Royal Opera House Built in 1858 after the previous theatre burnt down, its splendid period character has been wonderfully preserved ever since. Today, it is still a fully working theatre and you can take a special tour of the auditorium and hear stories of the famous opera singers who have taken centre stage. Take lunch or afternoon tea in the glass vaulted hall that used to be part of Covent Garden flower market. www.roh.org.uk Somerset House Somerset House is a major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London. During the summer months there are dancing fountains in the courtyard and in winter you can skate on their famous ice rink. www.somersethouse.org.uk Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is both London residence and official office of Her Majesty the Queen. It is only one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world. During the summer, the palace is open to visitors and they can tour the State rooms which form the heart of the palace. Prior booking is essential. www.royal.gov.uk The EDF Energy London Eye The London Eye is a giant ferris wheel with 32 glass viewing capsules, situated on the banks of the River Thames. Opened in 2000, the London Eye offers unrivalled views of London. It takes approximately 30 minutes to revolve completely. www.londoneye.com Kensington Palace Former home of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret and Queen Victoria. Visit the King's & Queen's State apartments, the red saloon where Queen Victoria held her first council meeting and take a walk through the exquisite gardens where you can take afternoon tea in the 18th century Orangery. www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall was built in 1871 and is a grade I listed building. It is a world famous venue presenting some of the best known performers ranging from classical musical concerts to rock & pop, from opera to ballet and even tennis tournaments. To complement there are numerous restaurants and bars to suit all occasions. www.royalalberthall.com Madame Tussauds Madame Tussauds is famous for recreating historical and royal figures, celebrities and even infamous murders in wax. With 14 zones, over 300 wax figures and the Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, this is guaranteed to be a star studded visit. www.madametussauds.com London Zoo London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. The zoo was opened to the public in 1847. Today, it has a collection of over 700 species of animals and covers over 34 acres of land. www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ Changing of the Guard The colourful ceremony of the Changing of the Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am. From August to April the ceremony is on alternate days. From April to July it is on a daily basis. Always check the schedule beforehand. www.royal.gov.uk Tower of London The Tower of London is a historic castle on the banks of the River Thames. Home to the crown jewels, the black ravens and the famous Yeoman of the Guard, affectionately known as Beefeaters. Legend says that the Kingdom and Tower will fall if the 6 ravens ever leave the Tower. www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon Open top double decker bus tour See London from the top deck of an open top double decker bus. The hop-on, hop-off ticket allows you to explore the city at your own pace. Some bus companies include walking tours and Thames River passes as well. www.bigbustours.com MUSEUMS Victoria & Albert Museum The Victoria & Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. Open daily - entrance is free. www.vam.ac.uk Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum is famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture. Open daily - entrance is free. In winter months it is home to a stunning 950 sq meter ice rink. www.nhm.ac.uk Tate Modern Tate Modern is a modern art gallery. Open daily - entrance is free. www.tate.org.uk SHOPPING Harrods The world's most famous and largest department store with over 1 million square feet of retail space and over 330 departments including 20 restaurants. The store is well known for its luxury gifts. Must see sights are the food halls and the Egyptian Hall. www.harrods.com King's Road Made famous by the "punk rockers" in the 70's, King's Road has a wide array of shops from the flagship store Peter Jones at Sloane Square to R Soles a store selling customised cowboy boots together with all the usual high street chain shops stores. www.kingsroad.co.uk Oxford Street Renowned for its world class shopping. Oxford Street is over 1 ½ miles of high street brands, department stores, luxury hotels and restaurants to cater for all tastes. www.oxfordstreet.co.uk Regent Street Another major shopping street offering many fine international brands. Also famous for Liberty's and Hamley's, the toy store. www.regentstreetonline.com Bond Street Home to some of the world's most prestigious retailers, art galleries, hotels and restaurants. www.bondstreetassociation.com MARKETS Covent Garden The Piazza is the centre of Covent Garden and here you will find the Apple Market with stalls specializing in British hand made arts, crafts and antiques. The Jubilee & East Colonnade Markets for a huge variety of stalls and The London Transport Museum. At the weekend, the Piazza is home to various street performers including acrobats and jugglers. www.coventgardenlondonuk.com Borough Market Open Thursday to Saturday, a gourmet food lovers paradise selling a wide range of delicious street food, cheeses, artisan bakery, fresh fruit and vegetables. www.boroughmarket.org.uk Columbia Road Flower Market A Sunday market in the East End of London, full of stalls selling a wide variety of plants and flowers. www.columbiaroad.info/flowermarket.html Portobello Road A Saturday market in fashionable Notting Hill featured in the film starring Hugh Grant. The market has stalls selling antiques and trendy clothes. www.portobellomarket.org Leadenhall Market Restored in 1991 and filmed in 2001 for Harry Potter & the philosopher's stone, Leadenhall Market dates back to the 1st Century. Open Monday to Friday there are market stalls selling goods from food to jewellery. Various shops, restaurants, pubs & cafes complement the famous market. Open daily. www.leadenhall-market.co.uk Camden Market Camden Market is now the 4th most popular tourist attraction in London. Specializing in alternative fashion, vintage and emerging designers. Situated in Camden Town near Regent's Canal. Open daily. www.camden-market.org Spitalfields Market London's oldest market, just 5 minutes from Liverpool Street Station comprises of market stalls selling contemporary & vintage fashion, jewellery & home interiors to bespoke children's toys. The market is surrounded by independent boutiques, food shops, restaurants and cafes. Open daily. www.spitalfields.co.uk Leather Lane Market More of a "traditional" market selling everything from fruit & veg to mobile phone accessories. Leather Lane is very close to Hatton Garden, famous for the jewellery wholesalers. Open daily. www.leatherlanestars.wordpress.com/the-market/