Top Ten London Attractions

London is home to countless historical and modern attractions, from the London Eye to the National Gallery and Tower of London. With free admission to many top attractions, there's no better place to soak up some culture. Take your pick from the most popular, based on 2005 visitor numbers.

1. British Museum
The imposing British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times with collections drawn from all around the world. Famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon and the Portland Vase.

2. National Gallery
The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world. With paintings ranging from 1250 to 1900, the collection includes work by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Cezanne and Van Gogh.

3. Tate Modern
The impressive Tate Modern is Britain's national museum of modern art. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the River Thames, the gallery displays major works by Matisse and Picasso, as well as contemporary work, exhibitions and installations.

4. The British Airways London Eye
The BA London Eye is a major feature of London's skyline. It is the world's highest observation wheel and offers passengers spectacular views of over 55 of London's most famous landmarks - all in just 30 minutes.

5. Natural History Museum
As well as the permanent dinosaur exhibition, the gallery boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. Don't miss the life-sized model of the Blue Whale, the 40 million year old spider, the earthquake simulator and an elephant bird's egg.

6. Science Museum
See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years at the largest museum of its kind in the world. With over 40 galleries and 2000 hands-on exhibits, step into the future and visit the IMAX cinema and virtual reality simulator.

7. The Tower of London
Take a free guided tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around one of the most famous fortified buildings in the world. Discover its 900 years history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.

8. Tate Britain
Tate Britain is the national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day. Tate Britain holds the greatest collection of British art in the world including works by Constable, Gainsborough, Gilbert and George, Hockney, Hodgkin, Hogarth, Moore, Rossetti and Turner.

9. The Victoria & Albert Museum
The V&A celebrates art and design, and is home to 3000 years worth of amazing art facts from many of the world's richest cultures. See their amazing collection of ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

10. The National Portrait Gallery
The gallery features portraits in all mediums, depicting well known British people. In addition to historical portraits, it exhibits a rapidly changing collection of contemporary work with exhibitions by individual artists, and hosts the annual BP Portrait Prize competition.

Click on the link below to go to the Visit London website

www.visitlondon.com/city_guide/attractions/f_top_attractions.html