Things to do in London
Cruise the Thames to see the iconic London Eye, Tower of London and Tate Modern. Breathe deeply on Parliament Hill, after visiting Kenwood House. South Kensington's Museum Mile offers decorative art at the Victoria & Albert Museum (and afternoon tea in Art Nouveau surrounds), while Bloomsbury is home to the British Museum. In Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery displays European art from the 13th century. Most museums are free, and tend to open daily 10am-5.30pm/6pm.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Victoria & Albert Museum - Decorative arts
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London's Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington is the world's largest and most influential museum for the decorative and applied arts. Explore the magnificent permanent collection, ranging from ancient Buddhist sculptures to Canova's exquisite Three Graces.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; temporary exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Sat-Thu 10am-5.45pm; Fri 10am-10pm
Address
Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7942 2000
2. Museum of London - History of the capital
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The Museum of London in the City traces London's history, from marshland to capital of the world. Seven galleries host temporary exhibitions. Don't miss the Temple of Mithras' marble sculptures, among the finest art works of Roman Britain.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Address
150, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7001 9844
3. National Gallery - European art
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The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square has created an even grander forecourt to one of the world's finest art collections. The National Gallery houses European paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries, and a visit is free of charge.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; temporary exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm (until 9pm Fri)
Address
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7747 2885
4. British Museum - World-class collection
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World-class collections from civilisations across the globe are exhibited at the British Museum in Bloomsbury. Its mission is to "illuminate the histories of cultures for present and future generations", with popular galleries devoted to the Assyrians and the Ancient Greeks.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; some special exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Galleries: daily 10am-5.30pm Great Court: Sun-Wed 9am-6pm; Thu-Sat 9am-11pm
Address
Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7323 8299
5. Tate Modern - Contemporary art
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The industrial Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames houses the Tate Modern gallery's world-class 20th-century and contemporary art collection. Catch temporary exhibitions too, or take tea overlooking the River Thames.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; special exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm (until 10pm Fri & Sat)
Address
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7887 8888 (tickets & membership) / +44 (0) 20 7887 8008 (recorded information)
6. The Wallace Collection - 18th-century artworks
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Twenty-five galleries exhibiting French 18th-century paintings, furniture and porcelain make up The Wallace Collection, housed in a central-London town house. After browsing the old masters, sit out in the tree-dotted courtyard for lunch at the museum's modern French brasserie.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7563 9500
Attractions
Expand all7. Kenwood House - Idyllic mansion
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Kenwood House is an idyllic cream mansion on north London's Hampstead Heath. View paintings by Rembrandt, Turner and Gainsborough left by the first Earl of Iveagh in 1927. A walk across the heath provides spectacular views of London.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 11.30am-4pm
Address
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Lane, London NW3 7JR
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 8348 1286
8. London Eye - Look down on London
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The giant London Eye wheel on the Thames riverbank is a magnet for visitors to the capital. A ride provides panoramic views over the river, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and even the distant countryside. Booking ahead is strongly advised.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£8.75-£17.50
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-8pm/9pm/9.30pm
Address
Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
Telephone
+44 (0) 870 990 8883
9. Tower of London - Kings' castle
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Since William the Conqueror in 1066, English kings have slept, eaten and executed rivals in the Tower of London on the River Thames. Find primitive Norman toilets in the White Tower and the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£9.50-£17
Opening Hours
Daily 9am/10am-5.30pm
Address
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3166 6000
10. Royal Observatory Greenwich - Contemplate time
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Home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian Line, the Royal Observatory is part of the Greenwich UNESCO site. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675, its striking domed building can be admired from across the park.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; some special exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 8858 4422
11. St Paul's Cathedral - Architectural masterpiece
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The famous dome of St Paul's Cathedral, in the City, is a London icon. Test the acoustics in The Whispering Gallery and visit the tombs of Nelson and Sir Christopher Wren, the cathedral's architect, in the crypt.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£11; concessions £8.50-£10; children £3.50
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 8.30am-4pm
Address
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Telephone
+44 (0) 7246 8350/7236 4128
Special things to do
Expand all12. Dennis Severs' House - East End curiosity
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Dennis Severs' House in Spitalfields is a unique installation preserving scenes in daily life from the early 18th century in a Huguenot silk-weaver's home. American artist Dennis Severs froze the movements of imaginary inhabitants in ten rooms with period decoration.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£5-£12
Opening Hours
Every Mon eve (times vary); Sun 12pm-4pm & Mon following 1st & 3rd Sun of the month 12pm-2pm
Address
18, Folgate Street, London E1 6BX
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7247 4013
13. Horse Riding in Hyde Park - Green escape
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What better way to explore one of London's largest green spaces than on horseback? Hyde Park Stables (near Lancaster Gate tube) organise group or private lesson-rides along Rotten Row, passing the Serpentine lake. Hats and boots are provided without charge.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£59-£95 (per hour)
Opening Hours
Daily 7.15am/9am/10am/1pm-12pm/2pm/5pm
Address
63, Bathurst Mews, London W2 2SB
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7723 2813
14. Kite Flying on Parliament Hill - Unbeatable views
Show moreParliament Hill, one of the highest points on north London's Hampstead Heath, offers unbeatable views of the city. Join kite-flyers and make the most of the wind and the thrilling backdrop, featuring St Paul's, Canary Wharf and other prominent landmarks.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Address
London NW3 7JR
Transport
Hampstead Tube
15. Boat Ride Along The Thames - River cruise
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Hop on and off a Thames Clipper boat along the river for a close-up view of London's major attractions. A River Roamer ticket takes you past sights such as the Tate Modern, the London Eye and the Tower of London.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Single £5; River Roamer £12
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-1am
Address
Victoria Embankment, London
