Landmarks of London

A little insight into some of the lively landmarks of London, holding the history of the notorious city.

Buckingham Palace

Originally opened in 1705, Buckingham Palace holds great worth to England. A tourist destination for many, where we have witnessed the late Queen Elizabeth II give her infamous Christmas speeches. It became overwhelmingly busy with those paying respects back in September. The palace is the epitome of sophistication and beauty, home to the head of state and centuries of historical moments and English monarchs, it is truly a sight to see. Located in Westminster, it is surrounded by many other famous London landmarks such as Green Park, Trafalgar Square and West Minster Abbey. The palace is situated at the end of the Mall, an eye-catching piece or architecture that perfectly articulates the historical and momentous family, that is the English monarchy.

London Eye

After over 20 years of being opened, the London Eye is still swarming with tourists from all over the world. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, near the Big Ben, the London eye is the world’s largest ‘Ferris’ Wheel, with a height of 135m. The cost of going on the wheel ranges from £32.50-£51 for adults depending on if you buy online and if you want fast track. Children tickets are roughly a few pounds cheaper. Having experienced the journey that is going on the Eye, it is something that I would recommend to anyone. Although on the pricy side, the London Eye is an experience that everyone should try once, being lifted 135 meters in the air whilst being enclosed in a glass box is not something I envisioned as fun, but the views from that great height were truly breath taking.

Natural History Museum

With many museums all over London, the Natural History was my favourite. Always a child at heart, my favourite part was the dinosaur section. Founded back in 1881 the museum hold history from so many different time periods of ancient Greece, Egypt, and England itself. Located in South Kensington, it is a very large build with lots to see. The museum is home to many different historical artifacts that you will not find anywhere else in the world, this alone makes it an experience only some will see, so I recommend you being one of them. With it being one of the biggest museums in London, there is something for everyone to look at. It is a great day out with the family, where the kids can learn about the past in fun way, but also it’s a great trip to do on your own to just absorb all the beauty and history.

Big Ben

The Big Ben is the memorable Clock Tower located in Westminster after being originally opened in 1859. The clock tower is one of London’s most treasured landmarks and being the advertisement of the UK. The whole building is used for parliament activities and often have tours for the public. The clock is a delight to see when walking the streets of London and can be seen from many angles. Once dark, the tower lights up and with its glowing clock face it is a must see for anyone visiting London.

Hyde Park

The largest park in central London and also one of the main places that tourists like to visit, Hyde Park is a beautiful large area of land that doesn’t just offer the greenery the busy city needs, it is also the location of the Princess Diana’s Memorial Garden. Many coffee shops and small cafes are dotted around the park with opportunities to boat on the lake. Hyde parks holds many big-name concerts, festivals and currently winter wonderland. The park is huge with an expanse of 142 hectares it is a lovely walk but good luck to anyone walking the whole thing!

© Aimee-Michelle O’Connor & Lucy Roberts 2022