Change of Guard, Buckingham Palace, London, UK by Dan McKay

Summer is the best time to visit London thanks to the assortment of activities available. Tourists can stroll through St. James Park right through to Buckingham Palace in order to witness the Change of Guard which is such a spectacle. The annual Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of tourists who come solely to witness its pomp. The streets of West London are always packed with people who are eager to witness the biggest festival in Europe. Adults and children alike can get to enjoy this festival without discrimination. This makes London the ideal family vacation destination.

Most people regard London as one of the best cities across Europe because of its edgy fashion. Whichever street you walk down in London, you are likely to peer through the clothes store windows to catch a glimpse of the wide array of fashion. Top Shop is one such place that celebrities from all over visit to grab the latest trends in fashion. Budget conscious shoppers come to this shop to browse through the many fashion endowed floors. This chic store has an in-house disc jockey who makes standing in the queues a bit more tolerable. Fashion loving people definitely enjoy visiting this city.

Notting hill carnival, London, England, UK by S Pakhrin

Another thing that makes London one of the top cities in Europe is football. Wembley stadium plays host to very important football matches such as the UEFA champion’s league fina. Hordes of football loving visitors come to this city annually to watch important matches. The English Premier League is also very popular worldwide and it attracts many foreigners who come to watch their favourite football teams in action. Popular teams such as Chelsea and Arsenal call the city of London home and they have many fans all over the world. Some people even fly into London just to see their favourite footballers in the hope of getting an autograph.

The city of London is home to more than 7.5 million people excluding visitors. A lot of these Londoners come from abroad so they speak an assortment of languages making it a culture rich city. The theatres in London are the best in the world. One such theatre is the West End Theatre which attracts the best actors. There are lots of tranquil green spaces where visitors can sit down and have picnics. There is no shortage of parks form Richmond Park to Hyde Park. Visit London and experience the free attractions and some of the best sporting events in the world.

Richmond Park, London, UK by Cristian Bortes

Author Bio: Blogger who researchers and talks about the fantastic city of London and what makes it special for tourists for Eccleston Square Hotel

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Jubilee Walkway

Whether you’re a tourist looking to tick off the sights or a resident keen to remind yourself of the magic of the UK capital then this route is the perfect way to see some of the most iconic attractions and landmarks. This 15 mile route encompasses centuries of history as it takes you past St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and much more.

St Paul’s Cathedral Pinnacle and London Eye, UK by J. A. Alcaide

Crystal Palace Park

Hunting dinosaurs might seem an unlikely activity in London but venture down to Crystal Palace and you’ll be able to stroll past more than 30 quirky sculptures of prehistoric beasts originally put up in 1854. They have recently been restored and are a captivating sight for monster-crazy kids and imaginative adults too. The park has plenty more to offer as well, including the site of the first ever FA Cup Final, a century-old maze, a good ol’ London boozer, and the ruins of the Crystal Palace itself.

Photo of Crystal Palace Park, London, UK by Ewan Munro

Green Chain Walk

London may be renowned as one of the planet’s most bustling metropolises, but it is surprisingly green as well. You can escape the fast pace of city life by following the signposted Green Chain Walk, which lets you explore up to 50 miles (broken down helpfully into 11 different sections) of parkland, riverbank walks and green spaces which have been preserved from development for decades.

Richmond Park

If you really want to take a walk on the wild side in London then this park offers some surprising wildlife, including the famous deer. With a whopping 2,500 acres to explore it gives you a real sensation of wide open spaces within the otherwise cramped confines of London and a chance to get some fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The surrounding millionaire houses are a sight to behold, while the park enjoys fantastic views of the city skyline, but it is catching a glimpse of hundreds of deer roaming free and the cheeky parrots perched on the treetops which will truly inspire.

Photo of Richmond Park, London, UK by Matthew Kirkland

Mystery treasure hunt

London is a city of hidden delights and there is no better way to appreciate this than with a mystery tour. Urban treasure hunt experiences make great gift ideas for inquisitive individuals and are superb fun for groups of friends looking for a day out with a difference. Following the instructions will see you exploring some of the city’s hidden charms, looking for clues in the fabric of the buildings and landscapes and digging deep into the heart of London in a way you never expected.

Produced by Activity Superstore, the UK’s leading gift experience supplier. From Gifts For Men to gifts for her we’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift in our range of over 1,000 products.

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Richmond Park

Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London and spans almost 2,500 acres. It is approximately 30 minutes from central London and resembles English countryside pictures from the fabled story of Robin Hood. There are many gates for entry to the park, and the Richmond Gate is the best entry. This park features panoramic vistas of the capital, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and King Henry VIII’s Mound.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Vince O’Sullivan

There are many paths throughout the park, and visitors can trek around the ponds and through Deer Park. One of the best areas to visit in the park is the Isabella Plantation. It is a visual wonder of magnolias, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. The Isabella Plantation is part of the Richmond Park Site of Special Scientific Interest and is great for birdwatchers. Redstarts, Whitethroats and Green Sandpipers are often spotted.

Richmond Park is also a great venue for sports. An area of the grassland that is north of Roehampton Gate is equipped for rugby and accommodates four adult pitches. Visitors can also rent horses from the local stables to go horseback riding through the park. For golfers, the park has two 18-hole golf courses with a clubroom and pro shop.

Hampstead Heath Park

Inspiring the writings of C.S. Lewis, the Hampstead Heath Park has long grasslands to picnic in, woods to stroll in and ponds to swim in. The park is perfectly juxtaposed and provides scenic views of the Canary Wharf Tower, the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral. In addition to swimming in the ponds, the park is set up for a number of fun activities.

There are tennis courts, golf practice nets, croquet lawns, the Butterfly House and a zoo. The free zoo has exhibits of exotic mammals and birds, including kookaburras, ring-tailed coatis and ring-tailed lemurs. The Butterfly House has enclosed spaces for close-up views of stunning tropical species and areas where visitors can study the life cycle of these beautiful insects.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cristian Bortes

St. James’s Park

St. James’s Park is a lush retreat from the city and is bordered by Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace and Kensington Palace. In addition to scenic views of the palaces, the graceful arc of the London Eye can be admired from the Blue Bridge. Rolling lawns stretch around the sparkling lake, which is home to many pelicans, geese and ducks.

During the warmer months, visitors can take in a concert, relax in the deck chairs, dine in the terrace at the park’s restaurant or alfresco with a picnic. There are also many ceremonial parades and national events that take place at the adjoining avenue of The Mall, which can be viewed from the park.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by - Simon -

This post was provided by the lovely people at hostelbookers.com. If you’re heading to London to enjoy its beautiful parks and sites book a hostel in London with HostelBookers.com

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Edwin Lee

The centre of Richmond, situated on the bank of the river Thames, offers specialized boutiques, nice pubs at the water, rich galleries and museums with interesting collections. Richmond Theatre frequently hosts sneak previews in the West End.

The area boasts many beautiful buildings and gardens. The most famous is the palace of Henry VIII – Hampton Court, which is the oldest Tudor palace in England. There are also The Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, that are one of the world’s leading botanic gardens. They stretch on 121 hectares and are home to more than 40,000 plant species. You can also visit the Palladian villa located on the banks of the Thames called Marble Hill House. It was built in the years 1724-29 by King George II for his mistress Henrietta Howard and now it is open to the public. It is worth to visit also Twickenham Stadium and Museum, the home of the English team – the winner of Rugby World Cup.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Herry Lawford

If you prefer nature, then visit Richmond Park which is the largest royal park in London. The park is surrounded by high walls with several gates. There are also trails for horse riding and cycling.

Very interesting building is Ham House with the garden which is considered to be a unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th century fashion and power. If you come to Richmond, do not forget to visit also Museum of Richmond, The Royal Star & Garter Homes and Syon House. Richmond is best reached by river by boat service, which operates during the summer from Westminster Pier.

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