Concierge
Head Concierge David Burner and his team will be happy to assist you with theatre tickets, sightseeing trips, car hire, taxis and restaurant reservations.
Sightseeing
- Buckingham Palace
- Westminster Abbey
- Houses of Parliament
- London Eye
- Tate Britain
- Tate Modern
- British Museum of Natural History
- Guards Museum
- National Gallery
- Madame Tussaud's
- British Museum
- Theatres
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Tower of London
- BT Tower
Attractions
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG
Tel: +44 20 7887 8000
Tate Modern is Britain's new national museum of modern art.
Open: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, last admission 5:15 pm
Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, last admission 9:15 pm
Closed 24, 25, 26 December (open as normal on 1 January)
Admission: Free
Tate Britain
Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
Tel: +44 20 7887 8000
Tate Britain is the national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day, holding the greatest collection of British art in the world.
Open: Daily, 10:00 am to 5:50 pm
Closed 24, 25, 26 December (open as normal on 1 January)
Exhibitions, 10:00 am to 5:40 pm, last admission 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace
London SW1
Horse Guards
Whitehall
London SW1
A dazzling display of pageantry by the Foot Guards of the Household Division, the Queen's personal guard. The display is at 11:30 am every other day at Buckingham Palace (except in poor weather). The ceremony is reduced when the Queen is away, so look for the Royal Standard flag which flies when she is in residence. The mounted guard changing ceremony by the cavalry takes place daily in Whitehall at 11:00 am (Sunday at 10:00 am).
Cabinet War Rooms
King Charles St
London SW1
Tel: +44 20 7930 6961
Basement where Sir Winston Churchill and top echelons of military intelligence worked during World War II.
Open: Daily - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (last admission 5:15 pm)
British Airways London Eye
Near County Hall
South Bank
London SE1
Tel: +44 870 5000 600
This impressive landmark offers bird's-eye views over 25 miles during a 30-minute 'flight' on its slowly revolving wheel.
Open: Daily - 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7300 8000
Outstanding exhibitions in a stunning building. Recent exhibitions include, China: The Three Emperors, Rodin and Modigliani and His Models.
Open: Daily 10am to 6pm, Late night Fridays open till 10pm.
British Museum of Natural History
Cromwell Rd
London SW7
Tel: +44 20 7942 5000
Vast collection of plant and animal specimens. Exhibition includes Voyages of Discovery.
Open: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 am to 5:50 pm Sunday - 11:00 am to 5:50 pm
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Rd
London SW7
Tel: +44 20 7942 2528
Inspirational treasure house devoted to the best decorative arts.
Open: Daily - 10:00 am to 5:45 pm
London Aquarium
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Rd
London SE1
Tel: +44 20 7967 8000
Fish, sharks and sea life from around the world, plus the Coral Reef Conservation Experience.
Open: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Science Museum
Exhibition Rd
South Kensington
London SW7
Tel: +44 20 7938 8080 / 8000
Outstanding collections, working exhibits and interactive galleries.
Open: Daily - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Westminster Abbey
Broad Sanctuary
London SW1
Tel: +44 20 7222 5152
Steeped in history, the marriage and burial place of many British monarchs.
Open: Monday to Friday - 9:20 am to 3:45 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 1:45 pm
Houses of Parliament
Parliament Sq
London SW1
Tel: +44 20 7219 4272
The building with its clock tower (housing the bell, Big Ben) may look Gothic but was built between 1837 and 1860 by Sir Charles Barry (ornamentation by Pugin) after the original palace was almost completely destroyed by fire.
This is only a small sample of the many attractions available in London. For more information, please contact the Concierge.
Hotel History
The Crowne Plaza London - St. James stands on the site of Emmanuel Hospital, which was founded in 1594 to house the sick and provide schooling for poor children. In 1883 it was re-established as Emmanuel School and later, when it was moved to larger, modern premises, the original buildings were pulled down. The beginning of the 20th century saw the site developed with blocks of flats, said to be commissioned by Queen Victoria, to house the overflow of guests from Buckingham Palace. Named St. James Court, these eight blocks were designed around a courtyard and fountain, and each block was given a name which reflected the area's historical associations. The St. James Court Apartments was a favourite address of royalty, the aristocracy and prominent politicians. As many residents were guests of Buckingham Palace, security was strict and the apartments well guarded; locked gates were opened only to admit residents and permitted guests.
The Taj Group of Hotels acquired the St. James Court Hotel in 1982 when the group started its international expansion. About a year after its acquisition, the hotel was closed down for refurbishment. Over a three-year period it was completely gutted and walls were pulled down to make larger rooms. 384 rooms and suites were created from the 800-plus rooms in the original hotel. Exceptional among the building's many design features is the exquisite terracotta frieze depicting scenes in relief from most of Shakespeare's works, linking the eight mansion blocks around the courtyard garden. The beautiful fountain was reputedly donated by Queen Victoria.