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Places to See
Famous Tourist Attractions The London Eye is a must for any visitor. And any Londoner, for that matter. It's busy, but very well organised and waiting times are really not that bad. It is well worth the wait though, you get spectacular views over some of the most famous landmarks in the city and you also get a sense of how huge a city it is. The urban sprawl extends as far as you can see, which on a sunny day is many many miles. They're changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Yes, they really do do that, and it's a free show too. And during August and September you can buy tickets for the Palace for a tour as well. Museums and Art Galleries Note: Most publicly-funded museums and galleries have free admission, although they all feature boxes for voluntary donations. The Tate Modern is housed in a former power station on the South Bank, on the opposite side from St Paul's Cathedral. There is a changing cycle of exhibits, including some that make good use of the huge turbine hall. On permanent display are many modern art works in all media. The British Museum was founded in 1753 and spans two million years of human history. There are seven million objects in its collection. Not surprisingly, there are more than five million visitors a year to see such landmark artifacts as the Rosetta Stone which enabled Egyptologists to decode hieroglyphics for the first time. Cultural Venues The Globe Theatre is just a short way from the Tate Modern gallery. A distinctive circular building of timber with a thatched roof, it is a faithful reconstruction of the original theatre in which William Shakespeare staged many of his plays. These are frequently staged today with much emphasis on authenticity, and the theatre's Shakespeare exhibition is the world's largest. Places to Eat Wolfe's Bar and Grill, on Great Queen Street near Covent Garden, is an excellent venue for a pre-theatre meal, or just about any other meal. The food is always superb and the prices are very attractive. The Oyster Bar at Bibendum, on Fulham Road, is a real treat. It is a tiny bar on the ground floor below the famous restaurant, but is a culinary experience in its own right. Benito's, in Kensington is a family-run Italian restaurant with all the traditional menu items served in the friendliest environment you could wish for. The taragon chicken is to die for. Places to Stay London is, regrettably, one of the most expensive cities in the world to say in. That said, there are some fabulous bargains to be had if you shop around carefully. Luxury Hotel The Beaufort Hotel in the very quiet Beaufort Gardens was one of the first to define the Town House hotel concept, and has recently been refurbished to a very high standard. It is well located just a street away from Harrods, and very convenient for the up-market shopping areas of Chelsea and Kensington. There is a no-tipping policy, a free and well-stocked bar with champagne, and breakfast delivered to your room every morning. Around the hotel, in the rooms and common areas, are original works from the largest privately held collection of English watercolour paintings. This is a wonderful hotel to use as a base and to sample a refined version of top quality accommodation. Mid-Range Hotel The Amsterdam Hotel is very well situated in Earls' Court, less than one minute's walk from the underground line whisking you into the heart of London or straight from Heathrow airport. Every room is individually styled and decorated to a very high standard, and service is par excellance. |
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