e-travel-to London - Tourist Attractions & Sights

Tower of London

Infamous as a prison, shrouded with ghost stories and tradition, and storehouse of the royal jewels, the Tower of London is one of the city's greatest attractions.
The Tower of London, dominated by the huge square White Tower, which was started by the invading Norman king William the Conqueror, who was the victor at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Once the home of kings and queens, the Tower of London included barracks for soldiers and arsenals for weapons and explosives, and was a place of imprisonment and execution for men and women who found themselves on the wrong side of the ruler's favour. Many of them who taken inside through the entry to the Traitor's Gate visible near the river. It remained an active military establishment for many centuries, and was even used during world war two as a prison for Rudolph Hess and an execution ground by firing squad in 1941 for German spy Josef Jakobs.

Opening Hrs: From 1March - 31 October: Tuesday - Saturday. 09am - 6pm; Sunday - Monday, 10am - 6pm. From 1 November - 28 February: Tuesday - Saturday, 9am -5pm, Sunday - Monday: 10am - 5pm

Pricing: Gate price: GBP15; Under 16 years: GBP9.50. Children under 5 are free. Concessions are available.

Contact: Information line: +44 (0)870 756 6060

Getting There: Take Circle/District lines to Tower Hill. Follow directional signage to the main entrance of the Tower. Bus routes: 15, 42,78,100, RV1

British Airways London Eye

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State and now London has the British Airways London Eye - an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world's largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London's famous landmarks in just 30 minutes! See the Gothic houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The Tate Museum, Tower Bridge and not to mention the longest and most intricately styled stretches of the famous Thames River.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Situated on the north bank of the River Thames St Paul`s distinctive dome was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710 after the great fire of 1666 destroyed the original church. The cathedral consists of the Crypt, Ambulatory and Whispering Gallery. The entrance price also includes a visit to the Crypt and Ambulatory.

Opening Hrs: Monday to Saturday: 8.30am - 4pm. Please note: Special services or events may close all or part of the Cathedral at short notice.

Pricing: Adults: GBP9; Concessions: GBP8; Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children): GBP21.50; Children (7-16yrs): GBP3.50

Contact: T: 020 7236 4128 / 7246 8350 F: 020 7248 3104

More Info: Filming and photography inside the Cathedral is not allowed. Guided tours available at extra cost)

Getting There: Underground: St Paul's on the Central Line (within Zone 1), a five minute walk from the Cathedral. Mansion House, Cannon Street and Blackfriars stations on the District and Circle Line are a slightly longer walk.

Madame Tussaud's

For first time visitors, a must-see. This is the place to come face to wax face with some of the biggest celebrities in the world, as well as some interesting scenes from major events in world history.
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is an excellent place to visit. If you have ever visited any of the Tussaud’s wax works at the seaside, then you may think you have already seen all the wax models you want to see. But you have to remember that this place is the original and definitely the best. Although there is the odd model who is a little “dodgy”, the majority of the wax models are truly lifelike. Remember that they do rotate the exhibits, so not all the models can be seen at every visit.
When we visited, there was an extremely good Graham Norton model which actually speaks to you. He was extremely lifelike, but the best bit about his model was the woman standing a few feet away taking his picture. She was actually a wax model, but we watched lots of people bump into her and apologize or get in front of her camera and again apologize --very funny! I was extremely impressed by a model of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Her face was so lifelike; I had to touch it to be sure it was a model.

Other wax models we saw were Jerry Hall, David Beckham, and Kylie Minogue, with whom my husband was very taken--he even stroked her bum! Steven Spielberg was also there, as were John Travolta, Johnny Depp, Nick Cage, and one particularly impressive model, Samuel L. Jackson. The list goes on–-members of the British royal family both past and present, including the Queen and Princess Diana. There were also political leaders from all over the world, including Bush and Blair, sports stars, pop stars, film stars... You also get to go to the Chamber of Horrors, which has wax models of some rather gruesome scenes and prolific murderers, etc. The London Planetarium is also part of Tussaud's, so you can go on a tour of the stars in the sky, as well as those on screen and stage. If you are visiting London, it is definitely worth visiting here--you should not be disappointed.

Opening Hrs: Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Pricing: Timed ticket prices: from 9am - 5pm: Adult - GBP23.99; Family - GBP74. From 5pm - 5.30/6pm: Adult - GBP15; Family - GBP50

Getting There: Baker Street underground station is on the Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines

Westminster Abbey

More than just a church, the Abbey is a great tomb, with many prominent persons interred here over the years, from writers and scientists to Kings and soldiers. The coronation ceremony takes place here.

Pricing: Adults: GBP 10; Under 16, students and 60 plus: GBP 6; Family: GBP 22

Contact: Visitor information tel: +44 (0)20 7654 4900 Fax: +44 (0)20 7654 4894

More Info: Photography and filming (pictures and/or sound) of any kind is not allowed in any part of the Abbey at any time.

Getting There: Nearest underground: St James's Park (District and Circle Lines) and Westminster (Jubilee, District & Circle Lines).

Parliament

Built in the Gothic revival style in the 19th century, the clock tower housing Big Ben is probably the most famous landmark in London and a favourite photography subject for visitors. British residents may request a tour of Parliament or the clock tower through their Members of Parliament.

Buckingham Palace

Summer is when the famous changing of the guards takes place in the afternoons. Visitors can also tour the gardens, the State Rooms, the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews.

Opening Hrs: 26 July - 24 September: open daily from 9:45am -6pm. Buckingham Palace operates a timed-ticket system: admission every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Pricing: Adult ticket: GBP14; Over 60/Student (with valid ID): GBP12.50; Under 17: GBP8; Under 5: Free

Contact: Telephone (+44) (0)20 7766 7300 Fax (+44) (0)20 7930 9625

More Info: The Guard Change takes place at 11:30 daily from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.

Getting There: By underground: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner. By bus: Numbers 11, 211, 239, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.

Piccadilly Circus

Probably the most famous traffic circle in the world, this is a major gathering spot for locals.

Trafalgar Square

Another very famous public space, the towering statue of Lord Nelson, and the famous Lion statues, have served as the backdrop for many a public protest.

British Museum

The foremost museum in the British Isles, this venerable institution holds a major collection of antiquities and is one of the most popular attractions in the country.

Opening Hrs: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10am - 5.30pm; Thursday and Friday: 10am - 8.30pm. The Museum will be closed 1 January, Good Friday, 24-26 December

Pricing: The British Museum is free to all visitors. A charge may be made for special exhibitions.

Getting There: Underground stations: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, Goodge St.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Reputed to have the largest collection of fine and applied arts in the world, the collection is a grab bag that does not quite make it as traditional art, or antiquities, but are of artistic and historic merit nonetheless.

Opening Hrs: Daily, 10am to 5.45pm; Wednesdays and the last Friday of the month: 10am to 10pm. Selected galleries remain open after 6pm.

Pricing: Admission to the Museum is free; Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge

Tate Modern

The former power station facing the City is fast becoming one of London's best known landmarks. Featuring art shows and installations throughout the year.

Opening Hrs: Sunday to Thursday: 10 am -6pm; Friday and Saturday: 10am - 10pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December (open as normal on 1 January). The gallery will close at 6pm on Friday 23 December and Saturday 31 December.

Pricing: Admission to the gallery is free

Contact: Recorded information: 020 7887 8008 (international +44 20 7887 8008)

Getting There: By Underground: Southwark (Jubilee Line) and Blackfriars (District and Circle Lines) are the closest underground stations both of which are approximately ten minutes walk away.

Hampton Court

King Henry VIII practically confiscated this estate from his Chancellor, Thomas Wolsey. Well kept English formal Gardens and the characteristic red bricks bring the 16th and 17th Century English Royal world to life today.

Opening Hrs: Until 25 March 2006: Monday-Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. From 26 March - 28 October 2006: Monday-Sunday, 10am - 6pm. Closed 24-26 December

Pricing: Gate price:GBP12.30; Under 16:GBP8; Student & Senior Citizen 60+: GBP8; Family: Up to 2 adults and 3 children GBP8; Children under 5: free

Contact: 24-hour recorded information line about the palace: +44 (0)870 752 7777

Royal Kew Gardens

Displaying exotic plants and flowers from the far reaches of the world since 1841, the Kew Gardens has played a major role in the propagation of botanical knowledge and species throughout the former British ruled lands.

Opening Hrs: Open from 9.3am every day, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Pricing: Adult: GBP10; Concessions: GBP7; Children under 17: Free (but must be accompanied by an adult).

Contact: 24-hour recorded information line about the palace: +44 (0)870 752 7777

Getting There: Located on Kew Road just over Kew Bridge; just follow the signs from all major local roads. District Line to Kew Gardens station (a 5-minute walk away). Bus: 65, 237, 267 and 391.

Richmond-upon-Thames, the "green lungs" of London

Tired of the incessant buzz of the centre of London? Located further up the Thames and accessible by tube, Richmond offers a marvelous breather thanks to its immense royal park. This peaceful borough of Greater London, popular with artists and celebrities, is a good place for a day of relaxation.
Twenty minutes by tube from the centre of London, Richmond is an adorable little leafy rural town set on the banks of the Thames.

From its rich aristocratic past it has retained some Tudor-style vestiges, beautiful patrician residences and charm in abundance. Which is why it has always played host to royalty, artists and eminent figures, from Henry III to Virginia Woolf and Bertrand Russell.
Today, numerous stars from the worlds of film, stage and music - Mick Jagger and Pete Townshend for starters - have settled on Richmond Hill to enjoy a magnificent view of the Thames, painted time and again by Turner - the only view in the whole United Kingdom to be protected by an Act of Parliament!
Richmond's main attraction remains without any doubt its park, the oldest and largest royal park of the crown of England (1,000 hectares/2,470 acres). Add to that a few old pubs, interesting boutiques, footpaths and cycle tracks, and the possibility of hiring a boat, and you will realise that Richmond offers a wonderful bucolic daytrip far away from the bustle of London.