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I have visited London almost every year since 1984. Like other major cities it can be expensive. During my visits. I discovered many free attractions. The ones I have listed here are among the favorites. Check out the following 10 free London attractions for an enlightened and satisfying visit.
Among the sites I have chosen are some of the many museums and galleries that are free. There are large ones where you have to choose what you want to see and smaller ones where you can view the contents in one or two hours. Any one of them is well worth your time. While you are visiting you can also stop for food. The large museum and galleries have cares where you can get homemade food at reasonable prices.
1. British Museum
Located in the Bloomsbury section of the city, this museum is one of the most visited in the world. Opened in 1759, it is best known for its Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections. The Egyptian collection includes large and small displays. The most famous is the Rosetta Stone. It provided the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. Among other displays are sculptures from the Parthenon in Greece, and artifacts from Rome, Assyria, China and India.
2. National Gallery
Located on the north side of Trafalgar Square, it houses one of the world’s great art collections. The art is contained in sixty rooms and divided into periods. Among the artists included are Michelangelo, Da Vinci and the impressionists. It’s impossible to view the whole collection in one visit. For a quick overview, join one of the free guided tours.
3. Victoria and Albert Museum
Locally known as the V&A, it’s located in South Kensington. In addition to sculptures and paintings, the V&A has one of the world’s largest collections of furnishings, textiles. carpets, jewelry, tapestries, musical instruments and glass in the world. There is something to please everyone’s taste. Spread over seven levels and organized into major themes, you have to choose what you want to see.
4. Natural History Museum
In the same neighborhood as the V&A, this is a great place to take the family. The collection is divided into zones.
Red Zone – the earth
Green Zone – planets, environment, evolution
Blue Zone – Smallest invertebrates to the great Blue Whale
Orange Zone – Wildlife Garden
5 Tate Britain
Opened in 1897 in Millbank, this collection covers five centuries of art. It is divided into two main groups: the British Collection and the European and American works. The U.K. collection dates from 1500 to the present.
6. Tate Modern
On the South Bank of the Thames River at Bankside, this collection is housed in a renovated ex-power station. It gives you a very different feel from the traditional museum. There are five galleries of international modern art that covers the periods from 1900 to the present. Included in the presentation are works by Picasso, Dali, Warhol, Rothko and Lichtenstein. After your visit you can walk the South Bank and view the Globe Theater and the National Theater. There is a spectacular of St Pauls’ across the river.
7. National Maritime Museum
For a day out take the short trip to Greenwich were you can visit this museum and the adjoining sites. It houses the world’s largest collection of maritime artifacts including a permanent display from Vice-admiral Horatio Nelson, hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. You can also visit the Queen’s House with it’s collection of maritime art. Up the hill is the Royal Observatory, site of the Prime Meridian, from which all time on earth is measured. You can stand with one foot in the Western hemisphere and one in the east. All these sites are fee.
8. St. Martin in the Field
This small Palladian style church, where Bach and Mozart played, is located on the east side of Trafalgar Square. If you enjoy music, stop in for one of the free lunchtime concerts held three days a week. Known for its outstanding acoustics, you can enjoy an hour of artists that range from the piano, violin to trios and quartets. You could combine this with a trip to the National Gallery, and you can walk through Trafalgar Square.
9. Covent Garden
The main building in the center of Covent Garden houses a number of restaurants and boutiques. The area’s main attraction is the numerous street entertainers who must audition and obtain a license before performing. Within walking distance of Trafalgar Square, it’s a delight for the whole family. Always crowded, you can find restaurants where you sit outside and can enjoy the entertainment in comfort.
10. Changing of the Guard.
Viewed from the outskirts of Buckingham Palace this is one of the favorites of London visitors. You can get there by strolling through St. James Park from Trafalgar Square. Get there early to get a place where you can see. It takes place every day during the spring and summer and every other day in the fall and winter at 11:30 AM. It’s the pageantry the British are known for.
I can say, without a doubt, that London is my favorite city. I continue to go back to these sites and see something new each time. The ten free attractions that are included in this article are but a few of the ones in London.
Feb 012018
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