Places of interest in London

If you want to feel you've 'arrived' the first day then here's some ideas for a walk from Westminster, the heart of London. How many films have you seen showing Westminster from Westminster Bridge? Well get a photo from there first, send one back to your friends on your mobile. Stare at Big Ben for that feeling of having 'arrived'. Zoom in now and wander past Westminster Abbey up Whitehall and take a peek at 10 Downing Street (through bars!). Keep an eye open for the Horse Guards, especially if you're there at 4pm and see the dismounting ceremony. Next into Trafalgar Square where Lord Nelson dominates the scene. Here we have the National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Hop on now to Leicester Square, the home of theatres and cinemas, down to Piccadilly Circus which has become somewhat seedy and then continue on through Soho up Shaftesbury Ave.

 Westminster Abbey where all our monarchs are crowned and buried, at least since 1066. The acoustics are brilliant - watch out for an organ recitals and such like. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben The seat of ruling can be viewed by all!. You can visit both the Commons and the Lords. There are tours in high season if you're interested call 020 7344 9966 If you have time then the Cabinet War Rooms are worth looking at. This was the underground HQ of our fight against the Nazis 1939 - 1945. Some things have not been changed since the end of the war. 

Spanning the River Thames in the heart of London, London Bridge is surrounded by royal haunts and medieval churches that have attracted visitors such as William Shakespeare. During your exploration of the area, you can catch one of Shakespeare's plays in a round theater or explore the world of abstract art next door. And because London Bridge is also the site and name of a rail station, it's a convenient launching point for exploring the rest of the city.

 Downing Street. Number 10 is where it all happens but you'll have to be satisfied with peeking through the railings. Gone are the days when you could stand outside and admire the door knocker! While on Whitehall you may as well stop and see Horse Guards. At their most interesting at 11am when inspection takes place and again at 4pm when their have their dismounting ceremony (when do they get to go to the loo?!). Trafalgar Square. Another place where you can feel you have 'arrived' Lord Nelson dominating this large open space at the top of his huge column. Pigeons no longer abound but I suppose we'll get used to that. This is one of 'the places' to be on New Years Eve - if you like cuddling perfect strangers that is!
National Gallery is a must if you like art at all. Host our best collection of paintings - Turner, van Gogh, Rembrandt to mention just a few. Join the 'quickie' or overview tours at 11.30am or 2.30pm. If you need a lunch break and a bit of peace from the hurly burly of Trafalgar Square then try the free lunch time concerts here to St Martin-in-the-Fields- Built in the 1720's and famous for its concerts. on Mon.Tue or Friday at 1.05. 
 Piccadilly Circus. They say that if you sit in Piccadilly long enough you'll see everyone you ever knew. Soho - well, what can we say. Take a look, it's amusing, titillating, seedy. It's Soho. Careful not to get done if you go into any of the shows, it may be more expensive than you bargained for. Covent Garden. Cornucopia or what? shopping, eating and off-the-cuff performances to name but a few. Just go, enjoy the flavour.

 Buckingham Palace. What can one say - this is home. If you want a visit you can do it in August and Sept. . It's very popular so save time and book. Changing of the Guard. This can be seen at 11.30am April to August and every even numbered day 'off season'. You could see the Royal Mews while in the vicinity. This is the Queen's stables and is in daily use. You can see the wonderful coaches too.
 Hyde Park. Acres and acres of greenery with a man-made lake to boot. The merest hint of sunshine and we're out there stripping down as far as we dare!

 Madame Tussauds Waxworks. A load of fun once you get in. 
 Wren's most famous church is St Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral where the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana took place in 1981. See the crypt, anybody who's anybody's there! Have a spooky time in the whispering gallery at the top of the dome. At 1pm every day you can hear Great Paul, the largest swinging bell in Europe, being rung for five minutes. If you climb the Golden Gallery you will have a fine view of London. St Paul's was first built in 604 but burned down (it was made of wood) a few times. <\p>