London, England: Things To Do

Things to do in London, England

It has been awhile since I was in London, but I remember it fondly. Traveling around Europe during my senior year in college, it was a relief to arrive in London toward the end of my trip. I was eager to hear and use the English language again after nearly three weeks in France and Switzerland. These countries had been magical for me with their rich history, culture and breathtaking scenery, but being in England was almost like coming home again. By this time I had easily burned through $1000 in spending money and didn’t have a lot left for my last week overseas. I planned my outings as wisely as I could, choosing between a variety of free and paid admission attractions.

There is no shortage of things to do in London, which is the largest city in the European union. Visitors can choose between walking tours, historical buildings, cathedrals, art museums and galleries, live theater and countless cafes and fine dining establishments.

The following is a list of things that tourists may enjoy doing while visiting London. 

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

This palace is the official residence of the Queen of England. It is actually located in the city of Westminster, which is a borough of central London and occupies much of the West End. During the months of August and September, when the queen is not in residence, the palace’s 19 staterooms are open to the public. These rooms contain galleries filled with countless pieces of priceless art. Tourists may also visit the palace gardens, and the Royal Mews, which house the state vehicles of royal family. These “vehicles” include the Gold State Coach which is the horse-drawn carriage used for state weddings, coronations, state visits and other special events. At the entrance gates to the palace stands the grand Victoria Memorial which was erected in 2911. Tours typically last between 2 and 2.5 hours. The palace is open to the public from the end of July through October 1 from 9:45 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

This abbey is a stately, gothic cathedral located in the city of Westminster. It is the venue for major royal events such as weddings and coronations. Queen Elizabeth was wed in this cathedral and Lady Diana's funeral was held here many years later. The cathedral was reportedly founded in the year 624 as a monastery, with the first stone abbey erected somewhere between 1045 and 1050. The church is the final resting place for over 3000 people, including King Henry III, and includes over 600 memorials and monuments. The church is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with last admission at 3:30 p.m. On Wednesdays the church remains open until 7:00 p.m. with last admission at 6:00 p.m.. Saturdays the church closes at 2:30 p.m. with last admission at 1:30 p.m. There are no tours available on Sundays due to the worship schedule. Daily worship includes morning prayers, evensongs and Eucharist. I was fortunate enough to participate in one of the Evensong services and it was magnificent. I would recommend it to anyone interested in visiting the abbey.

BIG BEN

Big Ben is one of the most famous sites in London. It is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and the third tallest free-standing clock tower. The clock bells play Westminster quarters every quarter hour. Because of its sheer size, the clock is the subject of many great photo opportunities both during the day and at night, when it is illuminated in a beautiful, warm golden light. 

TOWER OF LONDON

William the Conqueror is credited with building the tower, though it was not completed until after his death. The most famous names associated with the Tower include Queen Mary I, eldest daughter of Henry VIII. In an attempt to restore England to its Catholic roots after the death of her father, Mary earned the dubious nickname, Bloody Mary, for ordering the deaths of over 300 men and women of the Reformation. She also imprisoned her half-sister for a brief time in 1554. After her release, her half-sister went on to become Queen Elizabeth I, one of the country’s most beloved monarchs. The tower is open daily for tours. It is worth a visit to hear the rich, scandalous stories.

ST. JAME’S PARK

This park boasts views of Buckingham Palace and includes a small lake with two islands that are home to countless birds. I had a great time walking through the well-manicured park, feeding the ducks and admiring the flowers. Locals bring bags of birdseed and allow tourists to feed the sparrows from their palmfuls of seed, for a truly unique experience. 

TATE BRITAIN & TATE MODERN (GALLERIES)

These galleries are a must see for any art lover. Formerly known as the Tate Gallery, as it was when I was there in 1989, the Tate Britain is home to exhibitions of priceless art by British artists dating back to 1500. The Tate Modern houses a collection of British and international modern and contemporary art from 1900. The two galleries are part of a four-gallery family, but the only two located in London. The galleries offer free general admission, making them a real draw for art lovers who are short on cash.

PICADILLY CIRCUS

No. It’s not really a circus. Picadilly Circus is a district in the city of Westminster which includes shopping, theater, nightclubs, dining and other entertainment venues. Like any major city, large neon signs and videos are a major feature in this area.  The statue of the Greek God Eros is also a great photo op for tourists. 

THE THAMES

The river flows through central London, past the houses of parliament, Big Ben and other historic areas. At 215 miles long, it is the second longest river in the UK. River cruises are available through a number of cruise companies and evening cruises provide breathtaking views of the illuminated city at night.  

THE LONDON EYE

On the south bank of the Thames, the London Eye is located at the western end of Jubilee Gardens. This 443 foot tall Ferris Wheel has been the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK since it opened to the public in March 2000. If you are in London for New Year’s Eve, check out the fire works display that is set off from the wheel itself!

TRAFALGAR SQUARE

This square consists of a large central area from which three roadways spoke off. One leads to the National Gallery. The square is famous for its many fountains and statues that are monuments to a variety of historic leaders. One could spend hours photographing, dining and shopping in this square.