London historical sights

London became one of the world's first metropolises and was the most important place in Great Britain even before Roman's conquered most of the country. Therefore it is an old city with a vast selection and variation of historical sights. Unfortunately though, unlike many other cities of its kind, many places of interest were pulled down and replaced by the Victorians in the so called name of progression. And of course, the Luftwaffe were responsible for destroying many buildings during WWII. However, with that said, London still has a lot to offer the visitor who seeks history and its attractions. Below are details of London's most popular historical sights which are well worth a visit.

Tower Of London (http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/tower_home.asp)
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB.
Tube: Tower Hill. Tel: 0870 756 6060/020 7488 5694/5797.

Opening times: 1st November to 29th February: Tuesday to Saturday; 9.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday to Monday; 10.00pm - 5.00pm. Last admission; 4.00pm. 1st March to 31st October: Monday to Saturday; 9.00am - 6.00pm, Sunday; 10.00am - 6.00pm. Last admission; 5.00pm.
Closed: 24th to 26th December, 1st January.

Admission: Online/Telephone - Adults: £12.00. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £9.00. Children under 16: £7.80. Children under 5: Free. Family ticket: £36.00 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).
At the gates - Adults: £13.50. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £10.50. Children under 16 years: £9.00. Children under 5 years: Free. Family ticket: £37.50 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

The Tower of London is the UK's leading historic visitor attraction. It stands guard over the River Thames with its 20 towers and giant stone walls. It is home to the famous Crown Jewels and was made infamous by becoming prison to many famous and infamous 'guests'.

Hampton Court Palace (http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/hampton_home.asp)
East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU.
Tube: N/A. Train: Hampton Court (Departs from Waterloo). Tel: 0870 752 7777.

Opening times: 26th October to 27th March: Tuesday to Sunday; 9.30am - 4.30pm, Monday; 10.15am - 4.30pm. Last admission: 3.45pm. 28th March to 30th October: Tuesday to Sunday; 9.30am - 6.00pm, Monday; 10.15am - 6.00pm. Last admission: 5.15pm.
Closed: 24th to 26th December (Palace). Gardens open all year round from 7.00am to dusk.

Admission: Online/Telephone - Adults: £11.30. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £8.50. Children under 16 years: £7.40. Children under 5 years: Free. Family ticket: £34.00 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).
At the gates - Adults: £11.50. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £8.50. Children under 16 years: £7.50. Children under 5 years: Free. Family ticket: £34.00 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

Hampton Court Palace potrays more than 500 years of royal history and were once the magnificent state apartments of Henry VIII and William III. The palace also offers the visitor nearly 60 acres of beautifully kept riverside gardens and of course there is the world-famous maze to lose yourself in.

Kensington Palace State Apartments (http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/kensington_home.asp)
Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX.
Tube: High Street Kensington/ Notting Hill Gate. Tel: 0870 751 5170.

Opening times: 1st November to 29th February: Monday to Sunday; 10.00am - 5.00pm. Last admission: 4.00pm. 1st March to 31st October: Monday to Sunday; 10.00am - 6.00pm. Last admission: 5.00pm.
Closed: 24th to 26th December.

Admission: Online/Telephone - Adults: £10.20. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £7.70. Children under 16 years: £6.60. Children under 5 years: Free. Family ticket: £31.00 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).
At the gates - Adults: £10.50. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £8.00. Children under 16 years: £7.00. Children under 5 years: Free. Family ticket: £31.00 (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

Kensington Palace has been a royal home for over 300 years and parts of the palace still remain a private residence for members of the Royal Family. The magnificent State Apartments are open to the public and there is also an exhibition of dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Banqueting House (http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/banquet_home.asp)
Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ER.
Tube: Westminster/ Embankment. Tel: 0870 751 5178.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Closed: Sundays, Bank Holidays, 24th December to 1st January.
N.B.: The Banqueting House may close at short notice for Government functions.

Admission: Adults: £4.00. Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £3.00. Children under 16: £2.60. Children under 5: Free.

The Banqueting House is all that sadly remains of Whitehall Palace. This was the sovereign's primary residence from 1530 until the late 1600s, when it was unfortunately destroyed by fire. This was also the scene of Charles I's execution.

Kew Palace (http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/kew_home.asp)
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB.
Tube: Kew Gardens. Tel: 0870 751 517944/020 8332 5655.

Opening times: Kew Palace is currently closed for major repairs. Check the official website for updates.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew opening times: Monday to Sunday: 9.30am - Various times.
Closed: 25th December, 1st January

Admission (Royal Botanic Gardens Kew ONLY - NOT to Kew Palace or Queen Charlotte's Cottage).
Adult: £6.50. Concessions: £4.50. Children (16 years and under): Free.

Buckingham Palace (http://www.royal.gov.uk)
Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA.
Tube: Victoria/Green Park. Tel:020 7766 7300.

Summer Opening Of The State Rooms At Buckingham Palace.
Opening times: 31st July to 26th September (2004); a timed-ticket system is operated, with admission every 15 minutes.

Admission: Adult: £12.50. Over 60 years: £10.50. Students (with valid ID): £10.50. Under 17 years: £6.50, Under 5 years: Free. Family (2 adults, 3 under 17 years): £31.50. An audio tour is included in the price.

Queen's Gallery At Buckingham Palace.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday; a timed-ticket system is operated, with admission every 15 minutes.
Closed: 8th to 25th March, 9th April, 25th to 26th December (2004). Fabergé will be on display until 7 March 2004.

Admission: Adult: £6.50. Over 60 years: £5.00. Students (with valid ID): £5.00. Under 17 years: £3.00. Under 5 years: Free. Family (2 adults, 3 under 17 years): £16.00.

Royal Mews At Buckingham Palace.
Opening times: 27th March to 31st October (2004) only. Monday to Sunday;
Closed: 9th April, 5th May, 29th May, 5th June, 12th June and during certain state visits.

Admission: Adult: £5.50. Over 60 years: £4.50. Students (with valid ID): £4.50. Under 17 years: £3.00. Under 5 years: Free. Family (2 adults, 3 under 17 years): £14.00.

Buckingham Palace is situated in the heart of London and is not only the official London residence of The Queen, but also the busy administrative headquarters of the monarchy. It is one of the most recognisable sights in London, especially with its splendid façade and gigantic gates. It is now possible to visit the palace, as outlined above. Because it is a working palace, we recommend that you check the official website (above) for more conclusive details before visiting, and from there you can also book tickets.

St. Paul's Cathedral (http://www.stpauls.co.uk)
Ludgate Hill, London, EC4.
Tube: St. Paul's. Tel: 020 7236 4128.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday; 8.30am - 4.00pm (Last admission 4.00pm).
N.B.: Special services and events may close all or part of the Cathedral (sometimes at short notice).

Admission: Adults: £7.00. Concessions: £6.00. Family ticket (up to 2 adults and 2 children): £17.00. Children (under 16 years): £2.50. Discounts available on group rates.

St. Paul's Cathedral is situated in the City of London (near the finance district). The famous dome was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710 after the Great Fire of London destroyed the original church in 1666. The cathedral comprises of the Crypt, Ambulatory and Whispering Gallery. The admission price includes entrance to the Crypt and Ambulatory.

Westminster Abbey (http://www.westminster-abbey.org)
Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3PA.
Tube: Westminster/St James' Park. Tel: 020 7222 5152.

Opening times: Monday to Friday; 9.00am - 4.45pm (Last admission 3.45pm). Saturday; 9.00am - 2.45pm. (Last admission 1.45pm).
N.B.: The abbey is sometimes closed to visitors due to special services or events - check the above website for further details.

Admission: Adults £7.50. Concessions (Seniors 60 years plus, children 11 - 16 years, students (with valid ID): £5.00. Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children under 18 years): £15.00. Children under 11years: Free (maximum of 2 children per paying adult).

Since 1066, Westminster Abbey has been home to the British monarchy's coronations, marriages and burials, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII. Here visitors can also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Tombs and Shrine of Edward the Confessor, the Coronation Chair, Lady Chapel and much more. The current building dates largely from the 13th to 16th century.

The Houses Of Parliament And Big Ben (http://www.parliament.uk)
Palace of Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA.
Tube: Westminster. Tel: 020 7219 4272.

Admission: Free.
There are several ways to visit:
1. UK citizens can contact their Member of Parliament to arrange a visit.
2. Overseas visitors can contact aptg@touristguides.org.uk to seek to arrange a tour guide and for advice about arranging a visit- the guide will charge a fee for their services.
3. All visitors, both UK citizens and overseas visitors can visit the Strangers Galleries in both houses to see Parliament at work. The entrance is at St. Stephen's Gate, where you can join a queue for the public galleries. See the above website for further details.

The original palace was built by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. It lies on the River Thames and is now the seat of the British Government and comprises of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, as well as Big Ben.

Other places/buildings of interest

Bank Of England (http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/Links/setframe.html)
Bank Of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH.
Tube: Bank. Tel: 020 7601 5491.

British Library (http://www.bl.uk/index.shtml)
96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB.
Tube: Euston/Euston Square/King's Cross. Tel: 020 7412 7332.

Clarence House (http://www.royal.gov.uk/)
St James' Park, London, SW1.
Tube: Green Park. Tel: 020 7766 7303.

HMS Belfast (http://www.iwm.org.uk/belfast/index.htm)
Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JH.
Tube: London Bridge. Tel: 020 7940 6300.

Monument (http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/our_services/access/access_city_buildings.htm)
Monument Yard, Fish St Hill, EC2.
Tube: Monument. Tel 020 7626 2717.

Somerset House (http://www.somerset-house.org.uk/)
The Strand, London, WC2R 1LA.
Tube: Temple. Tel: 020 7845 4600/020 7836 8686.

The Tower Bridge Experience (http://www.towerbridge.org.uk)
The Tower Bridge Exhibition, Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2UP.
Tube: London Bridge/Tower Hill. Tel: 020 7403 3761.

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