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Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life-sized models of stars, famous politicians, royals and sportsmen, as well as the most infamous criminals the world has known. Inside the Museum the 'Spirit of London' ride will take you through the city's history, introducing you to those figures that have shaped the London of today, while The Chamber of Horrors challenges visitors to enter and be terrified. Also at the site is Tussaud's Auditorium, one of the biggest in the world, ready to amaze visitors with its views of the universe.
Address: Marylebone Road
Phone Number: (0)870 999 0046
Website: www.madame-tussauds.com
Transport: Baker Street underground station, or buses 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139 and 274
Hours: Off-peak, open daily 9.30am to 5.30pm. Peak, open daily 9am to 6pm.
Admission: Online booking is £22.50 (adults) and £18.50 (children), cheaper after 5pm

Tower of London
The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure. It is guarded by a special band of Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, and dotted with several large, black birds - the Ravens. Legend has it that if the Ravens ever leave the Tower, a great tragedy will befall England, and to this day the birds are protected by Royal decree. The Tower's history dates back to the 11th century, and each new Monarch has played a role in its growth and development. It also houses Britain's crown jewels, a spectacular display of some of the world's finest gems and workmanship. The Tower is next to Tower Bridge, another famous London landmark.
Address: Tower Hill
Postal Code: EC3N 4AB
Phone Number: +44 (0)844 482 7777
Website: www.hrp.org.uk
Transport: Tower Hill tube station, or buses 15, 42,78 or 100
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm; Sunday to Monday, 10am to 5.30pm
Admission: £16.50 (adults), £9.50 (children under 16); concessions and discounts for advance/online booking available

Houses of Parliament
Originally built for Edward the Confessor more than 1,000 years ago, the Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, remained the principal residence of Britain's monarchs for the next 400 years. Thereafter it became the administrative center of the country. In 1834 the great fire burnt everything except Westminster Hall, and the present Gothic building was completed in the 1840s. It is perhaps most famous for the clock tower, St Stephens, which is commonly, but mistakenly called Big Ben, after the name of the bell inside. Although Parliament is closed to visitors during session, it is still a popular attraction to tourists for its exterior architecture.
Address: Westminster
Postal Code: SW1A 0AA
Phone Number: 0870 906 3773
Email Address: hcinfo@parliament.uk
Website: www.parliament.uk
Transport: Westminster underground station
Hours: Open during summer recess, see the website for details.
Admission: £12 (adults), £5 (children)

Tate Modern
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which has been transformed by Swiss Architects Herzog & de Meuron into a spectacular new modern building, the Tate Modern is Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art. It showcases an exhaustive collection from 1900 to the present day, including works by Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, as well as exhibitions by contemporary artists. There is also an exceptional roof café, which affords spectacular views over London and an impressive gift shop.
Address: Bankside
Postal Code: SE1 9TG
Phone Number: (0)20 7887 8888
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Transport: Southwark or Blackfriars underground stations, bus or the Tate Boat on the Thames
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December
Admission: Free for entry to the permanent collection; admission is charged for major temporary exhibitions

National Gallery
The National Gallery has an imposing and regal façade stretching across the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and houses over 2,000 paintings from every major European school of painting from the 13th to the 19th century. It was opened in 1938 at its present location, which was chosen for its situation between London's wealthier West End and poorer East End, as a 'gallery for all'.
Address: Trafalgar Square
Postal Code: WC2N 5DN
Phone Number: (0)20 7747 2885
Email Address: information@ng-london.org.uk
Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Transport: Charing Cross rail station, or Charing Cross, Leicester Square and Embankment underground stations. Numerous buses also service Trafalgar Square
Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm; Wednesday until 9pm. Closed on 1 January, 24, 25 and 26 December
Admission: Free for entry to the permanent collection; admission is charged for major temporary exhibitions

British Museum
With more than 6,000 historical objects from all around the globe, the British Museum houses one of the world's greatest collections of antiquities, including the Parthenon Frieze or Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Roman Portland Vase dating from the 1st century AD. In 2000 the great court was reopened with an incredible glass roof covering two acres, and stairwells leading down to the Reading Room, which has been completely restored.
Address: Great Russell Street
Postal Code: WC1B 3DG
Phone Number: (0)20 7323 8299 or (0)20 7323 8000
Email Address: information@britishmuseum.org
Website: www.britishmuseum.org
Transport: Russell Square underground station
Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5.30pm; Thursday and Friday 10am to 8.30pm; closed 24, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and Good Friday
Admission: Free, although charges may be levied for some temporary exhibitions

London Eye
At 443ft (135m) tall, and weighing more than 250 double-decker buses, the London Eye is the most spectacular new addition to London's skyline. With incredible views of most of London's major attractions, and an opportunity to put the city's geography into perspective, it is a must see for all visitors. Originally conceived by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield as an entry for a millennium landmark competition, the project took six years and the expertise of hundreds of people from five European countries to turn it into a reality.
Address: Thames South Bank
Postal Code: SE1 7PB
Phone Number: (0)870 990 8883 or (0)870 5000 600 (bookings)
Email Address: customer.services@ba-londoneye.com
Website: www.ba-londoneye.com
Transport: Westminster, Waterloo or Embankment underground stations, or bus RV1, 211, 77 or 381
Hours: Daily October to May 10am to 8pm, June and September 10am to 9pm, July and August 10am to 9.30pm
Admission: Various, see website for details

Shakespeare's Globe
Situated on the bank of the Thames, just 656ft (200m) from the site of Shakespeare's original Globe theater, this fantastic recreation will transport visitors back to the time of the very first productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. The reconstruction took a total of 10 years to complete; at a cost of over £40 million and now houses a professional theater company responsible for regular productions of Shakespeare's famous plays. Adjacent to the theater is the Globe Exhibition, presenting graphic information about the reconstruction of the theater and bringing to the fore the life and works of Shakespeare with interactive displays and live demonstrations. Visits to the exhibition include a tour of the theater.
Address: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside
Postal Code: SE1 9DT
Phone Number: (0)20 7902 1400, or (0)20 7401 9919 (box office)
Email Address: info@shakespearesglobe.com
Website: www.shakespeares-globe.org
Transport: Mansion House underground station, with a ten-minute walk over the Millennium Bridge
Hours: Theater tour and exhibition: daily 10am to 5pm (10 October to 17 April), 9am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 5pm (18 April to 9 October). There is no access to the theater during performances; visitors will then be taken to the Rose Theater, Bankside's first playhouse
Admission: £10.50 (adults), £6.50 (children); concessions available. Performance tickets range from £15 to £30 (£5 standing)

Buckingham Palace and the Queen's Gallery
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but now visitors can actually get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some of the Queen's private art collection at the newly opened Queen's Gallery. Originally the town house of the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London home of Britain's monarchs since 1837. Look to see whether the Royal Standard (not the Union Flag) is flying, which indicates that the Queen is in residence.
Address: Buckingham Palace Road
Postal Code: SW1A 1AA
Phone Number: (0)20 7766 7300
Email Address: bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Transport: Green Park underground station
Hours: Various, see website for details.
Admission: State Rooms: £16.50 (adults), £9.50 (children under 17 years); concessions and combined tickets available. Queens Gallery: £8.50 (adults), ££4.25 (children under 17). Advance booking advised

Harrods
Harrod's, which proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed calls his 'Palace in Knightsbridge', promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in the world. With 22 restaurants, and a wide range of departments and services across its seven floors, it is easy to see why this is the shopping choice of London's social elite. With its prominent position on Brompton Road, Harrod's is hard to miss, especially at night, when the entire façade is illuminated with a grand total of 11,500 light bulbs.
Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge
Postal Code: SW1X 7XL
Phone Number: (0)20 7730 1234
Website: www.harrods.com
Transport: Knightsbridge underground station
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11.30am to 6pm (Browsing only between 11.30am and 12pm on Sundays)
Admission: Free

Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences London has to offer. Even if you're just browsing, the market is definitely worth a visit with its huge variety of food, antiques, bric-a-brac and clothing stalls, bars, nightspots and crowds of people ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. Although the punk scene in London has gone underground, it still seems to flourish here, and you're sure to bump into some interesting characters.
Address: Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Road
Postal Code: NW1 8AF
Website: www.camdenlock.net
Transport: Camden Town and Chalk Farm underground stations. Numerous buses also pass Camden Lock
Hours: The market is open daily from 10am to 6pm
Admission: Free

Greenwich
This is the home of the Greenwich Meridian, which splits the globe into East and West and is responsible for setting the world clock on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich has a host of attractions including Greenwich Market with its variety of arts, crafts, food and bric-a-brac, Sir Christopher Wren's Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich Park is beautifully landscaped and is ideal for a picnic lunch. The famous tea-clipper, the Cutty Sark, was damaged by a fire in May 2007 and has been closed to the public.
Phone Number: (0)870 608 2000
Website: www.greenwichengland.com
Transport: Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich, Cutty Sark underground stations, or a Thames boat
Hours: Greenwich Market: daily 9am to 5:30pm; National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich: daily 10am to 5pm. Closed 24-26 December
Admission: National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and Queen's House all free

London Dungeon
Take a trip through London's dark and gruesome history, meet Jack the Ripper and see what became of his victims, or see the chaos and destruction caused by the great fire of London. The London Dungeon brings history's most notorious killers and evildoers back to life in an experience definitely not for the faint-hearted. Beware: some of the exhibitions have a nasty way of coming alive and jumping out at the unsuspecting visitor.
Address: 28-34 Tooley Street
Postal Code: SE1 2SZ
Phone Number: (0)20 7403 7221
Website: www.thedungeons.com
Transport: London Bridge underground station
Hours: Opening times vary throughout the year so visitors should check the official website. Closed on Christmas day
Admission: £21.95 (adults); £16.95 (children 5-15 years); other concessions and group tickets available

St Paul's Cathedral
The great dome of St Paul's Cathedral has been a distinctive landmark on the London skyline for centuries. Built in 1673 by Sir Christopher Wren, after the previous St Paul's was burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London, it is the greatest of several cathedrals dedicated to St Paul that have occupied the site for more than 1,400 years. The crypt at St Paul's is one of the largest in Europe, and it houses more than 200 tombs, including those of Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Wren himself. The Cathedral has hosted many significant ceremonies in London's history, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and most recently the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Address: St Paul's Churchyard
Postal Code: EC4M 8AD
Phone Number: (0)20 7246 8357
Email Address: visitsdepartment@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
Website: www.stpauls.co.uk
Transport: St Paul's underground station
Hours: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm. Note that the Cathedral may be closed to visitors at any time due to special services or events, so it is always advisable to enquire beforehand
Admission: £10 (adults); £3.50 (children 7-16); family and group concessions available

Piccadilly Circus
One of London's best known, but most overrated sights, Picadilly Circus is at the junction of Picadilly, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is surrounded by neon advertising and fast-food restaurants. However with its Tube station, Picadilly Circus is a good starting point for shopping in the West End, being near to Jermyn Street, Saville Row and Bond Street. London's Theaterland is centered on Shaftsbury Avenue and Soho and China Town are also within easy walking distance.
Transport: Piccadilly Circus underground station

Brighton
Brighton is unquestionably England's most spectacular seaside resort town. Made popular in the 18th century, when the Prince Regent (later King George IV) chose it as the site for his holiday palace, the bizarre and fantastic onion-shaped Brighton Pavilion, it is still famous for its frivolous entertainment venues and enviable nightlife. An eclectic combination of Regency and Victorian architecture gives Brighton a unique air, with winding village lanes crammed with antique and jewelry shops and its flamboyant East Pier stretching out over the sea sparkling with thousands of lights from its funfair and amusement arcades.
Website: www.brighton.co.uk
Transport: Train from London Waterloo (one hour)

Canterbury
The historical cathedral city of Canterbury, with its narrow streets and walkways, is best explored on foot. It is the home of Christianity in England, and has been the ultimate destination for pilgrimages in England for centuries, as described in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The famous Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most impressive and evocative in England, it was here of course that Thomas à Becket was martyred in 1170. Visitors can explore the ruins of the original abbey of St Augustine, who brought Christianity to England more than 1,400 years ago, or visit the Canterbury Tales Pageant and meet some of Chaucer's famous characters. For an insight into the cities of medieval England climb the original West Gate Tower, which is still intact, for breathtaking views across the city.
Phone Number: (0)1227 378 100
Email Address: canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.uk
Website: www.canterbury.co.uk
Transport: Train from London Waterloo (90 minutes)

Leeds Castle
Set atop a lake in a picturesque valley in Kent, with imposing battlements and a 500-hectare Tudor garden, Leeds Castle has been described as 'the most beautiful castle in all the world'. Once a residence of British Queens and a playground for King Henry VIII, it has been open to the public for 25 years, revealing the majesty of a bygone age. With so much to explore, Leeds Castle requires a full day for visitors to tour the castle, get lost in the maze and picnic in the gardens or dine in one of the restaurants and tea rooms.
Address: Maidstone, Kent
Phone Number: (0)1622 765 400
Email Address: enquiries@leeds-castle.co.uk
Website: www.leeds-castle.com
Transport: Coach, bus or train from London
Hours: Grounds: Daily 10am (last ticket sold at 3pm, gates close at 5pm). Castle: 10.30am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm). From 21 March to 30 September opening hours are extended by two hours in the afternoon
Admission: £15 (adults), £9.50 (children 4-15). Concessions available

Windsor
The charming town of Windsor sits on the River Thames, 20 miles (32km) west of London, and is dominated by the magnificent Windsor Castle, the world's largest and oldest occupied castle. The castle was built by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago and has been lived in by English monarchs ever since; although Buckingham Palace is the Queen's best known residence, Windsor is her favorite and is where the Royal Family spend their weekends. Highlights in the castle include the wonderful State Apartments, and the Waterloo Chamber, built to commemorate the British victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the world and contains the tombs of numerous English sovereigns including King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Charles I and King George V. Many of the castle's rooms contain priceless works of art, including works by Rubens, Holbein, Van Dyke, Rembrandt and Lawrence, as well as fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour. The 500-acre (200 ha.) Home Park, sits at the back of the castle and includes the site of Frogmore, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were laid to rest. Beyond is the vast expanse of Windsor Great Park, a popular place for walkers. Over the river from Windsor is Eton College, the world famous school founded by Henry VI in 1440, and today you can still see students walking around in their tails.
Phone Number: (0)20 7766 7300 (ticket sales and Information office)
Email Address: bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk
Transport: Train from London Waterloo or London Paddington
Hours: Generally open daily from 9.45am to 5.15pm, last admission at 4pm (March to October) and from 9.45am to 4:15pm, last admission at 3pm (November to February). See website for closed dates.
Admission: Castle: £15.50 (adults), £9 (children under 17). Concessions available

Hampton Court Palace
Situated on the banks of the Thames, 14 miles (23km) southwest of London, Hampton Court is perhaps the most spectacular royal palace in England and makes a great day-trip from London. The palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 1500s, it later became King Henry VIII's principal residence and remained the center of royal and political life in England until 1737 where many important events took place. Visitors can see King Henry VIII's Great Hall, King William III's State Apartments, designed by Wren and completed in 1700, and the unmissable Tudor Kitchens, which remain largely unchanged since the 16th century and no doubt used to cater for raucous banquets. The palace is probably most famous for its grounds and the famous maze, which has entertained children since it was planted in 1705.
Address: East Molesey, Surrey
Postal Code: KT8 9AU
Phone Number: (0)870 752 7777
Website: www.hrp.org.uk
Transport: Train from Waterloo (35 minutes), or by the underground; for a more scenic ride take a boat along the Thames from Westminster, Richmond or Kingston
Hours: 10am to 4.30pm daily. Last admission at 3.30pm, last entry to the maze at 3.45pm
Admission: £13.30 (adults), £6.65 (children). Concessions available

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