Top 10 London Attractions

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1. Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster

As London’s most popular and recognizable landmark, you will end up seeing the world famous clock tower and the English Parliament no matter what you plan to do in London. However, if you want to experience the real beauty of Big Ben, then visit the Westminster Bridge or the opposite bank of the Thames at dusk. As the sun sets upon the city of London, the clock face of the Big Ben is illuminated along with the Westminster Palace and this sight looks absolutely breathtaking when viewed from the Westminster Bridge. Visiting Big Ben at night, you would also get to know whether the Parliament is in session or not through the light that shines on top of the clock.

Main Attractions

• Norman Porch

• Queen’s Robing Room

• Royal Gallery

• Prince’s Chamber

• House of Lords Chamber

• Peers’ Lobby and Corridor

• Central Lobby

• House of Commons Chamber

• St. Stephen’s Hall

Nearby Hotels

• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London

• Park Plaza County Hall

1 Addington Street, Lambeth, London

• The Royal Horseguards

2 Whitehall Court, London

• Novotel London Waterloo

113 Lambeth Rd, Lambeth, London

Nearby Restaurants

• The Cinnamon Club

The Old Westminster Library,

30 Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1P

• Inn the Park – St. James’s Park

St. James’s Park, St James’s, London,

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Westminster Tube

• St James’s Park Tube

Read more : Big Ben, Palace of Westminster

2. London Eye

The London Eye is a massive Ferris wheel located strategically on the southern bank of the legendary Thames River. The wheel is the largest of its kind in Europe and a ride is a must for anyone visiting the city. It is an impressive 450 feet observation wheel in height and weighs a staggering 1600 tons! The joy of soaring high above the city of London in one of its passenger capsules and the excitement of catching the panoramic views of one of the world’s greatest cities is one of the most unique experiences to have in the city. Little wonder that every year, whether it’s Christmas or the New Year time, London Eye becomes the epicenter of Britain’s celebration.

Nearby Attractions

• Tate Modern

• HMS Belfast

• Tower Bridge

• County Hall: The London Aquarium

• Dali Universe

Nearby Hotels

• Park Plaza County Hall

1 Addington Street, Lambeth, London

• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London

• Swissotel The Howard London

12 Temple Place, London

• H10 London Waterloo

284 To 302 Waterloo Road, London

Nearby Restaurants

• Locale County Hall

3B Belvedere Road, London SE1 7GP

• Terrace Bar and Food

Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX

• The Archduke

153 Concert Hall Approach, London SE1 8XU

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Waterloo

Must Read : London Eye, Places to visit in England

3. Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace was built way back in 1702 and served as the residence of Queen Charlotte. Ever since its inception, the palace has undergone renovations a number of times but the original architectural grandeur has remained intact. Today, Buckingham Palace is the residential home of the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Not only this, the Palace also serves as the administrative headquarters of the British monarchy. As far as art and paintings are concerned, the Buckingham Palace has one of the world’s richest collections of artwork. These masterpieces are displayed in the State Rooms. Several great works of art from legends like Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Poussin and Claude can also be seen displayed in the Palace.

Main Attractions

• The Queen’s Gallery

• The Royal Mews

• Annual Special Exhibition

Nearby Hotels

• Hilton London Green Park

Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London

• Flemings Hotel

Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London

• Rubens At The Palace

39 Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, London

• Park Lane Mews Hotel

2 Stanhope Row, Park Lane, Mayfair, London

Nearby Restaurants

• Bank Westminster & Zander Bar

45 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6BS

• Tiles

36 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RE

• The Grand Imperial

101 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0SJ

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Victoria Tube

• St. James’s Park Tube

Also Read : Buckingham Palace

4. Tate Modern

Tate Modern Gallery London is the UK’s national gallery of contemporary art and is one amongst the chain of four Tate Galleries in the UK. The Tate collection consists of some of the finest collections of British art dating back from 1500 to today’s modern era. The gallery was built in the year 2000 and the site is actually an abandoned power station, right in the heart of London. The collection is a treasure trove of contemporary art and includes stunning masterpieces of both Picasso and Matisse along with surreal collections of Dali, Ernst, Magritte and Miro. There is also a significant collection of American abstract art including Pollock and Rothko. Russian and Pop art are well represented at Tate Modern Gallery London as well.

Nearby Attractions

• Bankside Gallery
• Millennium Bridge
• Golden Hinde
• Southwark Cathedral
• London Dungeon
• St. George’s Cathedral

Nearby Hotels

• Holiday Inn Express Southwalk

103-109 Southwark Street, London SE1 OJQ

• Mercure London Bridge

75 – 79 Southwark Street, London SE1 0JA

• The Mad Hatter Hotel

3-7 Stamford Street | South Bank, London SE1 9NY

Nearby Restaurants

• Cafe 2 (Tate Modern)

Second floor, Tate Modern, Sumner Street, Bankside, London, SE1

• Cafe Level Seven

Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1

• The Table

83 Southwark Street, Bankside, London, SE1

• Leon

7 Canvey Street, The Blue Fin Building, Bankside, London, SE1

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Blackfriars Tube

5. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is London’s largest square and has been a favorite congregation place for the Londoners since the middle ages. The site was initially known as Charing Cross back then and the Trafalgar Square Tube Station is still called Charing Cross instead of Trafalgar Square. This beautiful square is primarily a commemoration square in honor of the then British Navy who, under the astute leadership of Admiral Nelson secured a hard fought victory over the marauding Napoleon fleet in the infamous Battle of Trafalgar back in the year 1805. The Square used to be the location of the King’s Mews until the renowned town planner and architect Charles Barry came out with a whole new scheme. Called the ‘Charing Cross Improvement Scheme’, it transformed this area into one of London’s most picturesque squares where both resident Londoners as well as visitors from abroad could have a jolly good time.

Nearby Attractions

• Nelson’s Column

• National Gallery

• Cenotaph

• Leicester Square

• The West End

• St. Paul’s Covent Garden

• Whitehall

• Soho

• Hauser & Wirth (Piccadilly)

Nearby Hotels

• The Trafalgar Hotel

2 Spring Gardens | Trafalgar Square, London SW1A 2TS

• Amba Hotel Charing Cross

The Strand, London WC2N 5HX

• Haymarket Hotel

1 Suffolk Place, London SW1Y 4BP

Nearby Restaurants

• National Dining Rooms

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N

• Thai Square

21-24 Cockspur Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y

• Katana

116 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Charing Cross Tube

Also Read : Trafalgar Square

6. Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of Britain’s most ancient castles. Located on the northern bank of the Thames, this magnificent castle is nestled in a sprawling 13 acres of lush green landscaped surroundings. Back in the day, it used to be a royal retreat but now it has been converted into a museum. This intriguing castle, apart from being a royal residence, has also the dubious distinction of serving as a prison.Legend has it that many people were beheaded within the premises of the Tower.. The Tower has an intimate connection with some legendary people who were imprisoned within the castle, including the likes of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Thomas More, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh, to name just a few. The trademark Yeomen of the Guard are conspicuous with their Tudor garb and still provide sentry services to this historical castle.

Main Attractions

• The Crown Jewels

• White Tower

• The Ravens

• Tower Torture

• Fortress

• The Fusilier Museum

• Medieval Palace

Nearby Hotels

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

7 Pepys Street, London EC3N 4AF

• Grange City Hotel

8-14 Coopers Row, London EC3N 2BD

• The Tower

            St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LD

Nearby Restaurants

• Wagamama

Tower Place, Tower Hill, The City, London, EC3N

• Tike

5 Fenchurch Street, The City, London, EC3M

• Rosemary Lane

61 Royal Mint Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E1

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Tower Hill Tube

Also Read : Tower of London

7. The British Museum

The British Museum was established way back in 1753 and boasts of some of the finest collections of human history and culture. Whether it is the Sloane Astrolabe or the gilded bronze figure of Tara, the British Museum has all these and much more. You can also explore the myths and legends of the Trojan War and even tour some of the finest specimens of glass from the British Museum Collections. Tourists can also take a look at the evolution of the Olympic Games, held between 776 B.C. and AD 395 through a bewildering array of objects. There is also the Faith Tour in which objects relating to different faiths are on display.

Main Attractions

• Rosetta Stone

• Lewis Chessmen

• Sandstone Frieze

• Standard of Ur

• Lindow Man

• Discuss-Thrower

Nearby Hotels

• The Montague on the Gardens

15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BJ

• Grange Blooms Hotel

7 Montague Street | Russell Square, London WC1B 5BP

• Thistle Holborn, The Kingsley

Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SD

Nearby Restaurants

• Wagamama

4A Streatham Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A

• Hason Raja

84 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B

• Shanghai Blues

193-197 High Holborn, Covent Garden, London, WC1V

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Tottenham Court Road Tube

• Russell Square Tube

• Holborn Tube

Read More : British Museum

8. The Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is Britain’s national museum of applied arts and design. The museum has huge repository of artifacts, some of which are over 3000 years.Several of the artifacts come from some of the world’s most cultured regions. From architecture to ceramics, and from metal works to photography, it’s all here at the Victoria and Albert Museum. You will be mesmerized by ornate furniture from Europe and America that stretches all the way back to the medieval times. There is also an exclusive exhibit on glass that unravels the fascinating 4000-year-old evolution of Glass from the Middle East, Europe, and the Western world. As far as metal works are concerned, there is a bewildering array of silver, arms, armors, enamels, brass work, and medieval metal works.

Main Attractions

• Architecture

• Books

• Ceramics

• Drawings

• Fashion

• Glass

• Jewelry

• Metalwork

• Paintings

Nearby Hotels

• The Rembrandt

11 Thurloe Place | Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RS

• Egerton House Hotel

17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, London SW3 2BX

• The Pelham Hotel

15 Cromwell Place, London SW7 2LA

Nearby Restaurants

• La Brasserie

272 Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

• Oddono’s

14 Bute Street, South Kensington, London, SW7

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• South Kensington Tube

9. Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge located in the heart of London across the Thames and is one of the finest examples of a bascule type bridge. It’s also the most distinct of London’s many bridges. This magnificent bridgewas built in 1894 primarily for the fact that the other London bridges across river Thames were increasingly overburdened with burgeoning traffic. The Tower Bridge in London is an engineering marvel, given the fact that it’s not at all an easy task to construct a bridge across a river whose banks are low. The construction of the bridge was a mammoth task and required 235 cubic feet of Cornish granite and Portland stone, 20,000 tons of cement, 70,000 cubic yards of concrete, 31,000,000 bricks and 14,000 tons of iron and steel!

Nearby Attractions

• Design Museum

• HMS Belfast

• City Hall

• Tower of London

• The Shard

Nearby Hotels

• The Tower

St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LD

• Hilton London Tower Bridge

5 More London – Tooley Street, London SE1 2BY

• Apex City of London Hotel

1 Seething Lane, London EC3N 4AX

Nearby Restaurants

• Blue Print Café

Design Museum, Butlers Wharf, Bankside, London, SE1

• Magdalen

152 Tooley Street, Bankside, London, SE1

• The Garrison

99-101 Bermondsey Street, Bankside, London, SE1

Nearby tube/rail stations

• London Bridge Tube

• Tower Hill Tube

10. National Gallery

The National Gallery in London has one of the finest collections of European paintings, particularly Western European paintings from 1250 to the present day. A visit to the National Gallery is an education in Europe’s rich history, legends, and myths as well as its culture. With a rich collection of 2000 plus paintings, which includes the works belonging to all the major schools of European Art, the National Gallery has a magnetic appeal as far as art and cultural wealth of Europe is concerned. You will come face to face with the works of luminaries such as Giovanni Bellini, Van Eyck, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Holbein, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Van Gogh, and Gainsborough, just to name just a few. The National Gallery was set up with the commitment to promote and uphold Europe’s rich tradition of art and culture, making it accessible to one and all.

Main Attractions

• Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait

• Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus

• Turner’s Fighting Temeraire

• Van Gogh’s Sunflowers

• Botticelli’s Venus and Mars

Nearby Hotels

• Thistle Trafalgar Square, The Royal Trafalgar

Whitcomb Street, Trafalgar Square, London WC2H 7HG

• Amba Hotel Charing Cross

The Strand, London WC2N 5HX

• Haymarket Hotel

1 Suffolk Place, London SW1Y 4BP

Nearby Restaurants

• National Dining Rooms

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N

• Katana

116 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N

• The Portrait Restaurant

National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, Soho, London, WC2H

Nearby Tube/Rail stations

• Charing Cross Tube

• Leicester Square Tube

• Piccadilly Circus Tube

 Image credit : Arpingstone, Kham Tran, Diliff, pmorgan, Rept0n1x, Colin

Also Read England major attractions:  Stonehenge, British Museum, Big Ben London, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Trafalgar Square, Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Nelson’s Column, Wellington Arch.