The Cabinet War Rooms offer a unique glimpse into a crucial period of history. As a branch of the Imperial War Museum, this attraction preserves the underground corridors and rooms where Churchill and his cabinet orchestrated the war efforts against Hitler and the Nazis. Visitors will find these spaces almost exactly as they were left in 1945, providing an immersive historical experience.
In 2005, the Churchill Museum opened its doors, becoming the first permanent museum dedicated to the life and wartime achievements of Sir Winston Churchill. This museum is attached to the Cabinet War Rooms, enriching the visit with insights into Churchill's leadership and legacy during one of history's most challenging times.
An audio guide is included with admission, enhancing the experience with detailed narratives and information. Visitors are advised that there is no cloakroom, and large items like rucksacks and suitcases are not permitted.
The on-site café welcomes guests daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with hot food available until 3 pm, providing a convenient spot to relax and reflect on the historical significance of the visit.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill_War_Rooms
Designed and built in 1619-1622 by the Neo-Classical architect Inigo Jones, The Banqueting House is now all that remains of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign's principal residence from 1530-1698 when most of it was destroyed by fire. Renowned for its architecture and paintings (by Rubens, among others), the building is also famous for being the scene of Charles I's execution in 1649 at the end of the English Civil War.
The complex incorporates the Old Broad House built in 1930s. The façades of which feature the famous sculpture of Prospero and Ariel and the Ariel friezes by Eric Gill and Gilbert Bayes. BBC's The One Show is transmitted from the studio at the ground floor every weeknight starting from 7PM. The studio is quite visible from the plaza outside and some parts of the show are performed from outside of the studio – in the plaza.
This church on the bank of the Thames was built in 1157. It is the only church in London with chained books. A statue of Thomas More sits in front of the church.
A vast repository of the world's cultures, controversially including hundreds of items that were looted from their places of origin. Entire sections are devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Middle Eastern artifacts, as well as the piece which united them all, the Rosetta Stone. Other items on everyone's list are the largest collection of mummies outside Egypt and the Elgin Marbles. The collection also includes some of the world's finest collections of Chinese and Sub-Saharan African art; perhaps the most famous of the latter are the Benin bronzes. A definite highlight of a trip to London. Temporary exhibitions are invariably excellent and meticulously researched, but can be expensive. It has a fine store, mainly selling replicas of items in the collection.
On the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Palace of Westminster is the seat of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It's often termed the "Mother of All Parliaments" - an exaggeration, but perhaps only a slight one. The present building largely dates from the 19th century when it was rebuilt following a fire in a splendid example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture. The House of Commons (elected Members of Parliament or MPs) is located to the north of the building and is decorated with green leather upholstery, and the House of Lords (unelected Lords) is located to the south and decorated with red leather upholstery.
Site of the London residences for the Prime Minister (No. 10) and the Chancellor (No. 11).
Park overlooking the river, with the local war memorial. Be careful at high tide, as it may flood.
Art deco headquarters of University of London featured in the film Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Former offices of the Greater London Authority. A radically-designed glass fronted and rounded building, previously headquarters for London's Mayor and Assembly. City Hall has now be relocated to The Crystal, a building in Greenwich, near to the cable car. The old building is disused and not open to the public, but can be viewed from the outside.
A small museum is set in a Victorian house near the infamous Battle of Cable Street. There are 5 floors including the basement, each dedicated to several aspects of famous murders starting with a recreation of Mitre Square on the first floor, Jack the Ripper's sitting room on the second floor, the police station on the third, a victim's bedroom on the fourth and the mortuary in the basement. There is also a walking tour. Book tickets online to save money, there is also a Halloween special deal.
Admission by guided tour only, which must be booked in advance. The museum is housed in part of a Victorian fire station and its collections include fire engines and historical equipment.