Time Off

'London, thou art the flower of cities all!' This quote from the poem, simply titled London, was written by an unknown 15th-century poet whose sentiment has survived in the hearts of many across half a millennium. London means different things to different people: a thriving business community, the theatre capital of Europe, an artistic Utopia, a bustling marketplace, a fantastic shopping centre, an architectural tapestry, an open history book and home to millions of people who love the cultural cornucopia. London is all of these things, and within the space of a short 'tube' train journey some of England's most beautiful parkland invites the city-weary traveller to muse among the greenery, once enjoyed by the late, great poets.

London Attractions

The British Museum
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Tel: +44 20 7323 8299

Founded in 1753, the six and a half million objects include collections from all over the world dating from prehistoric times. World-famous collections of prints, drawings, coins, medals and vast statues are among the exhibits.

The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Tel: +44 20 7747 2885 | Fax: +44 20 7747 2423

Western European paintings dated between 1260 and 1900 are displayed in the four wings of the National Gallery. Many famous works can be viewed, including paintings by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Gaugin, Turner and Picasso. Lesser-known paintings appear in Lower Gallery A.

Tate Britain
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Tel: +44 20 7887 8008

Tate Britain houses the national collection of British art from the early 16th century to 1900.

Tate Modern
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Tel: +44 20 7887 8008

The new Tate Modern, housed in the former Bankside power station and linked to St Paul's Cathedral by the Millennium Footbridge is now the home of the Tate collection of international art from 1900 onwards. Major works by Bacon, Dali and Picasso are on display.

Museum of London
London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Tel: +44 (0)870 444 3851 | Fax: +44 20 7600 1058

The history of London from prehistoric times to the present day is depicted here in one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world. Temporary exhibitions are held regularly, with a fascinating look at modern design and history in the making.

National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE
Tel: +44 20 7312 2463 | Fax: +44 20 7306 0056

The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect a pictorial library of famous British men and women. It has become the most comprehensive collection of its kind. From monarchs to musicians, athletes to artists, all achievers are celebrated.

The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
Tel: +44 20 7942 5011

Everything pertaining to our natural world history can be seen in this museum. A vast collection of insects, spiders and moths as big as sparrows are an entomologist's delight whilst those interested in life's larger creatures can see full dinosaur skeletons and recreations of our greatest sea dwellers.

British Airways London Eye
County Hall, London SE1 1GZ
Tel: +44 (0)870 500 0600

Standing 135 metres high on the South Bank of the River Thames, opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, this amazing structure offers stunning views across the whole of London and beyond.

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1 1AA
Tel: +44 20 7766 7323

The official residence of Elizabeth II, Queen of England. Some rooms are open to the public and contain important works of art and grandeur on a tremendous scale.

The Tower of London
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Tel: +44 870 756 6060

Consider the doomed prisoners of ages past that were shipped into the Tower at the Traitors' Gate – since London's 900-year old royal fortress operated as a place of execution as well as home of the Crown Jewels. Flamboyantly dressed 'Beefeaters' still guard the Tower: a World Heritage Site that remains one of London's most popular attractions.

Madame Tussaud's & The Planetarium
Marylebone Road, Nr Regents Park NW1 5LR
Tel: +44 870 400 3000

Life-like wax models of pop stars, actors, politicians, sports stars and royalty feature in the world-famous Madame Tussauds – an attraction made all the more interesting by the macabre French Revolution links, with the notorious Chamber of Horrors featuring original Parisian death masks. Located next to Madame Tussaud's, The Planetarium reveals the galaxy in all its glory by means of laser projection and star show displayed on the vast ceiling.

Downing Street
10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

Anyone with an interest in politics should visit Downing Street, the surprisingly low-key terraced house has been the official London base for British Prime Ministers since 1735. The street comes alive during election time and at Prime Ministerial briefings when the world's gather in search of good soundbites. Number 11 Downing Street is the home of the Government's chief bean counter, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ, Sloane Square, London SW3 4RY
Tel: 020 7823 2363

Due to open in 2007, the Saatchi Gallery will occupy a smart, neo-Classical building, just off the King's Road in Chelsea. The gallery will showcase contemporary art works from international artists who are often new or previously unseen in London.