Top 10 places to Visit in London part one
London, a dream destination for most students and tourists, beckons with its vibrant energy. As the academic year and summer season approach, City Room Rentals has curated a list of the top 10 must-visit places in this bustling metropolis. Let’s start with the first five.
London Eye
If you are looking for somewhere to get an exceptional view of London and the River Thames, the London Eye is the perfect place to go. This attraction is the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel. Sitting at 135m tall and 120m in diameter, the London Eye is also one of England's tallest amusements. Another fun fact - weighing at 2,100 tones, it's eighteen times as heavy as a blue whale!
The London Eye, launched in 2000, has garnered over 85 prestigious awards. Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, this iconic observation wheel celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020. Over the years, it has welcomed more than 70 million visitors, accommodating up to 800 passengers per rotation (approximately 25 people per pod). The mesmerising LED lights, installed in 2006, illuminate the sky during community events, movie premieres, and the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Each rotation lasts approximately 30 minutes, allowing ample time to soak in the breathtaking scenery. Fear not - there’s no 13th pod to worry about if you’re superstitious! For ticket options, consider the standard adult ticket at £30, or opt for the budget-friendly Afternoon Saver Ticket priced at just £19. To beat the crowds, plan your visit early in the morning, especially during holidays and peak times. Don’t miss this unforgettable ride above the city!
Big Ben
Big Ben is one of the most famous landmarks in England. The large tower stands at 96 metres tall and was built in the 18th century. It is the bell within the tower that was given the name Big Ben, as the original tower was named St Stephens tower. In 2012, the tower of Big Ben was officially named The Elizabeth Tower, after Queen Elizabeth the Second, to celebrate her sixty years of ruling. The bells have been ringing for over 160 years but were only broadcasted in 1923 on December 31st (New Year's Eve). The bell weighs over 13 tons and the dials measure around 7 meters in diameter. The numbers on the clock are approximately 60cm long.
The tower has withstood six monarchs and 41 prime ministers since the first bell hit. As of today, renovations have been completed since the four-year hiatus in 2017. During those four years, the clock was changed back to its original Victorian style.
Seeing the Big Ben can be completely free as approaching and standing beside it has no charge, so when visiting you can take as many photos of and with as you would like. If you want to catch the bell being rung, this occurs every hour on the hour and smaller chimes can be heard every 15 minutes. You can also book a 90-minute guided tour of the tower, which takes you up the 334 stairs to see the clock mechanism room. To book this tour, you can find tickets on the official UK government website. Big Ben is located right beside Westminster, and directly across the bridge is the London Eye. This makes visiting both attractions extremely easy, or grab a quick peek if you are in a rush.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is another one of the biggest tourist attractions in England. The palace was built in 1703 for Sir Duke of Buckingham, and in 1761 King George the Third gained ownership. In 1873 it became the official London residence for the English monarch. The palace contains 775 rooms, with 52 of them being royal bedrooms. The remaining rooms are made up of 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Most rooms have been untouched since John Nash, Architect to the Office of Woods and Forests, was put in charge of the palace in the early 1800s. The gates to the Palace were completed in 1911 and the North Gate is currently used as the everyday entrance.
One of the most recognised places within the palace is the balcony - where some of the most iconic photos of the royal family have been taken for various special occasions over the past 100 years.
The best time to visit is July, August, and September during the annual summer opening. This is the only time out of the year when the tours of the Palace are held. There are different room types such as the state rooms which contain official royal collections such as paintings, sculptures, and furniture from artists all over the world.
If you miss the tours, you can still witness the changing of the guards. This tradition usually takes place on Saturdays at Buckingham Palace at 10:45 am and lasts about forty-five minutes. There are no tickets to book just find a comfy spot and watch as the guards hand over duty and march, as a band follows behind.
West End Show
When visiting London, seeing a West Wend show is a must and there are abundant theatres to choose from to attend! Not only do the theatres offer a wide range but so do the shows. From musicals to immersive theatre, there is something for everyone to see.
The longest theatre performance at the West End has been running since 1952 and has been performed around 30,000 times - that's 66 years unbroken! This iconic performance is called The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, and it is performed every year. However, the longest musical to run within the theatres is Les Misérables, which has been on for the past 28 years.
The largest theatre is the Apollo Victoria Theatre, with 2,384 seats. This theatre is currently showing the infamous Wicked. Some of the oldest theatres are the Palace Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre, built around 150-200 years ago. All theatres for West End shows are renowned for their beautiful architecture. However, some theatres have a somewhat spooky history. The Theatre Royal is rumoured to hold a skinny, towering ghost within the building. The rumour also states the ghost is unfriendly with an angry temper – so watch out!
Some of the best-reviewed shows include: Wicked, The Lion King, Matilda the Musical, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, and many more. The price range of tickets can differ as it depends on the seat. However, you can often get last-minute deals, and depending on the show the cheapest tickets should be no more than £40.
The British Museum
The British Museum holds the title of the oldest Museum in the world, even outdating the USA. The building was also one of the first to use electricity for lighting.
You would think that such a large attraction security would be secure but believe it or not, the most famous guard was a cat called Mike. He patrolled the gate for 20 years between 1909-1929. However, Mike isn't the only animal to get attention. In 1846 a snail that was donated came back to life! Yes, you heard that right - the snail was on display for the Greek and Egyptian sections until a zoologist noticed mucus, after which they promptly moved it into a better enclosure. However, it did take them four years to figure this out and unfortunately he passed in 1852.
The Oxus Treasure, the Elgin Marbles, and the Rosetta Stone are three of the most popular exhibits of the museum. The Oxus Treasure is made up of 180 pieces of gold and silver, and 200 gold coins. This amazing treasure is said to be from the Achaemenid Persian period which is between 550 -330 B.C. From the Parthenon Temple in Athens, the Elgin Marbles were brought to Britain at the start of the 1800s. This collection consists of marble Ancient Greek sculptures, brought over by the Earl of Elgin. The Rossetta Stone was found in 1799, named after where it was found in Egypt, and has beautiful carvings of hieroglyphs. Noticeably, the museum furthermore includes Egyptian mummies, The Islamic world collection, and the Sutton Hoo ship. However, there are many more collections with over eight million objects - so there is plenty to explore and see!
The best part about the museum? Admission is completely free, however, booking in advance is advised to avoid long queues. The museum is open daily between 10am and 5pm, with a late evening opening on Friday until 8.30pm.
As we wrap up, remember that London is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be explored. As this is just the first half of our list, there’s still more to discover! Don’t miss out on the iconic London Eye, the majestic Big Ben, the regal Buckingham Palace, captivating West End shows, and the fascinating exhibits at The British Museum. Your London adventure awaits!
