London can perhaps be called the most iconic city in the world. With a rich history and some of the most outstanding cultures on the planet, you should make a trip to explore them. Here are some of the best tourist attractions in London that you can’t miss.
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Best Tourist Attractions In London
1. London Eye
The London Eye is perhaps the world’s most iconic Ferris wheel. It was built to mark the millennium celebrations in London in 2000 and right from day one, it has been London’s foremost attraction. The individual glass capsules on the wheel rise up to 443 ft above the Thames resulting in some of the most splendid views of the city. The whole ride lasts for about 30 minutes and is usually accompanied by a long queue.
This is one of the best tourist attractions in London for travelers to visit.
2. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is possibly the most famous park in London, and it is one of the largest. It is one of the best tourist attractions in London that you can’t miss. The park has historical significance, having hosted a number of demonstrations and protests including protests by the Suffragettes.
The park’s famous Speaker’s Corner is still occupied by debates, protests, and performance artists every week. The park is home to several memorial features, as well as two bodies of water, the most famous being the Serpentine. Here you can go paddle-boating, see a number of swans, and take in a breath of fresh air in the center of the city.
3. Westminster
Westminster is considered the political hub of London and is home to the Houses of Parliament and the world-famous Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the bell housed within the iconic clock tower, and it still chimes every hour.
You can also find Westminster Abbey here, which is open to the public most days. Whilst visiting these landmarks, be sure to rest your feet in Parliament Square which features statues of important political individuals including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.
4. British Museum
Displaying one of the world’s finest collections of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and elsewhere, it’s hard to know where to begin. But most tourists head first for the museum’s most famous exhibits: the controversial Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, the colossal bust of Ramesses II, the Egyptian mummies, and the spectacular hoard of 4th-century Roman silver known as the Mildenhall Treasure.
5. Big Ben and Parliament
Nothing screams “London” more emphatically than the 318-foot tower housing the giant clock and its resounding bell is known as Big Ben. It’s as iconic a landmark as Tower Bridge, and the tolling of Big Ben is known throughout the world as the time signal of the BBC. Below it, stretching along the Thames, are the Houses of Parliament, the seat of Britain’s government for many centuries and once the site of the royal Westminster Palace occupied by William the Conqueror.
Tours of the parliament buildings offer a unique chance to see real-time debates and lively political discussions. From Parliament Square, Whitehall is lined by so many government buildings that its name has become synonymous with the British government.
6. Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens or the Kew Gardens is a perfect place to catch that ever so rare sunshine in London. Situated in southwest London on the banks of the River Thames, this 300-acre place is perfect to wander along with your loved ones. Laid in 1759, the gardens are now government property and have a variety of tours available with free admission. Apart from this, many musical and cultural events are also held here throughout the year.
7. Camden
Camden is a well-known cultural neighborhood in north London. Known for its alternative culture, the crowds here are filled with goths, punks, rockabillies, and tourists alike. Camden has a vibrant body mod community and you will find a number of piercing and tattoo shops in this part of town.
Camden Market is eclectic and diverse, featuring street food from international cuisines, and lots of stalls selling trinkets and unique artwork to take home. Rummage through vintage clothing racks, find a used book to take on your travels, or visit one of the city’s best vegan bakeries at Cookies And Scream.
