Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

12  INTRODUCING L ONDON

2 Days in London

• Enjoy a panoramic spin on
the London Eye
• Admire Wren’s masterpiece,
St Paul’s Cathedral
• Take a Beefeater tour of
the Tower of London

Day 1
Morning Inspect monuments to
England’s kings and queens on a Naval gunship HMS Belfast moored in front of Tower Bridge
self-guided tour of Westminster
Abbey (see pp80–83). Don’t miss Afternoon Cross the Millennium but most recognizable sights,
the intricate Lady Chapel and Bridge to Bankside, taking in the Shard (see p186). Speed
peaceful cloisters. Next, wander views of Tower Bridge (see p157). up 72 floors to the very top,
through Parliament Square (see Grab lunch from one of the where the trains and boats
p78) into idyllic St James’s Park artisan food stalls or cafés at far below look like toys. Walk
(see p96), with its pelicans and Borough Market (see p180), then along the riverside and stop
black swans, reaching Bucking- stroll to Shakespeare’s Globe (see off to look around HMS Belfast
ham Palace (see pp98–9) in time p181) and its fascinating museum (see p187), now a floating naval
for the morning Changing the (tours of the auditorium are museum, before detouring
Guard ceremony. In autumn or available on days when there’s no into Southwark (see pp178–9)
winter head to Horse Guards performance). Next door is Tate for one of London’s most
Parade (see p84) instead. Then Modern (see pp182–5), housing macabre attractions: the Old
walk through stately Trafalgar paintings and art installations on a Operating Theatre (see p180).
Square (see p106) into the West magnificent scale. End the day Located in St Thomas’s Church,
End. Buy theatre tickets for the with a ride on the London Eye the surgery dates from before
evening at discounted prices (see p193), timing it, if you’re lucky, the use of anaesthetics.
from the official cut-price booth as the sun sets over the city.
on Leicester Square (see p107). Day 2
Morning Get to Westminster
3 Days in London
Afternoon Head to Chinatown Abbey (see pp80–83) early to
(see p112) for dim sum, then explore its royal memorials.
spend an hour or two admiring • Uncover England’s history Nearby rise the Neo-Gothic
works by Van Eyck, Van Gogh at Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament (see
and Constable at the National the Houses of Parliament pp76–7) and Big Ben (see p78).
Gallery (see pp108–11). If there’s • View contemporary art Cross the river and head for the
time before the show, head to at Tate Modern Southbank Centre (see pp190–
Covent Garden’s Piazza and • Meet the old masters at 91), which includes the
Central Market (see p118) to the National Gallery Hayward Gallery (see p192)
watch the street performers. and the Royal Festival Hall (see
p192). Nearby is the London
Day 2 Day 1 Eye (see p193) and the Sea Life
Morning The Tower of London Morning Visit the Tower of London Aquarium (see p192).
(see pp158–61) is a must-see. Two London (see pp158–61): explore
hours is enough time to join an the armoury, infiltrate the torture
entertaining Beefeater tour and chambers and admire the Crown
inspect murderous-looking Tudor Jewels. Afterwards, have a drink
weaponry in the White Tower. by the colourful quayside at St
Then head to the Monument Katharine Docks (see p162), then
(see p156), Sir Christopher Wren’s cross Tower Bridge (see p157) to
splendid 17th-century column Shad Thames: its scrubbed-up
built to commemorate the Great dockside ware houses are now
Fire of London. Climb its spiral pricey apart ments. Walk along
staircase for a spectacular view the river to one of London’s oldest
that takes in landmarks old and markets, Borough (see p335),
new. Next, walk to Wren’s glorious where you’re spoiled for choice
master piece, St Paul’s Cathedral for lunchtime treats (not Sunday).
(see pp152–5). Highlights include
the Whispering Gallery, the spec- Afternoon A 5-minute walk A performance in progress at Shakespeare’s
tacular dome and the crypt. away is one of London’s newest Globe in Southwark

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