Heathrow Airport 20 min
St. Paul's Cathedral (45 min) Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Trafalgar Square (36 min) Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. The National Gallery (36 min) Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Hyde Park (28 min) Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. Palace of Westminster (39 min) Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (13 min) Trees and flowers from around the globe in vast gardens with huge greenhouses and Treetop Walkway. Hampton Court Palace (23 min) Famous seat of Henry VIII and his many wives, this palace received elegant Stuart-era modernisation. Kensington Palace (26 min) Royal palace and gardens, with exhibits on former residents like Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. Victoria and Albert Museum (24 min) Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. lastminute.com London Eye (41 min) Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. Natural History Museum (23 min) Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. Big Ben (37 min) 16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Buckingham Palace (32 min) Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. The British Museum (40 min) Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Westminster Abbey (37 min) Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. |