Exploring London
05 539175 Ch05.qxd 10/23/03 11:00 AM Page 105 5 Exploring London Dr. Samuel Johnson said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford.” It would take a lifetime to explore every alley, court, street, and square in this city, and volumes to discuss them. Since you don’t have a lifetime to spend, we’ve chosen the best that London has to offer. For the first-time visitor, the question is never what to do, but what to do first. “The Top Attractions” section should help. A note about admission and open hours: In the listings below, children’s prices generally apply to those 16 and under. To qualify for a senior discount, you must be 60 or older. Students must present a student ID to get discounts, where available. In addition to closing on bank holidays, many attractions close around Christmas and New Year’s (and, in some cases, early in May), so always call ahead if you’re visiting in those seasons. All museums are closed Good Friday, from December 24 to December 26, and New Year’s Day. 1 The Top Attractions British Museum Set in scholarly Bloomsbury, this immense museum grew out of a private collection of manuscripts purchased in 1753 with the proceeds of a lottery. It grew and grew, fed by legacies, discoveries, and purchases, until it became one of the most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts in the world. It’s impossible to take in this museum in a day.
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