Greater London Attractions & Activities Guide

featuring a permanent collection of contemporary art and a programme of exhibitions of modern works from artists around the world

large, world-class museum with spectacular glass-roofed Great Court and extensive galleries containing some of the world's greatest treasures

Europe's best preserved medieval fortress, inextricably linked with centuries of British history and home to the British crown jewels

a treasure chest of art, design and artefacts spanning some 3000 years.

magnificent church, burial place of many kings, queens and other historic figures and scene of royal coronations since William the Conqueror.

iconic neo-Gothic building, seat of the British government with world-famous clock tower; various visiting options

magnificent building housing 80 million specimens from across the natural world, arranged in four zones around a giant central hall

Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece built between 1675 and 1710, with its famous dome that survived WWII bombs and memorials to many historic figures

major international art gallery with more than 2,300 European paintings, dating from the 13th to the early 20th century, housing several iconic masterpieces

working headquarters of the British monarchy and scene of the regular Changing of the Guard ceremony

famous for its interactive exhibits, this museum has seven floors of exhibits covering the development of science and technology

famous waxwork museum, displaying effigies of celebrities, royalty, historic figures and sports stars, with photo-ops alongside your favourites

faithful reproduction of Shakespeare's original Globe theatre, dedicated to the experience and understanding of Shakespeare in performance

a fine Georgian villa designed by William Kent with a rich collection of Old Master Paintings and fine furniture. Free entry to the 65 acres of Grade I listed gardens with grand vistas, architectural delights, water features and a children's play area

a suburban palace caught between town and country with a lake, magnificent house, elegant gardens and a natural play trail with rope swings and steppingstones

a quiet, domestic space that Turner used as his retreat from the London art world. The architecture of this little building is quirky, reflecting Turner's own design

a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, built and designed by Horace Walpole, art historian and man of letters, who allowed daily visitors from the offset

owned by the same family for more than 400 years, profoundly historic, with a wealth of art and artefacts and extensive park and gardens

world's tallest observation wheel, offering spectacular views across London's landmarks during a 30-minute "flight" in a climate-controlled capsule

Iconic bridge in the City of London, with spectacular views from the high-level walkways and visits to the original steam-powered engine rooms

a collection of over 41,000 rugby related exhibits supplemented by a regular programme of special exhibitions

the collection includes banknotes, coins, silver, books, documents etc with interactive displays bringing the whole story to life

showcasing one of the finest collections of Old Master paintings in the world especially rich in French, Italian and Spanish Baroque paintings

with paintings by world famous artists Rembrandt and Vermeer, this hidden gem offers a unique look at an elegant Georgian mansion

the gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world and aims to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media

a public exhibition space for contemporary art, fashion, design and photography, featuring established and emerging artists, designers and creative practitioners

set in Kensington Gardens, this seasonal gallery showcases an innovative programme from contemporary creatives from across the world

dedicated to the conservation and production of new work by artists from the earliest stages of their careers with sister venues in Finland and America

beautiful Georgian building, once known as "No 1 London", former home of Duke of Wellington, housing wonderful collections of art, silver and porcelain

boasting exhibitions which are among the finest examples of modern art in Europe, with a regular changing programme of fine art, photography and design and including talks and workshops

the British Film Institute IMAX theatre has the largest screen state-of-the-art cinema in Britain. It is more than 20 metres high and 26 metres wide, seats 477 and shows incredible large-format films

fascinating underground bunker complex, from which Winston Churchill conducted resistance to Nazi Germany during WWII, with exhibition about Churchill's personal and political life

founded in 1946, the institute aims to encourage contemporary art in its widest form with ever-changing exhibitions and performances

housed in one of the old warehouses, this museum covers the history of London's port and its role in the development of a great trading nation

founded by the sugar magnate, Sir Henry Tate, this fine art gallery boasts paintings and sculpture from the 16th-19th century

neo-Byzantine Roman Catholic cathedral, decorated with mosaics and marble, stunning views from the tower viewing gallery

200 acre Victorian Park on the South side of the Thames with a children's play area and children's zoo and a small gallery

this pioneering virtual museum has been designed over the past two years to substitute the large, centrally-located museum building, with programming initiatives from the imaginative use of the distinctive and growing museum collection

Borough Market in London is a bustling, historic food market, offering a diverse array of fresh produce, gourmet foods, and international cuisine.

Hampstead Heath in London offers expansive green spaces, stunning city views from Parliament Hill, swimming ponds, and a mix of natural and landscaped beauty.

Hyde Park in London is a vast, historic green space known for its Serpentine Lake, Speaker's Corner, and numerous memorials, concerts, and recreational activities.

museum with large collection covering all aspects of military actions and wartime life, mainly during the 20th century

180 The Strand is an iconic Brutalist building which aims to foster and connect creatives, entrepreneurs, dynamic thinkers and cultural explorers

the reconstructed laboratory is set in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. This is where Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. There are displays and a video telling the story of the discovery of this lifesaving drug

part of former Whitehall Palace with magnificent painted ceiling by Rubens, also scene of Charles I execution

Camden Market in London is a vibrant hub of eclectic stalls, unique crafts, global street food, and a lively atmosphere, appealing to diverse tastes.

hop on, hop off sightseeing cruise, 50 minute circular cruise, a lunch cruise with set menu or a la carte dinner cruise

Greenwich Park in London, a Royal Park, offers stunning views, rich maritime history, the Prime Meridian line, and the Royal Observatory, in a historic setting.

world-renowned contemporary art gallery and a landmark of brutalist architecture featuring wide ranging, year round exhibitions

a predecessor of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace is still home to several members of the British royal family, with large parts open to the public

Georgian town house, official residence of British Prime Minister, now only viewable at a distance, from Whitehall, due to security barriers.

designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this historic riverside building welcomes visitors to the chapel and extraordinary Painted Hall

working stables and display of ceremonial state carriages, including the gold coronation coach, and the horses that draw them

stately home, formerly belonging to Princess Diana's ancestors, The Spencers, considered the finest surviving 18th century London townhouse

The UK's highest court of appeal, housed in the neo-Gothic Middlesex Guildhall, sessions open to public, permanent exhibition

Temple Church in London, famed for its round nave, is steeped in history, with ties to the Knights Templar and a rich architectural heritage.

an eclectic collection dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century with the emphasis on impressionist and post impressionist art

former conservatory of Buckingham Palace, exhibiting paintings, furniture, photographs and other items from the Royal Collection

a cutting edge art gallery with exhibits to stretch the imagination featuring many modern, well known artists

old-established zoological gardens with thousands of animals ranging from majestic lions to tiny frogs, with emphasis on conservation

modern, if controversial, building, housing millions of books and written items, including an original Magna Carta and first complete New Testament text

the East Cemetery is famous for the grave of Karl Marx and other historic figures, but the overgrown West Cemetery (guided tours only) should not be missed

large area, regenerated for the 2012 Olympics, now a mixed use park with several iconic sports venues, open spaces and ArcelorMittal Orbit

London's oldest parish church, offering a peaceful space with a great sense of history, originall part of a monastery dissolved by Henry VIII

monument to Napoleon's defeat by the Duke of Wellington, topped by Europe's largest bronze sculpture, with panoramic views from the balcony

the smallest of London's eight royal parks with 40 acres of mature trees and grassland, part of a green corridor from Westminster to Kensington

16th century royal palace with imposing Tudor gatehouse, still in use as a royal residence and for official receptions

the oldest of London's eight royal parks, stretching from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, with peaceful walks and impressive flowerbeds