Top Attractions in London - Our Top 10

Must-see attractions in London? - Bob’s Your Uncle

If you’re currently in England and this pandemic has left you feeling down and out, and a little like the outside world has lost some of its former luster, fear not! We can assure you, England (especially London) is jam-packed with wondrous attractions and things to do. After all, the outside world is kind of what we do best!

Whether you’re a northerner who hasn’t given London the time a day, a tourist with a glint of adventure in their eye, or even a forlorn Londoner looking to see their city in a new light: Bob’s your uncle and this article’s for you! Here’s our curated list of the top 10 attractions in London. 

Don’t forget to nod awkwardly to any passing bobbies, dog walkers, or elderly folk! When in Rome…

#10 Top Attractions in London England - Houses of Parliament

Now, I know what you’re thinking! This isn’t, in fact, a rad party venue – it’s actually the houses of Parliament. Many choose to look (or shout, if you’re so inclined) at them from the outside, but it’s actually possible to enter them (depending on the day). 

So, if you’ve ever wanted to see the speaker’s grand chair or stand facing someone from opposite benches and run your mouth for a bit, here’s a fantastic opportunity to do just that! It’s the perfect day out for any right honourable lady or gentleman.

#9 - Trafalgar Square

For those who want some quick facts about London, Trafalgar Square’s namesake comes from an epic Napoleonic naval battle: the Battle of Trafalgar, where the British navy emerged victorious over Spanish and French fleets, just off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, 1805. 

Though it didn’t officially become Trafalgar Square until 1844, it’s been used for events since the 1200s! So, while it isn’t quite as exciting as a battle on the high seas, it radiates history – after all, it is one of the main attractions in London.

Though we wouldn’t recommend it, a cheap pirate hat and a foam sword from Poundland with a spirited dip in the fountain might be enough to get your sea legs! Yarr! For more free things to do in London, watch this space!

 

#8 Top Attractions in London England - Tower bridge/The River Thames

Contrary to popular belief, there’s more to Tower Bridge than being confused with London Bridge and “falling down” rhymes, or even just crossing over it. For example, at night it lights up beautifully and there are plenty of classy river day/night cruises which pass right through its scenic maw. It’s surely an architectural gem for its balancing of beauty and function alone.

So, if you’re looking to build bridges with a companion and not burn them (metaphorical bridges, we mean), get caught up in an existential conversation or three sailing beneath the glow of Tower Bridge. Though this historic bridge was once associated with pickpockets and thieves (1870-1898) we can assure you: we checked and the coast is clear! 

#7 - Hyde Park

“Why Hyde Park of all the parks?” You might be thinking. Well, it’s the biggest of four royal parks that form a chain running from Kensington Palace’s entrance to Buckingham Palace. Piqued your interest yet?

Well, Henry VIII established Hyde Park in 1536, when he unceremoniously took the land from Westminster Abbey. His reason? Hunting. It wasn’t opened to the public until an entire century had passed, and after that everything from deadly duels to heated debates and protests took place there! 

Watch your step, though… you could spot anything from ghosts of fallen knights to suffragettes right there on the park’s grounds! 

#6 - British Museum

The British Museum contains (brace yourselves) one of the largest collections in human existence. In fact, if this were the last museum standing on Earth you’d still have a vast and comprehensive enough string of documentation covering the beginnings of human culture to the present day to understand it. It was also the first public museum in the world. Ever. Mic drop!

While the museum has come under some considerable fire for housing and denying the return of multiple foreign artefacts (such as the Rosetta stone) over the course of its lifetime, it remains a key repository for knowledge and awe – definitely don’t miss out on an opportunity to wonder at its contents!

#5 - Big Ben

Need we say more? It’s Big Ben! Tick tock, tick tock!

Well, if you’ve been in London for any stretch of time we’ll wager that you’ve stared at him in passing or on TV, at least. Once a day at the least. 

It’s no small wonder that the world finds him so mesmerizing; at the time of his construction, Big Ben was deemed the tallest and most accurate four-faced clock in the world and he strikes (pun intended) quite a charming silhouette against the London skyline.

One thing you might not know is that Big Ben’s been undergoing renovations since 2017 and, apart from special events like New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday, he’s been mostly silent. That is until 2022 when things are set to kick off again. It’s the perfect time to see Big Ben, one could argue!

#4 - Tower of London

The Tower of London is so old, it’s a wonder it doesn’t buckle when Big Ben rings! Dating back to 1078, this absolute unit of a structure survived both world wars and everything in-between, seeing various repair work and expansions throughout its vast lifetime. 

The infamous Kray twins were even held in this castle in its final years as a prison (1952). To think, the Kray twins and William the Conqueror, almost a thousand years apart, walked the same halls!

Being perhaps the most history-laden landmark in all of England, the Tower of London is a must-see on any day trip around London, no excuses! 

#3 - St Paul’s Cathedral

At number three we have St Paul’s Cathedral, a church dedicated to Paul the Apostle. While the Old St Paul’s Cathedral was mostly destroyed in the Great Fire and the new one sits at around 325 years old, the original church on this site dates back to 604AD – so if old really is gold, then that had to be a diamond at the very least!

You may know St Paul’s as the funeral place of Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Nelson. On a happier note, it’s also the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th and 90th birthdays, among countless other royal events. 

It’s completely free to enter to worshippers attending advertised services, so do us this favour and issue a luxurious prayer in St Paul’s Cathedral! Treat yourself!

#2 - Buckingham Palace

At number two is the once-dubbed Buckingham House, a veritable mansion of jaw-dropping proportions, with a whopping 775 rooms and being home to the largest private garden in all of London. Needless to say, it’s can be a bit much, but it’s a feast for the eyes!

On special occasions, the Queen’s gallery is opened to the public so that anyone can view the famous historic art on display. The conferring of knighthoods also takes place within these very walls! 

When the ceiling became dangerously unstable, parliament authorised £369 million in repair costs back in November of 2016. Since then, the palace has been known to average anywhere between 100,000 to just under a million visitors per year. 

All those people can’t be wrong, put on your best coat and get going!

#1 - Westminster Abbey

As for why this is our top pick if you can believe it, Sir Isaac Newton himself is buried here! Plus, in Poets’ Corner (yes, there’s a poets corner!), you’ll find the tombs of Geoffrey Chaucer, Ben Jonson (buried upright), John Dryden, Robert Browning and many others.

If that wasn’t enough reason to visit, Westminster Abbey was the wedding venue of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, not including the countless other royal weddings that took place within these hallowed halls — the first of which goes as far back as 1100! 

So, if royal weddings, barrels of character and more stained glass than you can shake a stick at is your idea of a great day out, Westminster Abbey’s got you covered. That said, over a million people get the same idea every year, so remember to use Google and calculate the quietest days/times to visit.

Final Words

That just about rounds off our Top 10 list of attractions in London! So, if you find yourself loitering around on the streets and don’t want to continue the bottomless scroll your smartphone provides, get walking and visit this city’s wonders! And, if one of your New Years’ resolutions was to get out of the house, you can do just that while also upping your fresh air intake by playing one of our city exploration games in London.