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Top London Attractions
 
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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. LondonTown.com has selected the pick of the attractions to suit all ages and tastes.
 Book Attractions   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. Tickets and Information Address:Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1 Booking / Information Line: 0870 5000 600 Nearest Station: Waterloo Tube or Rail / Westminster Tube  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  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  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. Tickets and Information Address: Ludgate Hill, EC4 Phone: 020 7236 4128 Nearest Station: St Paul's Tube  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. Address: Belvedere Road, SE1 Phone: 020 7921 0600 Nearest Station: Waterloo Tube / Rail  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  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  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. Tickets and Information Address: HM Tower of London, EC3N Phone: 0870 756 6060 Nearest Station: Tower Bridge Tube  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
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