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 Attractions & Activities : Museums
Londoners work hard, and the daily grind often monopolizes their time. But off-hours activities abound, and the city bears no shortage of sights and events to stimulate, educate, and fascinate. Parks and gardens showcase London’s love affair with natural beauty and its long-lived desire to keep public greens for the benefit of all citizens. Hyde Park and Serpentine Lake offer pastoral vistas and plenty of recreation, while Kew Gardens in southwest London features an enormous collection of plants, landscaped panoramas, and charming greenhouses. History buffs often find themselves swept up in London’s bounty as well. Buckingham Palace, the royal residence, delivers a glimpse of aristocratic life, while the Tower of London titillates with its legacy of intrigue and its Crown Jewels exhibit. Plus, venerable Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral serve as time-tested counterpoints to newer sights like the London Eye and the Millennium Dome. Guided tours are an especially good way to catch an overview of the city’s many treasures, and bus and walking tours feature experienced, informative guides who’ll point out the familiar and impart you with unusual tidbits to boot.
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Silk St Barbican Centre, level 3, London EC2Y 8DS • 20-8451-216828
Description: CITY. Although it's said to occupy one of the world's ugliest buildings, this gallery hosts a variety of exhibitions dealing with historic and modern art. At times, it has caused a stir for opening such exhibits as the "Art of Star Wars," a fun, somewhat irreverent display that looked at the art associated with the groundbreaking films. The gallery presents a wide range of exhibits that concentrate on individual artists, genres, themes and the like. Past shows have focused on Oscar Wilde and the influence of rock and roll in fashion. Ticket concessions available online. TUBE: Barbican
96 Euston Rd, London NW1 • 20-7412-7222
Description: BLOOMSBURY. This institution is part gallery, part museum, and – of course – part library. With its fascinating exhibits, the library is a great place to learn about British history, especially political and literary history. Items such as the Magna Carta, which changed the world of politics in 1215, and the Gutenberg Bible, which in 1455 was the first book printed using Gutenberg's world-altering printing press, are awe-inspiring and well presented. Exhibitions on greats such as Oscar Wilde or on particular literary styles make the library a must for visitors interested in the written word. TUBE: King's Cross St. Pancras or Euston Square
Great Russell St, London WC1 • 20-7323-8299
Description: BLOOMSBURY. One of London's top tourist attractions, this museum seeks to cover all areas of human knowledge under one roof – and it succeeds on all counts. What began as a "cabinet of curiosities" in 1753 now includes galleries dedicated to ethnography, Egyptian monuments, and the arts of Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific. The Great Court, completed in 2000, incorporated additional gallery space, along with cafés and shops. Although it's impossible to cover the museum in one day, a 90-minute guided tour provides a brief glimpse of the museum's many treasures and can help you decide what to examine more closely when you return. TUBE: Holborn or Russell Square
Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1A 1AA • 20-7839-1377
Description: ST. JAMES'S. Buckingham Palace is a sightseeing must. Queen Victoria moved into the vast mansion in 1837; since then, generations of royals have made the palace their home. Although wandering the grounds and taking photos of the elaborate exterior are always popular, the interior (some of which is open only during late July to September) is a treasure trove of art, furniture, sculpture and decorative goods. Walk around the corner to the Royal Mews to see the queen's coaches and horses. Admission is by timed ticket, available by phoning 20-7766-7300 or e-mailing bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk. TUBE: Victoria or Green Park or St. James's Park
King Charles St Clive Steps, London SW1A 2AQ • 20-7930-6961
Description: ST. JAMES'S. Offering a glimpse of a city under siege, these underground chambers illustrate British efforts to thwart German bombs and hostilities during WWII. They're where Prime Minister Winston Churchill led the government, coordinated communications, and held out against Nazi aggressions. The rooms are laid out much as they were when the war ended, complete with furniture, maps, and technology. Churchill lived here at times, and a portion of the museum is devoted to his life and leadership. TUBE: Westminster or St. James's Park
County Hall Gallery Riverside Bldg, London SE1 7PB • 87-0744-7485
Description: SOUTH BANK. Boasting more than 500 works, this permanent exhibition beautifully captures the curious, creative genius of the world-famous Spanish surrealist. Individual pieces are set up within a maze-like space, and as you browse, TVs and surround sound broadcast Dalí's movies as background ambience. Among the media you'll discover are sculpture, drawings, glass, watercolors and even furniture. County Hall is next to the London Eye. It's also just across Westminster Bridge from the Houses of Parliament. TUBE: Westminster
2 Lambeth Palace Rd St. Thomas Hospital, London SE1 • 20-7620-0374
Description: SOUTH BANK. Everyone knows the name Florence Nightingale, but few people are fully aware of the contributions she made to the medical community. This award-winning museum lays out her legacy in detail, showcasing her Nightingale Training School and her efforts to care for sick and dying soldiers. Notes, lanterns, and other personal memorabilia paint a full portrait of a fascinating woman with lasting impact. TUBE: Westminster
Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA • 20-7739-8543
Description: SHOREDITCH. British domestic history and interior design are laid out in a series of rooms at this intriguing museum. Intended to recreate living quarters from the 17th to 21st centuries, the Geffrye ably illustrates the aesthetics and creature comforts associated with each era. Furnishings, architectural details, decorative items, textiles, and artwork all contribute to the total effect. Outside of the 18th-century almshouses, which hold the vignettes, are period gardens that echo the rooms inside. Also available are a restaurant and gift shop. A library and archive is accessible via special request. TUBE: Liverpool Street and then bus or Old Street, followed by a somewhat lengthy walk
Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ • 20-7416- 5000
Description: SOUTH BANK. Occupying the Bethlehem Royal Hospital building (known more familiarly as "Bedlam" in past days), this museum traces 20th-century wars. Its graphic, compelling exhibits illustrate the impact of conflict on bystanders, participants, and innocents swept up in the waves of horror. Interactive exhibits place folks in WWI trenches and in Blitz-era bombings, and the Holocaust exhibit frequently elicits a visceral reaction from visitors. Artifacts and multi-media displays communicate the devastating impact of war, which can be overwhelming for children. However, the museum now offers a special exhibit that looks at war from a child's perspective and gives them a voice. TUBE: Lambeth North or Waterloo
28-34 Tooley St, London SE1 2SZ • 20-7403-7221
Description: SOUTHWARK. Intended to appeal to the animal nature of its visitors, this lurid attraction depicts some of the most grisly of human acts through the years. Bolstered by multimedia production values, the Dungeon showcases in realistic detail the horrors of London's Great Fire, its plagues, and its terrorizing by Jack the Ripper. Also included is a chance to journey on the "Boat Ride to Hell" and be immersed in the anxieties of death. Not recommended for young children or those with weak constitutions. Although the Dungeon is open daily, both opening and closing hours vary; please contact for specific hours. TUBE: London Bridge