The number of visitors to London attractions last year dropped by 5.9 per cent compared with 2004.

Large attractions, especially those located in central London, suffered the biggest decline in visits during the year, although many smaller sites – especially those on the periphery of the city – saw a rise in attendance.

However, by December 2005, overall attendances were down only 2.9 per cent, indicating that visitors are beginning to return to many attractions.

The figures have been published by tourism body Visit London as part of its London Attraction Monitor.

According to a Visit London analyst, in terms of visitor number recovery at the capital’s attractions, there is similarity between the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in July 2005 and the Gulf War in spring 2003.

The analyst therefore believes that London attractions will see a gradual recovery similar to the pattern shown in 2003.

In December, Michael Day, the chief executive of Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), called for the government to be honest about the impact the London bombings have had on the tourism sector. HRP, which operates the Tower of London and Kensington Palace, has seen visitor numbers fall by up to 30 per cent since the July atrocities.

A total of 56 attractions took part in the latest Visit London survey, including the London Eye, the Tower of London and Tate Britain. Details: www.visitlondon.com