London

18 Stafford Terrace

The Victorian residence of satirical cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne and his household, which is now open as a museum. The "aesthetic" interior design, preserved close to how the Sambournes would have kept it in 1899, features much Chinese and Middle Eastern-style furniture, art, and decorative schemes, along with a selection of Edward's cartoons, which typically ribbed the British establishment and its colonial-driven international relations.

Wed Sat Sun 2PM-5:30PM; guided tours: Wed Sun 11AM-12:15PM, costumed tours Sat 11AM-12:15PM·Adult £9, concession £7, child (under 18) free. Guided tours: £12 adult, £10 concession. Costumed guided tours led by an actor: £20 adult, £15 concession

20 Fenchurch Street

The Sky Garden

The unusual "walkie scorchie" profile of this skyscraper by Rafael Vinoly has seen it grab the headlines, as did the "death rays" caused by the sun's heat reflecting off the building onto the street below when it was first completed; car tyres melted and burst, and at least one man fried an egg using only the heat from the walkie talkie. Visitors can access the sky garden to see a magnificent view over the City and beyond; it's the only place you can't see the tower from! Online booking to visit during the day is essential. Alternatively, you can eat at one of the restaurants in the evening.

Sky garden: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat Sun 11AM-9PM·Sky garden free

A2 Lounge Restaurant & Wine Bar

Nigerian Restaurant - interesting if you want to try something different.

Mon–Thu noon–midnight, Fri Sat noon–2AM, Sun 5PM–1AM

Abbey Road Studios

World-renowned studios where many famous musicians and groups, most notably The Beatles, recorded music. The equally famous zebra crossing, immortalized on the cover of the Beatles' album Abbey Road, is right in front. In the vicinity, in Cavendish Avenue, is a home that used to be owned by Sir Paul McCartney.

No tours. Be warned that in 2026 there were incidents of individuals offering tours online in exchange for money, which was a scam.

Admiral Duncan

A single room: what it lacks in space, it makes up for with drag performances. Make sure you head here on a Sunday evening for the Divine Ms Frankie Fantastique and her weekly game of "Rock and Roll Bingo".

Aldwych station

The TfL-backed Hidden London offers tours around the disused Aldwych tube station which had its own branch on the Piccadilly line. The tour explains the station's unusual history including its use for protection (for both people and historical artefacts held by the British Museum) from the Blitz during World War II. It has been used as a filming location and for testing station equipment and decor, including for filming James Bond: Die Another Day, V for Vendetta, and the Prodigy music video for Firestarter. Tours are roughly an 1 hour and 15 minutes long, wear sturdy shoes (not sandals).

Weekdays: 17:05, 19:00; weekends: 10:05, 12:00, 14:40, 16:35·Tickets: £44, £39 concessions (includes 50% discount on entry to the London Transport Museum)

Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

The laboratory in which Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.

Mon-Thu 10AM-1PM·free

All Hallows by the Tower

The oldest church in the City, founded by Saxon abbots in 675 AD.

All Saints, Margaret Street

An attractive Gothic Revival church, completed in 1859 to a design by William Butterfield.

11AM-7PM·Free

All Souls Church, Langham Place

Completed in 1823, this attractive church near Broadcasting House is one of John Nash's masterpieces, with a prominent spire and circular vestibule. As of May 2025, it accessible only for worship.

Sun worship 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 5:30PM·Free (donations advised)

Amsterdam London Shop

Probably the finest purveyor of curious things in London. They also sell weed and hash-smoking paraphernalia.

Daily 9AM–7PM

Andrew Edmunds Restaurant

Top quality restaurant, great romantic spot. Bookings recommended.

Angler

One Michelin-starred British seafood restaurant with views over the City.

Wed 6PM-9:30PM; Thu Fri noon-2:30PM, 6PM-9:30PM; Sat noon-3PM, 6PM-9:30PM; Sun noon-3PM·Tasting menu £100 / £170 with wine pairing. À la carte mains £24-£30 (April 2021)

Any Amount of Books

Rare and second-hand books. Specialist in scholarly academic works and art-related titles.

Apsley House

The Wellington Museum

The London residence of the Dukes of Wellington, which now acts as a museum for the inaugural and most famous holder of the title. It boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, medals and swords. Perhaps the most bizarre item in Wellington's collection is a nude statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, commissioned by the emperor himself and bought by the British government following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo as a gift for the duke.

Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM·Adult £11.30, child £6.80, concession £10.20

Archbishop's Park

This park used to be the grounds of Lambeth Palace but has been a public park since 1901. In addition to the green space it provides, it contains a range of sports facilities (booking required, except for the cricket nets) and a playground.

7:30AM–15 minutes before sunset

Aspreys

One of the most famous luxury jewellers anywhere in the world. At least have a look in the window

Attendant

An independent coffee shop in a converted Victorian public toilet.

Mon–Fri 8AM–6PM, Sat 10AM–5PM, Sun 10AM–4PM

BBC Broadcasting House

New Broadcasting House aka NBH

The complex incorporates the Old Broad House built in 1930s. The façades of which feature the famous sculpture of Prospero and Ariel and the Ariel friezes by Eric Gill and Gilbert Bayes. BBC's The One Show is transmitted from the studio at the ground floor every weeknight starting from 7PM. The studio is quite visible from the plaza outside and some parts of the show are performed from outside of the studio – in the plaza.

Due to security reasons the Broadcasting House is not open to visitors

BFI IMAX Cinema

Set back from the riverside is the BFI IMAX, the largest cinema screen in the UK at 26 m wide, 20 m high. Shows family-friendly 3D IMAX films as well as action films which work well on the huge screen. Also hosts special all-nighters such as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

BFI Southbank

Tucked under Waterloo Bridge, BFI Southbank, formerly known as the National Film Theatre, pitches itself as the home of film and has three screens showing classic (including silent), foreign language and less mainstream films. It has a new entrance on Theatre Alley, a shop dedicated to film, an interactive exhibition space and an excellent bar/restaurant at the back. Visitors can also access the Mediatheque - wind your way through the BFI's extensive film and TV archive for free. Cool bar and restaurant. Tickets are generally available on the spur of the moment.

Balan's

Almost a Soho institution, this 24-hour eatery in the heart of the gay village offers a wide range of British and world cuisine in a stylish atmosphere. Has now gone international with branches in Miami, but the original Old Compton Street Balans is still be best, attracting clientele as diverse as the late TV presenter Dale Winton and politician and former mayor Ken Livingstone among its regulars.

Daily 24 hr·£20-25

Bank of England Museum

Charts the history of the bank from 1694 to the present day. A highlight is the opportunity to handle a genuine bar of gold. Photography allowed, but no flash.

Mon–Fri 10AM–5PM·Free

Banqueting House

Designed and built in 1619-1622 by the Neo-Classical architect Inigo Jones, The Banqueting House is now all that remains of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign's principal residence from 1530-1698 when most of it was destroyed by fire. Renowned for its architecture and paintings (by Rubens, among others), the building is also famous for being the scene of Charles I's execution in 1649 at the end of the English Civil War.

Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, closed Sun, Bank Holidays and 24 Dec-1 Jan (inclusive); The Banqueting House is liable to close at short notice for government functions, telephone to check before you travel·£4, students (with ID) and seniors (60+) £3.00, children 5-16 £2.60, under 5 free

Bar Termini

Italian-style bar serving cocktails and charcuterie. Excellent (and reasonable for the area) drinks in a cosy, quiet setting. No loud music, no rowdiness.

Sun-Thu 10AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 10AM-midnight

Barbican Centre

The largest arts centre in Europe, with music and theatre venues, and changing exhibitions.

Art Gallery: Mon-Fri 11AM–7PM 10AM–6PM, Sat–Sun 10AM–7PM; The Curve: Mon-Fri noon–7PM, Sat Sun 11AM–7PM

Barbican Conservatory

The second biggest greenhouse in London, containing over 2,000 species of tropical plants as well as birds and fish.

11AM–5PM·Free

Barrowboy & Banker

This used to be the first branch of NatWest bank in the UK and it maintains a lot of the old bank fittings, from pillars to marble floors.

Mon–Sat 11AM–11PM, Sun noon–7PM

Barts Pathology Museum

Quirky medical museum. Only open to the public for scheduled evening events.

Battersea Park

A lovely park on the southern banks of the Thames known or its wildlife and some splendid examples of mature trees.