London is one of the most, if not the most, fascinating and diverse cities on the planet. Plus, Great Britain’s capital is also one of the most visited cities in the world due to its time-honored attractions, like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Tower of London, the numerous museums and theaters, lush parks and gardens, and the many other family-friendly venues that never fail to entice travelers from different corners of the world. Historical or contemporary, paid for or free, there is something in London to suit all tastes and budgets.
What more, the London Games are upon us. The excitement for 2012 summer Olympics is in full swing in London, as the city hosts this great sporting event from July 27 to August 12 with around 10,500 athletes representing 204 nations. Venues for the 2012 Olympic Games pop up around town like mushrooms, which means that this year London will look as good as ever, thanks in part to face-lifts driven by the Olympics. So welcome to London and have a truly memorable experience of a lifetime!
In our future posts we’ll give a detailed info about Olympic Games, the Olympic Park and the Opening Ceremony, and today let’s get acquainted with the best tourist attractions that are a must for any visitor to this lovely and lively getaway. To let you know, the city has a wealth of hotels to offer in the vicinity of the best London attractions, all with great amenities to cater every taste and need.
Tower of London
One of the most important British landmarks that for over 900 years has been standing guard over the capital, the awe inspiring Tower of London is an outstanding example of late 11th-century innovative Norman military architecture. Built in 1066, by William the Conqueror after his successful invasion of England, the Tower of London has seen service as prison, royal palace, armory, jewel house and even a zoo, witnessing many great events in British history. The White Tower is one of the highlights of this intriguing building, an impressive huge and beautiful stone building, rising to more than 27 meters in the middle of the sight. Currently it hosts the exhibition of Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and Windsor arms and armor ‘Fit for a King.’ The Tower of London is still home to her majesty’s Crown Jewels, which draw many visitors from around the world. The Tower of London is situated within close distance from the River Thames, and is considered one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
EDF Energy London Eye
Another popular attraction in London that since opening in March 2000 has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain, the London eye, at 135 meters, has won over 75 awards for national and international tourism, superb architectural quality and engineering achievement. The EDF Energy London Eye offers breathtaking views of London from high above the River Thames, from Big Ben towering above the Houses of Parliament, to St. James Park to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Come and experience one of the 32 high-the glass capsules of the London eye, enjoying the skyline at your heart’s content! The gradual rotation takes approximately 30 minutes.
British Museum
Founded in 1753 with the donation of 71,000 objects from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, the British Museum soon became one of the most visited attractions in London. Today the museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and more than seven million objects are on display. The museum is very huge and can be explored in a few focused visits. Visitors can also consider the choice of tours as there are 15 free 30-to-40-minute eye Opener tours of individual galleries throughout the day. Some of the many highlights of the museum include: Great Court – the largest covered public square in Europe, Ancient Egypt, comprising fine jewelry, sculptures, papyrus texts, coffins and mummies, Roman and Medieval Britain, showcasing many treasurers, like coins, the remain of the 1st century man and others dating back to Roman times, and Ancient Greece, boasting Parthenon Sculptures. Moreover, the British Museum also has a wide range of program of talks, family events, activities for kids, cafes and an excellent shop, from where you can but souvenirs to take home to your friends and relatives.
London Zoo
Considered the world’s oldest scientific zoo founded over 180 years ago, London Zoo is a must-see getaway while visiting London. Located in the heart of the city, in Regent’s Park, London Zoo showcases more than 750 different species of animals, which make it one of the largest collections of animals in the UK. Rare and beautiful creatures can be seen in the Aquarium, Gorilla Kingdom, the Clore Rainforest Lookout, Penguin Pool, Butterfly Paradise and in the Blackburn Pavilion, the latter featuring over fifty species of birds sure to delight bird lovers. From taking the gorilla tracking trail and coming face-to-face with a whole host of animals at the Amphitheater to going on a journey high into the treetops to meet a variety of amazing rainforest species and learning more about the animals at the daily demonstrations, you will never get tired at London Zoo and of the many things it has on offer. Ready for adventure? Come visit this perfect-fun-filled family attraction and enjoy a wonderful time together with your children.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Another popular venue in London, St. Paul’s Cathedral embodies the spiritual life and heritage of the British people. It’s one of Europe’s largest cathedrals, built by Christopher Wren between the 17th-18th centuries, which dome is only exceeded in size by that of the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The fifth church dedicated to St. Paul, the patron saint of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral has gone through a £40 million program of cleaning and repair work for its 300th anniversary, transforming into a fabulous building with both an amazing exterior and interior. The impressive façade at the west side of the church consists of a large portico and pediment, the portico flanked by two towers which weren’t part of the original plan.
Madam Tussauds
Famous worldwide for housing the wax models of many celebrities, Madam Tussauds is the most talked about wax museum in the world. Boasting 14 exciting, interactive zones and the enticing Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, the museum combines glitz and glamour with incredible history. Visitors will find interesting galleries like Pirates of the Caribbean< World Leaders, Sports Stars, the Culture zone and the History of London, all with great offerings that will leave you breathless. Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, Bill Clinton, the British Royal family and more, much more… There is no other place where you can see all the celebrities at once so lively and beautiful.
