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Smith Square, SW1, Tel: 020 7222 1061, Website: www.sjss.org.uk,
Open: 10am-5pm and for evening
concerts, Tube: Westminster,
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Fresh faced after a recent National Lottery funded renovation, Thomas Archer's Baroque church
dominates Smith Square, even managing to overshadow Conservative Party Central Office on the north
side. Now a classical music venue, St John's has a colourful, if chequered history. Partially
destroyed by German bombing in 1941, it also burnt down in 1742 and was struck by lighting in
1773.
However, the hall's good acoustics give rise to occasional BBC concerts
broadcasts, while the crypt's Footstool eatery is a welcome find in an area bereft of decent
restaurants.
W1, WC2, Tube: Tottenham Court Road/Leicester Square/Oxford
Circus/Piccadilly Circus,
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Located right in the heart of Central London, Soho has for well over 30 years epitomised the spirit
of cool London. Many tourists will have heard of Soho (or South Holborn), often associating the
area with sex, drugs and sleaze. True, Soho does have its problems, most recently with the influx
to the area of drug pushers. And, although its still the centre of London's sex industry, many of
area's seedy porn stores and strip joints are long gone, replaced instead by trendy bars, coffee
shops and restaurants.
Stretching from Regent Street (to the West) through to the Charing Cross Road
and from Oxford Street down to Piccadilly Circus, Soho was first established in the 17th century
and quickly became one of the capital's most populated districts. The area's rich history can also
be attributed in part, to the large numbers of immigrants who settled here. In the 18th century it
was the Huguenots from France, while more recently, Italians, Greeks and Maltese has all
established closely-knit neighbourhoods. What's more, Soho has also been home to many famous
writers, artists and musicians who have taken inspiration from the bohemian, vibrant atmosphere
that exists in this part of town. To the south, lies bustling Chinatown which serves as both a
thoroughfare to Leicester Square and a tourist attraction in its own right.
While 60s nostalgia will lead many to Soho's world famous Carnaby Street (no
doubt international man of mystery Austin Powers was spawned here by a goldmember), many of the
area's most fashionable haunts are centred on Berwick, Wardour, Dean and Frith Streets. Indeed,
it's after dark that Soho really comes alive. The area around Old Compton street is popular both
with the gay community and theatregoers stopping for pre-show drinks, while posh nosh can be had at
any number of Soho's world-class restaurants including Quo Vadis and L'Escargot.
Clubbers are spoilt for choice too, with Bar Rumba being just one of the more established local
venues. And, for those spilling out onto Soho's streets in the early hours, the ubiquitous
Bar
Italia on Frith Street (which has been immortalised in the song of the same name by pop band Pulp)
serves doses of super-strong espresso until 5am.
 Strand, WC2R 1LA, Tel: 020 7845 4600, Website:
www.somersethouse.org.uk, Open:
10am-6pm daily (Courtyard hours may extend for events), Tube: Temple,
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For many years this grand building, designed in the 18th century by William Chambers, was used as
office space by the Inland Revenue. However, following a multi-million pound refurbishment,
Somerset House has been opened to the public for the first time. Comprising of three major museums,
the building now houses the following permanent exhibitions:
The Hermitage Rooms (www.hermitagerooms.co.uk) - displaying highlights from The State Hermitage Museum
in St Petersburg.
Gilbert Collection - silver and gold objet d'art.
Courtauld Institute Gallery - impressionist and post-impressionist
paintings including famous works by Botticelli, Rubens, Monet and Cézanne.
The Courtyard, which is open free of charge to the public, has also been
restored to its original 18th-century appearance. Now playing host to a number of open-air events
during the summer, it can also be transformed into a skating rink during the winter. In addition,
the Thames facing Terrace café is a pleasant place to stop for refreshments, doubling up as
an excellent vantage point along the river.
 Montague Close, SE1 9DA, Tel: 020 7367 6700, Open: 8am-6pm daily
(free entry, but minimum donation of £4 suggested), Website: www.southwark.anglican.org, Tube: London Bridge,
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Standing on the site of what was originally a Roman villa, the Christian origins of Southwark
Cathedral can be traced back over a thousand years, with the first church proper set up by the
Augustinians as St Mary Overie in 1106.
However, the church has a chequered history having been rebuilt after a
devastating fire in 1212, while following the period of King James I it was left in a state of
heavy disrepair. Having received cathedral status in 1905, it has since been restored to full
splendour, with a new Chapter House and Refectory also being added.
Inside, you'll find a memorial to William Shakespeare, along with the final
resting place for his brother Edmund. In addition, those from the US will be interested to learn
that John Harvard, who established Harvard University, was actually baptized here. Most interesting
of all, however, is the 13th-century effigy of a knight who seized control of the church following
the Norman Conquest in 1066. London
Pass Accepted Here.
WC2, Tube: Temple/Charing Cross,
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Although made famous by its extravagant riverside mansions, The Strand now simply acts as a busy
thoroughfare between Westminster and Holborn. Indeed, not only have the mansions disappeared, but
many of John Nash's 18th-century terraced buildings have either been clumsily re-modelled or
demolished.
However, today's Strand is not without virtue. The
Savoy, one of London's
grandest hotels stands on the site of the original Savoy Palace, while further west is the Art Deco
style Adelphi Theatre (which currently plays host to the successful musical Chicago). Heading
towards Aldwych, you'll also find the imposing Somerset House which, having recently been
renovated, now houses major art exhibitions from around the world.
 EC4, Tube: Temple,
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Very much home to London's legal establishment, a walk through Temple makes a pleasant change from
the hustle and bustle of Fleet Street and other London thoroughfares. Indeed, it's almost as if
you've been transported back to a bygone era.
Having been owned in the late 12th-century by the powerful order of the
Knights Templar (from which Temple's name is derived), the area was eventually taken over by the
Crown before becoming synonymous with the legal profession.
Along with the Temple Bar (which traditionally marks the boundary between the
City of London and Westminster), the area also houses the Royal Courts of Justice, Middle Temple, The Inner Temple and Temple Church (the
latter of which is open for a limited period each day during weekdays).
Tower Bridge Exhibition
 Tower Bridge, EC3, Tel: 020 7403 3761,
Website: www.towerbridge.org.uk, Open: 1 April
2007-30 September 2007, 10am-5:30pm (last admission), 1 October 2006-31 March 2007, 9:30am-5.00pm (last Admission),
Adult: £6, Child: £3 (5-15), Student/Senior (with valid ID): £4.50, Under 5's: Free,
Joint tickets for The Monument and the Tower Bridge Exhibition are also available: Adults:
£7, Concessions: £5, Children: £3.50 Valid until 31st March 2008, Tube: Tower Hill and London Bridge, Show Map
Traditionally among the most well-known (and liked) landmarks in London, Tower Bridge stands at the
entrance to the Pool of London. Opened in 1894 by the then Prince of Wales (who was later crowned
as Edward VII) the Bridge was widely regarded as a masterpiece of engineering at the time. Costing
more than one million pounds to build, the complicated design incorporated steam engines to power a
hydraulic mechanism lifting the two halves of the central span (so as to allow tall masted ships,
still common at the time, to pass through into the Pool).
As the Bridge is still raised occasionally today, you may be lucky enough to
witness the unique lifting mechanism in action. Information on when the bridge will be raised is
displayed by the ticket office.
The stone clad towers and high level Walkways also offer glorious panoramic views across the sky line enable you to see some the
Capital's finest architecture. A self-guided tour introduces you to the colourful history of the Bridge from Victorian times to the present day. You will discover how and why the bridge was built, through the videos and interactive displays in the Towers and Walkways and then continue to the Victorian Engine Rooms, where you'll
be able to see the original engines that used to power the Bridge.
Note: visitors with mobility problems can download the Tower Bridge
"Access for All"
PDF document provided by the Corporation of London.
See also bridges. London
Pass Accepted Here.
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