On your visit to London, plan to spend a bit of time at the London Zoo and London Aquarium.

London has such a long history, filled with great churches, monuments, art and history museums that seeking nature here often isn’t what immediately comes to mind. But that’s an error, since London is home to one of the oldest zoos in existence and one of the newest aquariums.

The London Zoo was first established in 1828 to house animals for scientific study. (At the time, Britain could boast the foremost naturalists in the world. Probably no single country could claim the number one spot today. Science, like business, has gone global.) Nearly twenty years passed before the facility was opened to the public.

When it did it was, of course, a smashing success. Most Londoners of the day - bereft of photographs, not to mention television and the Internet - had never seen such exotic animals as a pygmy hippopotamus or a lowland gorilla or even a simple penguin.

Today’s visitors are more fortunate. Along with the interesting Victorian architecture there are hundreds of species to see. Everything from snouted cobras to Komodo dragons to Partula snails are still on display. The Reptile house was opened in 1849, the Insect House in 1881. More ‘modern’ facilities have been added over the years, such as the Round House (1933) to hold gorillas and the Penguin Pool (1934). The penguins have been moved to a new facility since.

But far from being stuck in the past, the London Zoo has made efforts to alter the habitats to conform to the latest conservation efforts. Though old by some standards, the Snowdon aviary (1964) is still one of the most popular attractions.

Visitors here can walk through and observe dozens of exotic bird species. A winding path and bridge over a stream provides a tranquil setting to observe African Waterfowl. Hornbills make there presence known as visitors encroach on their territory.

The Mappin Terraces remain a favorite. An artificial mountain built to house bears, it has an aquarium underneath. And the ‘Meet the Monkeys’ continues to attract kids and adults alike. The squirrel monkeys took up residence in 2005 and proved to be very popular. The facility carefully recreates their natural Bolivian rainforest habitat.

Innovative programs continue today. The Zoo recently began a selective program that allows residents to ‘adopt’ animals. For a fee, they can care for penguins and others under the guidance of a trained staff member. Many of the larger species have been moved to Whipsnade Zoo, 600 acres about 59km (35 miles) outside London.

The Zoo is about a 10 minute walk from Camden Station in Regents Park.

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Across town is one of the newest animal attractions in the area. The London Aquarium opened in 1997 and continues to draw. With over 350 species in 50 displays, it houses species of shark and native fishes.

Two large tanks cover two floors and house rays that visitors can actually pet. They seem to like the interaction, according to many. Fortunately, the piranhas housed in the London Aquarium are harder to reach. Although they might enjoy the interaction, too!

The London Aquarium is easy to reach via the London Underground, i.e. ‘the tube’ or subway. Exit at Westminster, directly across from the Houses of Parliament.

But, don’t miss the other wonderful attractions that London has to offer.  In addition to the London Zoo and Aquarium, see over 50 other London Attractions - 1 Ticket: The London Pass.

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Kensington Palace and Gardens should be on your list of places to see while in London. Additionally, you can see 50 London Attractions - 1 Ticket: The London Pass

Kensington Palace has been home to royalty from long before Queen Victoria’s birth there in 1819 to Princess Diana’s residence until her death to today.

Still in use as a working Royal Residence, there are nonetheless many areas open to public viewing - and have been since Queen Victoria opened the State Apartments to the public in 1899.

The Red Saloon, for example, on the Garden Floor was the location of Queen Victoria’s first Privy Council in June, 1837 and has been restored to its original appearance.

The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection is an exhibit of gowns worn by various royal personages from the 18th century to the present. Even the Hats and Handbags are on display at the Palace, showing over seventy hats belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.

Nearby are the King’s Apartments with several paintings and other works of art from the Royal Collection.

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In contrast to the splendor of the King’s Apartments, and discreetly far away, are the subdued Queen’s Apartments. Built and furnished for Queen Mary II in the mid-17th century. There are several ‘family portraits’ and many original furnishings.

The Victorian Rooms are accessible, including Victoria’s bedroom where she first learned of her accession to the throne. The rooms are furnished with many of Victoria’s and Albert’s personal effects.

First constructed for the Earl of Nottingham in 1661, the interior of the palace isn’t the only impressive sight. Outside are the extensive and varied Kensington Gardens with a number of things to do and see.

Designed and landscaped under the watchful eye of George II’s wife, Queen Caroline, the expansive gardens adjoin Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Combined, the Gardens and Hyde Park total 637 acres.

Serpentine Lake forms one of the many attractions, equally popular with boaters and birds. Winding around, it’s over a mile around, fed by an underground river. In addition, there’s the Round Pond for feeding ducks and sailing model boats.

On the banks of the Serpentine the gardens contain an oft-visited bronze sculpture of Peter Pan, cast in 1912. There’s also an Elfin Oak, almost as old, ornately carved with elves and fairytale creatures. Outside the entrance is a sculpture of the late Queen Victoria, made by her daughter.

There are elaborate Italianate fountains and dozens of quiet paths. But there are also areas for kite flying and rollerblading. At the southeast corner is Wellington’s Arch, leading to Green Park (next to Buckingham Palace).

A recent addition is the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. A large, granite-block structure, it remains very popular several years after her death. The area is often festooned with flowers.

After you’ve tired yourself out, be sure to visit the Albert Hall, completed in 1871 as a memorial to the Queen’s consort. The oval hall has an impressive iron and glass domed roof. The 5,000 seat theater holds regular concerts and is a must-see.

Kensington Palace and gardens are easily accessible via the tube (the London Underground subway system). Exit at High Street Kensington.

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St. Paul’s Cathedral should certainly be on your list of places to visit while in London.   And you should also check out The London Pass , the brand new leisure pass that lets you experience the best that London has to offer

For three hundred years St Paul’s Cathedral has served as one of the enduring symbols of London, a role it richly deserves. Completed in 1708, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterwork is recognized the world over by its large dome and classical architecture.

The fame of the dome is particularly ironic since the plans, third in succession after two rejected models, didn’t call for one. Wren took advantage of a clause in the commission permitting him to make ‘ornamental’ changes.

And, in effect, the large dome - visible from several parts of London far away - is just an ornament. In the interior is a much smaller dome directly underneath and between the two a large cone-shaped structure supporting the 850-ton lantern.

Outside, astride the large dome are two towers and an extraordinary classical facade. Though it forms the entrance, the view is less familiar since photographs typically concentrate on the famous dome, which lies on the other side. The west side offers an especially good view. From here, visitors can take in the columns and the clock tower.

Whether viewing from outside or in, though, there are several outstanding features and dozens of smaller ones of interest.

One of the more popular interior features is the Whispering Gallery. The result of the way sound waves move within an arched structure, a person can stand at one corner and whisper and be heard far away. It can be reached by a muscular climb up 259 spiral steps. Most find the effort well repaid.

Someone standing far away beneath the opposite side of an arch can still hear plainly what was said. There are often several pairs trying this at once, though. The sound is clearest if you can find a time when no one else is testing the effect.

But the main interest lies less with physics and more with art. One example is the 20-foot oak model representing Wren’s second major attempt at gaining approval for a design. Another is the large pipe organ, commissioned in 1694 and still functional.

Several other functional, yet artistic, elements are around the cathedral. One, Wren’s memorial, contains an epitaph from his son. It reads, translated from the Latin: ‘Reader, if you seek his monument, look around.’

Many other plaques, carvings, statues and other memorials to the powerful and famous of London’s past are within the cathedral: in the south transept Admiral Nelson, in the north aisle the Duke of Wellington.

There’s also a memorial in the south choir aisle of the poet John Donne, Dean of St. Paul’s before the current building was erected. The disastrous London fire of 1666, destroyed the original. Almost ten years elapsed before construction was begun, followed by more than another 30 until completion. That gives some idea of how construction projects were carried out 300 years ago.

Undergoing a £40 million ($71 million) restoration to celebrate it’s 300-year anniversary, many of the building’s surfaces have been cleaned and restored. Now is an especially good time to pay a visit.

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