Top 10 London Tourist Attractions
- Tom Lockhart
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Top 10 London Attractions (For B1–B2 English Learners)
Introduction
London is a city full of famous landmarks, exciting museums, and beautiful sights. In this guide, you will discover 10 of the best attractions in London. Each place is explained clearly, with important new vocabulary to help you learn more about the city and improve your English!
1. British Museum
The British Museum is one of the most important museums in the world. It tells the story of human life from ancient times to today, with objects from every continent. Popular exhibits include the Rosetta Stone, Ancient Egyptian mummies, and Greek sculptures from the Parthenon. Entry is free, but you must buy tickets for special exhibitions.
Key Vocabulary:
Ancient = very old, from a long time ago
Mummy = a dead body that has been preserved
Exhibit = an object shown to the public
2. Tate Modern
Tate Modern is located next to the River Thames. It is the UK's national gallery of modern and contemporary art. The museum is inside an old power station, giving it a very unusual appearance. You can see exhibitions by famous artists like Gauguin and Damien Hirst. There are also restaurants with wonderful views. Entry is free.
Key Vocabulary:
Contemporary = belonging to the present time
Power station = a place where electricity is made
Exhibition = a public display of artworks
3. National Gallery
The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square, right in the centre of London. It holds some of the finest paintings from Europe, covering more than 600 years of art history. You will find works by great artists such as Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Titian. Entry is free.
Key Vocabulary:
Gallery = a place where art is shown
Painting = a picture made with paint
Artist = someone who creates art
4. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is loved by people of all ages. It is famous for its dinosaur skeletons, especially the huge blue whale model hanging in the main hall. You can also see a 40-million-year-old spider and thousands of fascinating animals and plants. Entry is free, although special shows require a ticket.
Key Vocabulary:
Skeleton = the bones of an animal or person
Whale = the largest animal living in the sea
Model = a copy of something, often smaller or lighter
5. lastminute.com London Eye
The London Eye is a giant wheel on the South Bank of the Thames. From inside one of its glass capsules, you can enjoy incredible views over London. In just 30 minutes, you can see more than 55 famous landmarks. It is a great way to experience the city from above.
Key Vocabulary:
Capsule = a small glass cabin you can ride in
Landmark = a famous building or place
View = what you can see from a place
6. Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
The V&A is a museum that celebrates art and design. Its collection covers 3,000 years of human creativity, including furniture, fashion, sculpture, paintings, and jewellery. There is always something surprising to discover! Entry is free, but you need a ticket for special exhibitions.
Key Vocabulary:
Design = the way something is planned or made
Furniture = chairs, tables, and other large objects
Jewellery = objects like rings, necklaces, and bracelets
7. Science Museum
The Science Museum is a fantastic place to learn about inventions and discoveries. You can explore space rockets, see how the human body works, and enjoy interactive displays. There is even an IMAX cinema showing science films. Entry is free, but some exhibitions and the cinema cost extra.
Key Vocabulary:
Invention = something new that someone has made
Rocket = a vehicle that flies into space
Interactive = something you can touch or control
8. Tower of London
The Tower of London is full of history and stories. Built almost 1,000 years ago, it was once a royal palace, a prison, and a place of execution. Today, you can visit the White Tower, see the Crown Jewels, and hear tales from the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) who guard the site.
Key Vocabulary:
Prison = a place where criminals are kept
Execution = killing someone as a punishment
Crown Jewels = the royal family's most important jewellery
9. Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is a world-famous wax museum where you can see realistic figures of celebrities, sports stars, politicians, and royals. Take a photo with today's biggest names, or stand next to historical figures and world leaders!
Key Vocabulary:
Wax = a soft material used to make models
Figure = a model of a person
Selfie = a photo you take of yourself
10. Royal Museums Greenwich
Royal Museums Greenwich includes several exciting places: the Royal Observatory, the historic ship Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen’s House. You can even stand with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one in the western at the Prime Meridian line!
Key Vocabulary:
Maritime = related to the sea and ships
Observatory = a place to look at stars and planets
Prime Meridian = the line dividing east and west on a map
Take the Test!
📚 Exercise 1: Vocabulary Gap-Fill
Complete the sentences with the correct word. (There are 3 extra words you do not need.)
Words: exhibition – model – landmark – mummy – rocket – observatory – contemporary – gallery – capsule – skeleton – maritime
The London Eye has 32 glass __________ that offer views across the city.
The Science Museum lets you see a real space __________ and learn about inventions.
You can see a life-sized blue whale __________ at the Natural History Museum.
The Cutty Sark is part of London's __________ history.
The National __________ in Trafalgar Square holds famous paintings by artists like Van Gogh.
A __________ is a body that has been preserved, like those in the British Museum.
At Tate Modern, you can explore __________ art by modern artists.
📚 Exercise 2: True or False
Read the statements about the attractions. Are they True (T) or False (F)? Correct the false sentences.
The British Museum charges visitors to see the Rosetta Stone.
Tate Modern is located inside an old power station.
The National Gallery only shows paintings made after the 20th century.
You can see dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum.
The London Eye ride lasts about one hour.
The Victoria and Albert Museum focuses mainly on science and inventions.
At Madame Tussauds, you can take a selfie with a wax figure.
The Tower of London has always been a museum since it was built.
At the Royal Museums Greenwich, you can stand on the Prime Meridian line.
✅ Answer Key: Exercise 1 – Vocabulary Gap-Fill
capsule
rocket
model
maritime
gallery
mummy
contemporary
(Extra words you didn’t need: exhibition, observatory, skeleton)
✅ Answer Key: True/False + Corrections
False – Entry to the British Museum (and the Rosetta Stone) is free, but special exhibitions require tickets.
True – Tate Modern is inside an old power station.
False – The National Gallery shows paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries, not only after the 20th century.
True – You can see dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum.
False – A ride on the London Eye takes about 30 minutes, not one hour.
False – The Victoria and Albert Museum focuses on art and design, not science and inventions.
True – At Madame Tussauds, visitors can take selfies with wax figures.
False – The Tower of London was originally a palace and prison, not always a museum.
True – At Royal Museums Greenwich, you can stand on the Prime Meridian line.
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