10 must see places in London
Photo by Eva Dang
London is a great world capital with centuries of history, art, and culture to explore. It's a bustling, modern city with world-class dining and shopping. As the heart of the United Kingdom's financial, entertainment and cultural industries, it's easy to understand why London has been a favorite tourist destination for centuries. Below, you’ll find a helpful guide to your London trip, including when to go and what to do with your time there.
What's the Best Time of Year to Visit London?
Any time of year is great. Just remember to dress for the weather.
Count on Rain
You can almost always count on rain. Even if the city doesn't get that much sustained rainfall, it gets a lot of brief, powerful showers. They can happen on any day and in any season. It makes sense to carry an umbrella on most days.
The Famous Fog
What about the famous London fog? It did exist, although it's important to note that in previous centuries, most of the fog was actually smoke from coal-burning fires, factories, and steam trains. Coal-burning was outlawed in 1956. Today, London gets a normal amount of fog and when it arrives, it generally disappears by noon.
The Tower Bridge engulfed in fog
Check the Weather Reports
Always use a reliable weather checker like AccuWeather to get a good sense of what the weather will be like during your trip. You can also use it during your vacation to determine the best time to plan a particular activity.
Dress for Unexpected Weather
London doesn't experience temperature extremes. It doesn't get freezing cold or unbearably hot. What it does have is weather that can change unexpectedly.
London gets an average temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August, and temperatures can drop to 20 degrees in December and January. During the rest of the year, the temperatures can range from the 40s to the 60s.
It doesn't matter what time of year you visit. Whether it's winter or summer, you can wake up to sudden sunshine or icy winds. The smart London tourist is ready for any type of peculiar weather.
What to Wear and Pack
Always check the weather before you plan a trip to the country. You don't want your travel plans ruined by an unexpected downpour. If you do get rain, you can always find a cozy, welcoming pub to duck into for a few hours.
Londoners are fashionable. Their daily style tends to be what we think of as business casual rather than business formal. People still dress to go out for dinner, to church, or the theater, so you should too.
It's not appropriate to wear tees or shorts in these more formal and traditional settings. Even some London nightclubs refuse entry to people wearing jeans, tees, or sneakers.
The best way to see London is through sightseeing, so be prepared to walk. Wear your most comfortable clothes and shoes. You're going to be busy hopping off and on buses and touring buildings with stone floors.
Besides walking through museums and shops in the city, you’ll want to take a day to see the English countryside. If you're staying in London, it's easy to arrange tours to Kent and the Cotswolds.
One final note, it's easy to visit other countries with a London hub. If you're planning to visit Scotland, Wales or Ireland, ferries, plane rides, and high-speed trains make travel around England and Europe easy.
Oxford Circus
Top 10 Must See Places in London
1. Tower of London
The foreboding Tower of London was a prison where kings, queens, and high-ranking courtiers spent time before losing their heads. One such royal, Anne Boleyn, is rumored to still haunt the tower. The Tower is also home to important royal artifacts including the Crown Jewels.
2. The Globe Theater
The Globe Theater that stands today is actually a reconstruction of the 17th-century theater that Shakespeare made famous. Today, the Globe is both a museum and an active theater. The museum is dedicated to Shakespeare's work and the theater is one of the best places to see Shakespeare's and others’ plays.
3. Hyde Park
An oasis in the middle of London, Hyde Park offers acres of shady gardens and a pond where you can rent paddle boats and kayaks. Take a break from your London sightseeing to relax in this beautifully landscaped, iconic park.
4. Covent Garden
This bustling, nonstop market area is the best place to people-watch in London. It features hundreds of open-air markets, shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainers of all types.
The Shard
5. The Shard
The Shard opened in 2015 and is the tallest building in London. The view of the city from the Shard's viewing platform is a must-see and will surely take your breath away. The Shard also houses several fine restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the view over a delicious meal.
6. Buckingham Palace
The royal family is still one of London's top attractions. No visit to London is complete without a visit to the Queen's London residence and her royal guards. Some rooms of the palace are even open to the public.
Buckingham Palace
7. Notting Hill
This quaint, upscale neighborhood was the setting for the Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant movie of the same name. Notting Hill is also where you'll find the world-famous Portobello Road Market, a sprawling flea market where you can buy anything you want and easily be entertained for hours.
8. West End
Theater lovers consider London's West End the best place for theater in the world. You can see world-renowned actors in new plays and old revivals. Londoners have been avid theater lovers since the days of Shakespeare, and the West End is living proof.
Looking up at Westminster Abbey
9. Westminster Abbey
A visit to Westminster Abbey will be filled with rich English history and architecture. This iconic cathedral has hosted royal weddings since the fourteenth century. Some of England's most legendary artists and writers are buried at Poet's Corner here.
10. Double-Decker Buses
While a double-decker bus isn’t a specific place, it has to make the list. The top of a red London bus is the best place to see the city the way Londoners view it. To ride one of these low cost double-deckers, purchase a plastic pass called an Oyster card at any convenience store.
Get Ready to Enjoy Yourself
London is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city with some of the world's finest attractions. There are hundreds of places to see and things to do. Pick your top 10, check the weather, and enjoy the amazing experiences that await you.
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