1. Hear the Chimes of Time at Big Ben
One of the world's most famous landmarks, iconic Big Ben has been synonymous with the City of London and the Houses of Parliament for centuries. Often mistaken for a tower at the northeastern end of the Houses of Parliament, it is actually the bell within the tower that is named Big Ben and whose strikes were heard for the first time on July 11th, 1859.
Resting in the Elizabeth Tower, renamed by the House of Commons in 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, Big Ben swings behind the clock face and has rarely stopped ringing the hours. Visited, viewed, and admired by millions of people from all over the world, this iconic landmark is not only magnificent to look at but has also played a vital role in the history of the city of London and of England itself.
Big Ben , Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, UK, Phone: +44-20-7219-4272
2. Taste the World at Borough Market
Based in Southwark in Central London and one of the largest and oldest food markets in the city, Borough Market is a wholesale and retail food market that sells an array of gourmet foods, delicacies, fresh fruit and vegetables, and made-to-order fare. Established in 1014 as a fresh food market for the local people, Borough Market has been selling fresh produce, including bread, cheese, fish, meats, vegetables, ciders, coffees, cakes, and patisseries for over 1,000 years.
The market has more than 100 stalls, including stands that specialize in imported goods. The market is open from Monday through Saturday, with full market days on Wednesday to Saturday and a variety of fruit and vegetable stalls and hot food traders on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Borough Market, 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, UK, Phone: +44-20-7407-1002
3. Wander Through the Ages at the British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum is home to a remarkable collection of treasures spanning more than two million years of human history and encompassing an array of world cultures. Centered around a magnificent Great Court, the museum's permanent collection features more than eight million objects, including extraordinary mummies from Egypt, ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon, and the world-renowned Rosetta Stone.
In addition to the impressive permanent collection, the British Museum also hosts special exhibitions, displays, and events designed to encourage a greater understanding of the collection and the cultures they represent.
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, UK, Phone: +44-20-7323-8299, Map
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Witness Tradition at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and an iconic symbol for the people of London. Located in the City of Westminster and housing the Royal Family for more than 180 years, Buckingham Palace is also one of London's most popular tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors every year to view the magnificent building and watch state occasions, royal hospitality, and other special events.
The palace has 775 rooms. The state rooms, which are used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public every year during August and September. The palace's garden is the largest private garden in London.
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, UK, Phone: +44-303-123-7300
5. Small Car Big City
If you are in London and want to feel like a local, try seeing the city from the seat of the Mini Cooper, the true London icon. Small Car Big City is a tour company that offers to take you on a tour of London in your own beautifully restored Mini. Buzz through the city from your Mini like so many Londoners and drive by Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, and much more. You will be guided by true Londoners, people who love their city as much as they love the fun little cars. They offer a range of tours such as two-hour long Landmarks of London, London’s Best Bits, the four-hour long The Italian Job that includes a stop for a coffee, a visit to the local markets and street art, and the eight-hour long Live like a Local.
Small Car Big City Tours , 8 Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5BY, Phone: +44 2078 396 737
6. Step Into Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre is a famous Elizabethan open-air theater in London that is associated with William Shakespeare and his works. Built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, the theater was designed as a three-story, open-air amphitheater that could house up to 3,000 spectators.
The original theater was destroyed in a fire in 1613 and rebuilt a year later; a modern reconstruction, named "Shakespeare's Globe," was completed in 1997. Today, the oak-and-thatch replica of the original Elizabethan theater puts on open-air Shakespeare plays, offers guided tours of the building, and features an engaging and informative exhibition that explores the life of Shakespeare and the theater for which he wrote.
Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, UK, Phone: +44-20-7902-1400
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
7. Go for a Walk in Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of London's eight Royal Parks and the largest in the city. The park is the greatest of four that form a chain of green urban spaces, including Kensington Gardens, Green Park, and St James' Park, and is home to several famous landmarks, including the Serpentine Lake, Speaker's Corner, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.
Hyde Park covers 350 acres in the heart of London and attracts millions of Londoners and tourists every year to enjoy its beautifully landscaped grounds, peaceful lakes, and an array of recreational activities, including boating, cycling, horseback riding, and open water swimming.
Hyde Park , The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH, UK, Phone: 0300-061-2000
8. Stroll Through Royal Elegance at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence overlooking the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. Set in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the palace has been a residence for the British Royal Family since the 17th century. The palace is currently the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Today, several of the state rooms are open to the public, including the King's and Queen's State Apartments, which display many paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection, and the Royal Gardens. Kensington Palace also features various exhibitions as well as a shop and The Orangery Café.
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, UK, Phone: +44-20-3166-6000
9. Look Up in Awe at St Paul’s Cathedral
With its magnificent dome framed by the spires of Wren's city churches, St Paul's Cathedral is one of the most iconic and recognizable sights of the London skyline. Designed in the English baroque style by acclaimed architect Christopher Wren and built in the late 17th century, St Paul's Cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill, overlooking the city.
The Anglican cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London, the main church of the Diocese of London, and is dedicated to Paul the Apostle. Dominating the skyline for more than 300 years, the cathedral is the second largest church building after Liverpool Cathedral and claims a significant place in the national identity of the United Kingdom. St Paul's Cathedral is a working church with daily services, including state funerals, Jubilee celebrations, and peace services.
St Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK
10. See the Future of Art at Tate Modern
The Tate Modern Gallery is Britain's national gallery of international modern art. Located in the former Bankside Power Station in the Bankside area of Southwark, Tate Modern forms part of the Tate Group, which includes Tate Britain, Tate St Ives, Tate Liverpool and Tate Online.
One of the largest museums of contemporary and modern art in the world, Tate Modern is home to a national collection of British art dating back to the 1900s and features an array of both contemporary and international art. The gallery features a permanent collection, to which admission is free, as well as a variety of temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year.
Tate Modern Gallery, Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK, Phone: +44-20-7887-8888
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