7 min read
London is a city with one of the richest histories in the world – it has seen its fair share of big moments! The history of London spans over 2000 years, and the city has withstood huge cultural, political, and historical changes over that time. Luckily, there are a number of museums, archaeological sites, and theatres where you learn all about this and immerse yourself in London’s culture. Even better, most museums have free admission and everything listed is just a walk, bus, or tube ride away from campus, so that you can visit them around your studies and social events!
The Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is a must visit for any art fan! Housing varied exhibitions, from 1900s style modernist art to contemporary sculptures, there is something for everyone here. The museum holds artwork from a number of internationally well-known artists, including Pablo Picasso, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and Jenny Holzer. Don’t forget to check out the balcony, where you can get amazing views of the River Thames and London’s skyline!
You can also register for a Tate Collective card if you are aged 16-25. It is free to sign up, and gives you access to discounted tickets for exhibitions, as well as money off at the shop and café.
Distance from campus: 20 minute walk along the river, or a 30 minute bus ride.
Top tip: Every last Friday of the month, the Tate hosts Tate Lates, where they keep the museum open later than usual, and host a number of exclusive events. There is even a DJ and a bar! Admission is free, and this is a great way to see the exhibitions after classes and experience the museum in a new way.
The British Museum
For a broad overview of international history, the British Museum should be top of your list of places to visit! With over three floors of artefacts, spanning two million years and six continents of history, there is something for everyone here. Highlights include the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Lycurgus Cup. You can also buy tickets to exclusive exhibitions – Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece will be running for the duration of the summer!
Distance from campus: A 15 minute walk.
Top Tip: Students can purchase an Art Pass, which entitles them to discounted prices for many museum exhibitions across the UK, including those at the British Museum. You can also get discounted tickets with your Student ID – just make sure to click the Student option when booking tickets online!
Victoria and Albert Museum
Located in the stunning area of South Kensington, the V&A is home to a huge collection of art, design and fashion artefacts that exemplify the creative history of the UK and beyond. You can enter and explore for free, or visit the paid for exhibitions. We would recommend the free exhibition ‘Re:Imagining Musicals’ for any fans of theatre, fashion or musicals!
Distance from campus: 25 minutes on the Tube (District/Circle line).
Top tip: After visiting the V&A, head down the road to either the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum – both are also free admission and offer an insight into even more of London’s historical and scientific development!
The West End
Speaking of theatre, London is one of the best places for catching a play or a musical – there are even some theatres next door to our campus!
Whilst there are theatres spread across London, the area surrounding Covent Garden and Soho houses the West End, where a number of famous and historic theatres stand. You can see musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, Six or the Lion King, or catch plays such as To Kill a Mockingbird here. For opera and ballet fans, you can also visit the Royal Opera House or the Coliseum for performances of both well-known and up and coming shows. To make an evening of it, you can treat yourself to a pre-dinner meal at one of the many restaurants situated in the West End, before enjoying an night of music and culture!
Distance from campus: There are theatres dotted around London, but most of the particularly well known theatres are no more than a 20 minute walk away.
Top Tip: For cheap or last minute tickets, download the TodayTix app. If you want to go to the opera or ballet, sign up to a free Young Person’s membership (available for both the Royal Opera House and English National Opera) for access to exclusive Young Person performances and heavily discounted tickets [age restrictions apply].
London Mithraeum
Did you know there is a huge amount of history, hidden beneath Londoner’s feet? A great example of this is the Mithraeum, in Bloomberg.
Built in 240 AD, the Temple of Mithras was a Roman place of worship for the followers of the god Mithras. The temple was discovered in 1954 by archaeologists and is housed underground in a museum in the heart of London.
Don’t forget to head down the stairs to see the ruins of the temple and watch an immersive recreation of how the temple would have looked in ancient Roman times!
Distance from campus: 15 minutes on the Tube (District/Circle line), or a 25 minute walk.
Top tip: Space is limited at the Mithraeum, so it is recommended that you book your free ticket online in advance.
The Globe Theatre
One of Britain’s most famous celebrities (or the medieval equivalent) is William Shakespeare, and London’s The Globe Theatre houses performances of his plays exclusively. The current Globe is a reconstruction of the Elizabethan structure in which Shakespeare wrote and put on his plays in the 1600’s.
Due to its authentic open roof, performances only take place over the summer, so you are in luck! You can purchase tickets to stand in front of the stage (as the audience would have done in Shakespeare’s time!) or you can sit higher up. If you want to truly immerse yourself in British theatre history, this is definitely worth a visit!
Distance from campus: 20 minutes on the Tube (District/Circle line), or 30 minute walk across and then along the river.
Top tip: The Globe sits right next to the Thames River, so we recommend catching a show and then taking a walk along the river to take in London at its most vibrant – during a summer evening!
Churchill War Rooms and Museum
Another British historical celebrity was Winston Churchill – Prime Minister of the UK twice, in 1940-1945 and 1951-1955. He is best known for leading the country during the Second World War, which you can learn all about at the Churchill War Rooms and Museum.
For security (both privacy and due to the heaving bombing of London during the Second World War) much of the political planning for the war took place underground. You can visit the tunnels and strategy rooms used by the government and military in London at this time – they have been left to look as they would have done at the time, so you can be truly immersed in the experience!
Distance from campus: 15 minutes on the Tube (District/Circle line), or a 25 minute walk.
Top tip: The war rooms are managed by the Imperial War Museum, which is worth a visit in itself if you would like to know more about the UK's military history.
London is full to the brim with history and culture, and there are so many other places worth visiting, but this list should be a great starting place to learn all you need to know about London’s history (and far beyond)!