London is full of interesting places, here are some that you may wish to visit.
London City office
Barbican Arts Centre
Barbican Arts Centre is around the corner from the London City office. Construction of the Barbican arts centre started in 1962 on a site that was the remains of a bomb wrecked expanse of ground, a legacy of World War II. It was completed in 1982 and now boasts a complex of shops, places to eat, three cinemas, concert hall, theatres, a conference centre, public library and an art gallery with two exhibition areas which hosts constantly changing displays. The Barbican is the largest multi-arts and conference venue in Europe. There is always something going on at the centre, whether a jazz or classical concert, the latest blockbuster film, one of the numerous shows or the latest exhibition in the arts gallery.
Barbican Arts Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Telephone: 020 7638 8891
Barbcian Arts Centre website
Museum of London and London Wall
London Wall itself can be seen outside the museum. The Museum of London has seven permanent galleries which include interactive exhibits. These are:
- London before London: this looks at the era before London even existed. It includes remains of one of the oldest skeletons found around London: 5,500 years old
- Roman London: how people lived, worked and played during the birth of London
- Dark Age, Saxon and medieval London: the structure of medieval society, towns, guilds and charters, overseas trade, religious and secular art, architecture and Geoffrey Chaucer
- Tudor and early Stuart London: this includes the Great Fire Experience, a combination of models, lighting effects and sound
- Late Stuart London: beginning with the rebuilding of the City after the Great Fire of London, this gallery focuses on social and cultural change, the Civil War and the development international travel and trade
- 18th century London: this includes the gates from Newgate Prison and a cell from Wellclose Square Prison
- World City, 1789 - 1914: traces the rise of London during its period of greatest growth in world terms.
Museum of London, London Wall, London, EC2Y 5HN
Telephone: 0870 444 3851
Museum of London website
OXO Tower
The architect of the Oxo Tower originally wanted to use electric lighting to advertise the meat extract product, but was refused permission. Instead, he re-designed it with OXO incorporated as windows on all four sides so the message would shine out. The building now houses restaurants, design shops and galleries. On its rooftop is the Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie and a free public viewing gallery (open daily). On the first and second floors are 33 retail design studios for contemporary designers who make and sell work ranging from jewellery and fashion to ceramics and furniture which can be bought off the shelf or made to commission.
OXO Tower, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH
Telephone: 020 7401 2255
Oxo Tower website
Red House
Red House is home of William Morris, artist, craftsman and philosopher. Although a little way from the City office, it is worth a visit. It is south of the river Thames and half an hour on the train from central London - perhaps a visit over a weekend?
Red House Lane, Bexleyheath DA6 8JF
Telephone: 020 8304 9878 (Bookings)
Red House website
St Paul's Cathedral
Situated on the north bank of the River Thames, St Paul's distinctive dome was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710 after the great fire of 1666 destroyed the original church. The cathedral consists of the Crypt, Ambulatory and Whispering Gallery.
St Paul's Cathedral, Ludgate Hill, London, EC4 8AD
Telephone: 020 7236 4128
St Paul's Cathedral website
London West End office
British Museum
The Museum was first housed in a seventeenth-century mansion, Montagu House, in Bloomsbury on the site of today's building. On 15 January 1759 the British Museum opened to the public. With the exception of two World Wars, when parts of the collection were evacuated, it has remained open ever since, gradually increasing its opening hours and moving from an attendance of 5,000 per year to today's 5 million.
British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Telephone: 020 7323 8000
British Museum website
Dickens House and Museum
Charles Dickens and his family lived at 48 Doughty Street from April 1837 to December 1839. It was while he was in residence here that he published Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. In 1925, this address opened as the Dickens Museum and now houses some of the most important Dickens materials as well as being headquarters to the Dickens Fellowship.
Dickens House and Museum, 48 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX
Telephone: 020 7405 2127
Dickens House and Museum website
National Gallery
The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of European paintings in the world. The original idea behind the National Gallery was to provide a collection of works that would be enjoyed by, and be accessible to, the entire country. The first purchase was the collection of John Angerstein in 1824 for £57,000. At that time the building was in Pall Mall before its current site today on the North Side of Trafalgar Square.
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Telephone: 020 7747 2885
National Gallery website
Sherlock Holmes Museum
According to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson lived at 221b Baker Street during 1881-1904. The famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained as it was kept in Victorian Times.
Step back in time, and when you visit London, remember to visit the world's most famous address!
Sherlock Holmes Museum, 221b Baker Street, London, NW1 6XE
Telephone: 0207 935 8866
Sherlock Holmes Museum website
Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is one of the finest private collections of art in the world. The range of fine and decorative arts from the 16th - 19th centuries was largely accumulated from 1802 - 1875 by generations of the Hertford family and Sir Richard Wallace. Amongst its many other treasures are works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Romney. Highlights include Rubens ‘Rainbow Landscape', Titian's 'Perseus and Andromeda', Nicholas Poussin's 'A Dance to the Music of Time' and Frans Hals' 'The Laughing Cavalier'.
Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN
Telephone: 020 7563 9500
Wallace Collection website
Wigmore Hall
Built in 1901 by the Bechstein piano company, Wigmore Hall is justifiably regarded as one of the world's great recital halls, attracting the leading classical musicians of our time, and often setting the standard for international chamber music and song. Wigmore Hall's artistic programming is complemented by a highly innovative and diverse Community & Education programme.
Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP
Telephone: 020 7258 8200
Wigmore Hall website
Click here to see a history of London.