The capital of the UK is London. It is the largest city in the United Kingdom and the hub of its economy, transportation, and culture. London is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a roughly two-millennia-old history. London has a lively culture and is a place to visit in the UK.
London is a magical city. London, one of the most visited cities in the world, offers something for everyone, from excellent dining and exceptional entertainment to history and culture. The “Big Smoke” has a 2,000-year history, making it incredibly unique and cosmopolitan.
How to reach London?
There are a number of ways to reach London from India. The quickest way is by using an Indian carrier. There are numerous international airlines that offer flights from India to London, such as Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Jet Airways. You can fly into one of the two airports in London: Heathrow (H) or Gatwick (G).
By air: London is served by the largest airport in Europe, Heathrow. The airport is located approximately 25 miles from central London. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 120 million passengers each year. A taxi ride from Heathrow to central London can cost around £25. The popular and comfortable airlines that fly into Heathrow include British Airways, Eurowings, and Swiss International Air Lines.
By train: The train network extends across the United Kingdom, including London. There are several different types of trains available to use at all times of day, including intercity trains and commuter trains.
By road: There is a reliable public transportation system in the city. It is possible to get around the city by bus, tube, or underground, as well as by DLR. In London, red double-decker buses are a pride, as they allow you to see the most beautiful sites the city has to offer. There are 11 lines in London’s tube network, which is very well-developed and easy to understand.
15 places to visit in London you shouldn’t miss
Here’s a list of the 15 London famous places you must visit:
1. Big Ben
The Great Bell of the clock, known as Big Ben, is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Its actual name is Elizabeth Tower. However, it is also known as a clock tower. This famous place in London is right next to the parliamentary buildings.
Most tourists associate London with Big Ben, which they consider an iconic structure. It has been ticking 116 floors above ground level since May 1859, making it the most recognisable clock in the entire globe.
The second-largest four-faced chiming clock in the world, it also has four faces. Big Ben, arguably the most well-known clock in history, is an international icon of Britain and is easily recognisable. Big Ben tours are free of charge. When it chimes the hour, you’ll be in the tower. It’s brilliant.
Source: Pinterest
2. Tower of London
The Tower of London, a royal fortification and a World Heritage Site that was established in 1066 and is situated in the centre of the city, is a spectacular fortress with a history that goes back many centuries. It stands out since it was originally a notorious prison.
Treat your eyes to the renowned and rare jewels, the intriguingly antiquated architecture, and a clear view of the river Thames on a day trip to this tower.
The massive Tower of London, situated in the heart of London and boasts a view of the River Thames, has seen many storms since it was first built in 1078. The Tower of London only ticket price (excluding donation) is: Free for Members. Adult: £29.90. Child: £14.9. It is open daily from 09.00 to 17.30.
Source: Pinterest
3. Westminster Abbey
One of London’s most opulent and significant ecclesiastical buildings, Westminster Abbey in the City of Westminster, is a historically significant 1,000-year-old World Heritage Site. It is recognised for having held coronations, and weddings, and served as a burial ground for English and British monarchs in the past. It is situated along the western bank of the River Thames.
One of the best cathedrals in the world, Westminster Abbey is close to several other well-known London landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Palace of Westminster. This London tourist place receives over a million tourists annually from all over the world. It has existed since the year 960 AD.
It is controlled by the Dean & Chapter of the city and is formally known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster. You can attend worship at Westminster Abbey free of charge since it is a working church. Tourists are also welcome to attend the free services, including Evensong.
Westminster Station Parliament Square is three minutes away by bus line 453 from Westminster, Horse Guards Parade. It departs every five minutes.
Source: Pinterest
4. Tower Bridge
The world’s most well-known bridge, the Tower Bridge, hosts an exhibition where visitors may learn everything there is to know about its construction and operation. The city’s sweeping panoramas are also available for enjoyment. The Tower Bridge, a hybrid bascule and suspension bridge spanning the River Thames in London, was built in 1886. This London place is a well-known emblem of the city today and is near the Tower of London.
Through a variety of interactive videos and displays about the landmark, the Tower Bridge museum explains the history of the bridge as well as how and why it was constructed. Visitors can have a unique experience thanks to the glass floor walkway. Admission to the upper walkways costs £9.80 and is available from 11 AM to 11 PM.
There are 1,914 feet between London Bridge and Tower Bridge via road.
Source: Pinterest
5. London Eye
Your London places to visit list is incomplete without the iconic London Eye. The Coca-Cola London Eye, which is at the city’s centre, might be considered the city’s beating heart. Overlooking the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben, it smoothly revolves.
The South Bank of the River Thames in the nation’s capital is home to the enormous Ferris wheel known as the London Eye. It’s frequently called the Millennium wheel. It is a structure that is 443 feet tall and 394 feet in circumference.
The tallest observation wheel in all of Europe, it was constructed to commemorate London’s millennium celebrations in 2000. The London Eye’s separate glass capsules provide visitors with breathtaking vistas of the city as they ascend to the top.
Source: Pinterest
6. Warner Bros Studio Tour
The Warner Bros. Studios Tour is located in Leavesden, Watford, not far from London. The entirety of the Harry Potter series, the Batman films, the Star Wars films, and the Mission Impossible movies were all filmed in this fully functional studio, one of the biggest in the UK.
The massive Warner Bros. Studios Tour London, a museum dedicated to the art of filmmaking, first welcomed visitors in 2012. Since that time, it has consistently received up to 6,000 visitors each day during prime times.
The making of Harry Potter studio tour is located within. It is the one-way, behind-the-scenes walking tour of the whole Harry Potter set that was used for filming. It includes genuine Harry Potter sets, costumes, props, and much more.
There is also a significant discount for kids between 8 and 12 years of age – they pay only US$ 59, compared to Pound 69 for adults. The road distance between London city centre and Warner Bros studios is 18.2 miles.
Source: Pinterest
7. British Museum
One of London’s most notable tourist destinations, the British Museum was established in 1753 and houses materials spanning more than two million years of human history. It offers a singular opportunity to compare the treasures of world civilisation all under one roof. The British Museum is a museum devoted to the history, culture, and art of humanity that is situated in London. It is situated in London’s Bloomsbury neighbourhood.
It is regarded as one of the biggest and most comprehensive museums in existence and has a record of housing over eight million pieces. It includes resources from every continent and traces the history of humanity from its earliest origins to the present.
The museum is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm) and on Fridays between 8 pm and 11 pm (last entry at 21.30).
Source: Pinterest
8. Hyde Park
Each year, millions of tourists and residents visit Hyde Park, one of London’s eight royal parks. 350 acres of Hyde Park are home to many well-known sites, including the Serpentine Lake, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, and Speaker’s Corner.
The park offers other leisure opportunities. With a total area of 142 hectares, London’s Hyde Park is one of the world’s biggest urban parks. It has a meadow, a sizable lake, over 4,000 trees, and lovely flower gardens.
Here, you can engage in a variety of sports like swimming, boating, cycling, and skating. There are also areas set aside for activities like horseback riding and tennis. Children under the age of five are free to enter Hyde Park.
Hyde Park charges $8 for children over 5 years of age. There is a $30 family entry ticket price. Approximately two miles separate Hyde Park from London, and the journey takes 19 minutes.
Source: Pinterest
9. National Gallery
More than 2,000 Western European paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century are on show at the National Gallery in London. Here, you may see the creations of famous artists like Botticelli, Rembrandt, Turner, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, and others.
The National Gallery is regarded as one of London’s most significant museums. It boasts an outstanding collection of paintings from 1260 to 1900, including pieces by every notable artist of the time. Presently on view in the monument in Trafalgar Square are more than 2300 paintings. The neoclassical structure was converted into a museum in 1838.
Take part in a free 700-year painting experience. Hours: 10 am-6 pm on weekdays, 9 pm on Fridays (closed 24–26 December, 1 January).
Source: Pinterest
10. Chinatown
London’s Chinatown, found in the West End neighbourhood of London in Soho, is a busy marketplace with a high concentration of East Asian diaspora. It is a colourful and flavorful blend of the offerings of true Chinese culture.
There were a few Chinese eateries on the block when the area first began to see a rise in foot traffic in the 1960s. With more than 80 enterprises and streets lined with Chinese symbols and signs, it is today a confluence of Chinese history and culture and one of the busiest tourist destinations in the city.
The journey time between London Paddington Station and Chinatown is around 9 min and covers a distance of around three miles. In Chinatown, most restaurants and bars are open 24 hours a day.
Typically, they stay open until at least midnight, but some are open until 4 a.m.
Source: Pinterest
11. Leicester Square
Leicester Square, which was constructed in 1670 in London’s West End, is the one-stop entertainment destination for all of your requirements. Experience the top performances and let the star-studded red-carpet events at local venues enchant you.
The area is known as “Theatreland” and is home to several theatres that have been entertaining visitors for hundreds of years. Even though the square was made public in 1670, it wasn’t until the 1700s that it began to change and evolve into the current epicentre of entertainment. Today’s theatres in the neighbourhood were constructed in the 1800s.
Odeon Leicester Square, Princes of Wales Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre, Adelphi Theatre, Prince Charles Cinema, and others are some of the well-known and well-known theatres in the area. This location is difficult to miss if you are a visitor to London, as it hosts numerous film premieres throughout the year.
Approximately six miles separate London Docklands from Leicester Square Station, and the journey takes 23 minutes.
Source: Pinterest
12. Soho
Soho, a neighbourhood in Westminster, went from being farmland in the 16th century to becoming a centre of entertainment in London by the late 19th century. This Central London destination is a fusion of several cultures and periods of history, as well as a hub for entertainment, dining, and shopping.
With a history that dates back to the 17th century and a reputation for being tarnished by sex, drugs, and other scandalous crimes, Soho is now a more upscale and well-known destination for people to enjoy themselves.
With offices for Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, and Trident Studios as well as theatres, restaurants, and nightclubs, the area is a popular destination for tourists.
A distance of six kilometres or 3.5 miles can be calculated between Soho and the East End Of London, which are both in Great Britain.
Source: Pinterest
13. Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge, formally known as the London Millennium Footbridge and popularly referred to as the “Wobbly Bridge,” spans the River Thames for pedestrians between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge. It is a 2000-built steel suspension bridge that is owned by the charity trust Bridge House Estates, a part of the City of London Corporation.
Additionally, they are in charge of its upkeep. An Act of Parliament is required for any bridge over the River Thames. However, the Port of London Authority directly applied for licences and permissions from the City of London and the London Borough of Southwark for the Millennium Bridge.
It takes three minutes to walk to Millennium Bridge tube station in London.
Source: Pinterest
14. Oxford Street
With over 500 brand-name retailers and annual foot traffic of over 200 million, Oxford Street is one of the busiest streets not just in the city but throughout the world. Oxford Street is a nearly two-kilometre-long stretch that starts at St. Giles Circus continues past Tottenham Court Road, Wardour Street, and Rathbone Place, and ends at Marble Arch.
This London place is home to many retail establishments, including the flagship stores of many trendy brands, as well as numerous historical structures. Oxford Road became known as Oxford Street by the 18th century.
By the late 19th century, the area’s landscape had shifted from residential to commercial to more heavily reliant on retail.
Source: Pinterest
15. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, the reigning monarch’s formal palace and administrative centre, is a popular travel destination. It is situated in Westminster City. One of London’s most recognisable structures, Buckingham Palace is well known for hosting the city’s most popular ceremonial event, the Changing of the Guard.
Every season, this event, which starts at about 11:30 a.m., features precise marching to music played by an orchestra. Since Queen Victoria, the Royal family has resided in the Palace, which was constructed in 1837. There’s a 24-pound fee per adult for Buckingham Palace tickets. Visitors over 60 years of age and students with ID get a discount of 22 pounds per entry.
Source: Pinterest
FAQs
What makes London the most desirable place to visit?
There is no doubt that London is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Ancient laneways are dotted with historical monuments, high-end shops, and award-winning theatres, in addition to contemporary architectural marvels such as the Shard.
When is the most suitable time of year to visit London?
There is no better time to visit London than September through October.
Why is London so special?
In London, you'll find a vibrant culture, including history, culture, fine dining, and exceedingly good times. The city is one of the most visited in the world.
When visiting London, what should you not miss?
The London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Covent Garden.
