City Hall, London
Sometimes it feels like London鈥檚 architects are playing a game: 鈥淗ow can we make visitors feel like they鈥檝e stepped back in time and into the future at the same time?鈥� City Hall is a perfect example of that. Perched by the river, this sci-fi-looking bubble might seem a little odd at first, but give it a minute, and you鈥檒l start to appreciate just how sleek and clever it really is.
Dreamed up by superstar architect Norman Foster and completed in 2002, this 10-story, glass-and-steel structure leans to one side like it鈥檚 striking a pose. It鈥檚 not just showing off, though 鈥� the design is ultra-efficient, taking up far less space than a normal building and using only a quarter of the energy of its more old-school neighbors. Pretty smart for something that looks like it rolled out of a future London skyline.
Fun fact: this was the first time the public got a say in picking the design. And visitors today can still climb the spiral walkway to the second floor to spy on the action below 鈥� or just grab a coffee and soak in the atmosphere. As for "London鈥檚 Living Room" on the 9th floor, the views from there are absolutely spectacular, but it鈥檚 usually off-limits... unless you time your visit for Open House weekend (the third weekend of each month).
Before you wander off, make sure to check out The Scoop 鈥� the outdoor amphitheater just next door. From June to September, you can catch free plays, movies, and concerts there under the open sky.
Quick tip: Don't miss Fiona Banner鈥檚 shiny black Full Stops sculptures nearby 鈥� giant punctuation marks in bronze, making even grammar feel epic...
Dreamed up by superstar architect Norman Foster and completed in 2002, this 10-story, glass-and-steel structure leans to one side like it鈥檚 striking a pose. It鈥檚 not just showing off, though 鈥� the design is ultra-efficient, taking up far less space than a normal building and using only a quarter of the energy of its more old-school neighbors. Pretty smart for something that looks like it rolled out of a future London skyline.
Fun fact: this was the first time the public got a say in picking the design. And visitors today can still climb the spiral walkway to the second floor to spy on the action below 鈥� or just grab a coffee and soak in the atmosphere. As for "London鈥檚 Living Room" on the 9th floor, the views from there are absolutely spectacular, but it鈥檚 usually off-limits... unless you time your visit for Open House weekend (the third weekend of each month).
Before you wander off, make sure to check out The Scoop 鈥� the outdoor amphitheater just next door. From June to September, you can catch free plays, movies, and concerts there under the open sky.
Quick tip: Don't miss Fiona Banner鈥檚 shiny black Full Stops sculptures nearby 鈥� giant punctuation marks in bronze, making even grammar feel epic...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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City Hall on Map
Sight Name: City Hall
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
City of London Walking Tour
The City of London, often referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is the historic and financial core of the British capital. Despite being just over one square mile in area (for which reason it is also lovingly dubbed the Square Mile), it holds immense importance as the original site of Londinium, the Roman settlement founded circa 43 AD. Over the centuries, this small patch of land... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour I
The Harry Potter phenomenon began with author J.K. Rowling, who famously dreamed up the series while delayed on a train from Manchester to London. With the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher鈥檚 Stone in 1997, the literary world changed forever. Across seven books, readers followed Harry鈥檚 evolution from an orphaned schoolboy at Hogwarts to a brave young wizard confronting evil... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour
London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down鈥攊t bounced back,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour
The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market 鈥� currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Jane Austen鈥檚 London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...