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.
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.
The Pinewood's Drive-In is a great place to watch movies and have a gala time straight out of your car. A must visit for all movie lovers.
Morna Jazz Lounge is an entertainment space that is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8p till late in the night. The venue hosts a number of different concerts and live music performances, with several artists having performed here.
Located within the Saint Swinthun's Church is a hall that has a capacity to accommodate anywhere between 100 to 150 people. The hall can be booked for weddings, anniversary celebrations and small-scale performances. The hall also features a kitchen area enabling food serving for various kinds of events.
The Octagon is a beautiful venue with architectural style from the Victorian Era. Located within the Queen Mary University, this space was formerly a library created by E.R Robson. This space still retains the library design with literary figures looking down at you from the eight sides. The Octagon can accommodate a maximum of 500 people and the space can be modified to suit different types of events; banquet style, cabaret, reception or theater.
The Open House Cafe, located at Saint Paul's Parish Centre, offers delicious nourishing meals at reasonable rates. Members and non-members always drop in for a refreshing hot cup of coffee. The cafe has volunteers who are always ready to lend a ear to people's woes and help them through their dilemma. The cafe also hosts various musical concerts. Patrons can enjoy some soothing music as they much on their snacks.