London, the beautiful capital city of England, has been a traveller’s delight for centuries. With a rich cultural history and legacy of kings and queens, it has evolved into a true cosmopolitan city that showcases modern advances and a medley of people and places.
If you have plans to travel to London and want to absorb the history of the city, we recommend these top 5 places to visit as soon as you land:
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the most historic and popular places to see in the city. The first section was constructed in the late 1070s and it is now an iconic castle with a history of nearly a thousand years. The tower is majestically built inside and out, with grand interiors and artistic decorations. See the King’s chambers, Crown Jewels and people dressed in period costumes to really get a feel of what it looked like in the past.
Buckingham Palace
Your trip to London isn’t complete if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace. One of the Queen’s official residences, Buckingham Palace is open to visitors throughout the year. However, if you want to see the State Rooms, which are decorated with grand ornaments and still in use by the Royal Family, make sure you visit between late July and September. There are also a number of ceremonies that take place between May and late July. Don’t miss out on the experience of visiting this prestigious palace.
London Eye
The London Eye is a popular tourist attraction that allows you to see London from a whole new level. Standing at 135 metres tall, this revolving wheel is located on the South Bank of the River Thames, giving you unparalleled views of North, East, South and West London. The transparent glass doors of the pods that take you round ensure great visibility at all times, giving you a picturesque and panoramic view of the entire city! While the best time to visit the London Eye is in the evening, it is nevertheless a memorable experience at any time of the day.
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds has over 300 lifelike models of some of the world’s most popular celebrities from all walks of life. From movie stars and sportspeople to fashion moguls and politicians, you can find them all under one roof at Madame Tussauds. Models include Brad Pitt, Usain Bolt, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Donald Trump, Marvel Superheroes and many many more! Of course, there’s much more to this museum than just the lifelike models – discover an array of attractions, activities and more!
Big Ben
One of London’s most iconic landmarks is Big Ben, the popular term for the world-famous four-faced chiming clock. This charming clock was completed in 1859 and to this day shows accurate time, with the famous bell striking every hour (with quarter bells chiming every 15 minutes). If you’re interested in the mechanics behind the clock, there’s a tour that explains it all.
That’s not all London has to offer though. Other must-see places include: the River Thames, which stretches over 346 kilometres; Hyde Park, which hosts countless activities for kids and adults alike; Covent Garden, which boasts markets, shops, restaurants and bars; Kew Gardens, a botanical garden spread over 300 acres housing the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world; and much more. If you’re looking for entertainment, whether it be theatre shows, music, movies, food and upbeat nightlife, get yourself to Soho in London’s West End.
Well-connected city
Getting around London is very easy, thanks to the well-designed public transportation systems. The easiest and most convenient way of travelling in the city is the London Underground, nicknamed ‘the tube’. The tube is a transit system serving Greater London and a few surrounding counties. It reaches nearly every conceivable destination and is guaranteed to help you reach your destination quickly and easily.
Another option is the hopping on a famous London bus, which is the best option for budget-conscious travellers or those that want to still see the city as they travel. Keep in mind though that traveling by bus takes a lot more time than the tube! You can also access London by National Rail, Trams and other transport systems. You can always find a bus to take you where you want to go, and some are even available 24 hours a day. Of course, the frequency of buses decreases the later it gets, so plan your trip accordingly.
If you decide to travel by tube or bus, pick up a day Travelcard to avoid the hassle of standing in the queue to buy tickets every time you travel.
Last but not least, you can always walk. Some routes and pavements have smaller but still interesting things to see, and you can walk easily from one major attraction to the next.
Now that you know the top places to see in London, we’re sure you’ll have enough fun exploring. Why not share your experiences with your family & friends through LIVE streaming or an HD video call?
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