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.

TOWER BRIDGE

TOWER BRIDGE

London SE1. Telephone: (0207) 378 1928. Tube: Tower Hill. Daily 10.00-17.15.
Completed in 1894, this piece of unique Victorian engineering has become an international symbol of London. Its pinnacled towers and linking catwalk support the mechanism for raising the roadway when big ships have to pass through. The bridge now houses its own museum with a fascinating exhibition 'The Celebration Story' which traces its 100 year history, whilst the Victorian winding machinery is also on display.Take the lift to the enclosed high walkways for magnificent panoramic views of the Thames and London.

PAGEANTRY CEREMONY OF THE KEYS

PAGEANTRY CEREMONY OF THE KEYS

Tower of London, Tower Hill, London EC3. Tube: Tower Hill
This 700 year old ceremony of locking-up the Tower of London takes place daily at 21.35-22.05. You can request free admission to the ceremony by writing to The Ceremony of the Keys, Queen's House, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB at least two months in advance. Enclose an international reply coupon or stamped addressed envelope and state alternative dates and the number of tickets required (maximum of fifteen tickets per person).

KENSINGTON GARDENS

KENSINGTON GARDENS

The Gardens were formed following the creation of Kensington Palace in 1689 by William and Mary with land taken from Hyde Park. The original gardens were modest in size but were extended in the early 18th century to a design by Charles Bridgeman which still gives the gardens their main structure today. This has been overlaid by Victorian influences, the most notable of which are the Italian Gardens (recently refurbished) and the Albert Memorial (currently swathed in scaffolding and polythene awaiting repair).A number of features have been added in the 20th century which have added to the impression of the Gardens as a genteel environment associated with children and passive recreation.Amenities * Orangery (restaurant in summer) * Serpentine Gallery * Sailing model boats on Round Pond * Kite-flying * Playgrounds (2) * Puppet shows (twice daily for four weeks in summer)Park office Telephone: 0207-298 2100Postal address: Park Manager, Magazine Storeyard, Magazine Gate, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH

HOUSE OF DETENTION

HOUSE OF DETENTION

Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell Green, London EC1. Telephone: (0207) 253 9494. Tube: Farringdon. Daily 10.00-18.00.
Prisons on this site date back over 300 years. Thirteen underground cells are now restored and open to view.