London is one of those cities you think of right away when you think of Europe. It’s an iconic city. The Royals. The Tower Bridge. The Big Ben. All these landmarks when you think of Europe. So many sights to see. So little time. I would bet that even those that live in London haven’t visited all its incredible sights.
What makes London the city that we all want to visit?
Three of the top ten museums and galleries in the world are in London. The City has over 170 museums with 11 national museums including the British Museum - home to thousands of years of culture including the Rosetta Stone (196 BC). Over 250 festivals take place in London every year including the largest free festival the Mayor’s Thames Festival, and Europe's biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival which attracts near one million people.
Its name is derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means “The Place of the Bold One”. It was the Romans who were responsible for the city we know today as London. The strategic location of the city allowed the Romans easy access to Europe, and the River Thames provided ample water supply. They invaded Britain in 43 AD and soon afterwards founded the city of Londinium.
Bucket List Things To Do While in London
See The Elizabeth Tower (where Big Ben is Housed) (currently under construction until 2021)
Take a Beefeater Tour at the Tower of London
Admire Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth and a highly recognizable spot in London.
Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Visit Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens are crowned, where famous people are buried, and where marriages take place.
Eat, Drink, and Shop at Covent Garden
Walk through the St. Paul’s Cathedral
Ride the famous London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel located on the edge of the River Thames
Follow Harry Potter to Platform 9 & 3/4
Take a Ride on the London Eye, for 30 minutes you get unparalleled views of London
Visit Borough Market, the ultimate foodie paradise
Stand in the East and West Hemispheres at the same time.
See a show on the West End, London’s theatre
Foods to try
Fish & Chips
Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding
Eton Mess
Pie and Mash at The Windmill Mayfair
Bangers and Mash
Cockles
Full English Breakfast
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Afternoon Tea
Beef Wellington
Drinks to try
Tea (Cocktails) - Strong tea served in a mug with milk and sugar is known as builder’s tea, but it’s not uncommon to drink it black or with lemon, either with or without sugar.
Real Ale - It’s a beer which is brewed from traditional ingredients, is unfiltered, unpasteurized and finishes maturing in the cellar of the pub rather than at the brewery and is served with only natural carbonation.
Cider - Outside the United States, however, and especially in the U.K., cider usually refers to fermented apple juice which is an alcoholic beverage. Real cider is a cider that contains at least 90% fresh apple juice with no added flavourings, colourings or concentrates.
Photography Hot Spots
Portobello Road
Peggy Porschen
Tower Bridge
Millennium Bridge
Parliament Square
Natural History Museum
Sky Garden
The Experiences For The Returning Traveller
A concert at The Royal Albert Hall
A picnic in Hyde or Kensington Park
A spot of shopping at Harrods
A night time walking tour of the city
Have you been to London? Is this a bucket list destination for you? And if you have been, what was your favourite part?
I've been lucky enough to visit and do most of these, but I can't wait to go back and visit some of these spots again and try some new ones.
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