Whether you arrive in London on a red double-decker bus, via the underground, or even inside one of the city’s ubiquitous black taxicabs, you will immediately be greeted by a deep sense of history and met with the unique vibrancy of this incredible destination.

In its dark and troubled past, the city of London has survived Roman occupancy, sackings from the Celts, Romans, Vikings and Saxons, a Norman invasion, two great fires, the bubonic plague, Nazi bombings, the Spice Girls and Damien Hurst.

But the London of today promises something for everyone. The London Eye lifts visitors high above the river into vistas that stretch tight across the fading skies. Further down on the South Bank, the Tate Modern contains one of the world’s most incredible collections of Modern Art, while the city’s 30,000 stores and boutiques will exhaust even the most avid shopper, and its 6,000 restaurants are only too eager to demonstrate why Britons revere their chefs as celebrities.

For those interested in exploring the country’s heritage, the Tower of London is an excellent starting point. First constructed in the 11th century, the Tower has been rebuilt several times as later monarchs have left their mark. Still one of London’s biggest attractions, and a great celebration of pomp that is free to all visitors is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which happens daily.

As the great dome of St Paul’s reflects the colours of the setting sun, London comes alive with an unrivalled nightlife. For those up for something more thrilling than dinner and the theatre, London has a vast number of bars and nightclubs catering to all tastes.

Madame Tussaud’s and the Planetarium

Madame Tussaud’s is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life-sized models of stars, famous politicians, royals and sportsmen, as well as the most infamous criminals the world has known. Inside the Museum the ‘Spirit of London’ ride will take you through the city’s history, introducing you to those figures that have shaped the London of today. Also at the site is Tussaud’s London Planetarium, one of the biggest in the world, ready to amaze visitors with its views of the universe.

Address: Marylebone Road; Telephone: (0870) 400 3010; Website: www.madame-tussauds.com Transport: Baker Street underground station, or bus; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm (seasons vary); Admission: £19.99 (adult). Prices vary according to season and time of day, and concessions are available. Children under 5 admitted free. It is advised to book beforehand to ensure fast-track entry, as queues to this attraction can become tedious
 

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure. It is guarded by a special band of Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, and dotted with several large, black birds – the Ravens. Legend has it that if the Ravens ever leave the Tower, a great tragedy will befall England, and to this day the birds are protected by Royal decree. The Tower’s history dates back to the 11th century, and each new Monarch has played a role in its growth and development. It also houses Britain’s crown jewels, a spectacular display of some of the world’s finest gems and workmanship.

The Tower is next to Tower Bridge, another famous London Landmark.

Address: Tower Hill; Telephone: (020) 7709 0765; Website: www.tower-of-london.com Transport: Tower Hill tube station, or bus; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm (March to October); Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday and Monday 10am to 4pm (November to February). Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day; Admission: £11.30 (concessions available)

The Houses of Parliament

Originally built for Edward the Confessor more than 1,000 years ago, the Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, remained the principal residence of Britain’s monarchs for the next 400 years. Thereafter it became the administrative centre of the country. In 1834 the great fire burnt everything except Westminster Hall, and the present Gothic building was completed in the 1840s. It is perhaps most famous for the clock tower, St Stephens, which is commonly, but mistakenly called Big Ben, after the name of the bell inside. Although Parliament is closed to visitors during session, it is still a popular attraction to tourists for its exterior architecture.

Address: Westminster; Telephone: (020) 7219 4272; Website: www.parliament.uk Transport: Westminster underground station; Opening time: Open during summer recess, usually between July and September. It is advised that visitors check the website for opening times; Admission: £7 (adult), concessions available.

Tate Modern

Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which has been transformed by Swiss Architects Herzog & de Meuron into a spectacular new modern building, the Tate Modern is Britain’s new National Museum of Modern Art. It showcases an exhaustive collection from 1900 to the present day, including works by Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, as well as exhibitions by contemporary artists. There is also a roof café, which affords spectacular views over London.

Address: Bankside; Telephone: (020) 7887 8000; Transport: Southwark or Blackfriars underground stations; Opening time: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December; Admission: Free

National Gallery

The National Gallery has an imposing and regal façade stretching across the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and houses over 2,000 paintings from every major European school of painting from the 13th to the 19th century. It was opened in 1938 at its present location, which was chosen for its situation between London’s wealthier West End and poorer East End, as a ‘gallery for all’.

Address: Trafalgar Square; Telephone: (020) 7747 2885; Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk Transport: Charing Cross or Leicester Square underground stations; Opening time: Daily 10 am to 6 pm; Wednesday until 9pm. Closed on 1 January, 24, 25 and 26 December; Admission: Free

British Museum
With more than 6,000 historical objects from all around the globe, the British Museum houses one of the world’s greatest collections of antiquities, including the Parthenon Frieze or Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Roman Portland Vase dating from the 1st century AD. In 2000 the great court was reopened with an incredible glass roof covering two acres, and stairwells leading down to the Reading Room, which has been completely restored.

Address: Great Russell Street; Telephone: (020) 7323 8000, or (020) 7323 8299; Website: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk Transport: Russell Square underground station; Opening time: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5pm; Thursday to Friday 10am to 8.30pm; closed 24, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and Good Friday; Admission: Free, although charges may be levied for some temporary exhibitions

London Eye
At 443ft (135m) tall, and weighing more than 250 double-decker buses, the London Eye is the most spectacular new addition to London’s skyline. With incredible views of most of London’s major attractions, and an opportunity to put the city’s geography into perspective, it is a must see for all visitors. Originally conceived by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield as an entry for a millennium landmark competition, the project took six years and the expertise of hundreds of people from five European countries to turn it into a reality.

Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road; Telephone: (020) 7654 0828, or (0870) 990 8883 (bookings); Website: www.ba-londoneye.com Transport: Westminster, Waterloo or Embankment underground stations; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 8pm; until later in summer and on weekends; Admission: £11 (adult), £5.50 (child). Fast track tickets, avoiding the queue, cost £30

Shakespeare’s Globe
Situated on the bank of the Thames, just 656ft (200m) from the site of Shakespeare’s original Globe theatre, this fantastic recreation will transport visitors back to the time of the very first productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Twelfth Night. The reconstruction took a total of 10 years to complete at a cost of over £40 million, and now houses a professional theatre company responsible for regular productions of Shakespeare’s plays at the new Globe.

Address: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside; Telephone: (020) 7902 1500; Website: www.shakespeares-globe.org Transport: Mansion House underground station, with a ten-minute walk over the Millennium Bridge from there; Admission: £8; concessions available
 

Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Gallery
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but now visitors can actually get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some of the Queen’s private art collection at the newly opened Queen’s Gallery. Originally the town house of the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London home of Britain’s monarchs since 1837. Look to see whether the Royal Standard (not the Union Flag) is flying, which indicates that the Queen is in residence.

Address: Buckingham Palace Road; Telephone: (020) 7839 1377; Website: www.royal.gov.uk Transport: Green Park underground station; Opening time: State Rooms open daily 9.30am to 4.15pm (August to September); Queen’s Gallery 10am to 5.30pm; Admission: £12 (State Rooms); £12 (Royal Collection); concessions available.


Harrods
Harrod’s, whose proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed calls his ‘Palace in Knightsbridge’, promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in the world. With 22 restaurants, and a wide range of departments and services across its seven floors, it is easy to see why this is the shopping choice of London’s social elite. In its prominent position on Brompton Road, Harrod’s is hard to miss, especially at night, when the entire façade is illuminated with a grand total of 11,500 light bulbs.

Address: Brompton Road, Knightsbridge; Telephone: (020) 7730 1234; Website: www.harrods.com Transport: Knightsbridge underground station, or bus 14, 74, C1 or A1; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm
 

Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences London has to offer. Even if you’re just browsing, the market is definitely worth a visit with its huge variety of food, antiques, bric-a-brac and clothing stalls, bars, nightspots and crowds of people ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. Although the punk scene in London has gone underground, it still seems to flourish here, and you’re sure to bump into some interesting characters.

Address: Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Road; Telephone: (020 7284 2084;  Transport: Camden Town underground station; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm; Saturday to Sunday 9.30am to 6.30pm; Admission: Free Website: www.camdenlockmarket.com

Greenwich
This is the home of the Greenwich Meridian, which splits the globe into East and West and is responsible for setting the world clock on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich has a host of attractions including the famous Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market with its variety of arts, crafts, food and bric-a-brac, Sir Christopher Wren’s Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich Park is beautifully landscaped and is ideal for a picnic lunch.

Telephone: (020) 8858 6376; Transport: Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich or Cutty Sark underground stations, or a river cruise; Opening time: Greenwich Market: daily 9am to 5:30pm; Cutty Sark: daily 10am to 5pm (closed 24 to 26 December); National Maritime Museum: daily 10am to 5pm; Royal Observatory Greenwich: daily 10am to 5pm;

Admission: Greenwich Market free; Cutty Sark £3.50 (adult), £2.50 (child); National Maritime Museum £7.50 (adult), children free; Royal Observatory Greenwich £6 (adult), child free

London Dungeon
Take a trip through London’s dark and gruesome history, meet Jack the Ripper and see what became of his victims, or see the chaos and destruction caused by the great fire of London. The London Dungeon brings history’s most notorious killers and evildoers back to life in an experience definitely not for the faint-hearted. Beware: some of the exhibitions have a nasty way of coming alive and jumping out at the unsuspecting visitor.

Address: 28-34 Tooley Street; Telephone: (020) 7403 7221; Website: www.thedungeons.com Transport: London Bridge underground station; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm; closed 25 December; Admission: £11.50 (adult); £7.50 (child)

St Paul’s Cathedral
The great dome of St Paul’s Cathedral has been a distinctive landmark on the London skyline for centuries. Built in 1673 by Sir Christopher Wren, after the previous St Paul’s was burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London, it is the greatest of several cathedrals dedicated to St Paul that have occupied the site for more than 1,400 years. The crypt at St Paul’s is one of the largest in Europe, and it houses more than 200 tombs, including those of Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Wren himself. The Cathedral has hosted many significant ceremonies in London’s history, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and most recently the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Address: St Paul’s Churchyard; Telephone: (020) 7236 4128; Website: www.stpauls.co.uk Transport: St Paul’s underground station; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm. Note that the Cathedral may be closed to visitors at any time due to special services or events, so it is always advisable to enquire beforehand; Admission: £6 (adults); concessions available


Piccadilly Circus
One of London's best known, but most overrated sights, locals have no idea why Piccadilly Circus is an attraction for tourists - it is simply the junction of some busy roads, surrounded by neon lights and fast-food restaurants. It does however give easy access to the excellent shopping in Regent Street and Bond Street and to London’s theatres on Shaftsbury Avenue. Soho and China Town are also within easy walking distance.

Transport: Piccadilly Circus underground station

Brighton
Brighton is unquestionably England’s most spectacular seaside resort town. Made popular in the 18th century, when the Prince Regent (later King George IV) chose it as the site for his holiday palace, the bizarre and fantastic onion-shaped Brighton Pavilion, it is still famous for its frivolous entertainment venues and enviable nightlife. An eclectic combination of Regency and Victorian architecture gives Brighton a unique air, with winding village lanes crammed with antique and jewellery shops and its flamboyant East Pier stretching out over the sea sparkling with thousands of lights from its funfair and amusement arcades.

Transport: Train from London Waterloo (one hour)

Canterbury
The historical cathedral city of Canterbury, with its narrow streets and walkways, is best explored on foot. It is the home of Christianity in England, and has been the ultimate destination for pilgrimages in England for centuries, as described in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The famous Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most impressive and evocative in England, it was here of course that Thomas à Becket was martyred in 1170. Visitors can explore the ruins of the original abbey of St Augustine, who brought Christianity to England more than 1,400 years ago, or visit the Canterbury Tales Pageant and meet some of Chaucer’s famous characters. For an insight into the cities of medieval England climb the original West Gate Tower, which is still intact, for breathtaking views across the city.

Transport: Train from London Waterloo (one hour)

Leeds Castle
Set atop a lake in a picturesque valley in Kent, with imposing battlements and a 500-hectare Tudor garden, Leeds Castle has been described as ‘the most beautiful castle in all the world’. Once a residence of British Queens and a playground for King Henry VIII, it has been open to the public for 25 years, revealing the majesty of a bygone age. With so much to explore, Leeds Castle requires a full day for visitors to tour the castle, get lost in the maze and picnic in the gardens or dine in one of the restaurants and tea rooms.

Address: Maidstone, Kent; Telephone: (01622) 765 400; Website: www.leeds-castle.com Transport: Coach, bus or train from London; Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm (April to October); 10am to 3pm (November to March); Admission: £9.50; concessions available

Windsor
The charming town of Windsor sits on the River Thames, 20 miles (32km) west of London, and is dominated by the magnificent Windsor Castle, the world's largest and oldest occupied castle. The castle was built by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago and has been lived in by English monarchs ever since; although Buckingham Palace is the Queen's best known residence, Windsor is her favourite and is where the Royal Family spend their weekends. Highlights in the castle include the wonderful State Apartments, and the Waterloo Chamber, built to commemorate the British victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the world and contains the tombs of numerous English sovereigns including King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Charles I and King George V. Many of the castle's rooms contain priceless works of art, including works by Rubens, Holbein, Van Dyke, Rembrandt and Lawrence, as well as fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour. The 500-acre (200 ha.) Home Park, sits at the back of the castle and includes the site of Frogmore, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were laid to rest. Beyond is the vast expanse of Windsor Great Park, a popular place for walkers. Over the river from Windsor is Eton College, the world famous school founded by Henry VI in 1440, and today you can still see students walking around in their tails.

Telephone: (020) 7766 7304 (ticket sales and Information office); (01753) 671 177 (Eton College tours); Website: www.etoncollege.com Opening time: Windsor Castle 9.45am to 5.15pm (March to October); 9.45am to 4.15pm (November to April); closed 16 June (Garter Day), 25 and 26 December. Eton College 2pm to 4.30pm, opens earlier during the Easter and Summer school holidays; closed in winter; Admission: £11.50 (Castle), £3.50 (Eton College); concessions available

Hampton Court Palace
Situated on the banks of the Thames, 14 miles (23km) southwest of London, Hampton Court is perhaps the most spectacular royal palace in England and makes a great day-trip from London. The palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 1500s, it later became King Henry VIII's principal residence and remained the centre of royal and political life in England until 1737 where many important events took place. Visitors can see King Henry VIII's Great Hall, King William III's State Apartments, designed by Wren and completed in 1700, and the unmissable Tudor Kitchens, which remain largely unchanged since the 16th century and no doubt used to cater for raucous banquets. The palace is probably most famous for its grounds and the famous maze which has entertained children since it was planted in 1705.

Address: Surrey; Telephone: (020) 8781 9500; Website: www.hrp.org.uk Transport: Train from Waterloo (25 minutes)or by the underground; for a more scenic ride take a boat along the Thames from Westminster, Richmond or Kingston; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 6pm (summer); 9.30am to 4.30pm (winter); open 10.15am on Mondays. Closed 24 and 25 December. Gardens open daily 7am to dusk; Admission: £11.50 (adult), £8 (child)