With over 200 attractions that are free to enter, 4 World Heritage sites in and around London, historical sights around every corner, museums and galleries that are among the best in the world - you will have plenty of choices when you spend time in London.
spendtimeinlondon.com will try to point you to the best London has to offer, with the emphasis on saving you money. This site is not associated with any organisation and its aim is to point you towards the things in London that you can see and do for free or very cheaply as well as London attractions where there is a charge but what they offer you is unique or unmissable and are considered - value for money.
London Highlights and Places to see
Buckingham Palace - Highlights
- The State Rooms - open for six weeks a year from mid-August.
- Free to watch the Changing of the Guard.
British Museum - Highlights
- Probably the most user-friendly national museum in the world.
- Quieter galleries are always worth investigating when the more popular are very crowded. Try the John Addis Gallery with its treasures from the Islamic world
- The European Galleries have many very old clocks and watches that are still working
Covent Garden - Highlights
- Free street theatre - clowns, musicians, acrobats and more.
- The central Piazza and the side streets surrounding are pedestrian zones.
- Neal Yard's attractions and the small cheerful cafes where you can get an excellent value snack.
- St. Paul's Church built by Inigo Jones in the 1600's.
Greenwich - Highlights
- Historic buildings and an extensive royal park.
- Weekend Markets
- Cutty Sark - children love to explore the decks and cabins of the only surviving tea clipper in the world
Leicester Square - Highlights
- London's entertainment - cinemas, film premieres, nightclubs.
- Statue of Charlie Chaplin
- Swiss Centre mechanical clock performs on the hour.
London Markets - Highlights
- Borough Market
- Portobello Road Market
- Camden Market
- Columbia Road Market
Museum of London - Highlights
- Restored and reconstructions of a Roman kitchen, a Stuart dining room, a 1920's shop interior and a cell from the notorious Newgate prison.
- The Lord Mayor of London's state coach
- Family artifact-handling sessions at weekends.
- Workshops and demonstrations for younger visitors during school holidays
National Gallery - Highlights
- The Sainsbury Wing.
- Restaurant and bar on the first floor has extensive views over Trafalgar Square
- Free lectures and guided tours - check at the information desk
National Maritime Museum - Highlights
- State Barge made for Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1732
- Galleries focusing on luxury liners and naval heroes and ships - both real and models.
- The jacket that Nelson was wearing when he was shot in the left shoulder and fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
National Portrait Gallery - Highlights
- Features portraits of many of the famous individuals who have contributed to the story of London and British history,
- Using the IT room you can explore the National Portrait Gallery's collection on screen
- The restaurant has wonderful views of across Westminster
Royal Parks - Highlights
- Greenwich Park - stunning views of London from the park's landscaped heights. For children the park has a well equipped playground.
- Green Park - A serene park with lots of trees and grass.
- St. James's Park - London's finest wildfowl pond with more than 20 species of bird. The park has a playground, with a sandpit and a teashop.
- Hyde Park - The Serpentine Lake is populated by swans, geese, ducks and other wildfowl. The park has deckchairs, a children's pool and the Princess Diana Adventure Playground.
The Tower of London . Highlights
- Traitor's Gate (visible from the embankment)
- Watch the nightly Ceremony of the Keys for free - but you must book in advance.
- The Crown Jewels
- Yeomen Warder (Beefeater) tour of the Tower of London
Westminster Abbey - Highlights
- The Tomb of The Unknown Warrior
- Poet's Corner
- Battle of Britain Memorial Window
- The Chapter House, Pyx Chamber and Abbey Museum
