BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Buckingham Palace opens up its magnificent State Rooms to visitors with tours and special exhibitions, while the Queen is away on her summer holidays. Most notably, this year is the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci so there will a special exhibition of the painters greatest drawings, forming the largest exhibition of Leonardo's work in over 65 years.
July 20 - September 29
10AM - 5:30PM
£25
Additionally, the 2019 exhibition marks 200 years since Queen Victoria's birth. To commemorate the anniversary there will be a special exhibition telling the story of how Queen Victoria transformed the palace into the symbol of British royalty that it is today.
May 24 - October 13
10AM - 5:30PM
£13.50
TATE MODERN
*the main collection is free entry
NATALIA GONCHAROVA
The Russian born futurist's work will be exhibited in a retrospective this summer as part of a greater initiative for the Tate's celebration of women artists from the 60's to the present.
July 11 - Jan 2020
10AM-8:30PM
£16
THE BARBICAN
TOWER OF LONDON
The infamous prison tower where Queen Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Gray and many others were executed, holds nearly 1000 years of history within its walls.
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THE CROWN JEWELS
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WHITE TOWER
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BLOODY TOWER
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AUDIO GUIDE
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*Reserve 3 hours for a solid visit, last admission is at 17.00 and totally closes at 17.30,
9AM - 5:30PM
£24.70
CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS
The cabinet war rooms is one of the five sites offered to visitors by the Imperial War Museum. Located beneath Westminster, this maze of rooms was the headquarters of the British War Cabinet during the German bombing raids of World War II. There is also a really cool exhibit on the life of Churchill presented through a variety of interactive installations. Don't miss this, and put aside at least 2.5 hours for your visit.
9:30AM - 5PM
£22
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
KENSINGTON PALACE
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STATE ROOMS
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PUBLIC AREAS OF THE PALACE & GARDENS
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The birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria and home to the young royals for over 300 years.
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*closed Saturday
10AM - 5PM
£17.50 (ONLINE PRICE)
ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
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EXPLORE THE CATHEDRAL
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CRYPT AT ST PAUL'S
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PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE DOME
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The setting of Diana and Prince Charles' wedding, wear comfy shoes if you're up for climbing the 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery and more along the climb. Go for a drink at Madison's rooftop next door afterwards.
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8:30AM - 4PM
£16 (ONLINE FAST TRACK)
THE BRITISH MUSEUM
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Unfortunately there won't be any special exhibits at the British Museum over this period, but there are endless things to discover - all free to the public. Seek out the invaluable artefacts that the British have stolen over the years.
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Rosetta Stone
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Parthenon marbles
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Massive collection of Egyptian mummies
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Easter Island statue
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10AM - 5:30PM
FREE
WHAT'S ON IN
LONDON
Brexit may be happening, or not...well the truth is nobody really knows, but here are the best ways to escape that bottomless subject and delve into the historical and cultural riches of the British Empire.
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In true British fashion, the best things in London aren't actually from here - from food, art to artefacts - they've been opportunistically pillaged, or imported. Please have a peruse below and see what might 'tickle your fancy'!
