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The Palace of Westminster was built between 1840 and 1876 following the destruction of the original Palace of Westminster in 1834 due to fire. The Palace of Westminster has served as the home of the Parliament of England since the 13th century.
The Palace of Westminster is famous for its connection to the iconic Big Ben. Although Big Ben is commonly used to describe the tower, the clock, and the bell, Big Ben refers to the heaviest of the five bells in the Elizabeth Tower.
Parliament Square, London, SW1A 0AA
Westminster Underground Station (Zone 1)
Founded in 960AD by Benedictine monks, Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of Geoffrey Chaucer, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and many kings and queens.
Westminster Abbey is open Monday to Friday between 09:30 to 15:30, Wednesday evenings between 16:30 and 18:00, Saturdays between 09:00 and 15:00 from May to August and 09:00 to 13:00 from September to April. Westminster Abbey is open on Sundays for services.
Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PA
Westminster Underground Station (Zone 1)
St. James's Park Underground Station (Zone 1)
At 1,016 foot (309 metre) high, The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe. Visitors can experience The View from The Shard by visiting the Level 69 observation deck or the open air sky deck on Level 72.
The Level 69 observation deck is situated 800 feet (244 meters) above London and offers 360 degree views over the capital for up to 40 miles (60 km) on a clear day.
Joiner Street, London, SE1 9QU
London Bridge Underground Station (Zone 1)
Opened on 31 December 1999, the London Eye reaches 443 feet (135 metres) above the river Thames and offers an unparalleled view of London.
The London Eye's opening times vary throughout the year, but it usually opens at 10:00 and closes between 18:00 and 20:30. Check the London Eye's website for the exact schedule.
Westminster Underground Station (Zone 1)
Embankment Underground Station (Zone 1)
The pedestrian only Millennium Bridge was opened to the public on 10 June 2000. The bridge connects St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank of the Thames with Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe on the south bank.
The Millennium Bridge's modern look has made it a popular location for film and TV and it can be seen in 2009s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and 2014s Guardians of the Galaxy.
visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/442404-millennium-bridge
2 Lambeth Hill, London, EC4V 4GG
Mansion House Underground Station (Zone 1)
Blackfriars Underground Station (Zone 1)
Built between 1675 and 1710 and consecrated in 1697, St Paul's Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the old St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666.
St Paul's Cathedral sits on the site of many former churches - the earliest of which was erected in 604AD.
St Paul's Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:30 for sightseeing (the last entry is at 16:00). Admission to St Paul's Cathedral's galleries is from 09:30 to 16:30 (the last entry is at 16:15).
St Paul's Cathedral is open for worship only on Sundays.
St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD
St. Paul's Underground Station (Zone 1)
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the iconic ceremony that began in the 17th century at the Palace of Whitehall. Changing the Guard – also known as Guard Mounting - takes place at both St James’ Palace and Buckingham Palace.
Changing the Guard at St James’ Palace takes place at 10:30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and daily in the summer.
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place at 11:00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and daily in the summer.
Please note: if the weather is bad, it is possible the ceremonies will be cancelled.
royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace
Victoria Underground Station (Zone I)
Victoria Underground Station (Zone I)
Established in 1753, The British Museum boasts a public collection of over 8 million works that were mostly acquired during the British Empire.
The Museum is organised in ten curatorial and research departments:
The British Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, and it has most galleries open until 20:30 on Fridays. Closing starts daily from 17:20 (20:20 on Fridays).
Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Russell Square Underground Station (Zone 1)
Goodge Street Underground Station (Zone 1)
Tottenham Court Road Underground Station (Zone 1)
Built between 1886 and 1894, Tower Bridge is one of the UK's most iconic landmarks. Visitors can stroll through the high-level walkways suspended between the towers and explore inside the Victorian engine rooms.
Tower Bridge is open from 10:00 to 17:30 (last admission) from April until September and 09:30 to 17:00 (last admission) from October to March.
Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP
Nearest Tube: Tower Hill Underground Station (Zone 1)
Filled with an eclectic mix of stores and stalls, Camden Market is the best place to buy a unique souvenir. Camden Market has some of the best international food and music in London.
No two visits are the same and Camden itself offers some of the best intimate live music and theatre venues. Some notable places to visit are:
Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF
Camden Town Underground Station (Zone 2)