| London is one of the biggest and most diverse cities in | | | | Other than that, the ancient weaponry displayed has a |
| the World. It has an excellent transport system, but if | | | | kind of thuggish dullness about it. Also interesting are |
| your time is limited, what sights should you make it | | | | the ravens, who have their wings clipped to stop them |
| your priority to see? | | | | flying off. You may see them hopping about outside. |
| The following list is drawn from memory, on the basis | | | | 6. A Red Double Decker Bus. |
| that if I can recall them with fondness, they're most | | | | You can pay a small fee, and travel on one of these |
| likely worth a visit: | | | | for a few stops. A pleasant, interesting and efficient |
| 1. Houses Of Parliament. | | | | means of transport. |
| There are very fine buildings. Admittance is free, but | | | | 7. The Tube. |
| you may have to queue. Due to security searches, | | | | This is the underground train system. In itself it's not |
| you may not be able to get in at all, as they have to let | | | | remarkable, but it enables the ignorant tourist to pop up |
| the Members Of Parliaments (MPs) and their guests in | | | | like a gopher at their destination, instead of negotiating |
| first. The searches can take time. | | | | the buses and the streets. |
| However, it's worth the wait. The interiors are very | | | | 8. A Black Cab. |
| grand indeed, and the staff are friendly. | | | | One could see the sites mentioned above in a black |
| 2. Statue Of Eros, Piccadilly Circus. | | | | cab, at night. This is a high-quality, licenced taxi service, |
| This is the geographical heart of London. The statue | | | | and a nice, if expensive way to get around. |
| itself is handsome, but it's more just to say you've | | | | 9. The Side Streets. |
| been there. The only other interesting feature is the | | | | Get off the main streets like Oxford Street and |
| neon advertising hoarding adjacent. This, and Leicester | | | | Charing Cross Road, and travel in parallel on the side |
| Square, are not much frequented by native Londoners; | | | | streets. You'll see more of the real London, and you'll |
| you will only meet more tourists in these places. | | | | be pleasantly surprised at how much less crowded it |
| 3. London Eye (or The Millenium Wheel). | | | | is. |
| It offers excellent views of central London, and is quite | | | | 10. Sites worth seeing outside Central London: |
| romantic on a clear, moonlit night. This needs to be | | | | Portobello Road, Camden Market, Kew Gardens. |
| booked in advance, otherwise you may not be able to | | | | Likely to disappoint: Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, |
| get on. You can book this novelty online. | | | | Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square. I'm afraid these |
| 4. Tower Bridge. | | | | are not as interesting as their propaganda. One would |
| This is best traversed by night, and in a London black | | | | go to see them just to boast you'd been. |
| cab. A fine example of Victorian workmanship. | | | | You should get: 'The A-Z of London'. It is sold at any |
| 5. Tower Of London. | | | | newsagent. This is a handy book of maps, with a good |
| Here are kept the Crown Jewels. This are impressive, | | | | index. Even native Londoners find it essential in finding |
| but most impressive for me was a brief film clip | | | | unfamiliar places. Don't leave your hotel without it; you |
| shown there of the coronation of the current Queen | | | | might think you know the way, but you'll likely get lost, |
| Elizabeth. A very moving piece of ecclesiastical | | | | and even the locals may not know where you need to |
| theatre. | | | | go! |