Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pick one event and find a good, unobstructed place from which to view it. The key is to
get either right up front along the road or fence, or find some raised elevation to stand or sit
on—a balustrade or a curb—so you can see over people's heads.
If you get there too late to score a premium spot right along the fence, head for the high
ground on the circular Victoria Memorial, which provides the best overall view (come be-
fore 11:00 to get a place). From the memorial, you have good (if more distant) views of the
palace as well as the arriving and departing parades along The Mall and Spur Road. The ac-
tual Changing of the Guard in front of the palace is a nonevent. It is interesting, however, to
see nearly every tourist in London gathered in one place at the same time.
If you arrive too late to get any good spot at all, or you just don't feel like jostling for
a view, stroll down to St. James's Palace and wait near the corner for a great photo-op. At
about 12:15, the parade marches up The Mall to the palace and performs a smaller changing
ceremony—with almost no crowds. Afterward, stroll through nearby St. James's Park.
Sights in North London
▲▲▲ British Museum
Simplyput,thisisthegreatestchronicleofcivilization...anywhere.Avisithereisliketaking
a long hike through Encyclopedia Britannica National Park. While the vast British Museum
wraps around its Great Court (the huge entrance hall), the most popular sections of the mu-
seum fill the ground floor: Egyptian, Assyrian, and ancient Greek, with the famous frieze
sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens. The museum's stately Reading Room—famous as
the place where Karl Marx hung out while formulating his ideas on communism and writing
Das Kapital —sometimes hosts special exhibits.
Cost and Hours: Free, but a £5, US$7, or €6 donation requested; temporary exhibits
usually extra (and with timed ticket); daily 10:00-17:30, Fri until 20:30 (selected galleries
only), least crowded weekday late afternoons; Great Russell Street, Tube: Tottenham Court
Road.
Information: Information desks offer a standard museum map (£1 suggested donation)
and a £2 version that highlights important pieces; the Visitor's Guide (£3.50) offers 15 dif-
ferent tours and skimpy text.
Tours: Free 30-minute eyeOpener tours are led by volunteers, who focus on select
rooms(daily11:00-15:45,generallyevery15minutes).Free45-minute gallerytalks onspe-
cific subjects are offered Tue-Sat at 13:15. The £5 multimedia guide offers dial-up audio
commentary and video on 200 objects, as well as several theme tours (must leave photo ID).
There's also a fun children's audioguide (£3.50). And finally, you can download a free Rick
▲▲▲
Search WWH ::




Custom Search