Londonopia’s guide to London’s must-see tourist attractions.
Big Ben
Big Ben is probably the world’s most famous clock. Big Ben is one of London’s best-known landmarks, and looks most spectacular at night when the clock faces are illuminated.
Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column
Trafalgar Square, London is London’s largest square.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is one of London”s most famous landmarks.
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is one of London’s most famous squares. It is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London. Leicester Square is the centre of London’s cinema land, where four of Britain’s leading cinemas are located. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Square is surrounded by floor mounted plaques with film stars names and cast handprints. UK film premieres attended by A list celebrities such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, are regularly hosted at one of the Leicester Square’s four cinemas. Also in Leicester Square is the Hippodrome Casino, which as well as providing 24 hour gambling also in an exclusive setting in one of London’s iconic buildings, it also has regular live music performances.
In the centre of the Square is a small park, where a statue of William Shakespeare surrounded by dolphins is located. The most recent statue to be located at the park in Leicester Square is of film star and director Charlie Chaplin.
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Lines)
Chinatown
London’s Chinatown is a vibrant area of central London packed full of exotic supermarkets and great restaurants.
Buckingham Palace and Changing The Guard
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of King Charles III. Changing the Guard is a popular and free event for tourists. hat takes place outside the gates of Buckingham Palace every day at 11.30 during the summer and every other day during the winter.
The spectacular event involves a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard and is a ceremony that is steeped in British heritage.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s is arguably London’s greatest cathedral.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the world’s most famous bridges. Opened in 1894, the bridge is 800 feet (244 meters) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet (61 m) between the towers is split into two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to an angle of 83 degrees to allow river traffic to pass.
To learn more about the design and building of Tower Bridge, the people involved in its construction and why it was needed, visit The Tower Bridge Exhibition which is situated inside the bridge’s towers and is open daily.
Location: Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1
Nearest Tube: Tower Hill (District and Circle lines)
Tower of London
The Tower of London is a Royal Palace and Fortress. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of London’s oldest buildings. The Crown Jewels are kept here, guarded by the Tower’s Beefeater guards in their famous red and black uniforms.
British Museum
The British Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in the world. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginning to the present.
The British Museum was established in 1753. It has over 6 million visitors a year.
Admission: Free. Although charges are levied for some temporary special exhibitions.
Opening Hours: The Museum is open every day from 10.00 – 17.30 with late opening every Thursday and Friday until 20.30.The only days it is closed are 1 January, 24, 25 December.
The Globe
If you are a fan of Britain’s greatest playwright – William Shakespeare – then visiting the Globe Theatre is a must-do.
London Bus Tours
One of the best ways to see the sights of London is on an open top double decker bus tour. Sat atop the open-top upper deck you get a fantastic view of London’s most famous sights.