London Visitor Guide

London Attractions, Activities and Things To Do!

Other Attractions

This is a list of the attractions you can find on this page - click on an item to go to a particular attraction's description.

Churches, Cathedrals, Places of Worship and Houses and Palaces

Westminster Abbey

The 700 year old building is a living church where life revolves around the daily pattern of worship, with services and sermons at set times. Westminster Abbey is the House of Kings, where coronations of Kings and Queens have taken place since 1066, before the existing building. It is also the burial place of many Kings and Queens of England and the United Kingdom, plus many great men and women throughout history.
Westminster Abbey is a living pageant of British history, with paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles and other artefacts, and welcomes one million visitors each year. In addition to the Abbey Church itself, visitors to the Abbey precincts can see St Margaret’s Church (the Church of the House pf Commons), the Great and Little Cloisters, the stunning Chapter House and Museum and, on several days a week, College Garden. Refreshments are available at two Coffee Club stalls and souvenirs can be bought at the Abbey Shop.
Different tours are available, including an audio guide using a hand-held set with a choice of eight languages. Verger-led tours last 90 minutes and are available to individuals and family groups. They start at the North Door and visit the Shrines, the Royal Tombs, Poets’ Corner, the Cloisters and the Nave. Group tours are provided for up to 25 people and are accompanied by a Blue Badge Guide.
The Abbey stages special services plus events such as lectures and concerts. Five unique settings are available for hire and are suitable for small dinners to large gatherings of up to 500 people.
Opening hours: 9.30-17.45 from Monday to Saturday (worship only on Sundays)
The Chapter Office, 20 Dean’s Yard, Westminster Abbey, SW1P 3PA
Phone: 020 7222 5152           Fax: 020 7233 2072
Email: info@westminster-abbey.org          Web: www.westminster-abbey.org

St Paul’s Cathedral

The present Cathedral, the fourth to occupy the site, was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and building was completed in 1710. A £40 million restoration programme is being undertaken to commemorate the 300th anniversary and will include the provision of new exhibition and interpretation galleries.
St Paul’s Cathedral has a programme of regular services and sermons. Many important services have been held there, including the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill, services of remembrance and royal commemorations and weddings.
The world-famous dome is one of the largest Cathedral domes in the world at 111.3 metres high. The Cathedral is built in the shape of a cross with the dome and the renowned Whispering Gallery at its centre. The interior of the building has glittering mosaics, intricate stone carving and breathtaking vantage points.
Recorded audio tours are available in eight languages and last around 45 minutes. Alternatively, a one hour Triforium Tour can be booked, featuring the library, geometrical staircase, Nave and the Trophy Room where Wren’s Great Model is on display. Supertours run at 11.00, 11.30, 13.30 and 14.00, providing a guided tour of the Cathedral and Crypt that takes 90 minutes. School tours can be pre-booked.
Refreshments are available at the Refectory Restaurant and the Crypt Café while the Cathedral Shop offers a range of merchandise. The Cathedral also offers a unique venue for corporate events for up to 350 people.
Opening hours: 8.30-16.00 from Monday to Saturday
The Chapter Office, St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD
Phone: 020 7246 8357           Fax: 020 7246 8367
Email: visits@stpaulscathedral.org.uk    Web: www.stpauls.co.uk

Southwark Cathedral

With the main structure being built between 1220 and 1420, Southwark Cathedral is London’s first Gothic and oldest Cathedral church and is the mother church of the Diocese of Southwark. Its Nave, however, is a comparatively recent addition, begun in 1890 to replace its unsafe predecessor. This part of the building contains several memorials, including one for the 1989 Marchioness disaster. The North and South Transepts contain many interesting monuments and the Choir is a fine example of Early English work; the Retro-Choir is thought by many to be the loveliest part of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral has a fine musical tradition, with choirs singing several times a week. Various special services are held in addition to the normal round of daily services. There is a monthly programme of free recitals and other events and activities are arranged.
Standing at the heart of Bankside, the Cathedral is central to numerous other tourist attractions. Group tours can be pre-booked. The Refectory provides food of a high standard and the Cathedral shop has some inspirational gift ideas.
The Cathedral Conference Centre was opened by Nelson Mandela in 2001 and is ideal for conferences, seminars and other events. Several rooms are available, ranging from the Millennium Courtyard that can accommodate 400 guests to the Edward Charles Boorman Room for 6-10 delegates. The Education Centre was opened in 1995 and is used by thousands of children each year.
Opening hours: 8.00-18.00 from Monday to Friday, 9.00-18.00 on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1 9DA
Phone: 020 7367 6700           Fax: 020 7367 6725
Email: cathedral@southwark.anglican.org          Web: www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral

The London Oratory

Popularly but incorrectly known as ‘Brompton Oratory’, this famous Roman Catholic church is the church of a community of priests known as the ‘Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri’ or Oratorians. An Oratory is first and foremost a place of prayer.
The church, with an Italianate architecture and atmosphere, was built between 1880 and 1884. The façade at the south end was added in 1893 and the outer dome was completed in 1895-6. The last major external work was the erection of the Newman Memorial in 1896.
The neo-baroque building is the second largest Catholic church in London, with a nave that is wider than that of the Anglican St Paul’s Cathedral. The church was restored and redecorated in 1984 to mark its centenary.
The church has one of the largest Catholic congregations in London. Several masses are offered each day and private masses are available by arrangement, as are weddings and confessions.
The London Oratory Choir is England’s senior professional Catholic choir and has an international reputation. There is also a children’s choir and the London Oratory has a rich organ tradition. Its organ is the first church organ in London built on neo-classical lines and is considered one of the finest British organs built since World War II.
The London Oratory, Brompton Road, SW7 2RP
Phone: 020 7808 0900
Web: www.bromptonoratory.com

Neasden Hindu Temple

Opened in 1995, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a place of worship or prayer for Hindus. It is the first traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe and the largest Hindu temple outside India.
The Mandir was constructed from 2,820 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 5,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara marble, which were shipped to India, hand-carved by over 1,500 craftsmen and then reshipped to London. The resulting building, which has 26,300 carved pieces, was completed in under three years and has been described by Readers’ Digest as the eight wonder of the world. Since its opening, it has attracted over five million visitors and 8,600 school and group visits.
The Mandir, with its luminescent white pinnacles and glittering marble pillars, celebrates many festivals on a grand scale. Its sports hall stages a number of activities, including badminton, football, cricket and table tennis.
A permanent ‘Understanding Hinduism’ exhibition is spread over 3,000 square feet on the ground floor and covers the origins, beliefs and history of Hinduism through a series of visual effects, paintings, tableaux and craftwork. A video presentation traces the various stages of construction of the Mandir. A refreshment shop and souvenir shop are available.
On an adjoining 2.35 acre site is a traditional wooden Haveli, the largest created anywhere in the last 100 years. Its courtyard architecture features Burmese Teak and English Oak, with over 17,760 square feet of intricate Haveli design carvings completed in two years by 169 skilled craftsmen. The main prayer hall, measuring 50 metres by 45 metres with no columns, can accommodate 4,000 people.
Exhibition opening hours: Daily 9.00-18.00
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 105-119 Brentfield Road, Neasden, NW10 8LD
Phone: 020 8965 2651           Fax: 020 8965 6313
Email: info@mandir.org    Web: www.mandir.org

 
Eltham Palace

The original Eltham Palace was built in Tudor times and was the boyhood home of Henry VIII. It was once an important royal palace but only the magnificent medieval Great Hall remains today.
The most recent part of Eltham Palace, completed in 1936, has a red brick design that is in sympathy with the older building. However, the interior combines Art Deco and ocean liner style.
The dining room features pink leather upholstered chairs, bird’s-eye maple veneered walls and a silver ceiling. The vaulted bathroom is lined with onyx and features gold-plated bath taps and a status of the goddess Psyche.
Upstairs are original furniture and family photographs. The house was built with all the latest conveniences, including under floor heating, a centralised vacuum cleaner and built-in audio system.
Outside, 19 acres of beautiful gardens surround the palace, with 20th Century and medieval elements. These include a rock garden, moat and medieval bridge, herbaceous borders, a sunken rose garden and picnic areas.
Tours of the house and gardens take around one hour each and guided tours can be booked for groups. A tea room and shop are available and events for the family are held throughout the year. Discovery visits are provided for educational purposes as a range of site-based workshops and interactive tours. Various rooms are available for hire.
Opening hours: 10.00-17.00 from Spring to Autumn, 11.00-16.00 in Winter
Closed 22 December-31 January
Eltham Palace, Greenwich, SE9 5QE
Phone: 020 8294 2548
Web: www.elthampalace.org.uk

Ham House

This fine Stuart mansion on the banks of the River Thames was built in 1610. Between 1637 and 1639 the interior was remodelled with the creation of the Great Staircase and a suite of sumptuous rooms on the first floor — the Great Dining Room (now the Hall Gallery), the North Drawing Room and the Long Gallery.
Ham House, reportedly one of the most haunted houses in Britain, has important collections of textiles, furniture and paintings. Its outbuildings include an ice house, a dairy and the earliest known purpose-built still house (the 17th Century equivalent of an in-house pharmacy).
The beautiful gardens are a rare example of 17th Century design and include the much photographed Cherry Garden, a maze-like wilderness, Orangery and formal listed avenues comprising over 250 trees. The traditional kitchen supplies the Orangery Café while the shop has gifts, arts and crafts, books and plants.
Events include an open-air theatre, concerts and special openings. Free guided tours are available at 14.00 and 15.00 on Wednesdays and selected Saturdays. Pre-bookable ghost tours, behind-the-scenes and treasures of the stores tours also operate throughout the year.
Ham House is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies, which take place in the Great Hall. Receptions and other functions can be held in the Orangery or in a marquee if numbers are too large.
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
House 12.00-16.00 from mid March until early November and on Good Friday
Garden 11.00-18.00 all year
Closed 25-26 December and 1 January
Ham House, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 7RS
Phone: 020 8940 1950           Fax: 020 8439 8241
Email: hamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk     Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hamhouse

Westminster Cathedral

The mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, the cathedral attracts around 8,000 people each week — either tourists, casual visitors or regular worshippers. Its extraordinary façade of towers, balconies and domes is set in a piazza just off Victoria Street.
Westminster Cathedral has an Early Christian Byzantine style of architecture that sets it apart from most native cathedrals. The building has timeless qualities, is embellished with decoration of the highest quality and is home to many distinguished works of artistic merit.
The Cathedral has many spiritual, pastoral and social activities, including lectures, musical festivals and talks, to meet many interests. Its choir is recognised as one of the finest in the world and many types of the highest quality music can be heard.
Westminster Cathedral Hall was described as one of the finest meeting rooms in London when completed and was restored to its original splendour in 1994-5. It is a popular venue for many types of function, including recitals, receptions, meetings and exhibitions.
Westminster Cathedral, 42 Francis Street, SW1P 1QW
Phone: 020 7798 9055           Fax: 020 7798 9090
Web: www.westminstercathedral.org.uk

Tower of London

A premier tourist attraction, the Tower of London is a World Heritage Site.
There are many things to see, not least the Crown Jewels that include among the collection of 23,578 items the enormous Cullinan I and the notorious Koh-i-Noor diamonds. One of the most famous castle keeps in the world, the White Tower was built by William the Conqueror to awe, subdue and terrify Londoners and to deter foreign invaders. It houses displays from the Royal Armouries’ collection, including Henry VIII’s armour, and the beautiful 11th Century Chapel of St John the Evangelist.
The Medieval Palace has surprisingly rich colours and comfortable furnishings and the continued presence of the famous ravens, according to legend, ensures the kingdom and the fortress will stand. Traitors’ Gate is where prisoners accused of treason are supposed to have passed through while the Scaffold Site was the location for the execution of seven of the Towers’ most important prisoners.
A range of tours is provided and audio guides are available in nine languages. Yeoman Warder guided tours, which last 60 minutes and run every 30 minutes, are conducted by the famous ‘Beefeaters’, who also provide Yeoman Warder talks. White Tower tours run daily at 10.45, 12.45 and 14.15 and children’s activity trails are available. Live costumed re-enactments are performed daily on the South Lawn
Refreshments are available from the New Armouries Restaurant and the Tower Wharf Café & Kiosk. Five shopping outlets offer a range of gifts and souvenirs. The Tower of London provides a spectacular and historic venue for functions and events, with the whole site or specific areas available for hire.
Opening hours: 9.00-17.30 on Tuesday to Saturday and 10.00-17.30 on Sunday and Monday from 1 March until 31 October; closing one hour earlier from 1 November until the end of February
Closed 24-26 December and 1 January
The Tower of London, EC3N 4AB
Phone: 0844 482 7777
Email: visitorservices_TOL@hrp.org.uk      Web: www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon

Hampton Court Palace

This enchanting and majestic building and its surroundings have many attractions for visitors to see. The Information Centre in Clock Court has suggested itineraries while behind the colonnade in Clock Court is an introductory exhibition.
Other attractions are Henry VIII’s State Apartment, the Tudor Kitchens, the King’s Apartments (William III), the Queen’s State Apartments, the Wolsey Rooms and the Georgian Rooms. The Great Hall is England’s last and greatest medieval hall and is spanned by a large and sumptuously decorated hammer-beam roof. Its walls are hung with Henry VIII’s most splendid tapestries — the Story of Abraham.
Outside, the formal gardens include the famous Hampton Court Maze. The Privy Garden has been restored to how it would have looked in 1702 and features the Tijou Screen, whose central motifs symbolise parts of the United Kingdom in wrought iron.
A audio guide is available in nine languages and staff are on hand to answer questions. Tours are conducted by costumed guides and group visits can be arranged. Refreshments are available from the Tiltyard Café and the Privy Kitchen Coffee Shop. There are four gift shops.
Hampton Court Palace runs a number of daily and special events, while religious services are conducted at the Chapel Royal. Fishing is available and there is a golf club and real tennis court. There are also two craft organisations — the Royal School of Needlework and the Embroiderers’ Guild.
Accommodation is available at the palace and various parts can be hired as venues for weddings, conferences and other functions. Educational visits are encouraged and the Clore Learning Centre has many educational facilities.
Opening hours: Daily 10.00-18.00 in Summer and 10.00-16.00 in Winter (informal gardens and park open earlier)
Closed 24-26 December
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Phone: 0844 482 7777
Email: hamptoncourt@hrp.org.uk          Web: www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace

Kensington Palace

Surrounded by Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace is a stylish palace with an intriguing history. Places to see include the Orangery, North Dining Room, Red Saloon, State Apartments, Teck Saloon, Queen’s Gallery and the Lower Hall.
The King’s Staircase was the route for the King and his visitors to enter the State Apartments. The staircase walls and ceiling are painted with William Kent’s vivid, life-sized portrayals of George I’s court and its various characters.
Kensington Palace is associated with many royal figures, most recently Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. There is an exhibition of Diana’s dresses while other exhibitions, events, activities and displays are staged at various times.
An audio guide is available in seven languages and describes the State Apartments, the exhibition and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Staff are also available to answer questions. Group visits can be pre-booked at discount rates and educational visits are welcome.
Two shops offer palace-inspired gifts and stylish products while refreshments, including one of the finest tea selections in London, are available from the Orangery Restaurant. Venues within Kensington Palace are available for corporate, charity and private events, including wedding receptions.
Opening hours: Daily 10.00-18.00 from 1 March until 31 October and 10.00-17.00 at other times
Closed 24-26 December
Kensington Palace State Apartments, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX
Phone: 0844 482 7777
Email: kensingtonpalace@hrp.org.uk   Web: www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace

Buckingham Palace

Having served as the official London home of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837, Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official residence. It is also the busy administrative headquarters of the Monarchy and is used for royal ceremonies, state visits and investitures, with over 50,000 people attending each year as guests at various functions. The 775 rooms include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
Buckingham Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art that form the Royal Collection. During August and September, when the Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace’s 19 state rooms are open to visitors. These are the heart of the working palace and have paintings by Rembrandt, Reubens, Poussin and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, exquisite porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture. Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden.
Admission is by timed ticket at 15 minute intervals throughout the day and a visit takes between 2 and 2½ hours. Audio tours are available in eight languages while there is also an English-version family audio tour and activity trail. Private guided tours may also be available and a Royal Day Out ticket combines a visit to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace with tours of the Royal Mews and the Queen’s Gallery.
Outside the palace, the Changing of the Guard takes place at 11.30 daily from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year.
Opening hours: Daily 9.45-18.00 through August and September
Ticket Sales and Information Office, The Official Residences of the Queen, SW1A 1AA
Phone: 020 7766 7300           Fax: 020 7930 9625
Email: bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk          Web: www.royal.gov.uk/output/page555.asp

Clarence House

Built between 1825 and 1827, Clarence House has been a royal residence for over 170 years. It was the London home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1953 until her death in 2002 and is now the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. It also provides office accommodation for The Prince of Wales’ Household. Very much a home, Clarence House is the last remaining great London house to be maintained in the purpose for which it was built.
Clarence House is open to the public during the summer months each year. Visitors can see the five ground floor rooms where The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall undertake official engagements and receive guests. The rooms and their contents remain much as they were in Queen Elizabeth’s time, including outstanding 20th Century paintings, superb examples of Fabergé and English porcelain and silver.
Admission is by guided tour only, with all tickets pre-booked and set for a specific time. Group visits are available for fifteen or more people. A shop sells a range of merchandise, much of which has been designed exclusively for the Royal Collection.
Opening hours: Daily 10.00-17.30 through August and September
Clarence House, St James’s Palace, SW1 1BA
Ticket Sales and Information Office, SW1A 1AA
Phone: 020 7766 7303           Fax: 020 7930 9625
Email: bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk           Web: www.royal.gov.uk/output/page2522.asp