London Business City Guide: London activities & culture
The biggest problem you’ll have in your spare time is deciding how to spend it. Unusual attractions include the London Eye and various themed walks. If you have time to get out of the hustle and bustle of the capital, the outskirts of the city feature beautiful countryside.

With scores of world-class museums, theatres and galleries, London is certainly not short on culture. Whether your thing is a concert on the South Bank, a musical in the West End or art just about everywhere, London offers a new and different experience with every visit.

What to do in limited time

In 3 hours: London Eye
Westminster Bridge Rd
South Bank
0870-5000 600
www.ba-londoneye.com
Don’t call it a Ferris wheel! The comfortable capsules are fully enclosed and afford stunning panoramic views of the capital. Open daily.

In 3 hours: Original London Walks
Various starting points
Various
020-7624 3978
www.walks.com
Daily guided walks include Shakespeare's London and Westminster by Gaslight. Cost is £5 per person; walks last about two hours.

In 6 hours: BFI London IMAX Cinema
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk
South Bank
020-7902 1234
www.bfi.org.uk/imax
The largest cinema screen in Britain. Combine an adrenaline-pumping film with a relaxing visit to the South Bank arts complex.

In 6 hours: City Cruises
Westminster Pier
Westminster
020-7400 400
www.citycruises.com
Sail from Westminster to historic Greenwich. Meals and afternoon tea included with some tickets. Journey times range from 1–2.5 hours (return).

In 12 hours: Leeds Castle
Broomfield (nr. Bearsted train station)
Maidstone, Kent
01622-765400
www.leeds-castle.com
Take a break from the concrete jungle in a stunning countryside castle just an hour's train journey from Victoria Station.

London culture

Museum of London
150 London Wall
The City
020-7600 3699
www.museum-london.org.uk
A glimpse of the real London. Definitive tour through London's eventful history, packed with exhibits from all eras.

Shakespeare's Globe
21 New Globe Walk
South Bank
020-7902 1400
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Experience Shakespeare as it was intended – in the open air at the newly reconstructed Globe Theatre. Season runs May–Sep.

Somerset House
The Strand
West End
020-7845 4600
www.somerset-house.org.uk
Stunning 18th-century building housing various art collections and the Courtauld gallery. Year-round events schedule. Open daily.

Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore
South Kensington
020-7589 8212
www.royalalberthall.com
A must for music aficionados, the Albert Hall welcomes music events every week including the famous BBC Proms series in summer.

Tate Modern
Bankside
South Bank
020-7887 8000
www.tate.org.uk
One of Britain's newest modern art sensations, located in a massive former power station. Sister gallery, Tate Britain, is down the river in Westminster. Open daily, free admission.