By Jill Richards
List of Things to Do in London
London is a bustling, metropolitan world city. It boasts a wide variety of cultural, historic and entertaining things to do. Whether you're interested in visiting an old castle, learning about ancient artifacts or walking the city like a native, you can do this in England's capital city.
Tower of London
Built almost 1,000 years ago by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London is a vast repository of English history and culture. It is surrounded on three sides by a grassy moat that in days of old was filled with water and debris. The Thames, located on the site's south side, offered river access to the Tower. Informative tours, hosted by Yeoman Warders who dress in period uniforms, offer little known insights that are not found in guidebooks.
The site has been a royal castle, a prison and a place of execution. King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was executed on the Tower grounds at a location now marked by a small glass monument. Years later, Anne and Henry's daughter, Elizabeth I was briefly imprisoned in the Tower by her sister Mary. The site also holds the glittering, opulent English crown jewels, which are open for public viewing, as well as an extensive armory museum.
Tower of London
London
EC3N 4AB
Tel: +44 (0)0844 4827777
Fax: +44 (0)20 7488 4153
Email: visitorservices_tol@hrp.org.uk
www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/
British Museum
The British Museum holds an impressive collection of artifacts from around the world. During the British Empire, English explorers often brought home stunning examples of other civilizations and many of these items found a place the Museum. For example, the Rosetta Stone, which allowed translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, is exhibited at the Museum. Discovered in 1799, it offers the same inscription in three languages: hieroglyphs, Greek and Demotic. The Stone allowed scholars to decipher ancient Egyptian writing, a skill that was lost in the fourth century A.D.
The Elgin Marbles, sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s, are a controversial historic exhibit both because of their history and their glowing beauty. Over the past 30 years, the Greek government frequently requested repatriation of the artifacts and was denied. Originally removed as a preservation measure when the Parthenon fell into disrepair and was vandalized, the marble sculptures offer a haunting glimpse into ancient history. In 2009, the Greek government opened the New Acropolis Museum and again requested return of the Elgin Marbles. Currently their fate is unknown, so visitors with opportunity should visit this historic display.
British Museum
Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG
London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7323 8000/8299
Fax: +44 (0)20 7323 8616
information@britishmuseum.org
www.BritishMuseum.org
Walking Tours
London's walking tours are a fast paced, in-depth way to see London. Because London is an urban city, built before the advent of cars or mass transit, walking is the ideal way to see it. Many different tour themes are offered ranging from Jack the Ripper to Shakespeare to Harry Potter. Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the tours provide a glimpse into a wide variety of London's culture and history. The guides often encourage questions so that visitors can follow up on points of interest. There are tours geared for families, children and even private tours. Tours do not require pre-booking, visitors simply gather at the appointed starting location and pay shortly before the guide begins.
London Walks
PO Box 1708
London, NW6 4LW
Tel: +44 (0)020 7624 3978 or +44 (0)020 7794 1764
Recorded Info: +44 (0)020 7624 9255 or +44 (0)020 7624 WALK
www.walks.com
Resources
About the Author:
Jill Richards has almost 20 years of writing, public relations and marketing experience. She primarily writes about non-profits, health, business, education and fund-raising strategies. Richards holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Photo Credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/305991918/
