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Lonely Planet - London
If you're exploring London, be sure to visit these highlights, brought to you courtesy of our friends at Lonely Planet Publications
1. Survey the city from the heights of the London Eye and along the South Bank
Given the notoriously unreliable British weather, it was a brave decision to erect the world's largest observation wheel in London in the year 2000. Yet its creators' faith in the London Eye has been repaid beyond their wildest dreams.
Meant to have been scrap by now, this elegant 'temporary' structure has become one of the city's most recognisable symbols, as well as part of British culture. With an extended lease until 2028, it's made appearances in TV series such as Dr Who. Writer Will Self has dubbed it 'God's bicycle wheel'.
Of course, the success of the 135m-tall Eye is down to its sweeping views of this great city. On a good day, you can see 40km in each direction - west to Windsor and east nearly to the mouth of the Thames River.
Visiting the Eye is the perfect entree to another top London experience - walking along the Thames' south bank. Even locals repeatedly come to marvel at the skyline here. Head for the nearby South Bank Centre and continue to the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern and beyond.
In an even greater hurry? Stand on Waterloo Bridge for the best city view, particularly at night.
2. Revel in contemporary art and stunning architecture ar Tate Modern
During its first six years the Tate Modern gallery was like a gorgeous airhead, becoming wildly successful because of its breathtaking appearance. Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize for their millennial transformation of Bankside Power Station, with refurbished Turbine Hall as the dramatic entrance space. Millions of visitors were too mesmerised by the Thames views to heed newspaper criticisms about the disjointed way this 'supermarket of art' displayed its collection.
Now the world's most popular contemporary art gallery is getting serious about the works within its famous walls. The permanent manner, masterpieces in storage have been resurrected and a timeline of 20th-century art movements added.
However, while there are more works displayed, must-sees - including the Mark Rothko room, the Alberto Giacometti stick sculptures, Roy Lichtenstein's Whaam! and Jackson Pollock's Summertime - are still fairly limited, and the large surrealism section is pretty heavy going.
Ironically given the rethink, none of this matters. The Tate boasts great temporary exhibitions, plus some local gems, like sculptor Anish Kapoor's Ishi's Light and photographer Martin Parr's Common Sense. And the Tate could almost hang toilet paper on its walls and remain a captivating experience.
3. Grab a snap of Westminster's inspiring silhouette
The historic seat of British power is suitably impressive and awe-inspiring, with the mother of all parliaments and the father of all Anglican cathedrals nestled side by side. The parliament building, the Palace of Westminster, is the newer - a Victorian, neo-Gothic confection, designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in 1840 after its predecessor burnt down. By contrast, parts of Westminster Abbey date back to the 13th century.
Visitors inevitably want an exterior snap of parliament's Clock Tower, usually just called Big Ben after the giant bell it contains. However, the magnificent Abbey is such a serving of gilt, pomp, royalty and history that you really want to step inside. Highlights include Elizabeth I's tomb and funeral effigy, the Chapel of Henry VII, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and wooden knights' stalls, and the oak Coronation Chair. Every monarch since 1301, including Elizabeth II, has been crowned in the chair - which hilariously is covered in carved initials! The High Altar and Quire are wonderfully ornate, the College Garden is restful and, ahem, dedicated Da Vinci Code fans will find Sir Isaac Newton?s Memorial in the nave.
Coming for an atmospheric evensong is the way to get in free, but you'll need to respectfully sit through the service first.
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