The capital city of England and the UK, London is one of the largest cities in Europe with a long history of legends, tales, ceremonies, royalty, vibrant culture, and rich architecture. The Romans founded the city and named it Londinium in 50 AD.
From the 5th century onwards it passed onto Saxon and Norman rule, becoming the seat of parliament. It was the centre of world trade during the Industrial Revolution and the Underground (the Tube) became the first electrical sub-terrain train in the world.
Explore the old history and new attractions in one of the most diverse and innovative cities.
A bird's eye view of Central London is the best way to begin your trip and discover everything London offers. The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames. Inside one of the glass pods, you can see as far as 25 miles away on a clear day. The ride lasts 30 minutes and you will have spectacular views of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the Shard, the Tower Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
The London Dungeon, inside the County Hall, is next to the London Eye. It is a thrilling immersive experience telling the true tales of the city's gruesome past, during a 90-minute tour led by theatrical actors such as Sweeney Todd, Mrs Lovett, and Jack the Ripper. Be prepared for horror and excitement with 16 live shows, jump scares, two rides, and a Victorian tavern from 1896.
An iconic sight in London is the Westminster Bridge, featured in poems, paintings, and scores of photos with Big Ben in the background. The bridge was opened on Queen Victoria's birthday in 1862 in Gothic design to match the architecture of the House of Commons nearby. It was painted green to match the seats in the House of Commons. Along Westminster Bridge are wonderful views of the river, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and London's skyline. Walk along the bridge to cross the River Thames and make your way to the Palace of Westminster.
Standing proudly on the banks of the River Thames at 316 feet tall, is the world-famous Big Ben. It is little known by its formal name Elizabeth Tower–named after Queen Elizabeth II for HRH's Diamond Jubilee in 2017. Originally, it was simply called the Clock Tower and its construction began in 1843 in Gothic Revival style following the Great Fire, which engulfed and destroyed the old clock tower. Big Ben is the name of the 13.5-tonne giant bell that chimes a beautiful E note on the hour. When the Great Clock was built, it was the most accurate time mechanism in the world. Today, there are 90-minute public tours inside Elizabeth Tower for those over 11 years old, hiking 334 steps, and clock noises so loud that you must wear earplugs.
Surrounding Big Ben is the Palace of Westminster, a grand Gothic-inspired series of parliamentary buildings designed by the Victorian architect Charles Barry. Westminster Hall, the Cloisters and Chapter House of St Stephen's, and the Undercroft Chapel were the only mediaeval structures to survive the Great Fire of 1666, so the new construction required architecture that would integrate seamlessly. Long ago during the Saxon period stood a church on the site of the Palace of Westminster. Since then it became a Benedictine abbey, a royal palace, and finally, in 1042, construction started on the old Westminster Abbey. There are self-guided and guided tours inside the impressive Houses of Parliament.
The Coronation of 40 British kings and queens has occurred in Westminster Abbey since William the Conqueror in 1066. The Abbey started as a church built by Edward the Confessor and later became an abbey in the 12th century. The Gothic architecture, cloisters, gigantic buttresses and columns, and elaborate stained-glass windows are stunning and its rich history has earned its protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ancient Coronation Chair, the grand Lady Chapel, the Pyx Chamber, the royal tombs, the Chapter House, the Quire, the Weston Tower, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. 90-minute guided tours are available for booking with a verger.
An original mediaeval tower dating back to 1360, Jewel Tower stored royal treasure, hence its fine name. It was built within the grounds of the Westminster Abbey royal gardens and once kept a trove of silver plate. Later, the Jewel Tower became an administration vault to store meeting minutes and other documents. When the new Palace of Westminster was constructed, the paper records were moved from Jewel Tower and its new function began as a place to test weights and measures. Take a tour inside to marvel at the ornate 14th-century ceilings and carvings.
The Tate Britain is a world-famous contemporary art gallery showcasing art pieces by British artists from the 16th century to today. It was established by Sir Henry Tate, a 19th-century sugar merchant who set up the Tate Britain gallery to display his collection of 65 paintings. Tate Britain opened in 1897 and has since expanded with a collection of 70,000 art pieces for the public to enjoy. The most well-known artworks include 'Ophelia' by John Everett Millais, 'A Bigger Splash' by David Hockney, 'Carnation Lily, Lily Rose' by John Singer Sargent, and 'Norham Castle Sunrise' by William Turner.
An 18-minute walk from Tate Britain brings you to red-bricked Westminster Cathedral. Characterised by the Byzantine style, with features inspired by the early Basilicas in Rome, the cathedral is young compared to Westminster Abbey. Its construction was completed in 1903. Inside is a skillfully painted 18-foot wooden cross depicting Jesus, which hangs in front of a sanctuary. The arch above the sanctuary is vivid turquoise blue-green with painted apostles and beautiful gold detailing. As you walk around the cathedral you will see over 100 varieties of marble from around the world, an intricate and colourful mosaic by the artist Ivor Davies, and treasures such as a 15th-century statue and a decorated alter cross.
Organisers of royal road transport, The Royal Mews are responsible for carrying the British monarchy by car and horse-drawn carriage. It is also the name of Buckingham Palace's royal stables under their care, which were built in 1534 by King Henry VIII and rebuilt in 1825 under King George IV. Visitors can tour the working stables and special carriages including the two-centuries-old Gold Stage Coach.
Close to the Royal Mews is the King's Gallery, a collection of portraits, photographs, and paintings of the royal family members over the years. The King's Gallery was once a conservatory for King George III but this was demolished and a chapel was built in its place by Queen Victoria. During the Blitz, the chapel was destroyed and forty years later, it became the site of the Queen's Gallery, which opened in 1962. Its name changed after the coronation of King Charles III. There are changing exhibitions including Holbein at the Tudor Court and Dressing the Georgians. They feature royal gowns, ornaments, furniture, royal armour, sketches, drawings, and short lectures about the pieces. A complimentary audio guide narrates interesting information about each item on display.
The most famous and iconic building in all of London is the official royal residence of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace. It is named after one of the previous tenants before it became a royal home. In 1698 it was the house of John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham. Later in 1762, Buckingham House was bought by King George III for his wife Queen Charlotte. By the 19th century, Buckingham House was transformed into a palace with grand extensions and remodelling. Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace to see the signature men in red uniforms and tall fluffy black hats called bearskin caps. During the summer and select days in winter, tours are bookable for the public to visit the decadent palace state rooms and walk through the gardens.
The descendants of Diana Princess of Wales first developed the Spencer House between 1756 and 1766. The First Lord and Lady Spencer made it their city residence where they hosted parties, and dinners, entertaining royalty, artists, and politicians. However, in 1927 the Spencers moved out, leasing it out for commercial use, even becoming offices, for 50 years. A careful 10-year renovation project was completed in 1990, restoring the house to its former Georgian glory. In 1991 it was officially opened by the Princess of Wales. Today, visitors can book a guided tour of the eight grandly-furnished State Rooms.
Another working royal palace is just a few minutes walk from Buckingham Palace. St. James's Palace was built on top of a leper hospital and became the headquarters of the royal court. Today it is used for ceremonies such as royal christenings and baptisms, charity parties, official meetings, and receptions for visiting heads of state. The red-brick palace was built in the 1530s by King Henry VIII. Much of the original structure survives today, especially in the chapel and turrets. You will see the royal guards in a long blue jacket uniform and the eye-catching bearskin cap. On a few select days of the year, there are private tours of the State Rooms. You can also see the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Turn out of St. James's Palace to walk along The Mall (pronounced "mal"), a long and wide boulevard that leads directly from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. Stopping halfway, you will see a fantastic view of Buckingham Palace framed by the two avenues of trees and Union Jack flags on either side of The Mall. It was designed for King Charles II in 1660 at his request for a grand processional centrepiece for St. James's Park in honour of Queen Victoria. Recently, it has been used for royal processions and ceremonies including weddings, funerals, and Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee. Discover 5,000 acres of royal parkland surrounding The Mall and St. James's Park Lake.
A large plaza named after the Battle of Trafalgar, this public paved square features a gigantic 185-foot Nelson's Column in its centre, a 17-foot statue of Lord Nelson, and two fountains. Trafalgar Square was built in the early 19th century on the site of the old Royal Mews to commemorate the triumph of Lord Horatio Nelson, a British naval commander who died in action at the Cape of Trafalgar in Spain leading Britain to victory against Napoleonic France. Nelson's Column is topped with a bronze sculpture made from the melted cannon of an 18th-century British warship shipwreck.
Facing Trafalgar Square is an art museum, the National Gallery, founded in 1824. The first collection of 38 paintings hung in the home of John Julius Angerstein, who owned the paintings, and he granted the public access to view them. In 1838 a new building opened to become the National Gallery after humiliation in the press regarding Angerstein's home compared to the gallery of the Louvre. A central location was chosen at Trafalgar Square so that people of all classes could visit the paintings, committing to a free entrance policy. There are now 2,300 works of art from the 13th to the 19th centuries including 'Sunflowers' by Vincent Van Gogh and 'Motherhood' by Pablo Picasso.
Home to the biggest collection of portraits in the world, the National Portrait Gallery owns a collection of 220,000 paintings, photos, and artworks of people from the 8th century to the 21st century. The Gallery was conceived in 1846 by the 5th Earl Stanhope, Thomas Babington Macaulay and Thomas Carlyle. The idea was to create a place to display portraits of those most honourably commemorated in British history, particularly heroes of war, politicians, and national leaders. It was founded in 1856 as the British Historical Portrait Gallery with a portrait of Shakespeare as its first work. The building was used as a refuge during the bombings of WWI and was damaged in WWII. Finally, in 1969, the Gallery permitted the display of portraits of living persons including Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Museum is the first museum dedicated to all areas of human knowledge. Over eight million permanent items are on display, the largest in the world, discovered and brought back to the museum due to the far-reaching expansion of the British Empire. The museum first opened in 1759 in Montagu House, a 17th-century mansion. By 1823 the mansion was too small for the collection, so it was demolished and the present building in Greek Revival style seen today was built. There are 60 galleries each specialising in a different corner of the world. The most famous pieces include the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummy of Ramses II, and Sutton Hoo, an intact Anglo-Saxon ship found in East Anglia.
Along Cheapside is the Anglican Cathedral of St. Paul with its striking silhouette against the London skyline. The cathedral was founded in 604 AD, however, it became victim to the Great Fire of London in 1666. Christopher Wren was commissioned to build the new St. Paul's in 1668. Historical events have happened here including the execution of the Gunpowder Plotters in 1606, Winston Churchill's funeral, and the royal wedding of Lady Diana Spencer with Prince Charles of Wales. St. Paul's Cathedral is 140 feet taller than Westminster Abbey at 365 feet. Dare to climb to the top as part of a guided tour, which takes 528 steps into the Triforium, past rare texts in the library, and the Trophy Room. Other tours take you around the cathedral floor, the crypt, the Geometric Staircase, and the Quire. Several impressive artworks are worth admiration such as paintings by William Holman Hunt and Hughie O'Donoghue.
The Bank of England Museum sits on top of one of the world's largest stores of gold. In fact, there are 400,000 gold bars in the underground vaults. Find out what this gold is for by touring the museum. The exhibitions tell the story of the Bank of England, how money is made, and how to prevent forgeries of bank notes. In the centre is the Stock Office, a recreation of how the inside of the bank would have looked in the 19th century.
With a history dating back to the 14th century, Leadenhall Market is a Grade II-listed covered market by the renowned architect Sir Horace Jones. The Victorian structure was constructed in 1881 with an ornate stone entrance, cobbled stone floor, wrought iron framing, and glass panels. Beautifully decorated inside, there are shop fronts and columns pained in red and gold, and triangular lanterns hanging from the high ceiling. It is a bustling place to socialise in sophisticated bars and restaurants and shop in the many boutiques.
Set on the north bank of the River Thames is the foreboding Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history that begins with William the Conqueror. More like a castle, the tower was built in 1070 in anticipation of a rebellion following William the Conqueror's victory in England. The stone and masons came from France. Medieavel kings expanded the tower with additional castle walls, known as curtains. It is a unique fortress defence with a castle, a prison, and a chapel. Since 1485 by the order of King Henry VII, Yeoman Watchers, also known as Beefeaters, have guarded the tower and the crown jewels on public display. Watch them perform the Ceremony of the Keys to open and lock the tower daily. Intriguingly, a ravenmaster takes care of six resident ravens at the tower, to protect the long-held superstition that if the six ravens leave the tower then London will fall. Discover the many legends and tales about the Tower of London by attending a guided tour full of the tower's secrets, ghost stories, and rich history.
Close to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge, a much younger addition to London's architecture, yet one of the most iconic and recognisable sights worldwide. The bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones and opened in 1894 after eight years of construction. It was the most sophisticated bascule bridge – one with a road that splits to allow large ships to pass – that existed when it was completed. Two enormous, elaborate Victorian towers soar on either end, connected by a high-level walkway. The walkway allows safe pedestrian passage overhead while the bridge is raised and in 2014, glass floor panels were installed for a magnificent view below. Visitors can also learn about the cats who worked in the tower as mouse control and see the engine room that powers the bridge.
For some tranquillity in the middle of the city, St. Katharine's Docks is a calm oasis on the east side of Tower Bridge, and the only marina in central London. The docks were opened in 1828 and took its name from the St. Katharine's Hospital that once resided on the site. Exotic goods such as rum, sugar, spices, and ivory arrived in the UK through St. Katharine's Docks, once the busiest docks in the country, and a healthy supply of tea – 32,000 tonnes per year. As with a lot of central London, the docks were heavily damaged during the Blitz and redevelopment began in the 1960s. Since the 1990s, St. Katharine's Docks has been a haven for sailors with 185 berths for vessels. Several reputable restaurants serving worldwide cuisine, cafes, retail outlets, and laundry facilities are onsite for those with or without a boat in the marina.
The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is better known as the V&A. It houses 2.3 million art and design objects across 5,000 years of human history. The museum building is a piece of magnificent Italian Renaissance architecture, purposefully designed so every inch should be a work of art. Prince Albert had the idea for the V&A. He wanted a museum to showcase the best examples of manufacturing and design with its profits funding a cultural district in South Kensington. He hoped this would improve Britain's arts and sciences education, inspire the public, and push Britain's manufacturing innovation to compete with the international market. The galleries showcase paintings, photographs, prints, metalwork, furniture, sculptures, and designer fashion.
Walk next door to the V&A to reach the Natural History Museum. Alfred Waterhouse was commissioned to design the museum in 1873 to look just like a cathedral complete with soaring stained glass windows and animal gargoyles. The Victorian Romanesque revival style adopted for the museum is both spectacular and unexpected. The idea behind a cathedral dedicated to nature was born by Sir Richard Owen, a world-famous naturalist and opposer of Darwin's theory of evolution. The entire structure is crafted from terracotta – an innovative solution to London's smog problem, which turned buildings black in the Victorian period. Marvel at a gigantic blue whale skeleton hanging overhead, a dinosaur gallery with real dinosaur bones from all over the world, preserved mammals, an exhibition of minerals, the skulls of lions that used to live at the Tower of London in the Middle Ages, and an interactive earthquake and volcano experience.
Kensington Palace is the official royal residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. Originally, the palace was a small villa called Nottingham House in the 17th century. King William III and Queen Mary II embellished, elaborated, and extended the property to be worthy of royal occupants following the architectural plans of Sir Christopher Wren. Most famously, Kensington Palace is the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria. The oldest interior part of the palace is open for public tours, away from where the current royal relatives live in apartments. A guide will take you through the State Rooms, the room where Queen Victoria was born, the Jewel Room, and the King and Queen's State Apartments. There is also a shop and a restaurant in the Orangery.
The gardens beside Kensington Palace were once private pleasure grounds for royalty and their guests. They were the creation of Queen Caroline in 1728 on what was once King Henry VIII's hunting parkland. Caroline had the parkland landscaped and refined with formal gardens and instructed the installation of Serpentine Lake. Access for the public to enjoy the green space began in 1841 when they were open only on Saturdays. In the gardens, you will find the Prince Albert memorial set up by Queen Victoria after his premature death, Queen Victoria's Italian Garden gifted to her by Albert, the Sunken Garden, a sculpture of the late Princess Diana, and a bronze sculpture of Peter Pan, in honour of the inspiration J.M. Barrie took from the gardens for his stories.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is the first museum in the world dedicated to the literary character, Detective Sherlock Holmes. Fittingly, the museum's address is at a Georgian house on 221B Baker Street, Sherlock and Dr. Watson's office address in the much-loved fictional books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Actors in period costumes play the housemaids and butlers to guide visitors around the museum, decorated with authentic Victorian furniture and curiosities. Stand inside Sherlock's study and bedroom, Dr Watson's room, the landlady Mrs Hudson's room, and villain waxworks on the top floor. It's truly a treat for any Sherlock Holmes fan.
410 acres of lawns, pristine flowerbeds, a wetland area, a boating lake, Queen Mary's Gardens, sports facilities, a pavilion, a goose grazing pen, and woodland paths make up The Regent's Park. It is one of the royal parks that was previously reserved only for royal use but is now open for all to enjoy. For a long time until the 16th century, it was the site of a monastery called Barking Abbey before King Henry VIII took it to extend his hunting park. The park is named after Prince Regent, otherwise known as King George IV who reigned from the mid-18th to the 19th centuries.
The area of Camden Town was once dedicated to the production of gin. Distilleries were built in underground vaults in the 1870s and the Roundhouse was once a bonded spirits warehouse. Clues such as the street name Juniper Crescent and Gilbey's Yard (one of the first gin distillers in Camden) leave behind the gin story. Today, the gin industry has been forgotten since it came to a stop and the music and arts scene replaced it in the 1970s. Camden Market is one of the largest markets in London and is famed for its 1,000 shops and stalls selling arts and crafts, vintage fashion, paintings, imported cigars, vinyl records, hats, and delicious food and drink.
Primrose Hill once belonged to King Henry VIII and then Eton College. It was purchased in 1841 to allow North Londoners better access to parkland and enjoy open-air recreation. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was a place where duels were fought and men attempted to settle a point of honour using swords or pistols. Primrose Hill is 63 metres high and one of the protected viewpoints in London under the care of Royal Parks. There is a famous oak tree on the slope known as Shakespeare's Tree, planted in 1964 to commemorate Shakespeare's birth. It replaced a tree planted in 1864, dedicated to Shakespeare, but died after many years. Aside from the glorious scenery, there is the Primrose Hill Cafe and children's playground.
A grand expanse of ancient parkland, Hampstead Heath covers 800 acres of meadows, woodland, grassy fields, sandy ridges, swimming ponds, and sports facilities. As with all the parks in London, Hampstead Heath was once part of King Henry VIII's hunting grounds. By the 1800s it was popular with London folk to walk and take in nature away from the dirt and smog in the city. In 1871 it became a public space after many years of effort to protect it from building work as planned by its private estate owner, Lord of the Manor Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson. Once it was secured as a protected space for public enjoyment, Hampstead Heath was promised not to be made prim and formal like its landscaped cousins such as Greenwich Park. Instead, it is noted for its wild appeal. During the world wars, the Heath was used for army training and drills, and the sand was used for sandbags. Today, there are men's and women's swimming ponds, views to take in at the summit of Parliament Hill, the Hampstead Pergola, an open-air swimming pool, the 17th-century Kenwood House, and several museums.
The Tate Modern was opened in 2000 and showcases some of the most influential and notable modern art pieces to shape the contemporary art scene. There are free 45-minute guided tours explaining the 1,500 sculptures, paintings, and artworks by famous modern artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol. The museum was once an oil-fired power station operating from the 1940s for three decades, now transformed into an impressive piece of architecture. The colossal rooms that housed gigantic generators, turbines, and underground tanks became the perfect space for experimental art and exhibitions.
Watch live performances written by Shakespeare and other playwrights such as Ben Johnson and John Fletcher at an open-air circular theatre called The Globe. It is the third Globe in London after the original, built in 1599 and destroyed by a fire that broke out on the thatched roof. The second Globe was shut down by the parliament in 1642. The current Globe was opened in 1997 after years of campaigning. It is built as close to the original used by Shakespeare and his company in the Middle Ages with oak beams, lime-plaster walls, a thatched roof, and a 20-sided polygon structure.
Discover the haunting Clink Prison Museum on the Old Bankside with a creepy history as one of England's oldest and infamous jailhouses. Holding unfortunate prisoners from 1144 until 1780, the prison had a gruesome reputation for torturing and hanging prisoners for all manner of sins and transgressions including unpaid debts, assault, trespassing, and publishing the Bible. The old prison was burned to the ground in the 18th century, but the modern-day museum stands on its original site. There are guided tours, ghost hunting, torture devices, wax inmates, and terrifying exhibits.
What stands in its grandeur besides the Guildhall Great Hall is the second Guildhall Art Gallery with fine semi-Gothic architecture. The first Guildhall Art Gallery was opened in 1885 but was almost entirely destroyed in the Blitz bombing during WWII. Eventually, a second gallery was commissioned to permanently display the London-themed 19th-century paintings, watercolours, and sculptures saved from the bombings. It was carefully designed to complement the surrounding beautiful buildings and opened in 1999. The ruins of a Roman amphitheatre were discovered during construction. Explore the Roman ruins and 4,500 artworks at your leisure or join a free guided tour.
The third-largest civil hall in England dates back to 1411, miraculously surviving the Great Fire of London and the Blitz bombings. It is the only non-religious building in London that predates 1666. Admire the grand workmanship inside the Great Hall, with cathedral-like features such as exceptionally high ceilings, stained glass windows, and a medieval crypt. It is the meeting place for the City of London Corporation, the governing body that oversees the City of London borough, and the Court of the Common Council. Find out interesting facts about the history of the Guildhall by booking one of their monthly guided tours.
Visit the first shopping centre opened in the UK in 1571. Today, the Royal Exchange is the go-to shopping destination for luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Omega, and Hermés, as well as boutique restaurants and cafes. The Royal Exchange was created by Sir Thomas Gresham in the 16th century as a trading stocks centre. To maximise income, Sir Thomas created two floors above the stock exchange for retail businesses. The Pantheon-style building you see standing is the third Royal Exchange opened in 1844, as sadly the first two were destroyed by fire. Trading stocks in the building last occurred in the 1980s, but after a remodelling project, it was completely dedicated to designer retailers and eateries.
Stop by Horizon 22 for unbeatable views of central London. It is a free observation point on the 23rd floor of the tallest building in London – 22 Bishopsgate. Some tickets include a glass of Champagne if you would like to make the occasion extra special. The viewing platform boasts 300-degree unspoiled views over Canary Wharf, the London Eye, Battersea Power Station, and the River Thames.
A gigantic white stone pillar called the Monument looms between the buildings on Fish Street Hill. It was impressively put together in 1677 by the design of Sir Christopher Wren and Dr Robert Hooke to commemorate the Great Fire of London 11 years prior. The Great Fire of 1666 first broke out in a bakery close to where the Monument now lies. More than 80% of London was burned to the ground over four days of unstoppable flames. These were the days before a fire brigade existed and London's buildings were made of timber and plaster. Following the fire, buildings were reconstructed in stone and the roads were widened. A secret of the 212-foot Monument is the spiral staircase of 311 steps hidden within its walls. At the top is a viewing platform to take in the city below.
Those of a brave and adventurous spirit will love the exhilarating climb 52 metres up to the top of the O2 Arena. A world-famous live music and entertainment venue in Greenwich beside the River Thames was originally built as the Millennium Dome in 2000. It offered exhibitions and events to celebrate the third millennium. Choose from several climbing tickets such as an afternoon tea climb to enjoy sandwiches and cakes at the summit, a sunset climb to marvel at the orange sky, and a celebration climb to sip Champagne at the top of the dome.
Avid tea drinkers, boating fans, and history enthusiasts are the perfect audience for the Cutty Sark. On display in Greenwich, the 212-foot-long Cutty Sark is a Victorian clipper tea ship built for impressive speed while ferrying a heavy cargo of precious tea from China to the UK. Under the care of Royal Museums Greenwich, the famous ship was repaired and is regularly maintained as a piece of history to cherish. All areas below deck, at the helm, beneath the ship's hull, and even climbing the 153-foot mast and rigging are open to the public. The Cutty Sark was built in Scotland in 1869 and had a Scottish crew and captain who journeyed from London to Shanghai on its first long voyage. The ship spent 10 years carrying tea until the steamboats took over this mission. From 1877 onwards, the Cutty Sark carried Australian wool before the ship was sold to Portugal and finally made its way back home to London.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Royal Navy College was once a Tudor palace and the birthplace of King Henry VIII. 600 years ago, the site started as both a Royal Hospital and Royal Navy College known as Greenwich Palace beside the River Thames. Esteemed architect Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a Royal Hospital for Seamen who served in the Royal Navy by order of Queen Mary II in 1696. Retired and injured sailors who suffered a very low income were allowed to live in the hospital, which served as an almshouse providing lodgings, food, and work as porters or cook's mates. From 1873 until 1997 the site stopped serving as an almshouse and became the best naval college in Europe. While visiting the college, take a tour of the Chapel and its Painted Hall with artwork by Sir James Thornhill, explore inside the rafters of the Chapel dome and take in the magnificent London views, and watch the Sea Cadets National Band.
Another fascinating historic site under the care of the Royal Museums Greenwich is the National Maritime Museum. It is the largest museum of maritime history and art, particularly focused on the British at sea, as well as permanent exhibitions about the Titanic and sailing the Arctic and the Pacific Islands. There are over two million maritime artefacts such as artwork from British and Dutch painters, ship models, navigational instruments, maps, manuscripts, real Fiji canoes, and Nelson's jacket from the Battle of Trafalgar. Don't miss out on a guided tour and gallery talks to bring the history to life. A library with over 100,000 books uncovers the events that happened during the Royal Navy, shipwrecks, pirate encounters, and the world wars.
If you wondered why the Old Royal Navy College is split into two buildings with a wide avenue between them, it is because of the Queen's House just behind. The Queen's House was given to Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James I, in 1613 as a house of delights. Later, when the building of the Old Royal Navy College was being planned by Sir Christopher Wren, Queen Mary II instructed that it should not obstruct the Queen's House view of the River Thames. The Queen's House was used as a pleasure ground and inside there are beautiful artworks, sculptures, and paintings. It was used as a royal residence, a Government office, an artist's studio, a temporary Royal Observatory, and the home of the Royal Jeweller. The white villa is now a museum open for all to admire a world-class art collection and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the Royal Parks of London is Greenwich Park, once the private parkland owned and used by British royalty. King Henry VIII was fond of Greenwich Park as one of his hunting grounds and eventually in the 19th century, Greenwich Park was opened to the public along with all the other royal parks in London. Notice Greenwich Park's 17th-century landscaping designed by André Le Nôtre, covering 183 acres, featuring a central tree-lined avenue and sweeping, unobstructed views all the way to the Queen's House, the Old Royal Navy College, and the River Thames. The parkland feels like a countryside escape from the city. In the northeast corner of Greenwich Park is a high hill with a splendid vista point named One Tree Hill. In the southeast corner is the Wilderness Deer Park, London's oldest deer park with red deer as residents since the 1500s. Greenwich Park boasts a beautiful Edwardian flower garden, a 400-metre herbaceous border, a rose garden, a herb garden, and the Queen's Orchard. From Easter until October, there are boats to hire on the Boating Pond.
In 1674, King Charles II ordered a Royal Commission to study astronomy, navigation, and cartography to solve the problem of how to measure longitude. Britain's Royal Navy and exploration of the unknown world by sea were going strong, and the Royal Observatory would help to expand sea navigation further, as advised by Sir Christopher Wren, also known as "Britain's Leonardo De Vinci." Sir Christopher designed the Observatory, which was opened in 1676 on the site of the old Greenwich Castle. It was used for 300 years to plot the stars and develop accurate clocks. The Royal Observatory moved location to Herstmonceaux Castle after WWII and the Greenwich site became a public museum. At the Greenwich Observatory, you can see the Prime Meridian at Longitude 0° 0' 0'', where the East meets the West, state-of-the-art galleries, and the only Planetarium in London.
While in London, why not try the Monopoly game but bigger and against other teams? The official Monopoly Lifesized experience lets you complete escape room challenges, buy houses, pass 'Go,' and find yourself in jail. There are four boards to choose from – Luxury, Classic, Classic Own It All, and City. Actors lead you around the game and help you have a memorable time inside the board game. Dine in the Top Hat Bar and Restaurant to finish your Monopoly adventure.
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