| London : Sights
The size of London can be daunting. The largest in Europe, navigating
your way around can be an exhausting nightmare. Go to the 'Maps'
section within London On Line to get in idea of the sprawling metropolis,
better still purchase an 'A-Z London Street Atlas' for a more extensive
view.
No matter where you are located within London, there seems a never
ending list of things to do and places to see. London On Line has
featured the favourites, and we have broken them down by area, to
help you plan effectively. (See, also, 'Children' in the listings
panel, for more family orientated attractions)
- Livesights ThamesCam
Live video online from the Thames by Tower
Bridge and the Tower of London: the zooming camera pans through
360 degrees, also showing HMS Belfast, the City skyline, London
Bridge, and all the activity afloat and ashore.
Address: Online!
0171 917 1817
Admission charge: Free
http://www.livesights.com
(Added: 8-Nov-1998)
- Buckingham Palace
The Palace has recently been opened to the public for limited
guided tours during August and September, ring 0171 930 4832 for
details. Built in 1703, the Palace has been the Royal residence
ever since Queen Victoria moved in, in 1837. When the Royal Standard
flag is flying, the Queen is in residence.
0171 930 4832
Admission charge: Ring for details
Nearest tube: St. James s Park (Circle or District) (Added:
27-Aug-1998)
- Covent Garden
Another tourist haven, Covent Garden has more than meets the eye.
London's first planned square, built in seventeenth century, it
takes it's name from 'Convent' (no surprises there!) as prior
to the afore mentioned development it was the convent garden for
Westminster Abbey. The Piazza used to house a fruit and vegetable
market, which was moved to a new location in 1974. At this point
the market was redeveloped, and became a fashionable meeting place
with market stalls, cafes and shops. Outside, you will find street
entertainers doing their bit, day and night, and the quality is
superb. In the Summer, Covent Garden is a busy place to be, and
if it's cafes and restaurants you're after you are advised to
head North of the Piazza into Neal Street and the surrounds. Here,
some fine restaurants and cafes compete for trade, and you'll
also find some interesting shops as well.
Nearest tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly) (Added:
27-Aug-1998)
- Oxford Street
Welcome to Oxford Street. Welcome to noise, hustle, bustle and
SHOPPING. Stretching from Tottenham Court to Marble arch it boast
just about any chain store you could hope to find in Europe, with
the best clothes shopping to found between Oxford Circus and Marble
Arch. Click on 'Shopping' in the listings panel for more information.
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus (Central or Victoria) (Added:
27-Aug-1998)
- Piccadilly Circus
London's answer to New York's Times Square,
Piccadilly Circus is ablaze with colour, noise and traffic. Just
beneath the huge neon advertisments is the Statue of Eros, a popular
meeting place for all and sundry. Traffic swirls around this area
with no regard for pedestrians and you are advised to use the
subways where possible. With neon excess abounding the area is
a commericial hive of activity and there are plenty of establishments
ready to take your hard earned cash off you. The Trocadero, a
complex built on a lost eighties promise, continues to pull them
in. Go inside if video games, cinema and (mainly) noisy hi tech
family entertainment is your thing, avoid like the plague if it
isn't. Appropriately Planet Hollywood stands next door. You'll
also find the Rock Circus (a musical Madame Tussauds) in the locale.
Beyond Piccadilly is Leicester Square, the epicentre of all things
hollywood in London. Click on 'Film' in the listings panel for
more information.
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo or Piccadilly)
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- Soho and Chinatown
In the midst of Piccadilly Circus to the south and Oxford Street
to the north, and Regent Street to the west and Charing Cross
road to the east, lies Soho and Chinatown. Soho has always been
an area associated with controversy. Sleazy strip joints nestle
next to designer clothes shops. There's a bohemian, buzzy atmosphere
to be found here, as well as drug trafficking and prostitution.
Relatively safe to wander around at night, you'll find good restaurants,
nightclubs and cafes. Soho is also home to London's gay community,
with Old Compton Street virtually given over to gay businesses.
Click on 'Gay' in the listings panel for more information. Chinatown
is situated just below Soho and is home to the best and worst
of London's chinese restaurants. Look for where the Chinese eat,
especially during Dim Sum hours at lunchtime.
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo or Piccadilly)
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- The City
The oldest part of London competes with only Tokyo and New York
as the world's most important financial centre. Founded in AD43-50
by the Romans.The area is still governed by the Lord Mayor of
London. Many historic buildings were destroyed by the Great ire
in 1666 and the Blitz during the second world war, but surprisingly,
the number of buildings left intact is overwhelming. As London
expanded through the centuries, so people moved out of the 'city'
and the area is now almost exclusively given over to business.
St Pauls Cathedral (St Pauls tube) is the most visited spot in
the City. Built after the Great Fire to replace the Church that
had previously stood there, it's galleries (with the infamous
Whispering gallery) and crypt are legendary. Leadenhall Market
(Bank tube) is a Victorian glass and iron covered marketplace
interspersed with numerous cafe's, bars and shops. A useful retreat
when exploring the city and a marked contrast to the building
next door which houses...LLoyds of London (Bank tube) The building
was designed by Richard Rogers. (He also designed an equally controversial
complex in Paris, the Pompidou centre) You'll either love or hate
it's garish construction, but there's no denying it's impact,
lying as it does next to so many classically designed buildings.
The Old Bailey (St Pauls Tube) You can watch trials taking place.
This is England's most infamous court house, and has witnessed
most of London's most serious criminal cases. Tower Bridge (Tower
Hill tube) Fantastic views over London to be had form this landmark
bridge built in 1894. Tower of London (Tower Hill tube) From castle
to prison to palace, the history of the Tower of London is fascinating
and diverse. See the Crown Jewels, William the Conqueror's White
Tower, the Traitor Gate and the Bloody Tower. Allow the best part
of a morning or an afternoon to take it all in.
Nearest tube: St. Paul s (Central) (Added:
27-Aug-1998)
- Trafalgar Square
It would seem all roads lead to Trafalgar Square, and most cars
seem to end up there, in a perpetual traffic jam. So if Nelson's
column is on the agenda, get the tube (Charing Cross) and leave
the car behind. The statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, buried at
St Pauls Cathedral, stands high above the traffic at Trafalgar
square. Below him, tourists gather to feed the frightening number
of pidgeons who sweep in and out of the crowds and accross to
St Martin in the Fields, a church which has been standing since
the thirteenth century. Worth a visit, especially for it's stunning
interior.
Nearest tube: Charing Cross (Bakerloo or Jubilee or North)
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- Westminster
Moving down from Trafalgar and back towards Victoria station,
one encounters the palace of Westminster, centre of Royal London
and all things political. The government have resided here for
nearly 1000 years. The Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street
halfway between Trafalgar and Westminster, although you won't
get near the house, as the road is blocked off. The Houses of
Parliament (0171 219 4272) stand beneath the shadow of Big Ben,
and if you want a tour of the House of Lords or the House of Commons
join the queue leading back from the visitors gallery. Opening
times can vary, so call the above number to avoid dissapointment.
Don't leave the area before witnessing Westminster Abbey (Every
King and Queen has been crowned here since William the Conqueror
in 1066) and the Cathedral (the principal Roman Catholic church
in England)
Nearest tube: Westminster (Circle or District) (Added:
27-Aug-1998)
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