What to see in London.
No better way to see London on a clear day or on a clear evening. The giant bicycle wheel provides an excellent viewpoint to look out over central and west London from 135m up in the air. One ' flight ' lasts 30mins and tickets can be ordered online to beat the queues. Admission from £13 adult. Open 10am-8pm (Oct-May) 10am-9pm (June-Sep).
The Summer Opening allows overseas tourists to visit the buildings and grounds of the home of the oldest democracy since antiquity. Parts of the original building built by Edward the Confessor have been destroyed by fire leaving the oldest part of the building, Westminster Hall, at 900yrs old. The 13 ton bell of St Stephen's tower is more affectionately known as Big Ben, ringing out it's distinctive tune since 1859. The Summer Opening is from August 1st until September 30th, admission £7. You can pre book your tickets by calling this number 0870 906 3773, or buy them on the day from the ticket office.
Construction began by Edward the Confessor in 1076 (possibly with something big to confess) on this huge Gothic style abbey. All the royals have been crowned on the Coronation Chair since that time, and quite a few have been interred in the crypt along with other notables such as Charles Dickens. Poets corner is dedicated to the likes of Chaucer, Tennyson, Kipling and Samuel Johnson. The Abbey museum is included in the admission price. Open all year round to the public except religious observances and Sundays, the usual opening times are 9.30am-3.45pm Tue-Sat, except Wednesdays, 9.30am-6pm. £10 per adult, £7 on production of valid student card. Audio guide £4.
How do you know if the Queen is at home? Look at the flag flying from the roof, the Royal Standard is white with the family crest in the centre and surrounded by the four state crests. They only fly the Union Jack when she is away. From 26 July until 24 September the general public is allowed to view 19 of the 654 rooms inside and part of the garden. There are around 6000 visitors a day during this period so the visits are timed in 15min intervals between 9.45am and 3.45pm. Tickets can be bought online or from the ticket office in Green Park. Changing of the Guard, daily 11.30am Apr-Jul, alternate days Aug-Mar.
Recently the north side of the square was pedestrianised making the square a popular place to hang out after visiting the National Gallery, either dipping your toes in the fountains, climbing on the lions at Nelsons feet or chasing the pigeons. The 56m high column commemorates Nelsons victory over Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) with the bronze plaques typically made from melted down French cannons. If the lions look a little doggy its because the sculptor Edward Landseer's lion died during the process and he had to use the family dog to complete the hind quarters.
Just a short stroll across the Millennium Bridge (which sadly no longer wobbles) from the Tate Modern or a wander up from Trafalgar Sq. The dome is the third largest in the world, designed by Christopher Wren in 1675 after the great fire of London destroyed the original cathedral. The Whispering Gallery inside the dome offers a lesson in acoustics while the view outside across the Thames is excellent. Open 8.30am-4pm, Mon-Sat, admission £9.50, £8.50 students. Closed for religious observances and Sundays.
Crown jewels, crossbows and cr...ravens. William the Conqueror built this fortress as his royal residence in 1078. The main activities that went on here though were imprisoning, torture and execution, and was even used as a POW prison in WWII. It is a top London attraction including a weaponry museum, Traitors gate and of course the Beefeaters and the ever present ravens. Open 9am-6pm Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun-Mon (Mar-Oct), 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun-Mon (Nov-Feb). Admission £16, Adult, £13 Student.