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.
Here are some popular places in London.
The London Eye
The London Eye, often known as the Millennium wheel, is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. The fourth-tallest building in the world and the tallest in Europe is a cantilevered observation wheel. It has 32 capsules with the numbers 1 through 33 but not 13. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation, a passenger capsule was converted into a royal capsule in 2013. Throughout the year, the wheel changes colors to mark various holidays and celebrations. Many of the city’s landmarks may be seen from the London Eye. Some of the most beautiful views in the city may be seen from the wheel’s individual glass capsules, which climb up to 443 feet above the Thames. The whole ride lasts for about 30 minutes and is usually accompanied by a long queue.
Big Ben
The Big Ben is undoubtedly an iconic structure and the first thing that springs to mind when you think of London. The BBC radio time signal can be found on this 97-meter tower, which also houses a massive clock. Let’s just leave it at that—it is one of the best places on earth to be. This is one of London’s top locations.
Each hour the clock chimes and smaller bells are heard every 15 minutes. Penny coins are used for time adjustment and removing or adding the coins can alter the seconds of time. Unfortunately, Big Ben is temporarily closed for maintenance so no tours are taking places but are set to resume soon.
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds London is one of the best places to see in London and has lifelike wax statues and interactive areas that bring your favorite movie characters and celebrities to life.
A one-of-a-kind destination, Madame Tussauds features numerous breathtaking waxworks. However, it’s an expensive family outing, especially considering how long you spend there and how many waxworks you visit. But it’s something you should cross off your to-do list.
Tower Bridge
The Tower of London, which is located on one side of the bridge, gave the structure its name and had an impact on its final design. To allow boats to pass, the bridge typically opens once each day, but reservations are required. Enjoying the breath-taking view of London from the bridge is one of the activities available at the Tower Bridge.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in London due to its magnificence, which draws tourists there. When in London, one cannot not but visit this splendor.
The British Museum
The British Museum, which now holds the title of oldest museum in the world, was founded as the first national museum in 1759. The museum was among the first structures in London to have electricity installed in it in 1879. Over 8 million objects from all over the world are kept at the British Museum. The museum had to open London’s Natural History Museum, which houses natural history specimens, because of the vast amount of items amassed. A significant number of books and manuscripts also led to the establishment of a new website, the British Library.
Buckingham Palace
The Queen lives at Buckingham Palace, which also serves as a venue for royal and governmental events. It is located in the center of London and is surrounded by Green Park and St. James Park. The Palace contains an astounding 775 rooms and is spread across 39 acres. When the Queen is not there, the stunning state chambers are accessible to the general public. A well-known sight is the “Changing of the Guard,” a ceremony where new troops replace those guarding the Palace right now. On specific days, the guard is changed beginning at 10:45 am. At 11:00 am, there is an actual handover that is accompanied by music. Be sure to see the Queen’s gallery, which houses roughly 450 pieces, while you are at the Palace. The Prince of Wales lives in Clarence House, which is located just behind Buckingham Palace. Here you can also find the Victoria Monument, the Guards Museum, and the Household Cavalry Museum.