What to do in London to fall in love with the city for life? Take a break for afternoon tea. See a performance in the West End

Where to visit and what to do Last update date: 2018-08-17 There is so much to see and do in London, from famous sights like the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London and the Tate Gallery, to amazing shopping, expansive parks and much, much more.

Check out tips and tricks on the must-sees in London. Many of the attractions on this list are completely free to visit (by the way, here's another good reason to fall in love with London).

British museum

As one of the largest and most beautiful museums in the world, the British Museum has perhaps the most valuable collection of historical artefacts in existence today. Among the many exhibits are the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian treasures and Egyptian mummies, as well as the stunning, bright "Great Courtyard". Recently opened in the Great Courtyard new restaurant; the perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea under a majestic rooftop. The museum also offers free tours and guided tours.

National Gallery

The National Gallery houses hundreds of the most famous, beautiful and controversial paintings in the world. Discover wonderful paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Monet and Van Gogh.

Madame Tussauds museum

At Madame Tussauds London, you'll find an exhibition of over 300 wax figures, Marvel 4D Super Heroes, a London taxi ride and more. Incredibly believable wax figures of famous (and infamous) people from past and present are considered a staple of the museum, from Johnny Depp and One Direction to The Queen and Muhammad Ali.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the most famous fortresses in the world. In addition, this place keeps terrible secrets, strange stories and historical relics. Here you can admire the priceless crown jewels, visit medieval palace, the infamous Bloody Tower, as well as take a tour with a yeoman who will tell you about the many executions carried out here.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum has hundreds of stunning natural exhibits located in one of the world's most beautiful buildings London. Highlights include the popular Dinosaur Gallery, the Blue Whale Model, the Cocoon Research Centre, and special events and debates at the state-of-the-art Attenborough Studios at the Darwin Center, where you may have the chance to meet renowned scientists.

St Paul's Cathedral

Built in the 17th century, St Paul's Cathedral on Ludgate Hill in the City of London is one of the most famous buildings cities. It was built by the famous Sir Christopher Wren and until 1962 retained the status of the most high building in London. You can take advantage of the touch-screen multimedia guide or join a guided tour to see the cathedral's illustrious decorations or, if you have the guts, climb the Whispering Gallery (to sample the acoustics) and even higher to the golden Gallery at the top of the dome, where you will be rewarded stunning views of London. You can also go down to the crypt, where the remains of heroes such as Admiral Nelson are located.

Globus theatre"

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original theater open sky on the banks of the Thames, where playwright William Shakespeare first staged many of his famous plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. The modern Globe, located just a few hundred yards from its original location, is a stage for classic and contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare's works, as well as brand new plays. Only 5 lbs. Art. for a standing ticket - it simply does not happen cheaper! Audio guides are available at the exhibition in English, French, German, Italian and Japanese. In addition, there are guided tours every 30 minutes.

london aquarium

The London Aquarium, located next to the London Eye on the South Bank, has one of the largest collections of ocean inhabitants in Europe. Here, in the volume of two million liters of water, more than 500 species and 14 eco-zones are represented. Among others, famous species of marine life are on display, including seahorses, octopuses, tiger sharks and clown fish. In addition, the aquarium is an interactive exhibition where you can feed stingrays, watch how sharks are fed, see diver performances and walk "under water" in a special glass tunnel.

Legoland, Windsor

Amusement park LEGOLAND at Windsor is located on the edge of London and covers 150 acres of parkland. It offers more than 55 attractions, shows and clubs aimed at children up to 12 years old. This theme park — beautiful place for a family day out, but fun-loving people looking to try everything (which will take several days) can stay at Hotel Resort Hotel with themed rooms. In the park, among other things, you can board a Lego submarine, see classic look London in miniature, test your driving skills at the driving school, and get soaked through on the water rides.

hampton court

Hampton Court was a favorite royal residence King Henry VIII, beautiful landscapes keep many horror stories. Discover Medieval Big hall, where the troupe of William Shakespeare himself once performed, as well as huge Tudor kitchens and a ghost gallery. IN palace complex there is something to see in the open air: an intricate labyrinth, beautiful gardens and a large park. Other activities include daily costume tours and talks, as well as an annual flower show.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery in central London features over 195,000 portraits of famous men and women who have played an important role in British history from the 16th century to the present day. Eminent artists such as Holbein, David Hockney, Cecil Beaton and Lucian Freud have been posed for by kings, queens, movie stars, politicians, musicians and more. It is worth paying close attention to the gallery's temporary exhibition calendar, especially the BP Portrait Awards.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Take a dip in Magic world Harry Potter and visit the film sets where this movie was filmed with Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. As part of the tour, you will be able to wander around Dumbledore's office, enter the Great Hall, stroll down Diagon Alley, see the techniques that helped Harry Potter soar, and learn how animated special effects are created. Mandatory item excursion program for fans of the most popular wizard in the world.

London History Museum

Discover history greatest city world at the London History Museum. The narrative begins with ancient London, detailing the influence that the Romans and Saxons had on the development of the city, and covers the life of London during the Middle Ages. During the tour you will learn about civil wars, deadly plague and great fires. You will walk through the galleries of modern London, the streets of the city of the Victorian era, and also see the luxurious carriage of the Lord Mayor.

Center for Swamp Flora and Fauna (Wildlife and Swamp Foundation)

This reserve of the Protection Fund wildlife and swamps with an area of ​​105 hectares is a corner of wilderness on the borders of central London. You will find many rare birds, beautiful lakes, tranquil gardens and refreshing meadows to walk along, as well as other wildlife such as the family of otters. Here you can also visit the tour for free, relax in the Water's Edge Café and watch the children have fun on the outdoor and indoor rides.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

221b Baker Street is the official address of the famous book detective Sherlock Holmes, who, according to the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, lived here from 1881 to 1904. The museum features Holmes' detailed study, life-size wax figures representing scenes from the Holmes and Watson books, and a gift shop.

River walks in the city

See London from a different angle with a cruise on the famous Thames. City Cruises offers river walks with an overview of the main sights of the city between Westminster Piers, Waterloo (near the London Eye by EDF Energy), the Tower and Greenwich. You can choose between a tea party, an evening stroll, a jazz cruise and the London River Show, a cruise that includes dinner, cabaret and dancing.

London is a lively city, where life is in full swing around the clock. History is intertwined with modernity here, the greenery of the parks sets off majestic temples and palaces, and countless museums and entertainment attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.

What to do in London?

• Walk along the Tower Bridge and see the Tower Fortress;
• visit Buckingham Palace which is surrounded by a charming garden and beautiful artificial pond;
• Visit the famous London theaters and walk along Piccadilly;
• Go on a cruise on the Thames on a boat;
• Go on a tour of the Harry Potter studio (you can visit the places that were mentioned in the famous saga).
• Visit Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on Baker Street in the museum of these characters from the works of Conan Doyle.

What to do in London?

It is worth starting your acquaintance with London with a walk along Trafalgar Square with its ancient buildings And beautiful fountains, then head south to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. And you can start the tour from below, at Vauxhall Bridge and take a walk along the embankment along the Thames.

If you wish, you can purchase a ticket for the Big Bus sightseeing bus (it is valid for 48 hours). Taking a trip on this bus, you can see the main sights of London, as well as ride a boat from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey for free.

Do you like to relax in nature? Go to Regent's Park: there is a rose garden, thousands of trees, an artificial lake. After visiting Hyde Park, you can ride a boat on Serpentine Lake and saddle a horse. In addition, competitions are broadcast on a large screen in the park, i.e. fans who want to watch triathlon competitions or a marathon swim can come here.

Fans of nightlife should go to the Soho area - here, literally at every step, you can meet night club, bar, Indian, Thai and Japanese restaurants. For great fun at five dance floors and delicious cocktails at four stylish bars, visit Begley's Studios. Those who go to the nightclub "The End" will be able to attend a theme party and "light up" to the sounds of electronic music.

For shopping, it is better to head to the Covent Garden area - here you can buy goods in boutiques and souvenir shops. You can also visit the Royal Opera theatre. For shops of different price segments, go to Oxford Street shopping street.

Fans of sightseeing holidays and noisy entertainments will like it in London: interesting events are constantly held in the city - from football games to performances by star performers.

Before you close the door of your rented house behind you and set out to explore the streets of the great capital, take a look at our short log book, which we have compiled based on our own experience.

What to Avoid

Yes, yes, do not be surprised: you can enjoy the view of the historical fortress (and especially the sea of ​​ceramic poppies) at a distance, but there is always a colossal queue nearby.

Local showbiz and nightclub hub with a 19th century Shakespeare statue in the center and the Odeon cinema to the east. The square is covered with indistinct clubs and crowds of young people, and Shakespeare himself is better to read than to look at him - and even in the company of dolphins.

Main shopping street in London; it is difficult to find so many people in one place even on Red Square on New Year's Eve.

What to see

Naturally, there are always a lot of people around, but the architecture is absolutely amazing and worth it to get lost in the crowd of Japanese.

Yes, you will have to stand in a long queue, but the view from above is gorgeous, plus while you are walking to the wheel, you can appreciate the beauty of the Thames embankment. It is better to buy tickets in advance - you can do it here.

Walk from Trafalgar Square through St. James Park to Buckingham Palace. You will like the road more than the palace itself (quite a boring thing). You can reward yourself for the kilometers traveled in The Clarence pub (4 Dover Street) - be sure to try the iconic fish and chips there (one serving is enough for two).

The iconic Borough Market, in the London Borough of Southwark, is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm, on Fridays from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays from 8:00 to 17:00 (on Sundays in London almost nothing works at all). This is one of the oldest and largest food markets in the whole city (and maybe the country), where you can always grab fresh burgers, tapas or sandwiches. Be sure to try coffee at Monmouth Coffee (2 Park Street) and lunch at Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House(11 Stoney Street) - it's all in the same place, near the market.

Where to drink

Well, you can open a separate magazine about pubs in London, so we'll only tell you about the ones we've been to. We will assume that you have already looked into The Clarence, now remember the new names: The Pontefract Castle(73 Wigmore Street) and The Walrus and The Carpenter(45 Monument Street): Both are owned by Nicholson's and both serve excellent steaks. At the Walrus and the Carpenter, try pork sausages with signature sauce, and at the Pontefract, creamy puree with fish steak and lamb burger.

There are a couple of pubs in the Chelsea area, notable not only for their quality cuisine, but also for the atmosphere of universal peace and timelessness: this The Anglesea Arms(15 Selwood Terrace) and great The Pig's Ear(35 Old Church Street). In the latter, pork subperitoneum is highly recommended.

Where to spend a stormy night

You can devote every evening of your stay in the British capital to visiting London gentlemen's clubs (unless, of course, you get tired of the evening attention of Romanian, Slovak and other virgins). We recommend that you check in the two biggest ones: and Secrets.

Stringfellow's clubs, headed by the famous London rake and thunderstorm of local moralists Peter Stringfellow, are two of the friendliest establishments: the title one in Covent Garden (16-19 Upper St Martin's Lane) and the Angels in Soho (201/203 Wardour Street).

Secrets is the largest chain of gentlemen's clubs in London, run by another night tycoon, Stephen Less. There are 7 of them in London, but you should definitely visit two: Secrets Covent Garden (51 Parker Street) and Secrets Euston (34/38 Eversholt Street) (the latter, by the way, had a big, big reopening at the beginning of this November: the owner revealed to us that spent more than 2 million pounds on it). If the craving for elastic Eastern European female bodies does not fade away, you can also look at The Gaslight of St. James's (4 Duke Of York Street) - the girls are also good there, and the local hostess Melanie will do her best to make you spend the evening as pleasant as possible. Just hurry: next year, Melanie will retire and hand over control to the daughter of the great Paul Gascoigne - Bianca Gascoigne.

Of the bars, we note the third place in the list this year best bars Nightjar (“Nightjar” in our opinion, 129 City Road): a vintage place with live music (blues, jazz - even rumba, damn it!) And an extremely fast-paced cocktail list divided into four eras: “Before Prohibition” , Prohibition, Postwar and Special.

The capital of England dates back to 43 AD. e. The founder of the city is the Roman emperor Claudius. Throughout its history, London has experienced ups and downs more than once, it has been besieged, destroyed and rebuilt again. The city repeatedly passed from the hands of one ruler to another: it belonged to the Romans, the Britons, the Vikings, and even the French. But, despite almost 2,000 years of age, there is not much evidence of him in the architecture of the British capital. ancient history. At the same time, in the atmosphere of the city, its ancient spirit and national character, which distinguishes it from other megacities of the world.

In London today you will not see ancient buildings or luxurious palaces Renaissance, but it is rich in other historical monuments and wonderful architectural ensembles. The capital of Great Britain has many attractions, museums and art galleries, so the rest in 2019 can definitely be spent here with great interest. In addition, London is distinguished by its picturesque suburbs and vast parks, which gives it an additional charm.

Sightseeing

The most famous building And business card capital - the Tower, which is the most ancient building in the city and the very place in which most of his history. The oldest part of the building is White Tower(1078 years of construction). William the Conqueror in order to protect against attack.

In the high point The city is the symbol of the capital - St. Paul's Cathedral. This Anglican Church, dedicated to the Apostle Paul, makes a really strong impression and stands out among many other buildings. Traditionally, the cathedral is the burial place of the most prominent citizens.

In addition to Saint Paul Cathedral, other important religious center city ​​is Westminster Abbey, where from the XI century. coronations and burials of English monarchs are carried out. This place of worship is a true treasury: here you can see masterpieces of painting, magnificent church utensils, amazing tapestries and other treasures.

Another must-see for tourists is Buckingham Palace, the official home of Her Majesty the Queen. If you visit the British capital in August or September, you can take the chance to see the interior decoration of some rooms. At this time, the queen leaves the residence, so the palace becomes open to visitors. And such a trip will never be forgotten.

Another important historical site here is Trafalgar Square. It was on it that Churchill informed the Londoners about the end of hostilities in 1945. In the middle of the square there is a monument to Admiral Nelson. Here, the main New Year tree is set up annually, which, according to tradition, is always given by Norway.

The list of London attractions can be continued endlessly. Worth telling about the most interesting museums cities, some of which are included in the LondonPass system. Note that the main museums of the capital are free for visitors.

Of all the diversity, the following sights of the capital stand out.

• The British Museum, which houses a chic collection of antiquities.
• Museum of Natural History. It is characterized by rave reviews and offers a rich collection of ancient animals, among which interactive replicas of dinosaurs stand out.
• Madame Tussauds is another highlight of London. Here are wax figures with special effects.
• London National Gallery. In its halls, the works of many eminent artists are presented. For example, paintings by Van Gogh, Titian, Rembrandt, Da Vinci and many others.
• The Sherlock Holmes Museum is another important face of London. It is very cozy and interesting here.

What else to see and do in London

Holidays in London can be diversified indefinitely. Seeing famous sights and visiting best museums, you need to dip a little and in real life capital Cities. And these are pubs, shady parks and many other places.

Visit Hyde Park or Green Park if you want to see how the inhabitants of the metropolis spend their free time. If you like shopping, then the numerous shops and boutiques of the city are at your service. Oxford Street is popular with Londoners and many visitors to the city, where many shops are concentrated. In the Knightsbridge area is the famous Harrods shopping center.

In the capital it will be interesting to taste and national cuisine. You can eat tasty and relatively inexpensive in the Soho area, where many restaurants, pubs, clubs and discos are located.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Great Britain, England - have you dreamed of visiting this magical place all your life? The dream has come true and you are already at the airport? How to get maximum impressions and emotions from the trip?

Remember we talked about the most popular? Today we will talk about what to do in London during a trip. We promise - our tips will help you get the most out of your trip.

1. Drink traditional black tea with milk - "5 o "clock tea"

Perhaps this is the first thing to do upon arrival in London, and after that - to repeat daily. Listen and write down the basic rules: the clock must be 5 p.m., and tea must be with milk. At the same time, this is not an ordinary tea drinking, it is accompanied by a number of attributes, thanks to which the tradition can be called a real tea ceremony. A tea set and a snow-white tablecloth are a must (drinking tea from everyday dishes is bad manners!), A cover for a teapot and strainers with a sugar bowl are also desirable.

By the way, it was from this tradition that “tips” came to us. Previously, such ceremonies were held in the gardens, where a large number of guests gathered, and everyone wanted his cup to be full, for this the servants were given a small amount - “tips” so that they poured tea more diligently.

To enjoy the tea tradition to the fullest, we advise you to visit the restaurant of the Ritz Hotel, which is located at 150 Piccadilly. This elite place is famous for holding tea ceremonies. The classic dress code is strictly observed here, and the meal is accompanied by live music.

2. Take a ride on a double-decker bus

Such a trip is a must if you want to join the history of Great Britain and see the sights with your own eyes. Especially such an excursion by bus will be relevant in London rainy weather (when you suddenly find yourself cold and raining). Then the red symbolic vehicle will be more relevant than ever.

The walk will become even more exciting if you take the best seats - the first rows on the second floor, which offer an unforgettable view of the beauty of London's architecture and the indescribable atmosphere of the bustle of the capital.

By the way, traditional buses with an open footrest still operate in London. You will find them on route number 9 ( trafalgar square – green park- Kensington High street) and No. 15 (Trafalgar square - St. Paul's - Tower of London) daily during the day. You can pay the fare to the conductor or use an Oyster card.

3. Visit the house of the legendary Sherlock Holmes - Baker Street 221b

Are you a fan of world famous detectives? Then surely remember the famous address. According to Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson lived in this house from 1881 to 1904. But in the days of Mr. Holmes, the numbering on Baker Street ended at the first hundred.

The confusion with the numbers has survived to this day. The famous museum is located at 239 Baker Street but has a 221b sign. But for true fans of the detective genre, such nuances make visiting a historical place even more interesting.

4. Attend parliamentary debates

Of course, this is not as spectacular as a musical in the West End, but sometimes passions seething here are not inferior to Shakespeare's tragedies.

Interested? Then we boldly go to the Palace of Westminster, popularly known as the Houses of Parliament. The tube station is Westminster, and you definitely won't get lost there!

The London Parliament is a visiting card of the capital, a real attraction. You can visit inside, and even for free, if you come here on Thursday from 10.30 to 18.30, just then parliamentary debate pass openly, and you can see everything with your own eyes. Agree, this is exactly what you can do only in London, isn't it?

5. Ride the London Eye

Immediately included in the Guinness Book of Records, the largest European Ferris wheel is located on south coast Thames. The huge eye resembles a bicycle wheel, and its 32 capsule cabins can accommodate 25 people. Why 32? That's how many suburbs there are in London. At the same time, capsule 13 does not exist - the superstitious British missed this number.

Before you get ready for the ferris wheel, check the weather forecast - if you get into fog and rain, you will see only a small part of the city.

To avoid queues, come here at sunset - surprisingly, there are already few people, but the beauty is incredible. And take something tasty with you - the trip lasts about 30 minutes, with your favorite delicacies they will pass even more pleasantly.

6. See London from a bird's eye view

Have you already looked at the city from the Ferris wheel? Try another way. We have already talked about observation decks. But it is impossible to ignore this object.

The new skyscraper was built quite recently, in 2012, it has a unique huge roof with a stunning view of the city. The unusual shape of the building and the all-glass coating gave the skyscraper the name "Shard". Panoramic flat glazing will allow you to see the city in a way that you could not even imagine it before. No wonder so many people spend several hours here.

Write down the address: between the two bridges - Tower and London, 2 London Bridge Street, Southwark.

7. Go shopping

Traditional places for shopping are Oxford Street and the Soho area. Take a look at Westfield - a huge shopping center, where all popular shopping entertainments are presented. At the same time, queues, crowds and crushes never happen here.

If your passion is street markets and vintage, you'll love Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Sellers come from different corners peace. You can find everything here - vintage dresses, watches, hats and trinkets, various interior items and even rare books and jewelry. In this market you will not be deceived, they will not impose unnecessary purchases, the right to take a place in malls waiting for years, and shops are inherited. Local merchants value their reputation and guarantee the quality of the goods.

8. Make a wish on the prime meridian

On a free day, go to Greenwich Park After a pleasant walk along the strict English alleys and acquaintance with the Sir Christopher Wren Observatory, you can make a wish at the very place where the border of the two hemispheres passes

There are several ways to do this. The first (the easiest) is to stand on the meridian line with both feet and make a wish. Too easy! The second way, according to tourists, is the most popular - we get up so that one foot remains on the eastern hemisphere, and the second is on the western. Now we close our eyes and imagine how the meridian lines cut through the hemispheres on the world map. Now your dream will definitely come true!

Find Prime Meridian Just - exact location marked with a stainless steel line. Recently, it has been illuminated with a green laser beam.

9. Get to Hogwarts and walk around Dumbledore's office

Are you an avid Harry Potter fan, have you read all the books and watched all the movies? Then this tour is for you! We leave for the suburb of London Leavesden. Here at the Warner Brothers studio, where 8 parts of the film were shot, where the actors practically lived for several years in a row, the Potter Museum is now located.

Visitors will see drawings, drawings and models, film sets, costumes and wigs, many items made especially for filming, learn the secrets of combined filming and special effects, and take away magical souvenirs.

10. Walk along the Thames

Remember what we were taught at school in the classroom in English? Did you talk about Parliament, the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, the Millennium Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral? You will see all this while walking along the Thames. Such walks can be made every day, not getting tired of the unique atmosphere of London.

In general, remember - everything is in your hands! What to do in London everyone decides for himself, and the trip will be remembered exactly the way you make it yourself. Well, we will help turn dreams into reality. The main thing - do not forget your camera to remember happy moments and share with us!