The city of London is undoubtedly one of the top culture capitals on the planet and has an amazing variety of sights to see and things to do. Whether it is taking an awe-inspiring ride on the London Eye, immersing yourself in history at Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London, or visiting its splendid museums and art galleries, there is plenty to experience on a trip to London.
And to ensure your trip is a success choosing a suitable hotel in central London is a must. In terms of location staying at the Kensington hotel London would be an ideal choice.
The biggest advantage of staying at a premium hotel like the Park Grand Hotel Kensington is that it offers value for money, while offering convenient access to the top attractions is Central London. Some of the must see attractions not to miss on a trip to the city include the following:
The London Eye:
At the time the Millennium Commission made a public announcement that they plan to construct an observation wheel, standing 135 metres in height it was received with scepticism by most locals. But the idea turned out to be a masterstroke when completed, and now it occupies a prominent position among the top attractions that attracts millions of visitors annually. In fact it has proved to be the most popular attraction, since the time of the Great Exhibition during Queen Victoria’s reign. The London Eye now plays host to approximately 4 million visitors annually. The design and concept was that of Marks Barfield Architects, with it being hailed as a modern marvel of engineering. At the time of its construction in 1999, it was the tallest of its type in the world. Since then it has been overtaken by other similar construction in the world, but is easily still the biggest draw of them all. It offers visitors a rare and stunning aerial view of the city and its horizons far beyond.
St Paul’s Cathedral:
Although Sir Christopher Wren is famous for having created many architectural masterpieces all over London; perhaps his piece-de-resistance is the lofty splendid St Paul’s Cathedral. Although many modern skyscrapers overshadow the edifice nothing quite compares to the sheer grandeur of the Cathedral. It was constructed in the aftermath of the great fire of 1666, and still occupies a preeminent position as the venue for Royal weddings, Church services and funerals of some of the nation’s greatest leaders all of which are held beneath its magnificent dome. It miraculously managed to survive the dreaded Blitz during the Second World War and was a symbol of strength and fortitude during that bleak period. With ornate Victorian mosaics, unique medieval relics in its crypt and some of the most amazing views of the city from atop its dome, it is a must see on any trip.
The British Museum:
The British Museum owes its existence primarily to Sir Hans Sloane who donated his vast collection of 71,000 objects for the creation of a museum in 1753. As per the Royal Charter constituted then it was to be free of cost “to all studious and curious persons”. From its inception it began to grow is size and collections and during the nineteenth century it rapidly expanded. It now is home to more than 8 million objects and growing with some being older than 10,000 years. There is no better way to spend a day engrossed in exploring its priceless exhibits, which include those from ancient empires and civilisations from across the planet. Its exhibits showcase the finest of mankind’s cultural achievements through the ages. With a lofty and imposing columned entrance visitors can then pass its breath taking glass domed Great Court and explore the practically endless exhibits to be found all over the museum. It is a veritable treasure trove of relics and artefacts that span human history and even prehistory.
The Tower of London:
Another iconic attraction of the city, the daunting Tower of London has been around for close to a thousand years and seems good to continue to remain for at least another thousand years. All through this period it has played a pivotal role in the history of the city as being used to protect, imprison, serve as a royal residence and also on occasions been used to execute its prisoners. It was built by the Norman king, William the Conqueror and was constructed with imported white stone that came from France. It has played many roles through its long existence as the place where the royal family stayed, execution site to Queens Anne Boleyn and Catherine, home to the Royal Crown Jewels, an armoury and mint etc. It is also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Probably the biggest attraction to those who visit the place is its collection of crown jewels, which include the two biggest cut diamonds in the world, sceptres and crowns etc. With its legendary Beefeaters, ubiquitous black ravens, traitors gate and impressive medieval palace it is a fascinating place to visit.
Buckingham Palace: It occupies primacy among the country’s many royal palaces, and serves as the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. It opens its magnificent State Rooms for tours during the summer months. It was originally purchased by King George III as a gift for his royal consort Queen Charlotte. It was later redesigned and extended by John Nash under instructions from King George IV, who decided to convert the former house into a palace. Of the monarchs, Queen Victoria was the first to stay here. The impressive State Rooms are used by the Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive foreign guests and dignitaries and also for ceremonial occasions. The priceless royal art collection includes masterpieces by Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Rembrandt among other rare items, including exquisite sculpture and furniture. With lavish decor, its amazing Ball Room, annual exhibitions and stunning 29 acres gardens it is well worth a visit.
New Additions:
I want to list couple of new findings that I came across recently.
Camden Pub Crawl
If you are a party animal don’t forget to check out Camden London pub crawl. They will take you to a fantastic mix of bars, of course, all with Free Entry, Free Shots, Drinks Deals & our amazing Crawlers & Hosts. If you’re not here for a long time, go for the good times.
Free Jack the Ripper walking tour
This walking tour promises chills and frights as we visit the locations of the Whitechapel Murders, discover more about the victims and the gruesome details of their murders and explore the conspiracy theories surrounding the identity of the killer.
Happy Travelling!
