London Things to Do Tips by Umea6

This is the most famous of all English abbeys. It lies on the northern side of the River Thames and it was formerly known as Thorney or the Isle of Thorns.
It's an architectural masterpiece of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries and contains countless memorials and effigies. Over three thousand people are either buried or memorialised in Westminster Abbey from Medieval Kings and their Queens, to the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which in recent times has become a place of pilgrimage.

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Phone: 0 20 7654 4900
Address: Deans Yard, SW1
Directions: St James's Park tube
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org

Buckingham House was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. In 1762 it was purchased by George III who used it as one of the royal family's London homes. George IV employed John Nash to build a new palace round the old house. Nash designed the building with Marble Arch as the main entrance. Marble Arch was later moved to Hyde Park. It was not until 1837 that Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace the royal family's principal London residence.

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Address: The Mall, SW1
Directions: Green Park tube

Hyde park is a large area of open space in the city centre of 630 acres and a perimeter of 4 miles. It has the memorials at Marble Arch at the east side and Kensington palace at the west. Also within its environs is the Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's monument to her husband.
This park is popular for sailing, boating, bathing, walking around and jogging....

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Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge
Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes
Website: http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/hyde.htm

Piccadilly is one of the main landmarks in London. It is located at the junction of five busy streets.
The famous statue of Eros, god of love, is situated in Piccadilly Circus and is one of the symbols of London. It was originally called the Shaftesbury Monument, having been erected as a memorial to the philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury.

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Address: Piccadilly Circus, SW1
Directions: Piccadilly Circus tube

The British parliament is the seat of the Government of the United Kingdom.
The Palace of Westminster consists of:
- The House of Commons (elected)
- The House of Lords(not elected- hereditary and nominated).

Big Ben is found at the Houses of Parliament.

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Address: Parliament Square, SW1
Directions: UNDERGROUND : Westminster tube
RAIL: Charing Cross and Waterloo
Website: http://www.parliament.uk

This is defenitly the world's most famous clock tower. It is 316ft high and was built between 1858-59. Big Ben is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works.

Big Ben weights more than 13 tons. The clock mechanism weights about 5 tons.

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Trafalgar Square is famous for two things: pigeons and Admiral Nelson statue.
The square was designed by John Nash in 1830's and commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar won in 1804 by Admiral Nelson.

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Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2
Directions: Charing Cross or Leicester Square tubes

The most famous wax museum in the world. It doesn't need much description.
To avoid queuing, buy your ticket on-line.

OPENING HOURS:
Weekdays: 9.30 - 17.30
Weekends: 9.00 - 18.00

PRICING is different according to the time of the arrival. If you don't feel like spending the whole day there, getting there after 5 pm, can save you 5 pounf for the ticket.

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Phone: 0870 400 3000
Address: Marylebone Road, NW1
Directions: It is located on Marylebone Road, just one minute's walk from Baker Street underground station / tube.
Website: http://www.madame-tussauds.co.uk
Other Contact: csc@madame-tussauds.com

This is a new gallery of modern and contemporary art from 1900 till present days in London. The permanenet collections include works from Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol.... Check their website for special exhibitions.

OPENING HOURS:
Sunday - Thursday 10.00 - 18.00
Friday and Saturday 10.00 - 22.00
Check their site for opening hours during holidays.

The addmition to the gallery are FREE, but donations are wellcomed.

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Phone: 0 20 7887 8000
Address: Bankside, SE1 9 TG
Directions: It is located on the south bank of the River Thames at Bankside. The closest underground stations / tubes are: Southwark (Jubilee Line) and Blackfriars (District and Circle Lines), both app. 10 minutes walk away.
Southwark or Blackfriars tubes.
Website: http://www.tate.org.uk/modern

The first collection of the museum was a work of Sir Hans Sloane, a Chelsea doctor in 1753.

Today the major exhibits include:
- the Rosetta Stone,
- the Lindisfarne Gospels,
- Egyptian Hall,
- the Tomb of Payava,
- the Elgin Marbles & the Sutton Hoo treasure

The addmision is free and opening hours are:
Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 17.00
Sunday 12.00 - 18.00

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Phone: +44 (0)20 7580 1788
Address: Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
Directions: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square,Goodge St undergorund stations / tubes
Website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk