This city is home to countless historical and modern attractions, there’s no better place to soak up some culture. There’s no shortage of things to do in London, make sure you know what’s on, what’s new and what’s good. Plan your visit well and simply enjoy yourself!
There are many ways of sightseeing. You can walk around, travel by bus or the tube even spend money on taxis, but there are places you should see and things you should do in London.
Take your pick from ten most popular sites in London.
The impressive Tate Modern is Britain’s national museum of modern art. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the River Thames, the gallery displays major works by Matisse and Picasso as well as contemporary work, exhibitions and installations.
The imposing British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times with collections drawn from all around the world. Famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon and the Portland Vase.
The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world. With paintings ranging from 1250 to 1900, the collection includes work by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Cézanne and van Gogh.
As well as the permanent dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. Don’t miss the life-sized model of the Blue Whale, the 40 million year old spider, the earthquake simulator and an elephant bird egg.
The BA London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It is the world’s highest observation wheel and offers passengers spectacular views of over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes.
See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years at the largest Science Museum of its kind in the world. With over 40 galleries and 2000 hands-on exhibits, step into the future in the Welcome Wing, visit the IMAX cinema and virtual reality simulator.
The Victoria & Albert Museum celebrates all things art and design, and is home to 3000 years worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world’s richest cultures. See their amazing collection of ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.
The National Portrait Gallery features portraits in all mediums depicting well known British people. In addition to historical portraits, it exhibits a rapidly changing collection of contemporary work with exhibitions by individual artists, and hosts the annual BP Portrait Prize competition.
Improve your vocabulary!
sightseeing – zwiedzanie
display – wystawiać, wyświetlać
earthquake simulator – symulator trzęsienia ziemi
include – zawierać
reasonable – sensowny
contemporary – współczesny
pilgrimage – pielgrzymka
cosy – wygodny, przytulny
Never leave London before you…
Eat a curry at Rasta
Which is a chain of intimate, and very pink, award winning vegetarian restaurants serving south Indian cuisine at reasonable prices.
Read a page turner at Foyles Bookshop
Five floors of books, a café, evening events, student discounts and a specialist jazz music shop.
Buy vintage clothes at Portobello Market
Join the fashionistas on their pilgrimage every Friday. You’ll find the best buys in the covered area at the West Way.
Buy a record at Rough Trade
A muso’s paradise, walk into this shop and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of High Fidelity.
Sample gastropub cuisine at The Lansdowne
Known for serving posh pub grub to the beautiful Primrose Hill set, the staff are cool and hip and the food is tasty.
Chill out in the Pub on the Park
Chill out, catch some rays, play a game of boules and enjoy one of the best pub gardens.
Drink Afternoon Tea
Relax and refresh yourself with tea, coffee, sandwiches, pastries and cakes, in elegant or cosy surroundings.