Overview

The theatre capital of the world, London is anything but boring. Here, commemorative blue plaques mark the houses of famous residents.

Attractions

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

The Tower of London was built almost 900 years ago at the request of William the Conqueror. Originally a royal palace, it is now primarily known as a testament to cruelty, having served as a prison and place of torture and execution.

Erected in the Victorian era, the Tower Bridge represented a remarkable feat of engineering in its time. It was first built to ease maritime traffic on the Thames and promote the development of London's east end.

The new Tate Gallery of Modern Art opened its doors in May 2000. It occupies a former hydroelectric power station.The City Central London's financial district, the City covers 2.5 km² (1 sq mi) and encompasses no less than 52 churches.

The Monument, the world's tallest stone column, was erected to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666. Its height of 62 m (202 feet) represents its exact distance from the bakery where the Great Fire of London broke out.

St. Paul's Cathedral is the masterpiece of Christopher Wren, who also designed the Monument. The cathedral is also the burial place of more than 200 British notables.Knightsbridge and Kensington Knightsbridge and Kensington are affluent residential districts graced with a mix of Georgian and Victorian architecture. But they are also home to scores of embassies and consulates, major museums as well as a royal palace, among other things.

The Victoria & Albert Museum is the largest and among the richest museums of decorative arts in the world. It houses the greatest collection of Indian and Southeast Asian art in the West.

Inaugurated in 1881, the Natural History Museum occupies a Romanesque-style building. Explored here are the mysteries of life in all its forms and the evolution of the planet.

The Science Museum is most interesting and comprehensive. It features over 10,000 objects displayed over five floors as well as more than 1,000 hands-on exhibits.

Kensington Palace became one of the British monarchy's official London residences in 1689. Some of the palace's state apartments are open to the public.Westminster and Buckingham Palace Westminster is London's most-visited district. It is home to the most important religious, political and royal landmarks in the country.

At one end of the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, rises the 106 m (348 feet) clock tower often mistakenly referred to as Big Ben. Indeed, it is not the tower but the bell that chimes the hour that actually bears this name.

Westminster Abbey is definitely one of London's must-see attractions. The final resting place of famous historic figures, it has also hosted numerous royal weddings and, since 1066, the coronations of kings and queens. St. James's Park, the city's oldest royal park, offers an incredible view of Buckingham Palace, the British sovereigns' official London residence. The queen is in residence when the rooftop flag is raised.Other Places of Interest One of London's most famous landmarks, Piccadilly Circus is a hub of cinemas, shops, theatres, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. It is now a popular hangout for the city's young set.

North of Piccadilly Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue is London's theatre district par excellence. Indeed, this avenue alone includes six theatres.

Soho proves to be London's most cosmopolitan district. In fact, it is not only home to a large Chinatown, but is also a hot spot for the capital's gay community.

Leicester Square is entirely reserved for pedestrians. Laid out in 1670, it once boasted Isaac Newton as one of its residents.

In the National Portrait Gallery, all of Great Britain's key figures from the 14th century to the present day, including Shakespeare, are represented in the form of everything from paintings and drawings to sculpture and photography.

Trafalgar Square was laid out in the 1830s. Dominating the square is Nelson's Column, a monument to British naval hero Horatio Nelson.

On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery. Built between 1834 and 1838, it was London's first art gallery.

The Royal Opera House has a long-established reputation. The world's greatest opera singers have all performed here.Bloomsbury Bloomsbury can be described as London's literary district, having been home to a host of writers, including George Bernard Shaw and Charles Dickens.

The oldest museum on earth, the British Museum was founded in 1753. The hallowed institution's awesome collections of antiquities recount the history of humankind and the world's great civilizations, from the earliest times to the present day. The British Library houses millions of works from all over the world, including the Magna Carta of 1215. Luminaries such as Dickens, Marx, Lenin, Shaw and Gandhi have perused the venerable library's collection of books.

Russell Square is one of London's biggest plazas. On the east side stands the luxurious Russell Hotel.

Going Out

Hay's Galleria houses shops, cafés and restaurants, while Covent Garden Market abounds in street performers.

London is home to countless teashops, pubs and theatres. Located north of Piccadilly Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue is London's main theatre hub, with a total of six playhouses to its name. In the heart of Leicester Square, a kiosk offers avid theatre-goers half-price tickets for the best shows in town.

Where on earth