Whether you’re there for a weekend, a week or a fortnight, London is a special city. The capital of England, home to Her Majesty, afternoon tea, cockney rhyming slang, the river Thames and Charles Dickens, London is packed full of experiences and adventures to be had. There are many visitor attractions to choose from and we’ve listed our favorites for you.
Table of Contents
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower of London
- London Eye
- Big Ben
- Hyde Park
- The Shard
- Trafalgar Square
- The Tube
- Spitalfields Market
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the monarch of the United Kingdom.
The main building dates back to the early 1700s, although it has been enlarged since to consist of three wings around a central courtyard. The famous east front is the balcony on which the royal family traditionally congregate to greet and wave to crowds.
The palace has an incredible 775 rooms and the garden is the largest private garden in London.
Although you can’t go wandering around the Queen’s pad, the state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each August and September and on some days in winter and spring.
Visitors can watch the changing of the guard all year round.
Tower of London
Another famous London building, unfortunately some of the not-so-nice historic things have happened here. The Tower of London is a historic castle and fortress on the North bank of the River Thames that houses the Crown Jewels. Many famous names were imprisoned within its walls.
Visitors can see the breath-taking, world famous collection of 23,578 gemstones used in royal ceremonies, learn about the Towers infamous past and how it the fortress has defended itself over the years.
London Eye
A newer attraction that brightens up the London skyline, the London Eye is an enormous riverside observation wheel that gives passengers a bird’s-eye view of the city’s landmarks.
Big Ben
An unusual name if you’ve not heard it before, but Big Ben is London’s iconic national timepiece; a 16-storey Gothic clock tower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament.
Hyde Park
Packing acres of greenery in Central London.
A huge area of green space, Hyde Park is home to the Diana Memorial Fountain and there’s also boating and swimming to be enjoyed in the Serpentine Lake.
The Shard
The Shard is a modern piece of architecture.
At 306m high, this glass and steel tower offers amazing views.
It’s an 87 floor glass skyscraper with a jagged peak that also boasts restaurants and a viewing platform.
Trafalgar Square
A public square in the center of the City of Westminster, it’s a vibrant place in the middle of London.
It’s a heritage site and features statues and fountains.
Trafalgar Square is also surrounded by museums, galleries, cultural spaces and historic buildings.
The Tube
Known informally as the Tube, the London Underground is a public transport system which began operation in the early 1860’s.
There are 270 train stations across London and some of the lines run almost 60 meters below street level!
Spitalfields Market
London is home to many eclectic markets and Spitalfields is one of the most famous. It’s packed with cutting edge fashion, interior design, arts and crafts, and artisan food.
Other great visits are Camden’s Vintage Market and Borough Food Market.
Wherever you go, London is about as an eclectic a city as they get. The weather may not always be on your side, but there’s never a dull moment and something for everyone. Our list is just the tip of the ice burg, so enjoy making new finds and having lots of London adventures.
Cheers!
