ENGLAND TRAVEL GUIDE: Top 10 Best Tourist Spots to See in London

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Thinking of a place to visit on your next London trip? Here's a quick list of the city's tourist spots!

London is a diverse and exciting city with some of the world's best sights, attractions and activities.

ABOUT LONDON

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.

Fun Facts

Population: 8.136 million (2011) Trending, United Nations
Local time: Thursday 2:46 pm
Weather: 23°C, Wind E at 19 km/h, 50% Humidity
Constituent Country: England
Districts: City of London & 32 boroughs
Sovereign State: United Kingdom

BEST TIME TO VISIT IN LONDON

The climate in the capital is one of the mildest in the UK, but London weather can be quite unpredictable.

In autumn and winter, take in a museum or art gallery, or head to one of London's many pop-up ice rinks over the Christmas period. Spring and summer are perfect for enjoying the outdoors at one of the many wonderful parks, or indulging in a drink in the sun at a rooftop bar.

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So here's our list of 10 spots to visit in London:

Tower of London
The London Eye
St. Paul's Cathedral
House of Parliament aka Palace of Westminster
Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace
The British Museum
Tower Bridge
Piccadilly Circus
The National Gallery

1. TOWER OF LONDON

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Tower of London

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.

It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite.

Location: St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, UK

2. THE LONDON EYE aka COCA-COLA LONDON EYE

London Eye

London Eye, formerly Millennium Wheel, revolving observation wheel, or Ferris wheel, in London, on the South Bank of the River Thames in the borough of Lambeth. At an overall height of 443 feet (135 metres), the London Eye was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel from 1999, when it was built, until 2006, when it was surpassed by the Star of Nanchang, in Nanchang, China.

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It is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions for which an admission fee is charged and is sometimes credited with sparking a worldwide revival of Ferris wheel construction.

Location: Lambeth, London SE1 7PB, UK

3. ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade I listed building.

St. Paul’s famous dome, which has long dominated the London skyline, is composed of three shells: an outer dome, a concealed brick cone for structural support, and an inner dome.

Location: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK

4. HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT aka PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Informally known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, in central London, England.

Guided and self-guided tours (which come highly recommended by recent travelers) take visitors through multiple areas of the building, including Westminster Hall (the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate), the House of Commons Chamber and the Royal Gallery, to name a few.

If you're not interested in perusing the halls that make up the U.K.'s governing body, many travelers say that simply admiring the iconic structure's impressive exterior is enough, and an absolute must-do for anyone visiting London.

Location: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, UK

5. BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality.

The palace has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning. It also served as the London residence of the U.K.'s sovereigns since only 1837.

Location: Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, UK

6. WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster.

Regular worship takes place daily at Westminster Abbey and all are welcome to attend.

Location: 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA, UK

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7. THE BRITISH MUSEUM

British Museum

The British Museum, in the Bloomsbury area of London, United Kingdom, is a public institution dedicated to human history, art and culture. Its permanent collection of some eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence, having been widely sourced during the era of the British Empire.

If you want a little help navigating the museum's 8 million objects, consider tagging along on a guided tour. Several, including the daily eye-opener tours and weekly lunchtime gallery talks and Friday evening spotlight tours are free. You can also book a highlights and special early morning tour for 14 pounds (around $20) and 30 pounds (less than $45), respectively. Audio guides, which cost 7 pounds (less than $10), are also available to rent daily.

Location: Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK

8. TOWER BRIDGE

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, built between 1886 and 1894. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and has become an iconic symbol of London. Because of this, Tower Bridge is sometimes confused with London Bridge, situated some 0.5 mi upstream.

Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK

9. PICCADILLY CIRCUS

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster. It was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning "circle", is a round open space at a street junction.

Roads at junction: Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Haymarket, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street

10. THE NATIONAL GALLERY

National Gallery

The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.

The museum was the first major American painting to be purchased by the Gallery.

Location: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN, UK

ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About London

Is London part of England or UK?
London is one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities in the world; but where is it actually located? London is the capital city of England and is located in the south east of the country. Although a country in its own right, England is also part of the United Kingdom alongside Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
What is London famous?
London is famous for Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, and Tower Bridge. London is also known for its rich history, double-decker buses, red phone booths, world-class museums and galleries, gigantic lush parks, financial districts, and cosmopolitan vibes.
Is London a city or country?
London, city, capital of the United Kingdom. It is among the oldest of the world's great cities—its history spanning nearly two millennia—and one of the most cosmopolitan. By far Britain's largest metropolis, it is also the country's economic, transportation, and cultural centre.
How old is London?
The history of London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, extends over 2000 years. In that time, it has become one of the world's most significant financial and cultural capital cities.
What is London's nickname?
The Big Smoke: Probably the most famous is The Big Smoke, The Old Smoke, or simply The Smoke. These names refer to the dense fogs and smogs that would permeate the city from ancient times.

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