Part of the University of London, Senate House was the inspiration for George Orwell's Ministry of Truth. During the 1936 construction the principle was killed by a trolley falling down a lift shaft.
An urban myth, which began shortly after WWII, suggests that an ancient Roman battleground is located here and the body of Iceni Warrior Queen Boudica is buried somewhere beneath platform 9 and 10.
London’s oldest theatre is in its fourth incarnation. The third burned down in 1809. It is said to be one of the world’s most haunted theatres, so watch out for ‘The Man in Grey’!
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.
The square here was laid out by Inigo Jones in 1630, on land once used by the monks of Westminster Abbey as a garden, but confiscated by Henry VIII during the Reformation.
London’s only post-war Grade I listed building was opened in 1951 for the Festival of Britain. The hall officially reopened after its renovation in 2007 with a performance by rock legends Motorhead.
‘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.
The name of this hill dates back to the English Civil War when it was occupied by Roundhead (Parliamentary) soldiers. The panoramic views over London are protected by law.
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.
Kenwood House was given to the nation by Lord Iveagh in 1927, along with the art collection that includes a Rembrandt self-portrait and Constable’s oil sketch of Hampstead Heath.
The famous illuminated advertising of Piccadilly Circus began as early as 1893, before most of the city had electric street lighting.
This theatre was famous in the 1940s and 50s for hosting big American names like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jnr, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby.
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.
The Haymarket is said to be haunted by John Buckstone (its 19th century manager) whose appearance is said to signify his approval of a production. Patrick Stewart claims to have seen him in 2009.
The Coliseum opened in 1904 as a ‘people’s palace of entertainment’. During WW2 it became a canteen for air raid wardens, and Winston Churchill once addressed them from the theatre stage.
This theatre, opened in 1806, is said to be haunted by the actor William Terriss. He was stabbed to death at the stage door in 1897 by a rival actor, who blamed Terriss for keeping him out of work.
The gallery opened in 1824 to exhibit 38 paintings purchased by the government. The UK national collection is relatively small because unlike in Europe, the monarch’s collection was not nationalised.
This museum houses more than 80 vehicles including the first tubes, horse-drawn trams and the earliest motorised buses, plus iconic posters from the last 100 years.
The British Museum began from the collection of naturalist Sir Hans Sloane which he left to the nation on his death in 1753. Now it houses 7 million objects including more than 100 Egyptian mummies.
The world’s largest museum of urban history documents the city’s development from Roman settlement to cosmopolitan metropolis. Attractions include the Lord Mayor’s State Coach.
London’s most famous modern nightclub was opened in 1991 by Old Etonian the Hon. James Palumbo. It’s modelled on the famous Paradise Garage club in New York, where ‘garage’ music was born.
The Bankside Power Station was built as a ‘cathedral of power’ in 1963, but closed in 1981. It reopened as one of Europe’s finest modern art galleries in 2000. The Turbine Hall is 35m high.
The QEH opened in 1967 as a venue for a wide variety of music and dance acts. The inaugural performance that year was by the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Britten.
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.
This historic pub on the site of a tollgate was once the haunt of highwaymen, who when caught were hanged nearby. The pub appears in Dickens’ Pickwick Papers and in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Named after hotelier Cesar Ritz, who also managed The Savoy Hotel, the Ritz was the first hotel in London to have en-suite rooms, it was also the first steel framed building in England.
In 1837 The Royal Opera house was the first ever theatre to use limelight. Limelight comes from the mixing of oxygen and hydrogen and then adding real burning lime to achieve a bright light.
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
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.
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.
This imposing building was originally a car showroom (Wolseley Motors Limited). Now it is one of London’s smartest restaurants - designed by David Collins - it is a joy to dine in! Read more.
Harvey Nichols is home to one of the most stylish bars in Knightsbridge. Its collaboration with Perrier Jouet means that there’s an impressive array of champagne cocktails for guests to sample!
A wonderful place for people watching on a sunny day or as a romantic meeting place at dusk, but look out for the pigeons. A visit to the National Gallery is also highly recommended.
One of Vegas' best free attractions. Our Habitat hosts flamingos, swans, koi, turtles and other exotic animals who frolic in the ponds and waterfalls that we're lucky enough to call our backyard.
