Things to do

1 British Museum

The oldest museum in the world, it contains a rich collection of treasures and artifacts from every corner of the globe.

Address: Great Russell St WC1
Phone: 020 7323 8000
Opening info: Open 10am–5:30pm daily (selected galleries 10am–8:30pm Thu & Fri).
Great Court: Open 9am–6pm Mon, 9am–9pm Tue, Wed & Sun, 9am–11pm Thu–Sat
Additional info: Guided tours at 10:30am, 1pm & 3pm daily
www.britishmuseum.org

2 National Gallery and Portrait Gallery

The nation’s most important art collections are held in these two galleries, which hold some of the finest paintings in the world.

Address: Trafalgar Square WC2
Phone: 020 7747 2885
Opening info: Open 10am–6pm daily (10am–9pm Wed). Sainsbury Wing exhibitions open until 9pm on Wed
Admission charge: Free
Additional info: Free guided tours at 11:30am and 2:30pm daily
(also 6:30pm Wed)
www.nationalgallery.org.uk and www.npg.org.uk

3 London Eye

This gigantic observation wheel (the largest ever built) is opposite the Houses of Parliament, on the South Bank, and offers great views of the city.

Address: South Bank SE1
Phone: 087 0500 0600
Opening info: Open Oct–May: 10am–8pm daily; Jun–Sep: 10am–9pm daily. Ticket office opens 9:30am daily.
Closing info: Closed 25 Dec for annual maintenance in early January
Additional info: Prices vary. Reductions for children, the disabled and senior citizens. Timed tickets on the hour and half-hour
www.londoneye.com

4 Tate Modern and Tate Britain

London’s two Tate galleries house a superb collection of international art. Modern focuses on contemporary work after 1900, and Britain on national art from 1500 to the present.

Address: Bankside SE1
Phone: 020 7887 8008
Opening info: Open 10am–6pm Sun–Thu, 10am–10pm Fri–Sat
Closing info: Closed 24–26 Dec
Admission charge: Free (admission charge for temporary exhibitions)
Transport: A boat service connects with Tate Britain (see Tate Britain)
www.tate.org.uk

5 Natural History Museum

The enormous and varied collection here explores both the geology of the Earth and the incredible range of life it supports.

Address: Cromwell Road SW7
Phone: 020 7942 5000
Opening info: Open 10am–5:50pm daily. Last admission 5:30pm
Admission charge: Free
www.nhm.ac.uk

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