Take one of the free guided tours—an easy and much more interesting way of engaging with the museum and its paintings. They start at the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk, at 11.30am and 2.30pm, and las
Built by the Duke of Somerset (executed in 1552 before the building was complete), it was later a residence for the queens of Charles I and II, and was regarded as a dangerous hotbed of Catholicism.
Set in a stunning park, and sitting precisely on the Prime Meridian of the world, the Royal Observatory is a great way to spend an afternoon in South London.
Visit the annual summer exhibition, which is London’s largest open submission art exhibition. It has been going for 242 years, and is an incredible collection of established and emerging artists.
The house where mr. Dickens used to reside, has now been turned into a museum. A must for all dickens fans.
The museum here is on the site of the infamous Southwark prison known as the Clink, from which other prisons get their nickname. It was built in the 11th century, and torn down by rioters in 1780.
I'm a bit of a London transport geek, and this is a great museum, and a really cool building, designed a couple of years ago by Vivienne Westwood. Apparently. Read more.
The world's most famous 'secret museum', the SJSM can't be described without using the words bric-a-brac, labyrinthine, or cluttered. A must-see for anyone who hasn't been.
While the daily changing of the guards is a tourist magnet, this majestic palace is a London icon and home of the Queen. You know that she is in residence when the flag is flying above the palace!
Built to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666, the height of the Monument is the same as its distance from the bakery on Pudding Lane where the fire started.
Big Ben refers to the 13 ton bell in the clock tower of Westminster Palace. Opinion is divided as to whether it was named after the then Commissioner of Works, or a famous prize-fighter of the time.
Sculpted from Italian marble and based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome, this was built in 1827 as the entrance to Buckingham Palace. It was moved here in 1851 when the palace was enlarged.
A tour of the Houses of Parliament should be on everyone’s to-do list. It takes just over an hour and really gives you a witty insight into the British Government system, art, and history as well.
Currently the third tallest Ferris wheel in the world (the tallest when built in 1999, but now behind Singapore and Nanchang), it moves at 0.6mph, and you can see 25 miles from the top.
No.10 was given to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first ‘prime minister’, by George II in thanks for his service. Walpole’s official title, First Lord of the Treasury, still remains on the letterbox.
Be sure to check out the stairs leading down to the old WWII-era air-raid shelter under the Square... located on the west end of the park.
The best park in London, in my opinion. On a hill with an epic view, great trees and parks and borders the open space of Blackheath Common. Hard to believe it's in London sometimes.
Try a stroll through Queen Mary’s Gardens, a tranquil spot filled with palm trees and rose gardens. Or visit the Wildlife Garden.... Read more.
In the 18th century the park was notorious for highwaymen and Horace Walpole was one of many robbed here. Handel’s ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ was composed for an event here in 1749.
Hyde Park was a favourite venue for duellists in the 18th and 19th century, including the brutal 1712 duel between the Duke of Hamilton and Lord Mohun in which they hacked each other to death.
Originally a deer park for Henry VIII, so he could hunt while staying at Whitehall Palace, the park was laid out in a formal style by Charles II, when Pepys came here to watch ice skating.
No tourists, few people, great to run/walk in the morning through a "tree tunnel" or simply sit to enjoy the silence. A forest in the middle of the city. Highly recommended
An often overlooked attraction in Greenwich, but contains some remarkable paintings. Seek out the sinking of the Scharnhorst in the south-west corner of the top floor.
The temporary exhibitions are always worth a look, no more so than the current Maps exhibition. Reasonably good for free wifi, but can be patchy. Love the quirky gift shop.
The bank was located first in Mercers’ Hall and then in Grocers’ Hall but was moved to its permanent location on Threadneedle Street in the 1730s and was the largest financial institution in England
The vision of American actor Sam Wanamaker, this replica of Shakespeare’s legendary theatre opened near the site of the original in 1997. It has the first thatched roof in London since the Great Fire.
The best place to visit if you want to learn more about London’s history. And of course it houses the Crown Jewels, the most famous jewellery collection in the world
Touristy yes, but well worth a visit to see collectables from the former British Empire. Whatever you do, do not miss the impressive and beautiful park behind the castle.
This grand Tudor palace was built by Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey, but passed to the king in 1529. His 4th queen Catherine Howard is said to haunt the gallery outside the chapel.
When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Charles II had Oliver Cromwell’s body dug up, hanged and beheaded. For many years the head sat on a spike on the roof of Westminster Hall.
Although firstly a scientific organisation, this British institution houses numerous collection of plants and botanical information and as such is a living encyclopaedia on the plant kingdom.
Don't leave this one to the tourists - it's really interesting and, given the size, actually quite good value. Don't wear a skirt (or kilt) though - the best bits are accessed via ladders.
This paradeground is the scene of the world famous Trooping the Colour, which since 1748 has marked the monarch’s birthday. The march past of the Household Division involves almost 400 musicians.
Go to the Royal Albert Hall. Queue up for a £5 Promming ticket. Experience the amazing BBC Proms from the best place in the house. Read more.
The Mall took on its current form as a royal processional route around 1912. The palace approach was widened, and Admiralty Arch was built at one end and the Victoria Memorial at the other
Every year a Norway Spruce is erected here and decorated as part of the Christmas festivities. The tree is a gift of thanks from the Norwegians for Britain's support during the Second World War
Piccadilly is named after a type of broad lace collar fashionable in the early 17th century, the ‘piccadil’. The best examples were sold by a local tailor whose shop became known as Piccadilly Hall.
This area was named after Leicester House, the London mansion home of the Earl of Leicester built in 1635. But by 1800 it was a home of popular entertainment and theatres, and has never looked back.
The iconic bridge (opened 1894) still gives priority to river traffic, and is raised on average 3 times a day. In 1997 it split the motorcade of US President Bill Clinton, causing some alarm.
We've got a documentary on the history of London Bridge available to listen to while you are here. Click this tip to get the mp3 Read more.
The lion sculpture was once painted red and stood over the Red Lion Brewery on the South Bank in the 18th century. When the area was redeveloped in the 1950s the lion was saved and moved here.
This cathedral has the largest dome in the world after St. Peter's in Rome. Built between 1675 and 1710 this is one of the essential sights of London. Read more.
This mother church of English Roman Catholics was completed in Early Christian Byzantine style in 1903. Since that day Masses have been sung here everyday without interruption.
Westminster Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor and completed just before his death in 1065. Since William the Conqueror all the kings & queens of England have been crowned here.
Dedicated to work by new and innovative writers from the UK and internationally, the New York Times described this theatre as ‘the most important theatre in Europe’. Expect to discover something great Read more.
Opened as the Queen’s Theatre in 1705 by playwright and architect Sir John Vanbrugh, in 1986 it hosted the world premiere of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, and it’s been on ever since.
Hampstead Heath was a favourite outing for Karl Marx and his family, and held a popular fair in the 19th century. Like the Guy Fawkes night bonfires held here, it oftern turned drunken and violent.
For the best view of London walk to the top of Primrose Hill... sunrise, sunset - lovely!
In 1768 Benjamin Franklin, American statesman and Founding Father, conducted experiments in Mount Pond including pouring oil onto the water to examine how liquids behave. Anglers were not amused.
Behind the Pump House is a statue of a brown dog. In 1985 it replaced the original, removed in 1910 when it became a focus of riots between medical students and animal rights campaigners.
Did u know the author of The Windows in the Willows was a Secretary of The Bank of England?
‘Billionaires Boulevard’ tells you all you need to know about local property prices. Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, the richest man in Europe, bought Nos.18-19 for £70 million in 2005.
Perfect in the summer to just sit, chill out, read a book or whatever for a whole morning or afternoon in the sun :)
At 1.5 acres Kensington Roof gardens is the largest roof garden in the whole of Europe. The gardens have been owned by Richard Branson's Virgin group since 1981.
A lovely place to go on a summers day. It does quite busy with all the students nearby though. There is also a little fountain in the middle.
Forget the view from the top. Head a little down the southern slope where you get still-good views but far fewer people.
The second bridge here was completed in 1945. Because there was a war on, much of the work was carried out by women and so this used to be known as ‘the ladies’ bridge’.
The original bridge here was a suspension foot bridge by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opened in 1845. When it became a rail bridge, the chains were reused to complete his Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The downstream (seaward) side of the bridge is decorated with stone sculptures of sea birds, whilst the upstream side is decorated with fresh water birds.
The first bridge on this site, opened in 1819, was regarded as an architectural marvel and had the longest cast iron span (73 metres) in the world. The current bridge dates from 1921.
One of London’s lost rivers joins the Thames here. The Tyburn, which gave its name to the famous gallows, begins in Hampstead and now runs entirely underground.
The name of this place has nothing to do with birds, but with the exotic goods that were once brought here from the Canary Islands. Canary comes from the Latin ‘canaria’, so ‘Islands of the dogs’.
Best way to enjoy and see all the park? Have a run! Much more enjoyable than a pic nic! And you feel reborn!
Even if you aren't interested in shopping, all the street performers make it feel like a carnival and worth the visit.
Soho is home to Europe’s largest Chinatown, which developed in the 1970s. Earlier generations of London’s Chinese population had centred around the docks of Limehouse.
Canalway cavalcade takes place during the may bank holiday each year. Great festival. I recommend going.
Francis Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I on the ‘Golden Hinde’ in Greenwich Reach. The round-the-world ship was a popular attraction before it rotted away in the 1660s. Find your maritime story Read more.
Until 1993 the location of Telecom Tower was an official secret, having or taking any photos of the tower was a breach of the Official Secrets Act, it was even omitted from all maps.
Probably London's most famous music heritage site. Made famous by the Beatles but plenty of other historic acts have recorded here too. Read more.
