“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 are travelling around the United Kingdom, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need A Car?
If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, or RentalCars.
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.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.
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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.
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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 257 steps up the Stone Gallery, 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, and 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 Thames River. Hopefully, you’ll get to 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.
Regents Park and London Zoo
There are so many great parks in London, and Regents Park is no exception.
Enjoy the Japanese Gardens, complete with a waterfall, sweet-smelling roses, and places to relax and watch the squirrels.
Enjoy a day at the zoo, London Zoo. Take a walk through Regents 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 a bit 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 ever since 1321, and 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 visit to see a colourful and vibrant architectural masterpiece.
Handel and Hendrix Flats
If you’re a music lover, then these two names will ring a bell.
Although centuries apart, George Handel and Jimi Hendrix lived on different floors of this building, and it’s 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 it’s the parks that I love 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, makes for beautiful photos, especially with the changing seasons.
Buckingham Palace
Whether you just 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 and get in early to see the Changing of the Guard as it does get a bit crowded.
Royal Mews
Home to the horses, carriages and cars of the Royal Family, the Royal Mews is the place to come to see how transportation has changed over the centuries.
The Queen’s Gallery
The Queen’s Gallery is the place to come and see the great works of art from the Royal Family’s collection.
You never see the same pieces twice, as they are on a rotating basis giving you a chance to come back 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 Abbey.
Parliament Square
The statues of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, leader of the constitutional women’s suffrage movement, and Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister, are two out of the 12 notable politicians and individuals that are 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 Shreks’ Adventure.
See the celebrities in Madame Tussaud’s, take an adventure ride looking for Shrek, take in 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 along with Madame Tussaud’s are part of the Merlin London Big Adventure Pass. You can read more about these attractions on my blog by clicking on the link here.
Hyde Park and Kensington Palace
Another huge park in London is Hyde Park at 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 via a guided tour that takes 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 not only fantastic art but great architecture.
Whether you’re a lover of Renaissance, Jan van Eyck, Johannes Vermeer, J. M. W. Turner, John Constable or Van Gogh, you’ll find it all under the roof.
Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum is a small but important museum just behind St. Thomas’ Hospital. It tells the life of Florence Nightingale and how she changed modern nursing, especially how she shaped combat nursing into what it is today.
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 showing of all things related to the wars that the UK has been a part of.
There are exhibitions and memorabilia lining the six floors of this museum, and it will take a few hours out of your day to see it 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, this time in 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 imaginings.
It is also very interactive and educational for kids and adults alike.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is not only an art gallery but also has a good view over London and the Thames.
Art is from the early 1900s to today, and although it is free, there are some special exhibitions you will have to pay for.
Outside of London
Kew Gardens
Take the District line out of Richmond for Kew Gardens, which is just a short walk from the railway station.
There is extensive gardens of all types to explore, including treetops walk and hothouses.
This is a beautiful park to spend the day and relax amongst nature or talk a walk amongst the canopy 18m high.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is home to insects and flora. It is diverse and has a protected status on it, as it’s an important habitat for all wildlife it contains.
Squirrels, deer, stags, rabbits and stags, as well as many smaller mammals and birds, are here for you to see as you walk or drive through the parklands.
Cafes and large parking areas are great bases for you to start from.
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 Bushy Park as well with its resident deer and lots of walks to enjoy.
Runnymede and Windsor and also not far away for you to explore.
I hope that you have enjoyed viewing London through my Nikon and have explored 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, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 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 train travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured 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 has house sits all around the world for you to try.
- 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 is the world’s first eSIM store that 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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