London stopover guide
London is England's capital city and one of Europe's most popular visitor destinations, offering visitors a combination of traditional and modern attractions, and all the amenities expected of a busy, cosmopolitan city. Internationally known museums and art galleries, fine restaurants and diverse nightlife as well as a whole host of famous landmarks are just a few of the many things that London has to offer.
Attractions:
- As the official London residence of the Queen and the royal family, Buckingham Palace is a must for traditional sightseers. The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony always attracts plenty of camera-clutching tourists.
- The Houses of Parliament are the official business residences of the British government and are buildings with rich and interesting histories.
- Westminster Abbey is a magnificent structure belonging to the Church of England and it is the principal location for state services such as royal weddings and funeral.
- The London Eye is a gigantic Ferris wheel that offers unique views of the city of London.
- Previously the scene of important historical events, Trafalgar Square now offers some of London's most recognisable landmarks.
- Madame Tussauds Waxwork Museum gives visitors the chance to see realistic wax replicas of some of the world's most famous characters from the past and the present.
- The Tate Britain and the Tate Modern galleries are home to some of the world's finest classic and contemporary art collections.
- Covent Garden is an ideal place to head for shopping or dining and is regularly the scene of unique and entertaining street performances.
Eating and shopping:
Eating establishments are located throughout the city centre and as such there is no official restaurant zone. However, certain areas of the city have acquired prominent status on account of the reputation of their eateries and among these are Soho, Covent Garden and the exceptional Chinatown.
Covent Garden also lists high among places worth heading for shopping, while Oxford street is perhaps the city's most famous and comprehensive shopping area. Camden Market is famous for its stalls selling second-hand and Bohemian products.
Day trips and tours: the seaside town of Brighton is just 50 miles south of the city and is an ideal place to head for a relaxing day out. Offering all the attractions of a traditional seaside resort, Brighton is popular with holidaymakers and day-trippers alike. Situated in the county of Kent, Dover lies east of the city and is within a reasonable driving distance. The town's famous white cliffs are its best known attraction; however, the scenic Kent coastline on which its sits offers visitors a plethora of aesthetically pleasing views. A little closer to the city, Henley-on-Thames is a pleasant town best known for its yearly regatta, which draws visitors from far and wide.
London Tourist Information Centres
Bexley Tourist Information Centre
Hall Place
Bourne Road
Bexley
Greater London
England
DA5 1PQ
Tel: +44 1322 558676
Fax: +44 1322 522921
Email: hallplaceshop@tiscali.co.uk
Britain and London Visitor Centre
1 Regent Street
Piccadilly Circus
London
Greater London
England
SW1Y 4XT
Fax: +44 20 7808 3801
Email: blvcinfo@visitbritain.org
Croydon Tourist Information Centre
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine Street
Croydon
Greater London
England
CR9 1ET
Tel: +44 20 8253 1009
Fax: +44 20 8253 1008
Email: tic@croydon.gov.uk
Web: www.croydononline.org/
Greenwich Tourist Information Centre
Pepys House
2 Cutty Sark Gardens
Greenwich
Greater London
England
SE10 9LW
Tel: +44 870 608 2000
Fax: +44 20 8853 4607
Email: tic@greenwich.gov.uk
Web: www.greenwich.gov.uk/
Harrow Tourist Information Centre
Civic Centre
Station Road
Harrow
Greater London
England
HA1 2XF
Tel: +44 20 8424 1102
Fax: +44 20 8424 1134
Email: info@harrow.gov.uk
Heathrow Airport Tourist Information Centre
Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Underground Station Concourse
Heathrow Airport
Greater London
England
TW6 2JA
Tel: +44 9068 663344
Hillingdon Tourist Information Centre
Central Library
14-15 High Street
Uxbridge
Greater London
England
UB8 1HD
Tel: +44 1895 250706
Fax: +44 1895 239794
Email: libraryinfoteam@hillingdongrid.org
Web: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
Hounslow Tourist Information Centre
The Treaty Centre
High Street
Hounslow
Greater London
England
TW3 1ES
Tel: +44 845 456 2929
Fax: +44 845 456 2904
Email: tic@cip.org.uk
Web: www.cip.org.uk/
Kingston-upon-Thames Tourist Information Centre
Market House
Market Place
Kingston-upon-Thames
Greater London
England
KT1 1JS
Tel: +44 20 8547 5592
Fax: +44 20 8547 5594
Email: tourist.information@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Web: www.kingston.gov.uk/
Leicester Square London Information Centre
Leicester Square
London
Greater London
England
Tel: +44 20 729 22 333
Lewisham Tourist Information Centre
Lewisham Library Building
199-201 Lewisham High Street
Lewisham
Greater London
England
SE13 6LG
Tel: +44 20 8297 8317
Fax: +44 20 8297 9241
Email: tic@lewisham.gov.uk
Web: www.lewisham.gov.uk/
London City Information Centre
St Paul's Churchyard
London
Greater London
England
EC4M 8BX
Tel: +44 20 7332 1456
Web: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Richmond-upon-Thames Tourist Information Centre
Old Town Hall
Whittaker Avenue
Richmond-upon-Thames
Greater London
England
TW9 1TP
Tel: +44 20 8940 9125
Fax: +44 20 8332 0802
Email: info@visitrichmond.co.uk
Web: www.visitrichmond.co.uk/
Southwark Tourist Information Centre
Vinopolis
1 Bank End
Southwark
Greater London
England
SE1 9BU
Tel: +44 20 7357 9168
Email: tourism@southwark.gov.uk
Web: www.southwark.gov.uk/
Twickenham Tourist Information Centre
The Atrium, Civic Centre
44 York Street
Twickenham
Greater London
England
TW1 3BZ
Tel: +44 20 8891 7272
Fax: +44 20 8891 7738
Email: info@visitrichmond.co.uk
Web: www.visitrichmond.co.uk/
Waterloo London Visitor Centre
Arrivals Hall
Waterloo International Terminal
London
Greater London
England
SE1 7LT
Tel: +44 20 7620 1550
Email: london.visitorcentre@iceplc.com
