SIGHTS TO SEE:
BY BUS:
If you don't feel like splashing out on one of the commercial bus tours, you can make your own bus tour by buying a Travelcard and spending some time riding around London on the top deck of standard London Buses. Of course you don't get the open air or the commentary, but the views are very similar. You will likely get lost but that is half the fun; if it worries you go for the commercial tour. Alternatively make sure you are equipped with an integrated map of London's buses, trains and tube (available to purchase online prior to your visit) so that you can make the most of your travelcard by getting less unpleasantly lost and more pleasantly lost! Every day except December 25/26. £4.30 (offpeak adult); £5.30 (peak adult); £2.60 (children); peak means before 9:30AM.
BY FOOT:
Alternative to a bus tour -- use your feet. All the main sights you'll want to see can be reached in a long day of walking (12 hours or so). Sketch a copy of your guidebook map to stick in your pocket, have an early breakfast and be on your way. Magnificent on a sunny day, and even if the weather is awful, you're still in LONDON. Go on a Walking Tour - London Walks offers excellent guided walks (£6 full) for 2-3 hours of guided walks on a variety of themes. But buyer beware, there are a lot of impostor walking guides masquerading under the same name—make certain that you are getting the real deal! Phone: +44 020 7624 3978 . New London Tours also offer two free walking tours - Old City of London Free Tour and the Royal London Free Tour. Check the website for start location and times.
BY BOAT:
If you are in the mood for a view of London by sea, take advantage of the London Ducktours. Your tour 'bus' is actually a D-Day landing water/land vehicle that has been refurbished complete with tour guide.
FAMOUS SIGHTS & MUSEUMS:
London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. Even better, it is the only one of the three traditional "alpha world cities" (along with New York City and Paris) in which the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, thus allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease. Although the rest of London may be expensive, many of its best museums and galleries are free including both Tates, the National and National Portrait Galleries, the British Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and most things in Greenwich. Temporary exhibits do cost money, however. Audioguides are available at many of the major museums; many of these are free of charge, though there may be a suggested donation at the entrance. The 'green lungs' of London are the many parks, great and small, scattered throughout the city. Most of the larger parks have their origins in royal estates and hunting grounds and are still owned by the Crown, despite their public access. These royal parks are now policed by a division of the Metropolitan Police Service for London. It takes over from the Royal Parks Constabulary which policed Royal Parks prior to the Metropolitan Police.
- Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament) in Westminster. The seat of the British parliament and World Heritage site, as well as setting for royal coronations since 1066, most recently that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
- St James' Park
- Buckingham Palace - the official London residence of the Queen, one of several royal palaces in London. Open for tours during the summer months only, but a must-see sight even if you don't go in.
- Trafalgar Square - home of Nelson's Column and the lions, and once a safe haven for London's pigeons until the recent introduction of hired birds of prey. It recently attracted controversy over the 'Fourth plinth', previously empty, being temporarily home to a Marc Quin sculpture, 'Alison Lapper Pregnant'. Overlooked by the National Gallery, it's the nearest London has to a 'center', and has recently been pedestrianized.
- The London Eye is the world's largest observation wheel, situated on the South Bank of the Thames with magnificent views over London.
- Tower Bridge is the iconic 19th century bridge located by the Tower of London near the City. It is decorated with high towers and featuring a drawbridge and you can visit the engine rooms and a Tower Bridge exhibition.
- The Tower of London, situated just south east of the City, is London's original royal fortress by the Thames. It is over 900 years old, contains the Crown Jewels, is guarded by Beefeaters, and is a World Heritage site.
- St Paul's Cathedral, in the City, is Sir Christopher Wren's great accomplishment, built after the 1666 Great Fire of London - the great dome is still seated in majesty over The City. A section of the dome has such good acoustics that it forms a "Whispering Gallery."
THEATRE:
London Theatre - go and see a musical, play or comedy in London's Theatreland. The weekly Time Out magazine has listings for most plays, concerts, etc. London Theatre has a large variety of shows from fringe to Broadway-like musicals and productions. The West End district is where you'll find the last type, with famous imported Broadway shows and some very good local productions. You can find discounted tickets to these shows at the Half Price Ticket Booth (aka: TKTS) in the area, where reduced tickets are sold on a free seats basis.
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