DK Travel : London : History & Culture

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Tate Britain

The best of British art is held at the Tate and works range from 1500 to the present. Look downstream to see the home of British Intelligence (MI5). This large building, known as Thames House, is built inside a bug-proof “Faraday cage”.
Tate Modern

One of the world’s great contemporary art galleries. A new boat service connects Tate Britain and Tate Modern. It leaves from Bankside Pier outside Tate Modern every 20 minutes.
Temple Church

This circular church was built in the 12th century for the Knights Templar, a crusading order. Effigies of the knights are embedded in the floor. A chancel was added later, and a reredos (screen), designed by Christopher Wren. The church was rebuilt in 1958.
Thames Flood Barrier

Rising like a series of shark fins from the river, this piece of engineering is an impressive sight.
The Duke of Wellington

Charles Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852), lived at Apsley House, which has the unique address of No. 1 London, following his victories in the Napoleonic Wars.
The Lambeth Walk

Made popular by the musical Me and My Girl in the 1930s, this has been a Cockney favourite ever since.
The National Theatre

Seeing a play at the National Theatre takes you to the heart of London’s cultural life. Within the grey blocks of this innovative building, designed by Denys Lasdun in 1976, you can see a musical, a classic or a new play in one of its three theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttleton or the Cottesloe. Check for free shows and exhibitions in the foyer. Reduced price tickets are sold from 10am on the day of the performance
The Piazza and Central Market

For 300 years, Covent Garden was a fruit, vegetable and flower market – immortalized by Lerner and Loewe’s hit musicalMy Fair Lady . In 1980 the Victorian halls, with their lovely iron and glass roofs, were transformed into a vibrant, modern-day market place, surrounded by cafés and bars and enlivened by regular street entertainment.

Shops and cafés in the former market area

Street entertainment in Covent Garden

Clowns in Covent Garden
Theatre Museum

Right in the heart of theatreland, this museum thrives on regular exhibitions and events, including costume workshops and make-up demonstrations. The galleries chart the development of British theatre from Shakespeare’s day. Buy a ticket for a combined tour of the museum and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Drury Lane is synonymous with the London stage and this glorious theatre explains why. It has a splendid entrance, with magnificent stairways leading to the circle seats. The auditorium is large enough to put on the biggest musical extravaganzas, includingSouth Pacific ,My Fair Lady ,Hello Dolly and Miss Saigon . The first theatre on this site was built in 1663 for Charles II whose mistress Nell Gwynne trod the boards.