London's no. 1 tourist sight and other London, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The British Museum is one of the great museums of the world, with priceless artefacts from all over the world and every civilisation of note. Particularly famous is its Ancient Egypt and Sudan collection, including the famous Rosetta Stone discovered by Napoleon's army which led to the deciphering of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Also notable are the Greek and Roman collections - the former includes the controversial Elgin Marbles, taken (stolen?) from Athens' Parthenon. Beyond the exhibits, the Museum is a pleasant place to be, especially its newly renovated and airy Great Court, which houses shops, eateries and the famous Reading Room. Guide books with maps and self-guided audio tours in various languages are available. Museum volunteers also conduct various themed tours from time to time (check the website for details).

Open daily from 1000 to 1730. Admission is free (though a donation would be appreciated). Special exhibitions usually require a paid, timed ticket.

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Phone: +44 20 73238299
Address: Great Russell Street, WC1
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines) or Russell Square (Piccadilly line).
Website: http://www.britishmuseum.org/default.aspx

The Palace of Westminster - an instantly recognisable icon of the city - is located at the heart of political London, in Westminster along the northern bank of the Thames. This is where the two houses of Parliament, the House of Lords and House of Commons, meet to conduct their business. The building originally served as a royal residence, and the oldest part dates from the 11th century. Much of the current building dates from the 19th century, when it was rebuilt in Gothic revival style after a fire. It has a distinctive honey colour (due to the type of limestone used in its construction), and has a prominent clock tower that houses the famous Big Ben bell.

The best place to photograph the building is from across the Thames (cross Westminster bridge). You may enter the building to view debates from the public galleries of the House of Lords or House of Commons, but admission is not guaranteed.

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Address: Parliament Square, SW1
Directions: Nearest tube station: Westminster (District, Circle and Jubilee lines).
Website: http://www.parliament.uk

Westminster Abbey - formally called the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster - was originally built by Edward the Confessor in the mid 11th century. The building is of Anglo-French Gothic style, and it is the traditional site for coronations and burials of English monarchs. Many famous Englishmen are also buried here, and the Abbey was an important location in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. Entry to the Abbey costs GBP10 for adults and GBP6 for children (2006 prices).

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Phone: +44 20 76544900
Address: Deans Yard, SW1
Directions: Nearest tube stations: St James's Park (District and Circle lines) or Westminster (District, Circle and Jubilee lines).
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org

Whitehall, a broad road that connects Trafalgar and Parliament Squares, lies at the heart of political London. Located along it are several imposing government buildings, including the Treasury, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Horse Guards Building. Downing Street, home of the Prime Minister, is also located off Whitehall, but is off limits to the general public. You can just about steal a glance, past the barricade, of No. 10 - maybe you'll see Gordon Brown if you're lucky (or should I say if he's lucky).

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Address: Whitehall, SW1
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Westminster (District, Circle and Jubilee lines) or Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines).
Website: http://www.number-10.gov.uk

The history of the Horse Guards began in the early 16th century, when Henry VIII commissioned a jousting ground on the present site of the Horse Guards building off Whitehall. A century later, Charles II established the Horse Guards as a trusted royal miliary guard and built its first building to house over a hundred horses. The Horse Guards are divided into the Household Cavalry and Foot Guards (or Tiltyard Guards), and wear a distinctive red uniform. Two Cavalry sentries stand guard at the Whitehall entrance everyday, attracting lots of tourists' attention. The Guards change daily at the Horse Guards building (10 am on Mondays to Saturdays and 11 am on Sundays). Entry is free of charge.

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Address: Whitehall, SW1
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Westminster (District, Circle and Jubilee lines) or St. James' Park (District and Circle lines).
Website: http://www.royal.gov.uk

The London Eye is a giant ferris wheel on the south bank of the Thames that opened in 2000 as part of the government's millennium project to smarten up London's riverside sites. Originally envisioned as a temporary structure, it had proved such a hit with Londonders and visitors alike that it is now a permanent fixture on the London tourist trail (and is indeed London's most popular paid-for attraction). There are 32 glass capsules on the London Eye, each permitting a 360 degrees panoramic view. At its top, the wheel reaches a height of 424 metres, and on clear days you can see around for 40 kilometres (all th way to Windsor Castle). A full rotation (called "flight") takes 30 minutes.

Open daily from 1000 to 2000 (2130 in July and August). A standard "flight" costs £15.50 each for adults and £7.75 each for children (2008 prices). Check out their website for the latest details and deals.

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Phone: +44 870 9908885
Address: Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Water and City lines) or Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines).
Website: http://www.londoneye.com/

London's old County Hall is a six-storey massive building in Edwardian Baroque style located on the south bank of the Thames across from the Houses of Parliament. It was built in 1911-1922 and served as the headquarters of the Greater London Council until it was abolished by Margaret Thatcher in 1986. In the last few years, the handsome building has been redeveloped and now houses two hotels (the Marriott County Hall and Premier Travel Inn) as well as a number of (second-rate) visitor attractions (the London Aquarium, Dali Universe, Movieum and Fright Club). The ticket office of the London Eye is also located here. There are several restaurants and cafes if you need a break from all that sightseeing.

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Phone: +44 20 79812550
Address: Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo and City lines) or Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines).
Website: http://www.londoncountyhall.com/

Construction of the Tower of London, essentially a fortress with a series of towers, began in the late 11th century following William the Conqueror's successful invasion of England from Normandy. The original purpose of the Tower was to dominate the city and to ensure that Londoners remain keenly aware of who is in charge. Successive monarchs enlarged the fortress by adding new towers and walls. In the Tudor years, the Tower became notorious for being the site of execution of political and religious prisoners - these included two of Henry VIII's wives. In 1649, the Tower was wrestled from royal command by the victorious Parliamentarians in the English Civil War - the original Crown Jewels were broken down, and the gold and silver melted down. Only 11 years later, the monarchy was restored. Today, the "new" (i.e. from the mid-17th century onwards) Crown Jewels are displayed in the Tower, in Jewel House. The last prisoner to be executed in the Tower was a German, in 1941. Britain has since abandoned capital punishment. Besides the Crown Jewels, the Tower is today also famous for its resident ravens (big black birds fed on raw beef) and ceremonial guardians dressed in red (the Yeoman Warders or "Beefeaters").

The main entrance to the Tower is at its west. It is open daily from 0900 to 1730 (1000 on Sundays and Mondays). Admission fee is £16.40 for adult and £9.50 for child aged 5-16 years (£1 discount if booked online). Audio tours are available in various languages for £4. See the website for latest details.

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Phone: +44 20 77090765
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill (Circle and District lines) or Tower Gateway (DLR).
Website: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

Tower Bridge, completed in 1894 to ease congestion on London Bridge to its west, is a bascule ("see-saw") bridge across the river Thames. One of the most sophisticated bascule bridges ever built, it takes only one minute to lift the bascules to their maximum 86 degrees, to permit ships to sail past. High-level walkways, 44 metres above the river, allow pedestrians to cross the bridge when the bascules are raised. These were closed in 1910 when they became the haunt of pick-pockets and prostitutes, but have now been re-opened for the thousands of tourists who visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition each year (with fantastic river views).

Admission price is £6 for adult and £3 for childre (2008 prices). Open daily from 1000 to 1830 in summer and 0930 to 1800 in winter.

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Phone: +44 20 74033761
Address: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill (Circle and District lines) or Tower Gateway (DLR).
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/TowerBridge/English

Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, and is located at the northern end of Whitehall and western end of the Strand. It contains Nelson's Column, a 5.5 m statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson atop a 46 m granite column, which is surrounded by four large bronze lions as well as fountains. The square used to be populated by lots of pigeons, but it is now illegal to feed the pigeons, and so their numbers have dwindled. It is also notable as the focus point of London's night bus network. The square is the location of several important London institutions, including the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and St. Martin's-in-the-Field Church.

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Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2
Directions: Nearest tube stations: Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) or Leicester Square (Northern line).