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.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Decorative arts
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.
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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
Museum of London
History of the capital
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.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Address
150, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7001 9844
National Gallery
European art
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.
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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
British Museum
World-class collection
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.
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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
Tate Modern
Contemporary art
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.
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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)
The Wallace Collection
18th-century artworks
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.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7563 9500
Kenwood House
Idyllic mansion
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.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 11.30am-4pm
Address
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Lane, London NW3 7JR
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 8348 1286
London Eye
Look down on London
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.
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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
Tower of London
Kings' castle
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.
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Cost
£9.50-£17
Opening Hours
Daily 9am/10am-5.30pm
Address
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3166 6000
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Contemplate time
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.
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Cost
Free; some special exhibitions charge
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 8858 4422
St Paul's Cathedral
Architectural masterpiece
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.
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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
Dennis Severs' House
East End curiosity
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.
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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
Horse Riding in Hyde Park
Green escape
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.
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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
Kite Flying on Parliament Hill
Unbeatable views
Parliament 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.
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Cost
Free
Address
London NW3 7JR
Transport
Hampstead Tube
Boat Ride Along The Thames
River cruise
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.
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Cost
Single £5; River Roamer £12
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-1am
Address
Victoria Embankment, London
