordered the construction of a permanent memorial to the Fire, The Monument . Built by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677, The Monument is 202 feet high and stands exactly 202 feet from the spot in Pudding Lane on which the fire started. Visitors climbing the 311 steps today are rewarded with great views of the City and the River Thames, as well as a certificate to prove they made it to the top!Normally priced at £4.50, entry to The Monument is included with the London Pass.

50th anniversary of England's greatest sporting triumph! 

In 1966 England was chosen to host the football (soccer) World Cup for the first and only time to date. England's team played all six of its matches at London's Wembley Stadium, eventually triumphing over West Germany by four goals to two in the final on 30 July and becoming world champions.

While the original stadium was demolished in 2002-03 and replaced with the modern venue, Wembley remains the home of English soccer. It also played host in 2007 to the first NFL game to take place outside North America, and continues to host the NFL International Series games to this day.Normally priced at £19, a behind-the-scenes tour of this legendary stadium is included with the London Pass.

The London Pass is a city card that helps visitors to save money and time on their sightseeing in the British capital, and features more than 60 different attractions, tours and experiences. A one-day London Pass is priced at £59 per adult and £39 per child (aged 5-15), and on a one-day break visitors to the city can save after using the pass just three times. For example, paying independently to visit the Tower of London (normally £22), the London Bridge Experience (£26.95) and enjoying the 'hop on, hop off' buses (£22) would ordinarily come to £70.95, but London Pass holders can enjoy the same experiences and save more than £11. Two-day, three-day, six-day and 10-day London Passes are also available.

To find out more about the attractions and special offers included with The London Pass and to buy it online, visit http://www.londonpass.com. 

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SOURCE London Pass