Sights of London – 35 most interesting places
London attracts people with its unique architecture and beauty. The city of fogs is very popular among tourists from different parts of our planet. The Greenwich Meridian passes through the capital of Great Britain. Here you can be in two parts of the world in just a few minutes. Only in this city the bus causes a storm of emotions among tourists. After all, the red bus is already a symbol of Great Britain. Let's talk about the popular sights of London, what to see and where to go.
albert hall
The Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences is located in Westminster. He is quite famous all over the world. The structure is named after the late husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert. The Albert Hall has the shape of an ellipse. The red brick building is crowned with a glass dome on a metal frame, and on the facade of the concert hall, quotes from the Bible are laid out using mosaics. Inside the Albert Hall is made like an amphitheater. The building can accommodate up to 5500 thousand people. The second largest organ in the whole country is installed here.
The Albert Hall hosts art exhibitions, various events, sports competitions. But the building has gained its fame thanks to the numerous concerts of popular music groups. Since the beginning of the opening of the Albert Hall, there have been big problems with acoustics. However, over time, this issue was resolved with the help of special panels. They were fixed under the ceiling of the building.
The locals have already nicknamed the panels “flying saucers”. You can get to the Albert Hall by tube to South Kensington Station. Or by bus number 9, 10. It is simply impossible not to notice the building. Opening hours from 9 am to 9 pm daily. A ticket to the Albert Hall for adults costs about 13 euros, for children about 6 euros, a family ticket can be purchased for about 30 euros. The tour lasts 70 minutes.
Забронировать индивидуальный трансфер от аэропорта до вашего отеля за 4 918 RUB
Big Ben
The huge clock tower towering over the Thames is a symbol of the city. Many believe that it is she who is called “Big Ben”. However, in reality, Big Ben is a huge bell on a tower. In ancient times, bells were given names. So they called the symbol “Ben”, in honor of Benjamin Hall. They say that it was this man who supervised the installation of a huge bell.
Subsequently, the tower itself began to be called by this name. Although its real name is the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster. The height of the structure reaches 96.3 meters. The clock on it is the largest in the world. There are 4 dials that are rotated to 4 cardinal directions. Big Ben's clock is the most accurate in the world. The huge bell will get a crack. As a result, his sound became peculiar.
The tower looks majestic and beautiful. In the dark, it all glows especially gorgeous. Near the sights are always crowded. In addition, there is a busy traffic of cars. The situation worsens over the weekend. If you decide to visit this place, it is better to go on weekdays. You can get to Big Ben by subway to Westminster station.
Or by bus to the stop “Parliamentskaya Square”. Tourists are not allowed to climb the tower. Since it is part of the Westminster complex, which belongs to a public institution. Available only to British citizens. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.
British museum
This is a place of collection of works of art from ancient Greece, Rome, Ancient Egypt. It houses the work of masters from all over the world. Engravings, drawings, ethnography, coins and medals – all this can be seen in one of the largest museums in the world. The building has been under construction for 24 years. But during World War II, the museum was partially destroyed. Therefore, many exhibits were taken out of here. The restoration of the structure and the return of works of art took many more years. In museums, you can see wooden sarcophagi with animal mummies. Reliefs depicting scenes of battles and hunting evoke delight and grandeur.
Only in the British Museum (British Museum) there is an opportunity to see the sculptural portraits of the emperors Augustus and Hadrian. Fans of numismatics should definitely visit the coin room. And connoisseurs of painting will be happy to see here the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Durer, Raphael, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. You can get to the museum by underground to the stop “Tottenham Court Road” or “Holborn”. Or by bus in that direction. Opening hours from 10:00 to 17:30 every day.
On Friday, some departments are on duty until 20.30. The entrance is free. Russian-speaking guides work here. In the British Museum, Nights at the Museum are very popular. They come here 4 times a year. Each time a new theme is given. During such an excursion, it is possible to listen to interesting stories all night long. It is simply impossible to see all the exhibits at once. There is a cafe and a souvenir shop on the territory of the museum.
Westminster
The House of Parliament Westminster is famous all over the world. This is a huge and beautiful complex, which is located on the banks of the Thames. Its two famous towers, Big Ben and Victoria, stretch high into the sky. The building of impressive size is striking in its beauty. It feels the strength and power of Great Britain. Westminster was open only to British rule for many years.
Excursions to the Parliament House were allowed only in 2004. Visitors are allowed here during the parliamentary recess from August 7 to September 16, throughout the year on Saturdays. Inside the building you can see the royal gallery with paintings and sculptures, the royal wardrobe, the chamber for disputes. The main attraction of the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Hall.
You can get to Westminster by metro to the station of the same name. The tour is free. It starts when a group of 16 people is recruited. Visiting hours at Parliament House are from 10:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday. Saturday from 08.45 to 16.45. To avoid queues, you can book tickets online in advance.
London Pass: Free admission to 60 attractions – £69
Harry Potter: Drive and Warner Brothers Studio Tour – £77
Harry Potter: Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Pickup – £83
Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour – £32
Windsor Castle Entry Ticket – £21.20
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Museum of the most famous Sir Mr. Sherlock Holmes (The Sherlock Holmes Museum) is located at 221B Baker Street in Westminster County. It is located in the most ordinary 4-storey building. From afar, the museum is not noticeable, it can be recognized only by the sign and the queues of tourists. At the bottom of the house-museum is a gift shop. Above is the sitting room and bedroom of the sir himself.
On the third floor are the rooms of the mistress of the house, Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson. On the top floor there is an exhibition of wax figures. It consists of numerous detective heroes. Here you can meet Professor Mariarti himself, Irene Adler, the Baskerville dog or a corpse on the floor. There is a bathroom in the attic. Photography is allowed in the museum.
Visitors are happy to pose against the backdrop of their favorite character's home. Here you are allowed to sit in armchairs by the fireplace. And on a special table, props are always ready: Sherlock's cap, pipe and magnifying glass. You can get to the museum by subway to the Baker Street station. Just a few minutes walk to it. The museum is open every day except Christmas holidays.
It is better to go here on a tour in the morning. There are many who want to see Sherlock Holmes' house. With a large crowd of people, moving around the museum is quite difficult. And photographing anything is even more difficult. Opening hours from 9.30 to 18.00 hours.
Piccadilly Street
Piccadilly is the most famous street. It is located in one of the oldest districts of the city – Westminster. The street is always quite busy, it is full of people, tourists and residents of the capital. Piccadilly was named after tailor Robert Baker. He made his fortune tailoring piccadilly collars. Baker purchased a piece of land in the area and built a house called Piccadilly Hall. As a result, the streets were built up with rich mansions of wealthy people. Such houses became known as “Piccadilly”. Here and today there are many houses-clubs, the entrance to which is forbidden to ordinary people.
Everyone who got to the capital of Great Britain should take a walk along Piccadilly. The street is huge, clean, with incredibly beautiful houses and shops. Especially beautiful here in the evening. When the city lights up, Piccadilly's mansions blaze with colorful lights. And boutiques cannot but attract attention. Shop windows are carefully designed here. Each little thing, jar, casket attracts special attention. The eponymous square in Piccadilly is one of the favorite meeting places of the British. Here very often they make appointments or just friendly meetings.
The well-known cafe “Royal” is located on the street. Creative people like to meet here: artists, writers, poets. Getting to Piccadilly is easy. Transport interchange here is one of the best in the world. Several major roads lead to it. The fastest way to get to the famous street is by subway to Picadilly Circus or Green Park stations.
City area
The City of London is another of the most ancient areas. It is located in the heart of the capital of England. The area has an amazing status, it is not subject to royal authority. The head of the City is its mayor. And, if someone from the royal authority decides to come to this area, they can do this only with the permission of the head of the City. It has its own rules and laws.
The City is officially the smallest county in the UK. The boundaries of the district are separated by special columns. The population of the City is also the smallest, about 10,000 people. The area was founded by the Romans about 2000 years ago. At that time Great Britain was still part of the Roman Empire. Many streets of the City follow the roads that were laid by the ancient Romans.
There are a lot of historical monuments in the area. Here are the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Exchange, Leadenhall Market. Old buildings in the City alternate with new buildings. Infrastructure development has not stopped here. There are many office towers in the area: Heron, Lloyd's, Mary-Ex 30, Walkie-Talkie, Tower 42. The largest complex of the capital, the Barbican Center, was built here. The architecture of the City is an incredible mixture of all ages and styles.
It is definitely worth visiting this area. Visiting the attraction on weekends or in the evening does not make any sense. It may happen that you are alone on the whole street. The area is beautiful when there is a lot of work around. However, during peak hours, the metro suffers from a large number of people. So choose your time of visit carefully. It is convenient to get to the area by metro. There are quite a few stations: Barbican, Tower Hill, Liverpool, Mansion House.
Tower
The Tower of London is located on the north bank of the Thames. It is considered the best-preserved building in Europe. Over the entire long history of the Tower, for all the years they could not be taken by storm. The thickness of its walls reaches 4.5 meters. The castle has a difficult history. The complex was inhabited by royalty. Noble and rich people were also imprisoned here. The Tower was both a home and a prison at the same time. It keeps traces of human tragedies and deaths.
The Tower is surrounded by myths and legends that are already difficult to distinguish from the real history of the castle. A black crow is considered a symbol of misfortune and misfortune of the complex. According to legend, he appears on the territory of the complex before any tragedy. The castle leads in the number of ghosts living in it. The British claim that the ghosts of royalty who have met death live here on the territory of the complex.
Tower fascinates and intimidates at the same time. A huge castle, which repulsed many enemies, rises above the Thames. It is especially beautiful at sunset. Roads on the territory of the complex are made of stone blocks. Therefore, you should take care of comfortable shoes. There are many tourists in the Tower. Those who have a london pass are skipped out of the queue. So, it is better to buy tickets in advance.
You can get to the castle by metro to Tower Hill station or by bus number 15, 42, 78, 100.
Ticket to the Tower of London and the exhibition of royal treasures – £ 26.80
Tower Bridge
Another symbol of England, strict and beautiful at the same time, is the famous Tower Bridge. It captivates visitors at first sight with its impressive size and stunning architecture. The bridge was built in the 19th century when London became an imposing commercial and industrial center. Two Gothic towers of the building, as well as possible, convey the whole English spirit.
The bridge is in harmony with the nearby Tower. It becomes its continuation. Inside the bridge, between the towers is a museum. Previously, it was a pedestrian zone, but later it was closed due to the increased cases of thefts in such a deserted place. The towers can be reached by stairs or an elevator. The lifting mechanism can also be seen. He is huge.
You can take pictures on the bridge. But metal structures and glass greatly hinder this. Therefore, most knowledgeable tourists do not climb the towers. Beautiful landscapes can also be seen from other bridges. In the gallery of the building there is an exposition of photographs with various bridges of the world. There is also information about them here.
Tower Bridge is in the center, next to Tower Castle. Tower Hill metro stop or bus number 42, 100, 15, 78.
Globus theatre
The Globe is the very first theater in the capital of Great Britain. It was erected on the site where its predecessor used to be. At the beginning of its history, the Globe was only a small area in the form of a circle, surrounded by a fence. This building burned down completely. And the authorities erected a house in its place. The new theater building was built a few meters from the old one. It was opened in 1997. The architects tried to make the theater as close as possible to the very first building.
Inside there are three tiers of balconies with seating. Near the stage, you can enjoy the performances only while standing. The way the performances were watched in the old days by poor people who did not have money for sitting tickets. Microphones and spotlights in the Globe are fundamentally not used. To create an atmosphere similar to the one that reigned in the ancient theater.
Globe (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre) works only in the warm season. The roof of the theater is partially equipped. Most of the building is outdoors. During the cold season, the theater serves to train young actors. The main repertoire of the theater is the works of William Shakespeare. There are also other performances. Globe performances are always chic and in demand. Delightful costumes, the absence of spotlights and microphones take the viewer to the era of Shakespeare and ancient Great Britain.
You can buy tickets online or buy in advance. Despite the fact that the Globe does not work in winter, excursions to it are still carried out. You can get to the Globe by taking the subway to the Cannon or Mansion House stop.
Theater Royal Covent Garden
Covent Garden is considered the largest opera house in the UK. It got its name in honor of the square on which the theater was built. In 1808 the building burned down. But in just 9 months it was restored. To return the money spent on repairs, the authorities raised the price of tickets. However, after a 2-month public boycott and performance disruptions, they gave up and were forced to lower prices to the old level. Once again, a fire in 1986 destroyed Covent Garden for the second time. In this case, the recovery took about two years.
Excursions to Covent Garden (Covent Garden) two. The first is called “Behind the scenes of the theater.” She acquaints tourists with the everyday life of actors and preparations for new works. The second tour is called Velvet, Gilding and Glamour. It introduces travelers to the architecture and history of the building. You can get to Covent Garden by bus 9, 13, 15, 23, 139 and 153. Or take the Underground to Covent Garden Station.
Trafalgar Square
The main square of the capital of Great Britain – Trafalgar Square – gathers residents of the city for all the big holidays of the country. It is named after the Trafalgar victory by Admiral Horatio Nelson. The monument to the admiral is located in the center of the square, surrounded by 6-meter lions. Each animal is a symbol of Nelson's victories in battles. Also here you can see the monument to Charles I.
From it, the British count the distances. The monument is located in the central point of the capital. There are 4 pedestals at the 4 corners of the square. On the tops of 3 of them are monuments to George IV, General Napier and Henry Havelock. Surprisingly, pedestal 4 was empty until 2005. After it was replaced by various sculptures, including living ones.
Until in 2010, a model of the Victoria ship was installed on the pedestal, where Admiral Nelson died heroically. Pigeons were one of the symbols of the square. Over the years, thousands of birds have lived on it. Until in 2007 the authorities forbade feeding them. Now there are almost no pigeons. The square is located in the center of the capital at the intersection of three streets: Mall, Strand and Whitehall. You can get to it by bus number 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24 and many others. By metro you can get to the stations “Charing Cross”, “Embankment”.
Abbey Route
Abbey Route can be called “the street where dreams come true.” This place is loved by young people and creative people. The British gave her a second name, which sounds like “The home of love and art.” Fans of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Duran Duran come here to see the place where their idols recorded their songs. Abbey Route is home to Amy Recording Studios, a world-famous recording studio.
The most popular place on the street is the intersection, the image of which was captured on the latest The Beatles disc. All tourists take pictures here. Even drivers are sympathetic to this, giving way. The zebra in this place is the only one in the world that has a webcam with live broadcast to the Internet.
The building at the intersection of Abbey Road and Grove End Road is an unofficial monument to the Beatles. Here you can see a sign with the inscription: “Abbey Road NW8 City of Westminster”. It was often stolen by the band's fans. Therefore, the sign had to be tightly mounted into the building at a sufficiently high height. The building near the inscription is painted every three months, but the Beatles graffiti appears again and again. You can get to Abbey Route by subway to St. John's Wood. Nearby there is a bus stop – “Abbey Road Grove End Road”.
Westminster Abbey
The world famous monastery – Westminster abbey – is the main shrine of Great Britain. It is located next to the Palace of Westminster. It is here that the royal people of Great Britain are crowned, married and buried. This is a very large and beautiful building, made in the form of a Latin cross. The monastery has two large towers and a huge variety of carved arches.
The rich interior is decorated with wonderful stained-glass windows. Here you can see the magnificent frescoes of the 12th century. The floor of the abbey impresses with its wonderful mosaic. Inside the monastery is more like a tomb. There are more than three thousand tombstones here. Among them, the tombs of kings, monarchs and great people of the kingdom. Charles Dickens, Isaiah Newton, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Robert Burns found their rest in the abbey.
In the monastery there is a coronation throne, which is called the “Stone of Destiny”. Brass music concerts are often held in the abbey. Photographs and filming are not allowed inside the cathedral. Deciding to visit the cathedral, you need to take care of your clothes. You will not be allowed in shorts and short skirts. The abbey also has a rule that advises against bringing preschool children to avoid unnecessary noise. The monastery is located in the center of Westminster.
You can get to it by tube to Westminster or St. James's Park.
Entrance ticket to Westminster Abbey and audio guide – £20
Buckingham Palace
This palace differs from hundreds of similar monuments in that it is still a functioning royal residence. The palace was originally owned by the Duke of Buckingham, who later sold it to George III. Construction and decoration stretched out for almost a century – and the ballroom was completely finished only by the middle of the nineteenth century. Over the past years, the interiors of the palace have changed scenery more than once, only luxury has remained unchanged.
Not only the palace itself is an attraction, but also the traditions that “surround” it. For example, the changing of the guard, which is perhaps the most recognizable ceremony in the world. Visiting the palace is possible starting from 09.30. But closing times vary. This usually happens around 6pm.
Entrance ticket to the royal stables – £11
Kensington Palace
This is the most modest and comfortable of the modern royal residences in England. Today it belongs to the Prince and Princess of Cambridge. It is noteworthy that the mistresses of the palace are always women. Moreover, women who changed history. Once it was under its vaults that Queen Victoria was born, and a little later, the echo of Princess Diana's footsteps began to spread through the spacious halls. But behind the seemingly inconspicuous facade hides paintings, unique interior items and historical halls. Pay special attention to the tapestries and paintings on the ceilings and walls.
In the center of the palace, in the middle of the revived history, there is a stunning installation, which is rightfully considered a real miracle of scientific and technical thought. Of course, we are talking about Shining Lace – a light installation, for the creation of which not only 12 thousand Swarovski crystals were spent, but also 4 kilometers of luminous wire.
St Paul's Cathedral
The highest point and concurrently the largest Anglican church in Europe is the official residence of the local bishop. The building that you can see today is the fifth variation on a similar theme – the previous three were destroyed during fires, and the fourth was completely looted by the Vikings. The dome of the cathedral is something that you simply cannot help but pay attention to. In the original plan, it was not there, and therefore the designers needed all their ingenuity to organically weave an exact copy of the dome of the main basilica of Rome into the project.
St. Paul's Cathedral opens its doors to tourists at half past nine in the morning, and closes at half past five. On Sundays, the cathedral is open only to parishioners.
St. Paul's Cathedral: Fast Track Ticket – £20
Oxford Street
Welcome to the busiest shopping street in Europe! Sooner or later, any guest is thrown into its orbit, which, however, is not surprising – it is here that several extremely popular tourist routes pass, and the local pricing policy is such that a middle-class person will leave here with a thousand rustling packages, but without significant damage to his budget. This area appeared on the map of the city in the sixteenth century, when a section of the old Roman road began to be built up with cheap houses.
This is how urban slums appeared, which at first were the venue for public executions, and then (after the introduction of a corresponding ban) the center of the trading life of middle-class craftsmen. Today there are more than 300 shops here. Don't try to look into everything – local policy is to put things at the door that best reflect this establishment.
Therefore, you can immediately understand whether this place is suitable for you or you can safely move on. Oxford Circus, Marble Arch and Bond Street – these underground stations all go to Oxford Street and they are all literally crowded. Be especially careful when walking along Oxford Street – this street breaks all records for petty theft.
Charles Dickens House Museum
To date, this is the last of the surviving houses where Charles and Catherine Dickens lived. At first glance, it becomes clear that this house is a stronghold of Victorian England – its spirit, the life of the old school. The restorers did a great job of conveying the mood of a lived-in, warm nineteenth-century house with a cute living room, a long dining table, a magnificent canopied bed, and a variety of kitchen utensils.
There is also a writer's office with his personal belongings. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. This schedule is maintained throughout the year, except in December, when the museum is open seven days a week.
Soho area
In Soho, you can meet a contingent of completely different kinds: from students to the marginalized. This area lives up to its reputation as the liveliest place. His appearance is associated with Henry VIII, a fan of women and hunting. It is believed that the name came from the hunting call “So-ho”. The atmosphere of the area has developed historically – Soho has always been a kind of buffer zone between the aristocratic quarters and the rabble quarters, and therefore mainly immigrants, people of creative professions and marginals settled here.
Today there are very few residential houses, and finding these inconspicuous courtyards is quite difficult. Basically, clubs, bars and sex shops are concentrated here. Soho is lively at any time of the day or night, so if at four in the morning you decide that the party is not over yet, feel free to head here. Soho is also worth a visit for gourmets – here you can find the most colorful set of cuisines and restaurants in the world at fairly liberal prices.
Mary X skyscraper
The forty-story, fully glazed Mary X skyscraper was named after the street on which it stands, but its official name is the gherkin, that is, “cucumber”. The inhabitants named it in a similar way because of the greenish tint of the glass and the corresponding shape. Against the backdrop of historic London, this skyscraper looks extremely futuristic. Innovative methods were used to create it. So, load-bearing structures made in the form of a grid were used, which made it possible to make the building more economical in terms of maintenance.
And the abundance of glass solved three problems at once: the problem of ventilation, heat preservation, as well as lighting – after all, the building is literally filled with light in the daytime. For the uniqueness of the project, the team of engineers received a number of prestigious European awards. The entrance to the tower is not open every day, but if you are lucky, the entrance to the observation deck is free. Cafes and restaurants are located on the last three floors.
Leadenhall Market
The oldest market of Foggy Albion does not lose its relevance. Back in the days of Londinium, as the Romans called it, there were shopping areas here, and Leadenhall Market itself appeared on the city map in the fourteenth century to quickly become one of the fastest growing retail outlets. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, its importance could no longer be denied, and the city authorities announced a competition. The winner got the opportunity to bring to life their design for a building for Leadenhall.
As a result, we got a huge shopping pavilion with long galleries and a glass roof decorated with hundreds of details. If you experience a vague feeling of deja vu, being under the shadow of the glass vaults, know that this feeling was quite justified – this is where the “magic” London was filmed in the first part of the Harry Potter saga.
Skyscraper Shard
Shard has become one of the newest architectural landmarks of the capital. The construction of this glass pyramid was timed to coincide with the start of the 2012 Olympic Games. “Shard of Glass” fully justifies its name – thousands of glass panels sparkle in the sun. As a rule, tourists can enter the skyscraper building from 10 am to 6 pm from Sunday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 10 pm on other days, but such working hours are unstable.
It all depends on whether any events will be held, and therefore, before visiting the skyscraper, check the working hours for the current day. The full cost of the visit (for one day) is 32 £. You can go up to the observation deck (from the 68th to the 72nd floors) and use the bar for free. If it is too cloudy at the time of your visit and this prevents you from enjoying the view, you will be entitled to claim your money back.
View from the Shard skyscraper – entrance ticket and champagne – £22.37
London National Gallery
One of the largest art galleries in the capital looks somewhat more modest than the same Louvre, but it is more structured. Paintings from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries are exhibited here, with representatives of schools exclusively in Western Europe being in focus. The gallery was opened at the beginning of the nineteenth century and has already managed to change its location.
The last move was forced – there were more and more paintings, and it was necessary to start the construction of a new building. Soon, at the northern end of Trafalgar Square, the Wilkins-authored building, known to everyone today, appeared. More than two thousand exhibits have been collected in the halls, and therefore it will be almost impossible to get around everything in a day.
It's better to decide right away whether you want to get to know Van Dyck, one of the titans of English classical painting, or you are interested in Van Gogh’s paintings. If you wish, you can listen to audio lectures or ask the staff for more information.
Madame Tussauds museum
Marie Tussauds was able to brilliantly put into practice the knowledge she received while her mother worked as a housekeeper for Philip Curtis, a recognized master of the wax figure. At first, Tussauds traveled with her silent companions through the cities, and then decided to settle in London. She originally opened her museum on Baker Street, but then moved it to Marylebone Street, where it is today. Since its opening, the museum has not changed its concept.
Rising stars of our time appear in collections immediately, but also quickly disappear if the glory of the real prototype begins to fade. The Liverpool Four, Star Wars characters, Benedict Cumberbatch and Marilyn Monroe sit comfortably alongside politicians and kings. Modern technologies make the figures a little more alive. So, Jennifer Lopez blushes charmingly.
Ticket to Madame Tussauds – £34.23
London Dungeon
This is a historical museum, which is located deep underground. Medieval instruments of torture are collected here, which continue to evoke horror. The museum opened at the end of the twentieth century. The first batch of the most terrifying people and non-humans in history made a lasting impression on the public. Since then, little has changed – thanks to the improvement of the technical base, the museum continues to make its guests tremble with fear.
In addition to torture instruments, the modern exposition includes “live performances”. You will be able to see with your own eyes how ugly and unsightly some of the realities of medieval London were: the fire of 1666, the plague, wars. And you will find yourself in the very epicenter of events.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm. Tours start at 11am on Thursdays. On Saturdays the last tour starts at 6 pm and on Sundays at 5 pm.
Tate British Gallery
The gallery was based on the personal collections of Sir Henry Tate, who owned one of the world's largest collections of examples of English art from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. It is noteworthy that the opening of the gallery became possible only due to the fact that Henry Tate is the creator of cotton candy, and the expected popularity of this delicacy made him a very wealthy person.
Gradually, the collections grew so much that it became necessary to separate them: works of the classical period remained in the old premises on Trafalgar Square, while objects of modern art moved to the new premises on the banks of the Thames.
Today, the old power plant, which houses the galleries, has become a cult tourist destination. Entrance to the gallery is free. Tickets are only required for special exhibitions. From Sunday to Thursday the gallery is open from 10 am to 10 pm. Fridays and Saturdays – until 18.00.
Hyde Park
This park usually has a rather lively atmosphere. Everyone is well aware of such a national British trait as restraint, and they have probably heard the expression “hard upper lip” at least once. The faces of these people will not flinch, no matter what happens! This does not apply to two things – football and Hyde Park. As you know, English fans are among the most furious in the world, and as for Hyde Park, there is the so-called Speakers' Corner, where anyone can climb the podium and speak on any topic.
There are only three prohibitions: microphones, calls for violence and obscene language. Therefore, do not deny yourself the pleasure of joining the flow of sincerity. The park itself has the appearance of a typical, slightly careless English park – imposing and picturesque. No French symmetry – only calmness and relative riot of nature.
Serpentine Lake is located in the very center of the park – people often walk barefoot on its shore, and swimming is not forbidden in the lake itself. Nearby is a small contemporary art gallery of the same name. The park is open daily from 5 am to midnight.
Ferris wheel “London Eye”
The London Eye (or the Millennium Wheel) was built in time for the millennium celebrations. By the time construction was completed, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, however, today this status has passed to a similar structure, but already in Singapore. There are a total of 32 transparent cabins in the Ferris wheel, each of which can accommodate up to 25 people at the same time.
You can also choose a cabin for two and enjoy a kind of romantic walk. The opening times of the London Eye vary quite a lot throughout the year, but it usually opens at 10am and closes between 6:30 and 9:30pm.
Thames river
The Thames is not just another river. English monarchs built their palaces on its banks in order to get home faster. It was this waterway that made London one of the largest port cities in Europe. The Thames has been a source of inspiration more than once. So, the amazing impressionist Claude Monet created a whole series of landscapes on a similar theme. The English painter William Turner did not lag behind him. It was along the Thames that three well-known people traveled with their dog, and Dickens' heroes often walked along its banks.
It's time for you to enjoy the beauty of this glorious river. Buy a ticket on one of the ferries that ply the water stream and try to feel the majestic article of the bridges (Tower, London, Waterloo and others), take a look at the most striking sights from a different angle: the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, St. Paul's Cathedral and many more other.
Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich – £12
St. Pancras station
After restoration in 2007, the Sant Parnas station, located right in the city center, quite confidently began to compete with other attractions that claimed the title of the most romantic place in the city. The building in which the station is located was built back in the Victorian era and has fully retained its charm.
This is a kind of “matryoshka”, because the station itself is located in an arched landing stage, and a neo-Gothic building was built around it, in which the hotel was located. True, today under the arches of the station from the nineteenth century there is no trace left – only naked modernity. There are trains to the mainland from St. Parnasse Station.
Today, it takes about two hours to get from Paris to London. King's Cross (famous among fans of the Harry Potter universe) and St. Parnassus are combined thanks to the presence of an underground station, in whose name the names of the stations are organically combined.
Wembley Stadium
Wembley is one of the largest sports grounds in the world. It was built on the site of a truly legendary 1923 arena. However, the new stadium turned out to be a worthy receiver – it impresses with its size and level of technical equipment. Even on the outskirts of the stadium, an elegant arch, which is a carrier, catches the eye. It supports the roof, which “opens” with three petals. Even if you are not a fan of football, you will not be indifferent.
In addition, Wembley has repeatedly become a stage for world-famous stars. Today, tours of the stadium are held especially for guests. The cost of a basic ticket is £19. The tour schedule is flexible. It depends not only on the type of ticket you have purchased, but also on current events. On average, tours start at 10 am. The last tour, as a rule, finds its audience by 2 pm.
Harrods department store
The most fashionable department store, unfortunately, is beyond the reach of most guests, but a walk through it is quite comparable to going to a museum, because the luxury and aristocracy, which the interior literally screams about, are reminiscent of the decoration of royal residences. However, this is not far from the truth. Since the first third of the nineteenth century, Oscar Wilde, Princess Diana, Sigmund Freud, Elton John, Madonna and others have been regular customers of this department store.
However, in Harrods there is something besides design and brands – shows, festivals and cooking shows are regularly held here. Be sure to look here at Christmas – the extravaganza of the action taking place here is difficult to compare with anything else. The department store is open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days except Sunday. On Sundays it opens at half past 12 and closes at 6 pm.
Flea market in Portobello
Portobello Road is considered one of the most popular market streets in the world. It crosses the Notting Hill quarter horizontally, which means that more than three kilometers of open stalls, shops, tents and just street vendors await its guests. But this is not how he managed to win his name. The real Portobello begins on Saturday, when sellers and connoisseurs of antiques gather here.
The local antiques market is the largest in the world. It is noteworthy that three centuries ago there was a farm on this site, which bore the very poetic name of Portobello, which symbolized the victory over the Spanish city of the same name.
In the Victorian era, this site was built up with small houses – blue, red, lilac – and the urban landscape gradually began to take shape. Today you can wander around the market for hours. Here you can find everything from faded tickets for the Rolling Stones concerts to Meissen porcelain.
Brick Lane Flea Market
Shopping fans often ignore the presence of truly colorful street markets that dictate their fashion trends. And Brick Lane Market is one of them. The street where the market is located is part of the Bangladeshi community, which was once the Jewish ghetto. Such historical realities left their mark on the appearance of this place.
People come here for two things: curry and conceptual fashion. The local array of restaurants that serve this dish will amaze you. As for fashion, you can find everything here: from vintage clothes of expensive brands (which for some reason are sold by the Japanese) to vintage Art Deco magazines and everything related to high art. Photographers and artists often appear here, finding inspiration in the chaos and variegation of colors of this market.