London is truly one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in the United Kingdom. It’s a city with rich and unique history and amazing preserved British culture. And with several historical landmarks and many great London tourist attractions to keep you busy, you will never run out of amazing things to do.
London is also one of the most expensive cities in the world and famous for its luxurious shopping malls and hotels. Tourists mostly flock to this city because of top department stores such as Harrods, House of Fraser, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty, John Lewis, and Selfridges. The shopping experience in London is unparalleled, but the attractions go beyond just shopping.
Here are 15 stunning London tourist attractions you have to visit when you are in the city!
1. A visit to the Museum of London
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The sight of this famous landmark and architectural masterpiece is a stunning beauty to behold! The Museum of London holds a lot of British history, with legendary exhibitions showing London through the ages, from prehistory through to modern times. Their unique collections include over a million objects! If you are a fan of history and you want to know more about the British Empire and how it became the great city that it is today, the Museum of London is a must visit.
Cost: Entry to the Museum of London is free.
2. Visit the National Gallery
There is a saying that goes thus, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. The same goes for the National Gallery. The gallery is in Trafalgar Square and is one of the unique popular attractions where art is at its finest. Collections in the gallery are from famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, Claude Monet, and Michelangelo. The gallery often has visiting exhibitions of other famous artists. This gallery is very educational with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Cost: Entry to the National Gallery is free.
3. Visit the London Museum of Transport
This museum holds fascinating secrets that will blow your mind. The London Transport Museum portrays all that there is to transport. The collections include everything from vehicles and infrastructure to old sound recordings, photographs, and relics. The museum is a great way to learn more about the history of transport in London and explore the transport system that the city is famous for. Guided tours of various transport landmarks happen throughout the year. The museum is situated in Covent Garden Piazza.
Cost: Entry to the London Transport Museum is free for kids and about ₦8,300 (£17.50) for adults.
4. Visit the Royal Botanical Garden (Kew Gardens)
The glass-like dome shape of this botanical garden looks like a transparent train terminal. It’s a safe haven for exquisite plants and flowers. The Royal Botanical Garden has a historic palm house that is home to its very own tropical rainforest, an 18-meter-high treetop walkway that gives visitors an experience like never before, and a charming glasshouse for alpine plants. It’s a sanctuary of green bliss and calm.
Cost: Entry to Kew Gardens is free for kids under 4 years old, about ₦1,900 (£4) for kids between 4-16 years old, and about ₦7,600 (£16) for adults.
5. Visit Buckingham Palace
If you are visiting London for the very first time, this iconic palace is a must see. First of all, it’s the official dwelling place of the Queen of England. George III bought Buckingham House for Queen Charlotte in 1761 and the palace has gone through many renovations since then. In counting, it has about 774 rooms and holds thousands of guests each year for great royal events, ceremonies, and garden parties. Hanging on every wall of this royal palace are beautiful works of arts. The palace is open to the public from late July to September and on select dates in December, January, and April.
Cost: A tour of the State Rooms is free for children under 5 years old, about ₦6,410 (£13.50) for kids under 17 years old, and about ₦11,400 (£24) for adults / a Royal Day Out tour is free for children under 5 years, about ₦11,070 (£23.30) for kids under 17 years old, and about ₦20,090 (£42.30) for adults. Family and group tickets are also available.
6. Visit Kensington Palace
This palace was once home to the late Princess Diana of Wales but is now the stylish royal residence of the new Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (Royal Family). The picture-perfect palace estate provides avenues to learn about her Majesty the Queen and her monarch’s beautiful exhibitions. You can explore the history of royal weddings and the extraordinary lives of royal leaders such as Queen Victoria. Royalty speaks at every point in this palace and visitors can have high tea around the corner at The Orangery.
Cost: Entry to Kensington Palace is about ₦4,600 (£9.70) for kids and about ₦9,260 (£19.50) for adults.
7. Visit the Tower Bridge
A lot of tourists misconstrue this fascinating site for the London Bridge, but the tower bridge is entirely different from it. This bridge is Gothic by design and has a beautiful feature that lifts and divides the bridge into two to ease traffic on the waterways. The upgraded glass walkway for pedestrians creates more room for viewers on the bridge. A walk on the glass pedestrian is priceless. You can also step inside and tour the magnificent Victorian engine rooms which once powered the bridge lifts. The Tower Bridge is open from April to September and October to March.
Cost: Entry to the Tower Bridge is about ₦1,990 (£4.20) for kids and about ₦4,650 (£9.80) for adults. Family and group tickets are also available at different prices depending on the number of people.
8. Visit Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, stands at the north end of the Houses of Parliament in Central London. It is one of the most popular landmarks in the London metropolis. Although the tower is often called Big Ben, Big Ben is actually the name of the giant bell inside the tower. Construction of the clock was completed in 1859, which makes it over 150 years old! This elevated piece of art brings a lot of joy to Londoners because it is still standing tall after all the chaos of World War 2. It is also particularly nice to look at in the evenings when the four clock faces are illuminated.
Cost: It is not possible to go inside the tower, but a tour of the Houses of Parliament is a great way to see this celebrated attraction. Guided tours are free for kids under 5 years old, about ₦5,690 (£12) for kids between 5-15 years old, and about ₦13,300 (£28) for adults.
9. Take a ride in the London Eye
The London Eye is a gigantic Ferris wheel located on the south bank of the River Thames. It was completed at the beginning of the 2000s, which is why it bears the nickname The Millennium Wheel. The wheel stands tall at 443 feet and has a diameter of 120 meters. A complete wheel turn takes about 30 minutes and the capsules provide visitors with a stunning 360° view of London. It’s recorded as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel and is a true beauty at night when it comes alive with bright neon colours. Tourists are entertained with a glass of royal champagne as they enjoy a sweet ride.
Opening times for the London Eye vary throughout the year and booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Cost: A standard ride on the wheel is about ₦11,110 (£23.40). Different types of tickets are available.
10. Visit St Paul’s Cathedral
This famous Baroque structure was built between 1675 and 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren and is one of the most recognisable attractions in London. It is considered an architectural masterpiece and is one of Europe’s largest cathedrals. The cathedral is beautifully designed with Corinthians columns and a large dome. The dome stretches 366 feet into the sky and weighs about 66,000 tons. There are 560 steps alongside 3 galleries that lead you to the top of the dome. This church is massive and the elaborate design of the interior with its ancient architecture and paintings is like something out of a dream.
Cost: Entry to St Paul’s Cathedral is about ₦3,800 (£8) for kids and about ₦8,550 (£18) for adults.
11. Visit Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is situated in Westminster and is considered one of the biggest in London. The square was named after the battle of Trafalgar, a victory over the French fleet by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Today, the square features some of the most popular attractions in London and has been a place for many protests, demonstrations, and large-scale events. Wander around the square to find the famous Trafalgar Square lions or snap a selfie with one of the bronze statues in each corner. The North-East part of the square is home to the fabulous St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
Cost: Entry to Trafalgar Square is free.
12. Spend a day at Hyde Park
Hyde Park is situated in the heart of London and is known for its greenery, open spaces, and numerous monuments. It was opened to the public in 1637 and is the largest royal park in London. Bordering the south-west edge of the park is the Serpentine, a man-made lake. The lake flows to other parks and landmarks and is popularly used for boating and swimming (mostly by the Royal bloods). The Memorial Fountain for the late Princess of Wales (Diana), The Rose Garden, and Speakers’ Corner are also notable attractions.
Cost: Entry to Hyde Park is free.
13. 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
The lovely 41-storey steel and glass skyscraper known as “The Gherkin” was built in 2004 and is one of the most impressive modern structures in the London metropolis. This building is famous for its cigar shape design and is located in the heart of the London finance centre. The topmost floor of The Gherkin is an open hall with a conical dome. A view from its peak would be incredible, but unfortunately, this building is not open to the public. However, although it’s not open to the public, the exterior view is spectacular.
Cost: A walk around the building is free.
14. Visit the famous Shard building
The Shard, also referred to as the “Shard of Glass”, is the tallest skyscraper in London and Western Europe. It stands out from any other building in the London metropolis, soaring 310 metres into the sky and made up of 72 outstanding storeys (with the spire at the top it reaches for 95 storeys). The Shard is home to apartments, a hotel, offices, a retail arcade, and restaurants and bars. The topmost floor of this magnificent building gives you a truly unforgettable panoramic view of the city below. From across the river at night, tourists can get a different view of The Shard as it glows with beauty.
Cost: Entry to The Shard is free for kids under 4 years old, about ₦11,850 (£24.95) for kids between 4-15 years old, and about ₦14,700 (£30.95) for adults.
15. Take a walk across the Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that was built across the River Thames at the beginning of the millennium. The name of the bridge was derived from the time of its construction. This pedestrian bridge stretches across for a total of 1,066 feet and links two famous London landmarks, the Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral. A stroll along the bridge is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and get amazing photographs of some of the most famous landmarks and attractions in London.
Cost: Entry to the Millennium Bridge is free.
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For sports lovers:
- Wembley Stadium is located about 45 minutes outside of London.
- Emirates Stadium is 30 minutes outside of London. It is the home of Arsenal.
- Stamford Bridge is 30 minutes in the other direction. It is home to Chelsea FC.
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Other great London tourist attractions include:
- Tower of London
- Royal Albert Hall
- The National Theatre
- Westminster Abbey
- Camden Town
Find affordable flights to London on Travelstart!
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I guess after this you will see London in a different light. The city of London is a hive of ancient and modern art and structure that fascinates visitors with all the pleasures of life. From beautiful places to the vibrant nightlife, London is definitely the place to be!
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Visited any of these destinations? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
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Indeed london is a place to go,i believe i ll b there one day