Banqueting House
Whitehall Palace was the sovereign's main residence between 1530 and 1698 before it was destroyed by a fire. Banqueting House is all that now remains of the Palace. It is famous for its Rubens ceiling paintings and as the site of Charles' execution.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is open to the public from August-September. Tours take in the State Rooms, including the Throne Room, Picture Gallery and State Dining Room. These principal rooms, which form the backdrop to the pageantry of court ceremony and official entertaining, occupy the west front overlooking the garden and are all opulently decorated with some of the finest pictures, tapestries and works of art from the Royal Collection.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is the oldest Tudor palace in England with many attractions including the State Apartments, the famous maze, King's Apartments, Tudor kitchens and real tennis courts.
Houses of Parliament
During August and September there are tours of this historic building. Visitors can see the Queen's Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, the Prince's Chamber, the Chamber of the House of Lord's, the Central Lobby, House of Commons, Members Lobby, Division Lobby, St Stephens Hall and Westminster Hall.
The Tower of London
With Yeoman Warders, ravens, the Crown Jewels and a history that saw the Tower as a palace, prison and (bizarrely) a zoo, the Tower of London is not to be missed.
St Paul's Cathedral
St. Pauls is one of the world's most famous cathedrals designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Visitors can climb into the Whispering Gallery for its special audio effects and magnificent views of the interior. The Crypt houses memorials to famous figures, such as Lord Nelson.
Westminster Abbey
As one of Britain's finest Gothic buildings, Westminster Abbey has hosted coronations, marriages and burials of British monarchs. Visitors can see the coronation chair, royal tombs and the grave of the unkown warrior. Due to a number of special services the Abbey opens at 1300 on 1 Oct and 1330 on 7 Nov. The Abbey is closed all day to visitors on 23 Oct.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace has been a royal home for over 300 years with parts of the Palace remaining as a private residence to members of the Royal Family today. Any visit should include the Kings Apartment with its magnificent collection of Old Masters, the elegant Orangery and Sunken Garden and the spectacular Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection including dresses worn by The Queen and Diana, Princess of Wales.
BFI London IMAX Cinema
Enjoy a film on the UK's largest cinema screen - at 20 metres high, it is nearly as tall as five double decker buses! Together with a powerful digital surround-sound system and the most sophisticated motion-picture projector in the world, film fans can totally immerse themselves in larger-than-life 2D and 3D images.
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botantic Gardens feature 300 acres containing living collections of over 40,000 varieties of plants. There are also seven spectacular glasshouses, two art galleries,a Japanese garden and a rock garden.
London Aquarium
Featuring hundreds of varieties of fish and sealife from around the world. This is the only place in London where visitors can come face to face with sharks, gigantic conger eels and deadly stone fish. There are daily talks, dives and feeds. Visitors can meet piranhas, stroke stingrays and touch starfish and crabs.
London Brass Rubbing Centre
Visitors can make traditional brass rubbings of Britain's royalty, medieval and Tudor characters as well as unusual Celtic designs. Materials and help are provided. Look out for special offers mid-week.
