by Heather Bellingham

Created on: June 10, 2010

There are many fantastic things to see and do in London, so much so that it is difficult to decide where to begin.  Here are some suggestions of things to see and do during your stay in London.

The Tower of London is the oldest surviving building in London. Since the eleventh century it has been a fortress, a palace, a prison and a treasury. Today visitors go to the Tower to see the Crown Jewels, visit the Medieval Palace, and view re-enactments of the history of the Tower. Be sure to keep an eye out for the ravens – legend has it that Charles II was told that if ravens ever left the tower, the kingdom and the fortress would fall.

Tower Bridge, the famous “London Bridge”, is nearby the Tower, so make sure you do not miss your photo opportunity!

For fans of literature or theater, why not take in a play at Shakespeare’s Globe?

St. Paul’s Cathedral was built between 1675 and 1710, and designed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. This is the church where Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married. Here you can view one of the largest domes in the world, walk up to the Whispering Gallery, where a whisper can be heard 32 meters away, and view the Crypt, which houses many important figures from British history.

Westminster Abbey was predominately built in the thirteenth century, but there has been a church on that site since 1066. The Abbey houses the tombs on numerous famous people, such as Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and writers such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens. The Abbey also houses the Coronation Chair.  

The Houses of Parliament are most famously known for “Big Ben”, the clock tower that was installed in 1858. This became the permanent home of the British Parliament in 1547.

For those less interested in older buildings, Madame Tussaud’s is the world-famous waxworks established in 1833. Wax figures of royalty, film stars, and sports figures are all housed here. Get there early, the line for this place is usually very long.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official London residence. It was built in 1703 and heavily renovated 125 years later.  The Victoria Memorial is directly outside the front of the palace, as is the Admiralty Arch.

Kensington Palace, another royal residence, is surrounded by the Kensington Gardens. Both are close to Hyde Park, London’s most famous park.

London is also home to some famous squares, such as Trafalgar Square, which commemorates Nelson’s naval victory in 1805, and Piccadilly Circus, which is considered London’s equivalent of Times Square.

For Beatles fans, a trip to Abbey Road to sign the wall and take your picture crossing the famous street is an excellent idea, however, please be mindful of the traffic!

All of this can be viewed by The London Eye, a 135 meter tall ferris-wheel and observatory. It takes half an hour to go around the Eye once.

There are also numerous museums to visit in London, such as The British Museum, The National Gallery, Tate Modern, and The Victoria and Albert Museum.

How does one get around to all these attractions? One option is getting around on London’s famous double-decker buses. Another is taking London’s famous tube, but please, mind the gap.

Don’t forget to take your picture in one of London’s famous red phone booths! Bon Voyage!

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