LMS_Sights

London is renowned as probably the top tourist city in the world and certainly has a lot to offer any tourist in terms of history and culture. It is, however, a fairly expensive city, and you are advised to visit the more famous attractions and to those where entry is free of charge. It’s a good idea to contact the places to find out times, admission fees, etc. – some differ through the year.

City Sights

•Kew Gardens, Tel: 020 8332 5655 More species than in any other garden in the world

•The London Eye, Tel: 0870 500 0600 A BA project: bird’s eye view (140 meters high wheel; 32 capsules

•Buckingham Palace, Tel: 020 7930 4832 Royal as can be - changing of the guard

•St Paul’s Cathedral, Tel: 020 7236 4128 Wren’s masterpiece

•Westminster Abbey, Tel: 020 7222 5897 Burial place of kings and queens

•Tower of London, Tel: 020 7709 0765 Good view from the top

•Kensington Palace, Tel:020 7376 2858 Princess Diana's Palace

•Tower Bridge, Tel: 020 7403 3761 Medieval weapons and instruments of torture

•Big Ben, Tel: 020 7219 3107 Famous Tower of the Houses of Parliament, with 14-ton clock

•HMS Belfast, Tel: 020 7940 6328 11 500-ton Battle Cruiser on the Thames

•London Zoo, Tel: 020 7722 3333 12 000 caged animals

•London Aquarium, Tel: 020 7967 8000 Huge variety of sea life and fish

•Trocadero, Tel: 020 7439 1791 Europe's biggest entertain-ment complex

•London Dungeon, Tel: 020 7403 7221 Horrific collection of medieval instruments of torture

•Madame Tussaud’s, Tel: 020 7935 6861 World famous wax museum

•Cabinet War Rooms, Tel: 020 7930 6961 Winston Churchill's chambers during World War II

•Old Bailey, Tel: 020 7248 3277 Famous central criminal court on Newgate Prison site

•Trafalgar Square The site of Lord Nelson’s 171 feet column, and SA House

•Leicester Square Vibrant entertainment during weekends

•Covent Garden The haunt of Lisa Doolittle, trendy night life, pubs and markets, street performers

•Piccadilly Circus Where you are likely to bump into someone you know

•London Planetarium, Tel: 020 7935 6861 Planets, stars and the universe

Sightseeing Tour: This is a very good way to see London and to familiarise yourself with the city and its attractions. Tours range from 3-5 hours. Evening tours will allow you to see a different side of London and to learn quite a bit about the city’s social history.

•Cockney Walks Tel: 020 8504 9159 Guide around East End with emphasis on Jewish Heritage

•Historical Walks Tel: 020 8668 4019 Operates famous Dickens London Walks

•Wackydo London Walks Tel: 07946 090 086 Walking tour to all the major sights

•London Coaches Tel: 020 8877 1722 Some tours include Madame Tussaud's

•Sightseeing by Air-balloon Tel: 0345 023842 Daily from 10h00 to dusk if weather permits

•London Walks Tel: 020 7624 3978 Famous walks, like that of Jack the Ripper

•Original London Sightseeing Tour Tel: 020 8877 1722 Different routes to famous sights on double-decker buses

Museums

Much of London's rich history is captured in numerous very interesting museums. Good news is that a great number do not charge an entrance fee. It is best to contact the museum and enquire about fees and times.

•British Museum, Tel: 020 7636 1555 Different cultures and Egyptian mummies, Free

•Design Museum, Tel: 020 7403 6933 Cultural and technological designs and modern innovations, £6

•National Maritime Museum, Tel: 020 8858 4422 Gives an insight into Britain’s maritime heritage, Free

•Imperial War Museum, Tel: 020 7416 5320 Displays from both World Wars, Free

•London Toy and Model Museum, Tel:020 7706 8000 Over 7 000 toys, largest collection in the world, £4.95

•London Transport Museum, Tel: 020 7379 6344 History of London and its transport, £5.95

•Guards Museum, Tel: 020 7414 3271 Records the history of the British Army’s five Guards regiments, £2

•Florence Nightingale Museum, Tel: 020 7620 0374 Celebrates world’s most famous nurse, £5.80

•MCC Cricket Museum, Tel: 020 7432 1033 Cricket, £6

•Museum of London, Tel: 020 7600 3699 History and development of London, £5

•Museum of Mankind, Tel: 020 7437 2224 Tribal treasures from non-Western world, Free

•Museum of Moving Images, Tel: 020 7401 2636 History of cinema and television, £9

•Natural History Museum, Tel: 020 7938 9123 Earth science, dinosaurs, natural history, £6

•Rugby Football Union Museum, Tel: 020 8892 2000 Webb Ellis and those fellas, £2.50