London City Guide - attractions

Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life-sized models of stars, famous politicians, royals and sportsmen, as well as the most infamous criminals the world has known. Inside the Museum the 'Spirit of London' ride will take you through the city's history, introducing you to those figures that have shaped the London of today, while The Chamber of Horrors challenges visitors to enter and be terrified. Also at the site is Tussaud's Auditorium, one of the biggest in the world, ready to amaze visitors with its views of the universe.
Telephone: (0)870 999 0046
Website: www.madame-tussauds.com
Transport: Baker Street underground station, or buses 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139 and 274
Opening times: Off-peak, open daily 9.30am to 5.30pm. Peak, open daily 9am to 6pm.

Tower of London
The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure. It is guarded by a special band of Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, and dotted with several large, black birds – the Ravens. Legend has it that if the Ravens ever leave the Tower, a great tragedy will befall England, and to this day the birds are protected by Royal decree. The Tower's history dates back to the 11th century, and each new Monarch has played a role in its growth and development. It also houses Britain's crown jewels, a spectacular display of some of the world's finest gems and workmanship. The Tower is next to Tower Bridge, another famous London landmark.
Telephone: +44 (0)844 482 7777
Website: www.hrp.org.uk
Transport: Tower Hill tube station, or buses 15, 42,78 or 100
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm; Sunday to Monday, 10am to 5.30pm

Houses of Parliament
Originally built for Edward the Confessor more than 1,000 years ago, the Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, remained the principal residence of Britain's monarchs for the next 400 years. Thereafter it became the administrative centre of the country. In 1834 the great fire burnt everything except Westminster Hall, and the present Gothic building was completed in the 1840s. It is perhaps most famous for the clock tower, St Stephens, which is commonly, but mistakenly called Big Ben, after the name of the bell inside. Although Parliament is closed to visitors during session, it is still a popular attraction to tourists for its exterior architecture.
Telephone: 0870 906 3773
Website: www.parliament.uk
Transport: Westminster underground station
Opening times: Open during summer recess, see the website for details.

Tate Modern
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which has been transformed by Swiss Architects Herzog & de Meuron into a spectacular new modern building, the Tate Modern is Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art. It showcases an exhaustive collection from 1900 to the present day, including works by Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, as well as exhibitions by contemporary artists. There is also an exceptional roof café, which affords spectacular views over London and an impressive gift shop.
Telephone: (0)20 7887 8888
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Transport: Southwark or Blackfriars underground stations, bus or the Tate Boat on the Thames
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December

. National Gallery
The National Gallery has an imposing and regal façade stretching across the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and houses over 2,000 paintings from every major European school of painting from the 13th to the 19th century. It was opened in 1938 at its present location, which was chosen for its situation between London's wealthier West End and poorer East End, as a 'gallery for all'.
Telephone: (0)20 7747 2885
Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Transport: Charing Cross rail station, or Charing Cross, Leicester Square and Embankment underground stations. Numerous buses also service Trafalgar Square
Opening times: Daily 10am to 6pm; Wednesday until 9pm. Closed on 1 January, 24, 25 and 26 December

British Museum
With more than 6,000 historical objects from all around the globe, the British Museum houses one of the world's greatest collections of antiquities, including the Parthenon Frieze or Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Roman Portland Vase dating from the 1st century AD. In 2000 the great court was reopened with an incredible glass roof covering two acres, and stairwells leading down to the Reading Room, which has been completely restored.
Telephone: (0)20 7323 8299 or (0)20 7323 8000
Website: www.britishmuseum.org
Transport: Russell Square underground station
Opening times: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5.30pm; Thursday and Friday 10am to 8.30pm; closed 24, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and Good Friday

London Eye
At 443ft (135m) tall, and weighing more than 250 double-decker buses, the London Eye is the most spectacular new addition to London's skyline.

With incredible views of most of London's major attractions, and an opportunity to put the city's geography into perspective, it is a must see for all visitors. Originally conceived by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield as an entry for a millennium landmark competition, the project took six years and the expertise of hundreds of people from five European countries to turn it into a reality.
Telephone: (0)870 990 8883 or (0)870 5000 600 (bookings)
Website: www.ba-londoneye.com
Transport: Westminster, Waterloo or Embankment underground stations, or bus RV1, 211, 77 or 381
Opening times: Daily October to May 10am to 8pm, June and September 10am to 9pm, July and August 10am to 9.30pm

. Shakespeare's Globe
Situated on the bank of the Thames, just 656ft (200m) from the site of Shakespeare's original Globe theatre, this fantastic recreation will transport visitors back to the time of the very first productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. The reconstruction took a total of 10 years to complete; at a cost of over £40 million and now houses a professional theatre company responsible for regular productions of Shakespeare's famous plays. Adjacent to the theatre is the Globe Exhibition, presenting graphic information about the reconstruction of the theatre and bringing to the fore the life and works of Shakespeare with interactive displays and live demonstrations. Visits to the exhibition include a tour of the theatre.
Telephone: (0)20 7902 1400, or (0)20 7401 9919 (box office)
Website: www.shakespeares-globe.org
Transport: Mansion House underground station, with a ten-minute walk over the Millennium Bridge
Opening times: Theatre tour and exhibition: daily 10am to 5pm (10 October to 17 April), 9am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 5pm (18 April to 9 October). There is no access to the theatre during performances; visitors will then be taken to the Rose Theatre, Bankside's first playhouse

Buckingham Palace and the Queen's Gallery
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but now visitors can actually get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some of the Queen's private art collection at the newly opened Queen's Gallery. Originally the town house of the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London home of Britain's monarchs since 1837. Look to see whether the Royal Standard (not the Union Flag) is flying, which indicates that the Queen is in residence.
Telephone: (0)20 7766 7300
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Transport: Green Park underground station
Opening times: Various, see website for details.

Harrods
Harrod's, which proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed calls his 'Palace in Knightsbridge', promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in the world.

With 22 restaurants, and a wide range of departments and services across its seven floors, it is easy to see why this is the shopping choice of London's social elite. With its prominent position on Brompton Road, Harrod's is hard to miss, especially at night, when the entire façade is illuminated with a grand total of 11,500 light bulbs.
Telephone: (0)20 7730 1234
Website: www.harrods.com
Transport: Knightsbridge underground station
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11.30am to 6pm (Browsing only between 11.30am and 12pm on Sundays)

. Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences London has to offer. Even if you're just browsing, the market is definitely worth a visit with its huge variety of food, antiques, bric-a-brac and clothing stalls, bars, nightspots and crowds of people ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. Although the punk scene in London has gone underground, it still seems to flourish here, and you're sure to bump into some interesting characters.
Telephone:
Website: www.camdenlock.net
Transport: Camden Town and Chalk Farm underground stations. Numerous buses also pass Camden Lock
Opening times: The market is open daily from 10am to 6pm

Greenwich
This is the home of the Greenwich Meridian, which splits the globe into East and West and is responsible for setting the world clock on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich has a host of attractions including Greenwich Market with its variety of arts, crafts, food and bric-a-brac, Sir Christopher Wren's Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich Park is beautifully landscaped and is ideal for a picnic lunch. The famous tea-clipper, the Cutty Sark, was damaged by a fire in May 2007 and has been closed to the public.
Telephone: (0)870 608 2000
Website: www.greenwichengland.com
Transport: Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich, Cutty Sark underground stations, or a Thames boat
Opening times: Greenwich Market: daily 9am to 5:30pm; National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich: daily 10am to 5pm. Closed 24-26 December

London Dungeon
Take a trip through London's dark and gruesome history, meet Jack the Ripper and see what became of his victims, or see the chaos and destruction caused by the great fire of London. The London Dungeon brings history's most notorious killers and evildoers back to life in an experience definitely not for the faint-hearted. Beware: some of the exhibitions have a nasty way of coming alive and jumping out at the unsuspecting visitor.
Telephone: (0)20 7403 7221
Website: www.thedungeons.com
Transport: London Bridge underground station
Opening times: Opening times vary throughout the year so visitors should check the official website. Closed on Christmas day

St Paul's Cathedral
The great dome of St Paul's Cathedral has been a distinctive landmark on the London skyline for centuries. Built in 1673 by Sir Christopher Wren, after the previous St Paul's was burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London, it is the greatest of several cathedrals dedicated to St Paul that have occupied the site for more than 1,400 years. The crypt at St Paul's is one of the largest in Europe, and it houses more than 200 tombs, including those of Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Wren himself. The Cathedral has hosted many significant ceremonies in London's history, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and most recently the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Telephone: (0)20 7246 8357
Website: www.stpauls.co.uk
Transport: St Paul's underground station
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm. Note that the Cathedral may be closed to visitors at any time due to special services or events, so it is always advisable to enquire beforehand

. Piccadilly Circus
One of London's best known, but most overrated sights, Picadilly Circus is at the junction of Picadilly, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is surrounded by neon advertising and fast-food restaurants. However with its Tube station, Picadilly Circus is a good starting point for shopping in the West End, being near to Jermyn Street, Saville Row and Bond Street. London's Theatreland is centred on Shaftsbury Avenue and Soho and China Town are also within easy walking distance.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport: Piccadilly Circus underground station
Opening times:

City Farms
There are a number of city farms that offer the perfect day out for children in London, giving them the opportunity to learn about nature in a fun environment. Deen City Farm offers pony rides, scavenger hunts and supervised water-fights for kids to enjoy, as well as a café and farm shop for parents.
Telephone: 020 8543 5300
Website: www.deencityfarm.co.uk
Transport: Northern Line
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm

London Parks and Gardens
London has a number of beautiful parks and gardens where children can play outdoors while their parents relax. A picnic lunch and a blanket can make this a very enjoyable day out. Richmond, St James' and Green Park are home to lots of squirrels, and kids may even spot a deer or two. Crystal Palace Park's huge dinosaur sculptures never fail to impress, and the Peter Pan statue at Kensington Gardens is another favourite.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:

Museums for Kids
There are ample child-friendly museums in London, featuring children's activities, educational facilities and fun displays. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum have dinosaur bones, an earthquake simulator and a Moon landing module to entertain kids, the Victoria & Albert Museum offers 'Free Art Fun' activities and themed backpacks, while the Museum of Childhood has great toys and games to play with.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:

London Bus Tour
Children can be taken to view all the major sightseeing attractions in London on a big, red double-decker bus. Depending on the route selected, kids can marvel at such impressive structures as Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, to mention just a few! Some operators even offer special kids' commentary and play packages. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride...
Telephone:
Website: www.theoriginaltour.com
Transport:
Opening times:

West End Kids' Shows
There are a plenty of child-friendly musicals and shows playing on London's West End for families with kids to attend. Some West End favourites include The Lion King, Aladdin and Potted Pirates, best enjoyed with tons of ice-cream, fizzy drinks and popcorn!
Telephone:
Website: www.londontheatre.co.uk
Transport:
Opening times:

Hamleys
Children will love coming to this world-renowned toy store in the heart of London on famous Regent Street. Hamleys is one of the world's largest toy stores, with 6 floors of magical, cutting edge toys and games, drawing over 5-million visitors each year. Children will be delighted discovering all that this magical store has to offer.
Telephone:
Website: www.hamleys.com
Transport:
Opening times:

London Zoo
Boasting a plethora of exciting, cute and fuzzy animals and over 750 species, the London Zoo is a must for all children and animal lovers. Kids will love the brand new Animal Adventure where they can climb, touch, tunnel and splash their way through the zoo discovering al the animals along the way.
Telephone: 020 7722 3333
Website: www.londonzoo.co.uk
Transport:
Opening times: Open daily from 10am. Closing times depend on season. Closed Christmas Day

Science Museum
Perfect for inquisitive children, the Science Museum will captivate, educate and thrill kdis of all ages. Featuring dozens of state-of-the-art exhibits, the Science Museum also features a 3D IMAX Theatre.
Telephone:
Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Transport:
Opening times: Open daily from 10am – 6pm. Closed 24 – 26 December

Chessington World of Adventures
Located in south-west London, Chessington World of Adventures is a theme park and zoo catering to children of all ages. Featuring four roller coasters and two water slides, this theme park is best visited during the summer months. The zoo however is open all year round.
Telephone: 0870 999 0045
Website: www.chessington.com
Transport:
Opening times: Open daily from 10am – 5pm, depending on the season

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
Kids love nothing more than a bit of ice-skating and the Alexandra Palace Ice Rink is just the place to do that while on holiday in London. Children will love the rink here and public skating sessions, figure skating classes and ice hockey training are available.
Telephone: 020 8365 4386
Website: www.alexandrapalace.com
Transport:
Opening times: Open Monday to Friday from 11am - 1.30pm and 2pm - 5.30pm