"No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." So said the famous wit Dr Samuel Johnson.

London has played an important part in the country’s history and culture for over 2,000 years and today boasts four world heritage sites and countless iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament), Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye amongst its many attractions. London can lay claim to being home to over 300 museums and galleries and is home to the world’s greatest opera and ballet companies.

The Royal Opera House

The present building, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, is the third theatre on the site with parts dating back to the 1850s. An extensive refurbishment of the site in the 1990s resulted in greatly improved facilities both backstage and front of house. The theatre is home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies, presenting works from the classic repertory as well as contemporary pieces.  More at this Location...

London Coliseum

One of London’s largest and best-equipped theatres, the London Coliseum was designed by Frank Matcham, the great theatrical architect in 1904. Recently restored, the “Coli” is permanent London home of the English National Opera and English National Ballet companies.   More at this Location...

Sadler's Wells

The present building is the sixth on the site and opened on 11 October 1998. It is best known for its contemporary dance programme, but ballet and opera are also part of the repertoire. There is still access to the remains of the historic wells that lie beneath the theatre and give it its name.  More at this Location...

Cadogan Hall

A former church, which opened in 1907, the 900 seat Cadogan Hall is one of London’s newest concert spaces. Located just off Sloane Square, it is the London home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  More at this Location...

Royal Albert Hall

Since it was opened by Queen Victoria on 29 March 1871, the Royal Albert Hall, designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Colonel H.Y. Darracott Scott of the Royal Engineers, has played host to a multitude of different events including, since 1941, the annual Henry Wood Promenade concerts (The Proms).  More at this Location...

Wigmore Hall

Built in 1901, Wigmore Hall has been hosting the world's leading artists for over 100 years. Described by the Sunday Times as 'the jewel in London's musical crown', its renowned acoustic and acclaimed programme have long held Wigmore Hall as one of the world's leading venues for chamber music. With over 400 concerts a year. Wigmore Hall is the venue of choice for the discerning concert goer and artist alike.  More at this Location...

The South Bank Centre

Each year, the South Bank Centre attracts over 3 million visitors to its world class performances of music, dance and literature, free foyer events, and range of riverside shops and restaurants. It is the home of the UK's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and also welcomes top ensembles, conductors and soloists from around the globe. Performers in the 2005/06 classical season include mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, the Emerson String Quartet, the Tallis Scholars, and conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy, Charles Dutoit and Kurt Masur.  More at this Location...

The National Gallery

In April 1824 the House of Commons agreed to pay £57,000 for the picture collection of the banker John Julius Angerstein. The 38 pictures were intended to form the core of a new national collection, “for the enjoyment and education of all”. Featuring over 2,300 items in its collection, which is “owned” by the British public, the National Gallery graces the north side Trafalgar Square with its elegant dome and imposing colonnades. The collection is particularly noted for its works from the High Renaissance and Impressionist ages.   More at this Location...

The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is an art gallery located off Trafalgar Square. It opened to the public in 1856 and houses portraits of historically important and famous British people, selected on the basis of the significance of the sitter.  More at this Location...

The British Museum

The British Museum was established in 1753, largely based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane and opened to the public on 15 January 1759 in Montague House in Bloomsbury, on the site of the current museum building. Its collections, which number more than 13 million objects from all continents, illustrate and document the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present day.  More at this Location...

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A in South Kensington is the world's greatest museum of art and design, housing collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity and displaying 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings. 

Dulwich Picture Gallery

The works in the Dulwich collection were first put together by Sir Francis Bourgeois, and his business partner, Noël Desenfans who, in 1790, were commissioned by the King of Poland to put together a "royal collection". When the King was forced to abdicate in 1795, the pair was left with a royal collection on their hands and no alternative buyer for it. Desenfans died first (in 1807) and on his death in 1811, Bourgeois bequeathed the collection to Dulwich College, stating the paintings should be on public display and England’s first public art gallery came into being. 

You can buy tickets to the following London events online from IfB