London: top ten places to visit

June 8, 3:41 PMCarolinas Travel ExaminerPaul McDaniel

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Trafalgar Square, London (Paul McDaniel)

London, England, a global city, is the capital of the United Kingdom. London is a city I have been fortunate to travel to many times over the years, and one in which I always look forward to returning. London is probably one of the most famous cities in the world. It has a very long history, from being a Roman backwater to the nerve center of one of the largest empires in history (the British Empire), and today, as an alpha global city, remains one of the control centers of the global economy. Travelers of all types to London will become very excited upon a visit. There is just so much to see and do there.

If you’ve been to London before, or would like to travel there in the future, you might be interested to know about the most famous sights the city has to offer.

London contains a myriad of things to see and do, some world famous, others waiting to be discovered. But many would agree that there are certain sites that come to mind when one thinks of London. This article briefly describes sites that many would consider to be the top ten attractions in London (but discussed in no particular order). The nearest tube station (London Underground metro transportation system) is also listed for each site.

British Museum - A museum of world history and culture housed in a monumental structure. It contains over six million artifacts from around the world spanning over a million years of history, including the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, and other antiquities. Tube Stations: Russell Square (Piccadilly Line), Holborn (Piccadilly and Central Lines), and Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern Lines).

Egyptian Gallery, British Museum (Paul McDaniel)

National Gallery and Portrait Gallery - The National Gallery houses one of the greatest art collections in the world, including over 2,000 items from the early Renaissance to the Impressionists. On display are items representing all the European schools of painting and works by all the famous artists from those styles. The National Gallery is adjacent to Trafalger Square and St. Martin in the Fields Church (both of which are also worth a visit. Trafalgar Square is alive with activity all hours of the day, and St. Martin in the Fields church is renowned for its variety of music performances). The Portrait Gallery opened in 1856 and allows visitors to actually see the faces of many famous and well-known names. Popular portraits include: British Royalty, Shakespeare, The Beatles, and Margaret Thatcher. Tube Stations: Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Lines), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo Lines).

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square (Paul McDaniel)

London Eye - This is the tallest observation wheel in the world. It sits along the Thames across from the Houses of Parliament and Whitehall and allows spectacular views all around London from one of its 32 enclosed capsules that each hold 25 people. One complete revolution takes 30 minutes. Tube Station: Waterloo (Northern, Jubilee, and Bakerloo Lines) and Westminster (District, Circle, and Jubilee Lines).

London Eye and River Thames (Paul McDaniel)

Tate Modern Museum - This museum houses an extensive collection of international modern art and is affiliated with the Tate Britain Museum. It is housed within the old Bankside Power Station, along the Thames across from the City of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. Famous works on display include exhibits by Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, and Warhol, as well as many current artists. Tube Stations: Southwark (Jubilee Line), Mansion House (District and Circle Lines), and St. Paul’s (Central Line).

Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge (Paul McDaniel)

Natural History Museum - One of London's most popular museums. The many exhibits in this large structure lead visitors through the array of subjects relating to natural history, with as many as 70 million specimens from around the world. Exhibits include dinosaurs, fossils, geology, earthquakes and volcanoes, a journey through the globe, the water cycle, biology, gemstones, origin of species, and much more. There are also many interactive and hands-on exhibits. The Natural History Museum is in South Kensington, next to the Science Museum and across from the Victoria and Albert Museum, both of which also make for interesting visits. Tube Station: South Kensington (Piccadilly, District, and Circle Lines).

Natural History Museum (Paul McDaniel)

Science Museum - This hi-tech museum contains many exhibits relating to many facets of science and technology, as well as the development of scientific and technological innovations throughout the centuries. Particular subjects covered in the exhibits include the industrial revolution, the space age, and the latest cutting edge technology. Many of the exhibits are hands-on and interactive. The Science Museum is next to the Natural History Museum and across the street from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Tube Station: South Kensington (Piccadilly, District, and Circle Lines).

Aviation Exhibit, Science Museum (Paul McDaniel)

Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard - This is the most famous residence in London and home to Queen Elizabeth II. It was first built in 1705, and extended between 1824 and 1830. Queen Victoria took up residence here in 1837. The recognizable front of the building was completed in 1913. Although this is the Queen's primary residence, some of the State Rooms are open to visitors during the summer. Many people time their visit to the palace in the mid to late morning to coincide with the changing of the guard. The guards dressed in the familiar regalia march to the palace from nearby barracks. Tube Stations: Green Park (Piccadilly, Jubilee, and Victoria Lines), Victoria (Victoria, District, and Circle Lines).

Buckingham Palace (Paul McDaniel)

Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament - This structure was founded in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor and is an excellent example of Medieval architecture. It continues to provide a place for royal ceremony to this day. The abbey is on the south side of Parliament Square, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. Two famous events to be held here in the last half century include Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and the memorial service for Princess Diana in 1997. Of popular interest by many visitors are the many famous royals, poets, writers, statesmen, and scientists buried within the abbey. The Houses of Parliament are within the Palace of Westminster, along the banks of the Thames. The palace was built over a thousand years ago and is currently the seat of government for the United Kingdom. The palace, including the famous clock tower containing the “Big Ben” bell, are located across Parliament Square from Westminster Abbey. Nearby Parliament Street leads to Whitehall (where many government offices are located, and the interesting Cabinet War Rooms museum, where many important decision were made by Winston Churchill and others during World War II) and Number 10 Downing Street (the official residence of the Prime Minister). Tube Station: Westminster (District, Circle, and Jubilee Lines).

Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament (Paul McDaniel)

Westminster Abbey (Paul McDaniel)

Tower of London - Originally built around 1080 as a moated fort, the Tower of London (with its famous White Tower in the middle) has had quite a varied history. It has also been a fortress, a prison (where certain people were beheaded - famous prisoners include Henry VI, Henry VIII's wives, Lady Jane Grey, and Catholic Martyrs), an arsenal, and is now home to the Crown Jewels (including the Imperial State Crown and other crowns, scepters, rings, orbs, and jewels), the Royal Mint, and a large collection of armor related artifacts. It is located along the Thames near the Tower Bridge. Tube Station: Tower Hill (District and Circle Lines).

Tower Bridge, view from Tower of London (Paul McDaniel)

St. Paul's Cathedral - Considered to be the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren (who designed many churches after London's Great Fire of 1666). St. Paul's was completed in 1708, was the first church built for Protestant purposes in England, and has many similarities to St. Peter's in Rome. There are many areas within the cathedral for visitors to explore, including the crypts beneath and stairs to various galleries and even to the very top of the dome (one of the largest in the world) for a spectacular view of London. Many events, particularly of music, continue to take place in the cathedral. Tube Station: St. Paul’s (Central Line).

St. Paul's Cathedral (Paul McDaniel)

• Visit London
• London Underground (Tube)