What to do in London to fall in love with the city for life? Be surprised by the originality of trendy designer bars. Immerse yourself in the world of celestial bodies at the observatory

It's time to think about what to do in the British capital. Although it is considered an extremely expensive city, you can find cheap or even free entertainment here.

1. Take a trip to the past in the house of Dennis Severs

An 18th-century building known as the "Dennis Severs House" is located on Folgate Street, in the Spitafield area. The former owner restored the housing in such a way that each of the 10 rooms is reminiscent of bygone eras of English history - Georgian and Victorian. Passing from one room to another, going up and down the creaky stairs, you can take a trip into the past. The rooms are furnished with original period furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. At the same time, there is no feeling that this is a museum, the house seems inhabited: there are half-eaten dishes on the dishes, glasses are filled with wine, a frock coat is casually thrown over a chair, the smell of a dinner being prepared comes from the kitchen and voices are heard. Excursion to weekdays costs £7, on Sundays £10.

2. Enjoy art at the National Gallery

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square will allow you to plunge into the world of painting. Here are paintings by Rubens, Titian, Monet, Rembrandt, van Gogh, Raphael and many others - from representatives of the Middle Ages to those who worked at the beginning of the 20th century. And best of all, it's all free! And in between viewing pictures, you can have a bite to eat in the local cafes.

3. Climb the belfry of Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey) is located on Francis Street. Adjacent to this remarkable Byzantine-style building is a bell tower 83 meters high. This is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also an excellent observation deck, located at a height of 64 meters, from where you can enjoy an extensive view of London. From here you can see: St. Paul's Cathedral in the east, Battersea power station in the south, in clear weather - city parks, Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. The cathedral itself can be entered for free, but to climb the bell tower, you need to pay 5 pounds.

4. Take part in fife-o'clock

In between shopping, walking around the city and visiting museums, you should definitely stop and drink a cup of English tea. Not only is it a must-have London ritual, but it's also a blessed respite from a dizzying run through the bustling British capital. You can join the tea party in almost any hotel in London, such as Claridge's on Brook Street, Brown's Hotel on Elbemarle Street or Berkeley on Wilton Place. You can eat for 30-40 pounds sterling.

5. Refresh in the pool

Having appeared in the 1920s and 30s, London's outdoor pools immediately became a popular place to relax on sunny days. They are often adjoined by cafes and children's playgrounds. Pools are scattered almost throughout the city. The most famous are the 50m London Fields Lido in Hackney and the 90m Tooting Bec in Wandsworth. The ticket price is £4.30.

6. Pour out your soul in Speakers' Corner

Inspired speakers, meddlesome provocateurs and preachers gather in Hyde Park every Sunday. Since 1872, in Speaker's Corner, it has been allowed to talk about anything, freely proclaim and defend any ideas. The only rule is to avoid obscene language.

7. Explore the hidden rivers of London

Tourists are often unaware that underground rivers lurk beneath the surface of London. For example, one of them, Tyburn, flows directly under Buckingham Palace, and Walbrook - under the Bank of England. As the city grew, the rivers became buried under houses and street slabs. Walbrook was "walled up" in the 1460s, Tyburn and Effra - in the XVIII-XIX centuries, when the city's reservoirs became sources of dirt and disease. In addition, Londoners were seriously afraid of floods.

8. Choose the perfect scent for you

A bastion of classic British style is Penhaligon's perfume shop in Covent Garden. The consultant draws up a perfume profile - selects the perfume or cologne that best matches the image of the visitor. This service is free, but rarely anyone leaves empty-handed. You can make a gift for yourself or a loved one for 80-110 pounds.

9. Take a walk on the lake

During the summer, boating lakes are open to the public in many parks. The most famous lake is the Serpentine in Hyde Park. But there are others - in Regent's Park, Alexandra Park, Greenwich Park, Battersea Park and others. At the same time, you can admire the local birds, especially the herons. In Hyde Park you can rent a boat for £10 an hour.

10. Enjoy the silence in Postman's Park

Postman's Park is located in central London, not far from St. Paul's Cathedral. Created on the site of an old cemetery, today it is best known for the memorial to the Heroic Sacrifice. There are tablets with the names of people who died in the name of saving others. For example, one of them says: “Lee Pitt, copier operator, 30 years old. Rescued a boy who was drowning in the Thamesmead Canal, but, unfortunately, he could not save himself. June 7, 2007".

11. Go on a romantic date

London lacks the touch of romance that Paris has, but there are plenty of places to go on a date. For example, at the Harvey Nichols’ bar in Knightsbridge, you can participate in a master class in mixing cocktails. Brixton Ritzy is one of the best Picturehouse Cinemas. lovers thrill it is recommended to visit the haunted house in Hampstead, where poet John Keats used to live, or dine in pitch darkness at Dans Le Noir restaurant.

12. Ride a double-decker bus

London's Routemaster double-decker buses were decommissioned in 2005, but today they can still be driven on two historic roads: routes number 9 (from Kensington to Trafalgar Square) and number 15 (from Tower Hill to Trafalgar Square). Buses run during the daytime. The fare is the same as in regular public transport.

13. See the layout of the future of London

New London Architecture is a conference forum that discusses the building projects of the future. It takes place at The Building Center on Store Street in Camden. Some galleries are open to the public and entry is free. Here you can see, for example, a 12 m long model of central London on a scale of 1:1,500, as well as smaller copies of Olympic venues.

14. Climb the Great Fire of London Monument

The Great Fire of London lasted for four days - from 2 to 5 September 1666. During this time, 13,500 houses burned down, 87 parish churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral, most of government buildings. 80% of city buildings were destroyed. In honor of this event, a column more than 60 m high was erected - a monument to the Great Fire of London. For £3, you can climb the spiral staircase to the top and admire London from a bird's eye view.

15. Discover the Wiltons Music Hall

The Wiltons Music Hall is the oldest in the world. Its deliberately shabby interior takes the visitor back in time. Events related to the world of theater, music, cinema and cabaret take place here. There is also a bar where musical groups perform almost every Monday, which you can listen to for free.

16. Visit Highgate Cemetery

Karl Marx, Douglas Adams, John Galsworthy and Michael Faraday are just a few of the famous names buried in the prestigious Victorian cemetery. His West Side extremely popular with tourists. Overgrown with ivy and wild flowers, this romantic and gloomy place can be taken for an hour's walk, accompanied by the stories of a guide, for £7. Various animals are found in Highgate Cemetery, including foxes. The doors of some crypts are tightly boarded up - there used to be a belief that some of the buried became vampires. On the new, eastern part, you can walk unaccompanied.

17. Go to a performance at the Little Angel Theater

Tourists with children are advised to visit the Little Angel Theater in Islington - one of the oldest in the UK, operating for over 50 years. Here they not only give performances, but also make puppets. The productions involve not only local but also foreign actors.

18. Pay a visit to the extravagant home of Erno Goldfinger

Hungarian architect Erno Goldfinger's modernist home, built for himself in the 1930s, is located on Willow Street. The concrete building was initially hated by Londoners, but now its author has become a hugely popular figure. You can get into the house-museum only at certain hours and only in the warm season. The ticket costs £5.30. It houses furniture designed by Golfinger, as well as works by Henry Moore, Bridget Riley, Max Ernst and other artists.

19. Buy an umbrella from James Smith & Sons

James Smith & Sons is the oldest umbrella shop in Europe. It is close to the boutiques on New Oxford Street. The shop opened in 1830 and has not changed its location since 1857. The design of shop windows and interior is almost untouched by time. It sells elegant umbrellas for men and women, as well as walking sticks, starting at £30. The store has a portrait of Jonas Hanway, the first Londoner to use an umbrella.

20. Visit the Bank of England Museum

The museum, located in the East Wing of the Bank of England, in the heart of the City, is open to the public free of charge on weekdays. Here you can look at the collection of banknotes, coins, documents, paintings and sculptures. The most notable exhibit is a real gold bar weighing as small as a small child.

21. Look at the anatomical theater

Few people know about the existence of the Museum of the Old Anatomical Theatre. It is on St. Thomas Street near The Shard skyscraper. At this place 150 years ago, operations were performed in primitive ways without anesthesia, and most often patients died. Guides tell terrible stories about how experienced surgeons of the century before last amputated limbs with a deft stroke of a knife, and beginners used saws and wire cutters for this purpose. The museum houses the original trepanation and amputation instruments, as well as human organs "pickled" in formaldehyde, including lungs blackened by London smog. The cost of the tour is £5.90.

22. Buy a bouquet at the flower market

Every Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm Columbia Road is taken over by florists. And the street - one of the few in London, which consists entirely of shops - turns into an oasis of roses, lilies, tulips and other flowers. Some vendors grow their own plants, others buy them from abroad. The price of one bouquet - from 5 pounds sterling.

23. Go to a sale

Throughout London, sales of household items “out of the trunk of a car”, the so-called “car boot sales”, are arranged every now and then. For example, every Sunday there are sales on Battersea Park Road. You can get there for 0.5-5 pounds, depending on the time. Usually a lot of people come, the sale place is equipped with everything you need - tents with snacks and toilets.

24. Sit in a bar on the roof of a high-rise building

A good view increases appetite

Despite the fact that the London climate does not allow open-air bars to be kept all year round, drinking establishments are open on the roofs of some buildings during the warm season - Aqua Spirit (Regent Street), Vista (Trafalgar Square), Queen of Hoxton (Kurten Street). road) and Coq d'Argent (Poltry).

25. Stay late at one of London's museums

Some of the major museums and galleries in London are open at the end of the tour. Bars work here, guest DJs perform, and various events are organized. Such opportunities are available, for example, at the Science Museum on the last Wednesday of each month, at Tate Britain, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum on the last Friday of each month.

26. Take a ride on the river tram on the Thames

Popular in London water transport. On it you can quickly and relatively cheaply get into Right place. With Thames Clippers, a day pass costs £12. There are convenient tourist routes, for example, from Tate Modern to Tate Britain or from the London Eye over London Bridge to the O2 area.

27. Admire the art collection at the Queen's Gallery

The Royal Collection is one of the largest art collections in the world. Over the course of 500 years, the crowned heads of Great Britain have preserved more than a million masterpieces of art. Part of the Royal Collection is the Queen's Gallery, located on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Various events and exhibitions are regularly held here. In 2012 it will be possible to look at drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, diamonds and photographs of Queen Elizabeth II over the past 60 years. An adult ticket costs from £9.25.

28. Go to a free concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields

St Martin-in-the-Fields is London's most famous parish church. It is located in Trafalgar Square. Among her parishioners are the inhabitants of Buckingham Palace, including members of the royal family. Even among Londoners, few people know that this church gives free concerts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Mostly young musicians perform here.

29. Walk along the treetops in Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is the Royal Botanic Garden in Richmond. Here you can find 50 thousand species of plants, among which are ferns, orchids, cacti, palm trees, tropical water lilies, limes, chestnuts and oaks. The garden contains lakes, greenhouses, walking paths, pavilions and museums. You can view all this beauty from a bird's eye view by climbing the 18-meter Xstrata Treetop Walkway.

30. Visit a designer clothing sale

One-off sales of designer clothes take place in different places throughout London all year round, but most often - in the building of the old town hall in Chelsea. Regularly featured brands include Orla Kiely and Aubin & Wills. Discounts on their clothes sometimes reach 70% of the recommended retail price. You can find cheap deals for children.

31. Try Curry

Since the 1940s, immigrants from former colonies metropolises and brought with them recipes for exotic dishes, one of which was curry. This spicy dish of vegetables, stews and legumes has long been an integral part of the British culinary tradition. You can try it in the so-called "Banglatown", on Brick Lane, where the life of immigrants from Bangladesh is concentrated. There are many restaurants here. Another popular place is Tayyabs on Fieldgate Street (Whitechapel).

32. See Tower Bridge being raised

Tower Bridge is raised about 1,000 times a year, but these events are not subject to a strict schedule - it all depends on when exactly the ships will sail. The exact time can be found on the TowerBridge.org.uk website dedicated to the bridge.

33. Watch the Changing of the Guard

The changing of the guard takes place at Buckingham Palace daily at 11:30 am, except Sundays from April to July. The ceremony lasts 45 minutes and is sometimes canceled due to bad weather. Usually a large crowd of spectators gathers, so it is better to come to the palace in advance, for example, at 10:45.

34. Walk through the Greenwich Pedestrian Tunnel

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel, which lies under the Thames in east London, was refurbished in 2012. At the exit from it you can get into Maritime Museum and the Observatory. Photographs are not allowed in the tunnel, as flashes can cause seizures in epileptic patients.

35. Walk by candlelight at the Sir John Soane Museum

The 18th-century house, owned by the architect Sir John Soan, contains antiques from different eras. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, but in the evening on the first Tuesday of every month there are special guided tours - by candlelight. It is recommended to come to this event in advance, because there are always too many people who want to get inside, and only the first 200 people in line receive tickets.

36. Enjoy cocktails and views at the Paramount Bar

View of London from the Paramount Bar

The Paramount Bar & Restaurant is located on floors 32-34 of the Center Point skyscraper on New Oxford Street. It is worth coming here not only to try a cocktail, but also to admire the view of London from the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Entrance is free, but you need to notify about the visit in advance.

37. Participate in the London Festival 2012

In connection with the Olympic Games, there will be many events in London, but most of them will take place as part of the London 2012 festival. Concerts, theatrical performances, book fairs, art exhibitions, shows for children and more will be held in different places in the British capital.

38. Watch a show at The Scoop Amphitheater

The Scoop is an 800 seat outdoor amphitheater. It is located in More London - an area on the banks of the Thames next to Tower Bridge. Throughout the summer, there will be many cultural events that you can attend for free - concerts, film screenings and theatrical performances.

39. Walk through the Royal Parks

Five of the nine Royal Parks in the capital are located in the heart of London. These are St. James Park, Green Park, Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Walking along them, you can understand how unexpectedly luxurious and relaxing central London can be. A walk through five parks will take about three hours. Here it is worth seeing not only the lush vegetation. Regent's Park, for example, has an outdoor theatre, zoo and sports fields. Ceremonial parades are held in St. James Park, and there is also a lake with pelicans.

40. Solve riddles in the London archives

To learn more about London's history, visit the London Metropolitan Archives on Northampton Road. This center hosts regular tours and exhibitions. Meetings are also open to the general public. historical documents. In the center you can find a collection of microfilms, a library that includes 100,000 books, geographical maps and genealogical sources.

41. Eat in Brixton Village

With the opening of Brixton Village off Atlantic Road in South London, the gastronomic climate has dramatically improved. The shopping arcade houses a dozen inexpensive eateries where you can taste delicious and original dishes. For example, Bellantoni's serves Italian cuisine, KaoSarn - Thai, Mama Lan - Chinese, and Relay Tea Room offers different types of tea.

42. Explore Eltham Palace

The majestic Eltham Palace in the Art Deco style of the 14th-16th centuries was royal residence, and in the 1930s, wealthy spouses Stephen and Virginia Courtauld lived here with their pet, a lemur named Ma-Jong. The interior of the house is decorated in an eclectic style - it has elements of medieval and modern styles. Visitors will be interested to look at the achievements of technology - telephones in special booths, gas fireplaces, built-in wardrobes, as well as old works of art. The palace can be visited for £9.60.

43. Go to the spa

Many luxury hotels in London offer spa treatments. One, Four Seasons on Park Lane, offers an hour-long back or facial massage starting at £99. The elegant rooms have a relaxing atmosphere: in a dimly lit room, you can enjoy herbal tea while listening to pleasant music. Down the same street, The Dorchester Hotel gives visitors a fresh look from movie stars, so it's a great place to pop in before a social event. Espa Life at The Corinthia Hotel (Whitehall) is also considered one of the best spa rooms.

44. Remember your childhood in the toy museum

Pollock's Toy Museum is a quiet place in Fitzrovia filled with vintage toys. Here are collected Board games, mechanical toys, puppets, teddy bears, dolls made of wax, wood, porcelain and fabric, dolls in costumes of different nations, as well as doll houses. An adult ticket costs from £3.

45. Visit the London Canal Museum

Little known to tourists, the London Canal Museum is located on New Wharf Road. Archival films and exhibits are collected here, telling about how the canals were built, how the builders lived and how the capital's arteries work.

46. ​​Check out the floating bookstore

World on the Water is London's only floating secondhand bookshop. The barge goes through Caiden Lock, Angel, Hackney and Paddington. It not only sells books, but also organizes musical performances and poetry competitions.

47. Learn to cook sweets

The owners of the William Curley store in Belgravia not only sell sweets, chocolate truffles, caramels and cakes, but also show how to make sweets. You can learn how to make truffles and caramel for £75-85, and for pastry for £90.

48. Take a beer tour

Fuller's beer is sold in pubs all over London. But you can not only try it, but also see how it is made - in a brewery located in Chiswick. During a 1.5-hour walk, employees answer questions from visitors and enlighten them about the intricacies of the production of barley drink. At the end of the tour, adult guests participate in a tasting. The cost of the tour is £10.

49. Look at the mayor's carriage and other exhibits of the Museum of London

Since the 13th century, there has been an annual ceremony during which the mayor of London solemnly drives through the city to swear allegiance to the monarch. From the 18th century to the present day, the mayors of the capital travel in the same gilded carriage. Those who missed the ceremony can look at the famous wagon at the London Museum. Other valuable exhibits belonging to different eras - Roman, medieval and modern are also stored there.

50. Reconnect with nature at Mudchute Urban Farm

City farms are scattered throughout London. The largest of them is Mudchute with an area of ​​13 hectares, located on the Isle of Dogs. It is open all year round, but the best time to visit is spring and summer. Here you can meet ordinary farm animals, as well as llamas. The local riding school is also popular. The entrance to the farm is free.

51. Leave half pay at Burlington Arcade

Burlington Arcade- a covered gallery in the heart of Mayfair, which houses expensive shops. Opening in 1819, it became the first shopping arcade in the UK. Paying homage to Burlington Arcade's rich past, contemporary vendors sell classic jewelery and timepieces, antiques and leather goods.

52. Take the kids to the workshop at the National Gallery

Every Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm at the National Gallery, children from 5 to 11 years old are given free drawing lessons and master classes in applied art. Classes are so popular that all seats are filled an hour before the start, so you need to come here in advance. Children are allowed only when accompanied by an adult. Lessons last 80 minutes.

53. Visit the Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Whitechapel Bell Foundry is the UK's oldest manufacturing company. Bells have been made here since 1570. This factory produced Big Ben, the largest clock tower bell in the Palace of Westminster. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry is still open and hosts tours throughout the year for bell ringers. The ticket costs £12 and the tour lasts 90 minutes.

54. Ride the "ghost bus"

One of the creepiest sights in London is the black double-decker "ghost bus". Nearly every day between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm, it departs from Northumberland Avenue near Trafalgar Square and passes various places marked by some terrible event. In particular, it passes Whitehall and Fleet Street, where the notorious demon barber Sweeney Todd was operating. Admission for an adult costs £18. The tour, during which the guide tells heartbreaking stories, lasts 75 minutes.

55. Watch a performance in the West End

You can't be in London and not see at least one performance in the West End. This item has long been mandatory in any tourism program. Here they give different performances - from the classic "King of Llyr" to "Othello" in the hip-hop style. Tickets for popular productions typically cost between £19 and £34.50.

56. Conquer the summit at Castle Climbing Center

The imposing rock climbing center in north London looks like a castle, but is actually a Victorian building. Classes here are suitable for both experienced climbers and beginners. One visit costs £12.50.

57. Play table tennis at the Book Club

The Book Club on Leonard Street in Shoreditch, London has become a mecca for ping pong lovers. The owners of the club provide guests with a table for the game and the necessary equipment. The competition reaches its peak on Tuesdays at 19:00. People come here not only to play table tennis, but also to taste delicious food, listen to music and just chat.

58. Taste expertly made cocktails

According to connoisseurs, London has long surpassed New York in terms of making cocktails. It is in the British capital that the most unusual and incendiary drinking mixtures are created. You can try them in different places, for example, at the Worship Street Whistling Shop in Shoreditch, Purl in Marylebone, American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London Cocktail Club in Westminster and others.

59. Look at the mummified English philosopher

Jeremy Bentham - English sociologist, lawyer, founder of utilitarianism, one of the trends in English philosophy. After his death in 1832, his body was preserved and transferred to University College London. It is still kept in a glass-enclosed booth in this educational institution on Gower Street. The mummified corpse and the philosopher's clothes are identical, but the head is made of wax - the students stole the real one.

60. Visit Olympic Venues

Naturally, it is worth visiting the venues of the Olympic Games. Tours are conducted by guides of the Blue Badge Tourist Guides travel company in 28 languages, including Russian. There are walking tours from Bromley-by-Bow station, tours of the three main Olympic venues and familiarity with activities in Greenwich Park.

61. Visit the Poor School Museum

In the Victorian era in London there were charitable educational institutions for the poor, the so-called "ragged schools" (ragged schools). Today one of them houses a museum. Children can not only visit the expositions, but also go to a demonstration lesson every first Sunday of the month. It is worth remembering that in the 19th century, teaching methods were very different from modern ones. For example, a “cap of shame” could be put on a disobedient student. Entrance to the museum is free.

62. Admire the peacocks in Holland Park

Peacocks roam freely in Holland Park in Kensington. These birds add mystery and elegance to a well-groomed city garden. They are especially good during the mating season, when the males open their magnificent tails. At this time, peacocks wandering in search of a partner can be found not only in the park, but also on the nearby streets.

63. Buy something cheap at the Frank G Bowen Auction House

There is an auction house in Leytonstone Frank's house G Bowen. Here, lost items are sold under the hammer, whose owners could not be found. Since this place is located near the city center, and the assortment of goods is diverse, it is not surprising that there are a lot of visitors. In this auction house you can make a bargain, for example, buy a bicycle for 10 pounds. The auction usually presents different things: from clothes and cosmetics to equipment and vehicles.

64. Visit the refurbished Kensington Palace

After a two-year restoration, for which £12 million was spent, Kensington Palace appeared before the public in all its glory. The luxurious interior was made to look even more dazzling, and additional showrooms were opened. At the exposition dedicated to Queen Victoria, you can hear amazing stories from the life of the royal person. The renovated garden is also worth a visit. There are also shops, cafes, terraces and walking paths. Tickets cost £14.50 and children under 16 are free.

65. Walk around the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

The St Pancras Renaissance is a luxurious five-star hotel located on King's Cross. The building is not like other hotels. The design combines the features of classic and contemporary styles. This hotel is called a national treasure and the pride of London. Guided tours are provided by Royden Stock and tickets cost £20. During the day, the price includes tea, coffee and pastries, in the evening - a glass of sparkling wine.

66. Go to a floating puppet show

The Puppet Barge is a barge anchored on the Grand Union Canal that houses a puppet theater. This place is popular with families, but the intriguing performances are interesting not only for children, but also for adults. Performances based on Aesop's fables, works by William Shakespeare, Federico Garcia Lorca and others are given here. An adult ticket costs £10, a child ticket is £8.5.

67. Take a needlework lesson at Drink, Shop & Do

Drink, Shop & Do in King's Cross is a bar, shop and learning center rolled into one. Here you can learn how to make papier-mache crafts or fold origami while sipping cocktails for free. Drink, Shop & Do sells stationery, jewelry and household items. Many of them are handmade by London craftsmen and artists. The interior of the establishment is constantly changing, as its hostesses love to rearrange.

68. Feel Inspired During High Tea At Attitude London

Every Sunday, the gospel choir performs on the 29th floor of Milbank Tower in Pimlico. The ticket costs £49. As for the menu, they serve different types of bread, meat with bones, vegetarian dishes, pies, ice cream, teas and coffees. From here you can get to the observation deck, from where a 360 ° view of London opens up.

69. Feel like a circus performer

Not everyone can afford to give up everything and go wandering along with a traveling circus. However, the basic tricks can be taught at the Circus Space Academy in Hoxton. Courses include trapeze, acrobatics, tightrope walking and more.

70. Marvel at the originality of trendy designer bars

New bars are popping up all the time in London, but few of them remain consistently popular with the capital's designers, stylists and other fashion experts. Among them are Zenna with plush seats and otherworldly lighting located in Soho, VOC in the style of the 17th century in King's Cross, as well as Ruby & Sequoia in Notting Hill, Dalston Superstore in Dalston, Paramount in Soho and others.

71. Walk through the places of Jack the Ripper

A lot has happened since the enigmatic Jack the Ripper brutally murdered five women in 1888, but his memory has not faded. The area of ​​crime is concentrated in a small corner of the East End - Whitechaple. Today, excursions are held here, during which the guide tells various scary stories about the legendary killer. Routes vary. Some start at Whitechapel station, then history buffs follow Durward Street, where the body of the first victim, Polly Nichols, was found, and then to other places, including Spitafields Markets and Brick Lane. At the end of the tour, it is recommended to look into The Ten Bells pub. According to rumors, some of the victims of Jack the Ripper were its regular visitors.

72. Have fun in a floating cabaret

Tucked away on the south bank of the Thames between Vauxhall and Battersea, the Battersea barge houses a cabaret with a warm and relaxed atmosphere. There is a bar that serves a variety of dishes, including traditional British dishes, and also provides visitors with a large selection of wines. On Fridays and Saturdays, incendiary parties are held on the barge. Live music is played in the cabaret, the organizers invite DJs and various performers.

73. Visit the house of John Keats

John Keats is the third (along with Byron and Shelley) great poet of the younger generation of English Romantics. He managed to make a great contribution to literature before he died of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Today, his home in Hampstead is open to the public. Many personal items are stored there, among which is an engagement ring given to him by his beloved Fanny Bron.

74. Try pie and mashed potatoes at A. Cookes

A. Cookes on Goldhawk Street serves traditional English dishes such as meat pies, mashed potatoes, puddings and fried eels. Meals are cheap and you can take them with you. The establishment was founded by Alfred Cook in 1899 and has been owned by the same family since 1934. A. Cookes is closed on Sundays.

75. Eat a bagel in Brick Lane

Brick Lane is home to two adjacent 24-hour convenience stores that sell London-famous bagels. They are served with different toppings such as salmon, corned beef or cheese and cost only £2-3. Judging by the reviews of enthusiastic tourists, this is one of the best places to satisfy your hunger in London.

76. Admire the Royal Stables

At Buckingham Palace there is a stable that houses a 4-ton gilded carriage that has been used during the coronation ceremonies of all British monarchs since 1821. Usually a visit to the stable lasts about an hour, and there are also audio tours lasting 45 minutes. The entrance ticket costs £8.25.

77. Walk around the London Wetland Center

The London Wetland Centre, located in Barnes, attracts lovers wildlife. 200 species of water birds live here. There are walking paths, for those who wish, organize free tours. The entrance ticket costs £10.99. For £45, experts give lessons about animals and birds. In addition, under the supervision of the custodian of the center, it is allowed to feed the birds.

78. Greet new residents of Madame Tussauds

Wax figures of William and Kate, the Earl and Countess of Cambridge, have appeared in Madame Tussauds on Baker Street. They look exactly like the day they got engaged. You can also look at sports stars, musicians, politicians and other celebrities. The entrance ticket costs 30 pounds sterling.

79. Learn a lot at a free lecture

Founded in 1597, Gresham College has been giving free public lectures for over 400 years. Professors of commerce and finance, theology, law, astronomy, rhetoric and other sciences share their experience with everyone. Gresham College is the oldest institution of higher education in London. You can find him in Holborn.

80. Learn how to mix cocktails

A small bar on Colebrook Row is one of the most popular in London. Here you can try cocktails and learn how to mix them during master classes. Ingredients include bourbon, tequila, gin, champagne and whiskey. One session costs £40.

81. Experiment with ice cream at Chin Chin Laboratorists

The Chin Chin Laboratorists Café in Camden has something special for its patrons: it is the first establishment in Europe to use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream. The special dish is Rambutan & Rose, a sherbet made from the exotic nephelium fruit, rose water and lime zest.

82. Sing under the ukulele in karaoke

Those who are tired of the usual karaoke should try to sing songs to the live music of the KaraUke band playing the ukulele, the national Hawaiian instrument. They perform in different parts of London on one Thursday of every month. KaraUke doesn't have as big a repertoire as a karaoke machine, but they can prepare a few songs if asked in advance.

83. See justice in action

Open hearings are held at the Royal Court of Justice, which are open to all who wish to attend. Each case is different, the process is exciting and allows you to get acquainted with the intricacies of the British judicial system. The courthouse itself is remarkable, resembling a fairy-tale palace.

84. Watch the closing of the Tower

The Key Ceremony is a traditional ritual in which the Keepers of the Keys close the Tower of London. This has been happening every night for 700 years. Tourists are allowed to attend the ceremony free of charge. This action is popular, so it is better to come to the Tower in advance. Some dates are booked months in advance.

85. Plunge into the magical world of Harry Potter

All the Harry Potter films have already been shot, but the scenery and props remain. They are kept in the studio. Warner Bros.. Today, everyone can look at them during the tour. There's Hagrid's motorcycle, a stuffed giant spider Aragog over 5m wide, character costumes, and more. Visitors can walk along the pavement of Diagon Alley, look at the crockery on the dining room table at Hogwarts, and the books on the shelves in Dumbledore's office. The main exhibit is a 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts. It was used during the filming of the exterior of the building in the first six films. Admission is £21 for children and £28 for adults. There is also a fan shop selling everything from candy to replicas of Dumbledore's robes.

86. Look at the tallest sculpture in the UK

The almost completed ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture is located at the Olympic Stadium in East London. She represents the most tall building in the country. It has two viewing platforms, from where a 360 ° view of Olympic Park an area of ​​100 hectares and Stratford. The sculpture, designed by Anish Kapoor, has already been compared to the Eiffel Tower.

87. Shop at Selfriges Department Store

Selfriges is the most famous department store in London, located on Oxford Street. A personal consultant will help you navigate the abundance of goods. For example, a stylist can choose the right clothes from the latest collections. Such assistance is free, but you should count on large purchases.

88. Buy cheap things

There are many charity shops in London, as they call shops that sell second-hand items and donate proceeds to charity. In them you can find different goods, even comes across designer clothing, which is several times cheaper than in expensive boutiques, or even completely new things in excellent condition. With any luck, you can find a cocktail dress for under £20. There are such shops, for example, in Pimlico (Sue Ryder Cancer Care, Hospices of Hope, Oxfam, Fara, Trinity Hospice), in Highgate (RSPCA, Mind, Green Room, Cancer Research, Oxfam), on Galloway Road (Sense, Scope , British Heart Foundation), in Clapham (British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Trinity Hospice, Age UK, Save the Children) and elsewhere.

89. Get lost in the maze

The Hampton Palace of Justice has had a labyrinth since about 1700, with many bizarre twists, unexpected turns and dead ends. Its area is about 1400 m². It is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the UK. He is so famous that he is even mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome's book "Three Men in a Boat, Not Counting the Dog."

90. Imagine coffee shops of the past

Coffeehouses have existed in London since 1652, when the first establishment of this type was opened on St. Michael's Alley. According to contemporaries, at the beginning of the 18th century there were more than 3,000 coffee houses in London, but today's historians believe that there were only 550 of them. Each had its own unique style. For example, the walls of Don Saltero's were decorated with stuffed animals; in Lunt's one could not only drink coffee, but also shave at the barber and listen to lectures on the abolition of slavery at the same time; there was even a floating coffee shop, Folly of the Thames, where dances were held. Today there are audio tours that tell about the history of London coffee houses.

91. Immerse yourself in the world of celestial bodies in the observatory

in Greenwich royal observatory there is a unique 28-inch refractor telescope, built in 1893, which is the largest in the UK and the seventh largest in the world. On dark winter evenings, visitors look through it at the same constellations that so fascinated astronomers in the 19th century.

92. Tasting wine at The Sampler

Shop window The Sampler

The Sampler is a shop-bar on Old Brompton Road where you can buy wine to go or just taste different varieties. This establishment is good because it makes elite drinks available to the masses. Here you can order a small portion of wine for only 30 pence. Takeaway drinks cost between £10 and £200.

93. Eat what they give in the "dinner with no alternatives"

There are countless cafes and restaurants in London, where visitors can order whatever their heart desires. IN Lately eateries of the opposite type began to appear, with a limited menu of 1-2 courses. Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte restaurants in Marylebone and the City, for example, serve green salad with walnuts, steak sauce and fried potatoes. And all this for £21. The only choice guests can make is how the steak is prepared. Burger & Lobster in Mayfair serves, as the name implies, only steaks and lobsters, accompanied by salad and fries. A serving costs £20.

94. Make shoes in I Can Make Shoes

Dalston has a workshop called I Can Make Shoes where you can make the shoes of your dreams or simply refurbish old shoes. Training courses last from several hours to several days, after which you can take on any job, from making sandals and ballet flats to fashionable stilettos. The owners of this workshop proved that making shoes is easy.

95. Join the owls at the London Zoo

During daylight hours, the zoo is mostly owned by families with children. However, in June and July there are adult-only events on Friday nights. The show starts at nightfall: there are performances in the aquarium, a cabaret opens in the amphitheater, spirits are served in the bar, and picnics are organized on the lawns. The entrance ticket costs 25 pounds sterling.

96. Go down to Churchill's bunker

In Westminster, there is a combat post for monitoring the operational situation, from where Winston Churchill gave orders during the Second World War. The bunker remained in the same form as it was left in August 1945. Personal items used by the British Prime Minister are stored here: telephones, documents and even cigars.

97. Sit on a bench in Richmond Park

Quiet and spacious, Richmond Park is full of unexplored corners. One of its most unusual sights is a bench erected in memory of the singer Ian Dury. It is equipped with solar panels and a headphone jack. By connecting to the player, you can listen to the musician's songs, including Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

98. Get new knowledge in the Frontline club

Frontline - a club in Paddington whose members are prominent journalists and other media workers mass media. Exhibitions, lectures, training seminars and debates are regularly held here. Everyone can attend them. The entrance fee is usually £150, and seats must be booked in advance.

99. Explore art in the East End

On the first Thursday of every month, over 100 galleries and museums across East London are open late. The program includes guided tours of art exhibitions, concerts and performances. If you're lucky, you can treat yourself to beer for free. A free bus follows the route.

2017-01-17 22:26:49

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2017-10-31 13:21:42

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 a 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 - literally at every step you can find a nightclub, a 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.

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 Renaissance palaces, 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 business card capital - the Tower, which is the most ancient building in the city and the very place in which most of its history is concentrated. The oldest part of the building is the White Tower (built in 1078). 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 the many other buildings. Traditionally, the cathedral is the burial place of the most prominent citizens.

In addition to the Cathedral of St. Paul, another important religious center of the city is Westminster Abbey, where from the XI century. coronations and burials of English monarchs are carried out. This religious building 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. It is worth telling about the most interesting museums of the city, 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. After seeing the famous sights and visiting the best museums, you need to take a little dip 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.

It will be interesting to taste the national cuisine in the capital. 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 becomes even more exciting if you take best places- the first rows on the second floor, offering 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 9 (Trafalgar square - Green Park - Kensington High street) and 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, that's when the parliamentary debates are open, 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 entered the Guinness Book of Records, the largest European Ferris wheel is located on the south bank of the 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 platforms. 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 street markets and vintage are your passion, then you will 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 the malls has been waiting for years, and the 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 simple - the exact location is 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 English lessons? 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!