From some of the world’s most renowned museums to gorgeous riverside pubs, the city of London offers visitors an incredible variety of experiences to choose from regardless of their personal tastes. Those who enjoy walking can spend hours wandering neighbourhoods and discovering obscure bookshops and quiet cafes. Those who enjoy a more vibrant urban pulse can take the underground to visit the historic sites of Westminster and the square mile that comprises the “old city.” The city is also host to a thriving theatre district and endless restaurants and specialty clubs.
Of course, a tour of the city would not be complete without a tour of some of the World Heritage Sites that help make London one of the oldest and most historically rich cities in the world. There’s the Tower of London, where everyone from common criminals to disgraced royals have spent an uncomfortable confined evening or two. There are the incredible palaces and royal estates, including Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey. London isn’t simply a collection of old buildings. Some of the most groundbreaking architects of the 21st century have added their mark to the city’s skyline. Norman Foster’s “Gherkin” attracts attention for its iconic alternating glass panels and distinctive shape.
For those who prefer to do their sightseeing indoors, Tate Modern in Bankside offers visitors the finest contemporary art housed in a retrofitted power plant. The famous British Museum offers an unmatched collection of priceless antiquities and other treasures housed in a stately building near the Russell Square tube station. Scholars regularly use the British Museum to perform research on the past lives of Roman emperors and Egyptian pharaohs. The National Gallery, located in Trafalgar Square, has one of the finest collections of Western paintings in the world.
Some would argue that the best art on view is the pulsing unpredictability of the city itself. Places such as Piccadilly Circus offer visitors the chance to lose themselves in the urban fabric of the city. Walking along the Thames is a gorgeous way to spend the day. Of course, London is renowned for its manicured public parks. These parks frequently feature outdoor concerts or other events that are open to passerby. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are located within central London, making them an ideal destination for a visitor fresh from Euston Station or Heathrow Airport.
Any visit to London must include a tour of the theatre district of the West End. Major new plays make their debut here and are performed to a crowd of critics and enthusiastic arts patrons. Leicester Square is an international destination for major film premieres and other celebrity gatherings. A few blocks over one can find the legendary Covent Garden. Shops selling every imaginable item compete for the attention of the discerning crowd.
Many may ask “what’s on London”? The simple truth is that very little is off. From awe-inspiring buildings to incredible cultural hotspots to authentic English cuisine, the city is a visitor’s paradise. The only thing visitors to London regret is having to leave.