See and Do in London
London is large enough and filled with such a diverse range of attractions and sightseeing opportunities that even locals can be tourists in their own city. For expats especially though, London is a city that can constantly be discovered and rediscovered, full of surprises and new adventures.
Key attractions like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the Tower Bridge are well worth visiting, as is St Paul's Cathedral or the more tranquil St James Park. The West End, with its bright lights and billboards of Piccadilly Circus is always interesting, and nearby Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden are lively districts packed with both history and modern distraction.
Don’t miss the world-class British Museum and Natural History Museum in South Kensington, while the London Eye, the London Aquarium and the Tate Modern are also hotspots not to be missed.
Getting around to see and do is easy. The city’s red buses (the double-deckers are no more, alas) and extensive underground train network link all the major attractions and residential areas.
Tower of London
Built in the 11th century, this famous site has played host to more beheadings than even Saudi Arabia. The Tower of London is also home to the crown jewels and the famous Yeoman guards. There’s no doubt it’s a fascinating place and an essential piece of British history.
www.parliament.uk
Telephone: (0)870 906 3773
Tate Modern
The former Bankside Power Station has been reinvented as the Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art with an astounding and immense collection of 20th and 21st century art works. An excellent café and restaurant with wonderful views adds to the allure.
www.tate.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7887 8888
National Gallery
Britain’s National Gallery lines the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and is home to major works from all the major European schools from the 13th to the 19th century. The excellent guided tours enhance an experience already made exceptional by all its variety.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7747 2885
British Museum
One of the world’s great museums and home to over 6000 historical pieces from all over the world, the British Museum houses collections of antiquities that include the Frieze or Elgin Marbles, Roman Portland Vase and the original Rosetta Stone.
www.britishmuseum.org
Telephone: (0)20 7323 8299
London Eye
Catch the best views in town and gain a rare sense of geographical perspective aboard the gently revolving London Eye.
www.ba-londoneye.com
Telephone: (0)870 990 8883
Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe, an excellent reconstruction of the original theatre, celebrates Shakespeare’s life and times and houses performances of his plays.
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Telephone: (0)20 7902 1400
Buckingham Palace
See the changing of the guards and take a sneek peek inside the Queens’ chambers. Cheesy to some, but a pilgrimage to others.
www.royal.gov.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7766 7300
Harrods
Harrods is quite simply one of the most luxurious and opulent shopping emporia in the world. Apart from the wonderful range of departments and services across seven floors, there are 22 restaurants to restore one’s energy levels. The Food Hall is the place to stock up on picnic goodies.
www.harrods.com
Telephone: (0)20 7730 1234
Camden Market
Camden market is a hugely colourful and diverse shopping experience. Its pleasant bohemian character is an amusing reminder of its 1960s inspired culture heritage.
www.camdenlock.net
The Greenwich Meridian
Visit the site of the Greenwich Meridian, where the globe’s East meets West, and from where the world clock is set on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich is also the site of many markets, the Cutty Sark ship, and pleasant river views.
wwp.greenwich2000.com
St. Paul's Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s 1673 masterpiece is a truly iconic London building that miraculously survived the German bombing in World War II. Head inside for some rare peace amidst the frenetic pace of the London business world.
www.stpauls.co.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7246 8357
Key attractions like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the Tower Bridge are well worth visiting, as is St Paul's Cathedral or the more tranquil St James Park. The West End, with its bright lights and billboards of Piccadilly Circus is always interesting, and nearby Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden are lively districts packed with both history and modern distraction.
Don’t miss the world-class British Museum and Natural History Museum in South Kensington, while the London Eye, the London Aquarium and the Tate Modern are also hotspots not to be missed.
Getting around to see and do is easy. The city’s red buses (the double-deckers are no more, alas) and extensive underground train network link all the major attractions and residential areas.
Recommended sightseeing in London
Tower of London
Built in the 11th century, this famous site has played host to more beheadings than even Saudi Arabia. The Tower of London is also home to the crown jewels and the famous Yeoman guards. There’s no doubt it’s a fascinating place and an essential piece of British history.
www.parliament.uk
Telephone: (0)870 906 3773
Tate Modern
The former Bankside Power Station has been reinvented as the Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art with an astounding and immense collection of 20th and 21st century art works. An excellent café and restaurant with wonderful views adds to the allure.
www.tate.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7887 8888
National Gallery
Britain’s National Gallery lines the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and is home to major works from all the major European schools from the 13th to the 19th century. The excellent guided tours enhance an experience already made exceptional by all its variety.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7747 2885
British Museum
One of the world’s great museums and home to over 6000 historical pieces from all over the world, the British Museum houses collections of antiquities that include the Frieze or Elgin Marbles, Roman Portland Vase and the original Rosetta Stone.
www.britishmuseum.org
Telephone: (0)20 7323 8299
London Eye
Catch the best views in town and gain a rare sense of geographical perspective aboard the gently revolving London Eye.
www.ba-londoneye.com
Telephone: (0)870 990 8883
Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe, an excellent reconstruction of the original theatre, celebrates Shakespeare’s life and times and houses performances of his plays.
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Telephone: (0)20 7902 1400
Buckingham Palace
See the changing of the guards and take a sneek peek inside the Queens’ chambers. Cheesy to some, but a pilgrimage to others.
www.royal.gov.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7766 7300
Harrods
Harrods is quite simply one of the most luxurious and opulent shopping emporia in the world. Apart from the wonderful range of departments and services across seven floors, there are 22 restaurants to restore one’s energy levels. The Food Hall is the place to stock up on picnic goodies.
www.harrods.com
Telephone: (0)20 7730 1234
Camden Market
Camden market is a hugely colourful and diverse shopping experience. Its pleasant bohemian character is an amusing reminder of its 1960s inspired culture heritage.
www.camdenlock.net
The Greenwich Meridian
Visit the site of the Greenwich Meridian, where the globe’s East meets West, and from where the world clock is set on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich is also the site of many markets, the Cutty Sark ship, and pleasant river views.
wwp.greenwich2000.com
St. Paul's Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s 1673 masterpiece is a truly iconic London building that miraculously survived the German bombing in World War II. Head inside for some rare peace amidst the frenetic pace of the London business world.
www.stpauls.co.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7246 8357
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