Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece should be at the top of any sightseeing list. The sprawling cathedral is notable for its artistry and design, but it also offers a... Read more »
The Tower of London draws tourists who are taking a growing interest in some of the more lurid, murderous aspects of London's history. This vast, imposing brick building has been the... Read more »
About four miles from downtown London, Greenwich is ideal for a day trip. Its attractions are legion and include the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, Queen's House,... Read more »
Spread across 300 acres, these gorgeous gardens are a year-round wonderland of sights, scents, and beauty. Horticultural specimens from around the world can be found either on the... Read more »
Flush against Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park is probably London's most familiar and most popular park. It's more than a mile square and includes Serpentine Lake, Marble Arch, the... Read more »
London offers many places to catch great panoramas of the skyline and the Thames, but this attraction is one of the best. Run by British Airways, the Eye opened to great acclaim at... Read more »
The impressive, Gothic-styled Houses of Parliament occupy the original site of the Palace of Westminster. Combined with their famous clock tower (commonly known as Big Ben), they're... Read more »
The "V&A South Kensington" occupies a gorgeous facility near Kensington Gardens and displays an extensive collection of decorative arts. In fact, it boasts more than 4 million... Read more »
After the Tate Modern opened its doors to rave reviews, it became London's latest not-to-be-missed museum. Boasting a spectacular selection of modern art, both well-known and... Read more »
Buckingham Palace is a sightseeing must. Queen Victoria moved into the vast mansion in 1837; since then, generations of royals have made the palace their home. Although wandering the... Read more »
The British playwright, William Shakespeare, is world famous. So what could be more fitting, than a new festival to celebrate his work, at London's Globe Theatre. Entitled Globe to Globe, the festival will present Shakespeare in more than 37 different languages. World renowned theatre companies bring their versions of the plays to London. Take your pick from a South Sudanese version of Cymbelline, or an Israeli interpretation of The Merchant of Venice and much more.
Londoners work hard, and the daily grind often monopolizes their time. But off-hours activities abound, and the city bears no shortage of sights and events to stimulate, educate, and fascinate. Parks and gardens showcase London's love affair with natural beauty and its long-lived desire to keep public greens for the benefit of all citizens. Hyde Park and Serpentine Lake offer pastoral vistas and plenty of recreation, while Kew Gardens in southwest London features an enormous collection of plants, landscaped panoramas, and charming greenhouses. History buffs often find themselves swept up in London's bounty as well. Buckingham Palace, the royal residence, delivers a glimpse of aristocratic life, while the Tower of London titillates with its legacy of intrigue and its Crown Jewels exhibit. Plus, venerable Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral serve as time-tested counterpoints to newer sights like the London Eye and the Millennium Dome. Guided tours are an especially good way to catch an overview of the city's many treasures, and bus and walking tours feature experienced, informative guides who'll point out the familiar and impart you with unusual tidbits to boot.