If you’re looking for a day trip to explore the best London has to offer, look no further than Westminster Pier. This Victorian pleasure pier has long been a favourite for Londoners seeking to escape the city.
Today, it’s a thriving entertainment destination with rides and arcade games. It’s also an important cultural and economic anchor on the city’s seafront.
Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament in London are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. You can visit them to watch MPs debate issues and pass laws, or take a tour to learn more about the history of the building.
The building is made up of the House of Commons and House of Lords, together known as ‘The Palace of Westminster’. Both houses have their own public galleries, and both are open to the public to see politicians in action.
The most famous room in the building is the Lord’s Chamber, which is decorated with bright red colours and ornate carvings. The Commons Chamber, on the other hand, is much more sparsely decorated with furnishings from Commonwealth countries.
Big Ben
One of the most iconic landmarks in London, Big Ben is a 98-meter-tall clock tower located to the north of Westminster’s Collegiate Church. It is a must-see in London, and its presence has become a source of pride for many people living here.
The tower houses the famous Great Bell, which weighs an astonishing 15.1 tons. It was a challenge for the clock tower’s makers to construct a timepiece that would maintain such high accuracy.
Its four quarter bells chime every quarter-hour, with each chime playing a different note. Chimes 1-4 announce the first fifteen minutes of the hour, 5-12 play for a half-hour and 13-20 chime when it’s 45 minutes to midnight.
The tower also has a working clock that announces the hours. This clock has twenty Cambridge chimes, which make for a mesmerizing experience for both locals and tourists.
Buckingham Palace
The Queen's official residence, Buckingham Palace is a must-visit for any London explorer. It's the primary location where the monarch entertains foreign heads of state and guests.
The palace is open to the public during select dates throughout the year. You can take a tour of the state rooms where you'll be treated to 18th-century portraits, marble columns, damask wallpaper and other royal-themed features.
You can also get a look at some of the Royal Family's famous carriages that are on display in the Palace's Royal Mews. Here, you'll be able to see horse-drawn carriages used at official events, such as the coronation of a new monarch.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery is home to some of the world's most famous art masterpieces. With works of Rembrandt, Da Vinci and Van Gogh lining its walls, it's no wonder that millions of visitors visit London every year to see this incredible collection.
In addition to its stunning collection of paintings, The National Gallery is also home to many fabulous sculptures. You can find statues of the kings and legends of Greece, Rome and the ancient Roman Empire here.
As with most museums in the world, The National Gallery isn't perfect. But the one good thing about this place is that it's free to enter, which makes it a popular attraction for tourists from all over the world.
Tate Britain
Tate Britain is one of the UK's largest museums of British art and is home to the finest collection in the world. It is part of the Tate network with its sister galleries in Liverpool, St Ives and Modern London.
A trip to the museum is a fantastic experience for the whole family. With a range of displays, play spaces and eateries to choose from you'll be spoilt for choice when visiting.
The museum offers free admission to Members and non-members alike. It's also a great place to learn more about the history of British art. You can even visit the Library and Archive to find out more about its collections.
