Culture overview
London's cultural scene combines the assurance of long-standing tradition with the verve of regained creativity. The sheer breadth of cultural activities on offer in the capital is breathtaking, with over 150 theatres and 300 art galleries.
Contemporary figures like Tracy Emin and Zadie Smith complement the rich heritage of Turner and Shakespeare.
The hulking concrete mass of the South Bank Centre is one of the City's cultural Meccas. It houses the Hayward Gallery (website: www.hayward.org.uk) and three concert halls - the newly re-opened Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room.
Flying the cultural flag north of the river, the labyrinthine Barbican Centre is an all-inclusive performing and visual arts venue with a varied all-year programme of events.
The weekly Time Out magazine (website: www.timeout.com) provides details of the week's entertainment. So does the website of Visit London www.visitlondon.co.uk.