The National Gallery is a magnificent Georgian edifice on the northern side of Trafalgar Square that houses a massive collection of Western European art. Started in 1838, you can find many early Renaissance works in the Sainsbury Wing of the gallery, including those of Botticelli and Giovanni Bellini. The West Wing contains works by Titian, Michelangelo and Raphael, the north wing contains works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Caravaggio, and the east wing contains works by Seurat, Canaletto, Degas and Monet. A portable audio guide is available in different languages.
The Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the rich culture of a bygone era. It includes around 2.27 million objects including ceramics, fashion, furniture, glass, metalwork, paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture and textiles. Collections from as far as East Asia, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Egypt are housed in the V&A Museum. One can explore the world's most comprehensive holding of post-classical European sculpture. The museum frequently holds exhibitions of its collections. And what's more, you could even shop for books, stationery, gifts and jewelry at the museum. After working up an appetite, head to the V&A Cafe for a bite.
The British Museum is one of London's top tourist attractions, as well as a major scholarly resource. Its collection was bequeathed to the nation in 1753, and the museum's distinctive Greek Revival structure was constructed during the 19th Century. The collection expanded massively during the heyday of the British Empire, leading to the museum's reputation for acquiring from sources all over the globe, leaving it with over 8 million objects. The displays cover about 5.5 hectares (14 acres) making it impossible to see everything in one visit. The famous Rosetta Stone, Assyrian Reliefs, Parthenon Marbles and the vast Egyptian collection are a few of the British Museum's most well-known exhibits.
Explore the natural history of the planet Earth, from the prehistoric era to the present day, at one of London's most visited museums. In 1881, the Natural History Museum moved to its present venue. Designed by Alfred Water house, this building is now one of London's most beautiful and recognized museums. The halls house more than 300 years worth of collections, with over 80 million specimens. Broadly divided into Life and Earth galleries, the museum provides much more than can be seen in a day, and your feet will get tired before your brain does. Let your kids run wild among dinosaur skeletons, erupting volcanoes and life-size constructs of blue whales - it's unlikely they'll ever forget their first visit here.
One of Central London's most iconic green spaces, every blade of grass at Hyde Park is drenched in history dating back to the early 1600s. Laden with a myriad of historic spots, the park's prime attractions include the symbolic Speakers' Corner, the restful Serpentine Lido swimming area, and the famous Serpentine Gallery. It is also bedecked by stunning sights such as the Isis statue and the Diana Memorial Fountain. Nature lovers can head toward Hyde's southern frontier to find themselves in the midst of blissful Rose Gardens. A fantastic place to spend the day, Hyde Park is a must-visit during a sojourn in London.
The Royal Opera House is even more impressive than ever. The period building has been restored to its original glory and continues to be the one of the largest opera and ballet venues in London, showcasing the works of the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera and ROH Orchestra. Expect famous tenors, famous ballerinas and famous audience members as part of the revamped program. You can even take in the stunning architecture without going to a show; the entrance hall and exhibitions are open for viewing and backstage tours are also offered.
Dedicated to film, video and the digital arts, The Lux - a non-profit organization - combines its year-round program of alternative cinema, exhibitions, events and festivals with help for emerging artists, by offering training programs and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Situated in Hackney, The Lux is the place to be seen, with Sony, Channel 4 and Dazed and Confused having held receptions and screenings here, and Blur and Bjork using it for celebrity parties. Screenings range from art-house flicks, like Jack Smith's Flaming Creatures, and foreign language films, such as Vittanio De Sica's Umberto D, to credible mainstream titles like The Deer Hunter, while the gallery showcases up-and-coming international talent. Membership includes invites to private screenings, priority booking for special events and discounts on tickets, as well as access to the production facilities.
This is a city location for Muslim worship and other services.
Named after the patron saint of seamen, St Clements was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666. Since the 11th century, there have been three churches on this site -the second being engulfed by flames. It was rebuilt, like other churches destroyed in the fire, by Sir Christopher Wren in 1686.
As with most of the churches in the area, this church was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, but the site has had a religious history since 1100 A.D. During the reconstruction, the financier Sir Christopher Wren intended for the church to be an open space, full of light. Since its consecration, the church has been alternatively named "Wren's Lantern." For those looking to sight see, the church is quite close to The Mansion House and The Guildhall as well as The Millennium Bridge.
Located in the heart of the city, The Colomb Art Gallery has on display contemporary art by famed artists of the 20th Century. Paintings by John Haskins, Peter Wardle and Edward Hersey have at some point or the other graced the walls at the gallery.This art gallery also sells paintings of various well known British and international artists. Galleries like the Colomb have ensured that the neighborhood remains a popular destination for art lovers and tourists alike.
If you are fascinated with art from the far east, Eskenazi is a great place to check out in London. The gallery showcases a variety of Chinese and Japanese sculptures, pottery and other artifacts. Some of striking collections include Chinese Buddhist figures, Ancient Chinese bronzes, Chinese Ceramics, Sculptures from the Shang dynasty to the Ming dynasty. There are various exhibitions held at Eskenazi as well. Some of the previously held ones were Landscape paintings by Li Huayi, Song Chinese Ceramics from the 10th to the 13th century. A must-visit for art lovers who would like a glimpse of oriental art through the ages. The gallery is open on Saturdays only when exhibitions are being hosted.