GENERAL INFORMATION
London is the capital of United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland. England, the largest member of the Kingdom, has an area of 88,619 sq. miles and a population of 58 million. London is by far Europe's biggest city, spreading over an area of more than 620 square miles with a population of just under eight million.
Climate: Temperate with cool but rainy winters and pleasant summers.
Airport transfers: 45 minutes from Heathrow Int'l to Center City (18 miles), one hour from Gatwich Int'l (28 miles) (medium traffic)
Flight times from: New York 6.5 hours (SST 3 hours), Chicago 7.5 hours, San Francisco 10 hours, Paris 1 hour, Rome 2.5 hours.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Most of London's attractions are north of the River Thames. However London is so diverse that no single area should be the focus for any visitor. London is an agglomeration of interesting neighborhoods and districts that are often miles apart therefore one must master London's public transport system, particularly the Tube or subway to enjoy most of London's highlights. Most immediately visit the fashionable West End which includes Soho, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Regent St. so beware that this area doth runneth over with TOURISTS.
CENTRAL (POLITICAL) LONDON'S MAIN SIGHTS (CONDENSED)
Westminster: the seat of British government since the 14th century and the site of Parliament.
Houses of Parliament: 0171/219-4272 (House of Commons)
Banqueting House (Palace of Whitehall)
Cabinet War Rooms
Buckingham Palace and the Queen's Gallery: 0171/839-1377
Westminster Cathedral & Westminster Abbey: Church Parliament Square, SW1 (0171/222 5152, 0171/222-7110 ). This architecturally exquisitely Abbey is the site of coronations, funerals and the place of rest for royals.
Neighboring Westminster: To the west Belgravia, an elegant area, is home to embassies, consulates, townhouses, charming squares and monumental mansions. Within walking distance is Victoria Station, site of major rail, tube and coach terminals that exist beside quiet streets and Victorian houses that have been converted to hotels. Adjacent is St. James's Palace and Park which was built by Charles II in 1698. Chic shops and galleries along with some of the best restaurants, hotels and casinos are nearby on Jermyn Street and in Knightsbridge. Picadilly Circus is a block north of Jermyn St.
ATTRACTIONS IN LONDON:
London Aquarium: Features hundreds of varieties of fish and sea life from around the world. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission: £8 for adults and £5 for children. Underground station: Waterloo or Westminster. 0171/709-0765
Barbican Arts Centre: Near Whitecross and Silk Streets. Walkways and labyrinths almost hide the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, the London chapter of the Royal Shakespeare Company and great repertory cinema, plus many levels where free jazz and classical concerts are performed.
Highgate Cemetery: Victorian cemetery, Swains Lane, NW3 (0171/340 1834). Karl Marx lies here.
Kensington Palace: 0171/937-9561
Madame Tussaud's Waxwork Museum: World famous collection of wax figures of famous people. It's open Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 9.20am-5.30pm. Closed December 25. Admission: £10 for adults and £6.50 for children. Marylebone Road, near Baker Street underground station. 0171/935-6861
Royal Opera House: Heart of the nation's artistic and cultural life. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm, allowing visitors to take advantage of a wide range of free events. The history of the Royal Opera House is explored through a series of exhibitions, and a program of backstage tours and open ballet classes offers visitors the opportunity to experience the backstage life of the theatre.
Segaworld: World's largest indoor entertainment park, with six floors of video games, simulators and virtual reality. Admission: free. Rides cost £2-£3 each and the video games cost 20p-£1. Open daily from 10am to midnight. Closes at 1am on Friday and Saturday. Bringing young children, please call the Segaworld for advice on 0990 505040 Closed December 25. Underground station: Piccadilly Circus.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: Visitors can see the reconstructed Elizabethan theatre, built with materials, techniques and craftsmanship of 400 years ago. Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission: £6 for adults and £4 for children. Closed December 24 and 25. Underground station: London Bridge station
St. Paul's Cathedral: One of the world's most famous cathedrals, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it's open for sightseeing Monday-Saturday 8.30am-4pm, with the galleries opening at 9.30am. Admission: £4 for adults and £2 for children. Underground station: St Paul's. 0171/236-4128
Tower Bridge: One of the most famous bridges in the world with spectacular views from the high level walkways 140ft above the Thames. Open daily 10am-6.30pm. Admission is £6.15 for adults and £4.15 for children. Closed December 24-26 and January 1 and 27. Near Tower Hill underground station.
Tower of London: Visitors can see Traitors' Gate, the priceless Crown Jewels and the famous ravens. Admission: £10.50 for adults , £6.90 for children. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. Closed December 24 - 26 , January 1. Underground station: Tower Hill.
London Zoo: One of the world's most famous zoos and is home to over 12,000 animals. Open daily 10am-5.30pm. Admission: £9 for adults and £7 for children. It's in Regent's Park. Underground station: Baker Street and Camden Town.
MUSEUMS
Apsley House: The Wellington Museum, 0171/499-5676
British Library: library and museum. Euston Road, NW1 . Visit for its architecture and its collection of manuscripts, books stamps and more. 0171/412-7000 (0171/412 7332)
British Museum: Great Russell Street, WC2 (0171/636 1555). One of the greatest museums. Over a million exhibits that range from prehistoric artifacts to the Elgin Marbles.
Commonwealth Institute: 0171/371-3530
Courtauld Institute Galleries: 0171/873-2526
Design Museum: 0171/403-6933
Hayward Gallery: 0171/928-3144
Imperial War Museum: 0171/416-5000
Institute of Contemporary Arts: 0171/930-3647
Jewish Museum: 0171/284-1997
Linley Sambourne House: 0171/937-0663
London Transport Museum: 0171/379-6344
Museum of London: 0171/600-3699
Museum of the Moving Image: 0171/401-2636
National Army Museum: 0171/730-0717
National Gallery: One of the greatest collections of Western painting from the 13th to the early 20th century. The new Sainsbury Wing houses the early Renaissance collection. On Trafalgar Square, near Charing Cross and Embankment Underground stations. Closed Good Friday, December 24-26 and January 1. 0171/737-2885, 0171/306-0055
Tate Gallery: The national collection of British painting from 1500 onwards and also home to the national collection of modern art and the Turner collection. Open daily from 10am to 5.50pm. Admission to the permanent collection is free. It's located on Millbank, SW1, close to Pimlico station. Closed December 24-26, open as normal on Good Friday and May and Summer Bank Holidays. 0171/887-8000
Victoria and Albert Museum: World's finest museum of decorative arts. Its collection spans 2,000 years and includes sculpture, fashion, textiles, ceramics and silver. Open daily from 10am - 5.45pm, with Wednesday Late View (seasonal program) from 6.30 - 9.30pm. 0171/938-8500
SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
Harrods: World famous department store. Brompton Rd., London SW3. 020/7730-1234
General Street Markets, many of which take place on weekends:
OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET: The opposite of to out-of-town shopping malls. Many items are original, of excellent quality and value. Every weekday between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Nearest underground station: Liverpool Street.
PETTICOAT LANE: World famous Sunday market that sells clothes and household goods. Open from 9am-2pm. Nearest underground station: Liverpool Street.
PORTOBELLO ROAD ANTIQUES AND FLEA MARKET: Open Saturday from 7am-6pm. Nearest underground station: Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove.
CAMDEN MARKET: combination of markets, including Camden Lock Market, Stables Market and Camden Canal Market. Open weekdays, best Saturday and Sunday 8am-6pm. Nearest underground station: Camden Town or Chalk Farm.
LEADENHALL MARKET: restored Victorian covered market
Open Monday-Friday 7am-4pm. Nearest underground station: Bank and Monument.
BERWICK STREET MARKET: sells fruit, vegetables, flowers, and bric-a-brac Open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm. Nearest underground station: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road.
GABRIEL'S WHARF: Features crafts, bric-a-brac and jewellery. Also craft workshops, restaurants and entertainment on weekends. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Near: Waterloo station
