Big Ben
The famous clocktower, better known as Big Ben, has become the unofficial symbol of London. The tower stands at 315 feet tall and when it was completed in 1859 it was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world. The Big Ben clock tower is built into the Palace of Westminster, where the two houses of Parliament meet. However the clock fell silent in 2017 and has been under construction ever since. Major repairs have been underway on the clocktower with the goal of it ringing again in 2021. So if you visit Big Ben before then, like I did, be prepared to be greeted by a tower of scaffolding. It was a little disappointing to not witness Big Ben in all its glory, but you could still admire the clock face.
London Eye
The London Eye is a tourist attraction located on the River Thames that offers a unique perspective of the city of London. The London Eye is basically a massive ferris wheel, and it is the tallest observation wheel in the entire United Kingdom. The London Eye no longer offers the highest viewing point in London... that title was claimed by the Shard Observation Tower in 2013. However the London Eye provides a unique view of many of London's most famous landmarks including Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul's Cathedral, various parks and bridges, and so much more! Don't worry, when boarding your capsule you will get a map of what you are seeing! The ride takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Before buying tickets check and see how long the line is, a skip-the-line ticket might be worth it in the busy summer months. A standard ticket will cost £30, but there are also VIP and group tickets available.
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is another one of London's most famous landmarks, and many people even confuse it with the London Bridge! The Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge built in the late 1800's. The bridge consists of two tall medieval towers connected both my an upper walkway and the lower roadway. It is quite a site to see, and hopefully when you are visiting the roadway will be opened up to allow a ship to pass under the Tower Bridge! The roadway is free to cross for both vehicles and pedestrians, while the upper level has been turned into a small museum on the history of the Tower.
The Tower of London is located just around the corner from Tower Bridge. The castle has played a prominent role in English history, serving as an armory, treasury, prison, and much more. Currently, the Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, which are on display inside the Tower.
Buckingham Palace
Bonus: Changing of the Guard
If you are heading to London a trip to Buckingham Palace is a must. This palace is not only the residence of the Queen, but also the administrative headquarters of the monarchy of the United Kingdom. When visiting, look to see what flag is flying on top of the palace. If the Union Jack flag is flying, it means the Queen is not in residence, while the Royal Standard flag will fly if the Queen is residing at the Palace. Tours of the State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace are only available for 10 weeks each summer and on selective dates in the spring and winter. However a free event occurs at Buckingham Palace three times a week for the entire year: The Changing of the Guard. This is a formal ceremony that occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 AM where the new guard will replace the old guard. It is a fun ceremony to watch! More details on this ceremony will be coming in a blog post soon!
Hyde Park
There is so much to see and do inside Hyde Park, you could spend an entire day here! The most famous attraction within Hyde Park is Kensington Palace and Gardens. However there is so much more within the park. There are over a dozen of memorials and monuments scattered around the park, including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, a memorial to the July 7 London Bombings, and even a statue of Peter Pan. Don't forget to check out the Serpentine Art Galleries, which is also located within the park. The galleries are free to visit and offer a wide collection of contemporary artwork.
Kensington Palace
Hyde Park is the largest Royal Park in London and merges with Kensington Gardens. Just beyond the Gardens resides Kensington Palace, where various members of the Royal Family have lived since the 17th century. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have both resided there. Many aspects of the Palace are open to the public and guided tours of the State Rooms are available.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a mainly Gothic abbey located around the corner from the Palace of Westminster. During it's time as a functioning abbey in the 16th century, Westminster was one of the most notable religious buildings in the country. It was the traditional coronation, burial, and wedding site of both English and British monarchs. Although Westminster is no longer a functioning abbey, it is a functioning church. Westminster Abbey is also famous for hosting many royal weddings, including, most recently, Prince William and Kate Middleton, who were married in 2011. Tours of Westminster Abbey are available, but book earlier in the day as this is a popular tourist attraction.
See a show in the West End
The West End is the Broadway equivalent in England. This area of London is home to the theater district, tourist attractions, shops, local businesses, government buildings, and entertainment venues. There are dozens of shows playing in the West End including the classics of Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Les Miserables, and much more! If you are a theater lover definitely look into getting tickets to a West End show.
Churchill War Rooms & Museum
This museum is one of the five branches of the Imperial War Museum, located across London. The Churchill war room museum is made up of a series of underground rooms and tunnels that were used throughout World War II by Winston Churchill as a British command center. The museum is open from 9:30 - 6 PM every day and you will want to purchase your tickets in advance as they can sell out.
Shakespeare's Globe Theater
This theater is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theater, where Shakespeare wrote his plays and the original Shakespeare Theater Company performed. The original Globe theater was burnt down in a fire in 1613 and was eventually demolished in 1644. The theater that stands today was built in the late 1990's and opened to the public as a working theater once more. What makes the Globe unique is that it is an open air theater...there is no roof! So during the winter months shows move across the street to the Sam Winemaker playhouse, named for the man who reopened the Globe to the public. Guided educational tours are available as well but I think it would be quite spectacular to take in a Shakespearean play int he home of Shakespeare himself.
British Museum
The British Museum is dedicated to the British history, art, and culture. With over 8 million artifacts, it is one of the largest museums in the world. The museum is free to visit and features over 60 galleries to be explored.
Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station
If you are a Harry Potter fan visiting King's Cross Station is a must! Every Harry Potter fan knows that the Hogwarts Express leaves King's Cross Station from Platform 9 ¾. You can experience the magic for yourself on the concourse at King's Cross, near the Harry Potter Shop. To see what other Harry Potter themed activities you can partake in while in London check out my blog here!
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