The Old Bailey is quite possibly the world's most famous criminal court and has been London's principal criminal court for centuries.

The Newgate gaol stood on the site of the Old Bailey in Medieval times; the original Old Bailey was built in 1539 on the site of the original fortified wall or bailey of the City. The building was added to and reshaped throughout the years before being destroyed in the Great Fire and the courthouse was rebuilt as an Italianate brick building with a courtroom open to the elements in a bid to minimise the spread of gaol fever.

Later the Old Bailey was redesigned yet again enclosing the open courtroom and refacing the exterior of the building. Despite this George Danceat rebuilt the court in 1774 and a semi-circular brick wall was constructed around the court in a bid to control the access of the public and limit communication between the public and the prisoners.

The Old Bailey as we know if today was designed by Edward Mountford and was opened by King Edward VII in 1907. Mountford designed the dome of the Old Bailey to mirror that of the nearby St Paul's. On the dome above the court resides the stature of Lady Justice by sculptor F.W.Pomeroy. Lady Justice holds a sword in her right hand and weighing scales in her left supposedly representing Blind Justice.

Famous trials to have taken place at the Old Bailey include those of Oscar Wilde, The Krays and the Yorkshire Ripper.

Although there is no public access to the precincts of the Central Criminal Court the public galleries are open each day for viewing of trials in session. Opening times are Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm and 2pm to 5pm. No reservations are held and visitors must be over the age of 14 years old.

Find out more about the Old Bailey including daily case listings.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at St Paul's. If travelling by bus the 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 388 and the 521 serve St Paul's and the surrounding area.

The Monument was designed by Sir Christopher Wren to commemorate the victims of the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The Monument was erected between 1671 and 1677, it is made out of Portland Stone and stands 202 feet high, the same height at which the Great Fire broke out. The Monument is located on the spot the Great Fire is believed to have started at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill, the road then known as Pudding Lane.

The Great Fire caused London to come to a standstill as it raged from September 2nd until September 5th leaving little in its wake as it consumed timber houses and businesses. As the city began to rebuild itself it was decided that there should be a permanent memorial. The finished design was a colossal Doric column in the antique tradition surmounted by a drum and a copper urn from which flames emerged, symbolising the Great Fire.

The Latin inscription on the north panel of the pedestal translates as "In the year of Christ 1666, on 2 September, at a distance eastward from this place of 202 ft, which is the height of this column, a fire broke out in the dead of night which, the wind blowing, devoured even distant buildings, and rushed devastating through every quarter with astonishing swiftness and noise ... On the third day ... at the bidding, we may well believe, of heaven, the fire stayed its course and everywhere died out."

Entrance to the Monument is unfortunately not free and visitors will have to pay £2 to climb the spiral staircase, however, The Monument can be appreciated from the ground. Find out more about Monument.

The Monument will be closed for major refurbishment from 30 July 2007 and is due to re-open December 2008.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Monument. If travelling by bus the 15, 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 344 and 521 all serve the area.

Southwark Cathedral may not be as famous at St Paul's but it is nevertheless one of the most important spiritual centres of London.

The cathedral resides on a site where a church is believed to have stood for over 1000 years and prior to that a Roman villa stood on the site.  A college of priests was founded on the site of the cathedral by the Bishop of Winchester between 852 and 867, a new church was founded in 1106 by two knights and was named St Mary Overie; the church went on to hold an important function within the community as it had its own wharf for unloading river goods.

The home of the Bishop, Winchester Palace, was just a two minute walk from the cathedral allowing the cathedral to rely on the patronage of the Bishop, the palace was in use up until 1626 and remains of the building are even today in existence and viewable to the general public. St Mary Overie was badly damaged in 1212 when an almighty fire engulfed Southwark, the cathedral was rebuilt, but in the 1390's yet another fire caused serious damage meaning that, once again, the church was in need of urgent reconstruction, this work was not completed until 1420.

The reformation brought great change to the church; men were sentenced to death within its walls and for a while it was rented out as a bakery and pigsty! Buildings were sold off and residential homes were built around it. An act of Parliament in the 16th Century made the church a parish church, of St Saviour, Southwark and in 1614 the parishioners banded together and bought the church from James I. During this time the church stood in the midst of Shakespearean England and homage is paid to its link with Elizabethan theatre with monuments to Edmund Shakespeare, John Fletcher and Phillip Massinger.

The church once again came under threat by the reconstruction of the Old London Bridge, parishioners fought a battle to save the church as many had already written it off as a 'damp old monastery', the church was eventually saved despite the demolition of several Chapels. Throughout the 19th Century however, the church fell into a state of disrepair as the nave roof was demolished leaving the church open to the elements for seven years, after a new nave was completed and the repairs finished St Saviour's became the pro-cathedral of South London and Parliament created the new diocese of Southwark and the first Bishop of Southwark was enthroned.

Today the Cathedral is not only a beautiful place of worship; it is a site of historical significance, educational centre and venue for concerts and festivals. The cathedral is open to visitors  from 8am to 6pm although main visiting times are from 10am until 4.30pm there is a mandatory charge for group visits, individuals are asked to make a voluntary contribution.

The cathedral does occasionally hold family and music events, you can find out more about these in our Family and Music sections. Find out more about Southwark Cathedral.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at London Bridge or Southwark. If travelling by bus the 21, 35, 40, 133, 343 and C10 serve London Bridge and Borough High Street.

Images reproduced with the kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of Southwark.

The Globe Theatre on Bankside is a faithful reconstruction of the open air theatre dating back to 1599 where William Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous plays.

The original Globe Theatre went up in flames in 1613 when a theatrical cannon misfired and set the wooden and thatched building alight. In 1970 American actor Sam Wannamaker set up the Shakespeare Globe Trust and in 1987 building work began on the new site 225 yards away from the site of the original, building work was completed in 1997 and the new Globe Theatre was born.

Today plays run in the open-air theatre from May to September and visitors from all over the world delight in the new, modern version of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The new building remains faithful to the original is almost every way, the only differences being an attached visitors centre, lighting and the fact that the theatre is slightly smaller than the original.

Although there are admission charges to take a tour of the inside of the globe you are able to buy tickets for plays from as little as £5...if you don't mind standing up that is! However, the theatre can be appreciated from the surrounding foyer which is free to enter so go in and take a look; it is open from 10am until 6pm.

Free family events do occasionally take place at the theatre, you can find out more about these in our Family section. Find out more about The Globe Theatre.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are a ten-minute walk away at London Bridge and Cannon Street.

If travelling by bus the 344, 381 and RV1 all serve the nearby Southwark Bridge and the 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381 and 521 all serve London Bridge.

Images by Nik Milner.

St Paul's Cathedral is a landmark that has represented London in its present form for over 300 years and is an international symbol of the strength, creativity and pride that makes London and its people so special.

The cathedral is much more than an Anglican church, a cathedral dedicated to St Paul has watched over the City of London since 604AD, the current cathedral is the fourth to occupy the present site; it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 to replace the cathedral lost in the Great Fire of London.

Today St Paul's is a magnificent record of the changing tastes of Great Britain over the past 300 years and the pillars, arches and artwork residing in the cathedral rivals the beauty of the exterior design. Although the cathedral has been consistently updated since being rebuilt by Wren, many original features remain including Jean Tijou's wrought iron gates and the organ that was installed in 1695.

The most striking feature of Wren's St Paul's has to be the huge dome that is instantly recognisable and which can be seen from all over London. The dome is one of the largest cathedral domes in the world; it is 113,3 metres in height and weights 65,000 tonnes - quite a weight, one that is supported by eight pillars and decorated with scenes of St Paul's life that were painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1715 and 1719.

Queen Victoria introduced the mosaics that are now such an integral part of the cathedral's interior in the mid-19th century after complaining that the cathedral was "most dreary, dingy and undevotional." Other recent additions to the cathedral include the American Memorial Chapel that stands in an area that was damaged during the Second World War and is a gesture of gratitude from the people of Britain to the American soldiers that died during the conflict.

As a venue for the celebration of births, deaths and marriage St Paul's is the number one choice for any self-respecting Royal and over the years the cathedral has played host to the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria, services marking the end of both World Wars and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. The Cathedral is as popular with tourists as it is with royalty and all through the year you can expect to see a steady stream of visitors in and outside of the cathedral, so either get there early or attend a evening service to see the building in its full glory.

A hefty admission fee is charged for entering the cathedral however; you can appreciate the beauty of the exterior of the building or why not attend a service and experience all that St Paul's has to offer including its magnificent choir.

Regular free music and family events take place at the cathedral, you can find out more about these in our Music and Family sections. Find out more about St Paul's.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at St Paul's on the Central Line, if travelling by over-ground the closest stations are at Blackfriars and Cannon Street.

If travelling by bus the 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 388 and the 521 serve St Paul's and the surrounding area.

The Wellcome Collection on Euston Road is a fascinating venue where visitors can take a look at an ancient mummy; Napoleon's toothbrush, Darwin's walking stick, a DNA-sequencing robot and a Marc Quinn sculpture all under one roof.

The Wellcome Collection is part of the Wellcome Trust that was founded by Sir Henry Wellcome, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector. Wellcome lived from 1853 to 1936; he was one of the first to market medicine in tablet form and formed a multinational pharmaceutical company that changed the way we lived. Wellcome spent his life exploring the realms of science and medicine and throughout his lifetime he amassed a huge collection of artefacts relating to medicine and health.

Sir Henry first showcased his collection of medical paraphernalia at the Historical Medical Museum in Wigmore Street from 1913. With the museum Sir Henry aimed to trace the history of medicine from ancient times to the present day. It featured a Hall of Primitive Medicine, a Hall of Statuary, a Portrait Gallery and a series of period rooms and reconstructions.

In 1932 the collection was moved into the Wellcome Building, a building built to Sir Henry's specifications. The building on Euston Road houses three exhibition rooms, a conference centre, members club, library, bookshop and café.

Today visitors to the Wellcome Collection can view over 1500 exhibits that span six centuries, all of which help portray the development of our understanding of what it means to be human.

The Wellcome Collection regularly holds temporary exhibitions, talks and events. You find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Literary sections.

The venue is open Monday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm, the galleries are not open on Mondays and on Thursday galleries are open until 10pm. Find out more about the Wellcome Collection including Library opening hours.

How to get there

The nearest tube stops to the Wellcome Collection are Euston Station, Euston Square Station, Warren Street Station and Kings Cross. If travelling by bus you can jump on the 10, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 59, 68, 73, 88, 91, 134, 168, 205, 253 and 390

Epping Forest is absolutely huge, measuring a whopping 6,000 acres and stretching from Manor Park to Epping in Essex.

Since 1878 Epping Forest has been under the protection of the City of London after the City joined forces with local people to stop the forest from becoming enclosed. The legal battle that followed culminated in two Acts of Parliament that made provisions for other open spaces in London that were under similar threat.

The forest is of extreme historical significance, it is home to Wanstead Park, Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and the remains of two Iron Age earthworks. Wanstead Park is a beautifully landscaped piece of land that was attached to Wanstead House; the house is now gone but the park remains along with its original boathouse and stunning temple.  The park's formality is a stark contract to the rest of the forest with a number of ornamental water features where herons live, remnants from the heronry that was established at the beginning of the 20th century. You can find out more about Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is our museums section.

Today the forest is an area of conservation; the wildlife living there exists in harmony with regular events and visitors. Many of the trees in the forest are ancient Oaks, Beech and Hornbeam trees that support insect life and fungi. Animals living in the forest include deer, Adders, newts, frogs, squirrels, rabbits and a myriad of birdlife.

Sports facilities in the forest include football pitches, a golf course and cricket pitches; there are also designated areas for fishing, boating and flying model aircrafts. Cycling, horse riding and cross-country running are also popular forest pastimes. Numerous events take place in the forest including heritage events, exhibitions, theatre performance and guided walks.

Find out more about Epping Forest.

How to get there

The closest tube station is a short walk away at Buckhurst Hill; the closest main line railway station is at Chingford, train from Liverpool Street station take around 25 minutes to reach Chingford.

If travelling by bus the 179, 212, 397 and 444 serve Chingford main line station.

Crystal Palace is home to a 200-acre park that houses a National Sports Centre and Stadium alongside a historical wooded landscape.

Formerly the home of the Great North Wood, the park is situated on one of the highest points in London and offers stunning views across central London.

Crystal Palace Park came into being as the permanent home for the Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibition in 1851. In 1854 the park opened and was described as 'the worlds first theme park', people from London and further a field flooded in to see the exhibitions and events held there. Unfortunately the Palace burned down in 1936 and was never replaced, however the terraces and retaining walls of the palace can still be seen.

Motor racing was a big part of the parks history, up until the 1970s regular races took place on the track there and the park was used to film car scenes from the film 'The Italian Job'. Other sporting activities to take place in the park include football (the FA Cup final was held in the park between 1895 and 1914), as well as the events that take place in the Grade II listed National Sports Centre.

The Grand Central Walk runs from the site of the Palace to the steps of the National Sports Centre, however the original walkway linked the Palace to the Penge Gate and was 2,660 feet long. The park also houses London's largest maze, boating lake, a swimming pool, a museum, children's farm, several Waterhouse Hawkins Grade I listed dinosaur models, the South Basin Pool, a railway station and much more.

Find out more about Crystal Palace Park.

How to get there

The closest mainline train stations are situated at Crystal Palace and Sydenham Hill.

If travelling by bus the 3, 122, 157, 202, 227, 249, 322, 358, 363, 410, 417, 432 and 450 all serve the area.

Hampstead Heath is a true favourite of Londoners and a popular greenspace for families, picnickers and sporting enthusiasts.

The 791-acres that makes up Hampstead Heath, made up of ponds, woodland and meadows, welcomes over 10 million visitors a year. The land was originally owned by the Manor of Hampstead while the rest was the part if the estate of Kenwood House and is today managed by the Corporation of London and maintained by English Heritage.

A number of monuments, buildings and archaeological sites exist on the heath and all contribute to its character. These include Kenwood House, a former stately home located on the northern boundary of the Heath, the Edwardian Pergola which has recently been restored to its former glory and the Tumulus which was previously thought to have been the grave of Queen Boudicca but is now believed to the site of a 17th Century windmill.

The natural bathing ponds (that are still used today), lakes and large areas of grassland on the heath attract wildlife including Kingfishers, woodpeckers and bats. Like many of London's greenspaces, the Heath is a popular place for sporting activity and houses and outdoor swimming pool, athletics track, tennis courts, bowling green and petanque pitch. The Heath is also a popular location for outdoor concerts and events.

The Heath is open all day, all year round. Find out more about Hampstead Heath.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are located at Hampstead, Golders Green, Tuffnell Park and Belsize Park.

If travelling by bus the 46, 210, 268 and 603 all serve Hampstead.

Wimbledon and Putney Commons are some of the most famous greenspaces in all of London thanks to the little furry animals that live on Wimbledon Common.

The commons are a tranquil area with sprawling meadows and grasslands. Although 'common land' Wimbledon Common was normally owned by the Lord of the Manor and those allowed to use the land were tenants of the Lord who were granted 'common rights' that included the grazing of animals and collecting of firewood. However, after a court case during which the current landowner Earl Spencer fought to enclose the land of the common, the local residents became subject to levies that would enable them to preserve and use the land of the common.

Wimbledon and Putney Commons feature numerous ponds, some that are extremely old dating back to Medieval times. The Rushmere supported the local community up until Edwardian time and is today home to a shoal of Japanese Koi Carp. The Bluegate Gravel Pit is a place where Dragonflies thrive and the Hookhamslade Pond is a breeding ground for frogs and newts; others include the Ravine Pond and the 7 Post Pond. Animals thrive in the commons natural habitat and eagle eyes visitors could spot shrews, moles, bats, rats, weasels, stoats, rabbits, badgers and a array of birds include geese, ducks and herrings.

It most prominent feature of the commons is the Wimbledon Windmill. The mill was built by local carpenter Charles March 1817 and worked by three millers up until the 1860s, these millers combined their role with that on constable of the common and kept an eye out for any illegal duels that often took place on the common. Today the Windmill Museum is popular with visitors wanting to find out more the workings of the windmill and its history, however a small admission fee is charged. The commons also feature a nature trail that enables visitors to take on a cross section of the nature the commons have to offer.

Sport is a very popular activity on the commons, two golf clubs call it home, as does the oldest cross country running club in the world, cyclists, joggers, horse riders and rugby players.

The common is open to the public 24 hours a days, 365 days a year. Find out more about Wimbledon and Putney Commons.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park and Southfields.

If travelling by bus the 93 and 200 serve the Parkside of the Common.

Kensington Gardens is a formal park covering 275-acres of land made up of formal avenues of trees and ornamental gardens.

The land that the gardens reside on was once part of the much larger near-by Hyde Park, however, in 1689 William III bought up the land as he felt the quiet location and clean air would be beneficial to his asthma. After Christopher Wren transformed Nottingham House into what we now know as Kensington Palace, William III transferred land from Hyde Park. The palace quickly became popular with subsequent royals, wife of George II Queen Caroline created the gardens that Londoners know and love by transferring more land from Hyde Park to the gardens and creating the Serpentine and the Long Water from the Westbourne stream. Kensington Palace was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and she in turn improved the gardens by adding the Italian Gardens and Albert Memorial.

The most significant recent development at Kensington Gardens was the creation of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain Playground. The playground is hugely popular receiving thousands of visitors every year. It is located next to Kensington Palace where the late Princess lived and features teepees, a sensory trail, beach and various play sculptures.

Other popular monuments in the gardens include statues of Peter Pan and Queen Victoria, you can discover these gems of the gardens during regular organised walks. Although there are cycle paths running through the gardens sports are discouraged due to the historic importance of the landscape and to maintain the serenity of the greenspace.

The gardens are open from 6am until dusk every day all year round. Find out more about Kensington Gardens.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Bayswater and High Street Kensington.

If travelling by bus the 9, 10, 27, 28, 31, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 274, 360 and 390 all serve the area.

Green Park is adjacent to the 47-acre greenspace of St James's Park, but benefits from mature trees and a more peaceful atmosphere.

Although the park is now a peaceful place, this was not always the case. Green Park it was first a burial ground for the leper hospital at the nearby St James's Park. Then once it was enclosed became a famous duelling site and the place where many a rebellion took place including one against the marriage of Queen Mary I to Philip II of Spain. Much has changed in the park, the buildings and lodges that once stood there are now all gone, as are the temples that were destroyed during two particularly raucous fireworks displays 60 years apart!

Like most Royal Parks in London Green Park was a royal hunting ground stocked with deer by Charles II; however by the 18th Century various improvements were made in order to make the park more pleasure garden like; the Tyburn Pool and the Queens Walk all added to the park where the King enjoyed his daily constitutionals. In the 1820s John Nash was commissioned to make improvement to St James's Park that affected Green Park, trees were planted in the park for the first time and the Wellington Arch was placed at the boundary of Hyde Park and Green Park on Constitution Hill. In more recent years the park has become a memorial to whose who have lost their lives in battle, with new memorial added for Canadian servicemen in 1994 and one in 2002 for the five million servicemen from the Indian Sub-Continent, Africa and the Caribbean.

Green Park is a greenspace dedicated to rest and relaxation, therefore sport is not encourages and large scale events rare, if you are looking for a greenspace that offers these facilities then check out our page on Hyde Park. Although Green Park does not have an abundance of wildlife there are a number of birds living there and The Royal Parks are currently looking at ways to introduce new species to the area.

The park is open to the public all day every day. Find out more about Green Park.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are located at Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.

If travelling by bus the 2, 8, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22, 36, 38, 52, 73, 82, 148 and 436 all serve the area.

Victoria Park in East London came into being when 218-acres of land was bought bu the Crown Estate; between the years of 1842 and 1846 this land was planned and laid out by architect James Pennethorne; a pupil of the much lauded architect John Nash.

The park was made public in 1845 and has always been referred to as 'the people's park'. Once opened the park became an essential part of life for the poor people living and working in the heavily polluted East End of London and was the only large greenspace in the area open for public use. The bathing pond in the park was popular with 19th Century park goers; however, this has not been used for bathing since 1836 and is today mainly frequented by anglers.

Although the park was a place for relaxation and recreation, it was also put to political uses and quickly became a meeting place for political rallies. The political nature of the park was reinforced when it became a Prisoner of War camp for both Italian and German soldiers during World War II. To this day the park remains a place for the local community to meet and stage events such as the Rock Against Racism concerts in the 1980's.

Despite its working class roots Victoria Park does bear resemblances to the grand Royal Parks, including deer enclosures, ornamental gardens and lakes. Notable areas of interest in the park include two canals running to the west and south of the park and two surviving fragments of the original London Bridge, Grade II listed pedestrian alcoves, that are located at the East end of the park where they have stood since 1860. The park's Pagoda has become a popular venue for open air concerts in summer months, while the sporting enjoy the lido, tennis courts, cricket pitches, bowling green and cycle paths.

The park is open every day from 6am until dusk. Find out more about events at Victoria Park.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Mile End and Bow. The closest main line station is at Stratford and DLR station at Bow Church.

If travelling by bus the 26, 30, 236, 276, 388 and S2 all serve the area.

St James's Park is a Royal Park situated in the very heart of London covering 58-acres of land and providing a green oasis in an often clogged up city.

The park is the oldest Royal Park in London and is surrounded by three palaces, Westminster (now the Houses of Parliament), St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. Originally the site of a leper hospital; Henry VIII acquired the land in 1532 for a deer park where he and his court could hunt; his daughter Elizabeth I also used the park to indulge her whims, throwing fetes and events. James I drained and developed the land on the park when he took to the throne. He managed to create the first incarnation of the road we now know as the Mall and used the park as his own private zoo housing elephants, crocodiles and camels! The park really started to change however when Charles II had it redesigned planting lawns and avenues of trees before opening the park to the public.

In the early 1800s John Nash was commissioned to again change the look and feel of the park, hanging the park to look more naturalistic which was a popular look of the day, transforming the canal into a lake and introducing birds, bird keeper and bird keeper cottage to the park. He also built Clarence House which has remained as a royal residence ever since. It was during this time that Buckingham House was given a major facelift enlarged to create a palace and the Mall was turned into a grand processional route to the new palace.

The former canal that is now a lake is today home to geese, ducks, swans and pelicans! Facilities include a children's play area, a popular cafe and deck chairs in the summer months. Many events take place in the park and the adjacent Mall these events take the form of parade, march, concerts, guided tours and much more.

The park is open from 5am to midnight all year round. Find out more about St James's Park.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at St James's Park, Charring Cross, Westminster, Green Park and Victoria.

If travelling by bus the 3, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 148, 159, 211 and 453 all serve the area.

Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed Royal Park in London that boasts fantastic views across the River Thames to Central London.

This 183-acre park is not only a beautiful greenspace; it is also a World Heritage Site host to the Prime Meridian Line and home to the Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, Queens House and the Maritime Museum. Its royal connections date back to 1427 when the land was inherited by the then Duke of Gloucester. Henry VIII was born in Greenwich and it was he who introduced deer to the park, his daughters and future Queens Mary I and Elizabeth I were also born there. James I built a brick wall around the park before bestowing it upon his wife Queen Anne, she then commissioned Inigo Jones to build her a house, she died before the building was complete and the house was passed over to the wife of Charles I Henrietta Maria; it has since been known as the Queen's House. Charles II put the park on the map when he founded the Royal Society in 1661, commissioning Sir Christopher Wren to build the Royal Observatory.

Charles the II set about changing the face of the park by demolishing the Tudor palace; he then commissioned a new palace to be built and remodelled the park to a formal design inspired by Frenchman Andre Le Notre. The design incorporated a series of grass terraces lined with hawthorn hedges, an avenue of chestnut trees and some small woodlands. The royal interest in the park diminished in the 18th century when the daughter of James II, Mary, turned the palace over to be used as a hospital for sailors.

Like many Royal Park's, Greenwich Park is home to deer and other animals including foxes, rabbits and many types of birds. Facilities in the park include Mary's Gate Café, a children's play area and a bandstand. There are also many sporting facilities available for use and hire including tennis courts, a putting green, crickets and rugby pitches and a children's boating pool.

The park is open to pedestrians from 6am every day and closes at dusk. Find out more about Greenwich Park.

How to get there

The closest mainline station is at Greenwich. The closest DLR stations are at Cutty Sark and Greenwich.

If travelling by bus the 53, 54, 177, 180, 188, 199, 202, 286, 380 and 386 all serve the area.

Or if you are feeling particularly adventurous you can take a boat from Westminster, Embankment or Tower Pier to Greenwich Pier.

Richmond Park is one of the most outstanding parks in London. Originally a deer-hunting park, it is still home to hundreds of deer and is the largest Royal Park in London.

The 2,500-acre park is a designated National Nature Reserve with rolling hills, woods, ponds and ancient trees. It is not only the largest Royal Park but is probably the oldest dating back to the realm of Edward I. The land passed into the hands of Henry VII who renamed it Richmond Park. The park became enclosed when Charles I took his court there in 1625 to escape the plague, to this day the walls surrounding the park remain, albeit in a rebuilt and reinforced manner.

It was Charles I who also introduced deer to the park; he ignored the wishes of farmers and residents who laid a claim to the land and instead allowed 2000 deer to roam free about open spaces and woodlands. The 18th Century saw vistas created to exploit the best views of the park, once looking down the grand avenue of Queen's Ride and the other looking out from the high point of King Henry's Mound. From this mound you can today look down across a specially maintained avenue ad relish in an uninterrupted view of St Paul's Cathedral

In more recent years there have been few additions to the park. Sidmouth Wood was added to the park in the 19th century and the Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden, was created after the Second World War and is rich in stunning flowers and greenery. Two other gardens Queen Mother's Copse and Bone Copse are both protected enclosures that were created in memory of the Queen Mother and Bessie Bone respectively.

Buildings of note in the park include Pembroke Lodge, Thatched House Lodge and the Royal Ballet School. These buildings exist in harmony with the roaming deer and other animals living in the park including rabbits, squirrels, stag beetles and ring-necked paraquets.

Many events and sporting activities take place in the park including orienteering, cross-country running, horse riding, golf, cycling, fishing, polo and much more.

The park is open from 7am until dusk in the summer ad 7.30am till dusk in the winter. Find out more about Richmond Park.

How to get there

The closest mainline station is at Richmond.

If travelling by bus the 33, 65, 190, 337, 371, 391, 419, 490, 493, H22, H37, R68 and R70 all serve Richmond.

Highgate Wood is a 70-acre area of woodland originally part of the ancient forest of Middlesex, a forest that covered much of London and the surrounding counties.

The forest was entrusted into the care of the City of London is 1886 and was became a place that was "open for the use and recreation of the public for ever". Today it is home to numerous self seeded trees and shrubs as well as 70 different types of birds, foxes, squirrels, bats, hedgehogs, moths, butterflies and spiders.

Throughout the year a number of events and activities take place including sports and story telling. Visitors can enjoy the open spaces and nature for the forest before enjoying some refreshment at the café.

Find out more about Highgate Wood.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Highgate and East Finchley.

If travelling by bus the 43, 134, 143, 210, 214, 263, 271 and 603 all serve the area.

The Maryon Wilson Park is part of the former Maryon Wilson Estate containing both formal gardens and open grassland.

The park's best feature however it its enclosure of animals that is home to ducks, pigs, geese, peacocks, chickens and even deer! Park rangers are on hand to show you the delights of the park during a free-guided tour every Wednesday at 1.15pm and on Mondays and Fridays during the school holidays.

Find out more about the Maryon Wilson Park.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at North Greenwich and the closest DLR stations are at Cutty Sark and Greenwich.

If travelling by bus the 53, 54, 161, 177, 180, 380, 422, 472 and 486 all serve the local area of Charlton.

Coram's Fields is a unique seven-acre park situated in Holborn providing a safe but stimulating environment for children living in the centre of London.

No adult is able to enter Coram's Field without a child and the friendly staff ensures that everyone enjoys their visit. The playground occupies the site of the original Foundling Hospital established by Captain Thomas Green in 1739; the current Foundling Museum is only minutes away. After the hospital was relocated to the outskirts of London the land was transformed into London's first children's public playground.

In addition to the extensive lawns the park also features turf pitches for sports, a paddling pool, sandpits, slides, a pets corner with goats and hens, a nursery and café.

Coram's Fields organise many events and activities throughout the year in order to support itself and generate some much needed funds.

Coram's Fields is open every day except Christmas day from 9am till 7pm during summer months and 9am till duck in winter. Find out more about Coram's Fields.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Russell Square.

If travelling by bus the 17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 and 243 all serve the area.

Vauxhall City Farm is a mainly volunteer-run farm that encourages groups of disadvantaged people to visit and benefit from the farm.

The farm was transformed from derelict land in 1977 and since then has become a firm favourite with the local community, schools and visiting groups. Favourite animals are Bella the pig and Jacko the donkey.

In addition to its animals the farm features community and ecology gardens, a picnic area, a riding centre and the opportunity to get hands on with the animals.

The farm is open Thursday to Sunday from 10.30am till 4pm. Find out more about Vauxhall City Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Vauxhall.

If travelling by bus the 2, 36, 77, 87, 88, 156, 185, 196, 344, 360 and 436 all serve the area.

The Surrey Docks Farm is a miniature commercial farm dedicated to sustainable farming within an urban environment.

The farm is situated on the Thames in part of the 18th century Wellses' shipyard. It has a huge variety of animals living there including goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, poultry, donkeys and bees. Also on site is a working blacksmiths, orchard, duck pond, riverside walk, dairy and herb gardens.

Plenty of events and activities take place throughout the year including egg-painting and farm activities. The farm works with adults with learning difficulties, young offenders and students.

The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 5pm. Find out more about Surrey Docks Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Canada Water, Rotherhithe or Surrey Quays.

If travelling by bus the 381 and C10 serve the area.

Stepping Stones Farm is a volunteer run farm; its main purpose is to enable the residents of the nearby Ocean Estate and Stepney to experience rural life.

The farm was set up in 1979 and has since doubled in size despite a reduction in funding. Today the farm is home to Kune pigs, cows, cats, sheep, goats, ducks, geese, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

In addition to the lovely animals, the farm feature a recycling plant, grow-boxes, a garden centre, café, play area and an outside eating area. Events take place throughout the year including carol concerts and team building days.

The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 4pm. Find out more about Stepping Stones Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube station is located at Stepney Green; the closest DLR station is at Limehouse.

If travelling by bus the 15, 25, 115, 205, 309 and 339 all serve the area.

Spitalfields City Farm is a community project located just a stones throw away from the square mile.

Spitafields City Farm was started in 1978 when local residents transformed some wasteland into allotments after losing their original patch to developers, before long chickens, rabbits and geese arrived and the farm was born!

The farm is home to a lot of animals including donkeys, ponies, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, cats, waterfowl, chickens and guinea pigs; but the farm does a whole lot more...organic farms exist alongside the animals, children take part in a young farmers club on weekends and the farm works closely with volunteers, young children, the unemployed, homeless and people with learning difficulties.

A number of events take place at the farm throughout the year, including Christmas fairs, play programmes, animal welfare training, cookery classes and much more.

The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4.30pm with an early close at 4pm during the winter months. Find out more about Spitalfields City Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Whitechapel and Liverpool Street.

If travelling by bus the 67 serves the local area.

Mudchute Farm is situated on a 32-acre park featuring wooded glades and grazing fields on what was previously a piece of derelict land.

The farm is the largest urban farm of its kind in London, it features an equestrian centre, café, education centre and of course, lots of animals! At the farm you can see prize-winning Irish Moiled cows, sheep, pigs, donkeys, llamas, rabbits, ducks, chickens, guinea pigs and ferrets.

In addition to the animals visitors can enjoy the nature reserve at the park that is made up of grazing pastures, wildflower banks, woodland, hedgerows, ponds and a nature trail. Both the farm and the park are home to numerous species of birds, the eagle eyes can hope to spot long tailed tits, wood pigeons, robins, sparrows, magpies, Whitethroat, Linnet, Blue tit, dunnock and Blackbirds.

The farm works with disadvantaged children, the elderly and those with special needs and mental or learning difficulties. Mudchute Farm and Park is open daily from 9.30am till 4.30pm. Find out more about Mudchute Farm and Park.

How to get there

The closest stations on the DLR are at Mudchute, Crossharbour and London Arena.

If travelling by bus the D3, D6, D7 and D8 all serve the area.

Hackney City Farm is an oasis in East London boasting several small paddocks, a café, deli and lots and lots of fantastic animals!

The farm was established in 1984 after locals were inspired by the opening of Kentish Town City Farm. Today the farm is an indispensable community resource that works with children, the disabled, excluded pupils and asylum seekers to help develop skills and gain experience.

Animals living at the farm include pigs, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, chinchillas, rats, guinea pigs, geese, ducks and turkeys. The farm sells its own produce and hold fairs and fetes through out the year. Every day at 4pm visitors are welcome to watch the animals during feeding time, an event not to be missed!

Many daily courses and workshops take place at the farm, including stone carving, music, dance and pottery though most of these do charge an admission fee. The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4.30pm. Find out more about Hackney City Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Bethnal Green, the closest mainline station is at Cambridge Heath.

If travelling by bus the 26, 48, 55, 236 and 394 all serve the area.

Freightliners City Farm is a two-and-a-half acre greenspace in the middle of Islington that homes a variety of farm animals and gardens.

The farm has been existing in some shape or form since the 1970s, animals were first homed in railway goods vans before being moved to its current site in the 1980s. The farm really is a big part of the local community, with a gardening club, classrooms, sensory gardens, vegetable gardens and much more for local residents to enjoy.

Animals living at the farm include cattle, chickens, geese, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, ducks and many bees. There is a petting area allowing children to get up close to their favourite small animals.

Every Saturday the farm hosts an exotic market from 10am until 3pm that sells cakes, home-made produce, clothes, jewellery, arts & crafts and much more, check it out!

The Freightliners City Farm works with families and children, the elderly, older people with learning difficulties and mental health problems, and others who could benefit from working in a friendly and productive environment.

The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm in the autumn/winter and from 1am till 4.45pm in the Spring/Summer. Find out more about the Freightliners City Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Highbury & Islington and Caledonian Road.

If travelling by bus the 17, 43, 91, 153, 259, 271, 274 and 393 all serve the area.

Brooks Farm is based inside Skeltons Lane Park and is an active part of the local community.

The farm is semi-working with goats, lambs, Jacob sheep, Gloucester Old Spot pigs, Shetland Ponies, a llama and an aviary. There is also a whole area designated to small animals like chinchillas, gerbils, rats, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and mice. Wildfowl like chicken, hens and ducks also call the farm home, although the farm is seasonal and visitors can expect to see different animals dependant on the season.

In addition to the animals the farms has a picnic area, children's play area, a petting area, vegetable garden, nature garden and a class-room. The farm works with both children and adults with learning and mental health difficulties.

The farm opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am till 5.30pm April to October and between 9.30am till 4.30pm November to March. The farm closes for lunch every day between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Entrance is free to all Waltham residents. Find out more about Brooks Farm.

How to get there

If travelling by tube the closest underground stations are at Leytonstone and Walthamstow Central.

If travelling by bus the 55, 69, 97 and W16 all serve the area.

Comprising 410 acres, Regents Park is the largest outdoor sports area in London and is renowned for its manicured gardens and spectacular flowers.

The park, then known as Marylebone Park, was appropriated by Henry VIII in 1538 for his personal use as a hunting ground, at this time the majority of the park was covered with a thick forest but lower parts of the park the woods were more open and home to many deer. The park remained mainly unchanged until Oliver Cromwell came into power, to raise money he authorised the chopping down and selling of many trees before leasing the land to farmers. Once the monarch was restored to the throne the land of the park was again restored to the crown. In 1811 John Nash, architect to the crown produced a plan that would seen the park renamed as Regents Park and developed as the Prince Regent's playground featuring a summer house.

Nash planned to not only build a palace for the Prince, but villas for his friends, terraces around the outskirts of the park and a processional route to St James Palace from the Park. Unfortunately for Nash the plan failed to take off as the Prince turned his attentions to improving Buckingham Palace, however, some aspects of Nash's grand plans do remain. He managed to build 9 villas, two of which remain; terraces of Nash's design remains at Park Crescent and the processional route to St James Palace is a well travelled road call Regents Street.

It was only in 1835 that members of the general public were admitted into certain sections of the park and later were able to enjoy the entire park and the nearby Primrose Hill opening the park to sporting activities which are still enjoyed there today. Today the park features a boating lake, open-air theatre and numerous cafes and eateries.

The biggest addition to the park since Nash's time was the opening of the London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, in 1828. The zoo stands on the northern edge of the park. The zoo opened the first public reptile house, aquarium, insect house and children's zoo. It is currently undergoing a renovation programme with the aim of recreating the natural habitat of the animals living there rather then the old cages; however, not all the animals are in the zoo as the park is home to humerous species of birds, waterfowl, insects and small mammals. Another popular addition has been the London Mosque built on the site of one of Nash's ill-fated villas.

Sports played in the park today include tennis, netball, cricket, softball, hockey and rugby. Athletics are also an active park of park life thanks to the athletics track. In addition to these activities regular walking groups and exercise classes take place in the park making the park a big part of community life for all who use and love it.

Regents Park is an oasis in North London and gives visitors to the capital a taste of what life would have been like in Regency London.

Find out more about The Regents Park.

How to get there

The closest tube stations to Regents Park at situated at Regent's Park, Great Portland Street, Baker Street, St John's Wood and Camden Town.

If travelling by bus the 2, 13, 28, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, 453 and C2 all serve the area.

Hyde Park is possibly London's best-loved greenspace; its 350 acres of land is made up of everything from manicured lawns, lakes, playgrounds, trees and fountains.

King Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536 during the reformation, he and his court could often be seen hunting for deer, and it remained the private hunting ground of the monarch until James I allowed limited access to those other than himself appointed a ranger to look after the park. However, it was Charles I who really changed the nature of the park, when in 1637 he opened the park to the general public.

Throughout the years the Park was still under the control of the reigning monarch many of whom added to the park, in the 1730s Queen Caroline carried out extensive renovations, transferring land from the park to create Kensington Gardens and created The Serpentine Lake. During the 17th Century Hyde Park became a venue for national celebrations, fireworks were set off, exhibitions were held and people took to the grass during marches to express their often controversial points of view; in 1872 the Prime Minster created Speaker's Corner where members of the public are entitled to rant away about any subject they wish.

Since the 19th century many architectural additions have been made to the park including the monumental entrance at Hyde Park Corner, the Wellington Arch and the Crystal Palace that was later transferred to Sydenham; the most recent addition to the Park is the memorial fountain to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Even today Hyde Park is a popular place to partake in sport, though it goes without saying that the sport takes a very different form to that which Henry VIII would have enjoyed. The main sporting pursuits taking place in the 21st century include cycling, football, rounders, crickets and tennis.

Walkers are likely to spot a variety of ducks, swans and birds enjoying the water of Hyde Park, foxes and squirrels are also know to reside in the park so keep you eyes peeled for some very active nature! The park is a popular venue for outdoor concerts and events; past events have including Live 8 and the annual London to Brighton road race.

Find out more about Hyde Park.

How to get there

Hyde Park is open from 5am until midnight all year round.

The closest tube stations are located at Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge.

If travelling by bus 6, 7, 10, 16, 52, 73, 82, 390, 414, 2, 36, 137, 436, 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 148, 414, 8, 15, 30, 38 and 274 all serve the area.

During the early 19th century burial conditions in London had become deplorable and Parliament authorised the opening for seven private cemeteries that would be situated in inner London, one of these was Tower Hamlets Cemetery.

The Cemetery opened in 1841 and quickly became popular with the poor of the East End; after just 50 years nearly 250,000 bodies had been interred in the site, many in paupers graves leading to rumours that graves were being dug as deep at 30 feet and containing up to 30 bodies. After damage from bombs that fell on London during the Second World War the Cemetery soon fell into disrepair and was bought by the Greater London Council in 1966 that closed the cemetery to burials.

They instead worked on creating a greenspace for the people of the East End, however it was only in 2000 that the site was designated as a conservation area and today Tower Hamlets Cemetery is a designated part of Tower Hamlets Local Nature Reserve and has an outstanding variety of wild plants and animals, including butterflies and birds. Parts of cemeteries greenspace are used for teaching environmental science to children.

In addition to its greenspace the Tower Hamlets cemetery features 16 memorials that are listed buildings; the high brick walls that surround the cemetery are also listed.

Find out more about Tower Hamlets Cemetery.

How to get there

The closest underground station is at Mile End. If travelling by bus the 25, 277, 339, D6 and D7 all serve the area.

During the early 19th century burial conditions in London had become deplorable and Parliament authorised the opening for seven private cemeteries that would be situated in inner London, one of these was Brompton Cemetery.

Opened in 1840 the cemetery was designed by Benjamin Baud and has at its centre a domed chapel in the style of the basilica of St. Peter's in Rome, this in turn is flanked by catacombs that are reached by long colonnades. Over 30,000 monuments are located in the cemetery that together create a grand and impressively rich atmosphere to the Victorian cemetery, similar to other cemeteries feature in the Magnificent Seven ring. Brompton Cemetery is currently managed by The Royal Parks and is more often used as a public park then a cemetery though burials do still sometimes take place.

Film-goers may recognise Brompton Cemetery from films such as 'Goldeneye', 'Johnny English', 'The Wings of a Dove', 'Stormbreaker' and 'Afraid of the Dark'.

Famous persons laid to rest in Brompton Cemetery include Emmeline Pankhurst, Henry James Byron, Percy Sinclair Pilcher, Samuel Baker, George Borrow, Henry Cole, Samuel Cunard and Constant Lambert.

One famous person inspired by the cemetery was Beatrix Potter whose family lived near-by. She 'took' many of the names of her most beloved characters from names on tombstones in the cemetery including one Peter Rabbett.

Find out more about the Brompton Cemetery.

How to get there

The closest tube station is located at West Brompton.

If travelling by bus the 14, 74, 190, 211, 328, 414, 430, C1, C3 all operate near Brompton Cemetery.

During the early 19th century burial conditions in London had become deplorable and Parliament authorised the opening for seven private cemeteries that would be situated in inner London, one of these was Kensal Green Cemetery.

Kensal Green Cemetery was opened in 1833 and continues to be a working cemetery today. Throughout its 72-acres people of an array of faiths and buried within its walls and surprisingly the cemetery is still owned and managed by the same company since its inception, the General Cemetery Company.

Kensal Green was the site for London's first garden cemetery and was inspired by Paris' Pere-Lachaise and was designed in the spirit of the English country park. Today the cemetery enjoys a wealth of mature trees, wildflowers, insect life, birds and even foxes, some of which reside in the two conservation areas and adjoining canal. The piece de resistance of the cemetery's gardens however are the carefully laid out rose gardens that features row after row of rose trees, all individually accessible.

The cemetery features over 100 Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and monuments. Among the impressive building on view there is a number of chapels for a variety of denominations including an Anglican chapel, Non-conformist mortuary chapel, All Souls Chapel as well as a colonnade/catacomb. The monuments include a great many dedicated to members of the royal family, including Princess Sophie who passed away in 1848, the Duke of Cambridge (1902) and a cross designed by Princess Louise for her late nurse Mary Ann Thurston who died in 1896, the last Royal funeral took place in 1904.

Famous people who have been laid to rest at the Kensal Green Cemetery include Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Charles Babbage, Howard Staunton, Ossie Clarke, Owen Jones, WH Smoith, Anthony Trollope, William Makepeace Thackeray, Leslie Ward and Fanny Kemble.

The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery organise tours every Sunday at 2pm meeting at the Anglican Chapel in the middle of the cemetery, those joining the tours will be expected to pay a donation. Find out more about Kensal Green Cemetery.

How to get there

If travelling by tube the closest underground stations are at Kensal Green and Ladbroke Grove.

If on the bus the 18, 23, 52, 70, 295 and 316 all serve the area. There is limited parking available in front of the main gate on Harrow Road.

Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington is a 32-acre18th Century parkland that in 1840  became a non-denominational cemetery that was part of the Magnificent Seven; a chain of cemeteries around London that would help ease the deplorable burial conditions in London's church graveyards.

What is unusual about Abney Park Cemetery is that it was the first ever non-denominational cemetery and featured the first non-denominational chapel in Europe, making it both a controversial and popular place of interest in the 19th Century when became one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries.

The park had been intended by its founders as a place of education and preservation, however, by the 1880s burial had become the main function of the park and after a court case the park was sold to a commercial cemetery company who replace much of the beautiful arboretum with standardised gardens.

The park houses many Victorian monuments including a two Cross of Service monuments and an Egyptian Revival style entrance that features sacred lotus flowers and hieroglyphics. Despite everything, some trees featured in the arboretum have survived and the cemetery is today adorned with mature trees and was named as the first statutory local nature reserve in the borough of Hackney. A range of birds, butterflies and woodland mammals thrive in the cemetery making it a beautiful place to visit.

Today Abney Park is a local nature reserve and centre for arts and stone masonry training. It also offers a school classroom and associated out-doors activities. Some parts of Abney Park are still, occasionally, buried in as a courtesy to people who once held family plots from the private cemetery company before it closed in 1978

Famous people buried at the Abney Park Cemetery include William and Catherine Booth, Joanna Vassa, Samuel Morley, Mary Hays, Eric Walrond and Thomas William Robertson in addition to many service men from Stoke Newington who died in the World Wars.

Abney Park features many fantastic echoes of the past, though some are not so welcome, one of two unexploded bombs remaining in Stoke Newington still resides in Abney Park, so keep your eyes open!

Find out more about the Abney Park Cemetery.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are a fair walk away at Manor House, Finsbury Park and Arsenal.

If travelling by bus the 73, 67, 76, 106, 243 and 276 all serve the area.

During the early 19th century burial conditions in London had become deplorable and Parliament authorised the opening for seven private cemeteries that would be situated in inner London, one of these was West Norwood Cemetery.

The 42-acre cemetery was opened in 1837 and some Victorian monuments and gravestones are Grade II listed as are the iron railings surrounding the cemetery and its Sir William Tite designed entrance arch. The site did feature two Gothic chapels at on top of the hill in the cemetery, however these were badly damaged during World War II and were replaced with a Crematorium and a memorial garden.

As a working cemetery West Norwood was supplied with a regular source of income, however, when space for new burials ran out the cemetery company was unable to afford its upkeep  and Lambeth Council compulsorily purchased it in 1965 and then set about controversially changing the character of the grounds, removing monuments and reusing burial plots. A court case led to the reinstitution of some of the monuments and today the cemetery only admits cremations and is looked after by the local Friends of West Norwood Cemetery.

Those buried in the cemetery include Mrs Beeton, Sir Henry Doulton, Dr William Marsden, Baron Julius de Reuter, Charles Spurgeon and Sir Henry Tate.

The grand Victorian cemetery benefits from beautiful views of South London and a variety of trees, shrubs and spring flowers. Wildlife comes in the shape of foxes, owls, squirrels and even hawks!

Tours of the cemetery are held on the first Sunday of every month by the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery. Find out more about West Norwood Cemetery.

How to get there

The closest over land train station is a short walk away at West Norwood Railway Station.

If travelling by bus the 2, 68, 196, 315, 322, 432, 468 and X68 all serve the area.

Deen City Farm is an educational resource in South West London in-between South Wimbledon and Morden that homes numerous farm animals, horses and a fantastic garden that you can enjoy six days a week for free.

The farm opened in the 1970s and is now a registered charity and a focal point for the local community. Visitors are welcome to wander around the farm during opening hours and buy grass nuts to feed the animals which include goats, cows, sheep, pigs, ferrets, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, alpacas and rabbits.

At midday on weekdays staff make themselves available to show visitors the stables or open the small pets area for contact. However, on weekends and during school holidays events are activities are organised some of which cost money i.e. Pony rides, but most of which are free.

Deen City Farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 4.30pm, it is closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays.

Find out more about the Deen City Farm.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at South Wimbledon and Morden.

If travelling by bus the 57, 93, 131, 152, 200, 219 and 470 serve the area.

During the early 19th century burial conditions in London had become deplorable and Parliament authorised the opening for seven private cemeteries that would be situated in inner London, one of these was Nunhead Cemetery.

Nunhead Cemetery may be one of the lesser-known Victorian cemeteries but it is often hailed as the most beautiful. It was opened in 1840 but like many other Victorian cemeteries fell into disrepair. After an extensive restoration project the cemetery was reopened in 2001 revealing its many monuments and Anglican chapel in all their glory. Visitors to the cemetery can now see the fantastic gothic monuments of the rich and powerful sitting side-by-side along smaller public burial plots.

The cemetery is a haven for nature and local wildlife, much of the original Victorian planting still exists and the open space is dominated by an impressive avenue of Lime trees. Part of the cemetery is now a dedicated nature reserve and woodland making it the perfect place to spot one of the 16 species of butterfly found in the cemetery not to mention the foxes!

Another reason for visiting the cemetery is for its outstanding views that take in many famous London landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben and St Paul's Cathedral.

Each Sunday there is a conducted tour of the cemetery starting from the Linden Grove gates at 2.15pm

Find out more about Nunhead Cemetery.

How to get there

The closest tube station is a bus ride away at New Cross, but you can jump on the overground train to Nunhead.

If travelling by bus the 78, 343 and P12 serve the surrounding areas.

Images by Andy Favell

Often described as London's best kept secret the Southbank Book Market really does have something for everyone selling English lit classics, photographs, arts books, maps, antique books and lots, lots more besides.

The market is open daily, during summer from 10.30am to 6.30pm, and during the winter months from 12pm to 5.30pm outside the National Theatre under the arches of Waterloo Bridge.

The South Bank Book Market is one of Southern England's only outdoor book markets and has been thriving since 1982, it really is must for London based book lovers.

Find out more about the Southbank Book Market.

How to get there

The closest mainline Station and Tube is located at Waterloo.

If you're travelling by bus, the 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77, 168, 171, 172, 188, 211, 243, 341, 507, 521 and X68 all serve Waterloo.

A livestock market has resided on the Smithfield Market site since the 10th century making this meat market one of London's oldest markets, Smithfield has been trading for 800 years and today 120,000 tonnes of produce pass through the Grade II listed market building annually.

The majority of visitors to the markets are butchers, caterer and restaurant owners who are able to inspect goods before relocating them to the shop window or dinner table. In recent years Smithfields has undergone a £70million refurbishment creating a thoroughly modern temperature controlled environment in a beautiful if bloody building .

The market is open from the unearthly hour of 4am until 12pm, Monday to Friday, but if you want the good stuff get there as early as possible!

Find out more about Smithfield Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Farringdon ad Barbican.

If travelling by bus the 4, 55, 56, 100, 153 and 243 serve Barbican and the 55, 63 and 243 serve Farringdon.

This West London market boasts a huge selection of goods, everything from boring household good to Afro-Caribbean delicacies on sale.

Shepherds Bush Market can be found running in between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road, the real staple of this market is cheap clothing; you can pick up cheap shirts, leather jackets, sari's, scarves and even tailored suits! Foodies are spoiled for choice with a range of Halal meats and exotic vegetables including yams, plantains and Okra. Shepherds Bush market prides itself on its Afro-Caribbean vibe and on being a down to earth place for everyone.

The market is open Tuesday through to Saturday from 8.30am to 6pm but shuts early on Thursdays at 1pm.

Find out more about Shepherds Bush Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Shepherds Bush and Goldhawk Road.

If travelling by bus the 49, 72, 94, 95, 207, 220, 237, 260, 283, 295 and 607 all serve the area.

Roman Road Market is placed on the one of the oldest known trade routes into the UK, located in the heart of the East End the market sells 'the very best' in food, clothes, arts and crafts, home and garden wares and much more at knock down prices.

'Super Saturday's' take place throughout the summer months during which families are treated to special events including street performers, face painters, stilt walkers and street performers of every shape and form.

The market is open all day on Saturdays and from 8an to 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Find out more about the Roman Road Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Mile End and Bow Bridge.

If travelling by bus the 25, 205, 277, 323, 339, D6 and D7 all serve Mile End and Bow Road.

Petticoat Lane is a place to find all things vintage and is THE East End market for clothing bargains. On a busy day over one thousand stalls can be perused making this old market one of the most eclectic and interesting places to shop in London.

Petticoat Lane Market actually resides on Middlesex Street, the name of the street was changed in Victorian times as it was felt the word Petticoat was a little to risqué. The market has been in operation since the 1750's; originally petticoats, lace and other ladies items were sold by French and Spanish traders who crossed the Channel to sell their wares to Londoners.

The market on 'The Lane' has forever been unpopular with authorities, many felt that Sunday trading was unacceptable and the market has resisted being shut down for many years. Luckily in the 1930's the rights of the market were protected by an Act of Parliament meaning that still today you can still pick up ladies clothing but you will also find leather goods, shoes, kitchen utensils and other fantastic bargains.

The market is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm and on Sundays from 9am to 2pm; it goes without saying that the market gets pretty busy on a Sunday and the best bargains get snapped up quickly so get there early!

Find out more about Petticoat Lane Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Liverpool Street and Aldgate.

If on the bus jump on the 15, 25, 40, 42, 67, 78, 100, 115, 205 and 254 all serve Aldgate, while the 8, 11, 23, 26, 35, 42, 47, 48, 78, 100, 133, 149, 153, 205, 214, 242, 271, 344 and 388 serve the nearby Liverpool Street.

Leather Lane market, located in the heart of the city is a strictly lunchtime affair attracting city workers looking for a spot to eat or a browse amongst the shoes, handbags, plants, fruit, vegetables, women's wear and jewellery.

Despite the name of the market its 300-year history was not based around the leather trade, rather the name was derived from the name of a local merchant Le Vrunelane, after many other derivatives it changed from Lovrelane, to Liver Lane then to the current branding Leather Lane.

The market is open from 10.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday so get down there and treat yourself to some cut-price ladies wear.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Farringdon or Chancery Lane.

If travelling by bus the 8, 17, 25, 45, 46, 242, 341 and 521 serve Chancery Lane and the 55, 63 and 243 serve Farringdon.

If you are looking for arts and crafts look no further then Greenwich Market, here you can find over 120 covered stalls selling works of art, antiques, jewellery, leather goods, wood-work, glass and a whole load of food.

Greenwich Market is a venue steeped in Royal history and has been a home to a Royal Charter Market for hundreds of years. The market was traditionally a food market; these days Greenwich Market prides itself on being a breeding ground for young designers and those making quality food thanks to its Creative Priority system.

Today the market is split into two sections the Antiques & Collectables and Arts & Crafts market that takes place on Thursdays and Fridays between 7.30am and 5.30pm. Then every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday you can check out the Food Court along with some Arts & Crafts.

Every weekend you can visitors to the market can view work by visual artists who host a semi-autonomous exhibition. You may even be lucky enough to catch live music performed by musicians from the Trinity College of Music, concerts take place sporadically throughout the year.

Find out more about Greenwich Markets.

How to get there

The closest DLR and tube stations are at Cutty Sark and Greenwich.

If travelling by bus the 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, D3 and D7 all serve Greenwich.

Exmouth Market is a delightful shopping centre located close to Sadlers Wells Theatre in Clerkenwell.

Every Friday and Saturday the cobbled streets are transformed with a lively street market selling everything from cheeses, coffee, fruit and vegetables, bread and various other mouth-watering food delicacies, the emphasis being on supplying the local community with speciality goods.

The market is surrounded by a myriad of cafes, craft stores, florists and pubs all in all Exmouth Market is perfect for a stroll on a sunny afternoon. On Fridays the market is open from 11am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm, a beautiful place so check it out.

Find out more about Exmouth Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Farringdon, Angel and Barbican.

If travelling by bus the 55, 63 and 243 all serve the nearby Farringdon Road.

Covent Garden Market is a must see for any visitor or native to London, the architecture and vibrant atmosphere makes it a fantastic place for a visit whether to buy some over priced goods or just browse.

Up for grabs is hand made design ware from over 200 artisans including fashion, accessories, jewellery, home wares, artwork, children's games; in addition to this every Monday you can dig your way through numerous antique stalls.

There is always plenty of free street entertainment on at Covent Garden whether it be Punch & Judy shows, mime artists, street theatre, music and opera. Covent Garden is often quite busy especially at weekends, but despite this the market is a sight not to be missed.

Find out more about Covent Garden Market.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Covent Garden but this station can get very busy. The closest alternative stations are at Leicester Square and Holborn.

If travelling by bus go to Leicester Square and take the short walk from there. The numbers 14, 19, 24, 29, 38 and 176 all serve Leicester Sqaure.

Throughout the week Church Street Market is a haven for those wanting fresh fruit and vegetables; the village type atmosphere makes visiting this market a friendly shopping experience.

On Fridays and Saturdays the market grows, and up to 200 stalls line the full length of the street selling everything including herbs, fish, clothes, toys, cheese, electrical goods and much more besides.

The market is open from 8am to 6pm Tuesday through till Saturday but is at its best on Saturdays.

Further up Church Street you will find Alfie's Antiques market, this fantastic place consists of 3 floors and 300 stalls crammed with antiques, everything from ancient jigsaws to African artefacts can be found, there is also a pleasant Terrace Café in the building. Alfie's Antiques is open Tuesday through till Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

For more information call 020 7723 6066 or find out more about Alfie's Antiques Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Edgeware Road Bakerloo or Marylebone.

If travelling by bus the 6, 7 15, 16, 18, 23, 27, 36, 98, 205, 332, 414 and 436 serve Edgeware Road.

This fantastic little market is tucked away just off Angel Islington's main thoroughfare of Upper Street. Here you can find stalls selling beautiful clothes, hats, handbags, jewellery and bric-a-brac snuggled between fashionable boutiques and pubs.

The antiques market in the Camden Passage has been trading for over 40 years and attracts members of the public, collectors and private buyers alike with its multitude of bargains. Walking down the passage is almost like stepping back in time and well worth the visit.

The market is open on Wednesday and Saturdays all day from 7am, some stalls set up throughout the week and on Sundays but for the best experience get there early on Wednesdays or Saturdays to get your pick of the bargains.

Find out more about the Camden Passage Antiques Market.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Angel Islington. If travelling by bus the 4, 19, 30, 38, 43, 56, 73, 153, 205, 214, 274, 341, 395 and 476 all serve the nearby Upper Street.

Not the oldest but maybe the most well known of all London markets is Camden Market, well known for its oddities, vintage clothes and street freaks, Camden has had visitors flooding to the town in their thousands every weekend since 1975.

Camden Market is made up of a variety of markets that spread along the canal, streets and covered areas. The Camden Lock Market was originally a craft market but this area now sells a wider range of goods, the Camden Stables market is the place to go for clothing, whereas Buck Street and Inverness Street market make their pennies plying fruit and vegetables. From Fridays to Sundays the Camden Canal Market adds to the atmosphere and wares, as does the indoor fashion market at the Electric Ballroom venue.

Everything can be bought in Camden from banana fritters to musical instruments; it is a truly colourful, unique place. In recent years the market has begin opening seven days a week, stalls are open 10 am to 6pm, to miss the crowds aim to visit in the week but bear in mind that not all stalls will be open. If you can handle the crush then head down on a weekend and experience everything Camden Market has to offer.

Find out more about Camden Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Camden Town and Chalk Farm.

If travelling by bus the 24, 27, 29, 31, 134, 135, 168, 214, 253, 274 and C2 all serve the area.

Broadway Market is a farmers style market selling sea-food, organic meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, coffee, bread and cakes as well as health products, arts & crafts, clothing and much more.

Historically Broadway Market was a thoroughfare from the farmlands of Essex to Brick Lane's slaughterhouse, London Fields was the last common grazing area before hitting the centre of London; it is believed that this well worn path to the capital could be as old as 3,000 years.

The market had enjoyed a successfully trade for almost a hundreds years when it went into decline and was almost lost, thanks to efforts of the local tenants and residents who teamed up with Hackney Council they transformed Broadway Market once again into a thriving place for local friendly businesses.

Just south of London Fields, Broadway Market is open every Saturday from 8am to 6pm and is perfect for weekend shops or just a browse in preparation for that all important Sunday roast dinner.

Find out more about Broadway Market.

How to get there

Broadway Market, E8 can be found just South of London Fields, and North of Regents Canal, West of Mare Street and East of Kingsland Road.

Brixton Market consists of 300 stalls selling the best Caribbean food in Europe; if you want a bargainous evening meal, then head to Brixton where you can pick up fabulous fresh fish while surrounded by a fantastic atmosphere.

Brixton's market has been in existence since the 1870's, however, when Afro-Caribbean's moved to the UK to boost the number of workers during the post-war shortages the market became a strong focal point for the new community and grew and grew making it the vibrant place that it is today.

The 'market' actually consists of several markets that have merged into one mass Granville Arcade the covered fish and meat market, Electric Avenue (the first street market to be lit by electricity), Market Row, Brixton arts & crafts market and Reliance Avenue; between these areas you will be able to find whatever it is you desire, whether it be children's clothes, exotic fruits, mobile phone covers, English vegetables or specialised records.

The market is open from Monday to Saturday 10am till Sunset. On Tunstall Road opposite the entrance of Brixton Tube Station you will find a new art market that opens Sundays 11am to 5.30pm and is well worth taking a look at.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Brixton and Stockwell.

If travelling by bus the 2, 3, 35, 37, 45, 59, 109 118, 133, 159, 196, 250, 322, 333, 345, 355, 432, P4 and P5 all serve Brixton.

 

Brick Lane, as the centre of the Bengali community is famous for its curry houses, but it also homes a fantastic Sunday market beloved by bargain lovers from all over London.

It is only open during the morning but if you make the effort to get down there rather then have a lazy Sunday morning you will be treated to an array of fresh produce including meat, books, household goods, spices, second hand clothing and products, electrical goods and all kinds of bric-a-brac, Brick Lane market has grown immensely, so much so in fact that it has now spread into the nearby Cheshire and Slater Streets.

The market is open from 8am to 2pm, for the early rising bargain hunters only.

How to get there

The closest underground stations are at Liverpool Street and Aldgate East. If on the bus the 15, 25, 40, 42, 67, 78, 100, 115, 205 and 254 all serve Aldgate.

Ok, so the smell of fish in the early hours of the morning may not be your thing but Billingsgate Fish Market is the place where you can see the largest selection of fish at the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market.

54 merchants trade at the Market Hall on Trafalgar Way near Canary Wharf selling 25,000 tonnes of fish and fish products every year, although it is a traders heaven the 13 acre market is open to members of the public.

You can get your hands on some fresh fish Tuesday through to Saturday from 5am to 8.30am; morning people only need attempt to make it! On Sundays only one traders is open for business selling shellfish from 6am to 8am.

Find out more about Billingsgate Fish Market.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Canary Wharf with DLR stations being situated at Poplar and West India Quay.

If travelling by bus the 277, D7 and D8 all serve the area.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is attached to the Institute of Archaeology at the University College London. Students at UCL use the use the museum and its collections for help with their coursework and studies.

The museum was set-up alongside the Department of Egyptian Archaeology and Philology at UCL in 1892 with the financial backing of writing Amelia Edwards. Edwards donated her collection of hundreds of Egyptian artefacts; the collection grew substantially after William Flinders Petrie sold many items collected throughout his excavating career to UCL.

During the Second World War the collection was packed up and evacuated out of London. It was brought back in the 1950s and was housed in a former stable building where it remains to this day. Work on a new home for the collection is currently ongoing and a new museum building is expected to open in 2008 when the entire collection can be on display for the first time.

Currently the collection is made up of 80,000 objects all of which tell the story of Egypt and Sudan from prehistory to the Islamic period. Highlights of the collection include a piece of linen dated from 5000BC, a fragment of the first calendar, an early example of glazing, a bead net dress of a dancer from 2400BC, artwork from Amarna and Roman portraits of mummies.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is open Tuesday to Friday from 10m to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. The museum also closes during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Find out more about the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Euston Square and Warren Street. If travelling by bus the number 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205 and 390 all serve the area.

The National Maritime Museum is part of a larger Greenwich based complex that also includes The Queens House and the Royal Observatory, we will deal with these three venues separately as they are all steeped in history and deserve their own page!

King George VI formally opened the National maritime Museum in 1934 but it had been a place of public interest long before then. In the early 18th century visitors began flocking to Greenwich to view James Thornhill's Painted Hall in what was then the Royal Hospital for Seamen (now the Old Royal Naval College). Then when a National Gallery of Naval Art was created in the Hall a separate Naval museum was established in the hospital buildings.

In 1934 the Royal Hospital School at Greenwich was relocated to Suffolk freeing up the Queen's House and its surrounding buildings. Since the official opening of the museum all the buildings have been redeveloped and were reopened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

Today the Maritime Greenwich is recognised as a World Heritage Site and welcomes thousands of visitors to its parklands and beautiful buildings every year. It has the most important holdings in the world on the history of Britain at sea. The collection comprises of 2.48 million items, although many are on loan to other museums around the UK.

This huge collection of artefacts is made up of charts and maps, coins and medals, flags, ship models, naval portraits, weapons and uniforms. The museum also holds the largest collection of Nelson artefacts including rare documents and personal items. The museum also houses the world's largest maritime historical reference library that features thousands and thousands of texts including ancient 15th century books.

There are also a number of special and temporary exhibitions some of which are free but some do charge an admission fee. There are also family events taking place throughout the year, you can find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Family sections.

The National Maritime Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The museum also closes early on New Year's Eve and opens late on New Year's Day, and London Marathon Day.

Find out more about the National maritime Museum.

How to get there

The closest station is at the Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich on the DLR line. If travelling by bus the 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, D3 and D7 all serve Greenwich.

The National Army Museum examines how Britain's past has helped shape its future and the impact the army has had on the story of the British Isles, Europe and the rest of the world.

The museum was established in 1953 and is located adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, it is constantly developing and enhancing its exhibitions and now has a dedicated Kids Zone that helps unleash the imagination through play, the zone features a forest and castle, art activities and other interactive opportunities for children.

The Galleries at the Museum are split up into the following sections;

The Making of Britain takes a look at goings on between 1066 and 1783; examining foreign invasions, civil wars and wars on European soil.

Changing the World looks at how British trade and the British Empire affected the shape of the world we know today. This section also features a 40 square metre model of the Battle of Waterloo.

World Wars examines the British defence of democracy during World Wars, how British and Commonwealth forces came together to protect their cultures.

Fighting for Peace explores the British army's role from 1946 to the present days taking a look at peacekeeping situations in Kosovo, our involvement with the Cold War, the Falklands, Suez Crisis and Gulf War.

If you are pushed for time there are self-guided tours visitors can partake in leading them to the many highlights of the National Army Museum, including war heroes, war icons and war animals. There are also tens of online exhibitions visitors can take a look at before visiting. Temporary exhibitions and family events take place throughout the year; you can find out more about these in our Family and Exhibitions sections.

The National Army Museum is open every day from 10am till 5.30pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and May Bank Holiday.

Find out more about the National Army Museum

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Sloane Square and South Kensington.

If travelling by bus the  number 11, 19, 22 and 211 serve the King's Road, the 137 serves Pimlico Road and the 239 stops outside the Museum.

The history of the Houses of Parliament goes back to the 12th Century when King's councils were held. During these councils, barons and archbishops alike would discuss Politics, judgements and of course, taxes. Inevitably the councils too on a more formal role and saw knights representing individual counties and by the 13th century the word Parliament were being used to discuss the councils.

During the 14th century Parliament had split to into two houses, the commons and the Lords. Lords consisted of members of the clergy and nobility and the commons saw men from counties, towns and cities representing their local area in London. It was King Henry V who eventually put the commons on an equal footing with the Lords in the 15th century. Little did he know that this move would lead to Parliament rebelling against the monarchy and the onset of civil war.

However, in 1660 the monarchy was restored and in 1689 a Bill of Rights was agreed that gave parliament the authority over the monarchy; allowing parliament to be responsible for passing laws. The Parliament acts of 1911 and 1949 increased the authority of the commons over the lords and effectively created our modern day parliament.

The House of Parliament have become one of the leading tourist attractions in London. A royal palace has stood on the site since 1065 when Edward the Confessor was in power, and the buildings are still referred to as the Palace of Westminster. Westminster is the oldest part of Parliament, the walls date back to 1097 and the hall is one of Europe's largest medieval halls. The Houses of Parliament have been extensively rebuilt after being ravaged by fire and bombs.

One of the most dramatic aspects of the Houses of Parliament is the clock tower, affectionately called Big Ben. Big Ben was built in 1859 after a fire destroyed most of Parliament, the winning new design from Charles Barry was dominated by a large clock tower; the rest as they say is history.

UK Residents can arrange a tour of Big Ben in advance through their local MP or Lord for free! A guide will outline the history of the tower. Find out more about visiting Big Ben.

Tours of the Houses of Parliament are also free, but again only available to UK residents who apply for tickets in advance through their local MP or Lord. Find out more about Tours.

UK residents can also attend debates in Parliament; again tickets for debates must be procured through your local MP, to find out more details here.

Public committee sessions and Judicial Hearings are open to everyone; these committee sessions take place Monday to Thursday, visitors wishing to attend should get there early and join the queue, to find out what is where click on the hyperlinks above.

The Parliamentary archives are open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, no advanced tickets are required, but proof of identity is. If you wish to view specific records, you should book a space and check the availability of the records, you can find out more here.

In these days of heightened security photography and recording inside the Houses of Parliament is heavily restricted, the building is protected by a multitude of security and police officers who limit what is allowed to enter the Houses of Parliament, so only take what you need in a small bag and expect to be searched on arrival.

If all of the above sounds like a bit too much hassle (they don't exactly make it easy for visitors these days) then you may be satisfied with viewing the buildings from the Southbank or Parliament Square. Parliament Square is full of statues featuring political figures from the pages of history; the most recent addition was a statue of Nelson Mandela.

In recent months protestors have been camping out in Parliament Square campaigning about the war in Iraq and they are always eager to educate visitors on what they are doing and why.

Find out more about the Houses of Parliament.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at Westminster.

If travelling by bus the 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 and 453 all serve Westminster.

The Gunnersbury Park Museum houses the histories of Ealing and Hounslow in a Regency building that was first a home to royalty and was the first country residence of the Rothschild banking family.

Nathan Mayer Rothschild purchased the estate in 1835 and it remained in the family until 1925 when Leopold De Rothschild sold the estate to the Ealing and Acton Borough councils for £130,00. The house was made open to the public in 1926 and the opening of the museum followed in 1929. The permanent collections display local archaeological finds, examples of domestic equipment, costumes, toys, oral histories of local people, wartime memorabilia, swords, Victorian kitchens and coaches belonging to the Rothschild family.

The museum is continually collecting material to ensure that future visitors will be able to see how we live today. Collections are currently so large that the majority are in storage but are regularly brought out to participate in rotating exhibitions at the Museum.

The grounds of the museum are extensive and feature ornamental gardens, woods, lakes, an Orangery and modern day sports facilities including a golf course and cricket pitch. In addition to its permanent collection and rotating exhibition the museum also stages workshops for schools and special events for families, you can find out more about these in our Family section.

The Gunnersbury Park Museum is open from 11am to 5pm seven days a week from March to November and from 11am to 4pm from November to March.

Find out more about the Gunnersbury Park Museum.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Acton Town, Gunnersbury and South Ealing.

If travelling by bus the E3 serves Popes Lane and the  70, 207, 266, 427, 440 and 607 all serve Acton Central.

Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy houses one of the oldest natural history collections in the UK, the collection dates from 1828 and contains many extremely rare and extinct animals.

The collection was founded by Robert Grant and even today many of his original specimens survive. Grant was the first professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in England, on his arrival at University College London he discovered no teaching materials and began to amass specimens and material for dissection and discussion.

It was during his teaching period at the university of Edinburgh that Grant heavily influenced and inspired a young Charles Darwin. On his deathbed in 1874 Grant was persuaded to leave his now extensive collection to the University College London.

The museum is the only remaining university zoological museum in London. It houses over 55,000 specimens, many of which are preserved in fluid. Highlights of the museum include a quagga skeleton, dodo skeleton and one of the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger.

The museum is open to members of the public every day from 1pm till 5pm, however, the opening of the museum coincides with the university term time and so is closed over the Easter Holidays, Christmas holidays and Bank Holidays.

Find out more about the Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Euston Square and Warren Street. If travelling by bus the number 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205 and 390 all serve the area.

The Geffrye Museum showcases the changing style of English homes using a series of period rooms dating from the 1600s to the present day.

The museum is located in the East End in the former almshouses of the Ironmonger's Company. The grade 1 listed almshouses are surrounded by beautiful gardens including an extensive herb garden. The almshouses were formally used to house pensioners until the area of Shoreditch became severely overcrowded and the elderly were relocated to a healthier area.

The Geffrye Museum opened in 1914 during the Arts & Crafts movement, leading members of this movement persuaded the London County Council to convert the almshouses into a museum of the local furniture industry with the purpose of educating and inspiring the local workforce.

The museum is currently an independent charitable trust, the original collection of furniture has been greatly added to over the years and now comprises of furniture, decorative art, archives, paintings and various other artefacts all showcased chronologically in the context of period style middle class rooms.

The gardens at the museum reflect how the changes in interior design affected the gardens of the middle-class; over the years the garden has been a formal lawn, featured lime and plane trees, herbaceous borders and a bandstand. The award winning herb gardens were opened in 1992 and immediately added a new dimension to the museum's collections.

One of the almshouses has been restored and rooms have been furnished to depict the living conditioners of the elderly in the 18th century. Visitors to the museum can pay an admission fee to take a look at this comparison to the rather more grand period rooms in the museum on every first Saturday on the month.

Events often take place throughout the year including music, drama, seminars and workshops.

The Geffrye Museum is from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am till 5pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 12pm till 5pm. The museum is completely shut on Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The Herb Gardern and Period Garden rooms are from April 1st to October 31 during museum hours.

Find out more about the Geffrye Museum.

How to get there

The closest tube station is a walk away at Old Street.

If travelling by bus the 242, 243 and 394 serve Kingsland Road.

The Bank of England was founded in 1694, its primary concern was to act as the Governments banker and debt-manager and has been the site of historical importance ever since. Today the Bank of England manages the UK's currency and is at the centre of the UK's financial system in the City of London.

The Bank of England Museum gives visitors the chance to peek into the Bank's history and how the Bank is run in the modern world. Permanent collections are made up of an array of 17th century banknotes, coins, historical documents, furniture, photographs, statures, weaponry, seals, silver and displays of gold. The museum also features a huge collection of drawings and paintings that act as a visual account of the Bank's history.

Although the Bank of England Museum does not rival the likes of the British Museum, the small but perfectly formed collections provide a unique insight into the history of one of the most prestigious organisations in the financial world.

In addition to its permanent collections the Bank of England Museum it also feature numerous temporary exhibitions, guides and activities most of which are free. You can find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Family sections.
 
The Bank of England museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; it is closed on weekends, Public and Bank holidays.

Find out more about the Bank of England museum.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Bank, St Paul's and Mansion House. The closest main line rail station is at Liverpool Street.

If travelling by bus the  8, 11, 23, 25, 26, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149 and 242 stop in the nearby Threadneedle Street. 




 

The gallery at the Percival David Foundation of Modern Art houses 1700 items of Chinese ceramics dating from the 10th to the 18th century.

This rare and beautiful ceramics collection and a library to complement the collection was presented to the University of London in 1950 by Sir Percival David. The Indian born baronet studied the Chinese language and art all his life, he sponsored exhibitions in London and became a translator of Chinese texts.

Today the Percival David Foundation promotes the study and teaching of Chinese art and culture through its permanent collection, extensive library and other activities.

The ceramics on display are of huge historical importance, many, once belonging to Chinese Emperors, featuring important inscriptions. Stonewares from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, including Ru and Guan wares and the famous blue and white porcelains are all on display and make contribute towards a truly original collection.

The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10am till 5pm, the gallery is closed for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. The gallery is closed on weekends and Bank holidays. The library is open by appointment only.

Find out more about the Percival David Foundation of Modern Art or call 0207 387 3909.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Euston Square and Warren Street. If travelling by bus the number 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205 and 390 all serve the area.

This breath-taking building is part of the UNESCO Maritime Greenwich world heritage site and stands alongside the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory.

The Queen's House was commissioned by Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I, rumour has it that he granted Anna a manor at Greenwich as an apology for swearing at her in public, he himself was often at the Tudor Palace of Greenwich as it was an important residence for the Stuart dynasty.

In 1616 Anne employed Inigo Jones, a famous designer to create a new pavilion for her at Greenwich that would her very own private retreat, however in 1618, Anne fell ill and work on the project stopped, she died the following year and the building was left incomplete, it was rescued by Charles I who gave the site as a gift to his queen Henrietta Maria of France, it was finally completed in 1635 and was hailed a revolutionary design.

In 1805 the house was granted to the Royal Naval Asylum from George II for the caring and education of orphaned children of seamen. The building was added to and dormitories and classrooms were added. When the house became part of the National Maritime Museum in 1934 work took place in an attempt to restore the house to its former glory.

Today The Queen's Houses is refitted and furnished to look as it would have done in the 1670's, it now houses the National Maritime Museum's extensive art collection, the house features the UK's first spiral staircase, a 'grotesque' style painted ceiling in the Queen's Presence Chamber and a marble floor.

There are also a number of special and temporary exhibitions some of which are free but some do charge an admission fee. There are also family events taking place throughout the year, you can find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Family sections.

The Queen's House is open daily from 10am to 5pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The museum also closes early on New Year's Eve and opens late on New Year's Day, and London Marathon Day.

Find out more about the Queens House.

How to get there

The closest station is at the Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich on the DLR line. If travelling by bus the 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, D3 and D7 all serve Greenwich.

Images © National Maritime Museum, London.

The Natural History museum is a place beloved by adults and children from all over the UK and is a world-renowned research centre. The Waterhouse building that houses the museum was first designed by Captain Francis Fowke who died before creating his mater-piece, however, the work was taken on by Alfred Waterhouse who after adapting Fowke's designs created a truly breath-taking building.

The Museum was created a hugely grand scale and has often been referred to as a 'cathedral of nature' and the museum's cavernous central hall is reminiscent of a grand cathedral. The outside of the building is adorned with terracotta bricks and tiles featured sculptures of living, extinct and mythical creatures.

The Natural History Museum's outstanding collection was founded on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish doctor who sold his artefacts to the British Government. The collection has grown significantly since this time, and housed in the museum today are several casts of dinosaur skeletons, the most impressive being the famous Diplidocus cast that resides in the central hall and greets all visitors.

The museum is split into colour coded sections Green represents the Earth's ecology; Red explores the ever-changing natural forces and so on. Highlights that should not be missed include the skeleton of a Steller's sea cow, the tusk of a narwhal, a life-size model of a blue whale, thousands of specimens of gems and rocks, the skull of a gigantic crocodile, a wildlife garden and a whole lot more.

You can also partake in daily events at the museum; these include loaning explorer backpacks for the under-seven visitors, discovery guides and informal talks.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions the Natural History Museum also features many temporary exhibitions some of theme exhibitions and galleries do charge for admission. You can find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Family Sections.

The Natural History Museum is open every day of the year from 10am till 5.50pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Find out more about the Natural History Museum.

How to get there

The closest tube station is at South Kensington. If on the bus jump on either the 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, C1, N14 or the N97.

The Royal Observatory is one of London's best loved and most famous landmarks, it is located at Maritime Greenwich, a world heritage site, and home to the National Maritime Museum and The Queens House.

Founded by Charles II in 1675, the observatory was built in a bid to improve navigation at sea and find the longitude of places by astronomical means. In the early 18th century Parliament established a panel of experts, the Board of Longitude, and offered a reward of £20,000 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitude at sea, after 60 years a little known Yorkshire clockmaker called John Harrison claimed his prize. The highlight of a visit to the observatory is viewing Harrison's four groundbreaking timekeepers that has maintained in full working order.

Greenwich is most famous for being the source of the Prime Meridian of the world, this meridian line divides the Eastern and Western hemispheres of earth and is defined by the position of the large transit circle telescope in the Meridian building. Currently, the Prime Meridian has served as the base for the calculation of Greenwich Mean Time that keeps the international standard of time.

This fantastic museum of time not only hold, cultural, historical and international significance for everyone but also houses some of the most interesting sea-faring and time-keeping equipment. In addition to Harrison's timekeepers visitors can also view astronomical instruments and special exhibitions relating to the sea, ski and time.

There are also a number of special and temporary exhibitions some of which are free but some do charge an admission fee. There are also family events taking place throughout the year, you can find out more about these in our Exhibitions and Family sections.

The Royal Observatory is open daily from 10am to 5pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The museum also closes early on New Year's Eve and opens late on New Year's Day, and London Marathon Day.

Find out more about the Royal Observatory.

How to get there

The closest station is at the Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich on the DLR line. If travelling by bus the 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, D3 and D7 all serve Greenwich.

Images © National Maritime Museum, London.

The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 by three men, Philip Henry Stanhope, Thomas Babington Macaulay and Thomas Carlyle. Stanhope had campaigned for 10 years for the founding of a Portrait Gallery, eventually Queen Victoria's approval for the establishment was given and the House of Commons voted to give a sum of £20,000 towards the venture.

Stanhope went on to be a Trustee of the Gallery alongside Macaulay, Benjamin Disraeli and Lord Ellesmere who donated a portrait of Shakespeare thought to be painted by Chandos, this was the first portrait in the Gallery's collection.

Paintings in the Gallery were to be judged on their history rather then their art merit, a criterion that is still used today. It was also decided that the Gallery should not feature portraits of those still living, or those who had been dead for at least 10 years, excepting Royalty, this rule was abolished in 1969. For almost 40 years the Gallery was without a permanent home and was relocated various times from its first home on Great George Street to South Kensington to Bethnal Green before reaching its current home in St Martin's Place.

The gallery was designed in a Florentine Renaissance style, however the architect Ewan Christian was respectful towards the design of the adjacent National Gallery. Spanish and Italian design was the main inspiration for Christian's design, however, he did not lived to see the building completed; without any fanfare the doors opened to the public in 1896, and after 40 years the National Portrait Gallery was truly born. By 1903 the gallery's collection was already outgrowing its new home, and appeals were made to expand on the building. However, plans were dropped with the onset of the First World War. Finally, in 1933 King George V opened the Duveen Wing.

Today the National Portrait Gallery still houses the majority of the original collection but has expanded its portfolio to include a department of film and photography and numerous new galleries. During 2005 over 1.5 million visitors flowed through its doors to see over 100,000 portraits including works by David Bailey, Frederick Bacon, Cassandra Austen, John Constable, Henry Moore, Lord Snowdon and Sylvia Pankhurst to name but a few. Photography has become an integral part of the Gallery's collection and the Gallery hosts the annual Photographic Portrait Prize.

In addition to its permanent collection the Gallery houses temporary exhibitions, touring exhibitions, films, talks, courses and family events, you can find more about these the relevant sections on our homepage.

The National Portrait Gallery is open daily from 10am till 6pm with late night opening on Thursdays and Fridays till 9pm. The Gallery is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Find out more about the National Portrait Gallery.

How to get there

The closest underground stations to the National Gallery are at Charring Cross and Leicester Square. If travelling by bus the 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and 453 all serve the nearby Trafalgar Square.

Image © National Portrait Gallery, London

Spitalfields is one of the East End's most vibrant market places and market has stood on the site since 1638 when King Charles issued a licence to sell flesh, fowl and roots. Nowadays you can still pick up all of the above but are more likely to indulge in a homemade pasty, vintage dress or vinyl.

Located close to Liverpool Street and the famous Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market and the surrounding stores are open throughout the week, but the market is most popular on a Sunday when the covered market becomes a hub of activity with 10,000 filtering through.

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays shops only are open to the public; the first and third Wednesdays of the month are dedicated to deli stalls, records and books; Thursdays are for antiques; on Fridays you will find fashion and arts, Saturdays stores only are open and Sundays cater to everyone whatever they may be looking for.

If you are skint and just looking for some atmosphere then you really can't go wrong with Spitalfields, you may have to push your way through the crowds but if you do get down there you will be treated to a vision of Victorian architecture, beautiful food, fantastic wares and an overwhelming combination of everything best that London has to offer.

Find out more about Spitalfields Market.

How to get there

The closest underground stations are at Liverpool Street and Aldgate East. If on the bus the 15, 25, 40, 42, 67, 78, 100, 115, 205 and 254 all serve Aldgate.

"Portobello Road, Portobello Road the street where the riches of ages are stowed, anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off the barrow in Portobello Road."

The writers of Disney film 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' had it spot on when attempting to sum up in song the goings on of the largest antique market in THE WORLD!! Yes, that's right, the world.

You can find everything from handbags to binoculars, clocks to luggage, lamps to artwork, literally anything and everything you could possibly want available from Portobello dealers at this bustling street market.

In addition to world famous market stalls you can also find the Portobello Green Market, this is open to market goers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and is situated near Ladbroke Grove tube station under the canopy of the Westway. Here you will find vintage clothing, records, books and an array of bric-a-brac.

Portobello is also surrounded by a wealth of shops and specialist suppliers including cafes and restaurants, but you are just as likely to find amazing food on a street corner.

Portobello Antiques Market is open every Friday and Sunday, however you can find the normal Portobello Market selling fruit and veg, flowers, cheese, bread and lots more on Portobello Road every day at 177 Portobello Road.

Find out more about Portobello Road Market.

How to get there

The closest underground stations to Portobello Road Market are at Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate. If travelling by bus the 7, 12, 23, 27, 28, 31, 70, 94 and 328 all stop near to the market.

Every Sunday Columbia Road is transformed into an explosion of colour by the weekly flower market that takes place between 10 am and 4pm.

If you want to buy yourself or a loved one some flowers then this is the place to go; you can buy cheap but beautiful flowers from east end traders, trees, herbs, exotic plants and flowers of every description or you can just soak up the atmosphere in this oasis of nature situated just off Shoreditch High Street.

In addition to the flowers there is also a fantastic flea market, great food for sale, exquisite shops and cafes, musicians on the streets and a whole lot more to take in...Columbia Road is a place that is worth finding as it really is a gem of a Sunday morning/afternoon expedition.

You can also take part in the Photographic project 'The Sunday Shoots'. The project is the creation of photographer Seamus Ryan. Each Sunday Ryan invites visitors to the Flower Marker to be part of his ongoing portrait project, each week there is a new theme, shoots take place between 10 am and 3pm, no booking is required so take a look. Find out more here.

Find out more about Columbia Road Flower Market.

How to get there

The closest underground station to the flower market is a short walk away at Old Street. If travelling by bus the 8, 26, 35, 47, 48, 55, 67, 78, 149, 242, 243, 388 and D3 all serve the Shoreditch area.

Borough Market is world renowned as London's oldest market. A market has stood on the site close to the Southbank for almost two thousand years, the current site has housed this amazing food market for 250 years and the architecture is almost as impressive as the fine array of goods on sale.

As one of the UK's most important retailers for fine foods, you can expect something special from Borough Market, whether it be Somerset cider you are after, truffles or simply a fantastic sausage sandwich you will find it here, with so much on offer the only problem is deciding what eat! Things can get a bit pricey but there are always lots of free tasters up for grabs so make the most of them.

The market can at times be difficult to negotiate but this is at time a good opportunity to explore and discover the unexpected. There are four main areas to the market, Crown Square, The Green Market, The Jubilee Market and the various shops, café, restaurants and pubs surrounding the periphery of the market.

In addition to all the stalls there are also regular special themed events, tasting sessions, Christmas fairs and lots more, keep an eye out for all the goings on at the official website.

The market is open Thursday from 11am to 5pm, Fridays 12pm to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. The market can get very busy especially on Saturdays so to avoid the crush get there early!!!

Find out more about Borough Market.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at London Bridge or Borough. Or if using the bus jump on the 21, 35, 40, 133, 343 or C10.

The British Museum is a building in which a huge collection of art and antiques is held in trust for the people of Britain. This amazing collection spans two million years of human history and is intended as a place where the British and visitors to Britain can have easy access to cultural artefacts.

Naturalist Sir Hans Sloane bequeathed the collection at the British Museum to King George II in 1753, he wanted the 71,000 artefacts he had collected to be preserved together after his death, Sloane asked that £20,000 be paid to his family in return for his grand gesture and this money was raised by a public lottery. King George II in turn donated the Old Royal Library to the collection and in 1759 the museum opened to the public free of charge.

Since then the collection has splintered off to create other museums including the Natural History Museum and the British Library. However, the collection at the British Museum has continued to grow and now includes high profile pieces like the ancient Egyptian piece the Rosseta Stone.

The Museum has remained on the same Bloomsbury site since its beginnings, however, the first Montagu House quickly became too small for the collection and the museum has been extended, however, it still remains one of the most beautiful buildings in London.

The museum is split up into the following departments; Department of Africa, Oceania and the America, the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, the Department of Asia, Department of Coins and Medals, Department of Conservation, Documentation and Science, Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Department of the Middle East, Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasures, Department of Prehistory and Europe, Department of Prints and Drawing.

The museum is large, so large that one visit will be insufficient to see all this fantastic collection has to offer, however highlights include, artefacts from the Chinese Zhou Dynasty, ancient Egyptian jewellery, coins from the Ottoman Empire, bronze work from Afghanistan, pottery and artwork from all over the globe and so much more.

In addition to its permanent collection the museum also houses many temporary exhibitions most of which are free but some do charge an admission fee. You can find out more about these free exhibitions in our Exhibitions section.

The British museum is open daily all year round excepting the following dates Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday. The main galleries are open daily from 10am till 5.30pm though some galleries do have late opening times.

Find out more about the British Museum.

How to get there

The closest tube stations to the British Museum are at Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square and Goodge Street. If travelling by bus the 1, 7, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242 serve the nearby New Oxford Street and the 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134 and 390 all stop at Tottenham Court Road.

The V & A Museum in Kensington is one of London's and the UK's best loved museums, it was established in 1852 with the purpose of enabling everyone to enjoy the splendid collections and exhibitions that Britain has to offer.

Over the past 150 years the V&A's collection has grown to become an encyclopaedic resource of costume, fashion, jewellery, furniture, art and sculpture, the collection is of national importance therefore a board of Prime Ministerial appointed trustees governs the museum.

The V & A is vast it houses permanent collections of everything be it architecture, ceramics, fashion, furniture, metalwork, glass, objects from Asia, books, paintings, you name it...whatever you are interested in you will find it on display at this amazing museum.

The only problem with the V&A is it's size, there is so much to see, it is literally impossible to fit it all into just one visit so pick what you want to see and see it properly!

As with many of London's museums there are always new exhibitions taking place at the V&A for short and extended periods of time. Some events to charge an admission fee but the majority are free. The museum also organises events and courses for families, children, teenagers and adults you can find out more about these exhibitions, events and activities in the various relevant sections of Londonisfree.com.

The Museum is open every days of the year excepting December 24, 25 and 26. The main collections are open from 10am till 5.45pm Saturday to Monday; opening times for Fridays are 10am till 10pm with some galleries remaining open after 6pm.

Other sections of the museum such as the National Art Library and Textile Study Rooms have more restricted opening hours; other sections such as the Blythe House Archive and Library Reading Room are accessible by appointment only. Find out more detailed information on opening times.

Find out more about the V&A, its history, collections and future exhibitions click here.

How to get there

The closest tube station to the V & A is at South Kensington. If travelling by bus the C1, 14, 74 and 414 stop outside the Cromwell Street entrance.

Image by Morley von Sternberg 2005

The Tate Modern is the much-lauded national gallery of international modern art. It is just one in a family of four Tate galleries spread across London and the UK.

The Tate Modern came into being in 2000, it was decided in 1992 that the Tate Collection had outgrown its original home at Millbank and that a new home should be found for the modern component of the collection. After much debate a former power station situated on the Southbank directly across from St Paul's Cathedral was decided on and plans for the refurbishment of the interior and exterior of the building.

Finally a small Swiss architectural firm Herzog and De Meuron was chosen to complete the work; today the original turbine hall has become a dramatic entrance to the building often featuring large artworks, the boiler house now houses three separate galleries. Herzog and De Meuron also added a two-storey glass penthouse that offers stunning views of the river and city of London; a coloured light feature that can be seen for miles around at night caps the ninety-nine metre high chimney.

The Tate Modern's permanent collection is situated over two of the gallery's floors here you can immerse yourself in Surrealism, Cubism, Futurism and Minimalism. Highlights of the collection include works by Andy Warhol, Picasso, Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Dali, Miro and Lichtenstein.

Adults and children are encouraged to find out more about modern art in the Tate Modern's Learning Zone. Located on Level 5, the Learning Zone educates through a range of games, film, multimedia interactivities and literature.

The Tate Modern often houses temporary and special exhibitions, always popular is the Unilever Series exhibition that is housed in the Turbine Hall; the Gallery also often runs family and children's activities. To find out more about the above please check out our Exhibitions and Family sections via our Home page.

The Tate Modern is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am till 6pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am till 10pm. The gallery is completely shut on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Find out more about the Tate Modern.

How to get there

By tube or train Blackfriars, Southwark or London Bridge are the nearest stations. If travelling by bus the 45, 63, 100, 344, 381 or the RV1 all serve the area.

Tate Modern Building © Tate Photography

The Tate Britain homes the national collection of British art dating from 1500 to the present day. The Tate Britain is just one in a family of four Tate galleries spread across London and the UK. The gallery prides itself on being at the centre of British art and work tirelessly to promote international interest in British artwork.

The Tate Gallery opened in 1897; it was then named as the National Gallery of British Art and was made up of 65 works of British Modern art and sculpture given to the nation by Henry Tate. After numerous other gifts in the early 20th Century, the Gallery was forced to expand the perimeters of its collection to include international artworks and therefore its Millbank premises.

The building of the Tate Gallery has spanned a century with expansions of the original building taking place as recently as 2001. The overall result is a dramatic one with a classical portico, columns and dome to the rear of the building. Inside a central sculpture gallery dominates numerous galleries, rooms and special exhibitions.

In 1955 the Tate Gallery was awarded its independence from the National Galley; up until that point the National Gallery had controlled the Tate's business it is now funded by the Government through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The split of the Tate Gallery into the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern in 2000 gave more room to house its increasingly growing collection and temporary exhibitions.

Today at the Tate Britain the artwork is divided up into distinct sections that are then again split into various different rooms, entrance halls and ambulatories, the sections are:

British Art 1500 - 1900
British Art 1900 - 2007
Turner Collection
Ambulatory
Clore Entrance
Manton Stairs
Millbank Entrance
Rotunda Reading Area

The work on display in these sections is always changing so visitors are guaranteed to see new artworks as well as old favourites. Highlights of the collection include work by Francis Bacon, Turner, Rossetti, Allen Jones, Dame Barbara Hepworth, Lucien Freud, Christina Mackie, Henry Moore and many more.

The Tate Britain also houses temporary and special exhibitions; it also coordinates numerous family and children's activities and courses, many of which are free. To find out more about the above then check out our Family and Exhibitions sections on our homepage.

The Tate Britain is open daily from 10am till 5.50pm excepting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On the first Friday of every month the gallery is open from 6pm till 10pm as part of Late at The Tate Britain.

Find out more about the Tate Britain.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Plimco and Vauxhall. If on the bus the 2, 24, 36, 87, 88, 185, 360, 436 and C10 are serve the Millbank area.

Tate Britain © Tate