Top 10 Places to Visit in London - Part II
In the first half of our post, we delved into many of London’s iconic landmarks. Now, we’re excited to continue this journey by highlighting a variety of fun, social, and relaxing activities that you’ll definitely want to explore. Get ready to start your adventures!
Oxford Street
Oxford Street (yes the one on the Monopoly board!) is the most iconic place in London for shopping and leisure. It's not just known for that, but also for being the longest street in Europe. Oxford street sees around 500,000 visitors daily, making it the busiest shopping centre in Europe. As well as the countless number of shops, the street is also knows for being a massive social and cultural hub. For instance, many high profile movies have been filmed at this location – such as Harry Potter!
However, Oxford Street used to go by a different name of Tyburn Road. In the 1800s, Oxford Street started as a housing estate and within the 1900s it slowly became the shopping haven we now know. There are no cars allowed on Oxford Street so I know what you're thinking…How am I supposed to get there? Well, buses and taxis can, so don't fret about transportation.
There is plenty to see and do within Oxford Street. Although the shops may be pricey, window shopping can always be fun! There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to explore nearby and take in the sheer velocity of capitalism.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is one of the most well-known movie series in the world. In London, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is ready to show you all things Harry Potter.
One of the many thing you can see when visiting are the sets from the films. The sets you can step foot on and explore include The Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, Platform 9 ¾, Diagon Alley, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse. Along with the sets, you can also see many props that were used in the film and creature effects like BuckBeak and Aragog (although you might want to skip this one if you have arachnophobia!).
What else is there to see? Well, currently on is the Return to Azkaban exhibition, from 1st of May to the 4th of September - exploring the Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban's 20th anniversary. There is also an event for the Dark Arts between the 13th of October - 10th of November 2024. This is especially great during Halloween time, as you can walk down the great hall with floating pumpkins, similar to what we have seen during the Philosopher's Stone film. There will also be death eaters projected throughout the studio to give an overall spooky vibe to the tour.
The cost to visit the studio starts at £53, however for a ticket and hotel stay it starts at £76. If you need transport the price is £105 for tickets and a bus from central London!
There are also many food and drink places to explore. The Chocolate Frog Café was designed after the chocolates from the first movie. They serve delicious cakes, ice cream, milkshakes, and hot chocolate. You can also take a memorial photo with the frog card mirror. If you are looking for something warm and hearty, the food hall is the perfect place -there is a variety of food to choose, from pizza to salads! However, there are also other smaller cafes to see such as The Backlot Cafe which serves the movie's famous butter beer. No matter where you go there will be plenty to see and do!
Hyde Park
You might think London only consists of various tall buildings and amusements, but it does also hold many parks. Hyde Park, also known as the People's Park, attracts millions of tourists every year and has over 4000 trees, 350 acres of land, and a large lake.
There is a very important monument in the park of Princess Diana, a Memorial Fountain built using cutting-edge machinery with over 500 pieces of genuine Cornish Granite. Another beautiful piece of architecture is the bandstand, which is an antique and built in 1869, making it one of the oldest in London.
In the North of the park, you can visit some whimsical paths that take you by meadows and the rose garden. This also allows you to see Rotton Row, which is a historic route that used to run from Kensington Palace to Whitehall.
If you are looking to do something a bit more exciting, there are many events held at the park such as BTS, a festival that includes big artists such as Kings of Leon, Robbie Williams, and Stevie Nicks. You can also go on the bat walk, where you use equipment for bat tracking and learn about all the different species of bats within the park. There are also many marathons and nature events for both adults and children.
The park is free to enter and even without the many events throughout the year, the nature of the park a stunning sight to see.
Soho Street
If you’re looking for a lively spot to let your hair down and dance, Soho in London is the place to be! With an abundance of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs, boredom is simply not an option. Soho is also renowned for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ scene and rich history. The streets are lined with boutiques and department shops, offering a unique shopping experience.
One quirky feature of Soho is the hidden noses scattered throughout the area. There are seven small noses typically found high on walls, making for a fun scavenger hunt. Additionally, Soho is home to one of London’s most famous statues - The statue of Charles II. After being damaged, it was given to the artist Frederick Goodall in the early 1900s, and was replaced by a garden shed. In 1939, the statue returned to Soho, and can now be found just a short distance from its original location.
Visiting Soho during Pride Month in June is a must, as the area is buzzing with events. You can also explore historical sites such as the home of a young Mozart and the vibrant Chinatown. Conveniently located next to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, Soho is a must-visit destination.
So don’t wait - you can explore the town completely free (minus the drinks).
The Shard
The Shard’s initial concept was sketched on the back of a menu, inspired by the dynamic energy of the railway lines and the serene beauty of the Thames. Floors four to twenty-eight are seamlessly connected to the bustling transport hub on the ground floor, while the first three floors house a variety of restaurants and bars.
Standing at an impressive 309.6 meters, The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, boasting 72 levels and 95 storeys. Its height necessitates 36 lifts, including some double-decker ones.
Designed as an urban space, The Shard features just 28 car parking spaces, emphasising its integration into the city. The construction, completed in 2012, involved over 1,450 workers from around the globe and 11,000 glass panels. Remarkably, 50% of the materials used were recycled. During construction, a fox, affectionately named Romeo, was discovered on the 72nd floor, having survived by scavenging leftover food from the workers.
The Shard comprises of apartments, office spaces, and restaurants. It also features an open-air platform on the top floor and a main viewing platform on the sixty-ninth floor, both offering breath-taking views and free access. If you get hungry, you can enjoy a meal with a view.
London offers countless attractions, and we hope you explore some of our top ten recommendations. Whether you’re looking to splurge or save, this list has something for everyone. From iconic landmarks and historical sites, to hidden gems and local favourites, there’s no shortage of places to discover!
Stay tuned for more top ten lists, each highlighting different aspects of vibrant cities across the UK. Happy exploring!
