World Travel https://www.youtube.com/user/World1Tube London Travel Guide, Tourism, Vacation http://bit.ly/1acugNw Museums in London, England - London Vacation Things to see in London Passes: The London Pass allows free access to over 60 attractions (including the London Aquarium, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and St Paul's Cathedral). The 'with transport' option also includes transport on all London buses, Tubes and trains. The card is available for one, two, three or six days ranging in price from £47 to £102 for adults; you can buy one at the airport and tourist information offices around London. The card is fairly expensive though, so only worth buying if you are planning on doing a lot of sightseeing during your stay in London, or if you are pressed for time (card holders can avoid queues at many of the attractions). Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament The striking Palace of Westminster is home to one of the city's most famous landmarks - Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the name of the huge bell, whose tolling tune is instantly recognisable. The most ancient part of the whole palace, Westminster Hall, is 900 years old. Severe fire damage led to the rest of the palace being rebuilt in neo-gothic style during the 19th century.During late July/August and mid-September/early October the Summer Opening of the Palace of Westminster takes place. For a guided tour, book in advance. Watch Parliament at work, rather than tour the palace, from the Strangers' Gallery. Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0915-1630 or 1315-1630 (depending on schedules). Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: Yes Address: Parliament Square, SW1, London, United Kingdom British Museum The British Museum, the centrepiece of which is Norman Foster's glass-roofed Great Court, is one of the world's finest museums. Visitors must contend with a mind-boggling six million artefacts from all corners of the globe, plucked (or plundered) by collectors. The awesome scale of the museum means it is essential to select just a few of the 94 galleries for close attention. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo treasures and the controversial Parthenon Sculptures, known as the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Athens. A 90-minute 'Highlights' tours is available daily at 1030, 1300 and 1500. Opening Times: Daily 1000-1730. Admission Fees: No. Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: No Address: Great Russell Street, WC1, London, United Kingdom Buckingham Palace The London home of the Queen is hugely popular with tourists. Witness royal pageantry dating back centuries at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at 1130 from April to July and on alternate days at other times of the year. There is also the rare chance of seeing inside a royal residence (summer only). The 19 State Rooms of the palace, including the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery, are only open to the public during August and September, when the Queen moves to her Scottish residence. The Queen's Gallery is open to the public year round. Opening Times: State Rooms: Daily 0945-1830 (23 July-3 Oct). Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: No Address: Buckingham Palace Road, SW1, London, United Kingdom Covent Garden Twinkling market stalls and colourful street entertainers make the pretty setting of Covent Garden even more inviting. For over 300 years, it has hosted traders of all sorts of wares, perhaps most famously the fruit and vegetable market, which was centred in the Piazza. The market is still here, and today, the area is also home to many shops, bars and restaurants. Also here are the distinguished Royal Opera House -- home to the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet -- and the popular London Transport Museum, which follows the history of the city's transport system. Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: No Address: Piazza, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdo London Eye and County Hall At a towering 135m (444ft), the London Eye is an unmissable sight. It's become a highly popular London attraction, which usually means a 'flight' requires booking in advance and often queuing as well. The experience (one revolution of the wheel, lasting approximately 30 minutes) is absolutely worth it - the unparalleled views of London reach as far away as 40km (25 miles). Sitting right next door and directly across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament is County Hall, the former home of the Greater London Council. The enormous building is home to both the London Aquarium and the Dalí Universe. Opening Times: Daily 1000-2030 (Jan-June, and Sept-Dec); daily 1000-2230 (Jul-Aug). Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: No Address: Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, SE1, London, United Kingdom

• published: 22 Oct 2013
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