“If you are tired of London, then you are tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford.”
That is part of a quote from Samuel Johnson, and never a truer word has been said.
I love London, but I don’t love its crowds. She has so much to offer in attractions and history, and I found that at dawn London is at its most beautiful and serene.
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If you plan on travelling around the UK, the best way to get around is by car. You get to see more, and you will find hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need A Car?
If you want to book a car, you can use one of these rental websites: EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars or Expedia.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites: Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day of exploring.
Want to try the Big Bus Tour?
Don’t have time to see all the attractions London has to offer? Try a Big Bus Tour and see all of London’s top attractions from the top of a double-decker bus with audio commentary.
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Contents
- 1 London Dawn
- 2 St. Paul’s Cathedral
- 3 The Tower of London & Tower Bridge
- 4 Regent’s Park and London Zoo
- 5 The Globe Theatre
- 6 Leadenhall Market
- 7 Handel and Hendrix Flats
- 8 St. James’ Park
- 9 Buckingham Palace
- 10 Royal Mews
- 11 The Queen’s Gallery
- 12 Westminster Abbey
- 13 Parliament Square
- 14 London Eye, London Dungeon, SeaLife London Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure and Madame Tussaud’s
- 15 Hyde Park and Kensington Palace
- 16 Museums and Art Galleries
- 17 Outside of London
- 18 Links
- 19 Travel Resources
- 20 Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
London Dawn
I love walking the walkways next to the Thames. With so many attractions and photographic opportunities along the banks, dawn is the best time to be here.










Dawn is not only the best time to escape the crowds, but when the colours of the morning shine brightest, you see the real heart of London.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
One of the most iconic buildings in London is St Paul’s Cathedral.
You visit not only the Cathedral floor but also the Crypt and the upper floors of the Whispering Gallery, which is 257 steps up, the Stone Gallery, which is 376 steps up, and the top of the Dome at the Golden Gallery, which is 528 steps up.




The Tower of London & Tower Bridge
A fortress, a palace, and a prison are what the Tower has been over the years, but that is only the beginning of the tales that have come out of this attraction.
A guided tour is a must; you’ll have a Yeoman Warder tell you history and stories from the past. The tours are regular, but the crowds are big, so try to keep as close to the front to hear what they’re saying.


Take a walk or a cruise along the River Thames. Hopefully, you’ll see the bridge raised at Tower Bridge, too, as I did on the cruise.

Even our tour guide on the cruise hadn’t seen Tower Bridge open.


Regent’s Park and London Zoo
London has many great parks, and Regent’s Park is no exception.
Enjoy the Japanese Gardens with a waterfall, sweet-smelling roses, and places to relax and watch the squirrels.




Enjoy a day at the zoo, London Zoo. Walk through Regent’s Park before heading into the zoo and seeing all the animals from around the world.













The Globe Theatre
Beside the Thames is Shakespeare’s Globe. Take a tour through this working theatre to learn all about Shakespeare’s day and how the theatre is still used today.


You can even take in a Shakespearean play more comfortably than 500 years ago.

Leadenhall Market
Shopping, dining and drinking are popular in this undercover market spot in the heart of London.
There had been a market here since 1321, and it was the site of a Roman forum during Roman times.
The current buildings date back to 1881, replacing the stone from the 15th century.
Even if you don’t want to visit any of the above, it’s the place to see a colourful and vibrant architectural masterpiece.


Handel and Hendrix Flats
These two names will ring a bell if you’re a music lover.
Although centuries apart, George Handel and Jimi Hendrix lived on different floors of this building, which has been preserved with memorabilia for you to enjoy today.



St. James’ Park
St. James’ Park is my favourite park for squirrels alone.
London is such a big, vibrant, busy city, but I love the parks the most, as there is so much wildlife in the heart of the city.




St James’ Park is in front of Buckingham Palace, and along with the lakes, it makes for beautiful photos, especially during the changing seasons.
Buckingham Palace
Whether you stand at the gate, venture inside or watch the Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace is A sight to behold at the top of Pall Mall.


Try to get in early to see the Changing of the Guard, as it gets a bit crowded.

Royal Mews
Home to the horses, carriages, and cars of the Royal Family, the Royal Mews is the place to see how transportation has changed over the centuries.

The Queen’s Gallery
The Queen’s Gallery is the place to see the great works of art in the Royal Family’s collection.


You never see the same pieces twice, as they rotate, giving you a chance to return time and time again.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is known for its weddings, funerals and coronations of the Royal Family.

See the burial sites of over 3000 royals, scientists, poets, and more in this huge monastery.

Parliament Square
The statues of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, leader of the constitutional women’s suffrage movement, and Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister, are two of the 12 notable politicians and individuals dotted around this square.


London Eye, London Dungeon, SeaLife London Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure and Madame Tussaud’s
Across Westminster Bridge are the London Eye, London Dungeon, SeaLife London Aquarium and Shrek’s Adventure.
See the celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s, take an adventure ride looking for Shrek, explore the underwater world of the London Aquarium, and take a long turn around the London Eye.
All attractions are fantastic for kids and kids at heart.
Using the pass is a great way to see all these attractions at one low price.
These attractions and Madame Tussaud’s are part of the Merlin London Big Adventure Pass. You can read more about these attractions on my blog by clicking the link here.



Hyde Park and Kensington Palace
Another huge park in London is Hyde Park, which is 142 hectares.
Stretching from behind Buckingham Palace to Kensington Palace, it is home to The Serpentine Lake, Princess Diana memorials and many walkways crisscrossing the park.
Kensington Palace is open for you to explore on a guided tour that will take you through its history over the centuries.


By taking a tour, you learn about the history of Kensington Palace and its inhabitants. If you like history or the Royals, it’s a must-do on your list.
Museums and Art Galleries
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square is home to the National Gallery, a beautiful building filled with fantastic art and great architecture.

You’ll find it all under the roof, whether you love the Renaissance, Jan van Eyck, Johannes Vermeer, J. M. W. Turner, John Constable or Van Gogh.
Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum is small but important, just behind St. Thomas’ Hospital. It tells the story of Florence Nightingale and how she changed modern nursing, especially combat nursing.
You could spend a few hours here learning all about her life and the work she devoted it to.

Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum has an extensive collection related to the wars that the UK has been involved in.


This museum has exhibitions and memorabilia on its six floors, and it will take a few hours to see them all. It also includes a very moving and intense exhibition on the Holocaust, which will take about 90 minutes to go around.
War Cabinet Rooms
Another trip back in time is Churchill’s War Cabinet Rooms.
Located off St. James’ Park, this museum/time capsule of history takes you into the bunker where Churchill lived and conducted his work during WW2.

It’s an interesting look into not only his life but what it would have been like to live underground while bombs were coming down above you.
National History Museum
If you love history, you will love the National History Museum.
The National History Museum is in a big, beautiful building. Inside, you will see our past, present, and future, as well as a detailed history of dinosaurs, including their skeletons and imaginations.



It is also very interactive and educational for kids and adults alike.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is an art gallery with a good view over London and the Thames.

Art is from the early 1900s to today, and although it is free, some special exhibitions require payment.
Outside of London
Kew Gardens
Take the District line out of Richmond for Kew Gardens, just a short walk from the railway station.
There are extensive gardens of all types to explore, including a treetops walk and hothouses.



This is a beautiful park where you can spend the day relaxing in nature or taking a walk under the canopy 18m high.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is home to insects and flora. It is diverse and protected, and it is an important habitat for all the wildlife it contains.
Squirrels, deer, stags, rabbits, and many smaller mammals and birds are here to see as you walk or drive through the parklands.



Cafes and large parking areas are great bases from which to start.
Hampton Court and Bushy Park
Hampton Court Palace is about a 50-minute drive out of London.
There is not only Henry the Eighth’s Palace and grounds to explore, but also Bushy Park, with its resident deer and lots of walks to enjoy.


Runnymede and Windsor are also not far away for you to explore.
I hope you have enjoyed viewing London through my Nikon and exploring my other blogs on the area. Hopefully, one day, you can visit and have your own experiences.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art. If you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
- Car Hire—Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels..
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
- Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
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