London Things to Do

With its magnificent dome presiding over London’s skyline, St Paul’s Cathedral is not only the seat of the bishop of London, but is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. One of the largest churches in Europe, dedicated to Paul the Apostle, the cathedral sits atop Ludgate hill, the highest point of the City of London financial district, and remains a major tourist attraction, not least for the spectacular views afforded from its tower.

The Roundhouse is an icon of London music and performance. Located in Chalk Farm, the stunning round brick building dating to 1847 was originally a railway engine workshop, built round so trains could turn around inside. By the 1930s it was abandoned and became derelict, becoming home to a theatre company in the 1960s. The Doors played their only UK show here in 1968. But even this sort of history couldn’t save it from the closing during the 1980s when getting rich was much more popular than local theatre. Luckily in the mid-90s someone again saw the value of the place, bought it, and reopened the doors, giving it a major facelift in 2004.

At the end of April 2011, London will stop. In fact, England generally and most of the United Kingdom will grind to a halt as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton takes place at Westminster Abbey.

Britain isn’t terribly big, and as such, you can get around the island and see some other stuff. If it’s the first time you’re visiting, look into a package that takes you to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath. These are some of London’s most famous landmarks, and each represents a period of England’s distant past. You’ll regret not going, and the guides generally make the trip informative and amusing. These can be found for under $100 a person, and they’re a good bargain.