There are so many things to do in London, which is one of the most popular cities in the world. With a huge selection of entertainment options, sight-seeing opportunities and much more, it is often hard to scratch the surface of this wonderful city, even for those who live there, let alone the tourists who have travelled from far and wide with limited time on their hands.
Millions of people come to London for its main attractions and quite rightly so, after all you can’t miss Big Ben, or the 443ft Ferris wheel which is the London Eye. Every year tourists purchase replicas of London’s famous monuments and other London souvenirs in the many gift shops throughout the city. Other iconic structures which make up the London skyline include Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, City Hall, the Gherkin Tower and Nelsons Column. A visit to Buckingham Palace is also a must, as is a stroll along the Thames Walk to soak up the city atmosphere and breathe in the fresh air. Other great attractions and places to visit are Madame Tussauds, the Planetarium, the London Aquarium and Zoo, all of which are fun for all the family and would be a memorable part of any holiday in London.
Many people visit London for the buzzing nightlife and the neon city lights, diverse food and some more of that fantastic atmosphere. London is also home to some of the best theatres and thousands of people take a trip to London’s West End exclusively for the classic plays and famous musicals.
Another reason for visiting the capital is the great shopping destinations such as Harrods, Selfridges, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, London’s famous markets and one of the latest additions to the shopping scene which is Westfields Stratford, in East London, Europe’s largest city shopping centre.
If it is history you are after, then London is the place for you. The city itself is brimming with history and hosts a plethora of grand museums and galleries which are mostly free to enter, such as the British Museum, the National History Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the Science Museum, which all make great educational trips for children too. Some of the great galleries include the National Gallery, the Serpentine Gallery, Tate Britain and the Tate Modern, even if the art in the latter is questionable, the building itself is splendid!
However it is not all hustle and bustle in the city of London, which is also plentiful in green spaces that provide a great escape from the rest of the city. There is such a calming atmosphere in all eight of London’s Royal Parks which are beautiful and well worth a visit, including Hyde Park, Richmond Park, St Jame’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park as well as Hampstead Heath which offers amazing views of the city.
The author lives in London and works for Click Souvenirs, a leading London gift shop. She enjoys photography, travelling and graphic design along with raising her four children.