When looking for places to visit in London, you can rest assured that you will find a place that fits your itinerary! One of the oldest and well-known cities in the world offers a plethora of places to visit to suit every kind of traveler. Whether you are looking to spend a lazy day in a park or want to enjoy a rocking evening at one of the many pubs, London offers exactly what you are looking for! From age-old markets and avenues to new-age concert venues and party places, London has the best of everything!
The most popular tourist places in London include the cultural heart of the city, Soho, the green suburbs of Hampstead and the Royal Parks like Richmond Park. You can spend your days looking around a wealth of museums like Victoria and Albert or The National Gallery or enjoy a musical concert at the O2 Arena. Apart from the arts, culture and nature, London also offers plenty of options for sports enthusiasts ranging from the Wembley Stadium to the Wimbledon Museum.
Must Visiting Places
1. Buckingham Palace
The official residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch. It is located in the City of Westminster. Buckingham Palace is extremely famous for the city’s most popular display of circumstance, the Changing of the Guard.
This ceremony takes place around 11:30 in the morning in every season where one can witness precision marching along with music and orchestra. The Palace was built in 1837 and has continued to be the residence of the Royal family from the time of Queen Victoria. One way to know whether the Queen is in the palace or not is by looking at the flagpole at the top of the building. If the royal standard is flying, she is present there. On several special occasions, the Queen may also come to the central balcony.
2. London Eye
Located on London’s Southbank, London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilever wheel and an the iconic figure in the London sky. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and other famous London landmarks can be seen from the London Eye. The slow rotation of the wheel enables one to take pictures of the famous landmarks. Apart from the stunning view, another major attraction is a 4D show that forms a part of your London Eye experience.
You can also look out for special themed events like pop-up dining events, Valentine day celebrations or an anniversary dinner. London Eye is one of the major attractions in London’s New Year day firework celebrations. Seeing London at a glance should definitely be a part of your London itinerary.
3. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
A delight for all the Harry Potter fans, this one will give you a behind the scenes look at how the movie was made and will take through some of the most incredible and magical looking sets. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore on their own and also wander through famous places in the movie like The Great Hall. One can also learn the whole experience of filming. The ticket also includes transportation to and from the studios in central London and also the entry.
4. Tower Bridge
Built-in 1886, the Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London constructed over the River Thames. The bridge offers gorgeous panoramic views of the city. One can also experience the amazing view from the high-level walkway and notice the wealth of museums and historic buildings surrounding the Thames.
It is close to the Tower of London and is an iconic symbol of the city nowadays. The Tower Bridge exhibition lets you know the history of the bridge, how and why it was built through various interactive videos and displays about the landmark. It has a glass floor walkway that provides a unique experience for the visitors. One may also get a spectacular panoramic view over the river.
5. Madame Tussauds London
One of the best places to go in London and has lifelike wax statues and interactive areas that bring your favorite movie characters and celebrities to life. From Benedict Cumberbatch to Johnny Depp to Her Majesty, The Queen – enjoy a red carpet walk the icons of your dreams or visit your favorite movie scenes in a special zone dedicated to Star Wars.
6. British Museum
Located in the Bloomsbury area in London, the British Museum has a collection of materials from over two million years of human history. It presents a unique comparison of the treasures of the global culture and holds some priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China and Europe.
Located in London, the British Museum is a museum dedicated to human history, culture and art. It was founded in 1753. It has a record of having over 8 million works and is considered to be one among the largest and the most comprehensive museums in existence. It contains materials from all continents and documents the evolution of human beings from the beginning till the present. It is mainly based on the collections of the scientist and physician Sir Hans Sloane. The major interest points for the tourists are the Elgin Marbles from Parthenon, the colossal bust of Rameses II, the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies and the Mildenhall Treasure.
7. Kew Gardens
It has a collection of more than 14,000 trees and is known for its exquisite natural landscape which leaves everyone spellbound. Kew Gardens is a leading Centre of research having a library and museums along with its beautiful gardens.
It invites people of all ages to discover a day of serenity in the city of London. The visitors here can enjoy a number of activities whether it is taking a stroll along the colorful canopies of trees or exploring the beautiful glasshouses. Some of the popular attractions of Kew Gardens include the Palm House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Waterlily House. There are activities which the visitors can enjoy at Kew Gardens like the 59 ft. high Treetop Walkway, catching the views of the city by climbing the Great Pagoda and getting to know about its history at the Kew Palace. Kew Gardens is also a paradise for photographers who wish to capture the natural beauty of London at its best.
8. Westminster Abbey
Out of all, Westminster Abbey is perhaps one of the most famous London’s points of interest. An iconic site that has been associated with Christianity since the seventh century and has been witness to many burials and coronations, this one is a must visit attraction for all. Recently, however, the place has gained popularity as a preferred location for Royal Weddings.
9. Hyde Park
Located in the City of Westminster, in Central London. It is home to a number of landmarks like the Serpentine Lake, the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and the Speaker’s Corner.
Hyde Park in London is one of the largest city parks in the entire world. It is home to over 4000 trees, a meadow, a large lake and beautiful flower gardens is visited by millions of tourists and local people every year. Various activities like swimming, boating, cycling and skating can be done here. There are also grounds for games like tennis, horse riding and many more. There are two lakeside restaurants in the park which serve everything from a coffee to a full course meal. There are numerous fascinating buildings and monuments within the park like the Joy of Life Fountain, Archiles Statue, The Serpentine Bridge, etc. On Sundays, one can visit the Speaker’s corner to listen to the most popular orators of the city.
10. Tower of London
Located in Central London itself, it is officially Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Palace and Fortress. Though it is called the ‘Tower of London it is a castle made of many concentric towers. It even was a royal zoo for a brief period.
Bordered by the sparkling river Thames, the Tower of London is today known worldwide for its riveting architecture and craftsmanship. Other famous aspects of this monument include the White Tower and the Tower Bridge. It is also noteworthy that the families of the Yeoman Warders live in the tower today, and that adds to the glory of this tower.
11. London Dungeon
London Dungeon is one of the most entertaining ways to go through the past 1000 years of the history of London. Visitors walk through the dungeons from one show to another and get a sense of historical events in an interactive live-action manner. Accompanied by a guided tour of actors, one gets to visit the dark history and famous characters like Sweeny Todd on the way.
12. Alton Towers
On April 4, 1980, Alton Towers became a theme park. The Corkscrew, Britain’s first double-loop roller coaster, the Pirate Ship, Cine 2000, and the Wildlife Museum were all part of the Alton Towers theme park when it was initially opened.
Over 40 rides and attractions are available for visitors of all ages at Alton Towers Resort. The show’s highlights are each of the over ten primary rollercoasters, including record-breaking features created to excite and please everyone courageous enough to ride. Alton Towers is the only venue in the UK where you can meet some of most beloved characters and it has 20 attractions geared toward young children and families. Alton Towers belongs to every wide-eyed child, adrenaline, and daring family who make life-long memories there.
13. Big Ben and Parliament
Big Ben, referred to as the Great Bell of the clock, is situated at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. For a majority of visitors, London is identified with Big Ben as an iconic building. It is just beside the Houses of parliament. It is the most recognizable clock in the entire world and it has been ticking 116 stories above since May 1859. A tour to Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower is possible only if the person fulfills all the criteria mentioned by the British government and he must also have a contact with any MP to request a visit.
14. Shoreditch
Located in the East End of London, Shoreditch is a famous suburban dwelling. It has a great variety of happening and interesting pubs and restaurants. The walls in the area are covered in creative graffiti , and it leads to Shoreditch Church, Shoreditch High Street, Brick Lane, and Box park.
A fun and happening part of the city, Shoreditch, with its rustic feel, boasts of a number of places where one can go, eat, and chill. It also has a lot of shopping options. With the Blitz bombings and Jack the Ripper murders taking place in the nearby Whitechapel nearby, Shoreditch wasn’t exactly any tourist’s favored place. Things started taking an upward turn with artists changing the landscape of the place. From the striking street art and murals to pubs and bars which are open till the wee morning hours, you can experience it all at this place.
15. Piccadilly Circus And Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory over the French and has a 56-meter granite monument, Nelson’s Column overlooking the square’s fountains.
Pica dilly Circus, on the other hand, marks the intersection of several of London’s busy streets – Piccadilly, Regent, Haymarket, and Shaftsbury Avenue and overlooking this busy traffic stands London’s most famous sculpture – the winged Eros delicately balanced on one foot.
16. Sea Life Centre
The aquarium rose to popularity in 2005 when it displayed three robotic fish that could swim around and cross the obstacles like real fish. It is divided into 14 different themed zones that are home to an array of fishes like sharks, jellyfish, clownfish, turtles, coral reefs, and octopuses.
You can witness a multitude of tropical fish like Stingrays and Cownose Rays at the Open Ocean Zone, tickle a starfish at the Rockpool Explorer Zone, experience a close encounter with the sharks at the Shipwreck zone or spot ray fishes at the Ray lagoon zone. The aquarium also hosts fun events like the Pirate Treasure Hunt for people of all ages in which the participants have to find the lost treasure that is hidden around the aquarium. It has two classrooms themed like the conservation campaigns supported by the zoo to organize education programs for school students and the general public.
17. The National Gallery
The works of renowned artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, and Van Gogh are displayed here. The National Gallery is considered as one of London’s most important museums and it holds an impressive collection of paintings covering the period between 1260 and 1900 it has works of all the renowned artists of that era. Over 2300 paintings are on display now in the monument at Trafalgar Square. It is a neoclassical building which is now turned into a museum after 1838. The works in this museum are organized chronologically manner. At the main entrance of the museum which is towards the Sainsbury wing, one can find the oldest paintings of Giotto and Jan Ban Eyck.
18. Royal Observatory Greenwich
The observatory is touted to be the home of British astronomy as it was from here that the scientists of the time mapped the stars to help the sailors navigate at sea. The Prime Meridian Line passes through this observatory and the ‘Greenwich Mean Time’ is calculated here.
You can also visit the Octagon Room, Time Galleries and Astronomers Royal Apartment as Flams teed House. The Shepherd Gate Clock on the outer wall of the observatory is a momentous attraction since it was the first clock to show the accurate Greenwich Mean Time to the public. You can also see the onion-dome roof of the observatory that makes space for the Great Equatorial Telescope which is the largest telescope in the UK
19. Thames Cruise
One gets to admire a number of exemplary sights along the way, covering almost 80 islands and 200 bridges. The Thames River is a specimen in itself, covering 7 countries of Greater London, Wiltshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Oxford shire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. The river starts in Gloucestershire near Cheltenham flowing east and ends in the North Sea. It is approximately 58 million years old and is home to a lot of aquatic and wild life like fish, otters, and eels.
A melange of short travel, sightseeing, good food, river breeze, and meeting new people, all in a matter of a couple of hours is what makes the cruises along the River Thames so interesting and a fun tourist attraction.
20. ZSL London Zoo
London Zoo, also known as London Zoological Gardens or Regent’s Zoo’ is the oldest scientific zoo in the world.
The London Zoo is split into several different zones, each of which houses an array of wild creatures in their natural habitats. Visit the Land of Lions zone to spot Asiatic lions and langur monkeys in the Gir Forest backdrop while you can witness species belonging to Africa in the exclusive Into Africa zone. The zoo also facilitates special scheduled events throughout the day like Feed the Gorillas, Friendly Spider Programmer, Giraffe Keeper Experience and Meet the Penguins.
21. Osborne House
The house is built with many windows to provide proper ventilation. Witness the house that provides magnificent yet intimate insights into the life of the Royal family. Have a look at the birthday and Christmas presents the couple exchanged, explore their private family bedrooms, and gaze at the lavish royal apartments.
The Osborne House consists of three connecting buildings and various wings that are built around an open courtyard whose upper and lower terraces contain flowerbeds, statues, and a large elegant fountain. You can stroll on the huge pathway of the house which is filled with paintings and white marble sculptures which shows Victoria and Albert’s love for arts. Discover the history behind how Queen Victoria commissioned a new wing that features the Durbar room, hired Indian servants, and also learned Hindi.
22. Florence Nightingale
The Florence Nightingale museum was made to pay an ode to her for her contribution to nursing to celebrate her achievements. At the museum, you can see the famous lamp carried by Nightingale during the Crimean War which gave her the nickname ‘The Lady with the Lamp’. Furthermore, the museum houses a rare collection of personal items associated with Nightingale like her medicine chest, notes on medicines, and other nursing artifacts.
Some special exhibitions like the ‘Nightingale in 200 Objects, People & Places’ are also organized at the museum. These exhibitions throw light on the leadership and campaigning skills of the iconic female. Learning sessions which include school workshops, family visits, and free learning resources are conducted at various times to foster deeper knowledge about Nightingale’s contribution to the world of nursing. .
23. Soho
Nestled in Westminster, Soho is a go-to place in Central London to experience a mix of cultures and history along with food, music, leisure and extravaganza. A labyrinth of fashion streets, great eating joints and amazing nightlife.
The place has offices of Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Trident Studios, along with theatres, restaurants and clubs, making it a happening place for people to visit. Having been home to people like Mozart and Karl Marx, the place is also infamous for being a red-light area.
24. Millennium Bridge
Any bridge along the River Thames requires an Act of Parliament. However, for the Millennium Bridge, the Port of London Authority sought license and permissions directly from the City of London and the London Borough of Southward. It is a steel suspension bridge that owned by Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust under the City of London Corporation. They are also in charge of its maintenance.
25. Kidzania London
It combines learning with fun by conducting interactive activities for children aged 4-14. Here children can begin to understand and acquire essential life skills like teamwork, collaboration, and empowerment through the different learning experiences. The main values behind Kidzania are to promote awareness, change, leadership, and global values among the children through its engaging platform and it has been rightfully doing so.
26. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel has an impressive dragon-guarded entrance, a pirate-themed splash pool, and a water play area. It has Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, Lego Friends, and Ninjago rooms. Alternatively, the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel boasts magical Lego bricks, in-room treasure hunts, king-sized feasts at Tournament Tavern, and themed rooms such as Wizard and Knight. There is also an adventure playground with towers and an assault course.
In addition to the accommodations, visitors can visit LEGO® MYTHICAL to enjoy three amazing rides, including Flight of the Sky Lion. With a family staycation at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, visitors get several benefits, including 1-day access to the LEGOLAND Theme Park, a delicious hot breakfast, and access to the Pirate-themed indoor pool.
27. The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum is amongst some of the most popular museums in London and is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Founded in the year 1852, it is the world’s largest applied and decorative arts and design museum with a permanent collection consisting of 2.27 million objects.
Covering an area of 12.5 acres, the museum has a total of 145 galleries, containing arts spanning 5,000 years of civilization. The museum has an enviable collection of glass, ceramics, prints, drawings, fashion ware, furniture, jewelry, musical instruments and paintings amongst other items.
28. The O2
A total entertainment hub, the O2, located in the Southeast part of London is a large space with hosts of restaurants, exhibition spaces, a music club, and the United Kingdom’s second-largest indoor arena, the O2 Arena.
The rights were later given to Meridian Delta Ltd. to develop the Dome. As part of the development, a path from the O2 leading to the North Greenwich station was constructed with a glass roof above it to save people from getting wet in the rain. The Peninsula Square piazza was also built for special events.
29. The Imperial war museum
The Imperial war museum is one of the finest museums of the world. Possessing some of the prominent apparatus used in the course of the World Wars this museum is a must – visit. The museum throws light on the time of war and its influence on people. Along with war weapons used in the war, portraits of the time are exhibited reflecting on what the war did to the people living it.
The exhibit of the museum is spread across multiple floors in the building, the ground floor displays a collection of objects from World War I and II, along with a few war scene models. You also can find tanks, rockets etc. used during war.
