Discover the Tower of London, once home to palaces, prisons, execution grounds, arsenals, jewel houses and zoos; its tour guides provide insight into its 900 year-long history.
Recent travelers were taken with the wide array of paintings on display at the National Gallery and found it impossible to visit all its never-ending halls within one day – noting its impressive cafe as another highlight. And you can easily reach London with Cathay Pacific flights.
The London Eye
The London Eye is one of the city’s premier tourist attractions, boasting spectacular views from its 32 glass capsules. As well as providing direct revenue generation opportunities, the London Eye serves as an invaluable cultural landmark.
The London Eye is located on the South bank of the Thames near Tower Bridge and easily reached via metro. Visitors can ride it for roughly 30 minutes while seeing some of London’s iconic landmarks; amenities offered at this attraction include a bar, pub pod and VIP champagne experience.
David Marks and Julia Barfield of David Marks + Julia Barfield Architecture completed this structure, opening in March 2000. Although intended as temporary structure, its popularity led to its remaining as a permanent feature.
The London Eye is an ideal family destination, while also being ideal for couples and groups of friends. Easily reached via four Metro stations within walking distance; Waterloo can be reached using Northern and Black lines; Westminster and Embankment can also be easily accessed on foot; it is also within reach of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament as well as other historic landmarks nearby.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London is an essential stop on any visit to London. Over its long history, this complex has served as a fortress, royal residence, prison and even an early zoo; nowadays it houses the crown jewels and remains one of the top attractions.
Exploring all areas of the complex can easily consume several hours. There are various tours available that provide more insight into its history and features; some even allow skip-the-line access which saves even more time during your visit!
One of the best ways to explore the Tower of London is on a small group tour led by an expert guide who can tell you more about its history and tell stories behind each feature of this iconic site. These tours also help avoid long lines for ticket purchase during peak tourist seasons.
Purchase tickets early online and you may be able to avoid the ticket lines at the entrance. This method is ideal if visiting during peak times; just be sure to arrive as soon after opening time as possible to take advantage of this strategy and avoid lengthy lines!
Planning your visit should also take note that certain parts of the Tower are closed on certain days for maintenance or security issues; these can include the Royal Mint, Battlements sections and Beauchamp Tower – each attraction will have their website detailed as to when these attractions will close for visitors.
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the world’s premier museums and draws over six million visitors yearly, making it Britain’s top visited attraction. Boasting an unparalleled collection that spans centuries and continents, revealing human culture’s early roots, this institution houses some of humanity’s greatest works.
The museum opened in 1753 as an extension of Sir Hans Sloane’s collection as physician, botanist, and collector. Today it operates as a national museum that is free for entry (although certain exhibitions may incur fees).
The British Museum is unique among major museums worldwide in that it doesn’t organize itself by sections and galleries, instead showcasing collections through themes. Each area focuses on one aspect of its collection which can surely pique any visitor’s curiosity.
The British Museum provides visitors with many ways to learn about history and culture through its collection, from Egyptian mummies to the Rosetta Stone – something for every taste! In addition to their permanent exhibits, the British Museum also houses temporary exhibitions that change regularly.
The museum is conveniently situated at the heart of Bloomsbury and easily accessible via public transportation, including Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Russell Square tube stations that can all be reached in eight minutes by walking. Bus routes 14 stop directly outside. In addition, Santander Cycle docking stations can be found close by with bike racks available inside its main entrance on Great Russell Street.
The O2
The O2 is an iconic London landmark that provides visitors with music, sports and events of all kinds. Its beautiful architecture and array of attractions make it a must-visit location. Here are 17 amazing facts about it that may surprise you!
At the 2012 London Olympic Games, The O2 hosted numerous gymnastic events that showcased astounding feats of athleticism and skill. Additionally, its walkway provides panoramic views of London; visitors can even spot Olympic Park and Canary Wharf from its 170-foot apex! Excursion trips last approximately 90 minutes and provide an exciting way to discover your city from a different viewpoint.
The O2 offers world-class sporting and musical events, bars and restaurants. Foodies will find it an attractive destination; other amenities include a funfair and bowling alley. Cineworld Cinema at The O2, London’s largest with 19 screens is not to be missed either; boasting cutting edge amenities such as 4DX (moving cinema seats with atmospheric conditions like fog and scent) as well as Screen X which provides panoramic 270 degree views.
At The O2, there’s always plenty to do! For an enjoyable, more relaxing experience, head to Meridian Lounge for traditional afternoon tea service – featuring delectable sandwiches, scones and cakes served alongside your pot of tea! Additionally, The O2 boasts the quirky Selfie Factory which will provide plenty of ideas for Instagram posts – be mindful however that show days may become extremely crowded so try visiting on non-show days or early arrival for optimal experience!
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens boast a diverse collection of plants and trees from all corners of the globe, as well as gorgeous conservatories and galleries, providing the ideal setting to learn about botany, art and history. Families will especially love its treetop walkway and The Hive which mimics beehive activity – perfect places for discovery!
Kew Gardens are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than 50,000 living plants, boasting architectural styles from different periods and an annual display of bluebells that was Queen Victoria’s favorite residence. Visitors can explore many gardens and glasshouses such as the steamy early Victorian Palm House; Princess of Wales Conservatory with an obelisk-shaped glasshouse; red-brick 1631 Kew Palace; and William Chambers’ Great Pagoda built in 1762 – each are popular features among visitors!
Visitors can learn more about the plant kingdom at Museum No. 1, featuring an intriguing collection of tools, clothing, food and medicines made from plants. In addition, the gardens house two art galleries including Marianne North Gallery of Botanic Art which houses an incredible 832 botanical paintings!
Kew Gardens can easily be reached from London either by car or public transit, with Kew Gardens railway station serving both London Underground trains on the District Line and National Rail services nearby as well as numerous bus stops, bicycle racks and a large parking lot outside Brentford Gate.
