World City Guide

Key Attractions

British Airways London Eye and County Hall
Towering 135m (444ft) into the heavens, right in the heart of London, the BA London Eye is literally an unmissable attraction. The world’s tallest observation wheel has become one of London’s most popular attractions, which usually means a ‘flight’ requires booking in advance and often queuing as well. However, the experience (one revolution of the wheel, lasting approximately 30 minutes) is absolutely worth it – the unparalleled views of the city reach as far away as 40km (25 miles).

Although the London Eye is the focus of the area, sitting right next door and directly across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament, County Hall, the former home of the Greater London Council (abolished by Margaret Thatcher in 1986), comes a close second. The enormous building is home to the London Aquarium, the Dalí Universe and, most recently, The Saatchi Gallery, majestically situated on the first floor above the rabble. Here, Charles Saatchi’s extensive collection of modern British art is displayed, with a permanent exhibition and a changing temporary exhibition. The 3,716sq metres (40,000sq feet) of County Hall that make up the gallery have been restored to their original splendour and much of the art is hung in former offices among the oak panelling. The central conference hall contains the most (in)famous pieces, such as Marcus Harvey’s portrait of Myra Hindley, Tracey Emin’s Unmade Bed and Damien Hirst’s The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, better known as ‘the shark in formaldehyde’.

For live sharks in tanks, visitors should go to the London Aquarium, home to over 350 different aquatic species from around the world, including a touch area where visitors can stroke the friendly rays. The Dalí Universe meanwhile contains over 500 works of art by the famous surrealist, including the painting, Spellbound, which was created specially for the set of the 1945 Hitchcock thriller, and the sofa in the shape of Mae West’s lips. County Hall is also home to two hotels (Marriott and Travel Inn), numerous bars and restaurants and a Namco Station, a vast entertainment centre offering video games, ten-pin bowling, bumper cars, a pool hall, as well as a licensed bar and lounge with big TV screens.

South Bank, SE1
Transport: London Underground Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment.

BA London Eye
Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1
Tel: (0870) 500 0600 (booking line).
Website: www.ba-londoneye.com
Opening hours: Daily 0930-2000 (Oct-Apr); Mon-Thurs 0930-2000, Fri-Sun 0930-2100 (May and Sep); Mon-Thurs 0930-2100, Fri-Sun 0930-2200 (Jun); daily 0930-2200 (Jul and Aug); closed (6-26 Jan).
Admission: £11.50 (concessions available).

London Aquarium
County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1
Tel: (020) 7967 8000. Fax: (020) 7967 8029.
E-mail: info@londonaquarium.co.uk
Website: www.londonaquarium.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (school holidays until 1900).
Admission: £9.75 peak times, £8.75 off peak (check website for dates; concessions available).

Dalí Universe
County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1
Tel: (020) 7620 2720 or (0870) 060 2319 (tickets). Fax: (020) 7620 3120.
E-mail: info@daliuniverse.com
Website: www.daliuniverse.com
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1730.
Admission: £8.50 (concessions available).

The Saatchi Gallery
County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1
Tel: (020) 7823 2363 or (0870) 1160 278 (advance tickets).
Website: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 1000-2000; Fri-Sat 1000-2200.
Admission: £8.75 (concessions available).

Namco Station
County Hall, Riverside Building, SE1
Tel: (020) 7967 1067. Fax: (020) 7967 1060.
E-mail: countyhall@namco.co.uk
Website: www.namcostation.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2400.
Admission: Free.

Tate Gallery of Modern Art and Bankside
Opened in 2000, the Tate Modern is a £130-million project that is regarded as a model of urban regeneration, with the disused Bankside power station transformed into an avant-garde space dedicated to 20th-century art. The permanent exhibition changes biannually so that much of the Tate Gallery’s collection of modern work can be on show, displayed thematically rather than chronologically. This includes major works by Matisse, Picasso, Rothko and Warhol, as well as contemporary pieces. The Turbine Hall displays changing pieces of artwork, specially commissioned to fit the enormous space. The last artist to exhibit here was Olafur Eliasson with his huge 'Sun' installation.

The Bankside area itself is becoming one of the most exciting corners of the capital, especially now the £14-million Millennium Bridge has opened. Designed by Lord Foster, it provides a pedestrian link from the Tate Modern to St Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank. Bankside’s cultural regeneration is enhanced by the beautifully reconstructured Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & Exhibition, which is open all year round, although plays are only performed at the outdoor venue during the summer. Other attractions along the river, past Southwark Bridge towards London Bridge, include Vinopolis, an interactive celebration of wine, and the Golden Hinde, a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship. Southwark Cathedral, with its Visitor Centre and Exhibition, is nestled under London Bridge, on the edge of the nearby Borough Market (website: www.boroughmarket.org.uk), a heaven for gourmets.

Bankside, SE1
Transport: London Underground Southwark, Blackfriars or London Bridge.

Tate Modern
Bankside, SE1
Tel: (020) 7887 8000 or 8008 (recorded information line).
E-mail: boxoffice@tate.org.uk
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 1000-1800, Fri and Sat 1000-2200.
Admission: Free (donations welcome); temporary exhibitions vary.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & Exhibition
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1
Tel: (020) 7902 1400.
Website: www.shakespeares-globe.org
Opening hours: Oct-Apr 4th daily 1000-1700 (exhibition and theatre tour). Apr 5th-Sep daily 0900-1200 (exhibition and theatre tour) and 1230-1700 (exhibition only).
Admission: £8 (£8.50 May-Oct) (concessions available).

Vinopolis
1 Bank End, Bankside, SE1
Tel: (0870) 444 4777.
Website: www.vinopolis.co.uk
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs and Sun 1200-1800; Mon, Fri and Sat 1200-2100.
Admission: £12.50 (concessions available).

Golden Hinde
St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1
Tel: (020) 7403 0123 or (0870) 011 8700.
Website: www.goldenhinde.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily, hours vary, depending on pre-booked tours and scheduled events.
Admission: £3.50 (self-guided tour), £4.00 (guided tour) (concessions available).

Southwark Cathedral
Montague Close, SE1
Tel: (020) 7367 6700.
Website: www.dswark.org/cathedral
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free; £3 (exhibition) (concessions available).

Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster contains the Houses of Parliament, part of which is one of the city’s most famous landmarks- Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the name of the huge bell, whose tolling tune is instantly recognisable, while the clock tower itself, which rises above the seat of British government, is called St Stephen’s. The most ancient part of the whole Palace, Westminster Hall, is 900 years old. After almost total destruction by fire, the rest of the palace was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style, during the 19th century, to designs by Charles Barry.

All year round, free tours of the Palace of Westminster are available to UK residents, if they contact their MP who can arrange them. It is no longer possible to provide overseas visitors with small group tours. However, during late July/August and mid September/early October, Parliament is in recess and the Summer Opening of the Palace of Westminster takes place. Extensive guided tours are offered for all visitors; these last about 75 minutes and include the Royal Robing Rooms, the House of Lords and the House of Commons and Westminster Hall. These are not free and they must be booked in advance (in person or from Firstcall). All visitors who want to watch Parliament at work, rather than tour the Palace, can watch from the Strangers’ Gallery. When Parliament is in session, there are two long queues (one for the Lords and one for the Commons) outside the Palace.

Parliament Square, SW1
Tel: (020) 7219 4272. Fax: (020) 7219 5839.
Website: www.parliament.uk
Transport: London Underground Westminster.

Summer Opening of the Palace of Westminster
Tel: (0870) 906 3773 (Firstcall).
Website: www.firstcalltickets.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0915-1630 or 1315-1630 (depending on schedules).
Admission: £7 (plus £2 for foreign-language guide).

Westminster Abbey
Across Parliament Square is Westminster Abbey – a magnificent Gothic structure where innumerable members of the British royal family have been christened, married, crowned and interred. Consecrated under Edward the Confessor, in the 11th century, it was rebuilt over the next four centuries in Gothic style. Highlights include Henry VII’s Chapel, Poet’s Corner and the Coronation Chair.

Parliament Square, SW1
Tel: (020) 7654 4900. Fax: (020) 7654 4894.
Website: www.westminster-abbey.org
Transport: London Underground Westminster.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1545 (Wed 1800) and Sat 0930-1345 (sightseeing; last admission one hour before closing); all day Sun (religious services only).
Admission: £7.50 (concessions available); services free.

Trafalgar Square
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has made the once-congested and pigeon-infested Trafalgar Square a 'World Square' (website: www.worldsquares.com), pedestrianising more of this famous space and banning seed-sellers, in an attempt to stop what he considers a nuisance. The pedestrianisation links Nelson's Column in the centre with the north side of the square, where one of the world’s greatest galleries, the National Gallery, is to be found. It houses an incredible collection of Western paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century, as well as frequent special exhibitions. Round the corner, the National Portrait Gallery displays the country’s famous, infamous and forgotten in the media of oil, watercolour, marble and photography. The new Ondaatje Wing includes a lecture theatre and restaurant. Opposite the gallery is the beautiful 18th-century neo-classical church, St Martin-in-the-Fields, which hosts regular concerts and has a café in the crypt.

Trafalgar Square, WC2
Transport: London Underground Charing Cross or Leicester Square

National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, WC2
Tel: (020) 7747 2885.
Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 1000-1800, Wed 1000-2100.
Admission: Free; temporary exhibitions vary.

National Portrait Gallery
2 St Martin’s Place, WC2
Tel: (020) 7312 2463 (recorded information) or 7306 0055.
Website: www.npg.org.uk
Opening hours: Sat-Wed 1000-1800, Thurs and Fri 1000-2100.
Admission: Free; temporary exhibitions vary.

St Martin-in-the-Fields
Trafalgar Square, WC2
Tel: (020) 7766 1100.
Website: www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
Opening hours: Daily 0730-1830 (for sightseeing); concerts take place most nights of the week; crypt cafe opens later.
Admission: Free.

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, the London home of the Queen, is hugely popular with tourists. They flock to the palace, to witness royal pageantry dating back centuries at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at 1130 from April to July and on alternate days at other times of the year. There is also the rare chance of seeing inside a royal residence (summer only). The building, by John Nash and Edward Blore, was built around the shell of the older of the older Buckingham House, in the 19th century. The rather drab façade was added in 1913. The 19 State Rooms of the Palace, including the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery, are only open to the public during August and September, when the Queen moves to her Scottish residence. The recently refurbished and expanded Queen's Gallery is open to the public throughout the year. It displays a changing exhibition of selected works from the Royal Collection, which covers five centuries' worth of art collecting and treasures, now held in trust by the Queen for the nation. The 17-hectare (42-acre) garden, long hidden from view, is also now open to visitors touring the palace.

Buckingham Palace Road, SW1
Tel: (020) 7321 2233 or (020) 7766 7300 (credit card booking line). Fax: (020) 7930 9625.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Transport: London Underground Green Park, Victoria or Hyde Park Corner.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1630, last admission 1615 (Aug-Sep); visitors should check the website for specific dates (Palace); daily 1030-1730 (Queen's Gallery).
Admission: £12.95 (Palace), includes a free audio guide; £7.50 (Queen's Gallery) (concessions available).

Tower Hill
The infamous royal fortress on Tower Hill, the Tower of London, was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 and remained a royal residence until the mid-16th century. Today, it houses the priceless Crown Jewels and the Royal Armouries collection. The history of the tower is a catalogue of intrigue and bloodshed – key historical figures, including members of the royal family, were imprisoned, tortured and/or executed here. The nearby Tower Bridge (a prime example of Victorian architecture and engineering) spans the River Thames. Hydraulic machinery, hidden in twin neo-Gothic towers, lifts the central section to allow ships in and out of the Pool of London. Visitors can learn about the bridge in the Tower Bridge Experience or enjoy the excellent views towards Canary Wharf and the City of London. On the northeast side, the harbour at St Katharine’s Dock marks the beginning of the London Docklands, while the warehouses to the south house the stylish Design Museum.

Tower Hill, EC3
Transport: London Underground Tower Hill or London Bridge.

Tower of London
Tel: (0870) 756 6060 (information) or (0870) 756 7070 (tickets).
Website: www.tower-of-london.org.uk
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 0900-1800 and Sun-Mon 1000-1800 (Mar-Oct); Tues-Sat 0900-1700 and Sun-Mon 1000-1700 (Nov-Feb); last admission one hour before closing.
Admission: £13.50 (concessions available).

Tower Bridge Experience
Tower Hill, EC3
Tel: (020) 7403 3761. Fax: (020) 7357 7935.
Website: www.towerbridge.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (last admission 1700).
Admission: £5.50 (concessions available).

Design Museum
28 Shad Thames
Tel: (020) 7940 8790.
Website: www.designmuseum.org
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1745.
Admission: £6 (concessions available).

St Paul’s Cathedral
The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is the third largest in the world and one of the most distinctive features of the London skyline. The present building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was completed in 1710, on the site of the original cathedral that was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. On the inside of the dome, the Whispering Gallery, named for its incredible acoustics, offers a close-up of the frescoes of the life of St Paul that decorate the interior of the dome. From there, visitors can climb higher, up to two further galleries, which are outdoors and which offer magnificent views across the whole of London. Guided tours, lasting 90 minutes, are also available at 1100, 1130, 1330 and 1400 Monday to Saturday. Sunday services are held at 0800, 1015, 1130, 1515 and 1800.

Paternoster Square, EC4
Tel: (020) 7246 8348 (information line).
Website: www.stpauls.co.uk
Transport: London Underground St Paul’s.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1600 (sightseeing); sightseeing is restricted on Sun and religious holidays.
Admission: £7 (cathedral, galleries and crypt); £2.50 (guided tours) (concessions available).

British Museum
The British Museum, the centrepiece of which is the construction of Lord Foster’s glass-roofed Great Court, is one of the world’s finest museums. Visitors must contend with a mind-boggling six million artefacts from all corners of the globe, plucked (or plundered) by collectors. The awesome scale of the museum means it is essential to select just a few of the 94 galleries for close attention. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, a copy of the Magna Carta and the controversial Parthenon Sculptures, known as the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Athens, which Greece want back before the 2004 Olympic Games. A new British Museum souvenir shop next to the museum opened in 2000. A 90-minute 'Highlights' tours is available daily at 1030, 1300 and 1500.

Great Russell Street, WC1
Tel: (020) 7323 8299.
Website: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Transport: London Underground Russell Square.
Opening hours: Sat-Wed1000-1730, Thurs-Fri 1000-2030.
Admission: Free.

South Kensington Museums
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is one of three major museums in South Kensington – the others being the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Founded in the 19th century as a museum of the decorative arts, the V&A’s 11km (seven miles) of corridors trace a path through paintings, jewellery, furniture and textiles dating from 3000BC to the present day. Highlights include the Raphael Cartoons, the sculpture court, the dress collection from 1700 onwards, as well as the ‘British Galleries 1500-1900’, a comprehensive history of Britain’s design and art.

The Science Museum has been voted London Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2001 and 2002. It offers interactive exhibits on all kinds of scientific topics, from Space, Time or Weather to Agriculture or Food, from Computing or Mathematics to Nuclear Physics or Veterinary History. One key gallery is ‘Making the Modern World’, which includes objects such as early cars and computers.

The incredible Victorian building that is the Natural History Museum is divided into Earth Galleries and Life Galleries. The Earth Galleries explore our planet, while the Life Galleries explore the creatures that have inhabited it, from the dinosaurs to creepy crawlies. For live specimens, there is the Wildlife Garden outside. The new Darwin Centre will house the museum’s extensive collections of specimens, which date as far back as the 16th century but also include recent new species discoveries. It will also allow visitors to interact with the scientists using the collections and carrying out current research. Phase One is now open to the public, although Phase Two completes the project in 2007.

V&A Museum
Cromwell Road, SW7
Tel: (020) 7942 2000 or (0870) 442 0808.
Website: www.vam.ac.uk
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 1000-1745, Wed and last Fri of the month 1000-2200.
Admission: Free; temporary exhibitions might change.

Science Museum
Exhibition Road, SW7
Tel: (020) 7942 4000 or (0870) 870 4868.
Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800.
Admission: Free.

Natural History Museum
Tel: (020) 7942 5000 or 7942 5011.
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1750, Sun 1100-1750.
Admission: Free.
Transport: London Underground South Kensington.

Tate Britain
The Gallery of Modern British Art opened in 1897, around the collection of sugar merchant Henry Tate. It now holds an unrivalled collection of English paintings from 1500 to the present day. Much 20th-century art has moved to the Tate Modern (see above), however, some remains on rotation here, from Gaudier Brzeska to Gilbert and George. There is also the 'Art Now' room, which shows a changing contemporary exhibition. The magnificent Turner Bequest is housed in the purpose-built Clore Gallery, with hundreds of Turner paintings on display.

Millbank, SW1
Tel: (020) 7887 8000 or 8008.
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Transport: London Underground Pimlico.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1750.
Admission: Free; temporary exhibitions vary.