Enjoying London: A Visitor’s Guide

London, the capital city of England, is home to many historic places, museums, galleries, lovely parks, fantastic restaurants and great shopping. With plenty of sight-seeing opportunities and excitement all around, you will have no trouble finding the best things to see and do in London. Here is a list of top attractions in London.

Palace of Westminster, London, England, UK by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

British Museum

This is the country’s primary and largest museum. It is one of the oldest museums on the planet. The British Museum features vast Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, European and Middle-Eastern art galleries. Entry is free of charge but special exhibitions usually require passes.

National Gallery

Located next to the glorious beauty of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is a huge space that is loaded with Western European paintings and art works from the 13th to 19th centuries. In this famous art gallery, you will find art works by masters like da Vinci, Van Gogh, Botticelli, Renoir, Constable, Stubbs and Titian.

London Eye

The London Eye is a major attraction of London’s skyline. It is the planet’s highest observation wheel, with thirty two capsules, each holding up to 25 people. Climb on-board for a spectacular experience, with wonderful views of over 55 of London’s famous landmarks and buildings. The ride takes just 30 minutes. During the night, when the city is lit up, the view is even more incredible. If you buy a Fast-Track ticket in advance you can skip the lengthy queues.

London Eye, London, England, UK by Kevin Gibbons

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a must see in London. Queen Victoria moved to this huge mansion in 1837; since that time, generations of queens have made this building their home. Though roaming around the grounds and taking photographs of the lavish exterior are normally popular, the palace’s interior is a treasure chest of fine art, furniture, bronze sculptures and ornamental goods.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the major architectural structures in the history of Great Britain. It is more than 900 years old. The Tower has served variously as a treasury, an armory, a public records office, a prison, a palace. Today, the Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower of London.

Tower of London, England, UK by xiquinhosilva

National History Museum

The highlights of National History museum include the Dinosaurs gallery, a giant model blue whale and also the breathtaking Central Hall, home to the famous Diplodocus skeletal frame. Do not miss the Cocoon where you can see a huge selection of exciting specimens.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Come and feel the honor of St. Paul’s Cathedral and see how its legendary dome rules the London skyline. The highlight of St Paul’s Cathedral is the impressive Whispering Gallery which is famous for its acoustics. You can also enjoy spectacular panoramic views of London city from the Golden Gallery which is situated 180 feet above the Whispering Gallery.

As one can see there are plenty of things to do and see in London, England. The options listed above are just a few of the key highlights that many tourists have high on their priority list to go see when they are in London. There are many historic places to visit, and yet, there are several modern art museums, popular restaurants and unique nightclubs and bars that are worth checking out. Overall, a visit to London will provide something for people from all walks of life to enjoy and experience.

Chad A. Hagy is a travel and history enthusiast who enjoys writing about various destinations around the world.

Category: Cities, Cities