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When in London there’s certainly no shortage of things to do and see; after all, it is one of the world’s most famous and historic cities! Chances are you don’t have endless time to spend there, however, we’ve put together this helpful list of the top five attractions you absolutely mush see while in this exciting city:

#1 – Buckingham Palace – Many consider Buckingham Palace to represent the heart and soul of the British monarchy, in large part because it is the most visible and famous landmark related to the Royal Family. Keep eyes on the flag flying above the palace; if it’s the Royal Standard then the Queen herself is in residence at the Palace. As the official London residence of the Queen, the Palace sees a great deal of activity every day and it’s great fun to be a part of it in whatever way you can. Don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony at 11:30am each morning from May through July; from August through April it occurs every other day at this same time.

#2 – National Gallery – If historic art is of interest to you then look no further than the National Gallery located just off Trafalgar Square. The collection here focuses on art dating from the 1200′s through 1900 so you’re going to find an extremely rich collection of paintings within its walls. Many of the finest paintings were evacuated during World War II as London was subjected to fierce bombings by the Germans, but fortunately they all survived and are easily accessible to all today. Entry to the National Gallery is free of charge; occasionally, however, there is a nominal fee for special exhibits of varying kinds

#3 – Tate Modern – Some of the world’s finest modern art resides in Tate Modern, which is another “must see” for any visitor to London.This museum is part of a larger group known as Tate, and as the national museum of international modern art it is the one most visitors find to be the most intriguing. The galleries are laid out on several levels of what used to be the Bankside Power Station; look for the permanent Tate collection on the third and fifth levels, whilst levels two and four display temporary and special exhibitions of note.

#4 – Victoria & Albert Museum – Also located along Exhibition Road in South Kensington, you’ll sometimes see the Victoria & Albert Museum abbreviated as simply the V&A. It is the largest museum of design and decorative arts in the entire world, and its collection is nothing short of stunning. From glass, ceramics, and textiles to sculpture, drawings, furniture, and medieval items, this wonderful museum is both beautiful and full of historic value. Explore the galleries, each focused on a different world culture, but also set aside enough time to explore the John Madejski Garden as well.This refreshing and beautiful garden is a mixture of both modern and traditional design elements, and is especially beautiful at night when the water feature, planters, and building facades are illuminated with subtle lighting effects.

#5 – Natural History Museum – Located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the Natural History Museum is one of the best in the entire world for this subject area. Its focus on life science and earth science means you will find a huge array of items and specimens, some dating back hundreds of years. Inside these walls you’ll find specimens originally collected by Charles Darwin, for instance, as well as some very impressive displays of dinosaur skeletons. It’s well worth taking time to explore this exceptional museum, both for the scientific and historic value of the exhibits as well as to enjoy the spectacular architecture of the building itself.

Should you get stuck for London Hotels to stay in, just twitter me @tom_LateRooms and I can hopefully find some cheap hotels in London for you.