SIGHTS IN LONDON - London 2015 - page 65

▲▲▲ Houses of Parliament London landmark famous for Big Ben and occupied by
the Houses of Lords and Commons. Hours: When Parliament is in session, gen-
erally open Mon-Thu, closed Fri-Sun and most of Aug-Sept. Guided tours offered
year-round on Sat and most days during Aug-Sept. See here .
▲▲▲ Trafalgar Square The heart of London, where Westminster, The City, and the
West End meet. Hours: Always open. See here .
▲▲▲ National Portrait Gallery A Who's Who of British history, featuring portraits
of this nation's most important historical figures. Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00, Thu-
Fri until 21:00, first and second floors open Mon at 11:00. See here .
▲▲▲ Covent Garden Vibrant people-watching zone with shops, cafés, street musi-
cians, and an iron-and-glass arcade that once hosted a produce market. Hours: Al-
ways open. See here .
▲▲▲ Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace Hour-long spectacle at Bri-
tain's royal residence. Hours: Generally May-July daily at 11:30, Aug-April every
other day. See here .
▲▲▲ London Eye Enormous observation wheel, dominating—and offering com-
manding views over—London's skyline. Hours: Daily April-Aug 10:00-21:00,
Sept-March 10:00-20:30, later on weekends. See here .
▲▲▲ Imperial War Museum Exhibits examining the military history of the bloody
20th century. Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00. See here .
▲▲▲ Tate Modern Works by Monet, Matisse, Dalí, Picasso, and Warhol displayed
in a converted powerhouse. Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00, Fri-Sat until 22:00. See
here .
▲▲▲ Shakespeare's Globe Timbered, thatched-roofed reconstruction of the Bard's
original “wooden O.” Hours: Theater complex, museum, and actor-led tours gener-
ally daily 9:00-17:00; in summer, morning theater tours only. Plays are also staged
here. See here .
▲▲▲ Tate Britain Collection of British painting from the 16th century through mod-
ern times, including works by William Blake, the Pre-Raphaelites, and J. M. W.
Turner. Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00. See here .
▲▲▲ Kensington Palace Recently restored former home of British monarchs, with
appealing exhibits on Queen Victoria, as well as William and Mary. Hours: Daily
10:00-18:00, until 17:00 Nov-Feb. See here .