Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Itineraries
London's a city of neighbourhoods, and each of these day-long itineraries
covers one of the city's most distinctive areas. They can all be covered on
foot, or with just a few short hops by bus or tube.
FREE WEST END
London can be an expensive place, but there are
lots of things to enjoy that are free. We've picked
a few lesser-known sights, in some of the city's
poshest parts, none of which will break the bank.
Wallace Collection
Escape from nearby Oxford
Street and pop into this miniature eighteenth-
century French chateau and wallow in the luxury
and excess of the Ancien Régime.
See p.90
Mayfair auction houses
Of the area's three
major auction houses, Sotheby's is the most
approachable. Sift through the lots, imagine
what you'd buy if you had the money and then
have a coffee at the café.
See p.82
Royal Institution
Not only is the RI one of the
country's most venerable scientific institutions,
it also has a great building to explore, from the
museum to the famous lecture hall.
See p.82
Lunch
In summer, St James's Park (see p.67) is a
particularly nice spot for a picnic; in winter treat
yourself at
The Wolseley
(see p.367).
Covent Garden buskers
Performers in the
Piazza have to audition, so a certain quality is
guaranteed - expect everything from opera to
slapstick.
See p.131
Horse Guards
Don't fret that you missed
Changing the Guard at 11am. The 4pm daily
inspection by an O
cer of the Guard involves
lots of cavalry and is just as much fun.
See p.48
Evensong at Westminster Abbey
You can
save yourself the hefty entrance fee by turning
up for choral evensong at 5pm.
See p.53
A SOUTH BANK STROLL
You can stroll the wonderful tra
c-free footpath
for three miles along the South Bank from the
London Eye to Rotherhithe.
Southbank Centre
London's concrete culture
bunker is a vibrant venue for pop-up festivals
and outdoor stalls, as well as a great place for
theatre, music and art.
See p.215
Tate Modern
Already the largest modern art
museum in the world, this awesome edifice is
expanding below and behind the original
power station.
See p.225
Shakespeare's Globe
Groundling tickets are
only just over a fiver, so there's no excuse not to
catch a play or visit the museum.
See p.228
Borough Market
This wholesale fruit and veg
market becomes a foodie scrimmage from
Thursday to Saturday.
See p.230
Tower Bridge
Climb to the top of one of the
city's most famous sights, or phone ahead to
check the bridge opening times.
See p.187
Butler's Wharf
A lesson in how to preserve and
enhance an old warehouse, marking the start of
the South Bank's Docklands.
See p.235
Brunel Museum
Rotherhithe is cut off from
the rest of London, and all the better for it. This
museum tells the remarkable story of the
world's first underwater tunnel, and has a
pop-up cocktail garden to boot.
See p.236
Mayflower pub
Sink a pint of real ale and
survey the river at this historic pub from which
the Pilgrim Fathers set out in 1620.
See p.394
ABOVE
COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
OPPOSITE
SUMMER FOUNTAIN OUTSIDE THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE
