London is one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant cities full of wonderful museums, historical sights and beautiful parks. We are lucky to be situated in the area known as Marylebone which is in the heart of London and has easy access to popular tourist attractions as well as great shopping and eating.
As you go through treatment you may find that you have some time to spare especially during the second week of treatment when you will have an early morning blood test and a further one later on. We have compiled a list of attractions within 20-30 minutes’ walk from ARGC that are definitely worth a visit and may help you pass the time!
THE WALLACE COLLECTION
The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays wonderful works of art collected by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the fourth Marquess, in the 18th and 19th centuries. The collection was bequeathed to the nation by Sir Richard’s widow in 1897 and houses a wonderful collection of paintings, arms and armour, porcelain and furniture. Highlights include artworks by Rembrandt, Canaletto, Rubens, Valazquez and the famous portrait of ‘The Laughing Cavalier’ by Frans Hals.
• Open daily
• Free admission to permanent collection
• 10 minutes’ walk
• Visit website
FOUNDLING MUSEUM
The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital which was founded in 1739 to care for babies at risk of abandonment. Through art, artefacts, original period interiors and archival documents, it tells the story of how philanthropist Thomas Coram and his creative supporters, William Hogarth (artist) and George Frideric Handel (composer) helped establish the hospital and explores the lives of the children who grew up there.
• Open daily except Mondays
• Admission charge
• 33 minutes’ walk
• Visit website
WELLCOME INSTITUTE
The Wellcome Institute is advertised as ‘the free museum for the incurably curious’. It connects science, medicine, life and art through exhibitions, live events and gallery tours.
• Open daily except Mondays when galleries are closed
• Free admission
• 20 minutes’ walk
• Visit website
SHERLOCK HOLMES MUSEUM
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is dedicated to the famous fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The museum bears the number 221B Baker Street although it lies between numbers 237 and 241.
• Open daily
• Admission charge
• 10 minutes’ walk
• Visit website
MADAME TUSSAUDS
Madame Tussauds is the famous wax works museum housing life size replicas of famous celebrities and historic icons in themed galleries. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London so it is best to book tickets on line.
• Open daily
• Admission charge
• 10 minutes walk
• Visit website
BRITISH LIBRARY
The British Library holds over 150 million items representing every age of written civilisation. As well as books, there are illustrated manuscripts, maps, stamps, photographs, music and much more. Highlights include the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Magna Carta and Shakespeare’s First Folio.
• Open daily
• Free admission
• 26 minutes’ walk
• Visit website
LONDON ZOO
London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It was opened to the public in 1847 and has one of the largest collections of animals in the UK.
• Open daily
• Admission charge
• 30 minutes’ walk through Regent’s Park
• Visit website
REGENT’S PARK
There are eight Royal Parks in London and Regent’s Park is one of the most beautiful. It covers an area of 395 acres and contains large open spaces with tree lined pathways, formal gardens, a lake (with plenty of ducks!) and four children’s playgrounds. Within the park you can find the glorious Queen Mary’s Gardens, a world-famous garden containing 12,000 roses.
If you walk northwards through the park you will come to Primrose Hill from the summit of which you get a marvellous view of London. Down the hill are lovely cafes and places to eat.
• Open daily
• Free admission
• 10 minutes’ walk to the park, 15 minutes’ walk to Queen Mary’s Garden and 30 minutes to Primrose Hill.
• Visit website
Even closer than all the above is Marylebone High Street which is less than five minutes’ walk from ARGC and is full of cafes and lovely shops. If you only have a short amount of time and the weather is nice, you can relax in Paddington Street Gardens (less than ten minutes walk). This is a popular and leafy park set behind Marylebone High Street. It is a closed churchyard with an interesting history and still contains various old memorials.
For people new to London we would recommend buying a guide book to help you make the most of your time here as there are so many fantastic things to see and do. Top attractions include, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard, the Tower of London, the British Museum, Big Ben and the National Gallery. Many of our staff are Londoners and are always happy to give you advice!