London Attractions Some free London attractions are also listed: there's no better place to soak up some culture.

Whether you prefer history or modern art, you'll find it here. Tourism is one of London's prime industries and employs the equivalent of 350,000 full-time workers in London in 2003, while annual expenditure by tourists is around 15 billion.[London attracts over 14 million international visitors per year, making it the world's most visited city. London attracts 27 million overnight-stay visitors every year. In 2009 the ten most-visited attractions in London were: 1. British Museum Founded in 1753, the British Museums remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history. Visitors enjoy a unique comparison of the treasures of world cultures under one roof, centred around the magnificent Great Court. World-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies are visited by up to 5.8 million visitors per year.There is also a programme of special exhibitions and daily gallery tours, talks and guided tours. British Museum Facilities Opening Times Accessible bathroom facilites Accessible communication facilities Accessible venue facilities Open daily 10:00 - 17:30. Open late on Fridays until 20:30. Designated wheelchair accessible public toilet Information available in audio format Information available in large print Assistance dogs welcome

Access inside building facilities Seating for limited mobility users along routes Attraction Facilities Catering Facilities Payment Facilities Indoors Cafe Restaurant Free entry

2. Tate Modern

A visit to London isn't complete without a trip to Tate Modern. Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Czanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dal, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois. Tate Modern Facilities Accessible bathroom facilites Designated wheelchair accessible public toilet Access into the building Attraction Facilities Booking Facilities Catering Facilities Payment Facilities Flat routes from parking area to entrance Patron toilets Group bookings accepted Cafe Free entry

3. National Gallery London's National Gallery displays Western European painting from about 1250-1900. You'll love seeing work by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults. National Gallery Facilities Opening Times Daily 10:00am-6:00pm. Friday 10:00am-9:00pm Closing commences 5 minutes before time stated. Free admission to the collection and some special exhibitions. Charge for major loan exhibitions. Free entry

Payment Facilities

4.The Natural History Museum Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits. Highlights include Dinosaurs, the ultimate dinosaur exhibition; Creepy-Crawlies, guaranteed to have you scratching in minutes; Human Biology, the must-see exhibition about ourselves; Ecology and Mammals, with its unforgettable blue whale.

Don't miss The Power Within, offering an earthquake experience and, if you are visiting with children, Investigate - an exciting new hands-on science centre. Phase One of the new Darwin Centre offers a chance to see the science behind the scenes. Ice skating will also be available from 5 November to 9 January. The Natural History Museum Facilities Opening Times Attraction Facilities Payment Facilities Everyday 10.00 - 17.50 . Last admission 17.30. Open late on the last Friday of each month. Closed 24 - 26 December. Indoors Free entry

5. The London Eye Already offering unrivalled views of London, the bespoke cinematic addition to the EDF Energy London Eye will now provide yet another magical and entertaining way to experience our capital city, further enhancing the value and the experience of a trip to the UKs top paid for visitor attraction. All included in the ticket price, you will see the first ever 3D aerial footage of London as well as witness the world famous London New Years Eve fireworks in a breathtaking journey across the city. Boasting more 4D sensory effects than any other attraction in the UK, you will feel like you are really there; with wind in your hair, snow falling at your feet, the floor shaking and even a sense of smell, your new perspective on London will be truly memorable. EDF Energy London Eye Facilities Opening Times Winter Oct-May: 10.00am - 8.00pm Daily. Summer: June September 10.00am - 9.00pm Daily. Closed Christmas Day. Bathrooms available with emergency call system Designated wheelchair accessible public toilet Level access, ramp or lift to the shop

Accessible bathroom facilites Accessible venue facilities

Accessible communication Audible alarm system facilities Clear signage (colour contrast, large letters or pictograms) Films or information touch screens have visual/audible

subtitles Hearing loop system Information available in audio format Visual alarm system Accessible venue facilities Emergency evacuation procedures for guests with disabilities Staff available to assist Staff disability awareness trained Wheelchairs available free of charge Assisted wheelchair access Automatic doors Flat routes from parking area to entrance Full, non-assisted wheelchair access Ramps from parking area to entrance Ramps with handrails to entrance Temporary ramps available Accessible baby changing rooms Level access, ramp or lift from entrance to reception Level access, ramp or lift to ticket issuing point Low payment counters Portable chip and pin machines Designated disabled parking available within fifty metres of main entrance All routes suitable for limited mobility users All routes suitable for pushchairs or prams All routes suitable for wheelchair users Ramps within building Seating for limited mobility users along routes Steps with handrail within building

Access into the building

Additional accessible facilities

Accessible parking facilities Access inside building facilities

6. Science Museum Where else can you find life-changing objects from Stephenson's Rocket to the Apollo 10 command module, catch an immersive 3D movie, enjoy the thrill of flying with the RAF Red Arrows in a special effects simulator, introduce children to science with fun, hands-on interactives and encounter the past, present and future of technology in seven floors of galleries? At the Science Museum you can find all this and more!

Entry to the Science Museum is FREE but charges apply to the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some exhibitions. Science Museum Facilities Opening Times Open 10.00-18.00 daily. Closed 24 - 26 December

Attraction Facilities Indoors Payment Facilities Free entry

7. Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's greatest museum of art and design, representing over three thousand years of human creativity, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Situated in South Kensington, in recent years the VA has undergone a dramatic programme of renewal and restoration. Highlights include the Medieval Renaissance galleries containing some of the greatest surviving treasures from the period, the breathtaking William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the nations art and design. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the VA offers an internationally acclaimed programme of temporary exhibitions and an extensive events programme. Victoria and Albert Museum Facilities Opening Times Opening times 10.00-17.00 daily, Friday 10.00-22.00 Closed 24, 25 & 26 December.

Attraction Facilities Indoors Payment Facilities Free entry

8. Madame Tussauds

Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and a brand new Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history with over 300 wax figures. Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with the Beckhams, before stepping into our interactive movie and sports zones. Start your royal experience with a once-in-alifetime audience with Her Majesty The Queen, then brave the serial killers in SCREAM! Relax in our taxis and relive Londons rich history before entering the spectacular and exclusive Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience. So, who do you want to meet? Madame Tussauds Facilities Opening Times Madame Tussauds is open seven days a week. Normal opening hours are 9:30 5:30. Peak opening hours are 9.00 - 6.00. Peak times are every weekend and UK school holidays. Please refer to www.madame-tussauds.co.uk for full details. Christmas Eve 9.00 - 2.30, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day 10.30 - 6.00 and New Year's Day 9.30 - 6.00.

9. National Maritime Museum After a spectacular entrance through the sound of breaking waves you arrive in one of the greatest maritime museums of the world - The National Maritime Museum in London, containing models, displays, paintings and trophies from every continent of the world. Arranged in a series of themed exhibition galleries you can recall the romance of the great ocean liners, appreciate the elegance of Prince Fredericks golden barge, delve into the traditions of maritime London and study the controversial history of trade across the Atlantic. Children find plenty to engage them in the All Hands gallery while young people can try their hand on the professional ship simulator on the Bridge or study the impact of careless behaviour on the ocean environment. The museum has a full programme of fun free family events, serious lectures, an important reference library of books and manuscripts and an e-library for personal

research. The National Maritime Museum is a large museum with many items of particular interest to maritime specialists and model-makers. Take a break during your visit at the Paul patisserie and coffee shop or dine economically in the Regatta licensed restaurant. Before you leave take time to visit the well-stocked shop which includes a large number of exclusive items relating to the museum collections including some of the National Maritime Museums own publications. In recent years the National Maritime Museum has won Visit London awards for the quality of customer service and its sustainability and access policies. It aims to set a high standard and is accredited as a Quality Visitor Attraction. National Maritime Museum Facilities Opening Times Attraction Facilities Payment Facilities Open daily 10.00 17.00. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Indoors Free entry

10.The Tower of London Despite its grim reputation as a place of torture and death, within these walls you will also discover the history of a royal palace, an armoury and a powerful fortress. Dont miss Royal Beasts! Learn about the wild and wonderous animals that have inhabited the Tower throughout its history. Plus: Discover the priceless Crown Jewels Join a Beefeater tour and hear their bloody tales Stand where famous heads have rolled Learn the legend of the Tower's ravens Storm the battlements and try your hand at siege weapons* in the moat Get to grips with swords and armour And much more! Tower of London Facilities

Opening Times

Open all Year. Summer: 1 March - 31 October: Tues - Sat 09.00-18.00 / Sun - Mon 10.00-18.00. Last admission 17.00. Winter: 1 November - 28 February: Tues - Sat 09.00-17.00 / Sun - Mon 10.00-17.00. Last admission 16.00. The Tower is closed 24-26 December (inclusive) and 1 January.