It’s no secret that London is one of the best cities in the world. With so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to begin when exploring this fascinating city. If you are planning your first trip to London, here are 101 reasons why you should visit this stupendous city.
St Paul’s Cathedral
A visit to London is not complete without a visit to the world-famous interior of St Paul’s Cathedral. The interior is an impressive and stunning example of Gothic architecture and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. The cathedral was founded in 604 as the first, and for 1,000 years, only, cathedral to the bishop of London. It has been rebuilt many times, but the Gothic cathedral survived the Great Fire of London, which devastated much of the city in 1666. The cathedral is renowned for its impressive West Front, which is one of the most significant examples of Early English Gothic architecture. At the core of the cathedral is the famous Whispering Gallery, a secret room where visitors are able to whisper to the person next to them and be heard in the next aisle.
London Eye
The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel inside a round structure that provides the perfect view of the city from a height of 350 feet. The Eye is located on the south bank of the River Thames, in the center of London, and provides visitors with the opportunity to see the city from a new perspective. The Eye is the most popular paid tourist attraction in London, and is well worth a visit. The Eye features a wide variety of shows, including some of the most popular in the world, such as the Firework and IllumiNations shows. The Eye also has a restaurant and bar, and is available for private functions.
Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge, also known as Tower Bridge Road, is a road bridge across the River Thames in London, England, connecting the Tower of London and Tower Hill to the north of the capital with the Surrey sector on the south. The bridge is considered one of the most iconic structures in London and international photography exhibitions have been held there. The bridge was designed by John Wolfe-Barry and opened in 1894 as part of the surrounding Tower Bridge Road, which was later renamed The Tower Bridge Road. It is the world’s oldest and originalest steel-arch bridge. The bridge has been featured in numerous films, including David Lean’s The Bridge on the River Kwai and the Harry Potter films, as well as many other television shows and music videos.
The Shard
The Shard, also known as the London Bridge Tower, is a shard skyscraper in London, United Kingdom that opened in 2012. It is currently the tallest building in the EU and the second tallest building in the world, with a height of 310 metres (1,016 feet). The Shard is located on the South Bank of the River Thames and stands next to the London Eye. The Shard is designed as an abstract dial which houses apartments, restaurants, offices, a viewing gallery and a helter-skelter, giving visitors a zip-wire ride as they look out over the city. The helter-skelter was originally designed as a children’s ride, but was later re-purposed for visitors.
Buckingham Palace
Known as the “Royal Residence,” Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. The palace is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions, and is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Buckingham Palace is a large Neo-Gothic building, and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the UK. It is the London residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who has been the monarch of the United Kingdom since 1952. Unlike the White House, the British monarch is not the head of the executive branch of government. Instead, the British monarch is the head of state and the British government is comprised of the monarch, the British Cabinet and the House of Lords.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a large public park in Central London, England. It is one of the Royal Parks of London and is often referred to as the “Central Park of London.” Hyde Park is a popular place for picnics, barbecues and for sports, like cricket and football. Hyde Park is the second-largest urban park in London and has extensive gardens, lakes, streams and a zoo. It has a large pseudo-Medieval castle, a lake, extensive playgrounds for children, a war memorial and a lake. The Hyde Park is one of London’s best-known and most-visited attractions. It is a beautiful park, especially during spring and summer when the trees are in bloom.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace (briefly)
Shakespeare’s birthplace is the small house in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, that was his home between 1556 and 1583. Tourists often flock to the house to see where the famous playwright was born, and his statue outside. Unfortunately, the house is currently closed to the public, as it is undergoing restoration, but the tourist attraction is worth a look. It’s also worth noting that Shakespeare’s remains were buried in Holy Cross Church, in Stratford-upon-Avon, and are currently under the floor of the nave. If you can’t make it to the house, try to see where he was born. In addition to the house, see the Memorial Theatre, Library and the Heritage Centre, which provide insight into the life and times of Shakespeare.
Image by Adam Derewecki from Pixabay
