London - 15 things not to miss by Mark Sukhija

  1. The Houses of Parliament (London SW1A 0AA) and Westminster Abbey (20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA) - famed as "The Mother of Parliaments," the Palace of Westminster now plays home to the two houses of Parliament - the The House of Commons and The House of Lords.

  2. Buckingham Palace (Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA) - the official London residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Buck House is also one of Londons most popular tourist spots. Open to the public during the Queens summer holidays in Balmoral. The Union Jack flys at full mast when Her Maj is in residence otherwise there's no flag at all. Don't miss the changing of the guard all year round - a regal pompous ceremony changing the official Queens Guards.

  3. The Tower of London (The Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB) - Built on the site of a castle originally build by William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") after his conquest of England in 1066, the Tower of London was, from the outset, designed to protect and control London as a centre of political influence and control. Strategically located on the banks of the Thames River, the Tower of London has variously served as a Castle, Palace, Prison and tourist attraction. Take a guided tour with a Beefeater.

  4. Tower Bridge - Probably Londons most famous bridge, adjacent to the Tower of London.

  5. Soho - Once fertile hunting ground for Henry VIII and, according to legend, named after his hunting call "So! Ho!", Soho is now home to a vibrant London nightlife and red-light district. Famed jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott's Soho is a great hunting ground for vibrant pubs and clubs and quick eats en route to one of Londons numerous theatres.

  6. St Paul's Cathedral (St Pauls Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD) - Often regarded as a masterpiece in the design career of Christopher Wren - as a first piece this is quite remarkable. Firmly routed in the Baroque traditions and styles, the new St Pauls was initially condemned for being too "Papist" and not sufficiently Protestant, or specifically Anglican, in its approach.

  7. Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU) - Hampton Court is Henry VIII's most famous residence. Probably the finest example of a Royal complex from the period. Still an official residence of The Monarch, Hampton Court is, in reality, a major tourist destination especially for those followers of Henry VIIIth. Several parts of the Palace date directly from the period of Henry VIII, although the Hannovrians (amongst other later monarchs) made later adjustments to Palace the thrust of the red brick still dominates the palace. Don't miss the gardens.

  8. Fullers Brewery (The Griffen Brewery, Chiswick Lane South, London W4 2QB) - London's only remaining independant brewery. A well known brewer of the region, the tour includes a beer-tasting tasting session including excellent brands such as London Pride, Chiswick and the zesty Organic Honey Dew - Britains Best Selling organic beer. My personal favorite? The London Porter.

  9. The London Eye (South Bank, London) - Built for the Millenium celebrations, the London Eye quickly became a Thames-side landmark. Popular with locals, perhaps pre-dinner or pre-theatre, and tourists alike the London Eye provides an excellent panoramic views over the whole of London. But, better weather, better views - so choose wisely!

  10. Apsley House (149 Picadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT) - Once the residence of the first Duke of Wellington, Apsley House remains the official residence of his descendants. The house is an excellent museum of The Iron Dukes' life and times and showcase an enormous statue of Napoleon Bonarparte by Canova in the stairwell.

  11. Visit a London pub - no visit to London is complete without a visit to a real London boozer. There's many a tourist trap, as you would expect, but also many real pubs with real people in them. Historical / heritage pubs such as the Lamb Tavern at Leadenhall or Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street are worth visiting.

  12. Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB) - The 250-year-old Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew are amongst the worlds most famous gardens and a must-visit for any green-fingered visitor to London. Kew Gardens, aside from the impressive greenhouses, gardens and Kew Palace, boasts the worlds largest compost heap which is mainly used for the gardens themselves.

  13. Visit a London museum - Londons museums are famed the world over as they are home to some of the most prominent artists, relics and artifacts. The British Museum plays home to the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles, while The National Gallery has works from Botticelli to Van Gogh as well as British greats like Constable and Turner. Natural History Museum Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum (all in South Kensington) house excellent collections in their fields.

  14. Visit a London market - Markets are an essential part of London life and provide both employment and bussle. Famed markets such as Spitalfields, Portobello Road to the more grungy Camden Market sell everything from food, antiques and silver to second hand clothing and bric-a-brac. Most have market pubs close by which are (usually) worth a visit.

  15. Shopping - Regent Street and Oxford Street provide excellent shopping oppurtunities. Oxford Street is for your more mainstream while Regent Street is a your plusher clothing stores. If posh jewellerys your thing - head straight for Bond Street while Tottenham Court Road does a line of electronics stores.

Related Posts

London markets - 15 of the best markets 15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting
Diamond Jubilee - Mustering the troops Troops being mustered for the open carriage procession for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee - Royal Salute Royal salute for the Household Cavalry at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
London - Queen Elizabeth II at the Diamond Jubilee carriage procession Queen Elizabeth II in an open top carriage in Whitehall, London to commerate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
London - Queen Elizabeth II in an open carriage Queen Elizabeth II in an open carriage procession to Buckingham Palace to commerate the Diamond Jubilee
London - Christmas lights on Oxford Street Christmas lights on Oxford Street in central London
London - Fountains at Trafalgar Square Fountains lit at night at Trafalgar Square in central London
London - Queensway Underground station Reflections of a Central line tube at Queensway Underground station

Map

Further reading

London - museums not to miss - Information on and about the museums in London

London markets - 15 of the best markets - 15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting

Diamond Jubilee - Mustering the troops - Troops being mustered for the open carriage procession for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Diamond Jubilee - Royal Salute - Royal salute for the Household Cavalry at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

London - Queen Elizabeth II at the Diamond Jubilee carriage procession - Queen Elizabeth II in an open top carriage in Whitehall, London to commerate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

London - Queen Elizabeth II in an open carriage - Queen Elizabeth II in an open carriage procession to Buckingham Palace to commerate the Diamond Jubilee

London - Christmas lights on Oxford Street - Christmas lights on Oxford Street in central London

London - Fountains at Trafalgar Square - Fountains lit at night at Trafalgar Square in central London

London - Queensway Underground station - Reflections of a Central line tube at Queensway Underground station

London - Regent Street Christmas lights - Christmas lights the central London street of Regent Street

City of Westminster - Official website of the City of Westminster

Visit London - Official website of the London Tourist Board

Key facts

Name: Apsley House
Address:
149 Picadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT
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Name: British Museum
Address:
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
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Name: Buckingham Palace
Address:
Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
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Name: Hampton Court Palace
Address:
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU
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Name: Kew Gardens
Address:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
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Name: Natural History Museum
Address:
Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 5BD
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Name: Ronnie Scott's
Address:
47 Frith St, Soho, London, W1D 4HT
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Name: Science Museum
Address:
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
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Name: St Paul's Cathedral
Address:
St Pauls Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
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Name: The London Eye
Address:
South Bank, London
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Name: The National Gallery
Address:
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
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Name: The Tower of London
Address:
The Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB
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Name: Victoria and Albert Museum
Address:
Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 2RL
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Name: Westminster Abbey
Address:
20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA
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About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook