Central London

Though there are no established demarcations, the Central part of London is attributed to the area closest to its centre. In most instances, people consider Central London as composed of three main parts–the City, the South Bank, and the West End.

Sights & Activities:

Visitors to the Central part of London will not go wanting for things to do and sights to see. On Marylebone Road is the Madame Tussauds wax museum, where visitors can spend hours exploring and beholding wax figures of famous and often notorious people. The district of Marylebone is also home to the Regent’s Park, where the London Zoo and the Open Air Theatre is located. South of the museum is the Hyde Park, located adjacent to Kensington Gardens, with the Serpentine Lake lying between these two extensive parklands. On Kensington Gardens is the Serpentine Gallery where famous artists had exhibited their works in one time or another. On the southern part of the park is the Albert Memorial, where the statue of Prince Albert is depicted sitting down and covered in gold leaf. Crossing the Kensington Road and directly south of the memorial is the Royal Albert Hall, a popular venue for performing arts and social events since the late 19th century.

Along Exhibition Road are three prominent museums that are popular tourist destinations. The Natural History Museum showcases collections related to earth sciences and natural history. Beside it is the Victoria & Albert Museum, dedicated to the collection and display of items related to decorative arts and design. Behind it is the Science Museum where visitors enjoy its interactive displays and collections related to science.

One of the city’s attractions that should not be missed by any visitor is the Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Fronting the palace is the Queen’s Gardens, where the Victoria Memorial is located. Those lucky enough to visit during the months of May to July will witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, done every 11:30 in the morning. During summer, tours are offered in limited parts of the palace. Those who wish to participate in these tours should book tickets in advance to ensure entrance.

The Palace of Westminster is quite well-renowned not only in London but in the whole world, being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is possible to visit this attraction the whole year through though visitors are able to explore some of its rooms when Parliament is not in session. Afterwards, visitors can also walk to the Clock Tower, more popularly known as Big Ben.

There are also several attractions in Central London that are considered more unique than the usual. One example is the London Dungeon on Tooley Street. It details the gory times of the country’s history through interactive experiences. The Shakespeare’s Globe is another interesting destination, a replica of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. During summer, plays are staged and visitors can watch while standing up in the yard, just like the old times.

The West End has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, as it is a lively community with numerous restaurants, theatres, nightclubs, and shopping malls.

Weather:

When visiting the Central part of London, be sure to come armed with umbrella and a coat, as the weather is known to change unexpectedly. Rainfall is a frequent occurrence, though there are also clear and sunny weather to enjoy, especially during the summer months of July to August. The area experiences mild winter and snow is a rare occurrence. Spring comes during March and lasts till June, while autumn occurs during September to November.