Trocadero Centre, Coventry Street, W1 Tel: 0171 4372678
20th Century Fox presents Alien War, the most terrifying tour in London. Visitors are led by a trained and armed space man through a complex web of tunnels while pursued by Aliens. Children under 10 not admitted
Tube: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM
Bartholomew Lane, EC2 Tel: 0171 601 5545
Illustrates the history of the Bank of England. Displays include gold bars, banknotes, and a modern dealing desk. Award-winning interactive video
Tube/British Rail/Docklands Light Railway: Bank
British Rail: Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street
BANQUETING HOUSE
Whitehall SW1 Tel: 0171 839 8919
Only remaining part of the Palace of Whitehall built between 1619-1622. Famous for its Rubens' ceiling paintings, and architecture by Inigo Jones
Tube: Westminster
Tube/British Rail: Charing Cross
HMS BELFAST
Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street, SEl Tel: 0171 407 6434
Europe's largest preserved warship, now a floating naval museum with seven decks to explore. Also naval exhibitions
Tube/British Rail: London Bridge
Tube: Tower Hill
Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway
Ferry: From Tower Pier
BETHNAL GREEN MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD
Cambridge Heath Road, E2 Tel: 01819802415
This is the National Museum of Childhood with a superb collection of toys, dolls, dolls' houses, puppets, toy theatres and games, children's costume and nursery furniture
BRITISH MUSEUM
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tel: 0171 323 8605
Displays include Parthanon Frieze (Elgin Marbles), Sutton Hoo treasures, etc
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square
BRITISH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Exhibition Road, London SW7 (0171 938 9123)
National Museum for Natural Sciences. Includes Dinosaur Exhibition, Human Anatomy and the Earth Galleries covering geology and the earth sciences. Good Cafe/restaurant facilities
Tube: South Kensington
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1 Tel: 0171 839 1377
Visitors may tour the State Rooms, which include the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery and the State Dining Room
Tube/British Rail: Victoria
Tube: St James' Park, Green Park
CABINET WAR ROOMS
Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1 0171 930 6961
The Underground headquarters used by Winston Churchill and the British Government during the Second World War. Visitors can see a suite of 21 historic rooms, including Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, Map Room, and the Prime Minister's Room
Tube: Westminster
CARLISLE'S HOUSE
24 Cheyne Row SW3 Tel 0171 352 7087
Queen Anne town house built in 1708 and home of Thomas Carlyle from 1834-1881. Contains furniture, books, portraits, and personal relics
Tube: Sloane Square
CHISWICK HOUSE
Burlington Lane, London W4 Tel: 0181 995 0508
Historic House designed by the Earl of Burlington 1725-1729. An outstanding example of classical architecture. Rooms have original decoration
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE
Kensington High Street, London W8. Tel: 0171 603 4545
Discover the history, landscapes, wildlife, and culture of 50 Commonwealth Countries. Live gallery events, cultural festivals and children's activities
Tube: High Street Kensington, Holland Park, Earls Court, Olympia
DICKENS' HOUSE
48 Doughty Street, London WC1. Tel 0171 405 2127
Charles Dickens' Home from 1837 - 1839. Letters, pictures, first editions, furniture, memorabilia and restored rooms.
Tube: Russell Square, Chancery Lane
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM
2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 Tel: 0171 620 0374
History of Florence Nightingale told through original objects, audio-visual, period settings. Also a resource centre
Tube: Westminster
Tube/British Rail: Waterloo
GABRIEL'S WHARF
56 Upper Ground, Waterloo, SEl Tel: 0171 620 0544
Designer craft workshops, restaurants, and event space on the river between the Royal National Theatre and the OXO Tower. Craft Market on Fridays
Tube/British Rail: Waterloo, Blackfriars
GYPSY MOTH IV
Cutty Sark Gardens, SE1O Tel: 0181 858 3445
The boat in which Sir Francis Chichester sailed single-handed around the world - see how he lived and worked on board.
Collection of uniforms, colours and artefacts spanning over 300 years of history of the Foot Guards
Tube: St James's Park
HAM HOUSE
Ham Street, Richmond, Surrey Tel: 0181 940 1950
Outstanding Stuart house built about 1610, containing original collection of fine 17th century furniture. 17th century garden in process of restoration
Tube/British Rail: Richmond then bus
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Hampton Court, East Molesey, Surrey Tel: 0181 781 9500
Henry VIII's magnificent Tudor palace, set in extensive gardens and park land on the banks of the River Thames. Tudor kitchens, tennis courts, maze and state apartments, King's Apartments
British Rail: Hampton Court
Boats: From Westminster, Richmond, Kingston during summer
HAYWARD GALLERY
South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, SEl Tel: 0171261 0127
Part of the South Bank Centre, a major air-conditioned gallery that is the venue for four to five major exhibitions per year
Tube/British Rail: Waterloo
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
Lambeth Road, SEl Tel: 0171 416 5000
Museum tells the story of 20th century war from Flanders to the Gulf Special features include the Blitz Experience, Operation Jericho and the Trench Experience
Tube: Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle
British Rail: Waterloo
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Nash House, The Mall, SW1 Tel: 0171 930 3647
The centre for international contemporary arts in Britain with 3 galleries featuring changing exhibitions, two cinemas, a theatre, bookshop and late bar and cafe
Tube/British Rail: Charing Cross
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
JEWISH MUSEUM
Raymond Burton House, 129 Albert Street, NWl Tel: (017t) 2S4 1997
Collection of Jewish ceremonial art and history. Excellent audio-visual programmes explaining the Jewish faith and customs. Gallery devoted to the history of the Jewish community in Britain
Tube: Camden Town
KENSINGTON PALACE STATE APARTMENTS
Kensington Gardens, W8 Tel: 0171 937 9561
State Apartments include furniture from Stuart-Hanoverian periods, ceiling paintings and rooms from the Victorian era. Also works of art from the Royal Collection and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
Tube: Queensway, High Street Kensington
KENWOOD HOUSE
Hampstead Lane, NW3 Tel: 0181 3481286
Neo-classical villa by Robert Adam which houses collection of English and foreign paintings. Concerts held in summer
Tube: Archway, Golders Green then bus
KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM
Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex Tel: 0181 568 4757
Victorian waterworks housing massive steam powered pumping engines, plus steam railway, water history and waterwheel
Tube/British Rail: Gunnersbury
British Rail: Kew Bridge
KEW GARDENS - ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Kew, Richmond, Surrey Tel: 0181 940 1171
300 acres which once belonged to the Royal Family; contains living collections of over 40,000 plant species and varieties. Also six glasshouses, two art galleries, an audio-visual exhibition and visitors' centre
Tube/British Rail: Kew Gardens
British Rail: Kew Bridge
KEW PALACE AND QUEEN CHARLOTTES COTTAGE
Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey Tel: 0181 3325189
This intimate and little known royal palace is set within the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Its interiors reflect the domestic and private lives of George III and Queen Charlotte, who used it as their family retreat from 1802-1818. The picturesque cottage served as a summerhouse for George III and was used by his family for picnics in Kew Gardens. Built in 1772
Tube/British Rail: Kew Gardens
British Rail: Kew Bridge
LONDON BRASS RUBBING CENTRE
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, WC2 Tel: 0171 437 6023
Knights, unicorns, and kings are traditional brass rubbings for visitors to buy or make themselves. Also unusual Celtic designs and historical gifts. Materials and help provided
Tube/British Rail: Charing Cross
LONDON DUNGEON
28- 34 Tooley Street, SEl Tel: 0171 403 0606
The world's first medieval horror museum complete with sounds and light effects. Features two major shows: 'The Jack the Ripper Experience' and 'The Theatre of the Guillotine'
Three floors with many unique shops plus the Rock Island Diner and Rock Circus
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
LONDON PLANETARIUM
Marylebone Road, NW1 Tel: 0171 486 1121
Space Trail and Star Shows. Interactive area for planetarium visitors. Two-level area featuring giant revolving earth, with live transmission to TV monitors from weather satellites
Tube: Baker Street
LONDON TOY AND MODEL MUSEUM
21-23 Craven Hill, W2 Tel: 0171 706 8000
One of the most extensive collections of commercially made toys and models in Europe dating from 1850 onwards, including antique toys, working models and penny slot machines
A spectacular collection of vehicles - trolley-buses, trams, steam and electric trains - with hands-on working exhibits plus the very latest interactive. New art and history galleries and regular programme of events and activities
Tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square
LONDON ZOO
Regent's Park, NW1 Tel: 0171 722 3333
The world's most famous zoo with over 8,000 animals. Daily programme of events including Animal Encounters, which give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the animals from their keepers
Tube: Camden Town
MADAME TUSSAUD'S
Marylebone Road, NWl Tel: 0171 935 6861
World famous collection of wax figures, in theme settings, which include: The Garden Party, 200 Years, Superstars, The Grand Hall, The Chamber of Horrors, and The Spirit of London - a time-taxi trip through London's history
Tube: Baker Street
MALL GALLERIES
The Mall, SW1 Tel: 0171 9306844
Exhibitions by a number of art societies throughout the year of contemporary art, mainly by British artists in traditional media
Thames- side villa built 1724-29 for Henrietta Howard, mistress of King George III. Design of the villa inspired by Andrea Palladio and Inigo Jones
Tube/British Rail: Richmond then bus
MUSEUM OF LONDON
London Wall, Barbican London EC2 Tel: 0171 600 3699
Displays include the recently opened Thames before London (Prehistoric exhibits), Roman London (including an excellent mosaic floor), a Fire of London display, and the museum overlooks some of the original Roman Fort
Tube: Barbican, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, St Paul's
MUSEUM OF MANKIND
6 Burlington Gardens, London W1 Tel: 0171 323 8043
Ethnography department of British Museum houses collections from Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands and North and South
Tube Piccadilly Circus, Green Park
MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE
South Bank Waterloo SE1 Tel: 0171 928 3535
Exciting, informative and fun, the award-winning Museum of the Moving Image traces the history of film and TV. Try your hand at reading the news or be screen tested for a Hollywood movie
Tube/British Rail: Waterloo, Embankment
NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM
Royal Hospital Road, SW3 Tel 0171 730 0171
The British Army's own museum telling the story of the British soldier in peace and war, through five centuries. Extensive displays on both World Wars and unrivalled collection relating to Victorian period and the Battle of Waterloo. Also exhibitions on 'The Victorian Soldier' and 'The Gulf War'
Tube: Sloane Square
NATIONAL GALLERY
Trafalgar Square, London WC2. Tel: 0171 389 1785
Displays include a huge permanent collection of paintings and some sculptures as well as additional special exhibitions. Tube: Embankment, Charing Cross
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
St Martins Place WC2 0171 306 0055
Permanent collection of portraits of famous men and women form the Middle Ages to the present day. Lectures and tours held regularly
Tube/British Rail: Charing Cross
Tube: Leicester Square
OLD ROYAL OBSERVATORY
Greenwich Park, London SE10. Tel: 0181 858 4422
Museum of time and space built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675. Greenwich Meridian, working telescopes and planetarium. Timeball and Wren's Octagonal Room. Intricate clocks and computer simulations. Interactive science stations and planetarium shows
British Rail: Maze Hill
Docklands Light Railway: Island Gardens
Boat: Greenwich Pier
OSTERLEY PARK HOUSE
Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex Tel: 0181 560 3918
Osterley is one of the last great houses with an intact estate in Greater London. This neo-classical villa has superb interiors, and contains one of the country's most complete examples of Robert Adams's work. Set in 140 acres of landscaped gardens with ornamental lakes
Tube: Osterley then 20 minutes walk
QUEEN'S GALLERY
Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1 Tel; 0171 839 1377
The Queen's Gallery is open regularly to visitors and exhibits works of art from the Royal Collection
Tube: St James Park
ROCK CIRCUS
London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus W1 Tel 0171 734 7203
Rock Circus where the spirit of rock speaks to you, sings to you, moves and touches you. A unique celebration of 40 years of rock and pop
Tube: Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square
ROYAL MEWS
Buckingham Palace, SW1 Tel: 0171 839 1377
The Queen's Horses and carriages used on State occasions including the Coronation Coach (built 1761). Numbers of horses and carriages on view may vary
Wren's famous cathedral church of the diocese of London. Galleries, crypt and ambulatory
Tube: St Paul's
SCIENCE MUSEUM
Exhibition Road, SW7 Tel: 0171 938 8000
National museum of science and industry. Special interactive gallery for children, Welcome Museum of Medicine, Flight Lab, Food for Thought Gallery, and Space Gallery
Tube: South Kensington
SHAKESPEARE GLOBE THEATRE AND EXHIBITION
New Globe Walk, Bankside, SEl Tel: 0171 928 6406
The fascinating story of the re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe, the most important public theatre ever built. Unique opportunity of seeing a reconstructed Elizabethan theatre
Tube/British Rail: London Bridge
Tube: Mansion House
SPENCER HOUSE
27 St James's Place, SW1 Tel: 0171 409 0526
Private palace built in 1756-66 for the first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. Nine staterooms furnished with antique and neo-classical furniture
Tube: Green Park
TATE GALLERY
Millbank, SW1 Tel: 0171887 8000
The Tate Gallery holds the national collection of British painting from 1500 to the present day, the national collection of 20th century painting and sculpture and the Turner Collection
Tube: Pimlico
THAMES BARRIER VISITORS' CENTRE
Unity Way, Woolwich, SEl 8 Tel: 0181 854 1373
The Thames Barrier is the world's largest moveable flood barrier, designed to protect London from devastating floods. The Visitors' Centre has spectacular views of the Barrier, along with an exhibition with video, working scale model, and audio-visual displays. Riverside walkways and cafeteria
British Rail: Charlton then 20 mins walk
Boats: Westminster, Greenwich, Tower piers
THE THEATRE MUSEUM
Russell Street, WC2 Tel: 0171836 7891
Permanent display of history of performance in the UK. Collection includes theatre, ballet, dance, circus, rock and pop, opera and musicals
Tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square
British Rail: Charing Cross
THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
Catherine Street, WC2 Tel: 0171 494 5091
Tour of the world's largest operational theatre and home of the hit musical 'Miss Saigon'. The tour tells the theatres history and looks at the statues, pictures, architecture, Royal Box, and auditorium. Also front of house, understage and backstage
Tube: Covent Garden
TOWER BRIDGE
London SEl Tel 0171 403 3761
Magnificent panoramic views of London, superb Victorian engines and museum. New state-of-the-art exhibition within the two towers brings to life the story of Tower Bridge
Tube: Tower Hill
Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway
Boats: Westminster and Charing Cross
TOWER HILL PAGEANT
Tower Hill Terrace, EC3 Tel: 0171 709 0081
Dark-ride attraction, where automated vehicles transport visitors past tableaux depicting the history of the City and its port. Complete with sound and smell effects. In addition, a display of archaeological finds. Shop and restaurant
Tube: Tower Hill
Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway
TOWER OF LONDON
Tower Hill, EC3 Tel: 0171 709 0765
This historic building, guarded by the famous 'Beefeaters', spans 900 years of British history and has served as a palace, prison, and an execution site. See the Crown Jewels, Traitors' Gate, the Royal Armouries, and the famous ravens
Tube: Tower Hill
British Rail: Fenchurch Street
Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway
Boats: Westminster, Charing Cross
TROCADERO
13 Coventry Street, W1
The Trocadero, in Piccadilly Circus, is the biggest and brightest entertainment centre in London. Attractions include: Guinness World of Records, MCM seven-screen cinema, Alien War, Funland. Nickelodeon television, Quasar, The Emaginator, Virtual Reality and Planet Hollywood
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
Cromwell Road, SW7 Tel: 0171 938 8500
The world's greatest museum of decorative arts housing priceless collections of jewellery, silver, glass, furniture and paintings and a magnificent Dress Collection. Changing exhibitions and displays
Tube: South Kensington
WEMBLEY STADIUM TOURS
Wembley, Middlesex Tel: 0181 902 8833
See for yourself exactly what makes playing, performing, and appearing at Wembley the ultimate experience. The Wembley Stadium Tour takes you 'behind-the-scenes' to the dressing room, Royal Box, players' tunnel, the event control room, and TV studio room
Tube: Wembley Park
British Rail: Wembley Central
WESLEY'S HOUSE AND CHAPEL
47 City Road, EC1 Tel: 0171 253 2262
Original 18th century house in which John Wesley lived and died. In the Crypt of the chapel is the Museum of Methodism which illustrates the beginnings of Methodism
Tube: Old Street, Moorgate
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Parliament Square, SW1 Tel: 0171 222 5152
One of Britain's finest Gothic buildings. Scene of the coronation, marriage, and burial of British monarchs. Also funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Nave and cloisters, Royal Chapels, Chapter House, Undercroft Museum, and Brass Rubbing Centre
Tube: Westminster, St James's Park
WESTMINSTER BRASS RUBBING CENTRE
North Cloister, Westminster Abbey, SW1 Tel: 0171 222 2085
Large selection of facsimile brasses for making brass rubbings, also a selection of miniature brasses for sale
Tube: Westminster, St James's Park
WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS MUSEUM
All England Club, Church Road, SWl9
Museum illustrates the history of Lawn Tennis with fashions, trophies, and memorabilia. View over the centre court, films of matches and racket makers' workshop. Shop and tea-room
