Designed by Sir Horace Jones and opened in 1894, Tower Bridge is one of London's most recognizable landmarks. This famous monument is built on the River Thames and overlooks the iconic Tower of London. Due to the volume of river traffic in the 19th Century, the Tower Bridge was designed to have twin bascules that could be raised. One of the most fascinating features of the bridge is the Victorian-era engine room that houses the coal-powered motors used to raise the bridge lifts. The two towers, the North Tower and South Tower, are open to visitors. There is a glass-covered enclosed walkway that runs between the two that offers a bird's-eye view of vibrant city life.
Covent Garden is a historic district that is famous for its street performers, shops, restaurants, bars and theaters. The most well known attraction in the area is the Royal Opera House. Before it became the capital’s premiere destination for entertainment and leisure, Covent Garden served as the largest fruit and vegetable market in England. Currently, the Apple, East Colonnade and Jubilee markets are held in the piazza area. Visitors can browse through antiques, artwork, jewelry and clothing that can be found among the market stalls.
The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of eminent personalities in British history from the Tudors to the present day, making it a must for lovers of art. Founded in 1856, the collection on display is among the most comprehensive in the world and no restrictions are placed on the mediums used. There are traditional oil paintings and watercolors, as well as drawings, miniatures, sculptures, silhouettes, caricatures and photographs. Admission is free, but certain exhibitions may be charged.
Tate Britain is a gallery in Millbank, the oldest gallery of Britain's prestigious Tate Gallery grid. Opened in 1897, its edifice is beautiful and palatial with huge columns and stone sculptures adorning the roof. Exhibiting the art of Britain from 1500 till date, the gallery is also known for its support of new and contemporary multimedia artists. The art on display ranges from the Pre-Raphaelite period to the Cubism period. Giacometti, Picasso, Moore, Hepworth and Francis Bacon are among those on display, and the gallery also annually exhibits the artists that are short-listed for the well-known Turner Prize.
The Photographers' Gallery was the first independent gallery in Britain to be solely devoted to photography. It hosts multiple temporary exhibitions, which focus on high-quality international contemporary photography. A visit here is always full of surprises, as no two exhibitions are alike. There's also an excellent bookshop, which stocks over 5000 titles and runs a worldwide mail order service. There is no admission fee, however some exhibitions may be charged.
The BFI is a large complex that houses cinema screens, a museum, cafes and a shop. Although people often think that this cinema screens only arty, foreign and independent films, the repertoire can really only be described as comprehensive. This is a wonderful theater with loads of surprises every month. The BFI is also the host for numerous film festivals, including the London Film Festival and the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. The venue is let out on hire for receptions and private parties. The BFI houses an extensive collection of cinema dating from its inception. Check website for further details.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance takes pride in being London's leading institution dedicated to music and dance. Trinity is internationally renowned for its certificates in various genres of music and Laban is a reputed dance academy. A merger of these two institutions, has given students a wonderful opportunity to pursue their interest in dance and music. This conservatoire has two campuses: Deptford and Greenwich, offering courses in various styles and genres, for all age groups. Check the website for details regarding courses.
Established in 1926, Women's Library showcases the women's movement that took place between the 19th and 10th Century CE in Britain. Collections date right from 1920's till the end of the movement. The Library is managed by London School of Economics and Political Science and possesses more than 3500 periodicals, 60000 pamphlets and books, 100 suffrage banners, and 500 magazines. They also have personal collections of women who were part of the movement and the collections include archives of photographs, posters, ceramics, etc.
The Outwood Windmill was built in 1665 by Thomas Budgen. In 1796 a smock windmill was built on a nearby plot of land, however this collapsed in 1960. The Outwood Windmill, which still stands, is a post mill with four spring sails that drive two pairs of mill stones and is the oldest working mill in Britain. During the week, the windmill is only accessible to school groups and private groups who have made a prior booking. A tour of this marvelous structure will leave you full of wonder and respect for the ingenuity behind its engineering while its tranquil and picturesque surroundings make it an ideal location for photography.
The Bayfordbury observatory is located in the Hertfordshire countryside and serves as a center of astronomy and atmospheric physics studies for the University of Hertfordshire. It is usually closed to the public for undergraduate study and research but conducts public open evenings every month from October to March, the dates for which are announced on the university's website. The program is specifically tailored for the public so visitors of all ages from children to senior citizens can enjoy the event and discover the mysteries of the night sky. During the evening, the public gets a chance to use the seven optical telescopes of the observatory and the powerful imaging cameras to have a close look at stars, planets and other interesting objects in the sky. Apart from this, there are also expert demonstrations of astronomy equipment, talks on astronomy topics and a tour of the in house planetarium. Visitors also get a chance to interact with the staff, students and researchers of the university's science and technology institute who are always eager to answer any questions and share more knowledge on the topic. It is advisable to carry warm clothing as it can get chilly at night on the rooftops and to book tickets in advance as plans fill up early because of the event's popularity.
Borough Road Gallery is an art gallery located in London. Inaugurated in 2012 the museum holds more than 150 pieces of artwork done by artists from diverse genre. Some of the popular artists include Sarah Rose and David Bomberg. The museum organizes various exhibitions for the benefit of the crowd.
House of Dreams Museum served as a residence for Steven Wright from 1982 who converted it into a personal art museum. With two levels, the entire first level, ceiling, exteriors, gardens, etc has been converted into a single piece of art. The museum was opened to the public in 2010 and focuses on the dreams and life of Wright. The house serves as a monument to his deceased family.