Buckingham Palace
One of Britain's most iconic buildings,
Buckingham Palace is also the scene of London's most popular display of pomp
and circumstance, the Changing of the Guard. Drawing crowds at 11:30am
regardless of the season, this colorful and free display of precision marching
and music also takes place at St. James's Palace, after which you can
follow the band along The Mall as they march between sites.
Royal Jewels at The Tower of London
From prison to palace, treasure vault to private
zoo, the magnificent Tower of London has fulfilled many different roles over
the centuries. One of Britain's most iconic structures, this spectacular World
Heritage Site offers hours of fascination for visitors curious about the
country's rich history - after all, so much of it happened here. Inside the
massive White Tower, built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, is the
17th-century Line of Kings with its remarkable displays of royal armaments and
armor.
British Museum
Displaying one of the world's finest collections
of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from
the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China,
Europe, and elsewhere, it's hard to know where to begin in this expansive
attraction.
Houses of Parliament
Nothing screams "London" more
emphatically than the 318-foot tower housing the giant clock and its resounding
bell known as Big Ben. It's as iconic a landmark as Tower Bridge, and
the tolling of Big Ben is known throughout the world as the time signal of the
BBC. Below it, stretching along the Thames, are the Houses of Parliament,
seat of Britain's government for many centuries and once the site of the royal Westminster
Palace occupied by William the Conqueror.
The National Gallery
It's almost impossible to visit London without
catching a glimpse of the impressive National Gallery. This iconic, columned
museum is set at the edge of Trafalgar Square,
home to incredible masterpieces that make it one of the best attractions in
London.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum (aka the V&A)
is part of a South Kensington-based group of museums that includes the Natural
History Museum and Science Museum.
Founded in 1852, the V&A covers close to 13 acres and contains 145
galleries spanning some 5,000 years of art and related artifacts.
Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square
Two of London's best-known tourist spots,
Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square lie not far apart and mark the gateways
to Soho, London's lively theater and entertainment district. The walk
from one to the other is truly enjoyable, lined with eclectic boutiques, tasty
cafés, ice-cream shops, and winding laneways evoking a bygone era when only
horses and buggies traipsed through these historic streets.
Top of the Shard
Since it opened in 2012, The Shard has taken its
place as one of the most-recognizable and most-visited landmarks in London.
Standing 1,016 feet tall and encompassing some 95 stories, this remarkable
structure – so-named for its resemblance to a shard of glass – dominates the
skyline yet, thanks to its pleasing design, doesn't seem at all out of place
when seen next to neighbors such as Tower Bridge.
The Two Tates Tate Britain and Tate Modern
Art lovers cannot visit London without touring
its most impressive art museums: the two Tates. Located on opposite sides of
the Thames are Tate Britain and Tate Modern. Comprising one of the world's most important art
collections, the original gallery opened in 1897 as the basis
of a national collection of significant British art, and continued to make
acquisitions, needing more space to properly display its collections.
Walk the Hallowed Halls of Westminster Abbey
Another location with a long association with
British royalty, Westminster Abbey stands on a site that's been associated with
Christianity since the early 7th century. Officially known as the Collegiate
Church of St. Peter in Westminster, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the
Confessor in 1065 as his place of interment.
Head Underground to Churchill's War Rooms
Among the most fascinating and evocative of
London's historic sites is the perfectly preserved nerve-center from which
Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed the British military campaigns and
the defense of his homeland throughout World War II. Their Spartan simplicity
and cramped conditions underline the desperate position of England as the Nazi
grip tightened across Europe.
The Natural History Museum
Established in 1754, London's spectacular
Natural History Museum remains one of the most-visited such attractions on the
planet. It's easy to spot for its huge Romanesque façade, and a visit is
something you'll not want to rush. Arrive early as it can get quite crowded.
Enjoy a Picnic in Hyde Park
Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is London's
largest open space and has been a destination for sightseers since 1635. One of
the park's highlights is the Serpentine, an 18th-century man-made lake popular
for boating and swimming. Hyde Park is also where you'll find Speakers'
Corner, a traditional forum for free speech - and heckling.
Climb the Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral
The largest and most famous of London's many
churches - and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cathedral's in the world
- St. Paul's Cathedral sits atop the site of a Roman temple. The previous
church structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, and Sir Christopher
Wren designed the rebuild.
Shop at London's Best Markets
Whether you're a fan of food, flowers, art, or
clothes, you'll find something to love in London's best markets. While most
open only on weekends (Fridays included), some of the most eclectic venues,
like the vibrant Camden Market
(in North London), welcome shoppers daily.
Get Entertained by Buskers at Covent Garden
The market halls of Covent Garden are only the
beginning of the neighborhood, which encompasses the shops and restaurants of
Long Acre and other adjacent streets, those of Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, as
well as the Central Square with its incredibly talented, and unique, street
performers.
Take a Flight on the London Eye
Built to mark London's millennium celebrations
in 2000, the London Eye (officially the Coca-Cola London Eye) is Europe's
largest observation wheel. Its individual glass capsules offer the most
spectacular views of the city as you embark on a circular tour rising 443 feet
above the Thames. The journey lasts close to 30 minutes, often quicker than the
time spent lining up for your turn. If you can, reserve your time in advance.
Meet Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace
Another great Thames-side attraction, Hampton
Court is one of Europe's most famous palaces, and a truly remarkable place to
visit in London. Its Great Hall dates from Henry VIII's time (two of his six
wives supposedly haunt the palace), and it's where Elizabeth I learned of
the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Straddle the Meridian Line at Greenwich and Eat at Docklands
For
centuries the hub of Britain's naval power, Greenwich is best known to tourists
as the home of the Cutty Sark,
the last of the 19th-century tea clippers to sail between Britain and China.
The ship is located adjacent to the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre
with its exhibits showcasing more than 500 years of maritime history, and the
Palladian mansion known as Queen's House.
Ride a Horse through Richmond Park
It's hard to believe you're in London (well,
technically just outside London) when on a visit to Richmond Park. One of the
most captivating of the eight Royal Parks, this lavish natural wonderland has everything
you'd look for in an English park: winding paths, verdant woodland, sparkling
lakes, horse stables and trails, bike lanes, and multiple picnic spots.
Ogle the Flora and Fauna at Kew Gardens
Spending at day at Kew Gardens is one of the
best things to do in London. A UNESCO Heritage Site,
this phenomenal spot is home to over 50,000 living plants and some of the most
majestically manicured gardens in England.