With a little bit of luck, and a whole lot of planning ahead of me, I’ll be jetting off to London in a couple of weeks. It is, ostensibly, a holiday although since World Travel Market is occurring during the time I’m there, I’ll be putting in an appearance there for a few days. Still, I hope to be in London for a week, giving me plenty of time to do some sightseeing.
Yeomen of the Guards, also called Beefeaters, in London
So what should I do while I’m in London? What are the must-see London sights for a first time visitor? I’ve got a rather long list started, so what needs to be on it?
Here’s what I have so far:
- British Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- National Gallery
- Natural History Museum
- Yeoman of the Guards (Beefeaters)
- Museum of London
- Tower of London
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Thames River Cruise
- Tower Bridge
- Kensington Palace
- London Bridge
- Globe Theatre
- London Eye
- Big Ben
- Buckingham Palace
- Madame Tussaud’s
- Trafalgar Square
- Hampstead Heath
- Kew Garden
- Tate Modern
- Harrod’s
- Westminster Abbey
- Westminster Cathedral
- Ride the Tube
- Theater in the West End
- Wembley Stadium
- Wimbledon
- Selfridge’s
I know that I won’t be able to see everything, but once I have a good list, I can prioritize based on time, geography and personal interest.
What have I missed? Please leave a couple of your MUST SEE London attractions in the comments.
Photo credit: girolame @flickr
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Google
Flickr
I loved the Victoria Albert Museum. I’d also add Sir John Soane’s Museum to the list and it’s free! http://www.travellious.com/art_outside_the_box_sir_john_soane_museum
Two favorite London chains for food: Pret a Manger for snacks and lunch and Wagamama (a noodle bar.)
I saw you were going to the Travel Blog Camp. I was hoping to possibly hop over from Italy, but I’m on the wait list…maybe I’ll see you in London?
[Reply]
Mary Jo Manzanares Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I’ve had TBC on my calendar since last year! What fun to meet some of the bloggers from that part of the world.
Soane’s museum look fabulous. Loved your photos! I should have plenty of time for sightseeing, but as you know — you never get to see everything. I think of that as a good thing, because it leaves me plenty of reasons for a return trip.
I hear everything closes up on Sunday, though. Was that your experience? Or is there still plenty of thing to do and see.
[Reply]
You could incorporate the Thames River cruise from Embankment pier and stop at the Tower of London and then continue to Greenwich – which is really lovely and loads of free things to see.
http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/a-river-trip-in-london-up-the-thames-to-greenwich-video/
Also start at the London Eye then walk up the South Bank – past the Festival Hall (free wifi) and to the Tate Modern, then past Shakespeare’s Globe, Southwark Cathedral and on to Borough Market (mainly Fris & weekends)
http://www.gogalavanting.com/blog/2009/1/16/a-winter-walk-along-londons-south-bank-london-uk.html
I’m also attending the WTM on the Tuesday – perhaps we could grab a cup of coffee?
[Reply]