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Top 25 things to do in London
  • Not for nothing was the National Gallery named the UK's top visitor attraction in Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice Awards 2014. Set in London's iconic Trafalgar Square, this fabulous gallery hosts nearly 2,500 paintings from around Europe and is one of the richest art collections in the world. It's open daily between 10am and 6pm, and until 9pm on Fridays. Admission is free.

  • The country's largest museum and one of the oldest in the world, the British Museum is frequently named the UK's top attraction, with more than six million visitors a year. The museum is home to a vast collection of treasures dedicated to human history and culture. Open daily from 10.00 - 17.30 with later openings on Fridays (10.00 - 20.30). Admission is free.

  • The Victoria & Albert Museum (the V&A) hosts the biggest collection of decorative arts and design in the world, with a permanent collection of more than 4 million objects The museum is open daily between 10.00 - 17.45 and
    10.00 - 22.00 on Fridays. Admission is free. 

  • The Brick Lane Music Hall has both matinees and evening shows accompanied with afternoon tea and a three course dinner respectively. Visit bricklanemusichall.co.uk for more information on the shows available.

  • The Palace of Westminster is home to both the House of Commons and House of Lords, which together make up the Houses of Parliament. Visitors have the opportunity to take tours of the building as well as watching committees and debates. 

  • The Tower of London is a historic castle on the banks of the Thames which houses the Crown Jewels and is said to be haunted by the ghost of Henry VIII's wife Anne Boleyn who was beheaded for treason in 1536. Book tickets online for reduced rates. Adult: £23.10. Child: £10.50. Concession: £17.60.

     

  • Taking a look around Churchill's War Rooms will give you the chance to discover the war time bunker that sheltered Churchill and the British government during the Blitz in World War II. Adult: £18. Child: £9. Concession: £14.40.

  • The Wallace Collection is an art gallery and museum housed in a historic London town house. The 25 galleries boast a world-famous collection of 15th and 19th century decorative arts as well as French 18th century paintings and a selection of Old Masters. The collection is open daily between 10am - 5pm. Admission is free. 

  • Big Ben is often thought to be the tower as a whole but the name was originally given to just the bell inside. The Elizabeth Tower stands at the western end if the House of Parliament and is open to the public. Tours of the tower are between 9.00am, 11.00am and 2.00pm Monday-Friday. Admission is free.

  • St James' Park is the oldest of London's eight Royal Parks and encompasses The Mall and Horse Guards Parade as well. Those visiting in June may be lucky enough to see the annual Trooping of the Colour which takes place on the Queen's birthday. The park is open daily between 05.00 and 00.00.

  • Borough Market is one of the capital's most well known wholesale and food markets with a host of British and international produce on offer. The market also hosts live demonstration kitchens and special events. Wednesday - Thursday: 10am - 5pm. Fridays: 10am - 6pm. Saturdays: 8am - 5pm.

  • The Courtauld is known for its impressive collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The gallery and institute are both found in Somerset House which is a former Tudor Palace on the Strand. The Institute is open daily between 10am – 6pm. Adults: £7. Concessions: £16. Under 18s: FREE.

  • London's Royal Opera House is home to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra with the building dating back to 1732. Many of the composer Handel's oratorios were written specifically for the grand Covent Garden venue. Visit roh.org.uk for more information about what you can see at the venue while in the city.

  • This poignant memorial can be found in Green Park, London and commemorates the crews of the RAF Bomber Command who served during the second world war. The statue serves as a memorial for the 55,573 people who lost their lives during the war.

  • Westminster Abbey is one of the most well known religious buildings in the whole of the UK and has hosted a number of Royal weddings, coronations and burials. The Abbey is open to visitors Monday to Friday between 09.30 and 15.30. Adult: £20.00. Student/Senior: £17.00. Child: £9.

  • The Royal Albert Hall is best known for holding the Proms concert every summer since 1941 and several of the world's leading artists have performed there. Unusuall for a concert venue, the Hall also plays host to the ATP tennis Champions Tour Masters each year.

  • The Natural History Museum is home to a wide range of life and earth science specimens and is particularly well known for 'Dippy', the large cast of a Diplodocus skeleton which can be found in the central hall. The museum is open to the public daily between 10.00 and 17.50. Admission is free.

  • Found in the former Hendon Aerodrome, the RAF Museum has five exhibitions halls displaying a world class collection of aircrafts from history as well as interactive exhibits, films, medals and uniforms and much more. The museum is open daily between 10am - 6pm. Admission is free. 

  • Regent's Park is one of London's Royal Parks and it can be found in the north west of the city, covering 395 acres. The Park is home to an Open Air Theatre, London Zoo and an amazingly diverse range of wildlife.

  • Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in London and can be found bridging the Thames alongside the Tower of London. The bridge also recently unveiled a glass floor walkway 42 metres above the river granting visitors a spectacular view. Tickets are valid for a year and can be booked online but must bought 24 hours in advance. Adult: £8.00. Student: £5.65. Child: £3.50.

  • The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel which is also known as the Millennium Wheel. It was originally opened March 2000 and one turn of the wheel takes around 30 minutes granting visitors a stunning aerial view of the capital. Standard ticket: £19.35. Fast track: £28.35.

  • The Camden markets are often considered one of the creative hearts of London. Camden Lock is one of a number of markets found in the area. The market features stalls hosting fashion retailers, artists and independent designers. The market is open Monday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm.

  • The National Portrait Gallery was the first portrait gallery opened in the world and features the portraits of historically important and well known British people. The gallery is open daily 10.00 - 18.00 with late opening on Thursdays and Fridays (10.00 - 21.00). Admission is free. 

  • Hyde Park is another of London's Royal Parks, covering more than 600 acres. It is also home to the famous Speaker's Corner, an open-air public speaking area. The Serpentine River runs through the park and offers both swimming and boating areas to visitors.

  • St Paul's is an Anglican cathedral and is the home of the Bishop of London. It can be found on top of Ludgate Hill which is also the highest point in the whole of the City of London. Amazingly the cathedral, which was built in 1675, survived the Blitz during WWII.

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