Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sightseeing can be hard work. Use these tips to make your visits to London's finest sights
meaningful, fun, efficient, and painless.
Set up an itinerary that allows you to fit in all your must-see sights. For a one-stop look at
Most sights keep stable hours, but you can easily confirm the latest by checking with the
TI or visiting museum websites.
Don't put off visiting a must-see sight—you never know when a place will close un-
expectedly for a holiday, strike, or royal audience. Many museums are closed or have re-
duced hours at least a few days a year, especially on holidays such as Christmas, New
Year's, and Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August. A list of holidays is on
here
;
check museum websites for possible closures during your trip. Off-season, many mu-
seums have shorter hours.
Going at the right time helps avoid crowds. This topic offers tips on the best times to
see specific sights. Try visiting popular sights very early or very late. Evening visits are
usually peaceful, with fewer crowds. In addition to the London Eye, at least one major
Study up. To get the most out of the self-guided tours and sight descriptions in this
book, read them before you visit. The British Museum rocks if you understand the signi-
ficance of the Rosetta Stone.
Here's what you can typically expect:
Entering:
Be warned that you may not be allowed to enter if you arrive 30 to 60
minutes before closing time. And guards start ushering people out well before the actual
closing time, so don't save the best for last.
Some important sights have a security check, where you must open your bag or send
it through a metal detector. Some sights require you to check daypacks and coats. (If you'd
rather not check your daypack, try carrying it tucked under your arm like a purse as you
enter.)
