LONDON TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS

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Theatremonkey is often asked for ideas on attractions worth visiting in London. This is a quick rundown of some - old and new; together with a little general advice about listings magazines which detail the very best in restaurants, clubs and entertainments on offer in London.

For more details see either the specific web address given, www.visitlondon.com (the official London Tourist information site) or www.londonvisions.com. 
Specific information about visitor experiences in England can be found at
www.travel-library.com/europe/uk/england/, www.ukdiscovered.com, 
www.informationbritain.co.uk,
london.allinfo-about.com,
www.travelforkids.com,
www.travel-friend.co.uk, 
www.londoneats.com

London restaurants - reviews, special offers, venue hire and table booking ViewLondon.co.uk

For independent reviews of hotels, by the traveling public, try: www.realholidayreports.com. 

www.welovelocal.com - Find the best local businesses

www.goingunderground.net A fun & informative site about travelling on the London Underground

www.alondonguide.com  A guide to London, including tourist attractions, museums, galleries, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. With online hotel and theatre booking.

www.dolke.co.uk London attractions and sights guide for tourists

www.londonfreelist.com London Free List - free and nearly free events and attractions in London.

www.guideforeurope.com ,
www.squaremiletimes.co.uk,
www.theanglofiles.com,
www.london-now.info

www.thisislocallondon.co.uk. Aggregating over 2000 articles a week from 28 weekly newspapers, this is a rich source of local news, sport and information covering Greater London and the surrounding counties.

www.london.towntalk.co.uk Plan your itinerary here.

www.goin-london.com - Hotels in London. Accommodation in London hotels. Periodically updated special offers.

www.london-footprints.co.uk/wktheatresintro.htm  Lists an interesting route for a history filled walk around the theatre area of Southwark and the South Bank, with another www.london-footprints.co.uk/wktheatrebintro.htm covers the Blackfriars area.

London Tourists Guide.com - Tourist Guide for London London Tourists Guide.com offer informative information on all tourist activities within London.

www.photograph-london.com Photograph London for photos of London. From Big Ben to the Boat Race and from the Borough Markets to Blackfriars Bridge we've got London on film.

http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/  Accepts free business listings, consumer reviews of businesses and allows registered users to edit and add to business information

also see "links to attractions" on this site.

Daytime Attractions. 
Evening Attractions. 
General 'What IS On' / 'Listings' Magazines.

Daytime Attractions

Buckingham Palace: www.royal.gov.uk or www.the-royal-collection.org.uk/. Allow 1/2 a day or more.
Open Late July to Early October only. Telephone booking 020 7766 7314.
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Hampton Court Palace. www.hrp.org.uk. Hampton Court, South West London. Allow 3/4 of a day. 

This is where Henry VIII lived. The place is split into sections - Royal Apartments, Kitchens, Banquet Halls, etc. Each section has either a recorded guided tour (many languages available); or better still, a guide dressed in REAL replica period costume - even the underwear is genuine! These guides are so clever that they adapt the tour to the audience.    

The gardens are also attractive and it should be possible for you to lose your least favourite friend permanently in the maze.   

Only special advice is DO NOT take the river boat to the Palace. It takes a full day to get there and back. The train only takes 30 mins from the city centre!
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River Boat to Greenwich for the Cutty Sark, Meridian Line, Observatory Museum and Maritime Museum. Greenwich. www.greenwich.gov.uk/news/index_whatson.htm. For river boats www.visitlondon.com. Allow a full day. 

This is a classic river trip. The attractions at the end are all interesting, and the park is beautiful. Most enjoy the thrill of standing in both Eastern and Western hemispheres at once in the park. The Cutty Sark itself is closed to visitors as the area undergoes preservation and changes to the display that will preserve the ship. Sadly, a fire in May 2007 will prolong this closure past the original 2009 re-opening date.

The Greenwich Observation Wheel
21st June to 28th September 2008

The Greenwich Foundation and PWR Events Ltd are delighted to announce a new addition to the landscape of Greenwich for summer 2008 – an Observation Wheel that stands taller than Nelson’s Column! At 55 metres from the ground visitors will be able to take in panoramic views beyond St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London to the west, across the river and past Canary Wharf to the heights of Hampstead Heath, and east to the Olympic site in the Lea Valley. In the foreground, the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site will be laid out in a rare perspective.

The Wheel will be situated within the Old Royal Naval College in front of the Pepy’s Building Visitor Centre and will be open to the public from 21 June to 28 September 2008. The Wheel is a new attraction for Greenwich helping to boost the profile of the World Heritage Site and enhance the visitor experience at a time when the Cutty Sark remains closed for restoration, and Greenwich pier is under reconstruction. In addition to welcoming thousands of tourists, one thousand free rides will be offered to local schools.
 

Other boat trips down the Thames are also available and are entertaining. Also consider evening trips.
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Houses Of Parliament. www.parliament.uk/parliament/TOURS.HTM. Westminster. Allow 2 hours. Tickets may also be booked online at www.firstcalltickets.com 

See the House Of Commons and House Of Lords. Open Late July / Early August  to Late September Only.
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The London Eye www.british-airways.com/londoneye/. Westminster. Allow 1/2 hour for ride. 
The Theatremonkey Ticketshop also sells tickets for this attraction.

The ferris wheel with a view over the city. Just about the best new thing in London!  Generally closed in part of January and / or early February for annual maintenance - though it is always worth checking for changes. If you think the wheel is huge, just wait until you see the size of the hamster...

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Tickets may also be bought at all London Underground Stations and by telephone on 0870 756 7070.
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Tower Bridge Experience www.towerbridge.org.uk allow 2 hours. 

Climb up inside this famous bridge and follow a clever mixture of films, talking models and show displays explaining the history of the bridge and river, and how the bridge works. The view from the walkways is spectacular. It is often overlooked by visitors, but is worth a visit!
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St Pauls Cathedral www.stpauls.co.uk   Westminster Abbey www.westminster-abbey.org

Westminster Cathedral www.westminstercathedral.org.uk. Victoria.
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If you have read any Dickens, his house is a museum worth seeing!
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All the gruesome bits of London history brought to life in rides and waxworks in a damp space under a railway bridge.
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Covent Garden Plaza. Covent Garden. 

Look around the market stalls and small shops for fashion goods / junk / souvenirs. Watch the street entertainers, and watch out for your handbags and wallets as pickpockets work hard here. Also good in the evenings.
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Other operators include Stepping Out: www.walklon.ndirect.co.uk

London walkers with a theatrical bent might check out www.londontheatrewalks.com for an excellent guide book on the subject.

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A really good art collection and a space to enjoy. 

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Chessington World Of Adventures, Chessington, Surrey. www.chessington.com Full Day needed. 

A theme park full of terrifying rides. Very popular with teenage Londoners. It is to the south west of London, about one hour away by train from the city centre .  Top

Buy an 'all-day' ticket on one of the London sightseeing tour buses which circle the city most of the day and evening. All the companies follow similar routes. Pick one that has a recorded commentary in a language you know well to get the most from it. 
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Coach Tours from central London to destinations like Bath, Stonehenge etc may be found with www.framesrickards.co.uk, www.hallamandersontours.com  and other companies -see www.visitlondon.com

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Evening Attractions

Jack The Ripper walks. www.walks.com. Whitechapel, East London. Allow 2 hours. 

This early evening walking tour with a professional guide shows you the Whitechapel area of London, scene of 'Jack the Ripper's' 19th century murders. A good way to see a bit of London most people ignore. The area is a little unsafe without the guide, so do not try to do the trip alone. Top

The British Airways London Eye By Night www.british-airways.com/londoneye/
This is a big 'Ferris Wheel' on the banks of the river Thames. The 30 minute trip gives a very beautiful view of the city. From late May until September it stays open until to 10 pm. Book in advance if possible. Afterwards, try 'County Hall' nearby for the London Aquarium and eating places overlooking the river.

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River Trips www.visitlondon.com
Take a trip along the river at dusk. The 'Evening Dinner and Dance Cruise' was not rated highly by a certain Sunday Newspaper, so consider a different dining option perhaps?!
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London Evenings Coach Tours www.framesrickards.co.uk and other companies -see www.visitlondon.com

One tour is to a 'Henry VIII' banquet at Hatfield House outside London. A chance to see the place where Elizabeth I found out she was to be Queen.
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Covent Garden Plaza
This area of small shops, market stalls, street cafes, restaurants and bars, and street entertainers comes alive at night. A good and fairly safe place to be - just watch out for your wallet / purse in the crowds. Absorb a little London atmosphere.
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The Comedy Store, Coventry Street (near the Prince Of Wales Theatre)
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
The best place to see live British stand up comedy. Book in advance or arrive early to buy a ticket. Fair priced refreshments are available during the show. Improvisation nights are especially good.
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General 'What Is On' / 'Listings' Magazines

Time Out Magazine www.timeout.com
Buy this at any newspaper shop when you arrive. It lists all the nightclubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas etc, etc open during that week. Also check out the website. This is THE best guide to everything happening in London at
night. All Londoners know, use and trust this magazine for everything including restaurants and places to try for an evening.
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London Evening Standard www.thisislondon.com
The evening newspaper for London. Daily list of events and often money saving coupons. Best restaurant reviews in the city are published every Wednesday. Again, all Londoners know and trust this newspaper.
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