Attractions and Things to do in London

Apsley House Apsley House, home of the first Duke of Wellington and his descendants, stands right in the heart of London at Hyde Park Corner. For over 200 years, this great metropolitan mansion has been known colloquially as 'Number 1 London', because it was the first house encountered after passing the tollgates at the top of Knightsbridge. Inside Apsley House you will see many aspects of the first duke's life and work, including his outstanding ...

Bank of England Museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the United ...

Benjamin Franklin House In the heart of London, just steps from famed Trafalgar Square, is Benjamin Franklin House, the world's only remaining Franklin home. For nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775, Dr Benjamin Franklin - scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, Founding Father of the United States and more - lived behind its doors.

Big Ben Big Ben in Westminster - The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. There are 334 steps to the belfrey and a total of 393 to the lantern (the Ayrton Light). The Clock Tower was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May, with the Great Bell’s strikes heard for the first time on 11 July ...

Big Ben Big Ben in Westminster - The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. There are 334 steps to the belfrey and a total of 393 to the lantern (the Ayrton Light). The Clock Tower was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May, with the Great Bell’s strikes heard for the first time on 11 July ...

Blenheim Palace Blenheim Palace is set within 2000 acres of beautiful parkland in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and is a great day out. Blenheim Palace is a large and monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. Pronounced Blen-um. It is the only non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title "palace". The Palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and circa 1724. It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, ...

The British Museum Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, the British Museum is the location of a national collection of science and art treasures. It might be called The British Museum, but its exhibits represent the cultural history of much of the world. With artifacts from dozens of ancient and modern countries, exhibits include the Rosetta Stone, Aztec pottery, Phoenician clay masks, Roman coffins and mummy cases, medieval European coins, the Elgin marbles, Leonardo da Vinci's notebook, and jewelry from ...

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every year. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. In measurements, the building is 108 ...

Changing of the Guard Changing of the Guard is a display of British ceremony - watch the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. The changing of guard is where a member of Queen's Guards exchanges duty with the previous guard. Both guards are dressed in traditional red tunics and bearskin hats, and the ceremony is set to music.

Chiswick House Chiswick House is the first and one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian design in England.  Inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome and 16th Century Italy, the third Earl of Burlington built the house as a homage to Renaissance architect Palladio.  Never intended as a private residence, Chiswick House remains a bold architectural experiment; a showcase for art collections, and a venue for entertaining.

The Courtauld Gallery encapsulates the study of the history of art and conservation and is also home to one of the finest small art museums in the world.  Visitors can enjoy a remarkable art collection, including famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, and an acclaimed programme of temporary exhibitions

HMS Belfast HMS Belfast in Tooley Street London is the largest surviving example of Britain’s 20th century naval power and she is now moored on the Thames between Tower and London Bridge. HMS Belfast is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson’s HMS Victory (portsmouth historic dockyard). Best known for her role during the 2nd World War in supporting the Allied troops on D-Day, HMS Belfast provides nine decks of history for visitors to explore. From the Captain’s ...

HMS Belfast HMS Belfast in Tooley Street London is the largest surviving example of Britain’s 20th century naval power and she is now moored on the Thames between Tower and London Bridge. HMS Belfast is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson’s HMS Victory (portsmouth historic dockyard). Best known for her role during the 2nd World War in supporting the Allied troops on D-Day, HMS Belfast provides nine decks of history for visitors to explore. From the Captain’s ...

The Jewel Tower dates back over 700 years and is an intriguing visitor attraction in the heart of Westminster and was built in 1365 to house the King’s personal treasures.

Kew Palace Kew Palace one of the smallest and most intimate of the royal palaces located in the ground of Kew Gardens.  This four-storey brick house was built c. 1631 by Samuel Fortrey, a merchant of Dutch origin whose initials, together with those of his wife Catherine, can be seen above the entrance.  It is constructed of red bricks laid in a style known as Flemish bond, consisting of bricks arranged with sides and ends alternating. Visitor Notes Photogaphy ...

Legoland Windsor The entertainment is certainly hands-on at Lego Land Windsor. Children aged 3-12 can take to the road, soar through the skies and sail the seas in complete safety on any of our 50 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions, all set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. Legoland Windsor is a unique family theme park. Click To Book Your Lego Land Tickets

At the London Canal Museum you can see inside a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals, about the cargo that was carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats.  The Canal Museum is the only London museum of inland waterways and is situated at King's Cross, an easy to get to central London location.

London Zoo With so much to see and do, a visit to ZSL London Zoo is the perfect day out for people of all ages. London Zoo has over 750 species of animal, from the smallest monkeys to the tall giraffes. Don’t miss gorilla kingdom. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest within a natural walk-through environment and get close to the majestic gorillas. Located in Regent's Park london zoo is one of the most famous of all London ...

Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds is a famous wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. It was set up by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. Madame Tussaud's wax museum has now grown to become a major tourist attraction in London, incorporating (until recently where it has closed) the London Planetarium in its west wing. It has expanded with branches in Amsterdam, Berlin, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., with an additional ...

The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising presents the collection of consumer historian, Robert Opie, who saw the need to record the history of the products around us. Starting at the age of sixteen with a packet of Munchies, Robert built up the collection that now extends to all aspects of daily life - toys, magazines, technology, travel, souvenirs, fashion and design.

National Gallery The National Gallery in London displays Western European paintings from the period of 1250-1900.  The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge.  The Gallery aims to study and care for the collection, while encouraging the widest possible access to the pictures.

National Portrait Gallery The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect portraits of famous British men and women. Explore over 160,000 portraits from the 16th Century to the present day.  The National Portrait Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of personalities and faces, from the late Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors come face to face with the people who have shaped British history from kings and queens to musicians and film stars.

Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London (the others are the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum). Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport The Natural History Museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. ...

Paradise Wildlife Park Located in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, Paradise Wildlife Park offers the opportunity to explore the exotic world of animals as diverse as zebras, big cats, monkeys, birds and reptiles.  Unlike other zoos, Paradise Park allows you to touch and feed many of the animals in its collection – a feature that families with younger children will particularly enjoy. There are three themed adventure playgrounds, childrens rides, indoor soft play areas – don’t forget to bring socks as children cannot play ...

Royal Air Force Museum Located at the famous site of the London Aerodrome former RAF airfield in Hendon, London - the RAF Museum houses a comprehensive collection of well presented aircraft which were operated by, or associated with, the Royal Air Force. In addition to the main Historic Hangars exhibition, there are halls devoted to the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command.  This world-class collection of over 100 aircraft, aviation and wartime memorabilia offers a fun day out for all the family.

Royal Air Force Museum Located at the famous site of the London Aerodrome former RAF airfield in Hendon, London - the RAF Museum houses a comprehensive collection of well presented aircraft which were operated by, or associated with, the Royal Air Force. In addition to the main Historic Hangars exhibition, there are halls devoted to the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command.  This world-class collection of over 100 aircraft, aviation and wartime memorabilia offers a fun day out for all the family.

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall was Opened in 1871 and the venue in London is one of the capital’s most famous historic buildings and a tourist attraction.

Science Museum The Science Museum was founded in 1857 with objects shown at the Great Exhibition held in the Crystal Palace. Today the Museum is world renowned for its historic collections, awe-inspiring galleries and inspirational exhibitions. The Science Museum as an institution has been in existence for about a century and a half. It has its origins in the Great Exhibition of 1851, held in Hyde Park in the huge glass building known as the Crystal Palace. The science museum has ...

London Aquarium The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to one of Europes largest collections of global marine life and the jewel in the crown of the 28 SEA LIFE attractions in the UK and Europe. Situated in the heart of London, the experience takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey along the Great Oceanic Conveyor. The mysterious experience starts in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the journey, a stunning glass tunnel walkway offers guests an unforgettable experience ...

Situated at 13 Lincolns Inn Fields, Holborn - The Soanes Museum is the former residence of Sir John Soane, architect of the Bank of England. Over 20,000 architectural drawings, antiquities and works by Hogarth, Turner, Canaletto and Piranesi. Two sets of paintings by William Hogarth and the Egyptian Sarcophagus of Seti I.

St Paul's Cathedral St Pauls Cathedrals conic dome dominates the London skyline.

Tate is a family of four art galleries housing the UKs collection of British art from 1500 and of international modern art. The gallery was founded in 1897, as the National Gallery of British Art. When its role was changed to include the national collection of Modern Art as well as the national collection of British art, it was renamed the Tate Gallery after Henry Tate, who had laid the foundations for the collection.

The Guards Museum contains a wealth of information and artefacts relating to the five regiments of Foot Guards namely Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards.

The Houses of Parliament Westminster Hall is a striking building and is officially a royal palace. Standing on the banks of the river Thames the Parliamentary buildings hold many important historical stories, most famously Guy Fawkes. The building originates from 1840 after a fire destroyed the previous building. Big Ben towers 96 metres high in the sky overlooking Westminster. In the summer months it can get pretty congested with tourists and traffic competing to cross Parliament Square

The London Dungeon Right next to London Bridge Station this famous waxwork museum of torture focuses on the dark side of life. As such it can paint an artificially grim portrait of London: Jack the Ripper is small fry by todays serial killer standards. Stocks, executions, torture machines, rats, plague are the main crowd attractions.

London Eye At 135 metres above London, the London Eye is the worlds tallest observation wheel, with 40km panoramic views on a clear day. Constructed in 1999 it is the largest observation wheel in the world and visited by 3.5 million people a year.

The Tower of London Did you know that he Tower Of London is one of the nation's leading historic visitor attraction? This ancient fortress was founded by William the Conqueror and almost 1,000 years of British history have been played out within its walls. It was here that Anne Boleyn was excecuted. Guy Fawkes interrogated. Standing guard by the River Thames, The Tower is an impressive London landmark. Discover the secrets that lie within its walls, marvel at the breathtaking Crown ...

Victoria and Albert Museum The V & A is one of the greatest museums of art & design. It was founded following the Great Exhibition of 1851 as a learning resource . More than 7 miles of galleries are filled with collections including glass, metalwork, ceramics, photography, sculpture and fashion, charting the history and development of the decorative arts from 3000 BC to the present day. Explore the V&A's programme of changing exhibitions and displays. Complementing the Museum's permanent collection, they ...

Wellington Arch The Wellington Arch is one of the most viewed London landmarks get up close and find out the real history of this historic monument.

Wimbledon Tennis Club Tour The Wimbledon London tour gives you V.I.P access to restricted areas where even tournament ticket holders are forbidden to enter. See behind the scenes at the home of tennis in the UK with the award-winning Wimbledon Tour Experience.

Winston Churchill's Britain at War Experience Winston Churchills Britain at War Experience.  Allow a minimum of 90 minutes to explore the historic rooms and museum.  The Churchill Museum uses cutting-edge technology and multimedia displays to bring the exciting story of Winston Churchill to life. From Churchill’s childhood to his ‘finest hour’ and later years, visitors not only learn more about his political exploits but also his private life, successes and failures.