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London self catering accommodation budget hotels bed and breakfast
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London is one of the
great tourist destinations of the world, and there is an unlimited
supply of things to see and do. One could live here for years
and not see it all, but here is a partial suggested list of the
main attractions worth your time. (Also see Shopping in London)
Bluewater
- Bluewater shopping centre
occupies 240 exciting acres, with over 320 shops and restaurants
plus a 12 screen multiplex cinema, three unique leisure villages
and breathtaking civic architecture. Bluewater couldn't be
easier to get to, being the hub of an extensive transport
network, and offering 13 000 free parking spaces. There's
always something special happening at Bluewater - find out
for yourself what the ultimate shopping experience is like.
-
-
- British
museum
Perhaps the greatest
museum in the world and entry is free (donation is requested).
They have a huge collection of ancient artifacts including a
spectacular Egyptian section and the famous and controversial
Elgin Marbles – the collection of friezes and statues from the
Parthenon in Greece. There is also a book shop, children’s gift
shop and general gift shop. Work is continuing to create a spectacular
Great Court in the centre of the Museum building. (Holborn)
Brixton
market
On weekends the well
named Electric Avenue comes alive with a Caribbean atmosphere
and masses of fresh fruit, exotic vegetables, music, food and
flowers. (Brixton)
- Buckingham
palace
The Queen's London
residence. A selection of rooms are open to the public in August
and September. The changing of the guard still takes place every
day at 11:30am from April to July and every second day for the
rest of the year. (Green Park)
- Camden
market
This is the biggest
of London’s markets with a seemingly endless array of shoes,
clothes, antiques, second-hand and retro clothing, bootlegs,
and more. (Camden Town)
Carnaby
street
A fashion centre since
the sixties with the latest shoes, clothes and attitude! (Oxford
Circus tube)
- China town
Known as Tong Yan Kai,
just off Leicester Square. Great for food and atmosphere! (Leicester
Square tube)
Covent
Garden
What used to be a fruit
and vegetable market has been transformed into a charming shopping
centre with lots of different boutiques and shops and restaurants,
as well as street performers, theatres and the piazza. (Covent
Garden tube)
Downing
Street
Home of the Prime Minister
at Number 10. Since the end of the street was fenced off in
the 1980’s there has been no direct public access. (Charing
Cross)
Globe
theatre
A recreation of the
London theatre which originally stood in the seventeenth century.
There are regular performances from May to September and audiences
can experience Elizabethan theatre in an authentic setting.
The exhibition tells the story of rebuilding Shakespeare's Globe
Theatre. (London Bridge tube)
Greenwich
Home of the Royal Observatory,
lovely gardens, a vibrant weekend arts and craft and antiques
market and the centre of Greenwich Mean Time. Also found here
is the 1869 ship Cutty Sark, a maritime historical wonder. River
cruises leave from Westminster Pier every half-hour from 10am
to 4pm. (Westminster tube)
Millennium
Dome
The Dome opened to
the public on New Year’s day 2000. It is divided into zones
looking at what is important to the people of Britain. Educational
and fun, the Body Zone (including an escalator ride to a giant
beating heart) is proved to be a hit, unfortunately it is now
closed .
Millennium
Wheel ( London eye)
This giant ferris wheel
is the biggest in the world and at 200 metres high it’s taller
than Big Ben. It offers a fabulous view of London. Each capsule
accommodates 25 people and a full circuit of the wheel takes
30 minutes.
- Hampton
court palace
Outside of London,
this is the grandest Tudor residence in England. Built for Cardinal
Wolsey it was presented to Henry VIII who used it as a royal
residence. The hallway leading to the Royal Chapel is rumoured
to be haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn. King William of Orange
and Queen Mary also used the Palace frequently and had Christopher
Wren design their extensions. The palace is justly famous for
its beautiful architecture, sumptuous interiors, formal gardens
and maze. (Surrey)
Harrods
Much more than just
a shop, Harrods is one of the most famous stores in the world,
although is may also be the most expensive! The interior décor
is stunning, particularly the famous Egyptian escalator. The
food halls are magnificent. Please note that backpacks are not
allowed in the store. (Knightsbridge tube)
- Highgate
Cemetery
A beautiful old cemetery
with lots of ivy, vines and ancient graves. The cemetery is
divided into two parts. The West cemetery is accessible only
by guided tour and is said to have been inspirational to Bram
Stoker when he was writing Dracula. It includes the magnificent
Egyptian Avenue. An entry fee is payable to both parts of the
cemetery but you can wander freely through the East cemetery.
Among the famous graves is a formidable monument for Karl Marx.
(Highgate tube)
- Big Ben
& Houses of Parliament
The home of British
parliament is a superb piece of neogothic architecture. Visitors
can attend sittings of the House of Commons to get a glimpse
of democracy in action. The bell in the clock tower next to
Westminster Bridge is the real Big Ben, although most people
think it is the name of the clock. Its famous chimes sound out
the quarter hours and the bell tolls on the hour. (Westminster
tube)
- Kensington
Market
Punk/Gothic/Techno
supplies, closed Sundays. (Kensington High St. tube)
- Kensington
Palace & Gardens
The Palace is the birthplace
of Queen Victoria, the London home of Princess Margaret and
the last residence of Princess Diana. Tours are available of
some of the rooms and tea and treats can be purchased in the
Orangery. The palace is attached to the beautiful Kensington
Gardens which join Hyde Park. (Queensway or High Street Kensington
tube)
Kew
Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens
offer beautiful Victorian gardens, spectacular greenhouses and
rare plants. (Kew Gardens tube)
Kew
palace
The smallest Royal
palace is situated in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. It is
open daily from April to September.
- Leicester
square
Centre for cinemas
and some theatres and the home of a popular half-price ticket
booth. (Leicester Square tube)
- London
Dungeon
Well done horror museum,
featuring the history of London's plagues, tyranny and torture.
Also a good Jack the Ripper exhibit. (London Bridge tube)
- London
Zoo
One of the oldest zoos
in the world, located in Regents Park. While architecturally
significant, unfortunately most of the zoo was constructed at
a time that the prime aim of zoos was to show off the animals
with little regard for their comfort or well-being. The aim
now is conservation and education and the zoo works towards
both quite admirably. (Baker St/Camden Town tube)
- Madame
Tussauds
Since 1802, this Wax
Museum has been drawing in the crowds. The displays include
replicas of sporting greats, entertainment celebrities and members
of the Royal Family. A particularly gruesome Chamber of Horrors
is also featured but not recommended for the faint-hearted.
(Baker St. tube)
- National
Gallery
Facing Trafalgar Square
and one of the world’s best art galleries. Free entry (donation
requested) and a wonderful gift shop. The gallery houses a magnificent
collection of paintings from 1260 to 1920, including many classics.
(Charing Cross tube)
- Oxford
street
Famous shopping streets,
big store names and department stores including Selfridge’s
and the flagship store for Marks & Spencer. (Oxford Circus
tube)
Regent
street
Famous shopping street
featuring the beautiful Liberty store. (Oxford Circus or Piccadilly
Circus tube)
- Portobello
road
London’s famous Notting
Hill weekend market selling antiques, handmade gifts and lots
of clothes. This market can be very busy on both Saturday and
Sunday. (Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove tube)
- Rock
circus
Wax models of famous
pop and rock stars plus animatronic performances. (Piccadilly
tube)
- Soho
The place for dining
out in London with a truly huge choice of restaurants. Also
plenty of clubs, pubs and shops. Soho’s reputation for showing
London’s seamier side is also evidenced by the presence of strip
joints and sex shops. (Piccadilly tube)
Clubs
List of all the
clubs in London
- St.
Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's
masterpiece built after the previous cathedral was destroyed
in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The cathedral is an architectural
masterpiece with an enormous dome. To reach some of the best
views of London visitors can ascend 530 steps to the Stone Gallery.
(St. Paul's or Mansion House tube)
- Tate
Gallery
This gallery displays
only a small part of its large collection of British and modern
art, so pieces are regularly rotated. Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces
along with works by Blake, Hogarth, Constable and Turner make
this a must see for anyone interested in British art. The gallery
also boasts a very fine gift shop and basement café. (Pimlico
tube)
- Tower
of London
Originally built by
William the Conqueror this ancient fortress has stood guard
over London for more than 900 years. Its many famous prisoners
have included Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh,
Anne Boleyn and Rudolph Hess, many of whom ended their stay
here by being beheaded. It is home to the Crown Jewels and the
famous ravens. (Tower Hill tube)
Tower
Bridge
Just a little over
100 years old and one of London’s most famous landmarks the
bridge crosses the Thames next to the Tower of London. The bridge
can be raised for the passage of river traffic. The tower Bridge
Experience takes you inside the bridge to see the engine room
and up onto the walkways for a fabulous view of London. (Tower
Hill tube)
- Banqueting
House
- Designed and built in 1622
by the renowned architect Inigo Jones as part of the Whitehall
Palace, the Hall is the only part to survive a fire in 1698.
It boasts magnificent ceilings painted by Rubens and is usually
open to the public, except when in use for a state banquet
or concert. (Westminster tube)
-
- Westminster
Abbey
A spectacular and ancient
church, where many kings, queens, churchmen, statesmen and famous
writers are buried. The tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Lady Margaret
Beaufort are not to be missed. There are so many stunning chapels
and tombs it can be slightly overwhelming. Don’t leave without visiting
the Chapter House and the College Garden. (Westminster tube)
- Windsor Castle
Just outside of London,
this is another home of the Royal Family.
Walking
Tours
Some popular walking tours
include:
COCKNEY WALKS 0208-504-9159
HISTORICAL WALKS 0208-668-4019
Operates the famous Dickens London Walk, among others.
ORIGINAL LONDON WALKS 0207-624-3978
Many popular walks including Jack the Ripper, Shakespeare's London,
and various pub crawls.
- Boat trips
Boat trips along the Thames
offer excellent views from the city from the river, and often go
to other points like Greenwich. Main companies operate from:
TOWER PIER 0207-488-0344
WESTMINSTER PIER 0207-930-4097
CATAMARAN CRUISES -Charring Cross Pier 0207-925-2215
- Bus Tours
The following organizations
offer a sightseeing tour on their double decker buses. Highly recommended
for first time visitors.
LONDON COACHES SIGHTSEEING
TOUR 0208-877-1722
Departs from Marble Arch, Victoria Station, Baker Station and Piccadilly
Circus.
LONDON PRIDE BUS CO. 01708-631-122
For more information, call
London Travel Information
0207-222-1234
Legoland
Best theme park in the UK
|
|
Londons
Sehenswuerdigkeiten - Einige diese sind immernoch in Konstruktion
|
|
London ist eines der
groessten Touristenanziehungspunkte der Welt, und hier gibt es
eine Menge Dinge zu erleben und zu tun. Manche leben hier seit
Jahren und haben immernoch nicht alles gesehen, was sehenswert
ist. Im Anschluss finden sie eine Liste von einigen Empfehlungen,
die es wert sind anzuschauen.
Bluewater
- Bluewater shopping centre
occupies 240 exciting acres, with over 320 shops and restaurants
plus a 12 screen multiplex cinema, three unique leisure villages
and breathtaking civic architecture. Bluewater couldn't be
easier to get to, being the hub of an extensive transport
network, and offering 13 000 free parking spaces. There's
always something special happening at Bluewater - find out
for yourself what the ultimate shopping experience is like.
-
-
- British
museum
Perhaps the greatest
museum in the world and entry is free (donation is requested).
They have a huge collection of ancient artifacts including a
spectacular Egyptian section and the famous and controversial
Elgin Marbles – the collection of friezes and statues from the
Parthenon in Greece. There is also a book shop, children’s gift
shop and general gift shop. Work is continuing to create a spectacular
Great Court in the centre of the Museum building. (Holborn)
Brixton
market
On weekends the well
named Electric Avenue comes alive with a Caribbean atmosphere
and masses of fresh fruit, exotic vegetables, music, food and
flowers. (Brixton)
- Buckingham
palace
The Queen's London
residence. A selection of rooms are open to the public in August
and September. The changing of the guard still takes place every
day at 11:30am from April to July and every second day for the
rest of the year. (Green Park)
- Camden
market
This is the biggest
of London’s markets with a seemingly endless array of shoes,
clothes, antiques, second-hand and retro clothing, bootlegs,
and more. (Camden Town)
Carnaby
street
A fashion centre since
the sixties with the latest shoes, clothes and attitude! (Oxford
Circus tube)
- China town
Known as Tong Yan Kai,
just off Leicester Square. Great for food and atmosphere! (Leicester
Square tube)
Covent
Garden
What used to be a fruit
and vegetable market has been transformed into a charming shopping
centre with lots of different boutiques and shops and restaurants,
as well as street performers, theatres and the piazza. (Covent
Garden tube)
Downing
Street
Home of the Prime Minister
at Number 10. Since the end of the street was fenced off in
the 1980’s there has been no direct public access. (Charing
Cross)
Globe
theatre
A recreation of the
London theatre which originally stood in the seventeenth century.
There are regular performances from May to September and audiences
can experience Elizabethan theatre in an authentic setting.
The exhibition tells the story of rebuilding Shakespeare's Globe
Theatre. (London Bridge tube)
Greenwich
Home of the Royal Observatory,
lovely gardens, a vibrant weekend arts and craft and antiques
market and the centre of Greenwich Mean Time. Also found here
is the 1869 ship Cutty Sark, a maritime historical wonder. River
cruises leave from Westminster Pier every half-hour from 10am
to 4pm. (Westminster tube)
Millennium
Dome
The Dome opened to
the public on New Year’s day 2000. It is divided into zones
looking at what is important to the people of Britain. Educational
and fun, the Body Zone (including an escalator ride to a giant
beating heart) is proved to be a hit, unfortunately it is now
closed .
Millennium
Wheel ( London eye)
This giant ferris wheel
is the biggest in the world and at 200 metres high it’s taller
than Big Ben. It offers a fabulous view of London. Each capsule
accommodates 25 people and a full circuit of the wheel takes
30 minutes.
- Hampton
court palace
Outside of London,
this is the grandest Tudor residence in England. Built for Cardinal
Wolsey it was presented to Henry VIII who used it as a royal
residence. The hallway leading to the Royal Chapel is rumoured
to be haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn. King William of Orange
and Queen Mary also used the Palace frequently and had Christopher
Wren design their extensions. The palace is justly famous for
its beautiful architecture, sumptuous interiors, formal gardens
and maze. (Surrey)
Harrods
Much more than just
a shop, Harrods is one of the most famous stores in the world,
although is may also be the most expensive! The interior décor
is stunning, particularly the famous Egyptian escalator. The
food halls are magnificent. Please note that backpacks are not
allowed in the store. (Knightsbridge tube)
- Highgate
Cemetery
A beautiful old cemetery
with lots of ivy, vines and ancient graves. The cemetery is
divided into two parts. The West cemetery is accessible only
by guided tour and is said to have been inspirational to Bram
Stoker when he was writing Dracula. It includes the magnificent
Egyptian Avenue. An entry fee is payable to both parts of the
cemetery but you can wander freely through the East cemetery.
Among the famous graves is a formidable monument for Karl Marx.
(Highgate tube)
- Big Ben
& Houses of Parliament
The home of British
parliament is a superb piece of neogothic architecture. Visitors
can attend sittings of the House of Commons to get a glimpse
of democracy in action. The bell in the clock tower next to
Westminster Bridge is the real Big Ben, although most people
think it is the name of the clock. Its famous chimes sound out
the quarter hours and the bell tolls on the hour. (Westminster
tube)
- Kensington
Market
Punk/Gothic/Techno
supplies, closed Sundays. (Kensington High St. tube)
- Kensington
Palace & Gardens
The Palace is the birthplace
of Queen Victoria, the London home of Princess Margaret and
the last residence of Princess Diana. Tours are available of
some of the rooms and tea and treats can be purchased in the
Orangery. The palace is attached to the beautiful Kensington
Gardens which join Hyde Park. (Queensway or High Street Kensington
tube)
Kew
Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens
offer beautiful Victorian gardens, spectacular greenhouses and
rare plants. (Kew Gardens tube)
Kew
palace
The smallest Royal
palace is situated in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. It is
open daily from April to September.
- Leicester
square
Centre for cinemas
and some theatres and the home of a popular half-price ticket
booth. (Leicester Square tube)
- London
Dungeon
Well done horror museum,
featuring the history of London's plagues, tyranny and torture.
Also a good Jack the Ripper exhibit. (London Bridge tube)
- London
Zoo
One of the oldest zoos
in the world, located in Regents Park. While architecturally
significant, unfortunately most of the zoo was constructed at
a time that the prime aim of zoos was to show off the animals
with little regard for their comfort or well-being. The aim
now is conservation and education and the zoo works towards
both quite admirably. (Baker St/Camden Town tube)
- Madame
Tussauds
Since 1802, this Wax
Museum has been drawing in the crowds. The displays include
replicas of sporting greats, entertainment celebrities and members
of the Royal Family. A particularly gruesome Chamber of Horrors
is also featured but not recommended for the faint-hearted.
(Baker St. tube)
- National
Gallery
Facing Trafalgar Square
and one of the world’s best art galleries. Free entry (donation
requested) and a wonderful gift shop. The gallery houses a magnificent
collection of paintings from 1260 to 1920, including many classics.
(Charing Cross tube)
- Oxford
street
Famous shopping streets,
big store names and department stores including Selfridge’s
and the flagship store for Marks & Spencer. (Oxford Circus
tube)
Regent
street
Famous shopping street
featuring the beautiful Liberty store. (Oxford Circus or Piccadilly
Circus tube)
- Portobello
road
London’s famous Notting
Hill weekend market selling antiques, handmade gifts and lots
of clothes. This market can be very busy on both Saturday and
Sunday. (Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove tube)
- Rock
circus
Wax models of famous
pop and rock stars plus animatronic performances. (Piccadilly
tube)
- Soho
The place for dining
out in London with a truly huge choice of restaurants. Also
plenty of clubs, pubs and shops. Soho’s reputation for showing
London’s seamier side is also evidenced by the presence of strip
joints and sex shops. (Piccadilly tube)
Clubs
List of all the
clubs in London
- St.
Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's
masterpiece built after the previous cathedral was destroyed
in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The cathedral is an architectural
masterpiece with an enormous dome. To reach some of the best
views of London visitors can ascend 530 steps to the Stone Gallery.
(St. Paul's or Mansion House tube)
- Tate
Gallery
This gallery displays
only a small part of its large collection of British and modern
art, so pieces are regularly rotated. Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces
along with works by Blake, Hogarth, Constable and Turner make
this a must see for anyone interested in British art. The gallery
also boasts a very fine gift shop and basement café. (Pimlico
tube)
- Tower
of London
Originally built by
William the Conqueror this ancient fortress has stood guard
over London for more than 900 years. Its many famous prisoners
have included Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh,
Anne Boleyn and Rudolph Hess, many of whom ended their stay
here by being beheaded. It is home to the Crown Jewels and the
famous ravens. (Tower Hill tube)
Tower
Bridge
Just a little over
100 years old and one of London’s most famous landmarks the
bridge crosses the Thames next to the Tower of London. The bridge
can be raised for the passage of river traffic. The tower Bridge
Experience takes you inside the bridge to see the engine room
and up onto the walkways for a fabulous view of London. (Tower
Hill tube)
- Banqueting
House
- Designed and built in 1622
by the renowned architect Inigo Jones as part of the Whitehall
Palace, the Hall is the only part to survive a fire in 1698.
It boasts magnificent ceilings painted by Rubens and is usually
open to the public, except when in use for a state banquet
or concert. (Westminster tube)
-
- Westminster
Abbey
A spectacular and ancient
church, where many kings, queens, churchmen, statesmen and famous
writers are buried. The tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Lady Margaret
Beaufort are not to be missed. There are so many stunning chapels
and tombs it can be slightly overwhelming. Don’t leave without visiting
the Chapter House and the College Garden. (Westminster tube)
- Windsor Castle
Just outside of London,
this is another home of the Royal Family.
Walking
Tours
Some popular walking tours
include:
COCKNEY WALKS 0208-504-9159
HISTORICAL WALKS 0208-668-4019
Operates the famous Dickens London Walk, among others.
ORIGINAL LONDON WALKS 0207-624-3978
Many popular walks including Jack the Ripper, Shakespeare's London,
and various pub crawls.
- Boat trips
Boat trips along the Thames
offer excellent views from the city from the river, and often go
to other points like Greenwich. Main companies operate from:
TOWER PIER 0207-488-0344
WESTMINSTER PIER 0207-930-4097
CATAMARAN CRUISES -Charring Cross Pier 0207-925-2215
- Bus Tours
The following organizations
offer a sightseeing tour on their double decker buses. Highly recommended
for first time visitors.
LONDON COACHES SIGHTSEEING
TOUR 0208-877-1722
Departs from Marble Arch, Victoria Station, Baker Station and Piccadilly
Circus.
LONDON PRIDE BUS CO. 01708-631-122
For more information, call
London Travel Information
0207-222-1234
Legoland
Best theme park in the UK
|
|
|
|
