London is full of attractions that will cater to every type of tourist and best of all a lot of the attractions themselves are free of charge. London will immerse visitors in British culture and let them leave with an unforgettable experience. Our list of attractions have to be selected and compiled from what we think to be the best use of your time in London and to also get your start.
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Tower Of London
The Tower of London is a worthwhile visit, the tower is well known for its rich and gruesome history within its walls and is one of the most popular attractions in London, with over 2.4 million visitors exploring the site each year. The Tower of London is packed with things to see as you find that the compound still houses countless treasures and relics and weapons from its time serving as a royal palace, an armoury, treasury vault, prison, execution site and a private zoo. It does get pretty very busy during the summertime which may result in a long wait and because of this, you may want to buy your tickets online in advance to avoid ticket lines and save time to have a longer, more enjoyable experience.
Harry Potter Studios
Harry potter fans will be joyous to be able to relive their favourite harry potter moments at the Harry Potter Studios, visit the iconic film location from the series, from Diagon Alley, the Great Hall of Hogwarts castle, the forbidden forest and the famous Platform 9¾. You get to learn about the magic behind the scenes, the animatronics and special effects that were involved during filmmaking. The studio features mini exhibitions that change with the change of seasons, so it brings a fresh new experience to even prior visitors. Drop by the cafes and try some Butterbeer, the popular wizarding beverage or check out the gift shop to purchase wands and other memorabilia.
British Museum
The British Museum is home to one of the best collections of antiquities known to man, boasting 13 million artefacts gathered from various parts of the ancient world from Assyria, China, Europe, and Babylonia. There are many must see exhibits in the museum which include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles and the Hoa Hakananai’a (Easter Island statue). It is noted that admission is free, it is better to avoid peak times for the British Museum, so the recommended visit time on weekdays and peak hours are between 10AM. to 3PM.
National Gallery
For those who prefer the arts, there is the national gallery in Trafalgar Square. With numerous famous paintings inside from the works of Van Gough, Monet, Leonardo Da Vinci, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Seurat and many more. They also host many exciting special exhibitions from the likes of Gaugin and Titian and others. The national gallery also offers courses to learn more history behind various showcased art pieces, workshops to explore painting and listen to the musical performances that take place within the gallery.
London Eye
Built to commemorate the turn of the millennium. The London Eye has grown to be one of the most popular attractions in London. Enjoy the wonderful view of London, its famed landmarks and the river Thames, a lot of nice aerial shots can be taken on the ride especially of the Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben. Each rotation takes around 30 minutes where riders are carried in ovular pods to a height of 135 metres. Interactive guides are available to present London’s most iconic landmarks in various languages and a 4D show of the London Eye also comes free with the ticket ride.
Buckingham palace
Buckingham Palace is where tourist tourists gather to view the palace in which the British Royals reside in, it is a place where the Monarchy daily meetings take place as well as hosting ceremonial events with heads of the international head of states. You can view the changing of the guards in the summer along with a tour around the palace, where you get to explore the staterooms, the throne room, the royal painting collection, the palace gardens and many treasures located in each room.
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is where you can take pictures with lifelike figures of all your favourite celebrities, icons from the world of movies, fashion, politics, history, sports, royalty and fiction are all housed here. Famous actors include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Angelina Jolie and also from your favourite movie franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars Films. Check out behind the scenes to find out about the history of Madame Tussauds and its Founder Marie Tussauds, learn about the process in which these sculpt figures are made. The Spirit Of London ride takes you through London’s History where you perceive how London has changed culturally and historically through the events of the ride.
Borough Market
Food lovers will be very happy to venture through Borough Market, where there is plenty of good food to choose from Sunday Roast to Middle Eastern dishes at Arabica and Padella’s best freshest pasta. The place is good to buy fresh produce as it is the best food market in London, there are samples of cheese, olives, cured meat and bread to try out. There are also many amazing street food vendors that are open to satisfy your taste buds. The location can be pretty crowded and is well-known to be a tourist hotbed, so it is recommended to arrive early. The market is closed on Sundays and most shops are also closed and you may want to avoid going on Mondays and Tuesdays most shops are not open on those days.
Sky Garden
If you want a good view of London, then it is advised that you pay a visit to Sky Garden. It combines a nice atmosphere to sit back and enjoy the scenery and it is also a perfect place for you to take cityscape pictures. It is especially beautiful during sunset being surrounded by the garden and trees or you can spend your time at the restaurants and bar, while you get to appreciate the landscape. There is a Rooftop Bar at the top for an even better view. Sky Garden is free to visit; however, you will need to book in advance in order to get a ticket as booking is easily filled up. There are certain times where you can enter without booking but is restricted to weekdays and depends on the capacity and at the discretion of the staff, to be safe it’s better to book an entrance ticket.
Where to Stay in London?
If you’re planning a vacation trip to London, the first question you’ll need to answer is where to stay. There are many options available that it can be tough to choose, but luckily we’ve got a few suggestions.
If you’re looking to rent luxury apartments in London, we’d recommend using a website like Homelike or Airbnb. The most desirable areas to find luxury properties include Mayfair, Kensington, Chelsea, Richmond, Covent Garden, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, and Fulham. These are the most prestigious areas of London and are home to some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment in the city.
If you’re on a budget, however, you might want to consider staying in one of the outer boroughs like Fulham or Hammersmith. These areas are much less expensive but still offer easy access to the city’s attractions. Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to have a great time in London!
What To Pack
Prepare everything you need before your flight to London for a more enjoyable, stress-free, and safe trip. Pack warm clothes if you’re traveling during winter, wherein you can expect 0°C to 7°C temperature. Bring woolen sweaters, jackets, coats, long-sleeved shirts, and layered clothes. Moreover, don’t forget to bring some thermal socks, scarves, and gloves.
The temperature in London ranges from 17°C to 25°C during summer. The weather can be very hot, so bring some summer clothes such as comfortable shirts, skirts, dresses, and shorts. In addition, the weather can change abruptly, so bring some warmer layers such as trousers, cardigans, and a waterproof coat.
How To Get To London
Cathay Pacific has a lot of great deals for those who want to travel to London and is ranked as one of the best Airlines for those who travel, Cathay Pacific is dedicated to making the travel experience the most comfortable as it can be for its customers. What are you waiting for to fly to London now?
