London makes for an amazing holiday destination for people of varied ages and interests. It is a city rich in culture, history, beauty, and sport.
Image src: Manuel.A.69 @flickr
Be sure to see all of the typical tourist spots, as each is more memorable than the last. The Changing of the Guard is a spectacle of pageantry and entertainment in front of the majestic Buckingham Palace. The event happens daily in the summer and on either odd or even days the rest of the year- check ahead online to avoid disappointment. From there take a stroll through the beautifully landscaped St. James Park to Parliament Square. Westminster Abbey, Parliament, and Big Ben make for fantastic panoramic photos. Turn down Whitehall to admire all of the various war monuments and the official government buildings, and take a peek at Number 10 Downing Street through the guarded gate. Trafalgar Square is at the other end of Whitehall, and is a great place for people watching. Take the opportunity to take your photo with the famous lion statues, and relax in the quiet of the National Gallery.
Across the Thames from Big Ben is the Southbank. This area provides one of the greatest walks in London. Take a ride on the famed London Eye. It is a blast during the day, but the views really come alive when they light up at night. See all the way out to Wembley Stadium, peer into Parliament's inner courtyards, and marvel at the engineering of the Eye itself. Walk down the Southbank, taking in the street performers as you go. The Tate Modern is a fantastic museum with a little something for everyone. From here you can cross back over the Thames on the Millennium Footbridge and explore St. Paul's Cathedral. It is more than a beautiful building- it is a miracle. One of the most famous photographs of it was taken during the Blitz of World War II- the rest of the city burned around it, but the dome of St. Paul's gleamed unscathed through the smoke. Back across the footbridge keep going east on the Southbank, past Sir Francis Drake's The Golden Hinde, until you reach the distinctive curve of City Hall. This is a great spot from which to take photos of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Walk across the famous bridge and do the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels.
London is home to many of the world's best museums, and most all of them are free. It is also home to many famous areas ready to explore. When you are near Leicester Square and Covent Garden, stop in at the Arts Theatre Boxoffice to purchase tickets to a West End show.
About Author: This is a guest article written by Sophie Samuel.