The entire world was captivated this past weekend as we watched Prince Harry marry American actress, Meghan Markle. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to London to watch these two lovebirds exchange vows. I’m sure the city of London benefitted {financially} from these tourists, and hopefully the tourist also benefitted from their visit in this fine city. With all the beautiful historical buildings and the dozens of attractions, any visitor could quench a bit of their wanderlust as they taxied around the city.
The city of London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. “At its center stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.” {Source: Wikipedia}
Watching the Royal Wedding gave me all sorts of wanderlust feelings, and London and Great Britain {which is comprised of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland} were pushed to the top of my “must visit” bucket list destinations. Of course, I sometimes feel like I should have been British, but I can fake an accent and then pretend I’m British, right? So in the spirit of a true Anglophile, I wanted to highlight some really amazing places in and around London. So welcome to Wanderlust Wednesday, London style!
{Source for All Tourist Information: Visit London}
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Queen. “Explore the extravagant State Rooms and don’t miss this year’s special exhibition, celebrating the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales.” {This celebration marked the first official outing for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since they were married on May 19th.} In 2018, Buckingham Palace is open to visitors from July 21st until September 30th.
Windsor Castle
The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been “a royal home and fortress for more than 900 years,” and remains a working palace today. “Visitors can see the magnificent State Apartments, decorated with some of the finest works of art in the Royal Collection, as well as Queen Mary’s Doll’s House, and St. George’s Chapel.” {And don’t forget – Windsor Castle was also were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married!}
Kensington Palace
“Kensington Palace offers a glimpse into the lives of its past royal residents. Discover stories from Queen Victoria’s life in the Victoria Revealed exhibition; master courtly games in the King’s State Apartments; glimpse a modern princess in an exhibition of Diana’s dresses; and uncover the secrets of a fragile dynasty in the Queen’s State Apartments.”
Hyde Park and Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
“London’s Hyde Park is one of the greatest city parks in the world. Covering 350 acres and with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens, there’s a good chance you’ll forget you are right in the centre of London. Hyde Park is home to a number of fascinating buildings and monuments, such as The Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the famous Archiles statue. And with the Diana Memorial Fountain and open air events throughout the year, there’s always something to see and do.”
Big Ben
“The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London’s most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg). The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illuminated.”
London Eye
“The Coca-Cola London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It boasts some of London’s best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with an unforgettable perspective of more than 55 of London’s most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes!”
Tower of London
“Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the world’s most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval king’s bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.”
Tower Bridge
“Inside the Tower Bridge Exhibition you will learn all about how the world’s most famous bridge works and the history behind its creation. Enjoy the panoramic views from the walkways situated 45 metres above the Thames and visit the original Victorian engines. You will also be able to experience our biggest and most exciting development to the Exhibition since it originally opened: glass floor panels – a unique viewpoint of London life beneath your feet!”
Westminster Abbey
“Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains – Westminster Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year, the Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building – the coronation church of England.”
Royal Albert Hall
“The Royal Albert Hall is one of the world’s most famous stages. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, the hall hosts more than 360 events a year, including classical music, jazz, world music, circus, rock, pop, opera, dance, comedy and tennis. Enjoy daytime tours, and lunchtime jazz and world music in the hall’s Café Consort.”
Harrods
“For more than 160 years, Harrods has been a luxury shopping destination for exclusive collections and excellent service. With seven floors and 330 departments dedicated to the finest products in food, fashion, homeware and technology, Harrods has something for everyone. Shoppers can choose to dine in one of the store’s 27 restaurants, including a pizzeria, steakhouse, oyster bar and new contemporary Chinese restaurant, Chai Wu. The Georgian is an elegant venue for afternoon tea, while the Harrods Food Halls have a wide selection of tea, chocolate and fresh produce.”
Trafalgar Square
“Trafalgar Square is a public square that features some of London’s top attractions, from galleries and historic buildings to statues and monuments. It also plays host to a range of events throughout the year that are supported by the Greater London Authority, who manage the square.”
If you want to explore the city, then try the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. “Book in advance for one of the bestselling London tours. Buy a 24-hour ticket and enjoy the freedom to hop on and off the sightseeing buses and explore some of London’s most famous places, such as Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.”
Also, check out some of these apps before you go. They may help you navigate the city like a Londoner, rather than a tourist.
Have you been to London? What is your favorite attraction in London? What attraction would you recommend a first-timer visit? Did you visit London for the Royal Wedding? Leave a comment below and let me know your London travel suggestions!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
{Featured Image borrowed from Great Little Prints}