If asked to think of something associated with London, most people would probably say Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge or Westminster Abbey. In fact, London probably has more than its fair share of iconic images. But this only helps to demonstrate the depth of history and culture associated with the UK capital, and is why it is frequently rated as one of the top few city-destinations in the world.
But as culturally and historically significant as these tourist-friendly structures may be, they are far from the be all and end all of life in London. Indeed, London has perhaps some of the finest and most diverse cultural attractions out of all the major cities in the world, some of which don’t receive the wide-spread attention they deserve.
The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, for example, is a fine example of English galleries at their best, offering a fascinating insight into the life and work of perhaps one of the most famous English arts and crafts designers ever.
The Georgian building that is home to the vast collection of printed, woven and embroidered fabrics, rugs, carpets, wallpapers and furniture, is also the former residence of William Morris himself, having lived there between 1848 and 1856, and this certainly adds an extra aura of authenticity to the gallery.
Of course, London is also home to more ‘world-renowned’ museums too, such as the Tate Modern Gallery, which is Britain’s national museum of international modern art and has free entry to many of the collections and exhibitions. Then, there is the Vanity Fair portrait exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which has on display - for the first time - classic images from Vanity Fair’s early period.
And the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design is situated in London’s South Kensington. Housing a permanent collection of over 4 million objects, the Victoria and Albert Museum has grown to a sprawling 12.5 acres, spread across 145 galleries, covering 5000 years of art from around the world.
Indeed, with so much to see and do in the capital, and with over 26 million people visiting the city each year it’s no surprise that there is a great demand for hotels in London; as with most major cities, London hotels come in all shapes and sizes and to suit all requirements, ensuring an enjoyable stay for everyone.
So London, it would seem, has it all. From the classic iconic images of Big Ben and Tower Bridge, to the distinctive William Morris Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum; there’s no doubt that a visit to London reaps great rewards.
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