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.
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.
The Lyceum Theatre was built in the 1700s, so it's a golden oldie in terms of London theaters. The theater holds just over 2000 people. In the 1970s this theater provided a platform for various popular musicians like Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Police, Bob Marley, and others. In the 1990s Jesus Christ Superstar, and Oklahoma! were performed here. Since 1999, this theater has been home to the Lion King musical.
Enjoy panoramic views of London city from the Thames. The boat departs daily from Embankment Pier and offers relatively inexpensive tourist cruises as well as pricier lunch cruises. Some of the sites that the Catamaran Cruises cover are Cleopatra's Needle, the Tower of London, Oxo Tower Restaurant, and the Battersea Power Station. You'll also be able to spot St. Paul's and the Houses of Parliament from the all-glass 'My Symphony' cruiser.
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.
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.
Named after its famous owner, Francesca Galloway features Indian, Islamic, European, Chinese and Central Asian art and textiles. Some of the historical art pieces found here are "Leaf from Persian translation of Dioscorides' De Materia Medica", "Illustration to the Razmnama: The conflict between Arjuna and Babhruvahana". Ivory sculptures, bronze caskets, betel nut container in the shape of a sitar are other exquisite pieces. Some of the textiles featured at the gallery are, Macao Embroidery, Phoenix, Lotus and Peony from the Ming Dynasty, Buddhist design textiles from the Jin Dynasty. A must-visit for those who enjoy cross-cultural art.
An event taking place at CCT Venues - Canary Wharf is sure to be a memorable one. This is not just because of the stunning waterside view of the Thames Quay but its location in the city's busiest business neighborhood. The venue boasts 26 naturally-lit rooms that come well-equipped with the latest in technology, including Wi-Fi, and all have spectacular views of the Quay. Besides the infrastructure, the venue also has a very helpful and organized staff that even offers catering services and is there to take care of all your management needs. Of course, there are on-site restaurants to add a little something extra to a conference or convention. It can host up to 400 delegates.