The Most Popular Tourist Attractions in London

There are many different ways to judge which are the most popular tourist attractions in London but one of the least partial ways is to go strictly by visitor numbers. If you do go by visitor numbers then it seems that London's visitors are a cultural and intelligent bunch. Here are the top five most visited attractions in London, based on data collected last year by Visit England:

The British Museum

Photo Courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/British_Museum_from_NE_2.JPG

This huge collection of cultural and historical artefacts has expanded to colossal size since its inauguration in 1753. it is Britain's most visited attraction and a beloved national institution. It is one of the world's largest collections, with an estimated 8 million objects. Around 6.7 million people passed through its doors last year – a record number thought to be due, in part, to the popularity of visiting exhibits. The museum is also home to the Great Court around the reading room. This is the largest covered square in Europe.

The National Gallery

Photo Courtesy: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/images/collections/main/NG_collection_image_1.jpg

The National Gallery has housed collections of paintings for almost two centuries. Its façade has made a big impact throughout that time on the appearance and character of Trafalgar Square. The gallery is highly renowned and considered as one of the great art galleries of the world. It houses work by, amongst many others, Rembrandt and Monet in what amounts to a collection of around 2300 paintings. Visitor numbers topped 6 million last year.

The Natural History Museum

Photo Courtesy: http://www.artfund.org/assets/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/natural-history-museum/dippy-landscape.jpg

The Natural History Museum includes a great many wonders from the natural world. Perhaps chief among these wonders are the number of dinosaur skeletons on display here which make for some very enthused boys and girls. Other highlights of this child-friendly museum include an earthquake simulator and a life-size model of a blue whale. Over 5.3 million people visited this museum last year.

Tate Modern

Photo Courtesy: http://www.artfund.org/assets/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/tate-modern/TateMoern1536LS.jpg

Holding its own with the more venerable institutions is this former Bankside Power Station turned modern art gallery. The art and architecture are both very much to the fore as visitors explore this space. Many original architectural features from the building's industrial past still remain, including the iconic brick chimney and the vast Turbine Hall. I am not sure whether or not you can see it as a vote of confidence in modern art, but over 4.8 million people took a look at the Tate Modern last year.

Epping Forest

Photo Courtesy: http://cdn.ltstatic.com/2012/July/RE814084_942long.jpg

In Greater London, Epping Forest is London's largest open space. There are a few walking trails here to explore and visitors can also see Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, a Tudor, timber-framed house dating from the reign of the queen. One of many green spaces in London, the high number of visitors to this area (4.4 million last year) shows that city dwellers and city visitors long for open space and make in droves for the nearest patch of it.

Will you visit one of London's premier attractions this year, or will you take the road less travelled by and make for some lesser known sites in the city?

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