A Nokia Maps guide to London

If you’re a traveller in London right now, there’s more to this great city than a certain set of summer games. We’re here to help you explore and find the best tourist attractions and hidden gems usingmaps.nokia.com.

When it comes to finding out about cities around the world, the City Pages on maps.nokia.com are overflowing with information. You can see the local time, the weather, city facts and recommended places to explore all on one screen.

Maps.nokia.com also offers something called heat maps. This is a fast and easy way to see where you should be heading based on the number of POIs (Points Of Interest) in that location.

To make it even easier still we’ve sifted through these heat maps and plucked out a load of places for you to go and see. We’ve split them into five categories, depending on what you might be interested in: Famous Landmarks; Museums and Galleries; Shopping; Food and Drink; and Hidden Gems.

To access these maps on your Nokia Lumia, Nokia N9 or Nokia Belle smartphone, click the See on Nokia Maps text in each map and then the Add to favourites option (the star next to the social network options). You can then sync your device from within Nokia Maps on your smartphone. You’re ready to go!

Famous Landmarks

London is famous for its historic buildings and stunning architecture that you really must go out and see for yourself. It would be almost unforgivable if you came to London and didn’t see these iconic landmarks.

The tall freestanding clock tower that soars above the Palace of Westminster is known throughout the world as Big Ben. However, it’s the 13.7 tonne bell inside that’s actually nicknamed Big Ben although it’s actually called The Great Bell.

On 29 April 2011, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge was married to Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. This wasn’t the first royal wedding to have taken place here as the tradition dates back to 11 November 1100 when King Henry I of England married Matilda of Scotland.

Located in the City of Westminster and built in 1705, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principle workplace of the British monarch. If you’re hoping to spot The Queen during your visit, here might be a good place to start.

Resting atop Ludgate Hill, St Paul’s Cathedral sits on the highest point in the City of London. The present St Paul’s is the fifth cathedral to stand on this spot since the year 604.

No trip to London will be complete without see Tower Bridge. The bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge that was built between 1886 and 1894 that straddles the River Thames near the Tower of London.

Museums and Galleries

Named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a collection of 4.5 million items.

Only metres away from the V&A is the Natural History Museum. This holds 70 million science specimens of Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology.

In 1759, the British Museum opened and became the world’s first national public museum granting free access for visitors, a tradition that still remains today. Its collection of 8 million items reflects human history and culture.

The title of most-visited art gallery in the world goes to the Tate Modern. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames, the massive exterior is almost an art-piece in itself. It’s nothing compared to what’s waiting on the inside.

Another Tate Museum, but this time it’s the Tate Britain, very different from the Tate Modern. It’s exterior is more what you’d expect form an old London building with its wide stone steps, high pillars and fancy stonework and holds historical and contemporary British art only. The outside also bears scars from World War II.

Shopping

A tourist hot spot, Portobello Road Market is the place to go if you’re on the look out for some antiques. It’s featured in many films over the years, but is mostly famously known as the setting for 1999 film Notting Hill.

Camden Market actually refers to a number of adjoining large retail markets in Camden Town around the Camden Lock. Clothing, craftwork, bric-a-brac and fast food are all on offer.

If you’ve got a bit of cash to spend, or only have a little, the Harrods department store offers something for everyone all under one roof. Sit down for coffee, sip some champagne, or just peruse the floors and aisles.

Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street with about 300 high street shops. Regent Street, another busy shopping street, intersects Oxford Street at Oxford Circus.

For the cooler kids out there, Carnaby Street is home to fashion and lifestyle retailers as well as smaller independent fashion boutiques. It was often the place to hangout in London’s swinging sixties.

Food and Drink

Sketch was conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mazouz that offers a food, drink and entertainment experience.

If you want to experience Gordon Ramsay’s finest cuisine, head to Claridge’s. Go on, treat yourself, but mind your language 

If you’re looking for familiar British food cooked to perfection, Ivy should be on your list. Getting a table may be difficult, though, as it’s a regular haunt for many a celeb.

Located beside the River Thames, the Oxo Tower is another one of London’s famous landmarks. The roof-level restaurant offers stunning views of the city and the food is top-notch.

The Ritz is exquisite, indulgent and elegant. Perfect for a once in a lifetime dining experience. Spend the afternoon there by having an afternoon tea; it’s a real treat.

Hidden gems

Here’s a small selection of locations from Nokia Maps that will excite the senses. Dennis Severs’ House is an intriguing house where each room is a type of time capsule to years gone by. The Museum of London Docklands should tell you everything you need to know about how the River Thames helped London become the city it is today. The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is a great place to rest your feet and soul. And, the Spaniard’s Inn is a historic pub of great literary heritage where Byron and Keats sipped an ale, or two.

Nokia maps is the perfect travelling companion and the City Pages are where you should start your journey. The London City Page has much more to offer than the small amount of POIs we’ve listed above.