Top 7 London Attractions
7. Climb the Monument
This column is located near the London Bridge and was built close to the origin of the Great Fire of London, which occured in 1666. It stands 202 feet tall and consists of a winding staircase of 311 steps. If you endure the climb, you will be rewarded with an amazing view of London at the top, through the viewing platform, as well as with a certificate to showcase your accomplishment.
6. Visit Buckingham Palace & View the Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace is home to the British Monarch and you can tell by it's elaborate gates, golden statues, fountain and beautiful flowers. Plan ahead and you may be able to view the 'Changing of the Guard' ceremony during which the old guard of the palace switches duty with a new guard. This is all accompanied by a parade of straight-faced guards, trumpets and horns.
5. Enjoy the bustle of Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is like the Times Square of London, without all the stores trying to grab your money. Instead, it contains the National Gallery which is free to enter, beautiful fountains, and iconic statues, such as Nelson's Column. To me, it's a place of both excitement and tranquility which you should definitely pay a visit to when in London.
4. Madame Tassuad's Wax Museum
If you have a favourite actor, musician, athlete or iconic figure, chances are you will find them reincarnated into a wax figure at Madame Taussad's. The resemblance is unbelievable in 95% of cases and you will have lots of fun taking photos next to some of the world's most recognizable people. This wax museum is unique because it also has a ride which takes you through the history of England, with giant, moving wax figures. There is also a 4D movie theatre which can be quite entertaining.
3. St. Paul's Cathedral
Without doubt, the most architecturally beautiful building I have ever set foot in, St. Paul's Cathedral is a must-see for anyone, regardless of religion. It has a very interesting history, as its predecessor was ruined by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Unfortunately, taking photos is not permitted inside the cathedral. However, the images of painted ceilings. statues, crypt and carvings will stay in your memory for years to come. For a fee, you can also climb the Cathedral to upper levels, taking in a gorgeous view of the city.
2. British Museum
Home to the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon structures from the Acropolis and many other priceless pieces of history, this museum will not fail to impress. The British Museum is currently among the top 10 largest museums in the world and there are plans for an extension which will soon make it the largest in the world. And the entry fee? Free! Just don't visit with the expectation of seeing more than half of the museum in one day.
1. The London Eye
Yes, it's a huge tourist attraction and yes, the lines can get long but it's like that for a reason. Sir Richard Rogers said it best when he described this structure as being analagous to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The London Eye is one of the tallest ferris wheels in the world and it offers spectacular views of a beautiful city. From the eye, the Big Ben, Thames River, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace can all be viewed. Each pod in this giant, slow-moving ferris wheel can hold up to 25 people and can even be booked for special occasions.
Below is a picture of the London Eye that I took on my trip there, as well a shot of the parliament buildings from the wheel.
Please Note: All images were taken and are owned by the writer of this article, Selena Singh.