Tourist Attractions
Insider Secrets
Card to the city
If you plan on using London’s public transport during your visit (and you should), it is well worth purchasing an Oyster Card. This card can be used to access the London Underground, buses and ferries, and will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. You can purchase tickets for the day, the week, or simply pay as you go.
Book ahead
With a population of over eight million, things get booked up quickly in London. If you really want to visit a certain art gallery show, restaurant, cocktail bar or musical while in town, we really recommend you book ahead to avoid disappointment. Opentable.com is a great way to book ahead for a huge variety of restaurants.
Free art gallery
If you don’t like to plan ahead, check out the TKTS stand in Leicester Square, where heavily discounted theatre tickets can be bought from 10am, for performances later that day.
Houses of Parliament »
The Houses of Parliament - otherwise known as the Palace of Westminster - is one of the most recognisable landmarks in London. Viewed from the River Thames or from Westminster Bridge, the grand design and palatial scale of this classic building comes into sharp focus, instantly conveying a sense of... more »
Piccadilly Circus »
Almost every city has a public square and main shopping and entertainment district, but there are few that can compare to the excitement and vibrancy of Piccadilly Circus. This famous square in the heart of London is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike and a place where first... more »
Hyde Park »
When the sun is shining, and even when it's not, Hyde Park is where Londoners converge to rest and play. One of London's eight Royal Parks, this 145-hectare verdant space is bound by the posh suburbs of Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Bayswater and draws millions of locals and tourists to enjoy... more »
Big Ben »
The iconic image of Big Ben is a postcard standard along with red double-decker buses and public telephone boxes. Formally titled Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament's most famous resident is the legendary Big Ben, which is the nickname of the bell and not the clock tower it is... more »
St Paul's Cathedral »
After 15 years of major refurbishment, the iconic St Paul's Cathedral is revealed in all its glory. Juxtaposed against angular office buildings in the City of London, the Catholic-style dome of this magnificent Protestant cathedral was green-lit as a steeple until Sir Christopher Wren stuck to his guns and snuck... more »
Natural History Museum »
Gone are the days of the stuffy and staid museum stuffed with dust-covered specimens. London's Natural History Museum is a stellar example of how to bring science and research to life in an interesting and interactive manner. From the moment you enter, expect a journey into the wonders of the... more »
Olympic Park »
Now the post-2012 London Olympic Games hangover has abated, Olympic Park has been dubbed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and set to reopen in the summer of 2013. As London's newest urban park located in vibrant East London, it will offer residential and indoor and outdoor lifestyle options for locals and... more »
Tower Bridge »
The elegant, fairytale appearance of London's Tower Bridge is a picture-perfect rendition of Victorian Gothic-style architecture designed to complement the Tower of London next-door. Completed in 1892 after eight years of construction, the bridge was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge or drawbridge of its time and allowed passage... more »
Trafalgar Square »
Whether you're an art aficionado or history buff, a visit to the grandly impressive Trafalgar Square is a must on any London itinerary. Technically the geographical centre of the capital, the square is a meeting point, the scene of many rallies and marches and a drawcard for its historic, artistic... more »
Kensington Palace »
Reopened after a two-year, £12 million renovation, the palatial splendor of Kensington Palace and surrounds is available again for visitors to view. Offering tradition with a twist, the new-look palace, which encompasses new gardens, routes, shops, cafes and even interactive performances and multimedia displays in the State Apartments, is a... more »
London Eye »
For a temporary structure only intended to mark the Millennium, the London Eye has become a permanent fixture in the hearts of Londoners and on the landscape of the South Bank cultural precinct. Opened in 2000, the London Eye represents the turn of the century and regeneration, one slow-moving revolution... more »
Tate Modern »
An eye-catching fusion of new and old through industrial design and mesmerising modern art, Tate Modern is London's premier league venue for contemporary art. Housed in a former power station, the imposing edifice makes the most of the original industrial brick façade with an extra seven storeys of exhibition space... more »
Westminster Abbey »
One of the most recognisable churches in the world, Westminster Abbey has been the site of crowning, celebrations and memorials for more than nine centuries. While some may bypass the Heritage listed Westminster Abbey on their holidays in London, waving it off as just another church, they are missing out... more »
National Gallery »
With artistic works dating from the middle ages to the 20th century, the National Gallery in London houses one of the finest collections of Western European paintings in the world. The gallery walls are adorned with masterpieces from some of the most celebrated legends of the art world including Michelangelo,... more »
Tower of London »
Presenting a more macabre side of jolly old London town, the Tower of London is one of the best places to see history frozen in time. A fortress, palace and prison all in one, there was no missing the mighty Tower dominating London's skyline in the 1080s. One can only... more »
British Museum »
For over two and a half centuries, the British Museum has been mapping the human footprint, presenting one of the most comprehensive pictures of our culture and history anywhere in the world. Containing countless priceless treasures and antiquities, the British Museum is a must-see for history buffs, art lovers and... more »
Buckingham Palace »
The residence and workplace of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace is a must-see for first-timers in London. When the Queen takes her annual summer holiday in Scotland, the palace's grand State Rooms, decked out in gold trim and artistic masterpieces, welcome visitors keen to see how the royal family live,... more »
