London Old and New
Savour a blend of Old and New in London
There are few locations in England that better represent the country`s mixture of old and new, history and modernity, tradition and innovation than its capital, London. The city boasts attractions ranging from such symbols of progression as the Gherkin and the London Eye to the iconic structures of St Paul`s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which have a combined history of more than 1,600 years.
Visitors interested in discovering more about the English capital`s eventful and turbulent history should head to the Museum of London, which is a short walk from St Paul`s. The museum overlooks the remains of the city wall, which dates back to the time of the Roman empire, in the oldest part of London that is now home to the financial sector. One of the exhibitions currently on show at the museum looks at one of the most famous disasters in England`s history - the Great Fire of London, which claimed fewer than a dozen lives but changed the cityscape forever.
An institution with a slightly different focus is the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum, which is the world`s largest museum of decorative arts and design and was recently voted the best tourist attraction in the UK in the 2008 Guardian and Observer Travel Awards. The V&A was founded in 1852 and now boasts a collection of 3,000 years` worth of artefacts from cultures all around the world, ranging from ceramics, glass and metalwork to sculpture, photographs and paintings.
Another big attraction in the Kensington museum district is the Natural History Museum, which is always a popular option among younger visitors owing to its collection of dinosaur fossils and life-size replicas of the planet`s largest creatures, including the blue whale. The museum recently came into possession of another exhibit that is sure to prove popular - the world`s longest insect. The 56.7cm long stick insect that is currently on display in the museum`s galleries was found in Borneo and is one of only three specimens of its species to be discovered.
London`s museums are among its most popular tourist attractions, but arguably its most recognisable structure is the London Eye, which, at 135 metres in height, is the tallest observation wheel in Europe. On clear days, the top of the Eye offers views stretching 40km into the distance, as far as Windsor Castle. The London Eye offers a number of special packages for visitors, including a chocolate tasting capsule or a champagne flight, both of which add an extra element of luxury to the experience. The Eye is located on London`s Southbank, close to a number of other popular attractions, including the National Theatre, the IMAX cinema and the Tate Modern.
No trip to London is complete without a visit to the famous West End theatre district, which is constantly abuzz with excitement and activity. Some of the world`s most famous shows can currently be seen on the London stage, including Les Miserables, The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. A number of new productions are set to open in the near future that will surely go down a storm, including Oliver, which will begin its run on December 12th, and a new version of Hamlet starring David Tennant in the lead role as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company`s winter season.
The perfect way to complement a trip to the theatre during an evening out in London is with a meal in a good restaurant, of which there are several throughout the city. The highlights of the capital`s culinary scene include the Hawksmoor in Spitalfields, which is hailed by some critics as the best steakhouse in London, the Bluebird in Chelsea and the Moroccan restaurant Momo in Mayfair. Should they be confident of getting a reservation, visitors to London can also try one of the city`s celebrity-owned restaurants, such as Gordon Ramsay at Claridge`s on Brook Street, Jamie Oliver`s Fifteen in Shoreditch and the Gary Rhodes W1 Brasserie in Oxford Circus.
However they decide to spend their day - whether it is exploring a museum, taking a trip on the London Eye or enjoying a show - visitors to London can be certain that they will have an unforgettable experience in a city that is diverse, dynamic and completely unique.
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