The Albert Memorial, located north of the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Gardens, London, was constructed in honor of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s dear husband, who passed away in 1861. Sir George Gilbert Scott designed the ornate pavilion, which stands at a height of 176 feet (54 m) and resembles a Gothic ciborium over the high altar of a church. Inside the pavilion, there is a south-facing statue of Prince Albert. It took more than ten years to construct and was funded by public subscription, costing £120,000 (roughly £10 million in 2010). The Queen inaugurated the memorial in July 1872, and the statue of Albert was ceremonially “seated” in 1876, and it was classified as Grade I in 1970.
All Hallows-by-the-Tower is a historic Anglican church located on Byward Street in the City of London, England. It was dedicated to All Hallows (All Saints) and the Virgin Mary and was sometimes called All Hallows Barking. According various sources, it is believed to be the oldest church in the City of London, founded in AD 675. However, recent research has cast doubt on this claim. Despite surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church suffered significant damage during the Blitz in World War II. It underwent extensive reconstruction and was rededicated in 1957. The church served as the guild church of Toc H, an international Christian organization founded by Tubby Clayton, who served as the church’s vicar from 1922 to 1962.
The imposing Gothic abbey, a former Benedictine monastery, towers high above the Roman baths and the street below. Osric, King of the Hwicee, founded the parish in 675, and new churches were erected in the 12th century under John of Tours and during the 16th century. One of the building’s most unique features is the ladder of angels located on the west front. According to one account, Bishop of Bath Oliver King designed the ladder based on a dream he had about ascending and descending angels.
The British Museum is home to one of the most significant collections of artifacts related to human history, art and culture, including the Rosetta Stone. The museum is home to more than 100,000 objects from the Classical world, making it one of the most comprehensive collections of antiquities from that era. It was established in 1753 and primarily based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum, located in the Bloomsbury section of London, first opened on Jan. 15, 1759. More than 5.8 million people visit the museum annually, making it the most visited museum in England.
To run the government and military during World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill needed a place safe from German bombing raids. He found that place in a sprawling underground complex today known as the Churchill War Rooms. The complex was operational starting Aug. 27, 1939, a week before Great Britain declared war on Germany. The museum complex offers an incredible, one-of-a-kind look at Winston Churchill and England’s approach to World War II. The complex is home to meeting rooms, bedrooms and map rooms, where the war’s progress was plotted and monitored.
The British clipper Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line as one of the last tea clippers. The vessel was built at the end of a long design development period, which halted as sailing ships gave way to steam propulsion. The Cutty Sark spent just a few years on the tea trade before turning to the wool trade yo and from Australia and held the record time to Britain. In 1895, the Portuguese company Ferreira and Co. purchased the vessel and renamed it Ferreira. It worked as a cargo ship until in 1922 when retired sea captain Wilfred Dowman purchased it.
Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote the dictionary. Literally. Between 1748 and 1759, Johnson paid a £30 rent, and while living in the house compiled his seminal work, A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755 and heralded as “one of the greatest single achievements of scholarship.” Wool merchant Richard Gough built the house during the latter half of the 17th century, and after Johnson moved out, the building was used for a number of purposes. The edifice was damaged during World War II, damage that can still be seen today.
The Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Belfast was commissioned on Aug. 5, 1939, and built by Harland and Wolff shipyard in its namesake city of Belfast. This is the same company that built another famous ship, the Titanic. The Belfast saw action during some of the most pivotal battles of World War II, including the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
The Household Cavalry Museum preserves and interprets the history of the Regiments of the Household Cavalry, which dates back more than 350 years. The museum opened in June 2007 in the historic Horse Guards building. The museum includes working stables in addition to an extensive collection of historical artifacts.
Hyde Park is a historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster, Greater London, spanning more than 350 acres. This park and green space stretches from Kensington Palace to St James’s Park and, along with Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, and Buckingham Palace, forms a chain of greenspace. It is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes. Henry VIII established the park in 1536, taking the land from Westminster Abbey and using it as a hunting ground. It opened publicly in 1637 and quickly became popular, particularly for May Day parades. In the early 18th century, Queen Caroline directed major improvements to the park. During this time, the park was frequently used for duels, particularly by members of the nobility.
Author Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 until 1806, and the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street explores the effect Bath had on Austen’s writings. The museum is certainly a must-see for Austen fans, but it’s also for visitors looking to learn more about historic Bath through the experiences of one of its favorite residents.
The 14th century Jewel Tower was one part of the royal Palace of Westminster. The edifice was built between 1365 and 1366 to house the personal treasure of Edward III.
The Kensington Palace royal residence has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century. It is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other members of the Royal Family. The State Rooms of Kensington Palace are open to the public and display paintings and objects from the Royal Collection.
Located in central London between The Mall and Carlton Gardens, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Memorial is a tribute to King George VI and his spouse, Queen Elizabeth. The memorial was completed in 2009 and features a Grade II listed statue of George VI created by William McMillan and unveiled by his daughter Queen Elizabeth II in 1955. The updated memorial includes a statue of the Queen Mother by Philip Jackson, a relief sculpture by Paul Day and an architectural setting by Donald Buttress and Donald Insall. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the updated memorial in 2009.
The London cable car is a cable car connection that spans the River Thames in London, England. It is also known as the Dangleway and has been officially named the IFS Cloud Cable Car due to sponsorship reasons. The line was constructed by Doppelmayr at an overall cost of £60 million. The service was launched on June 28, 2012, and is run by Transport for London (TfL). Since October 20, 2022, it has been sponsored by the technology company IFS. Before this, from its commencement, the airline Emirates sponsored the line, and it was referred to as the Emirates Air Line until June 28, 2022. The service comprises a 0.62-mile gondola line across the Thames from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock, located west of ExCeL London. In addition to transporting people across the river, the service is marketed as providing “a unique view of London.”
The London Canal Museum, located in the King’s Cross section of London, tells the often overlooked story of London’s Canals. The museum explores canals from their earliest days as important trade routes to the more leisurely pursuits they are used for today. The museum is housed in a former ice warehouse once used by Carlo Gatti that was built sometime in the mid-19th century to house ice that was imported from Norway by ship and canal barge.
The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It stands 443 feet tall with a diameter of 394 feet, making it the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe. With more than three million visitors annually, it is the United Kingdom’s most popular paid tourist attraction and has made numerous appearances in popular culture. It’s worth noting that the London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world during its debut.
London’s extensive subway system is famous the world over. But, the modern system took decades to develop. This museum, established in 1980 and located in a former flower shop in Covent Garden, showcases the history of transport from horse-drawn carriages to today’s subway system. Its holdings include an impressive collection of vehicles and artifacts used in developing London’s extensive transit system. Among the items on display is Metropolitan Railway steam locomotive No. 23. This engine is one of two surviving steam locomotives from the Metropolitan Railway, the company that built the first passenger-carrying underground railway in the world.
The Marble Arch, a magnificent triumphal arch made of white marble, is located in London, England. John Nash designed it in 1827 as the entrance to Buckingham Palace’s cour d’honneur. The arch was originally located near the palace’s central projection, which contains the famous balcony. However, Decimus Burton, an architect and urban planner once John Nash’s student, relocated the arch to its present location in 1851, near the northeast corner of Hyde Park. This ensured that Buckingham Palace’s expansion could continue without any obstructions. The region surrounding the arch, including the southern portion of Edgware Road and the underground station, is named after it. It’s important to note that the Westminster City Council maintains the arch as it is not part of the Royal Parks.
The Monument to the Great Fire of London commemorates the Great Fire of London, which started on Sept. 2, 1666. The Monument, as it is colloquially known, was built between 1671 and 1677 on the site of St. Margaret’s, the first church the Great Fire destroyed, and 202 feet west of where the Great Fire started. The Monument is a fluted Doric column built of Portland stone. It is 202 feet tall and topped with a gilded urn of fire.
The Museum of London Docklands in West India Quay tells the ever-changing story of London from 450,000 BC to the present day. The galleries, exhibitions, displays, and activities aim to ignite enthusiasm for London and showcase the city’s vibrant and distinctive character. The museum explains the River Thames’ history, the Port of London’s growth, and the docks’ historical link to the Atlantic slave trade. It opened in 2003 and is housed in a Grade I listed early-19th century Georgian “low” sugar warehouse built in 1802 on the north side of West India Docks, just a short walk from Canary Wharf.
The National Firefighters Memorial of three bronze statues showing firefighters in action is a tribute to the brave men and women who fought fires during the Blitz in London. The memorial, located on the Jubilee Walkway near St. Paul’s Cathedral, was created to honor the firefighters who fought fires on the streets of London during World War II and to commemorate the service of firefighters throughout the war. Cyril Demarne conceived the idea for the memorial, which was commissioned by the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust in 1990. Sculpted by John W. Mills, the monument was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on May 4, 1991. In 1998, it was decided to make the memorial a national monument to honor all firefighters in the United Kingdom who lost their lives while on duty, not just during World War II. As a result, the monument was moved from its original location in Old Change Court, the plinth was raised by more than one meter, and the names of all firefighters who died in peacetime were added.
The National Gallery dates to 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of John Julius Angerstein, a London businessman. Today, the museum, located in Trafalgar Square, is home to more than 2,300 works of art, some dating to the mid-13th century. Some critics point out the museum’s collection is smaller when compared to other European national galleries.
A famous semicircle row of Georgian townhouses was built based on designs by architect John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1774. One of the houses, the No. 1 Royal Crescent, has been preserved as a museum, giving visitors a window into 18th century life. Complete with authentic furniture and artifacts, each room tells a story of daily life 300 years ago. In one of the rooms, the Gentlemen’s Retreat, visitors can learn more about Henry Sandford, the townhouse’s first resident who lived here from 1776 until 1796.
Old Sarum is an abandoned hill fort dating that was likely established in 400 BC. The Romans later used the site and created the town of Sorviodunum. A trio of Roman roads converged near the site, making it an essential strategic location. Following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the city was expanded, but it was largely abandoned in the 13th century. The bishop of Salisbury, Osmund de Sees, completed a small cathedral at the site in 1092. Little is left of the city, as much of the original construction in Old Sarum was demolished after Henry VIII sold the rights to the castle’s remains in 1514.
The Pulteney Bridge is a historic bridge in Bath, England, spanning the River Avon. It was constructed in 1774 to link the city with the Pulteney family’s land, which they wanted to develop. Robert Adam designed the bridge, which features a unique Palladian style with shops built on both sides. It has been classified as a Grade I listed building. Within two decades of its completion, the shops were expanded, and the façades were altered. Floods damaged the bridge by the end of the 18th century, but it was rebuilt with a similar design. In the following century, renovations were made to the shops, including cantilevered extensions on the bridge’s north face. Later in the 20th century, preservation efforts were carried out to restore the bridge’s original appearance, making it more attractive as a tourist destination.
The Roman Baths, for which this southwestern England city is named, are some of the most remarkable Roman ruins outside of Rome itself. The area’s natural hot springs were used long before the Romans under Emperor Claudius invaded Britain, starting in 43 AD. Archaeological evidence shows human activity around the springs dating to 8,000 BC, though the area may have been too hot and swampy for a permanent settlement. Today, the Roman ruins stand at the center of this historic city. Much like their counterparts in Rome itself, the bath ruins provide a marvelous insight into both the magnificence of the buildings constructed by the Romans and daily life during Roman times.
The Royal Albert Hall is a renowned concert hall in northern South Kensington, London. It is considered one of the UK’s most precious and recognizable buildings. The hall is managed by a registered charity that doesn’t receive government funding and is held in trust for the nation. It has a seating capacity of 5,272 people.
The Royal Mews is the home of the stables, carriage house and garage of the British Royal Family. The Royal Mews is in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, to the south of Buckingham Palace Gardens, near Grosvenor Place. George III moved some of his day-to-day horses and carriages to the grounds of Buckingham House in the 1760s.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is part of Royal Museums Greenwich, which also includes the Cutty Sark. The Royal Observatory Greenwich is home to Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian and one of the world’s most important historic scientific sites. Since its founding in 1675, Greenwich has been at the center of time and space measurement. Visitors can stand on the historic Prime Meridian line.
Sally Lunn’s is a historical house located in Bath and is known to be the oldest house in the area dating back to 1482. Here, a young Huguenot baker named Solange Luyon, Anglicized as Sally Lunn, invented the first Bath bun in 1680. This regional delicacy, similar to a brioche bun, can be relished with sweet or savory toppings and is popular worldwide. Sally Lunn’s offers a menu based on this famous bun during the day and serves fine English cuisine in the evening. Additionally, visitors can explore the original kitchen used by Sally in the downstairs kitchen museum.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a replica of the original theater originally built in 1599 and rebuilt in 1614 after it was destroyed by fire a year earlier. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre opened to the public in 1997 and is a great place for watching the plays of William Shakespeare as the playwright intended them to be performed.
Southwark Cathedral, formally The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, is an Anglican Cathedral located on the south bank of the River Thames. The cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark, which was created in 1905. The current structure uses the form of a Gothic edifice built between 1220 and 1420. However, the cathedral reconstructed the nave in the late 19th-century.
St Paul’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of London, is the seat of the Bishop of London. The original church was consecrated in 1300; the current church was consecrated in 1697. The 365-foot-tall edifice was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1967, and its dome is among the highest in the world. It is the second-largest church building in area in the United Kingdom. Over the years, St Paul’s Cathedral has hosted several high-profile events, including the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria.
Nearly a million people visit Stonehenge, a Neolithic monument, every year. The mysterious and alluring Stonehenge sits eight miles north of Salisbury and is one of England’s most recognizable symbols, even if many scholars and experts disagree on its original purpose. What makes Stonehenge so fascinating is that despite centuries of study and exploration, no one can say with 100 percent certainty the history of Stonehenge.
Tate Modern is among the world’s largest modern and contemporary art museums. The museum, which opened in the former Bankside Power Station in May 2000, is one of the most visited attractions in London. The museum houses more than 60,000 works of art that are regularly rotated. Its collection displays of the Tate Modern is open to the public for free.
Watching the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace is a tradition for visitors to London. For those wanting to learn more about the guards, a visit to The Guards Museum is a must. The museum tells the story of the five regiments of Foot Guards namely Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. The museum, which opened in 1988 in Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk near Buckingham Palace, chronicles the five regiments’ history from the 17th century to modern times. The museum’s exhibits include examples of Guards uniforms, weapons and various artifacts that interpret the history of the regiments and what being a soldier in the Guards is all about.
Of all the landmarks in London, Tower Bridge sits near the top of the list, perhaps trailing only its namesake tower. The bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, crosses the River Thames near the Tower of London. The structure, which features a pair of towers, is unique in that it is both a bascule (draw) and suspension bridge. The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, and his wife, Alexandra of Denmark, formally opened the bridge on June 30, 1894. The 800-foot-long crossing, often mistaken for the London Bridge, features a pair of 213-feet-tall towers and a 200-foot-long central span.
The Tower of London is perhaps the single most famous London landmark, best known for its history as a jail. Today, the tower, which dates to 1078, is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions and is home to the Crown Jewels. The tower, which sits on the north bank of the River Thames, has been besieged at various times and controlling the edifice has been critical to control of England. Its peak use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the many prominent people “sent to the Tower” are Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh and Elizabeth Throckmorton.
Wellington Arch in London’s Hyde Park Corner was built between 1826 and 1830 and moved to its present location in 1883-83. The Arch, initially known as the Green Park Arch and is also known as the Constitution Arch, was at one time the entrance to Buckingham Palace. It later became a victory arch for Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon. The structure initially supported a colossal equestrian statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington by Matthew Cotes Wyatt. Since 1912, a bronze “Quadriga,” an ancient four-horse chariot, by Adrian Jones has sat atop the arch.
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, better known as Westminster Abbey, was built in the 10th century. British monarchs have held their coronations at Westminster Abbey since 1066. Among the artifacts on display is King Edward’s Chair (or St Edward’s Chair), the throne on which English and British sovereigns have been seated when crowned and has been used at every coronation since 1308. The Abbey has been the site of at least 16 royal weddings since King Henry I married Matilda of Scotland on Nov. 11, 1100.
Windsor Castle, dating to the 11th century, has long been associated with the English and British royal families. Since Henry I, who ruled from 1100-1135, reigning monarchs have used the castle, making it the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle’s original purpose was to protect Norman dominance around London’s outskirts. It also oversaw a strategically important part of the River Thames. Royals have used Windsor Castle for refuge, including during World War II’s Luftwaffe bombing campaigns. Today it is a favorite weekend retreat for Queen Elizabeth II. The castle sits on 13 acres and is accessible from London by train.
The bronze sculpture of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, created by Ivor Roberts-Jones, stands tall in London’s Parliament Square. Churchill selected the location in the 1950s. “That is where my statue will go,” Churchill said, drawing a circle in the northeast corner after Minister of Works David Eccles showed him plans for Parliament Square’s redevelopment. The statue was unveiled in 1973 by his wife, Clementine, Baroness Spencer-Churchill. Current and former Prime Ministers attended the ceremony, and Queen Elizabeth II delivered a speech. The statue is one of 12 located around Parliament Square, with the majority paying homage to prominent statesmen.