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| Life's a beach on the South Bank |
London Days Out
Take in the sights and sounds of the capital with our summer selection of London's key attractions. Many of them are free, so what better time is there to go native in your own city...?
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| Buckingham Palace in bloom |
The
official London residency of the British monarchy since 1837. Changing
the Guard takes place in the forecourt at 11.30am every other day from
August to March each year. The State Rooms are open for the summer
(until 27 September), where the Queen Mother's 'White Wardrobe' is
currently on display.
Buckingham Palace Road SW1. Tel 020 7766 7300
Evocative
recreation showing where Winston Churchill and his cabinet marshalled
the war effort during the Blitz. Highlights include the recently opened
Churchill Suite.
Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1. Tel 020 7930 6961
Sightseeing
cruises up and down the Thames depart from Westminster Pier, Waterloo
Millennium Pier, Tower Millennium Pier and Greenwich Pier. You can
choose your stop to suit your timetable.
Tel 020 7740 0400
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| Part of the Piazza at night time |
Shops,
market stalls, bars, restaurants and street theatre are all to be found
here. Grab a drink at a pavement table and people watch to your heart's
content.
Covent Garden WC2. Tel 020 7836 9136
Moored
on the Thames, this nine-deck warship with its gun turrets, officers'
cabins and mess decks offers an unrivalled insight into life in the
Navy during World War II.
Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street SE1. Tel 020 7940 6300
This
impressive structure is home to the House of Commons, the House of
Lords and Big Ben. With Parliament in recess, summer is the perfect
time to tour the Palace (July to September).
Westminster SW1. Tel 020 7219 3000
A
purpose built watery spectacle housing over 350 species of fish, from
eels and manta rays to piranhas. Feeding time is a must and there are
plenty of activities to keep children fascinated and amused.
County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road SE1. Tel 020 7967 8000
Discover
the gory details of London's bloody past, including the Great Plague
and the devastation of the Great Fire of London. One of the capital's
most consistent tourist draws. Visit outside peak hours to avoid the
crowds.
Tooley Street SE1. Tel 020 7403 7221
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| In full swing: the London Eye |
Book
a flight (lasting roughly 30 minutes) on the world's largest
observation wheel and soar into the sky above the Thames to see some
spectacular views over the capital and beyond. Have your picture taken
in your pod for posterity.
South Bank SE1. Tel 0870 500 0600
Spend
an afternoon star-spotting - without bumping into a celebrity. Gaze
into the night-time sky for a cosmic journey and see the planets,
constellations and the Milky Way. Far less busy than Madame Tussauds
next door.
Marylebone Road NW1. Tel 0870 400 3000
Explore
the serene backwaters of London aboard a traditional canal narrow boat.
Trips depart from Little Venice, stop at London Zoo and then continue
to Camden Lock.
Little Venice, off Edgeware Road W8. Tel 020 7482 2660
Still
a perennial favourite despite the high-ish admission charges. Animal
lovers can adopt anything from an ant to a tiger. Don't forget the
Giraffe House across the road.
Outer Circle, Regent's Park NW1. Tel 020 7722 3333
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| Mangrove Carnival pants, London |
August
in west London rings to the sound of whistles at one of Europe's
largest carnivals, which sees all kinds of spectacular costumes and
unhinged revelry. Top music sound systems and steel bands line the
carnival route.
Ladbroke Grove and surrounding streets in W11.
See
the capital in a new light on one of these daily walking tours. Choose
from Shakespeare's London, the Inns of Court, Darkest Victorian London
and many more.
Various locations. Tel 020 7624 3978
One
of London's most recognisable landmarks, the bridge took eight years to
build and was completed in 1894. A visit to the Tower Bridge Exhibition
includes a tour of the Victorian engine rooms.
SE1. Tel 020 7403 3761
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| A Guy Fawkes effigy at the Tower |
Aside
from the Crown Jewels which are on permanent display in the Jewel
House, highlights within the 23-towered fortress include a new audio
visual exhibition telling the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder
Plot of 1605.
EC3. Tel 0870 756 6060
The
new-look, pedestrianised Trafalgar Square is also a pigeon-free zone.
Nelson's Column, the four bronze lions and the square's fountains are
perfect London backdrops for photo opportunities. Furthermore, over
three weeks in August, visitors will be able to see an international
line-up of actors, musicians and dancers as part of the inaugural
Trafalgar Square festival.
WC2. Tel 020 7234 5800