London’s Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognisable bridges in the World. At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can enjoy breath-taking views from the high-level Walkways and learn about the history of the Bridge and how it was built. You can then visit the Victorian Engine Rooms, home to the original steam engines that used to power the Bridge lifts. Tower Bridge Walkways have specially designed windows, giving visitors a unique opportunity to take photos of the views without them being obscured by glass.
Covent Garden, London Market
If you’re in London even for a short time, then Covent Garden is a must see. Not only can you shop and eat amazingly well, but you can also enjoy the street theatre and excitement that always surrounds this historical market place. Covent Garden derives its name ("Convent Garden") from the presence there in the Middle Ages of a garden belonging to Westminster Abbey
London’s Imax Cinema – part of the British Film Institute
Nearest tube is Waterloo but walking south across Waterloo bridge you can see the large glass round building that houses the IMAX cinema, part of the British Film Institute service. Surrounded by the Waterloo Roundabout, and accessed by a series of underground walkways, the cinema is specially designed to show IMAX movies on a massive 20 x 26 metre screen - the largest in the country.
The National Maritime Museum at Greenwich
Covering the nation's maritime history, both in peacetime and war, The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is an interesting place to visit for adults and children. Opened by King George VI on 27 April 1937, in what was formally The Royal Hospital School, each of the museum's galleries are arranged thematically. As well as exhibits on seafaring characters and historical events, there's background on different types of sailing ships both old and new
Greenwich (London) – World Heritage Site
Best known for the site of the Prime Meridian (or Greenwich mean time or GMT) from which the entire world set its clocks, Greenwich is also full of royal history having been the birthplace of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary Tudor. Situated just a few miles downstream from the Tower of London, Greenwich can be reached by train from London Bridge
Globe Theatre, London
Get to the Globe Theatre from the London Bridge Tube. The Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the Globe which stood on Bankside in 1603, and opened in June 1999. During the summer you can see a season of Shakespearean plays – and with the round galleries you’ll be able to experience how the original audiences saw Shakespeare plays produced.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a “must see” for most visitors to London, and it is quite expensive to get entry, but there is a lot to see, and its quite good value for money. Nearest tube is, of course, Westminster.
Hay’s Galleria
This wonderful restoration of Hay’s Wharf is really worth seeing. There are pubs and craft and market stalls around the walkways, wine bars and shops and at the centre of the Galleria is David Kemp’s 60ft sculpture with moving parts,
London’s Chinatown
A cornucopia of delights can be found in London’s Chinatown (especially culinary ones) – find it on Gerrad street from the Leicester Square tube. There are loads of Cantonese and Szechuan restaurants, and a number of supermarkets selling exotic cooking ingredients (as well as staples such as noodles, oils and vegetables).
Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum is based at St Mary’s Hospital – get there from the Paddington Tube. You can see the restored laboratory that Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928
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