London Travel Forum

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for tourist sites to visit at night? I'm in London with my family, and my father has meetings during the week until 5 Pm. Therefore, we are needing some things to do in the evenings/nights. I have heard that some of the museums and buildings that offer tours are open late, but I'm not sure which ones.
Also, for the rest of my family, we are trying to prioritize what we want to see...partially for time issues and partly for financial reasons - I can't believe how much admission (not even a tour) costs for many of these buildings. Anyone have advice on which attractions are just as interesting from the outside and not worth the admission fee, and which ones are not to be missed from the inside? So far I have the London Tower in my list of tours to definitely take before leaving.

For a night time thing to do which is free but must be booked well in advance, try applying for the ceremony of the keys. My tip is on this page with a website to try.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/8c781/4b7ec/4/

Also, and I do realise London is expensive, remember that most of the museums and art galleries are free. Try this site.

http://www.londontourist.org/museums.html

Even if you do not want to spend, london markets are interesting to look round.

http://www.londontourist.org/markets.html

There are also plenty of parks to visit which are free. there will undoubtedly be one near where you are staying.

If you need any more specific information, please contact me by VT mail. I have lived in London a long time and know it pretty well.

Hope this assists.

fergy.

Some ideas for night:

London Walks has a variety of evening pub walks, ghost walks and Jack the Ripper walks, £7 per walk or £5 if you are a student, senior, etc. I've done quite a few of them, all good

http://www.walks.com/

Ceremony of the Keys mentioned above, apply for tickets well in advance

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx

Theater-you can get 1/2 price tickets the same day by going to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, be sure to go to the official free standing booth and not the storefronts that line the square

Museums do have late nights, pick the ones you want to see and check their website. This link might be helpful but double check as things change and I can't tell how old the link is

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/page/0,,514653,00.html

For daytime, if there are more than two of you, have a look at this website and the 2 for 1 offers, you must have a PAPER travelcard, not an oyster and you must purchase it at a rail station (Paddington, Victoria, etc) and not a tube station. We saved a bundle doing that.

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

Westminster Abbey is open until 7pm on Wednesdays:

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us

Markets will not be open in the evenings, unfortunately.

The Tate Modern Gallery is open late, and is free:

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/

and the Tate Britain is open until 10pm on the first Friday of each month (also free):

http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/

The truly superb British Museum is free and open until 8.30pm on Thursday and Friday nights:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/admission_and_opening_times.aspx

The National Portrait Gallery is open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays:

http://www.npg.org.uk/visit.php

With a bit of research you will find plenty of things to see and do. Do walk as much as you can; you will see much more that way.

Hi there,

have a look an my Things to do Tip London in 2 days. First day itinerary fits perfect for you, is great in the evenings and you can see a lot of major sites as Westminter Abbey, Big Ben, Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery and Soho. And that`s for free. Later on you could have dinner at Soho (Asian, China Town) or you go to Covent Garden and check out the Pub with roof terrace.
If you are interested in theatre, try to get tickets for one of the plays at Shakespeare“s Globe. On that day, visit first St. Paul“s Cathedral, then cross the Thames by Millenium Bridge and go to the theatre. After that you may have a beer or dinner at the Pub of the Globe - I think it is the "Swan"- with a great view over the Thames.
I wish you a great time in London.
Best wishes from a London addict from Berlin,
Stine

I echo the plug for the 2/1 offers - although technically you are supposed to have a paper rail card, only twice have we been asked - as it happens, we go to London by train, so that's not a prob. So, it's worth a try. You will find the list if you google Days Out Guide. Print out everything you want to see and give it a go! Although the British Museum is open late, not all of it is open, so if there's something you particularly want to see, make sure it will be open. The superb Museum of London is free. Don't bother with Madame Tussauds. I'm not sure about at night but all the Wren churches (iwith the exception of St Paul's) are free. The Bank of England Museum is free. There's a great site that lists all the London museums and art galleries - it is in my bookmarks so I can't give you the exact site without losing this post - but if you google London Museums, it should come up. The National Gallery is open one night a week.

This is the site I was talking about!!

www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/about/museums.html

Remember that it's light until c. 2100 in summer, so you'll have plenty of time to explore outdoor attractions like Regent's Park. And I strongly second the recommendation of London Walks.