London city guide
Tourist information
Featured articles
Purcell RoomThe Purcell Room is part of the Southbank Centre, with the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall.
Inns of CourtThe four Inns of Court consist of Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn and the Inner and Middle Temples.
Old Royal Naval CollegeThe Old Royal Naval College was designed by Christopher Wren as a home for injured sailors.
Britain At War ExperienceThe Britain at War Experience tells the story of life during the blackouts, bombs and the Blitz.
More articles…
National Maritime MuseumThe National Maritime Museum contains the actual jacket that Admiral Nelson wore at Trafalgar.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Victorian Market, in the heart of the City, is one of London’s most historic markets.
King’s Theatre
The King’s Head Theatre in Islington is housed inside an old 19th-century London pub.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
St. Martin-in-the-Fields has strong royal connections – it is the parish church of Buckingham Palace.
Brick Lane
Brick Lane is home to London’s Bangladeshi community, filled with balti shops and curry houses.
Keats’ House
Keats’ House in Hampstead was home to the poet John Keats between the 1818 and 1820.
Kensington
Kensington has the Palace, Kensington Gardens, and many of London’s finest museums.
Chat with other Londoners in our chat forum, and find your way around town with our street map of London
Upcoming events in London
>> Complete guide to what’s on in London
- Elton John’s New Year’s Eve Party, at the O2 Arena
- 31st December 2008
- See in the New Year with Elton John at the O2 Arena, in "Elton John's New Year's Eve Party". Elton is putting on a special concert to mark the passing of 2008, where he will be playing all his greatest hits and festive classics like Auld Lang Syne.
- Viennese New Year’s Eve Gala, at the Barbican
- 31st December 2008, 7:30 PM
- What better way to see in the New Year than dancing away to the classical strains of Viennese waltzes at the Barbican. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and violinist John Georgiadis will treat you to the music of Johann Strauss.
- Watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve
- 31st December 2008, 11.50 PM
- Revellers on New Year's Eve used to assemble in Trafalgar Square -- but the place to go these days is near the London Eye on Southbank. That is where London puts on its own spectacular firework display. And it's totally free!
- Fulham vs Chelsea… the big London derby
- 28th December 2008
- Take the kids down to Craven Cottage for the big London derby game between Fulham and Chelsea. Can Fulham beat the footballing odds and beat the Premier League's dream team?
- The Puppini Sisters Christmas Special
- 28th December 2008
- If you're looking for some 1940s-style fun then book a ticket for The Puppini Sisters Christmas Special on 28th December. The Southbank Centre is hosting this one-off show in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
- Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race, at the Serpentine Lake
- 25th December 2008, 9 AM
- If you fancy a walk on Christmas morning then take a stroll down to the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park, where members of the Serpentine Swimming Club will partake in the annual Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race.
- Christmas Day walk, with Pepys and Charles Dickens
- 25th December 2008, 11 AM & 2 PM
- What better way to walk off your dinner than with a sightseeing stroll around London -- on Christmas Day! You will be in the company of Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens, and each walk promises to be full of festive cheer.
- Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral
- 24th December 2008, 11.30 PM
- The perfect way to spend Christmas Eve... midnight mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. With the candlelit surroundings, religious songs and majestic splendour of Christopher Wren's cathedral you're bound to stroll home in festive cheer.
- Puccini’s Turandot, at the Royal Opera House
- 22nd December – 23rd January 2009
- The Royal Opera House is staging a new version of Puccini's popular opera 'Turandot', for one month over Christmas. It follows the tale of Chinese Princess Turandot, who falls for the charms of prince Calaf.
