Big Ben refers to the 13 ton bell in the clock tower of Westminster Palace. Opinion is divided as to whether it was named after the then Commissioner of Works, or a famous prize-fighter of the time.
The best place to visit if you want to learn more about London’s history. And of course it houses the Crown Jewels, the most famous jewellery collection in the world
Westminster Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor and completed just before his death in 1065. Since William the Conqueror all the kings & queens of England have been crowned here.
The British Museum began from the collection of naturalist Sir Hans Sloane which he left to the nation on his death in 1753. Now it houses 7 million objects including more than 100 Egyptian mummies.
One of London's most iconic landmarks offers a spectacular view, if you have a head for heights that is.
This iconic London landmark even has a private venue for hire, with wonderful views over the City. Is it London’s most stylish party venue?
TRAVEL FACT: In British culture, the name implies a bussing about with people. Piccadilly Circus is referred to the Times Square of London.
Built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, George III acquired it in 1762 as a private house. It became an official royal residence in the reign of Queen Victoria, when it was greatly enlarged.
The market is bustling with shoppers, tourists and performers on the weekend. Except for the many restaurants and cafes, there is also the famous Royal Opera.
Marie Tussaud, born in Strasbourg in 1761, made her first wax figure of the great French philosopher Voltaire in 1777. She opened a museum in London in 1835.
Opened in 1881, the museum facade uses terracotta tiles which were resistant to the soot of Victorian London. The largest of the famous dinosaur skeletons in the central hall is a diplodocus.
Much of the collection was inherited from the Museum of Patents (est 1858) and includes early locomotives such as Stephenson’s Rocket and Puffing Billy, and the first jet engine.
Holding concerts of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, and events attended by personalities like The Queen and the Dalai Lama, this hall never fails to hold great shows. Box Office open 9am - 9pm daily.
TRAVEL TIP: Surf the web while you are in London - a lot of great artists perform in the Park
For lovers of true rock and Queen 'We Will Rock You' at Dominion is a chance to listen to many of the band's songs live on stage. For others, this is another London's must-see musical.
London’s most exciting market has it all: antiques, food, streetwear and even typically British bits and pieces.
Made famous, of course, by The Beatles. Don't forget to walk over the crossing and savour the moment.
London Bridge was once crowded with buildings and prone to fires. It survived the 1666 Great Fire because an earlier fire had destroyed houses at the north end, creating a fire break!
Superb location, with outstanding terrace views along the Thames, and handy for south bank attractions; decent efficiently served food Read more.
Sat at tables outside Ethan Hunt congratulates Luther Stickell on being reinstated from the disavowed agent list and bids him goodbye in Mission: Impossible (1996).
Visit the London Beatles Store, for the world's largest selection of Beatles memorabilia!
In 1894 a French anarchist named Martial Bourdin was carrying a bomb through the park to the Observatory when it exploded and killed him. No one knows why he had decided to target the Observatory.
Set in a stunning park, and sitting precisely on the Prime Meridian of the world, the Royal Observatory is a great way to spend an afternoon in South London.
This grand Tudor palace was built by Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey, but passed to the king in 1529. His 4th queen Catherine Howard is said to haunt the gallery outside the chapel.
Considered as London's shopping Mecca, this place is home to department stores like John Lewis and Selfridges and flagship stores like Debenhams and Zara. There are 300 more stores to choose from.
Begin with the venerable discount theatre ticket booth, TKTS, in Leicester Square (tkts.co.uk): try to arrive well before opening time (9am) to get the best choice of shows for the evening.
TRAVEL FACT: These well-known groups of standing stones are one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.
Make sure to check out the new acquisitions room to see the latest items acquired by the museum.
The green, triangle-shaped expanse of leafy land just beyond the Ritz is Green Park. Read more.
Harrods’ magical Christmas window display was created with the help of Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and Marchesa, who dressed Disney’s fairy-tale princesses. See the gowns here: bit.ly/TR7FPp Read more.
In the area around here we saw 58% more threatened homelessness related problems than last year but enquiries about social housing rent arrears were down 18%.
Pickpockets operate in this area, so always keep your valuables hidden and your bag zipped up. Watch the ‘tricks of pickpockets’ and the tell-tale signs at http://goo.gl/UfI24 Read more.
The second bridge here was completed in 1945. Because there was a war on, much of the work was carried out by women and so this used to be known as ‘the ladies’ bridge’.
Lipsmackingly good duck & pork delicacies added to the menu; both meats are cooked the traditional way. We particularly like the Barbecued Char Siu Pork, which is best washed down with a Monkey Mojito Read more.
"An oasis of calm and good cheer amid the noise and chaos of Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. Real ales, often from local breweries such as Meantime and Ascot Ales, are the draw..." Read more.
Sculpted from Italian marble and based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome, this was built in 1827 as the entrance to Buckingham Palace. It was moved here in 1851 when the palace was enlarged.
‘Soho’ is thought to come from the hunting and battle cry of the Duke of Monmouth, a local landlord. He used it at the Battle of Sedgemoor where he was defeated in 1685, and later executed.
TRAVEL FACT: Witness a rally, protest, or public debate in the most noted speaking corner located on the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London.
This paradeground is the scene of the world famous Trooping the Colour, which since 1748 has marked the monarch’s birthday. The march past of the Household Division involves almost 400 musicians.
Siège du Parlement Britannique, le Palais de Westminster est un bijou architectural, de style néogothique. Écoutez le son de Big Ben à 17h, avec un bon thé! So british. ;)
Finally! A British train station that actually has free WiFi and which you don't have to pay for using the toilets!
A hidden statue of ‘the boy who never grew up’ can be found in Kensington Gardens, where Peter Pan used to come to play with the fairies and sail the Serpentine with a nest for a boat.
Sprawling brass beast of a bar, with more types of beer than you could shake an inebriated fist at. Any first-time visitor must try the oyster stout (no bivalves were harmed in the making).
This mother church of English Roman Catholics was completed in Early Christian Byzantine style in 1903. Since that day Masses have been sung here everyday without interruption.
Although firstly a scientific organisation, this British institution houses numerous collection of plants and botanical information and as such is a living encyclopaedia on the plant kingdom.
London’s most famous modern nightclub was opened in 1991 by Old Etonian the Hon. James Palumbo. It’s modelled on the famous Paradise Garage club in New York, where ‘garage’ music was born.
We're sure we saw a documentary in which the bridge was destroyed. Someone called Harry Potter was involved somehow. Anyhow, it appears to still be here, helping you get from Tate Modern to St Paul's.
On 14 June 1971, two wild & crazy Americans opened up a burger joint in the heart of London. Thankfully for us, their venture proved successful, now counting Cafe, Hotel & Casino locations worldwide.
Delicious & affordable rustic Italian dishes, inspired by the "Italian table" to create a relaxed environment. Recommend the smokey mozzarella arancini! Read more.
A reconstruction of the famous Elizabethan open-air theatre where Shakespeare worked, true to the spirit of the original, celebrating and educating about Shakespeare’s work.
The museum is located in the former Royal Bethlem Hospital for the mentally ill (from where the term ‘bedlam’ comes). The iconic guns at the front are 15 inch naval cannon, both used in action in WW2.
The Bankside Power Station was built as a ‘cathedral of power’ in 1963, but closed in 1981. It reopened as one of Europe’s finest modern art galleries in 2000. The Turbine Hall is 35m high.
This place will have the gymnastics competition and the basketball gold medal game. In other words, it’s not a bad place to spend some quality time while at the Olympics.
As the cool autumn weather sets in, the vibrant lanterns in Chinatown have inspired us to experiment with the season’s oriental trend. See how the look made its mark on the catwalk here: bit.ly/TdNPID Read more.
No.10 was given to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first ‘prime minister’, by George II in thanks for his service. Walpole’s official title, First Lord of the Treasury, still remains on the letterbox.
Enter our prize draw to win a family ticket to Sea Life. And if you don’t win, not to worry! Simply grab yourself a free 2 for 1 voucher and get 2 for 1 entry to any Sea Life location across the UK. Read more.
