Going Out: Top 10 Most Popular Attractions

London has been the capital of England intermittently for the last 2000 years so it's no wonder it's full of breathtaking historical landmarks. But it's a vibrant, modern city too with a sense of style all of its own. From the eccentric but unmissable district of Soho, to the world's highest oberservational ferris wheel The London Eye, London is corner to corner full of attractions.
Baffled by all the choice? Read This is London's not to be missed guide to the capital's best attractions.

St Paul's Cathedral: In the heart of the financial city, St Paul's is truly spectacular both inside and out. Built at the end of the 17th Century by Sir Christopher Wren the Baroque building is a masterpiece of its time. The best way to approach it is coming up from Fleet Street where the white pillars and the architectural splendour are guaranteed to bowl you over. If you don't mind climbing 530 steps, the Golden Gallery at the top of the dome is another place to catch a bird's eye view of the city.
Admission: £3-£6 free for under 6s
Where: Ludgate Hill, EC4, 020 7236 4128, www.stpauls.co.uk
Tube: St Paul's
Open: Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm; Sunday open for services only

Greenwich: The sweeping green parklands, the stately Maritime buildings, the exalted Cutty Sark ship, winding cobbled streets and of course the Greenwich observatory where mean time started make this village of picturesque beauty nestled by the Thames in south-east London a necessary day out. Although you can get to it by DLR and bus, the most exciting way is to grab a boat and chug down the Thames.
Contact: Greenwich Tourist Information 0870 608 2000,www.greenwich.gov.uk/council/links_frames.htm
Where: Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, SE10
Tube : DLR station Cutty Sark

Tower of London: The historic Tower of London is extremely popular with tourists so a warning in advance is to expect crowds. Despite that, it's a honey pot for a reason - it's the home of the Crown Jewels and stands on the execution site of three English Queens. Traitor's Gate and Bloody Tower are a must-see for an insight into torture and execution in Medieval England.
Admission: £11.50; Family for 2+3, £34
Where: Tower Hill, EC3, 020 7709 0765, www.hrp.org.uk
Tube: Tower Hill
Open: Mon-Sat 9-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm in summer; Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Mon-Sun10am-4pm in winter (Nov-Feb)

Soho: The red light district in the heart of the West End is one of the highlights of London in an unconventional sense. However, tourists and Londoners alike love the area for its eccentric energy. It's a mix of seedy and chic, where prostitutes and celebrities brush shoulders. Think uber-cool bars and cutting-edge fashion shops next door to sleazy sex shops and dance shows. And at the hub of it all is Chinatown. Defined by its myriad Oriental restaurants and exotic gates and stone lions, this adds to the bohemian Soho ambience. It's also one of the city's most popular gay areas.
Admission: Free
Where: Soho, W1: Old Compton Road, Gerrard St, Berwick St and the cobbled side-roads between.
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square
Open: 24hours

London Eye: You can't miss the South Bank, where London's big wheel - the London Eye - flies through the sky. The Eye takes guests on a 30 minute flight, rising to 450 feet above the river Thames, in 32 capsules. This is not for vertigo-sufferers, but fantastic for anyone looking for a panoramic view of the city and its landmarks, or even just trying to find their sense of direction! The view's at its best at night, or on a clear day when you can see as far as 25miles.
Admission: £9.50-£10.50 according to seasons
Where: British Airways London Eye, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1, 0870 500 0600, www.londoneye.com
Tube: Westminster or Waterloo
Open: Jan-Apr, Oct-Dec 9.30am-8pm daily; May-Sept 9.30am-10pm daily.

Tate Modern: If you're here for a short break then this should be at the top of your gallery priority list.
Housed in a converted Victorian power station on the Thames, the 20th Century art here is as eclectic as it gets. You can delve into the worlds of artists as diverse as Dal? or Picasso, as well as contemporaries such as quirky duo Gilbert & George. But with it's tall chimney and vast spaciousness, the edifice alone makes it one of the best of London's tourist sites - it has also has a fantastic view from the restaurant floor!
Admission: Free except for special exhibitions
Where: Bankside, SE1, 020 7887 8000, www.tate.org.uk/modern
Tube: Southwark
Open: Mon-Thur , Sun 10am-6pm, Fri, sat 10am-10pm

Somerset House: Originally a Tudor palace, this is one of London's best kept secrets, but it really is an amazing escape into classical London. With dancing fountains choreographed against a stone-clad courtyard - surrounded by a grand edifice - this is the perfect place to sip on some tea and cake, admire the tranquil setting, or learn some art history in the Courtauld Gallery, Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms - the three galleries within Somerset House. Plus, the restaurant around the front is great for watching life on the Thames chug by.
Admission: The courtyard and terrace is free, the galleries cost between £3-£5.
Where: Strand, WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somerset-house.org.uk
Tube: Charing Cross, Chancery Lane or Covent Garden
Open: 10am-6pm daily: occasional pop and classical concerts in the evenings

Houses of Parliament: Dating back to a staggering 1275, this is where all England's governmental decisions are made, and where the politicians are notorious for their heated debates fuelled with loud 'ayes'. It's also a brilliant insight into British traditions - the best time to visit is the Prime Minister's question time at 3pm on Wednesdays, but you'll need advance tickets from your embassy. Parliament is not open at Christmas, Easter and summer, but it's still worth visiting the golden architecture and Big Ben from outside.
Admission: The public gallery is free
Where: Parliament Square, SW1, 020 7219 4272, www.parliament.uk/parliament/tours.htm
Tube: Westminster
Open: Call the information telephone line above to make an appointment

Trafalgar Square: Built in the early 19th century to commemorate Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, the Square parades four grand bronze lions that surround the 185 foot-high Nelson's column. Fountains cascade into pools around the statues making a spectacular scene. For animal-lovers there's the notorious London pigeons to feed (remember Mary Poppins!). On the north side of the Square is the National and Portrait Gallery, whilst on the south is the road down to parliament and to the west, Buckingham Palace and the regal St James's Park.
Admission: Free
Where:Trafalgar Square, W1
Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross
Open: 24hrs

Kew Gardens: On a summer's day this exotic garden of 300 acres is not to be missed. Divided between rose gardens; Japanese landscapes; secluded hide-aways; bamboo pathways; herbaceous scatterings; the list is endless? this is a perfect place for a picnic. Other highlights include the huge glass greenhouses including the steamy Palm house, which is clasped by muscular jungle plants. There are quaint cafes for refreshment, and tranquil paths along the Thames. In the summer you can travel here by boat from Westminster.
Admission: £6.50 adult, £4.50 concessions, children under 16 get in free.
Where: Kew, Richmond, Surrey, 020 8332 5022, 020 8940 1171, www.kew.org,
Train/Tube: Kew Gardens
Open: Mar-Aug, Mon-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm, Sat and Sun to 7pm; Sept-Oct daily 9.30am-5.30pm; Oct-Mar daily 9.30am-3.45pm.