You might have heard of the saying, “how can anyone be late in London? They have a huge clock right in the middle of the town.” Well that is true and that clock is the Big Ben. If you are planning a trip to London for the first time, it can be overwhelming since the city has so much to offer. You can get on the tube and explore the entire city for days and still not have seen everything! It took me 2 visits to narrow down my top few things to do in London. Keep on reading…
BIG BEN
When you see pictures of London, one of the first things that pops up is a picture of the iconic Big Ben clock. Located at the north end of the Houses of Parliament, it was completed in 1859! The Elizabeth Tower which holds the clock is 315 feet tall. Due to conservation works, the tours are suspended and are scheduled to resume in 2021. Click here to check out the website. Make sure to get your pic!
LONDON EYE
Enjoy a birds eye view of the city and see which of the famous landmarks you can spot as you sip some champagne, 135 meters up in the air. I highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance as spots fill up quickly. Check out the site here.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
This stunning palace is where the Queen resides officially. There are a total of 775 rooms in the palace which include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The Buckingham Palace is a working building and the centerpiece of the UK’s constitutional monarchy. The Palace is open during summer for tours, click here to purchase your tickets. You can also witness the Changing the Guard ceremony also known as ‘Guard Mounting’ on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sundays at 11:00 AM and daily in the summers.
TOWER BRIDGE
One of the most popular bridge in the world, Tower Bridge. You can either walk across this and take some really cool pictures, or even book a yoga session on the glass walkways, 42 meters above the Thames River! Click here to read about tickets and timings.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Trafalgar Square is a public square located in the city of Westminister, Central London. This site has been a significant landmark since the 13th century! Today the square has statues and fountains and a beautiful Christmas tree which was gifted by Norway is erected for twelve days before and after Christmas.
PICCADILLY CIRCUS
A short 10 mins walk from the Trafalgar Square brings you to Piccadilly Circus which is a famous road junction (smaller version of Times Square in New York according to me). Built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly, it is close to major shopping and entertainment areas in the West End.
THE SHARD
Another spot to get a view of the city of London, is the Shard. This 1,016 ft high glass skyscraper, is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the 5th tallest building in Europe. Inaugurated in 2012, the stunning Shard of Glass was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. Click here to get your tickets to get a view of London from the highest point.
OXFORD STREET
Shop till you drop at London’s Oxford Street! Located in the West End of London, running from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch, it is Europe’s busiest street with over 300 stores! Oxford Street is a must visit for every shopaholic or for anyone looking to shop there.
STONEHENGE
Roughly an hour and 40 mins from Central London is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire called Stonehenge which consists of a ring of standing stones. These stones are believed to have been constructed in 3000 BC to 2000 BC! Each standing stone is about 13 feet tall and weighs about 25 tons! Click here to see how you can plan your next visit to the Stonehenge.
I hope you enjoy your visit to London as much as I did! I would love to hear about your trip. What was your favorite part during your visit to London? Tell me more in the comments.
If you are looking to make a quick getaway from London, Paris is the perfect spot! Click here to read about my trip to Paris.
SAVE ME
