1. British museum

The oldest museum in the world, it contains a rich collection of treasures and artifacts from every corner of the globe.

• Great Russell St WC1
• 020 7323 8000
• Open 10am-5:30pm daily (selected galleries 10am-8:30pm Thu and Fri). Great Court: open 9am-6pm Mon, 9am-9pm Tue, Wed and Sun, 9am-11pm Thu-Sat
• Guided tours at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm daily
• www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

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2. National Gallery and Portrait Gallery

The nation's most important art collections are held in these two galleries, which hold some of the finest paintings in the world.

National Gallery

• Trafalgar Square WC2
• 020 7747 2885
• Open 10am-6pm daily (10am-9pm Wed). Sainsbury Wing exhibitions open until 10pm on Wed
• Guided tours at 11:30am and 2:30pm daily (also 6:30pm Wed)
• Free
• www.nationalgallery.org.uk

National Portrait Gallery

• St Martin's Place WC2
• 020 7312 2463
• Open 10am-6pm Sat-Wed, 10am-9pm Thu-Fri.
• Free
• www.npg.org.uk

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3. London Eye

This gigantic observation wheel (the largest ever built) is opposite the Houses of Parliament, on the South Bank, and offers great views of the city.

• South Bank SE1
• 0870 5000 600
• Open April-mid Sept: 9:30am-10pm daily; mid Sept-Mar: 10am-8pm daily. Closed for 2 weeks during winter
• Ticket prices vary
• Timed tickets are on the hour and half-hour, and boarding can take up to 30 minutes.
• www.ba-londoneye.com

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4. Tate Modern and Tate Britain

London's two Tate galleries house a superb collection of international art. Modern focuses on contemporary work after 1900, and Britain on national art from 1500 to the present.

Tate Modern

• Bankside SE1
• 020 7887 8008
• Open 10am-6pm Sun-Thu, 10am-10pm Fri-Sat. Closed 24-26 Dec
• Free (admission charge for temporary exhibitions)
• www.tate.org.uk

Tate Britain

• Millbank SW1
• 020 7887 8000
• Open 10am-5.50pm daily. Closed 24-26 Dec
• Free (admission charge for most temporary exhibitions)
• www.tate.org.uk

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5. Natural History Museum

The enormous and varied collection here explores both the geology of the Earth and the incredible range of life it supports.

• Cromwell Road SW7
• 020 7942 5000
• Open 10am-5:50pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5:50 Sun. Last admission 5:30pm
• Free
• www.nhm.ac.uk

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6. Science Museum

A huge museum with fascinating exhibits that demonstrate and explain the wonders of science.

• Exhibition Road SW7
• 020 7942 4455
• Open 10am-6pm daily
• Free (separate charge for Virtual Voyages and IMAX cinema)
• www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

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7. Buckingham Palace

The official home of the Queen, Buckingham Palace is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, where the changing of the Queen's guard happens every day.

• Buckingham Palace SW1
• 020 7321 2233
• State Apartments: open Aug-Sep: 9:30am-4:30pm daily. Admission: adults 11.00; over 60s 9.00; under 17s 5.50; under 5s free
• Royal Mews: open Mar-Oct: 11am-4pm daily (last adm 3:15pm). Admission: adults 4.60; over 60s 3.60; under 17s 2.60; under 5s free
• Queen's Gallery: open 10am-5:30pm (last adm 4:30pm)
• www.royal.gov.uk

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8. Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square

This royal abbey has, since 1066, been the place where all Britain's monarchs have been crowned.

Westminster Abbey

• Broad Sanctuary SW1
• 020 7222 5152
• Abbey: open 9:30am-3:45pm Mon-Fri, 9:20am-1:45pm Sat. Closed Sun.
• Museum and Pyx Chamber: open 10:30am-4pm daily.
• Chapter House: open Oct-Mar: 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Aug: 9:30am-5pm daily; Sep: 10am-5pm daily
• Admission: adults 6.00; concessions 3.00; under 11s free
• www.westminster-abbey.org

Parliament Square

• Parliament Sq SW1
• The Strangers' Galleries in the two chambers at the Houses of Parliament have limited seating for visitors during debates. Times are posted outside St Stephen's gate, or phone 020 7219 4272
• Tours can be arranged through MPs (overseas visitors should phone 020 7219 4750)
• www.parliament.uk

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9. Tower of London

Steeped in bloody history, the Tower has been a royal palace, fortress and prison, as well as the home of the Crown Jewels.

• Tower Hill EC2
• 020 7709 0765
• Open Mar-Oct: 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun; Nov-Feb: 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun & Mon.
• Admission: adults 11.30; children 5-15 7.50 (under 5s free); family tickets (5 people) 34; concessions 8.50

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10. St Paul’s Cathedral

Sir Christopher Wren's Baroque masterpiece, St Paul's still dominates the City skyline and has been the setting of many great ceremonial events.

• St Paul's Cathedral, Ludgate Hill EC4
• 020 7236 4128
• Open 9:30am-4pm Mon-Sat
• Admission: adults 5; children 6-16 2.50 (under-6s free); concessions 4; group rates available, call for details
• Guided tours at 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2pm (fee charged, call for details)
• www.stpauls.co.uk

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