London Tourist Information

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With its dramatic and colourful history and quintessentially British traditions London is easily the most fascinating location for visitors to the UK.

With so much to do its fortunate that London is compact in nature, with major historical attractions, beautiful open spaces, world class shopping and an enviable nightlife, you will find yourself returning to London time and time again to indulge in new experiences.

The capital city is home to many ancient traditions: Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palaces, the annual Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade marking the Queen's official birthday, the State Opening of Parliament, the annual Lord Mayor's Show, the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. Many of these ceremonies and parades date back hundreds of years and form the fabric of the cities rich history.

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The Tower of London

Set against the backdrop of the spectacular River Thames the Tower of London has a grisly history as a palace, a prison and a place of execution. Take an extraordinary trip back in time to the Bloody Tower where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned, see where Anne Boleyn was beheaded on Tower Green or gaze in awe at the royal jewels. With regular re-enactments and ever changing exhibits the tower is one of London's most formidable spots, where thousands of years of history unfold before your very eyes.

The Palaces

Visitors to London are likely to make the pilgrimage to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. During the summer months the State Rooms (which are still used by the Royal Family on ceremonial occasions) of the palace are open to the public, along with 29 acres of palace gardens. Containing some of the world's most treasured pieces of art, and gifts given to the current Queen, the palace is a fascinating place to visit.

Those with a keen interest in politics will certainly wish to pay a visit to the Houses of Parliament. Also known also as the Palace of Westminster it was once the residence of Edward the Confessor. Travel by boat along the Thames to Hampton Court Palace, the oldest surviving Tudor palace in England and home to King Henry VIII and each of his six wives. Extension, redecoration and fires have changed Hampton Court over the years, resulting in an inspiring combination of Baroque and Tudor architecture. It is purported that Henry VIII's fifth wife Catherine Howard still haunts the palace since her execution for adultery, and the ghostly form of Jane Seymour, Henry's third wife who died after childbirth can be seen in the courtyard. Whilst at the palace visit the world famous hedge maze, stunning riverside gardens and vineyard.

Other palaces and castles of interest include Kensington Palace, birthplace of both Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, Kensington Palace with its incredible Rubens ceiling fresco, Eltham Palace with its 1930's Art Deco motif and Windsor Castle the burial site for 10 sovereigns.

The Museums and Galleries

With over 300 museums and galleries to choose from it's easy to immerse yourself in the capital's culture. The renowned British Museum houses over seven million objects, notably including sculptures from the Parthanon, the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone, it is also home to one of the finest collections of Egyptian archaeological finds.

Visitors will be captivated by the incredible German Romanesque architecture of the Natural History Museum, it first opened its doors to the public in 1881 and has been one of the landmark museums of London ever since. With a huge range of displays to choose from, you can be intimidated by the life-sized Blue whale or experience the effects of an earthquake. The museum also contains one of the most dramatic dinosaur exhibitions, with a huge mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex roaring as you leave the display! Dedicated to all things design, the Victoria and Albert Museum has over 145 galleries to explore. The museum was originally founded in 1852, and since then has been home to some of the most incredible design pieces from all over the world, from weaponry to apparel.

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich houses a collection of objects relating to the history of Britain at sea. The museum is set against the backdrop of the Thames, and offers fantastic views.

Visitors with a keen eye for art should head to the renowned National Gallery to see some of the finest examples of art the world has to offer. Highlights of your visit will certainly be the paintings by Constable, Monet, Botticelli, Van Gogh and Rembrant. The gallery offers free entry, talks, events and tours in order that the collection can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. The highly acclaimed Tate Britain is dedicated to displaying British Art from 1500 to the present day, it is also home to the Turner Prize, today's premier award in the art world. The Tate Modern is reputed to be the most popular art gallery in Europe, with its eccentric contemporary art rubbing shoulders with iconic artists such as Dali and Picasso. The gallery houses many temporary displays, and has gained a reputation for controversial pieces of art such as the cow in formaldehyde by Damian Hurst and works by Tracey Emin.

The Parks

Although London is such a bustling city, there are still many open green spaces in which to relax. Hyde Park, once the hunting ground of Henry VIII, covers 350 acres and boasts a huge lake. It's a wonderfully peaceful place to rest, and you will almost forget you are in the heart of the city. Another of Henry VIII's hunting parks, Regents Park covers 410 acres and boasts a beautiful rose garden and an open air theatre during the summer months. The park also has extensive sports facilities, and is a very popular spot for those visiting London Zoo to take a stroll.

At the very heart of London running alongside the Mall, lies St James Park, the backdrop for many of the traditional events and parades of London. Its wonderful lake is home to ducks, geese and pelicans and the park is a very popular venue with tourists visiting Buckingham Palace.

The Shops

A visit to London really wouldn't be complete without indulging in a little retail therapy, with some of the finest shops anywhere in the world, from designer boutiques to vintage thrift shops, there will be something to suit all tastes.

Head to Bond Street for big name designer wear, antique stores and jewelery. With over 300 shops and one mile from end to end Oxford Street is a mecca for the hardcore shopper, with diverse high street shops from Harvey Nichols to Primark! Undoubtedly the most famous shop in London is Harrods, which originally opened in 1849 as a small grocers shop. Today the store is vast, with a mind boggling range of products, and an incredible food hall, with delicacies from all over the world.

If you enjoy a slightly more eclectic shopping experience head to one of the many specialist markets; Covent Garden offers wonderful opportunities to purchase unique craft items and antiques. Those with a weakness for unusual apparel will adore Camden Market, with its tightly packed stalls selling anything from imported scarves to trainers, or if you're feeling peckish try Borough Street Market, London 's oldest food market.

The Food

The cuisine of London is varied, with all manner of food available from every country imaginable. If a taste of traditional London appeals to you stop at one of the many pie and mash shops dotted around the capital and sample the incredible "liquor" a wonderful creamy parsley sauce. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you may choose to sample jellied eels, a London delicacy, but certainly an acquired taste!