London things to see - London attractions - British Airways London eye - London Swiss Re Tower - London Millennium Dome - London Shakespeare's Globe

New Millennium London, United Kingdom

British Airways London eye

The largest Ferris wheel in the world (135 meters high) was built for the celebration of the new millennium. Its 32 cars take half an hour to complete the trip and offer an unforgettable view of the city. There are long lines. It is advisable to make reservations. Hours: every day Oct.-Apr. 9.30 a.m.-8:00 p.m., May-Sept. 9:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Tel. 0870 5000 600 Where: Westminster Bridge Road. Tube: Westminster, Waterloo.

Swiss Re Tower

This incredible 180 meter building, designed by the architect Norman Foster, is called the "the erotic Gherkin" due to its unique form and has changed London's skyline forever. The ventilation system and materials used are revolutionary, they create an optimization of energy consumption for the skyscraper making the building the most ecological in the world. Winner of the prestigious RIBA Strerling award. Where: in the City. Tube: Bank, Liverpool Street

Millennium Dome

This is a gigantic dome, the largest tenile structure in the world, inaugurated 1 January 2000 on Greenwich peninsula. It is 365 meters in diameter and surmounted by 12 95 meter towers. The white exterior is made of teflon coated fiberglass. It was inaugurated amongst much debate (due to the astronomical costs to build and maintain it), it will be used as a large arena for concerts and sports events, including the 2012 Olympics. Where: Drawdock Road. Tube: North Greenwich

Millennium Bridge

Millennium Bridge connects St Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern in Southwark. It is the first pedestrian bridge in London, inaugurated in 2000 for the celebrations for the new millennium. The design by architect Norman Foster cost 19 million pounds. Where: in front of the Tate Modern. Tube: Blackfriars

Shakespeare's Globe

This is a faithful reproduction of the 17th century Globe Theatre where many of Shakespeare's plays opened. Inside you'll visit Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition; with the theater guides you'll relive the atmosphere of the time when Bankside was home to all of London's theaters and discover the secrets behind this great place. Plays are also performed from May to September. Tel: (020) 7902 1500 Hours: 5 Apr.-30 Sept., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; 1 Oct.-4 Apr., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed 24-25 Dec. Where: New Globe Walk, next to the Tate Modern.

GLA City Hall

City Hall designed by the British architect Foster & Partners, to house London's government, is one of the new symbols of the capital. It is part of More, the city planning project, which is giving a new look to the south bank of the Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The building is in the shape of a deformed sphere and was built with cutting edge technology used to save energy, including an air conditioning system with conduits which take water from the ground. Where: City Hall, The Queen's Walk, Tube: London Bridge