City Hall, London
At times, it appears that architects make a deliberate effort to ensure that London's visitors recognize the city's deep-rooted history while also acknowledging its existence in the 21st century. City Hall, which overlooks the river, exemplifies this approach, and once you become accustomed to its unconventional design, you'll come to admire the elegance of this futuristic edifice.
The 10-story glass-and-steel office building, which leans to one side, was conceived by Norman Foster in 2002 and emerged as the victor in the competition to determine the best design and location for the new London Assembly headquarters. Standing at a height of 45 meters (150 feet), it occupies a smaller footprint compared to a conventional cubic building of the same volume and incorporates energy-saving features, consuming less than a quarter of the energy of its neighboring structures.
For the very first time, the public had the opportunity to participate in the selection process during the competition, and visitors are encouraged to take a leisurely stroll up the spiral walkway to the second floor to observe activities or visit the caf茅. Regrettably, "London's Living Room" on the 9th floor, offering the finest views of the Thames, is not typically open to the public, except during Open House weekend, which falls on the third weekend of each month. Just outside, The Scoop amphitheater hosts complimentary events, including theater performances, outdoor film screenings, and musical concerts, from June to September.
Tip:
Before departing the area, don't forget to explore Fiona Banner's gleaming black Full Stops, three-dimensional representations styled in various fonts and cast in bronze.
The 10-story glass-and-steel office building, which leans to one side, was conceived by Norman Foster in 2002 and emerged as the victor in the competition to determine the best design and location for the new London Assembly headquarters. Standing at a height of 45 meters (150 feet), it occupies a smaller footprint compared to a conventional cubic building of the same volume and incorporates energy-saving features, consuming less than a quarter of the energy of its neighboring structures.
For the very first time, the public had the opportunity to participate in the selection process during the competition, and visitors are encouraged to take a leisurely stroll up the spiral walkway to the second floor to observe activities or visit the caf茅. Regrettably, "London's Living Room" on the 9th floor, offering the finest views of the Thames, is not typically open to the public, except during Open House weekend, which falls on the third weekend of each month. Just outside, The Scoop amphitheater hosts complimentary events, including theater performances, outdoor film screenings, and musical concerts, from June to September.
Tip:
Before departing the area, don't forget to explore Fiona Banner's gleaming black Full Stops, three-dimensional representations styled in various fonts and cast in bronze.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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City Hall on Map
Sight Name: City Hall
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
London Introduction Walking Tour
After the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the settlement of Londinium came into being. Things went well enough until 61 AD. Then Queen Boudica and her Iceni warriors arrived. They burned the town to ashes. They were not just rowdy tourists. Londinium had died but it rose again and it flourished until the Romans left in the 5th century.
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London
Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour I
The arrival of Harry Potter books, followed by tremendously successful Hollywood adaptation, has made London an even more popular destination now with the Harry Potter fans all over the world. The list of attractions in the city associated with Potter鈥檚 journeys includes both, newly-invented as well as some long-standing locations.
On Part I of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
On Part I of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
South Bank Walking Tour
The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London鈥檚 cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Jane Austen鈥檚 London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour
Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London鈥檚 most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...