LONDON ZOO

LONDON ZOO

Regent's Park, London NW1. Telephone: (0207) 722 3333. Tube: Baker Street + bus 274. Daily 10.00-17.30.
One of the world's great zoos, it has approximately 8,000 animals from the British countryside and all corners of the world.

Speaker's corner

Speaker's corner has been a lively forum for free speech since 1872. It's held every weekend in the corner of Hyde Park opposite Marble Arch, and come rain or shine you'll find a rag-tag assortment of people spouting off from their soap boxes. Religious and political enthusiasts make the most noise, and the most contentious and spirited draw the biggest crowd. Liveliest on Sundays.

Tube Station: Marble Arch on Central Line

Big Auction Houses

One of London's best free shows is to watch an auction at one of the Big Auction Houses. Sales are of everything from old master paintings and furniture to rock and roll memorabilia and wines. Items are displayed for a few days before sales, or you can sit among the dealers and watch the auction itself
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Sotheby's: 0207 493 8080 Christie's: 0207 839 9060 Phillips: 0207 629 6602 Bonhams: 0207 393 3900

DOCKLANDS VISITOR CENTRE

DOCKLANDS VISITOR CENTRE

3 Limeharbour, Docklands, London E14. Telephone: (0207) 512 1111. DLR: Crossharbour. Mon-Fri 08.30-18.00; Sat, Sun 09.30-17.00.

Exhibition area and audio display provides information on the seafaring history of the London docklands area. Tours to Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf and Royal Docks (2 hrs).

CRYSTAL PALACE FARM

CRYSTAL PALACE FARM

Crystal Palace Park,London SE20. Telephone: (0208) 778 4487. BR: Crystal Palace. Daily 11.00-17.00 (last admission).

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Broad Sanctuary, London SW1. Telephone: (0207) 222 5152. Tube: St James's Park. Royal Chapels: Mon-Fri 09.20-16.45 (last admission 16.00); Sat 09.20-14.45 (last admission 14.00) & 15.45-17.45 (last admission 17.00). Closed Sun. Nave and Clo isters: Daily 08.00-18.00, (Wed 19.45). Chapter House: 09.30-16.00. Pyx Chamber, Undercroft Museum: Daily 10.30-16.00.
Not only an architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, this medieval cathedral also presents a unique pageant of British history as it has been the crowning and burial place of Kings and Queens since 1066.