London's
Most Popular Attractions
London is one of the
culture capitals of the world and is brimming with exciting
things to see and do. Take a breathtaking trip on the London
Eye, explore the amazing collections in museums as diverse
as the Tate Modern and Natural History Museum or immerse
yourself in the history of the city at Westminster Abbey or
the Tower of London. We have selected the pick of the
attractions to suit all ages and tastes.
London Eye
Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1
When the Millennium Commission announced their intention to
build an observation wheel that would stand 135 metres over
the city of London, people were initially cynical. But the
British Airways London Eye has turned out to be the finest
and most popular new attraction in London since Queen
Victoria's Great Exhibition. The London Eye now welcomes
between 3.5 and 4 million guests every year.
Conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the
London Eye is a feat of modern engineering, both beautiful
to look at and beautiful to look from. It is the
tallest observation wheel in the world, allowing you to see
one of the world's most exciting cities from a completely
new perspective. With amazing views to the edge and beyond
the capital, it reveals parts of the city, which are simply
not visible from the ground. For Londoners and visitors
alike, it has become an essential port of call: relaxing,
fascinating and inspiring, the Eye has become a definitive
part of the London experience.
More Information
Address:
Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1
Booking / Information Line: 0870 5000 600
Nearest Station: Waterloo Tube or Rail / Westminster Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, WC2N
The National Gallery is visible in its full glory in the
heart of the newly pedestrianised Trafalgar Square. Its
permanent collection houses some of the world's most
important paintings from as far back as the 13th century.
Gaze upon the works of greats such as Titian, da Vinci,
Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Raphael and Van Gogh.
Built in 1832-1833, in an attempt to outshine Paris's Louvre,
it aspires to make art accessible to all with free
admission, a central location and extended opening hours.
The important thing in planning your visit is not to try and
see everything. You could spend a week wandering through its
hallowed halls, and still miss many of the greatest works of
European art.
More Information
Address: Trafalgar Square,
WC2N
Phone: 020 7747 2885
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: Leicester Square Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
Tate Modern
Bankside, SE1
Tate Modern is London's most visited and innovative gallery,
housed in a former power station the space itself is as much
as an attraction as its collections and exhibitions. The
journey there is an adventure in itself, take the tube to
Blackfriars, cross the river on the Blade of Light
Millennium Bridge, and admire the startling contrast between
historic St Paul's Cathedral and this uber modern art
gallery.
The interior is a glorious, unpretentious playground of
modern art, as appealing to children and amateurs as it is
to adults and art experts. Permanent collections includes
works by Bacon, Matisse, Rothko and Andy Warhol as well
as the best of contemporary British art.
More
Information
Address: Bankside, SE1
Phone: 020 7887 8000
Nearest Station: Southwark Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
St. Paul's Cathedral
Ludgate Hill, EC4
Sir Christopher Wren's mighty cathedral draws the eye like
nothing else in London, even though the City's skyscrapers
now tower above it. The centrepiece of the great
reconstruction of London after the great fire of 1666, it is
still the spiritual focus of Great Britain.
Royal weddings and birthdays, the funerals of Britain's
leaders and services to celebrate the ends of wars all take
place beneath the famous dome. The cathedral miraculously
survived the Blitz in World War II as the surrounding area
was flattened by German bombing raids. It served as an
inspirational symbol of British strength in the
nation's darkest hour. From the medieval relics in the crypt
to the gorgeous Victorian mosaics, up to the staggering
views of London from the top of the dome, St Paul's is both
a fascinating store of British history and an architectural
triumph.
More
Information
Address: Ludgate Hill, EC4
Phone: 020 7236 4128
Nearest Station: St Paul's Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
South Bank Centre
Belvedere Road, SE1
Love it or loathe it the South Bank Centre is the capital's
cultural epicentre. A prime example of 1960s architecture
the centre offers three theatres, three concert halls, two
art galleries, two cinemas, cafes, bars, shops, a Saturday
book market, wicked spaces for skateboarding and BMXing and
stunning views of the river.
Listen to some of the world's best live music at The Royal
Festival Hall. Watch a 3-D movie or blockbuster at the
London IMAX cinema, or catch a cinematic classic at the
National Film Theatre.
Enjoy first class theatre at the National Theatre and soak
up the atmosphere as live music and street theatre take
place on the riverside. In winter the foyers and restaurants
of the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal National Theatre
pack out for free programs of live Jazz, World and Chamber
music. Or you can ignore all these, sit back, and just watch
the river roll past.
More
Information
Address: Belvedere Road, SE1
Phone: 020 7921 0600
Nearest Station: Waterloo Tube / Rail
London
underground (Tube) map
British Museum
Great Russell Street, WC1B
Founded in 1753, when Sir Hans Sloane left his collection of
71,000 objects of interest, the British Museum's charter
insists that it be open free of charge "to all studious and
curious persons." The museum expanded rapidly in the
nineteenth century, and now contains around 7 million
objects, some more than 10,000 years old.
Spend an afternoon exploring the relics of ancient Egyptian
and Greek empires and come face to face with mankind's
greatest cultural achievements. Wander the seemingly endless
corridors and displays. The museum is a treasure trove of
objects from the whole world and the entire span of human
history and prehistory.
More Information
Address: Great Russell
Street, WC1B
Phone: 020 7323 8000
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: Russell Square Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, SW7
Originally designed as an offshoot of the British Museum,
the Natural History Museum is a fascinating and impressive
place to visit. This beautiful gothic building houses one of
the world's largest collection of dinosaur skeletons. These
fantastic creatures dominate the main halls, towering above
the awed faces of visitors and are a source of endless
fascination to all ages.
As well as these the museum offers exhibitions and
activities, a collection of over 70 million natural history
specimens, some of which are kept on display to the public,
and the revamped geology museum, with its exciting
interactive displays. Great fun for adults and a must see
for kids.
More Information
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: 020 7942 5011
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
Tower of London
HM Tower of London, EC3N
For a thousand years the Tower has protected, threatened,
imprisoned and occasionally executed the people of London.
Originally the fortress of the hated Norman conquerors,
built with imported white stone from France, it has been
through many different incarnations in its life; the bloody
tower where Richard III allegedly murdered his nephews, a
patriotic symbol, home to British monarchs and armies, a
prison and in modern times a treasury museum and UNESCO
World Heritage site.
The biggest draw for visitors is the crown jewels: crowns,
sceptres, plate, and the two largest cut diamonds in the
world are among the objects in the collection. The medieval
palace, traitors gate, the beefeaters, and the ravens make
visits wonderfully atmospheric. Take a trip to the Tower and
explore the best-preserved medieval castle in Europe.
More Information
Address: HM Tower of London,
EC3N
Phone: 0870 756 6060
Nearest Station: Tower Bridge Tube
London
underground (Tube) map
Westminster Abbey
Parliament Square, SW1P
The setting for every coronation since 1066 and the burial
ground for kings, statesmen, scientists, musicians and
poets, Westminster Abbey is a true Medieval masterpiece.
Stunning gothic architecture, the fascinating literary
history represented by poets corner, the artistic talent
that went into the statues, murals, paintings and tombs, and
the fantastic stained glass, combine to make Westminster
Abbey the most enduringly stunning of London's churches.
More
Information
Address: Parliament Square,
SW1P
Phone: 020 7222 5152
Nearest Station: Westminster Tube
London
underground (Tube) map |
