London the capital of England is packed with fantastic attractions and a huge variety of things to see. These include historical landmarks with a rich history to more modern sites that have only been around since the turn of the century. Although the range of things to see and do in London is huge, we’ve narrowed down some places that you’ll definitely want on your list. Here are suggestions of 10 must-visit attractions that you don’t want to miss when visiting London.
1. Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge opened in 1894 and is one of the most recognisable bridges in the world. It operates as a bascule bridge where the central road raises allowing large ships to pass through. The exterior of the bridge is free to explore, and for a cool experience visit the Tower Bridge Experience where you’ll learn more about the history and construction of the bridge. For those that like photography the bridge also serves as one of the most photogenic spots in London.
Website: www.towerbridge.org.uk
2. The Shard
The Shard is London’s tallest landmark at 310 meters high with 95 floors. It was built between 2009-2012 with a slim pyramid design and then covered with 11,000 glass panels. The building contains a luxury hotel, apartments, restaurants, offices and a viewing platform. From the viewing platform which is on floors 68, 69 and 72 you will get some of the most breathtaking views of the city. If you wanted a treat you could even stay at the Shangri-La Hotel on the 35th to 52nd floors.
Website: www.the-shard.com
3. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has been the Queen of England’s official residence since 1837. The Palace contains 775 rooms, including The State Rooms, bedrooms, offices and bathrooms.
During the summer it’s possible to visit The State Rooms, which are truly stunning and fantastic to see. Another really enjoyable experience is to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This involves the Queen’s Guard handing over the responsibility of guarding Buckingham Palace and St Jame’s Palace to the new guard. What makes this entertaining is the accompanying music and marching that comes with it. Make sure you get there early though for a good spot.
Website: royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace
4. Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) are some of London’s most iconic and historic landmarks. The building was originally built in 1016 but was demolished in 1834 due to a major fire. Rebuilding started in 1840 and took more than 30 years. It’s now used by the UK’s national government where they hold meetings, debates, discuss issues, create law and much more so as to run the country.
For those wanting to capture some postcard views head over to the Queen’s Walk. This is on the other side of Westminster Bridge opposite the palace.
Website: www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace
5. Hyde Park
Hyde Park covers 350 acres and is one of London’s Royal Parks. It makes for a fantastic place to run, relax or just enjoy the peace and quiet away from the busy streets. Located towards the middle you will find the Serpentine lake where you can get a paddleboat or go for some refreshments at the water’s edge.
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park
6. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is fantastic to see and is one of London’s many free attractions. It contains over 80 million specimens including fossils, diamonds, meteorites, dinosaur models and so much more. As well as this there are regular exhibitions such as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year which showcases some of the best nature photography and is very inspiring to see.
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk
7. Piccadilly Circus
These glowing billboards are located at the centre of London, close to the West End and Soho. Around this area you’ll find Regent Street and Oxford Street which are some of the best places in the city for shopping, as well as for theatres, restaurants, bars and clubs.
8. London Eye
The London Eye was completed in 2000 to celebrate the turn of the century and the new millennium. It provides a fantastic experience where you’ll travel in a slow-moving capsule and get to enjoy incredible views of the city. On a clear day you may be able to see as far as 40km from the top. The London Eye is also awesome to photograph and often used for the annual New Years Eve Fireworks.
Website: www.londoneye.com
9. St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral located in London’s Financial District. The cathedral was also the venue for the wedding between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (who has sadly now passed). A visit is ticketed and allows you to admire the beautiful architecture in the main hall, explore the crypt, as well as enjoy fantastic 360 views of the city from the dome.
Website: www.stpauls.co.uk
10. Tower of London
The Tower of London is a historic castle located along the River Thames and built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. When visiting you could take a tour with a Yeoman Warders around the castle, explore the battlements and towers and also see the famous Crown Jewels.
Website: www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Summary
Here are some of the must-see attractions in London to not to miss during your visit. Showing you some of the most spectacular landmarks and historical gems around the city. See our tourist guide for visiting London and suggestions of 25 Best Things to See and Do in London for more tips during your trip.
