With the seemingly endless list of exciting attractions, museums, galleries, theatres, sporting events, festivals, grand landmarks, gorgeous gardens, ritzy restaurants and spectacular shopping on offer, a single trip to London is never enough. The buzz and history of the capital is without compare and its wealth of treasures too many to describe, so much so that you’ll find yourself returning time and time again to take it all in.
Places of interest
Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, Tate Britain on Millbank, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the Cabinet War Rooms are just some of the most visited sights in central London. The British Museum in Bloomsbury houses one of the world’s largest selections of antiquities, including the Magna Carta, the Elgin Marbles and the first edition of Alice in Wonderland, while The Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world in a stunning building in Kensington and The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years’ worth of amazing artefacts from around the world.
Get a bird's eye view of the city with a ride on the The London Eye at South Bank or a visit to The View from The Shard, 95-storeys up and London’s highest viewing platform, alternatively, head to the city's sky garden for a more unique experience.
For a real touch of tradition, snap a photo or two of the Changing The Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, visit during the annual Trooping the Colour celebrations on Horse Guards Parade, or enjoy the pomp and splendour of the Lord Mayor’s Parade in November.
History and Modernity combined
London is home to some of the world’s most striking architecture, both ancient and modern. St Paul’s Cathedral was redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren and the Tower of London, dominated by the White Tower dating from 1097, houses The Crown Jewels guarded by the famous Beefeaters and the palace ravens, there are a certain number of birds in the flock at all times, rumour has it that if the ravens disappear, the monarchy will fall!
Tower Bridge, straddling the River Thames since 1894, is open to the public – explore the bowels of the bridge and enjoy the fabulous views up and downstream from the Glass Walkways. These days, architects compete to create ever taller and more iconic landmarks. The Grade II listed Barbican is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue and one of London’s best examples of Brutalist architecture, you can find it towards the east of the city, and the Norman Foster-designed Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe is famous the world over. The Heron Tower at Bishopsgate is one of the City’s tallest skyscrapers, and Tower 42 (previously the NatWest Tower) is one its most recognisable – all have restaurants from which to enjoy fabulous views and fabulous food.
Further East, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the exciting legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games at the heart of a new, vibrant East London. Though these days it is the home of West Ham FC, one of the east end's oldest football club, the structure itself, alongside the Westfield Strafford Centre make it a popular place to visit.
Historic parks
Outdoors, London is one of the greenest capitals in the world with over 3,000 parks and open spaces!
St James’ Park is the oldest, founded by Henry VIII in 1532 while Hyde Park is the largest at 630 acres and one of the greatest city parks in the world. Enjoy any number of outdoor activities, visit the Serpentine Galleries for contemporary art or Speakers’ Corner, the most famous location for free speech in the world. Regent's Park, with its ZSL London Zoo and outdoor theatre, lies north of Oxford Circus and was given to the nation by the Prince Regent. Further afield, Hampstead, Wimbledon and Clapham boast some of London’s most famous heaths and commons, and visit Greenwich Park to enjoy vast sweeping views of London, as well as the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory.
Food, drink and fun
London is beyond compare when it comes to entertainment.
Covent Garden and Leicester Square can’t be beaten for the vast range of theatres, bars, restaurants and amazing nightime atmosphere. If you’re looking for family attractions, Madame Tussauds features all your favourite celebrities and super heroes, or if you fancy an historical fright, visit the London Dungeon or explore the streets of old London on a Jack the Ripper tour.
For foodies, world-class restaurants jostle with hipster cafés and trendy street food vendors at every turn, offering cuisine from every corner of the world. The number of events taking place across London grows longer every year - Notting Hill Carnival, the London Marathon, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Summer Series at Somerset House, the London Design Festival, Frieze Art Fair, Taste of London in Regent’s Park, London Festival of Architecture, RideLondon, the British Summer Time music festival, RHS Chelsea Flower Show – the list is endless!
No trip to London is complete without indulging in the capital’s myriad retail delights. From bustling Oxford Street and the stylish shops on Regent Street and Bond Street to the trendy boutiques of Covent Garden and Carnaby Street, vibrant markets such as Portobello Road and Notting Hill, and world-class stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, London truly does have something for every taste.
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