London and the local area
Things to do
Museums and Art Galleries
One of the most famous of London’s 200 museums
is the British Museum, which was founded in 1753, displaying the works
of man from prehistoric to modern times. Also hugely popular are the
Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert
Museum and the Imperial War Museum.
The world famous National Gallery houses the national collection
of Western European painting consisting of around 2,300 pictures.
The Tate Gallery is the national gallery of British art from 1500
to the present day and the Tate Modern, an impressive collection of
international modern art since 1900.
Theatres and Cinemas
Enjoy plays, musicals and comedies at one of London’s
many theatres. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, on the bank of the
River Thames, was voted the best attraction in Europe in 1996. Every
summer plays written by Shakespeare and his contemporaries are shown
at the theatre.
There are 600 cinema screens in London, including the BFI London
IMAX Cinema. At 20 metres high, this is the UK's largest cinema screen.
Films can be enjoyed in 3D with the huge benefit of a powerful digital
surround-sound system and the most sophisticated motion-picture projector
in the world.
Restaurants
London has 6,000 restaurants, serving cuisine from all over
the world. Different ethnic areas such as Chinatown, Soho and Brick
Lane are all full of restaurants and cafes serving food from China,
Thailand, Japan, Bangladesh and other countries.
Pubs and Bars
There are 5,000 pubs and bars to choose from in London. A
traditional British pub offers a warm, friendly atmosphere, a wide
range of drinks and often food. You can visit historic pubs such as
the Trafalgar Tavern - one of Charles Dickens’ favourite haunts,
or City Barge, built in 1484 and where scenes from the Beatles movie,
Help!, were filmed. Trendy bars can be found throughout London, often
with live DJs and a dance floor.
Music and Concerts
London’s music scene caters for all – you will find everything
from jazz and rock sessions in the pubs and clubs, to huge pop concerts
in London’s stadiums. Classical concerts performed by the world’s
largest orchestras can be enjoyed at the Royal Albert Hall, and lunchtime
concerts in London’s historic churches are often free. Whether
you like jazz, pop, classical, karaoke, drum and bass, r ‘n’
b, hip hop, garage or techno, there is something for you – the
list is endless!
Shopping
With over 30,000 shops and stores in London, shoppers have
a huge diversity of choice. There are several different shopping areas,
each of which has its own characteristics and atmosphere. Harrods
and Bond Street are the places to go for designer labels, whilst the
famous street markets at Camden or Portobello Road are great for clothes,
gifts and antiques.
Parks and the River Thames
In the summer you will find London’s parks popular
with sunbathers and picnickers, and also excellent venues for open-air
concerts and gigs. If you visit Richmond Park, it is easy to think
you are in the countryside, with so much open, green space. It is
a popular place for walking, relaxing with friends, or horse riding.
The beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew are within easy reach
of Richmond upon Thames College. On a sunny day, the perfect place
to be is on a boat, cruising down the River Thames.
Sport
London is also home to many famous sporting events, such
as the tennis championships in Wimbledon or the world rugby matches
in Twickenham itself, the internationally recognised home of English
rugby.
Theme Parks
Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventure are great
places to spend a day on roller coasters, water rides and other attractions.
