Location: Westminster
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Things to do in London, England: The Best Historic Sites
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
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1. Buckingham Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,134 reviews
Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the focus of national and royal celebrations as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony. Explore the magnificent State Rooms which are open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. During a visit to Buckingham Palace, visitors can see the 19 magnificent State Rooms, which provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining. All rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
Just before leaving on our trip, we were very lucky to get an email from the Royal Collection Trust saying that they would be having private tours of Buckingham Place in late March and early April for £ 85 each. We have always wanted to tour the palace, but we are never in London when it is normally opened in the summer months while the Queen is at Balmoral. We signed up right away for a tour on Friday, March 29, at 5:30 PM. This was going to be 2-1/2 hour tour with a private tour guide, limited participants, a glass of champagne, an official souvenir booklet on Buckingham Palace and a discount in the museum shop. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to take pictures. Laura P. made all the arrangements for me to have a wheelchair. She was so helpful and kind. We were met at the front entrance to the palace by Abi, a delightful representative of the palace, who stayed with me the whole tour. Our tour guide was Roz and what an incredible tour guide she was! Her command of the knowledge and history of the palace made it come alive for us. She gave us a comprehensive tour of the 19 State Rooms where the Queen and members of the royal family host guests for state, ceremonial and official affairs. We were able to see the Grand Staircase, Grand Entrance and Marble Hall, Green Drawing Room, Guard Chamber, Music Room, The Throne Room, The Picture Gallery, The Ballroom, Blue Drawing Room, Bow Room, East & West Gallery, State Dining Room, The Ball Supper Room, White Drawing Room with a secret doorway for the Queen, the Silk Tapestry Room, The Ante Room, The Lobby, Minister’s landing & Staircase We were completely awe struck by the opulent rooms with enormous chandeliers, candelabra, paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens; plus more, exquisite English and French furniture and Sèvres porcelain. Each and every room had some of the most magnificent pieces from the Royal Collection. Some interesting facts about the Palace: 450 people are employed there; it has 775 rooms; there are offices and rooms below the quadrangle; the palace was completed in 1834; there are 200 bedrooms, 79 bathrooms, and 92 offices; the total square footage is 830,000 sq. ft., which includes a post office, swimming pool, medical offices and a movie theater. There are 2 full-time personnel to take care of the 350 clocks in the palace. I was escorted back to the front entrance by Richard. It was really a thrilling experience to tour the palace, and we are so appreciative of the opportunity to do so. If you have the chance, you must do this. The Royal Flag is flown when the Queen is in residence.
2. Middlesex Guildhall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
3. Westminster Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,153 reviews
Westminster Abbey was initially built by Henry III in 1245 and it is one of the most important Gothic buildings of England. At first home of Benedictine monks, the coronation church since 1066 and the final resting place of 17 monarchs. It contains a treasury full of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles, books and various other artefacts plus the most significant collection of monumental sculptures of the UK. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the Abbey's Triforium opened in June 2018. Explore over 1,000 years of history in this truly unique space, high above the Abbey floor.
Reviewed By Aimco1998
First visit to this historic building and I was not disappointed ! The free audio guide is a must brilliant commentary from Jeremy irons provides fascinating insight and history into this incredible building . Stunning architecture and sculptures fill every corner. Parts of the building are not easy accessible narrow passage ways and steps are not easy for anyone with walking difficulties ! Helpful friendly staff and easy distance from Westminster tube station make it a must if you are in London
4. Churchill War Rooms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,912 reviews
Discover the secrets of the Second World War in the underground nerve centre where Churchill and his war cabinet lived and worked.
Reviewed By 31cheriel - Melbourne, Australia
We were kept fully interested for 3 and a half hours .. this was so informative and even our teenagers were engaged the whole time.. Loved every part of this history tour.. you see Churchill map room, his sleeping quarters, the tiny kitchen, and the phone room.. and loads more.. can't imagine how hard what they all had to do in such small quarters.. well done Chuchhill and team..
5. Houses of Parliament
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,489 reviews
Most of this iconic building was built in the mid-19th century following a devastating fire in 1834. Westminster Hall survived the fire and dates from 1097. All visits are currently suspended. For the latest updates and online content, please go to the website and sign-up to the e-newsletter.
Reviewed By Dr_Waugh - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
It was fascinating and a little bizarre to be given a tour around HoP today. We saw Westminster Hall, the Commons, the Lords, the terrace and other areas of the Houses of Parliament. Steeped in history with loads of interesting facts, oldest building in Europe, etc. Only Mandela, Obama and Pope John Paul 2 have heaven speeches in Westminster Hall, etc. Definitely worth a visit and if you are a uk resident you can do a democratic access tour through your MPs office.
6. Whitehall Palace
7. Banqueting House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 642 reviews
Admire the epic Rubens' ceiling and discover the site of Charles I's execution at Banqueting House, Whitehall - a magnificent survivor of the lost royal Palace of Whitehall. Once the principle setting for the passions, intrigues and ceremonies of the Tudor, and later, the Stuart monarchies, Charles I was executed on a specially built scaffold outside the Banqueting House on 30 January 1649.
Reviewed By 661coryc
After arriving in London on a Red Eye, we stumbled upon the banqueting house and dropped in to kill time before checking into our hotel. It turned out to be one of the most interesting and relaxing experiences I had in London. Lounging on the brown poofs spread all over the banqueting hall’s ornate floor enabled us to gaze up at Peter Paul Rueben’s spectacular frescos and listen to informative and entertaining audio guide in the comfort reminiscent of the indulgence guests were originally offered. An interpreter was on hand to answer questions and Jacobian garb was available for all guests to try. A fun welcome to London and great place to feel immersed in a vibrant era that often goes overlooked.
8. Royal Mews
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
The Royal Mews is home to the royal collection of historic coaches and carriages and is considered to be one of the finest working stables in existence. The Royal Mews is responsible for all road travel arrangements for The Queen and members of the Royal Family and is home to the most dazzling display of coaches including the Gold State Coach, which has been used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1821. During your visit, you will be able to see The Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
Reviewed By Kingpaul100 - Malaga, Spain
So lovely to see this Royal collection of state coaches- the true prize of course is the golden state coach which is just breathtaking. Suitable for all ages.
9. Palace of Westminster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By 997DanielC - Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
There are several ways to enter the iconic palace resting along the river Thames, across from the London Eye; when I visited I went into a building called Portcullis house and then went through an underground tunnel. To get into Portcullis house you'll need to get through security, also you can't just walk into, you'll need to book a guided tour; you can go through the underground tunnel to reach the courtyard outside the palace. Upon entering you will be inside Westminster hall, built nearly a thousand years ago. The hall is huge and wide, your tour guide will tell you the stories that have happened here. William Wallace was found guilty of treason here and Winston Churchill was laid in state here. You can walk up the steps and enter a long hallway filled with statues of people from the past before entering a large circular room in the centre. To the left, is the House of Commons, to the right is the House of Lords and up ahead leads to the other parts of the building. When I visited I saw the then Speaker John Bercow enter. You will also find large rooms filled with paintings of England's past and you can go outside for a nice view along the river Thames. In the House of Lords you can see the rows of red seats and the chair where the Queen sits, in the house of Commons you'll find an almost identical room except the seats are green and the chair is for the speaker. This palace is filled with history, so anyone interested in history or politics should definitely visit.
10. Horse Guards Building
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By TeamWard - Nottingham, United Kingdom
A majestic building is the Horse guards building approach from Horse Guards ave to get a good view, see a member of the cavalry and wander through the arch.
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