Overview
Accommodations
Food
Sights And Activities
Museums
Entertainment
Shopping
Nightlife
Daytrips
Gay and Lesbian London
Beyond Tourism
From the hints of the city’s Roman past at the London Wall to the memories of WWII or the unforgettable Great Fire of London, London’s long past has not only been documented in stone but also in its art scene, from the masterworks in the West End’s National Gallery and the Tate Modern to the cutting edge galleries of Chelsea and the South Bank. And not to worry—this artistic splendor is totally accessible to travelers on a budget, especially those who carry their student IDs. When trying to see a church, look for service times, as you can frequently get in free during masses, Evensong, etc. If you can’t afford to visit all of the sights individually, buy a ticket up to the top of St. Paul’s—the view from the Golden Gallery is magnificent and the cathedral itself is worth every pence.
Don’t limit your experience to the ticketed sights either. Once you realize that London’s history is everywhere, you won’t be able to escape it. No matter what path you choose, whether you’re strolling down the winding lanes of Marylebone, ducking your way through the growth in Hampstead Heath, or navigating the thousands of roses in Regent’s Park, your exploration will be rewarded. There is no wrong turn. Unless you’re on the heath and you hear a strange growling noise to your left. In that case, a left turn may be the wrong turn.
Speakers' Corner Hyde Park, Park Ln. ( N/A ; N/A ) This innocuous corner of Hyde Park is the stage for political, religious, and social debates. Speakers present ideas, challenge each other, and take ...more
The British Museum, Great Russell St. ( 020 7323 8299; www.british-museum.org) The funny thing about the British Museum is that there’s almost nothing British in it. Founded in 1753 as the personal collection ...more
Saatchi Art Gallery, Duke of York Sq. ( 020 7811 3085 ;www.saatchigallery.co.uk) It's rare to find a free gallery of this caliber. The rooms are cavernous and bright, providing ample space for each installation ...more
The Temple, Between Essex St. and Temple Ave. ( 020 7427 4820; www.templechurch.com) The Temple was a complex of buildings established by the Knights Templar, catapulted into stardom by The Da Vinci Code ...more
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd. ( 020 7942 2000; www.vam.ac.uk) The V and A is one of the most bizarre and all-encompassing museums out there. Originally founded because the director, Henry Cole ...more
The Regent's Park, Regent's Park ( 020 7486 7905;www.royalparks.org.uk) In 1811, the Prince Regent commissioned the parks as private gardens, and hired John Nash to design them. However, in 1841, the ...more
Saint Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard ( 020 7246 8350; www.stpauls.co.uk) Entering Saint Paul’s Cathedral and not taking the Lord’s name in vain is a challenge. Like many churches in the area ...more
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd. ( 020 7416 5000; www.iwm.org.uk) Housed in what used to be the infamous Bedlam insane asylum, the Imperial War Museum is mad for history. The exhibits start out right with ...more
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Sq. ( 020 7747 2885; www.nationalgallery.org.uk) The National Gallery presides over Trafalgar Square and is nearly as impressive as the Square itself. Founded in 1824 and ...more
Westminster Abbey, Off Parliament Sq. ( 020 7222 5152; www.westminster-abbey.org ) Founded in 960, Westminster Abbey became the royals' church after the crowning of William the Conqueror in 1066. Nearly ...more
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead ( 020 7332 3030) Hampstead Heath was initially much smaller than its present 800 acres. After Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson tried to develop and sell off the Heath in the early 19th ...more
Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St. ( 020 7522 7888; www.whitechapelgallery.org) This edgy gallery has been showing important contemporary art since it opened in 1901. Originally an effort ...more
Brick Lane boasts a number of delicious ethnic eateries, and East London’s bars and clubs constitute one of the best evening scenes in the city. A winding mass of curry houses, a few remaining Jewish ...more
Skyscrapers, stores, and secretaries populate the busy Docklands area, distinguishing it from the churches and monuments of the surrounding areas. Until the 1960s, when the shipping industry began its ...more
Many people choose to make the hour-long boat trip from Westminster or Tower Hill to Greenwich; boats also run to the Thames Barrier. Travelcard holders get 33% off riverboat trips from a variety of companies ...more
Clapham, just to the east, has more old-time charm than Brixton, though it too is on the up and up. Attractive High Street is packed with even more elite bars and clubs, as well as eateries that run the ...more
Trafalgar Square. London’s largest traffic roundabout commemorates the victory over Napoleon’s navy at Trafalgar, considered the British navy’s finest hour. From the Chartist rallies of 1848 ...more
SAINT PANCRAS OLD CHURCH. The first church on this site was reputedly founded by Roman legionaries in AD 314 for early Christian worship and became the first parish in London. The present building, though ...more
In Maida Vale, the cross section of three canals is known as Little Venice—although there is nothing too Italian about it. While not filled with an abundance of interesting sights, St. John’s Wood ...more
HAMPSTEAD HEATH. Hampstead Heath is one of the last remaining traditional commons in England, open to all since at least 1312—thanks to the local residents, who successfully fought off attempts to ...more
Apsley House Hyde Park Corner ( 020 7499 5676; www.english-heritage.org.uk ) Named for Baron Apsley, the house later known as "No.1, London" was bought in 1817 by the Duke of Wellington, whose heirs ...more
Few people agree about where the “official” boundaries of West London lie, and even fewer agree about West London’s defining characteristics. Encompassing everything from the live ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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