Planning a trip to London? Here are five sights and attractions that you shouldn’t miss when visiting this the huge, historic, and very hip city:
1 British Museum
Founded in 1753 by Act of Parliament, from the collections of Sir Hans Sloane, the British Museum is one of the great museums of the world, showing the works of man from prehistoric to modern times with collections drawn from the whole world. Famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, the Sutton Hoo and Mildenhall treasures and the Portland Vase.
2 Tate Modern
A visit to London isn’t complete without a trip to Tate Modern. Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.
3 Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy of Arts, founded in 1768, is the oldest fine arts institution in Britain . Situated in the heart of the West End on Piccadilly, it is universally renowned for hosting some of the capital’s finest temporary and touring exhibitions. Its annual Summer Exhibition, running since the institution first opened, displays select work from up and coming artists and by academicians.
4 Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a national museum, displaying superb works of art in an historic London town house. The collection was acquired principally in the 19thC by the third and fourth Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the illegitimate son of the fourth Marquess.
5 London Eye
Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State, and now London has the London Eye – an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world’s largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!
Top 5 Hotels in London:
Andaz Liverpool London – one of London’s finest railway hotels.
Hotel Claridge’s – a London classic.
The Berkeley Knightsbridge – one of the most fashionable hotel addresses in London.
Grosvenor House – perfectly situated on Park Lane.
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – boasting a splendid location with fabulous views.