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