Attractions

Mention "London" and "2012" together and for most people you're likely to conjure up a single image: The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Seven years of intense preparation and billions of pounds of investment will culminate in London playing host to the greatest sporting show on Earth over 2-and-a-bit (hopefully balmy) summer weeks.

Of course, a one-off sporting event could be considered of little sightseeing potential to the average visitor, unless they're lucky enough to have tickets. But there will be associated events taking place across the capital throughout the year, and tourism as a whole has been galvanized by the 2012 Games, with a number of unrelated projects due to open in 2012 in order to catch as much of that sporting magic (and as many visitors) as possible.

The year 2012 will also see the Charles Dickens Museum, Kensington Palace, and the London Eye emerge from thorough revamps, and a spiky new wing added to Tate Modern. Some additions and improvement to the London sightseeing scene are already here. St. Paul's Cathedral is once again gleaming, the Jewish Museum and the Museum of London have been upgraded and improved, and the Old Royal Naval College boasts a new exhibition space ("Discover Greenwich"). In addition, the Natural History Museum stands proudly alongside a hi-tech wing dedicated to one of the great naturalists of the past, Charles Darwin, and is filled with cutting-edge displays aimed very much at the future. These join the myriad attractions already here, making what was already one of the world's great sightseeing cities just that little bit better.

Prices & Opening Hours

Children's prices generally apply to those 15 and under. To qualify for a senior discount, you must be 60 or older. Students must present a student ID to get discounts. In addition to closing on public holidays, many attractions close between Christmas and New Year, so always check ahead if visiting at that time. All museums are closed Good Friday, December 25 and 26, and New Year's Day.

A Money-Saving Pass -- The London Pass provides admission to more than 55 attractions in and around London, "timed" admission at some attractions (bypassing the line ups), plus free travel on public transport (buses, Tubes, and trains) and a pocket guidebook. It costs £40 for 1 day, £55 for 2 days, £68 for 3 days, and £90 for 6 days (children aged 5 to 15 pay £27, £41, £46, or £64, respectively), and includes admission to St. Paul's Cathedral, HMS Belfast, the Jewish Museum, and the Thames Barrier Visitor Centre -- and many other attractions.

This rather pricey pass is useful if you're trying to cram 2 days' worth of sightseeing into a single day. But if you're a slow-moving visitor, who likes to stop and smell the roses, you may not get your money's worth. Decide how much transportation and sightseeing you hope to get done, and, using this guide, calculate what the costs will be. It's a bit of paperwork, but it will help you decide whether the London Pass is a good deal for you. The pass is valid for 12 months and so it is worth buying in advance or checking back on the website regularly for special-priced deals. You can also purchase the pass without the transportation package. Visit the website at www.londonpass.com.

London's Top 15 Attractions

Here's our pick of London's top attractions.

British Museum

Hampstead Heath

Hampton Court

Hyde Park

Imperial War Museum

National Gallery

National Maritime Museum

Natural History Museum

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

St. Paul's Cathedral

Science Museum

Tate Modern

Tower of London

Victoria and Albert Museum

Westminster Abbey