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London-Top 10 things for free

Are you visiting London on a budget? Do you want to know 10 things to do for free? Here is a list of the ten best tourist attractions which can be enjoyed free of charge.

#1 – British Museum

The British Museum is home to our national treasures, from the controversial Elgin marbles to the Rosetta Stone. Opening times: Galleries - 10–5.30 (Mon–Wed, Sat–Sun); 10–8.30 (Thu–Fri); Great Court - 9–6 (Mon–Wed, Sun); 9–11 (Thu–Sat). Cost: Free.

#2 – National Gallery

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square has 2,000 works from 1260 onwards. Some of the artists on display include Rembrandt, Renoir, Titian, Turner and Van Gogh. Opening times: 10–6 (Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun) 10–9 (Wed). Cost: Free.

#3 – Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum has 69 million specimens covering every aspect of life on Earth, from our prehistoric past to the present day. The towering bones in Dinosuar Hall are a particular favourite. Opening times: 10–5.50. Cost: Free.

#4 – Tate Modern

The transformed power station that houses the Tate Modern art gallery boasts work by a host of 20th-century greats – Dalí, Pollock, Picasso and Andy Warhol. Opening times: 10–6 (Sun–Thu); 10–10 (Fri–Sat). Cost: Free.

#5 – Free classical concerts

The National Theatre holds a free jazz, folk or classical concert every day at 5.45PM (1.45PM on Saturdays). You can also catch a classical music recitals at St. Martin-in-the-Fields church (usually at 1.05PM on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays).

#6 – Changing of the Guard

No trip to London would be complete without seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It starts at 11.30AM in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early if you want a position by the gate.

#7 – Victoria & Albert Museum

The V&A is London’s museum of art and design. The highlight is the Cast Room’s life-size replicas of world famous statues, like Trajan’s Column and Michelangelo’s David. Opening times: 10–5.45 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10–10 (Fri). Cost: Free.

#8 – Tate Britain

The Tate Britain art gallery houses work from the 16th-century onwards – including paintings by Constable, Bacon, Blake, Hockney and the great J W Turner. Opening times: 10–6 (Sun–Thu); 10–10 (Fri–Sat). Cost: Free.

#9 – Museum of London

The Museum of London tells the history of the city from its Roman occupation in 50AD through the 17th-century plague, Great Fire of 1666 and Blitz of World War II. Opening times: 10–5.50 (Mon–Sat); noon–5.50 (Sun). Cost: Free.

#10 – National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum covers British naval history from the Spanish Armada all the way up to Nelson and the submarines of World War II. Opening times: 10–5 (Sep–Jun); 10–6 (Jul–Aug). Cost: Free.

10 best things you must do

London has 101 different things to do, but which are the ten best? We’ve drawn up a list of the 10 best tourist sights and attractions that we think you’ll most enjoy.

#1 – Changing of the Guard

No trip would be complete without seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It starts at 11.30AM in the summer and every other day in the winter. If you arrive early then you can take up a position outside the front gates.

#2 – Whispering Gallery

A trip to St. Paul’s is a must, and so is a go on her ‘Whispering Gallery’. The huge dome rises 259 steps above the mosaic floor and, due to a bizarre acoustic effect, everything said on one side can be equally understood on the other – 107-feet away.

#3 – Boat trip from Greenwich

After spending the day in Greenwich, treat yourself to a boat trip down the Thames. It will take you past the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, sweeping under Tower Bridge and past St. Paul’s Cathedral, before dropping you off under the shadow of Big Ben.

#4 – See a play at the Globe

Get a taste of Elizabethean London at the Globe Theatre. We suggest that you forgo the seats and take your place as a ‘groundling’, standing underneath the Shakespearean stage. Opening times: 10–6 (Mon–Sat); 10–5 (Sun, May–Dec); Box office, for theatre bookings - 10–6 (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £5.00.

#5 – Browse around Harrods

If you buy just one gift in London, make it from Harrods – the world’s greatest department store. People even come from miles away to go home with their dark green carrier bag. Opening times: 10–8 (Mon–Sat); noon–6 (Sun).

#6 – Speaker’s Corner on a Sunday

Speaker’s Corner near Marble Arch is the home of free speech. Anyone can get up and say their stuff, and part of the fun is listening to the hecklers – the best speakers are the ones which have a ready wit to put down the shouts with jokes.

#7 – Afternoon tea at The Ritz

The Ritz Hotel down Piccadilly is one of London’s finest, and a spot of afternoon tea in the Palm Court is a popular London pasttime. But be warned – scrub up and bring your wallet!

#8 – Highgate Cemetery

A guided tour of Hightgate Cemetery is a magical experience. The overgrown tombs and Victorian headstones transport you to a world miles away from the hustle and bustle of London. Opening times: 10–5 (Mon–Fri, Apr–Oct); 11–5 (Sat–Sun, Apr–Oct); 10–4 (Mon–Fri, Nov–Mar); 11–4 (Sat–Sun, Nov–Mar);. Cost: Adults £3.00; Children free (under-16).

#9 – Lunch in Covent Garden

The piazza in Covent Garden is a great place to have lunch. The place that gave birth to the Punch and Judy show now throngs with free street entertainment – musicians, acrobats and daredevil stuntmen.

#10 – Camden Market on a Saturday

London has a whole host of worthy markets – Portobello Road, Borough and Spitalfields to name but a few – but our favourite is Camden on a Saturday. Make sure you check out Stable Market, north of the lock. It’s undercover, darkly atmospheric and has to be seen to be believed. Opening times: 11–6.

10 most historic sites

Ever wondered which are the 10 most historic sites in London? Which famous monuments and historical sites should a tourist definitely not miss? Here is a list of the 10 best places that every visitor interested in history simply must see.

#1 – Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the setting for coronations, State funerals, and the burial place of many of our most celebrated kings and queens. Opening times: 9.30–2. Cost: Adults £10.00; Children £7.00 (under-16); Family ticket £24.00.

#2 – Tower of London

The Tower of London is a World Heritage site, and dates from the reign of William the Conqueror in 1066. Opening times: 10–5.30 (Sun–Mon); 9–5.30 (Tue–Sat). Cost: Adults £16.50; Children £9.50 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £46.00.

#3 – St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral was built by the country’s greatest-ever architect, Christopher Wren, shortly after the Great Fire of London. Opening times: Cathedral - 8.30–4 (Mon–Sat); Galleries, crypt and ambulatory - 9.30–3.45 (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £10.00; Children £3.50 (7–16); Infants free (under-6); Family ticket £23.50.

#4 – Westminster Hall

Westminster Hall is the oldest surviving part of the original Houses of Parliament, dating from shortly after the reign of William the Conqueror. Opening times: During Parliamentary sessions - 2.30–10.30 (Mon); 11.30–7 (Tue–Wed); 11.30–6.30 (Thu); 9.30–3 (Fri).

#5 – St. James’s Palace

St. James’s Palace was built by Henry VIII in the 1530s, and was home to several of our most famous sovereigns: Elizabeth I, Charles I and George I, II and III.

#6 – Temple Church

Temple Church is one of the oldest buildings in London dating way back to 1185. It was built by a famous band of military monks, the Knights Templar, on money made during the Crusades. Opening times: 2–4 (Wed–Sun). Cost: Free.

#7 – Banqueting House

Banqueting House was built by Inigo Jones in the early 17th-century, and was said to be truly unique – Britain’s first Renaissance building. Opening times: 10–5 (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £4.50; Children £2.25 (5–16); Infants free (under-5).

#8 – Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace was built in 1702 and became the accepted residence of the Head of State during the reign of Queen Victoria. Opening times: 9.45-6 (late Jul–late Sep). Cost: Adults £15.50; Children £8.75 (5–17); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £39.75.

#9 – Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was home to several of our most famous kings and queens, most notably Queen Victoria and William III, after the Glorious Revolution. Opening times: 10–5. Cost: Adults £12.30; Children £6.15 (under-16); Family ticket £34.00.

#10 – Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace has been the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since 1207, and was ransacked during the Peasant’s Revolt. It boasts the oldest library in England.

10 best London landmarks

Ever wondered which are the 10 best landmarks in London? Which famous monuments and historical sites should a tourist definitely not miss? Here is a list of the 10 must-see landmarks in the capital that every visitor simply must visit.

#1 – Big Ben

If tourists only take one photograph in London then it’s invariably this one – of Big Ben. He’s got the biggest face in the city, and his voice booms out every hour. He even bags a primetime spot on the national news every night.

#2 – St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is arguably London’s most beautiful building, by the country’s greatest-ever architect – Christopher Wren. Opening times: Cathedral - 8.30–4 (Mon–Sat); Galleries, crypt and ambulatory - 9.30–3.45 (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £10.00; Children £3.50 (7–16); Infants free (under-6); Family ticket £23.50.

#3 – Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge should be a pure piece of kitsch, a mock gothic-building built in the 19th-century. But it’s two towers represent the capital around the world. Opening times: 10–6.30 (Apr–Sep); 9.30–6 (Oct–Mar). Cost: Adults £6.00; Children £3.00 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £14.00.

#4 – Nelson’s Column

Nelson’s Column is a monument to the nation’s greatest naval hero, Admiral Nelson. He stares down on Trafalgar Square from his lofty pedestal 185-feet above the pigeons.

#5 – London Eye

London Eye is the newest London landmark, built for the millennial celebrations in 2000. Opening times: 10–8 (Oct-May); 10–9 (Jun, Sep); 10–9.30 (Jul–Aug). Cost: Adults £14.50; Children £7.25 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £38.50.

#6 – Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are home to the UK government, and many people are surprised to find out that they are relatively modern – only being built in the 1830s. Opening times: During Parliamentary sessions - 2.30–10.30 (Mon); 11.30–7 (Tue–Wed); 11.30–6.30 (Thu); 9.30–3 (Fri).

#7 – Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is where our Head of State resides, and you can frequently see the Queen’s car heading down The Mall. Opening times: 9.45-6 (late Jul–late Sep). Cost: Adults £15.50; Children £8.75 (5–17); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £39.75.

#8 – Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of London’s oldest landmarks, started by William the Conqueror in 1066. Opening times: 10–5.30 (Sun–Mon); 9–5.30 (Tue–Sat). Cost: Adults £16.50; Children £9.50 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £46.00.

#9 – No.10 Downing Street

No.10 Downing Street is home to the British Prime Minister, and has one of the most famous front doors in the world. This is where the day-to-day running of the country occurs.

#10 – Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is London’s version of New York’s Times Square. It is famous for two things: the neon signs that light up the night sky, and the small statue of Eros that adorns the central fountain.

10 best annual events

Ever wondered which are the 10 best events in London's annual calendar? Which events, festivals and carnivals should a tourist not miss? Here is a list of the 10 must-see events in London's year that every visitor to the city simply must visit.

#1 – Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party with more than a million people in attendance. You get live music, colourful costumes and plenty of Caribbean culture held over a sunny summer bank holiday.

#2 – Trooping the Colour

See some British pageantry at the Trooping of the Colour, held to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday in June. Assemble at Horse Guards to see one of her Household regiments present themselves admist the flag-waving, parades and pomp..

#3 – Last night of the Proms

The Prom concerts boast some of the best classical music in the world. They are held over July and August in the Royal Albert Hall. The famous ‘Last Night’ draws tremendous crowds, as does the sister show in Hyde Park.

#4 – Lord Mayor’s Show

The Lord Mayor’s procession takes place in November, when the newly-elected Lord Mayor of London rides his coach from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice and takes his oath of allegiance. It is followed by a huge firework display.

#5 – Chelsea Flower Show

The gardening event of the year is held in May, around the grounds of Christopher Wren’s Royal Hospital in Chelsea. The Queen’s green fingers usually make an appearance on one of the days, so you can even rub your shoulders with royalty!

#6 – State Opening of Parliament

The State Opening of Parliament takes place in November, when the Queen rides her state coach down The Mall to Parliament Square. She then enters the House of Lords to read the government’s speech

#7 – Chinese New Year

Don’t miss Chinese New Year in late January/early February. Huge papier-mâché dragons dance through the streets of Chinatown with smoke and fire-crackers banging loudly on the pavement.

#8 – Remembrance Day Parade

The annual war memorial service and veteran’s parade. The Queen, Prime Minister and leading politicians from all political parties are always in attendance, laying wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

#9 – University Boat Race

The annual University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge has become a national institution. It takes place in April between Putney and Mortlake, and people tend to line the pubs along the route.

#10 – Flora London Marathon

You don’t have to take part, but if you’re feeling athletic then check out the London Marathon in April. 35,000 runners compete in one of Europe’s largest road races from Greenwich Park to Buckingham Palace.

If you’re looking for more, also check out events taking place in London at: http://www.visitlondon.com/events/calendar/

10 best places to take a photo

Where are the 10 best places to take a photo in London? Where can you get the best views of the capital? Here is a list of the ten best viewing spots to take a photograph.

#1 – Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath gained its name during the English Civil War when it was occupied by Government troops. You can climb it for a celebrated view of the capital – a handy plaque on the summit tells you the location of distant landmarks.

#2 – Primrose Hill

At 203 feet Primrose Hill is a bit of a climb, but is well-worth the effort – it boasts some of the best views of London. Its position north of Regent’s Park gives you a fine view of London Zoo below, as well as the City in the distance and Canary Wharf to the east.

#3 – The Square Mile

The Square Mile—the financial heart of the City of London— focuses on Threadneedle Street, where you can get some great photos of the Bank of England, Mansion House and Royal Exchange.

#4 – Piccadilly Circus at night

Piccadilly Circus is one of London’s great throughfares, and the perfect spot for a bit of people watching. No photo album would be complete without a shot of Eros and the huge neon signs lit up at night.

#5 – St. James’s Park

There is a celebrated shot of Buckingham Palace in St. James’s Park. All you have to do is stand on the bridge and gaze across the lake. If you turn around and face the other way then you’ll have a shot of Horse Guards Parade.

#6 – Waterloo Bridge

The Kinks sang a song about it, and now you can take a photograph of it – the view from Waterloo Bridge famously takes in the financial centre of the City and dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral… best seen at sunset.

#7 – Westminster Bridge

The best place to take a photo of Big Ben is from the Houses of Parliament end of Westminster Bridge. If you swivel round 180° you can also bag the London Eye and old GLC building – County Hall.

#8 – Trafalgar Square

There are hundreds of photos in Trafalgar Square. Best of the bunch include Nelson’s Column and the big bronze lions at his feet. But there’s also the grand facade of the National Gallery and the long view down Whitehall.

#9 – The Monument

The Monument was erected to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666, and its 311 steps make it one of the highest vantage points in the City. There is no lift, but if you fancy a climb then the views up both ends of the river make it well worth the effort.

#10 – Greenwich Hill

Take a stroll through Greenwich Park and walk up the hill. The view takes in a vista stretching all the way from the Millenium Dome in the east, to the City in the west. and if you turn around you can get the Royal Observatory too.