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Stable Yard, SW1,
Tube: Green Park,
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Although not open to the public, Lancaster House was previously a royal residence, having been
built by Benjamin Wyatt for the 'grand old' Duke of York in 1825. Originally called York House, it
was later occupied by the first Duke of Sutherland before eventually being purchased "on behalf of
the nation" by Lord Leverhulme in 1913. Used as a grand reception room during the reign of Queen
Victoria, it boasts stunning Louis XIV interiors, as well as an impressive collection of period
furnishings, paintings and objet d'art. More recently, it was home to the London Museum while
today, Lancaster House is used by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as a conference centre.
Worth a quick look, especially if you're planning to visit nearby Spencer House.
 WC2, Tube: Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus,
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A popular gathering point just along from Piccadilly Circus which becomes extremely crowded on
Friday and Saturday nights. Much improved in recent years, Leicester Square plays host to a number
of pubs, clubs and eateries, as well as the Radisson
Edwardian Hampshire hotel.
It's also home to two of the largest multiplex cinemas in Central London - the
large, but uninspiring Warner Bros (being the newest) and the recently revamped Leicester Square
Odeon where British film premieres are often held.
With countless street entertainers vying for the public's attention
during the summer, Leicester Square takes on a thoroughly European feel. Although, with acts
ranging from 'Stars in their Eyes' wannabes to the downright sublime, no one sticks around for too
long. Be aware that pickpockets also operate here.
County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB, Tel: 020 7967 8000, Website: www.londonaquarium.co.uk, Open: 10am-6pm
daily (last admission 5pm) with extended opening hours (until 7pm) during
half-term and summer/autumn periods, Admission (peak prices): £13.25 adults, £11.25
senior citizens and students, £44 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children), £9.75 children
(3-14), children under 3 free, Tube: Waterloo,
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A fairly recent addition to the list of London's top attractions, the Aquarium is housed in
part of County Hall - the former home of the Greater London Council.
Playing host to a multitude of colourful fish, the Aquarium's collection also
includes more exotic marine life such as tiger sharks, stonefish, puffas and piranhas. The layout
and display of the exhibits rank favourably with aquariums in other major cities, while the
in-house "touch pool" - where children can stroke some friendly native rays - is a likeable (and
popular) draw. Open daily, apart from Christmas day, and with wheelchair access for the
disabled. London
Pass Accepted Here.
 28-34 Tooley Street, SE1 2SZ, Tel: 020 7403 7221,
Ticket
Information and Secure Online Booking, Tube: London Bridge,
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Having cunningly marketed itself as the worst attraction in London, this tongue in cheek approach
has seen visitors regularly flock to the Dungeon, literally by the coach load. During school
holidays and weekends in particular, the queues along Tooley Street form early. So unless you've a
penchant for queuing, buy a ticket in advance through our own website.
As a grisly attraction that caused a real stir when it first opened, many
people still consider the extremely macabre exhibits (and dark setting) to be rather too realistic
and gruesome. A shadowy, seemingly faceless monk who appears in the darkness without warning is
just one of the delights that awaits unsuspecting visitors.
However, the London Dungeon has clearly found a niche market, having thrived
since the early days on a combination of blood and guts and collections of medieval torture
instruments. Depicting the nastier side of human nature through the centuries, one of the most
popular exhibits tells the story of the renowned (and most evil) of London murderers, Jack the
Ripper. Although his real identity is still hotly disputed today (some of the more wild theories
actually suggest that a member of the royal family was the killer) the exhibits take a look at
circumstances behind each death, complete with autopsy details and waxwork mock-ups.
With an already dark interior made scarier by the clever use of special
effects and multimedia, it's enough to give you palpitations (or worse). Which leads us on to a
serious point. As well as not being recommended for young children (although there is no bar on
entry for kids if accompanied by adults), the London Dungeon is not really suitable for anyone with
a nervous disposition or previous heart condition.
New for 2006! Are you brave enough to cross the threshold of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street? A short back and sides (1785 style) could be just the thing to round off your visit...but will you get more than you bargained for?
London Auditorium (Previously London Planetarium)
 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LR, Tel: 0870 400 3000,
Ticket
Information and Secure Online Booking, Tube: Baker Street,
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Easily recognisable by its large green dome, the London Auditorium (previously the Planetarium) has been helping visitors unlock the
mysteries of the universe for more than forty years. The main focus of the entertainment is a
thirty-minute show (generated by hi-tech projection equipment) that takes visitors on a journey
across the universe, introducing them to a number of cosmic phenomena in the process. In addition,
there are also two exhibition areas with interactive displays.
The Auditorium's first show is at 12.30pm Monday-Friday and then at 40-minute
intervals with the last show beginning at 5pm. Shows start at 10.30am on Sat/Sun. The
Auditorium advises that the show is not suitable for children under the age of five, although there is no bar
to entry if accompanied by an adult.
Note: A visit to the Auditorium cannot be bought separately, but is included in the price of a ticket for the whole
Madame Tussaud's Experience.
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