London receives a huge number of tourists each year. They come for its history and culture, the great shopping and theatre venues, concerts and sport. It isn’t the climate that attracts them so it is very much a year-round city. Perhaps there are fewer visitors in the winter but there is still Christmas shopping and the January sales that bring them.
The United Kingdom’s Capital is one of the world’s most important financial centres as well as being and important centre in the fashion world. It is a very cosmopolitan city, and a huge number of different nationalities are regular visitors to this iconic city. Cities like London inspire photographers, artists, and travel writers from all over the world.
Extra Attractions
London isn’t all landmarks. Camden Market, Covent Garden, Billingsgate Market or the street art in Shoreditch are all worth seeing on a London visit. There are parks in Central London, Hyde Park and Green Park are two examples. Further out of the City, why not go to Richmond Park or Hampton Court, the ‘’home’’ of Henry VIII?
Big Ben
Big Ben dates back to the middle of the 19th Century. The Palace of Westminster, the official name for the Seat of Government, commonly known as the Houses of Parliament on the River Thames, was initially built in the 11th Century. Fire destroyed it in the 19th Century and the building you see today was completed in 1876. UK residents can watch proceedings in the House without having access to other parts of the Palace. Big Ben itself stopped in 2017 for renovation and chimed for the first time since in January 2021.
London Eye
One of the projects built in London to celebrate the Millennium is the London Eye, officially the Millennium Wheel, on the River Thames at Lambeth. It has a 120-metre diameter so the highest point on the ride gives great views over London on a clear day.
St. Paul’s
The Anglican Cathedral of London sits on a site where there has been a Christian church since the 7th Century. This Baroque-style Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, had its consecreation in 1697. It was part of the huge rebuilding exercise in London after the Great Fire. Over 100 metres high, its location on Ludgate Hill means it can be seen from far away. Guides for tourist use come in 12 different languages so this Cathedral is an extremely popular tourist attraction.
Admiralty Arch
Admiralty Arch on the Mall at the entrance to Trafalgar Square commemorates Queen Victoria Her son, Edward VII decided it was a suitable commemoration for this long-serving Queen. Until recently, it housed Government offices before being sold on a 125-year lease for luxury apartments and the 5 star Waldorf Astoria.
London Bus
London photos of its red buses are commonly used in promotional material for the City. There is an extensive network of bus routes throughout London and the suburbs. The congestion charge has reduced the amount of traffic in Central London so over ground travel has speeded up. If you want plenty of London pictures, overland is the way to plan London travel.
London Underground
If you need to move quickly because your London visit is just a few days and you want to see as much as possible, the Underground is the answer. Some routes on the outskirts of the city are overland before becoming part of a huge underground network of 11 lines, 270 stations used by 5 million passengers a day.
It was the first of its kind in the world, initially opened in 1863.
River Thames
The Thames runs west to east in England, 215 miles from source until reaching the North Sea. It has more than 50 tributaries that join it before it searches London. By far the most important stretch of the River is that which splits London into two. There are plenty of bridges that cross it while the London Underground takes huge numbers below it every day.
Tourist boats cover the most popular stretches which take in the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge
One of several bridges across the Thames, Tower Bridge near the of London opened in 1894. It takes pedestrians and vehicles across the River. Tourists can visit the Exhibition which includes the engine rooms and the high-level walkways.
Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a hugely popular event with visitors to London. It does not happen every day. It is largely ceremonial and during the summer months usually happens 4 times a week, 1100 except on Saturday when it is 1000. Tourists wanting good London images should include one at this event.
Shard
The observation deck from the Shard is twice the height of the London Eye and is the highest land-based position you can reach above London City. It is a 72-storey building, the highest in the UK opened in 2012 at a cost of almost £450 million. The State of Qatar owns 95% of it with its television station, Al Jazeera, one of the tenants. It is fully rented and in 2019 the Shard featured in the latest Spider-Man film.
Canary Wharf
The Development of the Docklands of East London and the Isle of Dogs resulted in the area becoming one of the most important financial centres in the World. Canary Wharf in Tower Hamlets covers 97 acres and includes over 20 high rise buildings over 100 metres high.
Conclusion
London has always been a popular tourist destination. It hosted the 2012 Olympics very successfully and that gave additional impetus to its appeal. London now expects over 30 million tourists each year to the United Kingdom’s Capital which is 10 million more than just 5 years ago.