| Top Attractions | | Windsor Castle | | Windsor Castle is located on the banks of the Thames, twenty miles west of London. Begun in 1078 by William the Conqueror, this massive palace, Queen Elizabeth II's favorite, has been expanded and remodeled many times over the centuries. It is a unique collection of Edwardian, Gothic, and Tudor architecture. St. George's Chapel is remarkable for its elaborate, carved wooden ceiling, and is the resting place of King Henri VIII, his third wife Jane Seymour, King Charles I, and other royalty. Another highlight is Queen Mary's magical, four-story dollhouse. Everything in this whimsical house is one-twelfth of life-size, including original books by Rudyard Kipling. | | Windsor Castle Tour | | London Eye | | Conceived and constructed in partnership with British Airways, the London Eye is a huge, glass-enclosed, observation wheel. Over 1700 feet high, this popular attraction offers sweeping views that encompass all of London and the surrounding countryside. Make your "flight" extra special by choosing a champagne flight or reserve a private capsule for up to twenty-five of your friends and enjoy brunch while you enjoy the sights. A unique, awe-inspiring, fun-filled treat. | | See London from 135 meters up | | British Museum | | A repository for the spoils collected from all corners of the British Empire, the British Museum is historic, fascinating, and slightly overwhelming. See the controversial Elgin Marbles, marble friezes taken from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin in the 19th century. Wonder at the Rosetta Stone, the tightly inscribed piece of black basalt that unlocked the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphics. See the original Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1297. Egyptian, Celtic, Etruscan, Roman, and Greek, and more: the British Museum showcases the best of the world's most advanced civilizations. | | |  See All London Tours | | | | Tower of London | | Nine hundred years of history compete for visitors' attention at the infamous Tower of London. This medieval monument has been a royal palace, a fortress, an armory, and a treasury. It is best known, however, as the brutal, merciless prison of Tudor England. Queen Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Sir Thomas Moore, and Sir Walter Raleigh are just some of the Tower's famous residents. Visit the 12th century White Tower, one of the finest examples of Norman architecture. See the dazzling Crown Jewels, an overwhelming collection of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, guarded by the colorful Beefeaters. Or, climb the "bloody tower," where the two young princes disappeared in 1483, possibly murdered by their uncle and protector, Richard III. The Tower of London is a treasure trove of history, some of it dark, but all of it interesting. | | | | Skip the long lines when you book the Tower of London tour online | | | | Buckingham Palace | | The residence of Queen Elizabeth II and her family, Buckingham Palace has been home to the Kings and Queens of England since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in. Completely rebuilt in 1913, certain rooms of Buckingham Palace are open to the public during August and September, when the royals are vacationing. The picturesque and solemn, Changing of The Guard, is held in the courtyard, every 48 hours or so from April to October. Exact times for this huge tourist attraction are listed in the local papers. | | The West End: London's Theatre District | | The West End has seen the premieres of Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, and Les Miserables. Musicals, dramas, and comedies have graced this collection of independently run theaters for over 200 years. Agatha Christie's murder mystery, The Mousetrap, is the longest running theater production in history, and still enchants theatergoers nightly at St. Martin's Theater. Purchase same-day half-price tickets for West End shows at the booth in Leicester Square. This is Broadway with a British accent. | | The Tate Gallery | | The Tate Gallery's extensive art collection focuses exclusively on the 20th century. Works by Cezanne, Klimt, Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, and Leger delight visitors. Rodin's inspiring, white marble sculpture, The Kiss holds court in the foyer here. Modern American artists, such as Jackson Pollack and Andy Warhol, are also represented. The collection is rotated periodically in order to show all of the Tate's over 4000 paintings. | | Harrod's | | This shopping mecca is worthy of all its publicity. Behind the elegant Edwardian façade, built in the early 1900s, lies an army of over 4000 employees in 230 departments filled with merchandise. One of the highlights of this fascinating store is the Food Halls, noteworthy for its displays as well as for its food offerings. Visitors from all over the world flock to Harrod's during the first week in January for the substantial bargains to be found at Harrod's annual sale. Relax while shopping in one of Harrod's thirteen restaurants and five bars. | | Covent Garden | | Formerly a food market, Covent Garden is where the Cockney flower-seller, Eliza Doolittle, met Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. Today, this historic market has abandoned its working-class origins and re-created itself into a mixed-use complex of shops, restaurants, pubs, and entertainment. The open courtyard is now home to pushcart vendors, street entertainers, and weekly antiques and crafts markets. The area surrounding the market is filled with interesting, ethnic restaurants, avant-garde apparel boutiques, and modern art galleries. | | |
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