London
London is Europe’s biggest city and one of its most cosmopolitan, with a citizenry that reflects the far reaches of the once-mighty British Empire. And its resident population is augmented by some 27 million visitors each year. Orientation is by boroughs (Westminster and City are the central boroughs) or by landmarks, such as Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde.

The city is so enormous, visitors will need to make maximum use of the underground train system: unfortunately, this dislocates the city's geography and makes it hard to get your bearings .Its theaters, opera houses and concert halls stand comparison with any in the world; its museums and galleries are practically without equal; entertainment is as innovative and refreshing as it is cosmopolitan and diverse.

Attractions

Madame Tussaud’s
Celebrated likenesses of the great and famous in wax. Eerie Chamber of Horrors (murderers) and interaction experiences (the Time Taxi). Daily 9 am-5:30 pm.

Buckingham Palace
This is the queen's official London residence; the royal flag flies above the roof when she's at home. It was opened to the public for the first time in 1993 and will remain open at least to the year 2000. The 1705 Royal Residence was refaced with a rather forbidding facade in Victorian times.

The interior is overpoweringly baroque; 18 rooms are available to view, including the Throne Room and State Dining Room. Open early August to late September. Visitors can see the changing of the guard after 11:30 am, daily during summer, and on alternating days throughout the remainder of the year.

The Museum of London
The Museum of London is probably the most comprehensive city museum in the world. It’s like being inside a biography: Rooms and displays re-create stages in history.

London Dungeon
London Dungeon is a creepy re-creation of the mean streets of Old London Town. Grisly medieval torture tableaux (complete with screams), plus a Jack the Ripper experience. Includes live actors and is not for the squeamish. April-September daily 10 am-6 pm, October-March closes 5:30 pm.

The River Thames
The River Thames offers vistas of famous waterfront buildings, small parks, statues, monuments and old bridges. A walk along the north bank is noisy with traffic but rewarding nonetheless, especially between the Tate Gallery and Victoria Embankment. The Waterloo Bridge offers the best river views.

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Walkway
The Queen's Silver Jubilee Walkway was recently completed by the opening of a link. It now provides an uninterrupted stroll along the south side of the Thames from Lambeth Bridge to Tower Bridge, more than 2 mi/3 km with views of the river and landmarks and monuments on the opposite bank.

Pall Mall
Pall Mall is a broad avenue lined with genteel buildings and gentlemen’s clubs running from Trafalgar Square to St. James’s Palace. Reform Club was the point of departure for Phineas Fogg on his 80-day circumnavigation.

Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus, with its landmark statue of Eros, marks the start of the West End’s nightlife zone, with theater, cinema and Soho. Souvenir stands clutter every corner, and you’ll notice more than a suggestion of seediness, especially at night.

The Victoria and Albert
The Victoria and Albert is the national museum of art and design! Some of the exhibits at “the V & A” are just exquisitely decorated rooms. Monday noon to 5:50 pm, Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5:50 pm

St. Paul’s Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral crowns Ludgate Hill and is Christopher Wren’s finest architectural achievement. Most wanderers prefer the brilliant dome to the chilly nave. Wren, Wellington, and Nelson are among the greats memorialized in the crypt. Inside the great dome is the Whispering Gallery; at the top of the dome is the Golden Gallery, with panoramic views of central London. Some of the best views of London are available from the top of the dome. The cathedral is open for worship and discreet viewing Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-4 pm

The Tower of London
William the Conqueror built this world-famous fortress in the 11th century. It served as a castle, royal palace for many years, it has also imprisoned some distinguished unfortunates, including Sir Walter Raleigh and Princess Elizabeth I. Many more met grislier fates: the little princes, Edward and Richard, were murdered in the Bloody Tower, and their uncle Richard III was unjustly blamed for the deed. After languishing in the tower, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and numerous other political victims met their fate on Tower Green. It’s now the home of yeoman warders and the crown jewels where u can see the Star of Africa, a 530-carat diamond in the royal scepter. Also a permanent exhibition of crowns and diamonds in the Martin Tower.

Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a busy traffic interchange surrounded by grand, historic buildings, such as St. Martin in the Field Church and the National Gallery. The square is dominated by Nelson’s Column with four bronze lions. This is the site of New Year’s Eve shenanigans. Between Westminster and the West End.

Westminster Abbey
Founded by Edward the Confessor, the new Abbey was dedicated in 1065 a few months before the invasion by William the Conqueror, who crowned himself king on Christmas of the following year. Monarchs are still crowned in Westminster Abbey. This glorious Gothic church, altered considerably from its original design, is the final resting place of scores of famous historical figures The nave and cloisters are open Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-6 pm. Religious services only on Sundays. The Royal Chapels are open Monday-Friday 9 am-4:45 pm, Saturday 9 am-2:45 pm and 3:45 to 5:45 pm

Houses of Parliament
The House of Commons and the House of Lords are the seat of English government. Look to the towers to see if they are in session; a flag by day and a light by night (above the tower of Big Ben) are the signals. To witness a debate from the Strangers' Galleries of either House. Whitehall is the wide boulevard connecting Trafalgar Square with the Houses of Parliament. Essential walking for its many fine buildings, including Old Admiralty and Old Scotland Yard.

Windsor Castle
It is the largest inhabited castle in the world. The State Apartments include St. George's Hall, the Audience and Presence Chambers, the Grand Reception Room, and Guards' Quarters. All these salons contain numerous priceless art objects. St. George's Chapel, where the Knights of the Order of the Garter are commemorated, has some notable royal tombs, including those of Edward IV, Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, and Charles I. South of the castle, in the garden of the Royal Mews, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are interred in their mausoleum. On the south side of Windsor Great Park is Ascot and its famous racecourse. The Changing of the Guard here is especially spectacular when the queen is in residence. The castle is open year-round and closes only for state visits and occasions for which little notice is given: Call to confirm castle is open on the day you wish to visit.