7 Great Landmarks To Visit in London

In the United Kingdom's capital city there is no shortage of things to do and see. Out of the land of the Britain's comes thousands of years of history, innovation, fairy tales, and entertainment that has influenced much of the world for centuries. London can be both a gritty urban landscape as well as the fabled metropolis of kings and queens. Here is a look at some of the best stops to make on your next trip to London.

Westminster Abbey

An iconic site in London with a long, and sometimes bloody history, the Westminster Abbey is an important stop in London. This medieval church is the burial site of many of history's kings, queens, and other historic figures, including Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, and the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer. It has seen the coronation of kings and was the place where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in 2011. As with most iconic sites, the crowds flock to the abbey so arrive early and prepared to wait in line.

Buckingham Palace

Royalty and Britain go hand in hand so a stop off at the home of the Windsor family is essential to any trip to London. In the summer you can view the stately, royal rooms and see how the King and Queen of England live. The ornate carvings and gilded moldings give you a glimpse of the opulence of the Royal family living quarters. You can view the Throne room or the Royal Ballroom and view the history that these rooms have held for many generations of lords and ladies. Be sure to not miss the Changing of the Guard that is one of the most popular shows to catch as the old and new guards transfer positions in a fascinating procession.

St. James Palace and Clarence House

If you are still in the mood to soak up some Royalty, a visit to both the St. James Palace and the Clarence House will ease you appetite. The Clarence House was once the home of the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mothers for many years and is now currently the home of the Prince of Wales, Camilla, and Prince Harry. There home is only available for tours at certain times to be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

While the actual theatre that showcased Shakespeare's legendary plays burned down in 1613, this theatre is a fantastic replica. Shakespeare's plays continue to permeate movies, plays, theatre, literature, and even vernacular hundreds of years after his death. Visiting the place where history was so eloquently re-enacted for the masses is certainly a must-see. The theatre was reconstructed to be as authentic as possible, even using original building techniques and materials. You can even still view plays here as well. Just be aware that the theatre is open-air, meaning there is no roof so should a rain shower come through, you will want to be prepared.

Tower of London

This tower has been a part of the iconic landscape of the London for centuries. The halls here are filled with history and the stories of the princes and princesses who resided here. You can explore the dark side of history here as well as many were put to death or killed on the cobblestones of the Tower of London. There is the Medieval Palace and the Bloody Tower where prisoners and even princes were killed. The tower remains a very popular tourist attraction so you should expect to encounter crowds so purchasing tickets in advance will save you time in line. You can even jewels the royal Crown Jewels here as well. Henry VIII in the nearby Tower Green beheaded Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard as well. Nearly every hallway and staircase seems to have a story so a trip here will give you an afternoon of haunting fun.

London Zoo

Whether you plan on bringing your children with you to London or not, a stop off at the London Zoo is a great way to spend the afternoon. First opened in 1828, the zoo has some great attractions including a completely self-sustaining, contained ecosystem that includes plants, animals, and insects. There is a one of kind gorilla museum as well as a chance to view rainforest creatures in a nighttime environment. There is also fantastic penguin and big cat enclosures amongst many others. A worthwhile stop off to relax a little with some wildlife and learn about conservation efforts.

Big Ben

The great bell, clock tower, known as the Elizabeth Tower, is a prominent symbol of the London cityscape. The palace is the location of the United Kingdom's parliament and is generally not open to tourist though it is still visited by millions every year looking for a perfect photo backdrop.

Bond Street

If you are just looking for a casual stroll take the tube (the London subway) to Bond Street. This street has world-class shopping opportunities and was the place where Roosevelt sat with Churchill during WWII. You'll find the famous auction house Sotheby's as well as many other high-end shopping boutiques. Nearby are great art galleries and shops as well.

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Article Source: Christopher_Walters

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Free Things to Do in London, UK

However the good part of London is that it has a number of activities and attractions to offer for free. From museums to street markets tourists can enjoy a variety of free options throughout the year.

Museums

If you are a history hound and love to visit museums, London is the place to be. The Museum of London is one of the most famous museums in London that brings you the history of the old English city from the prehistoric times until the 19th century. Some of the other free museums in London are Hunterian Museum, The Natural history Museum and the British Museum.

Art Galleries

Like Museums, art galleries bring the historic assets of the country to its visitors. London's most famous art gallery the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses the finest collections of European paintings in the world. It includes the work of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Titian and other famous artistes. The Tate Modern art gallery is a national gallery of modern and contemporary work from the 20th century. Some of the other famous art galleries in London are the Tate Britain, the Atlas Gallery and the Michael Hoppen Gallery.

Street Markets

Street markets are popular in the city of London. Tourists and Londoners flock to these markets especially during the weekends to buy antiques, funky fashion accessories and original gifts from independent designers. Some of these markets also sell fresh farm produce, flowers and food. Some of these markets are only open during the weekends and are organized in open spaces. All these markets are free of admissions and are the best place for tourists to pick up souvenirs. Some of the markets in London are The Camden Market, The Portobello Market, Borough Market, and The Greenwich Market.

Changing of the Guard

Your visit to London is complete only after you have witnessed the oldest military tradition "Changing of the Guard". The best part about watching this spectacle is that it is absolutely free of cost. This ceremony in London takes place every day of the year in the forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates.

Free historic icons of London

Apart from these leisure activities that you can enjoy for free, some other important tourist spots in London also come for free. For example Trafalgar Square, designed by John Nash in the 19th century is the main focus of political demonstrations. It includes free tourist attractions such as Nelson's Column and the National Gallery.

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Article Source: Catherine_Richard