London is the political, economic and cultural capital of Britain, and its world class tourist attractions are renowned across the globe. London's 33 boroughs, including the City of London, are spread over an area of 1,572 sq. kms. The river Thames runs through the heart of London, from Richmond in the west, through the central London borough of Westminster, to Greenwich in the east.
The Greater London area is bursting with attractions for visitors of all ages. The only problem concerning things to do in London is where to start and how to fit it all in. History and style. Class and beauty. London is a once in a lifetime experience. Tour monuments and buildings you've only ever read about in history class; and see art you've only seen in books. Drink beer by the pint. Shop at some of the world's most famous stores and come home the envy of all your friends. Catch some of the finest theater in the world. And give in to your secret obsession with the royals (don't deny it) by stopping by Buckingham Palace.
Official Site: https://www.visitlondon.com
In London, July and August are peak season — with very long days, the best weather, and the busiest schedule of tourist fun. May and June can be lovely anywhere in London. Plan for rain no matter when you go. Just keep traveling and take full advantage of bright spells. The weather can change several times in a day, but rarely is it extreme. As the locals say, “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
Language: English
Currency: [GBP] Pound Sterling
Timezone: GMT
Airports: London Heathrow Airport [LHR], London Gatwick Airport [LGW], London Stansted Airport [STN]
Annual Number of Visitors: 19.1 million (2016)
VISA: https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa
London is incredibly well-connected, with five international airports and the high-speed Eurostar rail link. London’s fantastic transport system, with its Tube, red buses and black taxis, will enable you to get around the city quickly and easily. London river cruises and river buses are a great way to see the city.
All Arts, At Sea, Ballet/Opera, Bars, Boating, Bus Tours, City, Classical Music, Concerts/Shows, Dance Clubs, Family Friendly, Fine Dining, Golf, Heritage, Landmarks/Sights, Local Cuisine, Museums, Off the Beaten Path, Party/Nightlife, Romantic, Spa, Shopping, Theater/Musicals, Theme Park, Walking Tours
Emirates Air Line cable car
Glide above the Thames in the Emirates Air Line cable car and enjoy great views of London. The cable car trip takes approximately 10 minutes.
Beefeater Tours
Share the secrets of one thousand years of royal gossip and intrigue with a Beefeater, or to give them their proper title ‘Yeoman Warder’. This body of men and one woman has guarded the Tower of London for centuries. Take one of their tours and you’ll be amazed and possibly appalled by tales that have been passed down for generations.
Speedboat tours
Take an exhilarating 007-like ride along the river Thames on a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour. These high-speed boat tours are one of the most exciting things to do when you want to see the city in a different way.
London Red Bus
London’s iconic double-decker buses are a quick, convenient and cheap way to travel around the city, with plenty of sightseeing opportunities along the way. London’s bus route network covers all the city with a 24-hour service.
Shop like Royalty
Get a taste of royal London by shopping at the same places as the Queen, with the London Royal Warrant holders. Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition for those who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to the Royal Households.
Nightlife
London is a vibrant metropolis both during the day and throughout the night. There is always something happening even after dark, from one-off events to club nights. As the sun sets, London’s lights switch on providing the city with a magical illumination. Go to Soho and the West End for buzzing nightlife amongst the big neon signs.
Architecture
Many of the best-designed buildings in Europe and the world can be found in London. As well as obvious architectural landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, the city is home to a plethora of impeccably designed buildings and structures.
Retail Therapy
From luxury shops such as Harrods, quirky retail outlets like Dover Street Market, to bargain fashions at markets, big shopping centres such as Westfield and more, London is known for being a shopping destination.
Food & Drink
If you want to try something authentic, try the best fish and chips London has to offer; or indulge in the best afternoon teas in London, a real British tradition. For special occasions, discover some of London’s best romantic or quirky restaurants, as well as all the Michelin-starred restaurants London has to offer. Quench your thirst at one of the many cafes or visit some of the best rooftop bars.
Theatre
London offers some of the world’s best theatre, from world-famous musicals to West End shows and cutting-edge plays. Be sure to book ahead.
Parks and outdoor
Parks in London provide the city with plenty of green. At the last count, there were more than 3,000 parks and open spaces in the city! Thanks to this abundance of outside space, from gardens and large parks to canals and the river Thames, London is one of the greenest capitals in the world.
Steeped in history, Windsor Castle perches proudly on a lush wooded hill overlooking the Thames. Dating back to Norman times, with sweeping landscaped gardens and turreted Round Tower, it’s easy to see why it’s the Queen’s favourite weekend residence royal Windsor. Enjoy a fascinating through–the–keyhole peek at the lavish State Apartments, home to priceless artworks by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci, and visit St. George’s Chapel, the atmospheric final resting place of former monarchs including Henry VIII. You can visit Queen Mary’s Dolls House, a truly incredible structure complete with working lifts, running water, electricity and wine bottles, all in miniature!
Standing proudly on the slopes of the River Avon, beautiful Bath was the first city in England to be designated an UNESCO World Heritage site. The gorgeous 15th century Bath Abbey, the stunning Georgian architecture, the romantic Pulteney Bridge, modeled on Florence’s Ponte Vecchio, are all sights to linger on in the memory of your day. No tour of Bath would be complete without a visit to the famous Roman Baths that gave the city its name. This beautifully preserved bathing complex still flows with water from Britain’s only hot spring. Marvel at the dazzling torch–lighting ceremony as dusk falls (not applicable in summer) and sip Bath’s healing waters in the Pump Room, a stunning neo–classical salon.
The true meaning of this ancient, awe-inspiring creation has been lost in the mists of time. Was Stonehenge a temple for sun worship, a healing centre, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar? How did our ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from so far away and then, using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress.
Soaring into the skyline, the spire of Salisbury Cathedral stands at a whopping 123 m. Erected 800 years ago, the revolutionary spire is considered one of the leading examples of early English architecture. Its sculptured splendour mirrors those which reside at Highgrove, the residence of Prince Charles. See the famous agreement Magna Carta, which lies in the Chapter House.
Trace the footsteps of famous students that have graced Oxford University, while admiring the dreamy “city of spires”.
Warwick Castle will take you back in time – to a world of sumptuous banquets, bloody battles, and royal splendour.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Shakespeare’s School, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Museum – Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England.
National Trust-owned village of Lacock – this typical English village has been the backdrop for Downtown Abbey and the Harry Potter movies.
At Madame Tussauds, you’ll come face-to-face with some of the world’s most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga, you’ll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to One Direction or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.
Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the world’s most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval king’s bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.
Tower Bridge was built over 120 years ago to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the busy Pool of London docks. Built with giant moveable roadways that lift up for passing ships, it is to this day considered an engineering marvel and beyond being one of London’s favourite icons, it is arguably one of the most famous and instantly recognisable structures in the entire world.
An architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, Westminster Abbey also presents a unique pageant of British history Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains – Westminster Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year, the Abbey welcomes over 1 million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building – the coronation church of England.
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. It’s the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the UK. One of most iconic buildings in the world, the Palace of Westminster and its fascinating collection of national treasures provide a unique perspective on the events that have shaped modern Britain.
Kensington Palace is one of the most intriguing of the Historic Royal Palaces. Discover stories from Queen Victoria’s life in the Victoria Revealed exhibition; master courtly games in the King’s State Apartments; glimpse a modern Princess in an exhibition of Diana’s dresses; and uncover the secrets of a fragile dynasty in the Queen’s State Apartments.
St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London. The free audio tour is great and allows you to move through at your own pace. Accessing the walkways around the dome is well worth the climb, but perhaps not if you’re afraid of heights. Wonderful experience overall and you can even attend daily Mass (12:30 pm).
The London Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction that’ll take you back to the past’s most horrible bits. See, hear, smell and feel London’s darkest stories as they come to life before your eyes. As you are taken back in time, you will come face-to-face with frighteningly funny characters, from torturers and judges to local legends. As you listen to their stories, you’ll feel yourself drawn into another world, where the boundaries between reality and the past blur.
For a striking display of British pomp and pageantry, watch the free Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, when the New Guard takes over from the Old Guard. Changing the Guard, also known as Guard Mounting, takes place outside Buckingham Palace from 10.45 am and lasts around 45 minutes, with the actual handover taking place at 11 am.
Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London. Nelson’s Column rises above this iconic square’s LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. Trafalgar Square is surrounded by museums, galleries, cultural spaces and historic buildings. It also has the café on the square.
London’s Hyde Park is one of the greatest city parks in the world. Covering 142 hectares (350 acres) and with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens. The Park has two lakeside restaurants which are licensed and serve everything from a three-course meal to a quick cup of coffee. Hyde Park is home to a number of fascinating buildings and monuments, such as The Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the famous Archiles statue. And with the Diana Memorial Fountain and open air events throughout the year, there’s always something to see and do.
The Coca-Cola London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It boasts some of London’s best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes and holding up to 25 people. Get an unforgettable perspective of more than 55 of London’s most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes. It is centrally located in the heart of the capital, gracefully rotating over the River Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. At 135 metres, it is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and it has become the modern symbol representing the capital and a global icon.
Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique shape is due to it previously being a power station. The gallery’s restaurants offer fabulous views across the city.
Get a taste of the deep blue sea at Sea Life London. Spot up to 400 species including sharks, stingrays, moray eels and clown fish at the aquarium. See stunning green sea turtles and test your nerve on the glass “shark walk”. Learn more at daily talks and feeding times.
London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. Get the chance to get up close with select species like meerkats and colony of penguins.
From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question: “Who am I?”, the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; and visit the Imax cinema.
As well as the permanent dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. See a life-sized blue whale, a 40-million-year-old spider, and the beautiful Central Hall.
Somerset House is home to London’s Courtauld Gallery with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography.
Have a magical day out with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. See first-hand the sets, costumes, and props used in all the Harry Potter films, and step inside some of the films’ locations including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s hut.
The National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square is home to the world’s largest collection of faces and personalities, from Tudor times to the present. From Shakespeare to kings and queens, and icons of our time, it also has a photographic collection and one of the best roof-top restaurants in London.
Rise high above London and see the city’s iconic skyline from a unique perspective, with views stretching up to 64 kms. Spot the likes of the Coca-Cola London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Wembley Stadium from The View from The Shard’s observation deck, which sits 244 m up Western Europe’s tallest building.
The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, London’s National Gallery is a vast space filled with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Piccadilly Circus is one of London’s most popular tourist destinations. Here you can sit by the famous statue of Eros (a popular meeting point), or take some photos in front of the iconic advertising hoarding. From here, you can easily walk to Regent’s Street, Piccadilly or Soho.
The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times, from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London and is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg).
Number 10 Downing Street is the residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury as Prime Minister of the UK. The office helps the PM to establish and deliver the government’s overall strategy and policy priorities, and to communicate the government’s policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences.
Harrods is London’s most famous department store, known particularly for serving the elite and the super-rich. The luxury is spread across a number of floors, laid out in style through its themed halls. Visitors to the department store can expect to enjoy an exemplary level of care, outstanding personal service and a brand of magic experience only to be found at Harrods.
According to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mr. Holmes shared his rooms with his loyal friend and colleague Dr. Watson and the house is protected by the government due to its “special architectural and historical interest.” Step back in time and visit The World’s Most Famous Address – 221b Baker Street – the Official Home of Sherlock Holmes.
The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years’ worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what you’ll discover next: furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork and textiles; the list goes on and on. The Museum holds many of the UK’s national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.
Housed within the impressive walls of the Bank of England, this museum takes you through the history of the bank since its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the nation’s central bank. There are gold bars dating from ancient times to the modern market bar, coins and a unique collection of banknotes. There are also many items you might not expect to find, such as the pikes and muskets used to defend the bank; the Roman pottery and mosaics uncovered when it was rebuilt in 1930; and documents relating to famous customers such as George Washington.
London’s famous Bond Street is revered throughout the world for its wealth of elegant stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion, luxury goods, fine jewels, art and antiques. Set in the heart of Mayfair, in London’s popular West End and encompassed by many of the world’s most outstanding hotels and restaurants, Bond Street is a landmark for all things sophisticated. Since its foundation in 1700, Bond Street has been the playground of society’s wealthiest most stylish and influential people. Today, over 300 years on, Bond Street remains a much-loved destination for celebrities, socialites and the international jet set.
Founded in 1787, Marylebone Cricket Club is the most active and famous cricket club in the world and owner of Lord’s Cricket Ground – the Home of Cricket. The tour to the Lord’s starts in the MCC Museum, home of the famous Ashes urn. The Museum brings the fascinating story of cricket to life. Paintings, photographs and artefacts, covering 400 years of cricket history, reveal the game’s development from a rural pastime to a modern, increasingly international sport. The tour continues through the heart of the Pavilion to the famed Long Room, both a cricket-watching room and a cricket art gallery.
Regent’s Park is one of the Royal Parks of London. Walk through the elegant flowerbeds in the Avenue Gardens, see more than 12,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens, or hire a rowing boat and join the ducks on the boating lake. Visit the Open Air Theatre and London Zoo, then take a stroll up Primrose Hill for excellent views of the London skyline.
Be transported to the land of Far, Far Away as you join Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona and the gang for a thrilling adventure on London’s South Bank. You can go on a hilarious bus journey with Donkey, watch hysterical live shows, see key locations from the Shrek films, and take on challenges to help your quest to return to London.
The Wembley Stadium Tour is an unforgettable experience for all the family! This award-winning, fully guided experience features Wembley’s most exclusive, behind-the-scenes locations such as the England Dressing Room, Players Tunnel, Press Room and much, much more. Follow in the footsteps of legends as you discover the secrets behind the UK’s largest and most prestigious sports stadium.
The Museum has run several special exhibitions over the years, including one dedicated to tennis at the Olympic Games, another charting the evolution of the racket from the 1870s to present day. The Museum ticket includes access to the Museum, a free audio guide in one of ten languages and a short visit to Centre Court, as well as access to the VR Experience in the Museum.
Explore Henry VIII’s majestic palace, including his magnificent state apartments and vast Tudor kitchens. Henry VIII’s Great Hall is spanned by a large and sumptuously decorated hammer-beam roof and its walls are hung with Henry VIII’s most splendid tapestries, The Story of Abraham. Don’t miss the Haunted Gallery, the Baroque Palace, the formal gardens and the famous maze. Come face to face with mysterious mythical beasts, storm the battlements, besiege the towers and explore the secret grotto. The Magic Garden provides a new and unique way for your family to explore the palace’s past. Each area represents myths, legends, stories and even real objects that can be found at Hampton Court. Once you have ticked everything off in the garden, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover those real objects in and around the palace.
Stand at the centre of world time. Discover the past, present and future wonders of astronomy at the centre of time. Take an amazing journey through the historic home of British astronomy, Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World. Explore how great scientists first mapped the seas and the stars, stand astride two hemispheres on the Prime Meridian Line, see pioneering inventions and the UK’s largest refracting telescope, touch a 4.5 billion year-old asteroid, and travel the Universe at London’s only planetarium. A top-10 UK visitor attraction, Royal Museums Greenwich is home to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the iconic historic sailing ship Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House art gallery. All the attractions are located within easy walking distance of each other within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a global shopping break, London offers the best shops all in one city. Three days of luxury hotels, designer shopping and exclusive restaurants in London.
