British Museum
Displays within the world’s oldest museum, founded in 1753 by an Act of Parliament, include the Assyrian treasures, Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, and the Portland Vase. The spectacular Great Court, opened in 2000, includes 12 of the museum’s most famed exhibits and serves as Europe’s largest indoor square. It encompasses the Reading Room, restored to former glory when readers included Marx and Lenin.
Great Russell Street. (020) 7323-8000
Cabinet War Rooms
Sir Winston Churchill, his cabinet and the chiefs of staff used this underground complex during WWII air raids. Displays include the Map Room, Trans-Atlantic Telephone Room, and Map Room, and in 2003, Churchill's bedroom, private kitchen and dining room were added to the tour. An audio guide includes first-hand accounts of life in the War Rooms.
Clive Steps, King Charles Street. (020) 7930-6961
British Airways London Eye
The colossal London Eye (aka the Millennium Wheel). At 135m (443ft) tall, it's the world's largest Ferris Wheel and London's fourth-tallest structure. It's a thrilling experience to sit in one of the 32 enclosed glass gondolas, enjoying views of some 40km (25mi) on clear days across the capital.
The Eye is at the southwestern corner of Jubilee Gardens, site of the 1951 Festival of Britain, which now extends northwards to Hungerford Bridge. The Millennium Wheel takes a full 30 minutes to rotate completely and each capsule holds 25 passengers.
Trafalgar Square
and Admiralty Arch
Trafalgar Square honors one of Britain's most revered maritime heroes, Horatio Viscount Nelson. The Square is located within the heart of ceremonial London and draws visitors by the thousands each day. Across the Mall lies Admiralty Arch, constructed in 1910.
H.M. Tower of London
One of Britain's best medieval fortresses, H.M. Tower of London retains a sinister air. From royal palace to prison and execution site to treasury to the home of England's Crown Jewels, the Tower is best known, however, for it's role as a prison and execution site. Famous executions include Anne Boleyn (second wife to Henry VIII,) Katherine Howard (fifth wife to Henry VIII,) and the Duke of Norfolk- who was beheaded for his role in a scheme against Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was herself a prisoner here during the reign of her half-sister, Mary Tudor (daughter of Catherine of Aragon.)
Natural History Museum, London
Originally part of the British Museum, the collection grew so large it required a separate identity. The museum features dinosaur skeletons, fossils, human biology, earth sciences, and the ever-popular Creepy Crawlies exhibit.
Buckingham Palace
"I delight in Buckingham Palace", said Queen Victoria, when she moved in three weeks after ascending to the throne. She was either an optimist or hadn't discovered that the drains didn't drain, the royal apartments were ventilated through the common sewers, the servants' bells didn't ring, and there were no sinks for the chambermaids. Additionally, some doors wouldn't close, and some of the windows wouldn't open.
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