Samuel Johnson once said that, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” London, once the center of the greatest empire the world has ever known, is a city rich in history. It was founded two thousand years ago by the Romans and has, ever since, been the center of British culture and politics. It is a city with a myriad of attractions that will delight lovers of the past. Here are a few of them.

British Museum

The British Museum contains artifacts from virtually every world culture from prehistory to modern times. One can see ancient Egyptian mummies, Greek and Roman statues, jewelry from European cultures, as well as arms and armor from Britain, Japan, and Africa, among many other exhibits. One of the most famous artifacts in the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone, discovered in Egypt by the French in the late 18th Century, which providing the key to translating Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Allow for most of an afternoon or morning for a visit to the museum. There is a very good Museum shop and places to eat and relax during your visit.

The British Museum is in easy reach of the Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, and Goodge St. underground stations. Bus routes New Oxford Street: 7, 8, 19, 22b, 25, 38, 55, 98, Tottenham Court Road, northbound and Gower Street, southbound 10, 24, 29, 73, 134, and Southampton Row: 68, 91, 188 will also get you there.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussaud perfected her craft by creating death masks of victims of the French Revolution, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Today, her wax museum contains figures of over four hundred famous and infamous from history and pop culture. One can see life size, life like figures of everyone from King Henry VIII (and his wives) to George Clooney and Spiderman.

Madame Tussauds is one minute away from the Baker St. underground station. Bus routes 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159 and 274 will also get you there.