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Attractions
Attractions by category
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Attractions by travel time
Four Seasons offers a unique vantage point from which to explore the sights, sounds and experiences that surround you. Begin with a tour along the River Thames, just outside the Hotel, then view the royal collection at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Enjoy a movie, dancing or a live show at The O2 – a world of entertainment. The highlights of local attractions that follow provide a taste of the region's sightseeing opportunities. To enhance your stay, the Concierge is always on hand to offer additional assistance and insight. Attractions on this page Art galleries
National Gallery
One of the world's finest galleries, the National Gallery was founded in 1824 and houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world. The works range from 1260 to 1900, and are painted by artists including Botticelli, Michelangelo, Poussin and Monet. Admission free.
The Royal Academy has some of Europe's most magnificent galleries. There's always something new to enjoy – the programme of exhibitions is constantly changing. Shows include recent fashion and photography retrospectives and collections of pre-20th-century art. The Academy is also the venue of choice for collections celebrating the life and works of recently deceased artists.
Tate Britain Gallery
Tate Britain is the national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day, the Tudors to the Turner Prize. Tate holds the greatest collection of British art in the world, including works by Blake, Constable, Epstein, Gainsborough, Gilbert and George, Hatoum, Hirst, Hockney, Hodgkin, Hogarth, Moore, Rossetti, Sickert, Spencer, Stubbs and Turner. The gallery is the world centre for the understanding and enjoyment of British art, and helps to promote international interest in British art.
Tate Modern
International modern art in the transformed Bankside Power Station. The Tate Modern offers a spectacular experience, both in the venue and in the collection. It also features a shop and a café overlooking the river.
The Hayward Gallery mounts exhibitions of contemporary and historical art. Since 1968, it has been the originator or host of many of the world's most influential exhibitions. The gallery is also responsible for National Touring Exhibitions and for the Arts Council Collection, which it manages on behalf of the Arts Council of England.
The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace
Once the Palace chapel, the gallery was opened in 1962 and holds regularly changing exhibitions. It allows the general public to glimpse works of art from the royal collection, one of the finest art collections in the world.
Attractions Barbican Centre is Europe's largest arts centre under one roof. The base for the London Symphony Orchestra and the London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, it houses a concert hall, three cinemas, two theatres, two art galleries, two trade exhibition halls, five conference rooms, foyers, shops and a conservatory. Admission is complimentary.
Home to designer shops and boutiques, precious jewellers and auction houses Sotheby's and Phillips, is Old and New Bond Street. (Named New Bond Street from Oxford Street to Clifford Street then Old Bond Street south of Clifford to Piccadilly.) Located at Underground stop: Bond Street.
This fruit and vegetable market spreads out in an L shape beneath the railway tracks running into London Bridge tube station. It is the successor to a medieval market held on London Bridge. In 1276 the market was moved to Borough High Street to avoid congestion and was moved again in 1756 for the same reason. The buildings of its present location date from 1851.
Recently the area has been given a new lease of life by the weekly Saturday food market held here. Stalls include de Gustibus and the Fresh Olive Company.
Borough Market is located between Borough High Street, Bedale Street, Winchester Walk and Stoney Street, in London SE1.
Nearby are the Neal's Yard Dairy, selling British and Irish farmhouse cheeses, the acclaimed fish! restaurant, and Konditor & Cook, the bakers. Travel time to the market is either a 15-minute boat ride or a 15-minute tube ride.
Buckingham Palace has been the principal residence of the sovereign since the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria in 1837. When the Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard is flown from the flagpole. The State Rooms, including the Throne Room, Picture Gallery and State Dining Room, are open to the public for a few weeks in August and September. Used in ceremonial and official functions, these rooms are sumptuously decorated with some of the finest tapestries and works of art from the Royal Collection.
Camden Market is one of the busiest street markets in London, known for its antiques, clothes, foods, bric-a-brac and crafts. There are craft workshops and other shops open throughout the week.
Changing of the Guard
This dazzling display is performed by the Foot Guards of the Household Division, the Queen's personal guards. A reduced ceremony is performed when the Queen is away.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden, in the heart of London, was formerly a fruit and vegetable market. Now it's a lively and cosmopolitan shopping district with markets, boutiques, specialty shops, street entertainment, cafes, bars and restaurants and a centre for crafts and artisans. By night, it is the destination of theatre-goers and patrons of the Royal Opera House.
HMS Belfast
Europe’s only surviving big gun armoured warship from World War II. Explore all nine decks from the Capitain’s Bridge to the massive Boiler and Engine Rooms.
Houses of Parliament
A majestic building in the late Gothic style, the Houses of Parliament stand on the site of the old royal palace of Westminster - which was founded in the 11th century and burned down in 1834. The interior is not open to the public, but it is possible to attend the debates by queuing at St. Stephen's Entrance. At the north end of the building stands the majestic Clock Tower, which houses Big Ben.
Kensington High Street bustles with business for major department stores including Marks & Spencer, as well as popular chains and many specialist boutiques. Kensington Church Street is renowned for its antique shops, leading up to Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road market. Located at Underground stop: High St. Kensington.
Dominated by Harrods and Harvey Nichols, this fashion shopping area includes the top designer boutiques of Sloane Street, as well as Beauchamp Place and Old Brompton Road. Located at Underground stop: Knightsbridge.
Located at the top of Oxford Street, Marble Arch is a famous landmark in London.
Built in 1828 as the chief entrance to Buckingham Palace, it was moved in 1851 to its current site as an entrance to Hyde Park – close to Speakers' Corner.
One of the busiest streets in the world, Oxford Street is the first to cash in on shop-til-you-drop tourists. The mixture of chain stores and cut-price shops run for 3 kilometres (2 miles), from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch. Most of the shops are High Street outlets, but a few have retained their individuality. Selfridges is the largest and best stocked department store on the street, which also boasts John Lewis, Debenhams, DH Evans and Primask. Other stores include House of Fraser, British Home Stores and Marks and Spencer.
Petticoat Lane is a famous street market selling clothes, hardware, jewellery and other goods.
Portobello is really several markets in one, and Saturday is the day when all are in full swing. On Saturday's market day, you can experience a mile of hustle, haggle, colour and energy, the main feature of which is hundreds of antique and specialist shops and stalls. You can find clothes, household items, records and more. Also to be spotted are some talented (and sometimes bizarre) street performers.
During the week, Portobello is the domain of the fruit and vegetable market traders, who shout from their many colourful and bustling stalls. Sundays are rather quiet, but there is a small area (under the motorway) where mainly bric-a-brac and second-hand clothes are sold.
Linking Pall Mall with Portland Place and Regent's Park, Regent Street was originally designed by Regency architect John Nash. Stores include Liberty and top British fashion retailers Austin Reed, Burberry and Aquascutum. Located at Underground stop Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus.
This magnificent 18th-century building, situated on the banks of the Thames by Waterloo Bridge, was designed by Sir William Chambers to house public offices, including the Navy Board and three learned societies. It now houses the celebrated collections of the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms. The Gilbert Collection, bequeathed to the nation by Sir Arthur Gilbert, is a unique collection of gold and silver decorative arts. It is one of the most eclectic and dazzling collections of its kind assembled outside Russia. Visitors will discover European gold and silver snuff boxes, Italian mosaics and portrait miniatures, all set within a 2,300-square-metre (25,000-square-foot) vaulted architectural masterpiece. Somerset House also hosts open-air performances and concerts, and boasts gift shops, cafés, a restaurant, the spectacular Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court – and an ice rink in the winter.
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, was built on the site of an old Gothic cathedral that burned down in the Great Fire of 1666.
Constructed between 1675 and 1710, St. Paul's beautiful Renaissance cathedral is dominated by a splendid dome, second in size only to St. Peter's in Rome.
The Cutty Sark is the last surviving tea clipper ship. In 1885, it broke all speed records. Now restored to its former glory at Greenwich Pier on the banks of the River Thames, the Cutty Sark offers visitors a glimpse of life at sea in the golden days of sail. You can explore every part of the ship, including the Lower Hold, with its collection of figureheads, and the Tween Deck, which tells the story of the Cutty Sark. The Tween Deck also features a display of ship pictures and models. Cabins have been reconstructed to show what life was like at sea in the 1870s.
The London Eye is 135 metres (443 feet) high and the world's largest operation wheel. It gives passengers a slow-moving 'flight' with panoramic views of many of London's landmarks. The Eye has 32 enclosed capsules, each of which can carry up to 25 people. It offers bird's-eye views over 40 kilometres (25 miles) during a 30-minute flight on its slowly revolving wheel. Flights take place every half hour. A turn-up-and-queue service operates, but booking in advance is also available.
The London Zoo
One of the world's most famous zoos, London Zoo in Regent's Park is home to over 12,000 animals. Meet-the-animals shows are held daily, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the animals from their keepers. Rare and beautiful creatures can be seen at the aquarium, elephant house, penguin pool, Snowdon aviary, Bear Mountain and the Web of Life exhibition. The Children's Zoo, designed to educate children aged four to eight years of age, includes rabbits, hamsters and llamas.
Opened in 1894, Tower Bridge is a world-famous landmark, easily recognized by its twin Gothic towers. These towers are linked near their top by two fully glazed walkways. Inside the bridge, interactive computers and working models explain its innerworkings.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is an imposing fortress by the Thames. Now one of London's main tourist attractions, the Tower has been both a royal residence and a state prison. William the Conqueror began building its oldest part, the White Tower, in 1078; the walls and the rest of the building were added later. The White Tower houses the Chapel of St. John, the oldest church in London (built in 1080), while the Jewel House holds the famous Crown Jewels.
Vinopolis is the world's first visitor attraction devoted entirely to wine and its associated pleasures. It offers a multimedia tour of the world of wine, combined with a visit to the tasting halls. Neither an exhibition nor a museum, this experience brings together all the pleasures of wine – travel, food, culture and art – in a 9,290-square-metre (100,000-square-foot) complex.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is an elegant display of outstanding architecture and historical significance. It has hosted every coronation from William the Conqueror in 1066 to Elizabeth II in 1953 (excepting Edward V and Edward VIII). Many kings and queens are buried here, as well as thousands of eminent men and women. Visitors can see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior; the Royal Tombs and Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor; the Coronation Chair; Lady Chapel and Poets' Corner. Also noteworthy are the Royal Chapels, the brass rubbing centre and the Undercroft Museum.
Exhibitions The Dali Universe is an innovative, permanent, 2,800-square-metre (30,000-square-foot) exhibition located at County Hall, part of London's cultural hub along the South Bank. Dedicated to the works of Salvador Dali (1904–1989), the great Spanish surrealist artist, the Dali Universe features over 500 works of art, most of which had not been seen in the UK before the exhibition's opening in 2000. The collection provides a fascinating insight into many important aspects of Dali's creative genius.
Whitechapel Art Gallery, opened in 1901, is known for its innovative exhibitions, independent point of view and distinctive role in the art world. The gallery is one of the leading cultural centres in London and enjoys an international profile.
Museums Apsley House, The Wellington Museum, was built by Robert Adams between 1771-1778 and bought by the first Duke of Wellington. The palatial interiors house the Duke's magnificent collection including: paintings (many originally from the Spanish Royal Collection) by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, Wilkie, Lawrence and Dutch Masters; porcelain; sculpture; silver and furniture. Apsley House remains the last great London townhouse with its collections largely intact.
Design Museum
The Design Museum is a study collection showing the development of design in mass production. The motivating idea behind the museum is to look at everyday things and explain why and how mass-produced consumer objects work and look as they do. A Review Gallery examines new products and a changing programme of exhibitions is supplemented by events, lectures and seminars.
From Flanders to the Gulf War, the Imperial War Museum tells the story of the 20th-century wars, complete with smell and sound effects. The thousands of exhibits range from ration books to rockets and include interactive videos and childrens' activities. 'Conflicts since 1945' offers a display on the Cold War, national service terrorism and peacekeeping. Some special events include Spitfire Summer: an exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of Britain's 'finest hour.'
The London Dungeon is quite literally a museum of horror: visitors have close encounters of a spine-chilling kind as the gory side of history is spilled. A series of life-size tableaux depict superstition, torture and death in factually accurate, if often graphic details. Highlights include eavesdropping on Anne Boleyne's final prayers before witnessing her execution, and judgement day where visitors are meted out 18th-century justice, sentenced to death and taken by barge to Traitor's Gate to meet their fate.
Madame Tussaud's
London's top visitor attraction, Madame Tussaud's waxworks museum has effigies of everyone from the Queen to Madonna. Latest waxwork figures include William Hague MP, Kylie Minogue and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Admission fee applicable.
The National Maritime Museum makes the sea come alive. The lure of the sea brings visitors to view multimedia displays, exhibits of relics and the Time and Space Exhibition.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum houses a vast selection of plant and animal exhibits, plus 'Investigate': a new educational resource with state-of-the-art work stations and hundreds of touchable specimens.
The Science Museum's outstanding collections, working exhibits and interactive galleries bring to life the story and development of science. The museum also incorporates the Earth Galleries, which focuses on the planets.
The British Museum, founded in 1753, is one of the great museums of the world. It displays the works of mankind from prehistoric times to the present day, including the Rosetta Stone, the Soleb Lion from Egypt and sculptures from the Parthenon. The British Library exhibition galleries are also housed here.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is a museum of time and space. Built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675, it is the home of the Greenwich Meridian, the base point for world time and the site of Longitude 0. A timeball drops daily at 1:00 pm. Featuring the largest refracting telescope in Britain, the Observatory offers visitors computer simulations, as well as views of the Astronomer Royal apartments and Wren's Octagon Room.
Sporting/Concert venues Home to the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, held in South London, that draws the world’s leading tennis players each summer.
Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre by Millwall Dock is ideally located, offering easy access to a sailing day out.
Earls Court
Earls Court is one of London's most famous venues, hosting over 100 shows each year. Its central location in London makes it a perfect destination for a night on the town; last year it saw almost two million visitors. Inaugurated in 1886, Earls Court has hosted many of the UK's biggest and best concerts and shows.
Emirates Stadium
This stadium is the current home of the Arsenal Football Club.
The O2 is a world-class entertainment destination. Its centrepiece is a 23,000-seat arena, which has played host to leading acts such as the Rolling Stones, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Madonna. The surrounding neighbourhood is home to a variety of restaurants and bars, The Indigo O2 (an intimate live music club), an 11-screen cinema and The O2 Bubble, a venue that's currently hosting the British Music Experience.
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is the home of English rugby and stages high-profile Rugby League, Rugby Union and international matches. With a capacity of 82,000, it is a fantastic venue for both sporting and music events.
Wembley Stadium
Primarily a football venue, Wembley is the second-largest stadium in Europe and the largest stadium in the world with every seat under cover. The stadium hosts England's home international football matches and the main English Cup finals, as well as music concerts and other sporting events. In 2011, it will be home to the European Cup Champions League Final.
Theatre/Performing arts
Royal National Theatre and Royal Albert Hall
The Royal National Theatre is one of the greatest theatres in the world. At its three venues, you can see productions ranging from intimate character studies in the Cottesloe to grand spectacle in the Olivier. The National Theatre is the spiritual centre of London's theatreland, and the very heart of the British theatrical tradition.
Reconstruction of Shakespeare's original theatre with Elizabethan-style timber and thatched roof.
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