London is one of the most visited cities in the world and there are plenty of reasons why it has such a large appeal. London boasts over 200 museums and galleries, and that’s not even counting the world-class theater venues, concert halls, and cinemas! Just to name a few, there’s the British Museum, Tate Modern, the Science Museum, National Gallery, etc. Best Culture In London lovers will never be bored in London – this city offers something for everyone.
Cultural monster
While there’s a lot of focus on how to get around in London, there’s even more focus on what to do. There are hundreds of amazing cultural hotspots that are so good they deserve a spot on your bucket list. While you can definitely see these places at any time of year, each has its own unique best season, based on its location and offerings. Here are ten spots that make up some of our favorite cultural experiences in London
Wondrous diversity
From theater to food to language, culture can be found in every nook and cranny of London. For those who want to delve deeper into Britain’s past, there’s a wealth of museums like The British Museum and The Tate that offer insights into history and art. There are also popular tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, as well as lesser-known gems worth exploring.
With an influx of foreigners moving to England’s capital over recent years, you’ll find a variety of ethnic restaurants serving delicious international cuisine. However, it is still very much English culture at its core; even some local eateries remain traditional fish and chips shops.
Fantastic Frieze
The Fair is so popular that it has grown from its original site to include locations in New York and Miami Beach. Each year, over 30,000 visitors spend three days watching artworks created by contemporary artists from all over the world.
The list of exhibitors was selected by a committee of curators, including Charles Esche from the Van Abbe museum in Eindhoven, Haifa Museum of Art curator Amir Schlessinger and Jeppe Hein from Denmark’s Herning Museum of Contemporary Art. However, fairgoers also get to enjoy other forms of entertainment such as music and dance performances.
Always a surprise
If you’re thinking of going to a museum or an art gallery, check their website or app beforehand. Many offer free admission on select days, like Sundays and Mondays. You can save a lot of money by planning your visit around one of these freebie days. If there isn’t a specific day, ask if they have any discount coupons that are available for visitors (but not advertised). Many places offer discounts for children, seniors and college students. This can help you save quite a bit!
Game on
There’s no place quite like London when it comes to theater, music, dance and performance. The city’s famous for its two world-renowned orchestras, their sensational chamber groups and a dazzling array of talent at festivals spanning jazz to electronica.
There are also plenty of opportunities to see up-and-coming acts at small venues – keep an eye out for local band nights too. If you prefer something a little more interactive, head over to one of the capital’s many gaming cafes and take on your mates in everything from FIFA 17 to classic pinball machines.
Global food trip
Looking for some of London’s most delicious cuisines? For a truly global taste, try any number of restaurants in Chinatown. The area is home to lots of great food from Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian. You can also find wonderful choices in food markets and stalls like Borough Market and Columbia Road Flower Market. If you want to mix things up even more, wander through Portobello Road’s famous market which sells everything from antiques to clothing.
Hottest ticket
The Rolling Stones will play an open-air gig in Hyde Park on July 6, 2013. And where better to soak up all that rock ‘n’ roll history than in England’s capital city? With its burgeoning club scene, galleries and museums, West End theatre and beyond, there are countless ways to enjoy a weekend in London. And if you can drag yourself away from The Stones or West End shows like We Will Rock You (also based on a band), there is more culture to be enjoyed across Britain.
Be dazzled
According to TripAdvisor, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are two of London’s most-visited attractions. Most people flock to them for a glimpse of history, but you can also find plenty of other culture in places like The Tate Modern and The Royal Opera House.
Seeing an opera in one of these world-class venues or simply taking a walk along Regent Street will transport you back to another time, making you feel cultured and enlightened in your own right. No matter what your interest is—art, music or theater—you can indulge it in one of Britain’s cultural epicenters.
Celebration
Every year thousands of people pack into Trafalgar Square to welcome in a new year. This is one of London’s biggest New Year’s celebrations, with plenty of sparkling fireworks and dancing under massive balloons.
Look out for spectacular firework displays and live entertainment as you welcome in 2018, or head over to Piccadilly Circus where people gather around an enormous crystal ball to see who will be heralded as King and Queen for 12 months. There’s also a firework display from The London Eye that’s definitely worth checking out! A countdown, confetti and a crazy night! What more could you want?
Day and night
A 24-hour culture experience isn’t just for party animals. For example, you can spend your morning taking a guided tour of Buckingham Palace and Parliament, then head to an exhibition by an artist such as Jackson Pollock or Andy Warhol at Tate Modern (assuming your art history knowledge is up to snuff). Afterward, grab dinner on one of London’s many rooftop bars or pop into St. Paul’s Cathedral for a late-night choral concert. You might want to set aside a whole day for The National Gallery—more than 2,300 paintings make it one of Europe’s largest art museums.
Conclusion
The United Kingdom has so much to offer visitors. Whether you’re into nature, architecture, art, history or more modern forms of entertainment, there’s plenty to see and do in every corner of Britain. This list should get you started if you want to find out where some of London’s best museums are located.
But there are other places worth checking out as well: Hyde Park is a great place for boating and picnics and Kew Gardens boasts one of Europe’s largest greenhouses (plus delicious food stands at lunchtime). Greenwich Market has handcrafted gifts from all over Britain and Covent Garden has fantastic shopping on Broadway with good old British Pubs dotted all around it.