Places to Visit in London

Located on London’s Southbank, London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilever wheel and an the iconic figure in the London sky. This wheel attracts nearly 4 million visitors every year. This staggering figure suggests the popularity among the tourists and the locals.

Wheel consists of 32 capsules which are made of glass. On a clear day one can see up to 40 km from the wheel. There are multilingual guides giving a commentary on the details of the spectacular view of the city. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and other famous London landmarks can be seen from the London Eye.

The slow rotation of the wheel enables one to take pictures of the famous landmarks. Apart from the stunning view, another major attraction is a 4D show that forms a part of your London Eye experience. Over the past 19 years, it has become an important feature of the London skyline.

You can also look out for special themed events like pop-up dining events, Valentine day celebrations or an anniversary dinner. London Eye is one of the major attractions in London’s New Year day firework celebrations. Seeing London at a glance should definitely be a part of your London itinerary. 

The wheel was dedicated to the public in 2000. It was originally planned to be in public service for only 5 years. However, its popularity made it a permanent feature in the tourist map of London. Tourists love the experience of the thrilling ride on the wheel and observe the breathtaking view of the London city over the River Thames.

The enthralling majesty and historical importance of the Tower of London can be felt from the moment a visitor steps inside its grounds. This iconic historic site reveals about the most momentous tales and happenings in British history. Located in Central London itself, it is officially Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Palace and Fortress.

Though it is called the 'Tower of London', it is actually a castle made of many concentric towers. It has played many prominently historic roles over the years, including being a prison for infamous prisoners, housing royal documents and being the grounds where coins were minted. It even was a royal zoo for a brief period of time!

Bordered by the sparkling river Thames, the Tower of London is today known worldwide for its riveting architecture and craftsmanship. Other famous aspects of this monument include the White Tower and the Tower Bridge. It is also noteworthy that the families of the Yeoman Warders live in the tower today, and that adds to the glory of this tower.

Located in the Bloomsbury area, the British Museum is one of the most significant places in England for tourists. It is one of the world's most numerous and most influential institutions of human history and culture.

If you are wondering what you will find in this oldest national museum - you will find collections of art, literature, and other artefacts representing the tale of human history. The main reason for a tourist to visit this place is the Egyptian Jewels played at the display for human wonder.

Location: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, UK

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich has been one of the most influential structures of the British History. It all started after King Charles II ordered a royal commission to look into investing in Astronomy. The commission recommended the foundation of an observatory to make detailed analysis for timekeeping, navigation and cartography.

Sir Christopher Wren was appointed the architect of the observatory owing to this profound knowledge in Astronomy. All these incidents truly marked the beginning of the new era of astronomy at Greenwich. The chief architect Wren suggested using the dilapidated Greenwich castle as the site for the construction of the observatory.

The location was finalized for the construction as it has solid foundation and was located at an elevated place. The very first building of the observatory was the Flamsteed House. The first astronomer of the Royal Observatory was John Flamsteed, who held the post for nearly 42 years.

The observatory is about 300 years old and till date there have been only 10 astronomers. With time, the Royal Observatory marked the source of the prime meridian in the late 19th century and divided the world between eastern and western hemispheres. Greenwich Meridian was chosen to work as the prime meridian in the year 1884.

Often known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, Madame Tussauds is visited by millions of people every year, and has attracted nearly half a million tourists since its first opening. Madame Tussauds London is, in fact, one of one of the many wax museums situated in several cities around the world.

It is one of a chain of institutions named after the founder of the first such museum that was opened in London in the early 19th century. It is especially famous for some of the most life-like replicas of celebrities from all over the globe. The museum has over 400 wax figures of some of the most famous people in the world, including musicians, actors, politicians, historical figures, scientists, geniuses, religious heads, and even criminals.

Madame Tussauds was founded by the famous wax sculpture called Marie Tussaud, who is also the founder of the chain. She was born in the city of Strasbourg in France in the year 1761. While she was alive, Tussaud became quite famous and made quite a name for herself, because of her unparalleled ability to be able to sculpt real-looking and almost life-like figures of some of the most famous people of the time, like Sir Walter Scott, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, etc.

The museum in London first opened in 1835, and it was located on Baker Street at the time. It was then moved to its current location in 1894, which is Marylebone Road. The figures in the museum are divided into various categories, which include Hollywood division, the Royal Family division, a section consisting of political and religious leaders, and one dedicated to comic book heroes, among many others.

However, the museum is not just a place for seeing wax figures. It also offers many other entertainment options like taxi rides in some of the most historically significant regions of London, a small movie experience featuring 4D figurines of Marvel Superheroes, as well as a bar where adults can get alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

London’s iconic clock tower, Big Ben is one of the city’s renowned landmarks known for its gigantic bell and accuracy. The bell alone weighs 13.7 metric tons, usually associated with the entire clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is one of London’s most sought-after attractions, which looks splendid after dusk when the clock faces of the tower are illuminated. 

Big Ben was formerly known as St. Stephen’s Tower until 2012 and then it was christened Elizabeth Tower on the auspicious event of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It marked the celebration of 60 years of the British throne. 

The clock hands measure 9 feet and 14 feet long and rise high around 320 feet, which is a sight to behold for tourists visiting London from all parts of the world. Big Ben stands proudly over 96 metres, and you need to ascend 334 steps to reach the belfry, the part of the clock tower in which the bells are installed. You will also need to climb 399 steps to the Ayrton Light right at the top of this imposing tower in London. Ayrton Light is the lantern at the top of Big Ben, which is lit when the House of Parliament sits after dark. 

Sir Edmund Beckett Denison designed the iconic clock with the collaboration of Sir George Airy and Edward Dent, the clockmaker. Edmund’s prime contribution was a unique gravity escapement, which imparted unparalleled accuracy to the Big Ben.

Hyde Park is one of the world's greatest and phenomenal royal parks in Central London, the historical capital city of the United Kingdom. Situated in the heart of the city, the park offers a plethora of activities for the visitors starting from boating, swimming, horse riding, tennis, skating, jogging, walking and many more. 

Adorned with innumerable varieties of trees and flowers and a beautiful glittering lake, Hyde Park has been attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. You can witness many amazing buildings, monuments, memorials, fountains, statues and a bird sanctuary inside the park. The park is also the residence for a diverse variety of birds and insects, and hence a paradise for wildlife photographers and bird watchers.

Several world-renowned conferences, events, and seminars, music concerts, charity shows are organized in the park. The funds raised from many of those events are dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of the park. Café joints, bars, restaurants, beverage shops inside the park serve delicious refreshments and dishes to the visitors. 

Every year during the Christmas and New Year, the entire park is transformed into a magical land with the illuminated decorations and glittering lights coupled with several exciting attractions and eateries. Circus shows, skiing, and skating competitions and many musical events form a part of the winter magic in Hyde Park.

The Westminster Abbey is a religious building that has stood witness to the rich history and heritage of Great Britain. It is the crowning jewel of the City of Westminster in London, England. Formerly known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, this gothic church has been a place of great religious significance to the Monarchy.

Traditionally, this is where the official King or Queen gets coronated, and also where they get buried. In fact, this place is so sacred that Queen Elizabeth the second highness, got married to the Duke of Edinburgh here in 1947. It later became the venue for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana also.

This church was founded over a thousand years ago and is still functional today as a place of worship instead of just being a monument living off past glory. It is the testimony of the reverence and patronage that it has received over the years. Interestingly, Westminster Abbey has its own flag, with Tudor arms and Tudor roses on it.

The breathtakingly spectacular architecture and the mesmerizingly calm and spiritual environment definitely sets it apart from the other glorious sites of London.

In the heart of the bustling city of London, overlooking the tranquil waters of River Thames lies the oldest structure of London, Westminster Bridge. Acclaimed for its elegant Gothic architecture, the bridge is now an eminent landmark that is visited by every tourist exploring the marvels of the city.

With the County Hall on one side and the London Eye on the other, the strategic location makes it accessible to the city's most magnificent monuments and happening places. While the daily traffic commutes on its smooth roads, the wide pavements have pedestrians strolling on the bridge and capturing the picturesque vistas atop it.

In fact, with lavish cruises traversing calmly in crystal waters of the River Thames, and modern buildings outlining both sides, the city's panorama from the bridge are so postcard worthy they became the inspiration behind William Wordsworth's sonnet.

This 250 m long bridge is painted green to match the leather seats in the House of Commons. Seven graceful arches form the highlight of its beauty. Connecting Westminster and Lambeth boroughs, the bridge is just 0.7 miles away from London city center.

Interesting fact, the bridge that you see today is the second attempt at its construction. Yes, the bridge has been built more than once! The original design of 1750 was given by a Swiss engineer named Charles Labelye. However, it was revamped by Thomas Page to hold the modern traffic and inaugurated again on 24 May 1862.

So get ready to get some Instagram perfect snaps while marvelling the brilliance of craftsmanship of Westminster Bridge. Take a lovely stroll in the morning, when the city is quiet, and the view is unhindered. But stick around till noon to witness the architectural joke played by the sun and laugh your heart out.

Tower Bridge is an iconic bridge located on River Thames that has become symbolic to London. During the earlier times, it was also called “Tower of London” due to a royal prison that was located inside this tower. This bridge has been built with a unique combination of bascule and suspension elements. It took eight years to construct this bridge, and it is exemplary to great engineering and design.

The bridge was opened for public on 30th June 1894 by the Princess of wales. It is 240 meters in length, and it’s twin towers rise 61 meters above the River Thames. The rising bascule and the grand towers of London Bridge make it one of the most recognized bridges in the entire world. The most striking feature of Tower Bridge is it’s two magnanimous towers that are connected through two parallel walkways.

The high-level walkways offer you a chance to have a panoramic view of the city life of London, and its Victorian Gothic design takes you into the era of Victorian London. The spectacular glass floors across the walkways give you a chance to gush over the pedestrians whizzing across the Bridge.

It operates through a computer control system and can be lowered down and raised remotely. The bascules are raised three times a day during which the ships need the notice to pass through the river on which this bridge has been built. It does not just serve as a medium of easy passage but has transformed into the historical and cultural landmark of London.

Breaking the suspense, the widely held Piccadilly Circus is not a circus in reality. It is a place that was named after a tailor Roger Biker, who once upon a time became famous for selling piccadils. Roger used to make Piccadils (Large broad collar of cut work lace) which were worn by the gentrified in the late 17th century.

The place was a circle-shaped public area in the initial days but with time it has turned out to be a busy square. It is also considered to be one of the busiest junctions in the city that is full of life at all times. Now, Piccadilly Circus, located close to London’s West End is one of the top tourist attractions in the city.

It is in the vicinity of some of the famous places like Leicester Square, Haymarket, Regent Street, Oxford Circle, and Shaftesbury Avenue.Piccadilly Circus becomes more beautiful and bustling after sundown.

People come to this place to witness the famous Eros Statue and catch a glimpse of the bustling city of London. The Eros Statue is officially known as Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, which was built in the memory of the great philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury.

Are you an underwater enthusiast who can't wait to take that first dive and explore the incredible marine world? If yes, the Sea Life London Aquarium is a perfect holiday spot for you. It consists of around 50 aquariums, 180,000 creatures, and two sanctuaries which will endow you with extensive knowledge about the oceans and marine world.

Whether you are a kid or an adult, your age won't stop you from having fun at Sea Life London. From taking the Scenes tours at one of its aquariums to learning about sea creatures, there is an endless list of activities that one can indulge in. The place also hosts several annual events like Shark Week, to educate the visitors about marine life conservation. The aquarium is majorly geared towards inquisitive kids who are offered feeds and educational talks by the experts.

The mystical underwater journey comes as a golden opportunity to get face to face with several beautiful creatures, including penguins, sharks, and colourful dolphins. Not only this, but you might also get to meet different rainforest creatures. From Blind Cave Fish to Piranhas and Poison Dart Frogs, there is a never-ending list of unique rainforest creatures which reside here.

Sea Life welcomes its visitors with an exciting trip to the Antarctic frozen world where you are free to explore the colony of Gentoo Penguins. So, if you feel tempted to usher into this magical underwater paradise, read on and learn some new interesting facts about this place. 

Popular as one of the unique UNESCO World Heritage sites in London, Kew Gardens is one of the pleasant getaways in the city to enjoy with your family and friends. It is home to a fascinating collection of living plants and also has an internationally recognised scientific research centre. It has a collection of more than 14,000 trees and is known for its exquisite natural landscape which leaves everyone spellbound. Spread across a site of 300 acres, Kew Gardens is a leading centre of research having a library and museums along with its beautiful gardens.

It invites people of all ages to discover a day of serenity in the city of London. The visitors here can enjoy a number of activities whether it is taking a stroll along the colourful canopies of trees or exploring the beautiful glasshouses. Some of the popular attractions of Kew Gardens include the Palm House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Waterlily House.

There are activities which the visitors can enjoy at Kew Gardens like the 59 ft high Treetop Walkway, catching the views of the city by climbing the Great Pagoda and getting to know about its history at the Kew Palace. Kew Gardens is also a paradise for photographers who wish to capture the natural beauty of London at its best.

The National Gallery is an art museum situated in the postcard-famous Trafalgar Square. This famous tourist place in London was founded back in 1824 and today hosts 2,300 paintings from some of the world's most renowned artists.

Some of the most well-known pieces in the museum include Jan van Eyck's The Arnolfini Portrait, Leonardo da Vinci's The Virgin of the Rocks, Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors, J. M. W. Turner's The Fighting Temeraire and Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers among others.

The postmodernist Sainsbury Wing added in recent years is one of the most important additions to the gallery and arguably, one of the most impressive sections of the complex.  

Location: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

Timings: Daily: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Entry Fee: Free

One of the most popular shopping and tourist sites of England, Covent Garden is a bustling neighbourhood situated in London’s famous West End. What was once a huge fruit and vegetable market and home to London’s Royal Opera House is now a sought-after recreation spot.

The northern part of the neighbourhood has several independent shops and boutiques, while the south has some typical London treats like street performers, historical buildings, theatres, world-famous museums, and the central square. Some of the preferred visiting spots in Covent include Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Odhams Walk, and Seven Dials.

Since the mid 1980s, this amazing place has been home to pubs, craft markets and themed shops. Even before that time, the design of the garden was one of a kind and was used as an inspiration to develop other modern estates in and around London. While there, do not forget to explore the towering arcades and vintage buildings.

As a tourist, you can either choose to shop, dine, or get yourself a healthy dose of London’s history at the Covent Garden neighbourhood. Do not forget to visit the Jubilee Hall and the Central Building. You can also visit the Largest Apple Store of 2019 in the Piazza at Covent Garden.

Abbey Road is a famous road in London which is renowned majorly for the presence of Abbey Road Studios. The road begins from the Kilburn and ends at the junction between Garden Road and Grove End Road. Originally, Abbey Road was nothing more than a thoroughfare used by the locals to reach Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Abbey Road’s main attraction is its crossing called Abbey Road Crossing. This is the exact place where the first album of the Beatles got its front cover image. You can click as many pictures here as you want to revive the memories of the renowned rock band of the past century. Just at the end of the Abbey Road Crossing, you have Abbey Road Studios, which was labeled to be a creative den for the Beatles.

A significant fraction of their recordings between 1962 to 1970 were carried out here. Built next to it is a shop where you can purchase some souvenirs related to the Beatles and other famous musicians that contributed widely to expanding the legacy of this legendary Abbey Road Studio.

The London Dungeon is one of the iconic tourist attractions in the capital city of the UK. Opened on 15th September 1974, this place currently brings in the history of London’s dark life, which has been perfectly blended with entertainment. The place has 360 sets, each having an interesting story to tell.

There are 19 interactive shows and 2 rides, featuring 20 actors. These talented actors give live performances in some scarily funny shows which have been further enhanced through stunning special effects. The actors perform as some of the most infamous characters of London such as Jack the Ripper, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Mrs.Lovett and Sweeney Todd.

In the form of these shows, some of London’s history, such as the Black Plague attack and the Great Fire of London has been brought alive. A glimpse into the torture chamber of 1605 and the courtroom of the 18th century is also included. In the shows, the visitors are not just silent spectators but are also made to enact as characters.

Be it running to safety escaping from the great fire of London or a walk through the rat-infested tunnel, the visitors are kept involved in each drama that unfolds in front of them. In some of the sets, they are suddenly shocked to find the floor below them moving or the chair they are sitting on, shaking. Also, the two rides, a boat ride, and a drop ride are thrilling, scary and add to the fun.

At the end of this high voltage tour, visitors get the chance to cool off at the Traven. It is a pub that offers drinks and beverages to visitors with piano music in the background and interesting tales if one cares to listen. For those still looking for fun, there is even an option to join the game of rat hunting.

Hailed as an angelic masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London. The Cathedral is also regarded as the Mother Church of the Diocese of London. It resides on Ludgate Hill and is deemed as one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.

It’s rich historical background and grand design makes it one of the most impressive landmarks of London. It was constructed by Christopher Wren between the period of 1675 and 1711 and it embraces innovation and tradition. Besides being an impressive piece of art itself the cathedral is also home to some of the impressive art pieces spanning to different periods of time.

It was destroyed four times during the course of history but it still stands tall as a testament to the belief of people. From art installation to state funeral and royal weddings the cathedral has been the site for the most important events. It also boasts of having the biggest dome in the entire world etched at 366 feet height.

The Whispering Gallery is the star attraction of this cathedral where even the quietest whispers are transmitted across the dome. The burial memorial of St.Paul,Florence Nightingale, Sir Alexander Fleming, William Blake and and many other renowned figures can also be found over here.

Empowering the backbone of contemporary art for years, Saatchi Art Gallery in London is one of the most famous art galleries that was built to showcase various new artists and their artforms. It is one such place in the world that displays artworks of countless unseen artists.

A visit to this place will certainly offer an insight into the changing notion of contemporary art. The gallery is not only known for its artwork display but it is also known for its state-of-the-art educational institution that imparts deep knowledge to students from all over the world.

In the initial days, the art gallery didn't fetch a good number of audiences but with time it has become one of the must-visit places for tourists and art lovers from all over the world. At the present time, this gallery is visited by more than 1.5 million visitors and more than 2000 schools arranging tours for their students per annum.

It has also been a part of various media sponsors starting from 'The Observer' to 'The Sunday Times' and from 'Evening Standard' to ‘The Independent on Sunday. The Saatchi Gallery is registered as a charity and the headquarters are located in Duke of York’s, King’s Road London. It was opened for public in the year 2008 with a whole new exhibition hall dedicated to the new art form of China.

Popular for its virgin beauty and serene atmosphere, River Thames is known to be one of the major attractions in the city of London. It is considered to be an integral part of London's tourism and economy as well. River Thames, the most famous river from east to west of the UK has it all starting from luxurious hotels to cruiser ships and it is one of the best tourist places in England as well.

Passing through the bustling city of London, it happens to be one of the most important waterways in the whole world that drives inspiration for many. It might be just a river for the local Londoners but it is surely a great place for visitors coming from all over the world.

This site is a great place for adventure junkies, bookworms, history buffs, fans of style and substance, avid explorers, aspiring don drapers, green-fingered folk and river walkers.Cruising here will surely satisfy you and offer you an exhilarating experience.

When at this river, you can catch a glimpse of the various nearby places of tourist interest and get a chance to enjoy some water sports as well. You can also participate in various exciting events at this river such as Totally Thames, Boat Race, Virgin Money London marathon, Great River Race, and Mayor's New Year's Eve fireworks display. A visit to the River Thames will certainly be a tonic for anyone keen to experience the majesty and royalty that London has to offer.

London has a number of tourist attractions, and Holland Park is on top of that list. A major landmark in Central London, Holland Park is made up of a street park and a public park surrounded by tree-lined streets and Victorian-style town houses.

This beautifully maintained garden has a number of shops, luxury spas, hotels & restaurants, and several embassies in the vicinity, and is very close to the popular Design Museum.Holland Park has a history dating back to the 19th century, and was once part of a private property.

Holland Park later became the preferred place to stay for artists and art collectors, including Frederic Leighton and Val Prinsep due to its proximity with the Royal Academy of Arts. Now it is a property of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.Today, tourists and locals visit Holland Park to admire the natural beauty of the well-maintained park, and get a taste of history in the ruins of the Holland House.

The opera performed every summer at Holland Park is a must-visit. Performed in the backdrop of the Holland House, all performances are produced by the Opera Holland Park company. The park also has a number of other attractions like an orangery, a giant chess set, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, two Japanese gardens, and a children’s playground with squirrels and peacocks.

One of the most iconic Royal buildings in the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is the royal residential hub of the Queen of England. Notably, it crowns itself as one of the very few working Royal Palaces existing across the world and it is one of the best places to visit in England. On the occasion of both national and royal celebrations, the Queen of England gives her public appearance through the Palace’s central gallery.

Buckingham Palace features around 775 rooms which are inclusive of the 19 staterooms and 78 modernized bathrooms. The lavishly decorated staterooms here are reserved for the monarchs to receive their rewards. There are sparkling candelabras, sumptuous carpets, fine furniture, marble columns, damask wallpaper to embrace the overall beauty of the Palace.

The Royal Palace homes to the Throne Room which forms a central attraction for all the visitors coming from different parts of the world. This is the place where the royals plan their ceremonial receptions – the one like the Queen’s Jubilee.

The Garden of Buckingham Palace spans across an area of 39 acres with 350+ wildflower types and 200 trees. Apart from this, there is a 3-acre vast lake located within the Gardens. Tennis courts, herbaceous border, summer house, Rose Garden, and the Waterloo Vase are the principal attractions of this Garden of Buckingham Palace.

Often known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, Madame Tussauds is visited by millions of people every year, and has attracted nearly half a million tourists since its first opening. Madame Tussauds London is, in fact, one of one of the many wax museums situated in several cities around the world.

It is one of a chain of institutions named after the founder of the first such museum that was opened in London in the early 19th century. It is especially famous for some of the most life-like replicas of celebrities from all over the globe. The museum has over 400 wax figures of some of the most famous people in the world, including musicians, actors, politicians, historical figures, scientists, geniuses, religious heads, and even criminals.

Madame Tussauds was founded by the famous wax sculpture called Marie Tussaud, who is also the founder of the chain. She was born in the city of Strasbourg in France in the year 1761. While she was alive, Tussaud became quite famous and made quite a name for herself, because of her unparalleled ability to be able to sculpt real-looking and almost life-like figures of some of the most famous people of the time, like Sir Walter Scott, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, etc.

The museum in London first opened in 1835, and it was located on Baker Street at the time. It was then moved to its current location in 1894, which is Marylebone Road. The figures in the museum are divided into various categories, which include Hollywood division, the Royal Family division, a section consisting of political and religious leaders, and one dedicated to comic book heroes, among many others.

However, the museum is not just a place for seeing wax figures. It also offers many other entertainment options like taxi rides in some of the most historically significant regions of London, a small movie experience featuring 4D figurines of Marvel Superheroes, as well as a bar where adults can get alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

The enthralling majesty and historical importance of the Tower of London can be felt from the moment a visitor steps inside its grounds. This iconic historic site reveals about the most momentous tales and happenings in British history. Located in Central London itself, it is officially Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Palace and Fortress.

Though it is called the 'Tower of London', it is actually a castle made of many concentric towers. It has played many prominently historic roles over the years, including being a prison for infamous prisoners, housing royal documents and being the grounds where coins were minted. It even was a royal zoo for a brief period of time!

Bordered by the sparkling river Thames, the Tower of London is today known worldwide for its riveting architecture and craftsmanship. Other famous aspects of this monument include the White Tower and the Tower Bridge. It is also noteworthy that the families of the Yeoman Warders live in the tower today, and that adds to the glory of this tower.

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich has been one of the most influential structures of the British History. It all started after King Charles II ordered a royal commission to look into investing in Astronomy. The commission recommended the foundation of an observatory to make detailed analysis for timekeeping, navigation and cartography.

Sir Christopher Wren was appointed the architect of the observatory owing to this profound knowledge in Astronomy. All these incidents truly marked the beginning of the new era of astronomy at Greenwich. The chief architect Wren suggested using the dilapidated Greenwich castle as the site for the construction of the observatory.

The location was finalized for the construction as it has solid foundation and was located at an elevated place. The very first building of the observatory was the Flamsteed House. The first astronomer of the Royal Observatory was John Flamsteed, who held the post for nearly 42 years.

The observatory is about 300 years old and till date there have been only 10 astronomers. With time, the Royal Observatory marked the source of the prime meridian in the late 19th century and divided the world between eastern and western hemispheres. Greenwich Meridian was chosen to work as the prime meridian in the year 1884.

London’s iconic clock tower, Big Ben is one of the city’s renowned landmarks known for its gigantic bell and accuracy. The bell alone weighs 13.7 metric tons, usually associated with the entire clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is one of London’s most sought-after attractions, which looks splendid after dusk when the clock faces of the tower are illuminated. 

Big Ben was formerly known as St. Stephen’s Tower until 2012 and then it was christened Elizabeth Tower on the auspicious event of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It marked the celebration of 60 years of the British throne. 

The clock hands measure 9 feet and 14 feet long and rise high around 320 feet, which is a sight to behold for tourists visiting London from all parts of the world. Big Ben stands proudly over 96 metres, and you need to ascend 334 steps to reach the belfry, the part of the clock tower in which the bells are installed. You will also need to climb 399 steps to the Ayrton Light right at the top of this imposing tower in London. Ayrton Light is the lantern at the top of Big Ben, which is lit when the House of Parliament sits after dark. 

Sir Edmund Beckett Denison designed the iconic clock with the collaboration of Sir George Airy and Edward Dent, the clockmaker. Edmund’s prime contribution was a unique gravity escapement, which imparted unparalleled accuracy to the Big Ben.

Located in the Bloomsbury area, the British Museum is one of the most significant places in England for tourists. It is one of the world's most numerous and most influential institutions of human history and culture.

If you are wondering what you will find in this oldest national museum - you will find collections of art, literature, and other artefacts representing the tale of human history. The main reason for a tourist to visit this place is the Egyptian Jewels played at the display for human wonder.

Location: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, UK